The day of the wedding finally arrived, filling the Khanna mansion with a blend of excitement, laughter, and the scent of fresh flowers. The house was decorated beautifully, every corner gleaming with golden lights and vibrant garlands. Guests moved around, laughter filled the air, and the sound of traditional music resonated, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Rihan and Alia.
Soumita was busy greeting guests, but her eyes kept drifting toward Rishad, who stood alone near the entrance, his expression calm yet distant. She had sensed his reluctance, his quiet refusal to embrace the joy everyone else shared. Earlier, she had tried one last time to talk to him about marriage.
“Rishad,” she had said softly, “it’s time you start thinking about your own happiness. You’re at the age where you deserve a partner, someone who will be there for you.”
But he had only given her a sad smile. “Mom, I’m not ready,” he had replied simply, his tone firm yet gentle. “There are things I need to understand about myself... before I can think of someone else. Please, don’t worry.”
Soumita could do nothing but accept his words, though it hurt her. She could see the weight he carried and the loneliness he hid so well, but she also knew he needed time. Maybe one day he would open up. Until then, she could only hope.
As the wedding rituals began, Rishad watched from a quiet corner, the scenes playing out like a distant dream. Alia looked beautiful, dressed in a traditional red lehenga, her face glowing with a happiness he had only ever imagined for her. She glanced around the room, her eyes catching his for a fleeting second. She gave him a small, warm smile, the same friendly smile she had always given him, and his heart felt heavy with the bittersweet reality of it.
Rishad forced a smile back, feeling a strange mixture of joy for her and pain for himself. Alia had always been a part of his life in one way or another, even if it was just in his dreams, his silent admiration. Now, she would belong to someone else entirely, a reality he could no longer ignore.
As the ceremony progressed, the family gathered closer to the altar, clapping and cheering as each ritual brought Alia and Rihan closer together. Rishad stood at the edge, his mind a whirl of memories. He remembered every silent moment he had spent with her, every unspoken word, and every letter he had never signed. Each memory was a reminder of the love he had never expressed, the love that would now remain a secret forever.
He took a deep breath, fighting back the wave of emotions that threatened to surface. This wasn’t the time or place. He had chosen this path, the path of silence, and he would carry it through to the end. Alia deserved happiness, even if it meant he would have to let her go completely.
As the final vows were taken, the sound of applause filled the room, and Rihan and Alia were officially pronounced husband and wife. The guests cheered, flower petals filled the air, and Soumita embraced both Rihan and Alia, her heart full of joy for her younger son.
Rishad stayed in the shadows, clapping politely, his face unreadable. His mind was miles away, lost in the bittersweet mix of relief and regret. He knew he had done the right thing, letting Alia go without ever knowing his true feelings. But it didn’t make the pain any less real.
Later that night, the mansion fell silent as the guests departed, and the family began to rest. Rihan and Alia had retired to their room, their new life beginning as the house quieted around them. Rishad stepped out onto the terrace, seeking a moment alone under the vast expanse of stars.
He looked up at the sky, his mind a swirl of emotions he could barely contain. The stars seemed to shimmer above, silent witnesses to the secret he had kept so carefully hidden.
“Best wishes for you, Alia,” he whispered softly, his voice carrying the weight of all he had never said. “Be happy. That’s all I ever wanted for you.”
The words were simple, but they held everything he felt—love, hope, and the bittersweet acceptance that he would never be part of her life the way he had dreamed. He closed his eyes, letting the cool night breeze brush against his face, hoping it would carry away the hidden pain in his heart.
For the first time in a long time, Rishad allowed himself to feel the depth of his emotions—the silent pain he had held back for so long. A single tear slipped down his cheek, tracing a path before he quickly wiped it away, refusing to let his sorrow remain.
In that moment, under the quiet stars, Rishad made a silent promise to himself. He would let Alia go, truly let her go, and maybe someday he would find his own happiness, his own path to peace.
With a final glance at the sky, he turned and walked back inside, ready to face the quiet life he had chosen. The love he carried would remain a part of him, a gentle reminder of the beauty and pain of unspoken feelings, and he would cherish it quietly, as he always had.
As he closed his bedroom door behind him, he felt a strange sense of calm settle over him, a quiet acceptance of the life he had chosen. Alia was where she belonged, and perhaps, in his own way, he was where he belonged to—standing alone but at peace with the love he would always carry in his heart.
The End
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