Tangled Beliefs

Chapter-40: Document of Betrayal

The tension grew, her mask did break,
In that paper, more was at stake.

Nandini's POV,

The ceremony was finally over, and I could feel the weight of exhaustion pulling me down. Every step, every ritual, every smile felt rehearsed, forced, and heavy. I stood beside Manik, who seemed equally drained, though his face betrayed nothing. The priest announced the conclusion of the wedding, and the room erupted into cheers and applause.

We stood and made our way to seek blessings from the elders. First was his Dadi. She sat there, her expression as cold as ever. Manik and I bent down to touch her feet. She placed her hand on my head, murmuring a blessing, but completely ignored him.

I couldn't help but notice the flicker of pain that crossed his face. It was brief, but it was there. My confusion grew-what was this strange dynamic between him and his grandmother? I wanted to ask, but this wasn't the time or place.

Next, we approached his parents. Neyonika Aunty smiled warmly, placing her hands on our heads, while Raj Uncle nodded approvingly. "Stay happy, both of you," she said softly, motherly and comforting.

We turned towards my parents. Mom and Dad stood there, their faces mixed with pride and sadness. We bent down to touch their feet, and they placed their hands on our heads.

"Take care of her," Dad said, his voice slightly hoarse.

My lips tightened into a forced smile, but I said nothing. I couldn't even bring myself to meet his eyes for too long. The years of resentment and hurt were too deeply ingrained.

Next were my Bade papa and Badi maa. Their warmth was genuine, and I felt a pang of comfort as they blessed us wholeheartedly. Bade Papa pulled Manik into a brief hug, whispering something to him that made him nod solemnly.

And then there was Bhai, he stood there, his arms crossed, looking at Manik with an exaggeratedly stern expression. "You better take care of her," he warned, his tone playful yet protective. "Or else, you'll have to deal with me."

Prisha Bhabhi rolled her eyes and lightly smacked his arm. "Stop being dramatic," she scolded before turning to bless us. Her hands lingered on my shoulders for a moment, and she gave me a reassuring smile.

Manik's friends came next-Cabir, Mukti, Alya, Dhruv, and my dear sister Didu. They were a lively bunch, teasing us relentlessly. "So, Manik, how does it feel to finally be a married man?" Cabir asked with a smirk.

"Must feel like winning a trophy, huh?" Mukti added, laughing.

Manik shot them a warning look. "Shut up, all of you," he said.

Finally, Neyonika Aunty spoke up. "It's time to leave," she said, her voice cutting through the chatter.

Prisha Bhabhi appeared with a silver plate filled with rice, flower petals, and coins. Tradition dictated that I gather the items in my hands and throw them behind me as I left. My hands trembled slightly as I did so, the symbolism of the act hitting me harder than I expected. With each throw, I felt like I was leaving behind a piece of myself.

When it was time to say goodbye, Rudraksh Bhai was the first to step forward. He pulled me into a tight hug, his arms strong and comforting. "I'll miss you, Nandu," he said, his voice cracking slightly.

I blinked back tears, trying to stay composed. "Don't be so dramatic, Bhai. I'll always be your little sister," I said softly, though my voice wavered.

Abhimanyu was next. His hug was brief but warm, and he whispered something about visiting me soon, which brought a faint smile to my lips.