Author's POV:-

As Maya and Arjun entered the venue, they were greeted by a sea of yellow. The entire place was bathed in the warm, festive glow of lights and flowers, all centered around the theme of the haldi function. The air smelled of marigolds and jasmine, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Maya could feel her pulse quicken. She instinctively rubbed her hands together, a nervous habit she couldn't shake. Two long years had passed since she and Varun had ended things, and since then, there had been no contact, no closure. And now, she was here in his wedding -in his haldi function.

'What happened??' Arjun whispered, sensing her discomfort.

Maya gave a small nod, trying to compose herself. "Nothing ,I'm fine. Just...nervous."

As they moved through the crowd, Maya's eyes darted around, looking for a familiar face. The venue was buzzing with guests, everyone busy with preparations and greetings. It wasn't long before she spotted Varun, standing near a group of friends. He was laughing, clearly at ease, seemingly unaffected by her presence. Maya's stomach twisted at the sight of him, memories of their past flooding her mind.

But then, as if he could sense her gaze, Varun turned, his eyes locking onto hers. His smile faltered, and for a brief moment, they simply stared at each other.

Maya forced herself to walk toward him, Arjun at her side.

"Maya," Varun greeted with a surprised smile, his voice warm yet filled with curiosity. "It's been a long time."

Maya smiled awkwardly, unsure of what to say. "Yeah... it has."

Before the conversation could grow any more uncomfortable, Varun turned and called out, "Priyanka! Come here.Look who has come!!"

Till the time she came ,he introduced them to more of his other friends.

Maya saw her ex's fiancée for the first time. Priyanka walked over gracefully, her face glowing with happiness. She had a confident air about her, and when she reached them, Varun introduced them with ease.

"This is Priyanka," he said, his arm casually draped around her shoulders. "My soon-to-be wife."

Both smile at each other as he kisses his fiance's knuckles.

Priyanka smiled warmly at Maya. "Varun's told me so much about you.Thanks for coming and joining our special day."

Maya tried to return the smile, but it felt stiff. She wasn't sure what Varun had told Priyanka, and she didn't want to think about it either.

As the small talk continued, Varun's eyes drifted to Arjun, standing beside Maya. His confusion was evident as he raised an eyebrow. "And...who's this?" he asked.

But before she could even begin to introduce him, she felt Arjun's hand slide around her waist, pulling her close. The sudden gesture startled her, and she glanced up at him, wide-eyed.

With a charming smile, Arjun extended his free hand toward Varun. "Hi, I'm Arjun Verma," he said, his voice steady and confident. "Maya's boyfriend."

She continued staring at his charming smile as she skipped a bit for a few seconds...

Varun's surprise was evident as he shook Arjun's hand, glancing between the two of them. Priyanka's smile remained fixed, though her eyes seemed to flicker with a brief moment of curiosity.

"Boyfriend, huh? Toh kab kaha se shuru hua??" Varun said, his tone light but with a hint of something else.

Maya felt her breath catch for a moment, her mind scrambling for an answer. Before she could respond, Arjun, ever so calm and composed, pulled her even closer, the warmth of his hand at her waist grounding her.

A small smile played on Arjun's lips as he met Varun's gaze. "Kab se?" he echoed, his voice smooth and confident.

"Well, it all happened naturally...we work in the same office and you know how it is and it just happens in a flow."

Maya could feel her pulse quicken, not just because of Varun's question but also because of the ease with which Arjun was navigating the conversation. He made it sound so real, so effortless, and for a moment, even she almost believed it.

Varun raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Naturally, huh?" he said, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "That's interesting. Didn't realize you were seeing someone."

Maya felt the weight of Varun's gaze, a twinge of old memories resurfacing. She forced herself to stay calm, reminding herself of the facade she had to maintain. "Yeah, well..." she started, trying to find her voice. "It's been recent."

Arjun, sensing her slight discomfort, interjected smoothly, "We've been keeping things low-key. You know, focusing on each other rather than making it public."

There was a beat of silence, a charged moment where the air felt thick with unsaid things.

Before the tension could rise further, Priyanka stepped in with a smile, breaking the moment. "Oh, I see! Well, I'm so glad you both could make it.You both look perfect with each other" she said cheerfully, her eyes warm and welcoming.

As the haldi ceremony was about to begin, Maya and Arjun found a quiet corner to sit, away from the hustle and bustle of the guests. The ritual area was a blur of yellow-haldi paste being applied to Varun and Priyanka as laughter and cheers filled the air.

The waiter give them some drinks..

Maya's POV:-

'You know I'm surprised...mujhe pata nahi tha ki tum itne ache acting karoge..' I chuckle looking at him.

He grins, 'you still don't know many things about me' he says taking a few sips.

'Waise you know, your ex utna bhi acha dikhta nahi hai jitna mein assume Kiya tha...bilkul bandar ke jaise dikhte hain' he comment

I just gave him a stern look but ended up chuckling, finding it funny.

'Aur mujhe dekho ...kitna handsome hu mein...log ghur ghur k dekhte hain mujhe' he winks at me..

I looked away murmurs, 'Self obsessed person'

'Kya self obsessed...waha dekho na tab pata chalega'

I looked at his direction where a bunch of teenage girls were ogling hungrily at him...they jumped in excitement when they sees him staring at them..I couldn't help but feels a bit jealous.

I again looked at him who in turn gave, 'I told you' look.

My eyes momentarily drifted down at his chest ..his upper two buttons of kurta were undone giving a nice view of his clean toned chest..

That's why !!!!!!

'Button band karo abhi k abhi' I glared at him.

'Kyu hai?? Mujhe garmi lag raha hai' he said, fanning himself.

Trying to be oversmart??

'Meine kaha button band karo ,nahi toh yeh cold drinks tumhare upar phek dunga...phir dikhana apne full body look' I warned him while showing the glass..

He looked at me in pure horror as he quickly pressed his button..

'Mazak kar raha hun yaar .... itna serious kyu ho rahi hain'

I then glared at those nautanki girls who quickly ran away from there...

Now better.

Just then, a group of women from the function spotted them sitting together. With wide smiles, they rushed over with bowls of haldi in their hands.

"Oh, look at this couple sitting so far away!" one of the women teased. "Come on, it's your turn!"

Before Maya could protest, they grabbed her and Arjun, pulling them toward the center of the celebration. The bowls of haldi in their hands made it clear they weren't going to let them off easily.

"No, wait, we're not-" Maya began to explain, but the women laughed and smeared haldi on her cheeks, giggling as they did so.

Arjun laughed, trying to avoid the same fate, but he wasn't quick enough. Another woman took the opportunity to smear haldi on his face as well.

Maya looked at Arjun, his cheeks flushed with the golden-yellow paste, and she burst out laughing. He looked ridiculous, with streaks of haldi across his face, but his playful grin made him even more charming.

"You think this is funny?" Arjun raised an eyebrow, his hand reaching for one of the bowls of haldi taking steps towards her

Maya's eyes widened as she backed away. "Don't you dare!"

She was about to run away but our Arjun was quicker. With a mischievous smile, he grabbed a handful of haldi and smeared it across her forehead, laughing as she squealed in protest.

"Arjun!" she shouted, giggling.

In retaliation, Maya grabbed some haldi of her own and smeared it on his face, leaving a thick streak across his cheek.

Then, without warning,
Arjun grabbed her wrist, pulling her close to him.

Maya gasped softly as their bodies brushed against each other, the warmth of his chest radiating against her. She was suddenly very aware of how close they were-too close. His eyes darkened as he gazed down at her, and her breath hitched in her throat.

"You look beautiful," Arjun said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Maya's heart pounded in her chest, her breath shallow.She thought he was just acting but his action was saying another thing. She wanted to look away, to break the moment, but she couldn't. The intensity in his eyes held her captive, making her feel vulnerable and exposed in a way she hadn't felt in years.

They created distance looking away all flushed when they realized they were in the middle group of people.

'Nahi uth rahi Arjun!!!' Maya whines loudly.

It's been half an hour since they got back to the hotel after having nice dinner and it's been few minutes she is trying to wipe the patch of yellow colour.

Those aunties have smeared so much haldi on her face and now it's getting difficult for her to remove the stain.

'Acha tum bahar aa jao...mein dekhta hu..come outside Maya's he says knocking the door..

'Nahi aani mujhe bahar..you'll make fun of me..kaise jaungi kal mehandi function mein' she cries out..

'Nahi uraaunga mazak sachi ...atleast mujhe aane de andar' he sighs.

Surprisingly she opens the door as she hides her face with a towel letting him in..

He got inside as various face wash and lotions were spread near the washroom basin.

He tried to took the towel from her face but she hold it firm..

'Nahii naa' she whines..

'Hataa ise ... .muh chupane se kya chali jayegi' he said while forcefully took the towel from her face.

he chuckled, finally managing to pull the towel away from her face.

One side of her face was completely covered in a vibrant yellow patch, and he couldn't help but smile at the absurdity of the situation. He took some lotion from the basin, dabbing it on a tissue paper, and pulled her close, wiping her cheek gently.

"I'm sure the one that aunty used is not pure... something is definitely mixed with it. Dekho, mera neck side ka yahi haal hai," he murmured, his voice low and soothing as he continued to clean her face.

'Its your neck..it's my face Arjun.. everyone will make fun of me' she mutters.

'No one will make fun of you Maya' he mutters, angling her face more upwards.

All the time she was staring at him..the way he is handling her with care is making her feel butterflies inside her stomach..

Their height difference is making them look absolutely cute.

Minutes later she too took some lotion in one tissue and started wiping his neck area.

Anyone could say that they are a real couple.. nobody could find that they are acting 🌚🌚

'Almost uth gaya...ab wash karlo apna face..kal kisi ko kuch pata nahi chalega' he smiles.

She looks at herself in the mirror and smiles left from her lips..

Feeling a surge of gratitude, she turned to him, her heart swelling with warmth. "Thank you so much!" she exclaimed, jumping into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly.

Arjun was taken aback for a moment, but then he chuckled. He gently patted her back, feeling the softness of her against him. Her warmth enveloped him, and his heart raced, wild and unrestrained, as he held her close.

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