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I had been running around since morning, stuck with sangeet preparations. The whole hall had to be managed, so I asked bhaiya to shift all the couches and tables into the storeroom.
Then I pulled out the sheets and mattresses and told the team to spread them on the floor exactly how Vani and Tanya wanted. Those two had been plotting their Antakshari game all week seriously behaving like they were training for the Olympics.
“Ruhii!” Mumma called from behind.
“Ji,” I replied, already tired but turning toward her.
She handed me a few boxes and packets, “Give these to Adhya.”
Great. More work. I hadn’t even spotted Vihaan all morning. Even at night, he didn’t stay-someone had come, and I was already half-asleep.
I only remember a blurry vision of him leaving after kissing my forehead and patting my head. After that, I drifted into a deep slumber, faintly hearing him lock the balcony door.
“Perfect,” I muttered, rolling my eyes.
Dragging myself with the boxes, I reached his house. The door was open and, no surprise, chaos had already started.
Yuvraaj uncle and Vihaan were in a heated discussion, both talking over each other like kids arguing about cricket.
I scanned the hall for Adhya mumma, but then my eyes froze on a woman.
She was sitting right beside Vihaan, in a red kurta with white pants. I didn’t see her face. Wait….is this the person Vihaan mentioned in his message?
Before I could think too much, Adhya mumma called out, “Ruhanika, come inside.”
I stepped in, feeling awkward as every single person turned to look at me. Vihaan mouthed a small “good morning,” and I just nodded back.
The woman next to him was busy on a call. She turned slightly, but I didn’t see her face. From her backside and side profile, she looked almost like Prisha di’s age.
I frowned. She felt so familiar, yet I couldn’t remember her.
I walked to Adhya mumma and handed her the things she had asked for.
“Did you have your breakfast?” she asked.
“Yes,” I replied, and she nodded.
“Want to eat something? I can ask Vihu he can make it for you,” She wiggled her eyebrows.
I chuckled, “Nope, I already have, and now I’m full.”
She nodded.
Just then, a strong, dominating voice rang out. The woman turned on her heel, yelling at someone on call. Vihaan rolled his eyes.
“You can slow down your voice. It really feels like I’m listening to a horror background score,” he muttered, only to get smacked on the head.
I laughed, and he immediately looked at me, mimicking my laugh.
Stupid.
“Ruhanika, can you please help with these?” Adhya mumma asked, handing me a few pictures of decorative halls.
“Select which one you like. Even if not, we can make it according to you,” she said.
I nodded, until a sudden gasp made me look up.
“Oh my God! You are even prettier in person!” someone shrieked so loudly I nearly jumped.
“Mahek, don’t scare her,” Adhya mumma scolded.
I turned toward the woman. Dark, sharp eyes, mid-length straight hair, and a bright smile. My mind clicked instantly, and I smiled as recognition hit.
She looked at me once before rushing forward to hug me. I smiled and hugged her back.
“When did you come back from Australia, Maasi?” I asked.
“I would’ve been here for your engagement, but my flight got delayed. I reached at midnight,” she giggled.
“You look so much prettier in person, Ruhanika, more than those photos Vihu secretly clicks,” she whispered teasingly.
Across the couch, Vihaan groaned, “Can you not?”
I stifled a laugh as Vihaan threw a cushion at her which she caught showing her skills.
Atharv’s little voice came next as he entered. The moment he saw Mahek maasi, he ran straight to her, and she immediately scooped him up.
“I missed you, my baby,” she kissed his forehead.
“Choti nani, did you bring the video game I asked for?” His doe eyes sparkled mischievously.
My little tornado directly come to the point, he is obsessed with video games just like his mamu.
“Yes, baby, I brought it. But please don’t call me nani. I’m too young to be a nani at 32,” she flicked her hair dramatically.
“Exactly Nani ji” Vihaan snorted.
She smacked his arm, “Shut up! At least I look younger than you sometimes. Look at your face always sulking like a seventy-year-old grandpa.”
I laughed so hard I had to cover my mouth.
Vihaan glared, “Don’t encourage her, Ruh.”
Oh, but I absolutely would.
I still remember when Vihaan first told me her age. Back then, when we had just started dating, I was shocked. He was only eighteen, and his maasi whom I had assumed was his mother’s age was barely six years older than him.
No wonder their bond is so chaotic, he even told her about me before anyone else.
“What is Aarvi doing?” Mahek maasi asked Atharv.
“She’s sleeping. She doesn’t sleep at night, always crying, and then during the day she sleeps. She’s weird, but I can manage because she’s my little sister,” He said it like he was explaining a long math problem.
“Your game is kept in nani’s room. Go take it,” she said.
Atharv immediately dashed away.
“Mahek, go and keep your luggage inside the room carefully,” Adhya mumma said.
“Yep, I’ll keep it. But after sleeping. I haven’t gotten proper rest because of all this noise,” she yawned.
“It’s a shaadi wala ghar. Obviously there’ll be noise. You could’ve gone to your house, then come later after resting,” Adhya mumma raised her eyebrow.
“I could have, but the moment I bought that house, I never set foot inside. Since Vihaan and Ruhanika were living there, I just can’t go in like this. Who knows what the walls have heard, what the furniture has seen…I might get traumatized,” mahek maasi muttered dramatically.
She mumbled everything in one breath, and I stared at her in shock while Vihaan coughed and facepalmed.
“Vihaan and Ruhanika?” Adhya mumma’s eyes snapped between the two of us.
I tried to pretend nothing was out of the ordinary.
“Oh, was this supposed to be a secret?” Mahek maasi turned to Vihaan, who nodded sheepishly.
Adhya mumma sighed.
“Oh gosh, don’t utter another word,” She shook her head and walked off.
The moment she left, Mahek burst out laughing, eyes sparkling like she had been waiting for this moment forever, “Ruhii, do you know your future husband here was the most dramatic schoolboy alive?”
I raised my brows, “Oh really? Do tell me.”
Vihaan instantly groaned, “Maasi, no. Don’t start.”
“Oh, I will,” she said proudly, ignoring him. “This idiot used to call and yell whenever he had a problem with..
let’s say, a certain girl.”
My ears perked up. A certain girl? Me? Oh no-this is going to be good.
I looked at Vihaan and narrowed my eyes.
“Maasi!” Vihaan buried his face in his hands. “Please, spare me.”
She smirked. “Not a chance. You know what he once said to me on call? ‘Maasi, I don’t even like her but also I like her. She’s like a witch, doing red, black, blue, whatever magic to steal my rank! I try to intimidate her, but the moment she looks at me with those eyes….I just lost my senses!’ “
I feel like blushing while Vihaan groaned louder, grabbing a pillow and covering his face.
So Mr. Rank-Protector thought I was casting spells on him? This boy is unbelievable.
But Mahek maasi wasn’t done. She leaned closer, eyes dancing, “And once…this is the best….he begged me to tell him how to keep other boys away from you. He was ready to build a wall around you, Ruhii! His exact words were, ‘Maasi, tell me how to scare boys away without looking violent’ because his Ruh don’t like violence at all.”
I laughed so hard my stomach hurt, tears forming at the corners of my eyes.
“You’re lying!” Vihaan accused, pointing at her dramatically.
“Am I?” Mahek folded her arms, smug.
“Should I remind you of the time you called and said, ‘Maasi, please make me a full date plan. What do I say, what do I wear, what gift should I buy? Should I hold her hand first or wait?’ “
I almost choked on air, “Seriously, Vihaan? You actually asked that?”
His entire face turned crimson.
Aww.
“Okay, I am so done with you both!” He threw his hands up and stormed off to his room, the pillow still in his grip.
The moment he disappeared, Mahek maasi and I looked at each other and exploded into laughter.
Note to self-Never let him live down the ‘witch magic eyes’ thing. Ever.
Gonna use my magic spell on him forever.
Later, Mahek maasi held my hand, smiling warmly, “Ruhii, I brought some gifts for you. Come.”
She is lively, talkative, and honestly so much fun to be around. I found myself getting comfortable really fast. Between her research as a botanist, Adhya mumma being a chemistry teacher, and another uncle being a tech expert, it felt like the whole family was born to flex their genius genes. And let’s not even start about Vihaan and Mahek maasi two completely self-obsessed troublemakers together.
By evening, after a day filled with laughter and chatter, I finally slipped back into my room. Vani, Tanya, and my sister were already plotting some new mischief for the sangeet or more like dance battle.
The hall was draped in layers of red, orange, and gold fabric, spread across the ceiling like waves. Fairy lights ran through them, twinkling softly, while grand chandeliers hung down, scattering light across the space. Crystal bead strings dangled in rows, catching every glimmer, and the floor shone with a bright rangoli-style design that completed the festive setup.
I had already told Tanya and Vani I wouldn’t dance.
No way. I would embarrass myself, trip, and probably break someone’s toe. But of course, they didn’t care. With Aashika joining their conspiracy, I didn’t stand a chance.
So here I was, trapped with my so-called squad. The three of them smiled like angels but whispered like devils. Mischief shone on their faces, and I had no doubt they were plotting a full-on battlefield.
Behind me, I caught Yash’s low voice, “Bro, they look like they’ve been training for a dance competition.”
“Correction,” Siddharth muttered, folding his arms. “Khatron Ke Khiladi.”
I cleared my throat loudly-pointedly.
The silence that followed was delicious.
Then came Vihaan’s voice, warm, amused, smug, “And you two are clearly auditioning for Comedy Circus.”
My lips curved before I could stop them.
As if that wasn’t enough, Yash piped up, “Of course they will win, they have Tanya in their team and she has won 58 awards for dance competitions.”
I turned my head slowly, raising a brow, “58? Really?”
He looked too casual, which made it worse.
I narrowed my eyes, “So you even remember the number of awards?”
I gave Yash the sharpest throat-clear in history. He immediately coughed like his lungs were rebelling.
“She is my best friend, of course I knew,” he defended.
I shook my head at him, “stupid.”
Before I could add salt to his wound, the lights dimmed.
And then-my five-year-old nephew Atharv stormed the stage in a tuxedo, confidence ten sizes too big. My baby looks too adorable.
“Hello, everybody!” Atharv’s squeaky voice echoed through the mic, and the whole hall instantly went aww. The mic was almost taller than him, but he held it like a champion.
“Today is very, very special,” he announced proudly, cheeks puffing. “Because it’s my Ruh bua and my Vihaan mamu’s sangeet!”
He spread his arms dramatically, “That means…. full masti, full dance, and no boring people allowed!”
My jaw dropped. Oh, God. Who wrote this script? My tornado is looking so adorable.
“The team bride is Ruhii bua, Tanya didi, Vani didi, Aashika bua-and me!” Atharv yelled proudly. “And the team groom is Mamu, Yash uncle, Siddharth uncle, and Varun uncle. But… you all are boring.”
The hall erupted in laughter.
Yash muttered from behind me, “He called them didi and called us uncle.”
Varun and Sid looked personally offended.
“Seriously? Which angle do we look like uncles? He could at least call us bhaiya,” Sid grumbled.
I turned back, grinning, “Come on, you guys are actually behaving like uncles.”
“How?” Varun shot back.
“Umm…you are gossiping about all stupid things. That makes you uncle,” I teased.
Vihaan chuckled beside them, not even pretending to disagree.
I turned to him, “You are also included in the uncle list.”
He narrowed his eyes at me, “Offended.”
“Aww,” I cooed, pinching both his cheeks.
Behind us, people hooted and clapped at the scene. My face burned, but I still enjoyed it.
Atharv wagged his little finger at the audience, “Clap loudly for my bua, because she is the prettiest. And Mamu is a handpump.”
I choked. Then I completely lost it-doubled over laughing, clutching my stomach. The hall joined me, and poor Vihaan’s expression was priceless. My heart still did a stupid little flip.
“Seriously?” Vihaan muttered, rolling his eyes.
“Nice, Mr. Handpump,” I teased, grinning at him.
He glared at me, then took full advantage of the dim lights. Sliding his hand along my side, he gave my bare waist a quick, sneaky pinch.
I froze, eyes wide.
“Will show you what this handpump is capable of,” he whispered, winking at me.
I coughed hard, pretending nothing happened. Thankfully, nobody noticed.
A moment later, Prisha bhabhi went to stage to whisper something to Atharv. His little face scrunched. He turned to the mic again, “Oops, I mean-Mamu is looking handsome!”
The crowd clapped again. Vihaan finally chuckled.
Atharv ran straight to him, tugging his sleeve.
“Handpump really?” Vihaan lifted him up easily.
Atharv blinked innocently, “Sorry, it was too tough. I’ll just call you handsome.”
Vihaan sighed, shaking his head.
And just like that, my tiny tornado switched gears….one second he was insulting the groom team, the next he was exaggerating like a full-on Bollywood commentator.
The music blasted through the speakers, and my girls-Vani, Tanya, and Aashika-stormed the stage like pros. Their moves were sharp, synchronized. Every twirl, jump, and spin made the crowd cheer louder. I could practically feel the excitement vibrating through the hall.
From the boys’ corner, Yash tried to keep up, but Tanya’s pace had him slightly off. He stumbled on one turn, and she shot him a glare that could have burned a hole in his forehead.
Vani was spinning toward Sid, teasing him with every step, while he stayed calm, catching her hand smoothly mid-twirl. The way she flicked her hair and leaned close, I could see him trying not to smile.
Aashika and Varun were completely in sync, their choreography almost like a story on its own-dramatic poses, sudden lifts, and playful counters that made their chemistry impossible to ignore.
I leaned closer to Vihaan, my bangles clinking softly as I whispered, “Did you see that?”
He turned his head slightly toward me, confusion flickering in his eyes, “What?”
I gestured subtly with my chin toward the stage , “Arey look carefully. Something is definitely going on there, and we are missing it.”
But instead of looking, his gaze lingered on me. I felt it-steady, unblinking, as if the rest of the world didn’t exist.
His lips curved into the faintest smile as he whispered, “Meri nazrein toh hamesha aapko hi dhundti hain.”
My breath caught. The sounds around us blurred into the background. It was just his voice, wrapping around me like warmth.
I felt my cheeks heat up under the weight of his stare. I rolled my eyes quickly, trying to cover the way my lips wanted to curl into a smile, “stupid Chimpanzee”
“Yours only” he whispered leaning close to me.
Atharv’s loud cheering cut through my thoughts, making me laugh.
The bride team had the energy, the precision but the sparks, oh, the sparks on the groom side were stealing some attention too.
I glanced at Vihaan. He was smirking, eyes glued to the stage. I raised a brow, “Who do you think is winning?”
He shrugged, still watching, “Me. Because I am getting married to my Ruh.”
“Vihaaannnnn,” I whined, almost feeling my cheeks heat as he held my hand.
I laughed quietly. This was chaos, rhythm, and romance all rolled into one and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Then Mahek maasi followed, and Prisha di literally set the stage on fire with Maahi Ve. I bent over laughing so hard that tears blurred my vision. I could barely catch my breath, clutching my stomach while everyone cheered.
After that, Prisha di grabbed Kunal bhai by the wrist and pulled him straight to the center of the stage. My jaw dropped, and my hands instinctively flew together in applause. My brother, the ever-serious, grumpy one, was actually dancing. His stiff shoulders eased, his feet awkwardly but earnestly trying to catch the beat.
Pride bloomed in my chest this was something I had never witnessed before. Prisha di truly deserved all the credit, only she could have managed to pull this side out of him.
Next thing I knew, Atharv was in the middle of the stage, spinning around and giggling like a tiny tornado.
Then, just like that, my little tornado dragged me and Vihaan into the chaos too.
He grabbed my hand, tugging me toward him with surprising strength for a five-year-old, spinning me around in little uneven circles.
My lehenga flared wildly, bangles jingling as I tried to keep my balance, but the little whirlwind had other plans.
Before I could regain my footing, my toe caught on Vihaan’s shoe. I stumbled, letting out a tiny yelp, and he instinctively caught me, his arm wrapping around my waist.
I could feel his warmth, his steady heartbeat grounding me amidst the chaos. Atharv squealed with delight, spinning between us, his tiny feet barely keeping up with the rhythm to the music.
As everyone disappeared, leaving just the two of us, I froze.
Was this a trap?
I looked at Vihaan, his smirk said he knew exactly what he was doing.
“No way,” I murmured.
“Yes way,” he replied, eyes twinkling.
I leaned my head on his shoulder, “I just hope I don’t trip myself again.”
He blinked down at me, calm as ever, “I’ll hold you before you even fall.”
The music blasted, and the familiar beat of Chunnari Chunnari hit the speakers.
My heart jumped.
“Remember how we danced without any steps at our farewell?” he whispered.
I nodded.
“Then dance without having any other thought,” he said, grabbing my dupatta before I could protest. It slipped from my shoulders, and he wrapped it around his neck like a scarf, pulling me close.
“It’s just you and me, creating our own amateur dancing equations,” he added with a wink.
As the music is blasted with lyrics and I get into the rhythm without actually thinking about any consequences just letting myself flow with music.
Lalganj Ke Lalbad Se Lal Chunariya Layi
I pushed him lightly, swaying my waist, and mouthed the lyrics along, leaning into him.
He brushed his thumb across my wrist, “You sound better than the song itself.”
He spun me mid-step, our hands brushing, the dupatta flying around us. I stumbled slightly, and his hand caught my waist, holding me flush against him. My heartbeat went haywire.
Aaja Na Chhule Meri Chunnari Sanam
Kuchh Na Main Bolun Tujhe Meri Qasam
Aayi Jawaani Sar Pe Mere
Tere Pe Kya Karun Jawaani Pe Reham
I let my dupatta flow over his arms as he held my wrist, mouthing the words. We spun together, the world tilting slightly with every turn. My lehenga flared with each twirl, catching the lights and making the colors dance around us. Our faces drew closer, and for a heartbeat, our lips nearly touched, the heat between us sparking like electricity.
Meri Chunari Lal Rang Ki Sharmaye Ghabraye
Tu Jo Daale Is Pe Nazar Yeh Aur Lal Ho Jaye
I flipped my hair back slowly, the strands brushing across my shoulders and the nape of my neck. My chest pressed almost against his, and I could feel the warmth radiating off him, steady and grounding, yet electric. The scent of his sherwani mixed with the faint hint of cologne, wrapping around me in a dizzying swirl.
Teri Chunnari Lipat Lipat Ke Paagal Mujhe Banaye
Pehle Se Hi Tadap Raha Tha Aur Mujhe Tadpaye
Jaane Tamanna Kar Na Aise Sitam
We stumbled into a twirl, the edges of my dupatta tangling around us like a ribbon caught in the wind.
He slid dupatta around my waist, the soft red fabric winding like a ribbon between us. With a gentle tug, he pulled me closer, and I could feel the warmth of his chest pressing against mine. His hands held me steady, yet there was a subtle, thrilling firmness in the way he drew me in, making my heartbeat stutter.
Kuchh Na Main Bolun Tujhe Meri Qasam
Aayi Jawaani Sar Pe Mere…
Tere Pe Kya Karun Jawaani Pe Reham… Haye
His hands lingered on my waist a second too long, and my fingers found themselves brushing along his arms, tracing every subtle flex.
I squealed, cheeks flaming. He leaned closer, lips brushing past my ear.
“Don’t pull away. I kind of like how close we are,” he whispered, low and intimate.
The dance turned chaotic. We stumbled, spun, and dipped, mouthing lyrics at the same time, laughing through the mess. His hands slid slightly along my back as he twirled me, every step we took was messy but magnetic.
I gasped when he pulled me into a sudden close dip, our foreheads almost touching, our breaths mingling. The heat rose, my heart racing-not just from the dance, but from the closeness, the chaos, the teasing sparks in every glance he threw my way.
We spun again, the dupatta swirling over our heads, hiding us from the crowd. His lips brushed the corner of mine, right where my mole rested, and a familiar shiver ran through me.
He looked down at me, smirk softening, voice low and intimate, “See? No one else matters. Just us, the music and this moment.”
I nodded, breathless, feeling my pulse everywhere at once. “Yeah, chaotic, messy, perfect and all you.”
He leaned just a fraction closer, lips brushing my temple, “Exactly.”
After the dance, everyone settled down with the elders, forming a loose circle for antakshari. The room buzzed with laughter and playful teasing as someone picked up the mic, while the fairy lights cast a warm glow over the colorful crowd, drawing everyone into the cheerful rhythm of the music.
β’β’β’β’β’
I adjusted the magenta dupatta over my shoulder for what had to be the tenth time. The lilac lehenga shimmered with every step, its mirrors scattering bits of light like stolen stars. Everyone else was wrapped in shades of green and olive, but me? I’d chosen this-and maybe that’s why their stares felt even heavier.
My mehndi-stained hands rested helplessly in my lap, the dark designs curling up to my elbows.
I ducked my head, cheeks burning, but my eyes still betrayed me. They searched for him.
And there he was-Vihaan. Leaning against a pillar in a lilac kurta so close to mine that it stole the air from my lungs. His gaze didn’t waver. The usual smirk was gone, and in its place something softer lingered.
Of course, Adhya Mumma had to call him away to deal with the guests. His reluctant sigh made me giggle, and Tanya immediately whispered,
“Bas behena, kitni der tak dekhegi use? Tera hi hai woh.”
The girls burst into laughter as I wished the ground would open up beneath me.
By the time he returned, my nerves were tangled like threads. He leaned against the doorway again, his eyes locking on me.
“Arrey, ye itni duri kaise?” Mahek Maasi teased him. “Go sit with her!”
“Gladly,” he said, smirking as he slid onto the seat beside me peaking the mehndi design.
Tanya muttered slightly smacking his arms, “No cheating. Dulhe sahab, you’ll have to find the name later.”
He tilted his head at her, eyes still on me, “Later, sooner…doesn’t matter. I’ll find it.”
“And if you don’t?” Aashika teased.
He leaned closer, whispering, “Then I’ll write my name on your palm in the curves of mehndi and the lines of our fate, so it lingers forever, never fading.”
My heart skipped. I tilted my hand away when he tried sneaking a glance at my mehndi, earning a glare from the girls.
Just then, Prisha bhabhi arrived, Aarvi in her arms. Aarvi wriggled free and raised her little hand to Tanya, demanding to be picked up.
Tanya cradled her tenderly while Vani smiled fondly from a safe distance, clearly not volunteering for babysitting duties.
Prisha bhabhi bent down beside me, eyes glinting, “Ruhii, you know na, if the stains turn dark, it means my brother loves you a lot”
I opened my mouth, ready with my usual logic, but Vihaan beat me to it.
“No, no,” he said, eyes dancing with mischief. “According to my Ruh, it depends on keratin and body temperature.”
Prisha bhabhi burst out laughing.
I lowered my head down.
The girls whistled and giggled.
I leaned closer, whispering, “Agar colour dark nahi aaya toh aapka bharta bana dungi, Raichand ji.”
“Really?” His voice was low, teasing, but there was a dangerous softness in it. “Weren’t you the one who said you don’t believe in all this?”
“Let’s test it then.” I smirked.
He tilted his head, smiling tugging his lips, “Fine. But if the stains don’t darken, will you doubt my love?”
My breath hitched. That wasn’t teasing anymore. His words lingered like a question in the air. I tried to laugh it off. I lowered my gaze, words spilling like a hush meant only for him.
“Vihaan your love doesn’t need any color. Mehndi may fade in days but you…you are the prayer written in my lines- the one that meets me with every breath, and deepens with time, growing richer, darker, like the stain that only love can leave.”
Everyone around us went “aww,” some muttering prayers under their breath, as if warding off the evil eye.
He looked at me, his eyes soft, and leaned in to kiss my forehead.
“I love you, Ruh,” he whispered which is only audible to me.
“I love you more,” I giggled.
“But only Vihaan’s love is under trial,” Yash teased, plopping down beside him.
Sid grinned from the corner, sitting beside him and nodding, while Aarvi suddenly started clinging to him. I rolled my eyes-she really considered glasses an interesting toy. Sid, of course, picked her up effortlessly, his own amused smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
“Correct,” Varun chimed, and we all glanced at her in unison.
I cleared my throat, “Fine. Let’s do this another way.”
The mehndi on my palms was nearly dry, the cone still lying nearby. Without overthinking, I reached for his hand with my free one. He stilled immediately, eyes tracking my movement like I was about to cast a spell.
Carefully, I held the mehndi cone and traced the first letter of my name onto his palm. Then another.
Slowly, deliberately, I wrote out RUH adding a tiny star at each corner. My breath caught slightly, heart fluttering.
When I looked up, my voice was barely a whisper, “Now you can see how deep my love is for you.”
He stared at his palm, then back at me, his thumb brushing over the uneven letters as if they were sacred. His crooked smile softened, almost reverent.
“But just so you know,” I teased, “mehndi stains don’t last forever. Its color depends on body temperature, how much your skin absorbs it, even how warm your blood is…”
He chuckled, and I leaned in softly, letting my fingers brush his palm.
The hall was slowly emptying, guests drifting off, laughter fading, leaving behind only the lingering scent of mehndi in the air.
The artist leaned over my hand, humming softly as she filled the last gaps in the design, her brush moving with graceful precision.
Vihaan sat beside me, quiet and upright as always, his presence warm but deliberate.
He had pulled a few plates of sweets and snacks toward himself, clearly enjoying them, while I shook my head when he offered. But i wasn’t in the mood.
A few aunties lingered near the doorway, whispering, giggling, their sharp eyes scanning me like they had nothing better to do. Some came close, blessing me with their palms hovering over my head. I smiled politely and nodded, trying not to fidget under their gaze.
Their attention soon shifted to Vihaan.
He was half-distracted, chatting lightly with Yash and Sid, while I instinctively shifted closer to him.
“I thought Samar and you would be married by now,” one of them suddenly said, voice syrupy sweet but loud enough to slice the air.
I froze for a beat-before I felt it.
Vihaan’s hand, firm at my waist, fingers pressing ever so slightly, anchoring me. He didn’t speak, just exhaled beside me, quiet but heavy.
“Who knows,” another aunty added, lowering her tone just enough to still carry to my ears. “If Samar wasn’t so..
you know involved in all those shady things, maybe you two would’ve been a perfect couple.”
“Ruhanika and Samar….” one of them started again.
“VIHAAN,” I cut in sharply, my voice carrying.
The aunties faltered, glancing at me awkwardly.
I leaned in, repeating with deliberate softness but enough weight to pierce the air, “Ruhanika. And. Vihaan.”
The mehndi artist’s brush stilled mid-stroke, and even she smiled faintly like she’d caught on to the shift. The aunties blinked, thrown off, muttering amongst themselves.
Vihaan, still beside me, cleared his throat, then chuckled, low and restrained.
Before they could recover, Kunal bhai walked over, his aura enough to silence the whole corner. He stood tall beside me, folding his arms, “If you don’t have anything better to do at my sister’s function, I would suggest you step out rather than spitting some opinions no one asked for, including me. “
That was all it took. The aunties scrambled, muttering excuses, leaving in a rush.
I exhaled, shaking my head, “There’s always someone who tries to ruin the mood, but never mind.”
Vihaan leaned closer, murmuring against my ear, “Don’t waste your brain on their words. Remember, chaar logo ka kaam hi bakwaas karna.”
Kunal bhai softened, running a hand over my hair, “And don’t you dare let their stupid fantasy ruin your mood. Understood?”
Before I could reply, Vihaan smirked, leaning in shamelessly, his voice dipping low and teasing, “Yes, Ruh. Your fantasies should only be about me.”
I shot him a glare, but the corner of my mouth betrayed me with a smile.
β’β’β’β’β’
The courtyard was alive with yellow and laughter. Bowls of haldi were scattered on every table, the sharp scent of turmeric mixing with marigolds, sunlight bouncing off bright saris and kurtas like the whole place had been dipped in gold.
Honestly, someone should tell me that weddings come with a full-on battlefield package.
I perched on the low swing draped in my white sari decorated with tiny floral designs already sticking to me in a very ungraceful way.
Vihaan sat nearby, looking like someone had shoved a thunderstorm into a bowl and dumped it on his head. Classic him, dramatic, irritated, and oh-so-fabulous.
“Mumma!” Vihaan squealed as Adhya mumma swooped over him, cupping his face and smearing haldi over his forehead like it was some sacred ritual with extra flair.
Vihaan groaned so loudly I swear the courtyard almost shook, “Wait-what was that?!”
“Too late, beta,” Adhya said, tapping his nose with another dab. “Consider yourself officially seasoned.”
“Finally! My son is getting married, and I’ll have a daughter-in-law to gossip with,” she declared.
I couldn’t help laughing. Okay, not gonna lie-this is exactly why I love a
Adhya mumma.
And her son more I mean he could go from calm groom-to-be to melodramatic haldi disaster in under thirty seconds.
My mumma stepped forward next, smearing haldi gently on Vihaan’s cheek before leaning down to kiss my forehead.
“Bless you, beta,” she whispered, eyes glinting. Her turmeric-smeared finger traced down my arm with motherly touch.
Dad placed a hand on my head, brushing haldi along my hairline.
“May your life always be as colorful as today,” he murmured. I swallowed hard.
He is always like this, half scolding, half panicking, but the way he actually started saying those few words to me, I felt so giddy inside.
Yuvraaj uncle ruffled my hair with a laugh, then turned to Vihaan, smearing turmeric on his nose.
“Dadddd!” Vihaan whined, twisting like a tiny octopus. I almost choked laughing.
Why is he like this? My husband-to-be is a full-time drama king.
Kunal bhai leaned in, smearing more haldi on Vihaan’s cheek and patting his shoulder.
I can tell that it definitely feels like a hammer.
“Seeing you smile without that grumpy robot face… I feel weird. Miss my brother-in-law who is clearly malfunctioning,” he teased him just to get on his nerves.
Stupid Chimpanzee.
Kunal bhai clenched his fist and then smiled at him. He is doing a good job you know.
“Ruh, I’m sure your brother is possessed,” Vihaan leaned in, whispering with that mischievous grin of his.
I shot him a sharp look, “Stop trying to get on his nerves on purpose. I won’t save you next time.”
He raised an eyebrow, pretending to look hurt, “I love annoying him, but it’s not fun when he’s smiling at me. I trying to bring back my grumpy brother-in-law mood,” he said, eyes sparkling as he watched me.
I smirked, leaning a little closer. “Let’s see how you handle the grumpy robot, hmm?”
Prisha bhabhi crouched beside me, blessing me gently, “Keep smiling, Ruhii.”
Them playfully dabbed haldi on Vihaan’s hair.
“My baby brother has grown so much,” she said, affectionate yet mischievous.
Finally, Mahek maasi swooped in like a haldi hurricane.
“Now you two shine properly!” she declared, leaving streaks of yellow on our skin.
Yash and Siddharth weren’t far behind, grinning like maniacs as they painted Vihaan’s ears and collar yellow.
“Stop! I am not a wall you can repaint!” he shouted, flailing wildly.
I bit back a giggle, he really does look ridiculous when panicked. And adorable.
Wait, why is adorable even a word I’m thinking about right now? Focus, Ruh.
But my Man is looking so adorable that I can’t think of anything else apart from him.
Mahek maasi dabbed my cheeks too, while Tanya and Vani smeared haldi down my arms.
“Why does this feel like we are in a war?” I muttered, trying not to inhale turmeric dust.
“Because it is!” Vihaan shouted, pushing wet strands from his forehead. “Ruh, look! Yash just dumped an entire bowl on my head!”
“Hair spa, bro. Complimentary,” Yash replied, flicking water at him.
And then Atharv, our tiny hurricane, made his move. I saw him sprinting toward us, two water balloons clutched tightly in his little hands, eyes shining with mischief. My stomach flipped-he was plotting complete chaos.
The first balloon hit, exploding all over Vihaan and me. Water and haldi soaked my clothes, and I squealed, slipping slightly on the wet floor. My heart was racing, half from the thrill, half from the laughter bubbling out of me.
Vihaan lunged, catching me mid-slip. Our hands brushed accidentally, and I felt sparks run through me. Great, Ruh, now you’re thinking sparks during a haldi war. Way to be normal.
You are getting married to him soon.
Behave normal.
Then, as if the universe conspired, everyone else joined in. Yash and Siddharth grabbed buckets, hurling water that splashed all around. Mahek maasi swooped down with a balloon in each hand, laughing like a little kid herself. Tanya and Vani were armed with haldi-smeared water, giggling as they cornered poor Kunal bhai.
“Ruh,” Vihaan grabbed my hand and we ducked just in time, feeling his hand skim mine again.
Atharv squealed with delight, diving behind a table for cover before popping out to launch another balloon at full speed.
This little tornado.
I couldn’t stop laughing, holding onto Vihaan to steady myself as a wave of water hit us both. The courtyard had transformed into a vibrant battlefield of yellow and blue, everyone soaked and screaming with laughter, elders included, throwing playful warnings and cheering.
Even in the chaos, every brush of Vihaan’s hand against mine, every shared laugh, made my heart pound in a dizzyingly happy rhythm.
This…this was perfect.
I stepped out of the washroom, hair damp and clinging to my neck, kurti soft and slightly wet, tracing the curves of my body.
A soft click made me freeze. Vihaan was leaning casually against the doorframe, a smirk on his lips, eyes dark and intense.
His shirt was still the same, clinging to his chest, sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal his lean forearms. My pulse raced, half nerves, half something thrilling.
“No…. Vihaan. I just came out of the shower,” I murmured, my voice trembling slightly, sensing exactly what he had in mind.
“We didn’t really did our haldi properly,” he said, stepping closer.
His fingers brushed lightly against my shoulder, and the dim lamp cast soft shadows over his face, making him look impossibly tempting.
I tilted my head, a playful sparkle in my eyes, “And what exactly are you going to do with that?”
He leaned closer, letting his fingers trail down my neck, along my shoulder, smearing the haldi with slow, deliberate movements that made me shiver.
“Marking you,” he murmured, voice low, rough, intimate.
Before I could reply, his fingers brushed my cheek, warm and gentle, dipping into the golden paste. I melted under his touch.
I pressed my fingers to his jaw, teasing lightly.
“Then I’ll make sure the mark reminds you who’s in charge here,” I whispered, pressing against him as his hand slid along my waist, fingers brushing just under the hem of my kurti.
A shiver ran through me as he leaned in, lips brushing along my neck and shoulder in a soft, intimate kiss. His hands moved slowly, smearing haldi along the curves barely hidden beneath the fabric, careful but deliberate.
I couldn’t resist. My fingers traced the muscles of his chest beneath the fabric, dragging the paste in soft arcs, letting my hands slide down along his torso.
“You know,” I murmured, voice low and warm, “coming here while everyone’s downstairs risky.”
He groaned softly, pressing his lips to the hollow of my neck, thumb brushing the corner edge of my kurti.
“Some risks deserve rewards,” he murmured, voice husky, sliding his hand along my waist, smearing haldi along delicate curves.
I leaned closer, pressing against him, letting my fingers trace his chest, guiding his hand along my side. His other hand slipped down my back, skimming the spine, brushing fabric but finding bare skin beneath.
I pressed my lips gently to his neck, near the collarbone, leaving a soft mark.
“So…about that reward?” I whispered, voice low and teasing, letting him feel the tension building.
He tilted my chin, pressing a soft, heated kiss to my chest just above my heart, fingers brushing over the arms, dragging haldi along gently, teasingly. Every press, every glide, made my breath hitch.
I leaned close, brushing along his collarbone with my lips, smearing haldi lightly across the fabric of his shirt with care, letting my fingers trace the lines of his chest and shoulders.
His cheek rubbed softly against mine, smearing a faint trace of haldi, and I giggled.
Finally, he rested his forehead against mine, voice low and tender.
“This… right here, right now, just us,” he whispered, sliding his hand along my waist one last time, haldi glinting softly in the lamp light.
I let myself relax into him, pressing my lips to his jaw, letting my hands brush over his shoulders and chest, smearing the golden paste in gentle, intimate strokes.
As he leaned in to kiss me again, I pulled back slightly.
“Not now,” I whispered teasingly.
He frowned, then nodded, understanding.
“Now I have to shower again,” I complained. He chuckled.
“Don’t take too long,” he said softly. “I want some time with my Ruh.”
I smiled and went to the bathroom to take a shower.
When I came back, he had already changed, sitting on the couch with the balcony door open.
The night air drifted in through the open balcony door, carrying the faint scent of orchids. I sat on the couch as Vihaan moved between the counter and the couch, carrying two steaming cups of chai.
The aroma of ginger and cardamom filled the room, warm and inviting.
“Adrak wali chai with elaichi, just how you like it,” he said, sliding a cup toward me, a gentle smile tugging at his lips.
I wrapped my hands around the cup, savoring the warmth.
“You always make it perfect,” I murmured, looking up at him.
He leaned casually against the counter, eyes soft on me.
“Of course, I am the best,” he said, a teasing sparkle in his gaze.
I chuckled, shaking my head.
“Tonight it feels like the world paused just for us,” he said quietly, his voice gentle.
I smiled, warmth spreading through my chest.
“I love how calm it feels like we have our own little bubble,” I whispered.
He came to sit beside me, shoulders brushing mine.
“We’ll have plenty of grand moments ahead,” he murmured. “This moment is simple. Quiet. Comfortable. Like this the start of our new journey together.”
I reached out, letting my fingers brush lightly over his arm. He smiled and gently ran his thumb over the back of my hand.
“Feels right, doesn’t it?” he asked softly.
“It does,” I whispered, leaning slightly into him and resting my head lightly on his shoulder.
He brushed a stray strand of hair from my face, fingers lingering for a moment.
“One last date as fiancΓ©s,” he teased me and i giggled.
“Let’s make it count just these little moments, in our life scrapbook,” I giggled, my knees brushing against his.
I sipped my chai, savoring the warmth, and glanced up at him.
“I could get used to this soft night with scented air and with you being close to me,” I said, a small smile tugging at my lips.
He pressed a gentle kiss to the back of my hand but scrunched his nose, frowning slightly at the smell of my henna.
I shook my head at his reaction.
“I hope we do more often,” he murmured, brushing my arm lightly with his palm, careful and tender.
We sipped our tea, occasionally nudging each other, sharing soft laughs and quiet smiles. The city lights flickered outside, but inside, the room felt like our own little world.
“Promise me something,” I said softly.
“Anything,” he replied immediately, voice low and steady.
“No matter what comes next let’s hold on to nights like this,” I whispered, a mix of excitement and nerves about the new journey ahead.
He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, fingers lingering just a moment longer than necessary.
“I promise,” he said. “Every quiet morning, evening, night, every second, every soft laugh, we’ll remember them.”
I rested my head fully on his shoulder, feeling safe and warm. The soft glow of the lamp, the gentle aroma of ginger chai, and the quiet hum of the evening wrapped around us.
One last evening before everything changed, and it was perfect, soft, cozy, and entirely ours.
β’β’β’β’β’
The wedding day had finally arrived. Sunlight spilled softly into my room, catching every tiny mirror stitched into my red lehenga. The gold threads shimmered, tracing patterns over the deep crimson fabric. I sat in front of the mirror, hands folded in my lap, trying to steady my racing heart.
Every little detail-the delicate embroidery along the borders, the way the sequins caught the light-reminded me of Vihaan. I could almost hear his teasing voice whispering in my mind, “This red will steal my breath away.”
Standing slowly, I adjusted my lehenga, letting the reflection in the mirror sink in. It wasn’t just my reflection staring back. It was the way he looked at me, soft and unguarded, the way my heartbeat always stuttered under the weight of his gaze. Even though he wasn’t here yet, I could feel him woven into the threads of my bridal attire, in every shimmer of gold and red.
My mother’s hands trembled slightly as she draped the dupatta over my head. “I can’t believe my little girl has grown up,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
I pressed my lips together, swallowing back tears. My chest felt tight with love and anticipation. I forced a small, steady smile while my heart galloped inside my chest.
Vani flopped onto the bed dramatically. “Ruhii, you’re leaving us to marry him!”
I laughed softly, the sound trembling but bright, warming the quiet tension in the room.
Tanya’s eyes glistened as she whispered, “My girl, my baby girl is getting married,” a tear rolling down her cheek.
“Don’t cry!” I reached for her hand. “If you start, my tears will follow, and Aashika will yell at us for ruining my makeup.”
“Exactly!” Aashika said, snapping pictures. “Save the tears for the wedding! For now, just a tiny smile, a little sparkle in your eyes, yes, perfect!”
Mahek stepped in, cupping my face gently. “You’re glowing, calm, poised, and far more collected than your groom. That idiot has turned the whole house upside down.”
I giggled softly at her words, the warmth in the room settling into my chest.
Prisha bhabhu appeared carrying baby Aarvi, with little Atharv trailing behind in his kurta.
“Bua, you look sooo pretty!” Atharv exclaimed, hugging me tightly. I bent down, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead, my mehndi-darkened hands resting gently on his shoulders.
Aarvi squealed, demanding more attention. I sighed, adjusting the heavy lehenga so I could hold him safely. My heart melted at the tiny giggles, at those innocent eyes that reminded me of simpler, happier moments before today’s chaos.
“You look breathtaking,” Prisha whispered, adjusting my bangles. “I just hope my brother doesn’t faint when he sees you.”
I shook my head, giggling, feeling my nerves soften slightly.
Finally, my father stepped in. He froze in the doorway, eyes locked on his little girl in red, sparkling like fire and gold. His throat bobbed as he tried to speak.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered, his voice breaking.
My eyes welled up as he gently caressed my head. I could always count on him to be strict, but today, his heart was too full for anything but tenderness.
“Ruhii, your dadu wanted you to have this on your wedding,” he said, handing me a small gold box. I opened it slowly, tears slipping down as I thought of him.
“He would be happy, right?” I murmured.
“Of course,” he said softly. “He would see his little gudiya shining, the prettiest bride.”
He drew a shaky breath. “I know I haven’t always been close to you. I pushed you to be perfect and somewhere along the way, I lost sight of my little girl.”
I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his chest.
I didn’t say anything just hugged him tightly.
He held me tightly, voice trembling. “You’ll always be my little girl, always.”
My brother stepped forward, his usual mischievous grin replaced by a soft, protective seriousness. He placed a hand on my head before pulling me into a quick hug.
“Ruhii, if Vihaan ever makes you cry, even once, he’ll have to deal with me first,” he said firmly, warning in his tone.
I laughed through my tears.
“I know him with all my heart cells,” I said with a grin. “He would never do something like that. So, you can relax, bhai. No need to go all grumpy robot on him besides, he’s already terrified of you!”
He huffed, but a small smile tugged at his lips, “Fine but just so you know, I’m watching him. Always.”
“And I’ll keep an eye on you too,” I teased, linking my arm with his. “Just to make sure you don’t get too carried away being the grumpy brother-in-law.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he muttered, pretending to roll his eyes.
“And bhai, when he gets here, you’ll welcome him sweetly, like a proper brother-in-law,” I added, grinning. “And make sure to compliment him.”
His eyes immediately narrowed.
“Ruhii, I’m tired, my mouth hurts from smiling already. Can we skip the compliment part? I can’t let him know I don’t find him annoying. I need to keep my grumpy personality intact!” he said dramatically.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
“You are so stubborn,” I said.
He smirked.
“That’s genetics,” he replied, glancing at Dad.
I sighed.
“Dad, you are also going to smile when you meet Vihaan, right?” I asked.
He closed his eyes for a moment, then nodded.
“Good,” I chuckled and again hugged my brother.
“You are looking pretty,” he said softly caressing my head.
My fingers lingered over his hand, feeling the warmth and protection that always made me feel safe.
And in that moment, a little giddy warmth bloomed inside me-a mix of excitement, nerves, and that indescribable joy.
I ran a hand along my lehenga, feeling the cool gold threads against my fingers, imagining Vihaan’s eyes taking in the deep crimson shimmer, and a small smile escaped me. My red lehenga was more than fabric today-it was the bridge to a life I was about to step into, with him waiting on the other side, my heart already half there.
I had been pacing like a madman through the house. My sherwani was still untouched in the cupboard, my towel had turned into some superhero cape, and my mom’s sighs had already become background music.
“This boy is already gone,” I heard her mutter under her breath.
Maybe she was right. My brain cells had already packed their bags and left for a long vacation.
Why am I feeling so anxious? I shouldn’t. But I am. My stomach twisted as if butterflies were having a wrestling match inside.
I stormed into my room and froze.
“What the heck… WHAT are you both doing?” I almost yelled.
On my couch, Yash was lying flat like some royal king, cucumber slices on his eyes, face covered in a white sheet mask. Across from him, Sid sat cross-legged like a meditating monk, his face smeared in thick green paste.
“What even in the world… are you both in some Halloween show?” I muttered, covering my eyes in frustration.
Sid didn’t even flinch. He just mumbled lazily, “Relax. Prisha di gave us this. She said it’ll give us a nice glow.”
“Yeah, bro,” Yash added proudly, his face mask cracking as he grinned. “We’re the groom’s best friends. We can’t look average. We need to shine.”
Unbelievable. My life was collapsing with overthinking, and my room had suddenly turned into a spa.
Then Yash shoved a packet at me, “Here, try it. Just ten minutes and you’ll glow like the moon.”
I snatched my towel back.
“No thanks. I was born handsome. My face already glows. I don’t need mud to prove it,” I strutted to the mirror and flexed my precious hair.
For two seconds, I almost believed myself.
And then-panic struck again.
I dropped onto the bed, clutching my towel like it was my last hope. “You both listen.”
Sid cracked one eye open, “What now?”
My throat went dry. Words tumbled out before I could stop them, “What if…. what if Ruh changes her mind? What if she refuses to marry me?”
Sid groaned. Yash instantly choked on laughter.
“Bro,” Sid said, rubbing his forehead, “she’s survived you this long. If she wanted to back off, she would’ve left you when you called her son, our nephew, Skully, a monster.”
“Or,” Yash added quickly, “when you broke her lipstick and made us go on that wild hunt for ‘rosewood.’ That day I realised there are so many colours in the world. If she stayed after that, she’s definitely staying now.”
But my panic didn’t stop. I shot up, pacing again, towel flying like a cape, “What if my perfume runs out? What if my sherwani buttons pop? What if I can’t find my hair gel?”
Sid sighed, grabbed a pillow, and threw it at me, “You already look like you’re about to cry in every picture. Nothing new.”
Yash smirked, picking up a bottle of moisturizer Ruh had left on my dresser. He sniffed it with a dreamy smile, “And if you can’t find your gel, no big deal. You’ll just look like a monkey whose hair strands stand up straight like he got an electric shock.”
Sid burst out laughing, and I dashed to snatch the moisturizer before Yash wasted even a drop.
“Stupid!” I snapped, clutching it.
But then I caught the moisturizer, the sweet smell linger over my mind, the scent of cocoa, warm, and sweet.
The same fragrance as hers. My chest tightened for a second. I ignored the weird thought and glared at both of them.
“Shut up, idiots!” I hurled the towel at Yash.
“This is my wedding. Everything has to be perfect. One mistake and I’ll be a joke forever,” i plopped down on the bed muttering.
Sid crossed his arms, “People already laugh at you daily. Today won’t be special.”
That stung. But it was true.
Yash yawned, looking at me with sleepy eyes, “But if you don’t get ready now, your Ruh will think you’re not serious. She’ll sit there in her lehenga, checking her watch, while you are here crying over gel.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, “What? She’ll get angry if I’m late?”
Sid nodded mockingly, “Of course. She might even say, ‘Dulha punctual nahi, husband material bhi nahi.’ “
“And imagine,” he continued, smirking, “the groom gets late to his own wedding because he couldn’t find his hair gel.”
My soul left my body. I tore my cupboard apart.
“WHERE IS MY HAIR GEL?!”
They both looked at me as if I had grown two horns over my head and started laughing like a maniac.
“Where’s the gel? Yash, stop laughing! Sid, HELP ME!” I almost yelled in panic.
The two of them were rolling on the floor, their face masks cracking off, while I searched like a man possessed.
Finally, after a war with my nerves, I found the gel.
It was literally right next to the dresser the whole time.
They forced me into my sherwani, fixed my cufflinks, combed my hair, and shoved me toward the door.
I tugged at the buttons of my sherwani, the fabric cool and heavy against my skin. The ivory cloth wasn’t just stitched, it was carved with patience, every thread an intricate paisley dancing under the light. The embroidery caught the tubelight, making it seem as though my chest was wrapped in quiet constellations.
I checked the mirror once. Okay. Not bad. Not bad at all. Please, God. Please let this wedding happen.
Just then, Mumma walked in, carrying my little tsunami in her arms. She looked like a doll in her pink frock, all cheeks and innocence.
“Aww, she looks so adorable,” I whispered, leaning to touch her cheeks. But as always, I froze. Until kids can crawl, I never dared to hold them. That fear sat in my heart like stone.
She looked up at me with her round eyes then scrunched her tiny nose and turned away toward Prisha di.
“Did she just scrunch her nose at me and turn away from her mamu?” I said dramatically.
Prisha di laughed, “Guess she did, dulhe sahab.”
I rolled my eyes.
Damn it. She is already learning grumpiness from her father.
Mumma looked at me with teary eyes, adjusting my collar.
“Oh gosh, you were just a child and now you’re set to make your own family,” Her voice cracked.
I hugged her tight. She caressed my cheeks tenderly.
And then-smack! She hit my arm.
“What?” I yelped.
“Vihu! Kamre ka kya haal banaya hua hai?” she scolded.
“Seriously? It’s my wedding day and you’re worried about my room?” I groaned, throwing my hands up.
Prisha di laughed, “Nothing changes, dulhe raja. Even at your wedding, you’re still the same messy kid.”
I jabbed a finger at her,”Teasing me on my wedding day? Not fair.”
She raised an eyebrow, smirking, “It’s my right. Wait till Ruh joins me, you’ll be roasted double.”
I folded my arms, “Unbelievable. Team bride already started.”
Mumma dramatically muttered while fixing my collar, “That’s what happens, Vihu. First me, now Prisha, next Ruh. Everyone teases you because you make it so easy.”
“Wow, thanks for the support, Mumma,” I muttered.
Dad entered then, adjusting his glasses. He stood back for a second, staring at me. Then he smiled and patted my shoulder, “I can’t believe this. My little boy is actually a groom today.”
Mumma’s eyes shimmered again.
Dad cleared his throat and leaned closer to me, lowering his voice like he was sharing state secrets, “Listen, Vihu. The secret to being a good husband-” he paused dramatically, then whispered, “-never argue. Even when you’re right, you’re wrong.”
I stared at him, “Seriously, Dad?”
He nodded gravely, “Second secret-always say sorry first. Doesn’t matter whose fault it is, you’ll save your room that way otherwise you have to find a place to sleep in midnight.”
Prisha di burst out laughing, “Wow, dulhe sahab is getting survival tips already!”
Dad leaned even closer, whispering in my ear, “And most important-never, ever tell your wife that she’s getting old. Not even as a joke. Main toh phir bhi sirf kamre ke bahar nikala jaata hoon… tujhe toh seedha hospital pahunchaya jaayega.”
I looked at him, eyes wide, “Are you giving me marriage tips or warning me about my death?”
Mumma’s head whipped around instantly, “Haan? So you think I am getting old!”
Prisha laughed so hard she almost dropped her daughter, “Papa, you’re digging your own grave!”
Dad froze, caught like a thief, “N-nahi, bilkul nahi! Aap toh abhi bhi itni sundar hain ki har actress ko fail kar dengi.”
Mumma smacked his arm playfully, though she was smiling, “Ji haan…sab samajh aa raha hai mujhe.”
Dad, trying to cover, wrapped his arm around her shoulder with a grin, “Adhya ji, aap abhi bhi utni hi sundar hain bilkul waise jaise jab maine aapko pehli baar dekha tha.”
I cleared my throat loudly, and Prisha di followed suit.
Both of us exchanged a knowing look while Mumma turned red with shyness and Dad kept grinning like a mischievous schoolboy.
Then Dad suddenly looked back at me, dropping his voice again, “remember my words, don’t repeat my mistakes.”
Mumma narrowed her eyes, “Kya bola aapne?”
Dad jumped back, waving his hands, “Kuch nahi! Kuch nahi!”
Later, when everyone left the room, I stepped out into the balcony. The air was cool, and the house shimmered with fairy lights. I glanced at the orchids tucked in the corner they had grown so much we’d even had to cut some and move them to the garden on the terrace. They stood there quietly, blooming like they had been waiting for this day too.
I ran a hand over them gently before going back inside. My eyes fell on the old scrapbook Ruh had once given me. I opened it, flipping through the familiar pages, her handwriting, her silly doodles, her little notes that always carried more weight than she realised. My chest tightened.
“She’s going to be mine,” I muttered under my breath. “And I’ll be hers. Finally.”
I held the scrapbook close, letting that nervous energy settle into something warm, something steady.
As my gaze fell on my palm, where her name was written, the deep maroon-crimson henna seemed to glow against my skin. I couldnβt tear my eyes away, captivated by every curve and swirl as I silently admired it.
β’β’β’β’β’
The baaraat was in full swing-dhols beating, lights flashing, relatives shouting and dancing. Sid and Yash were unstoppable, pulling me into their madness. I finally gave in and joined them, moving with the music as cheers rose around us.
As I danced, my eyes lifted to the balcony. The door was open, curtains shifting in the breeze.
For a heartbeat, I was sure I saw her standing there. But when I looked again, it was only the edge of her dupatta, fluttering softly before it slipped away inside. Still, that single glimpse was enough to set my pulse racing.
“Arrey deewane, control kar khud ko!” Yash nudged me, laughing.
“Bas thoda aur intezaar kar,” Sid smirked. “Phir mil jaayegi aapko aapki Ruh.”
I shook my head, trying to hide my smile, but my heartbeat didn’t calm down.
Soon, I was taken to the entrance. Her mother stood waiting with a thali, the lamp glowing warmly as she circled it in front of me, pressed a tika on my forehead, and showered blessings. The crowd clapped around us, the energy rising.
And then-it was time.
I walked towards the aisle. The pavilion ahead shimmered under chandeliers, flowers glowing in gold and red.
Each step felt heavier, yet brighter, because at the end of it, she will be there with me.
The music softened, the crowd’s murmur fading into the background. My breath caught the moment she stepped forward.
There she was beside Vani, Tanya, Aashik, but all my heart melted. All I could see, all I could feel, was my Ruh.
The world stilled the moment my eyes found her.
She was a vision draped in crimson red, every fold of her lehenga heavy with gold that shimmered like it had borrowed light from a thousand suns.
The embroidery was a universe in itself delicate vines, blooming flowers, and patterns so intricate they seemed too fine for mortal hands to have created.
Each step she took made the fabric ripple, the sequins and zari glinting as though the stars had chosen to walk with her.
She lifted, and her eyes, the same eyes I had fallen for years ago. The same hazel brown eyes that captivated me, making me lose myself.
My chest tightened. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even breathe.
It was the same feeling I had felt years ago, watching her on the balcony, sunlight catching her hair, her face hidden, yet my heart already certain she is my destiny.
Now, here she was, walking toward me. Every gentle sway of her lehenga, every soft glance at our friends around her, every careful step-it all moved through me like a quiet song.
Memories rushed back, unbidden and vivid. Her laughter echoing in the school corridors. The way she rolled her eyes whenever I said something annoying.
The first time our hands brushed when I tried to see how she always stole my first rank. The first time I hugged her when she cried because I hadn’t noticed her messages.
The quiet night walks, the small misunderstandings, the shy smiles, the stolen glances, the first time she confessed her feelings and I felt like I was floating on the moon.
The first kiss, the first time our worlds collided in that perfect, terrifying, beautiful way. Every memory-sweet, awkward, tender-folded into this single moment.
My heart whispered that this had always been our story, leading us here.
She paused halfway down the aisle, adjusting her lehenga. For a heartbeat, she looked around, then her eyes met mine again. That small, shy smile of hers made my chest ache.
My hands itched to reach for her, to brush the hair from her face, to hold her just a little closer, but I stayed still, wanting to drink in every second. A quiet warmth spread through me, as if her presence alone could light up the world.
Every step she took, every glance, every quiet breath whispered to me: she was here, she was real, she was everything I had ever dreamed of. My past, my present, my future.
My laughter, my comfort, my home-she is my world.
Time seemed to suspend itself. The chandeliers above glimmered, the flowers glowed softly, the crowd became a blur. Yet she remained crystal clear. Every movement was poetry, every heartbeat a promise.
When she finally reached me, my hands lifted slightly, trembling, wanting to touch her, to anchor this reality. She reached out too, her fingertip brushing mine, and in that instant, the world dissolved. She was everything.
And in that quiet, suspended heartbeat, I understood with absolute certainty, she had always been my beginning, and today, she is becoming my forever.
I looked at my Ruh, and suddenly a single tear escaped.
I didn’t realize it until another, and before I knew it, my cheeks were wet.
She noticed and reached out, wiping them gently.
“Why are you crying now?” she asked, a little stern, yet her touch was soft, careful.
“I…I can’t believe this,” I whispered, voice catching. “This… you… we’re really…we’re really marrying….”
She smiled then, that small, steady smile that made everything else fade.
“Stupid chimpanzee,” she teased, but her eyes stayed warm, comforting.
Her gaze anchored me. I focused on her, on the way her lehenga moved as she shifted closer. She took my hands, holding them gently.
“You look like a dream, Vihaan,” she whispered softly, holding my hands.
“That’s supposed to be my line,” I chuckled.
She smiled softly back.
I looked at her and wow. Beautiful wasn’t even the word. She was stunning, so much so that my brain basically forgot how to function. I was staring like an idiot, completely gone.
That’s when someone nudged me from behind.
I turned and found Yash holding out a sipper like a personal waiter, “Dude, do you want Glucon-D? You look like you’re two seconds away from fainting.”
I frowned, “Shut up, drink it yourself.”
Before he could reply, Sid leaned in, grinning, “Forget Glucon-D. What he really needs is a reminder to breathe. Breathe, Vihaan. Inhale, exhale. Don’t pass out now.”
They both chuckled while I just wanted to bury myself in the ground.
“Yes, Vihaan,” Yash added in mock seriousness, “do not faint today. The bride deserves a standing groom.”
Yes, Vihaan Raichand, do not faint today.
She frowned slightly at me.
“Aap hi ki Ruh hu, aaram se nihaar lena, abhi saamne focus kro,” she said, gently nudging me to focus as i realised I was staring at her.
“Ruh….I am actually thinking…” I murmured, leaning slightly closer, but she looked at me immediately.
“This time you don’t run your intelligent yet stupid brain to overthinking. Just focus on your Ruh,” she said, shifting a little closer, letting me feel her warmth.
“You will never regret loving me and marrying me, Ruh?” I asked suddenly, heart tightening.
She looked at me silently and sighed.
“You know what…. you are really a unique species of chimpanzee…” she said, and I felt a little offended but couldn’t stop smiling.
Her hazel brown eyes met mine, soft and steady.
She whispered, “You know, Vihaan, I love you not only for who you are, but for who I am when I am with you. You make me brave, you make me whole, you make the impossible feel inevitable.”
My throat tightened. I could feel myself losing myself in her words.
“If the stars could speak, they would tell you my love. If the wind could carry words, it would whisper your name a thousand times over. And even time itself, if it could pause, would hold this moment forever because loving you is the truest, most beautiful thing I will ever know, and marrying you and having a family with you will be my biggest dream to ever live in.”
I just stared at her, letting her words sink in. Every doubt, every fleeting fear melted away.
No words were needed everything we had felt, everything we had shared, was in that look.
I just stared at her, letting her words sink in. Every doubt, every fleeting fear melted away.
No words were needed-everything we felt, everything we’d shared, was in that look.
Then a loud snort broke the silence. Vani rolled her eyes, “Oh gosh, how much will you two talk? Don’t you want to get married already?”
Ruh giggled beside me, nudging me lightly.
“Looking handsome, my soon-to-be husband,” she whispered, adjusting a brooch on my sherwani.
I looked at her, teasing, “Ruh, are you really not going to change your mind and run away from this marriage?”
She pinched my arm lightly, her expression stern.
“I have spent a hefty amount on the makeup and dresses. Ek ek paisa vasool krke rahungi. Shadi to hokar rahegi,” she said, her nose scrunched in mock anger, turning a cute shade of red.
She looks like a tiny red angry bird… how is she so adorable while scolding me? I tried not to grin too widely.
“Haayee, meri bullet train, calm down, calm down,” I teased, ruffling her hair lightly, secretly marveling at how every little flinch of hers made my heart race.
Finally, it was time for the exchange of garlands.
She walked toward me slowly, holding the edge of her lehenga delicately so it didn’t brush the floor. Her hands trembled just slightly, and I noticed the faint flutter of her eyelashes as she tried to keep her focus on me. She stepped closer and lifted the garland carefully.
I could feel my chest tighten. She’s really doing this…. this is really happening…
Her fingers shook a little as she placed the garland around my neck, and I leaned forward slightly to meet her gesture. She looked up at me, her eyes wide, lips slightly parted, and I could see a hint of nervous excitement mixed with joy.
“Careful, Vihaan, don’t fall,” she whispered, nudging me teasingly, though I caught the faint tremor in her hands.
“Too late,” I grinned, winking at her, “I already fell for you.”
She melted into a blush as i could see her cheeks turning crimson.
As I steadied myself and adjusted the garland on my neck carefully draping around my neck.
She giggled softly, brushing her fingers over mine as if checking that I was still steady.
As we stood for seven steps around the sacred fire, began. She held my hands tightly, her fingers warm and soft, and we moved step by step, repeating the sacred vows. Each step felt like a promise we were etching into the air around us.
I glanced at her, seeing her lips pressed together slightly, her eyes focused but soft. Every now and then, she would peek at me from under her eyelashes and squeeze my hand, as if silently saying, “We can do this together.”
I really can’t believe, feeling my chest tighten. Her hand in mine, her eyes on me.
Next came the nuptial chain. I picked it up carefully, holding it like it was fragile, because it was more than just jewelry-it was a symbol. She laughed softly when I fumbled slightly, trying to place it around her neck.
Finally, the vermillion. I took a deep breath and gently applied it on her forehead. Her skin felt soft beneath my fingers. She touched her foreheadand I noticed a small tear escape her eyes.
That little tear… I’ll never forget this moment…
The wedding was done.
She is my Wife now.
My Ruh.
My wife.
She’s really mine now and she’s so beautiful, why is she glowing so much? I thought, smiling like an idiot.
I leaned closer, whispering with a grin, “Congratulations, Wifey.”
“You too, Dear Husband,” she teased, and I laughed, the sound filling my chest.
As we took blessings from our parents, I couldn’t resist.
She looked so stunning in her red lehenga, the way the fabric hugged her form, the gentle sway of her dupatta, even the soft sparkle in her eyes-it was all mesmerizing. I couldn’t resist.
My heart thudded in my chest as I stepped closer, completely unaware of the murmurs and stares around us. Leaning down, I pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my lips, not thinking about anyone else-just her.
Just my Ruh. My wife.
She tilted her head, a soft smile playing on her lips, and whispered, “You really never change, do you?”
I chuckled, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, “Not for you. Not ever.”
I kissed her forehead again.
Her blush deepened, and she lightly hit my arm, “Everyone is here, you know!”
“But now you are my Wife,” I said softly. She giggled, her laughter warm and bright, melting straight into my heart.
We walked hand in hand, taking blessings and smiles.
She teased me, I teased her back.
And in between, she suddenly said, her voice cracking “How did I get so lucky to have you?”
I held her hand, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face as the world around us blurred into nothing but light and warmth.
“The universe,” I whispered, “has been burning stars, scattering cosmic dust, and shaping galaxies for billions of years, all so that somehow, every atom, every spark of light, would lead me to you.”
Her eyes widened, reflecting the soft glow around us, and I pressed a gentle kiss to her palm, mesmerized by the deep crimson of her henna.
“And now here we are,” I whispered.
“Ruh and VihaanβRuhaan. As the cosmos seemed to bend, painting our love in shimmering starlight across the skies, a moment written by the universe itself for all to witness.”
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Finally Chapter 72..!!
So how was the chapter???
My babies are finally marriedππ
That last line it has my heart ππ
Your favourite scene???
Sorry for the late update, so i am not good with the wedding or functions scene and i just tried, i am just wishing that it turns out goodΒ π€§
Maybe by the next Saturday or Sunday book will be completed π₯Ή (depends on how fast I write but will try to update soonπ)
Bas ab bahut saare votes and comments kr denaπ
Votes me kanjoosi kr rhe ho last chp mai comments me bhi kr dia π
Ye toh galat baat hai acche se bahut saare comments krna not spam one πβπ»
And Enjoying Reading β€οΈ
Stay tuned for further updates…!!
Bye Cutiepies…!!π
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