I looked through the window, it was late, yet some people were still walking down the street. I saw an old man pulling a truck. He looked tired and frail. They were light traffic ahead of us. I glanced at Sidd, he seem focused. We haven’t spoken since he decided to give me a ride. Yes, he didn’t let me stand there, he only wanted me to regret my words of not wanting to go with him, but would he blame me? He never left room for me to feel secure with him. I opened the car door as the old man found it difficult to pull up the truck to a certain height. Sidd looked at me. He didn’t utter a word. I walked down to the old man and helped him pull up the truck. He honestly appreciated me. I looked behind me, the traffic had lifted, and Sidd’s car was nowhere around. I hurried down to the road, he was gone. He left me. What was I supposed to do now? My bag is in the car. I got no money on me. How do I even get a cab that seems not to exist at this time of the night? My home is many miles away

Kiara has engaged three weeks after. She was now preparing for her wedding. Our house was filled with families and friends all in their best dresses to witness Kiara’s wedding. All the rituals were performed. The ritual of applying turmeric mixture on the body of the bride and groom and the faces of others. The ritual of mehndi writing on the hands and feet of the bride and other rituals were performed successfully. On the day of the wedding, Kiara was dressed up so beautifully, she looked gorgeous in her bridal saree. Ranveer was brought to the event on a horse as a ritual. I and Manu went upstairs to bring Kiara. Ranveer was already seated with the priest under the mandap. Kiara went on to sit with them. The priest began the wedding chants. Later on, the couple exchanged the garland as a sign of acceptance. Kiara and Ranveer walked around a sacred fire seven times for the saptapadi while making vows and throwing puffed rice into the fire to symbolize prosperity in their new life tog

When I reached home, I explained to my mom what had happened to me the previous night. She claimed she already knew from what Sidd told her. I went upstairs, freshened up, and called Kiara. I told her what had happened and she cautioned me to be more careful next time.At the Arora’s family building, Sidd was in the garage, seated in his car with one of his legs out scrolling through his phone when Kiara came along.“Hello, Sidd!” she greeted.“Hi! What’s up?” he responded facing her.“I just want to thank you for saving my sister last night. I’m grateful,” she appreciated.“I don’t understand!”“Rani told me you saved her from a bad guy.”“Oh, she did?” he uttered. “Well, it’s nothing, I have known Rani for a long time now and I can do anything not to see her get hurt. So, you don’t have to appreciate me, we are all family now, you know?” he stated.“Yeah, thank you!” she commented with a smile and Sidd nodded. “I will be inside, okay?” she said.“Okay!” he smiled and she he

I walked feebly inside. I met my mom making a call, I guess she was calling Kiara. She dropped the phone as soon as she saw me.“Where have you been, Rani?” my mom asked worriedly, rushing to me and holding my arm.I didn’t say anything, I only hugged her. I couldn’t control my tears while hugging my mom.“What is wrong, dear, why are you crying?” she asked tenderly. I stayed mute for a while before speaking out after disengaging the hug.“I’m all right, Mom. I just missed you!”“What happened to you?” she queried. “Why didn’t you come home last night? I tried your line but it wasn’t reachable.”“I…I…fainted in my car on my way home from work. I was taken to the hospital, I only woke up this morning. I’m sorry, Mom!” I lied.“It’s okay, my child. Go upstairs and freshen up then come down for breakfast.”Okay, Mom!” I agreed and went upstairs. I came down a few minutes later for breakfast. I couldn’t go to work that day because I was tired and also late. I called my boss and no

A few minutes later after I got home, Sidd called.“Already missing me?” I teased.“Why not? I just wish we could get married today,” he said and I laughed. “ That sounds funny, right? But that’s how bad I need you right now.”“Aww! What should I do now? Should I come over?”“That will be great!”“You aren’t serious yet,” I declared smiling. “I’m not coming over and we are not getting married any time soon, just bear it, okay?”“Why is that?”“If you want me to be your girlfriend, then you have to court me first.”“Court you? What for? You are already in love with me, right?” he asked.“Says who? If you don’t court me, I won’t be your girlfriend.”“Really? Okay then, I will be courting you and I will get myself another girlfriend!”“Huh? Do you want to cheat on me already? Come on, Sidd, I was just joking,” I said pathetically.“I was joking too. Don’t fear, okay? No other girlfriend, just you,” he stated and I was relieved. “Anyways, can we go out tomorrow?” he requested.