The moment Reyansh stepped into Mansi’s home in Kolkata, a wave of familiarity surrounded him. The scent of agarbatti, the echo of relatives greeting each other, and the warm rush of family chatter — it felt like stepping into memories.

“Varun, mansi and me grew up almost together as me with my mother used to visit Kolkata very frequently as ma and mansi’s mother are College friends, then varun also shifted to Delhi for studies but later he again returned to Kolkata as he got a job here as an advocate in a famous law firm”

Meanwhile, Mansi’s mother, welcomed them with a broad smile.

“Arey, Reyansh beta! Kaise ho kitne handsome ban chuke ho haan, Ab bas shadi ki deri nehi”, she beamed, placing a gentle hand on his head.

Before he could even properly answer, a voice boomed from the stairs — Varun.

—

“Bro, itna late kyun? Sab wait kar rahe the,” Varun teased, coming down with a grin.

Rayansh laughed lightly. “Traffic tha yaar, sorry.”

Varun, tall and confident, with deep brown eyes and a mischievous smirk, gave him a playful shoulder pat. “Chal, aa gaya, bas. Let’s catch up later.”

---

On the other side of the city, Ira and her family were being welcomed into her uncle’s home. Her chacha ji, the groom’s father, hugged her tightly.

“Ira beta, bhalo achis? (Ira are you good?), Welcome home!”

Ira smiled warmly. It felt good to be back after so long. The groom’s mother, Ira’s aunt, was teasing her son Ishan right away.

“Amader jamai babu ke dekhechis to?” (Have you seen our new groom?)

Ira jumped in with a grin, teasing her cousin, “Nobo jamai (New groom), nervous toh nahin?”

Ishan rolled his eyes, blushing. “Di, bas na!”

(Yes ishaan is just 1 year younger than me)

---

Later , they all gathered around the dining table, sharing fish fry, luchi, and alur dum (Bengali dishes) . The air was light, full of laughter. Ira couldn’t help teasing Ishan again.

“Arey Ishan, evening e Mansi ke dekhte peye ki korbi? Tor o ke dekhe heartattack hoiya jabe na to?” (What will you do after seeing Mansi tonight? You won’t get a heart attack after seeing her, right?”)

Ishan groaned, hiding his face, making everyone laugh harder.

---

Meanwhile, at Mansi’s place, Reyansh was getting ready. He chose a dark maroon kurta with subtle golden embroidery. Varun, meanwhile, wore a bottle green kurta with white pants.

Varun whistled, seeing Reyansh dressed. “Bro, you’ll steal the show!”

Reyansh chuckled. “Dekh, tu bhi kam nahi. Ladkiyan to ghoorengi tujhe.”

They exchanged a quick fist bump, grinning like old school buddies.

--

At Ira’s side, the house turned chaotic by evening. Little cousins were running around, calling her name.

“Dii! Eyeliner lagaiye de na please ” (Sister! Please help me with the eyeliner)

Her mother rushed in, scolding, “Ira, joldi! Ora wait korbe na!” (Ira, hurry! They won’t wait!)

Ira laughed, helping the kids with hairpins and mascara, then quickly slipping into her own maroon anarkali , slipped the dupatta and kept my hairs open. Her mother paused, pride shining in her eyes.

“Shotti sundor lagche toke,” she whispered. (You look truly beautiful).

Ira smiled, touched.

—

Finally, after all the chaos, Ira’s family left for the bride’s house. Lights sparkled all around, the gentle hum of shehnai music in the air.

The bride’s family welcomed them warmly, offering mishti doi and flowers.

And then — her eyes met his.

Reyansh, standing in a corner, adjusting his kurta sleeves, froze for a second.

Ira blinked, her heart skipping. “ How come he’s here? Is he following me? No... It's impossible. He didn't even knew I am coming to Kolkata. Is it just a coincidence then? Or something else?”

Meanwhile after entering the house

Reyansh approached Ira . He stepped closer. “Aap yahan?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Same sawal mujhe bhi puchna chahiye”

He sighed lightly. “Mansi mere liye sister jaisi hai. Aur Varun... bachpan ka dost. So, I had to be here.”

Ira nodded slowly, still shocked by the coincidence.

—

Just then, her dadi came near her, nudging her elbow.

“Dekhechis Varun ke? Handsome na?” (Did you see Varun? Handsome, isn’t he?)

Ira followed her grandmother’s gaze. Varun was indeed striking, with that tall frame, warm grin, and confident air — but she felt nothing beyond a polite admiration.

—

Later, as the ashirbaad ritual began (blessings ceremony) — where the bride’s family blessed the groom’s family and vice versa — Varun caught Reyansh’s arm.

“Bhai, woh Ira... kitni sundar hai na? Uska woh sawal rang uspe kitna jachta bhi hai ”

Reyansh clenched his jaw for a moment, then masked it with a tight smile.

“Haan, achhi hai,” he replied, but something in his chest twisted. Professional, Reyansh. Remember.

---

As the family performed the blessings, exchanging trays of sweets and symbolic gifts, the entire hall glowed with hope and joy. Yet, Reyansh and Ira stood quietly, stealing glances, thoughts tangled.

But Reyansh was somehow busy watching Ira how beautiful she's looking in that anarkali in office she’s always in formals but ethnic wear is really hitting different on her . He noticed Ira's bond with her younger cousins. The way she was smiling and laughing with them, he noticed something else in all this .

Kolkata ke iss shaadi mein kuch toh alag hone wala hai…