Author pov..

Divya and Ishani kept stealing glances at Rahul and Deeksha, their eyes quietly observing the unspoken tension and emotions passing between the two.

Meanwhile, Dadi sat nearby, gently narrating the timeless tale of Radha and Krishna, her voice calm and filled with devotion.

She had begun the story because one of Rahul’s cousins had innocently asked her a question that lingered in the air  “Dadi, when Lord Krishna was married to Rukmini, why do people still worship Radha and Krishna together?”

“Radha and Krishna’s love…” she said softly, “was not an ordinary love. It was devotion pure, selfless, and eternal.”

The younger ones leaned closer. Even Divya and Ishani stopped whispering and looked at her.

“When Krishna lived in Vrindavan,” Dadi continued, “Radha was not just someone he loved… she was his soul. They laughed together, played together, and in every flute melody Krishna played, Radha heard her name. Their love had no conditions, no expectations only belonging.”

“But love does not always mean staying together,” she whispered. “One day, Krishna had to leave Vrindavan for Mathura. It was his duty… his destiny. Radha did not stop him. She did not cry in front of him, did not hold his hand and begged him to stay. Because her love was not selfish.”

A heavy silence filled the room.

“She let him go,” Dadi said, her voice trembling slightly, “because true love sometimes means separation. Krishna left… but he never truly left her heart. And Radha… she lived her whole life with his name in every breath.”

Someone sniffed quietly.

“That is why,” Dadi smiled faintly, “people worship Radha and Krishna together. Because their love was beyond marriage, beyond society… it was the union of two souls. Even separation could not break it.”

Deeksha, still restless with questions, spoke again in a soft, uncertain voice,

“Dadi… but Radha and Krishna were married to different people later, right? Then how could they still be connected to each other?”

Dadi looked at her with calm affection, her eyes reflecting a wisdom that felt older than time itself.

“People only see what happened later, beta,” she said gently. “But before all those marriages… Radha and Krishna had already become one.”

Everyone grew still.

“It is believed that God himself united them,” Dadi continued, her voice low and sacred. “Not before society, not with grand rituals but in the presence of the divine. The universe was their witness. Their souls were tied together long before the world could separate them.”

She paused, then added softly,

“And yes… Radha was older than Krishna. But true love does not measure age. Her heart recognized him, protected him, understood him in ways no one else could.”

Deeksha listened, completely absorbed.

“That is why,” Dadi said, “even when destiny gave them different lives and different marriages, their bond never broke. Because what God joins at the level of the soul… no one can truly separate.”

A deep silence settled in the room.

At that moment, Rahul slowly turned his head and looked at Ishani.

She wasn’t looking at him.

Her eyes were lowered, lost somewhere in her own thoughts, unaware of his gaze resting quietly on her face.

Rahul kept watching her for a long second as if hoping she would look up, as if searching for something he couldn’t put into words.

But she never did.

Deeksha sat quietly among everyone, but her mind was far away. The voices around her blurred into a soft hum as one thought kept circling in her heart  Rahul.

Will Rahul ever love me… the way I love him?

Will there ever come a day when he looks at me and feels the same?

Her eyes lowered, fingers nervously twisting the edge of her dupatta, lost in a world where every dream had his name written on it.

From a short distance, Deepak kept watching her silently.

His eyes were steady, filled with a quiet, unspoken affection the kind that asks for nothing, expects nothing, yet refuses to fade.

He could see she wasn’t really there, that her thoughts belonged to someone else.

Still, he didn’t look away.

Just then, Vaibhav arrived.

Divya noticed him first.

Her face lit up instantly, and she nudged Ishani with an excited smile. “Vaibhav is here,” she whispered.

But Ishani was lost in her own thoughts, her mind drifting back to Abhay again and again.

It took her a moment to return to the present.

When she finally looked up and saw her brother, she forced a bright smile and walked toward him.

“Bhaiya, come on,” she said playfully, trying to sound cheerful. “Now you’ll finally get some time to spend with your bride. You both have to rehearse for the dance too.”

Vaibhav chuckled softly, his eyes warm.

Then his gaze shifted to Nirmala Dadi sitting nearby.

“Dadi, when did she come?” he asked with surprise.

“Just a little while ago,” Ishani replied before Dadi could speak. “And since then, she’s been telling stories to everyone.”

Vaibhav laughed, shaking his head fondly. He walked forward and bent down to touch Nirmala Dadi’s feet.

She adjusted her glasses, looked at him closely, and her face broke into a loving smile. “Arre, my dear son-in-law has arrived,” she teased, cupping his face in her hands. “At last, your love has won… now the two of you are finally getting married.”

Vaibhav’s smile softened with emotion. “Dadi, if you had been here earlier, you would have handled everything. After all, you were the first one to find out about us.”

Dadi immediately hushed him, glancing around dramatically. “Quiet! If my daughter-in-law hears this, she’ll scold me for encouraging such things at my age.”

Divya couldn’t help smiling at their banter, her eyes shining.

Ishani clapped her hands lightly to gather everyone’s attention. “Alright, enough talking. We have rehearsal to do. Everyone chooses your dance partners!”

The room buzzed with chatter and excitement as everyone paired up.

Deepak had already taken Ishani’s hand, and Vaibhav was laughing with Divya as they found their spots.

That left only Rahul and Deeksha standing awkwardly in the middle.

Rahul crossed his arms, pretending to look uninterested, though his eyes kept flicking toward her.

Deeksha tugged nervously at the edge of her dupatta, trying not to smile at how stubbornly calm he was acting.

“Fine,” she said finally, her tone sharp but playful, “if you don’t want to be my partner, I’ll just… wait for someone else!”

Rahul’s eyebrows shot up. “Someone else? Are you serious? You think anyone else would even want to dance with you?“See, Deepak went to Ishani because he knew it would be difficult to dance with you.”

Deeksha’s lips curled into a teasing

smirk. “Excuse me! At least I care about how we do things. Unlike you, who just… walks around doing whatever and thinks it’s okay!”

“I care too!” Rahul shot back, a mix of frustration and something softer hidden behind his words. “I just don’t care about… your perfection stuff all the time. I can’t follow every little rule you set!”

Deeksha placed her hands firmly on her hips, wagging a finger at him. “Rules? Rules? I’m not making rules! I just… want us to do it right. Unlike you, who just… acts like everything

will magically be fine!”

Rahul groaned, running a hand through his hair. “You’re impossible!”

“Am not!” Deeksha said, stepping closer. “You just… don’t understand anything!”

For a moment, they stared at each other, chests tightening, hearts beating faster.

The music started, filling the room with a lively, rhythmic beat. Rahul and Deeksha moved to the center, standing face to face.

As they began, their steps were slightly off, and every time one of them missed a move, they couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hey! Watch your step!” Deeksha teased, nudging him with her shoulder.

“I am watching!” Rahul shot back, a grin tugging at his lips. “Maybe you need to focus too!”

Their laughter grew, soft and contagious, and with each shared smile, their coordination slipped even more.

Every attempt to dance properly ended with stumbles, little bumps, and more laughter.

And yet, neither seemed to mind the childish joy of being together outweighed the need for perfection.

Meanwhile, across the room, Deepak and Ishani danced together.

Ishani’s eyes sparkled as she tried to guide him through the steps. “No, no! Like this, Deepak, see?” she said, moving gracefully, demonstrating.

“Yeah, yeah, I got it,” Deepak muttered, following along, but his gaze kept flicking over to Rahul and Deeksha.

He noticed Deeksha laughing, her head thrown back, her eyes bright, and Rahul leaning in, smiling at her in that easy, comfortable way. A strange tightening gripped Deepak’s chest. He didn’t like it. It felt… wrong, seeing her so happy with Rahul, even though he knew she was just being herself.

Ishani caught his distracted look. “Deepak! Pay attention! Like this one, two, three! Move!” she scolded lightly, her hands adjusting his posture.

“Yes, yes, I’m doing it!” Deepak replied, a little flustered, his eyes flicking back to Deeksha despite his best efforts.

“Deepak!” Ishani laughed, nudging him. “Follow me properly! Come on, focus!”

Deepak’s shoulders slumped slightly, muttering under his breath, “I am focusing…” but even as he said it, he couldn’t stop stealing glances at Deeksha and Rahul, watching them laugh and stumble, so completely lost in each other’s world.

Rahul, standing nearby, noticed it immediately.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he saw Deepak frown, looking distracted.

“Deepak! What are you doing? Focus properly,” he called out, a hint of frustration in his voice.

Deepak, still trying to follow Ishani’s instructions, looked over at Rahul, a teasing smirk forming.

“Why don’t you come and do it then? Maybe you’ll understand!” he shot back.

Without a second thought, Rahul spun on his heel and dashed straight to

Ishani.

“Alright, fine! I’ll do it!” he exclaimed, practically flying across the floor.

Ishani blinked in surprise, then smiled. “Hurry, then!”

Rahul grabbed her hands, guiding her through the steps with a confidence that only made her laugh. “There, see? Easy, right?” he said, as they moved together perfectly in rhythm.

Meanwhile, Deeksha stood frozen, watching. Her heart sank a little as she realized Rahul had left her left her  to go help Ishani. She clenched her fists at her sides, hurt flashing across her face.

Every laugh and step between Rahul and Ishani felt like a sting, reminding her how easily he could just… leave her behind.

Deepak, watching all this, took a deep breath.

He could see it the way Deeksha was standing there, quiet, hurt, and almost invisible to the world.

He had been annoyed and distracted moments ago, but now something shifted.

He finally nodded to himself, a small resolve forming in his chest.

With careful steps, he approached Deeksha. “Hey… you okay?” he asked gently, stopping just in front of her.

Deeksha looked up, eyes shimmering slightly, unsure how to respond.

Deepak smiled softly, a hand gesturing for her to join him. “Don’t worry about them. Come on, let’s try the steps together.”

On the other side of the room, Vaibhav and Divya moved together to the rhythm of the music, their steps careful but flowing.

Laughter and chatter surrounded them, but Divya’s eyes kept drifting to Deeksha.

She noticed the small crease of hurt on Deeksha’s face when Rahul had dashed off to help Ishani, leaving her standing alone.

A pang of empathy struck Divya, and she shook her head slightly, trying to keep her expression soft.

Vaibhav, noticing her distant gaze, tilted his head with a teasing smile. “Hey, where are you off to? I’m right here, you know,” he said, stepping closer as they moved in rhythm.

Divya smiled, shaking her head lightly, trying to hide the thoughts racing through her mind.

Vaibhav caught the movement, his curiosity piqued.

“You didn’t answer my call last night,” he said, his voice soft but carrying a hint of reproach as he tried to keep pace with her steps.

Divya’s smile wavered. “I was tired… fell asleep early,” she said quietly, keeping her tone light.

Vaibhav reached out, gently taking her hand in a smooth movement that kept them moving together.

“Come on, focus with me now,” he said, guiding her through the next steps.

Divya nodded, letting herself be pulled into the dance.

“Now, one… two… three… step here, turn there,” Ishani instructed, her voice calm, yet full of warmth.

Her hands moved gracefully, demonstrating the steps with a quiet confidence.

Rahul tried to follow, but it wasn’t just the steps that held his attention.

It was her the way her hair caught the light, the gentle movement of her hands, the sparkle in her eyes whenever she smiled at him.

Each word she spoke felt like a rhythm he could hear only in his heart.

He stumbled slightly on a turn, and Ishani laughed softly.

“Careful! Like this,” she said, adjusting his hand.

Rahul felt a small jolt as their fingers touched.

The warmth lingered longer than expected. He looked up, and their eyes met.

In that moment, the world outside the dance faded no one else existed, no music, no laughter, just the soft hum of their shared space.

“Step closer,” Ishani said, and he obeyed, their bodies moving slightly in sync, yet still maintaining the innocent distance of a dance rehearsal.

Ishani noticed him pausing, eyes slightly wider, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You’re distracted,” she said softly, almost teasingly.

Rahul chuckled, slightly embarrassed, but he couldn’t pull his gaze away.

“I… I’m just… following you,” he muttered, even though he knew it wasn’t just the dance he was following.

The final beats of the rehearsal faded, leaving a gentle hum in the room.

Laughter and chatter lingered as everyone clapped for themselves and each other, their steps uneven but full of joy.

Soon, plates were passed around. Everyone sat together, eating and chatting.

The room smelled of rich spices and sweets, the warmth of the meal mingling with the lingering laughter from the rehearsal.

Divya giggled as Vaibhav tried to feed her a piece of jalebi, and even Deeksha couldn’t resist smiling despite the little pang in her chest.

After everyone had eaten, the couples slowly began leaving.

Hands were tidied, dupattas adjusted, and goodbyes exchanged.

His thoughts were consumed entirely by Ishani her laughter, the way she had guided him during the dance, the tiny brush of her hand that lingered longer than it should have.

He walked silently through to his room, replaying every moment over and over.

Sleep came slowly, but eventually, exhaustion won, and he drifted into dreams filled with Ishani’s soft smile and the rhythm of their dance.

The next morning arrived bright and bustling.

The house was alive with color, laughter, and the heady scent of turmeric. Today was the Mehendi and Haldi function.

Women were busy mixing haldi paste, adorning their hands with intricate designs, and arranging flowers everywhere.

The men were setting up chairs, tables, and decorations. The air was electric with excitement and anticipation, the kind that only comes before a celebration of love.

Rahul woke early, the events of the previous day still lingering in his mind.

The haldi, mehendi, and sangeet ceremonies were to be held at the guest house, and since morning the house had been in a beautiful chaos flowers, clothes, gifts, laughter, instructions echoing from every corner.

In the middle of it all, Ishani discovered that her outfit still hadn’t arrived from the tailor. Divya’s dress was there too, unfinished.

Vaibhav couldn’t leave, everyone was busy, and the rain had been pouring relentlessly since dawn, as if the sky itself had decided to test their patience.

For a while, Ishani stood near the window, watching the raindrops slide down the glass like restless tears. Then she made up her mind.

“I’ll go myself,” she told Malini softly, forcing a small smile.

With an umbrella in hand, she stepped out into the rain, trying to stop an auto.

The road was blurred with water, vehicles splashing past without slowing down.

Her fingers tightened around the umbrella handle as droplets crept in from every side, dampening her clothes, her hair, her patience.

Just then, Rahul’s bike stopped beside her.

“Are you going somewhere?” he asked, concerned instantly filling his eyes as he noticed she was already wet.

“To the tailor… Divya’s and my clothes are still there. I was trying to get an auto, but…” She glanced at the rain helplessly.

“I’ll take you,” he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“You don’t have any work?” she asked, searching his face.

“No. Please, sit.”he replied quietly.

She quietly took the seat behind him on the bike. As they rode through the rain, a soft drizzle kept falling, slowly soaking them both.

The cold droplets clung to her dupatta, to his shoulders, to the silence growing between them.

“Should we wait somewhere until the rain stops?” Ishani suggested softly.

“It won’t stop,” Rahul replied, glancing at the grey sky. “It’s been pouring since morning.”

She nodded, watching the blurred road ahead until the tailor’s shop finally appeared.

Handing him the umbrella, she said, “Wait here, I’ll be back.”

Rahul nodded, standing outside under the small shelter, holding the umbrella absentmindedly, his thoughts still wrapped around her presence, her closeness, the way her voice lingered in his ears even after she had walked away.

Women moved in and out of the shop, laughter mixing with the rain.

Suddenly, someone bumped into him hard.

He stepped back instantly.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

But the girl’s eyes flashed with anger. “You did that on purpose, didn’t you? Trying to touch me? I know boys like you.”

Rahul froze, confusion flooding his face. “No, I swear, I didn’t— I’m really sorry if it felt—”

“Oh, now you’re acting innocent?” she shouted, calling others over.

Panic gripped him not because of the accusation, but because of one terrifying thought.

What if Ishani hears this… and believes it?

At that very moment, Ishani stepped out, clutching the packet of clothes. Seeing the crowd, seeing Rahul surrounded, something inside her snapped.

“What’s going on?” she demanded, her voice sharp with anger she didn’t know she carried.

“This boy was deliberately touching me,” the girl accused.

Rahul’s heart pounded violently. He looked at Ishani, fear naked in his eyes. “Ishani, please… I didn’t do anything.”

Before anyone else could speak, she walked straight to him and stood in front of him like a shield, like a silent promise.

Her eyes burned as she faced the girl.

Then, without even looking back at Rahul, she said firmly

“I know him. He would never do something like that.”

The certainty in her voice stunned everyone.

Rahul felt the world stop.

The way she trusted him without a second thought… the way she chose him, stood for him, believed in him when it would have been easier to doubt.

His eyes softened as he looked at her, filled with gratitude, tenderness, and a love he hadn’t dared to name yet.

The girl glared, her voice rising again.

“What would you even know? Boys are all the same. They come close on purpose, try to touch in the wrong way…”

She stepped forward, her voice calm but firm, carrying a quiet strength.

“Rahul isn’t like that,” she said. “Maybe there’s some misunderstanding… maybe it happened by mistake in the rush.”

Rain lashed harder against the tin roof, the sound now loud enough to drown the murmurs yet the tension in the air was louder.

“Call the police,” one of the girls shouted angrily. “File harassment against this boy. He needs to learn a lesson.”

A few others immediately agreed, pulling out their phones, their voices sharp, fueled by outrage and assumption.

Rahul felt the ground slip beneath his feet.

He didn’t move, didn’t speak just stood there, stunned, as if one wrong word would make everything worse.

His wet shirt clung to his shoulders, his hands slowly curling into fists, not out of anger but helplessness.

Before anyone could dial, Ishani stepped forward.“Stop.”

Her voice wasn’t loud but it cut through everything like a command.

All eyes turned to her.

“No one is calling the police,” she said firmly.

“In this crowd, in this rain, people bump into each other. That doesn’t make it harassment. Accusing someone without proof can destroy a person’s life.”

Her words hit harder than the thunder above.

The girls faltered, their certainty wavering for the first time.

Ishani didn’t look back at him. She kept her eyes on the girl in front.

“If you truly feel wronged, we can all go to the police station together,” she continued, calm but unshaken. “But false accusations are also a crime. So be sure before you take that step.”

Silence spread.

The anger that had burned so fiercely moments ago now flickered uncertainly.

The girl shifted uncomfortably, glancing around as if suddenly unsure of her own story.

“Let it go,” someone muttered.

One by one, the crowd began to disperse, the storm outside now quieter than the one that had just passed between them.

Ishani finally exhaled, her shoulders relaxing slightly. She turned to Rahul.



Kabhi kabhi main khud se hoon yeh puchhta

Main tere qaabil bhi hoon kya

Itna toh mujhe hai maaloom

Milke tujhe behtar main insaan ban gaya

Thoda thoda tujh se seekha

Pyaar karne ka tareeka

Dil ke khuda ki mujh pe inaayat hai tu

I love you….

The rain kept crashing down, louder, heavier, as if the sky had lost all patience.

Wind rushed through the street in wild bursts, tugging fiercely at the umbrella in Ishani’s hands.

A strong gust suddenly flipped it sideways.

Ishani grabbed it back instantly, her fingers tightening around the handle, irritation flashing across her face.

Another gust harsher this time nearly tore it away again.

And that’s when her calm finally broke.

“Bas bhi karo!” she snapped at the stubborn umbrella, her voice sharp with pure frustration as she struggled to control it.

Wet strands of hair clung to her cheeks, her eyes narrowed, jaw set in determination and anger.

Rahul froze.

He had never seen her like this before.

Ishani the girl who always stayed composed… who spoke gently… who never raised her voice at anyone was actually angry.

Not just annoyed, but visibly, openly angry.

For a moment, he forgot about the rain soaking through his clothes.

He just watched her.

There was something startling about it not unpleasant, just unexpected.

Like seeing a calm river suddenly turn into a restless current.

She wasn’t trying to look graceful or controlled anymore she was simply reacting, raw and unfiltered.

The umbrella jerked again, and she caught it with both hands this time, almost glaring at it as if it were an opponent she refused to lose to.

Rahul’s expression softened with quiet disbelief.

So she can get angry too…

He realized he had never seen her lose her patience, never seen her fight something so stubbornly.

She always chose silence over confrontation, calm over chaos.

But right now, standing in the middle of a storm, she looked fierce.

Alive.

Real.

Ishani finally managed to steady the umbrella, breathing hard, still fuming.

When she turned slightly and noticed him staring, her irritation flickered into self-consciousness.

“What?” she asked, still a little sharp.

Rahul shook his head slowly, almost as if coming back from a thought.

“Nothing… I just—” He stopped, then said quietly, “I’ve never seen you this angry.”

Ishani was still furious, her patience completely gone.

“How dare she?” Ishani said angrily, her voice shaking. “How could she even think of accusing you like that? She didn’t even stop for a second to understand what actually happened. Just saying anything, blaming you for no reason…”

She shook her head, frustration spilling out with every word.

“People like her don’t realize how serious false accusations are. One lie can ruin someone’s reputation, someone’s life. And the way she was shoutin as if she had already decided you were guilty…”

“If she felt uncomfortable, she could have just said it calmly. But no straight to blaming, calling others, creating a scene. That was completely unfair.”

She finally paused, breathing out sharply, rainwater dripping from her hair.

Rahul was looking at her with a soft, quiet smile.

She frowned slightly. “What? Why are you smiling?”

He shook his head gently. “Nothing.”

But the truth was he wasn’t smiling at the situation.

He was smiling because someone cared enough to be this angry for him.

“And you…” she continued, glancing at Rahul with frustration, “you didn’t even argue properly. You just kept saying sorry.”

Rahul looked at her, surprised.

“You’re too decent sometimes,” she said, shaking her head. “Anyone else would have shouted back, but you didn’t. Even when she was saying all that, you stayed calm. That takes patience.”

Her voice softened a little, though the irritation was still there.“You’re not the kind of person who would ever disrespect someone like that. I know that much. You’re careful with people… you think before you speak… you don’t try to prove yourself right by hurting someone else.”

“You should have spoken up, Rahul,” she said firmly, looking straight at him. “Don’t stay silent like that. If you keep quiet, people will take advantage of you… they’ll think you’re weak.”

Her voice wasn’t angry anymore  it carried a protective seriousness, like she was scolding him for his own good.“You can’t let anyone say anything about you and just stand there. At least defend yourself.”

Rahul listened without interrupting, his expression calm, thoughtful.

After a moment, he nodded slightly.

“Hmm.”

Ishani exhaled, as if satisfied he had at least heard her.

They stayed there for a while. Gradually, Ishani’s anger began to fade, dissolving into the quiet calm left behind by the rain.

Rahul kept looking at her the whole time, as if the world around them had disappeared and only she remained.

After a moment, Ishani spoke softly, “Come on, Rahul… the rain has stopped.”

Rahul glanced up at the sky, then back at her, and nodded. “Hmm.”

He started the bike, and together they rode back home the cool air brushing against them, carrying the unspoken feelings that lingered between their silent hearts.

Deeksha stepped into the room, a bright, effortless smile lighting up her face.

Deepak was buried in work, his eyes flicking up to catch a glimpse of her for a brief second before returning to his tasks, though her presence clearly lingered in his mind.

She walked up to him, her voice. "Have you seen Rahul?"

Deepak didn’t look up this time, offering a distracted mutter, "No idea."

Deeksha sighed softly and began to look around, but her search was interrupted by Rani’s frantic arrival.

Rani walked in mid-sentence, her hands moving as fast as her tongue.

"I warned that girl! How many times did I tell her not to eat straight out of the kadhai?" Rani cried out, exasperated. "And look now it’s pouring rain on the wedding day! I have no idea how we’ll manage everything in this weather."

Deeksha couldn’t help but giggle. "Oh, Aunty, it’s just a superstition. It doesn't actually work like that."

"You youngsters don't know anything!" Rani huffed, though her stress was mostly just wedding jitters.

As Deeksha continued to laugh, Rahul finally appeared. The moment she saw him, her smile softened into something more meaningful.

Rani, spotting her next target, immediately grilled him. "Rahul! Has all the luggage reached the guest house?"

"Hmm, it’s all there," Rahul replied calmly.

"Good," Rani said, taking a breath of relief. "Then it's time. Let’s get Divya and move."

With that, the Pathak and Awasthi families began their journey, heading toward the guest house.

The preparations for the Haldi ceremony were finally complete.

A vibrant energy filled the terrace as Divya was seated on one side, with Vaibhav placed just a few feet away.

A thick, decorative curtain hung between them, a temporary wall ensuring they remained hidden from each other’s sight according to tradition.

One by one, the family began applying the sacred turmeric paste to Vaibhav.

Ishani started with a gentle touch, followed by Malini, while Rahul, Deepak, and Deeksha joined in with playful laughter.

Once Rani and Devnath finished nirmala dadi, the same Haldi now blessed with the groom’s essence was brought over to Divya.

The atmosphere was sentimental until it was Rahul’s turn with the bride.

Instead of a small ritualistic mark, he smeared the yellow paste across Divya’s face like he was playing a messy game of Holi and says " Bano re bano meri chali sasural ko ankhiyon mai water de gayi"

Everyone laughs hearing this.

"You dog!" Divya says , though her eyes were sparkling with laughter.

"Same to you!" Rahul chuckled, dancing out of her reach as the entire family erupted into cheers.

Suddenly, the sky darkened, and a heavy downpour began to lash against the terrace.

Guests scrambled for cover, laughing and shouting as they ran.

In the chaos, Rani grabbed Divya’s hand and hurried toward her room.

"Go on, get cleaned up and take a bath," Rani instructed before rushing off to attend to the other guests.

Divya nodded, her heart still racing from the excitement.

Meanwhile, Vaibhav was restless. The ritual felt incomplete to him he wanted to be the one to color his bride.

Seizing the moment while everyone was distracted by the rain, he slipped out of his room.

He moved like a shadow through the hallway until he reached Divya’s door.

Inside, Divya was just about to reach for her to take off clothes when a sharp knock startled her.

Expecting a maid or her mother, she pulled the door open, only to gasp in shock."Vaibhav? What on earth are you doing here?"

Vaibhav didn't waste a second. He stepped inside, kicked the door shut, and pinned her against it in one fluid motion.

He braced his hands on the wood on either side of her head, trapping her in his warmth. His gaze was intense, locking onto hers.

"What am I doing?" he whispered, his voice low and husky. "I’ve come to apply Haldi to my bride."

Divya’s breath hitched, her pulse thrumming in her throat. "But... if Maa finds out, she’ll be furious. We'll get into so much trouble."

"She won't find out," Vaibhav murmured, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he leaned closer.

A shy, soft smile played on Divya’s lips.

She looked down, unable to meet his burning gaze, and whispered, "Fine then... do it quickly."

Vaibhav didn’t reach for the bowl of turmeric. Instead, he leaned in closer, his eyes locked onto hers, until the only thing between them was the scent of sandalwood and rain.

With a slow, deliberate movement, he pressed his own gold-streaked cheek against hers.

The sensation was electric the wet, grainy texture of the Haldi acting as a bridge between them.

Divya’s heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird.

She could feel the heat radiating from him, his breath ghosting over her skin.

Vaibhav felt it too the frantic, rhythmic pulse of a man who was finally standing before the woman he loved.

In the heavy silence of the room, he tilted his head.

His gaze dropped to her lips, and for a breathless second, the world outside ceased to exist.

He began to lean in, the distance between them vanishing, his lips just a fraction away from hers...

KNOCK! KNOCK!

The sharp sound of knuckles against wood shattered the silence like glass.

"Divya? Are you done yet? Open the door!" It was Rani’s voice, loud and impatient from the other side.

Panic surged through Divya like a cold wave.

Her eyes widened, the romantic haze vanishing in an instant.

With a frantic strength, she shoved Vaibhav back, her hands trembling as she pointed toward the shadows of the room.

"Mummy! I... I haven't started bathing yet!" Divya called out, her voice pitching slightly higher than usual as she tried to sound natural while her heart was still hammering in her throat.

On the other side of the door, Rani’s footsteps paused, her tone sharp with maternal impatience. "What on earth have you been doing all this time? Hurry up, Divya! The Mehendi and Sangeet are coming up next. There's no time to waste."

"Yes, yes! Just go, I’m going right now. I’ll be ready in a few minutes," Divya shouted back, leaning her forehead against the door, waiting for the sound of her mother’s retreating footsteps.

Only when the hallway went silent did she dare to turn around.

Vaibhav was sitting on the floor, having dropped down to hide, but instead of looking worried, he was shaking with silent laughter.

The sight of his smug, handsome face made

Divya’s blood boil with a mix of affection and annoyance. She glared at him, her eyes narrowing into slits.

"Get out! Go, right now!" she hissed, pointing toward the door.

Vaibhav didn't move immediately. He looked up at her from the floor, a playful glint in his eyes. "Why? Were you scared?"

"Yes! I am terrified of my mother, thank you very much!" Divya whispered back, her face flushed.

Vaibhav finally stood up, brushing the dust off his clothes with a slow, deliberate grace. "Alright, alright. I'm going."

But as he reached the door, he didn't just leave.

He caught her by the waist for a split second, leaned in, and pressed a firm, lingering kiss against her Haldi-stained cheek.

The sudden warmth of his lips made her breath catch all over again.

With a wink and a victorious smile, he slipped out of the room, disappearing into the corridor before anyone could spot him.

Divya stood there for a long moment, the anger completely gone.

A small, shy smile crept onto her lips as she touched the spot where he had kissed her.

Still blushing, she finally gathered her things and headed toward the washroom, the memory of his touch lingering longer than the Gold on her skin.

Deeksha told Deepak they needed to rehearse again. She was a total perfectionist, and Deepak knew better than to say no. As she barked out orders, he followed them.

"Wow, you're actually listening to me for once," Deeksha joked, though she looked puzzled. "What’s wrong with you?"

"Nothing," he said, keeping it short.

"You've started hiding everything from me lately," Deeksha said, her voice laced with a sudden sharpness.

Deepak didn't flinch. He met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "And you, Deeksha? You’re hiding plenty from me, too."

The accusation hung in the air. Deeksha faltered, her confidence flickering for a split second. "I—what have I hidden?" she stammered, trying to regain her footing.

Deepak let out a short, hollow breath. "Nothing," he said, the word sounding final. He stepped back, breaking the tension. "Is the rehearsal done?"

Deeksha searched his face, her eyes lingering on him as if trying to read a language she no longer understood.

After a long silence, she finally whispered, "Yeah... we’re done."

Without another word, Deepak turned and walked away, leaving her standing alone in the quiet room.

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