Sunaina's POV

The next day, I woke up at 6 and quickly got ready in my random PJs, as I had to check the preparations once. Taking my phone with me, I made my way downstairs and saw the living room beautifully decorated.

The workers had done really well with the decorations this time. I was so happy with the way it all turned out.

After checking the decorations, I made my way toward bhaiya's room to wake that old hag up, and after what felt like an eternity of continuous knocking, he finally opened the door.

"Wake up, Mr. Groom, or you'll get late and your mommy dearest will kill you," I told him, entering inside and making myself comfortable on his bed.

"Can't I sleep for a few more minutes, please?" bhaiya said, hiding his head under the blanket.

"No bhaiya, go quickly get ready, and I'll be waiting at the dining table," I said, leaving without waiting for his reply.

I reached the dining table and saw my parents having their coffee as usual, busy with their MacBooks, working alongside.

"Good morning," I said, settling into my seat.

"Morning," they replied in unison.

"Did you check the preparations? The Mehras will be here in an hour, and why are you not ready?" my mother said, taking a sip from her coffee while simultaneously checking her mails.

"I was going to get ready after breakfast, and yes, the preparations are done," I said, serving myself some poha.

"Hmm... Where is Avinash? Is he still sleeping?" she asked.

"He had an urgent work call. He'll join us soon," I replied, gulping down a bite.

"Good morning, everyone," bhaiya said, entering in a hurry and sitting in his place opposite me. We all replied with the same greeting.

"So, what's the plan for the day?" he asked, serving himself.

"The Mehras are arriving in an hour or so. Today we have the mehndi and sangeet, and tomorrow is the haldi and wedding," Mom said.

"And Sunaina, make sure you don't repeat the same stupidity you did yesterday," Dad said, standing up from his seat. I just nodded at him.

"Let's go, we have a meeting with the investors in 15," he told Mom, and they both left. I'm not even surprised at this point — that's how our family breakfasts usually go.

"Princess, you too go get ready. I'll be in my room if you need anything," bhaiya said, giving me a kiss on the forehead before he left.

"Okay, Sunu, let's go and get ready," I said to myself and went to my room.

After a long selection process, I settled on a satin green suit, paired it with golden jhumkas, and curled my hair. I applied a little bit of makeup, finishing it off with my favourite sweet yet subtle fragrance. I was ready for the day.

As I reached downstairs, I saw my parents along with my brother seated in the living room.

"The Mehras arrived?" I asked, making my way towards them.

"No," my mom said.

"Princess, you look very pretty," bhaiya said with a smile, giving me a side hug.

"Tell me something I don't know," I said, flipping my hair.

"That the compliment was a lie," bhaiya replied, flipping his non-existent hair.

"You—ENOUGH! YOU BOTH ARE NOT KIDS, STOP BEHAVING LIKE ONE!" I was about to reply with something savage, but my mother cut me off.

I was about to retort to her too, but was cut off by the arrival of the Mehras.

What's with everyone cutting me off today?

Greetings were exchanged amongst the elders as the youngsters were yet to arrive.

"Namaste uncle and aunty," I said, joining my hands.

"Namaste betaa," uncle said, patting my hair affectionately. And aunty, being the sweetest, hugged me and said, "How's my Sunu?"

"Perfectly fine aunty, how are you?" I asked sweetly, taking in her motherly warmth, and she replied, "Absolutely amazing."

I was about to say something but was again cut off with a loud cheerful scream, and now running towards me, Pari yelled, "Sunu diii, I missed you!" and hugged me with force. Thankfully, I balanced myself.

"I missed you too, little one," I said, chuckling at her.

"Don't be dramatic Pari, we met yesterday. Hi diii," Ayesha said, giving me a brief hug.

"Hi cutie," I said, reciprocating her hug and moved forward to greet bhabhi but bumped into a guy. The guy turned and—FUCK, IT'S HIM. HE LOOKS SO HOT.

Hot? Sunu, control yourself.

Now's not the time to jump on his bones.

"Not again," I said, rolling my eyes.

"Watch where you're going, shortcake. Don't bump into me again and again," he replied, smirking.

"Kahi tumhe mujhse pyaar na hojae," he continued.

(You might fall in love with me.)

"Oh hello, mister. First of all, stop standing in the middle. Secondly, stop calling me shortcake, you jerk," I said with a tight-lipped smile and went towards bhabhi without waiting for his reply.

"Hi Sunu, how are you?" bhabhi said as she saw me coming towards her.

"I am good bhabhi, how are you doing? You must be tired. Why don't you go and take some rest in your room? Anyway, you have to sit for hours for mehndi," I replied.

"Girls, let's go. I'll show you guys your rooms too," I said.

"Let's go," Pari announced.

"Oh hello, ladies, who's going to show the room to this gentleman?" bhaiya said, putting his arm around that handsome jerk's shoulders.

"Your best friend, your problem. Let's go, girls," I said, and we went. First, we dropped Pari, then Ayesha, and then finally, bhabhi's room came.

"And here we go, madam. We've arrived at your stop," I said and bowed like a driver.

"Thank you, miss," bhabhi replied, matching the energy, and we both chuckled afterward.

"Okay, you rest. If you need anything, you can call me or just come—my room is always open for you. It's the third one from the last," I said.

"Thank you, Sunu, you make me feel so welcomed already," bhabhi said, giving me a brief hug.

"Well, always at your service, m'lady," I said in a British accent, reciprocating, and left for my room after a few talks with bhabhi.

I went towards the mehndi venue as the function was going to start in a few hours, so why not give last-minute checks?

"bhaiya ye kya hai maine aapko btaya tha na pastel green and pink theme k colour ki hi decoration hogi bride seat par, ye dark colour kaha se aagya?" I said to one of the workers.

(Bhaiya what is this? I told you to decorate the bride seat with pastel green and pink themed colours what are these dark coloured pillows doing here?)

"sorry madam mai staff se puchkr abhi change krwata hu" the worker replied.

(Sorry madam let me tell the staff to change them)

"haaa, function start hone mei sirf 4 ghante hai aur aapko aisa krna hai" I said, frustrated at myself. I should've supervised this more precisely in the morning itself.

(Yes, the function starts in just 4 hours and you guys are doing this blunder.)

"aur khane k liye aap log dhangse protocols follow kr rahe hai ya nahi?" I said, supervising the kitchen provided to the chefs for catering purposes.

(And are you guys following proper protocols for food?)

"ji madam aapko shikayat ka mauka nahi denge," one of the workers replied, and I just nodded.

(Yes madam, we won't disappoint you.)

"bhaiya woh common seating ka shed kab tak lgega ?" I asked the head worker.

(Bhaiya when are you going to put the seating area shed?)

"madam shed ban gya hai bas usko jameen mei gaadna hai, function shuru hone se 2 ghanta pehle kr denge." he replied. I gave him a nod.

(Madam the shed is ready, we just need to install it. We'll do it two hours before the function starts.)

"theek hai aap—" I was about to say something but was cut off by Dev bhaiya's call.

(Okay, you—)

"aap jaiye woh bride area theek krwaiye," I said to the worker and made my way towards him.

Aahaa... the handsome jerk was with him too.

(You can leave and please do what I instructed with the bride area.)

"ji bhaiya," I said.

"How much are you going to work? Stop it and go take some rest, I'll look at those preparations," he replied.

"No bhaiya, it's okay. I just wanted to do some last-minute checks. You go and stay with bhabhi, her morning sickness must be tiring her a lot," I assured him.

"Go and rest, I'll do the rest, or else you'll faint and we'll have a patient to take care of," the jerk said.

"No, thank you. I can very much take care of myself, I don't need—" I was saying, but was cut off by him, "Go, or else I'll lock you in your room." Dev bhaiya chuckled and I glared at him hard.

"Excuse me," I said, offended at his threat.

"You are excused. Now leave. And Devesh, you too go. I'll handle it," he said, rolling his eyes, amused.

"Sure man. Let's go, Sunu," Dev bhaiya said and dragged me despite my protests.

"Fine. Now stop dragging me like a sack," I said, freeing myself from him.

"You too go bhaiya, and if bhabhi needs any help, lemme know," I said and went towards my room to have a much-needed power nap.

Reaching my room, the first thing I did was throw my dupatta in a corner, remove my earrings, and change my clothes. And boss, as soon as I hit the bed, I knocked out and woke up 20 minutes late. The function must have started. Fuck. I got ready in haste and dashed towards our backyard.