The palace buzzed with excitement as preparations for the wedding kicked into high gear. It was the night of the Mehndi ceremony, and the bride’s hands and feet were being decorated with delicate henna designs, following the tradition. Jungkook hadn’t seen her all day, as per the usual customs, with the males having their own celebration in another part of the palace. The sound of music and laughter echoed, and of course, the men were as chatty as ever, their chatter nearly drowning out the music.

Jungkook, a bit tipsy from the wine, leaned casually against the wall, observing the animated conversations happening around him. He was never one to shy away from a good chat himself.

Jungkook: (laughing) "These guys talk more than they work... And they say women are the ones who can’t stop talking."

Just then, he spotted Muskan coming toward him, as he’d asked earlier. She had something for him.

Muskan: "Here."

Jungkook: (grinning mischievously, taking it from her) "Ah, thanks." He raises the cone of henna, checking to make sure no one’s around. "You know the tradition, right? The guys have to mark each other with henna."

Muskan: "Who made this tradition?"

Jungkook: (chuckling) "I did, obviously. Came up with it during one of those times when I had way too much free time."

Muskan: "Sure."

Jungkook: (nudging her playfully) "I'm serious. Everyone just follows what I started."

Muskan: (smiling) "As you say. Do you need anything else or should I leave?"

Jungkook: (lowering his voice, a bit sheepish) "Stay for a second. I have a favor to ask... It's a bit silly, actually. Could you... mark my fingers? Just the fingers?" He feels a bit embarrassed.

Muskan: "Uh, sure..."

Jungkook: (relieved) "Thanks. Just... don't make fun of me, okay?"

Muskan: "Why would I? Men do mehndi too. There's nothing to be embarrassed about."

Jungkook: (nodding, grateful for her calmness) "Yeah, I know. It's just... feels a little weird asking you. Like I’m admitting something."

Muskan: (smiling lightly) "It’s okay."

They sat under a tree, and Jungkook held his hands still as Muskan began to apply the henna. As she worked, he watched her carefully, noticing how composed she was, not once making fun or showing any sign of impatience. There was something surprisingly serene about her, and he was a little taken aback by how seriously she approached the task. As the henna design neared completion, Jungkook couldn’t help but feel a sense of curiosity.

Jungkook: "Can I ask you something?"

Muskan: "Ji?" (focusing on his fingers)

Jungkook: "Why aren’t you making fun of me for this? Or rolling your eyes like most girls would?"

Muskan: "Love isn’t something to make fun of."

Jungkook blinked, taken aback by her answer. It was far more mature than he had expected. He paused for a moment to process her words.

Jungkook: "That... that’s a very grown-up way of looking at it. For someone so young."

Muskan: (light smile) "I’m glad... she’s found you."

Jungkook smiled at her comment, not fully understanding it at first but appreciating it nonetheless. She had a way of speaking that made him think deeper than usual.

Jungkook: (chuckling lightly) "You're full of surprises, aren’t you?" (glancing down at his hands) "So... you’re done now, right?"

Muskan: "Yes, it’s done."

Jungkook: (looking at his hands) "It looks great. Thanks." (pauses, glancing at her) "Can I ask you one more thing?"

Muskan: (nodding) "Of course."

Jungkook: "How do you always stay so calm? It’s like nothing ever shakes you. Everything just rolls off your back."

Muskan looked at him for a moment, as if considering the question. Her lips curved into a soft chuckle, as though the answer was something simple she had learned long ago.

Muskan: "I’ve learned..."

Jungkook: "Learned what?"

Muskan: (her voice soft, eyes steady) "...To let go. To accept the truth. To not depend."

Jungkook, a little taken aback by her words, sat in silence for a moment, letting them sink in.

🍮

ON OTHER HAND.

YN: "I can't believe I can't believe I'm going to marry tomorrow"

YN couldn’t believe it – her wedding was tomorrow. Sitting with her family and his relatives, she felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as the mehndi was applied. She chuckled, watching Sofia being fed by RM while the artist worked on her hands. Lusy and Shivangi were also getting their mehndi done.

After the ceremony, YN stood on the balcony, gazing at the moon and wondering what Jungkook might be doing. Meanwhile, Jungkook was talking with the groomsmen, but his eyes kept drifting to her. She looked so beautiful with the mehndi on her hands and feet. He wanted to talk to her but had responsibilities to finish first.

YN scratched her back, feeling the itching from the fresh mehndi. She sighed in frustration, calling for someone.

YN: "Ishh... this itching! Shivangi! Muskan! Someone, please!" She bit her lip, trying to control it when she suddenly felt a presence behind her.

Jungkook: "Don’t break the custom." He whispered in her ear, gently caressing her back. "We don’t want any drama, do we?"

YN: "What are you doing here? Where did everyone go?"

Jungkook: "The room was empty. I heard you calling." He continued to scratch her back, his touch soothing. "Better?"

YN: "Hmm..."

Jungkook leaned closer, his breath warm against her neck. "Shhh... don't move, or you'll ruin my hard work."

YN: "What work?"

He traced gentle circles on her back.

Jungkook: "You'll see. Stay still. Does it still itch?"

YN: "No..."

Jungkook smiled, then took a necklace from his pocket, admiring it in the moonlight before placing it around her neck.

Jungkook: "A gift."

YN: "You gave me one this morning."

Jungkook: "True. But this is for tonight. It suits you."

YN: "Thank you, it’s more than beautiful."

Jungkook: "You’re just flattering me, misthi."

🍮

The wedding day arrives, and with it, the vibrant rituals. YN, dressed in a beautiful bridal lehenga, is surrounded by her family as the ceremony begins. Jungkook and YN exchange vows, perform traditional rituals— exchanging garlands.

He can't help but steal glances at her, noticing the way her lehenga shimmers and how she holds herself. During the fire ceremony and taking seven vows around the fire., he catches her hand, feeling a surprising closeness. When he fills her hairline with sindoor, he notices a tear roll down her cheek. He watches, concerned, as the tear meets the curve of her nose.

Jungkook: Are you okay?

YN: Happiest... (Smile)

A small smile tugs at Jungkook’s lips. He sees the vulnerability in her eyes but knows she’s hiding it. He gently squeezes her hand in reassurance.

Sofia and Muskan hand him the mangalsutra, and he carefully ties it around her neck, feeling a strange mix of emotions. As he touches the jewel, he watches it settle around her neck, symbolizing their union. tying the mangalsutra.

Pandit Ji: Vivah sampann hua (The wedding is done).

The guests cheer, but Jungkook remains deep in thought, his emotions still a blur.

YN: Finally...

Jungkook: Yes, finally... misthi...

(Jungkook got up to help YN rise, but then he noticed something was off)
Jngkook: "Where did my shoes go?"

YN: Be ready...

Jungkook: "Get ready for what?" ( puzzled)
(Just then, Taehyung interrupted)
Taehyung: "Are you giving back his shoes or not?!"

Shivangi: (jumped in), "No, no NO! How many times must I tell you? Just get it if youcan!" (She placed her hand on her wrist)

Jugkook: (confused) "What’s happening?"

YN: "It’s the jhoota chupai rasam. You need to pay her to get your shoes back."

Jungkook: "You can’t be serious! I can’t pay for my own shoes!" (protested)

RM: "Come on, you can easily afford it,"  (laughed)

Jungkook: "What do I get in return for paying for my own shoes?"

Shivangi: (raised an eyebrow) "We’ve already given you our ‘Kaleje ka tukdi!’"

Jungkook: "What does that even mean?"  (bewildered)

YN: (corrected) "It’s tukda."

Shivangi: (shot back) "You’re a tukdi, silly! You’re a girl." (Jungkook chuckled softly, feeling a bit frustrated)

Jungkook: "Can you just speak in English for a moment?"

Shivangi: (clarified) "YN is our piece of liver. You’ve taken her, and you still want something for your shoes?"

Jungkook: "Understood,  (smirked) But I still want my shoes back."

Shivangi: "Then you have to pay," (insisted)

Jungkook: "How much?"  (crossing his arms)

Shivangi: (smirked) "Well—"

Taehyung: (interjected) "Why are you so quick to pay?!"

Shivangi: "Quiet! You need to sign a contract, jiju,"

Jungkook: (sighed, glancing at the paper) "What am I agreeing to?"

Shivangi: (began to read out loud)

1. knowledge that YN is always right.

2. Let her sleep in because she’s the laziest person in existence.

3. Take her on trips two to three times a year and send her to India every six months.

4. Buy YN anything she desires.

5. Treat her like your own daughter, even though she’s your wife, and keep her happy.

6. Cook for her and pamper her occasionally, as she enjoys it, even if she never mentions it.

"Sign below to accept, or you’ll owe Rs 500,000 in cash," she finished.

Jungkook looked at the extensive list, a mix of amusement and exasperation on his face, and chuckled as he signed.

Jungkook: "I don’t need all these conditions; I’ll treat her like a queen regardless."

🍮

MOMENT LATER

Taehyung: (Yelping in pain as she threw her sandals at him) "What the heck! You're crossing the line, Shivangi!" (glares at her)

Shivangi: "Oh really, you thorn! You claimed he would never agree to these terms, yet he signed without a second thought! You're a cheater!"

Taehyung: (smirking) "I'm not a cheater, darling. You're just naive."

Shivangi: (furiously) "You're a liar! You said we were a team! I should have never trusted you! I despise you, you fool!"

Taehyung: "You despise me?" 

Shivangi: "Yes!" 

Taehyung: "Prove it." (He steps closer and pins her against the pillar; she looks away.) "Prove it, Shivi..." (A shiver runs through her body as he leans in and starts kissing her neck.)

(But she gently pushes him away.) 

Taehyung: "Come on, how could I let my brother lose?" (pauses) "And I never lied; we are a team."

Shivangi: (looking at him) "You lied! You played tricks on me. Everything you said and did that day was just a game... I needed that money, but you—" 

Taehyung: "Hold your horses, Shivi." (he cautions) "That wasn't a game, and it never will be. What do you mean you need money?" (raises an eyebrow)

🍮

The bidaai moment was brimming with emotion as YN bid farewell to her family home, embarking on a new journey with Jungkook. Tears of joy streamed down her cheeks, filled with the hope and love that awaited her future. The following day, they prepared to return to India on Jungkook's private jet. He gently tapped Muskan's shoulder as she gazed around.

Jungkook: "He got caught up in a meeting at the last moment..."

Muskan: (blinking in surprise) "Uh... what are you talking about?"

Jungkook: "The person you seem to be looking for."

Muskan: "I... I wasn't looking for anyone."

Jungkook: "Oh, is that so? My mistake. He must have sent this message to someone else. I guess I should go find him..."

(He turned to leave, wearing a mischievous smile, but his heart skipped a beat when—)

Muskan: "Big bro! Please don't..." (He blinked in surprise as he saw her.)

Jungkook: "What was that?"

Muskan: "I mean... Jiju..." (He shook his head and chuckled lightly, noticing her tense demeanor.)

Jungkook: "Here..." (He handed her a letter.) "I am the messenger of your love story. What would you like to send?"

Muskan: "That's not love—"

Jungkook: "Trust me, this is the first stage of lo—"

Muskan: "No."

Jungkook: "Okay, okay... ‘Momo’." (Her eyes widened, and she turned away to rejoin others, as he used the nickname that only Jimin called her. Jungkook chuckled, shaking his head.) "These two are stuck in the 19th century..." (His smile faded as he pondered.) "But why does that name sound familiar? 'Big bro'? Why does it sound so familiar?"