Just A Friend?

Chapter Fifty

The priest chanted the sacred mantras. The bride and groom stood facing each other, holding the garlands in their hands. 

Sweety's hands trembled slightly as she held the floral garland. Her eyes meeting Rahul's cheerful gaze for just a moment before she lowered them. Her heart dropped to her stomach.

She draped the garland over his neck, while Rahul did the same with an eager smile.

He sat and turned to his relatives, his face lighting up with a charming grin.

"I swear, these rituals take forever! By the time we're done, I'll have grown a full beard," he joked, evoking a ripple of laughter from the gathered guests. 

For Sweety, each laugh hit sharp in her heart. She sat there, her body moving through the motions of the ceremony while her mind was a battlefield. 

Her eyes stared blankly ahead. The room seemed to close in around her, the vibrant colors of the wedding blending into a dull and overpowering blur.

Each chant from the priest felt like another nail sealing her fate. The priest instructed them to perform the seven sacred steps.

The gravity of the moment began to weigh heavily on Sweety. Their garments were tied together in a ceremonial knot. 

They prepared themselves to walk the seven circles around the sacred fire, the Agni Pradakshina.

Sweety felt her heart grow heavier as they began their rounds. She glanced at Rahul, his face radiating happiness, then quickly lowered her gaze, afraid that her composure might fall if she looked any longer.

Each step around the fire was a step away from the life she had known, a step towards a future she hadn't chosen. 

Her surname, her family, her very identity, all were about to change inevitably. 

She moved robotically as her spirit crushed under the weight of her resignation.

"Life is over for me," her mind screamed.

By the time they reached the sixth round, the crowd was hushed, watching the couple intently.

But suddenly, Rahul stopped moving. 

Sweety looked up to find him standing still in front of her. His face, usually so calm and cheerful, now held a serious expression, something Sweety had never seen before. 

The hall buzzed with mumbles and whispers, the unexpected pause causing ripples of confusion.

Ramya was caught off guard, looked around in bewilderment. "What's happening?" she murmured.

Rakesh nudged Kavitha. "What's going on? Why did he stop?" he whispered, his voice tinged with anxiety.

"I don't know, but something's off," Kavitha replied, her eyes narrowing as she tried to read Rahul's expression. "He doesn't look happy anymore."

The priest sensing the tension hesitated, unsure whether to prompt the couple to continue or to wait.

All eyes were on Rahul and Sweety as the tension rises along with confusion. Sweety looked at Rahul as her confusion deepened with each passing second. 

His eyes which were normally twinkling with mischief were now filled with an intense seriousness she had never seen before.

The whispers and murmurs around them grew louder but Rahul seemed ignorant as his only focus is her.

"One more round around this Agni and we will become husband and wife!" he said, his voice calm but somehow unsettled her.

"This is your final chance! Do you want this?" he asked, his eyes searching hers. "Truly?"