Esha's POV
Today was monumental—Bhai's wedding day had finally arrived! The entire household buzzed with excitement, brimming with anticipation at the thought of welcoming Bhabhi home. We were all up before dawn, diving headlong into the flurry of Baraat preparations. It was unmistakably a wedding house—every corner bursting with activity, everyone swept up in a happy chaos. Amidst the rush, Bhai seemed tense, his eyes reflecting the burden of orchestrating this grand affair, but we reassured him, promising that together, we would handle it all.
By evening, the air itself crackled with festive energy as we prepared ourselves for the night ahead. I chose a cream saree paired with a vivid red blouse, while Bhai donned his elegant sherwani.
There was a sense of reverence as everyone gathered, watching Bhai descend the stairs—his presence magnetic, his nerves thinly masked by ritual. We began with Tilak, then gently fastened the Sehera across his forehead, a gesture carrying ages of tradition. The ceremonial horse, too, became part of the festivities, fed with sweetened chana dal and rice to invoke blessings and safe passage to the venue. As Bhai mounted the horse, assisted by Aakash and watched by Meera Aunty, I realized my gaze lingered on Aakash longer than I cared to admit. When our eyes nearly met, shyness made me retreat—intense eye contact still felt too bold.
The Baraat set off in a cascade of music and fireworks, transforming the night into a vivid celebration. Drums and dancing filled the street, laughter and exuberant shouts intertwining as we wound our way to the wedding venue. Two hours later, Bhabhi's family welcomed us, her mother performing the aarti and playfully tugging Bhai's nose—a symbol, they say, reminding the groom to remain humble and grateful.
Bhabhi entered the mandap, escorted with care by her brothers and maternal uncles. As she reached the stage, Bhai offered his hand, steadying her as she climbed the stairs. The varmala ceremony was lively, as Bhai's brothers hoisted him aloft, making it a teasing challenge for Bhabhi to place her garland, only for her side's brothers to do the same for her. The laughter in that moment felt timeless.
Once in the mandap, the priest's mantras wrapped around us all, solemn and melodic. The kanyadaan was poignant; tears glistened in Bhabhi's eyes as her father's hands rested on hers, a lifetime of love compressed into a single ritual. I was then summoned to tie the gathbandhan, fastening their destinies together. The pheras began: first, Bhai led for four rounds; then, Bhabhi for the remaining three, each circle a vow whispered into the sacred fire.
After the vows, Bhai delicately traced a line of sindoor in Bhabhi's hair—some spilled playfully onto her nose, prompting hoots and cheers. Elders say it's a sign of immense love, a lucky portent. Then, with the mangalsutra knotted around her neck, their union was complete. The priest's final blessing sealed their vows, and the couple bent to seek blessings from our elders.
Aakash's POV
Arriving at Jeet's home, I found him struggling to mount the ceremonial horse—his Sehera obscuring his vision. Stepping in, I offered a steadying hand. In that moment, I sensed a gaze silently tracing my movements. I knew whose eyes followed me, and the realization coaxed a private smile, one I tried to conceal. When our glances collided, she quickly averted her gaze, embarrassment coloring her refusal to meet my eyes again. That instant lingered with me; soon after, the celebrations swept us in different directions.
The wedding unfolded seamlessly. As the ceremony concluded, the newlyweds received blessings from everyone, the stage overflowing with their well-wishers. After a while, we made our way there, joining the line of those eager to congratulate them. Dinner followed—a whirlwind of flavors and laughter.
Later, all the unmarried sisters and brothers from both families gathered for the kaleerein ritual. Esha, seated among them, laughed as Bhabhi shook her kaleerein above her head. When two tiny pieces fell onto Esha, the room erupted in applause and good-natured teasing. Tradition whispered that Esha's marriage would be next. Watching her, a quiet anxiety settled in me. I realized with startling clarity that what I felt wasn't mere affection—I loved her. The thought of losing her to someone else was unbearable. I resolved, then and there, to confess my feelings before it was too late.
Bhabhi's vidaai marked an end and a beginning. She and Jeet settled into their decorated car, families bidding tearful, joyous farewells before we too departed for home.
Esha's POV
When the kaleera landed on my head, everyone burst into cheers, congratulating my father, who seemed quietly pleased. In the commotion, my thoughts drifted to Aakash, despite my hesitance to meet his eyes. The realization that he might become someone else's without me ever confessing my feelings gnawed at me. My heart was both hopeful and anxious about the possibility of revealing my emotions and awaiting his reply.
Only one more girl from Bhabhi's side received a piece of kaleera—then, the ritual drew to a close and attention shifted to Bhabhi's emotional vidaai. She walked beneath an arch of tears, tossing rice mixed with coins and petals back towards her family—a gesture of gratitude and farewell. She and Bhai then set off for Bua's home.
There, we greeted Bhabhi with a shower of flower petals. Bua performed a welcoming aarti, placing a pot of rice before Bhabhi's feet. With a gentle nudge, Bhabhi scattered the grains as she stepped over the threshold. The ritual continued as she pressed her feet, stained with sindoor water, onto the house, leaving crimson footprints as a sign of auspicious new beginnings.
We led her to the sofa, where Bua produced a pot brimming with milk and flower petals, the ring-quest ritual commencing. Bhabhi, beaming, found the ring each of the three times, her laughter infectious. Afterward, Shreeja Bhabhi and I escorted her to Abhi Bhai's room, emerging moments later to find Bhai lingering in anticipation outside.
"Itni jaldi kahan jaa rahe hain Bhai?" We teased him, revealing his impatience.
("Where are you going so early, Bhai?")
"Aur bhi kuch rasam baaki hain kya?" He counters with a question. We shook our heads. We then asked him for the shagun money. He sighed and gave a few notes. He went to his room. We left from there and divided the money among the cousins.
("Are there any rituals that are left out?")
Exhausted, we slipped away to our rooms. As I changed into something comfortable, I scrolled through my phone, letting the day's whirlwind settle. Suddenly, Aakash's message lit up my screen.
I was looking through some of the reels when a message popped up in my chat. It was Aakash. After a second or two, I opened his chat, and our conversation started.
***
Aakash: Hey!
Me: Hi
Aakash: Were you sleeping? Did I disturb?
Me: No, mein abhi sone hi wali thi ki aapka message aa gaya.
(No, I was just about to sleep when I got your message)
Aakash: Accha. Kya aap free hain, mujhe kuch puchna hain.
(Ok. Are you free? Can I ask you something?)
Me: Ji, puchiye..
(Yes, ask..)
Aakash: Parso Sunday hain, kya aap free hain?
(The day after tomorrow is a Sunday, are you free?)
Me: I guess yes.
Aakash: Agar aap bura na mano toh kya hum Sunday ko coffee par mil sakte hain?
(If you don't mind, can we meet for coffee on Sunday?)
I took a minute and then responded. I felt happy.
Me: Um...Ok
Aakash: Bas yahi puchna tha.
(I wanted to ask this only.)
Me: Accha
(Ok)
There was a tension in the chat. Both were waiting for each other to respond, but neither of them initiated. Both were unable to find a topic to talk about.
Aakash: Ok then, I guess it is late at night. You should take a rest.
Me: Ok
Aakash: Bye. Good Night🌃
Me: Good Night🌃
***
Eventually, he wished me good night, and I echoed his words, smiling at the possibilities the future now seemed to promise.
Aakash's POV
Back home, silence thickened the air as we retreated to our rooms, each step weighted by the fatigue and lingering afterglow of celebration. As I slid into my nightwear and lay back on the bed, the day's events replayed behind my eyes—joyful flashes, laughter, stolen glances. Yet, beneath this gentle haze of happiness, an ache persisted; a quiet longing that refused to dissipate. Lying down on the bed, I began to scroll through my phone. While scrolling, I learned that Esha was active.
Esha's status showed she was online—a tiny glimmer of connection in the solitary room. I hesitated for a heartbeat, debating whether to bridge the gap between us. The urge to message her was overwhelming, tangled in nerves and the growing certainty that what I felt was far deeper than I'd admitted to myself. Would she welcome my words, or would the night expose the vulnerability I struggled to hide?
When I finally mustered the courage to initiate our conversation, it felt as if time held its breath. Her swift replies were like small bursts of sunlight through the uncertainty, each word soothing yet sharpening the anticipation. Every message exchanged felt fragile and momentous, a thread weaving us closer yet still trembling in suspense. I suggested meeting for coffee, the words barely disguising how much I hoped she would say yes—and her agreement swept over me in a rush of relief and disbelief. The seconds after were saturated with unsaid feelings, the silence both comforting, but we fumbled for words, neither wanting to break the delicate spell.
As our tentative goodbyes faded, I set aside my phone, emotion swirling beneath the surface: happiness and gratitude mingled with raw vulnerability, excitement tinged with fear. The possibility of sharing my heart with Esha both exhilarated and frightened me. I stared into the darkness, wrestling with hopes and doubts—wondering how I would ever find the right words, dreading what might happen if I didn't. In that quiet moment, with the night wrapped around me and her soft "Ok" echoing in my thoughts, I knew I would do whatever it takes. Love, unspoken but relentlessly present, was no longer a secret; it was a promise waiting to be lived.
I placed my phone on the table and went into a deep slumber.
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Hey Folks!!
Alas, they would go on an official date. But what will their reactions be when they confess to each other? What will happen next? For that, stay tuned!!
Hope you like this chapter. If yes, please like the chapter and comment on your favourite part.
Also, comment on the theories you think would happen next. Would love to read them.
Thanks for reading ❤️...