Meri Author Sahiba!

I sat quietly on the velvet couch, the weight of my red bridal lehenga settling around me as the kaleeras softly chimed against my bangles. The stage was crowded with guests, laughter, and flashing cameras, yet everything around me blurred.

My eyes stayed on him.

He stood beside the couch, talking to my parents and relatives with folded hands and that warm smile everyone adored.

"Ji, Uncle."

"Namaste, Aunty."

"Thank you... aap sabka aashirwad chahiye."

Every few seconds, he would steal a glance at me, making sure I was comfortable before returning to the conversation.

I couldn't help but smile.

Fourteen years.

Fourteen years ago, I was just a sixteen year old girl, staring at my phone, overthinking every text before sending it to the same boy I had the biggest crush on.

*"Message karun... ya rehne doon?"*

Back then, he was miles away.

A voice through my headphones.

A face on my screen.

And everyone had an opinion.

*"Long distance kabhi nahi chalti."*

*"Ek din thak jaoge."*

*"Shaadi? Impossible."*

Those words had scared me more than I ever admitted.

Today, I looked at him again.

My husband.

Standing with my family as if he had always belonged there.

He caught me staring, smiled, and quietly walked over.

"Kya soch rahi ho?"

I looked into his eyes, trying to hold back my tears.

"Bas... soch rahi hoon... sixteen saal ki woh ladki agar mujhe aaj dekh leti na..."

He smiled softly.

"Toh?"

I intertwined my fingers with his.

"Usse yakeen ho jaata... ki agar pyaar saccha ho, toh dooriyan sirf raaste hoti hain... manzil nahi."

Without caring about the crowd, he gently squeezed my hand.

"Finally..." he whispered with a grin, "...meri sixteen wali crush meri wife ban hi gayi."

And just like that, every mile, every goodbye, and every tear became worth it.