Chapter 7: The Countdown to Goodbye

Seven days before the wedding, the decoration team arrived—a noisy bunch from Old Delhi, lugging marigold bundles, fairy lights, and boxes of sequinned cloth. The hotel manager fussed over the marble floors, warning us not to scratch them. The sharp scent of lilies mixed with strong filter coffee in the air.

Six days before the wedding, the host made his first appearance—a popular TV anchor, Sharma and Arora family friend, in a crisp blue Nehru jacket, his laugh echoing through the hall. The script was perfect—not too emotional, but warm and funny, slipping in jokes that made the aunties in silk sarees nudge each other and giggle.

Five days before the wedding, I personally built a rainbow in the centre of the hall—handmade silk threads from Surat, over 100,000 metres. The workers teased, asking if I was prepping for the Republic Day parade. In the eight-metre-high hall, I arranged every strand myself. Two days and nights later, a glowing halo—almost a rainbow, but more beautiful—hung from the skylight, lighting up the space.

Riya stared for a long time, eyes glimmering with unshed tears. Her friends whispered, but she just dabbed at her eyeliner. “What’s this design called?”

Lost in memories, I answered softly, “When you meet the right person, it’s like seeing a rainbow for the first time.”

Riya forced a smile. “On the wedding day, I want to throw the bouquet to you.”

I was about to refuse when Arjun’s voice rang out from across the hall.

“This rainbow is amazing. Who made it?”

Riya greeted him. “How do you have time today?”

Arjun snapped a photo, barely looking up. The next moment, my phone buzzed.

[Baby, look at the venue decoration for the company event. Isn’t it beautiful?]

Almost at the same time, Arjun heard a noise and looked toward the partition.

“Is someone behind there?”

My heart pounded in my ears. The sticky heat under my kurta made it hard to breathe, and a bead of sweat rolled down my temple as I pressed myself flat against the wall, holding my breath.

Riya replied, “It’s our wedding planner. She designed the rainbow.”

“Shall I introduce you?”

Arjun stepped closer, peering behind the partition. Riya looked confused. The partition suddenly slid open—no one was there.

Sneha strode in, holding her phone like a shield, full boss mode. “If you have any requests, tell me—I’m the boss here. The planner left early.”

Arjun blinked, recovering. “No, it’s fine. I just remembered an appointment.” He left quickly.

Sneha murmured into her phone, “She’s gone.”

I whispered, “Thank you.”

That night, Arjun came home with a gift—a rainbow-thread bracelet.

He watched my face as he tied it around my wrist. I kept my expression calm. “It’s nice.”

He studied me. “Baby, kuch kehna hai?”

I looked down, then smiled, raising an eyebrow. “What, you want a thank you for a bracelet?”

He seemed relieved. “This isn’t just any bracelet.”

“You know, they say—when you meet the right person, it’s like seeing a rainbow for the first time.”

I nudged him. “Filmy dialogue hai.”

Arjun grinned, grabbing my hand. “Priya, I’ll definitely marry you. Will you wait for me for three years? I’m trying, yaar.”

I didn’t answer. Instead, I remembered something from a hypnosis session long ago—the hypnotist’s countdown to waking up.

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1… 0.”

For me, the wedding countdown was my own awakening.

As the thread tightened around my wrist, I realised—I was done waiting. This wedding would be my final act.