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बहके बहके कदम हैं पहला पहला नशा है
जाने क्या हो गया कब कुछ मुझे ना पता है
अपनी दीवानगी का हाल कैसे सुनाऊं
हो रहा दिल में क्या क्या कैसे उसको बताऊं
धीरे धीरे दर्द बढ़ाता है कोई
हौले हौले मुझे तड़पाता है कोई
दिल मेरा दिल बेकरार …
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Iss baari to please complete kar do na votes 😭
Boring ho gyi ho story to bhi bta do I’ll try to improve it 😭🤧
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It was the morning of the wedding day. The venue buzzed with excitement vibrant marigold garlands swayed in the breeze, the scent of fresh flowers mingled with the sweetness of halwa being prepared in the kitchen, and laughter echoed from every corner. Outside, families and helpers hurried about, fixing last-minute decorations and setting up for the rituals. The entire atmosphere radiated joy and celebration.
But inside one of the quiet rooms upstairs, away from all the chaos, Aditi sat on the edge of the bed, lost in a storm of thoughts. Her fingers absentmindedly fidgeted with the edge of her dress, eyes unfocused, the smile she had worn yesterday long gone. The golden morning light filtered through the curtains, landing softly on her face but she didn’t even notice.
Shagun entered the room quietly, watching her friend’s still form for a moment before sitting beside her. “Tu theek hai na?” she asked gently, placing a comforting hand on Aditi’s shoulder.
Aditi blinked, startled slightly out of her thoughts. “Huh?… haan, theek hu main,” she said quickly, forcing a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
Shagun frowned. “Dekh, agar kuch baat hai to you can share, Aditi,” she said softly, her voice laced with genuine concern.
Before Aditi could respond, Priya’s cheerful voice came from the doorway. “Tu uss ladke ko lekar itna mat soch… sab kuch normal hai ab. Also ham sab hai to tere sath!” she said, trying to lighten the air, her tone teasing but affectionate.
Aditi just shook her head faintly. “Nahi, vo baat nahi hai,” she said quietly.
“Phir?” both Shagun and Priya asked together, exchanging a quick glance.
“Kuch nahi,” Aditi shrugged, trying to sound casual, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her.
“Ruk ja… pehle bata,” Priya insisted, scooting closer. “Kal raat ko bhi tera mood upset tha kitchen mein.”
Shagun’s tone softened further. “Kisi ne kuch bola tujhe?”
“Nahi,” Aditi replied, her gaze still fixed on her hands.
“Phir kya hua?” Priya pressed, leaning forward.
“Dekh tu hame bata sakti hai,” Shagun said sincerely, her hand rubbing gentle circles on Aditi’s back.
Aditi’s eyes welled up. Her throat tightened, and for a few moments, she couldn’t speak. But when she finally did, her voice cracked under the weight of her guilt. “Meri wajah se Ansh ko stitches aaye hai… he got hurt trying to save me.And still he’s smiling like an idiot, jaise kuch hua hi nahi. How can he be like this, Shagun?” Her words broke apart as tears spilled down her cheeks.
Shagun and Priya instantly moved closer, their expressions softening.
“Tu pagal hai kya, Adu?” Priya said, pulling her into a comforting hug. “Bhaiya loves you so much – that’s why he had done this.” She rubbed Aditi’s arm gently, trying to calm her down.
“But still… how can he?” Aditi whispered through tears, her voice trembling.
“Kyuu…” Shagun started, her tone gentle but firm. “Koi agar tujhe chot pohchayega, to kya bhaiya bas khade khade uski shakal dekhenge?”
Priya cupped Aditi’s face, making her look up through her tears. “Tu bata, agar mujhe koi tang karega, to Prateek ko mere liye fight karna chahiye ya nahi?” Aditi’s lips trembled, and she nodded slowly between her sobs.
“To bas na, yaar…” Shagun said, her voice steady but affectionate. “Tu kyu har baar khud pe blame daal deti hai ki ye sab teri wajah se hua? Teri koi galti nahi hai, Adu.” She rubbed her back soothingly, pulling her into another small hug.
“But how can he be this much selfless… to forget his own pain in order to protect me?” Aditi said again, her words drenched in disbelief and sorrow. Her eyes stared blankly at her palms – remembering the way his hand had bled.
“Pyaar insaan se kuch bhi karvata hai Aditi,” Shagun said softly, a gentle smile curving her lips as she brushed away a tear from Aditi’s cheek.
Priya followed her gaze down to Aditi’s hands, her mehendi had turned a deep, rich brown overnight. “Aur bhaiya ka pyaar teri iss mehendi ke rang mein hi jhalak raha hai,” she said, pointing playfully toward Aditi’s palms.
Aditi paused, staring at her hands. The dark stain of mehendi glowed against her fair skin a symbol of love, devotion, and the connection that somehow always found its way back between her and Ansh. Her heartbeat softened. For the first time since morning, her tears stopped falling as she traced the intricate design with her finger, her lips curving slightly in silent awe.
“Chal, ab rona band kar,” Shagun said affectionately, wiping away the last of her tears with her thumb. “Bhaiya tujhe aise dekh lenge to hum par hi gussa karne lagenge ki humne tujhe rula diya.”
Priya chuckled, wiping her own eyes. “Sach! Phir to hum dono ki khair nahi hogi.” Aditi couldn’t help it a soft, watery laugh escaped her lips, breaking through the tension that had been clinging to her chest all morning.
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The evening had descended like a burst of color. The venue glittering under strings of fairy lights, echoing with laughter, drumbeats, and the heady pulse of celebration. The baraat had arrived in full swing dhols thundering, DJ beats roaring through the air, and the road outside glowing with the reflection of fireworks that cracked against the twilight sky. The energy was electric, vibrant the kind that made even the shyest person tap their foot.
Ansh walked at the front, dressed immaculately in a black formal suit, the fabric sharp and tailored perfectly to his frame. The faint gleam of his watch caught the soft golden lights as he moved – calm, composed, and effortlessly commanding amidst the wild joy around him. Beside him, Ruhaan looked like a storm waiting to be unleashed barely able to contain his excitement, his feet itching to join the crowd already lost in rhythm.
“Yaar, main bhi jau please! Mann kar raha hai,” Ruhaan said, almost pleading, his voice half-drowned in the sound of the dhols.
“Thodi der ruk ja, phir chale jaana,” Ansh said, his hand tightening on Ruhaan’s shoulder, his tone firm, the calmness in place even amidst the chaos.
“Tab tak khatam ho jayega sab kuch!” Ruhaan groaned dramatically, clutching his chest as if Ansh was denying him oxygen.
“Nahi hoga,” came Ansh’s steady reply, his eyes still scanning the entrance.
“Ho jayega!” Ruhaan insisted again, whining like a stubborn child, ready to protest further – but suddenly, his words trailed off when he noticed Ansh’s gaze had gone still.
Ansh wasn’t listening anymore. Because right at that moment, Aditi came rushing toward the entrance – her steps quick, her movements graceful – carrying a plate of aarti in her hands.
The soft glow from the diyas lit her face, turning her into something unearthly. She wore a white and pink lehenga, the delicate shimmer of mirror work catching the warm light of the sunset. The navy-blue peacock embroidery along the hem swayed beautifully as she walked, every thread glinting like liquid silver. Her hair was styled in a half-tied bun, letting the rest of her soft curls fall freely behind her – strands catching the breeze, dancing with her every step.
And she was smiling. That gentle, radiant smile the one he thought he’d lost to yesterday’s darkness was finally back. There was light in her eyes again, a spark that hadn’t been there. She looked like she was trying… trying to forget, to breathe, to feel the joy of the moment again.
And in that instant, all Ansh could think was – that’s all I ever wanted. Not perfection. Not gratitude. Just this her laughter, her warmth, her freedom. To see her free again. Happy. Smiling. Carefree… just like before.
The world blurred around him the music, the people, even Ruhaan’s chatter everything dissolved into a dull hum. All he could see was her the soft sway of her lehenga, the flicker of light in her eyes, the way she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear as she walked. His chest tightened painfully, but not in sadness. It was awe. It was peace. It was something far too deep for words.
Ruhaan followed his line of sight and immediately smirked. Oh, he knew that look the one where Ansh completely forgot the world existed. Seizing the perfect opportunity, he leaned closer and whispered, “Bhai… main jau?”
Ansh, still lost in Aditi’s glow, barely registered his words. His lips parted slightly, breath shallow, and without even looking at Ruhaan, he gave a distracted nod.
“Thank you!” Ruhaan said gleefully and, before Ansh could even blink, darted away – racing straight toward the dancing crowd where Vivaan and Priya were already twirling and laughing to the beat of the dhols.
Ansh remained where he was rooted to the spot amidst the moving crowd, the music swelling around him. His eyes stayed on Aditi as she stood at the gate. The golden flame of the diya flickered against her face a glow of purity and quiet strength that made his chest ache in a way he couldn’t describe.
For everyone else, it was just another joyous evening. For Ansh, it was something far more a silent, sacred moment that reminded him why protecting her had felt like protecting the very light that kept him alive.
The wedding venue shimmered under the golden glow of fairy lights – laughter, fragrance of flowers, and rhythmic claps blending with the soft chants of the priest. The baraat had finally entered, and the air buzzed with excitement.
Renuka, looking ethereal in her red bridal lehenga, sat beside Rajesh, their faces glowing under the mandap lights as they took blessings from the elders. The clinking of bangles, murmurs of blessings, and flashes of camera lights made the atmosphere even more vibrant.
Amidst all the joy, Ruhaan, however, seemed to have his mind elsewhere. His eyes kept scanning the crowd restlessly, his excitement replaced by impatience.
“Kya ho gaya? Kise dhoondh raha hai?” Ansh, standing beside him, asked in amusement, watching his friend’s head turn every few seconds like a radar.
“Meri Gungun ko,” Ruhaan sulked, still searching, his lips curving into a pout. Ansh could only sigh at his dramatics, shaking his head helplessly. And then Ruhaan froze. His eyes locked on the sight that made his heart skip a beat.
She walked in gracefully from the other side of the venue, her grey lehenga glimmering softly under the canopy lights. The delicate mirror work sparkled with every step she took. Her dupatta rested lightly on one shoulder, the other end tucked neatly at her waist, accentuating her elegance. The soft curls of her hair brushed against her cheek as she moved calm, unaware of the chaos she stirred in Ruhaan’s heart.
Ruhaan’s lips curved into a grin. “Kaha ja raha hai?” Ansh asked knowingly, watching that familiar dazed look in his friend’s eyes.
“Apni Devi ke pair chune,” Ruhaan murmured dramatically, not even glancing back as he began walking toward her, leaving Ansh shaking his head in disbelief.
Shagun was heading inside, her hands busy adjusting her dupatta when she felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned around, slightly startled.
“Huh… kya hua?” she asked, confusion clear in her tone.
Ruhaan’s lips twitched as he took in her flustered expression. “Tumhe garmi nahi lag rahi?” he asked casually, voice low and teasing.
“Huh? Pagal ho gaye ho kya? thand ka mausam hai… garmi kyu lagegi?” Shagun said, frowning at his random question.
“To phir thoda kam hot lago na…” Ruhaan said smoothly, stepping closer, his eyes locked on hers. “Mujhe garmi lag rahi hai.”
Before she could react, his hand slipped gently around her waist, pulling her closer. The sudden proximity made her heart leap into her throat. His breath fanned against her skin, eyes twinkling with mischief, but there was a softness in them something that made it impossible for her to move away.
“Ruhaan… koi aa jayega… leave me,” Shagun whispered, her voice trembling between fear and something she didn’t want to name.
“Aa jaane do,” he murmured, his tone suddenly deeper, huskier every word brushing against her heart. “Aaj toh kissi le ke rahunga.”
Her heart raced wildly. The sound of drums, laughter, and wedding chaos faded into the background. All she could feel was his warmth, his closeness, and the electricity that seemed to hum between them.
Ruhaan leaned in slowly, teasingly his eyes flickering from her lips to her eyes. Shagun’s breath hitched, her eyelids fluttering shut, her hands trembling slightly against his chest as the distance between them faded.
Until…
The sharp trill of her phone shattered the moment. Both froze instantly. Shagun’s eyes flew open, panic flooding her face as she fumbled for her phone. The caller ID flashed Papa. Her stomach twisted.
Ruhaan saw the way her expression changed the flicker of pain, the sudden stiffness in her shoulders. She frowned but didn’t say anything, just whispered, “uthana padega,” and quickly stepped away before he could respond.
Ruhaan watched her go, his teasing grin fading into concern. Something about the way her smile disappeared told him not to follow – not this time.
Shagun slipped into one of the empty rooms, closing the door behind her. The cheerful noise from outside dimmed, replaced by the faint hum of the air conditioner. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before answering.
“Hello, Papa,” she whispered softly, a hint of hope in her tone the hope of hearing even a trace of affection.
“Hello Shagun, where are you?” came Suresh’s voice distant, casual, detached. No warmth. No concern. Just another conversation.
“I’m at my friend’s sister’s wedding,” she replied, forcing steadiness into her voice as her heart sank.
“Achha, ohk…” he said after a pause. “Tell me where are your documents. I need them for some work.”
For a second, everything around her went still. The phone trembled slightly in her hand. That’s all it ever was his work. His needs. Never her. Never how are you, are you eating well, do you need anything. Just… documents.
“It’s in the cupboard locker,” she said quietly, her throat tightening.
“Ohk. By the way, do you need anything there?” Suresh asked, almost mechanically, as if reading from a script. There was hesitation in his voice, but it was too faint for her broken heart to recognize.
“No, I’m fine,” she whispered, barely audible her voice trembling but laced with the painful acceptance of years. Before he could say anything more, she disconnected the call.
Her hand dropped slowly to her side, phone still clutched tightly. The silence of the room wrapped around her, suffocating yet familiar. She blinked back the tears threatening to fall.
Meanwhile, far away from the music, laughter, and lights of the wedding, Suresh stood in the quiet stillness of his house the ticking of the clock echoing against the marble walls. He was inside Shagun’s room, searching for the documents he had called about just minutes ago. The air carried a faint scent of her soft, familiar, and innocent… something that instantly reminded him of her childhood.
He opened her cupboard casually, expecting the usual mess of expensive clothes and branded things he often sent her from abroad. But the sight that met his eyes froze him mid-motion.
There weren’t many clothes. No designer dresses, no luxurious shoes, no traces of the money he had thought would make her happy. Instead, there were a few simple kurtis, some casual jeans, and neatly folded everyday wear, all organized with a kind of quiet discipline.
For a long moment, he just stood there, staring blankly an unsettling heaviness creeping into his chest.
Pushing away the strange feeling, he bent down and opened the locker, where he finally spotted the folder of documents he needed. He reached for it – but something else caught his attention. A small wooden box, tucked neatly beside the papers.
It was old, carved delicately the kind of thing people keep not for its value, but for its memories. His hand hesitated for a second. But curiosity and perhaps an unspoken fatherly instinct made him pick it up. As he lifted the lid, his breath caught.
Inside lay a family photograph a younger version of him, his late wife smiling radiantly, and little Shagun nestled between them, her eyes sparkling, cheeks plump with laughter. His fingers trembled as he traced the faces a moment frozen in time, untouched by the years that had hardened him.
Beside the photo were his late wife’s bangles, the delicate red ones she used to wear every day. And beneath them her favorite dupatta, the one he had gifted her on their first anniversary. Faded now, but still carrying the faint fragrance of sandalwood and nostalgia.
And then, beneath it all a stack of handwritten notes. Suresh frowned slightly and picked one up, unfolding it with careful fingers. The handwriting was clumsy the writing of a child.
“Papa married someone else, Mamma.”
He froze. The words stabbed through him innocent yet heavy with pain. His eyes darted to the next note.
“The new lady doesn’t love me like you do.”
His throat tightened. The edges of the paper blurred as his eyes stung. He picked another his hands trembling now.
“Papa ab mujhse pyaar nahi karte, Mamma.”
That was it. His breath hitched, his chest tightening with something he hadn’t felt in years guilt. Raw, suffocating, overwhelming guilt.
The papers slipped from his hand and fluttered to the floor like pieces of a broken heart. He sank slowly to his knees, staring blankly at the mess before him.
For years, he had told himself that Shagun had changed that she had become distant, arrogant, stubborn. That she had built walls around herself. But now, sitting there surrounded by her silent confessions, he realized the truth that burned like acid in his chest…It wasn’t her who had changed…It was him.
He had buried himself in work after his wife’s death, thinking money could fill the emptiness – that sending gifts and clothes could replace presence and affection. He had forgotten that all she ever needed… was him.
Every note he read was a wound, a reflection of every time she had called him and he had said, “I’m busy.” Every time he had mistaken her silence for defiance when it was just loneliness.
Suresh pressed his palms over his eyes, a broken sigh escaping him. His throat burned, his eyes glistened. For the first time in years, he felt the weight of being a father and the crushing pain of realizing he had failed miserably.
He gathered the papers with trembling hands, placed them back inside the box with a reverence that bordered on guilt, and closed the lid tightly – as if sealing away his regret.
Placing the box gently back into the locker, he ran a hand over it once his fingers shaking, eyes moist. Then, without another glance around the room, he stood up and quietly left
Meanwhile, on the other side, Shagun stood near the corner of the dimly lit room, clutching her phone tightly her father’s call still echoing in her ears. Each word from Suresh had stabbed her in places she had long tried to heal.
He hadn’t even asked how she was, hadn’t asked if she had eaten, if she was happy, or if she missed him. Just a cold, casual tone about “documents.” That was it. Her heart ached as she blinked rapidly to stop her tears, her throat heavy with the familiar pain she had learned to bury behind her sarcasm and sass. But this time, she couldn’t.
Before her emotions could spill, she felt warmth surround her strong arms wrapping around her shoulders, pulling her into a quiet, safe haven.
“You can cry… let it out,” Ruhaan’s soft voice whispered near her ear as he rested his chin in the crook of her neck. The sincerity in his tone, the gentle firmness in his embrace, broke her last bit of restraint.
And just like that Shagun turned and buried herself in his chest, clutching his shirt tightly as tears began to fall. All the pain she had been holding in every piece of her loneliness, the ache of being unwanted came pouring out.
Ruhaan didn’t say anything further he simply held her tighter, one hand caressing the back of her head while the other drew slow, soothing circles on her back. His eyes softened with every sob that escaped her lips, his heart twisting painfully seeing his usually fierce “gungun” like this fragile, small, hurting.
After a few long moments, her cries softened into faint sniffles. Ruhaan gently cupped her face, his thumbs brushing away the streaks of tears.
“Feeling better?” he asked softly. She nodded weakly, trying to smile through the dampness on her cheeks.
“Paani?” he offered, to which she shook her head.
“Everything’s fine, right?” he asked again, his voice laced with concern, but she only managed a small nod.
“Look, Shagun,” Ruhaan said, leaning closer, his tone low yet filled with warmth. “You can share anything with me. I mean it.”
Her lips quivered before she finally whispered, “Papa…”
“Hmm?” he hummed gently, urging her to continue.
“He doesn’t love me anymore,” she said, her voice breaking. “He doesn’t care where I am or what I’m doing. He’s just… happy with his new family and his work. I… I don’t matter to him anymore.”
Ruhaan’s jaw clenched slightly not in anger, but in pain for her. He took her hands in his and said in a voice that was soft but unshakably sincere, “Don’t worry. I’ll love you… unke hisse ka bhi. Promise.”
Her breath hitched as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his eyes meeting hers honest, tender, glowing with unspoken devotion.
“Just tell me how much love you’ve missed all these years,” he continued, “and I’ll give you a hundred times more. As a compensation for everyone who failed you.“
That broke something in her again but this time, not from pain. From comfort. From the feeling of being seen. She buried her face in his chest once more, breathing in his scent, grounding herself in the warmth that was so uniquely Ruhaan. He held her there, content just to let her stay as long as she needed.
After a few minutes, as her heartbeat steadied, he gently pulled back and cupped her cheeks again. “Yaar, ab bas karo… makeup kharab ho raha hai. Ab mat ro na, please,” he said, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.
Shagun blinked. “Kya… makeup kharab ho gaya?” she asked, almost panicking.
Ruhaan chuckled. “Nahi hua… abhi nahi hua, ho jayega agar aur royi toh,” he said, wiping her tears carefully with his thumb. “Ab sahi hai. Chale bahar?”
He was just about to lead her out when her soft voice stopped him.
“Par… tumhari kiss?” she asked, her tone shy but teasing.
He froze, blinking in confusion. “Phir kabhi le lunga,” he said casually, turning to go, but her next words made him stop in his tracks.
“Ek sec ruko,” she said firmly.
“Kya hua?” Ruhaan asked, turning around, puzzled.
Shagun took a small step closer, her eyes holding his steady, determined, yet full of affection. “Leni hai to aaj hi lo… baad mein nahi dungi,” she said in one breath.
Ruhaan frowned lightly. “Kya cheez-“
Before he could finish, Shagun rose on her toes and pressed her lips against his soft, fleeting, but enough to make time freeze.
For a second, Ruhaan forgot to breathe. His eyes went wide, his hands half-raised as her soft lips brushed his a whisper of love, a promise of something deeper. When she pulled back, his mind was still processing what had just happened.
“Wait… did you just-” he stammered, pointing at his lips in disbelief.
Shagun bit her lip to hide her smile. “Nahi toh,” she said with mock innocence, her cheeks flushed pink before she turned and ran out of the room.
Ruhaan stood frozen for two seconds before realization hit him like lightning. His face broke into a wide grin that goofy, lovestruck grin only she could pull out of him.
“Hey! Ek aur mil sakti hai kya? Please!” he called after her, grinning ear to ear as he followed, bouncing like a complete gone case.
“Nahi!” Shagun yelled back, laughing as she ran.
“That’s not fair!” Ruhaan whined dramatically, still chasing her – his voice echoing with laughter and sheer joy
____________________________________
On the quieter side of the wedding venue where fairy lights shimmered softly and the sounds of laughter were distant Priya stood near one of the flower-decked pillars, her phone pressed to her ear.
She looked ethereal in her lavender lehenga, the delicate embroidery glinting in the soft golden lights. Her hair flowed freely over her shoulders, catching the evening breeze.
As she ended the call, a small smile lingered on her lips but it disappeared the next moment when she felt a gentle tug at her dupatta.
She frowned slightly and turned around, only to find him. Prateek stood there, mischief sparkling in his eyes, holding the end of her dupatta between his fingers as though he had every right to. The teasing smirk on his face said everything and Priya’s heart, as always, betrayed her by skipping a beat.
“Prateek,” she said in a tone that was meant to sound stern but came out soft too soft for her own good.
“Haan bolo na,” he replied, walking closer with that same infuriatingly charming grin, the dupatta still firmly in his grasp.
“Dupatta chhodiye,” she said, this time trying to sound firmer.
“Nahi chhodunga,” he said with equal determination, wrapping the fabric around his wrist like a trophy.
Priya’s eyes widened slightly as she glanced around nervously. “Koi dekh lega to kya sochega?” she whispered, her voice tinged with both fear and the faintest hint of shyness, though the blush on her cheeks betrayed her composure.
“Yahi ki tum mujhe attention nahi de rahi ho,” he said, pouting like a child denied his favorite toy.
Priya couldn’t help the small smile tugging at her lips. “Accha ji… main aapko attention nahi de rahi to phir kisse de rahi hoon?” she asked, folding her arms across her chest, her tone playfully challenging.
Prateek shrugged dramatically. “Mujhe kya pata… mujhe to nahi mil rahi tumhari attention,” he said, still sulking, his voice soft and boyish.
Priya shook her head with a tender smile, her heart melting at his antics. “Aww… aap itne cute kyun behave kar rahe hain?” she whispered fondly, stepping closer and cupping his face gently in her hands. His breath hitched slightly at her touch and before he could even react, she leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his right cheek. Prateek froze. His eyes blinked rapidly, brain momentarily short-circuited.
“Ab theek hai?” she asked with a mischievous glint in her eyes, stepping back slightly.
“Ek aur,” he said immediately, turning his head and pointing at his left cheek with the most innocent expression ever.
“Aap to lalchi nikle,” she said, giggling as she lightly slapped his left cheek instead.
“Iss mamle mein to hona hi chahiye,” he replied with a grin, rubbing his cheek in mock pain.
Priya laughed that soft, musical laugh that made his chest feel light. She gave him a playful push. “Chaliye, hatiye… jaana hai mujhe,” she said, turning to leave, but before she could take a step, Prateek caught her wrist and gently pulled her back.
She stumbled slightly and collided with his chest her hands instinctively pressing against it, while his arms found their way around her waist, holding her firmly yet tenderly. For a second, the world went quiet the laughter, the music, the wedding chaos everything blurred around them. It was just them, breathing each other in.
“Itni jaldi kyun ja rahi ho?” Prateek murmured, his voice low and warm. His fingers brushed away a loose strand of hair from her face, tucking it carefully behind her ear. The closeness, the gentleness it made Priya’s heart pound so loud she was sure he could hear it.
“Chhodiye… koi dekh lega,” she whispered, her breath hitching.
“Dekh lene do,” he said, his eyes locking onto hers with teasing mischief. “Main kaunsa kisi ki behen ched raha hoon?” His fingertips traced the curve of her cheek, making her entire body freeze in nervous warmth.
And just then…
“Meri behen jarur ched raha hai tu,” a voice came from behind, deep and dead serious.
Both Priya and Prateek jolted like guilty kids caught red-handed.
They turned to see Ansh standing there, holding a few gift boxes, his eyes narrowed into lethal glares aimed directly at Prateek. The atmosphere, heavy with romance seconds ago, turned into pure panic in an instant.
Priya’s face flushed scarlet as she turned and practically ran from there, her lehenga swishing as she disappeared around the corner.
Prateek, meanwhile, stood frozen, eyes wide, heart pounding not from love this time, but fear.
“Arey Ansh… tu kab aaya?” he asked, forcing an awkward laugh, scratching the back of his neck.
Ansh didn’t say a word. He simply stared at him with those “I-will-bury-you-alive” kind of death glares that could make even the boldest man sweat.
Prateek gulped, feeling his soul leave his body for a brief moment. He whispered under his breath, “Haan bade papa aaya…” and before Ansh could even blink, he bolted, sprinting away like his life depended on it.
____________________________________
The wedding was in full bloom and laughter echoed through the venue. People moved about dancing, chatting, eating but amid the chaos and celebration, Aditi sat quietly in a corner of the open lawn. Her lehenga shimmered under the fairy lights as she plopped onto an empty chair, letting out a long sigh.
“Bhai, main thak gayi… mere se aur nahi chala jaayega,” she mumbled, kicking off her heels slightly and leaning back.
“Haan, thakegi hi! Bola tha itni heels mat pehen, ab le mazae,” Shagun taunted.
“Oh please… ye heels kitni achhi lag rahi hai, pata bhi hai tujhe?” Aditi shot back, rolling her eyes but smiling faintly.
“Haan haan, hoor ki pari lag rahi hai inhe pehen ke tu,” Priya added teasingly, making Shagun snort.
Aditi smirked victoriously. “Dekh, sach bhi bol diya usne,” she said, pointing at Priya.
“Taana hi diya hai, pagal,” Priya said, shaking her head.
“Ohh aisa kya… koi nahi, main theek hu,” Aditi replied dramatically, crossing her arms.
“Ab bhais ke aage kaun been bajaye,” Shagun muttered under her breath, unable to resist one last jab.
“Kya boli tu?” Aditi asked, narrowing her eyes.
“Kuch bhi toh nahi!” Shagun gave an awkward smile, instantly realizing the danger of provoking her further.
Before another playful argument could start, Priya sighed. “Yaar, bhook lag rahi hai mujhe.”
Aditi turned to her, surprised. “Abhi toh khake aayi hai itna saara!”
“Pata nahi, yaar, abhi bhi khaali lag raha hai pet,” Priya pouted.
“Haan yaar, maine cocktails bhi try nahi ki,” Shagun added, pretending to be offended.
“Chal chalte hain,” Priya said excitedly.
“Main nahi ja rahi, tum log jao,” Aditi said, leaning back deeper into the chair.
“Kya yaar Adu, chal na,” Shagun whined.
“Nahi yaar, pair dard kar rahe hain. Tum log jao, main yahi wait karti hoon,” she insisted, rubbing her ankle lightly.
“Achha theek hai, chal phir… kuch chahiye tujhe bhi to bata de,” Priya asked.
“Nahi, ab seedha thodi der soungi,” Aditi said with a small smile, waving them away.
As the two girls left, Aditi sat alone under the fairy lights, the cool breeze brushing against her face. She closed her eyes for a moment, just to breathe, to find some quiet amidst all the noise. But peace didn’t come, whispers did.
“Hmm… yahi hai, dekho kitne aaram se baithi hui hai tamashe ke baad,” one of the aunties whispered, her tone dripping with judgment.
“Sach mein aisa kuch hua bhi tha kya, ya bas aise hi?” another murmured.
“Kya maloom… Delhi wali ladkiyan bhi to aisi hi hoti hain Bhabhiji,” another added.
Aditi’s stomach twisted painfully.
“Aaj kal to Bhabhiji, ladkiyan bhi kam nahi hain… pehle drama karti hain, phir ladkon ko blackmail karti hain,” one of them said, almost laughing.
Their words were knives slicing through her heart one by one. She froze, her throat tightening as she lowered her gaze, pretending not to hear. But she heard every word. Every cruel syllable. She wanted to vanish, to disappear before anyone could see the pain she was hiding.
Her hands clenched into fists, her vision blurred as a single tear escaped her eye but before it could fall, someone’s fingers caught it mid-air.
“Do you have a reservoir of tears or what?” The voice was soft, steady and achingly familiar.
Aditi blinked and turned her head, Ansh sat beside her, calm as ever, his suit immaculate, his expression unreadable. But his eyes those eyes held something that melted her walls without asking permission.
Caught off guard, she quickly looked away, wiping her cheek. “Huh… nahi toh. Vo toh bas kuch chala gaya tha aankhon mein,” she mumbled, trying to cover her trembling voice.
Ansh’s lips curved into a faint smile. “You know, sometimes we have to ignore things… even after noticing them,” he said quietly, his gaze now fixed on the same aunties who were pretending to laugh among themselves.
“Hmm,” Aditi hummed softly, her eyes downcast, the weight of his words settling deep in her chest.
“Aur haan, har baar tum ‘ankhon mein kuch chala gaya hai’ wala bahana nahi de sakti,” he said, glancing sideways at her.
Her breath caught. How could he always read her so easily?
“I know those aunties were talking about you… and that hurt you,” he continued, his voice gentle, careful like he was trying to hold her breaking heart together.
Aditi looked down, lips trembling. “What else can I do?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“You can always share it with me,” he said, his tone firm yet tender. “I’m always by your side.”
She looked at him then, really looked. The sincerity in his eyes made her chest ache. “Par aap kab tak aise…” she began, her voice cracking, but before she could finish, he interrupted softly, his words carrying the weight of a vow.
“Till I’m alive… promise.“
Aditi froze. Her heart stilled for a moment as her eyes met his and what she saw there left her breathless. In his gaze, she saw everything sincerity, pain, devotion… love. Unspoken, but strong enough to shake her world.
Her eyes burned again, but this time not with sadness but with something deeper, heavier. She broke the eye contact, looking away quickly, trying to steady her racing heart.
“Par aap ye sab kyun kar rahe hain?” she asked softly, her voice trembling, afraid of the answer yet desperate for it.
Ansh leaned closer, his eyes soft but piercing. “Tum sach mein jaana chahti ho?” She nodded wordlessly.
He stood up then, extending his hand toward her. “Chalo mere saath.”
Aditi blinked in confusion. “Kahan?”
“To find out the answer,” he said simply.
And though her heart pounded nervously, she placed her hand in his warm, firm, reassuring and followed him, step by step, into the dimly lit garden path beyond the wedding lights,
They walked in the farthest corner of the garden. Only the soft rustle of the trees and the golden shimmer of fairy lights surrounded them. It felt like a world separated from everyone else, quiet and sacred, meant just for the two of them.
Aditi’s voice came out as a whisper, uncertain, fragile. “Hum yahan kyun aaye hain?”
Ansh slowly released her hand though his warmth still lingered against her skin and looked at her with quiet tenderness. “To remind you… how strong you are,” he said softly. His tone carried neither pity nor comfort, just a truth she had forgotten about herself.
Her eyes softened, her lips trembling. “Par main kuch bhi nahi kar paayi…” she murmured, guilt tightening her voice.
For a moment, he didn’t say anything. His eyes wandered upward, toward the glowing moon suspended in the velvet sky. “Can I ask you something?” he said quietly. “Do you love the moon?”
Aditi followed his gaze. The pale light touched her face, giving her eyes a dreamlike gleam. “Hmm,” she hummed, her lips curving into a faint smile.
“Why?” he asked gently.
“Because it shines all alone,” she whispered, “even after carrying so many scars.”
Ansh’s lips curved slightly, but his eyes stayed fixed on her. “You like it too?” she asked curiously.
He nodded, his voice dropping to something deep, something vulnerable. “It reminds me of you, Aditi.”
She blinked in confusion. “Me?”
He turned toward her fully now…his face serene yet full of emotion. “Yes. You never stop shining, no matter what happens. You’ve been through things that could’ve broken anyone, and still, you stand here smiling, caring, loving. You hold light even when the world tries to take it away from you.”
Aditi’s eyes shimmered, her throat tight. “But the moon doesn’t have its own light” she whispered. “It borrows it from the sun.”
Ansh took a slow step closer, his voice barely above a murmur. “Then give me a chance to be your sun, Aditi.“
Her breath caught, her heart tripping over itself as his words settled into her chest soft, steady, sincere. Her eyes darted to his, and for a heartbeat, the world blurred away the sounds, the air, everything except his gaze that held her still.
“I don’t know when it happened,” he said, his tone trembling with an ache she could feel. “But I can’t see you in pain anymore. I can’t watch you hide behind fake smiles or doubt yourself again and again. I just want you to be happy, to laugh the way you used to, to be free again. I want to be there… in your chaos, your quiet, your everything.”
He hesitated for a moment, exhaling shakily before gently intertwining his pinky finger with hers. that small, trembling gesture carrying more promise than words ever could. “I want to hold you when you fall apart, I want to be the place where you feel safe. I want to be with you, not for a day, not for a phase… but for a lifetime. So let me in, Aditi. Let me love you.”
Her heart swelled painfully, her eyes glistening in the moonlight. His words weren’t desperate… they were devoted, spoken with a kind of sacred softness that made the world stand still.
“I fell for you the day I saw you,” he whispered, voice shaking but true. “Mujhe mohabbat ho gayi tumse, tumhari aankhon se, tumhari baaton se, tumhari har uss cheez se jo tumhe tum banati hai. You became my calm when I didn’t even know I needed peace.“
Aditi’s breath quivered. The way he said it, it wasn’t a confession, it was a prayer. He was offering his heart not to be kept, but to be trusted.
“I don’t even know how it happened,” he went on softly. “But every time I see you cry, it breaks something inside me. And every time you smile, it fixes me again. I just… want to be your comfort, your home.”
He looked into her eyes then raw, vulnerable, stripped of every guard. “I love you Aditi. I truly do.”
The words hung in the air like fragile glass trembling, luminous, infinite. His confession wasn’t loud or dramatic it was quiet, sacred… as if the stars themselves paused to listen.
Aditi’s lips parted, but no words came. She could only stare at him at the boy who loved her without expecting anything in return, whose love sounded more like devotion than desire.
“What if you get hurt by staying with me?” she whispered, her voice shaking.
“It doesn’t matter,” he said instantly, without a hint of hesitation. “As long as I’m with you, nothing else does.”
Tears pricked her eyes. “I have a bitter past… you know that.”
He smiled faintly the kind that carried warmth instead of pity. “Then I’ll make sure your future becomes the sweetest.”
Her gaze drifted down, falling on their hands his fingers still curled gently around hers. The touch was feather-light, reverent, as if he was holding something fragile and precious. Slowly, she lifted his hand with both of hers and intertwined their fingers fully her hand fitting into his like it belonged there.
“Is it still hurting?” she asked softly, her eyes flickering to his bandaged hand.
He shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “No.”
“I’m sorry,” he murmured suddenly, guilt creeping into his tone.
“Kis liye?” she asked.
“For giving you those glass bangles,” he said quietly. “If I hadn’t… you wouldn’t have worn them. You wouldn’t have hurt your hand.” His eyes lingered on the faint scars still peeking through her mehendi.
Aditi chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Aur kisne bola ki maine vo chudiyan isliye pehni thi kyunki aapne di thi?”
“Priya told me,” he said with an innocent looking. “She said you don’t even like glass bangles, but you still wore them. That’s how I knew.”
Her cheeks flushed crimson. “Kuch bhi bolti hai Priya… pagal hai vo,” she muttered, fumbling with her dupatta.
“Even Shagun said you refused to wear bangles on the tilak day,” he added, enjoying her growing fluster.
“Vo bhi pagal hai… aisa kuch nahi hai,” she said quickly, looking anywhere but at him.
“Haan sab pagal hain,” he said with a grin.
“Aur tum dono bhi.” Before Aditi could respond, a familiar voice cut through the night. ” tum dono yahan kya kar rahe ho?”
Both turned instantly startled to see Samaira standing behind them, arms crossed, her expression half-annoyed, half-amused.
“Bahar itni thand hai, aur tum logo ko romance ki padi hai?” she said, her tone carrying sisterly authority. “Andar chalo dono.”
They nodded like guilty kids caught red-handed. Aditi blushing furiously while Ansh scratched the back of his neck, that boyish grin refusing to leave his face. As they walked back toward the wedding lights.
__________________
The night air had turned sharp and cold, wrapping around the venue. Fairy lights shimmered softly across the garden, glinting off the sequins of Samaira’s silver saree, which hugged her frame like moonlight itself. The wedding laughter echoed from afar, but here away from the crowd it was quiet enough to hear the rustle of her pallu against the breeze.
She was busy sending the last few guests and kids back inside, her voice firm yet affectionate. “Chalo sab andar, thand lag jaayegi!” she scolded, her saree catching faint glimmers of light as she moved. She looked ethereal her blouse intricate, delicate, the shimmer of its fabric tracing the graceful curve of her back.
As she turned toward the darker edge of the garden to check if anyone else was outside someone’s hand suddenly caught her wrist.
She gasped, stumbling slightly only to crash softly against a familiar chest. Her palms pressed against it instinctively, and the warmth beneath her hands made her pulse skip. Aman’s hands found her waist, steadying her effortlessly.
“Aman… what are you doing?” she asked, flustered, her heartbeat quickening at the proximity.
He leaned slightly closer, his voice low, rough, and impossibly intense. “You tell me, Samaira. What are you doing to me?”
Her lips parted in surprise, a faint smile curving them. “What did I do?” she asked, feigning innocence, though her cheeks burned.
“Itni innocent toh nahi ho tum,” Aman murmured, his lips tugging into a teasing smirk.
“Ohh?” she shot back playfully, slipping her arms around his neck. “Toh tum ho innocent?”
He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Nahi… bilkul nahi. Kisne bola?” His tone was light, boyish and she couldn’t help but laugh.
The sound of their laughter blended into the night, tender and effortless. And then, in that quiet pause that followed, their eyes met a look filled with all the things words could never say. The kind of look that felt like home.
“I love you, Aman,” Samaira whispered, her voice trembling with sincerity now. “I really do. So much.”
He smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “I love you more,” he said softly, the words falling between them like a promise.
“Promise me,” she whispered again, “you won’t ever leave me.”
“Never,” he replied, voice steady, heart sure. He pulled her close, and she melted into his embrace their arms tightening around each other as if time itself could pause for them. For a brief moment, the world didn’t exist. Just the sound of their breathing, their hearts syncing quietly under the moonlight.
After a while, Aman leaned back slightly, his eyes scanning her from head to toe. “You look… beautiful in sarees,” he said, almost in awe.
“Bas beautiful?” Samaira frowned, arching a brow.
“Achha nahi laga?” he asked innocently, genuinely confused.
She crossed her arms, pretending to sulk. “Maybe you didn’t even notice properly.”
“Notice what?” he blinked.
“Dekha? Mujhe pata tha,” she huffed. “Bhondu hi rahoge tum. Itni mehnat se tayyaar hui thi tumhare liye! Upar se tailor se ladke blouse silvaya aur tumhe farak hi nahi pad raha!”
Aman looked even more baffled. “Blouse toh normal hi hai na, isme ladai kyu ki?”
Her jaw dropped. “Isske liye!” she said, turning around and sweeping her hair to one side.
And in that moment Aman froze. Her bare back, revealed through the delicate backless design of her blouse, shimmered faintly under the lights. The curve of her spine, the glow of her skin it was breathtaking.
His eyes widened, his heartbeat spiking instantly. “Are you mad, Samaira?” he said quickly, grabbing his coat and covering her back in panic.
Samaira frowned, startled. “Kya kar rahe ho?”
“Aise khule mein koi dikhata hai?” he scolded in a hushed tone, still wrapping the coat around her. “Koi aur dekh leta toh?”
She blinked, somewhere between amused and annoyed. “Dekha hai ji. Aur sabne compliment bhi diye the. Bas jiske liye pehna hai, wahi andha banke ghoom raha hai!” she shot back, pulling his coat off and throwing it at his chest before turning away.
Aman blinked, clutching the coat, completely lost. “Arey… par hua kya?”
She started walking off, clearly offended. “Tumhe kya samajh nahi aata, Aman?!”
Before she could move another step, he grabbed her gently from behind, pulling her into a back hug that made her breath hitch. His arms locked around her waist, firm and protective, his warmth seeping through the shimmer of her saree.
“Tsk tsk…” he whispered against her ear, his voice a dangerous mix of teasing and tenderness. “Tumhe kya lagta hai, maine notice nahi kiya?”
“Haan, nahi kiya. Ab maska mat lagao, chhodo mujhe,” she muttered, trying to sound annoyed but her voice betrayed her, softening under his touch.
He leaned in closer, his breath brushing her ear. “Then how do I know,” he murmured, “that you hide a mole at your back with that designer lace?”
Samaira froze, her eyes going wide as a soft shiver ran down her spine. “How… how do you know that? It’s not even visible.”
Aman smiled against her shoulder. “Because I saw it.”
Her breath trembled. “How?”
He smirked. “Actually… I saw Aditi helping you hide it in the room earlier.”
Her eyes widened further. “Aman!”
Before she could finish, he moved her hair aside, his fingertips barely grazing her skin, and lifted the lace ever so slightlyr evealing that tiny mole. His touch was reverent, slow, careful… and then, softly, he leaned in and placed a kiss there.
The warmth of his lips against her bare skin sent a jolt through her. her knees nearly buckled as her breath hitched audibly. The world felt hazy, the night air charged with something electric, something only he could make her feel.
“It’s gorgeous,” he whispered, his voice deep and unsteady, eyes glinting with admiration. “Don’t hide it.”
And before she could recover, he turned her slightly, his face close enough for her to feel his breath. With that boyish, heart-melting smirk, he planted a soft kiss on her cheek.
“Blush karti hui achhi lagti ho,” he said with a wink.
And just like that, he walked away his coat still in one hand, his grin smug, his heart racing faster than he’d admit.
Samaira stood frozen for a moment, her hand flying to her cheek, her pulse fluttering wildly. Her lips curved into an involuntary smile as her skin still tingled where he’d touched her.
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that’s all for this chapter…hope you like it.💖
please tell me your thoughts about the confession.🤧
don’t forget to vote and leave the comment.
till then…be safe…be healthy…keep smiling and always keep reading.🫶✨
lots of love♥️
~Prachi🌷
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