Author pov..

Divya stepped out of the trial room, the rustle of the lehenga following her like a soft whisper.

She looked at Rani and Malini with hopeful eyes.

"How does it look?" she asked, gently holding the edge of the dupatta.

Malini's face lit up instantly. "It's beautiful," she said warmly.

Rani nodded with a proud smile. "You look stunning."

Rahul was sitting beside them, lost somewhere in his own thoughts, barely noticing the moment.

Divya turned to him, a shy curiosity in her voice.

"And you? How do I look?"

Rahul finally looked up, his gaze traveling from head to toe with deliberate slowness.

His expression remained unreadable.

"You look like a witch," he said flatly.

"Rahul!" Rani scolded immediately.

Divya shot him an angry glare, her eyes flashing with hurt and annoyance.

Rahul shrugged, then added lazily, "Hmm... you look nice."

Malini sighed, trying to smooth the awkwardness. "Alright, Divya, go change back into your clothes." She looked around. "And where is Vaibhav? I haven't seen him for so long."

"I don't know where he is," Divya replied, a hint of unease creeping into her voice.

"Okay, I'll call him. You go and change," Malini said gently.

Divya nodded and returned to the trial room. But as soon as she stepped inside, she froze.

Vaibhav was there.

He hadn't left.

Startled, she said quickly, "Malini aunty is calling you... and I need to change."

"Okay, then change," he replied casually, making no move to leave.

"Go outside," she insisted, flustered.

"Why? Can't you change in front of me?" he teased, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

Divya's cheeks burned with

embarrassment. "How shameless you've become! I was the one who drank bhang, not you, yet you're behaving like this."

Vaibhav laughed softly. Just then, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen Malini calling.

He answered, "Yes, Mom, I'm coming," and started toward the door.

As he was about to leave, Divya muttered under her breath, "What happened? Won't you watch me change now?"

Vaibhav paused, turned back, and smirked. "After marriage, I have to spend my whole life with you. I won't even let you wear clothes then."

He winked and walked out.

Divya stood there, utterly stunned, her heart pounding as his words echoed in her ears.

Divya returned after changing, her cheeks still faintly flushed.

Soon, she and Vaibhav began choosing rings together, stealing small glances at each other between decisions.

After that, they bought clothes for everyone, laughter and soft arguments filling the air like an unspoken promise of the future.

On their way back home, they stopped at a roadside stall and ate street food, sharing bites and smiles as if the world around them had faded away.

Elsewhere, Deeksha was still not fully conscious.

Pushpa looked at her with disappointment and muttered bitterly, "Like mother, like daughter.

First the mother lost herself in intoxication, and now the daughter has started too."

Deepak, however, was completely sober now but the clarity brought him no peace. He was in shock.

His mother handed him his phone silently.

Confused, he played the video on it... and felt the ground slip beneath his feet.

In the video, Deeksha, lost in intoxication, was confessing her love for Rahul saying she loved him.

In her haze, she had mistaken Deepak for Rahul... and kissed him. And he, equally unaware in that state, had kissed her back.

A cold fear settled inside him.

If I hadn't lost consciousness... who knows what we might have done in that condition?

The thought made his chest tighten with dread.

Shame, confusion, and guilt tangled inside him until he could barely breathe.

He didn't know how he would ever face Deeksha again... how he would look into her eyes without remembering that moment.

Rahul remembered nothing of what had happened on Holi. The day existed in his mind like a blank page.

He threw himself into the preparations for the engagement, skipping college entirely, trying to stay busy yet a quiet worry lingered within him.

He kept thinking about Ishani, wondering if the effect of bhang had worn off for her yet.

Ishani, too, had finally come back to her senses.

The haze had lifted, her mind clear again but it brought no answers.

She remembered nothing. Not a single moment of what had happened that day.

Again and again, her fingers went to the chain around her neck.

She stood before the mirror, staring at it in confusion, turning it slightly as if it might reveal the truth.

How did this get here?

She tried to force her memory back, tried to recall even a fragment of that day the colors, the laughter, the chaos but her mind remained stubbornly empty.

All she knew was that something had happened on Holi... something important enough to leave a mark she could see, but not remember.

And that frightened her more than the memory itself would have.

Rahul went to Deepak's house to give him the engagement invitation.

When Deepak came in front of him, their eyes met for a brief second and then Deepak quickly looked away, avoiding his gaze.

Rahul noticed it immediately. Something was wrong.

But with Deepak's mother standing right there, he chose not to ask any questions.

Now only one invitation was left Deeksha's.

After the incident with Raj thakur, Rahul's family and Deeksha's family no longer spoke to each other.

The silence between the two houses had grown heavy and stubborn.

Rahul tried calling her again and again, wanting to invite her personally, but her phone wasn't connecting.

He couldn't go to Thakur Haveli either.

For a moment, he thought of asking Deepak to go to his place and give her the invitation.

But when he mentioned it on the phone, Deepak refused immediately.

"I'm not going to Thakur Haveli," he said stiffly. "I've told Mom she'll tell Deeksha."

Rahul fell silent for a second, disappointment settling quietly inside him.

"Okay... fine then," he said at last, though it didn't feel fine at all.

He lowered the phone slowly, staring at the invitation card in his hand the one meant for her feeling an odd emptiness he couldn't quite explain.

On the other hand, both Divya and Vaibhav were growing increasingly nervous as the day of their engagement drew closer.

The excitement was there, but so was a quiet, trembling anxiety neither of them could fully express.

Divya missed Ishani the most. She needed her someone who would listen to her fears, calm her racing thoughts.

When she finally heard that Ishani was better now, fully conscious and back to herself, Divya immediately decided to go to the Awasthi house.

But Rani stopped her gently.

"Soon you'll be the daughter-in-law of that house," she said softly. "It's not considered the right to go there like this before the wedding. After marriage, you can go whenever you want."

Divya's heart sank. The excitement she had felt a moment ago faded into quiet disappointment.

So instead, she called Ishani and asked her to come over.

Ishani arrived with her usual bright smile, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Divya.

"Wow... my future bhabhi looks so beautiful!" she teased warmly.

Divya made a face, clutching her dupatta nervously. "What beautiful?

I'm feeling so anxious... so nervous."

"Nervous about what?"

Ishani laughed lightly. "You know Vaibhav bhaiya well. And your sasural and mayka will both be so close to each other. What's the problem then?"

Divya hesitated, searching for an excuse for the storm inside her. "Nothing... maybe it's just my periods. My mind feels all over the place."

Ishani nodded knowingly. "That could be it. By the way... do you remember anything from Holi?"

Divya's expression turned blank. She shook her head slowly.

"No... my mind is completely empty. I even asked Vaibhav, but he said nothing happened everything was normal."

Ishani went quiet for a moment.

"Oh... okay," she said softly, though a faint uneasiness flickered in her eyes as if felt that something important had been lost in the silence of that forgotten day.

Ishani turned to Divya with a gentle smile. "Okay, I should leave now. There's some work waiting at home. If you need anything, just tell me."

Divya nodded. "Okay."

Ishani stepped out of Divya's room and walked into the courtyard.

The afternoon air was still, carrying a quiet calm until.

Rahul's voice suddenly tore through it."Ishani, careful! There's water-"

But before his warning could reach her, her foot slipped. The world lured for a split second.

Just as she was about to fall, a firm arm caught her.

Rahul.

One of his hands held her by the shoulder, the other instinctively around her waist, steadying her as if he wouldn't let the earth claim her.

Ishani's eyes widened in shock when she realized she hadn't fallen. Then her gaze lifted... and met his.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Rahul wasn't looking at her face his eyes were fixed on the chain around her neck, as though it carried a memory he couldn't quite grasp.

Something about it felt hauntingly familiar.

"Rahul... help me stand," Ishani said softly.

He blinked, as if waking from a trance, and gently helped her upright. "Are you okay?"

She gave a small, reassuring smile. "I'm fine. Thank you for saving me... otherwise it would've been a huge problem," she added with a light laugh.

Rahul smiled too, relief flickering in his eyes.

"And... all the engagement preparations are done?" she asked casually, trying to steady her own racing heart.

"Hm, yes. They're done," he replied.

"Good. I should go home now then."

As she turned.

Rahul asked, "How are you feeling now? You had bhang that day too, right?"

"I'm okay now," she said. Then, hesitating, she looked back at him. "By the way... did anything happen on Holi that day?"

Rahul frowned slightly. "I don't remember myself. I had bhang too."

"Oh... okay," Ishani murmured, a strange mix of relief and disappointment passing through her eyes. "I'll go then. There's still a lot of preparation left at home."

"Hm," Rahul nodded.

And with that, she walked away leaving behind the faint echo of an almost-moment, and questions neither of them yet remembered the answers to.

By the next day, everything was ready at the guest house.

Decorations shimmered under the soft lights, and the air carried the excitement of an occasion everyone had been waiting for.

Ishani had taken Divya to the beauty parlour the two of them would get ready there together, sharing nervous smiles and whispered thoughts between the brushes and mirrors.

Back at the guest house, Rahul and Deepak were busy overseeing the final arrangements, making sure nothing was out of place.

Rahul suddenly asked, "Aunty told Deeksha to come too, right? I didn't call her... I was busy."

At the mention of Deeksha's name,

Deepak paused for a second, then nodded. "Hmm... Mom told her."

"Okay," Rahul said, turning back to the preparations.

Just then, Vaibhav arrived, already dressed for the occasion.

He wore a perfectly tailored black coat and pants, looking every bit the groom-to-be.

Yet beneath that composed appearance, a quiet nervousness lingered in his eyes.

Today was the biggest day of his life his engagement... to Divya. Even now, it felt unreal, like a dream he was afraid to wake up from.

Malini hurried toward him, her face slightly tense. "Vaibhav, where is the ring, beta? I can't find it anywhere."

He frowned. "Mom, I kept it on the plate right there."

"It's not there," she said, worry creeping into her voice.

"What?" Vaibhav rushed to the table where the items were arranged and began searching frantically.

The ring was nowhere to be found. Panic flickered between mother and son.

Rahul walked over. "What happened, Aunty?"

"I kept the ring here... it's missing. And the engagement is about to start," Malini said anxiously.

"It must be somewhere nearby," Rahul tried to reassure.

"Wait, Mom," Vaibhav said quickly. "I'll go home and bring it. It must be there."

Malini stopped him at once. "Where are you going? You're the groom. Everyone is here to meet you if they don't see you, they'll start asking questions. No... I'll send Ishani. She'll find it and bring it."

Vaibhav hesitated. "How will Ishani go alone?"

"I'll go with her," Rahul spoke up immediately. "We'll find it."

Malini nodded, relieved. "Yes, that's better.Rahul, take this here's the house key. Go with Ishani."

Rahul closed his fingers around the key. "Hmm... okay."

Rahul walked toward the room where Divya and Ishani were getting ready.

As he stepped inside, his eyes fell on Ishani and for a moment, he forgot why he had come at all.

She was wearing a black saree, the soft fabric draping around her like midnight itself.

Her long hair was left open, flowing down to her waist in dark waves.

There was something quietly breathtaking about her, something that made the noise of the world fade into silence.

Divya noticed his stillness and frowned slightly. "What happened? Why are you here... and where did you get lost?"

Rahul blinked, pulling himself back to reality. "Ishani... I needed to talk to you."

Ishani looked at him, concerned. "What happened?"

"Can you come outside for a moment?" he asked.

She nodded and stepped out with him into the corridor. "Now tell me, what is it?"

Rahul hesitated before saying, "Malini Aunty... I think she forgot Divya didi's ring at home. She asked if you could come with me to find it."

Ishani's eyes widened in shock. "Forgot it? How could that happen? Wait if I tell Divya right now, she'll panic."

"Then don't tell her," Rahul said gently. "Just come quietly."

"But if I leave without saying anything, she'll get worried," Ishani replied.

Rahul thought for a second. "Tell her we forgot some pooja items and we're going to get them."

Ishani nodded slowly. "Okay... wait here. I'll tell her."

She went back inside and told Divya, who said, "Come back quickly."

"I will," Ishani assured her with a small smile.

When she returned, Rahul asked softly, "Shall we go?"

"Hm," she nodded.

They walked out together and got on his bike Rahul in front, Ishani sitting beside him.

As the engine started and the guest house faded.

The road stretched ahead in a soft blur of fading sunlight and rising evening lamps.

The wind played with Ishani's loose hair as the bike sped forward, the quiet between them oddly comforting.

Out of nowhere, a sudden speed breaker appeared.

Rahul slammed the brakes.

The bike jolted sharply.

Ishani was thrown forward but instead of panic, her hands instantly wrapped tightly around his waist, gripping him with full force.

Her cheek almost brushed his shoulder as she steadied herself against him, holding on as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

She didn't pull away.

She didn't even seem embarrassed.

But Rahul-

Rahul forgot how to breathe.

Her arms were locked around him, her touch firm, warm, impossibly close.

His heartbeat went wild, hands tightening on the handle as he tried to focus on the road ahead.

Every nerve in his body felt alive, painfully aware of her hold, her presence, her nearness.

"I... Ishani..." he stammered under his breath, his voice barely steady.

"Hm?" she replied softly, still holding him just as tightly, as if nothing unusual had happened at all.

"You... you can let go. It's fine now," he managed to say, though a part of him didn't want her to.

"Oh," she said simply yet her grip loosened only slightly, her hands still resting around his waist.

Rahul swallowed hard and started the bike again, but now his condition was far worse than before.

His mind was no longer on the road.

It was on the warmth still lingering where her hands had been, on the quiet comfort of her closeness.

Behind him, Ishani sat calmly, unaware or perhaps not entirely unaware of the storm she had just created inside him.

They arrived home and hopped off the bike. Ishani suddenly froze,

"Wait a minute... I forgot the house keys!"

Rahul just flashed a smile. "Don't worry, I've got them," he said, pulling the keys from his pocket and handing them over.

Ishani took them and hurried inside, heading straight for Vaibhav's room.

She scanned every corner, but the ring was nowhere to be found.

"Did you find it?" Rahul called out.

"No!" she replied, frustrated, as she moved to Malini's room. Still nothing.

"Try checking the prayer room," Rahul suggested.

Ishani nodded and headed toward the Pooja room.

Her face lit up there it was.

Clutching the ring, she turned to run back to him, a triumphant smile on her face.

She was just about to shout, "I found it!" when her foot caught in the pleats of her saree.

Time seemed to slow down.

She tripped forward, crashing right into Rahul. With a heavy thud, he hit the floor, and Ishani landed squarely on top of him.

Ishani was pinned against him, her weight pressing into his chest.

Rahul winced, his eyes snapping shut as a sharp, throbbing pain shot through the back of his head from the impact with the floor.

"Rahul! Are you okay?" Ishani's voice was laced with panic. "I'm so sorry... I don't know how, my foot just got caught in my saree and I lost balance. Are you hurt?"

Slowly, Rahul forced his eyes open.

The pain was there, but as his vision cleared, he saw Ishani so close that he could feel her breath on his face.

In that moment, the world outside ceased to exist.

His heart began to hammer against his ribs, racing so fast he thought it might actually explode.

He stared into her eyes, the throbbing in his head fading into the background, replaced by the sheer intoxication of her presence.

Suddenly, Ishani's expression shifted from worry to pure shock. "Rahul... you're bleeding!"

The sight of red staining the floor snapped her into action. She scrambled up, frantic, and helped him sit up.

Rahul, however, was still dazed not from the fall, but from the spell she had cast over him.

He watched her, lost in a blur of emotion, barely registering her words.

"Wait right here," she said, her voice trembling as she looked at the wound. "Don't move. I'm going to get the Dettol and something to bandage this."

Ishani rushed back, her hands trembling slightly as she held the first-aid kit. "This might sting a bit, Rahul," she warned, her voice soft with concern.

As she began to dab the Dettol on his wound, Rahul's gaze was fixed entirely on her.

He watched her face the way her brows furrowed in worry, the way she gently blew on the cut to ease his pain.

A strange sense of warmth filled him it felt good to see Ishani so affected, so deeply worried for him.

But then, his eyes caught a glimmer of gold.

His breath hitched as his gaze settled on the chain around her neck.

While Ishani carefully applied the medicine, she looked up into his eyes.

"Does it hurt a lot? Should we go to the doctor?" she asked, her voice filled with anxiety.

Rahul didn't answer her question. Instead, he asked in a low, curious tone, "Ishani... this chain. Is it yours?"

Ishani paused, her hand going up to touch the cold metal against her skin.

She looked at the chain, then back at Rahul, a confused expression on her face. "No, it's not mine. To be honest, I have no idea how it ended up around my neck. It's been there ever since Holi."

Rahul stared at her, a jolt of recognition hitting him. He knew that chain it was his.

He recognized every link, every detail. Yet, he didn't say a word.

He couldn't understand it himself how had his own chain found its way to her?

"Do you know who this belongs to?" Ishani asked, seeing the look in his eyes.

Rahul looked away for a split second, hiding his thoughts. "No," he lied quietly. "I have no idea."

"Oh, okay," Ishani murmured, turning her attention back to his wound, unaware of the secret he was now keeping.

I'm fine now," Rahul said, standing up and dusting himself off. "Let's head back to the guest house. Everyone must be waiting for us."

Ishani nodded, and after locking up the house, they made their way back.

Over at the guest house, the atmosphere was electric.

Deeksha had arrived, looking radiant in a stunning kurti for the engagement.

For some reason, Deepak couldn't take his eyes off her; it was as if he was seeing her beauty for the first time.

Every time she moved, his gaze followed.

However, whenever Deeksha tried to approach him, he would quickly make an excuse.

"I... I have some work to finish. I'll be right back," he'd mutter before scurrying away.

Deeksha was left bewildered. What is wrong with him today? she wondered. Why is he suddenly avoiding my gaze?

Finally, everything was ready.

Ishani handed over the ring, and a wave of relief and joy washed over Vaibhav's face.

With the ring secured, Ishani hurried to the room to fetch Divya.

The moment Divya saw Ishani, she let out a long breath of relief. "What took you so long?" she asked, her nerves showing.

Ishani smiled warmly. "The task is done. Now, shall we take the bride-to-be for her engagement?"

Divya offered a shy smile and nodded. "Yes, let's go."

As Ishani led her toward the stage, a hush fell over the room. Everyone stood awestruck by Divya's beauty.

But Vaibhav was in a world of his own he stared at her as if she were the only person in the room, his eyes fixed on her face.

Seeing this, Deepak couldn't resist teasing him. "Ease up a bit, Bhaiya! At this rate, you'll give Didi the 'evil eye' yourself!"

The room erupted in laughter.

Vaibhav's face turned a deep shade of crimson, looking completely embarrassed as the tension broke.

"Alright, Vaibhav Bhaiya," Ishani said with a playful glint in her eyes. "Time to put the ring on her."

Before she could even finish, Divya practically thrust her hand forward, eager and ready.

A wave of nervous energy washed over Vaibhav; his hands trembled slightly as he reached out.

He gently took her hand in his, and as the gold band slid onto her finger, the room erupted in a thunderous round of applause.

Rahul grinned, ready to tease his sister. "Now, Didi, it's your turn to-"

"Give me your hand!" Divya interrupted him instantly, reaching for Vaibhav's hand without a second delay.

The guests burst into laughter at her sheer eagerness. Near the back of the room.

Rani leaned toward Devnath with a mock sigh. "This girl... she'll always be a bit of a jhalli, won't she?Devnath couldn't help but chuckle at his wife's remark.

Vaibhav, wearing a broad smile, extended his hand, and Divya slipped the ring onto his finger with a triumphant look.

More clapping followed, filling the air with joy.

"Well, Vaibhav Bhaiya," Rahul chirped, leaning in with a mischievous grin. "We are officially handing over the 'household trash' to you now. Good luck!"

The people laught for a split second before Devnath's voice boomed, "Rahul! What on earth are you saying?"

Rahul jumped slightly, his bravado vanishing. "Papa, I was just joking!" he said quickly, flashing a nervous, toothy grin to appease his father.

Divya shot him a sharp, warning glare that said 'You're going to pay for that later,' while Vaibhav just laughed, thoroughly enjoying the chaos of his new family.

Okay, okay! Time for pictures!" Deepak announced, waving the group together.

The stage swarmed with relatives, but

Ishani quickly took charge. "Wait, let's get one with just the six of us first," she suggested. Divya beamed, pulling her closer. "Yes, definitely!"

Deeksha stood at a distance, watching the laughter with a soft smile.

She felt a bit like an outsider until Rahul spotted her. "Deeksha! Come on, get in here for the photo!"

She walked toward them, her heart fluttering slightly.

She had hoped to stand next to Rahul, but before she could reach him, he had already moved to the other side to stand beside Ishani.

Feeling a bit misplaced, she instinctively moved toward Deepak.

Deepak watched her approach, and his pulse began to race. A strange, unfamiliar nervousness washed over him.

What is wrong with me? he wondered frantically. She's just Deeksha. She's my friend.

Just a week ago, we were at each other's throats, fighting over everything. Why is my brain acting like this now?

As she reached him, Deeksha nudged him gently. "Move over a bit that way," she murmured.

Without a single word of protest which was unlike him Deepak immediately shifted to the side to make room for her.

Deeksha blinked in surprise, looking at him curiously.

"Wow," she whispered, a playful glint in her eyes. "You actually didn't start a fight with me today. That's the first."

Deepak caught himself.

He realized she was right the usual witty comeback was nowhere to be found.

He was too lost in his own thoughts to even argue.

"Everyone, look over here! Big smiles!" the photographer shouted.

The six of them crowded together

Vaibhav and Divya in the center,

Rahul and Ishani on one side, and

Deepak and Deeksha on the other.

The camera flashed, capturing a moment where everything seemed perfect, even if some of them were still trying to figure out what their hearts were telling them.

After the group photos were done,

Ishani stepped into the center of the stage, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Alright everyone, it's time! Let's have a couple dance for the stars of the evening Divya and Vaibhav Bhaiya!"

The crowd erupted instantly. Cheers, whistles, and rhythmic clapping filled the hall as everyone began hooting for the couple.

The music started a soft, soulful melody that seemed to wrap around the room like a warm embrace.

Vaibhav stood there, frozen for a second.

He was never one for the spotlight, and the sudden attention made his nerves kick in. Sensing his hesitation, Divya didn't wait.

With a confident, graceful smile, she stepped toward him and gently placed her hand on his shoulder.

The touch acted like an anchor for him.

Taking a deep breath, Vaibhav reached out and rested his hand firmly on her waist.

They began to move, their steps finding a slow, rhythmic harmony.

The world around them the cheering relatives, the flashing cameras, the loud music seemed to fade into a blur.

They weren't dancing for the crowd anymore they were dancing for each other.

As they swayed, their eyes locked, and they became completely lost in the moment.

In that silent gaze, a thousand unspoken promises were made, and for a few minutes, the rest of the world simply ceased to exist.

While Divya and Vaibhav moved to the music, Deepak stood frozen.

The cheers and the loud music seemed to fade into a dull hum as his entire world narrowed down to one person: Deeksha.

He couldn't take his eyes off her. It was as if he were seeing her through a completely new lens tonight.

He watched the way her lips curved into a genuine smile as she cheered for the couple, and how her eyes sparkled with a warmth he had never noticed before.

Every little thing about her the way she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, the animated way she spoke to the guests, even the slight tilt of her head when she laughed mesmerized him.

Usually, he had a witty remark or a

sarcastic comeback ready for her, but now, his mind was a blank slate.

He found himself admiring the softness of her face under the amber lights.

She looked breathtakingly beautiful, but it wasn't just her kurti or her jewelry it was the way she carried herself.

Deepak felt a strange, tightening sensation in his chest.

He had spent months bickering with this girl, treating her like just another friend to tease, but tonight, every time she moved, his heart skipped a beat.

He was captivated by the grace in her gestures and the melody in her voice.

For the first time, he wasn't looking for a reason to argue he was simply looking for a reason to keep watching her forever.

The music faded into silence, but Divya and Vaibhav kept looking at each other as if the world around them had disappeared.

Watching them, Ishani laughed softly and said, "Okay, you two, don't stare at each other so much now. You have a whole lifetime to spend together then you can keep staring."

Vaibhav, embarrassed, quickly looked away, glancing anywhere but at Divya, while Divya shot Ishani an annoyed glare that only made Ishani laugh more.

After a moment, Divya sighed and said, "I'm hungry. I haven't eaten anything since morning."

Ishani's expression instantly changed to concern.

"Oh God, I didn't feed you anything all day. Wait, I'll bring something." As she turned to go,

Divya added, "Bring some for Vaibhav too."

Vaibhav shook his head. "No, just one plate. We'll share."

Divya frowned. "No, I'm really hungry. Order one for yourself."

"Okay," he gave in, smiling, "Ishani, brought two plates."

Ishani nodded and left.

Just then, Deeksha walked in with a teasing grin. "Congratulations, my favorite couple."

Vaibhav smirked. "So, your intoxication finally wore off?"

She smiled innocently. "Yes, bhaiya."

He laughed. "You five made my life miserable on Holi. Only I know how I tolerate all of you."

Divya raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so you 'tolerate' me too, Vaibhav?"

He immediately panicked. "No, Divya, that's not what I meant-"

Deeksha jumped in dramatically, "No, Divya di, that's exactly what he meant. He's lying," and ran off laughing, leaving Vaibhav trapped.

Divya crossed her arms, glaring at him, her eyes flashing with mock anger.

Vaibhav stepped closer, his voice soft and sincere now. "I was joking. I could never 'tolerate' you, Divya... I was talking about the other four. You..." - he paused, meeting her eyes again - "you're different. You're special."

"Divya..." His voice was low, gentle, almost like a confession. "Today... you became mine. And instead of celebrating that, I made you upset. I'm really stupid, aren't I?"

He came closer, standing just behind her. "Do you know what I felt when I put that ring on your finger?" he continued, his voice trembling with emotion. "It felt like my whole life finally found its place... like every chaos inside me suddenly became calm... because you were there."

Her eyes closed for a second, trying to hold onto her anger, but his words were slipping through all her defenses.

"You talk too much," she whispered.

"Only when it's about you," he smiled faintly. "Because I don't want a single misunderstanding to steal even one moment from us... not today... not on the day you said yes to me."

Her gaze dropped to their hands, then back to his face. "You really mean all this?"

Vaibhav gently took her hand, careful, reverent, as if it were something precious. His thumb brushed lightly over the ring.

"I waited for this day without even

knowing I was waiting," he said. "And now that you're finally mine... I just want you to smile. That's all I want for the rest of my life."

Her lips curved into a shy, uncontrollable smile.

"Fine," she murmured, her voice softer than before, "I forgive you... fiancé."

The word made his breath hitch. He laughed quietly, relief and happiness mixing in his eyes.

"Say it again," he whispered.

She looked at him, blushing now."No."

He leaned a little closer, his voice playful but tender. "Please... I think I could live on that one word forever."

She took a tiny breath, then said it again very softly, almost like a secret meant only for him.

"Fiancé..."

Then his face lit up in the most boyish, helpless smile.

"Say it once more," he whispered, stepping closer, his eyes shining. "I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing that from you."

Divya looked up at him, shy but teasing now. "Don't get used to it... fiancé."

He laughed under his breath, happiness spilling out of him in a way he couldn't hide. "You have no idea what that does to me," he said softly. "It makes everything feel... real. Like you're not a dream I'll wake up from

Just then, Ishani walked in carrying the food, the warm aroma filling the room and quietly breaking the soft moment that had wrapped itself around them.

She looked at the two of them standing there, still lost in their own little world, and a knowing smile touched her lips.

"Here," she said gently, placing the plates in front of them, "this is for both of you. Eat before it gets cold... I'll be back."

Without waiting for an answer, she turned and walked out, leaving them alone again.

Deepak noticed Deeksha walking toward him from across the room, her eyes searching for his as if she had been looking for him for a while.

The moment their gazes almost met, something shifted in his expression a flash of panic, of hesitation, of something he didn't want her to see.

Before she could reach him, he turned away abruptly and started walking in the opposite direction, pretending not to notice her.

"Deepak... Deepak, wait!" she called, quickening her steps to catch up.

He stopped for a brief second, his back still to her, as if debating whether to face her or keep running.

Finally he said, without turning around,

"Deeeksha... I have some work," his voice is tight and distant. And then he walked away, leaving her standing there with a confusion that

slowly turned into worry.

She watched him disappear into the crowd, a strange heaviness settling in her chest.

Something was wrong she could feel it.

Unable to shake the feeling, she went to Rahul. "What's wrong with Deepak?" she asked quietly. "He just walked away from me like I was a stranger."

Rahul frowned, glancing toward the direction Deepak had gone. "I noticed it too... he's been acting different today. Like he's hiding something."

Deeksha wrapped her arms around herself, her brows knitting together. "I don't know what he could be hiding... but it doesn't feel right."

Rahul gave her a small, reassuring smile. "Don't worry. Whatever it is, we'll find out soon. Truth has a way of coming out."

She nodded slowly, trying to push away the uneasy feeling.

After a moment, she forced a faint smile and looked at him instead, as if choosing distraction over worry.

"By the way, Rahul," she said, her tone turning playful, "you're looking really nice today... in this kurta-pajama."

Rahul smiled warmly, his eyes softening as he looked at her. "Thank you... you look really beautiful too, Deeksha."

For a moment, she forgot the worry that had been clouding her mind.

A quiet happiness spread across her face, lighting up her eyes in a way that made her look even more radiant.

She tried to hide her smile, lowering her gaze shyly, but it lingered anyway gentle, uncontrollable, and full of a warmth she couldn't quite explain.



Ishani ❤️🙌



Rahul ❤️🤌



Divya ☺️🙌



Vaibhav 😍🙌



Deekaha ❤️🤌



Deepak ❤️🤌

Rahul was about to say something when Rani called him from across the hall, asking him to come and speak with a few important guests.

He gave Deeksha a quick, apologetic smile before walking away, instantly slipping into the role everyone expected from him polite, responsible, attentive.

Deeksha watched him from a distance, her eyes following him no matter where he moved.

The way he smiled, the way he listened patiently to every elder, the way he belonged so naturally to that world it made her heart ache in the softest way.

She loved him... quietly, deeply, without ever saying it aloud.

But to Rahul, she was simply his best friend someone he was comfortable with, someone he trusted, someone he never imagined losing... yet never thought of as more.

She lowered her gaze, forcing a small smile as if nothing inside her was breaking.

Soon the night began to settle. One by one, the guests finished dinner and left.

Deeksha and Deepak also ate in silence, the clinking of plates filling the spaces where conversations

should have been.

Afterward, she went to Rani. "Aunty, I should leave now... it's getting late."

Rani cupped her cheek affectionately. "Okay, beta. Go safely. And now you have to come for everything haldi, mehendi, shadi all of it. You're part of the family."

Deeksha nodded with a gentle smile. "Yes, aunty... I will."

They were all staying at the guest house for the function, and now it was finally time to return to their own homes.

As everyone began gathering their things, the lively place slowly emptied, laughter fading into tired goodnights.

Outside, Deeksha walked toward her car.

For a brief second, she looked back not at the building, not at the lights, but at Rahul, who was still busy talking to someone, unaware of her silent goodbye.

She whispered under her breath, almost like a secret meant only for herself, "Goodnight, best friend..."

Then she got into her car and drove away, carrying her love with her unspoken, unnoticed, but still painfully alive.

Behind her, the guest house lights dimmed as the families finally left for their homes, while somewhere inside,

Rahul laughed at something someone said, not knowing that he had just been the reason someone's heart felt both full and empty at the same time.

Everyone was so exhausted that the moment they reached home, they drifted into deep, dreamless sleep without even realizing it.

The night passed in heavy silence, as if the entire world had paused to let them rest after the long, emotional days.

Morning came slowly. One by one, they woke up, still weighed down by fatigue, their bodies reluctant to leave the comfort of their beds.

The house was scattered with signs of the previous days clothes carelessly placed, half-opened bags, decorations yet to be put away quiet reminders of how much had happened.

But life, as always, refused to wait.

Rahul had to go to college.

He hadn't attended for many days, and responsibilities were calling him back to routine whether he was ready or not.

Meanwhile, Ishani, Vaibhav, Deepak, and Deeksha were also getting ready for college, moving sluggishly, stifling yawns, their eyes still heavy with sleep.

Yet beneath the tiredness, there was an unspoken anticipation of the feeling that after everything that had changed, stepping back into ordinary days would no longer feel quite the same.

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