Chapter - 24
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Shivanya ~
Mussoorie.
Mussoorie.
Mussoorie.
"Di, wake up for god's sake, we have a flight to catch in exactly 12 hours!" I heard Radhika screaming at the top of her lungs.
"Radhika I was working till two hours back, let me sleep." I groaned, burying my head in the pillow.
"Fine, but I am going to go and finish up the last minute packing thing for you and then have a talk with Jiju. How dare he make you work so hard when I had already warned him how cranky you could get due to lack of sleep." I heard her foot steps walking away, leaving me be, which I was thankful for.
I rolled over, my groggy mind barely registering Radhika's words. He didn't make me work this hard, it's just how I am, I wanted to yell after her but decided against it. That's between her and him and I'd rather let her deal with him at the moment.
I allowed myself a few more minutes of peace before the reality of the day or I might as well just say days ahead hit me. The flight. The wedding. Everything that would officially bind me to Vihaan.
He had a quite important appearance today for which I was was researching last night for precedents.
Dragging myself out of bed, I glanced at the packed bags Radhika had assembled in a line for me. She might be bossy, but she had a knack for taking care of things, especially when I was too distracted to do so.
Sameer uncle, Vidhi aunty and Vihaan's parents had already left the day before to ensure that everything was in place while I was leaving with Radhika, Taran and Vihaan along with Taran's parents tonight.
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Mr. Birdbrain was here to pick us up and currently he was in my living room, staring between Radhika and our ten suitcases while she was standing there too, looking completely bored.
"But are you completely sure that you need all these bags?" Vihaan asked and I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing at his expressions.
"For the fourth time now Jiju, yes. Yes, we do need all of them." She replied, sitting on one of the bags.
Vihaan sighed, his exasperation barely hidden as he ran a hand through his hair. "Ten bags for two people, Radhika? Are you sure you're not trying to smuggle a small country in there?"
I snorted, earning a sharp look from Radhika, who seemed unimpressed by Vihaan's incredulity.
"Jiju, we are girls. We need options. What if Di's lehenga suddenly feels tight, or my heels don't match my outfit? You wouldn't understand."
"Trust me, I don't want to understand," Vihaan muttered, poking one of the bags with his shoe as if it might explode.
"Radhika, it's a wedding, we all are not moving to Mussoorie." Vihaan protested.
"Exactly! It is a W.E.D.D.I.N.G. My di's wedding." she countered. "Which is why I need to be prepared for everything. Look, I even packed an extra saree for you in case you decide that sherwanis and suits are not your style anymore.
"Was that supposed to be funny?" He asked, narrowing his eyes at her.
She gave him the fakest sweetest smile that she could muster up.
I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped me, drawing both their attention. Radhika immediately pointed at me. "Di, control your fiancé. He's being so uncooperative."
Vihaan raised an eyebrow at her. "Uncooperative? I am the one who's here, willingly hauling your ten bags of... whatever you think you need. How am I the bad guy here?"
"You volunteered to help. Nobody forced you, Jiju," she replied, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.
Vihaan was about to say something what the doorbell went off and I immediately opened the door because I was the nearest.
It was Taran.
"Taran? Weren't we supposed to meet directly at the airport?" I asked him, a little confused.
"We were, but that was when I had not factored in my wife's habit of overpacking and yours. I mean, leaving Vihaan alone with the two of you would be a torture on the poor soul." He said, pushing me inside to make way for himself.
Taran walked in, surveying the chaos that was our living room. His eyes landed on the ten bags, and his lips twitched, clearly holding back a laugh.
"Radhika, you're setting a world record here," he said, giving her a mock bow. "Ten bags. Should we notify Guinness?"
Radhika crossed her arms, glaring at him. "You're not helping, Mr. Know-it-all. These bags contain essentials. Essentials!" She shot a pointed look at Vihaan, as if daring him to argue again.
"Essentials?" Taran echoed, raising an eyebrow. "Unless one of those bags has a portable house or a car, I think you're stretching the definition of essentials."
Radhika huffed, standing up from the bag she had been sitting on. "You boys just don't get it! It's not about needing everything, it's about being prepared. What if there's a last-minute disaster? Like a broken bangle or a mismatched bindi or a boring outfit, or—"
Taran held up his hands, cutting her off. "Alright, alright. I surrender, you win. Happy?"
"Very," Radhika replied smugly, flipping her hair dramatically as she grabbed a smaller bag.
Vihaan shot Taran a grateful look. "At least someone here has some sense. I was beginning to think that I was being a little harsh."
"Nah, sometimes especially when it comes to girl math, women do tend to go crazy, at least mine does." He told her clearly and both my sister and I rolled our eyes.
"Alright, enough standing around," Radhika said, clapping her hands. "Let's get moving before we miss the flight and end up explaining to Sameer uncle and Vidhi aunty why we're late."
"Good point," Taran said, grabbing the largest bag with ease.
"That's the spirit now!" Radhika cheered, grabbing another bag with determination.
Mr. Birdbrain looked at me as he picked up two bags. "Ready now, Sunshine?"
I laughed a little, shaking my head. "I don't think I have a choice anymore."
Once we boarded the Chartered plane, Radhika and Taran were made themselves comfortable but refused to stop their bickering, their love language I suppose.
Vihaan was sitting right next to me and I was completely aware that he was looking at me for the past five minutes but I also didn't know what to do with that fact about being aware that he was staring at me.
"Why are you staring at me?" I finally asked, turning to face him for a split of the second before turning my eyes away again. My voice was steady, but I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks.
He leaned back in his seat, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Am I not allowed to look at my soon to be wife?"
"No." I said in a little silly tone, letting my hair fall on my cheeks to stop him from looking at me.
Vihaan chuckled softly, "Not allowed, Am I?" he teased, his voice low as he leaned a bit closer. "I think you are underestimating how much I'm allowed when it comes to you, Sunshine."
I swallowed, heart skipping a beat at his words. There was something in the way he said it, like he was quietly testing the waters, waiting for me to catch up with his feelings.
"You're incorrigible, Mr. Raichand." I muttered, trying to ignore the fluttering sensation in my stomach.
His lips curved into a smile that was both knowing and patient as I looked at him from the corner of my eye before averting them. He didn't press further, but I could feel his gaze still on me, like he was trying to find something but I was too flustered to acknowledge that completely.
I focused on the window, trying to steady my racing thoughts, but there was no escaping the pull of his presence. The way he made everything feel so effortless, even when we were just sitting in silence together, was disarming.
"You look stunning when you're pretending not to notice me," he said after a while, his voice soft but as playful as it could get probably.
I turned my head to look at him, caught off guard by his words. "I'm not pretending," I said, my voice quieter than usual.
"Sure, if you say so."
I couldn't help but blush again, and he caught that as he smiled to himself, the kind of smile that made my heart race in a way I wasn't ready for.
"You know," he said, his voice low, "there is something about you that drives me absolutely crazy, Sunshine, absolutely."
I turned my gaze back to the passing clouds, trying to not think about his words.
"Stop calling me that Sir! I have a name, you know." I mumbled, unsure whether I was more embarrassed or annoyed by that name he loved to call me by, specially in front of people.
Thankfully, both Taran and Radhika had their eye masks on and most probably had already fallen asleep.
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The next day, the drive to Mussoorie was extremely overwhelming for me. Radhika and I were here after years. We almost used to come here every year with Mumma and Papa, even that year they passed.
I quickly wiped a lone tear away before taking a deep breath and put a smile on. This is what they wanted and I was so happy that Radhika had found that diary.
"Di, are you okay?" Radhika asked softly as she reached over to squeeze my hand.
I nodded quickly, bringing a smile on my lips. "I'm fine, my doll. Just a little overwhelmed and nostalgic."
She didn't buy it. "It's okay to miss them. I miss them too."
I swallowed hard, trying to push back the lump in my throat. "I just... I can't help but think about all the times we came here with them. It feels like they should be here with us now, you know?
Radhika leaned back in her seat. "I get it Di. But you have to know that they would be so happy to see you here, marrying Jiju, starting this new chapter."
The car finally pulled up to the hotel, and I couldn't help but let out a small gasp as I saw it. The building stood on the edge of the hill, its large windows giving a perfect view of the valley below. The air here was fresh, with a hint of pine from the trees nearby. It was cool, and I could feel it getting colder, almost like it was going to snow soon and it made everything feel peaceful and quiet, like time had slowed down here.
But before I could take it all in, I heard voices approaching. Sameer uncle and Vidhi aunty, along with Vihaan's parents, were walking toward us, smiles on their faces as they waved in our direction.
Sameer uncle reached us first, pulling me into a warm hug. "Shivanya, finally!" he said, his voice filled with excitement. "Everything is set, the arrangements are perfect, just the way you'd like. You're going to love it here."
Vidhi aunty joined in, wrapping her arms around me as well. "I hope you're feeling alright, beta. It's a big day ahead and you need to freshen and rest up. Your haldi function starts in the afternoon so we still have a bit of time."
Vihaan was talking about something with Aman uncle and Sangeeta aunty.
"You fucker, you forgot me but that is completely okay, I am still here. Not like you have the balls to stop me." I heard a very, very familiar voice ring and as I turned around, I saw Yash sir standing with his wife, glaring at Vihaan.
"Yash Beta, finally. But I asked you to get here yesterday." Sangeeta aunty whacked his head slightly and he looked at her with guilt.
"Aunty last minute work issues, you know. But don't worry, I am here now." He said with a grin.
"This is how you treat your best man? I had to figure out your flight details from Aman uncle, and guess what? I'm still on time." Yash sir turned his head to Mr. Birdbrain again.
Vihaan rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the smile tugging at his lips. "I didn't forget you. I knew you'd show up uninvited, as always. Some things never change."
"You need a hearing aid, Did you not hear aunty just say that I was supposed to be here even before the oaf groom" Yash quipped, turning his attention to me. "So Shivanya bhabhi, How are you holding up, dealing with this issue?"referring to his best friend.
I chuckled, stealing a glance at Vihaan, who was now glaring at him. "He's been tolerable so far, Sir," I said, playing along.
"Good answer," Yash said with a wink. He then gestured to his wife. "And this is my better half, Nisha. She's the only reason I still have some sanity left."
She stepped forward and pulled me into a warm hug. "It's so good to finally have met you, Shivanya. I have heard so much about you from both these guys."
"I hope only good things," I said, smiling at her.
"Mostly," Nisha teased, shooting a playful look at Yash, who feigned innocence.
Vihaan, who had been silent for a moment, finally spoke up. "Alright, Yash, if you're done, we need to get moving."
Yash threw an arm around Vihaan's shoulder. "Relax, man. The wedding prep is sorted, the bride is here, and I'm here to keep you in check. What could possibly go wrong?"
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The haldi function was set up in the hotel's outdoor garden, overlooking the valley. Bright marigold garlands hung from the trees, glowing under the soft winter sunlight. Large brass bowls filled with turmeric paste sat on the decorated tables.
Radhika helped me sit down on the low wooden seat adorned with flower petals right next to Vihaan who was sitting there in a white kurta, just the colour of my lehenga.
Sangeeta aunty held the bowl of haldi. "Alright, everyone, let's start with the the groom."
One by one everyone came forward, dipping their fingers into the turmeric paste and smeared it across Vihaan's face, arms, and feet. He bore it all with a resigned expression but that little smile tugged at the corner of his lips gave him away.
Yash sir made sure to plaster as much turmeric as possible on Vihaan's cheeks and jawline. "Perfectly golden," He teased, earning laughter from everyone around.
Radhika obviously decided to take it a step further. Grinning mischievously, she smeared a large part of haldi onto Vihaan's nose. "There you go, Jiju! Now you really look like a groom."
He groaned playfully, trying to dodge her hands. "You are supposed to be blessing me with that, not bury me in haldi!"
"Blessings come in many forms, Jiju," she quipped, earning a round of laughter, including me.
"Shiv's turn now, she should also apply haldi to her husband." Taran said and brought the bowl to me and I looked around, hesitating.
"Me?" I asked, looking at him back.
"Don't be shy, Di. It's tradition." Radhika said while I hesitated but dipped my fingers into the bowl of turmeric paste.
I leaned forward and carefully dabbed a small amount of haldi onto Vihaan's cheek. His lips curved into a slow smile, his eyes never leaving mine.
"You're being too delicate, Sunshine," he said, his voice low enough that only I could hear.
Before I could respond, he leaned closer. The world seemed to still as he tilted his head slightly, bringing his cheek to mine. The warmth of his skin brushed against mine as he slightly rubbed the haldi from his cheek onto mine, lingering there for a second.
"This is much better now, is it not?" He whispered in my ear before a low laugh.
A collective cheer and a chorus of "Aww!" erupted from everyone around.
I froze, wide-eyed, as the crowd broke into teasing laughter. My heart thudded against my ribs. His touch lingered, and I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks, though it was hard to tell whether it was from the turmeric or something else entirely.
"Vihaan sir!" I whispered, in shock.
He leaned back slightly, just enough for me to see the unapologetic grin on his face. "What?" he teased. "It's only fair we share everything, is it not?"
Radhika burst out laughing, clapping her hands. "Well, well, Jiju! That was smooth!"
"You're impossible," I muttered, trying to wipe the haldi off my cheek, but he stopped me by catching my wrist gently.
"Aapko apne rang mein rang dene ka yeh sukoon mujhse aise toh mat cheeniye Shivanya. Ek baar jee bhar ke dekh toh loon aapko." He said, looking at me in the eyes, leaving me utterly, completely wordless.
(TRANSLATION - Please don't take away the peace I get from seeing you all coloured in my shade of love, Shivanya. Let me at least have the chance to gaze at you to my heart's content.)
Shivanya's Look ~
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