Chapter 73
Kabir's Perspective
The Haldi ceremony was buzzing with energy as I walked into the courtyard. The sun was shining bright, and the scent of fresh marigolds mixed with turmeric hung in the air. The setup was beautiful—yellow and orange flowers adorned every corner, and bowls of haldi were placed carefully on trays. Today wasn't just a ritual; it was a celebration, one that was about to become very messy, if my friends and family had anything to say about it.
I was dressed in a simple white kurta-pajama, knowing full well that by the end of the ceremony, it would be a shade of yellow, torn, or both. But none of that mattered because my eyes were on Aditi.
She stood with her family, a vision in a white saree with a gold border. Even through the crowd, she took my breath away. Her saree was draped elegantly, but I couldn't help but think about how the haldi would soon stain that pure white. Her blouse was white too, fitting snugly across her chest, accentuating her perfect figure. I swallowed hard, feeling my heart race just looking at her. How could she look this stunning in something so simple?
Our eyes met across the courtyard, and I could see the teasing glint in hers. She knew the effect she had on me. The curve of her lips, the way her eyes sparkled—it all made my knees go weak.
I walked toward her, catching glimpses of her shy smile as her family and mine prepared for the rituals. Aditi's parents greeted me warmly, her mother holding a thali of haldi, while her father smiled, his hand resting on my shoulder.
The ceremony started with the elders performing the first part of the ritual. Aditi's mom applied the first stroke of haldi on her forehead, then mine, followed by our cheeks, arms, and legs. Her father did the same, blessing us for a life full of happiness and prosperity. My mom and dad followed suit, their smiles full of love and pride.
Once the formalities were over, though, it became a free-for-all. My friends were grinning like wolves, and I knew I wouldn't escape unscathed. They made their move almost immediately.
"Ready to be properly blessed, Kabir?" Raghav smirked, grabbing a handful of haldi.
Before I could dodge him, the turmeric paste hit my chest with a wet smack. I groaned, trying to fend them off, but Sahil was already on my other side, his hands covered in haldi, pushing me from behind.
The next thing I knew, hands were tearing at my kurta, exposing my chest to the cool air as they smeared haldi all over my skin. "We can't miss any spot!" Sahil laughed, his hands spreading the paste over my chest and abs.
The fabric tore away easily under their rough hands, leaving me shirtless, my chest smeared with the yellow paste. I glanced over at Aditi, who was now giggling at the sight of me. Her cousins were applying haldi to her too, though in a far more gentle manner. But she couldn't take her eyes off me, and I could tell she was enjoying the view.
I shot her a grin, but before I could say anything, I was pulled back into the chaos. My friends didn't hold back, slathering me with haldi until I was covered from head to toe. The women on Aditi's side were a little more reserved, but not for long. As soon as her cousins got started, Aditi's face and arms were covered in bright yellow streaks. I couldn't stop staring at her—her white saree was slowly being overtaken by the golden color, the fabric sticking to her skin as she tried to laugh off the attack.
After the haldi ritual, the atmosphere was electric. The courtyard buzzed with laughter and chatter, but I couldn't take my eyes off Aditi. Her white saree was now streaked with yellow, the once pristine fabric clinging to her curves in a way that made my heart race. The gold border shimmered under the sun, but my gaze was fixed on her body, where the wetness of the haldi mixed with sweat had made the saree slightly translucent.
The temptation was too much.
I walked toward her, a wicked grin on my face. "Kabir..." she started, sensing my mischief. But before she could finish her sentence, I swept her up into my arms.
"Kabir!" she gasped, her hands clinging to my bare shoulders as she realized what I was about to do. "Don't you dare!"
I grinned down at her, my heart pounding in excitement. "Too late," I whispered, and with that, I ran toward the pool, ignoring her protests.
We hit the water with a splash, the coolness of the pool rushing over us, washing away the haldi. We surfaced, gasping for breath, and she glared at me, but the smile on her face gave her away.
"You're crazy!" she laughed, splashing water at me, her wet hair sticking to her face and neck.
"Only for you," I shot back, my hands still holding her close, feeling the softness of her body against mine under the water. But then, her expression changed slightly. She leaned in closer, her lips near my ear.
"Kabir... my saree. It's see-through."
I glanced down, and my breath hitched. The white saree had become completely transparent under the water, the wet fabric clinging to her body in a way that left nothing to the imagination. Her blouse, equally soaked, had turned sheer, revealing the faint outline of her skin beneath.
Without wasting a second, I lifted her up in my arms again, turning her body so her front was pressed against me, shielding her from the world. "I've got you," I murmured into her ear, feeling the heat of her breath against my neck.
I carried her out of the pool, my heart thudding as I made my way toward the house. My friends were still splashing in the pool, laughing and pushing each other in, but I had one goal in mind: to get her out of sight.
I spotted my mom nearby and hurried toward her. "Mom," I whispered urgently, "her saree is completely see-through. I need to get her out of here."
My mom's eyes widened slightly, but she nodded quickly. "Take her to her room. I'll handle things here. Don't let her go until you're inside."
I nodded and carried Aditi across the courtyard, her wet body pressed against mine, her arms wrapped tightly around my neck. Her face was hidden against my shoulder, and I could feel her embarrassment radiating off her in waves. But more than that, I could feel the heat building between us.
Once inside her room, I kicked the door shut with my foot and walked over to the bed, gently setting her down. The sight in front of me made my pulse spike. Aditi sat on the edge of the bed, her white saree clinging to her body, revealing every curve. The wet fabric was sheer, her skin glowing underneath. Her white blouse was soaked through, revealing the outline of her bra, her nipples hard from the cold water.
She looked up at me, her cheeks flushed, her eyes wide. "Kabir... I—"
"You're beautiful," I whispered, cutting her off as I stepped closer, my hands reaching for the edge of her pallu.
Her breath hitched as I slowly pulled the fabric from her shoulder, letting it fall away from her body. My eyes traced the curve of her collarbone, down to her chest, where the soaked blouse clung tightly to her skin. I could see every detail, and it was driving me wild.
I leaned down, brushing my lips against her cheek, trailing kisses down her jawline, her neck, and finally, to the curve of her shoulder. She shivered under my touch, her hands clutching my arms, her breath coming in shallow gasps.
"Kabir..." she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of desire and hesitation.
I pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes. "Let me take care of you," I whispered softly, my fingers tracing the edge of her blouse.
She nodded, her eyes half-closed as she let out a shaky breath.
I reached for the knot of her saree, undoing it with deliberate slowness. The wet fabric pooled around her waist, leaving her in nothing but her soaked blouse and petticoat. I knelt in front of her, my hands running along her waist, tracing the delicate curve of her hips.
My fingers moved to the ties of her petticoat, slowly loosening them. With one swift tug, the fabric slid down her legs, leaving her completely exposed except for her blouse and the wet undergarments beneath.
I looked up at her, my pulse racing as I saw the flush of her skin, the way her chest rose and fell with every breath. Slowly, I began unhooking her blouse, revealing the soft skin beneath. My lips trailed down her collarbone as I slid the blouse off her shoulders, kissing every inch of her skin.
She gasped softly, her hands tangling in my hair as I moved lower, kissing the tops of her breasts, my nose grazing the softness of her skin. I was completely lost in her, in the way she responded to every touch, every kiss. The desire between us was electric, palpable, and it took everything in me to keep my control.
I pulled back for a moment, my eyes meeting hers. "I'm going to help you change," I whispered, my voice thick