Advika's POV

I was in deep sleep when I felt someone tugging my blanket. Holding it tight, I tried to fall back asleep, but soon I felt fingers on my ear.

"Kon hai bey?" I mumbled in irritation, my voice hoarse with sleep.

(Who is this?)

"Bey nahi, bae," came the reply, laced with mockery.

Groggily, I opened my eyes, and the sight before me sent a scream ripping from my throat. A face was hovering far too close to mine.

"Bhoot, bhoot, bhoot" I shouted shutting my eyes tightly

(Ghost, ghost, ghost)

Suddenly, my blanket was yanked away with such force that I almost rolled off the couch. Two strong hands gripped my shoulders, forcing me upright.

It took me at least fifteen minutes after waking up to function like a normal human, so I was utterly disoriented, struggling to understand why I was being treated like a rag doll.

"Open your eyes," a deep voice commanded.

Slowly, I opened my eyes; this time, the face was a bit away, which made me realize that it was Shravan and the wedding wasn't a dream. Everything happened for real.

"Now, tell me, from which angle does my handsome face look like a ghost to you?" Shravan asked, tilting his head dramatically from side to side.

"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called you a ghost," I mumbled, still half-asleep.

A smug smile curved his lips as he stepped back.

"I should’ve called you a ghoul," I muttered under my breath, loud enough for him to catch.

His expression darkened instantly, his nostrils flaring. He opened his mouth, undoubtedly to retort, but a knock on the door interrupted him.

"Come down by nine," Arya’s voice called out.

Shravan let out an irritated sigh before turning back to me.

"I’ll let this little act of yours slide for now because Mom is waiting for your first rasoi ritual, but don’t think I will forget it. I will get my revenge," he declared, pointing a finger at me before leaving.

He turned on his heels and made his way out of the room.

"Take a shower by the time I return from the gym," he added over his shoulder.

I let out a deep breath and rolled my eyes. My eyelids were still heavy. The couch wasn't as comfortable as I thought. My neck got sprained. I don't think I could sleep on this for long.

Glancing at the clock, I saw it was already ten past eight. I had only fifty minutes to get ready, which would’ve been more than enough—if I didn’t have to wear a saree. To pull that off, I’d need to watch tutorial videos, and that meant hopping into the shower immediately.

"Let’s go, Advika. It’s your first day in your temporary sasural," I muttered to myself, dragging my body off the couch.

The bed looked so tempting at the moment. I just wanted to lay on my stomach and have another round of nap but it wasn't a time anymore.

I took a quick shower and stepped out to choose a saree. My fingers stopped on a simple yet elegant red and yellow one. Gathering the pieces, I walked into the closet. The blouse and underskirt were easy enough, but draping the saree was an entirely different story. No matter how many videos I watched, I just couldn’t get it right.

Half an hour passed, and I heard Shravan heading to the bathroom. Meanwhile, I was still struggling.

Frustration bubbled up as tears pricked my eyes. I never realized it would be this hard. My mom never wore sarees, so I had no clue what I was doing.

With only ten minutes left, I hastily wrapped the saree around my waist and threw the pallu over my shoulder, doing the best I could. I checked the mirror and decided it looked... passable.

Letting out a relieved breath, I quickly applied a little makeup and stepped out, only to find Shravan combing his hair.

The moment he saw me, he burst into laughter.

"What the hell is this?" he managed between fits of laughter, doubling over and clutching his stomach.

It was the first time I’d seen him laugh, and as much as I wanted to appreciate how beautiful his laughter was, I couldn’t. He was laughing at me.

"How are you supposed to walk in this?" he teased. "I’m pretty sure you’d have to hop like a frog!"

His words stung, and the tears I had held back earlier now threatened to spill. I bit my lip and turned on my heels, heading back to the closet. If this was his way of getting back at me for calling him a ghoul, it was cruel.

I have already felt so neglected by him since I came to his house, and now this is too much for me to handle.

Before I could walk inside the closet, I felt a tug on my pallu which stopped me in my tracks.

I looked back to find Shravan holding the corner of my pallu. My eyebrows drew in confusion, and before I could ask him what new way he was thinking to humiliate me, he gave the pallu a firm tug, causing me to spin and land against his chest.

The sudden proximity made my breath hitch. His warmth engulfed me, and when I looked up, his intense gaze sent my heart racing. The humor was gone from his eyes, replaced by something else—something I couldn’t quite decipher.

With a firm yet soft tug, he pulled out the messy pleats I had tucked into my underskirt.

"What are you doing?" I stammered.

"Shhh..." he murmured, silencing me with a single look.

My heart raced as he began folding the pleats, his sharp features focused entirely on the task.

"Stay still," he ordered without looking up.

I didn’t dare move, partly because I didn’t want to make it harder for him and partly because I was stunned by his sudden shift in demeanor. Wasn’t he just laughing at me moments ago?

I couldn't take my eyes off his face as he did his task with utmost concern.

Once the pleats were perfectly aligned, he tucked them into my underskirt, making me audibly gasp and suck my breath when the knuckles of his one hand touched my abdomen, while the other hand rested on my bare waist.

A strange flutter stirred in my stomach, something I was certain wasn’t due to hunger.

Shravan froze too. His eyes flicked up to meet mine, dilating slightly as he seemed to realize how close we were and where his hands had been.

I wanted to say something to dispel the tension between us, but my voice seemed to ditch me.

He pulled his hand back abruptly, his movements stiff. Quickly, I threw the pallu over my shoulder and turned to look at myself in the mirror.

What I saw left me stunned. The saree fit perfectly, hugging my curves in all the right places. I couldn’t believe how effortlessly Shravan had managed to wrap it, far better than I ever could. I could feel one more pair of eyes on me as I admired myself in the mirror.

“Is it your hobby to drape sarees?” The words escaped my mouth before I could stop them. I looked at him through the mirror, only to find one of his eyebrows arched in a mock offense.

“I mean… How are you so good at this?” I added quickly, trying to salvage the situation.

Suddenly, one of his strong arms circled my waist, and I found myself whirling around to face him. My hands pressed against his chest instinctively, attempting to create some distance, but it was barely noticeable.

Whenever he is close to me I feel something weird going through my entire being. I can't exactly tell what a weird feeling it is.

Maybe this is because I have never come close to any other male before.

Maybe...

My thoughts were cut short when he leaned down, his warm breath fanned my ear as he whispered,

“I’m perfect at more than just draping sarees. Would you like me to show you?” he murmured.

Suddenly, I could feel my ears and cheeks burning, my heart thudding, and my breath quickening up.

Shameless creature!

"Now, if you two are done, then come down. We are waiting" I flinched when I heard Arya's voice from the other side of the door.

"Let's go before she barges into our room," he chuckled.

Our room?

The words sent a flush through my chest, but that fleeting feeling was replaced by something else as I felt the back of his hand brush down the curve of my hip when he dropped his arm to his side. My eyes flicked up to him, he didn't seem to notice it.

Maybe it wasn't intentional but it was enough to send zaps of current throughout my being, leaving me flustered and breathless.

~~~~~

Guys, you can't even imagine how depressed and disheartened I was last night. I cried myself to sleep.

Can't get even four followers from the last update.

I think maybe this is because my work is not "that good" that it could appeal to you to follow me.

I’m struggling with self-doubt and even regretting my decision to return to Wattpad. Can you blame me?

Imagine spending hours on a project only for your teacher to barely glance at it. That’s exactly how I, and so many other writers, feel when stories are read but not supported with votes, comments, or even a simple follow.

That said, I am grateful to all those readers who support my work and will surely complete this story but at my pace. If there’s a positive response, engagement, and followers, I will give early updates.

I have thought a lot about this story, don't make me end it early.

Thank you

~dayyyyydreamerrr