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~past~

Y/n's POV:

I was making the garland for Goddess Kali with Namhee Unnie helping me. It was as usual chaotic in our house as the preparations for Puja was going on. It took nearly 3 hours to make the red hibiscus garland as the idol was nearly 7ft tall. The garland had to be thick and long. It is under the rule of our house that the garland for Goddess Kali should be made in our house only. I don't know who made the rule. My back was getting wet and cold as my long, wet hair was open till my waist, attaching with my back. My skin got cold as I was wearing a saree with a wide cut on the back of the blouse. Unnie was also wearing a saree.
-Y/n, Namhee? How much are you done? ~Maa asked~
-Almost. ~Unnie said~
We continued. My eyes were roaming around the house as Maa left.
-Uh, Unnie.. where is he? ~I asked~
-Who? Namjoon? He's coming. Already started searching for him huh? And 'he'? Mmm? What's in your mind girl? ~Unnie teased, pushing me shoulder lightly~
I lowered my gaze with a shy smile. My cheeks were hot.

The veranda became more crowded with more servants and family members. Unnie excused herself for sometime. I tied the garland tightly with my teeth. The garland was done and I carried it on a copper plate and got up, going downstairs to the main spot where the idol had been placed. I placed the garland right in front of the idol and took another plate for some reason which I obviously don't remember. Walking on the veranda, suddenly a tall figure was running towards me. My instinct worked and my hands pulled out to the front, the empty copper plate shielding me from getting bumped. I was surprised because of the sudden charge but thankfully it was Namjoon. The plate attached on his buffed chest. I laughed looking at his confused face, his mouth hung open.
-What are you? Captain America's female version or Athena? Using sheild and eventually hitting your boyfr..
-Hey shu shu shuu!!
I immediately shutted him up by covering his mouth with my hand.
-Someone can hear us!! Have some sense! ~I said, lowering my voice~
-Who? Name! ~he asked, raising his eyebrow~
My eyed caught the sight of my elder uncle, who was looking exactly at me.. AT US! I walked past Namjoon quickly.
-Come to the corner. But don't follow me. ~I mumbled to him~

I was standing at the corner, keeping an eye on the veranda. Shit! Had my uncle saw me covering Namjoon's mouth with my hand? Did he? Suddenly a hand patted on my shoulder and I turned.
-Now say. ~Namjoon said~
-What? You say! ~I said~
-What will I say? You asked me to come here..
We both were looking at each other, blinking in confusion what to do.
-Tell me one thing, for how long are you going to hide this relationship from others? ~He asked~
-I don't know. Not sure.
-Y/n it's been 3 weeks we are in this relationship.
-Not too long!
-Yes that is why I am telling you! Why don't we reveal?
-Because I want to spend some more time with you, to know you.
-Don't you know me? Are you seeing me for the first time? Y/n you know me for a very long time!
-And as a boyfriend? For a very long time?

I asked, looking into his eyes with my hands behind my back. He brushed his forehead with his fingers, his warm sigh washing over me. Silence settled between us, filled with the weight of unspoken questions. Questions that needed answers or actions to ensure we walked the same path, hand in hand. To be honest deep down, a sense of fear gripped my heart. What if our families don't accept us? The age gap between us, fifteen years! It is a hurdle in the eyes of our society. This Indian society, often frowns its eyebrows upon such relationships.

What if they saw our love as a rebellion rather than a bond of mutual respect and affection? What if they believed he was taking advantage of me, or that I was too immature to understand what I wanted? The fear of being judged, of whispers behind our backs, of disapproving glances, loomed large. Huhh... how could I tell you Namjoon, my tensions? The thought of our parents' reactions kept me awake at night.
You know na how important family approval was, not just for me, but for you too. The thought of your parents, who love me a lot, rejecting me, of my parents disowning me..! The society we live in valued age and experience, and our relationship defied those norms. It wasn't just about us; it was about our families, our communities, and the traditions they upheld.