Saiyaara

1. A Broken Vow

Geeta Batra stood by the registration counter, glancing at the papers in her hand. "Form ho gaya aur aadhar card bhi, ab sirf number ka hi intezaar karna hai na?" she asked the clerk.

"Ji," the man replied politely.

She glanced at her phone, checking the time. The clock was ticking closer to the appointed hour, each second heightening the tension in her chest. That's when Rajesh and Vivaan returned from buying sweets.

Geeta walked over to them, half-scolding, "Girana nahi, sambhal ke. Kitni der laga di?"

Rajesh let out a tired sigh. "Are main kya karta..."

"Number aa raha hai hamara," Geeta interrupted, handing him the bag containing the flower garland and the file. "Pakado isko." She took the sweet boxes from Vivaan's hands.

"Tiwari ke haan kitni bheed hoti hai, patah hein?" Rajesh remarked.

Geeta rolled her eyes. "Hamesha hi hoti hai. Raat ko lena chahiye tha na mithai?"

"Ha, subah tak fresh rehta phir," he countered.

"Phir subah jaldi chalte. Pehle mithai lete phir court aate," she suggested.

Rajesh raised an eyebrow. "Achha, matlab court mein hain toh ladna hai?"

"Chup kar jao, yeh ladki kaha chali gayi... Vaani..." Geeta muttered, looking around.

Vaani walked into the marriage registrar's office, calm and composed. She wore a plain off-white saree with a red blouse, her hair neatly tied in a bun. A delicate gold necklace rested around her neck, paired with matching earrings. Her hands were decorated with henna. She didn't wear much makeup, only her signature kohl, soft lip balm and a tiny red bindi, but it only enhanced her natural beauty. In that room full of couples, she was the most radiant girl without even trying.

She took a seat, her eyes scanning the room, observing other couples with a soft, anticipatory smile. She could hear the vows being exchanged around her, the gentle rustle of papers, the quiet murmur of officials and the subtle clinking of jewelry. Her heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and nervousness.