As the train slowly pulled into the picturesque Alleppey station, the tropical warmth embraced them. The scent of fresh coconut trees and distant waves filled the air. Ranbir stood at the door, his tall frame effortlessly charismatic, exuding the charm of India's most successful young businessman and beloved heartthrob.

Prachi hesitated a few steps behind him, nerves twisting in her stomach.

Prachi (whispering nervously):

"Ranbir, yahaan sab tumhe jaante hain... mujhe lagta hai mujhe train ke andar hi rehna chahiye (Ranbir, everyone here knows you... I think I should stay inside the train.)" 

Ranbir turned, his brows furrowing.

Ranbir (firmly):

"Kya bakwaas kar rahi ho, Prachi? Tum meri life ka sabse khoobsurat hissa ho. Aur main yeh duniya ko proudly dikhana chahta hoon(What nonsense are you talking about, Prachi? You are the most beautiful part of my life. And I want to show this to the world proudly.)" 

He took her hand, gently squeezing it as they stepped off the train.

The moment Ranbir set foot on the platform, a wave of excited murmurs spread through the crowd. People recognized him instantly.

Fan 1:

"Arey dekho, Ranbir Kohli(Hey look, Ranbir Kohli!)"

Fan 2:

"Hero of India aa gaya! Kitne bade business tycoon hain(Hero of India has arrived! What a big business tycoon he is!)"

Phones came out, flashes sparking as fans clamored for pictures and autographs. A few reporters hurried to catch a glimpse.

Meanwhile, Prachi's heart raced. She instinctively touched the side of her neck where faint scars from past trauma remained visible.

Prachi (thinking nervously):

"Pata nahi log kya kahenge... shayad mere scars dekh kar mazak udaayein(I don't know what people will say... maybe they will make fun of me after seeing my scars.)"

But as they moved forward, something surprising happened.

A little girl in a bright yellow dress tugged at her mother's hand, pointing excitedly at Prachi.

Little Girl (gasping):

"Amma, woh toh bilkul Belle jaise lag rahi hain na? Fairy tale wali princess(Mom, she looks just like Belle, isn't she? Fairy tale Princess!)"

Prachi's eyes widened in disbelief. She looked down at her simple but elegant blue dress, hardly believing the comparison.

Fan 3:

"Kitni sundar hain! Ekdum classic beauty jaise... bilkul graceful(How beautiful! Just like a classic beauty... absolutely graceful.)"

Ranbir leaned toward her, his voice filled with pride.

Ranbir (teasing):

"Belle? Maine toh socha tha tum meri Cinderella ho. Lekin yeh Kerala wale log toh tumhe aur bhi bada title de rahe hain(Belle? I thought you were my Cinderella. But these people of Kerala are giving you an even bigger title.)"

Prachi blushed fiercely, a shy smile tugging at her lips.

Prachi (murmuring):

"Ranbir, log sach mein aisa kyun bol rahe hain(Ranbir, why are people really saying this?)"

Ranbir:

"Because tumhare scars sirf tumhe strong banate hain, Prachi. Beauty toh tumhare andar hai, aur yeh duniya ko bhi dikh raha hai(Because your scars only make you stronger, Prachi. Beauty is within you, and it is visible to the world too.)"

The resort staff greeted them with traditional Kerala charm — women in white sarees with gold borders, flower garlands, and a beautifully decorated elephant waiting for them near the entrance.

Manager:

"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Kohli. It's an honor to have you here."

Prachi blinked, overwhelmed but happy. Ranbir kept her hand in his as they walked toward the waiting jeep, ready for their serene and romantic journey through the lush backwaters of Kerala.

Prachi (whispering softly):

"Ranbir, yeh sab ek sapna lag raha hai(Ranbir, it all seems like a dream.)"

Ranbir (grinning):

"Nahi, Prachi Kohli. Yeh toh bas shuruaat hai(No, Prachi Kohli. This is just the beginning.)"

As Ranbir and Prachi stepped into the grand entrance of The Leela Kovalam, they were greeted by the gentle sound of traditional Kerala drums and a soft floral fragrance lingering in the air. The sea breeze whispered through the open space, carrying a sense of serenity.

A smiling hotel representative, draped in a golden kasavu saree, approached them with folded hands.

Representative:

"Namaskaram! Welcome to The Leela Kovalam, the abode of love and peace. We have a small tradition here for couples to bless their journey together."

Prachi's eyes widened slightly. "Tradition?" she whispered nervously to Ranbir, still self-conscious about her scars despite her efforts to relax.

Ranbir smiled reassuringly and leaned closer. "Let's just go with it, Prachi. We're here for moments, not worries."

Two beautifully decorated trays were brought forward—one with fragrant floral garlands of jasmine and roses, and the other with an assortment of traditional Kerala sweets.

Representative:

"We request you to garland each other as a sign of everlasting love and feed a sweet to one another for sweetness in your journey ahead."

Prachi blushed but managed a soft laugh. "Sweetness toh zaroori ha(Sweetness is very important...)" she murmured playfully, trying to ease her nerves.

Ranbir grinned mischievously. "Hamesha. Chal, dulhan ji(Always. Come on, bride!)"

The staff watched with encouraging smiles as Ranbir bent slightly, gently placing the garland over Prachi's head. The jasmine flowers brushed against her cheeks, filling the air with their enchanting aroma.

Prachi's turn came, and though shy, she mustered courage, tiptoeing slightly to place the garland over Ranbir. His warm gaze never left hers, making her heartbeat quicken.

Ranbir picked up a piece of Kerala halwa, rich and glistening, holding it near Prachi's lips. "Aankhein band karke kha lo(Eat with your eyes closed)," he teased, "warna mere pyar ka overdose ho jayega(otherwise my love will overdose.)"

Prachi bit the sweet, giggling at his flirtation. "Tumhare overdose ka koi limit hai kya(Is there any limit to your overdose?)"

Her fingers trembled slightly as she picked up a peda and held it toward Ranbir. Instead of taking a simple bite, he held her hand steady and took a dramatic nibble.

"Yeh sirf shuruat hai(This is just the beginning)," he murmured softly, his voice low and teasing.

The hotel staff clapped gently, their joyful smiles adding to the warmth of the moment.

Representative:

"May this stay be filled with cherished memories. Enjoy your honeymoon!"

As they were guided toward their ocean-view suite, Ranbir leaned toward Prachi with a grin.

"Tumhare haath se toh mithai zyada meethi lagti hai(Sweets taste sweeter from your hands)," he teased.

Prachi, cheeks tinged pink, retorted, "Aur tum na... har moment ko filmy banana nahi chhodoge (And you will not stop making every moment filmy.)"

Ranbir's hearty laugh echoed as they walked hand in hand toward the next beautiful chapter of their journey together.

Few Hours Later:

Prachi and Ranbir arrived at the bustling grounds of the famous Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. The air was filled with the rich aroma of jaggery, coconut, and rice as thousands of women, dressed in traditional Kerala sarees, lined the streets with clay pots and firewood, preparing the sacred Pongala offering.

Prachi (awed):

"Ranbir, look at this! So many women coming together for one ritual... It's beautiful."

Ranbir nodded, genuinely impressed. "This is devotion at another level. I've never seen something so powerful and peaceful at the same time."

They walked carefully through the crowd, respectful of the women seated on the ground, their faces serene as they stirred the bubbling sweet rice mixture in their pots. Colorful canopies and flowers decorated the streets, and chants of devotion echoed through the atmosphere.

A kind local woman waved at Prachi, offering her a spot.

Woman:

"Pongal edutho! (Take the pongal!)"

Prachi hesitated but smiled politely. "Main? Nahi... I mean, hum toh sirf dekhne aaye hain(I? No... I, we have just come to see.)" 

The woman chuckled. "You're already blessed by visiting during Pongala. But sharing is also devotion. Come, I'll help."

Encouraged by Ranbir's supportive nod, Prachi knelt beside the woman as she handed her a ladle to stir the pot. The bubbling mixture thickened, releasing a heavenly aroma of coconut and jaggery.

Ranbir crouched nearby, clicking photos with a playful grin.

Ranbir:

"Wah, Mrs. Kohli! Temple se MasterChef tak... kya baat hai(Wow, Mrs. Kohli! From Temple to MasterChef... way to go!)"

Prachi (rolling her eyes):

"Tum na, Ranbir. Har cheez ko filmy banane ki zarurat nahi hai(You no, Ranbir. There is no need to make everything filmy.)"

But inwardly, she felt a profound connection to the experience—the simplicity, devotion, and warmth of the women around her.

After a while, temple bells rang loudly, signaling the completion of the offering. The women chanted prayers in unison, their voices resonating with divine energy.

Prachi and Ranbir stood in silence, hands folded, absorbing the sanctity of the moment. The chief priest walked by, blessing everyone and sprinkling holy water.

Priest:

"Bhagavathy Amma's blessings are upon you both."

As they made their way back to the temple entrance, Ranbir glanced at Prachi.

Ranbir (teasing):

"Pongala queen banna ka kaisa experience tha(How was the experience of being Pongala queen?)"

Prachi (laughing):

"Ekdum magical. I think mujhe ab sweet rice banane ka certificate mil gaya(Absolutely magical. I think now I have got the certificate for making sweet rice.)"

After a day of exploring the cultural and spiritual heart of Kerala, Prachi and Ranbir returned to their cozy hotel room at The Leela Kovalam. The warm, golden lights of the evening set the perfect mood, and the sound of the waves crashing on the beach added to the serene atmosphere.

As they stepped into the room, Prachi collapsed onto the bed with a soft sigh, still taking in the magic of the day.

Prachi (smiling):

"Ranbir, yeh trip toh sach mein... ek dream jaise lag raha hai. Sab kuch kitna... peaceful aur beautiful hai(Ranbir, this trip really feels like a dream. Everything is so peaceful and beautiful.)"

Ranbir, already feeling playful, walked over and sat on the edge of the bed next to her. He leaned toward her with a teasing grin.

Ranbir (mimicking her):

"Arre, yeh kya ho gaya? Ab tumhari Hindi bhi bilkul sahi ho gayi hai(Hey, what happened? Now your Hindi has also become absolutely correct!)" 

Prachi raised an eyebrow, confused for a second.

Prachi (laughing):

"Kya? Mera Hindi galat tha(What? Was my Hindi wrong?)"

Ranbir, leaning back against the headboard, folded his arms and grinned.

Ranbir (teasing):

"Nahi, bas yeh dekha hai ki tumne thoda thoda English zyada bolna shuru kar diya hai. Tumhare hindi mein wo purana charm ab nahi raha(No, I just noticed that you have started speaking English a little more. That old charm is no longer there in your Hindi.)"

Prachi (pretending to be offended):

"Arre, toh kya tumhe mere English mein kuch problem hai? Main toh thoda improvement laayi hoon apne skills mein(Hey, so do you have any problem with my English? I have brought some improvement in my skills!)" 

Ranbir chuckled, shaking his head.

Ranbir:

"Nahi, bilkul nahi. Tumhare English mein kuch gadbad nahi hai. Bas woh purana, simple Prachi jo hamesha Hindi mein baatein karti thi, woh mujhe yaad aati hai(No,not at all. There is nothing wrong with your English. I just miss that pure, simple Prachi who always used to talk in Hindi.)"

Prachi, feeling a little shy, turned her face away for a moment, her heart racing. She hated to admit it, but the way Ranbir was looking at her made her feel like the most cherished woman in the world.

Prachi (softly):

"Main samajh sakti hoon, Ranbir... tumhe waise waise wali Prachi chahiye thi(I can understand, Ranbir... you wanted the same Prachi.)"

Ranbir moved closer to her, his tone changing to something more sincere and tender.

Ranbir:

"Nahi, Prachi... mujhe tum dono cheezon se pyaar hai. Tumhari simple baatein, tumhara unique way of talking... aur tumhara smile, tumhara attitude... sab kuch(No, Prachi... I love both of you. Your simple words, your unique way of talking... and your smile, your attitude... everything.)"

Prachi's heart skipped a beat. She felt the pull of his words, his affection shining through. She met his gaze and smiled softly.

Prachi (in Hindi, her tone sweet):

"Ranbir... I love you too!"

Ranbir's face lit up, his eyes softening with joy. He gently cupped her face in his hands and brought her face closer.

Ranbir (whispering):

"Yeh... yeh tumne kis bhasha mein kaha? Mujhe yeh 'I love you' abhi bhi sunna tha, par thoda Hindi mein(This...in what language did you say this? I still wanted to hear this 'I love you', but in Hindi!)" 

Prachi laughed and playfully pushed him away.

Prachi (grinning):

"Okay, okay! Main Hindi mein bolti hoon! Tumhe pata hai na... 'Main tumse... bahut pyaar karti hoon, Ranbir.' Yeh sahi hai(Okay, okay! I will speak in Hindi! You know... 'I love you... a lot, Ranbir.' This is correct?)"

Ranbir couldn't help but laugh, his heart swelling with happiness. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as the laughter died down.

Ranbir (teasing softly):

"Yeh tha mera Prachi... bilkul original waali! Ab bas tum yeh 'I love you' Hindi mein zyada bola karo, mujhe achha lagta hai(This was my Prachi...the original one! Now just say 'I love you' more in Hindi, I like it.)" 

Prachi nodded, resting her head on his chest, her fingers tracing the pattern on his shirt.

Prachi (gently):

"Main tumhara har ek jazbaat samajhti hoon, Ranbir. Tumhare saath yeh safar sabse zyada khaas hai(I understand every emotion of yours, Ranbir. This journey with you is most special.)" 

Ranbir smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

Ranbir (softly):

"Tum mere saath raho, toh har cheez khaas ho jaati hai, Prachi. Tumhari saath main har pal jeena chahta hoon... aur yeh sab... jo kuch bhi ho raha hai... yeh humari kahani hai(You stay with me, that's why everything becomes special, Prachi. I want to live every day with you... and all this... whatever is happening... this is our story.)" 

Prachi gazed into his eyes, feeling completely at peace.

Prachi (whispering):

"Hmm... aur humari kahani toh abhi shuru hui hai, Ranbir(Hmm... and our story has just begun, Ranbir.)" 

They shared a quiet, meaningful look, savoring the stillness of the moment. The world outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in their little bubble of love.

Ranbir and Prachi stood at the edge of the balcony for a while, taking in the view of the vast ocean beneath the starry sky. The warmth of the sea breeze brushed against their skin, but it was the warmth between them that truly made them feel alive. Prachi's heart fluttered at the closeness they had—both physically and emotionally.

Ranbir couldn't help but feel that their bond was unbreakable—like a love story written in the stars. And Prachi? She realized that, in his embrace, she had found everything she had ever wanted... and more.

Ranbir looked at her, his eyes soft and intense, as if he was seeing her for the first time all over again. He reached out, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, letting his fingers linger against her soft skin.

Ranbir (whispering):

"Prachi... tum har din aur zyada khoobsurat hoti jaa rahi ho. Jaise yeh jahan... bas tumhare liye bana ho(Prachi... you are becoming more beautiful every day. Like this place... was made just for you.)"

Prachi's breath caught in her throat as she turned to face him. Her heart was racing, the quiet of the night amplifying the sudden rush of emotions inside her.

Prachi (softly):

"Ranbir... tumhe pata hai... tumhare saath hone se sab kuch perfect lagta hai. Tum mere liye... sab kuch ho(Ranbir... you know... everything feels perfect when I am with you. You are... everything to me.)"

Please skip if you are uncomfortable till you see this🙈🙈

She stepped closer to him, her body barely an inch from his. The air between them was electric. She could feel his warmth, smell his cologne, and she couldn't help but feel completely drawn to him.

Ranbir (gently cupping her face):

"Mujhe bhi... tumhi meri duniya ho, Prachi. Har pal tumhare saath guzarna chahata hoon(Me too... You are my world, Prachi. I want to spend every moment with you.)"

His voice was low, filled with raw emotion, and Prachi couldn't resist the pull any longer. She leaned in, her lips grazing against his lightly at first, as if asking for permission. Ranbir responded immediately, his lips capturing hers in a deep, tender kiss.

The kiss was slow and soft, filled with the kind of affection they had both been waiting for. It wasn't just physical; it was an exchange of their hearts, their dreams, their entire beings in that one moment.

As the kiss deepened, Ranbir's hands found their way around her waist, pulling her closer. Prachi's hands gripped the front of his shirt, her body instinctively melting into his. They stayed locked in that moment, neither wanting to pull away, as if time itself had frozen.

When they finally broke apart, their foreheads rested against each other, their breaths mingling in the silence of the room.

Prachi (breathlessly):

"Ranbir... tumse baat karte karte, yeh sab sabse beautiful lagta hai... tumse itna pyaar karti hoon (Ranbir... I find it most beautiful while talking to you... I love you so much.)" 

Ranbir (his voice hushed and intense):

"Tum jo keh rahi ho na... usse zyada tumse pyaar karta hoon. Tum meri duniya ho, Prachi. Aur yeh... yeh sirf ek shuruat hai(I love you more than what you are saying. You are my world, Prachi. And this...this is just a beginning.)"

Their lips met again, this time with more urgency, as if they were both trying to express everything they felt for one another in that kiss. Ranbir's hands trailed down her back, pulling her even closer. The heat between them was undeniable, and neither one of them wanted to stop.

Prachi could feel the way his heart raced against her chest. She pulled back slightly, her eyes meeting his, full of longing and something deeper.

Prachi (whispering):

"Ranbir... we've waited so long for this moment."

Ranbir smiled, his thumb caressing her cheek, as he softly nodded.

Ranbir (softly):

"Haan, but it's worth the wait... every single second, Prachi."

They moved slowly towards the bed, their hands never leaving each other. Ranbir's fingers brushed lightly against her skin as they stood at the edge of the bed. Prachi's heart raced not just with anticipation, but with the certainty that everything had led to this.

Ranbir gently pushed the hair away from her face, his gaze full of love and promise.

Ranbir (tenderly):

"Prachi... is this what you want? I'm here for you, in every way. Tell me, and I'll make it perfect for you."

Prachi, her heart swelling with affection and desire, nodded. She was ready, in every sense, to share this piece of herself with him. To trust him fully, completely, just like she had trusted him with her heart.

With that silent agreement, Ranbir leaned in, his lips brushing against her neck, his breath hot and urgent. Prachi arched her neck slightly, her body responding to his touch. It wasn't rushed, but rather a slow, steady rhythm, as they explored each other with a tenderness that spoke of everything they had been through to reach this point.

In that moment, the world outside disappeared, and there was only the two of them—lost in each other, feeling the love they had worked so hard to build, and now, finally, the connection that had been waiting for them all along.

🙈🙈