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Hello My Gummy Bears🧸

Hope you all are amazing.

So, as promised I'm back right after my break, and here's the next chapter for you all.✨

My Gummies🧸, I'm fine now, thank you for your wait. As promised I'm back.

Enjoy Reading.

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Author's POV.

Back in the sanctuary of her room, Adwitya carefully unslung her bag, her fingers tracing the soft fabric until they found the small potli. It was exquisite, a miniature treasure chest: porcelain-white silk, intricately embroidered with gold thread, the drawstrings and delicate handle woven from the same shimmering gold, and tiny cutdana tassels that caught the light with every subtle movement. She held it for a moment, a quiet anticipation fluttering in her chest, before gently loosening the drawstrings.

The contents spilled onto her palm, a cascade of miniature wonders. Two pairs of jhumkas – one delicate and light, the other heavy and ornate – nestled amongst a tiny, shimmering nose ring, a choker set that seemed to hold starlight, five sets of bangles in varying hues, and a scattering of rings. Each piece, a testament to meticulous craftsmanship, whispered of care and thoughtfulness.

Her gaze fell upon a small, tightly rolled piece of paper, tucked away amongst the jewels. With delicate fingers, she unfurled it, her breath catching slightly as she read the simple, heartfelt message: "Umeed hai aapko pasand aaege." (I hope you like them.)

A soft warmth spread through her, a gentle flush rising on her cheeks. It wasn't just the beauty of the gifts, though they were undeniably stunning. It was the quiet sincerity behind them, the unspoken understanding that resonated in those simple words. Aarav knew. He understood her unspoken appreciation, her quiet joy. She carefully touched each piece, feeling the weight of the metal, the smooth texture of the stones, and the delicate intricacy of the designs. Each item felt like a tiny piece of his thoughtfulness, a tangible expression of his gentle understanding.

A wide, involuntary smile blossomed on Adwitya's face. An impulse, a sudden desire to adorn herself, seized her. She reached for the most exquisite, the heaviest pair of earrings in her jewelry box. The intricate designs, the way they caught the light, held her captive as she gazed at her reflection. A soft sigh escaped her lips, a mixture of pleasure and perhaps, a hint of something more.

She picked up her phone, fingers hovering over the keypad. A message formed in her mind, a simple, heartfelt expression. But a wave of uncertainty washed over her. Her smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of hesitation. Should she send it? The question hung in the air, heavy and unanswered. Ultimately, the courage she sought remained elusive, and she gently placed the phone back on the nightstand, the un-sent message a silent weight.

With a delicate touch, as if handling fragile, spun glass, she removed the earrings. Each piece was treated with reverence, a silent acknowledgment of their beauty, and the unspoken emotions they represented. She returned them to their velvet-lined box, a sense of quiet resignation settling over her.

The potli and the folded note, precious burdens held close, were placed carefully on the nightstand. She moved to the bathroom, the cool tiles a stark contrast to the warmth of her skin, and changed into her night suit, the soft fabric a comforting embrace. Returning to the bed, she switched off the lamp, plunging the room into a gentle darkness. The silence amplified the restless churn of her thoughts, a whirlwind of unspoken words and lingering emotions. She reached for her phone, its cool surface a familiar touch, and took a few deep, steadying breaths. A moment of hesitation, then a decisive tap – 'send'. A wave of finality, a quiet sense of release, washed over her. She nestled beneath the quilt, its softness a soothing balm, and drifted into sleep, a faint, contented smile gracing her lips.
Aarav, now clad in the comfortable anonymity of joggers and a t-shirt, emerged from the bathroom, the faint scent of sandalwood soap clinging to his skin. He sank onto the edge of the bed, phone in hand, his gaze fixed on the screen, yet his mind clearly elsewhere. A furrow appeared between his brows, a silent battle waged within. He shoved the device back into his pocket, a frustrated sigh escaping his lips. "Ugh, why is this so damn difficult?" he muttered, the words laced with a self-directed irritation. "I wasn't even this nervous when I shattered Grandpa's new Rolex, or impersonated Dad to face Akarsh's principal."

He rose from the bed, the cool tiles a stark contrast to the warmth he'd just left, and stepped out onto the wrought-iron balcony. The jasmine-scented breeze, a gentle caress against his skin, brought a soft smile to his lips. His gaze, almost instinctively, drifted to the balcony of her room. "She's still awake," he murmured, a flicker of warmth igniting within him. The golden light spilling from her room, a soft halo behind the drawn curtains, held a quiet, inviting intimacy. He watched, a silent observer, as the warm glow winked out, plunging her room into darkness. Lifting his eyes, he found the night sky, a velvet expanse scattered with diamond-dust stars. A quiet sense of satisfaction settled over him, a feeling of peaceful completion. Twenty minutes later, his phone chimed softly, a delicate, almost musical sound. He pulled it from his pocket, the screen illuminating his face in the dim light, and read Adwitya's message: "Thank You, Aarav Ji." A gentle smile, a quiet echo of the contentment he felt, spread across his face.

A final, lingering glance at her darkened balcony, a soft smile etched on his lips, and Aarav retreated indoors. The cool tiles met his bare feet, a welcome contrast to the day's heat, as he made his way to bed. Sleep, a gentle tide, washed over him, mirroring the quiet peace that settled over Adwitya in her own room. Unbeknownst to either, a shared, serene smile graced their features, a silent testament to the unspoken connection that lingered in the night air.

The next day dawned, a pale, hesitant light painting the eastern sky as the two families embarked on their journey towards Delhi. A heavy silence settled over Aarav's car, broken only by the hum of the engine and the occasional rustle of sleeping siblings. His brothers, transformed into veritable Kumbhakarans, slumbered soundly, stirring only for brief, food-fueled pit stops before succumbing to the comforting embrace of sleep once more. Aarav, resigned to his solitary drive, found solace in the familiar melodies of his favorite songs, the rhythm a soothing counterpoint to the monotonous miles.

As evening painted the city in hues of orange and purple, they finally reached their destination. Cars dispersed, doors slammed, and weary bodies sought the welcoming comfort of their respective beds. Aarav, however, bypassed the allure of rest, his mind already churning with the tasks awaiting him. The transition from road trip to work mode was swift, a familiar routine clicking into place like well-worn gears.

Adhikshit's car, a mobile party, thrummed with boisterous karaoke and the rustle of snack packets. Laughter bounced off the windows, punctuated by playful jabs aimed at Adwitya, who sat, a quiet island amidst the revelry. Her smile was a polite mask, her mind a whirlwind of unanswered questions. Why hadn't he replied? The simple text, "Thank You, Aarav Ji," seemed to hang in the air, a silent plea for acknowledgement that had been met with... nothing. Each passing mile stretched the silence, amplifying her inner turmoil. She longed to ask, to unravel the mystery behind his quietude, but the words remained trapped in her throat, choked by an unspoken apprehension.

The moment the car pulled into the driveway, she escaped, a silent flurry of motion, and retreated to the sanctuary of her room. Luggage was unceremoniously dumped, a mere obstacle between her and the object of her unspoken thoughts. From her bag, she retrieved the most precious piece of her heart, a small, framed photograph, and placed it reverently on her dressing table. The simple act of setting it down felt like a small act of defiance against the confusion that was brewing inside.

With a swift, almost frantic efficiency, she unpacked, the mechanical movements a distraction from the persistent hum of questions in her mind. A quick shower, a change into the comforting embrace of her pajamas, and she collapsed onto her bed, the soft mattress a welcome surrender. But even as sleep claimed her, the unanswered text lingered, a faint echo in the quiet corners of her subconscious.

Saturday, finally. The week had been a relentless blur of interviews, a post-Jaipur whirlwind that left Adwitya feeling like a squeezed lemon. The remaining interviews loomed on the horizon, a Monday menace waiting to pounce. Her eyelids fluttered open, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, revealing the digital clock: 9:00 AM. A sigh of contentment escaped her lips. Just a few more minutes, she thought, sinking deeper into the plush comfort of her bed.

Her peaceful reverie, however, was shattered by a sudden, jarring intrusion. Shranaya, a whirlwind of boundless energy, burst into the room, her footsteps a thunderous counterpoint to the quiet morning. Adwitya jolted upright, a hand flying to her chest, her heart hammering against her ribs. "Bhabhi!" she gasped, her voice a mix of surprise and mild exasperation. "You scared me half to death! I almost had a heart attack!"

"What are you doing?" Shranaya's voice cut through the quiet of the room, sharp and teasing.

"I was about to sleep again," Adwitya mumbled, her voice thick with sleep. "I'm too tired to do anything today."

A mischievous glint sparked in Shranaya's eyes. "Ohh, then I'll inform Aarav that you won't be going with him on today's date."

"Okay......" Adwitya murmured, already sinking back into the soft embrace of her pillow, pulling the duvet over her head. Then, the word hit her, a delayed explosion in her drowsy mind. "WHAT?" She shot upright, the duvet tumbling to the floor, her eyes wide with disbelief. "DATE?"

"Yes," Shranaya confirmed, her smile widening.

"TODAY?" Adwitya's eyes grew even larger, a flicker of panic replacing the sleepiness.

"Yes." Shranaya's tone was laced with amusement. "Mridul Uncle called and told Papa about it."

"Ohh," Adwitya breathed, the realization sinking in. Then, the panic returned, amplified. "But what will I wear? How will I do so many things? I've no idea..." Her voice trailed off, a picture of bewildered helplessness.

"Shut up, Adhuuu," Shranaya said, her tone softening with affection. "I'll help you." She grabbed a box of skincare products and thrust it into Adwitya's hands. "Here, apply all these things on your face, step by step, as I've already told you about it earlier. And then, we'll get you ready. But first, come downstairs and have breakfast. We'll figure everything out after that."

Adwitya winced, her nose wrinkling. "Bhabhi, I don't like applying all these things, you know that." She made a face at the box, her reluctance palpable.

"Adhu," Shranaya warned, her voice firm, and Adwitya received a pointed glare.

"Okay," Adwitya conceded, a sheepish smile spreading across her face. She knew better than to argue with Shranaya when she was in 'helper' mode.

Adwitya's POV.

With the city lights beginning to twinkle below, and the cool evening air settling in...

The bathroom steam still clung to my skin as I stepped out, wrapped in my new baby pink anarkali. I'd been so excited to finally wear it. But the smile faltered when I saw Bhabhi's face. Her expression wasn't just disapproving; it was...worried?

"Adhuuu, what are you wearing?" she asked.

"Isn't it pretty? I've been saving it, and today felt right," I said, my voice a little too bright, a little too defensive.

"No, no. Not for a date. You're not meeting his family, Adhu. Everyone's seen you in traditional. We need something...different." Bhabhi's eyes narrowed, and she marched towards my wardrobe, pulling out a dress I'd almost forgotten. He had seen me in one, though, a little voice whispered in my head. Before I could protest, she shoved the dress into my hands. "Change."

"But, Bhabhi! What will he think?" I pleaded.

"He'll think his date is hot and happening," Shikha chirped, breezing into the room.

"Shikha!" I feigned a glare, my cheeks burning despite my attempt at nonchalance.

Defeated, I changed. When I emerged, I felt a strange mix of nervousness and excitement.

"How do I look?" I asked.

"Beautiful," Bhabhi said, her eyes softening.

"Hot. Jiju won't be able to look away," Shikha added, a mischievous glint in her eyes. They exchanged a knowing glance, and I felt a flutter in my stomach.

"Now, sit. Makeup time. We're going to make you even prettier," Shikha declared, pushing me towards the vanity.

Thirty minutes later, I was a whirlwind of blush and gloss, when a car horn blared from outside. Shikha and Bhabhi rushed to the balcony, then downstairs, their whispers trailing behind them. Five minutes crawled by, then Bhabhi reappeared, her smile reassuring. We descended together. I said quick goodbyes to everyone, my heart pounding, and stepped out the front door.

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