Om woke up to the echoing voices of his parents calling him from downstairs. He groaned, turning to the side, only to realize he had overslept.

"Om! Utho! Engagement ki shopping karni hai!" His father's firm voice made it clear-there was no escape.

Still half-asleep, he rubbed his eyes and dragged himself downstairs.

"Aapke paas ek bhi dhang ka outfit nahi hai. Sab kuch aaj hi lena padega," his mother declared, already making a mental list.

Om tried to protest-"Aaj?" But the answer was already decided.

"Bilkul. Aur jaldi tayyar ho jao!"

And just like that, his entire day vanished in a blur of fabric selections, matching accessories, and his mother's endless discussions with the designers. Rudra, of course, had the time of his life selecting the most extravagant sherwanis for Om just to annoy him.

By the time they finally returned home, the sky was already dark.

Om sank into his bed, exhausted. He reached for his phone, and just as his thumb hovered over Gauri's number, his eyes darted to the time.

11:47 PM.

He exhaled sharply, closing his eyes. Not again.

For the second time, he surrendered to time.

The next evening, the Bedi family arrived at the Sharma house, dressed in elegance. The grand hall was beautifully adorned-strings of marigolds, soft lighting, and the subtle fragrance of incense in the air.

The priest chanted mantras, marking the sacred beginning of this union. Close relatives watched eagerly as the families exchanged sweets and gifts.

And there she was.

Gauri.

Draped in a delicate pink lehenga, her eyes lowered, movements poised. She looked ethereal.

Om stood in place, his gaze fixated on her. Not once did she look up at him.

Even as they sat side by side for the ritual, even when the rings were exchanged, even when his fingers brushed against hers for that fleeting moment-she never met his eyes.

His mind raced back to that one unanswered question-"Why did she say thank you?"

But before he could think any further, the priest announced-"Sagai sampann hui."

The guests clapped, the elders blessed them, and just like that...

The event was over.

And Om?

Still without an answer.