She squatted down to get a better angle, her fingers pressing the shutter button a few times. But just as she was lining up a shot, her fingers slipped.

In the blink of an eye, the phone shot out of her hands and plummeted toward the ground.

"Siya!" Shashwat shouted in panic, instinctively lunging forward. His reflexes were quick, and he managed to catch the phone just before it fell from the cliff. "Are you mad?!" he yelled, his voice echoing across the valley.

The sudden, sharp sound made Siya freeze, her heart racing. She hadn’t expected him to shout so loudly, especially not in such a beautiful, tranquil setting. The others in the group turned around, startled by the sudden outburst.

Before she could say anything, Kirti, who had been walking nearby, stormed over and slapped Shashwat hard on the back of his head. "Ek thappad dungi! Bechari pe chillaya jo, yahi se phone ke saath gir jayega!" she scolded him, clearly irritated.

Shashwat stood frozen for a moment, and looked down, his guilt creeping in as he realized how loudly he had shouted, drawing the attention of everyone around.

He hadn't meant to raise his voice like that. It wasn’t anger, no, not even close. It was pure shock, an instant reaction that had slipped out louder than he intended.

Tara, Siya’s mom, walked up to them, her tone calm but firm. "Siya ki hi galti hai," she said, looking at Shashwat. "Koi bhi gussa ho jayega."

Kirti nodded in agreement. "Haan, galti hai, par isne itna jor se chilla diya, sab yahi dekhne lage. Bechari ko kaisa feel hua hoga."

Shashwat’s gaze dropped, guilt written all over his face. He realized how harshly he had reacted, making everyone look at Siya, and he felt a deep pang in his chest as he saw the hurt in her eyes.

Siya stood there, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. She tried to blink them away, but it was clear that his loud shout had shaken her more than she let on.

Shashwat finally spoke up, his voice low and regretful. "Sorry, woh... mai..." He started, but before he could finish, Siya cut him off.

"Sorry humein bolna chahiye. I am sorry," she said, her voice breaking slightly. She turned away quickly, unable to keep the tears from welling up in her eyes, and walked off toward the others, her steps hurried and heavy with emotion.

The group watched her go, and Shashwat stood still, a deep sense of guilt weighing on him.

His heart sank as he watched Siya walk away, knowing he had unintentionally hurt her with his reaction, even if his reaction came out, just in shock.

As they started descending the path, Shashwat’s eyes were fixated on Siya, who was walking ahead,ignoring him completely.

She hadn’t spared him a glance since the little incident earlier, and now, his guilt was gnawing at him. He sighed, scratching the back of his head.

Turning to Reyansh, who was casually adjusting his sleeves, Shashwat blurted out,

“Bhai, teri behen toh dekh bhi nahi rahi hai!” His voice was almost a complaint, laced with desperation.

Reyansh smirked, enjoying his plight a little too much.

“You deserve it.”

Shashwat groaned. “Yaar, bas shock mein chillaya tha!” he defended himself, recalling how he had panicked and yelled in the heat of the moment.

Reyansh, unbothered, shrugged. “Toh? Not my monkey, not my circus.”

Shashwat blinked. “Kahan ho raha hai circus? What are you saying?” he asked, genuinely confused.

Reyansh let out an exaggerated sigh, rolling his eyes dramatically. “Arrey yaar!”

Before Shashwat could respond, Harsh suddenly appeared between them, walking straight through their conversation like a silent storm.

Both of them were forced to step aside, their words dying in their throats.

As Harsh passed, his sharp gaze flickered between them suspiciously. His lips pressed into a thin line, as if already forming a wild theory in his head.

After walking continuously for hours, they finally found a resting spot. The elders, exhausted but still enthusiastic, were busy clicking selfies and group photos, adjusting angles and debating over filters.

Meanwhile, the youngsters had spotted a breathtaking view a little further ahead, a perfect spot for pictures.

“Don’t go too far!” Harsh’s voice rang out as a warning.

“Haan, haan, bas yahin tak!” Ritika assured before everyone hurried off to capture the scenery.

Siya stood near the edge, waiting for Akash to click her pictures, but he was too busy capturing Richa’s poses. She pouted, tapping her foot impatiently, but Akash didn’t even glance at her.

Just as she sighed in annoyance, a warm hand suddenly grabbed hers.

Before she could react, Shashwat pulled her gently yet firmly.

Her eyes widened. “Shashwat! Pagal ho gaye hain kya?” she whisper-yelled, trying to free her hand.

But he didn’t let go. Instead, he shushed her and walked ahead, pulling her along.

“Shh… Chalo toh!” he said, his grip firm but gentle.

“Nahi jaana hame kahin! Chhodiye!” she protested, looking around nervously.

Ignoring her protests, he led her away from the group, ensuring no one was watching.

Siya’s heartbeat quickened. They had moved far enough that the others wouldn’t spot them.

She yanked her hand free and turned to him with a glare.

“Kya hai?! Kyun laaye yahan?” she demanded, crossing her arms.

Shashwat, however, simply smiled. "I have something for you," he said, his voice gentle yet filled with an emotion she couldn’t quite decipher.

Siya scoffed, turning away. "Nahi chahiye hame. Rakhiye apne paas," she dismissed, ready to walk back.

But before she could take a step, his fingers wrapped around her wrist, pulling her back with a soft yet firm tug.

"Ek baar dekh toh lo," he murmured, his eyes earnest as he held onto her hand.

She exhaled sharply, annoyed at how effortlessly he could weaken her resolve. With a slight huff, she nodded, folding her arms again. "Theek hai, dikhaiye jaldi."

A victorious smirk played on his lips as he brought forward his other hand.

Between his fingers lay a folded piece of deep red fabric, soft yet intricately embroidered with golden threads.

As Siya watched, he slowly unfolded the chunari, letting it spread open between them. The delicate patterns of Goddess Durga’s feet woven into the fabric, symbolizing divine blessings and protection. The ends of the chunari had golden tassels, swaying gently with the wind, making it look almost celestial.

Siya gasped softly. "Ye toh sabne Devi Maa ke liye kharide the!" she exclaimed, looking at him questioningly.

Shashwat took a deep breath, his gaze locked onto hers. "Maine bhi," he whispered, his voice laced with something so intense that Siya felt a shiver down her spine.

Before she could question him further, before she could even process what was happening, he took a step closer, lifting the chunari ever so gently.

And in a swift, effortless motion, he draped it over her head.

Siya’s breath hitched, her fingers instinctively reaching up as she felt the soft weight of the fabric settle over her hair, its smooth texture brushing against her cheeks.

She swallowed hard, her pulse thrumming wildly beneath her skin as she lowered her gaze, feeling shyness creeping over her.

His hands reached out, cupping her face with an unbearable gentleness, his thumbs grazing the soft skin of her cheeks as he tilted her face slightly upward, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Maine unko chadhaya tha," he whispered, his voice so soft it barely reached her ears, "par maine un Devi se maafi maang li, apni Devi ke liye.”

"Ajeeb ehsaas tha," he murmured, his voice carrying the weight of something far deeper than she could comprehend. "Aisa laga, ye chunari sirf tumhare liye bani hai.”

“Kaise lag rahe hain?” She finally managed to ask, her fingers brushed against the chunari.

He let out a soft sigh, shaking his head slightly, almost as if in disbelief at his own emotions.

"Ek aisi dulhan," he whispered, his voice dropping even lower, his forehead nearly touching hers, "jo har janam me sirf meri hone wali hai.”

Siya’s lashes fluttered as she looked away, her cheeks burning, her heart racing so wildly she was certain he could hear it.

With a sharp inhale, she lifted her chin, attempting to mask the warmth that had spread across her face with an air of nonchalance. "Chaliye, diabetes ho jayegi itni meethi baatein sunke," she quipped, her voice light, though the slight tremor in it betrayed her attempt to brush off the blush staining her cheeks.

Shashwat smirked at her response. Without missing a beat, he leaned in slightly, as he murmured, "Of course hogi, Mishti toh mere paas hi hai na.”

She shot him a glare, but it lacked any real heat, and reached forward, carefully removing the chunari from her head, folding it.

"Ab isko rakho apne paas," She instructed, her tone turning slightly serious as she glanced around to ensure no one had noticed them standing together. "Kisi ne dekh liya toh yahin se neeche phek denge.”

Siya took it from him, eyeing it for a moment before pressing it back into his hands. "Hotel mein vapas de dijiyega," she instructed, turning on her heel before he could protest.

The group moved further along the rocky trail, their laughter echoing through the serene landscape. Soon, they stumbled upon a clearing where piles of small, smooth stones lay scattered across the ground. Other pilgrims sat around, carefully stacking stones upon one another, shaping them into miniature homes with quiet devotion.

Akash, observing the scene, turned to the group with a knowing smile. "Yahan sab apne sapno ke ghar banate hain," he explained, his voice tinged with a mix of amusement and admiration.

Arushi’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she glanced at the array of tiny houses surrounding them. "Ham bhi banate hain na?" she suggested excitedly, already crouching down to pick up stones.

Within moments, the group scattered across the clearing, each lost in their own world as they carefully arranged stones into shapes that, at least in their minds, resembled houses. Even the elders joined in, their faces lighting up with childlike enthusiasm.

Arav sat beside Ritika, watching as she carefully stacked stone after stone, her brow furrowed in deep concentration. Her house, though slightly uneven and imperfect, took a familiar shape, and he couldn't help but smile as realization dawned.

"Ye toh Rajvansh residence jaisa lag raha hai," he remarked, tilting his head as he examined her creation.

Ritika grinned, dusting her hands off as she admired her handiwork. "Haan, wahi toh hai na mere sapno ka ghar," she said with a dreamy sigh, turning to face him. "Kitne saal se sapna dekha hai wahan bahu ban kar jaane ka!"

Arav chuckled, the warmth of her words settling deep in his chest. Without thinking, he leaned in and gently tapped his forehead against hers, a silent acknowledgment of the journey they were about to embark on together.

A few feet away, Reyansh sat cross-legged, pretending to be deeply engrossed in his own creation. He stole a glance at Arushi, who sat beside him, struggling to balance even the simplest structure.

She let out an exaggerated sigh, dramatically throwing her hands in the air. "Mera toh ghar hi nahi ban raha! Main kahan rahungi?" she lamented, her voice filled with mock despair.

Reyansh smirked, his fingers pausing in their movements as he leaned closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "Mera dil kaafi nahi hai?" he whispered, his voice dripping with mischief.

She elbowed him instinctively, a half-hearted attempt to scold him, but the way her cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink completely betrayed her.

Akash sat comfortably, his arms resting on his knees as he observed everyone around him.

Beside him, Richa was diligently stacking stones, her delicate fingers carefully balancing one on top of another. She glanced at Akash, who showed no sign of moving, and nudged him lightly.

"Tum bhi banao na apna ghar," she whispered, her voice laced with gentle encouragement.

Akash raised an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly. "Accha?" he asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.

She nodded eagerly, and with a grin, he leaned forward, gathering a few small stones in his palm. Without another word, he began placing them carefully on the ground, arranging them with an expression so focused that Richa couldn’t help but watch in curiosity.

But as more stones were added, her brows furrowed. It didn't look like a house at all. The structure was too scattered, too uneven. She tilted her head, trying to make sense of what he was doing.

"Kya kar rahe ho?" she finally asked, unable to contain her confusion.

Akash didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he placed the last stone in position, then leaned back, admiring his work with a satisfied smile.

Richa’s eyes widened as she realized what he had done. The stones didn’t form a house, they formed a word.

Her name.

Right there, spelled out in carefully arranged stones: RICHA.

She blinked, taken aback. "Ye kya hai?" she asked, her voice softer now.

Akash turned to her, his gaze steady, a smile playing on his lips.

"Mera ghar," he said simply. "Tumne kaha na banane ko?”

Richa let out a small chuckle, shaking her head at his antics. But her fingers instinctively curled against her palm, as if trying to steady the sudden fluttering in her chest.

Shashwat stood a little apart from the rest, hands casually tucked into his pockets as he watched everyone engaged in their own little worlds, but his eyes were fixated on one person, Siya.

She was sitting cross-legged on the ground, her fingers carefully stacking stones with unwavering focus. A small crease formed on her forehead as she adjusted a tiny pebble, determined to make her little house as perfect as possible.

After what felt like ages, she finally leaned back and admired her creation,a modest stone house, small yet steady, standing against the uneven ground.

Richa, who had been watching curiously, leaned in and gasped. "This is so beautiful, bhai!" she exclaimed, a genuine smile spreading across her face.

Siya beamed at the compliment, her eyes shining with a dreamy glow. "Hame aise hi ghar me rehna hai! Pahad ke paas," she said, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she imagined the peaceful life she longed for.

Darsh, who was never one to let a moment pass without teasing, smirked. "Mungerilal ke haseen sapne!" he mocked, shaking his head.

Siya narrowed her eyes, quickly grabbing a small stone and throwing it in his direction. "Haseen toh hain na! Tujhe toh sapne bhi bhikhariyon vale aate honge!" she shot back, making Divya burst into laughter.

Darsh dramatically clutched his chest, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Bas mai bhabhiyon pe haath nahi uthata, isliye bach gaye ho aap!" he retorted.

Siya rolled her eyes. "Chal chal!" she dismissed him with a wave of her hand before dusting off her palms and standing up. Her gaze shifted toward the elders, who were sitting a little distance away, enjoying their tea. The sight of the warm, steaming cups made her crave some for herself.

Without another word, she walked toward them, leaving behind her carefully built stone house.

Shashwat, who had been silently observing her all along, took a step closer. He crouched down slightly, pulling out his phone. With precise focus, he clicked a picture of Siya’s little stone house, capturing her dream within its frame.

As he stared at the image on his screen, a small smile played on his lips. His fingers hovered over the picture for a second before he whispered under his breath, too softly for anyone to hear,

"Whatever my Mishti says.”

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Don't worry, every couple will be given their scenes, isme kuch missing hain but har chapter me sabko nhi daal sakti na.

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