23. Blushie blushie

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Daksh and Divya cascaded down the stairs together, their footsteps light and synchronized, the bond between them undeniable.

Divya wore a simple, yet elegant, traditional kurti, the soft fabric flowing gracefully around her, while Daksh opted for a crisp pant and shirt, exuding effortless charm.

As they descended, their presence seemed to radiate warmth, and it didn’t take long for Rukmini and Geeta to notice them.

They exchanged pleased glances before gushing at the sight of their children.

"Look how perfect they are," Geeta smiled, her eyes twinkling with affection.

"Oh, we should take away the evil eyes from them!" Rukmini said playfully, swirling her fingers in the air as if to ward off any ill fortune.

Divya, ever respectful, bent down and touched the feet of the elders, a gesture that brought smiles to their faces.

Her politeness and grace made the moment all the more endearing. After receiving their blessings, she stood up and walked over to Ishika.

Without a word, they embraced each other in a warm, heartfelt hug. The happiness between them was palpable, filling the room with a sense of closeness and love.

"Divya," Rukmini said with a soft smile, her voice filled with warmth, "today is your pehli rasoi. Are you ready?"

Divya hesitated for a moment, the weight of the moment settling in. Her eyes met Rukmini’s with a mixture of excitement and nerves. "Yes..." she paused, then smiled warmly, "Ma..."

Rukmini, her heart swelling with emotion, pulled Divya into a tight hug.

It was a moment of connection, of welcoming Divya fully into the family, and it spoke volumes without a single word more.

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Now, Divya and Daksh stood side by side in the kitchen. The familiar scent of spices and warmth filled the air, a comforting backdrop for what was about to be a meaningful experience for Divya.

Divya stood in front of the stove, considering what to make. She had always enjoyed cooking, but today felt different.

It was her first official meal as part of this family, and she wanted it to be perfect.

After a moment of thought, she decided to make something traditional, something close to her heart.

"I’ll make aloo paratha and dal tadka," she decided quietly to herself, the words slipping from her lips before she could stop them.

Daksh, who had been standing by the counter, watching her with gentle interest, broke the silence with his usual playful tone.

"So? What can I do to help, Honeypie?" He leaned in slightly, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, his grin mischievous yet warm.

Divya shot him a quick, amused glance, feeling the flutter of familiarity between them.

She couldn't help but smile at his casual confidence, knowing that, in this moment, he was there for her in every way.

"Maybe you could start by peeling the potatoes," Divya said with a soft smile, tying her dupatta securely around her waist as she turned to gather the rest of the ingredients.

Daksh nodded eagerly, rolling up his sleeves as if he were about to take on a monumental task.

He grabbed a potato and the peeler, his brows furrowed in concentration.

The sight was both endearing and amusing to Divya, who stole a glance at him while chopping vegetables.

Moments later, she heard a faint scraping sound, then silence. When she turned, she found Daksh awkwardly holding the half-peeled potato in one hand and the peeler in the other, looking utterly lost.

She couldn’t help herself. A laugh bubbled out of her, soft at first, then turning into a melodic giggle that filled the kitchen.

"You don’t know any kitchen work, do you?" she teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Daksh froze, his ears turning a faint shade of pink.

Her laugh did something to him—it made his heart skip a beat, his chest tightening in a way he couldn’t quite explain.

“Yeah… I don’t,” he admitted, scratching the back of his head nervously, his boyish smile making him look even more irresistible.

Divya shook her head, still smiling, and walked over to him. "Let me," she said softly, taking the potato and peeler from his hands.

Her fingers brushed against his, sending an unexpected jolt through both of them. For a moment, neither moved, their eyes locking.

“See? It’s not that hard,” Divya murmured, breaking the silence as she effortlessly began peeling the potato.

Daksh leaned against the counter, watching her. His gaze lingered on the delicate movements of her hands, the way a strand of her hair had come loose and rested against her cheek.

Without thinking, he reached out, gently tucking the strand behind her ear.

Divya stilled, the peeler pausing mid-stroke. She turned to face him, her eyes wide and questioning.

Daksh didn’t pull back. His hand lingered for a moment, his thumb brushing her cheek so lightly it could have been imagined.

“You’re amazing, you know that?” he said softly, his voice low and earnest.

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, she forgot the world around them—the kitchen, the peeler in her hand, the responsibilities waiting outside.

It was just the two of them, standing so close that she could feel the warmth radiating from him.

"Daksh ji…" she began, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Shh," he interrupted gently, his finger now brushing against her lips. "Just let me look at you for a moment."

Her cheeks flushed a deep pink, but she didn’t look away.

Instead, she allowed herself to get lost in the intensity of his gaze.

His eyes were filled with something she couldn’t quite name—admiration, protectiveness, and something deeper that made her heart flutter uncontrollably.

The moment stretched between them, fragile and perfect. Divya realized she was still holding the potato, and she let out a nervous laugh, breaking the spell.

"If we keep this up, we’ll never finish cooking," she said, her voice shaky but light.

Daksh chuckled, stepping back but not before stealing one last glance at her. “Fine, Honeypie, but don’t blame me if I keep finding excuses to distract you.”

Divya rolled her eyes, her smile betraying her amusement. “Just try not to burn the kitchen down,” she teased, turning back to her task, though her heart was still racing.

Daksh grinned, watching her for a moment longer before grabbing another potato. “No promises,” he said playfully, though his eyes held a new warmth that didn’t fade for the rest of the morning.

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Have you noticed that I make my favourite lines Italics? ;)

LET LOVE LEAD THE WAY 💝