The haldi ceremony is over, and the house is finally quiet after the day's chaos. Everyone has retired to their rooms, exhausted but happy. Prachi, dressed in a simple red kurta with her hair loose, steps out into the garden to catch some fresh air. The moonlight bathes everything in a soft glow, making the night feel almost magical.

Suddenly, she feels a presence behind her. She turns to see Ranbir, his eyes soft and filled with an emotion she can't quite place. He's still wearing traces of haldi on his cheeks, and his shirt is slightly unbuttoned, as if he hadn't even bothered to change after the ceremony.

Ranbir (leaning casually against the pillar):

"Chikchiki, tumhe pata hai, tumhare bina yeh garden bhi adhoora lagta hai(Chikchiki, you know, this garden also seems incomplete without you.)"

Prachi (rolling her eyes, but blushing):

"Ranbir ji, itni raat ko aap yahan kya kar rahe hain? Sab so rahe hain(Ranbir, what are you doing here so late at night? Everyone is sleeping.)"

Ranbir (walking closer):

"Toh kya karoon? Tum toh jaag rahi ho. Aur jahan tum ho, wahan mujhe hona hi hai(So what should I do? You are awake. And where you are, I have to be there.)" 

Ranbir takes a step forward and offers his hand to her.

Ranbir:

"Ek dance karein? Haldi toh ho gayi, shaadi tak rehearse toh kar lete hain(Let's have a dance? The haldi is done, let's rehearse till the wedding.)"

Prachi (flustered):

"Yeh kya bachpana hai, Ranbir ji? Main aapke saath dance nahi karne wali(What childishness is this Ranbir? I'm not going to dance with you.)"

Before she can protest further, he gently pulls her closer. The music of the night—the rustling leaves, the chirping crickets—seems to create a melody of its own. Slowly, they sway under the moonlight, his hand firm on her waist, hers hesitantly resting on his shoulder.

Ranbir (whispering):

"Prachi, tumhe pata hai, tumhari aankhon mein chand ki roshni se zyada chamak hai(Prachi, do you know, your eyes shine brighter than the moonlight?)"

Prachi (trying to look away):

"Ranbir ji, bas bhi kijiye. Mujhe lagta hai aapko jyada haldi lag gayi hai(Ranbir, please stop it. I think you have been applied with too much  turmeric.)"

Ranbir (grinning):

"Aur mujhe lagta hai ki tum jitna mana karti ho, utna hi tum mujhe pasand karti ho(And I think you like me as much as you feel like you do.)" 

As they dance, Prachi finds herself losing in the moment. She glances up at him, and for the first time in days, she lets herself be vulnerable.

Prachi (in a soft voice):

"Ranbir ji, kabhi kabhi sochti hoon... ki agar meri zindagi alag hoti, toh shayad(Ranbir, sometimes I think... if my life had been different, maybe...)"

She stops mid-sentence, her voice trembling.

Ranbir (cupping her face):

"Prachi, tumhari zindagi meri zindagi hai. Tumhare bina toh main adhoora hoon. Tumne kabhi mujhe dekhna bandh kiya hai(Prachi, your life is my life. I am incomplete without you. Have you ever stopped looking at me?)"

Prachi doesn't answer, her silence speaking volumes. Her eyes well up, and Ranbir brushes away a tear with his thumb.

Ranbir steps back slightly, pulling something out of his pocket—a small box.

Ranbir (smiling):

"Mujhe pata hai ki shaadi tak yeh zarurat nahi hai, par main tumhare liye kuch laya hoon(I know this isn't necessary until the wedding, but I brought something for you.)"

He opens the box to reveal a delicate anklet.

Ranbir:

"Yeh tumhare liye hai. Tumhare har kadam ke saath yeh mujhe yaad dilayega ki tum meri ho. Har awaaz mein meri duniya hai, Prachi(This this is for you. With every step you take it will remind me that you are mine. My world is in your every voice, Prachi.)"

He kneels down and gently places the anklet on her foot. Prachi is overwhelmed, unable to find words.

Prachi (softly):

"Ranbir ji... aap kyun(Ranbir... why you...)"

Ranbir (interrupting):

"Bas yeh samajh lo ki tum meri zindagi ka sabse haseen hissa ho, aur main tumhe kabhi khona nahi chahta(Just understand that you are the most beautiful part of my life, and I never want to lose you.)"

Ranbir stands, pulling her closer again. His hand brushes her hair away from her face, his thumb tracing her jawline.

Ranbir (leaning in):

"Prachi, kya tumhe pata hai ki tumhare kareeb aake meri saanse ruk jaati hain(Prachi, do you know that coming close to you stops my breathing?)"

Their faces are mere inches apart now, their breaths mingling. Prachi closes her eyes, her heart racing. Ranbir leans in, his lips brushing her forehead softly, then her nose, and finally her cheeks.

As he tilts his head slightly, their lips about to meet, a sudden loud crash from inside the house startles them both.

Prachi (pulling away quickly):

"Yeh... yeh kya tha(This...this what was it?)"

Ranbir (groaning):

"Mujhe laga tha finally... ab toh moment perfect tha(I thought finally... now the moment was perfect!)"

Prachi hides her face in embarrassment, her cheeks a deep shade of red.