The next morning, everyone was gathered at the breakfast table, enjoying the delicious food and the funniest banter between Ananya and Akshay.

“Bhaaiii!” Ananya whined dramatically as Akshay cracked yet another joke at her expense.

“Akki, tujhe pitna hai toh waise hi bata de. Main baat nahi, chappal ready karwata hoon,” said Himanshu, making Akshay gulp comically.

(“Akki, if you want to get beaten up, just say so. I’ll skip the talk and get the slipper ready.”)

Ananya teased Akshay by sucking her tongue at him, and everyone burst into laughter. Just then, Poornima chimed in,

“Sabko yaad hai na? Kal Saturday hai. Mujhe sab subah ready chahiye.”

(“Everyone remembers, right? Tomorrow is Saturday. I want everyone ready in the morning.”)

“Mummyy yaaaarrr…” they all groaned together.

(“Mummyyy, come on…”)

“Thik hai, mat hona ready. Ek ek ke room mein jaake AC off karungi. Phir dekhna kaise nahi uthte.” Poornima warned.

(“Fine, don’t be ready. I’ll go into each room and switch off the AC. Let’s see how you don’t wake up then.”)

“Mummy, subah 5 baje nahi please…” Rishi begged.

(“Mom, not 5 AM, please…”)

“Ohh beta ji, agar tu mujhe agli baar kisi football match ke liye subah taiyaar hote hue dikh gaya, toh tu ready rehna pitne ke liye.” Poornima replied sharply.

(“Dear son, if I see you getting up early for a football match again, you better be ready for a scolding.”)

Janvi giggled, and Rishi shot her a playful glare.

“Madam ji, aapko bhi subah 5 baje uthna padega.”

(“Madam, even you’ll have to wake up at 5 AM.”)

“Mujhe koi problem nahi hai. Mere ghar pe main waise bhi jaldi uthti thi.” Janvi said sweetly.

(“I have no problem. I used to wake up early at my home anyway.”)

“Meri beti hi sabse acchi hai.” Poornima beamed.

(“My daughter is the best one.”)

Janvi blushed and smiled, feeling completely at home.

♡

The day passed as usual. After a tiring day, the family had dinner early and were now gathered on the lawn. Janvi sat with Shivani and Ananya, deep in conversation about outfits—they were leaving for Rishikesh the next morning. Classic girl talk.

Shivani was explaining the rituals, and Janvi, sincerely interested, was even taking mental notes.

Rishi was busy on a call, while the others chatted nearby.

“Bhabhi, aapke pati-parmeshwar kaha gaye?” Akshay teased.

(“Sister-in-law, where is your lord-husband?”)

“Mere busy pati-parmeshwar apni pehli patni ke saath busy hain.” Janvi replied dramatically.

(“My busy lord-husband is currently occupied with his first wife.”)

“Kaunsi pehli patni hai mere devar ki?” asked Shivani with a mock gasp.

(“Which first wife does my brother-in-law have?”)

“Unka kaam aur laptop.” Janvi smirked, making everyone laugh.

(“His work and laptop.”)

Just then, Rishi walked over, yawning.

“Mumma, ho gaya aapka discussion? Sone chalein? Mujhe neend aa rahi hai.”

(“Mom, are you done discussing? Can we sleep now? I’m sleepy.”)

“Haan haan, jaldi so jao, nahi toh subah uthoge nahi.” Poornima replied.

(“Yes, yes, sleep soon or you won’t wake up in the morning.”)

♡

As instructed, everyone was ready early the next day, dressed in casuals for the two-hour drive to Rishikesh.

The temple courtyard was bathed in honey-gold light as the morning sun filtered through ancient banyan trees. A soft breeze carried the scent of incense and jasmine, wrapping around the pillars like an invisible prayer.

Janvi adjusted her saree as she stepped inside. The soft cream fabric swayed gently with each step. The golden border shimmered subtly—elegant and unpretentious, just like her. Her hair was tied into a bun adorned with mogra, her bangles clinking as she lifted the pooja thali.

Rishi stood beside her—tall, calm, slightly restless. His off-white asymmetrical kurta was sharp, but he wore no dupatta, no mojris. Just a watch. A quiet rebellion. But the reverence in his eyes as he looked at Janvi said enough—he cared. He just didn’t know the traditional way to show it.

The priest cleared his throat and gestured them forward.

They knelt together, the cool stone beneath their feet. As the mantras began, Rishi leaned closer.

“Tum is saree mein… shabd bhi chhote lag rahe hain.”

(“In this saree… even words feel too small.”)

Janvi blushed, throwing him a mock-annoyed look, lips curling into a shy smile.

Together they performed the abhishek, pouring milk over the shivling. Her bangles clinked softly against his wrist. A drop of milk splashed on his kurta, and he grimaced, wiping it awkwardly. Janvi giggled behind her hand.

The priest chanted, tying a red sacred thread around their wrists. A blessing. A quiet promise.

As the final aarti began, Rishi surprised her. He didn’t just fold his hands.

He took hers gently and whispered into the flame,

“Yeh haath zindagi bhar pakadne ki ijazat hai?”

(“May I hold this hand for a lifetime?”)

Janvi said nothing. She didn’t need to. Her fingers tightened around his.

As they stepped out of the temple—hand in hand, mogra in her hair, sunlight on his kurta—they didn’t just look married. They looked like two souls learning love, one ritual at a time.

♡

On the way back, the family was split into different cars. Janvi and Rishi were in the last one, enjoying each other’s company.

Rishi drove, while Janvi hummed softly beside him. The weather was poetic—gentle rain, cold breeze, and a sky clouded with grey.

The road was flanked by thick bushes, not quite a jungle, but wild enough to feel unfamiliar.

Rishi followed what he thought was Himanshu’s car… until he realized it wasn’t.

“Woh Himanshu bhai ki car nahi thi…” he muttered, slamming the brakes.

(“That wasn’t Himanshu bhai’s car…”)

“What do we do now?” Janvi asked, concerned.

“Bhai ko phone karo.”

(“Call Bhai.”)

She dialed. “It’s showing unreachable…”

“Bhak!” he cursed, hitting the steering wheel.

(“Damn it!”)

“Relax. Thoda wait karte hain. Solution mil jaega,” she said, squeezing his hand.

(“Relax. Let’s wait a bit. We’ll figure it out.”)

He nodded. “Gadi se bahar chalte hain. Network mil jaega shayad.”

(“Let’s get out of the car. Maybe we’ll get network.”)

They stepped into the drizzle, phones in hand, but none connected. Frustrated, Rishi kicked the tyre.

“I'm such an idiot…”

“Rishi, relax. It’s not your fault,” Janvi soothed.

Suddenly, a loud thunder cracked through the sky.

Janvi flinched. Her breath hitched, and tears welled up in her eyes. Her body trembled.

Rishi noticed instantly. He caught her hand and gently rubbed it.

“Dove… what happened? Are you okay?” he asked softly.

She didn’t reply. She just hugged him tightly.

“I… I have astraphobia. I’m scared of thunder and lightning,” she whispered, clutching his arm.

He wrapped his arms protectively around her.

“No need to be scared. I’m here. Nothing will happen to you.”

Another loud boom. She flinched again.

He gently cupped her chin, lifting her gaze to meet his. Her eyes were wide with fear, but trust flickered in them.

The rain poured harder, soaking them. Her white saree clung to her like a second skin, her curves softly outlined under the translucent fabric.

He looked at her—drenched, vulnerable, and so heartbreakingly beautiful.

Their foreheads touched.

“Can I kiss you?” he asked, voice gentle like the rain.

She nodded, eyes fluttering closed.

His lips brushed hers—tender at first, then passionate, hungry.

His hands settled on her lower back, one slipping around her waist, holding her close. When she didn’t respond right away, he pinched her side.

She gasped—and he deepened the kiss, their tongues dancing, exploring, losing themselves in each other.

When she finally broke for air, he rested his forehead against hers, both of them panting.

“You’re irresistible…” he whispered.

Their breath mingled with the rain. Their silence louder than thunder.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mere pyare readers

Apse ek hi vinanti hai ~

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