Khushi had loved the lehenga Arnav had chosen for her almost instantly. It looked as though it was sewn together with the brightest stars in the sky, her parent's embrace and presence wrapped constantly around her frame. The gold of her wedding dress matched the flush of her cheeks and the fragrant jasmine in her hair... sparkling as the sunlight caught in the sequins and lit Khushi up to match the happiness to her name. She danced to the music of the red bangles and the silver payal. She blushed as the dupatta was finally pinned securely into her hair, the material matching the profuse reddening of her treacherously unfaithful cheeks.
Her contagious laughter lingered in the air as Vimla Mausi offered almond milk to her guests. It lingered when her Babu Ji tearfully blessed her at the mandap and when Bua Ji applied kala tikka behind her ear. It lingered when little Neha promised to steal her Jeeju's shoes during the pheras.
Her laughter lingered when the Pandit Ji informed the family that the auspicious murat was concluding. It lingered when her family's persistent calls went unreturned and ignored. It lingered when they doused the sacred fire with water and the caterers requested their permission to leave.
Her laughter lingered in the air as she waited on the porch steps waiting for Arnav Ji to arrive. It lingered as her mother pleaded for her forgiveness and begged her to return back inside. It lingered as Payal hesitantly let go of her hand and whispered that she wanted to return to Shantivan.
And it even lingered when Arnav Ji called her and curtly told her that he would not be marrying her tonight.
Her laughter lingered in the air as she wandered the streets waiting for her soon-to-be husband to find her and make her his wife. It lingered as she pondered over his countless promises and her countless dreams surely to come true. It lingered as nightfall swallowed her and she treaded along a beaten path unknown.
Her laughter lingered as the horn blared for her to move aside and the pair of lights grew unbearably bright. It lingered as she crumpled to the ground and subconsciously smelt the startling traces of warm blood. It lingered as she realized the police would find her and inform Arnav Ji that she was patiently waiting for his arrival
And finally, the lingering laughter died away as the sound of a speeding car faded away into the distance.
And then, the silence.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He silently watched from a distance as the cackling fire enveloped the body of the woman he had loved. He had not been invited to her cremation. He had not been invited to say his final goodbyes.
A part of Arnav had been destroyed when he had lifted the white shard and recognized Khushi dressed as his bride. She would have truly resembled the stars in the sky at the altar--- splendid and bright. How she must have glimmered and shined-- so sinfully beautiful that God selfishly attained her to make the most exquisite star for eternity.
Arnav Singh Raizada understood that moment, as he quietly watched her being engulfed in flames, that he would never gather the courage to look into the sky and ask for her mercy. It was forgiveness he could never attain.
For her chiming laughter still lingered eerily in the air as the wind blew past him.
Life was temporary. Happiness was temporary.
And so was Khushi.
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