The morning air was already heavy with the scent of marigolds and steam from kitchen kettles when Ira sat cross-legged on the floor, sipping her chai. Her phone buzzed again — another call from Mansi.

“Ira dii!” Mansi said in a rush, “Maa needs help finalizing rings. Varun bhaiya went out, so… Reyansh bhaiya will pick you up. Please jaldi ready ho jao. He’s on his way.”

Ira froze mid-sip. “Reyansh? Woh mujhe pick karne aa rahe hain?”

“Arre baba, koi nahi mila. Please, don't say no. Time bhi nahi hai,” Mansi begged before hanging up.

Ira sighed. “Shaadi ka ghar aur ye shaadi ke situations,” she muttered, standing up.

---

Later that Afternoon – The Silent Ride

The black SUV rolled up just as Ira stepped out in a baby pink kurti with palazzos, hair tied in a low bun, eyes lined sharply — her signature look.

Reyansh stepped out, leaning on the door with that same cool indifference. He wore a crisp navy blue shirt, sleeves rolled halfway, a watch glinting on his wrist.

“Aap?” she asked, surprised and clearly annoyed.

He raised an eyebrow. “Unfortunately, haan. Varun nahi tha , toh mujhe bhej diya.”

“Great,” she said dryly, brushing past him and into the car.

The drive began in silence — the hum of the AC louder than their presence. Ira stared out the window, arms folded. Reyansh focused on the road, but his mind was elsewhere.

After a few minutes, he spoke without looking at her.

“Toh… aap Kolkata permanently shift hone ka irada leke aiyi hain? Aur ab shaadi ke preparations mein full-time lag gayi hain.”

She scoffed. “Aapko koi problem hai agar shift ho bhi jayo toh? Mujhe shaadiyon mein khushi milti hai. Not everyone walks around brooding like Batman.”

He smirked. “Aap hamesha aisi annoyed rehti hai, Ya sirf mere sath?”

Ira turned sharply. “Samne wala aap jaisa ho toh obviously har koi hoga”

He chuckled — genuinely this time, “What do you mean by aap jaisa? ”

And though she huffed and looked away, a small smile had already formed on her lips.

---

Jewelry Store

They reached the jeweler’s, where Mansi’s family was already waiting. Just as Ira stepped out, Varun appeared, a little out of breath.

“There you are, sabki ki favourite!” he grinned, holding her hand to pull her forward. “Sab aapka hi intezaar kar rahe hain!”

Reyansh, who had just pocketed his keys, paused slightly, eyes following their hands. That strange tightness in his chest came again — unfamiliar and unwelcome.

Why should it bother me?

Inside, while the others debated ring sizes and designs, Ira’s eyes scanned the trays. She finally picked a rose-gold band with tiny floral diamonds. It was elegant, timeless — and Reyansh, watching from behind, silently nodded in approval.

But then something shifted. As Mansi tried on her ring, Ira’s fingers lingered briefly on a platinum solitaire band, minimalist, striking. She didn’t say a word. Just brushed her fingers over it once before moving on.

No one noticed.

Except Reyansh.

---

Next Evening – Engagement Venue

The Banerjee house had been transformed. Strings of fairy lights blinked like fireflies across the terrace. The scent of sandalwood, lilies, and nolen gur sweets floated through the corridors.

Ira entered the main hall, dressed in a soft purple lehenga with subtle mirror work and ivory borders. Her dusky skin glowed under the warm lights. Her kajal was perfectly drawn, her earrings tiny pearl drops. She looked... breathtaking, without trying.

From the hallway, Reyansh saw her before she saw him.

He was dressed in a off-white kurta with matching pants and jacket — except that steady gaze locked on Ira. His breath caught slightly.

Why can’t I stop looking at her?

And worse, why do I want no one else to look at her either?

“Bhai tune dekha?” came Varun’s voice from beside him. “Woh Ira hai — sabko aise hi speechless kar deti hai.”

He walked past, straight to Ira, and said warmly, “Aap toh literally chand lag rahi hain, Ira.”

Ira smiled shyly. Reyansh’s jaw tensed again.

Why the hell does this bother me so much?

---

Mansi & Ishan Arrive

Just then, all attention turned to the staircase.

Mansi walked down, glowing in a pastel-green shimmer gown, soft curls pinned back with pearl hairpins. Her smile was nervous, excited, perfect. On her arm was Ishan, in a black suit with white shirt , looking both regal and smitten.

The crowd cheered softly.

“Dekho toh, Mansi ke toh aj pori lagche!” (Look Mansi is looking like a princess today !), came a voice from the crowd.

“Arey Ira dekhechis? Tor Mansi are Ishan ke ki bhalo lagche ek sathe” (Ira have you seen Mansi and Ishan looking so good together) , her aunt whispered.

“ofcource” Ira smiled, clapping as Mansi passed her, giving her a wink.

Reyansh stood back, watching Ira — again.

Just then, his mother, dressed in a soft silk sari with silver zari, came over to greet Ira.

“Arey beta, tum toh picture se bhi zyada sundar lag rahi ho!” she smiled. “Bahut hi graceful ho tum.”

Ira bent slightly in a namaste. “Aunty, aap bhi bohot khubsoorat lag rahi hain.”

Reyansh noticed how comfortably his mother spoke with Ira, the way she touched her shoulder while laughing. That tightness in his chest returned again — confusing, unfamiliar.

He looked at Ira again — laughing with his mother, talking with the guests. Her bindi, the way she tucked her hair, the color of her lehenga — it all blurred into something warm and quiet and stunning.

And just for a second too long, he stared.

She turned suddenly, catching him.

Their eyes met.

And in a flash, he looked away — grabbing a glass from the waiter beside him, pretending to sip.

---

Inside his mind, the voice returned.

No.

Love is not for me.

Once, I gave in — and it shattered me. Left me with silence and questions that never got answered.

I don’t go back to things that break.

But despite himself, he looked at her again.

--

As the music started and laughter filled the air, Reyansh stood near the bar counter, watching the celebration unfold— but his heart wasn’t quite in it.

Because no matter how hard he tried, his eyes kept returning to her.

And he didn’t know why.

Or maybe… he did.