An Innocent Crush ?

73 | Haldi & Mehndi.

Sameer  shook his head, explaining, "Dr. Sehgal invited both Danny and me to stand by the groom's side."

Vikram asked, "And where is Danny now?"

"He's in Dr. Sehgal's mansion. I'll leave now," Sameer replied before getting inside the car.

Kiara, adorned in a vibrant yellow lehenga, sat on a floral-decorated swing. Shanvi, having changed into a traditional outfit, joined the celebration. She approached Kiara with a mischievous grin, holding a bowl of bright yellow haldi paste. "Ready for the haldi treatment, bride-to-be?"

Kiara laughed and nodded her head. Shanvi, not wasting a moment, applied a generous amount of haldi on Kiara's cheeks. Laughter echoed through the air as other friends and family members joined in, smearing haldi on Kiara's face, hands, and even her hair.

Vikram, standing with the cameraman, couldn't hold back a few tears. He lowered his head, gently rubbed his eyes, and with a slightly red nose, he looked up to find the cameraman focusing on him, saying, "Seriously, dude? Capture the bride, not me!”

Kiara's mother brought a plate with a mixture of oil, turmeric, and a few drops of kumkum. "This is a special mixture for an added glow, Kiara," she explained, applying it on Kiara's forehead with a smile.

Kiara's mother looked at her with a mix of joy and nostalgia. "You were just a little girl with dreams, and now look at you, ready for a new journey." Kiara smiled through the haldi paste, her eyes welling up.

"I never imagined this day would come so soon." Her mother added, applying the paste on her hands.

Kiara wiped away a stray tear from her mother's cheek, "I'll miss you, mom."

Her mother cupped Kiara's face, "I'll miss you too. You are our joy, Kiara. And now, as you step into this new chapter, remember to be patient, understanding, and always communicate..."

Kiara embraced her mother, the haldi creating a vibrant mosaic on their outfits. "I promise, Mom, to treasure each moment and build a home filled with love."

Her mother held her at arm's length, her eyes reflecting pride. "You're not just becoming Dhruv's wife; you're blossoming into a remarkable woman. I couldn't be prouder."

Vikram slowly approached Kiara with a soft look in his eyes. He dipped his fingers into the haldi paste and gently applied it on Kiara's cheeks, making sure to draw a heart shape.

His eyes welled up with tears, and he hugged Kiara tightly, trying to hide his emotions. Onlookers admired the touching moment. He held onto her tightly, Kiara gulped the lump that formed on her throat before hugging him back and whispered, "Vikram, bhai, I can't thank you enough," as she began to cry.

Vikram, wiping away a tear, teased, “don't make Bhaiya leave you back here, okay?”

“Shut up!”

🌷

After Dhruv finished showering, he stood in front of the mirror with a small towel, gently drying his hair. A small smile graced his face as he picked up his phone from the table. Opening his gallery, he found pictures from Kiara's haldi ceremony that Vikram had sent him. Seeing her radiant photos, Dhruv couldn't help but admire her beauty– she looked like an angel, his angel.

Dhruv muttered to himself, "you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. How did I get so lucky?" He scrolled through the pictures, reliving each moment from the haldi ceremony.

As he continued staring at Kiara's smiling face, a soft sigh escaped his lips. "You're going to be my wife soon. My partner for life." The realization filled him with a warm sense of happiness.

Dhruv whispered, "I can't wait to make a lifetime of memories with you." A grin formed on his face, gazing at her pictures with love and affection in his eyes.

As he locked his phone, Dhruv looked at himself in the mirror. "I'll do everything to make you happy...”

Dhruv, dressed in a traditional kurta and pajama, stood in front of the mirror, contemplating his reflection. He adjusted his kurta collar and ran his fingers through his hair, a mix of excitement and nervousness evident in his expressions.

The atmosphere in the Sehgal mansion was buzzing with anticipation for the mehndi ceremony. Dhruv's mother, who was busy overseeing the preparations, walked into the room, her eyes sparkling with joy.

"You're looking handsome, beta," she said, placing a hand on Dhruv's shoulder.

Dhruv smiled at his mother, “am I? Nazar utar dijiye fir."

His mother chuckled, "No evil eye can touch you today. You're glowing with happiness..."

Dhruv blushed, "I can't believe how lucky I am to have her in my life."

His mother teased, "Well, you better start believing it because in a few days, she'll officially become a part of our family."

Dhruv nodded, a twinkle in his eyes, "I can't wait for that day, Maa."

His mother patted his cheek affectionately before going towards the courtyard while Dhruv followed his mother, where the mehndi ceremony was in full swing.

Dhruv took his seat, his mother asked him to forward his hands and did. The mehndi artist looked at Dhruv and said, "Any special design you want, sir?"

"Um… I don't know about the designs but can you write Kiara in the middle?"

“Okay sir.”

As the mehndi designs unfolded on Dhruv's hands, Danny couldn't resist teasing him. "Bro, you're getting your hands decorated like a bride! Sis better appreciate this effort," he joked earning a smack from Sameer.

Dhruv rolled his eyes playfully at them, "this is just a small price to pay for the joy she brings into my life."

Sameer added, "And imagine the joy you'll bring to her every night!"

Dhruv shot Sameer a look of disbelief, "Sameer, seriously? Keep your thoughts to yourself!"

Sameer let out a chuckle before nodding his head, "you're writing her name in a heart on your palm?" He asked when he saw the artist writing Kiara's name. Dhruv blushed and nodded his head.

"Isn't that a bit cheesy?"

"Come on, it's cute. Imagine Kiara’s reaction when she sees it."