Prerna stood alone in her room, her heart racing.
Wait… how can I go outside like this? she thought anxiously.
Maybe I can leave through the back door…
But another fear crept in.
What if someone comes to my room while I'm not here?
She started panicking, pacing the room.
What should I do, Prerna? Come on, think…
After a moment, she stopped.
No one will come. I'll return as soon as possible. I'll just visit Aahil and come back quickly. No one will notice.
Taking a deep breath, she made her decision.
Prerna removed her bridal lehenga and jewellery, changed into a simple dress, and covered her face with a dupatta. Her hands trembled as she reached for the door.
She slowly opened it—
And froze.
Aanya was standing right in front of her.
Aanya's eyes widened in shock.
"Prerna…? Why are you—"
Before she could finish, Prerna suddenly pulled Aanya inside the room and closed the door.
"Prerna! What are you doing?" Aanya exclaimed.
"Why are you wearing this? Where is your bridal dress? And why are you hiding your face? Where are you going?"
Prerna stood silently, unable to find words.
She finally looked at Aanya, her eyes filled with fear and urgency.
"Aanya… listen to me," Prerna said softly.
"I need your help."
Aanya looked at her, confused and worried.
"My help? For what?"
Prerna took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
"Aanya, listen to me carefully," she said urgently.
"I don't have much time to explain everything, but right now I need to go to the hospital to meet someone. I really have to go."
Aanya frowned and immediately interrupted her.
"Who is that someone? You're leaving your own wedding for this. What happened to them?"
Prerna went silent.
"Prerna, come on. Tell me," Aanya pressed.
"You can go after your marriage. Why is it urgent?"
Prerna shook her head, panic clear in her eyes.
"No, Aanya. I need to go now— as soon as possible."
Then Aanya asked, her voice trembling, "Who is he, Prerna? What is his name?
Prerna swallowed hard.
"Aanya… that person's name is Aahil."
Aanya's eyes widened in shock.
"Aahil? Who is he? And why are you going to him like this, hiding yourself? Is he really that important to you?"
Prerna's hands trembled. She didn't answer.
Aanya stepped closer.
"Tell me, Prerna. Is he important to you?"
Prerna nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Aanya froze.
"I love him," Prerna whispered.
Aanya stared at her in disbelief.
"What? You love him?"
Prerna immediately broke down, tears spilling from her eyes.
"No… no… wait, Aanya. You're misunderstanding me," she cried.
"I used to love him."
Aanya looked at her with doubt and anger mixed together.
"I already broke up with him," Prerna continued, wiping her tears.
"Then why?" Aanya asked sharply.
"If you broke up with him, why are you going to him? Why do you still care if he's in the hospital?"
Prerna covered her face, crying harder.
"Because… all of this happened because of me."
Aanya looked at her in shock.
Through her tears, Prerna continued,
"Aanya, he's in the hospital because of me. I don't want to hurt anyone anymore. I need to go… please."
Aanya felt her heart soften seeing Prerna like that.
"But when will you come back?" Aanya asked anxiously.
"Your wedding…"
"Don't worry about the wedding," Prerna said quickly.
"There's still some time. I'll come back before that."
Aanya listened, still worried.
"But what if someone comes in between?" she asked.
"What should I say if Devika aunty or Mr. Aryan asks about you?"
Prerna paused, thinking.
"Aanya, listen… that's why I need your help."
Aanya looked at her in doubt.
"My help?"
"Yes," Prerna said.
"For some time, I want you to wear my lehenga and jewellery."
Aanya's eyes widened in shock.
"What? How can I wear this? No, I can't! What if someone finds out?"
Prerna quickly said,
"Aanya, you'll cover your face with a dupatta. No one will recognize you."
Aanya became tense.
"You don't have to talk to anyone," Prerna added softly.
"That's all."
Aanya thought for a moment.
Prerna held Aanya's hands tightly.
"Please, Aanya. I really need your help."
With no other choice, Aanya finally nodded.
"Okay."
Prerna felt relieved.
"Thank you," she said.
"I need to go now. Don't worry—I'll come back as soon as possible."
Aanya nodded again.
Prerna turned to leave, then suddenly stopped and looked back.
"Aanya… promise me you won't tell Aryan bhai or my mom anything."
Aanya stayed silent, watching her.
"Even if something happens," Prerna added,
"Please don't tell anyone."
Aanya thought for a second, then said softly,
"I promise."
Prerna nodded and hurried out.
Aanya closed the door behind her and took a deep breath.
Meanwhile, Prerna managed to slip out of the house without anyone noticing. She hid her face with a dupatta, quickly spotted an auto, told the driver the hospital's name, and got in.
At the hospital, Asma stood anxiously near the entrance, constantly looking around.
Ahad said firmly,
"Asma, there's no need to wait. Prerna isn't going to come."
"But bhai jaan," Asma replied softly,
"She said she would come… she will come."
Ahad turned his face away, his expression cold.
Back at the wedding, inside Prerna's room, Aanya wore the bridal lehenga and jewellery.
She sat down on the bed, her heart racing.
What have I done? she thought nervously.
God, please… let Prerna come back quickly before anyone finds out.
At the wedding, Aanya's friends stood together.
Tara said,
"It's been a while. Why hasn't Aanya come back yet?"
Meera replied,
"She said she was going to check on Prerna. Maybe she's still talking to her."
Tara nodded slowly.
"Hmm…"
Nearby, Aryan and Ankitha were talking.
Suddenly, Ankitha asked casually,
"By the way, Aryan… where are Aanya's parents? I mean, did they come here?"
Aryan answered,
"No. Actually, her father has some health issues, and her mother is busy with work."
"Oh," Ankitha said.
"Aanya is a really nice girl, you know. She's friendly and sweet with everyone."
Aryan just listened silently.
After a moment, Ankitha turned her head, looking around at everyone. Then she looked back at Aryan and asked,
"Aryan, have you seen Aanya?"
Aryan suddenly looked at her.
Ankitha continued,
"I mean… it's been a while. Where is she?"
Aryan replied coldly,
"I'm here with you. How would I know?"
Ankitha nodded slightly.
"Yeah… right."
Just then, Devika called out,
"Aryan, come here once."
Aryan turned to Ankitha.
"Excuse me."
And he walked away.
Meanwhile, Prerna reached the hospital.
She rushed inside, her heart pounding.
As soon as she entered, she saw Asma and Ahad.
Asma's eyes widened in surprise.
"Prerna!" she exclaimed.
Ahad also looked at her, shocked.
Prerna greeted them softly,
"Assalamu alaikum, Asma… Ahad bhai jaan."
"Wa alaikum assalam, Prerna," Asma replied.
Ahad, still stunned, said,
"Wa alaikum assalam… Prerna. You came?"
"Yes," Prerna said anxiously.
"Where is Aahil, Ahad bhai jaan?"
Asma immediately said,
"Come, I'll take you."
The three of them walked toward the ward. On the way, Prerna greeted their mother.
When Prerna saw Aahil lying on the hospital bed, her eyes filled with tears.
"Aahil…" she whispered.
Aahil turned his head and froze when he saw her.
"Prerna?" he said in happiness, trying to sit up.
Prerna rushed to him and helped him sit.
Unable to control her emotions, she hugged him tightly.
Aahil smiled weakly and said,
"I knew you would come for me."
Prerna broke down, tears streaming down her face.
"Aahil, what have you done to yourself? I told you to take care of yourself. Look at you…" she cried.
"I'm sorry, Prerna," Aahil said softly.
"I'm sorry for hurting you. I will never do this again. I promise."
Meanwhile, Devika said,
"Aryan, you have done all the arrangements perfectly."
Aryan replied seriously,
"Yes, Mom."
Devika looked at him and asked again,
"Have you greeted all the guests?"
"Yes, Mom," Aryan answered, his tone still serious.
Devika frowned slightly.
"Why are you talking so seriously? Anyway… where is Aanya? I haven't seen her for a while."
Aryan suddenly looked at his mother and said sharply,
"How would I know about her, Mom? She doesn't tell me everything before doing things."
Devika was taken aback.
"Aryan, why are you being like this? I was just asking normally. Did you see her or not?"
"I didn't see her, Mom," Aryan replied coldly.
Why is everyone asking me? How would I know?
"If you want to know ask her friends… or that Rahul. I don't know where she is."
With that, he walked away.
Devika stood there, confused and worried.
"What happened to him?" she thought.
In the bridal room, Aanya paced back and forth nervously.
When will Prerna come? she thought anxiously. I should call her.
Just as she was about to take out the phone, someone knocked on the door.
Aanya panicked immediately. She quickly covered her face with the lehenga dupatta and sat down on the bed.
The door opened.
It was Devika.
Devika walked toward the bride and smiled.
"In a few minutes, your marriage rituals will begin prerna," she said gently.
Inside the dupatta, Aanya's heart started pounding wildly.
Devika continued, "I know this is a tense moment, but don't worry. Everything will be fine."
Then Devika looked closely at the bride and frowned slightly.
"Wait… Prerna, why have you covered your dupatta like this? Wait, let me fix it for you."
Aanya froze.
Oh no… what if aunty sees me? she panicked to herself.
Devika slowly reached out, about to lift the dupatta—
---
End Of Chapter 54.