Mourning Bride – Season 2

Chapter 14: The Threshold

That night, Abhina stayed at Vedant’s house.

The mansion stood tall and imposing, its grand structure wrapped in an eerie silence. The lights were dim, the corridors long and cold.

Something about the place felt… wrong.

Unwelcoming.

Heavy.

Abhina walked quietly to the room assigned to her. Even the walls seemed to whisper unease.

She lay down on the bed, unable to fully relax.

Slowly, she placed her hand on her abdomen.

“I’m sacrificing everything for you…” she whispered softly.

“Your father doesn’t want to lose you… and maybe he’s right…”

Her eyes filled with tears.

---

Sleep didn’t come easily.

Her mind refused to stay quiet.

Is Vedant really the right person?

Will he truly let me continue my studies after marriage… after this child?

Am I choosing the right man?

Her thoughts grew heavier.

Should I tell Maa and Papa?

For a moment, her heart leaned toward them.

But fear took over again.

If I tell them… they will force me to abort…

And I’ll lose Vedant forever…

She closed her eyes tightly.

Caught between two worlds.

---

Roy Mansion

Back home, tension filled the air.

Mareena kept calling Abhina again and again.

But there was no response.

Finally—

A message arrived.

“I’ll return tomorrow. I’m safe.”

Mareena stared at the screen.

Her heart wasn’t convinced.

Abhinav frowned. “What does that even mean?”

Beside them, Hrithik stood silent, his expression serious.

“Something is definitely wrong,” he said slowly.

“Her company isn’t right. She’s changing… she’s getting disturbed…”

He stopped mid-sentence.

But the worry remained.

---

Next Morning

At Vedant’s mansion, preparations had already begun.

Everything was moving fast.

Too fast.

Vedant had arranged priests, decorations, and all the rituals.

Women from a parlour arrived to get Abhina ready.

She sat quietly as they brought out a red bridal saree.

Her heart sank.

“Please… don’t make it too heavy,” she said softly.

“No too much jewellery… or makeup…”

The women exchanged glances.

“Vedant sir has instructed that you should look like a bride,” one of them replied.

Without waiting, they began dressing her.

Layer by layer—

Jewellery.

Makeup.

Ornaments.

Transformation.

Abhina stared at herself in the mirror.

She looked like a bride.

But didn’t feel like one.

A strange emptiness settled inside her.

She forced a smile. Not from within.

---

Evening

The mandap was ready.

The fire burned steadily.

The priests began chanting.

Abhina walked slowly and sat beside Vedant.

Her hands trembled slightly.

Her heart felt heavy.

Each mantra echoed like a reminder—

You are crossing a line.

You are leaving something behind.

Her family.

Her home.

Her truth.

---

The rituals began.

One by one.

The sacred fire witnessed it all.

Then—

The seven pheras.

Each step felt heavier than the last.

Promises made.

Vows taken.

Garlands exchanged.

Applause echoed faintly in the background.

---

Only one ritual remained.

The final one.

Vermillion. Was left.