As soon as the stage announcement was made, the lights in the hall grew even more enchanting.
A soft, romantic melody spread all around.
The announcer said, "Everyone, please calm down a little.
Now we will move on to a light music and dance segment.
Those of you who have come with your loved ones or partners, please come to the floor and be part of this beautiful moment."
I was still standing there, poisoned and stunned by Rushda's lies.
Around me, couples had already begun to sway to the rhythm of the music.
Just then, Neel Chowdhury stepped a little closer to me.
Extending his strong hand towards me, he said in a low yet firm voice, "Come, Sahana. Since everyone is dancing, let's join too. Let's go to the floor."
Hearing his proposal, something inside me erupted like a volcano. Looking straight into his eyes with a serious face, I said sharply, "I have never danced in my life, and I will never do so with a fraud like you! You and that Rushda are the same.
She is standing on the microphone accusing me falsely, and you are enjoying it! You are nothing but a cunning cheat."
For a moment, Neel's pupils shrank at my words. He didn't lower his hand; instead, his gaze grew deeper.
He knew how helpless I was. Ignoring all my protests, Neel suddenly grabbed both my hands with such force that I winced in pain.
Then, almost dragging me, he brought me to the middle of the dance floor.
I had no desire at all, but against the strength of his powerful body, I was completely helpless.
Forced and utterly unwilling, I had to match my steps with his, pressed against his chest.
While we were dancing, Rushda came and stood very close to us with his fiancée.
He deliberately moved near us. Whispering into his girlfriend's ear—but loud enough for me to hear—he said, "Look, this is that deceitful girl who once betrayed me.
Now see whose hand she is holding."
Hearing that, my blood began to boil. Humiliation and anger choked me.
Seeing Rushda's shameless, triumphant smile, I felt like spitting on his face.
Silently, I cursed him in my mind, "You beast! You betrayed me, threw me away because I wasn't beautiful enough—and today you're pretending to be innocent and calling me the cheat?"
I somehow held myself together, though tears were on the verge of spilling from my eyes.
Neel pulled me closer to him even more tightly.
His cold gaze fixed directly on Rushda, as if he was preparing for a storm that could shatter the festive atmosphere at any moment.
Rushda's shameless lies and mocking smile pushed me beyond my limit.
As I circled past him in Neel's arms on the dance floor, my eyes were burning with rage.
Losing control, I cried out in my mind, "You think you're the only one here, Rushda? And do you see who I'm dancing with?
.This man who forced me here—he's worthless! Who could be a bigger fraud than him?"
Hearing this, Rushda became furious. Looking at his fiancée with disgust, he said, "See? I've never seen a more shameless girl in my life.
The way she betrayed me—it took me so long to forget that pain. And now she's here creating drama!"
I couldn't tolerate his disgusting lies anymore. Ignoring all social restraint, I tried to free myself from Neel's grip and shouted at the girl, "Sister, listen to me! He is a complete fraud.
He will deceive you too! He trapped me in the depths of his love and destroyed me bit by bit.
The condition you see me in today is his doing. He will trap you the same way.
I'm telling you as a sister—there's still time, don't marry this beast!"
Before I could even finish, Rushda charged at me like a madman.
His face was red with anger.
Pointing his finger at me, he shouted, "Hey girl! What are you saying? How dare you! You insult me in front of my fiancée?"
"Yes, I'm saying this because you are a complete fraud!" My voice thundered through every corner of the hall.
I could no longer hold myself back. Pointing at him, I shouted, "I have never seen a more disgusting person than you.
You wear a mask of decency, but inside you are rotten and filthy!"
At my loud protest, the entire hall fell silent in an instant.
The music seemed to stop in fear. The dancing couples froze, and guests, holding their glasses, moved closer in shock.
Whispers spread everywhere—"Who are they? What is this girl saying?
Why is she behaving like this while being with Neel Chowdhury?"
The murmurs of the crowd reached my ears. Some said, "How disgraceful! What kind of drama is this at a wedding?"
Others looked at Rushda with suspicion.
As I gathered all my courage to expose Rushda's true face, something unexpected happened.
In front of everyone, Neel Chowdhury suddenly turned towards me and slapped me hard across the face.
The sharp sound echoed through the silent hall. From the force of the slap, my head jerked to one side…