ℂ𝕆ℂ𝕂𝕋𝔸𝕀𝕃𝕊 𝕎𝕀𝕋ℍ ℂ𝕌ℙ𝕀𝔻

𝟱𝟬

𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀
>>>>–––– 💘 ––––<<<<

403 trailed behind, his pout growing more dramatic with each step as he watched 601 practically glued to Ananya. It was as if 601 had declared herself Ananya's personal bodyguard, leaving no room for anyone else, especially him. With a defeated sigh, he muttered under his breath,

Enamo iva kalyanam panna madhiri ottikitae suthura paaru

( It's almost as if these two are the married ones )

403 huffed dramatically, his exasperation drawing a few side-eyes from Mithra. He shot a wistful glance at Avi, who walked silently beside his wife, his posture tense yet composed. The poor man barely got a moment alone with Ananya, as Anjali clung to her like an unshakable shadow. 403 sighed to himself, mentally lamenting the lack of drama to spice things up.

As they entered the sanctum, Selvam motioned for the couple to step forward and offer their prayers. Avi and Ananya hesitated briefly but eventually moved closer, standing side by side. Radha, with a determined expression, instructed the priest to begin the rituals in their name. The priest nodded, proceeded with the prayers, while the couple remained silent.

Avi hesitated briefly, his skepticism about rituals tugging at him, but he quickly masked it behind a composed expression. For the sake of courtesy and, perhaps, for Ananya, he brought his palms together awkwardly and closed his eyes. His mind, however, remained stubbornly blank, untouched by the solemnity of the moment.

Ananya lowered her head, her palms tightly pressed against each other as if holding herself together. Her prayer was simple yet weighed down by the enormity of her heartache: Let me go. A year from now, she wished for the strength to break free from everything binding her.

The priest approached the couple, blessing them and instructing Ananya to press kumkumam onto her nuptial chain. She complied quietly, her movements deliberate and detached. When Radha tried to help adjust the chain, Ananya subtly stepped back, her eyes instinctively seeking Anjali. Anjali quickly stepped forward, assisting Ananya with a reassuring smile. Radha masked her discomfort with a forced expression, though the tension in her posture betrayed her displeasure which Avi didn't fail to notice.

From the back, 403 observed the scene, his face expressing his displeasure as he mumbled in frustration,

Aiyo, yenna chance'uh! Iva illana avan pannirupan le? Kadavule!

( Oh god, what a chance that was! If she had not been there, he could have helped her!)

He was about to her burst due to his frustration when a sharp jab to his shoulder startled him.

Yenna yedho munumunukurae? Saami'ya kumbudhu!

( Stop mumbling and pray )

Mithra hissed under her breath, her brow furrowed in irritation. 403 straightened like a scolded child and pressed his palms together. He shot her a sheepish grin, which she shook her head to as she turned her attention to the prayer.

Mithra couldn't help but notice that, Shakthi had been there for her over the past few days. He had shown up for her in ways she hadn't anticipated. A part of her felt an odd sense of relief, but another part couldn't ignore the budding worry in her chest. Where do they stand when this all ends? she wondered, and the thought of that connection disappearing felt like a loss she wasn't prepared to face.

As she folded her hands in prayer, Mithra prayed: Give me the strength to handle what comes next. She closed her eyes, hoping for clarity in the uncertain days ahead. Whatever it is, let me face it with grace, she thought, her heart heavy with the weight of her own unspoken fears. The temple's calmness surrounded her, but the turmoil inside her was far from quiet.