A RAY OF HOPE A VEIL OF DESTINY

She stood on the dais like a vision from a dream—serene, graceful, and ethereal.

- Dr. Sumitra Jaiswal

A soft veil covered her face, casting a gentle mystery around her features. The golden lights of the hall shimmered around her, making her presence feel almost otherworldly.

As he walked closer, bouquet in hand, something about her presence made his heartbeat quicken. He couldn't take his eyes off her. Her stillness, her poise, the gentle sway of her figure—it all seemed to pull him in. He saw just a glimpse of her face through the veil, and in that moment, it felt as though the world had come to a pause. She looked like someone out of a painting—radiant, gentle, and impossibly beautiful. A quiet wish formed in his heart: If only she were mine.

Then, just as he reached the stage, she moved. With slow, elegant steps, she descended from the dais. In one smooth motion, she lifted her veil, revealing a stunningly beautiful face glowing with mischief and grace. But instead of walking toward him, she turned and handed the veil to the actual bride, standing nearby.

He stood frozen, confused and slightly embarrassed. What just happened? he thought. Was she not the bride? He had almost believed she was. Just then, his friend walked up behind him, trying to hold back a laugh. Clapping a hand on his shoulder, he said with a wide grin, “That’s Meenakshi, my wife. The one you were about to give the bouquet is her best friend, Mollie.”

Still puzzled, he looked back at Meenakshi, who was clearly enjoying the moment. With a playful glint in her eyes, she said, “Don’t worry, you're not the first one she’s tricked. Mollie is quite the mischievous one.”

Realization dawned, and with it came a wave of relief and laughter. He shook his head, amused at how easily he had been fooled, and smiled—partly at Mollie's cleverness, partly at his own innocent mistake.