17

Chapter 14

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Hello My Gummy Bears🧸

Hope you all are amazing.

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Adwitya's POV

I woke with an unusual surge of energy, a mix of excitement and anticipation for the day ahead. After a quick shower, I laid out my outfit for the Mehndi and Sangeet – a vibrant ensemble chosen specifically for the dual celebration. Today was a whirlwind: Mehndi and Sangeet at noon, a traditional Jagran for the elders in the evening, and finally, a bachelorette party for us younger ones, slated for late night. As I finished arranging my things, the doorbell chimed, revealing Anshiiiiii, her face alight with excitement.

"We're having breakfast here," she announced, stepping inside. "Then you're coming to my room. We'll get ready together."

"Sounds perfect," I replied.

"Wait, why are you grinning like that?" she asked, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"Because you're getting married tomorrow, and I'm genuinely happy for you," I said, trying to sound convincing.

"Right," she said, her eyebrows arched, clearly unconvinced.

Before she could delve further into my supposed insincerity, the doorbell rang again. "Breakfast is here," I declared, seizing the opportunity to change the subject. "Let's dig in. I'm starving."

We shared breakfast, a mix of playful banter, teasing and excited chatter, before I gathered my outfit and accessories and followed her to her room. By 11:50, we were ready, a whirlwind of vibrant colors and excited energy. Stepping into the hall, I was greeted by a dazzling display of fairy lights and white flowers. The stage, adorned with bright pink, yellow, and orange fabrics, was a riot of colour, a perfect backdrop for the Haldi festivities.

Anshiiiiii's mother-in-law escorted her to the stage, and the celebrations commenced. Children danced, women applied henna and sang folk songs, and the men congregated on the other side of the room, their voices a low hum of conversation and laughter. 

Yet, my gaze was drawn to one man in particular. Aarav, dressed in a perfectly tailored mint green kurta with intricate silver thread embroidery, looked impossibly handsome. The undone buttons, the rolled-up sleeves revealing his veiny forearms, and the white pajamas paired with loafers, gave him an air of effortless elegance, a modern-day Greek god.

Around three in the afternoon, as I was halfway through applying henna, after most of the ladies had retreated to their rooms, leaving only Bhabhi, Shikha, Anshiiiiii, and me. Priyamvada Aunty, Maa, Chachi, and Manya Aunty were engaged in lively conversation. Suddenly, I noticed Mridul Uncle, Dad, Chachu, and Akhil Uncle approaching their respective partners, followed by Ruhan to Shikha, Bhai to Bhabhi, and Aditya jiju to Anshiiiiii. Then, Aarav began walking towards me, plates in hand. My heart pounded, and I immediately lowered my gaze, a blush creeping up my neck.

"Adwitya," he said, his deep voice sending a familiar shiver down my spine, and everyone's eyes fixed on us.

I looked up, my eyes meeting his. "Jii?" I whispered.

"Your lunch, I..." he began, but I interrupted him.

"Aap rakh dijyeh, main khud kha lungi," I said, my voice barely audible. (You keep it here, I'll eat it myself.)

"Kaise?" he asked, gesturing towards my henna-covered hands. (How?)

"Umm... I..." Before I could formulate a response, Anaaya appeared.

"Bhai, as you said, I'm here," she said. "Now tell me what I have to do?"

He handed her the plates and gestured towards me. She nodded and sat beside me. "Bhabhi, open your mouth," she said, feeding me a bite. My cheeks burned as I realized he had intended to feed me himself.

Finishing the bite, I asked Anaaya curiously, "You didn't apply mehndi?"

"Wo I was busy with my class presentation work, Socha ki last me lagwa lungi," she answered. (Actually, I was busy with my class presentation work, So, I thought I'd get it done at the end.)

"Oh, Mine is almost done, you can apply then," I said.

"Okay, don't worry Bhabhi, Aap apna khana finish kro, warna Bhai ne mujhe finish krdena hai," she said in a whisper, and we broke in a fit of giggles. (Okay, don't worry Sister-in-law, you finish your food, otherwise Brother will finish me off.)

After Anaaya finished feeding me, the henna artist declared my design complete. I called Anaaya, and after her henna was finished, we left the hall. But then, stepping out, I saw Aarav talking to another girl, his dimples flashing with every smile. A wave of heat washed over me, a strange mix of anger and something akin to... jealousy. I stormed past them, heading straight for the elevator.

Back in my room, the image of Aarav and the girl replayed in my mind. I was seething, a red haze clouding my vision. I desperately wanted to pull the girl away and wipe the smug smile off her face. I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. Glancing at the clock, I removed my dried henna and changed into a Anarkali suit with delicate embroidery for the Puja.

As the evening Puja concluded around ten, a sense of quiet reverence settled over the hall. Anshiiiiii and I, eager for the night's festivities, slipped away, leaving the lingering elders and the straggling teenagers to their own devices. We changed into our party attire and headed towards the hotel bar, tucked away at the back. Anshiiiiii had secured the first floor for our bachelorette party, while the second floor was reserved for Aditya jiju's Bachelor's celebration.

The first floor was a whirlwind of energy, our friends and siblings already immersed in the music and the celebratory atmosphere. Drinks flowed freely, and the dance floor pulsed with vibrant energy. After a while, Anshiiiiii, Anaaya, and I decided to take a break from the dancing and indulge in some serious drinking.

"Tonight, we drink until we forget our names!" Anshiiiiii declared, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "This is my bachelorette party, and we're going all out!"

"Challenge accepted," Anaaya retorted, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

"Let the game begin," I chimed in, a surge of reckless abandon washing over me.

We embarked on a chaotic journey through the hotel bar's extensive drink menu, a blur of wine, cocktails, and vodka shots. By the fourth glass, a warm haze had settled over me, but the competitive spirit kept us going. I finally bowed out after my seventh shot, a dizzying concoction that sent my head spinning. I retreated to the dance floor with Anaaya, leaving Anshiiiiii to her drunken phone call with Aditya jiju.

The music pulsed through me, a vibrant rhythm that matched the frantic beat of my heart. As the night wore on, I felt a growing sense of detachment, the world around me blurring into a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds. I stumbled out of the bar, my vision slightly distorted, and made my way towards the stairs.

Reaching the top step, I froze. Aarav stood before his door, engaged in conversation with the same girl from earlier. His black shirt, with its rolled-up sleeves and undone buttons, revealed a tantalizing glimpse of his chest. And, of course, his dimples were on full display, a sight that ignited a fiery rage within me.

Ignoring the haze of alcohol, I stormed towards them, a surge of possessiveness coursing through me. I pushed him into his room, slamming the door in the girl's face, and hauled him onto the couch. Hovering over him, I bit his left dimple, a playful yet possessive gesture, and then kissed the spot.

"You shouldn't talk to them, showing your worth-dying smile," I slurred, my voice thick with a mix of alcohol and raw emotion.

"How much did you drink?" he asked, his voice laced with amusement.

"I'm not answering," I retorted, my anger still simmering. "You didn't listen to me." I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him close. "You have me," I whispered into his ear.

"What did you say?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

"You have me," I repeated, tightening my grip. "Why do you show your dimples to other girls?"

"Adwitya, aap..." he began, but I silenced him with a finger to his lips, my gaze locking onto his. I leaned in, the unspoken tension between us reaching a fever pitch.

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Aaviah Singh

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Words and Spice fuels my soul. Creating the world I can't Live In. I hope you enjoy my Stories just the way I do.🤗 XOXO Aaviah💗

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