Chapter 55: chapter 54

The house was alive with laughter and music, the scent of turmeric and fresh flowers filling the air. It was the day of Aarohi’s Haldi ceremony, and her family was in full celebration mode. Everyone was busy smearing turmeric on each other, their bright yellow clothes now covered in playful stains.

Aarohi sat in the center, looking breathtaking in her simple yet elegant yellow lehenga. Her hair was loosely tied, a few strands falling gently around her face. She felt the warmth of her family's love, but her heart was waiting for one person—Vihaan.

And then he arrived.

Dressed in a pale yellow kurta, his sleeves casually rolled up, Vihaan walked in with an air of effortless confidence. His dark eyes scanned the crowd until they found her. A slow smirk played on his lips as he made his way toward her, his gaze locked on hers.

Aarohi’s breath hitched. Even in a house full of people, it felt like they were the only two in the room.

“You look…” Vihaan let his eyes trail over her, his voice husky. “Absolutely stunning.”

Aarohi blushed, looking away. “You’re not supposed to flirt at my Haldi ceremony.”

Vihaan chuckled, stepping closer. “Says who?”

Before she could respond, her cousins pulled Vihaan into the ritual, smearing Haldi on his face as he groaned in protest. “Alright, alright! If you all are going to do this, at least let me have my moment with my bride.”

The moment he was free, he turned to Aarohi with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Taking a generous amount of Haldi, he leaned down, his face inches from hers.

Aarohi’s eyes widened. “Vihaan, don’t—”

But it was too late. With a smirk, Vihaan pressed his cheek against hers, letting the turmeric transfer from his skin to hers. His touch lingered, his breath warm against her ear.

Her heartbeat stuttered.

“You look better with my color on you,” he murmured, his lips dangerously close to her cheek.

Aarohi gasped, her cheeks turning a deeper shade—this time not from the turmeric. “Vihaan!” she whispered, her voice shaky.

He pulled back slightly, his fingers gently grazing her jaw. “What?” His voice was deep, teasing, but there was something else in his eyes—something intense.

Before she could recover, he reached out and slowly traced his fingers down her arm, applying a soft streak of Haldi along her wrist. His touch was gentle, almost reverent, making her shiver.

“Vihaan,” she said again, but this time, it was barely a whisper.

He tilted his head, his lips twitching. “You keep saying my name like that, Aarohi, and I might just steal you away before the wedding.”

Her heart pounded. “You’re impossible.”

Vihaan smirked, leaning in slightly. “And yet, you’re madly in love with me.”

Aarohi rolled her eyes, trying to hide her racing heart. “Arrogant much?”

“Confident,” he corrected, brushing his thumb across the turmeric on her cheek. His eyes darkened slightly, his fingers lingering. “And possessive.”

Aarohi felt her breath hitch. “Possessive?”

Vihaan leaned in, his lips almost touching her ear. “You’re mine, Aarohi. And I don’t like sharing.”

Aarohi’s eyes snapped open, her cheeks burning. “Vihaan, everyone is watching.”

He leaned in slightly, his lips curving into a smirk. “Let them.”

Tanya and the others burst into giggles, completely enjoying the scene.

“Alright, alright! Enough romance for now,” Karan called out, shaking his head in amusement. “Vihaan, let the poor girl breathe before she faints.”

Vihaan chuckled, finally letting go, but not before whispering, “You’re mine, Aarohi. Don’t forget that.”

A shiver ran down her spine, but before she could say anything, their families interrupted, pulling them back into the celebration. The moment was gone, but the warmth of Vihaan’s touch remained, making her heart flutter long after he had stepped away.

And as she watched him laugh with her cousins, his eyes still sneaking glances at her, Aarohi knew one thing for sure—she wasn’t just marrying a man. She was falling in love with him, all over again.

The Haldi function had ended, but Aarohi still felt the warmth of Vihaan’s touch lingering on her skin.

She was in her room, standing in front of the mirror, staring at the traces of turmeric still visible on her face. She gently touched her cheek, remembering the way Vihaan had applied it.

Her stomach fluttered.

Just then, her phone buzzed. A message from him.

Vihaan: Did you wash off my Haldi yet?

Aarohi smiled, shaking her head as she typed back.

Aarohi: Not yet. Why?

His reply came almost instantly.

Vihaan: Good. I like knowing my color is still on you.

Her breath hitched.

Before she could reply, another message popped up.

Vihaan: Sleep well, Mrs. Malhotra-to-be. Tomorrow, you’re mine forever.

Aarohi’s heart raced. She hugged her phone to her chest, a smile tugging at her lips.

Tomorrow, she would be his.

And she couldn’t wait.