Author pov...

Everyone was busy getting their henna applied, and the stage was being decorated for the Sangeet ceremony.

Being the bride, Divya had been stuck in the same position for three hours.

With henna covering both her hands and feet, she looked so helpless that her cousins couldn't help but laugh every time she made a face.

Infuriated, Divya had already asked the Mehendi artist ten times when it would finally dry.

The artist kept giving the same calm reply, "It will dry soon."

Ishani, Deeksha, and Rani had also applied heena, sitting together quietly as the delicate patterns darkened on their hands, the air filled with a soft excitement and the unspoken warmth of the moment.

Watching everyone, Malini was filled with joy, but a silent wish crossed her mind. "Randhir, I wish you were here too. Our son is getting married; his bride is finally coming home." She closed her eyes emotionally for a moment, lost in the thought.

By then, everyone had finished their Mehendi, the stage was set, and the chairs were arranged.

Divya and Vaibhav were seated right in the front.

"Vaibhav, when will this dry? I'm exhausted," Divya complained.

Vaibhav leaned in closer, his gaze softening as he looked at her.

"Patience, Divya," he said, his voice a gentle murmur. "Honestly, you didn't have to go through all this trouble. Even if you hadn't applied a single drop of henna, you'd still be the most beautiful woman in this room to me."

His words acted like a charm Divya's irritation vanished instantly.

A shy smile crept onto her face as she looked into his eyes.

"But I'm only getting married once, Vaibhav," she whispered back. "I want every bit of this dream to be perfect. I don't want to miss a single tradition."

Vaibhav smiled, captivated by her spirit.

"Then it's worth the wait," he replied softly. "Just a little longer, I promise."

Ishani stepped onto the stage, tapping the mic to catch everyone's attention.

"Attention, everybody!" she announced, her voice echoing through the hall.

All eyes turned toward her. "Today is the Sangeet ceremony of my best friend and my brother two people I love more than anything in the world."

The guests listened intently, touched by her words. "I request all our guests to shower this beautiful couple with your blessings and enjoy the evening to the fullest! And to kick things off,"

Ishani paused with a mischievous glint in her eyes, "please welcome my beloved Nirmala Dadi to the dance floor!"

The crowd gasped. Divya froze in shock, and Vaibhav's eyes widened in disbelief.

"When did Dadi even practice for a dance?" Divya whispered, her jaw dropping.

"I have no clue!" Vaibhav replied, just as stunned as she was.

Suddenly, the lights dimmed. As the music started, Dadi made a grand entry with Deeksha.

To everyone's surprise, Deeksha was dressed up as a boy! Seeing the duo's energy and unique avatars, the hall erupted in whistles and cheers.



As the playful melody of Haal Kya Hai Janab Ka filled the sangeet hall, the theme of the performance was announced by Deeksha as Kishore Kumar and Nirmala Dadi as Madhubala.

The crowd cheered loudly at the classic pairing.

Haal kaisa hai janab ka...

Kya khayal apka..

Hum to machal gye ohohoh..

Yunhi fisal gye hahaa...

Deeksha leaned slightly forward with a charming grin, lip-syncing dramatically as if serenading her heroine, one hand over her heart and the other extended toward Dadi.

Dadi responded with a shy smile, lowering her gaze just like a classic Bollywood heroine, then lifting her eyes with a soft sparkle.

Behki behki chle hai pawan

Jo ude hai tera anchall

Chodo chodo

Dekho dekho Gore Gore kale kale badal...

Dadi turned away coyly, taking tiny graceful steps, her pallu swaying as she hid a smile.

When deeksha reached out her hand, she placed hers in it delicately and deekshaa spun her slowly. Her saree flared as she turned, laughter glowing on her face.

Pagali a

Pagali kabhi tune socha

Raste mein gaye mil kyon

Pagale han pagale

Teri baaton baaton mein

Dhadkta hai dil kyon....

They moved side to side together, perfectly in sync deeksha expressions animated and teasing, hers gentle and dreamy.

Kabhi kuchh kahati hai

Kabhi kuchh kahati hai..

Zara nazar ko sambhalna

Deeksha pointed playfully as if asking a romantic question.

Haay haal kaisa hai janaab kaa

Kya khayaal hai aap kaa

Tum to machal gaye ho ho ho

Yun hi fisal gaye haa haa haa

Dadi answered with a bashful nod and a sweet glance.As the music lifted, Deeksha stepped closer, pretending to plead dramatically, while dadi covered her face for a second in mock shyness before peeking at her again.

As the last beat of the music faded, the entire hall remained silent for a heartbeat, stunned by what they had just witnessed.

Then, the silence broke into a thunderous roar of applause and whistles.

Dadi and

Deeksha stood center-stage, catching their breath and beaming with pride at the sea of clapping hands.

Divya, still recovering from the shock, leaned forward from her seat.

"Dadi! When on earth did you learn all these moves?" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration.

Devnath stepped closer to the stage, his face glowing with a broad smile. "Wah, Maa! Today you truly proved it you really are our family's Madhubala!"

Dadi, ever the performer, didn't miss a beat.

She adjusted her saree and looked directly at Rani, who was still staring in disbelief.

"Why, Rani? Didn't you like my dance?" she asked with a playful, challenging arch of her eyebrow.

Rani quickly shook her head, smiling through her surprise. "No, Maa! It was incredible. I'm just in shock I had no idea you could pull off such a performance!"

Dadi gave a wistful yet mischievous chuckle. "Well, dev's father always used to see me as his Madhubala," she reminisced, her eyes twinkling.

The entire family erupted into laughter at Dadi's witty comeback.

The tension of the wedding preparations seemed to melt away in that moment of shared joy.

Soon, the attention turned to Deeksha, with everyone cheering for her brilliant transformation and for being the perfect "hero" to Dadi's leading lady.

Ishani hopped back onto the stage, her face glowing with the success of the first performance. She grabbed the mic, a playful smirk on her lips.

"Did you all see that?" she exclaimed, gesturing toward Dadi and Deeksha. "Now that is the magic of my Dadi and Deeksha! But hold your breath, everyone don't get too tired yet because the show has just begun!"

The crowd, still buzzing with excitement, slowly began to settle down.

Ishani paused for dramatic effect, looking around the room before her voice rose in excitement.

"Up next, we have a couple who define grace and love. Please put your hands together for the stars of the evening... my beloved Devnath Uncle and Rani Aunty!"

The moment their names echoed through the speakers, the hall erupted once again.

Whistles pierced the air, and the younger cousins started chanting their names.

The guests leaned forward, eager to see what the "senior" couple had planned for the night.



The bright party lights dimmed, replaced by a warm, golden amber glow that mimicked a setting sun.

The hauntingly beautiful melody of the flute from "Suraj Hua Maddham" began to play, instantly setting a romantic spell over the room.

Devnath stepped onto the stage from one side, looking dapper and poised.

From the other side, Rani walked in, her saree flowing gracefully like a dream.

For a moment, they weren't just a middle-aged couple; they were the hero and heroine of their own timeless love story.

Suraj hua maddham, chaand jalne laga..."

Devnath extended his hand, and Rani placed hers in his with a shy, youthful blush that she hadn't felt in years.

He pulled her gently toward him. They moved in a slow, rhythmic waltz, their eyes locked in a way that made the rest of the world disappear.

Main thehra raha, zameen chalne lagi..."

As the chorus hit, Devnath performed the iconic Shah Rukh Khan open-arm pose.

Rani circled him gracefully, her movements fluid and elegant.

The family watched in awe; the noise and whistles had turned into soft smiles and "aww" moments.

Divya leaned her head on Vaibhav's shoulder, her eyes shimmering. "They look so beautiful, Vaibhav. It's like they've gone back in time."

Vaibhav squeezed her hand, his voice hushed. "That's the power of love, Divya. It never gets old."

On stage, Devnath leaned in, whispering something into Rani's ear that made her giggle and hide her face for a split second, perfectly in sync with the lyrics.

Kya yeh mera pehla pehla pyaar hai..."

The performance ended with Devnath holding Rani's waist as she leaned back slightly, the golden lights catching the sparkle in their eyes.

The hall was filled with a loud, rhythmic clapping as Rani and Devnath finished their graceful performance.

The romantic atmosphere they had created left everyone smiling.

Divya was the first to speak, her face glowing with excitement. "Wow! That was absolutely amazing! I enjoyed every second of it," she cheered, her eyes still sparkling from the performance.

Vaibhav joined in, nodding in agreement. "Seriously, Uncle and Aunty, that was incredible.

Rani, still caught in the moment, couldn't stop blushing. She looked down at her feet, a shy smile playing on her lips.

Nirmala Dadi, always the proud mother, spoke up with a triumphant look on her face.

"Did you all see that? My son danced so beautifully!" she announced, making sure everyone acknowledged Devnath's performance.

Devnath, ever the gentleman, quickly gestured toward his wife. "Maa, give credit where it's due Rani danced exceptionally well too," he said, wanting her to share the limelight.

The family erupted into a chorus of laughter.

Dadi shook her head playfully, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she teased him in front of everyone. "Oh, look at him! A total 'Joru ka Gulaam' already!"

Everyone broke into fresh fits of laughter, and even Devnath couldn't help but chuckle at his mother's classic wit.

Ishani walked onto the stage with a bright, playful smile, clapping her hands to gather everyone's attention.

"Okay, okay, guys," she announced cheerfully, her eyes sparkling with excitement, "our very own Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol just gave a wonderful performance. Now please take your seats."

A curious murmur spread through the room as she paused dramatically, clearly enjoying the suspense she had created.

Then her voice softened with affection. "And now... I would like to call my dearest mother on stage and she will be joined by Rahul."

For a moment, there was stunned silence. Surprise flickered across every face in the audience.

Vaibhav's eyes widened as he blurted out in disbelief, "Mom is going to dance?"

Divya however, broke into an excited grin, her hands clasping together eagerly as she leaned forward, thrilled at the unexpected announcement.



The speakers began to play the whimsical, tinkling intro of

"Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon." The stage was bathed in a soft, twinkling light, as if a thousand stars had descended into the hall.

Rahul stepped out first, looking sharp and full of energy.

He turned toward the wing and extended his hand with a theatrical bow.

Malini stepped out, looking radiant in her festive attire, her face glowing with a mix of shyness and excitement.

Main koi aisa geet gaoon, ki aarzoo jagaoon... agar tum kaho....

Rahul circled Malini, gesturing like a poet trying to impress his muse. Malini laughed a real, heartfelt laugh and performed a graceful step, waving her hands in sync with the melody.

Tum ko bulaoon,

ki palkein bichhaoon..

Kadam tum jaha jaha

Rakho zameen ka aasman

Banau sitaro se sajau

Agar tum kaho...

Rahul playfully pretended to lay an invisible carpet in her path, and Malini walked over it with the poise of a queen.

Main koi aisa geet gaoon, ki aarzoo jagaoon... agar tum kaho."

Rahul grabbed Malini's hand and they performed a series of gentle spins.

Malini's saree flared out beautifully, and for those few minutes, she wasn't just the busy mother of the house she was the star of the show.

The performance ended with Rahul bowing to her and Malini placing a hand on his head in a blessing, both of them breathless and laughing.

The hall echoed with the sound of thunderous applause as the music faded.

Vaibhav couldn't take his eyes off his mother seeing her that happy filled his heart with a sense of peace he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Maa, that was incredible!" Vaibhav said, his voice thick with pride and affection. "You were so good!"

Malini looked at her son, her face flushed with the excitement of the dance, and gave him a warm, radiant smile.

Divya chimed in, her eyes wide with genuine admiration. "Maa, I'm serious you looked exactly like Juhi Chawla out there! So graceful and bubbly!"

Malini let out a modest laugh, waving her hand dismissively.

"Oh, stop it! No, no... I'm nowhere near her," she replied shyly, though the compliment clearly made her day.

Devnath stepped forward, a respectful smile on his face. "Behenji, that was truly a wonderful performance. You really surprised us all today."

"Thank you so much," Malini replied, her heart full as she accepted the love and appreciation from everyone around her.

Rahul grinned, looking around at the cheering crowd.

"Let's be honest, everyone the real star of the evening is Malini Aunty!" he announced, pointing toward her with pride.

Malini shook her head gently, placing a hand on Rahul's shoulder with a grateful smile.

"No, no, Rahul... it was all you," she insisted. "If you hadn't stayed by my side and supported me through every step, I wouldn't have been able to dance even a fraction of that."

Vaibhav couldn't tear his eyes away from his mother. Seeing her face glowing with such pure, unfiltered happiness felt like a gift.

For years, he had seen her busy with the weight of responsibilities and the hustle of the household, but today, she looked light almost like she had rediscovered a lost piece of herself.

A quiet sense of peace washed over him.

As a son, there was no bigger satisfaction for him than seeing that radiant smile on her face.

He didn't need to say much just watching her bask in the love and applause of the family was enough to make his day.

As Rahul and Malini made their way off the stage to another round of applause.

Ishani hopped back into the center, her face beaming with pride.

She grabbed the mic and looked out at the cheering crowd.

"Did you guys see that?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "Wasn't my Maa's dance absolutely incredible?"

The hall responded with another loud wave of clapping and whistles, confirming that Malini had indeed stolen everyone's hearts.

Ishani laughed, enjoying the moment before moving the program forward.

"Okay, okay! Settle down, everyone," she said with a playful wink. "Because the bar has been set very high! Up next, we have a duo ready to set the stage on fire. Please put your hands together for... Deeksha and Deepak!"



As the playful, thumping beat of "Dance Pe Chance",blasted through the speakers, the atmosphere in the hall shifted from sentimental to pure, unadulterated fun.

Deeksha and Deepak burst onto the stage, their faces lit up with mischievous grins.

Left leg aage aage, right leg peeche peeche..."

Deeksha took the lead, stepping forward with a sharp kick while Deepak playfully struggled to keep up.

She pointed at his feet like a strict dance teacher, and he did a goofy stumble, making the crowd burst into laughter.

Dance pe chance mar le, oh soniye dance pe chance mar le!

Dance pe chance mar le, oh balliye dance pe chance mar le!"

They both rolled their wrists in the air in a circular motion, moving their hips in a rhythmic sway. Deepak gave a cheeky wink to the front row, perfectly

Their shoulders moved in a blur of energy while their feet stayed rooted in a wide stance.

The hall was a riot of noise. Whistles pierced the air, and the younger cousins were now standing on their chairs, mimicking the hook step.

As the song reached its final, fast-paced crescendo, Deeksha and Deepak came to the center of the stage.

The music stopped, and for a second, the only sound was their heavy breathing followed by a deafening roar of applause that shook the very foundation of the hall.

Everyone clapped, and Deepak and Deeksha caught each other's eyes, grinning.

"See? I told you I danced really well!" Deepak said, proud.

Deeksha rolled her eyes. "Really? You looked like a monkey half the time!"

"Monkey? And you? You're no angel either!" Deepak shot back.

Deeksha crossed her arms. "If I hadn't been there, you wouldn't have danced properly even once!"

"Ha! As if you could do any better!" Deepak started, but Ishani jumped in before the teasing could turn into a full war.

"Okay, okay, stop! You both danced amazing!" she laughed.

The two exchanged a quick look, still

teasing under their breath, and everyone around just shook their heads, laughing.

Divya muttered, "Seriously? Even here, they can't stop fighting."

Vaibhav just smiled, enjoying the show.

Ishani announced, "And now, here comes my beautiful bride. Let's see her performance!" The room erupted in applause.



Bas ik hi ab main kaam karungi

Ghar pe hi ji aaraam karungi

Tiktok pe sajna saath mein tere

Main subah se leke shaam karungi

Main dulhan teri tu dulha mera

Aelan yeh main sareaam karungi....

Divya strutted onto the stage with full attitude, her eyes locked on Vaibhav from the very first beat.

She pointed straight at him.

Vaibhav blinked. Oh no.

Divya flipped her hair dramatically and lip-synced, while walking toward the edge of the stage as if the entire performance was meant only for him.

The cousins behind him started hooting.

Someone whistled loudly

Vaibhav covered his face, laughing helplessly.

Par jo mainu tu rulaya ik baar

I swear main tenu chad jaungi

Main tenu chadh jaungi

Tu ro ro ke bulayega

Phir bhi na aaungi....

Divya placed a hand on her hip, leaned forward, and made a mock scolding face at him, wagging her finger as if warning him.

Then she did an exaggerated angry stomp only to break into a goofy shoulder shimmy that made everyone burst out laughing.

Teri har cheez pe sajna

Rahe yeh meri nishaani

Tu mera raja hoga

Main teri banugi rani

Na mera pyaar puraana

Na teri preet puraani

Bhula ke baatein saari

Banegi nayi kahaani

She circled him from the stage, pretending to inspect him like a strict judge, then dramatically pretended to faint from "disappointment," placing the back of her hand on her forehead.

Mummy daddy ki main

Chhoti si gudiya hoon

Tu le jayega toh

Inka ab kya hoga

Yeh bistar mera

Yeh khidki meri

Jab main na rahungi

Mujhe yaad kerengi....

She finished with a playful spin, then jumped off the stage and marched straight to her parents. Throwing her arms around them.

Her father laughed, patting her head. Her mother tried to look strict but failed, smiling too widely.

Divya peeked from their shoulders toward Vaibhav and made one last teasing face squinting her eyes and sticking out her tongue like a victorious child.

Main tenu

Chhad chhad jaungi...

Vaibhav finally clapped, surrendering with a smile that said he had lost this battle completely.

The hall filled with cheers, laughter, and nonstop teasing as Divya hid behind her parents, still giggling at her own mischief

Rani laughed, shaking her head fondly. "This girl is completely crazy," she said, her eyes still sparkling with amusement.

Devnath chuckled softly beside her. "She danced wonderfully," he added with quiet pride.

But Vaibhav heard none of it. His gaze was fixed only on Divya his goofy little ball of chaos still giggling, still glowing from the thrill of her performance.

Watching her like this, carefree and full of life, something inside him melted even more.

He didn't realize when his smile softened, when the noise of the hall faded away, when the world narrowed down to just her.

And in that moment, simply by looking at her, he fell a little more in love.

This time, Ishani didn't come to the stage. Instead, Deeksha walked up, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she grabbed the mic.

"Hello, everyone," she said sweetly too sweetly making a few people already suspicious. "So... our dear bride has given very clear instructions to the groom." She paused dramatically, scanning the crowd. "If he makes even one mistake just one she will immediately pack her bags and return to her parents' house."

The hall exploded with laughter and loud ooohs.

Deeksha raised a finger in warning and turned toward Vaibhav.

"And Vaibhav bhaiya," she said in a mock-strict tone, "please carve this into your brain, heart, soul, and whatever little memory you have left. No arguments later."

Someone from the back shouted, "Bhaiya abhi se seedha ho jao!"

Vaibhav covered his face, half laughing, half surrendering, while the cousins clapped and whistled mercilessly.

Deeksha nodded with satisfaction, like a judge who had just delivered the final verdict. "Good. Public announcement done. Witnesses present. No escape now."

The laughter only grew louder as she handed back the mic, leaving Vaibhav shaking his head with a helpless smile while the entire hall enjoyed his embarrassment.

"Okay, okay, guys," the host laughed, trying to calm the curious murmurs spreading through the hall. "I know you're all wondering why Ishani di didn't come this time..."

A ripple of anticipation ran through the crowd.

"Well," the voice continued with a teasing pause, "that's because now it's her performance."

The lights dimmed slightly as

excitement crackled in the air.

"And now," the announcement rang out, "please welcome the groom's sister and the bride's brother for a special dance performance!"

The hall erupted instantly and cheers, whistles, and excited shouting filling every corner as everyone leaned forward, eager for what was about to unfold on the stage.



The lights suddenly dimmed, and a playful drumbeat echoed through the hall.

A spotlight fell on the entrance just as Ishani stepped in, her lehenga shimmering with every step, confidence written all over her face.

A second later, Rahul walked in beside her, adjusting his jacket with a smirk that said he was ready for trouble.

Hua Chokra jawaan re

Hua chokra jawaan re

Hey hey, hey hey, hey hey

Ishani shot Rahul a challenging look. He raised an eyebrow as if accepting it.

Arre chooza chu-chu karta hai

Galiyon aur chaubaaron mein

Phenka-phaaki karta phire

Tu to apne yaaron mein

Aye phenka-phaaki kuchh nahin....

She started first sharp hip moves, a teasing spin, then pointing straight at him as if calling him out.

Sach baat jo bayaan ki

Dahaad hai jawaan ki mardaangi mastan ki hoye....

Rahul responded with an exaggerated swagger, copying her step only to add his own dramatic flair.

The cousins screamed and clapped in rhythm.

Mere munna baat sun na

Yeh jawaani nahin koi khilauna

Pehle jao seekh ke aao

Pyaase nainon ki pyaas ko bhujana

Tabhi to, tabhi to, tabhi to, tabhi to hoga

Mua chokra jawaan re

Mua chokra jawaan re......

They circled each other like playful rivals, exchanging mock glares that kept breaking into laughter. At one point, Ishani grabbed Rahul's wrist, pulled him forward, and spun under his arm, her bangles chiming with the beat. Rahul pretended to stumble.

Karne pe jo aaoon sagar main barsaun

Baaton ke badshah barsa ke to dikha

Beh jaayegi deewani teri mast jawaani

Bhadkegi chingari, laptegi chingari

Haaye teri yeh ada main ho gaya fida

Jo tu sach main jawaan na hona mujhse juda.....

Rahul leaned closer and whispered something that made Ishani burst into a grin mid-step. She retaliated by bumping his shoulder harder than necessary, nearly pushing him off balance.

Aaja aaja aaja re

Hua chokra jawaan re, jawan re

Ho ho hua chokra jawaan re

Oye hoye hua chokra jawaan re

Jawaan re, chokra jawaan re

Jawaan re, jawaan re, jawaan re

Jawaan, jawaan re.....

By the final beat, they struck a dramatic pose breathless, glowing, and still bickering under their smiles.

The hall exploded with cheers, whistles, and thunderous applause as the two looked at each other and started laughing, the performance turning into a memory everyone knew they wouldn't forget anytime soon.

"Wow," Divya said dramatically, placing a hand over her heart, "my sweet, graceful, oh-so-decent best friend finally danced her heart out today. And what a performance it was!"

Ishani could only smile, a shy glow spreading across her face as she tried to hide how happy the praise made her.

Vaibhav nodded in approval. "Seriously, that was an amazing dance, Ishani."

But Rahul said nothing.

He just stood there, watching her his eyes warm, his smile soft, as if the rest of the world had quietly faded away.

Everyone surrounded Ishani and Rahul, showering them with praise, laughter, and endless compliments.

Overwhelmed and slightly breathless, the two exchanged shy smiles before quietly slipping away from the crowd together.

Divya watched them go, then clapped her hands loudly to grab everyone's attention."Who's dancing next?" She looked around as if daring someone to step forward.

For a moment, no one moved.



Then suddenly, Vaibhav stood up from the seat beside her.

The movement was so unexpected that Divya blinked in surprise.

He looked slightly nervous, running a hand through his hair, as if already questioning his own decision but there was determination in his eyes too.

Before Divya could even ask what he was doing, the music started.

Do nain sitaare, hai chaand sa mukhda...

Kya kehna uska afreen..

Daawat mein jaise ho shahi tukda..

Uske jaisi na koi nazneen...

Vaibhav took a deep breath and stepped onto the floor alone.

For a second he looked nervous then the beat picked up, and something changed.

He started with smooth, confident steps, matching the rhythm perfectly, his movements surprisingly graceful for someone who claimed he couldn't dance.

The crowd instantly began clapping along.

Shaahi joda pehan ke, aayi joh ban-than ke...

Wohi toh meri sweetheart hai..

He pointed playfully toward Divya as the line "Meri sweetheart hai" played, placing a hand over his heart in an exaggerated, dramatic way that made everyone whistle and laugh

Kaise main kahun shukriya uska mujhpe ehsaan hai...

Lagta hai shaadi ghar mein uske aane se jaise...

Chalke aayi hai khushkismati....

Then he spun lightly, ran a hand through his hair, and did a neat foot-tap sequence that landed exactly on the beat.

Wohi toh meri sweetheart hai...

For the final beat, Vaibhav dropped to one knee dramatically, spreading his arms with a playful bow toward divya, breathless but glowing with happiness.

The hall exploded with cheers, claps, and nonstop hooting.

Divya smiled, her eyes shining with happiness she couldn't hide.

Vaibhav had never danced before never like this and yet he had stepped onto the floor and done it all... just for her.

She kept watching him, her heart warm and fluttering, as if the world around her had softened into a quiet blur.

People surrounded him, praising him, clapping his back, laughing in amazement at his unexpected performance.

Compliments came from every direction.

But Vaibhav barely seemed to notice.

Again and again, his eyes searched through the crowd only to return to her.

As if her reaction mattered more than all the applause in the room.

Just then, Deeksha came rushing in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "See!" she announced loudly, unable to contain her excitement. "Vaibhav bhaiya has just told everyone that Divya didi is his sweetheart!"

The crowd burst into laughter and teasing whistles.

Vaibhav, suddenly shy under so many knowing looks, walked straight back and sat down beside Divya, trying to hide the faint redness creeping onto his face.

Divya turned toward him with a playful smile. "Wow, Awasthi ji... today you were absolutely amazing."

Vaibhav smiled softly, his voice low but sincere."Only for you."

Deeksha clapped her hands, her voice ringing with excitement. "Alright! That's enough dancing for everyone else. Now for the final performance of the night our groom and bride will perform a couple dance!"

Divya let out a relieved laugh. "Finally! Otherwise all that dance practice would have gone to waste."

Vaibhav chuckled beside her, and together they walked toward the stage.

Guests gathered closer, forming a circle around the dance floor, their faces glowing with anticipation.

At the same time, Ishani stepped out of her room into the hall, adjusting her dupatta as she walked, unaware of the moment unfolding ahead. Her foot suddenly caught on the edge of the carpet.

She stumbled.

Her breath hitched as she felt herself falling, eyes squeezing shut instinctively.

But she never touched the ground.

Strong arms caught her, steady and firm, pulling her safely into an embrace.

A familiar voice spoke softly, laced with a teasing warmth.

"You're still the same... always falling. Nothing about you has changed."

Ishani's eyes flew open in shock.

She looked up straight into the face she never expected to see again.

Abhay.

Panic flickered across her expression as she quickly tried to step back, but he only watched her with a quiet smile, as if time had folded in on itself.

Just then, Deeksha came running into the hall. The moment she saw him, her face lit up with pure joy.

"Bhaiya!" she screamed, rushing forward.

Ishani immediately moved aside, frozen and confused, her heart still racing as she struggled to understand what was happening.

Deeksha threw herself into Abhay's arms, hugging him tightly. "Bhaiya, when did you come?"

Abhay laughed, holding her affectionately. "Just about an hour ago. Mom told me you were here, so I came straight to meet you."

Deeksha pulled back, her eyes shining with happiness, unable to stop smiling.

Seeing her brother after so many years felt almost unreal, like a long-lost piece of her heart had suddenly returned.

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