Chapter 4
1000 Words
Preeta's POV
The Kapoor family stayed for another half an hour.
The elders chatted happily while tea and snacks were served. Savitri Kapoor couldn't stop smiling. Every now and then, she looked at Ranbir before whispering something to Neha, who nodded with satisfaction.
To them, everything had gone perfectly.
When it was finally time to leave, Rajesh and Sunita personally escorted the Kapoor family to their cars.
"We'll wait for your call," Rajesh said respectfully.
Savitri smiled.
"There won't be any delay. Pandit ji has already given us his blessings. We'll begin preparing for the engagement."
"Hail Lord Krishna," the priest said with a smile before stepping into the car.
"Hail Lord Krishna," everyone replied.
As the convoy of luxury cars disappeared down the street, Rajesh let out a long breath.
"It went well."
Sunita smiled proudly.
"I told you Ishita would impress them."
Just then, the maid who had brought the horoscope hurried outside.
"Madam..."
Sunita turned around.
"What is it?"
The maid held up a red file.
"I was arranging Miss Ishita's room when I found this inside her drawer."
Sunita frowned.
"What about it?"
"I think..."
The maid swallowed nervously.
"...I made a mistake."
Sunita's smile slowly disappeared.
"What mistake?"
"There were two identical red files."
"I think..."
"I gave you Miss Preeta's horoscope instead of Miss Ishita's."
For a moment...
Everything around Sunita went silent.
"What?"
The maid's hands trembled.
"I'm sorry, Madam."
"I only noticed after putting the room back in order."
Sunita quickly snatched both files from her hands.
Her heartbeat quickened.
She opened the first file.
Preeta Malhotra.
She opened the second.
Ishita Malhotra.
Her face turned pale.
"Oh no..."
Rajesh immediately walked over.
"What happened?"
Without saying a word, Sunita handed him both files.
His expression changed instantly.
"They read..."
He looked at Preeta's name again.
"...the wrong horoscope."
The two of them stood there in stunned silence.
After what felt like forever, Rajesh spoke.
"We should call the Kapoors."
Sunita immediately shook her head.
"No."
"They've already left."
"But"
"If we tell them now, what will they think?"
"That we're careless?"
"That we tried to deceive them?"
Rajesh rubbed his forehead.
"So what do we do?"
Sunita carefully put both horoscopes back into their files.
"We say nothing."
"What?"
"It changes nothing."
"The groom is marrying Ishita."
"The horoscope was just a mistake."
"No one needs to know."
Rajesh hesitated.
He knew it wasn't right.
But exposing the mistake now could embarrass both families.
After a long silence...
He reluctantly nodded.
"Fine."
"But this secret stays between us."
"No one else must ever find out."
Sunita looked toward the staircase where Preeta was quietly arranging the empty tea cups.
She had no idea that the blessing meant for her had just been given to someone else.
---
Ishita's POV
Two days later...
The Malhotra mansion was once again overflowing with relatives.
Bright marigold flowers decorated every doorway, colorful fabrics hung from the walls, and cheerful music echoed through the courtyard.
Today was Ishita's mehndi ceremony.
Women laughed as they sang traditional songs while professional henna artists prepared their cones.
Everyone celebrated.
Everyone except the bride.
Ishita forced a smile as another aunt congratulated her.
"You're so lucky, beta. Becoming the daughter-in-law of the Kapoor family is every girl's dream."
"Thank you, Aunty."
The smile disappeared the moment the woman walked away.
Her heart felt heavy.
She quietly slipped into her bedroom and locked the door.
A few seconds later, another knock came.
"Come in."
Sunita entered.
"There you are."
"The guests are waiting."
"Mum..."
Sunita stopped.
"What is it?"
Ishita lowered her eyes.
"I don't want this marriage."
Sunita stared at her in disbelief.
"What did you just say?"
"I don't love Ranbir."
"I love someone else."
Silence filled the room.
Then
Slap!
Sunita's palm landed hard across Ishita's cheek.
"Have you lost your mind?"
Tears filled Ishita's eyes.
"I've been with Baru for over a year."
"We want to be together."
Sunita's face hardened.
"That useless boy?"
"He doesn't even have a stable job."
"He has dreams," Ishita argued weakly.
"Dreams don't feed a family."
Sunita folded her arms.
"Listen carefully."
"The Kapoor family is respected across the country."
"Ranbir Kapoor is wealthy, educated, and comes from a respected family."
"Girls pray for a proposal like this."
"And you want to throw it away for a man who can't even take care of himself?"
"Mum..."
"I've already made my decision."
Sunita pointed toward the door.
"This wedding will happen."
"You have no choice."
With that, she walked out, leaving Ishita standing alone.
---
Preeta's POV
Meanwhile, one of the henna artists looked around.
"Where is the bride?"
"She stepped away for a moment," Shalu answered.
The artist smiled.
"We shouldn't waste time."
Her eyes landed on Preeta, who was helping arrange gifts nearby.
"You."
Preeta looked up in surprise.
"Me?"
"Come."
"We'll apply yours first while we wait."
Preeta shook her head immediately.
"No, thank you."
"I don't need henna."
Before she could leave, Shalu grabbed her hand.
"Oh, come on!"
"It's just for fun."
"You hardly ever do anything for yourself."
Preeta laughed softly.
"Shalu..."
"Please."
Unable to refuse her niece, Preeta finally sat down.
The henna artist smiled.
"You have beautiful hands."
Thank you, she said smiling back.
She began creating intricate patterns, believing she was decorating the bride.
When she reached the center of Preeta's palm, she carefully wrote a single name in elegant strokes.
Ranbir.
Several minutes later, Preeta looked down.
Her eyes widened in horror.
"R... Ranbir?"
She immediately tried rubbing the fresh henna away.
But instead of disappearing...
The stain only spread deeper across her skin.
The artist frowned.
"Don't touch it!"
"It will become even darker."
Preeta's heart skipped a beat.
She ran to the bathroom and switched off the tap washing it off with water but it just kept getting darker.
She had no idea...
That once again...
Fate had quietly written Ranbir Kapoor's name where it was never supposed to be.
- Writer
