Author pov..

Ishani walked up to Rahul and gently smeared color on his cheek with her own hands.

For a moment, Rahul froze in shock, his eyes fixed on her as if he couldn’t believe what had just happened.

Ishani burst into laughter at his stunned expression, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Embarrassed yet smiling, Rahul tried to put color on her in return, but before he could touch her, Ishani turned and ran away, laughing.

Rahul chased after her, calling her name, his heart strangely light and happy.

Just then, a faint sound broke through the moment.

Rahul suddenly woke up, his breath uneven, only to find himself alone in his room.

It had all been a dream… a dream about Ishani.

The sound came again from downstairs.

Still half-asleep, he listened carefully this time he recognized the voice.

It was Ishani.

He quickly got out of bed and stepped outside

Looking down into the courtyard, he saw Ishani and Deeksha standing there, greeting everyone with bright smiles, wishing them “Happy Holi” and applying gulal to each person.

For a second, Rahul wondered if he was still dreaming, because the scene in front of him felt just as magical as the one he had seen in his sleep.

Rahul walked downstairs, a soft smile playing on his lips as his eyes searched only for Ishani.

The moment he saw her, his heart felt strangely warm, as if the dream had followed him into reality.

Just then, Deeksha noticed him standing there and ran toward him with a mischievous grin, her hands full of color, ready to smear it on his face.

Before she could reach him, Deepak suddenly arrived at Rahul’s house, laughing loudly. Without warning, he threw a handful of colors straight at Deeksha, covering her in bright gulal.

Deeksha gasped in shock, blinking as the color settled over her, while everyone around burst into laughter.

The courtyard instantly filled with noise, chaos, and the joyful spirit of Holi, as Rahul stood there smiling, his gaze unconsciously drifting back to Ishani.

Deepak kept laughing as he looked at Deeksha, clearly proud of his prank.

Deeksha wiped the color from her eyes and pointed at him, her voice full of playful warning. “Just wait… now you won’t escape.”

She dashed after him with a fistful of color, and Deepak ran across the entire courtyard, laughing and dodging her at every turn.

Their footsteps echoed as everyone watched the chase unfold.

Suddenly, Rahul stepped forward and grabbed Deepak from behind, holding him in place.

“Now, Deeksha do it!” Rahul said, trying not to laugh.

Deeksha’s face lit up with a victorious grin.

She walked up to Deepak and smeared color all over his face, covering him completely.

Rahul burst into laughter at the sight of Deepak’s shocked expression.

Deepak wiped his face and glared at Rahul, half-annoyed, half-amused. “You traitor… now you’re the one who won’t escape.”

He quickly freed himself and lunged toward Rahul with color in his hands.

Rahul jumped back, raising his palms in surrender. “No, not now! We’ll play Holi outside later!”

Deepak smirked. “You should’ve thought of that before you helped her catch me. Now you’re finished.”

Rahul didn’t wait another second he turned and ran, rushing up the stairs to his room.

Slamming the door behind him, he locked it from the inside, leaning against it while laughter and footsteps echoed outside, the madness of Holi still raging on.

Deepak stood outside Rahul’s locked door and said loudly, half-teasing, half-threatening, “How long will you hide in there? You’ll have to come out sometime. It’s Holi all day today when you do, I’ll deal with you properly.”

Just then, Rani’s warm voice echoed through the house, cutting through the chaos. “Alright, alright, enough now. There are gujiyas, papad, and lots of snacks for all of you. Come and eat first you have the whole day to play Holi.”

Ishani smiled politely and said, “No, Aunty, I should go now. Mom must be waiting. I only came to wish everyone a Happy Holi.”

Rani insisted gently, “At least have some gujiya, beta.”

“Not now, Aunty… maybe later,” Ishani replied softly.

Divya chuckled and said, “Let her go, Mom. She’ll just go home and lock herself inside the whole day. Her brother will do the same. Both of them act like they’re allergic to Holi.”

Rani shook her head with a fond smile. “Ishani is grown up and sensible unlike you, who wants to play Holi in the neighborhood all day.”

Divya rolled her eyes dramatically, making everyone laugh.

“Alright, Aunty, I’ll leave now,” Ishani said, and quietly walked away.

Rani then called out, “Deeksha, Deepak, come on have your snacks.”

Deepak replied eagerly, “Yes, Aunty! That’s exactly why I came so early.”

Rani laughed, while Deeksha teased, “He’s been hungry since his past life, Aunty. Feed him first.”

Deepak shot back, grinning, “Yes, I am hungry!”

Devnath finally stepped in, smiling at their bickering. “Okay, enough, both of you. Stop fighting and come eat.”

Deeksha held up her hand and said, “Wait, Uncle let me wash my face first. He’s covered me completely in color.”

Deepak groaned, wiping color from his eyes. “Great… now I can’t even see. I need to wash this off too.”

“Good,” Deeksha snapped, marching beside him. “You deserve it.”

Both of them reached the washbasin at the exact same moment and immediately tried to grab the tap.

“I’m first. Move.” Deeksha shoved his hand away.

“No way. You can wait,” Deepak pushed back, turning the tap toward himself.

“Deepak!” she protested, trying to elbow him aside. “My whole face is burning because of you.”

“Oh please, you were running like a wild person to attack me two minutes ago,” he shot back. “Now suddenly you’re delicate?”

She glared at him, then tried to block the basin with her arm. “Just go to the other one!”

“There is no other one,” he said smugly, leaning in closer just to annoy her.

In frustration, Deeksha splashed water blindly half of it hitting her face, half of it soaking Deepak’s shirt.

“Hey! What was that?” he shouted, stepping back.

“Oops,” she said, not sounding sorry at all. “My hand slipped.”

Deepak narrowed his eyes, then flicked water straight at her in revenge.

She gasped as cold drops hit her neck.

“You did not just do that!”

“Oh, I did,” he replied, grinning.

For a moment they just stood there, dripping wet, glaring at each other then both started talking at once, arguing over who started it, who deserved it more, and who should get the basin first.

Their voices overlapped, loud, dramatic, and completely pointless.

From a distance, it looked less like a fight and more like two stubborn kids refusing to lose.

Finally, Deeksha huffed, quickly bent down, and washed her face before he could react. “Done. I win.”

Deepak stared at her in disbelief, then laughed despite himself. “Unbelievable. You cheat even in washing your face.”

She tossed her wet hair back with attitude. “Stay mad.”

Both of them walked to the dining table, still arguing under their breath, and sat down to eat. Just then, Rahul appeared.

The moment Deepak saw him, he narrowed his eyes and mouthed dramatically, “Traitor.”

Rahul only laughed, completely unbothered, and took a seat.

But as his gaze moved around the room, the smile on his face faded slightly and he noticed someone was missing.

Ishani wasn’t there.

Deepak followed his eyes and instantly understood who Rahul was searching for.

A teasing smirk spread across his face. “She went home,” he said casually.

Rahul, who had just taken a bite, suddenly started coughing, clearly caught off guard.

Everyone looked at him, confused, while he tried to act normal.

Devnath stood up from the table with a gentle smile. “Alright, kids, I’ll go to my room now. It’s my day off today. And don’t play so much Holi that you fall sick.”

The three of them nodded obediently. Devnath walked away, leaving behind the lively noise of the dining area.

A moment later, Divya came in quietly with her plate and began eating without saying much. Her silence felt heavier than the usual chatter.

Deeksha noticed and asked softly, “Didi, why are you so quiet on a festival day?”

Divya kept her eyes on her plate for a second before answering, her voice low and distant. “Vaibhav isn’t going to play Holi.”

Deepak straightened in his chair, a spark of determination in his eyes. “Then we’ll just bring him here. If he won’t play Holi, we’ll make him.”

Divya looked at him, confused but curious. “And how are you planning to do that?”

Leaning closer, Deepak began whispering his plan.

As the words sank in, Divya, Rahul, and Deeksha stared at him as if he had suddenly become a completely different person.

Deeksha narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Wait… how did you come up with something this smart? You don’t even use your brain.”

Deepak frowned. “Excuse me? I have more brains than you ever will.”

“Yeah, sure,” she said dryly, clearly unconvinced.

Rahul chuckled, shaking his head at their endless bickering. “Fine, genius plan. But who’s actually going to go tell Vaibhav bhaiya?”

Divya didn’t hesitate. She pointed

straight at Deeksha. “You are.”

Deeksha froze. “What? Why me?”

All three of them answered together, almost too quickly, “Because you’re the best one for it.”

She looked at each of them, realizing she had been cornered.

Letting out a long, dramatic sigh, she muttered, “Unbelievable… Fine. I’ll go.”

But as she said it, her confidence wavered just a little, and the others tried to hide their smiles, knowing the hardest part of the plan was only just beginning.

After finishing their meal, the four of them drifted back to their own tasks, the house slowly settling into a quieter rhythm.

But Deeksha couldn’t focus on anything.

She kept rehearsing lines in her head, whispering different versions to herself, trying to decide exactly what she would say.

Finally, gathering her courage, she made her way to Vaibhav’s house.

Malini opened the door, her face lighting up warmly. “Oh, Deeksha beta, Happy Holi!”

“Happy Holi, Aunty,” Deeksha replied politely, trying to hide her nervousness.

“Aunty… where is Vaibhav bhaiya?” she asked carefully.

“Where else would he be?” Malini smiled. “In his room, checking college copies as usual.”

“Oh… okay,” Deeksha said, swallowing her hesitation. “I needed to talk to him about something.”

“Of course, beta. Go ahead.” Rani said

Deeksha walked to his room, her heart pounding.

Standing at the door, she blurted out in a panicked voice, “Vaibhav bhaiya… Divya didi… some boys outside are forcefully putting color on her!”

Vaibhav shot up instantly, shock flashing across his face. “What? Where is she? Why did you leave her alone? Come on, quickly!”

As he rushed past her, Deeksha hid a triumphant smile. Wow… the plan worked faster than I thought.

She hurried behind him as he ran outside.

But the moment he stepped across the threshold, he stopped.

Divya was standing right there, holding a plate full of bright colors, a mischievous grin slowly spreading across her face.

Vaibhav froze in shock. His eyes flickered from Divya… to Deeksha… and back again.

Realization dawned.

They had tricked him.

“Divya,” he said quietly, almost helplessly, “I don’t like colors.”

She tilted her head, her smile soft but determined. “But I do.”

Before he could react, she flung the entire plate of color at him.

A burst of bright powder covered his face and clothes, leaving him stunned, motionless, and completely defeated while her laughter rang out like the first true sound of Holi reaching him at last.

From behind, Malini and Ishani stepped outside and stopped at the sight of Vaibhav’s condition—covered head to toe in bright colors. They couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Deepak and Rahul, who had also arrived, started laughing just as loudly.

Malini smiled proudly and said, “Very good, Divya beta.”

Divya kept smiling, her eyes shining with quiet satisfaction. Vaibhav looked at his mother in disbelief. “Mom… you too?”

Malini laughed softly. “What? Even I’m allowed to have a little fun sometimes.”

Vaibhav paused, then nodded slowly, a faint smile forming on his lips. “Hmm… you’re right, Mom. Sometimes we should have fun.”

Then his gaze shifted to Divya, something playful flickering in his eyes. “Now it’s your turn too, Divya. You have to get color on you as well.”

She frowned, confused. “What do you mean?”

“Deepak, come here,” Vaibhav called.

Deepak instantly stiffened, sensing danger.

Still hesitant, he stepped forward.

Vaibhav quietly asked him for some color.

Deepak stared at him with wide eyes, unsure what he was planning, but slowly handed it over.

Divya still didn’t understand what was happening.

Before she could react, Vaibhav walked straight up to her and gently but firmly smeared color across her entire face.

Everyone froze in shock. Vaibhav… playing Holi?

Divya’s eyes widened. “That’s cheating!”

Vaibhav smiled, a rare, warm smile. “Oh, it’s cheating? And what you did

wasn’t?”

She glared at him, trying to look angry, but the moment was already ruined by the laughter around them.

Watching the two of them, everyone burst into smiles, as if the colors had finally broken through the walls

Vaibhav had built around himself.

Just then, loud music began echoing through the colony.

The sound of drums, laughter, and Holi songs filled the air as people danced and played with colors outside.

In the middle of all that noise and celebration, Vaibhav and Divya stood facing each other, their eyes locked in a quiet moment that felt strangely separate from the chaos around them.

Ishani and Malini exchanged knowing smiles and quietly slipped back inside, leaving them alone without saying a word.

Deepak noticed Rahul standing a little distance away and smirked wickedly. “Now how will you escape?” he said, lunging toward him with color in his hands.

Rahul’s eyes widened. “Not again!” He turned and ran, almost tripping in his hurry, while Deepak chased after him, laughing like a man on a mission.

Deeksha glanced back and noticed

Vaibhav and Divya still standing very close, lost in their own world, the noise fading into the background around them.

A small smile touched her lips. Without disturbing the moment, she quietly walked away too.

And in the midst of the vibrant chaos of Holi, the space between Vaibhav and Divya felt filled with something softer than color something unspoken, warm, and impossible to ignore.

Divya’s fingers trembled slightly as she tried to wipe a streak of color from her wrist.

“You really shouldn’t have done that,” she said softly, though her voice held no anger only a nervous warmth.

Vaibhav stepped a little closer, his eyes fixed on her face as if he were seeing her for the first time.

“And you shouldn’t have tricked me,” he replied, but his tone was gentle, almost affectionate.

She looked up at him then, and the distance between them suddenly felt too small… and not small enough at the same time.

“You said you hated colors,” she whispered.

“I do,” he said quietly. “But… I don’t hate the ones you put on me.”

Her breath caught.

Just then, Deepak came running back, and Vaibhav and Divya instantly stepped apart, as if caught in a moment they weren’t ready to explain.

Deepak looked between them with a dramatic grin. “This Holi will be remembered forever,” he announced loudly. “Our dear Vaibhav sir has finally come out to play Holi and all thanks to our Divya didi!”

Deeksha, Rahul, Vaibhav, and Divya all burst into laughter at his exaggerated speech.

Before anyone could react, Deepak quickly smeared another handful of color across

Vaibhav’s face.

For a second, everyone tensed, unsure how he would react but Vaibhav just shook his head with a helpless smile.

Then Divya suddenly looked around. “Where’s Ishani? Didn’t she come out of her house?”

Deeksha replied, “No, didi… Ishani didi went back inside again.”

“Wait, I’ll bring her,” Divya said immediately.

Vaibhav tried to stop her gently. “Leave it, Divya. Why force her? Maybe she doesn’t feel like it.”

Divya shook her head stubbornly. “How can she not feel like it on Holi? I’ll make her come.”

He kept calling after her, but she had already run off toward the house.

Deepak and Deeksha exchanged mischievous looks and hurried after her, while Rahul stayed back with Vaibhav.

Divya reached Ishani’s room. The door was slightly open. Inside, Ishani was sitting quietly, reading, as if she had shut the festival out completely.

Divya, Deepak, and Deeksha exchanged silent glances and entire plan passing between them without a single word.

Then, all at once, they rushed in and smeared color across Ishani’s cheeks.

Ishani froze in shock, her book slipping from her hands, her eyes wide as she stared at them caught between surprise, disbelief, and the sudden burst of color that had pulled her back into the world she was trying to avoid.

Ishani looked at Divya, half-annoyed, half-helpless. “Divya, yaar… why did you do that? I didn’t want to play Holi.”

Divya caught her hand, smiling stubbornly. “How can you not want to play? Come on, everyone’s downstairs.”

Ishani glanced at her reflection in the mirror her cheeks already stained with color.

There was no escaping it now. She sighed softly. “Okay… let’s go.”

All three of them lit up instantly, their plan was successful, and pulled her along downstairs.

Vaibhav noticed her the moment she stepped into the courtyard.

Concern flickered across his face. “Ishani, you’re comfortable, right? Playing Holi and all?”

She gave a small reassuring smile. “Hmm, bhaiya… I’m okay.”

The celebration swirled around them colors flying, laughter echoing, music pulsing through the air.

In the middle of it all, a boy walked around handing out glasses of thandai.

Rahul, Deepak, Deeksha, and Divya grabbed theirs without a second thought and drank it quickly.

Vaibhav stopped the boy before taking one. “There’s no bhang in this, right?”

“No, bhaiya, just thandai,” the boy replied casually.

Vaibhav hesitated. Something about it made him uneasy. “No… I’m fine. I won’t have it.”

The boy insisted, but Vaibhav shook his head again.

A moment later, the boy offered a glass to Ishani.

Distracted and caught up in the noise around her, she accepted it quietly and drank, not realizing anything unusual.

Everyone returned to playing, too busy laughing and throwing colors to notice anything else.

After some time, Divya walked toward Vaibhav, her steps slightly unsteady, her eyes unusually bright.

“Vaibhav…” she said, her voice softer, unfamiliar, “I want to kiss you.”

Vaibhav stared at her, stunned. “Divya… what are you saying?”

She tilted her head, as if his confusion made no sense. “I want to kiss my boyfriend. What problem do you have with that?”

Vaibhav’s mind went blank.

This wasn’t like her at all her words, her tone, the way she was looking at him.

Divya stepped closer to Vaibhav, her eyes bright and unfocused, a playful smile lingering on her lips.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she teased softly. “It’s Holi… you’re supposed to do something special today.”

Vaibhav swallowed, glancing around nervously at the people still laughing and dancing nearby. “Divya, you’re not in your senses. Come, sit down for a while.”

But she shook her head, moving even closer until there was barely any space between them.

A streak of pink on her cheek brushed against his shoulder.

“No… I just want you,” she murmured, reaching up and lightly catching his collar as if to pull him down.

His heart slammed against his ribs part shock, part panic. “Divya, stop… people are watching.”

“I don’t care,” she whispered, standing on her toes, trying to close the distance.

“You look very handsome today… even covered in colors,” she said softly, reaching up to the dust imaginary gulal from his collar her fingers lingering longer than necessary.

His heartbeat stumbled. “Divya…” he warned quietly.

“What?” she smiled innocently. “Can’t I flirt with my own future husband?”

Before he could answer, she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. “Or are you shy?”

Vaibhav grabbed her wrist gently

before she could come any closer. “Okay, that’s enough. You’re definitely not acting normal.”

“I’m perfectly normal,” she protested, though her words were slightly slurred with warmth and laughter. “I just love you.”

That did it.

He looked around at the crowd, then back at her, concerned about replacing amusement. Without arguing further, he took her hand firmly. “Come with me.”

She didn’t resist in fact, she smiled like she had won something letting him guide her away from the noise, through the gate, and into his house.

By the time they reached his room, her steps had slowed, and she leaned lightly against his arm.

He closed the door behind them, turning back just in time to see her walking toward him again.

“Now no one is watching,” she said softly.

“Divya, sit down,” he insisted, pointing to the bed.

Instead, she came closer, placing her hands on his shoulders, rising on her toes as if to kiss him.

Vaibhav froze for a split second then gently held her by the arms, stopping her without hurting her, putting a small distance between them.

“Hey… hey,” he said softly, searching her face. “Did you drink something? Tell me honestly… did you have bhang or something?”

She blinked at him, confused, then pouted slightly. “Why are you asking like that? I just wanted to kiss you.”

His expression softened, equal parts worried and helpless. “Because this isn’t like you,”

Divya looked at him for a long moment, her teasing fading into something softer, almost vulnerable.

Then she sighed and sat down, still watching him as if he were the only steady thing in the room.

Vaibhav ran a hand through his hair, exhaling in relief, though his heart was still racing.

Divya sat on the edge of Vaibhav’s bed, swinging her feet like a restless child, her eyes bright and unfocused. The room felt too small to contain her energy.

“Why are you standing so far away?” she complained, stretching her arms toward him. “Come here na… you’re my fiancé, not a stranger.”

Vaibhav stayed exactly where he was, arms crossed, trying to look calm even though panic was slowly creeping in. “I’m right here. And you are not in your senses right now.”

She pouted dramatically. “You always say that. You’re so boring sometimes.”

“I’ll take boring over reckless,” he muttered.

Divya suddenly stood up and walked toward him, stopping just inches away. She poked his cheek. “Why are you so serious? Smile. It’s Holi.”

He caught her hand mid-poke before she could do it again. “Divya, please sit down. You might fall.”

Instead of listening, she leaned her head against his shoulder, all her weight dropping onto him without warning. “See? I won’t fall. I have you.”

Vaibhav stiffened, unsure where to put his hands, then awkwardly steadied her so she wouldn’t lose balance. “This is exactly why I brought you here… to rest, not to torture me.”

She looked up at him with a lazy grin. “You love it.”

“I absolutely do not,” he said, though the corners of his mouth betrayed him.

A second later, she reached up and tried to ruffle his hair, smearing color across his forehead in the process. “Now you look cute.”

“Divya!” he protested, stepping back.

She laughed, clearly proud of herself, then plopped back onto the bed and lay down sideways, watching him like he was her personal entertainment.

“Sit here,” she ordered, patting the spot beside her.

“No.”Vaibhav said

“Please?” she tried again, softer this time.

He hesitated… then carefully sat on the very edge, as far as possible.

She immediately leaned toward him again, resting her head on his arm. “You’re warm,” she murmured.

Vaibhav stared at the wall, exhaling slowly, as if counting down the seconds until the effect wore off. “You are impossible.”

“Mmm… but you’re still going to marry me,” she replied sleepily.

That shut him up.

After a moment, her grip on his sleeve loosened, her breathing evening out as exhaustion finally overtook the mischief.

Vaibhav glanced down and realized she had fallen asleep, still holding onto him like she was afraid he might disappear.

His expression softened instantly.

Carefully, he adjusted a pillow under her head and draped a light blanket over her, brushing a strand of colored hair away from her face.

“Troublemaker,” he whispered, though there was nothing but affection in his voice.

Vaibhav stood near the door, running a hand through his hair as a troubling thought suddenly struck him.

If Divya drank bhang… then Ishani, Deeksha, Rahul, Deepak — they probably did too.

His chest tightened with worry.

Knowing those four together in that condition was basically an invitation for disaster.

He glanced back at Divya sleeping on the bed, then at the door again.

“I should check on them,” he murmured to himself.

He quietly reached for the handle, trying not to make any noise.

Behind him, the bedsheet rustled.

“Where are you going…?” Divya’s sleepy voice came out soft and accusing.

He froze.

Turning slowly, he saw her sitting up, hair messy, colors smudged across her cheeks, looking adorably dangerous.

“I’m just going to check on everyone,” he said gently. “You go back to sleep.”

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Liar. You’re trying to escape.”

“I’m not escaping,” he sighed. “I’m worried.”

Divya slid off the bed and walked straight toward him, stopping so close he had to step back automatically.

“You can’t go anywhere,” she declared, poking his chest. “I didn’t give you permission.”

He almost laughed despite the tension. “Oh really? Since when do I need permission?”

“Since you decided to marry me,” she replied proudly.

Before he could respond, she grabbed his collar and tugged him down slightly, her voice dropping into a teasing whisper. “Also… you still owe me a kiss.”

Vaibhav’s eyes widened. “Divya—”

She leaned closer, aiming straight for his cheek.

He reacted quickly, gently catching her shoulders and turning his face away at the last second so her attempt landed awkwardly near his jaw instead.

“Okay, that’s enough,” he said, half flustered, half helpless. “You are definitely not in control right now.”

She pouted again, still holding onto his shirt. “Why are you resisting so much? I’m your girlfriend, not some stranger.”

“Exactly,” he said softly. “That’s why.”

Her expression flickered with

confusion at his tone, but then she smiled again, stubborn as ever, tracing a finger absentmindedly over the color on his collar.

“You worry too much,” she murmured. “I just want you.”

Vaibhav closed his eyes for a second, taking a steady breath, trying to hold onto his patience.

When he opened them, his voice was gentler.

“And I want you safe and okay… not like this.”

For a moment, she simply stared at him, as if trying to understand something deeper than his words.

Then her grip loosened, and she leaned her forehead lightly against his chest, suddenly quieter.

He hesitated… then carefully rested a hand on her head, protective, conflicted, and still worried about everyone outside.

Caught between responsibility and the girl he loved clinging to him,

Vaibhav realized this Holi was going to be unforgettable for all the wrong and right reasons at the same time.

On the other side of the colony, the colors had turned into a blur of laughter and dizziness for Ishani and Rahul.

The bhang had begun to take full effect, leaving both of them light-headed and unusually carefree.

Ishani giggled for no reason at all, grabbing Rahul’s hand and pulling him along. “Come on… let’s color everyone!”

Rahul, just as dazed, nodded enthusiastically. “Yes… everyone deserves color today.”

They went from person to person, smearing gulal on cheeks, laughing uncontrollably at reactions that weren’t even that funny.

Every time their eyes met, they burst into laughter again, as if sharing some secret joke only they could understand.

Then they spotted an elderly priest standing near the temple gate, trying to stay out of the chaos.

Ishani gasped dramatically. “He doesn’t have color!”

Before Rahul could stop her, she ran forward and gently dabbed pink powder on the priest’s cheek.

Rahul followed, adding a streak of yellow.

The priest’s expression hardened instantly. “Arre! What is this? Who did this?” he scolded, clearly not amused.

Both of them froze.

Ishani slowly backed toward Rahul, clutching his arm like a frightened child. “Rahul… look, Panditji is scaring me with his eyes,” she whispered loudly.

Rahul straightened, suddenly protective despite his hazy state. He stepped slightly in front of her.

“Panditji,” he said with unexpected seriousness, “why are you scaring my Ishani? Don’t worry,” he added, turning to her with a soft smile, “I’m here. No one will scare you when I’m with you.”

Ishani’s face lit up instantly, her fear vanishing as quickly as it came. “Wow, Rahul… you’ll always stay with me?”

He nodded, his voice warm and certain in that dreamy moment. “Hmm… I’ll always be there, right beside you.”

She smiled at him, eyes shining with trust, while the priest, now more confused than angry, simply shook his head and walked away muttering.

holding his hand, Ishani looked toward the small temple at the corner of the colony, its bells faintly ringing above the music and laughter.

“Rahul… let’s go to the mandir,” she said suddenly, her voice soft but excited. “We should pray to God.”

Rahul nodded immediately, as if it were the most important idea in the world. “Hmm… yes, we should.”

Hand in hand, swaying slightly from the bhang, they climbed the temple steps.

The noise of Holi faded behind them, replaced by the quiet calm of incense and flickering diyas.

They stood before the idol, folding their hands clumsily.

Rahul squeezed his eyes shut and spoke loudly, with complete sincerity, “Bhagwan ji… please give me Ishani. I love her very much.”

Ishani’s eyes flew open. She turned to stare at him, shock washing over her dazed expression. “Rahul… you love me?”

He opened his eyes slowly, looking at her with wide, honest intensity that only someone without filters could have at that moment. “Hmm, Ishani… I love you a lot. Will you love me too?”

Her surprise melted into a soft, glowing smile, the kind that reached her eyes. “Hmm… Rahul, I love you a lot too.”

For a second, Rahul just stared at her, processing her words then his face lit up with pure, childlike happiness.

“Then… we should get married,” he said confidently.

Ishani blinked, tilting her head. “Why like that?”

“Because when a boy and a girl love each other, they get married,” he explained, as if stating a universal rule.

She thought very seriously for a long moment, brows slightly furrowed, trying to make sense of it through the haze.

“Ohh… okay,” she said finally, nodding. “Then we should get married too.”

Rahul grinned, completely satisfied. “Okay.”

They both turned back toward the idol, folding their hands again two slightly dizzy souls making the biggest decision of their lives with the innocent certainty of children.

The sacred fire burned steadily, its warm glow reflecting in their unfocused yet sincere eyes.

Rahul held Ishani’s hand more firmly now not just so he wouldn’t fall, but as if somewhere deep inside, he understood this moment mattered.

They began the seven rounds again, slower this time, their voices soft but filled with an innocent honesty that only comes when hearts speak without overthinking.

First Vow

Rahul swallowed, trying to steady his words.

“I promise… I will always stand with you… in good times and bad… even when things are hard.”

Ishani looked at him quietly, then nodded.

“I promise too… I will never leave your side… no matter what happens.”

Second Vow

Ishani spoke next, her voice gentle.

“I will care for you… and your happiness will always matter to me.”

Rahul smiled faintly.

“And I will protect you… and make sure you never feel alone.”

Third Vow

Rahul tightened his hold on her hand.

“I will respect you… your dreams… your choices… everything that makes you you.”

Ishani’s eyes softened.

“And I will respect you… and trust you… always.”

Fourth Vow

Ishani took a slow breath.

“I promise our home will be filled with warmth… kindness… and understanding.”

Rahul nodded.

“And I promise to build that home with you… brick by brick… with love.”

Fifth Vow

Rahul’s voice dropped to a whisper.

“I will share every joy… every sorrow… every burden with you.”

Ishani answered softly,

“And I will walk beside you… not ahead, not behind… always beside you.”

Sixth Vow

Ishani looked at their joined hands.

“I promise to be your strength when you are weak.”

Rahul replied,

“And I promise to be your shelter when you feel lost.”

Seventh Vow

They stopped before the fire, facing each other.

Rahul said quietly,

“In this life… and every life after… I choose you.”

Ishani’s lips trembled into a small smile.

“And I choose you… again and again… always.”

For a moment, neither spoke. The temple bells rang somewhere in the distance, as if blessing words they themselves barely understood but deeply meant.

Rahul gently filled her maang with red powder, his hand trembling not from intoxication this time, but from the strange weight in his chest.

Ishani closed her eyes, feeling the touch like a promise she couldn’t fully explain.

“Now you are… my…” he tried to remember the word.

“Wife?” she offered helpfully.

“Yes. Wife,” he said, relieved.

She touched her head, then frowned slightly. “But TV brides have a mangalsutra also…”

Rahul looked around like he might find one lying on the floor. Then he had an idea.

He removed his chain, struggled for a moment because his hands weren’t cooperating, and finally placed it around her neck.

Ishani closed her eyes, feeling the touch like a promise she couldn’t fully explain.

When she opened them again, she whispered softly, almost shyly,

“Now… I’m really yours, right?”

Rahul nodded, resting his forehead lightly against hers.

“Always,” he said.

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