Chapter 1: The Day That Never Left

January 5, 2029 – Kovilpalayam, Coimbatore

The wedding hall buzzed with pre-wedding chaos. Inside the old building near Kovilpalayam, jasmine garlands were being strung across the entrance pillars, the nadaswaram player was warming up his instrument, and the scent of sandalwood, agarbatti, and freshly fried vadai filled the air.

Upstairs, in the bride’s room, Priya sat quietly by the window. Her green silk blouse was half-buttoned, her bridal saree neatly folded on the chair beside her. The wooden window was open, letting in the cool Coimbatore breeze that carried distant honks and a rooster’s confused crow.

She wasn’t smiling. Not really.

Because even with all the noise, her heart was somewhere else.

June 8, 2023 – Evening – Annur

The rain had come down without warning that day. It was heavy, almost violent, drowning the small lanes near Annur with water and red mud. Priya was a 3rd-year student at SNS College of Technology then. Exams were over. She had gone out to pick up fabric for her cousin’s birthday blouse.

While waiting near the textile shop, her phone buzzed.

“Breaking: K-pop idol dies in Seoul crash.”

She read it again. And again.

She couldn’t process it.

Rain hit her face. She didn’t move. She just started walking blindly, stepping off the platform, out into the rain, tears falling freely. Her slippers slipped against the wet road. She barely noticed.

A loud horn screamed through the street.

A massive lorry was approaching, unable to stop in time.

Still, Priya stood there—crying, not moving—until someone shouted from the side.

“Priya!”

She sat up suddenly.

Back in 2029. Back in the bridal room.

The door creaked open.

“Oi, what happened? You were sleeping with your mouth open like a statue.” Devika stepped in, holding a half-eaten packet of chips.

“Still dreaming ah?” asked Dharshana, appearing behind her with a jasmine garland in one hand and Appy Fizz in the other. “We thought you were knocked out from all the mehendi fumes!”

Priya blinked slowly. “Just… remembered something. June 8th, 2023.”

The girls stopped teasing.

“You still think about it?” Devika asked gently.

Priya nodded. “It’s been more than five years, but it feels fresh sometimes. Like it happened just yesterday.”

Dharshana sat beside her. “I remember. That week, you were like a ghost. You didn’t talk to anyone.”

“I didn’t know how to explain it,” Priya whispered. “It wasn’t someone I knew in real life. But losing him... it felt like losing a part of myself.”

They didn’t press her. They never did.

“Anyway,” Devika said, brightening the mood, “how’s Korea? Seven months now, right?”

“Yeah,” Priya nodded. “I’m getting used to it. The food, the language, everything. Office is okay too.”

“And fiancé sir?” Dharshana teased. “Still giving surprise lunches or already acting like husband?”

Priya laughed softly. “Bit of both.”

“You got that full-time job offer?” Devika asked.

“They sent it on January 1st. I have to join in a week. So I’m flying back in four days.”

“Four days?” Dharshana blinked. “Aiyo, this is a true Tamil-style marriage. Tie the knot and fly immediately!”

Just then, voices echoed from outside the door.

“Bride room party ah? Let us in!”

The door opened, and in came a handful of familiar faces—old college mates from SNS, hostel roommates, even two shy mech boys clutching rose milk bottles. Someone started playing Ilaiyaraaja softly from a Bluetooth speaker.

“Still can’t believe Priya from IT is getting married,” one girl laughed.

“I still remember her mini-project breakdowns!” another teased.

Priya smiled genuinely now. These were her people. The ones who saw her before Korea, before adulthood, before everything changed.

“See?” Devika whispered. “You’re not alone, Priya. You never were.”

Priya looked around the room—full of noise, friendship, and unspoken understanding.

Tomorrow, she would become a wife.

But tonight, she was still just Priya—the girl who never forgot June 8th.

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