The temple bells echoed as the wedding mantras filled the air. The sacred fire burned bright, and everyone’s eyes were on Anand and the veiled bride sitting beside him. Poornima watched from behind the mandap, her heart heavy with pride and sadness — her son was married, yet he hadn’t even looked her way once.

Veeresh stood beside her, silently noticing how she tried to hide her pain. But just as the rituals ended, a sudden murmur ran through the crowd.

Anand frowned, turning to the bride beside him. Something felt off. Slowly, with trembling hands, he lifted the veil — and froze.

A girl he had never seen before sat before him.

“Who are you?” Anand’s voice trembled, echoing through the temple.

Everyone turned in shock. Veeresh’s eyes darted toward the back — and there stood Kavya, in her yellow haldi saree, looking frightened and confused.

“Kavya!” Veeresh exclaimed, rushing to her. Poornima too hurried forward, holding her shoulders.

“Beta, what happened?” she asked softly.

Kavya’s voice quivered. “Ma… I don’t know. I had poha in the morning, and I felt dizzy. I slept… and when I woke up, the wedding was over…”

Tears streamed down her face.

Veeresh hugged her tightly, stroking her hair. “Don’t cry, beta. Everything will be fine,” he said, though his heart pounded with worry.

Pratap stepped forward, guilt written on his face. “Veerendra… please forgive us. We didn’t know about this. Someone must have switched the bride…”

Veerendra sighed deeply but spoke calmly, “Pratap, don’t apologize. Everything happens for a reason. Maybe destiny had something else written today.”

Pratap’s eyes fell on Kavya and then on Abhimanyu, who stood quietly beside Poornima, concern in his eyes. A thought struck him, and he said, “Kavya, will you marry Abhimanyu? He’s my grandson… and he’s a good man.”

The whole hall went silent. Poornima turned to her son — surprise, then a soft smile on her face. “There’s no force, beta,” she said gently. “He’s my son. The choice is yours.”

Veeresh looked at Abhi. “Are you okay with this?”

Abhimanyu nodded slowly, then smiled faintly. “If Mom is happy… then I am.” He looked at Veeresh with respect. “I may be adopted, sir, but I’ll make sure your daughter never has a reason to cry.”

Veeresh’s eyes softened. “Then I have no objection.”

And so, as the priest prepared once again, Abhimanyu and Kavya sat beside each other — destiny’s chosen pair.

Poornima and Veeresh stepped forward together, their hands trembling as they performed the kanyadan and gathbandhan. The garlands were exchanged, and when Abhimanyu filled Kavya’s hairline with sindur, Poornima felt tears in her eyes — not of sorrow, but of pride.

When the ceremony ended, Abhi hugged his mother tightly. “Mom, I’m happy,” he whispered. “Keep smiling, okay?”

Poornima cupped his face, smiling through her tears. “Abhi… I am happy. Just keep her happy too.”

Kavya joined the hug, holding her parents close. The fire burned softly beside them — a witness to fate’s strange but beautiful twist.

Later that evening, as everyone blessed the couple, Abhimanyu leaned close to Kavya and said, “Tonight, we have to leave, Kavya. There’s an emergency case waiting in Delhi.”

Kavya nodded gently, “Okay, Abhi. We’ll go together.”

Veeresh and Poornima watched them leave, hands entwined, knowing that sometimes — the paths that break your heart… are the ones destiny paves for love.