Shri sat in front of the mirror, her eyes scanning the intricate design of her lehenga as her sister's mehendi function was about to begin. The pastel hues of the fabric complemented her skin tone perfectly, and she couldn't help but feel like a princess. She was just adjusting the dupatta when she heard the door creak open.

Shri turned around to see it was none other than Riyan

Riyan's eyes widened in surprise, and he immediately apologized.

Riyan: Shri, I'm so sorry. Mujhe ni pta tha tum yaha change krri ho, I didn't mean to-

Shri smiled and waved her hand dismissively.

Shri: it's okay Ri , wese b mai almost ready ho chuki hu , actually mujhe tumhari help chahiye thi

Riyan: kesi help Shri ?

Shri gestured to the back of her lehenga blouse.

Shri: Can you tie the knot for me? Mera hath nhi pohonch rha

Riyan's eyes met hers, and for a moment, they just looked at each other. Then, he nodded and walked over to her. Shri felt a flutter in her chest as his hands brushed against hers as he reached around to tie the knot.

As they stood in front of the mirror , he moved her hair to the side ,his fingers brushing against the bare skin of her back , sending shivers down Shri's spine.
She stood still, her eyes fixed on the mirror in front of her, She couldn't help but notice the way his forehead crinkled as he concentrated, or the way his breath whispered against her skin as he leaned in .

As he tied the final knot, he couldn't help but make eye contact with her reflection.
Shri's eyes met his in the mirror, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.

As he broke eye contact, Riyan leaned in close to Shri's ear and whispered

Riyan: you look gorgeous bunny

Shri's eyes widened slightly as she turned to face him, her face inches from his. She smiled, her lips parting slightly as she gazed up at him.

Shri: thanks ri

Riyan's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, feeling a surge of affection for this beautiful woman who was standing in front of him. He loved making her feel good about herself, loved seeing the confidence spark in her eyes when he told her she looked beautiful. He wanted her to see herself from his perspective, only then she will know how lucky he is to have her

As they stood there lost in each other, inching closer with every passing second, their moment was ruined by a loud cough coming from the doorway

Arya: shaadi wala Ghar h Shri , samhal k kahi meri jagha bua ji hoti to Aaj toh gyi thi tu

Shri: ARYAAAAAAAA!!!!!

Shri screamed at the top of her lungs seeing her best friend Arya after so long
They hugged as its been a lifetime since they last met

Shri: you cameeee!!!

Arya: ofcourse I came yr , di ki shaadi thodi miss karti , and is this...the lucky guy?

Shri: oh yea...Arya meet riyan, my boyfriend ....riyan this is Arya , my bestfriend

Arya: hmmm....player to nhi ho na? , kitni girl bestfriends hai tumhari ? , smoking ya drinking karte ho? Shri ka dhyan to rakhte ho na? Tum-

Shri: Arya Arya Arya , let's talk about this later , tu mere sath aa na terko di se milati hu , riyan tum ready ho jao hn

Riyan was at lost of words , all he managed to say was

Riyan: um hn

Shri and Arya left closing the door behind them

Mehendi function

The mehendi function was in full swing, the air was thick with the smell of mehendi and sound of laughter and chatter filling the air. Shri and Arya were sitting with Shri's sister, who was getting her mehendi done, while Riyan was chatting with shri's cousin Mohit who he met earlier

As they sat there, riyan's eyes found shri, he couldn't help but notice Shri's radiant smile as she laughed with her friends. and something clicked in his mind Riyan suddenly turned to mohit and whispered something in his ear. Mohit's eyes widened in surprise, and he looked at Shri with a mischievous glint.

He excused himself and walked over to the DJ, whispering something in his ear. The DJ looked up at him curiously, and then a smile spread across his face.

The music changed, and the crowd began to stir. Shri looked up, curious, as the opening notes of "Sweetheart" from the movie Kedarnath filled the air. They used to play this song in the car rides , Shri's heart skipped a beat as she recognized the tune.

Before she could even react, Riyan was standing up, his eyes locked on hers. He took a few steps towards her, his hands moving in time with the music. The crowd around them parted as he began to dance, his movements fluid and effortless.

Shri's eyes widened in shock as she watched Riyan move across the floor. She had never seen him dance before, and she couldn't believe how effortlessly he was swaying to the music. Arya and surbhi cheered him on, clapping their hands and whistling.

"Shaahi joda pehan ke
Aayi jo ban thann ke
Wahi toh meri Sweetheart hai
Sharmaaye si bagal mein
Jo baithi hai dulhan ke
Wahi toh meri Sweetheart hai"

As Riyan danced closer to Shri, he didn't take his eyes off hers. Shri felt her cheeks flushing as she watched him move towards her. She was completely captivated by his performance, and she couldn't help but feel grateful for this spontaneous display of affection.

When Riyan finally reached Shri's side, he stopped dancing and bowed his head slightly, his eyes still locked on hers. The crowd around them erupted into applause, cheering and whistling for more.

Shri's heart was racing as she looked up at Riyan, feeling like she was melting under his gaze. Arya patted her on the back,

Arya: chalo dance to acha karta hai ladka

But shri was too deeply fixated on riyan at this moment to answer Arya

the crowd that had been dancing and cheering mere moments before began to disperse. The chatter and laughter faded away, leaving behind only the soft hum of the mehendi ceremony's background music.

But riyan and Shri stood their , still , lost in the moment, lost in eachother, only the echo of love could be heard in their heads but that was short-lived as a heavy hand patted riyan's back which made him flinch

Tai ji : haan beta tum Shri k friend ho na vo kya bolte hai usko ....Jo b h

Shri: ji Tai ji , riyan ye meri Tai ji Hain

Shri said giving riyan side eye as if she is signalling him something

Riyan: namaste Tai ji mai riyan hu

Tai ji : hn beta suna Maine , to kitna kama lete ho tum vo game khelke

Shri: Tai ji vo game nhi sports hai phli baat or dusri baat esse sawal nhi puchne cahiye

Tai ji: lo kar lo baat , ladki ki surat or ladke ke paise jane Bina shaadi k lia kon manega

Arya: toh aapki shaadi kese ho gyi ?

Tai ji : kya boli beta?

Arya: kuch ni tai ji aap khana khao na Maine suna waha snacks ka counter khul gya

Tai ji : sachi khul gya kya? Chalo ab tum bol rhi ho to ja leti hu

Arya: hn jao jao jao

Tai ji left for the snacks counter

Arya: acting to esse krri hain jese shaadi me khane k lia or tane Marne k lia nhi aayi hongi

Everyone busted into a fit of laughter

Shri: riyan vo Tai ji ki baato ka bura Mt Maana vo thodi purane khayalo ki hain

Riyan : koi ni Shri i understand

Arya: ye to bahana hai riyan , kaleshi hai ek no ki kaleshi , bolti hain Mai diet or hu lekin Puri zamin khane ko ready rehti hai

Shri: are tu chup kr na , chal tu let's sit with di

Shri said as she pulled Arya with her

Evening

As the evening wore on, the mehendi function showed no signs of slowing down. The music was still pulsating, the laughter and chatter still filled the air, and the aroma of sweet spices and flowers still wafted through the room. Riyan, still feeling the high of his dance performance, had been making his way around the party, chatting with Shri's friends and family, and generally having a great time.

Shri, on the other hand, was looking a bit overwhelmed. She had been busy with her sister's wedding preparations all day, and now she was stuck in the midst of a chaotic mehendi function. She was laughing and smiling, but Riyan could see the exhaustion in her eyes.

As he made his way towards her, he spotted her standing by the water counter, sipping a glass of water. He walked up to her, a gentle smile on his face.

Riyan: Shri tum thaki Hui lag rhi ho thoda break lelo

he said, his voice low and soothing.

Shri looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Shri: mai thik hu ri , thanks

she replied, her voice light.

But Riyan could see that she was anything but fine. He reached out and gently took the glass of water from her hand.

Riyan: mere sath chalogi?

he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

Shri didn't argue, simply following him as he led her out of the crowded room. They walked down a long corridor, the sound of music and laughter fading away as they went.

As they turned a corner, Riyan caught Shri's arm, pulling her gently towards him. She stumbled slightly, colliding with his chest as he spun her around to face him.

For a moment, they stood there, frozen in surprise. Shri's eyes were wide and startled, while Riyan's were filled with a warmth that he couldn't quite explain.

And then, without thinking, Riyan reached out and wrapped his arms around Shri's waist. He pulled her close, feeling her softness against him as he engulfed her into a tight and warm hug

Shri felt instant relief, like she was melting into his arms , he felt like home , relaxing and soothing, someone you could go to when you have no energy

Riyan pulled back slightly, his eyes locking onto Shri's.Shri's eyes searched his face, trying to understand what was happening. But all she could see was the sincerity in his eyes.

And with that, Riyan leaned in and kissed her. It was a soft, gentle kiss - but it sent shivers down Shri's spine.

As they kissed, the world around them came back into focus. The music started up again, the laughter and chatter resumed, and the scent of mehendi wafted back through the air.

But for Riyan and Shri, nothing else mattered. They were lost in their own little world - a world of love

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