The hotel was bustling with activities as today was the ritual of Haldi for both bride and groom. In this a paste of turmeric is applied on both bride and groom so that they look fairer in their wedding.

The dress code for the day was yellow for all ladies and the guys were in white.

Ayesha and Sanaya were in yellow sarees while Sahana was in yellow suit.

Ayesha applied Haldi on Sanaya's face when Sahana gently leaned to place the sarees on Sanaya's head. Seeing her chance Ayesha mischievously smeared Haldi on her Sahana's cheek and laughed. Sanaya joined her too.

"Wait.... I am coming... Ruk tu!!!" Sahana took some paste from the bowl and moved towards Ayesha who ran off. A chase started in them when Sahana accidentally bumped into someone...

Rishi.... Uh-oh!!!!

Her hands left an imprint of haldi on his white kurta.

"I am so sorry Rishi... I didn't see you... I am sorry... It was accidental!!" Sahana blabbered as Rishi held her wrists which were still on his kurta.

"Sahana!"

"Give it to me. I will wash it." Sahana didn't listen to him.

"Sahana!"

"I will buy a new one for you."

"Sahana... Stop!" Rishi said a little louder to catch her attention.

This made her shut up as she looked into his black eyes.

"This is the stain of haldi. It won't go away so easily!" He said and gave her a breathtaking smile.

It took a few seconds for Sahana to understand the hidden meaning in his statement and then turned red as she saw her hands still on his chest and his hands holding hers.

"Uhu... Uhu!!" They were disturbed by Devika coughing. Sahana abruptly removed her hands and broke the eye contact as she ran off from there.

Rishi scratched his neck and gave a sheepish smile to his mom who tapped his head.

"Hey, so today is our coffee date?" Ayesha asked Rishi and he nodded to her.

"Yeah. On the terrace at 7 p.m. By the way you are looking hot. That much hot that I am jealous!!" Rishi complemented as she blushed.

After this ritual the whole day was quite uneventful except Ayesha who kept looking at the clock. Sanaya gave a questioning look to Sahana, "It's her coffee date with Rishi today at terrace."

"Oh boy, she is too smitten!" Sanaya smirked and Sahana followed.

Soon it was the time for date and Ayesha was ready to go. She was in dilemma whether to use makeup or not.

But a little bit of makeup doesn't hurts, right?

Giving herself a little touch of makeup she grabbed her clutch.

"Sahana, is it ok? Am I overdressed?"

"No baby, you look beautiful!" Sahana gave her a thumbs up.

At the same time her phone rang. It was an unknown number.

"Hello!" Sahana said picking up.

"Hi Sahana. Is Ayesha ready?"

"Who is this?"

"It's Rishi! Can't you recognize my voice?"

"Seriously, you expect me to recognize your voice!!! You are so stupid!!"

"Wha- leave it. Now answer my question."

"First you tell me how did you get my number?"

"Saral gave it to me. Now Ms. Sahana Verma, will you please be kind enough to answer my question?" He said sarcastically.

"Yes Ayeshu is ready. Also take her number and don't call me again!!!" She said and hung up.

"Ayeshu, it was your date. He is coming. Please give him your number so he can call you and not me." She told him and left the room to help others working downstairs. Sanaya was taking a nap at that time.

She was oblivious to the time passed as she was engrossed in work. Meanwhile, Ayesha was having fun on the date with Rishi who was flirting with her.

"Sahana dear, please come to me!" Devika called out to Sahana who rubbed her hands on her jeans before jogging towards her.

"Sahana, please give this to Rishi. Ask him to check it's fittings and tell me. I would have gone there myself but I am busy with some work." Devika disappeared after shoving a packet in her hand this not giving her a chance to protest.

Sahana didn't want to disturb their date. Confused, she went to Sanaya who was up by now.

"Sannu, Devi aunty has given this to me to hand to Rishi. I don't want to disturb you their date. What should I do?"

"Two hours have passed. Date must be over by now. You should go their now."

Sahana took the stairs and ran upstairs. Stepping on the terrace nervously, she looked around. Then she saw them talking. Ayesha was laughing. She looked even more beautiful if that was even possible.

She was about to turn and run off when Rishi saw her.

"Sahana, come!"

"Sorry guys, I didn't want to disturb you. Rishi this is for you to try and do tell to your mom about it. Bye." Saying everything in a breath she ran off.

"She gets nervous at these moments. That's why she never went on a date." Ayesha told to Rishi who smiled.

But she is so cute!

Soon the date was over and Rishi went downstairs to his room.

Putting on the sherwani he called his mother to approve it. She asked him to give her some time.

Meanwhile, waiting for her he started going through his Instagram. Suddenly, he felt a need to check out Sahana's Instagram account.

I mean it's not stalking, right?

He went through a number of pictures of her and came to a decision that she was really cute and sweet. One picture caught his attention. It was a candid shot of hers.

Involuntarily, his hand liked that picture when he realized what he had done. His eyes widened in realization.

Oh God, now she will know that I had gone through her Instagram account. No!!!! What will she think?

"She is cute, isn't it?" Hearing his mother's voice startled him and his phone was about to fall from his hand.

"Yeah, whatever!" He shrugged nonchalantly.

Always act carefree when you are caught: Rishi's motto!

"Then why were you going through her Insta?" Devika asked with a hidden smile and Rishi bit his lips.

What to do if you are caught red-handed? No motto here.

"Umm.. actually I was going through something else and somehow landed here!" Saying this, he face palmed himself mentally, for being stupid and Devika chuckled.

"Why are you here, ma?" He asked irritated not getting anymore counter backs.

"You had called me yourself. Did Sahana make you forget this too?"

"Ma... Ok tell me how do I look?" He said pointing to himself.

"It's perfect." She said looking at him from head to toe. "Now I think you should change and go to sleep. Keep this sherwani carefully. Goodnight!" She gave him a goodnight kiss and left the room.

Changing he went to his bed when his eyes fell to the window, which faced the pool. Somebody was sitting there alone.

Who? Sahana... At this time of night???

Not able to resist, he went to where she was sitting. She had closed her eyes and was humming some song to herself with her feet dipped in water. She looked so calm and collected that he didn't want to disturb her. Instead, he wanted to click a picture of hers but she opened her eyes suddenly and saw him. Sitting up straighter, she tapped the place beside her.

"Hi." She asked him to sit.

"Hi, so not feeling sleepy?" Rishi sat near her and the first time got a good look of her face. She smiled rarely but somehow her smile was beautiful.

Rare things are always beautiful!!!

She had tied her hair in a side braid and had no makeup except a small black bindi made by Kohl, yet she managed to look beautiful.

"Naah, I just like the weather. So calming. Rare in Delhi." She replied.

Rishi dipped his legs in pool and immediately pulled out.

"Geez... It's too cold." He said and Sahana chuckled.

"It's cold at first but you will get used to it soon."

Hearing this he dipped his legs again and felt goosebumps rising on his body. It was silent for a moment... Not awkward but the peaceful silence.

"So how was your date with Ayesha?"

"It was ok. She is quite like other girls I have dated."

"What do you want in a girl?"

"I don't know!" Rishi confessed truthfully.

"I think you should decide your priorities first."

She said and Rishi agreed.

He was having a different feeling. It was as if he had everything he needed but he was not able to get it. As if he was very close to his destination but somehow he was still lost.

"Say Sahana, are you still angry at me? You know for that day!" He asked a little hesitant because he knew that what he did that day was very bad.

"No... Well I was very angry at that time and then I saw you again but no it's okay now. All's forgiven!" She said smiling and Rishi felt as if a burden was removed from his heart.

He looked into her honey brown eyes and felt hypnotized so he abruptly broke the eye contact.

"So... I noticed that you went through my Instagram!" She said amused and Rishi's face whitened.

"Umm.. actually it was unintentional. I didn't mean too... Umm... Aa.... It doesn't means that I was stalking. Right?" He asked scared to look up and tensed about her reaction but was surprised when she laughed.

"No it doesn't. But next time, maybe you can follow me too." She said and then got up to go to her room.

Rishi was still dazed with that.

"So Rishi, now the water must feel normal to you isn't it?" She said and smiled as he looked at her.

Rishi was confused with whatever was going on. It was as if the Rishi from Ohio was different to this Rishi he was now.

Today too he had deliberately asked for Sahana's number and not Ayesha's. No reasons known. They were not on the irritating each other phase anymore.

He was actually affected by her and she was immune to his effect.

Maybe this made him crave for more.

Hae Sahana....!!!!

_______________________________________
   
                  AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hey,

I am so sorry guys! Was trying to write from a long time but wasn't able to. Sorry for delay.

Got some time while I was on train.

So I hope everybody got the hidden meaning of "This is the stain of haldi. It won't go away so easily!"

If you didn't, this says that haldi in Hindu families is considered auspicious for love and marriage. If you have haldi applied on you then you will be married soon. So it was an indication that maybe Rishi will fall for Sahana soon!!!!

How was the chapter?

Will try to update soon but you never know!!!!

Only 5 more chapters to go!!! Loving this story and my dear readers. 😘

Tell me will you ask questions if I happen to keep a questionnaire in end of this book? Questions for all the characters and the authors? If you will then maybe I will keep it as a chapter too.

Next: Mehndi.

Until then,
                     Love Love 💕

A.S.