Devika slowly reached out, about to lift the dupatta.
Inside, Aanya grew tense.
Oh no… she thought.
Just then, someone called out, "Aunty!"
Devika stopped mid-movement and turned around.
It was Tara.
"Tara? You?" Devika asked.
"Yes, aunty. Actually, Shreya aunty is calling you," Tara said.
"Oh, okay," Devika replied and turned to leave.
Aanya let out a quiet breath of relief.
Then Tara asked, "Aunty, have you seen Aanya?"
Devika shook her head. "No, Tara. Even I was wondering where she is."
"She said she was going to meet Prerna," Tara replied.
Aanya heard everything and grew more nervous.
"But she isn't here, right?" Devika said. "Maybe she's somewhere downstairs."
After a pause, Devika added, "Did you call her."
Aanya froze.
Oh no… my phone is here! What do I do?
Tara suddenly said, "Oh aunty! I completely forgot. Let me call her."
She dialed Aanya's number.
Suddenly, a ringtone echoed in the room.
Devika frowned. "Wait… the ringtone is coming from here."
She looked around and spotted the phone lying on the bed.
Devika picked it up.
"Looks like she left her phone here," Tara said casually.
"She always forgets her things. Give it to me, aunty. I'll return it to her."
Aanya's heart sank.
No… Tara, please don't take it. If you take the phone, I won't be able to call Prerna.
Devika handed the phone to Tara.
Tara laughed. "She'll come asking me again where she left her phone."
Devika laughed too, and both of them walked out.
As soon as they left, Aanya stood up, pulled the dupatta away from her face, and closed the door.
"Oh no… Tara! What have you done?" she whispered nervously.
"Now I can't even call Prerna. What should I do?"
She stood there, completely tense.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Aahil spoke softly.
"I'm sorry, Prerna… for hurting you."
Prerna broke down in tears.
"No… I should be the one saying sorry, Aahil. Not you."
Just then, a nurse entered.
"The patient needs rest. Everyone has to wait outside."
Prerna nodded quickly.
"Aahil, I'm here only, okay? I'll wait outside. Don't worry."
Everyone stepped out of the room. As soon as they were outside, Prerna couldn't hold back anymore and started crying.
Asma gently held her hand.
"Don't cry, Prerna."
Prerna shook her head.
"No, Asma… it's all my fault. I know I did wrong. But I'm helpless."
Ahad and Asma listened silently.
"My brother wants me to get married," Prerna continued through her tears.
"I couldn't say no… and I didn't even tell him about Aahil. It's all my fault."
Ahad spoke softly,
"Prerna, I can talk to your brother."
Prerna shook her head again.
"It's too late, Aahil bhai jaan. Within a few minutes, it's my marriage. No one can do anything now."
Ahad and Asma looked at each other, stunned.
"I came here just to see Aahil," Prerna said, wiping her tears.
"Now I need to go."
"But—" Asma started.
Prerna interrupted her.
"I know you all hate me, and it's okay. I deserve it. I don't deserve happiness, and I don't want anyone to suffer because of me. Please… take care of Aahil."
Just then, their mother came forward, her eyes filled with tears.
"Prerna, please don't leave Aahil. He truly loves you. Even though you're not Muslim, we will accept you."
"Ammi, don't stop her," Asma said firmly.
"Let her go."
Prerna looked at Asma, hurt.
"She'll get late for her marriage," Asma added coldly.
"But Asma—" their mother tried again.
"Ammi," Ahad said gently,
"We are here for Aahil. Let her go."
Prerna gathered all her strength, held back her emotions, and whispered,
"Khuda hafiz."
"Allah hafiz," they all replied.
And Prerna walked away.
At the wedding venue, Shreya leaned toward Devika.
"Devika ji, Prerna is ready, right?"
"Yes, she's ready," Devika replied.
Just then, the pandit announced,
"Please call the groom."
Devika and Shreya nodded together.
"Okay, Pandit ji."
Meanwhile, Aanya's friends stood aside, whispering among themselves.
"Where did Aanya go?" Meera asked worriedly.
"Did you call her?" Nisha asked.
Tara sighed.
"Yes, but it's no use. Her phone isn't with her. It was in Prerna's room, so I brought it with me."
"Then ask Aryan once," Nisha suggested.
Tara looked around and spotted Aryan talking to a few guests. The three of them walked toward him.
"Aryan ji," Tara called.
Aryan turned to them.
"Have you seen Aanya?" Tara asked.
Aryan stayed silent.
Nisha quickly added,
"Actually, no one has seen her for a while. She also left her phone in Prerna's room."
She showed him the phone.
Aryan's expression changed.
"Did you check upstairs?"
"Yes," Tara replied.
"I checked, but she's not there."
"Did she tell you she was going somewhere?" Aryan asked.
"No," Tara shook her head.
"She only said she was going to meet Prerna."
Aryan fell into thought.
Meera spoke softly,
"Aryan ji, if you see her, can you please give her phone to her?"
Aryan looked at the phone.
"We need to leave now," Tara said.
"Now?" Aryan asked.
But what will Aanya think if you leave before the marriage?
Actually," Nisha explained,
"we have an assignment tomorrow. We just got the message, so it's better if we leave as soon as possible."
Tara handed the phone to Aryan, and the three of them walked away.
Aryan stared at the phone, confused.
Where did this girl go?
Meanwhile, Prerna was stuck in traffic.
"Is there any shortcut?" she asked the driver anxiously.
"No, ma'am," the driver replied.
"This is the only way."
Prerna grew tense. She looked at the time on her phone.
"Oh no… time is running out. Aanya will get worried that I haven't come yet. Let me call her and tell her I'm on my way."
She dialed Aanya's number.
Back at the wedding venue, the phone in Aryan's hand suddenly rang.
He glanced at the screen.
Prerna calling.
Aryan frowned.
Why is Prerna calling Aanya?
He answered the call.
"Hello, Prerna?"
On the other end, Prerna froze.
The moment she heard Aryan's voice, she cut the call immediately.
Aryan stared at the phone, puzzled.
"Why did she cut the call?"
Prerna's heart pounded.
"Oh no… did Aryan bhai find out?"
At the wedding, Aryan stood frozen, his mind racing.
What is happening? Why was Prerna calling Aanya now… and why did she cut the call?
After a moment of hesitation, he made up his mind.
I need to ask Prerna directly.
He turned to leave, but Nandini stopped him.
"Aryan, where are you going?"
"I'm going to Prerna's room, Aunt," he replied.
Nandini frowned.
"Aryan, listen to me. The mantras have already started. In a few minutes, Prerna will be brought here."
"It's urgent," Aryan said firmly and walked away.
"But—" Nandini tried to stop him, but Aryan was already gone.
Upstairs, inside the bridal room, Aanya was pacing restlessly.
Her heart skipped a beat when she suddenly heard footsteps outside.
Panicking, she quickly covered her face with her dupatta and sat down.
A knock echoed.
Before she could react, the door opened.
Aryan stepped inside.
He saw the bride sitting quietly, her face hidden.
Aanya's heartbeat raced wildly.
Aryan walked closer and spoke, his voice serious.
"Prerna… why did you cut the call?"
Aanya stiffened.
Oh no… Mr. Aryan… what do I do?
Did Prerna really call me?
But Wait… how does he even know?
My phone was with Tara right…
Aryan continued, concerned,
"Tell me, Prerna. Is something wrong?"
Aanya slowly shook her head—no.
"Then why did you disconnect the call when I answered?" Aryan asked.
Aanya didn't know what to say. Her silence only deepened his worry.
Aryan sat down beside her.
Aanya's tension increased.
Softening his voice, Aryan said,
"Prerna, I know you're stressed because of the marriage. But don't forget… I'm always there for you."
Under the dupatta, Aanya froze.
His words echoed in her heart.
Her hands trembled slightly.
Aryan noticed the movement.
His gaze fell on her hands.
And suddenly—
He froze.
Shock spread across his face as he saw the letter "A" carefully written in the mehndi on her hand.
Wait…
Aanya wrote "A" on her hand.
Then how was the same letter on Prerna's hand?
Aryan went silent.
Aanya noticed the sudden change in him. Her heart skipped a beat.
Oh no… did Mr. Aryan figure it out?
Aryan slowly stood up and asked, his voice low but sharp,
"Prerna… when did you write 'A' on your hand?"
Aanya froze.
In panic, she quickly hid her hands by turning.
"Answer me, Prerna," Aryan said firmly.
Aanya remained silent, her heartbeat pounding loudly in her ears.
"Why aren't you answering?" Aryan asked again.
Just then, Aryan's phone rang.
He glanced at it, said, "Hello," and walked outside the room.
Aanya let out a shaky breath.
Oh no… Mr. Aryan definitely suspects something.
What should I do? Prerna… where are you?
After ending the call, Aryan returned to the room.
Something felt wrong.
Why… why am I thinking about Aanya right now? he wondered.
Looking at the bride, he said quietly,
"Prerna… stand up."
Confused and trembling, Aanya slowly stood up.
Aryan stepped closer, his eyes filled with suspicion.
Aanya's breath caught in her throat.
Suddenly—
Aryan reached out and pulled the dupatta away.
His world stopped.
Standing in front of him was Aanya.
Aanya gasped, fear flooding her eyes as she found herself face to face with Aryan.
---
End Of Chapter 55.