Marked By Darkness

Chapter 82- Tangled Hearts

Ruhi's POV...

The wedding ceremony had come to an end, and the rush of emotions was slowly starting to settle. The blessings flowed around us as everyone offered their warm wishes. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of the people who were closest to me-Elijah and James were teasing Ruhan, while Neil and Anshi were doing the same to me. The teasing lightened the mood, but it was Esha, standing by me, who made me feel grounded. She supported me quietly, her smile reassuring in the midst of it all.

After a while, we all made our way to the event space, which was just a short walk from the church. The air was filled with the hum of excited chatter and laughter, and I tried to push away the nerves that still lingered in my chest.

James was fussing over the buffet, ensuring everything was perfect. I could hear him in the background, checking if the food was right and making sure everything was in place.

Suddenly, I noticed Esha and Arav having a heated argument. I couldn't quite hear what was being said, but the tension was clear. Arav stormed off in anger, and Esha, clearly upset, wiped at her eyes. Neil stepped in, trying to calm her down, but the teasing in his voice didn't help much. He handed her a tissue, but she snatched it from him in frustration, and in the process, the tissue tore apart.

Neil couldn't resist teasing her again. "Guess you're a little too rough with your tissues," he joked.

Esha sniffled, still fighting the tears, and I couldn't stand to see her like this. I walked over to her, my voice soft but pointed. "You're crying? But after all this time, you still choose him again and again?"

Just as Esha was about to respond, Anshi appeared, walking by with a plate loaded with food. She seemed completely unaffected by the chaos around her.

Neil, always the one for playful antics, tried to sneak a piece of sweet from Anshi's plate. But she moved it away before he could grab anything, still chewing her food.

"Take what you want from there," Anshi mumbled with a full mouth, pointing her finger toward the buffet.

Neil shot her a look of mock frustration, his expression like he could eat her up instead of the food. "You're impossible," he muttered, but Anshi just gave him a cheeky grin, her mouth still full. He gave up for a moment, but Anshi wasn't done.

Before Neil could make another move, Esha suddenly snatched the plate from Anshi's hands and walked away, her face full of determination. Anshi yelled out, still with food in her mouth, "My plate!" It was too much to hold back-laughter bubbled up from my chest, and I couldn't stop it.

I watched as Anshi and Neil exchanged amused glances, and the laughter that followed was contagious.

---

From a distance, Ruhan stood there, watching the scene unfold. The warmth of their laughter spread to him, and for a brief moment, he allowed himself to smile. It was strange, but seeing them all happy, even in the chaos, made him feel... lighter.

Elijah noticed and came over, raising an eyebrow. "Why are you laughing, brother?" he asked with a teasing tone.

Ruhan didn't answer right away. The sound of their laughter still lingered in his mind, and it made him feel at ease. Finally, Ruhan turned to Elijah with a small shrug. "Nothing, brother."

But then, Ruhan couldn't resist teasing him back. "So, tell me, what about you now? Do you want to live always single?"

Elijah's face turned red with embarrassment. He fumbled for an answer, clearly flustered. "Why are you teasing me?" he muttered, looking away sheepishly.

The moment passed, but it was a reminder of how far they'd all come.

Elijah's POV...

The event space was buzzing with life, laughter, and the soft clinking of glasses. My eyes wandered around the room, and they settled on Esha, who was chatting with some guests. Her energy was infectious, and for a brief moment, I found myself lost in the way she smiled. There was something in her eyes-something that made the rest of the world feel distant.