Kumkum: Ties of Love and Lies (COMPLETED)

Chapter 11

The grand hall of the Rajasekhar estate was decorated to perfection, draped in marigolds and roses, with lamps and rangoli adorning the floors. The air buzzed with excitement as guests dressed in vibrant silks and jewelry filled the space. The sounds of traditional Tamil wedding music added a sacred aura to the day.

Pugazh stood before the sacred fire, dressed in an elegant white shirt and dhoti with a golden border. He looked every bit the groom, radiating confidence and charm. His eyes, however, were fixed on the door, waiting impatiently for Sandhya to appear. He smiled faintly, imagining her arrival.

But in another room, a storm was brewing.

"Sandhya, you have to listen to me," Gautham said, his voice urgent.

Sandhya stood before a mirror, her golden silk saree draped perfectly, her jewels glittering against her smooth skin. But her mind wasn't on the wedding. Gautham's words echoed in her ears.

"Why are you doing this, Gautham?" she asked, her voice cold.

"Because you're about to marry a murderer!" Gautham hissed, stepping closer.

Sandhya turned to face him, her eyes narrowing. "What are you talking about?"

Gautham held up a file, his face a mix of desperation and determination. 

"I've been investigating, Sandhya. Look at this."

She hesitated before taking the file. Inside were photos and papers—security footage, suspicious transactions linked to Shravani's name, and a blurry image of Pugazh talking to an unknown man. It was all circumstantial, but Gautham's explanations made it sound damning.

"That man in the footage?" Gautham said, pointing to the image. "He's connected to Shravani's death. And Pugazh met him. Why?"

Sandhya frowned, her resolve faltering. "This doesn't prove anything, Gautham."

"But it raises questions, doesn't it?" Gautham pressed. 

"Why would Pugazh be meeting someone involved in Shravani's case? Why are there unexplained transfers from the hospital accounts under his authorization? Sandhya, you need to see the truth."

Her heart clenched as doubts began to creep in.

Gautham lowered his voice, his tone pleading. "Your best friend trusted you, Sandhya. Don't betray her memory by marrying her killer. Please, don't go through with this."

Sandhya clenched her fists, her mind a storm of emotions. Gautham's words echoed in her head, filling her with anger and confusion. What if he's right?

But instead of backing out, her determination solidified. If Pugazh is behind this, I need to prove it. And the only way to uncover the truth is from inside his world.

She turned back to the mirror, her face hardening. "I'm going to marry him, Gautham."

"What?" Gautham's voice rose, shocked. "Sandhya, no—"

She cut him off, her voice cold as steel. "I'm going to marry him. And if what you're saying is true, I'll ruin him. I'll destroy his life and expose the truth."

Gautham stared at her, stunned by her resolve. "Sandhya..."

"Leave," she said, her voice sharp. "I need to do this my way."

When Sandhya finally stepped into the hall, all eyes turned to her. The crowd gasped in awe at her beauty, her golden saree shimmering under the lights, her hair adorned with jasmine flowers. But her face was stoic, devoid of the joy everyone expected.

Pugazh's breath caught as he saw her. For a moment, he forgot the crowd, the rituals, and everything else. His bride was a vision, and he couldn't tear his eyes away from her.

"You look... incredible," he said softly as she approached him.

Sandhya didn't respond, her expression unreadable. She took her place beside him before the sacred fire, avoiding his gaze.

The priest began chanting the mantras, instructing Pugazh to tie the sacred mangalasutra around her neck. She held back the tears that fought to leave her eyes. The cuple were then asked to stand up for their vows. As they began circling the fire, their garments tied together, Pugazh couldn't help but smile at her, his eyes brimming with happiness.

But Sandhya's voice broke through his joy, cold and cutting.

"With this vow, I promise to make your life hell," she murmured, her words barely audible over the priest's chants.

Pugazh froze for a moment, glancing at her in confusion. "What did you say?"

"Nothing," she said sharply, her face still devoid of emotion.

After they completed their vows around the sacred fire, Pugazh's heart swelled with pride and love, but the growing distance in Sandhya's demeanor gnawed at him.

He leaned in to whisper, "Why are you so quiet?"

Sandhya didn't reply.

After the wedding, Sandhya was taken to the Rajasekhar estate for the post-wedding rituals. The house was buzzing with activity as the family welcomed their new daughter-in-law. Pugazh's mother, Latha, performed the traditional blessings, her smile warm and genuine.

But Sandhya felt disconnected, her thoughts consumed by the swirling doubts and her plan for revenge. She went through the motions mechanically, her smiles forced, her words clipped.

Pugazh watched her closely, his concern growing. He had noticed her coldness earlier, but now it was undeniable.

When they finally had a moment alone, he approached her cautiously. "Sandhya, what's going on? You've been distant all day."

"I'm tired," she said flatly, not meeting his eyes.

"Tired?" he repeated, his voice laced with disbelief. "This is our wedding day, Sandhya. I thought—"

She cut him off, her tone sharp. "Not now, Pugazh."

His face fell, but he didn't push further. "Alright," he said quietly. "But we need to talk."

Sandhya nodded curtly, already walking away.

Later that night, as she sat in her new room, her gaze fell on her reflection in the mirror. The ornate jewels, the henna on her hands, the sindoor in her hairline—all symbols of her new life.

But beneath it all, she felt like a stranger.

I've made my vows, she thought. Now it's time to uncover the truth.

She clenched her fists, her resolve hardening. Pugazh had won her hand, but he wouldn't win her trust.