What after That?

Ch 91

Dhruv stood a short distance away from the bride's house. It was one of the largest houses in the entire village.

The tall boundary walls, grand entrance, and endless decorations spoke for themselves.

Must've given Ishan's father a pretty hefty dowry, he thought bitterly.

Rolling his eyes, he looked around for a place where he could wait without attracting attention. It was only 1:00 p.m. The baraat wasn't expected to arrive until around 3:00 or 4:00 p.m.

He still had hours to kill. After making sure no one was watching, he parked the decorated SUV in a quiet spot behind a row of neem trees, hidden from the main road.

The fake number plate sat perfectly in place, and the floral decorations made it look like just another wedding vehicle. Satisfied, Dhruv locked the car and settled onto a low cement ledge nearby.

Now...

All he had to do...

...was wait for the baraat to arrive.

A few minutes later, another taxi pulled up near the grand house, blending in with the constant flow of arriving relatives.

Mayank stepped out, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder.

Dhruv's face lit up.

"Finally."

The two exchanged a quick, brotherly hug before laughing softly. "Sab ready?"

Mayank nodded. "Bas dulha chahiye."

Both of them settled onto the cement ledge, quietly discussing the final details of their plan while keeping an eye on the decorated house.

Meanwhile, back at Ishan's house, the remaining four—Simran, Yashaswi, Rahul, and Tanmay—were eating as if there truly was no tomorrow. "Bhai, aur chawal de," Tanmay demanded.

Rahul silently scooped another heap onto his plate. While Rahul looked away, Tanmay casually stole a paneer cube from Simran's plate.

Without missing a beat, Rahul stole a gulab jamun from Tanmay's. Simran, offended, snatched Rahul's papad in revenge.

None of the three noticed the thefts happening to themselves.

Only Yashaswi witnessed the entire chain of crimes.

He slowly looked at his own untouched plate...

...pulled it closer to himself...

..ye jo gareeb hove hai na..... ( fill the rest to win another update )

2:00pm

Ishan stood silently as his mama and fufa ji helped him get ready.

They adjusted the cream-colored sherwani, straightened the stole over his shoulder, fixed the brooch, and carefully tied the sehra.

"Bas... ab bilkul dulha lag raha hai."

Someone smiled proudly. Ishan didn't react. His face wasn't sad anymore.

It was anxious.

Every passing minute made his heartbeat louder. Why haven't they done anything yet...? One half of his heart desperately wished Shubman and the others would come.

The other half prayed they wouldn't. Please... don't get yourselves hurt because of me.

He remembered..