ADHVAIT'S POV

Today was the haldi ceremony. I woke up like usual, squeezed in a workout at Avinash's gym, and got ready for the day. After a relaxing shower, I put on my kurta pajama, sprayed on some cologne, and headed downstairs.

As soon as I stepped out, my eyes instinctively searched for her—but to my utter disappointment, she wasn't there yet. And to make matters worse, my two best friends spotted me and had the audacity to smirk.

“Tadap hi aisi hai, raha nahi jaata na,” Avinash said, laughing.

(“The craving is real, isn’t it?”)

Devesh joined him in his fit of laughter.

“Chup kar jao haramiyo,” I muttered, rolling my eyes.

(“Shut up, you assholes.”)

“aa rahi hai aa rahi hai chinta kyu karta hai mere bhai"Devesh said with a grin.

(She’s coming, she’s coming—don’t stress, my brother)

“You worry about your girl. Look, there she is,” I said, pointing at Nishika as she walked in, glowing in a yellow anarkali.

“Haaye, main mar jaaun,” he sighed dreamily.

(“Damn, I might just die.”)

Avinash and I smacked him on the head in perfect sync, smirking. Of course, Avinash had already recorded his reaction.

Haah Take that, bastard.

“Oye kamine!” Devesh yelped when he saw the phone in his face.

(“You asshole!”)

“No, bro. You were way too interested in my love life. Should I post this on Instagram? Your fan following is going to explode,” I said, resting a hand on his shoulder with a smug grin.

“dost ho dosti nibhao na, dushmani par kyu utar aaye ho saalo"he whined, laughing nervously.

("We’re friends, man! Be a friend! Why are you acting like my enemy?”)

“What’s going on, guys?” Nishika asked, walking up to us.

“Nothing much, just teaching an idiot a lesson,” I said, side-hugging her and smirking at Devesh, who rolled his eyes. Avinash just chuckled.

"Ignore him nishita, he's always have something crawled up his ass" avinash said side hugging her.

“Kutta,” I said, lightly punching Avinash’s shoulder.

(“Dog.”)

“Let’s go, baby. You must be tired. I’ll get you something to drink,” Devesh said, leading Nishika to the mocktail counter and mock-saluting us.

“Whipped bastard,” Avinash and I muttered in unison, chuckling.

“Here comes your lady love, dear brother-in-law,” I teased, emphasizing “brother-in-law” as I pointed to Priyu di, who had just taken her place for the haldi ceremony.

“Your girl’s right behind her, bro. Take a look,” Avinash said, resting his hand on my shoulder. And that’s when I saw her. The only thing that came to my mind was,

A fairy. My fairy.

The gajra in her hair...

haaye, dil le jaa soniyo.

(Damn, take my heart away, darling.)

“Kya hua bhai? Hosh udd gaye?” Pari asked, suddenly appearing out of nowhere. She’s far too smart—and shameless—for her age.

(“What happened, bro? Lost your senses?”)

“Shut up, idiot,” I said, lightly smacking her.

“Ouch! Not the hair, bhaiya! Sunu di styled it so carefully,” she whined, gently fixing her hair, I rolled my eyes in response.

“Guys, let’s go. Bhaiya, you need to sit beside your real wife, not your fake one,” my love said, directly calling me the fake husband. I sighed as everyone laughed at my expense.

I’ll see you later, idiots.

“Let’s go, princess,” Avinash said, heading toward his bride.

She was about to follow him when a gust of wind blew, and her dupatta slapped me across the face. Ouch—it stung a little, but at least I got a whiff of her divine perfume.

She muttered a soft “sorry” and walked ahead—dragging me with her.

Wait.

Dragging me?

That’s when I noticed her dupatta was caught on the button of my kurta.

“Hey, listen—” I began, but she cut me off.

“What now? I already said sorry!” she snapped, still moving.

“Yes, you did, senorita. But would you stop dragging me along with you?” I said, smirking. She paused, confused.

FUCK.

FUCK FUCK FUCK WRONG MOVE.

We were standing way too close—my lips could brush her forehead if she took even half a step forward. Her eyes widened at our proximity.

DON’T PANIC. DON’T YOU DARE PANIC.

I gulped and gestured at her dupatta. Her eyes widened further. She leaned in to detangle it, and I couldn’t help but admire her. Her beautiful eyes, long lashes, delicate nose, pink cheeks flushed with our closeness, the frustrated frown when the dupatta got stuck again, and her lips—so inviting.

Snap out of it, Adhvait.

I looked away from her, my thoughts are dangerous around her.

“Could you bend a little? I can’t reach the button properly,” she huffed.

“Sure, senorita. Whatever you say,” I replied, my voice husky. I cleared my throat and obliged.

“You look ethereal,” I whispered near her ear. She shuddered—aha, she was affected too.

“Th-thank you,” she stammered, blushing.

“stupid stupid stupid dupatta tujhe bhi yehi aakar fasna tha?” she mumbled. I nearly laughed.

("Stupid dupatta… why did you have to get stuck here ?”)

“Let me do it,” I said, gently holding her wrist. She nodded, and I quickly freed the fabric.

“And done. Your dupatta is as stubborn as you are,” I teased, hands tucked in my pockets now to avoid making her uncomfortable.

“Shut up,” she snapped, turning to leave—only to freeze. Our entire younger clan was watching with smirks.

“Kya ho raha tha yahan?” Priyu di asked, raising an eyebrow in mock seriousness, though she was clearly trying not to grin as if she got her favourite toffee.

(“What was happening here?”)

“K-kuch nahi bhabhi… my dupatta got stuck in his kurta,” she stammered.

(Nothing bhabhi...my dupatta got stuck in his kurta)

“Stop it, di. She’s getting scared. You know it’s impossible between us. I don’t want to die before the wedding—or get murdered by her,” I said. They laughed. She glared. If looks could kill…I would be buried 6 feet below the ground.

“Wipe those annoying smirks before I show you what I can do,” I warned. The smirks disappeared instantly.

“Sunu, mumma is calling. Go fast,” Avinash said, and she hurried off. As soon as she left, the smirks returned.

“I don’t want to die before the wedding—or get murdered by her,” Pari mimicked me. Everyone burst out laughing including me.

“When are you going to make a move, bro?” Avinash asked.

“Not anytime soon. We need to execute our plan first,” I said, and he nodded.

“Bhaiya, look! Isn’t this picture beautiful?” Pari showed me the photo she had sneakily taken of us.

“Send it to me, and a list of what you want,” I said. She squealed and ran off I'm already aware of what she's going to demand,-her bribe usually consisted of pizza and ice cream.

“Let’s go, guys,” Devesh called, and we headed to the haldi area.

My eyes instantly found her. Her smile had faded, and her eyes looked distant. What happened? What did her mom say?

I exchanged a glance with Avinash, who looked just as confused. I gestured toward her. He nodded and mouthed, “Later.” I understood—he was the groom after all.

“Eshu, Pari, go to her. Try to lift her mood,” I whispered to my sisters.

“Who, bhaiya?” Eshu teased, wiggling her brows.

“Your to-be bhabhi, little one,” I said, shaking my head. They laughed and went to her.

“You love her a lot, don’t you?” Nishika said, smiling at me.

“I don’t know if I’m capable of loving her but she’s my jaan,” I said softly. She patted my head.

“I can’t wait to see you both together, Adi.”

“Me too.” I replied looking at her.

“Kids, come apply haldi to the bride and groom!” chachi called.

We all ran over, hands full of haldi. She was smiling again—scratch that, she was smirking.

“Don’t you dare!” Avinash warned.

“Guys, ready?” Devesh smirked.

“Yes!” we shouted.

“No, no, no!” Priyu di squealed.

“Soldiers—attack!” Eshu announced, and we pounced. Soon, haldi turned to holi.

“That’s enough! Go shower and rest—we’ve got a wedding to host. And remember, Priyu and Avinash—you’re not allowed to meet until the wedding,” chachi said. We nodded and scattered.

I decided to finish some work before the wedding. But my mind kept drifting to Priyu di. I needed to talk to her.

I found Pari and Eshu already outside her room.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“The same thing you are. Let’s go together,” I said, and Pari knocked.

We heard shuffling inside—my idiot of a best friend was probably there. I smirked.

A few moments later, Di opened the door, rubbing her eyes and asked,

“What’s wrong, guys?”

“We wanted to talk,” Pari said.

“Come in.” Di said stepping aside.

“mt jao na di, we'll miss you ” Pari said, hugging her.

(Don’t go, di… we’ll miss you)

“Who’ll make late-night snacks for us? Style our hair? Nothing will be fun without you,” Eshu added.

“Hm, so that’s the problem,” Di said, clearly trying not to cry.

“Let’s just bring jiju home with us—you don’t have to go!” Pari sniffled. Di and I laughed.

“That’s not how it works, my baby. But I promise, no one will stop you from meeting me. I’ll come to visit you whenever I can.” di replied.

“Promise?”

“Pakka wala promise.”

“Okay, now go rest,” I said. They nodded and climbed onto her bed.

“What are you doing?” di asked confused.

“We’re napping with you,” Eshu said, lying on one side while Pari lay on the other. Di chuckled as they made space for di to lay down between them.

“Let’s go, we need to talk,” I told Di, gesturing to the balcony. She followed, and I handed her some wipes.

“Here. Your lipstick’s smudged, best friend’s wifey.”

She rolled her eyes and wiped it off.

“Couldn’t your soon-to-be husband wait a few hours before shoving his tongue down your throat?” I said smirking.

“Shut up, idiot,” she said, smacking my arm.

“Are you happy, Di?”

“Of course I am, chotu.”

“If he ever hurts you, I swear—I’ll pluck out his tongue. I’m your brother first, his friend later. I’ll never let anyone make you cry,” I said, holding back tears and hugging her tightly.

“I know, chotu,” she whispered, hugging me back.

“Let’s go, you need rest now. I’m sure he didn’t let you,” I said, leading her inside. She chuckled.

“They’re already asleep,” she said.

“You should sleep too,” I said, kissing her forehead. She nodded, lay down between the girls, and I tucked them all in gently and left.

Please never let her cry. She wipe my tears when I was drowning in pain. I’ll be damned if I ever let anyone be the reason behind hers.

With that thought, I finished the remaining work and rested. It’s a big day—my Priyu di is marrying my best friend… and her love.