Memories

14

Shivani

The morning sun spilled through my window as I carefully finished getting ready. My lehenga was soft lavender with silver embroidery, the colours chosen by Granny to complement Karthik's kurta and to make me feel confident and radiant. As I adjusted my dupatta, I couldn't help but feel nervous. Today wasn't just about celebrating Fhanna's wedding—it was about seeing Karthik in a social setting, surrounded by people, and trying to help him reconnect with memories he couldn't yet fully access.

Granny had been fussing over me all morning, adjusting my earrings, touching up my hair, and giving me little reminders. "Stay calm, Shivani. Today you'll see his heart respond before his memory catches up. That's enough for now," she whispered, smiling knowingly.

I nodded, trying to calm my nerves. Anjali was already dressed in a mint-green lehenga, looking radiant and playful, and she gave me a reassuring wink.

The wedding hall was bustling with activity—guests arriving, photographers clicking, and the sound of laughter and music filling the air. Karthik had already arrived, dressed impeccably in the kurta we had picked together, and I could see the way people's eyes turned to him. Despite the busy scene, his attention seemed slightly divided, and my heart ached and leapt at the same time.

Sonu, of course, had positioned herself perfectly by his side, immediately wrapping her arm around him in a subtle, possessive gesture. "Kar, isn't this colour just perfect for me?" she cooed, tilting her head toward him, clearly expecting a compliment.

Karthik looked at her, hesitated, and then... his gaze shifted toward me. Not fully, not with recognition, but something flickered in his eyes—a warmth, a familiarity, a pull that was undeniably real. My breath caught. I could feel Granny's hand squeeze mine, reassuring me silently.

Throughout the pre-ceremony mingling, Sonu's antics escalated. She laughed loudly at his jokes, leaned in closer whenever we tried to approach him, and even whispered things into his ear, trying to draw him away from me. Every time she did, I forced a calm smile, hiding the storm of emotions inside me.

When Karthik stepped outside briefly for a moment of fresh air, Sonu followed like a shadow, leaning on him dramatically. I clenched my hands, fighting back frustration, but I reminded myself silently: he was slowly remembering. Patience was key.

As the ceremony began, I found myself standing near Karthik, watching him laugh and interact with other friends. I realized that today was about more than just being seen together—it was about rekindling trust and small emotional connections.

During a lull in the crowd, I lightly brushed a strand of hair behind his ear as he adjusted his kurta. His hand twitched toward mine instinctively, a tiny, unintentional contact that made my heart flutter. "Karthik... are you okay?" I asked softly, almost a whisper.

He blinked, a faint blush colouring his cheeks, and nodded. "Yeah... I feel... happy," he murmured, his voice low, almost vulnerable. That word—happy—sent a jolt of hope through me. Even if his mind hadn't remembered yet, his emotions were responding.

Later, when the music started for the traditional welcome dance, I took his hand gently, guiding him to the dance floor. He followed, at first stiffly, but slowly he relaxed. With every step, I could see flashes of something deep inside—moments of laughter we had shared, tiny recollections of closeness.

Noticing our subtle interaction, Sonu tried to escalate her jealousy. She came up with excuses to drag Karthik away from me, offering to show him a "special wedding gift" or asking for his opinion on a decoration. But each time, Karthik's gaze would flick back to me, his fingers brushing mine briefly as if drawn by instinct. I felt a small victory with each instance—he was choosing me in little ways, even if he couldn't yet name the reason.