The engagement ceremony was everything Isha's family had hoped for—glamorous, vibrant, filled with laughter and chatter that echoed through the grand hall. The guests marveled at the decor, the food, the perfect match that Isha and Ayaan made. Or, at least, that's what they believed.

Isha smiled graciously at her relatives as they congratulated her, but her eyes kept darting toward Ayaan, standing stiffly by his parents across the room. His face was expressionless, his gaze distant, as if he were a stranger merely attending someone else's party. She sighed quietly, but kept her smile intact.

"Beta, you're glowing!" an aunt said, pulling her into a tight hug. "Ayaan is such a wonderful boy. You two make the perfect couple!"

Isha laughed lightly, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Thank you, Aunty. We're lucky to have each other."

The words felt hollow as she said them, and she quickly moved on to greet other guests, trying to push down the growing pit of disappointment inside her. This was supposed to be a joyful day. She had prepared herself for excitement, for connection. But Ayaan... Ayaan's coldness made it feel as though she was standing in the middle of a crowd, completely alone.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Ayaan's mother, Farah, beam at her with pride. She made her way over, exchanging pleasantries, her heart fluttering with the hope that maybe Ayaan would come around if she just stayed patient enough.

"Isha, dear, you've truly become a part of our family," Farah said, holding her hand warmly. "Ayaan is lucky to have you."

"I'm lucky to have him," Isha replied, her smile unwavering, though her eyes flickered toward Ayaan once again. He hadn't moved, hadn't even glanced in her direction. She felt an odd mix of frustration and sadness settle over her.

As the ceremony progressed, Isha kept herself busy, engaging with family members, laughing along with her cousins, and dancing when the music played. She was the picture of grace and happiness, a perfect bride-to-be. But every time she looked toward Ayaan, his indifference cut a little deeper.

When it came time to exchange rings, Isha's fingers trembled slightly as she slid the band onto Ayaan's finger. He didn't smile, didn't even meet her eyes. His movements were mechanical, as if he were fulfilling an obligation rather than committing to a lifelong partnership. The crowd erupted into applause, but all Isha could feel was the icy chill of his detachment.

Still, she kept smiling. She wasn't the type to dwell on sadness for too long. After all, she had always been the jolly one, the one who could turn any awkward situation into a joke. And so, as they stood side by side, posing for photos, she leaned slightly toward him, whispering with a playful grin, "Don't look so stiff. You'll scare people away."

Ayaan glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "I'm fine," he said, his voice flat.

Her smile faltered for just a second before she covered it up with a laugh. "Good, because we're stuck with each other now, remember?" she joked, nudging him lightly.

He didn't respond, didn't laugh, didn't even acknowledge her attempt at humor. The space between them felt like a gaping chasm, impossible to bridge.

Later, after the formalities had ended, Isha found herself standing on the balcony of her house, watching the guests leave. The night air was cool, a welcome contrast to the warmth of the bustling engagement party. She wrapped her arms around herself, staring out into the distance, trying to make sense of the heaviness she felt in her chest.

"Don't overthink it," she muttered to herself, brushing away the stray thoughts. "He'll come around. It's just the beginning."

But no matter how many times she reassured herself, the sadness lingered. It wasn't in her nature to be this way, to dwell on things that weren't in her control. But something about Ayaan's coldness gnawed at her. Was she doing something wrong? Was there something she was missing?

As she stood there, lost in thought, she heard a voice behind her.

"Hey."

She turned quickly, startled to find Ayaan standing a few feet away. He had followed her, though she wasn't sure why. His expression was the same as always—unreadable, distant. But there was something in the way he stood, something in the way his hands fidgeted in his pockets, that told her he had something to say.

But he didn't speak.

He simply stood there, the silence between them stretching out, uncomfortable and heavy. Isha forced a smile, her natural instinct to lighten the mood kicking in. "Hey," she said, keeping her voice light. "Escaping the party too?"

Ayaan nodded, but still said nothing. Isha waited, hoping for... something. Anything. But it never came.

"Well," she said after a few moments, trying to ignore the lump forming in her throat. "I guess it's been a long day for both of us. Lots of people, lots of noise..."

Ayaan nodded again, his eyes flicking briefly to meet hers before looking away. The moment felt strained, and Isha's usual optimism faltered. She wanted to be her cheerful, bubbly self, but it was hard when the person she was supposed to spend the rest of her life with couldn't even muster a conversation.

"Okay then," she said quietly, turning back toward the balcony railing. "I'll see you later."

She didn't look back as she heard him walk away, the sound of his footsteps fading into the night. Only when she was sure he was gone did she let her smile fall, the weight of the evening crashing down on her all at once.

For the first time in a long while, Isha didn't feel like laughing.

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