The wedding hall echoed with music.
Drums, laughter, blessings—everything layered over everything else, loud enough to drown thought. Flower petals scattered across the floor as Kashvi was led to the mandap.
She walked steadily.
No trembling.
No hesitation.
Just measured steps.
The priest chanted, voice rhythmic and practiced.
Krish sat beside Kashvi, adjusting his posture, occasionally leaning in to correct her movements.
"Sit straight," he murmured.
"Smile."
She did.
Without argument.
People whispered approvingly.
"Such a calm bride."
"So composed."
No one questioned it.
Ved stood near the side, watching every small detail.
Kashvi's hands didn't shake when she accepted the flowers.
But they were cold.
He noticed because she didn't react when the priest placed sacred threads around her wrist—something that should have startled anyone.
She didn't blink.
Her phone vibrated once beneath her dupatta.
Ved saw the faint movement.
His heart skipped.
She didn't check it.
Not yet.
Krish's Confidence
Krish leaned closer during a pause in the chanting.
"See?" he whispered. "Everything is going exactly as it should."
Kashvi nodded.
Inside her mind, a clock ticked.
The Second Call
During the next ritual, when everyone bowed their heads in prayer, Kashvi's fingers slipped into her lap.
Her phone buzzed again.
She didn't look down.
She whispered instead—so quietly it vanished into the sound of bells.
"Yes."
A pause.
"Not yet."
Another pause.
"Wait for my signal."
She ended the call before anyone could notice.
Her face remained serene.
Kriday sat fidgeting beside the elders.
He didn't like this.
Something felt wrong, even if he couldn't explain why.
"Mumma looks like she's going somewhere far," he said softly.
"Hush," someone replied. "She's becoming a wife."
Kriday frowned.
That wasn't what it looked like to him.
The priest announced the next ritual.
"Stand for the rounds."
Krish rose first, extending his hand.
Kashvi placed her hand in his.
Her grip was light.
Too light.
Ved felt a sudden urge to move—to say something—to do anything.
But Kashvi met his eyes once more.
Just once.
And in that glance, Ved saw it.
Not fear.
Resolve.
His breath caught.
The Pause
Halfway through the chants, the power flickered briefly.
Lights dimmed.
Music stuttered.
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Kashvi didn't react.
She simply glanced down at her phone.
One new message.
Ready.
Her thumb hovered over the screen.
The priest continued chanting, unaware.
Krish smiled, unaware.
Guests laughed, unaware.
Kashvi lifted her head slowly.
And for the first time that day—
her smile disappeared.
The rituals continued.
But the air had changed.
Something invisible had begun moving beneath the celebration—silent, deliberate, unstoppable.
And it was no longer waiting.