14. A Diwali to Remember

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Roohi's POV:

The Birla mansion sparkled like a scene straight out of a dream. Diyas lined the pathways, casting a warm golden glow, while fairy lights draped over the trees created a mesmerizing canopy of light. Inside, the mansion buzzed with the unmistakable hum of celebration. Classical music floated through the air, blending seamlessly with bursts of laughter and the murmur of conversation. It was the epitome of Delhi's elite at its finest.

While the grand hall teemed with life, I found myself outside, pacing near the parking lot, phone pressed to my ear as I tried not to lose my patience. Aadya stood nearby, arms crossed, watching me with a look that was equal parts amusement and exasperation.

"NAVYA!" I practically yelled into the phone. "You're a doctor! You're supposed to understand the value of time. How can you always be late?"

Navya's voice, calm and maddeningly nonchalant, floated back through the line. "Relax, Roohi. We're here."

True to her word, a sleek black car pulled into the driveway moments later. Navya stepped out first, looking utterly unapologetic in her Silver Saree, her emerald-green earrings catching the light. Ishaani followed, a bundle of nerves in her delicate off-white lehenga, her eyes darting around like she wanted to disappear into the shadows.

Before I could unleash my frustration, Navya darted forward and enveloped me in a tight hug. "Happy Diwali, Roohi! Aadya!" she chirped, her tone far too cheerful for someone who'd just tested my patience. "You both look gorgeous! Let's head inside-everyone's probably waiting for you, Roohi."

Before I could respond, she spun around and almost collided with someone. "Are you blind?" she snapped, irritation evident in her voice-until her gaze landed on the person she'd bumped into.

Reeyansh.

Her face fell ever so slightly, and his unreadable, composed expression didn't help. "I was," he replied smoothly, his tone dripping with subtle amusement.

Navya muttered a quick, almost panicked, "Sorry," and hurried inside without a backward glance.

I exchanged a quick, puzzled look with Aadya and Ishaani before glancing back at Reeyansh. "Happy Diwali," I offered cautiously.

"Happy Diwali," he replied, though his gaze lingered on the doorway where Navya had disappeared.

Aadya, standing beside me, was glaring daggers at Reeyansh. Ignoring her reaction, I turned back to him. "Do you know Navya?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

Reeyansh paused for the briefest moment before replying, "Not really," and walked past us into the mansion.

Something about his answer didn't sit right with me. I turned to Aadya and Ishaani. "There's definitely something going on there."

Pointing at Aadya, I added, "And I think you know something."

Aadya, refusing to meet my gaze, said dryly, "Aren't you late for your in-laws' party?"

Ishaani chimed in gently, "We can discuss all this later. For now, let's go inside."

I narrowed my eyes at her but couldn't argue. "Fine. Let's go."

The Birla mansion's grandeur hit me the moment I stepped inside. Politicians, business magnates, and celebrities mingled effortlessly, their laughter and chatter reverberating through the hall. But my attention was captured by a single figure across the room-Advay.

Dressed in an elegant black kurta, he stood tall and confident, his presence commanding without effort. The golden glow of the diyas highlighted the sharp angles of his face, making him look almost ethereal. As if sensing my gaze, his eyes met mine. A faint, knowing smile played on his lips, sending my heart racing.

Gathering myself, I began walking toward him. But, of course, the universe decided to play its usual trick. My lehenga caught under my heel, and I tripped. Again.

Strong hands caught me before I could fall. "Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?" Advay's deep voice was a mix of concern and amusement as he steadied me. His hands lingered just a moment longer than necessary.

"I'm fine," I muttered, my cheeks flaming.

A teasing smile curved his lips. "You should really consider taking lessons on walking without tripping."

"I do not fall all the time!" I shot back, flustered.

"Oh, really?" he challenged, his tone teasing as he leaned closer, his eyes glinting with mischief.

"Advay, stop it!" I hissed, trying to sound stern. "Do you want me to reconsider giving you a chance?"

He responded without missing a beat, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on my cheek. "Sorry, you don't get to change your mind now," he murmured, his tone playful yet serious. "Also, you look adorable when you're annoyed."

I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the fluttering in my stomach. "You've started talking a lot for someone who acted like a rock a few days ago."

"Have some shame. You're calling your fiancé a rock," he said, pretending to look offended.

"Okay, stop. I need to meet your family," I said, shaking my head. "And I'm already late. What will they think?"

"They adore you. They won't think anything," he replied softly, his calm confidence oddly reassuring.

As Advay guided me toward his family, I stumbled again. He caught me immediately, sighing. "Seriously, Roohi. Twice in five minutes. Walk slowly."

"Okay, sorry," I mumbled, slipping my hand into his for support. His grip was firm yet gentle as he led me through the crowd.

Meeting his family felt different this time. It wasn't just an obligation-it was personal. His grandparents greeted me warmly, his grandmother slipping bangles onto my wrists despite my protests. "It's a blessing, beta. Never deny gifts from elders," she said, her tone gentle but firm.

Advay's mother hugged me tightly, whispering in my ear, "Maa giving you those bangles means she's accepted you as family. Thank you for being patient with my son."

Her words brought a lump to my throat, but I managed a soft, "Thank you, Aunty."

His chachi followed, pulling me into a warm hug. "You look stunning," she said with a bright smile.

"Not more than you," I replied, earning a laugh from her.

Then came his father, who gave me his blessings before saying, "I hear you secured that big project. Congratulations, beta. Your husband is a hard nut to crack."

The word "husband" made me blush furiously, and I caught Advay smiling proudly beside me.

After meeting what felt like an endless stream of guests, I finally asked him, "How many more people do we have to meet?"

He smiled a little and said, "No more. Let's sit."

Vivaan's POV

The festive lights flickered as the soft hum of chatter filled the air. I stood with Shivansh, Shanaya, and Yash, engaging in casual conversation. But my attention shifted the moment I saw her.

There she was-Ishaani-dressed in an off-white lehenga that matched my kurta perfectly. My lips curved into a smile. She actually agreed to twin.

Her jhumkas swayed delicately with every movement, catching the light, but it was her brown eyes that truly captivated me. The subtle smile playing on her lips-everything about her was effortlessly perfect. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a nervous habit I'd noticed, and I felt my heart skip.

The aunties surrounding her finally left, and I couldn't resist. Excusing myself from Shivansh and the others, I walked toward her. She let out a small sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing as she released the breath she must've been holding.

I spotted a tray of ice cream being carried by a waiter and grabbed one before making my way to her. She didn't notice me at first, lost in her thoughts, until I placed the cup in front of her, breaking her train of thought.

When she looked up at me and smiled, I swore the festive lights dimmed in comparison.

"Thank you," she said, her voice soft and sweet.

Sliding into the seat across from her, I rested my chin on my hand and said, "Happy Diwali, Sunshine."

She smiled again, a little shyly this time. "Happy Diwali, Viv."

I studied her, resting my chin on my hand. "So, what were the aunties grilling you about this time?"

Her expression shifted to mock annoyance as she groaned. "The usual-shaadi. I don't understand why I'm always the target. It's like I have a sign above my head that says, 'Talk about my marriage.'"

I chuckled. "Maybe because you're too sweet to shut them down. You can't exactly tell them off, can you?"

She rolled her eyes. "If that's supposed to be a compliment, I'm not taking it."

"It's definitely a compliment," I replied, grinning.

She was about to respond, but her eyes lit up as though she'd remembered something. Digging into her purse, she pulled out a small box and placed it on the table.

"What's this?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Open it," she said casually, taking another bite of her ice cream.

Curious, I flipped open the box. Inside was a Rolex watch, sleek and undoubtedly expensive. My mouth fell open slightly.

"Ishaani, this is-"

Before I could protest, she shook her head. "Don't say anything. I'll get embarrassed." Her tone softened as she continued. "I went to buy a watch for my dad, and I saw this one. I liked it, so I bought it."

My heart swelled at the thought behind her words. "Ishaani, I-"

She reached across the table, placing her hand on mine. Her touch was warm and steady. "Viv, I bought this for you. Please accept it."

I looked at her, realizing there was no room for argument. Her sincerity was disarming, and I felt a sense of warmth I couldn't quite put into words.

She smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling. "Now, wear it and show me how it looks."

Before I could argue, she took the watch out of the box and reached for my wrist. Her fingers brushed against mine as she slipped it on.

"Like this, perfect," she murmured, fastening the clasp gently.

I glanced down at the watch, feeling its weight on my wrist. "Ishaani, you-"

Before I could finish, she scooped up a spoonful of ice cream and held it out to me. "Now, stop being dramatic. It's not like I spent my savings on this. I can afford it, Vivaan."

Caught off guard, I opened my mouth automatically. The ice cream was cold and sweet, but her sudden gasp made me pause.

A moment later, her eyes widened. "Oh no! I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was my jootha spoon!" She looked mortified, but I only laughed.

"I don't mind, Ishaani," I said softly, catching her off guard.

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away briefly. I smiled and added, "And I love the watch. Thank you."

Her eyes met mine again, and when she saw my sincerity, her face lit up with a smile so radiant I couldn't help but grin back.

But I could sense she still felt embarrassed about making me eat from her used spoon. Not that I minded-it was a moment I secretly cherished. To ease her discomfort, I decided to change the topic to her favorite one: her friends. I had noticed how much she adored them.

"So, where are your friends Aadya and Navya?" I asked, leaning back in my seat.

"Aadya's stuck with her mother," she said, rolling her eyes. "You remember I told you her mom wanted to introduce her to some guy? And Navya left early."

We kept talking about random things. A little while later, my sisters Avya and Shivika joined us.

Avya immediately noticed the watch and asked, "You bought a new watch?"

I pointed at Ishaani and said, "It's a gift." Ishaani tucked her hair behind her ear, looking shy.

"Wow, Bhai," Avya said, feigning shock. "I didn't know Ishaani was spoiling you with gifts now!"

Shivika joined in, winking at Ishaani. "Matching outfits, Rolex watches-what's next? A custom-designed sherwani for the wedding?"

Ishaani flushed under their teasing, and I quickly jumped in to change the subject, pulling the focus away from her.

As the four of us laughed and chatted, I stole a glance at Ishaani, who was smiling brightly, her laughter infectious.

As I sat there, watching her interact with them, her laughter echoing in the festive air, I couldn't help but think: This Diwali feels brighter than any I've ever had before.

Aesthetics of Chapter

Roohi's Outfit

Advay's Outfit

Navya's Outfit

Aadya's Outfit

Ishaani's Outfit

Vivaan's Outfit

Rolex Watch