A shattered silence

The Wedding of Sana and jay!

The soft hum of sitar strings floated through the air, blending with the fragrance of roses and sandalwood. The wedding mandap glowed under the canopy of golden lights, each flicker casting a dream-like haze over the faces of the gathering. Friends and family clapped gently, their hearts warmed by the beauty of the moment. All eyes were on the bride—Sana—draped in crimson and gold, her eyes glistening not just from the kohl, but from the fullness of her heart.

Sana sat beside Jay, her smile soft and genuine, the kind that blooms from long-held love finally fulfilled. Her hands, adorned with intricate henna, trembled slightly as she placed them gently over Jay’s. She glanced at him with affection, unaware of the distance in his gaze.

Jay was quiet.

His sherwani fit him perfectly, and his expression was calm—perhaps too calm. He nodded when prompted, performed each ritual with precision, but his eyes often wandered—not toward Sana, but toward someone in the crowd. Someone who didn’t wear bridal red, someone who stood silently near the back, hiding a thousand emotions behind a single tear.

Inside Jay, there was a storm he couldn’t name. Every time Sana looked at him with adoration, guilt twisted deeper in his chest. He had agreed to this marriage for reasons he couldn’t fully explain—expectation, family pressure, maybe even the desperate hope that love could grow. But his heart had been elsewhere for a long time. And as the sacred fire crackled between them and the priest recited the final vows, Jay felt a hollow space inside him echo louder than any mantra.

Sana, in her bliss, held onto every word. She believed in this union. To her, Jay was not just a groom—he was her dream. Her forever.

And so, the wedding concluded with smiles, blessings, and celebration.

But within that celebration, there was an invisible fractureone that Sana could not yet see.Would you like me to continue this story, perhaps with a moment of realization for Sana or a confrontation later on?

Certainly! Here's a continuation of the wedding scene, focusing on post-marriage rituals and some tender, seemingly perfect moments shared between Sana and Jay—still with the underlying truth that Jay is hiding.

After the wedding ceremony, the couple was led into a beautifully decorated room for the "Griha Pravesh"—Sana's official welcome into Jay’s home. As she stepped onto the threshold, she gently kicked a copper pot filled with rice, symbolizing prosperity entering the house. Her anklets chimed softly, echoing the joy in her heart. Jay walked beside her, hand in hand, careful to maintain the calm composure he had worn all day.

Sana’s smile never left her face. She noticed how he held her hand a little tighter when the guests watched. How he pulled her veil back just enough to see her eyes during the "Muh Dikhai" ceremony, when the women of the house took turns blessing her. Each gesture from Jay felt real to her—meant for her.

Later that evening, during the "Ring Finding Ceremony", a silver bowl was filled with milk, rose petals, and a small ring. Sana giggled as her bangles clinked against Jay’s wrist. They both reached into the bowl, playfully bumping into each other’s hands. Laughter erupted when Sana found the ring first and lifted it in triumph.

"Looks like you’ll be the boss in this marriage," someone teased.

Sana blushed and glanced at Jay. He smiled—a polite, practiced smile. And though she didn’t see it, there was a shadow behind his eyes.

---

First Night – A Shattered Silence

The room was draped in soft maroon and ivory curtains, scented candles casting a golden hue over the bed adorned with flower garlands. It was a setting meant for intimacy, for beginnings. Sana stepped inside slowly, her heart fluttering with nervous excitement. Her red veil flowed behind her like a trail of dreams, her bangles chiming in rhythm with each step.

Jay was already there, seated on the far edge of the bed, his back turned to the door.

She closed the door behind her gently and whispered, "Jay?"He didn’t turn. "Hmm?"Sana moved closer, the silk of her lehenga rustling softly. She sat beside him, not too close but close enough to sense the wall between them.

"I can’t believe we’re finally married," she said, her voice trembling slightly, trying to sound light.Jay stood up abruptly, brushing invisible dust from his sleeve. "Yeah. It’s been a long day. I’m really tired."The words struck her unexpectedly. She smiled faintly, trying not to show the disappointment growing in her chest. "I know… I just thought… we could talk for a little—"

He cut her off. "I need some air."

He didn’t meet her eyes as he stepped away from her, grabbing his phone and walking to the window. His shoulders were stiff, his silence louder than any argument.

Sana sat there, unsure what to do. Her fingers nervously twisted the ends of her dupatta. The joy she had carried in her heart all day now trembled under the weight of confusion.

"Did I… do something wrong?" she asked softly.

Jay turned slightly, his expression unreadable. "No. I just need time, Sana. That’s all."

She nodded, though she didn’t understand. She looked down, blinking away the sting in her eyes.

He didn’t come back to the bed that night. He sat on the couch, pretending to scroll through his phone until she eventually lay down, still in her bridal clothes, still holding on to hope that this was just exhaustion, not rejection.

Outside, the moon shone softly through the curtains.Inside, two people shared a room.But only one of them was truly present.

Sana pov:

---

Sana stepped into the room, her heart fluttering like the petals scattered across the bed. The dim candlelight wrapped the room in a warm glow, and jasmine garlands hung from the ceiling like soft whispers of blessings.

She spotted Jay sitting at the edge of the bed, facing away. Her lips curved into a smile. He looked tense—maybe nervous, just like her.

He must be overwhelmed, she thought. So many people. So many rituals. Maybe he just needs a moment to breathe.

She approached slowly. “Jay?” she whispered.

He didn’t turn around, only murmured, “Hmm?”

Still, her heart raced with happiness. He was here. He had married her. Everything felt real, finally.

“I can’t believe we’re married,” she said shyly, settling a little distance away from him. She wanted to reach for his hand, but her nerves got the better of her.

Jay stood suddenly. “It’s been a long day. I’m really tired,” he said, almost too fast, too sharp.For a moment, her smile faltered. But she recovered quickly.

He must be exhausted, she told herself. It’s normal. Maybe he’s just not used to being emotionally open. It’s okay. We’ll grow into this.

“I understand,” she said softly, hoping he heard the warmth in her voice.

He walked to the window, his phone in hand, his back to her. It stung, just a little. But she swallowed it down.Maybe he was shy. Maybe he didn’t know how to begin.

When she asked, “Did I do something wrong?” and he replied, “No. I just need time,” a quiet hope rose in her chest. He needs time. That means he’s trying.

She nodded, alone with her thoughts now, and gently removed her jewelry, her hands slightly trembling from the day’s weight. She lay down on the bed still in her bridal attire, watching the silhouette of her husband at the window.

He stayed in the room, she reminded herself. He didn’t leave. He didn’t get angry. He just needs space. He’ll open up soon… won’t he?

With that last hopeful whisper in her mind, Sana closed her eyes, her heart full of belief in a beginning that felt delayed, but not denied.