73
A few weeks had passed, and the day had finally arrived for Vaani to pack her bags for Goa.
The room was strewn with clothes, accessories, and neatly folded beachwear.
Vaani was on the bed, carefully folding and tucking things into her suitcase, her brows furrowed in concentration.
The excitement for Ria's wedding mingled with her own thrill of a mini getaway, making her meticulous with every little item.
The door creaked open, and Dhruv stepped in, arms crossed, leaning casually against the doorframe. His eyes scanned the bed, the neatly arranged chaos, and finally, her. "You're packing like it's your wedding," he remarked, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Vaani looked up from her shirt and smiled, a spark of mischief in her eyes. "It is my other half's wedding, so it's as good as my wedding," she said, holding the packed lehenga with a flourish.
Dhruv raised an eyebrow, sliding off the doorframe and walking toward the bed. He sat beside her, watching her movements carefully. "I'm your other half," he said calmly, eyes glinting.
Vaani froze for a heartbeat before looking at him, cheeks warming. "Y-yeah..." she murmured, brushing her hair back, trying to focus on folding her sarong, but failing miserably.
He tilted his head slightly, smirking at the blush creeping up her neck. "You blush too much," he said, voice low, almost teasing.
Vaani placed her hands on her waist, puffing up slightly in mock indignation.
"Oh yeah? Well, you know I married a saddu robot who doesn't even know the R of romance, so whenever I hear something remotely cute, I blush," she shot back, a hint of defiance in her tone, though her lips curved into a small smile.
Dhruv chuckled softly, leaning back on the bed. "I know romance," he said, his dark eyes fixed on her.
"Right," she replied, matching his smirk. "And I'm Shah Rukh Khan."
His smirk widened. "Whatever helps you sleep at night," he murmured smoothly, shaking his head.
Vaani's lips twitched. "Shut up, Dhruv."
He leaned a little closer, voice dropping, slow and deliberate. "Make me."
Vaani froze, looking up at him. "What...?" she asked softly, a tremor of anticipation threading her voice.
Dhruv got up from the bed and stepped toward her, the air between them tightening with intensity. He moved slowly, deliberately, and she instinctively took a step back. The bed was behind her, the wall just beyond, and as he closed the distance, she realized she had nowhere to retreat.
He stopped a mere breath away, leaning in, eyes locked on hers. The room seemed to shrink, the sounds of the city outside muted compared to the rush of her heartbeat in her ears.
"Dhruv..." she whispered, her voice trembling just slightly, caught between caution and something else she didn't quite name.
"Yes, Vaani..." he replied, his voice a low growl that made her stomach flutter.
"What are you doing...?" she breathed, her hands instinctively raising slightly, unsure of whether to push him away or let him be closer.
His gaze flicked down briefly as he noticed a strand of her hair falling over her face.
Slowly, deliberately, he reached out and tucked it behind her ear, brushing it back so gently that Vaani felt the heat rise in her cheeks.
His fingers lingered near her temple for a heartbeat longer than necessary, the touch intimate without being intrusive.
Dhruv's eyes moved back to hers, dark and searching, and he leaned just a fraction closer. "No R of romantic, it seems," he murmured with a sly smirk, his voice teasing yet edged with something more intense.
Vaani swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. The proximity, the way he looked at her, the subtle warmth of his hand still near her face—it was almost too much. Her mind raced, and she could barely think of words, only a soft, "Dhruv..." escaping her lips.
He smiled faintly, sensing her flutter, then stepped back slowly, giving her space, and turned to leave the room. The tension hung in the air like an unspoken promise, the faint scent of his cologne lingering in the room.
Vaani exhaled shakily, her fingers brushing the strand of hair he had tucked behind her ear.
She felt a shiver run down her spine, a blush still warming her cheeks.
Dhruv's smirk was the last thing she saw as he disappeared out the door, leaving her standing there, heart pounding, trying to regain composure.
She sank onto the bed with a soft sigh, her hands resuming the task of packing, though now every fold of fabric, every careful tucking of clothes felt lighter somehow.
Her thoughts wandered back to the look in his eyes, the deliberate closeness, the smirk that had teased her, and a small, shy smile formed on her lips.
The room felt quieter now, more intimate, and Vaani found herself humming softly to herself as she continued packing. Every item she placed into her suitcase was done with a little more care, but also with a secret warmth in her chest, a soft, lingering thrill from the moment just passed.
The playful tension of their interaction replayed in her mind—his teasing words, the brush of his fingers against her skin, the way he had cornered her just enough to leave an impact without ever crossing a line.
It made her fingers linger on the lehenga a little longer, her thoughts swirling with both anticipation and amusement.
"Dhruv..." she whispered softly to herself, shaking her head with a laugh, "what are you doing to me?"
She picked up the next stack of beachwear, carefully folding them, but her mind was elsewhere. The blush on her cheeks refused to fade, and a small smile lingered as she thought about the way he had left her, teasing yet commanding in his own way.
Dhruv stepped out into the hall, letting out a low chuckle to himself.
His lips twitched into a smirk as he recalled the sight of Vaani earlier—her messy bun, her animated chatter over the video call with her friends, the way she had been so absorbed in discussing outfits for the wedding.
But then, as he leaned against the wall, his thoughts shifted, almost unwillingly, to her now.
Why won't she leave my mind? he thought, shaking his head slightly, though a faint smile lingered. He tried to distract himself by scanning the room, checking the hallway, and adjusting a cushion on the sofa.
Then, a familiar voice pierced his thoughts. "Dhruv!"
He turned, frowning slightly, though a smile tugged at his lips. "What is it, Vaani?" he called, his voice low, carrying a note of curiosity.
"I need your help!" she called back, her tone slightly flustered.
Dhruv's brow furrowed for a second before he walked back toward the room. As he entered, he saw her standing on tiptoes, struggling to lift one of the bigger suitcases down from the bed. The sight made him suppress a laugh, and he took a slow step forward.
"Leave it," he said softly, reaching out and easily lifting the bag down in one motion.
Vaani looked up at him, her face a mix of gratitude and a little exasperation. "Thank you! I don't know how I expected to get this down by myself."
Dhruv tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Why do you need another bag?" he asked quietly, as he set the suitcase on the floor.
Vaani's cheeks warmed just slightly, though she tried to sound nonchalant. "It's for you," she said, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
He gave her a sideways glance, expression calm but attentive. "I'll pack later," he said.
"No, Dhruv! Pack now!" she insisted, hands on her hips and her tone half-teasing, half-commanding.
He sighed, the sound low and reluctant, and reached for his clothes. "Fine," he muttered, opening the suitcase, his movements precise and deliberate.
Vaani watched him, a small smile curling at her lips. "Okay, first, your kurta has to match my lehenga," she began, pacing slightly as she gestured toward the folded fabrics on the bed.
Dhruv remained silent, his dark eyes focused on the neat pile of clothes as he picked a kurta and placed it into the suitcase. He didn't interrupt, merely letting her chatter flow over him.
"I mean, the colors have to complement each other, you know? Not the same color, not clashing, but... like," she waved her hands, "a perfect little harmony. You get it, right?"
He nodded once, briskly, and began folding another shirt, listening to her explanation without saying a word.
Vaani's pace picked up, and she continued, "And your shoes! You can't wear brown with this kurta. Brown is okay, but only if the lehenga has brown hints, otherwise, black is safer. I mean, we don't want a fashion disaster on Ria's wedding, do we?"
Dhruv shot her a quick glance, eyebrows raised slightly, but remained silent, his lips pressed into a thin line. He neatly placed the shoes beside the kurta in the suitcase, aligning them perfectly.
Vaani clapped her hands lightly. "Good! See, you're learning! Okay, now for accessories—you don't have much, but your watch, the cufflinks—oh yes, and the tie! Wait, this kurta doesn't need a tie, does it? Hmm, maybe just the cufflinks, okay, yes, cufflinks."
Dhruv simply nodded, picking up the small box of cufflinks and slipping them into a side pocket in the suitcase. He didn't speak, but there was an attentive sharpness in his gaze, following her every motion.
Vaani, realizing he was quietly taking in all her instructions, grinned and teased, "See, I'm not over-controlling! You're just... listening. Efficiently. That's all."
"I'm listening," he murmured, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips, as he zipped up the compartment with a smooth motion.
"And now," Vaani continued, crouching down to check the smaller bag she had packed for toiletries, "your toiletries.
I put your all your creams. You put the rest. Wait—your cologne!
You can't forget that. Oh, and your sunscreen—yes, very important.
Dhruv, you have to apply sunscreen. Don't say you won't; I packed it! "
He gave her a sidelong glance, slightly amused but still wordless. He picked up the cologne, gently placing it beside his folded shirts, and then added the sunscreen.
"Perfect! See, teamwork!" Vaani clapped again, practically bouncing a little with excitement.
Dhruv smirked faintly, leaning back against the edge of the bed as he watched her flurry around the room. Her energy was contagious, and though he didn't speak much, there was a quiet satisfaction in the way he moved through his packing, making sure everything was just right.
Vaani paused mid-fold, looking at him. "You know, you could talk a little. Just to acknowledge how good I am at planning your outfits."
"I acknowledge," he said simply, his dark eyes meeting hers, and he gave the slightest nod.
Vaani rolled her eyes but smiled, crouching down again to pack her sandals. "Acknowledged. That counts. But you should also say 'thanks' for not letting me lose my mind while packing."
Dhruv merely raised an eyebrow and continued folding his polo shirts, the faintest smile tugging at his lips as he allowed her to continue her running commentary.
"And don't forget," she said, now balancing her bag on the bed as she zipping it closed, "this kurta has to be ironed! You can't wear it like a crumpled mess. I'll pack the iron spray and all, but you have to promise me—iron it before wearing. Promise!"
Dhruv tilted his head, silent, then simply nodded once, precise and firm.
Vaani sighed, but it was a happy sigh. "Finally, someone listens properly. You're actually fun to pack for, Dhruv," she said, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
He gave her a small, almost imperceptible smile and gestured toward the last bag. "Finished?"
She shook her head, "Almost. Just my bag and the extras for the beach. But with you around, it's... easier. You're efficient."
"I'm here," he said simply, voice low but steady.
Vaani paused and looked at him, her grin widening. "Yes, you're here, and that makes all the difference."
Dhruv finally zipped up the last suitcase, tucking the corners perfectly. He stepped back slightly, eyes scanning the room to ensure everything was neat, every bag in its proper place.
Vaani hopped off the bed, clasping her hands together in mock triumph. "Done! See? Packing can be fun when there's teamwork."
He gave her a short, quiet nod, voice soft as he said, "Teamwork."
They shared a small, comfortable silence, the room now orderly but still warm with the lingering energy of their laughter and chatter. Vaani leaned back against the bed, brushing her hair behind her ear, looking at him with a satisfied smile.
Dhruv's dark eyes softened as he watched her, the faintest smirk still lingering. Though he didn't speak much, his presence was enough—calm, grounding, and patient as always.
Finally, Vaani whispered with a chuckle, "Okay, Dhruv, next time, you do the packing. I'll supervise, of course."
He raised an eyebrow, the ghost of a smirk appearing once more. "We'll see," he said simply, closing the suitcase with a final, deliberate click.
Vaani giggled and shook her head, walking toward the door with her bags.
Dhruv followed quietly, carrying his suitcase with his usual efficiency, and together they made their way toward the car, ready to leave for Goa, the air around them light, warm, and threaded with their shared, silent amusement.
~·~
The flight had felt endless. A layover, another boarding, cramped seats, Vaani's chatter switching between hyperactive bursts and sudden sleepy silences—by the time they touched down in Goa, the sky outside was still dark.
The airport clock read 5:03 a.m., the kind of hour where the world looked both half-asleep and strangely alive.
Dragging their cabin bags behind them, Dhruv walked at his usual calm pace, while Vaani stifled a yawn so big she nearly tripped over her own dupatta.
"Dhruv..." she whined, rubbing her eyes. "Why is this flight timing so criminal? Like, who lands at 5 in the morning?"
"Everyone who booked it," he deadpanned, handing her the tote she had almost left on the belt.
She frowned, clutching it. "You're very sarcastic for someone who didn't sleep properly either."
"I wasn't yapping," he replied smoothly, and her sleepy glare was enough to make him hide a faint smirk.
Outside, they found a cab easily—Aayush had pre-arranged everything. Vaani practically melted into the seat, her head lolling against the window. But the second the cab crossed into the main city roads, her eyes shot open.
"Dhruv, look!" she whispered loudly, clutching his arm. "Palm trees! Actual palm trees! We're in Goa!"
"We live in Dubai. You've seen palm trees before," he said, but his tone was mild, almost indulgent.
"But these are Goa palm trees," she insisted, grinning through her exhaustion. "That's different."
He only shook his head, watching as she alternated between squealing softly about the view and yawning every thirty seconds.
By the time the cab pulled into the resort driveway, the sun was just beginning to tint the horizon. The lobby was bright with yellow lights, full of guests dragging bags and yawning.
And then—
"VAANIII!"
Vaani whipped around, eyes instantly lighting up, her exhaustion evaporating. Ria stood in the lobby in a messy bun, hoodie, and shorts, looking equally sleep-deprived but glowing with excitement.
"Riaaa!" Vaani squealed back, jumping out of the cab almost before it stopped. They hugged tightly, rocking side to side, both talking at the same time.
"Oh my God, you're here—finally—look at you—what time did you land—why do you look fresh even now—"
"Me fresh? You look fresh! Are you crazy? You're glowing, bride-to-be!"
Their voices overlapped into incomprehensible chatter, both giggling, both clutching each other like it had been years instead of weeks.
Dhruv stood by the cab, handing over cash to the driver, his lips twitching faintly as he watched. It was like watching two whirlwinds collide—loud, fast, unstoppable.
"Dhruv bhai!"
A male voice pulled his attention. Aayush, Ria's fiancé, came forward with a warm grin. He looked tired too, but there was a calmness about him that felt familiar, almost Dhruv-like.
"Hey," Dhruv said, shaking his hand firmly. "Congratulations again, by the way."
"Thanks, yaar," Aayush said, smiling. "Finally happening. We're glad you both made it."
"Couldn't miss it," Dhruv replied simply.
Meanwhile, the girls were still squealing in the background. Dhruv's eyes flicked toward them, where Vaani was already showing Ria the snacks she had packed, both of them looking like they could stay awake another twenty-four hours just talking.
Aayush chuckled. "They're not going to sleep, are they?"
"They will," Dhruv said, though his tone made it sound more like an order than a prediction.
Aayush grinned, nodding. "Come on, I'll show you to your room. You'll need rest before chaos begins."
The resort room was spacious, white sheets crisp, curtains half-drawn against the dawn outside. Dhruv dropped their luggage by the wall while Vaani practically bounced onto the bed, kicking her shoes off in one move.
"This is so nice!" she said, spreading her arms wide on the comforter. "We're really here, Dhruv. Wedding week in Goa!"
"Mm," he replied, setting her tote aside.
"I can't believe it," she went on, sitting up cross-legged. "Ria is getting married! My Ria! And look at this hotel—so pretty! And the weather is—"
"Vaani."
She paused mid-yap, looking at him with wide eyes. "What?"
"Go to sleep."
Her mouth fell open. "What? Now? Sleep? Dhruv, are you mad? It's literally wedding week, we just got here! How can you expect me to—"
"You were yawning the entire cab ride," he cut in smoothly. "You'll crash in ten minutes. Sleep now, or you'll be useless later."
"I am not useless," she said, pouting. "I'm hyper and excited!"
"Hyper doesn't last forever," he countered, pulling the extra pillow from the cupboard and tossing it onto the bed. "Sleep. At least for a few hours."
She crossed her arms. "I don't want to."
"Vaani."
Something in the firmness of his tone made her huff, cheeks puffing, but then she flopped onto the bed dramatically. "Fine. But only because I don't want dark circles in Ria's photos."
"Good," he said, switching off the lamp near her side.
She peeked at him through one eye as he adjusted his side of the bed. "You're sleeping too, right?"
"Yes."
"Good," she murmured, voice already softer. "Because I don't want to be the only one knocked out while you stay awake doing boring Dhruv things."
He almost chuckled at that but didn't. By the time he lay down, her breathing had already evened out. Excitement or not, exhaustion had finally won.
Dhruv glanced once at her, curled up on her side with her hair spilling across the pillow, then closed his own eyes.
For the first time since the flight began, the world was quiet.
~·~
The next morning, Goa was fully awake. The sun was pouring through the resort balconies, music was playing somewhere in the distance, and the hotel courtyard buzzed with cousins, friends, decorators, and staff rushing around with marigolds and haldi bowls.
It was pure, delightful chaos—the kind of chaos that belonged only to weddings.
By the time the clock struck 11, Dhruv finally stepped out of his room, showered and fresh in a pale cream kurta, sleeves casually rolled up.
He had heard the noise building since nine, but true to his nature, he had stayed inside, quietly going through a few mails before deciding to face the madness.
And madness it was.
The entire hall was alive with laughter, shouting, clinking of bangles, and girls in bright yellows and oranges running around.
Kids darted between legs with plates of sweets.
Simran and Naina were standing by the corner, giving instructions to decorators about the floral setup.
Ria was glowing in a simple yellow kurta, her face already smeared with turmeric from an early haldi prank attack.
Dhruv stood by the staircase, leaning slightly against the railing, his usual calm demeanor intact, but the corners of his mouth tugged upward in amusement.
This... was not his world. But watching it unfold was oddly entertaining.
"Dhruv!"
He turned at the sound of Simran's voice. She waved at him, hurrying over in a bright orange lehenga, jingling bangles on her wrist. "Finally you're out! You missed the morning rehearsal chaos. Ria almost killed Aayush for not remembering the dance steps."
Dhruv arched an eyebrow. "Sounds serious."
"Very," Simran laughed. "Now you're part of the circus, whether you like it or not."
He gave a small nod, his smirk betraying him.
Soon enough, a small group gathered around him—Naina, Simran, and two cousins Dhruv vaguely remembered being introduced to earlier that day.
They started talking to him, asking him where he worked, what his routine was like, how he tolerated Vaani's endless chatter.
He answered sparingly, but politely, and as usual, his measured calmness seemed to both intrigue and amuse them.
Dhruv, who hadn't caught even a glimpse of her in the chaos yet, finally asked, "Where is she?" His tone was casual, but there was a slight undercurrent of impatience he didn't notice himself.
"I don't know," Simran admitted, craning her neck. Then her eyes lit up. "Oh—there she is!"
Dhruv followed her gaze.
And the world stilled.
Vaani was making her way down the far side of the courtyard stairs, her laughter already reaching the group before she did.
She wore a bright mustard yellow lehenga with a light mirror-work blouse that caught the sunlight every time she moved.
A sheer dupatta, edged with delicate silver embroidery, was draped loosely around her shoulders.
Her hair, parted in the middle, decorated with tiny white jasmine flowers.
Big silver jhumkas dangled from her ears, and her hands, stacked with colorful bangles, jingled every time she gestured animatedly to someone beside her.
She looked like a burst of sunshine dropped straight into the courtyard.
Dhruv found himself staring longer than he should have, his lips parting slightly.
It wasn't unusual for Vaani to light up a room—she always did, with her energy, her chatter, her smile.
But this... this was different. He wasn't sure if it was the outfit, the flowers in her hair, or just the sheer glow of her excitement, but his gaze refused to move away.
"Finally, the star arrives," Simran teased as Vaani approached them.
"Sorry sorry!" Vaani said, slightly breathless, her eyes shining. "I was helping Ria with her dupatta pin. And then Naina stole my lipstick and—"
Her words cut short when her eyes found Dhruv. For a moment, her smile softened, the chatter paused, and she tilted her head with that familiar brightness.
"Dhruv! You're here."
He blinked, pulling himself back to reality. "Yeah. Finally out."
"Okayy you two join us fast. I'm gonna go start taking photos!"Simran announced and left. Vaani grinned, then spun lightly in front of Dhruv, holding the edges of her lehenga. "How do I look?"
His eyes swept over her quickly, but he didn't hesitate this time. "Really good."
Her cheeks turned a shade deeper, but she tried to cover it with mock arrogance. "Of course I do."
Then his gaze dropped to her neckline, instinctively searching. Something was missing. His brow furrowed slightly. "Where's your mangalsutra?"
Her hand flew to her bare neck. "Oh! I forgot."
He shook his head lightly. "I mean, it's fine. You don't need to—"
But before he could finish, she interrupted firmly. "No. I should. I'll go get it."
Before he could argue, she had already darted upstairs to their room. Dhruv sighed, but a small part of him couldn't help admiring her insistence.
A few minutes later, she returned, breathless again, holding the delicate black-beaded chain in her hands. She stood in front of him, struggling slightly with the tiny clasp. "Ugh, these hooks are impossible..."
Without a word, Dhruv stepped closer. She froze slightly as he took the chain gently from her fingers. His touch was calm, deliberate, as he moved behind her, brushing her hair aside with one hand. The scent of jasmine and her perfume filled the space between them.
Vaani's breath hitched. Her heart thudded in her chest as his fingers brushed lightly against her skin, fastening the mangalsutra around her neck.
"There," he said softly, stepping back once it clicked into place.
She looked at herself in the nearest mirror—yellow lehenga, jasmine flowers, silver jhumkas, and now, the black-beaded chain resting neatly against her collarbone. Somehow, it felt complete.
Her lips curved into a small smile. "Much better."
Dhruv's gaze lingered for a second longer before he nodded. "It suits you."
Her cheeks warmed again, and this time, she didn't hide it. She only looked down for a moment, fiddling with her bangles, before her friends swooped in again, pulling her away with squeals about group photos.
But Dhruv, standing quietly amidst the chaos, still found himself watching her just a moment longer, the faintest smile tugging at his lips.
By noon, the courtyard of the resort was transformed. Marigold garlands hung in every corner, brass pots filled with turmeric paste were set on low tables, and dhol beats echoed against the whitewashed walls. The air was heavy with laughter, anticipation, and the faint smell of haldi.
Ria sat in the center on a low decorated stool, dressed in a simple yellow kurta, her hair tied back, face glowing with excitement. Aayush was at the other end, grinning sheepishly as his friends teased him, ready to ambush him with bowls of turmeric.
Vaani, dressed in her bright lehenga with a dupatta tied at her waist, practically bounced with excitement as she rushed between both sides. "Simran! Don't waste all the haldi on Ria, save some for Aayush! Balance is important!"
Simran rolled her eyes dramatically. "Vaani, it's tradition! Girls always get more!"
"No, no!" Vaani insisted, wagging her finger. "We're fair people here. Equal opportunity haldi!"
Dhruv, standing slightly to the side, leaned against a pillar, his arms folded. He wasn't the loudest in the group, but his lips curved in quiet amusement as he watched his wife dart around, commanding everyone like she owned the place.
"Okay!" Vaani clapped her hands dramatically. "I'll start with Ria."
She dipped her hand into the turmeric bowl and with exaggerated gentleness dabbed Ria's cheek. "See? Graceful application. This is how it's done."
Ria laughed. "Graceful, haan? Wait till Simran comes!"
Sure enough, Simran swooped in with both hands full of paste and smeared it across Ria's face until she squealed. The whole group erupted into laughter.
From the other side, Aayush's friends cheered. "Come on, bring the groom here!"
Vaani darted over, cupping haldi in her palms. "Aayush, ready?"
He groaned. "Not really, but go easy, Vaani."
"No chance!" she declared, smearing a neat streak across his forehead. "Congratulations, jiju!"
The moment the first streak was applied, chaos officially began.
Friends swarmed from both sides, turmeric flying everywhere, laughter filling the air.
Aayush's friends pinned him down while his cousins smeared his arms, his face, even his hair.
Meanwhile, Ria shrieked as her friends attacked her with handfuls of haldi.
Through it all, Dhruv stayed on the periphery, chuckling, occasionally dodging splashes of yellow that flew in his direction. But Vaani noticed.
"Dhruv!" she called over the noise, waving at him. "What are you doing standing there like a security guard? Come na!"
He gave her one of his small, calm smirks. "I'm fine here."
"Oh no you're not!" she declared, storming toward him. "You're family, you have to join."
Before he could protest, she grabbed his hand and dragged him toward Ria. "At least put a little haldi, na! It's good luck!"
Ria, laughing through the paste dripping down her cheeks, clasped her hands. "Yes, Dhruv! Please!"
With a sigh, Dhruv dipped two fingers into the bowl and, with his usual restraint, touched a small dot onto Ria's cheek.
Everyone booed. "That's it?!"
Vaani gasped dramatically. "Arre wah, kya minimalist application! Dhruv, this isn't painting a dot in math class, this is a wedding ritual!"
He arched an eyebrow at her. "I did what was asked."
But his smirk gave him away, and Vaani groaned. "You're impossible!"
Aayush, watching, chuckled. "Don't worry, Vaani, we'll handle him."
Before Dhruv could retreat, two of Aayush's friends grabbed him by the shoulders.
"NO," Dhruv said, deadpan.
"Yes," they chorused, already dipping their palms into turmeric.
Vaani clapped gleefully from the sidelines. "Yes yes yes!"
And then it happened—two streaks of bright yellow across Dhruv's jawline before he could escape. He closed his eyes briefly, exhaling through his nose, while everyone around erupted into laughter.
"Now you look like part of the wedding!" Vaani cheered.
He gave her a look—one of those pointed, wordless looks that said, This is your fault.
She grinned unrepentantly. "Admit it, you look cute!"
He shook his head, but his lips curved slightly as he wiped at the corner of his cheek.
The chaos continued—Simran tripped and smeared haldi onto her own kurta, Naina slipped while chasing a cousin, kids started painting the marble floor instead of the bride and groom, and through it all, the dhol kept beating, the laughter never pausing.
At one point, Vaani returned to Dhruv's side, her own hands streaked yellow. She nudged him with her elbow. "See? Fun, na?"
He glanced around at the madness, then at her glowing face, and finally gave a small nod. "Yeah. Fun."
Her smile widened at his admission. "Good! Now don't you dare run away before the next round."
As if on cue, Aayush's mother announced loudly, "Okay! Time to bring the couple together!"
Everyone cheered. Ria and Aayush were brought side by side, both covered nearly head to toe in turmeric. Someone started a chant, someone else brought more bowls, and before long, the haldi ceremony turned into a full-on turmeric battle.
Ria shrieked when Aayush cheekily smeared her nose, and he laughed when she retaliated. Their friends splashed more paste on their arms and feet. Aunts took turns blessing them while also sneakily smearing extra haldi on their foreheads.
Vaani, of course, was at the center of it all, squealing and clapping, sometimes singing along with the dhol, sometimes grabbing Dhruv's wrist to pull him into the circle.
At one point, she dipped her hand into the paste and turned mischievously toward him. "Dhruv..."
He gave her a warning look. "Don't."
"Just one streak?" she teased.
He crossed his arms. "No."
"Pleaseee," she begged, tilting her head.
And somehow, even amidst the chaos, he sighed and bent slightly, letting her draw a single yellow line on his cheekbone. Her face lit up like she'd won a battle.
"Perfect," she whispered, more to herself than him.
Later, when the bowls were finally empty and both bride and groom were glowing like literal sunbeams, everyone collapsed in laughter, wiping hands on towels, rushing for water, and begging the staff for juice.
Vaani plopped down on a nearby chair, hair falling loose from her bun, streaks of turmeric on her forearms and even a little on her forehead. She was still laughing when Dhruv brought her a glass of water.
"Thanks," she said between breaths, taking it.
He only nodded, settling beside her, still quiet, still streaked yellow, but the amusement in his eyes gave him away.
"You had fun," she accused playfully.
He smirked. "Maybe."
"Ha! You did!" she said triumphantly, leaning back with her glass. "See, told you. Weddings are fun."
He glanced at her, at the way her smile refused to dim, and for once, he didn't argue.
??