Awkward Heartstrings (HEARTSTRINGS SERIES-1) Completed?

Reyansh pov

"Reyansh, Aadya, listen up!" Mom's voice cut through the morning quiet, brimming with her usual cheerful authority.  She surveyed the breakfast table, a steaming cup of tea clutched in her hand.

"We have a wedding to attend this evening! Priya's, remember? My cousin, your cousin, Reyansh." She glanced at Dad, who nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"So, everyone needs to be ready to leave by, let's say, five o'clock sharp. That should give us plenty of time to get there and avoid the worst of the traffic." She paused, taking a sip of her tea.

"Now, let's finish breakfast and then we can start getting organized."  I groaned inwardly.  Priya's wedding.  Right.  Another family gathering.  Don't get me wrong, I love Priya, but these big family events… they can be a bit much.  Especially after a long day at work.  Five o'clock sharp, huh?  I hoped I could wrap things up at the office in time.

I finished the last of my coffee and pushed the chair back from the table. "Gotta run," I said, grabbing my briefcase.  "Big meeting this morning." I glanced at Aadya, who was clearing the table. "Bye, Aadya." I leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "See you tonight."

  I hoped I sounded more enthusiastic than I felt.  The thought of the wedding looming later in the day made me slightly anxious. I needed to make sure everything at work was tied up so I could actually leave on time.

The office hummed with its usual frenetic energy.  My morning was consumed by the crucial client meeting, the one I'd been dreading having to reschedule.  It dragged on, punctuated by the usual corporate jargon and PowerPoint presentations.  I kept glancing at my watch, a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach.  Five o'clock.

Mom's deadline loomed large.  I needed to wrap this up, and fast.  I tried to focus, pushing aside thoughts of the wedding, the traffic, and whether I'd even have time to change before we had to leave.  This meeting was the priority now.  But in the back of my mind, the clock ticked relentlessly.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, a welcome interruption to the post-meeting debrief. I pulled it out and saw Aadya's name on the screen.  I stepped away from the group, a wave of relief washing over me. 

"Hey," I answered, trying to keep the slight edge of panic out of my voice.

"Reyansh," Aadya's voice was calm and steady, "just checking in.  It's almost four-thirty.  Mom's getting a little antsy.  She's already started prepping things for the wedding."

"Oh man," I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "This meeting just wrapped up.  I'm heading out now, but traffic is a nightmare.  Tell Mom I'm doing my best."

"Okay," Aadya said.  "Drive safe, Reyansh.  We'll see you when you get here."

  Her calm reassurance was a balm to my frazzled nerves.  I hung up, feeling a renewed sense of urgency. I grabbed my briefcase and practically sprinted out of the office, determined to make it home as quickly as humanly possible.

I screeched the car to a halt in the driveway, the tires spitting gravel.  Five o'clock.  I was cutting it close.  I burst through the front door, half-expecting to be met with a whirlwind of frantic activity.  And I wasn't wrong.  Mom was a whirlwind.  She zipped around the living room, adjusting cushions, straightening picture frames, and generally creating an air of organized chaos

.  Dad, surprisingly, was the picture of calm, perched on the sofa, flipping through channels on the news.

"I'm here! I'm here!" I announced, slightly breathless.

Mom stopped mid-stride, her hands on her hips.  "Reyansh!  Finally!  Do you have any idea what time it is?  Five o'clock!  We were supposed to leave five minutes ago!"

"I know, I know," I said, holding up my hands in surrender. 

"The meeting ran late, and traffic was brutal.  I'm so sorry."

"Sorry isn't going to get us to the wedding on time," she huffed, but I could see a flicker of amusement in her eyes.

  "Aadya's already dressed.  Go, go, go!  Change quickly.  And try to look presentable for once."

"Yes, ma'am," I mumbled, grabbing my bag and heading upstairs, the sound of Mom's slightly exasperated but ultimately loving scolding echoing behind me.  At least Dad seemed unfazed, still engrossed in the news.  I knew I was in the dog house, but at least I'd made it home before the official deadline. Barely.

I rushed into our bedroom, expecting to find chaos. Instead, I was met with a vision. Aadya stood by the mirror, already dressed in a stunning designer saree. It was a black sequined saree, the fabric shimmering and cascading around her body .  Intricate silver embroidery adorned the borders, catching the light and adding to the saree's regal elegance.

She had already put on her jewelry – delicate earrings, a necklace that rested gracefully against her collarbone, and bangles that chimed softly as she moved.  She looked breathtaking.  Absolutely radiant.
I stopped dead in my tracks, any lingering stress from the day melting away.

"Wow," I breathed, my voice hushed with admiration.  "You look…incredible."

Aadya turned, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Thank you," she said, her eyes sparkling.  She walked towards me, her movements fluid and graceful.

"You made it," she added, her voice laced with relief.

I reached out and took her hand, my fingers brushing against the cool smoothness of her skin.  "I did," I replied, my gaze lingering on her face.  "Barely.  Mom was…less than thrilled with my timing."

Aadya chuckled softly.  "She'll get over it.  Now, you need to get ready.  We don't want to be any later than we already are."  She gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "Go on.  I'll help you with your kurta."

The subtle shift in her tone, from playful teasing to gentle care, made my heart swell.  Even amidst the wedding chaos, we found a moment, just the two of us, a quiet connection that anchored me.

I quickly changed, managing to wrestle myself into my kurta in record time.  Aadya helped me with the buttons, her fingers brushing against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.  Even in the rush, those little moments with her were like a breath of fresh air.

  Finally, presentable, or at least as presentable as I was going to get, I joined Aadya. We walked hand-in-hand to the living room, where Mom and Dad were waiting.

Mom, thankfully, seemed to have calmed down.  She gave me a once-over, a critical eye assessing my last-minute attempt at presentability.  "Alright," she said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

"You clean up nicely when you try.  Let's go.  We're already running late."

Dad, who had been quietly observing the proceedings, finally spoke. "You both look wonderful," he said, his gaze lingering on Aadya.

"That saree is stunning, Aadya."
Aadya smiled warmly. "Thank you, Papa."

"Alright, alright," Mom said, clapping her hands together.  "Enough admiring. Let's get this show on the road.  We don't want to miss the ceremony."

She grabbed her purse and headed for the door, Dad following close behind.  Aadya and I exchanged a quick glance, a silent understanding passing between us.

As Mom bustled towards the door, Dad trailing behind her, I seized the opportunity.  I pulled Aadya close, just for a fleeting second, and stole a quick kiss.  It was a brief moment, a stolen touch amidst the whirlwind of wedding preparations, but it was enough.  A spark of connection, a reminder of us amidst the family chaos.  Aadya giggled softly, a blush rising on her cheeks.

  "Reyansh!" she whispered, playfully pushing me away.  "We're already late!"  But her eyes sparkled with amusement, and I knew she appreciated the moment as much as I did.

"Come on," she said, taking my hand.  "Let's go before mumma  leaves without us."  We hurried out the door, hand in hand, joining the family procession to the waiting car.

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