Title: Lost, and Finding the Way (Part 1)

Tonight is my wedding night. Like every other girl, I had countless dreams about this moment. And now, my dream is about to come true.
It was an arranged marriage — I hadn’t even seen the groom before. When my mother asked if I wanted to meet him, I told her, “Your choice is my choice.”

But why hasn’t he come yet? How long do I have to wait?

Anyway, before he arrives, let me introduce myself.
My name is Anusha Rahman, the youngest of three sisters. Both my elder sisters are married, and my mother loves me dearly — so I never went against her wishes.

Wait… someone’s coming. I can hear footsteps.
That must be Nihal — my husband.

The door opened, and Nihal entered.
Suddenly, a strange fear filled me. The elders had told me that on the wedding night, a bride should bow and touch her husband’s feet to show respect. So, I got up, bowed down, and touched Nihal’s feet.

And then—

SLAP!

Nihal slapped me.
On her wedding night, perhaps for the first time, a bride was slapped by her husband. I had never even heard of such a thing.

I looked at him — tears forgotten in shock.

Anusha: You…?!
Nihal: Yes, it’s me. Do you remember that day in college?
Anusha: Nihal, I apologized so many times after learning the truth.
Nihal: Apologies? You ruined my life! You humiliated me in front of everyone at college. The principal expelled me. My entire future was destroyed — because of you! And you think I’d forgive that so easily?
Anusha: So this is your revenge?
Nihal: You shamed me before everyone. Now I’ll shame you before society. Tomorrow, when people hear that a husband divorced his wife on their wedding night — they’ll all point their fingers at you.

Anusha: Please, Nihal, don’t do this. You don’t have to treat me like your wife, but don’t divorce me. I’ll live here as a servant if that’s what it takes.

Nihal: Get off me! Where’s all that pride now?

Anusha: If you do this, my mother will die of grief. Please, Nihal!
Nihal: Enough!

He pushed me away and stormed out. In a single moment, every dream I’d ever had shattered. I never imagined Nihal would take revenge like this.

That day in college… when I entered the campus, everyone was staring at me strangely. My best friend Anni came running.

Anni: Anusha, come look at the notice board!
Me: Why? What’s there?
Anni: Just come — you’ll see.

I looked — and my eyes froze.
There was a photo of Nihal and me, with the words “I love you, Anusha — Nihal” written underneath. My head boiled with anger. Nihal was chatting with friends nearby, and in front of everyone, I slapped him.

He stood there, speechless. I didn’t stay — I ran home.
For a week, I didn’t go back to college. When I did, I learned Nihal had been expelled.

His shouting brought me back to the present. He was holding some papers — I knew immediately what they were.

Anusha: Nihal, please… can’t you forgive me?
Nihal: Never. Here — I’ve signed the divorce papers. Sign them and get out of my house.

Anusha: Where will I go this late at night? Please, let me stay till morning. I’ll leave at dawn.
Nihal: You’re leaving now — or I’ll throw you out myself.

He dragged me to the door. On the way out, I saw his mother.

Anusha (crying): Mother, where will I go now?
She turned away in silence.

Nihal pushed me outside and shut the door.
I stood there, alone in the dark street, trembling.

Where could I go? My father is dead. My mother lives with my uncle — it was through his kindness that my sisters and I were educated and married.
Would they even accept me now?

Tears rolled down as I walked aimlessly. My mind was blank.
If my mother saw me like this, she wouldn’t survive it.
By morning, everyone will know… what will they say?

I felt like tearing my hair out.
Walking without direction, I kept thinking — if only I hadn’t lost my temper that day, none of this would have happened.

Later, I found out Nihal hadn’t actually put up that photo — it was one of our friends playing a cruel prank. I eventually found Nihal and begged for forgiveness. But I never imagined his revenge would be so devastating.

I walked for hours until I finally reached my uncle’s house. It was almost dawn. I couldn’t wake anyone up at that hour, so I sat by the door, waiting for morning.

As I leaned against the wall, I must have fallen asleep.
At sunrise, I woke up to my aunt’s sharp voice—

Aunt: Hey! What are you doing here?!

(To be continued…)