Isha's POV

I wasn't supposed to be on my feet.

The doctor had said, "No dancing." The family had said, "Just rest, beta."
But my heart said,Kamini and Deepthi don't get to win."

So there I was a strapped ankle, sequined lehenga, kajal sharp enough to kill, and a plan.

The Sangeet venue looked like a dream: fairy lights overhead, mirrored decor reflecting flashes of color, and a dance floor that dared me to step on it. The crowd was buzzing, the music was getting louder, and somewhere in the middle of it all, Deepthi was preening like she owned the place.

Not for long.

"Babe," Amaan said, walking up beside me, his kurta crisp, his smile lopsided, and his eyes full of mischief. "Should you be standing?"

I leaned in. "Should you be this good-looking? Life's not fair."

He laughed, but the concern didn't leave his face. "Be honest. You sure about tonight?"

I nodded. "I'm not missing my Sangeet. And I'm definitely, (murmured) not letting those two snakes slither away untouched." as I don't want him to have more trouble because he is already not in a good relationship with his bua sa and her daughter even ma sa, sarthak and Niya.

He raised an eyebrow. "are you hiding something from me?"

"nope, why?

He nodded. "I just felt it as if you were hiding something from me."

God, I love this man.

The performances started cousins doing TikTok routines, aunties twirling with unmatched confidence, and a friend group mashup that somehow merged Chammak Challo and Zingaat.

Then the emcee called out: "And now... the bride and her squad!"

Gasps. I wasn't supposed to perform.

But I stepped onto the stage, holding Nisha's hand, my ankle hidden under layers of flair. Amaan was off to the side, ready to catch me if I tripped both literally and emotionally.

The music dropped:"Kar Gayi chull".

We danced.

Okay, they danced, I vibed, leaned, posed, and delivered facial expressions worthy of a Karan Johar close-up. Every move screamed: you thoughts I'd stay down? Watch me rise with sparkle.

Then came the final beat drop and with it, Deepthi's Karma Moment.

As part of the choreography, Nisha and Niya pretended to stumble and accidentally splashed a bowl of decorative haldi paste across the floor near the VIP section. Deepthi, ever the attention-seeker, strutted straight into the trap slipped, squealed, and landed in a pile of bright yellow goo.

Dead silence. Then laughter.

Amaan's Sister whispered,"Haldi justice."

Deepthi scrambled up, face red, outfit ruined, pride bruised.

I limped over (pure drama) and offered her a napkin. "Careful, Deepthi. Slippery out here."

The look she gave me could've curdled milk. I drank it like champagne.

From across the room, Deepthi watched us rage simmering beneath her forced smile. Kamini whispered something in her ear, but Deepthi didn't respond.

Her eyes were locked on me.

Good. Let her look.

Let her burn.

I was done playing soft.

I came early to my room, changed my outfit and came to the bed because tomorrow at 12 is the muhurtham and I should rest otherwise I will be a zombie with dark circles under my eyes.

When my thoughts went to bua sa and Deepthi. How will I manage them after marriage as if I hurt them it will disappoint baba. Lets take a break for now and I'll face it at that time.

Author's POV

She didn't hear him come in, but she felt the weight shift on the edge of the bed. The room was dim, just the hallway light spilling through the cracked door. She stayed on her side, eyes open, watching the curtains move in the breeze.

His hand found her shoulder. Not heavy. Just there warm, still.

"You okay?" he asked, voice low.

She nodded, then paused. "Just tired."

He didn't say anything. He just lay down behind her, close but not pressing. His hand slid from her shoulder to her waist, then rested there, fingers curled lightly against the fabric of her shirt. She breathed in slowly.

His breath was steady, a quiet rhythm against the back of her neck. He didn't try to fix anything, didn't ask again. Just stayed with her, grounding her in the silence.

After a while, she reached back, found his hand, and laced her fingers through his.

Neither of them spoke. They didn't need to.

And the sleep consumed them after a bashful day.

Let's how the big day turned out.

Thank you for reading 😊
See you in the next chapter.