Chapter 51: chapter 50

The boutique’s doors swung open, a soft chime announcing the arrival of Aarohi and Vihaan. Aarohi’s eyes sparkled as she took in the racks of vibrant wedding outfits adorned with intricate embroidery, while Vihaan, as usual, remained composed but visibly amused at her excitement.

Trailing behind them were Karan and Tanya, each looking a mix of curious and skeptical.

“Do people really need this many options for one wedding?” Karan asked, eyeing the lavish displays.

“Of course,” Tanya shot back, flipping her hair. “It’s not every day you get married. Not that you would understand.”

Karan smirked. “Oh, I understand. I just think people like you are the reason weddings last longer than marriages.”

Tanya rolled her eyes. “People like me make weddings unforgettable.”

“Unforgettable chaos,” Karan muttered under his breath, earning a sharp elbow from Tanya.

“Children, behave,” Vihaan interjected, walking ahead. “Some of us are here to actually get things done.”

“Like pretending to be the perfect groom?” Aarohi teased, smirking at Vihaan.

Vihaan looked over his shoulder. “Well, I have to match the bride’s perfection, don’t I?”

Aarohi’s cheeks tinged pink as Karan and Tanya exchanged knowing grins behind them.

---

The assistant greeted them warmly and began pulling out the best lehengas and sherwanis for the couple. Aarohi was whisked away first, leaving Vihaan, Karan, and Tanya to wait.

As Vihaan flipped through a rack of sherwanis, Karan leaned in, grinning. “So, how does it feel to shop for your big day? Nervous?”

Vihaan shot him a deadpan look. “I don’t do nervous.”

Tanya snickered. “Maybe you should. Aarohi’s going to outshine you at this rate.”

“I’d like to see her try,” Vihaan replied with a smug smirk, earning a glare from Tanya.

Just then, Aarohi stepped out of the dressing room in a deep maroon lehenga with golden embroidery. The room fell silent as everyone took in how stunning she looked.

Vihaan blinked, his smirk softening into something unguarded. “Not bad,” he said, his voice lower than usual.

Aarohi raised an eyebrow. “Not bad?”

“Okay, fine,” Vihaan relented with a chuckle. “You look… perfect.”

“Good save,” Tanya whispered to Karan, who nodded in agreement.

“Thank you,” Aarohi replied with mock dignity, twirling slightly. “At least someone appreciates my effort.”

Vihaan stepped closer, his gaze mischievous. “Let’s see if you appreciate my effort.”

He grabbed the first sherwani he saw and walked into the dressing room, leaving everyone curious.

When Vihaan emerged, he was dressed in an intricately designed navy-blue sherwani with silver accents. Tanya gasped, clapping her hands. “Okay, wow. That’s a winner!”

“Are we sure he’s the groom? He looks more like a prince from a movie,” Karan teased, earning laughter from everyone.

Vihaan ignored him, his attention solely on Aarohi. “So, do I look good enough to stand next to you now?”

Aarohi, flustered but determined not to show it, crossed her arms. “You’ll do.”

Vihaan raised an eyebrow, stepping closer. “You’ll do? That’s all I get?”

“Don’t push your luck,” Aarohi quipped, but her smile betrayed her amusement.

---

Meanwhile, Tanya, having grown tired of sitting, decided to try on a few pieces for fun. She emerged wearing a pastel green lehenga, twirling in front of the mirror.

“Not bad,” she said to herself.

“Not bad?” Karan repeated, imitating her tone. “Tanya, you look like you’re auditioning for a Bollywood wedding scene.”

“And I’d ace it,” Tanya replied with a wink.

“Sure you would,” Karan said, then grabbed a sherwani. “Let’s see who pulls off this wedding look better.”

When Karan stepped out, dressed in a cream-colored sherwani with gold detailing, Tanya couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “You look like a wannabe maharaja!”

“And you look like my maharani,” Karan shot back, bowing dramatically.

Tanya rolled her eyes, though her cheeks flushed. “You’re impossible.”

“And you love it,” Karan replied, grinning as Tanya turned away to hide her smile.

---

As the fittings wrapped up, Aarohi and Vihaan found themselves alone for a moment near the dressing rooms. Aarohi adjusted the dupatta of her lehenga while Vihaan watched her silently.

“You’re staring,” she said without looking up.

“Can’t help it,” he replied, his voice softer than usual.

Aarohi looked up, her breath hitching slightly at the intensity in his gaze. “What?”

Vihaan took a step closer, his hand reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re stunning, Aarohi.”

Her heart raced as his fingers lingered near her cheek. “Vihaan…”

Before she could say anything more, he leaned in, his lips brushing hers gently. The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in that perfect moment.

When they finally pulled back, Aarohi’s cheeks were crimson. “That was unexpected.”

Vihaan smirked. “Get used to it.”

“Bold words,” she shot back, though her smile gave her away.

Vihaan chuckled, stepping back. “Come on, let’s join the others before Karan and Tanya start a fashion show.”

Aarohi laughed, following him out of the corner.

---

Back in the main area, Tanya and Karan were still bickering over whose outfit looked better, while the boutique assistants tried not to laugh. Aarohi and Vihaan exchanged amused looks, silently agreeing that their friends would provide endless entertainment during the wedding preparations.

As they left the boutique together, the air was filled with playful banter, warm laughter, and the promise of more memories to come.

When they returned home, hand in hand, Aarohi’s younger cousins noticed first and let out a collective “Aww!”

“Aarohi di and Vihaan jiju are so cute together!” one of them exclaimed, drawing everyone’s attention.

Aarohi quickly pulled her hand away, her cheeks burning, while Vihaan simply smirked, unfazed by the teasing.

The elders chuckled, and Aarohi’s aunt clapped her hands. “Well, it’s good to see you two getting along so well. That’s what marriage is all about—companionship.”

Aarohi and Vihaan exchanged a glance, and for the first time, Aarohi felt a sense of reassurance. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.