Because aayana deserves a wife who is present. And I deserve to stop running."

But last night, I couldn’t sleep. I opened my old Nokia phone — the one with the cracked screen I told everyone I lost in 2019.

Then his mother found my photos. I was 'too modern' (read: I wore jeans). He didn't defend me. He just said, 'Amma ki nachakapothe, em cheyyalem.'

So here is my confession: I am not over my past. But I am ready to bury it. Just not today. Maybe on the wedding night. Or maybe never.

And the worst part? My fiancé knows. He saw me crying. He didn't ask why. He just held my hand and said, 'Dinner cheskundam, chaala aakali ga undi.'

Not the fiancé. Him.