Ishika, taking a deep breath, smiled softly as a memory surfaced. "Do you know," she began, looking around at the eager faces, "Piyush aur unki family mujhe shaadi ke liye dekhne yahin aaye the."

Siya, mid-sip, widened her eyes. "You had an arranged marriage?" she asked, genuinely surprised.

Ishika nodded. "Haan."

Piyush chuckled, shaking his head as he looked at his wife fondly. "And when I saw her for the first time, walking behind her mother… tabhi soch liya tha—ye nahi toh koi nahi!"

A collective "aww" rang through the group as everyone grinned at the sheer sincerity in his words.

"Hayee, you both are so cute!!" Ritika gushed, leaning forward. "Phir kya hua?"

Ishika laughed at her excitement. "Phir rishta fix ho gaya, hum milne lage… but phir families ke beech kuch ladai ho gayi, aur inke family ne shaadi se mana kar diya."

"Baap re, itna twist!" Siya gasped dramatically, her eyes wide.

Ishika nodded. "Haan! Par Piyush ne haar nahi maani. He fought against them… and guess what? Naman bhaiya supported him!"

All eyes turned to Naman, who simply shrugged with a small, knowing smirk.

"Hero nikle aap toh!" Akash teased, nudging him.

"Bhaiya ki support mili thi, warna pata nahi kya hota." Piyush added with gratitude.

"But phir kya hua?" Divya asked, engrossed in the story.

Ishika smirked, glancing at her husband before answering. "Phir ek din, he showed up in front of my house and proposed to me… colony walon ke samne hi!"

Gasps and laughter erupted as everyone imagined the dramatic scene.

Ritika then turned toward Naman with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Aur aapne kaise propose kiya tha, badi Maa ko?"

Naman leaned back against a rock, looking completely unbothered. "Bohot simple tha," he said coolly.

"Haww, boring!" Siya complained.

He smirked. "I took her to her favorite chaat ki dukaan and proposed her with her favorite chaat.”

"Kitna pyara hai!" Siya sighed dreamily.

The temple was bathed in the golden glow of a thousand flickering diyas, the air thick with the scent of marigolds and sandalwood. The rhythmic chime of temple bells echoed softly, blending seamlessly with the whispered prayers of devotees. Everyone was engrossed in the divine moment—elders walking ahead in quiet reverence, the younger ones caught up in their own little worlds, whispering to their partners or simply taking in the sacred atmosphere.

Amidst all this, Arushi stood near the towering brass bells, her eyes shimmering with determination as she stretched on her toes, jumping slightly in an attempt to ring one. But the bell, hanging just out of reach, swayed every time she tried, making her giggle in frustration.

She was about to try again when she suddenly became aware of a presence—close, too close. A familiar warmth enveloped her senses, and before she could turn, a firm yet gentle hand steadied the bell.

Reyansh.

Her breath hitched, and she swallowed, quickly scanning her surroundings. No one had noticed them yet—thankfully. The elders were walking further ahead, lost in their devotion. The younger ones? Each preoccupied with their own partners. Kanak and Vihaan were the only ones who seemed remotely interested in the temple’s architecture rather than their love lives.

She turned her head slightly, finding Reyansh standing just behind her, his fingers wrapped around the thick rope of the bell. His presence was almost magnetic, his nearness making her blush instantly.

He said nothing, just gestured with his chin toward the bell, silently urging her to go ahead.

She hesitated for a second before pressing her hands together, whispering a quiet prayer, and then finally ringing the bell. The sound resonated through the temple, sending a shiver down her spine, filling her heart with an indescribable peace. She smiled softly, turning to leave, but just as she took a step forward, she felt a tug on her wrist.

Her eyes widened.

"Reyansh!" she whispered harshly, trying to pull away. "Abhi kisi ne peeche mud ke dekh liya na toh gaye! Aur mandir me hain hum! Sharam kar lo!"

Reyansh smirked, shaking his head, and placed a finger against his lips. "Shhh."

Before she could argue further, his hand reached up, fingers brushing past her cheek. She blinked in confusion until she saw what he was doing—carefully plucking a white flower from the temple’s floral decorations.

He folded his hands in silent apology, glancing briefly at the deity in front of them. "Sorry, Mata Rani," he murmured genuinely.

And then, with the utmost care, he turned her slightly, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. His fingers ghosted over her temple as he delicately placed the flower there, its soft petals stark against the deep brown of her locks.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he turned on his heel and walked away, slipping back into the crowd with a final mischievous wink.

Arushi stood frozen for a few seconds, heat creeping up her neck as she slowly reached up to touch the flower in her hair.

A soft smile tugged at her lips.

The temple bells rang softly in the background, their chimes blending with the faint hum of devotional chants. A cool breeze carried the scent of incense and fresh flowers, weaving an almost divine aura around the ancient temple steps. The others had started making their way ahead, but Arav and Ritika lingered, their Darshan taking longer as they visited the smaller shrines scattered around.

Ritika, satisfied and at peace, turned to follow the group when, suddenly, a warm hand grasped hers.

Before she could react, she was pulled gently behind an old stone wall, hidden from the rest of the world. She gasped, her wide eyes finding Arav’s intense gaze locked onto hers.

"Arav!" she whispered urgently. "What are you doing? If someone sees us, dande maar ke bhagayenge hame yahan se.”

Arav didn’t smile, didn’t tease. There was something different about him, his eyes softer yet filled with a depth that made her heartbeat stutter.

"I heard something today," he began, his voice steady but laced with emotion. "I heard how papa proposed to Maa, how bade papa proposed badi maa,and it hit me, Ritika.”

She frowned slightly, tilting her head. "What?"

He exhaled slowly, stepping closer. "I never proposed to you.”

"I never asked you if you wanted to marry me. I never asked if this was what you truly wanted. I just… I just assumed, because we were always meant to be, weren’t we?" He chuckled, but it was devoid of his usual playfulness. "But that’s not fair to you. You deserved a proposal, Ritika. A real one. One where you get to choose."

Ritika blinked, completely taken aback. "Arav, you don’t have to..”

He lifted a hand, gently stopping her words before reaching into his pocket.

And then, he brought out a garland.

Not just any garland, but a sacred one, woven from pristine white flowers, carrying the faintest scent of sandalwood and jasmine.

"I took this from Mahadev and Maa Parvati’s feet," he said softly. "It’s blessed, Ritika. Just like them, I want us to be tied together, not just by fate, not just by our families’ wishes, but by our own choice.”

She stared at him, at the garland, her throat tightening.

He smiled, a small, almost vulnerable smile. "Miss Ritika Malhotra," he said, her full name rolling off his tongue like a sacred chant. "I promise you, no matter how many storms life throws at us, I will always stand beside you, just like Shiv stood beside Parvati. I promise to never let go of your hand, even on the days you push me away. I promise to be your laughter on days when you can’t find your own. I promise to watch all Ramayan and Mahabharat episodes with you, learning every language you love.” She chuckled in tears, her heart swelling, her heartbeats raised, as if his words were directly attacking her heart.

Arav took a steady breath, then held out the garland to her.

"But promises mean nothing if they aren’t accepted." His voice was gentle, but his eyes held an unspoken intensity. "So, tell me, Ritika… do these flowers belong in your neck?”

"Yes... My whole life belongs to you."

A single tear slipped down her cheek, followed by another, glistening in the dim temple lights. Her vision blurred, but she could still see him clearly.

Stepping closer, he lifted the sacred garland, his fingers brushing against her skin as he gently placed it around her neck.

And then, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, his hands cupped her face, his thumbs brushing away the silent tears that trailed down her cheeks.

Ritika closed her eyes, her breath hitching at the tenderness of his touch.

And before she could open them again, she felt the warmth of his lips pressing against her forehead, sealing their love.

Everyone were walking continuously, focused on reaching their destination. The group had been chatting and enjoying themselves when Siya's eyes suddenly fell on a small child standing near a shop, crying his heart out.

Without thinking twice, Siya broke away from the group and rushed toward the little boy.

"Kya hua, bacha?" she asked gently, crouching down to his level.

The boy, barely four or five years old, wiped his teary eyes with his tiny fists and hiccupped, "Didi… mummy nahi mil rahi…" His voice broke, and fresh tears rolled down his chubby cheeks.

Siya's heart melted instantly. Without hesitation, she picked him up in her arms. "Arre, arre… rona nahi! Aap hamare saath chalo, ham aapki mumma ko dhoond denge, theek hai?" she said in a soothing voice.

The boy nodded, clinging to Siya. Just then, a woman came running toward them, breathless and panicked.

"Mera baccha!" she gasped, her eyes wide with relief as she reached them. She immediately took the boy’s face in her hands, checking if he was okay.

Siya raised an eyebrow, still holding the child. "Oh, toh aap iski mummy hain? Hum kaise maan lein? Koi proof?" she asked, folding her arms playfully.

Before the woman could respond, the little boy turned to Siya and said innocently, "Didi, yahi hain meli mumma."

Siya chuckled at his cuteness. "Theek hai, maan liya." She carefully handed the boy to his mother. "Par aage se bache ka dhyan rakhiye. Agar kho jata toh?"

The woman’s eyes welled up. "Aap bilkul sahi keh rahi hain. Galti ho gayi. Bohot bohot shukriya!" she said gratefully.

Siya smiled. "Chaliye, koi baat nahi. Aage se dhyan rakhiyega."

The woman thanked her once again before hurrying away with her child.

Siya took a deep breath, feeling relieved. "Chalo, ek kaam toh acha kar diya," she muttered to herself. With a satisfied smile, she turned around to rejoin her family—

Only to realize that they were nowhere to be seen.

Siya’s smile vanished in an instant. She looked around, eyes scanning the crowd frantically. "Arre… ye sab log kaha gaye?" she mumbled, turning in different directions, but there was no sign of her family or friends.

A sudden realization hit her like a ton of bricks.

"Arre nahi! Ham to kho gaye!!" she whispered in shock, her hands flying to her head.

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to calm herself, but a new problem hit her. " Phone ki battery bhi khatam hai…" she muttered.

Meanwhile, a few meters ahead, the rest of the group had been walking, unaware that Siya was missing.

"Siya itni shant kyun ho gayi? Abhi toh bol rahi thi," Harsh commented, noticing the unusual silence.

Reyansh, who was drinking water, suddenly looked up. "Haan, sahi toh keh rahe ho…" His eyes scanned the group, and his expression changed instantly. "Arre, Siya kahan hai?"

A brief silence followed as everyone looked around. But Siya was nowhere in sight.

"Siya??" Shashwat called out, his voice rising in concern.

No response.

Panic began to settle in.

"Arre yaar, ye ladki kahan chali gayi?!" Ritika exclaimed, already feeling anxious.

Tara’s face paled. "Siya!" she called out, her voice filled with worry.

"Ek minute… kahin peeche toh nahi reh gayi?" Naman said, turning back.

"Jab last dekha tha, tab toh yahi thi!" Vihaan added, looking equally confused.

Shashwat’s hands curled into fists. "Uske phone ki battery bhi dead thi." He quickly checked his pockets, just in case, but as expected, his phone was missing.

"Great," Darsh muttered, rubbing his forehead. "Ab hum contact bhi nahi kar sakte."

Everyone started looking around, their concern growing with every passing second.

"Ye ladki bhi na! Ek jagah tik nahi sakti!" Kanak huffed, though it was clear she was just as worried.

"Ab kya karein?" Arushi asked, glancing around anxiously.

"We need to find her," Reyansh said, already walking back. "Usse kahin na kahin toh milna hi padega."

The group immediately split up, calling out Siya’s name.

Meanwhile, Siya was standing in the middle of the crowd, feeling utterly lost. "Ab kya karein…" she whispered, her heart pounding. She could only hope that someone would find her before she ended up wandering even further away.

Tara was on the verge of crying. "Meri bachhi… kuch ho gaya toh?"

Harsh quickly intervened. "Arre, Shreemati ji! Aap to chup ho jaiye! Badi ho gayi hai wo… agar kho bhi gayi toh kisi se madad lekar aa jayegi! Aur hum dhoondh rahe hain na usse!"

Ishika put a hand on Tara’s shoulder. "Bhabhi, please! Mil jayegi Siya, chinta mat karo."

Divya’s face turned red, and she immediately burst into tears. "Hey Bhagwan! Didi meri…" she wailed dramatically.

Everyone turned to her, startled.

Divya sniffled and began ranting between sobs. "Pata hai ek baar meri dost ke bua ke bete bhi aise kho gaye the! Sab bolte hain wo neeche gir gaye the! Aur ek baar mere friend ki maasi ki beti bhi kho gayi thi… bolte hain usse kidnap kar liya tha!"

The group groaned.

Divya wasn’t done. "Aur ek baar mere dost ki mama ki mausi ki nanad ki beti bhi kho gayi thi! Phir jab do saal baad wo vapas gaye the, tab jaa ke mili—wo bhi bhikh maangti hui!"

Shashwat pinched the bridge of his nose. "Tere saare dost ke khandan ke log kho jaate hain kya?"

"Tum log hasi mazak band karo! Siya kho gayi hai!" Arushi added, wiping her own tears.

Reyansh clenched his fists. "Abhi toh yahi thi! Kahan chali gayi?"

Kirti shook her head. "Tension dena band karo sab! Siya mil jayegi!"

"But kaha gayi?" Naman asked, his voice heavy with concern.

Shreya, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "Bas negativity bhar rahe ho tum log. Ye socho na ki kaise dhoondhna hai?"

Suddenly, Reyansh turned toward Shashwat, his frustration boiling over.

"Shashwat, tu pagal hai kya? Dhyan nahi rakh sakta tha?" he snapped, his voice laced with concern.

Everyone’s heads turned toward them in confusion. Shashwat’s eyes widened at Reyansh’s outburst.

Tara, who had been on the verge of crying, wiped her eyes and frowned at Reyansh.

"Shashwat kyun dhyaan rakhega? Tu bhai hai, tu toh rakh nahi paya, aur ab use bol raha hai?" she said, her voice laced with irritation.

"D-Dekhta toh ye rehta hai na," Reyansh blurted out before he could stop himself.

A thick silence fell over the group.

Harsh narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms. "Kya bola tune?"

Shashwat’s heart skipped a beat. He turned to Reyansh, giving him a warning glare, but it was too late.

Naman raised an eyebrow. "Matlab?"

Reyansh gulped, realizing he had dug a hole for both of them. "Woh... mera matlab tha ki... uh…”

“Haan! Maine bola tha ki mai sabko dekh raha hoon, koi idhar udhar na jaye. Par jab meri nazar hati, tabhi Siya gayab ho gayi.” Shashwat spoke quickly, hoping to change the topic.

"We should search for her in different directions," Arav said, his tone firm yet laced with worry.

"Haan," Reyansh nodded, his usual composed demeanor slightly shaken. Without wasting another second, they split up, each heading in opposite directions, scanning every corner, every face in the crowd.

Shashwat’s breath came out in quick, uneven puffs as he rushed through the bustling temple premises, his eyes scanning every face, every shadow, desperately searching.

"Excuse me?" he stopped a passerby, barely taking a breath before his words spilled out in urgency. "Have you seen a girl? 5'5 height, wheatish complexion... she's wearing a red suit..." His voice was edged with desperation, his hands clenched into fists as he tried to keep himself from completely losing control.

The man frowned slightly, thinking for a moment before nodding. "Maybe... I’ve seen many girls dressed like that today, but just now, I noticed one girl walking in that direction. She was with a small kid."

Shashwat felt his stomach twist. Siya.

"Thank you so much!" He didn’t wait for another second, his feet already moving as he bolted toward the direction the man had pointed.

"Mishti??" He called out, his voice echoing against the temple walls.

No response.

His pace quickened, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

"SIYAA???" His voice grew louder, the urgency laced with a panic he couldn’t suppress. His heartbeat was erratic now, the fear clawing at his throat.

"Siyaa??" He called again, his voice breaking slightly, his chest tightening.

And then his eyes landed on a temple, its bells ringing softly in the cold evening air. His steps slowed for a brief moment as his hands instinctively folded in prayer.

"Please keep her safe, Mata Rani!" He whispered, his voice filled with raw emotion. He shut his eyes for a fleeting second, his lips moving in a silent plea, before he turned back, determination taking over his fear.

Sweat formed on his forehead despite the chill in the air, his body moving purely on instinct. He had to find her. He couldn’t breathe until he did.

Just as Shashwat was about to call her name again, a familiar voice cut through the air, filled with irritation and righteous fury.

"Tujhe toh hum batayenge! Hamara phone cheenega? Chor! Papi insaan!! Maa ke darbaar pe hai phir bhi itni si sharam nahi aayi??" Siya’s voice rang loud and clear, her frustration evident as she clutched a man’s hair, yanking him forward.

Shashwat’s breath hitched. Siya.

His heart, which had felt like it was caged in suffocating fear, suddenly roared back to life. Relief flooded his veins, making his legs move before his brain could even process it.

He turned, his eyes locking onto her figure. She stood there, unbothered, scolding the thief like he was a naughty child caught stealing sweets.

"Wo toh yahan pe hain toh gaali nahi de rahe, warna tumhe toh hum batate!" She huffed, throwing a glance toward the temple before pushing the man away. "Chal nikal ab!"

The thief, clearly shaken, didn’t waste another second before sprinting away.

"Mishti!!" Shashwat's voice cracked with overwhelming relief, and before Siya could even turn properly, he closed the distance between them in an instant, his arms wrapping tightly around her, pulling her flush against him.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much, Mata Rani!" His voice was muffled against her hair as he held her close, his grip unrelenting. He squeezed his eyes shut, inhaling deeply, as if grounding himself in the reality that she was safe, that she was here, that she wasn’t lost to him.

Siya, momentarily stunned, blinked in surprise. "Shashwat? Kya ho gaya?" Her voice softened as she felt the way his heart pounded violently against his chest, its rhythm erratic and fast, as if it had