[36]

As the engagement ceremony continued, Vidhi and Vidhan were occupied with their photoshoot, while Rishit and Vaani remained engaged in conversations with esteemed guests. The evening buzzed with laughter and festivities, but amidst it all, Ved found himself at the rasmalai counter, savoring the delicacy in a rare moment of solitude.

Just then, a familiar presence settled beside him, sending an unexplainable jolt through his senses. It was Aarohi. She stood close, her posture relaxed, her lips stretched into a wide, knowing grin as she gazed at him.

The moment Ved turned his head and found her already watching him, his composure faltered. A rush of nervousness surged through him, and in an instinctive reaction, he immediately averted his gaze.

He subtly shifted, increasing the distance between them, and refocused his attention on his dessert, as though the simple act of eating could mask the sudden turmoil within him.

But Aarohi, unfazed, continued to observe him with an unwavering gaze, an amused glint dancing in her eyes. She noticed the way his hands trembled slightly as he reached for the sweet.

And then, deliberately, she allowed her arm to brush against his.

The seemingly casual touch ignited an instant reaction—Ved stiffened, his heartbeat accelerating as if caught off guard. A shiver ran down his spine, betraying the effect she had on him. His face turned crimson, warmth creeping up his neck, and though he tried to compose himself, the effort was proving to be futile.

Aarohi, on the other hand, took immense delight in his reaction. A subtle smile tugged at the corners of her lips, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she watched him struggle.

Unable to endure the overwhelming sensations any longer, Ved abruptly abandoned his rasmalai and stepped away from the counter. Without sparing Aarohi another glance, he strode away, desperate to regain control over his frenzied emotions.

Aarohi, however, simply watched his retreating figure, a victorious smile gracing her lips.

Once Ved reached a secluded corner of the grand hall, he exhaled sharply, his breath uneven. His gaze dropped to the very spot on his arm where their skin had brushed, and a sense of disbelief washed over him. His voice, barely above a whisper, carried the weight of his astonishment—

"This is her effect on me… her presence, her touch have started to affect me," he murmured, as though grappling with the reality of his own emotions.

He remained there for a few minutes, willing his heartbeat to return to normal. When he finally composed himself, he rejoined the gathering, slipping seamlessly back into the sea of family member.

As the evening drew to a close and guests prepared to depart, Vidhan and Vidhi shared one final gaze—one filled with unspoken emotions and profound happiness. The realization that they were now bound together, officially stepping into a future side by side, shimmered in their eyes. It was a moment of quiet acknowledgment, a promise of forever exchanged without words.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the hall, Ved found himself in an entirely different battle—one against his own treacherous gaze. No matter how hard he tried to resist, his eyes kept drifting toward Aarohi, as if drawn by an unseen force. He made every effort to appear indifferent, to focus on anything but her presence, yet each stolen glance betrayed his resolve.

And Aarohi noticed.

A knowing smile played on her lips as she observed his futile attempts at avoiding her. She neither looked away nor confronted him—instead, she simply reveled in the silent game they were playing, letting her gaze linger just long enough to fluster him further.

With hearts brimming with emotions—some openly cherished, others quietly concealed—everyone soon bid their farewells and departed for their respective homes, leaving behind an evening that would remain etched in their memories.

******************

A few days had passed, and now, the long-awaited day had arrived—the beginning of the wedding festivities. With joy and anticipation filling the air, the essential rituals had been performed, and it was finally time for the haldi ceremony.

Inside their room, Vaani and Rishit were getting ready, preparing to immerse themselves in the vibrant celebration ahead.

Rishit, already dressed, sat comfortably on the bed, his attention absorbed by his phone. However, his focus shifted the moment he noticed Vaani struggling with the delicate dori of her blouse.

A smirk curled on his lips as he stood up, amusement dancing in his eyes. Stepping toward her with a slow, deliberate pace, he leaned in slightly and asked, his tone dripping with mischief, "May I?"

Vaani met his playful gaze, a sly smile gracing her lips as she gave a small nod.

Without another word, Rishit reached for the strings and began tying them with practiced ease. As his cool fingers accidentally grazed her bare back, a shiver ran through Vaani, her breath hitching at the sudden sensation. He, of course, noticed. A teasing glint flashed in his eyes, but he simply finished tying the dori before stepping in front of her, blocking her view of the mirror.

Vaani, caught off guard by his closeness, found her breath faltering. Before she could react, Rishit reached for the delicate waist chain adorning her, giving it a gentle tug to pull her even closer.

Her heart pounded wildly in her chest as she instinctively shut her eyes, her body attuned to the warmth radiating from him.

One of Rishit's hands slid around her waist, securing her firmly against him, while the other reached up, lifting her chin ever so slightly.

"Look at me, biwi ji," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, his tone laced with teasing affection.

Slowly, Vaani fluttered her eyes open, only to find herself caught in the intensity of his gaze. The way he looked at her—like she was the only person in the world—made her stomach flip.

"Why are you looking at me like this?" she whispered, her breath uneven from their proximity.

A smirk played on Rishit’s lips as he replied smoothly, "Because my wife is looking breathtaking."

Without breaking eye contact, he reached for the dressing table and picked up the delicate floral necklace meant for the haldi ceremony. With careful hands, he slid it around her neck, adjusting it gently before leaning in to place a soft kiss just below her ear.

A sigh escaped Vaani’s lips, her eyes closing at the tenderness of his touch.

Rishit, thoroughly enjoying her reactions, continued with the rest of her jewelry. One by one, he adorned her with each piece—fastening the earrings, sliding the bangles onto her wrists, and finally placing the intricate hair accessory in her neatly styled locks.

His movements were slow, deliberate, almost reverent—as if he were savoring every second. And through it all, Vaani remained captivated, her heart caught in a rhythm that only he could set.

As he finished adorning her with the last piece of jewelry, Rishit’s fingers gently trailed up to her chin once more, lifting it delicately. Vaani’s eyes fluttered open, only to be met with his intense gaze—dark, smoldering, filled with an emotion that sent a warmth spreading through her entire being.

He tilted his head slightly, stepping even closer, their breaths mingling as the space between them dissolved into nothingness. Their faces were now mere inches apart, and before either of them could think, before hesitation could creep in, Rishit leaned in, capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss.

The moment their lips met, a spark ignited—a rush of emotions crashing into them all at once. His lips moved against hers with a desperate, fervent need, as if pouring every unspoken feeling into the kiss. It was slow yet intense, a mix of tenderness and possession. One of his hands cupped her face, his fingers caressing her cheek, while the other remained firm around her waist, keeping her close—so close that even air dared not pass between them.

Vaani, momentarily startled, melted into his touch within seconds. Her hands instinctively found their way to his shoulders, gripping onto him as her body responded to the fire he had ignited within her. The world around them faded, the sounds of celebration outside becoming distant and insignificant.

Rishit deepened the kiss, his lips moving in sync with hers, savoring the way she fit perfectly against him. The way she responded—the soft sigh that escaped her lips, the way her fingers curled into his shirt—only made him hold her tighter. He nibbled lightly on her lower lip before soothing it with another slow, lingering kiss, as if reluctant to part from her warmth.

When they finally pulled away, their breaths were heavy, their foreheads resting against each other. Vaani’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes still half-lidded as she tried to steady herself.

Rishit smirked, his thumb brushing over her swollen lips with a teasing gentleness. “Now you look perfect, biwi ji,” he murmured, his voice laced with amusement and desire.

Vaani, still lost in the lingering traces of the kiss, simply buried her face in his chest, trying to hide her blush. Rishit chuckled, wrapping his arms around her once more.

********************

After their intimate moment, Rishit and Vaani made their way to the living hall, where the haldi ceremony was about to begin. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, laughter echoing as family members and friends gathered to celebrate the occasion.

As the ceremony commenced, haldi paste was lovingly applied to Vidhi, blessing her with prosperity and happiness. The married women joined in the ritual, playfully smearing the golden paste on each other, filling the air with warmth and joy.

With the haldi rituals completed, the mehndi ceremony began. Vidhi sat in the living room, her hands delicately adorned with intricate henna designs as the mehndi artists worked skillfully. Around her, the other women also had their hands decorated, their giggles and conversations adding to the lively atmosphere.

Amidst all this, Vaani, getting her own mehndi applied, suddenly called out—

"Rishit, idhar aao na!"

At the sound of her voice, Rishit immediately made his way to her, his usual concern evident as he asked, "What happened? Do you need something? Water? Snacks?"

Vaani rolled her eyes, stopping him before he could go into full caretaker mode. "Aree, inme se kuch nahi chahiye mujhe," she said, shaking her head with a soft chuckle.

Rishit frowned slightly in confusion. "Then?"

A playful smile spread across Vaani’s face as she said, "Main chahti hoon ki aap apne haathon pe mera naam likhwao."

For a moment, Rishit simply looked at her, his expression softening. The sincerity in her eyes, the teasing smile on her lips—it was something he could never say no to. His own lips curved into a smile as he nodded. "Aap hi likh dijiye," he said, offering his hand.

Vaani's smile widened as she picked up a mehndi cone with her right hand and began delicately writing her name on his palm, each stroke carrying a piece of her affection.

From a distance, Vidhi, Meera, and Yash observed the scene unfold. A knowing smile crept onto their faces—one of satisfaction, of relief. It was a sight that spoke of love, of comfort, of a bond that was only growing stronger.

Once done, Vaani set the cone aside and admired her work.

"Perfect," she murmured, pleased with the way her name looked on his skin.

Rishit glanced at his palm, his smile turning mischievous. "Jab aap apna naam apne haathon se likhengi, toh woh khoobsurat toh hoga hi," he said with a playful wink.

A deep blush spread across Vaani’s cheeks, her heart doing an involuntary flip.

Not wanting to give in so easily, she smirked. "Abhi toh aapko apna naam dhoondna hai meri mehndi mein."

Rishit, ever the confident one, smirked right back. "Woh bhi dhoond lenge."

Vaani raised a teasing brow. "Dekhte hain," she challenged, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Haan haan, dekh lenge," Rishit shot back with an easy grin.

The mehndi ceremony continued with laughter and joy, and soon, as the evening progressed, everyone returned to their respective rooms to prepare for the much-awaited sangeet function.

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