TWISTS OF FATE

CHAPTER - 7

As the day of the wedding dawned, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Guests arrived at the grand venue in droves, their laughter and chatter mingling with the lively music. The aroma of exquisite dishes wafted through the air, heightening the festive mood. Yet, beneath all the joy and celebration, a growing unease crept through the groom's family-Rohan was nowhere to be found.

Rohan's sister, Rhea, had been tasked with ensuring her brother was ready on time. But when she entered his room, she was greeted with an ominous emptiness.

"Rohan?" Rhea called, her voice sharp with urgency. She scanned the room, checking the bathroom, balcony, and even under the bed. But her brother had vanished.

Her pulse quickened as panic took hold. Grabbing her phone, she tried calling him, only to hear his voicemail greeting in return. Frustration and worry churned within her as she bolted from the room, her heart pounding as she made her way to the hall where her parents were engaged in conversation with the Rajvansh family.

"Mom, Dad," Rhea said breathlessly, her voice cutting through the hum of chatter.

Mrs. Sharma turned to her daughter, her brow furrowing with con

cern. "Rhea, what's the matter?"

Rhea took a deep breath before speaking, her voice steady but laced with worry. "I went to check on Rohan, and he's not in his room. His phone is going straight to voicemail."

Mr. Sharma's expression turned stern, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "What do you mean he's not in his room?"

Rhea shook her head, frustration and fear swirling within her. "I don't know. I checked everywhere, but he's just... gone."

Mrs. Rajvansh's eyes widened in alarm, her calm composure wavering. "Oh dear, this is not good."

Mrs. Sharma stood abruptly, her face ashen with worry. "We need to find him. Right now," she said, her voice trembling with urgency.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sharma was on his phone, his tone brisk and commanding as he spoke to staff and relatives. "Has anyone seen Rohan? Search the garden, the parking area-leave no place unchecked!"

Rhea's eyes filled with tears she could barely hold back. Her voice cracked as she asked, "What if something happened to him?"

Mrs. Sharma immediately pulled her daughter into a tight embrace, her own worry evident but tempered with motherly reassurance. "We'll find him, beta. Don't worry. He has to be somewhere nearby."

As the search for Rohan began in earnest, the minutes dragged on, each one feeling heavier than the last. The vibrant atmosphere of the wedding was replaced by a palpable tension that loomed over everyone, threatening to overshadow the joy of the day.

Mrs. Sharma paced the hall anxiously, her hands wringing together, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of her son. "Rohan, where are you?" she whispered, her voice breaking with emotion. "How could you do this to us? On your wedding day, of all days?"

Her words hung in the air, a desperate plea that seemed to echo in the now-silent space.

By the window, Mr. Sharma stood rigid, his face a mask of fury and embarrassment. "He has humiliated us," he spat, his voice rising with anger. "Months of planning, preparations, and now he's gone? What will the guests think? What will the Sharma family think?"

On the couch, Savita Rajvansh, the family head, looked stunned, her usual sharp demeanor replaced with disbelief. "What is the meaning of this?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of worry and disapproval. Each passing moment without news only deepened the growing fear that something was terribly wrong.

Mrs. Sharma, unable to contain her worry, approached Savita with trembling hands. Her eyes were red, brimming with unshed tears. "Maa, what should we do? This isn't just about us anymore. The bride's family... they deserve to know," she said, her voice breaking with each word.

Savita looked at her daughter, her own concern masked by the calm strength she had cultivated over the years. She placed a steadying hand on Kavita's shoulder and said firmly, "Don't cry, Kavita. We need to stay composed. The first step is to inform the bride's family ourselves. It's better they hear this from us than through rumors."

"But, Maa, what will we say?" Kavita whispered, tears pooling in her eyes. "How can we explain this? What if they call off the wedding?"

Savita straightened her shoulders, her resolve unwavering. "We will tell them the truth. Hiding it will only make matters worse. Trust me, Kavita. I'll handle this. You stay here and focus on finding Rohan. I'll speak to the Rajvansh family."

With those words, Savita turned to leave, her steps measured and composed despite the turmoil in her heart. She motioned for Mr. Sharma, her son-in-law, to accompany her. "Raj, come with me. This is a matter of both families to address together."

As they approached the Rajvansh family, the cheerful conversations around them faded, replaced by curious and concerned glances. Ishika's Uncle (Mausa), Mr. Bhatia, noticed the grave expressions on their faces and stepped forward. "Savita ji, Raj, is something wrong? You both look worried."

Savita offered a tight smile, her composure masking her inner turmoil. "Kavish ji, may we speak with you privately? There is something urgent we need to discuss."

A frown creased his forehead, but he nodded and led them to a quieter corner. The other family members exchanged puzzled glances, whispering amongst themselves as they watched the elders step away.

Once they were alone, Savita took a deep breath and began. "Kavish ji, I wish I had better news to share, but it seems Rohan is missing. We've been searching for him, but he hasn't been found yet. We felt it was our duty to inform you immediately."

Mr. Bhatia's face darkened with concern and confusion. "Missing? How is that possible? Today is his wedding day!" His voice rose slightly, attracting the attention of nearby relatives.

Raj stepped in, trying to calm the situation. "We understand your frustration, and we share it. This is as shocking to us as it is to you. Please know that we are doing everything in our power to find him."

Ishika's aunt (Mausi) Rivya, who had overheard the conversation, approached with panic in her eyes. "What's going on? What do you mean, Rohan is missing?" she demanded, her voice shaking.

Savita held up her hands to reassure her. "Please, give us some time. We'll resolve this. The last thing we want is to cause distress to your family or Ishika."

But the tension was already thick, and whispers began spreading among the guests. The once-festive atmosphere was now charged with unease as everyone waited to see how the drama would unfold.