☀️ Morning After the Sangeet

The sun rose slowly over the resort, golden rays pouring in like blessings. The air smelled of wet marigolds, haldi paste, and fresh beginnings.

Everyone was in a rush. Maids ran around arranging plates, flower decorators shouted over music, and cousins laughed while flinging petals on each other.

Amidst the chaos, Ira stood on a stele, trying to loop a garland of mogra above the Haldi stage arch.

She stretched her arms slightly more—

“Ahh—” she gasped as her foot slipped.

She felt herself fall—

Only to land… softly.

Arms.

Strong arms.

Her eyes clenched tightly in fear opened slowly—

And there he was.

Reyansh.

Holding her.

Like she weighed nothing.

Like he’d do it again.

And again.

And again

Her arms had wrapped themselves around his neck without her realizing it. His grip at her waist was firm. Safe.

For a moment… they just stared.

Breathing paused. Heartbeats loud.

Ira could hear nothing. Only the way his eyes softened the longer he looked at her.

Then—

> “Ira? Are you okay?” Varun’s voice broke the silence.

Reyansh blinked. Ira quickly pulled away.

“I— I think I’m fine,” she said softly, avoiding everyone’s eyes.

“Thank you, Reyansh,” she added quietly. He gave a slight nod and turned away, jaw clenched again as Varun walked toward Ira and fussed over her like a concerned fiancé.

Reyansh didn’t say a word. But inside, he hated the way Varun touched her arm, the way she didn’t pull back.

---

Later, Ira’s mother called from another room.

> “Ira, sab ready ho gaye. Tum kahaan ho? Jaldi aa jao, beta.”

> “Haan Maa, I’m coming!”

She rushed to her room and opened her wardrobe.

But as she picked up her clothes, her fingers paused.

His eyes.

His voice.

The way his hands held her.

It all played back, again and again.

> “He’s arrogant… rude… then why does something feel different?”

“Stop thinking. This is not your concern.”

She shook her head and quickly got dressed.

---

🌼 Ira’s Haldi Look

She wore a lemon-yellow anarkali suit, soft white embroidery lining the sleeves and hem. A gajra hugged her braid, and her eyes shined naturally, even without kajal.

She didn’t need much to look beautiful.

She was beautiful. Effortlessly.

---

Meanwhile Varun & Reyansh Getting Ready

In the groom’s room—

Varun hummed happily while buttoning his yellow kurta.

“You know,” he said, smiling, “Ira is really something. She knows how to handle everyone. Calm, graceful. So sweet with my family. I really lucked out.”

Reyansh didn’t reply. He just fixed his kurta’s collar.

“Arey, bhai, say something!,” Varun laughed.

> Reyansh forced a tight smile.

“Yeah. Great for you,” he muttered.

Their looks:

Varun: Light yellow embroidered kurta with mirror work.

Reyansh: light yellow kurta with white shawl. Unbothered, intense, and heartbreakingly handsome.

---

💛 Mansi & Ishan

Mansi: Yellow lehenga with tiny mirror work, floral hairband, real marigold earrings.

Ishan: White kurta with a yellow printed jacket, matching Mansi’s vibe.

They looked like mischief and love bundled together.

---

🌿 The Haldi Ceremony Begins

The garden was decorated like a dream.

Yellow drapes, brass pots with rose petals, flower rangoli at the center. The dholis began playing upbeat beats.

First, Ishan and Mansi were seated on the floral platform. Family members came one by one—applying haldi, teasing, laughing.

Ira stepped forward, smiling softly as she dipped her fingers into the haldi and touched Mansi’s cheeks.

“Tu toh sach mein dulhan lag rahi hai,” Ira said.

> Mansi grinned, “Aur aap meri bhabhi—bahut sundar lag rahi ho, Ida Dii”

Ira smiled again. That name... that word... bhabhi. It still didn’t feel real.

Suddenly, Mansi playfully smeared haldi back on Ira’s cheeks.

“Areeeyy!” Ira shrieked, laughing.

Ishan joined. “Haldi lagane ka badla lena padta hai!”

And in no time, Ira was covered in streaks of haldi—nose, cheeks, hands. Her laughter echoed in the garden.

---

Reyansh’s Dream Sequence Ahead~

From a distance, Reyansh stood watching.

She was laughing. Smiling for real now.

And in that moment, he smiled too—without realizing.

Then the world slowed down.

He imagined himself walking toward her.

He dipped his finger into haldi…

and gently smeared it across her cheek.

Ira blinked, surprised.

He leaned closer, then slowly rubbed his own cheek against hers—spreading the haldi between them.

She blushed, looked away, and started to run.

> “Ira, ruk jao!” he said, chasing her, laughing.

She laughed too, her dupatta flying in the air as he caught her wrist and spun her toward him.

Their foreheads touched.

Perfect. Just for a second.

“Reyansh!”

His dream shattered.

It was Varun calling him.

> “Come, bro, you haven’t applied haldi yet!”

Reyansh inhaled, composed himself, and walked over. He applied haldi to Ishan and Mansi silently.

---

🧡 End of the Day

As the music softened and people began to disperse, a relative came up to Mansi.

> “Beta, jaa thoda rest le lo. Kal tumhari shaadi hai. Bahut kaam hai.”

Mansi nodded, blushing.

Everyone was slowly walking away.

But Reyansh?

He stood still.

Looking at Ira one last time that day…

still covered in haldi…

still glowing.

> “If only… she was mine.”