I woke up to the soft warmth of the sun's rays falling across my face, gently pulling me out of sleep. Blinking against the light, I looked around and realized—I was back in my room.
I was tucked under my own duvet, in the same bed I had fallen asleep in hours ago.
And I knew now he would do this every night, taking me into his room after everyone slept and then dropping me back before anyone could wake up.
I sat up slowly, a smile creeping onto my lips. He had literally gone crazy—managing to return me without a trace, like nothing had happened.
The day had finally arrived. Our closest family members would be joining us today.
My heart fluttered at the thought of seeing everyone together, knowing that soon our lives would be entwined even more deeply.
I stretched, the excitement of the day starting to settle in, and made my way to the washroom.
The cool water splashing against my face helped clear my thoughts. After doing my business, I glanced at myself in the mirror, feeling a mix of emotions—anticipation, joy, and the secret I still carried.
I started getting ready, picking out a simple yet elegant outfit, wanting to look my best for the haldi.
I was curling my hair when I found Navi walking up lazily.
"Good morning, sweetheart!" I smiled at her through the mirror.
"Good morning bhabhi!" She yawned, stretching her arms and legs.
"Navi, when will we be returning to Bangalore?" I asked casually while adjusting my dupatta.
She blinked, still a bit sleepy, and shook her head. "We're here in Mussoorie for a week."
I nearly dropped the dupatta. "A week? Why?" I blurted out, my surprise evident.
"Vo to bhai hi batayega aapko! We're instructed to keep our lips sealed." She smirked.
"Don't tell me there's another surprise!" I said frustratingly.
"Maybe!" She smirked again and ran inside the washroom.
My mind raced as I processed that. A week? We had decided to keep the wedding short, today Haldi and Mehndi would be done followed by engagement and Sangeet tomorrow and then the main wedding day.
So what was the need for a week-long stay here?
Once I was finished getting ready, I decided to check on Vayu and ask him what he planned now.
I made my way to his room and without thinking twice, I barged in without knocking, only to find him standing there in nothing but a towel.
His eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly ducked behind the curtain. "What the—!" he exclaimed.
I couldn't help but smirk, folding my arms as I leaned against the doorframe. "Oh, come on. I've already seen everything!" I teased, raising an eyebrow at him.
"But you can't come–" he started but I stepped closer to him.
And before I knew, I was into his arms, his wet chest collided with my front making me gasp.
"Stop ruining my dress, Kashyap!" I yelled and tried to free myself from his grip but he tightened his hold around my waist.
And before I could say more, he shook his head vigorously. Droplets from his wet hairs fell on my face making me squeeze my eyes.
"Vayuuuu!" I shouted but he only chuckled.
"Good morning, Sunflower!" He said casually while I patted his chest.
"Idiot!" I muttered and pushed him away making my way towards the mirror to check my makeup.
He smiled at me and started dressing up while I fixed my makeup. Then I realised why I was here.
I turned to him, folding my arms across my chest and asked, "Why are we here for a whole week?"
His actions stopped while I raised a brow. "C'mon yaar! It's your dream destination, we'll see places after the wedding." He replied while his eyes roamed across the room.
And I knew he was lying.
"I don't want to stay here one extra day after the wedding!" I said taking slow steps towards him.
"Sunflower, it will be fun..." he started but I stopped him in between.
"There's no need to waste money. We will leave the very next day, Kashyap!" I said more of a warning to him.
"Hence proof, you're a legit MARWADI!" He muttered but I glared at him.
"Oh please! And I know you're lying. Just tell me what's on your mind, Kashyap?" I asked him gritting my teeth.
"Okayy! It's a surprise for you, Sunflower!" He said.
"Ugh! Vayu, come on! You know I can't bear another surprise now!" I protested.
"You've to baby!" he said, making me stomp my foot on the ground.
"Please tell me na!" I requested like a small kid asking for his favourite chocolate.
"No way I'm gonna ruin my month long hard work!" He said, slipping into a kurta.
"Month long?" I asked again.
"Yes, I've been planning for this for months." He said casually and walked towards the mirror to set his hair.
"Are you going to tell me or not, Vayu!"
He grinned, running a hand through his wet hair. "Not a chance. You'll just have to wait until the right moment."
That answer only fueled my frustration. "Seriously, Vayu?"
His smile only widened, clearly enjoying himself. "Patience is a virtue, you know."
I felt a surge of playful anger bubble up inside me, and without thinking, I stormed toward him, closing the gap between us.
"Fine! You know what? I've got a surprise for you too," I blurted out, my voice rising.
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh, really?"
I crossed my arms, glaring at him. "Yes! And it's big. It's going to blow your mind. Something you're not expecting at all, but guess what? I'm not telling you anything until after we're married!"
Saying so, I stormed out of his room, leaving him standing there, completely flabbergasted.
I could almost feel his bewildered gaze following me as I closed the door behind me with a satisfying click.
As I walked down the hallway, I couldn't wipe the grin off my face. This was going to drive him crazy, and I was thoroughly enjoying it. Payback time for all his teasing.
I stood there for a moment, astonished, as the door clicked shut behind her. What could her surprise possibly be?
My mind raced through a million possibilities, but none seemed to fit. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't even notice the time passing.
Eventually, I forced myself to shake it off and get ready for the day. As I walked down the hallway, the excitement of the upcoming celebrations began to seep back in.
Everything was adorned in bright shades of white and yellow, from the draped fabrics to the floral arrangements.
As I stepped further into the hall, I could hear laughter and chatter, family members mingling and enjoying the festivities.
The ceremony began with vibrant energy as our family members surrounded us, each armed with bowls of Haldi.
The golden paste was everywhere, and laughter filled the air as they playfully smeared it on our faces, arms, and even a bit in our hair.
I sat beside Reya, our knees touching as we both tried to dodge the relentless splashes of turmeric.
I leaned closer to her and whispered, "At least give me a hint, Sunflower!"
"Oh, says the one who started it all!" She said while her eyes roamed across the hallway.
"Let's do one thing.." she continued, "One for one! You tell me your surprise and I'll spill mine. Deal?"
I sighed and shook my head, "No way!"
"To bhul jaa phir!" She replied.
I shook my head and chuckled. Our family members continued to smear the Haldi on us, and the playful banter created a bubble of joy around us.
As the ceremony came to an end, the laughter and joy slowly subsided as everyone retreated to their rooms to wash off the Haldi.
I wiped off as much of the paste as I could, and saw Reya slipping into her room.
An idea sparked in my mind, and without thinking twice, I tiptoed toward her door, glancing around to make sure no one was watching.
When I reached her room, a mischievous grin spread across my face as I quietly closed the door behind me.
Before Reya could react, I wrapped my arms around her waist and effortlessly lifted her off the ground, ignoring her surprised gasp.
"Vayu! What are you doing?" she exclaimed, trying to wiggle out of my grip, but I wasn't letting go.
With a grin, I carried her straight into the bathroom. "We're getting a shower, Sunflower," I teased, stepping into the shower and nudging the faucet open.
In an instant, cold water rained down on us, washing away the turmeric from our skin.
"Vayu!" she shrieked, her hands instinctively reaching up to block the water from hitting her face. "Pagal ho gaya hai tu!"
I chuckled, holding her tightly as the water poured over us. "I'm just saving water, Sunflower!"
She glared at me through the stream of water, her wet clothes clinging to her as the Haldi washed off, leaving her drenched.
She cursed under her breath, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
I leaned in, pressing my forehead against hers, droplets of water sliding down our faces. "You know what I just wanted to kiss you while everyone was busy smearing Haldi on each other?" I whispered, our lips almost touching.
She sighed dramatically, her arms slipping around my neck as she leaned into me. "So what were you waiting for?" she asked.
I smiled and pulled her closer under the water, and said, "I promise to kiss you in front of everyone!" And attached our lips into a hot kiss.
The water cascaded over us, our bodies creating warmth amidst the cool weather in Mussoorie.
Luckily, Vayu managed to sneak out of my room after our playful and steamy shower.
I could still feel the lingering warmth of his touch, and every time I thought about the way he teased me under the water, a soft blush crept onto my cheeks.
I stood in front of the mirror now, trying to focus on getting ready for the mehndi ceremony, but my mind kept drifting back to him.
"Focus, Reya!" I muttered to myself, shaking my head as I applied a light touch of makeup.
As I finished getting ready, my hands now bare, awaiting the intricate mehndi designs that would soon cover them, I glanced out the window.
The mehndi ceremony was about to begin, and taking a deep breath, I made my way downstairs.
As I descended the stairs, the lively hum of chatter and laughter filled the air.
The women of our families were all seated in a circle, completely absorbed in the intricate patterns of mehndi being applied to their palms.
The atmosphere was warm and vibrant, full of joy and excitement for the upcoming wedding.
I made my way towards the ladies and asked, "Who's going to apply mehndi on my palms?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
But instead of answering, they all exchanged knowing glances, smiling and chuckling among themselves.
"What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Wait, you'll get to know soon!" Navi chuckled and I sighed.
"Don't tell me isme bhi kuch surprise hai!" I muttered and they all nodded in unison, grinning widely, which only added to my curiosity.
Before I could press further, I noticed Vayu approaching, a mischievous grin plastered on his face. He casually strolled over, hands in his pockets, and stopped right in front of me.
"Vayu, see they aren't telling me who's gonna apply mehndi on my hands." I complained like a kid with a pout.
He chuckled and turned to them saying, "Kyu pareshan kar rahe ho meri Sunflower ko?"
"Haan, now tell me mujhe kon mehndi lgega?" And before I could even complete the sentence properly, I was lifted up in the air.
I gasped, my heart racing as I realized it was Vayu, grinning like the mischievous troublemaker he always is.
"Vayu! What are you doing?!" I shrieked, as he effortlessly carried me toward the centre of the hall.
He placed me down gently on the decorated sofa, his eyes twinkling with amusement. I could feel all eyes on us, but I was too stunned to react.
He leaned in close, his lips brushing my ear as he whispered, "Mere naam ki mehndi hai toh main hi lagaunga na?"
He grinned as he straightened up, holding the mehndi cone in his hand like he was about to draw the most important design of his life.
I stared at him, still catching my breath, half embarrassed, half touched by the playful gesture.
"Don't tell me you're serious?" I laughed, shaking my head.
He knelt in front of me, carefully holding my hand, his eyes softening as he looked at me.
"Of course I'm, Sunflower." He said, starting to trace the henna design, his focus making me smile.
Everyone around us was giggling, and I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks, but I couldn't take my eyes off him. There was something incredibly sweet about him doing this, even if it was a little crazy.
"Tujhe mehndi lagani aati bhi hai?" I teased, trying to mask the fluttering in my chest.
He chuckled, looking up briefly. "Aati ho nahi hai, but don't worry I won't ruin the most important Mehndi of your life."
I rolled my eyes, but the smile on my face betrayed my act of frustration. "Agar kharab hui to?"
Vayu smirked, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Toh unhi mehndi vale haathon se mujhe thappad maar diyo, bas?" He replied, making everyone around us burst into laughter.
I couldn't help but laugh too, my heart swelling with love for this ridiculous, wonderful man who always knew how to make every moment unforgettable.
He made intricate designs over my hands, his touch surprisingly gentle and focused.
His brows furrowed in concentration as he carefully traced the patterns, trying his best not to ruin the delicate work.
As he carefully wrote his name in the design, I watched him with a teasing smile. He had only written "Vayu," when I couldn't help but interrupt.
"Sirf Vayu? Captain bhi likh aage!" I said, my eyes twinkling with mischief.
He paused, raising an eyebrow, and chuckled. "Sirf Vayu nahi?"
I shook my head in no. "Main Vayu se thodi shaadi kar rahi, main to Captain Vayush Kashyap se shaadi kar rahi hoon!"
He rolled his eyes playfully and smiled as he added "Captain" before his name in my mehndi.
Once he was done with my mehndi, he gently blew over my hands, his warm breath sending a shiver down my spine as the mehndi began to dry.
His eyes never left mine, a playful smirk still on his face as if he knew exactly what he was doing.
"Oh god! Even your breaths are intimidating!" I whispered, as he continued to blow gently on my hands.
"Are they?" He asked in a husky voice, making me bite my cheeks.
We were in the middle of teasing each other, laughing quietly, when Navi suddenly appeared with a plate of food.
She took one look at my mehndi-covered hands and smirked, her eyes glinting with amusement.
"Not bad bhai! Chalo kuch to kaam ache se karta hai," she said, glancing between Vayu and me.
Vayu rolled his eyes, "Dekh meri shaadi hai isliye kuch nahi keh raha, varna..." he shot back.
She chuckled, "Varna...raat mein bhabhi kahan soyi thi ye main sabko batau ya aap batana pasand karenge?"
My eyes widened in surprise and my cheeks turned red. Before I could say something, Vayu stepped in,
"Mm..vese Navi, tune mehndi lagva li? Tu kahe to main tujhe bhi laga du?" Vayu said nervously, making me and Navi laugh hard.
"Rehne de bhai! Sab samajh rahi hoon main." Navi replied, rolling her eyes.
I couldn't help but laugh at their never ending banters.
Vayu took the plate from Navi's hand and settled beside me. He picked up a bite of food, bringing it to my lips with such care.
I opened my mouth, and ate with his hands. I swear to God, the food tasted heavenly.
I couldn't hide my smile as he continued feeding me, his eyes never leaving mine.
Once I fed her the last bite, I stood up and walked away to wash my hands.
The sun was beginning to set, casting a soft orange glow over the horizon as the environment started to turn darker and colder. The chill in the air was becoming more noticeable.
As I made my way back towards Reya, I saw her sitting there, her arms wrapped around herself, shivering slightly from the cool weather.
Without a second thought, I quickly headed to her room. I rummaged through her bag and found a soft, warm shawl.
I rushed back to her and, without saying a word, gently wrapped the shawl around her shoulders.
She looked up, surprised, but her eyes softened when she saw me.
"You should've told me you were cold, Sunflower!" I said softly, adjusting the shawl around her to make sure she was completely covered.
She smiled warmly, pulling the shawl tighter around herself. "I didn't want to bother you!" she said.
I sat down beside her, my arm resting on her back. "Lifetime bother karne ka plan bana chuki hai tu! Ye to kuch bhi nahi!" I teased and she glared at me.
We sat there in comfortable silence, wrapped in the warmth of the shawl and each other's presence, watching our families.
Some were dancing with carefree joy, while others sat with their hands outstretched, drying their henna under the soft glow of the evening lights.
I glanced over at our fathers, deeply engrossed in a conversation, predictably debating politics and corruption as if they could solve the world's problems tonight.
While I was busy adoring our parents, Reya straightened up, and with a determined look in her eyes, she said, "Haath de apna!"
I blinked, confused for a second, and asked, "What? Why?"
Without waiting for me to figure it out, she grabbed my hand with one of hers, holding the henna cone in the other.
I was still puzzled, watching her with raised eyebrows.
"Sunflower, what are you doing?" I asked, a half-laugh escaping me.
She glanced up at me with a playful glint in her eyes. "Mehndi laga rahi hu tujhe," she said.
"You're serious?" I asked, genuinely surprised.
"Bilkul," she replied, focusing as she started making a small design on my palm.
She took her time, making tiny patterns, before writing her name neatly—"Dr. Reya."
I couldn't help but smile, watching her proudly finish the little masterpiece on my palm. "Sun.." I said mischievously.
She looked up and nodded as I leaned forward and whispered, "Draw a Sunflower here." I said pointing to an empty space on my palm.
She chuckled, her voice soft but filled with affection. "Ruk!"
I looked down at my palm, while she drew a Sunflower on it. "It's perfect," I said softly. "Just like you."
She glanced up, her eyes meeting mine with that familiar twinkle.
She's my sunflower—rooted in love, blooming with warmth, and always turning toward me no matter where life takes us.
She smiled and glanced around quickly, making sure no one was watching. Before I could react, she leaned forward and gave me a soft peck on the lips.
It was brief, but it left me stunned for a moment, my heart racing.
I blinked, still processing what had just happened. "What was that for?" I asked, a grin forming on my lips.
She smirked, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "For being mine," she whispered, her voice playful yet filled with warmth.
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