episode 13

Episode 40: The Farewell

The evening had finally arrived—the moment everyone had been anticipating and dreading at the same time: the farewell of the bride. Harshita was about to leave her childhood home and begin a new chapter of her life with her husband. The air was thick with emotion as family members, relatives, and friends gathered around, saying their last goodbyes, each one trying to hold back their tears.

Aditi stood quietly with her mother, watching the bittersweet scene unfold. Harshita’s parents were visibly emotional, and even the usually strong men of the family were wiping away silent tears. The ceremony had been full of joy, but now, as the bride was about to leave, the mood had shifted, turning heavy and poignant.

Harshita stood at the center of the gathering, surrounded by family and friends, dressed in her wedding attire, her face still radiant but now tinged with sadness. Her mother held her hands tightly, reluctant to let go, while her father whispered comforting words to her, trying to mask his own sorrow behind a brave face.

"Beta, be happy," Harshita’s mother said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "Take care of yourself, always."

Harshita nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. "I will, Maa. I promise."

Aditi watched the exchange with a mixture of sympathy and quiet sadness. She knew how close Harshita was to her family. This farewell was never going to be easy, but it was part of the journey. Aditi could feel the weight of tradition in the air, the sense of change and the end of one chapter, but the beginning of another.

As Aditi stood there, lost in her thoughts, she felt a hand gently rest on her shoulder. She turned to find her mother standing beside her, offering a comforting smile. "It’s always hard, beta," her mother whispered. "But it’s a new start for Harshita. A new home, a new life."

Aditi nodded silently, wiping away a stray tear. She understood what her mother meant, but it didn’t make it any easier to watch her cousin, her confidante, leave.

Meanwhile, Harshita’s brother and cousins gathered around, helping with the final preparations for the bride’s departure. The air was filled with the sound of distant wailing, as women from the village sang emotional songs of farewell to the bride. The men, though quiet, were no less affected.

Just as the last of the goodbyes were said, and Harshita was about to leave, Aditi noticed Aryan standing at the edge of the crowd, observing the scene. He was still the same—silent, intense, almost aloof—but there was something about the way he watched the family that made Aditi uneasy. His gaze was fixed on the bride, but then it shifted, briefly catching hers.

For a moment, their eyes locked. Aditi quickly looked away, uncomfortable with the weight of his stare. She hadn’t seen him since their brief encounter earlier, and she wasn’t sure how to feel about it.