She sat in her room, her hands trembling as she traced the intricate henna patterns on her palms. Her thoughts were lost in the past, in memories of Shahed—the one who had truly captured her heart. Shahed was not just a lover; he was her confidant, her safe space, her reason to smile. Together, they had shared countless stolen moments, whispering dreams to each other beneath the vast, open sky. The riverbank had been their secret haven, where the gentle breeze carried their laughter, and the soft murmur of the waves had echoed their love.

She remembered the way Shahed used to brush away the stray strands of hair from her face, the way his eyes held promises she longed to believe in. He wasn't wealthy, he wasn't powerful—but his love was pure, untainted by greed or societal expectations. With him, she felt free. And now, that freedom was slipping through her fingers, replaced by a life she had never chosen.

Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over as she tried to suppress the storm raging within her. She could no longer hold herself together. Her heart ached, suffocated by the weight of duty and the cruel hand of fate.

The night wore on, and soon, the groom's party arrived in a grand procession. The sound of celebratory music, the flashing lights, and the decorated cars announced the arrival of her supposed new beginning. But Tanni knew—this wasn't her beginning; it was the end of everything she had ever wanted.

A final surge of determination coursed through her veins. She had to make a choice—her happiness or society's expectations. And for the first time, she chose herself.

Just as the festivities reached their peak, a commotion erupted inside the house. A group of people rushed forward, their faces filled with alarm. "The bride is missing! She has run away!" someone shouted.

A stunned silence fell over the wedding hall. The groom's family stood frozen in disbelief, their joy turning into horror. Then, chaos ensued—voices raised in anger, confusion spreading like wildfire. The night that was meant to celebrate a union had turned into an unforeseen disaster.

And Tanni? She ran with the wind in her hair and hope in her heart, towards the only love she had ever known, towards the freedom she had longed for all her life.