Chapter 15
1130 Words
Preeta's POV
The Kapoor Mansion had never looked more breathtaking.
Rows of glowing diyas lined every corridor, colorful lanterns swayed gently in the evening breeze, and the fragrance of fresh marigolds and jasmine filled the air. Beautiful rangoli designs decorated the entrance, while servants hurried from one corner of the mansion to another, making sure everything was perfect.
Tonight was Diwali.
The biggest celebration of the year.
And as the daughter-in-law of the Kapoor family, everyone expected perfection.
Preeta barely had time to breathe.
She walked from the courtyard to the prayer hall, then back to the entrance, checking every decoration one last time.
"The sweets have been arranged?"
"Yes, Madam."
"The lamps outside?"
"They've all been lit."
"The gifts for the guests?"
"They're ready."
Preeta smiled in satisfaction.
"Good."
Just then, she heard a familiar voice.
"Preeta."
Turning around, she immediately smiled.
"Dadi."
"What are you still doing here?" Savitri asked gently.
"The guests will begin arriving any minute."
"I know, Dadi."
"I just want to supervise everything one last time."
Savitri shook her head with a smile.
"My dear, these servants have been doing this for years."
"They know exactly what they're doing."
"But"
"No arguments."
Savitri held her hand affectionately.
"You are the daughter-in-law of this house."
"Go upstairs."
"Get ready."
"The rest can wait."
Preeta laughed softly.
"Alright, Dadi."
She walked upstairs toward her bedroom.
Closing the door behind her, she slowly removed her work clothes before stepping into the warm shower.
The cool water washed away the exhaustion of the day.
A few minutes later, she stood before her wardrobe.
Without hesitation, she chose her favorite outfit.
A beautiful purple lehenga embroidered with delicate silver thread.
Purple had always been her favorite color.
She draped a soft white dupatta over her head before sitting in front of the mirror.
One by one, she wore her jewelry.
The earrings.
The bangles.
The necklace.
Finally...
She adjusted her small nose ring before carefully applying a touch of vermilion to the parting of her hair.
She stared at her reflection.
She truly looked like a married woman.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"If only..."
"I actually felt like one."
She sighed quietly before leaving the room.
Downstairs, the Diwali celebration had already begun.
Business associates, family friends, and relatives filled the beautifully decorated hall.
As Preeta stepped onto the grand staircase...
Every conversation slowly faded.
The spotlight suddenly followed her.
She looked down in surprise.
Standing beside the lighting technician...
Dadi smiled mischievously.
Preeta couldn't help smiling back.
"Dadi..."
She whispered under her breath.
Guests admired her as she slowly descended the staircase.
"What a beautiful daughter-in-law."
"She looks like Goddess Lakshmi herself."
"So graceful."
Preeta blushed at the compliments.
Then...
Her eyes met Ranbir's.
He stood across the hall wearing a dark navy-blue sherwani.
For several long seconds...
He didn't look away.
His eyes remained fixed on her.
Preeta's heart began beating faster.
Was he...
Looking at her?
As she reached the last step, the spotlight disappeared.
She slowly walked toward him.
"Ranbir..."
There was no response.
She smiled slightly.
"Ranbir."
He blinked as though suddenly returning to reality.
"What is it?"
"You were staring at me."
Ranbir cleared his throat.
His expression immediately became cold again.
"I was only wondering..."
He looked at her outfit.
"If wearing my favorite color is your way of making me see you differently..."
"Then you're wasting your time."
Preeta's smile slowly disappeared.
"I..."
"I didn't know purple was your favorite color."
Ranbir shrugged.
"It changes nothing."
Without another word...
He walked away.
Preeta watched him disappear into the crowd.
For one foolish moment...
She had thought he was looking at her because she looked beautiful.
Instead...
He had misunderstood her once again.
She forced herself to smile.
"It doesn't matter."
"I didn't dress for him."
But deep inside...
Her heart hurt.
---
Ishita's POV
I entered the Kapoor Mansion beside Mum, Dad, and Shalu.
The celebration was magnificent.
Exactly as I remembered.
My eyes wandered through the crowd.
Then I saw them.
Ranbir.
And...
Preeta.
I had arrived just in time to watch Ranbir walk away from her.
A satisfied smile tugged at my lips.
"So..."
"My dear sister still hasn't won his heart."
Good.
That meant I still had a chance.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Shalu hurrying after Preeta.
She was probably going to comfort her.
How pathetic.
Straightening my saree, I confidently walked toward Ranbir.
He noticed me immediately.
"Oh..."
"Look who's here."
His expression remained unreadable.
"I'm surprised."
"If my mother had seen you first..."
"You probably wouldn't still be standing here."
His words stung.
But I forced a smile.
"I'm sorry, Ranbir."
"I know what happened on our wedding day was unforgivable."
"I never meant to hurt you."
He folded his arms.
"Really?"
"I was scared."
"I wasn't ready for marriage."
"I wanted to become independent first."
"I thought running away was the only option."
The same story.
The same lie I had told Dad.
Ranbir listened silently.
When I finished, he spoke calmly.
"And what exactly does that have to do with me?"
"I just wanted you to know..."
"...you were never abandoned."
Ranbir laughed quietly.
"Abandoned?"
"No one abandons Ranbir Kapoor."
He took one step closer.
"If anything..."
"You're the one who lost."
"I'm married."
"And you're not."
"So if you'll excuse me..."
"I have guests to attend to."
He walked away without waiting for my reply.
I clenched my fists.
"Damn."
"That didn't go the way I expected."
As I turned around, another familiar face caught my attention.
Ayush Kapoor.
Ranbir's younger cousin.
He stood near the refreshment table chatting with a few guests.
A smile slowly appeared on my lips.
If I couldn't get close to Ranbir directly...
Perhaps...
Someone else could help.
I walked toward him confidently.
"Hi..."
"I'm Ishita."
Ayush smiled playfully.
"Oh, I know exactly who you are."
"The famous runaway bride."
I laughed awkwardly.
"Not exactly."
"I wasn't running away."
"I was trying to become a better version of myself before marriage."
Ayush raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"I wanted to build something for myself."
"I didn't want to depend on my husband for everything."
"Hmm..."
He nodded thoughtfully.
"I actually like that."
"Most people wouldn't think that way."
"Really?"
"Of course."
"Tell me more."
A victorious smile crossed my face.
The conversation flowed naturally from there.
Exactly as I had hoped.
Soon...
The priest's voice echoed throughout the mansion.
"Everyone..."
"The auspicious time has arrived."
"It is now time to begin the Diwali prayers."
The conversations came to an end.
One by one...
Everyone made their way toward the beautifully decorated prayer hall.
None of them realized...
That before the night ended...
Several hearts would begin changing forever.
- Writer
