'From wedding chaos to whispered words,
A melody of love, like Taylor's chords.
Through crowded streets, their destinies align,
In Mumbai's heart, their souls entwine.'
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In the electric atmosphere...
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The air thrummed with a frenetic energy, a vibrant tapestry woven from the rhythmic beat of the dhol, the joyous cries of children, and the excited chatter of hundreds of guests. The scent of jasmine and marigolds hung heavy in the air, mingling with the intoxicating aroma of countless delicious Indian dishes simmering nearby. The Mumbai air hung thick with the scent of marigolds, incense, and something undeniably delicious frying in ghee.
Sachin Verma, 40-year-old CID agent, felt distinctly out of place amidst the swirling colors and boisterous energy of Pankaj and Arunima's wedding. His usual attire of a crisp, neutral shirt and dark trousers felt drab compared to the vibrant silks and embroidered kurtas around him. Pankaj, his friend and colleague, had finally succumbed to the allure of matrimony, and duty – disguised as friendship – had dragged him here.
He navigated through the crowd, a sea of relatives and people he didn't recognize, offering polite smiles and accepting small, syrupy sweets he didn't particularly want. Solving a complex murder case felt easier sometimes. Give him a crime scene over a crowded mandap any day. He's not anti-social, mind you; just prefesr the quiet company of books, music and the logical puzzle of a good investigation.
The wedding venue, a sprawling estate on the outskirts of Mumbai, was transformed into a breathtaking scene of opulence. Strings of twinkling fairy lights draped over lush greenery, casting a warm, magical glow on the elaborately decorated mandap, the sacred space where the wedding ceremony would take place. Guests, a kaleidoscope of vibrant saris and crisp kurtas, milled about, their faces alight with happiness and excitement. The air buzzed with anticipation, the energy palpable even amidst the controlled chaos of the preparations.
Pankaj, spotting Sachin, beamed and pulled him into a bear hug. "Sachin! You made it! I was starting to think you'd run off to solve a case involving stolen laddoos."
He chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of missing your big day, Pankaj. Though, I might investigate if someone's hoarding all the good biryani."
"Check out the others first. They have been hoarding me about you since morning. Where are they? Oh, there they are"
Sachin looked around to meet the eyes of the rest of his team- Senior Inspectors Daya and Abhijeet, and their juniors Purvi and Avni, along with the forensic experts Dr Salukde and Dr Gargi. After bumping into a few more waiters bustling around, he finally reached them.
Daya, being the nosy one of the group, started questioning him immediately- "Where were you the whole day? We have been here since 10 in the morning and now you are coming at 2'o clock. Aisa thori na hota hai yaar."
Abhijeet suddenly clapped him on the back. "Later, later Daya. First, you need to meet Arunima's best friend, Oindrila. She's been dying to meet the legendary Sachin Verma from CID. God knows how you are legendary and we are the chopped livers."
Legendary? He raised an eyebrow. Either Abhijeet was exaggerating, or Arunima had a very active imagination. Even though he was the reason Pankaj and Arunima met in the first place. During an ongoing investigation, he sent Pankaj to take care of the hostage while he took care of the kidnappers. And guess who was kidnapped- Arunima. That's when they met and had an instant connection. Over shared stories and mental issues, they are now here getting married (even though he says they should have ended up in an asylum together).
Abhijeet steered him towards a group of women near the entrance, their laughter tinkling like wind chimes. And then he saw her.
Oindrila.
The name drifted through his mind even before Abhijeet announced it. She had the kind of beauty that wasn't loud or ostentatious, but rather subtle and captivating. Her olive skin glowed under the strings of fairy lights, her brown hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft curly waves, and her eyes... her eyes were the color of rich, dark chocolate, sparkling with intelligence and a hint of mischief. She wore a simple, elegant lehenga, turquoise that complemented her complexion perfectly.
"Oindrila, this is Sachin. Sachin, this is Oindrila, Arunima's confidante, mother of the whole group and chief bridesmaid – and Google's resident genius in software engineering," Pankaj announced, his voice laced with a playful tone. Why he was standing in the middle of the group of women-god knows.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Sachin," she said, her voice a melodic hum. Her hand was warm and soft as she shook his, a jolt of something unfamiliar and unsettling running through him. The unflappable Sachin Verma, felt himself flustered probably for the first time in his life.
