Chapter 16: A Golden Glow

Kiara’s POV

The morning sun bathed the house in a warm glow, its rays filtering through the colorful drapes hung for the haldi ceremony. The air was filled with the aroma of fresh turmeric and rose petals, mingling with the sound of traditional songs sung by the women of the family. Today was the day for the haldi, the ritual that would mark another step closer to the wedding.

I wore a simple yet elegant yellow lehenga with intricate white embroidery along the hem. The blouse had delicate mirror work that sparkled under the light, and the dupatta was sheer, adding a soft touch to the outfit. My mother insisted I wear floral jewelry, so my wrists were adorned with bracelets of marigolds, and a string of jasmine flowers rested lightly on my hair, which was tied into a loose braid.

Her look~

The courtyard was transformed into a sea of yellow and white, with brass pots of turmeric paste placed in the center. Relatives buzzed around, some arranging the final touches, while others laughed and joked, their spirits high. I tried to focus on the ritual, but my mind wandered to Reyaansh, wondering what he would wear and how he would react to seeing me covered in turmeric.

---

When Reyaansh finally entered the courtyard, my breath hitched. He was wearing a simple yet striking white kurta paired with a mustard-yellow dhoti. The sleeves of his kurta were rolled up slightly, giving him an effortlessly casual look.

His look~

He looked out of place among the chaos yet somehow managed to command attention without saying a word. His family followed behind him, their cheerful chatter blending with the atmosphere, but my eyes were glued to him.

I tried to look away, but it was impossible not to notice the way he carried himself, his confidence and calm demeanor making him stand out. He caught my gaze and gave a small, knowing smile, one that sent a wave of heat rushing to my cheeks. I quickly turned away, focusing on the turmeric paste in front of me, hoping no one noticed my flustered state.

---

The ceremony began with my family applying the turmeric paste on me, their laughter and blessings filling the air. My cousins took full advantage of the moment, smearing the paste liberally on my cheeks and arms, ignoring my half-hearted protests. It was messy and chaotic, but the joy in their actions was infectious, and I couldn’t help but laugh along.

Soon, it was Reyaansh’s turn. As tradition dictated, his family applied turmeric on him, his sisters taking the opportunity to tease him mercilessly. I watched from the corner of my eye, unable to suppress a smile at the way he handled their antics with patience and charm.

Suddenly, one of his cousins turned toward me with a mischievous grin. “Kiara, shouldn’t you be the one to apply the haldi to Reyaansh? After all, you’re the bride.”

---

My eyes widened, and I shook my head vigorously. “No, no, I’m fine here!” I said quickly, trying to avoid the inevitable embarrassment.

But before I could escape, Sneha and my cousins pushed me forward, laughing as they nudged me toward him. “Go on, Kia!” Sneha said, her voice laced with mischief. “Don’t be shy!”

Reyaansh stood there, his arms crossed and an amused look on his face. “Well, Kiara?” he said, his tone teasing. “Are you going to leave me out of the fun?”

I glared at him, my cheeks burning. Reluctantly, I dipped my fingers into the bowl of turmeric paste and took a step forward. As I hesitated, Reyaansh leaned slightly closer, his voice low enough for only me to hear. “Don’t worry, I won’t bite… unless you ask me to.”

I gasped, the audacity of his words leaving me momentarily stunned. But I quickly recovered, smearing the turmeric paste on his cheek with more force than necessary. The laughter around us grew louder, and Reyaansh chuckled softly, clearly enjoying my reaction.

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As the ceremony continued, the tension between us became more apparent, though we tried to mask it with playful banter and smiles. But the looks exchanged between us, the subtle touches, and the unspoken words told a different story—one of a connection that was growing stronger with every passing moment.

By the time the haldi was over, I was covered in turmeric from head to toe, my cheeks sore from laughing. But beneath the surface, my thoughts were a tangled mess, and I couldn’t ignore the way Reyaansh’s presence seemed to affect me more and more. And as I caught him looking at me one last time before he left with his family, I knew that the coming days would only bring us closer, whether I was ready for it or not.