Chapter 5 – Blessings and Goodbyes

A piercing police siren echoed from outside, slicing through the stunned silence of the wedding hall.

Everyone turned as a police jeep screeched to a halt at the entrance. Within seconds, two uniformed constables and a plainclothes inspector walked in, their footsteps sharp against the marble floor.

“Who is Arjun Varadhan?” the inspector asked, voice loud and clear.

Arjun, still recovering from the punch to his face, slowly stood up, holding his bruised jaw. “Sir, please... I didn’t mean to—”

“You assaulted a foreign national in public,” the inspector snapped. “There’s evidence. Video footage. You're under arrest. The Korean Embassy has already been informed.”

Gasps rang out. Meghana’s face turned pale.

“Wait!” she cried, grabbing Arjun’s arm, but he pushed her hand away. His mother rushed forward, but it was too late. The constables pulled Arjun’s hands behind his back and cuffed him.

“This is your fault,” he hissed at Priya as they dragged him away. “You ruined my life!”

Priya said nothing. She just stood tall, her thaali glinting under the stage lights.

Arjun’s mother grabbed Meghana and stormed out behind them. The whispers started again, but now they sounded different—embarrassed, ashamed, unsure.

Jaemin stepped closer to Priya, adjusting the cuff of his beige blazer. His expression was unreadable.

“I have to go,” he said gently. “My concert in Delhi starts in a few hours. I’ll be gone for two days.”

Devika looked at him, eyes wide. “You’re leaving now?”

He nodded. “Your flight to Seoul is in two days. I’ll explain everything when we reach my home.”

He looked at Priya again. “Be ready.”

Raghav finally spoke. “You’re just taking her away? What even is this?”

Jaemin met his eyes. “I’m giving her peace. That’s what she deserves.”

Without waiting for a response, Jaemin turned and walked out. His security team opened the black car door for him. He didn’t glance back.

The moment the car pulled away, silence took over again.

Priya turned to face the remaining guests—those who hadn’t already quietly slipped out.

“The wedding is over,” she said, her voice surprisingly calm. “The food is ready. Please eat before you leave. And if nothing else, just bless me.”

The older relatives shifted uncomfortably, then nodded and made their way to the buffet line. Caterers uncovered the large vessels—steaming pongal, sambar, vegetable biryani, chapathi and kurma, and a tray full of payasam.

People began to eat, murmuring quietly.

Priya turned toward the bride’s room. Devika and Dharshana followed without a word.

Raghav stepped forward to follow them too, but Karthik stopped him gently, hand on his shoulder.

“Sorry, da,” Karthik said with a small, sad smile. “You should’ve been faster.”

Raghav stared after Priya but said nothing. He just nodded.

Karthik led his mother and grandparents toward the car, leaving Raghav standing alone.

Inside the bride’s room, Priya sat in front of the mirror. Her eyeliner had smudged, the thaali now the only gold she wore. Her hair was a mess. But her spine stayed straight.

Devika placed a towel on her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“No,” Priya whispered. “But I think I’ll be.”

Dharshana stood behind her, arms crossed. “You married a Korean celebrity in front of everyone. That’s not exactly a small drama.”

Priya let out a shaky laugh. “And I thought my life was boring.”

The three of them looked at each other—tired, overwhelmed, but quietly proud.

Outside, the sky had cleared. Sunlight poured into the hall through the side arches, landing gently on crushed jasmine flowers.

No one expected this wedding to end this way.

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