Strings of Fate

Chapter 5: The Collision of Fate

The Thakur mansion buzzed with wedding preparations, the air thick with the scent of marigolds and the distant hum of shehnai. Aarav, feeling suffocated by the chaos, walked briskly through the corridors, his eyes fixed on his phone screen.

At the same time, Reyansh was returning from the study, his mind preoccupied with work. Neither of them noticed the servant hurrying past them, carrying a large thali filled with sindoor (vermilion).

And then it happened.

Aarav, distracted, turned a corner at the exact moment Reyansh did. Their bodies collided with force—Aarav's shoulder knocking into Reyansh's chest. The impact sent Aarav stumbling backward—straight into the servant.

The sindoor thali flipped into the air.

Gasps echoed through the hallway as bright red powder rained down, scattering all over Aarav's forehead and hair. A striking contrast against his fair skin.

For a moment, silence stretched.

Aarav, stunned, wiped his face, only to make things worse as the sindoor smeared across his cheek. Reyansh exhaled sharply, staring at him with unreadable eyes.

And then—

"Oh my Lord! This is a divine sign!"

Dadi Sa's voice boomed from the top of the staircase. She stood there, her sharp eyes gleaming with excitement.

Reetwik, who had been standing in the shadows, clenched his fists.

Aarav, still processing what had happened, turned to the old woman, frowning. "What? A divine sign?"

Dadi Sa grinned. "The last time we arranged Reyansh's marriage, the bride ran away. But this time, even God has taken matters into His own hands!"

Aarav's eyes widened. "Wait, what are you trying to say?"

Dadi Sa smirked. "A wedding! You and Reyansh will get married!"

Aarav blinked. "You're joking... right?"

Reyansh, standing stiffly beside him, finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. "Dadi, don't say such things."

But Dadi Sa was determined. She folded her arms, her expression smug. "The sindoor falling is no joke! This is destiny! No one can stop it now."

Aarav turned to Reetwik for support—but Reetwik remained silent.

Because deep down, he knew he had already lost Aarav.

---

Reetwik's Heartbreak

Reetwik locked himself in his room, his breaths uneven. His hands clenched into fists as he pressed them against his temples.

How could this happen?

Aarav—his Aarav—standing there, covered in sindoor, beside his elder brother. And his Dadi declaring their marriage like it was already sealed by fate.

His chest ached.

He had spent years hiding his feelings, afraid of ruining their friendship, believing that one day, he would get his chance. But now?

He had no chance left.

Reetwik let out a bitter chuckle, wiping his eyes roughly. He had promised himself he wouldn't cry over this, over Aarav. But the moment he closed his eyes, all he could see was Aarav standing beside Reyansh—looking like he belonged there.

A choked sob escaped his throat. He sat down on the bed, gripping the sheets, his body trembling with silent heartbreak.

No one would ever know how much this hurt.

And even if they did—what difference would it make now?

To be continued...