मैं इक जवान लड़का, तु इक हसीन लड़की
ये दिल मचल गया तो, मेरा क़ुसूर क्या है
रखना था दिल पे क़ाबू, ये हुस्न तो है जादू
जादू ये चल गया तो, मेरा क़ुसूर क्या है
रस्ता हमारा तकना, दरवाज़ा खुल्ला रखना

A/N- I updated this chapter even when votes are not even close because I understood Chapter 11 was boring so I respect your opinions on that. If a chapter isn’t worth voting for, that's why maine Note nhi dala for silent readers to vote. And please don’t hate or attack anyone just because they shared their honest opinion. Everyone has the right to express themselves, and I appreciate constructive criticism.

Next thing, the story will be boring until Ritika and Arav’s wedding. There won’t be any major twists or shocking turns during this period, just romance, fun, and happy moments. That’s how I planned it, and even if I wanted to change it, I wouldn’t because this is the natural flow of the story. So, I suggest you to skip ahead to their wedding. I completely understand! I won’t expect many votes during this part, though I will still keep my target.

Lastly, I want to address the comments about the characters being immature for their age. I write my stories based on real-life observations, and trust me, maturity isn’t about age, it’s about circumstances. When people are around their close ones, their goofy, carefree side comes out. I’ve seen this firsthand my own cousins, who are married and even have kids, still act like teenagers when we all meet. They laugh, joke around, and sometimes even get scolded by their moms! It’s not about being immature, it’s about being comfortable enough to let loose and enjoy the moment. But when needed, they are completely responsible and mature. And even when my father meets with his cousins, that is another level of childishness 🥲.

So, please understand that my characters are realistic in this way. They know when to be mature and when to just have fun.

Those who are continuing the story enjoy reading 🎀

Vote Target - 9.9k
Comments - 11k

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The morning sun cast a golden hue over the palace, marking the beginning of Ritika's mehndi function. The entire house buzzed with excitement and preparations, laughter echoing through the halls.

Siya had gone to the parlor with Kanak and Ritika, while Arushi and Richa were busy decorating the hall, ensuring everything looked perfect for the guests. The scent of fresh marigolds and roses filled the air, mingling with the aroma of sweets being prepared in the kitchen.

In the living room, Shashwat sat comfortably on the couch, watching over his little cousin, Yash, who was engrossed in his phone. The boy, barely five years old, had managed to navigate to the gallery while playing with the device. His tiny fingers swiped across the screen until they landed on a picture of Siya.

Yash's innocent eyes widened in curiosity as he turned the phone towards Shashwat.

"Chachu… who is she?" he asked, pointing at the screen.

Shashwat glanced at the image and a soft smile graced his lips. There she was—his Siya, her eyes sparkling with mischief even in a still photograph.

"Your chachi," he replied, the warmth in his voice unmistakable.

"Chachii?" Yash repeated, his little face scrunching up in confusion as he tried to process the new information.

Shashwat chuckled and nodded in confirmation, ruffling the boy’s hair affectionately. Before Yash could ask any more questions, a voice called out from across the hall.

"Shashwat beta, yeh list lekar jao, bahar check karo sab hai na?" Harsh's authoritative yet kind voice broke through the moment.

Shashwat looked up and saw Harsh handing him a list, motioning toward the entrance where the decorations and catering arrangements were being finalized.

"Ji, main dekhta hoon," he replied, getting up from his seat.

With one last glance at Yash, who was still staring at the picture in wonder, Shashwat shook his head fondly and walked off, ready to tackle the next set of wedding duties.

The house buzzed with preparations for Ritika’s mehndi function, laughter and chatter filling every corner. In one of the side lounges, Reyansh stood with his cousin, casually listening to his story while occasionally glancing around.

"And then my grandmother passed away… so I went there," his cousin said, his tone somber as he recounted the event.

Reyansh nodded absentmindedly, but his attention had already drifted elsewhere.

At that very moment, Arushi stepped inside. She was dressed in a vibrant green Patiala salwar, the rich color complementing her glowing complexion. Her hair, neatly tied back, swayed slightly as she moved. There was an effortless grace in her walk, an ease that made her stand out amidst the bustling crowd.

And just like that, Reyansh was lost.

His eyes followed her every movement, completely captivated. He didn’t even realize his cousin was still talking until—

"Reyansh!"

His cousin's sharp voice yanked him out of his daze. He blinked rapidly, scrambling to recover.

"Huh? Haan… hahahaha… I am so happy for you!" he blurted out, forcing a laugh.

A heavy silence followed. His cousin stared at him, stunned.

"What? Are you serious?? My grandmother died and you're happy for me?"

Reyansh’s face fell.

"W-What? Oh… I— I am sorry, bhai… I was just thinking about something else," he stammered, rubbing the back of his neck, completely embarrassed.

His cousin narrowed his eyes at him, then scoffed.

"Hatt! You're impossible," he muttered before walking away, shaking his head.

Reyansh sighed, running a hand through his hair. His gaze instinctively flickered back to Arushi, who was now chatting with some of the women, completely unaware of the havoc she had just wreaked on his senses.

Shashwat sat comfortably with his friends, lazily sipping his cold drink as the chatter around him blended with the upbeat music playing in the background. The mehndi function was in full swing, and the air carried the scent of fresh henna, flowers, and sweets.

The entrance stirred with excitement as Ritika walked in, drawing everyone’s attention. Dressed in an exquisite emerald green lehenga, she looked every bit the glowing bride-to-be. The intricate golden embroidery shimmered under the soft lights, complementing the traditional jewelry adorning her. A heavy choker graced her slender neck, with matching jhumkas swaying delicately. Her hands, already adorned with intricate mehndi patterns, held her dupatta in place, which was draped elegantly over her shoulder. Her makeup was subtle yet radiant, highlighting her kohl-rimmed eyes and soft pink lips. She exuded the perfect blend of elegance and happiness as she walked in with Siya by her side.

And that’s when Shashwat’s world paused.

His breath hitched as his eyes fell on Siya. She was wearing a green Patiala salwar, the same shade as Ritika’s lehenga, as if fate had coordinated their outfits. Her long hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, moving slightly with every step she took. The sight of her, effortlessly beautiful and graceful, made his heart race. He couldn't tear his gaze away, completely mesmerized.

Siya noticed his intense stare, and a soft blush crept up her cheeks. She bit her lip, trying to suppress a smile, but then her expression changed as her eyes widened slightly. She subtly gestured toward something, but Shashwat, lost in her beauty, frowned in confusion.

She tried again. A small tilt of her head, a quick movement of her fingers. He still didn’t get it.

She sighed and, with slightly more urgency, repeated the gesture, this time clearly pointing downward.

His frown deepened, but when he finally followed her gaze, his own eyes widened in horror. His cold drink, forgotten in his trance, was slowly dripping onto Reyansh’s shoe.

He gulped.

His gaze flickered to Reyansh, expecting immediate disaster. But to his relief, Reyansh was completely oblivious, his attention shamelessly locked onto Arushi, who was busy talking to someone across the room.

After a few minutes, Shashwat returned, looking perfectly composed—until his eyes landed on Reyansh’s shoe. Letting out an exaggerated gasp, he clutched his chest dramatically.

"Reyansh!! What happened to your shoe?" he exclaimed, loud enough for a few heads to turn.

Reyansh, still lost in his dreamy haze, blinked in confusion before glancing down. His eyes widened in horror. The once-clean surface of his shoe was now stained with cold drink, the dark liquid seeping into the fabric.

"Ye kaise hua?" he muttered, completely baffled, turning his foot to examine the damage from different angles.

Shashwat put on his best concerned expression, shaking his head like a wise elder.

"Dhyan rakhega nahi toh yahi hoga na… ab dekho, bechara joota kya halat ho gayi hai," he said with an almost sympathetic sigh before pulling out a handkerchief and extending it toward Reyansh.

"Le, saaf kar le."

Still looking utterly lost, Reyansh took the handkerchief, nodding gratefully.

"Thank you," he said innocently, starting to wipe his shoe with careful strokes.

Shashwat pressed his lips together, trying to suppress the laughter bubbling inside him

Ritika sat with her sisters and friends, getting her mehndi-draped hands photographed while chatting away. The excitement of the function filled the air, but her eyes flicked toward the entrance every few seconds.

"Ye Arav itna kya time laga raha hai! Mujhse bhi jyada time lagega kya ab usse ready hone me," she huffed impatiently.

Siya chuckled, adjusting Ritika’s dupatta. "Aa rahe honge didi… aap apne photoshoot pe focus karo."

Just then, the speakers blared to life with the familiar beats of Ritika's favourite song.

Ritika turned, her eyes widening in pure shock as she saw Arav making his grand entrance.

The entire crowd erupted into cheers and hoots. But what truly stunned Ritika wasn’t just his presence—it was the fact that Arav, her introverted, dance-averse fiancé, was dancing. And not just him. Beside him, Shashwat, Akash, Darsh, and Arushi were fully immersed in the energetic beats, clapping and twirling in perfect sync.

"Mehndi laga ke rakhna,

Doli saja ke rakhna,"

Arav, dressed in a deep maroon kurta with intricate gold embroidery, took confident steps forward. His movements were careful but well-rehearsed, a little stiff at first, but he quickly found his rhythm. He clapped his hands in time with the music before extending his right leg forward, tapping it twice before smoothly shifting to the left, mirroring the same step.

Shashwat and Akash spun around him, hyping him up, while Darsh and Arushi mirrored the steps from the sides, making the performance feel even grander.

Arav then took a quick step to the right, his arms extending outward before he folded them, mimicking the signature dulha pose. His eyes locked onto Ritika’s, a small yet determined smile playing on his lips.

"Lene tujhe o gori,

Aayenge tere sajna,"

As the lyrics rang through the room, Arav stepped toward Ritika, his foot tapping the floor twice before he twirled on the spot. With practiced confidence, he extended his hand to her.

Ritika, still overwhelmed, hesitated for a moment before Arushi nudged her forward. Taking a deep breath, she placed her mehndi-covered hands in his, allowing him to gently pull her to her feet.

The moment she stood, Arav guided her into a slow twirl, his touch delicate yet steady. As she spun back to face him, he placed his hand over his heart dramatically before gesturing toward her, as if declaring her the queen of the evening.

Shashwat and Akash circled around them, clapping along to the beats while Darsh and Arushi danced in pairs behind them, adding to the lively atmosphere.

"Mehndi laga ke rakhna,

Doli saja ke rakhna,"

With a deep breath, Arav led Ritika into the next move—lifting both hands in a playful namaste before tilting his head, teasingly swaying his shoulders side to side. Ritika, finally breaking into a bright smile, followed his lead, matching his movements.

Then, surprising everyone, Arav gently took both her hands and guided her into a soft sway, side to side, before twirling her once more, his grip steady yet light.

Ritika’s heart swelled. She knew how difficult this was for him. Arav wasn’t someone who enjoyed being in the spotlight, let alone dancing. But here he was, pushing himself out of his comfort zone, all because he knew how much she loved it.

Ritika’s eyes widened as she noticed her sisters and even Reyansh dancing along, their movements synchronized as if… it was all planned! She turned to Siya, who simply grinned and winked.

"O sahra saja ke rakhna,

Chehra chhupa ke rakhna,

Ye dil ki baat apne,

Dil mein daba ke rakhna."

As the music continued, Ritika saw Akash subtly exchange a glance with her, and before she could react, Siya, Richa, Arushi, and the other girls joined in, forming a semi-circle and swaying gracefully to the beats, except for Ritika herself.

"Sahra saja ke rakhna,

Chehra chhupa ke rakhna.”

Shashwat swayed to the rhythm, his eyes locked onto Siya, though he made it seem as if he was dancing for Ritika.

"Ud udke teri zulfein

Karti hain kya ishaare"

He playfully moved his hands as if mimicking the flow of someone’s hair in the wind, his gaze subtly flickering to Siya. Then, turning to Ritika dramatically, he gestured at her with an exaggerated sigh, making everyone laugh, except for Siya, who instantly caught on to his act.

"Dil thaamke khade hain

Aashik sabhi kanware"

Shashwat spun smoothly before stopping with a hand on his chest, feigning a deep, longing expression. He sneakily stole a glance at Siya, but at the last second, turned toward Ritika, gesturing for her to look at Arav, who was watching everything unfold with a small smile.

"Chhup jaayein saari kudiyaan

Ghar mein sharamke maare"

He suddenly pretended to stumble back as if overwhelmed, clutching his heart, while throwing another fleeting glance at Siya. This time, she had enough of his antics.

"Gaavo mein aa gaye hain

Paagal shehar ke saare"

Siya smirked and took a step forward, mirroring his dance moves for a moment before placing her hands on his shoulders and giving him a light shove. Shashwat stumbled back playfully, clutching his heart in mock hurt while everyone around them cheered. Siya, with a teasing glint in her eyes, twirled gracefully before moving away, flashing a victorious grin at him.

Just then, the focus shifted as Arav stepped forward, taking over the next part of the song.

"Nazrein jhuka ke rakhna

Daaman bacha ke rakhna"

Arav moved toward Ritika with measured steps, his face calm but his eyes filled with emotion. He lifted his hand, palm facing downward, before elegantly turning it up and extending it toward her, as if inviting her into his world.

"Lene tujhe o gori

Aayenge tere sajna"

Arav then took a smooth turn and leaned slightly forward, as if promising her something silently. He extended his hand again, but instead of taking hers, he gently lifted the edge of her dupatta, twirling it slightly before letting it fall back gracefully.

Reyansh took center stage with his usual charm, moving with a confident sway.

"Main ek jawaan ladka Tu ek haseen ladki"

He twirled smoothly before stopping in front of Arushi, a playful smirk on his lips. He winked at her, causing an instant blush to creep up her cheeks. The crowd cheered, loving his antics, but only Arushi knew that his teasing was meant just for her.

"Ye dil machal gaya to Mera kusoor kya hai"

Reyansh leaned slightly toward her, his hands spread wide as if to declare his innocence, making everyone laugh at his dramatic flair. He danced around her in a playful circle, his eyes locked onto hers, challenging her to respond.

Arushi, flustered but unable to resist, stepped forward gracefully, accepting the challenge.

"Rakhna tha dil pe Kaabu ye husn to hai jaadu"

She twirled elegantly, her green patiala suit flowing with her movements. Then, with a teasing smirk, she gestured toward Reyansh, as if questioning his ability to resist her charm.

"Jaadu hi chal gaya to Mera kusoor kya hai"

As she danced, she mirrored Reyansh’s steps, playfully flicking her hair before spinning away from him. The crowd cheered louder, and Reyansh clutched his chest dramatically, pretending to be love-struck.

Just then, Arav stepped forward again, taking control of the next lines.

"Rasta hamara takna Darwaaza khula rakhna"

Moving toward Ritika, his eyes softened as he lifted his hand toward her. She hesitated for a moment, overwhelmed by the emotions of the moment, before placing her hand in his.

"Rasta hamara takna Darwaaza khula rakhna"

Arav gently twirled her, making her green lehenga flare out beautifully as she spun. He then pulled her back softly, keeping his hands firm on hers, a silent promise in his eyes.

"Lene tujhe o gori Aayenge tere sajna"

As Arav continued dancing with Ritika, the crowd erupted into cheers, clapping to the beats.

Then, as the final chorus hit, everyone joined in. The group formed a circle around Arav and Ritika, clapping and stomping to the song.

"Mehndi laga ke rakhna Doli saja ke rakhna"

Darsh and Akash lifted their hands, encouraging everyone to sing along. Siya and Arushi swayed to the beats, while Akash, Darsh, and the rest joined in, dancing with high energy.

"Shava oye oye oye!"

The music reached its peak, and in one grand moment, Arav spun Ritika one last time before stopping her gently, his hands resting on her waist as they locked eyes.

Meanwhile Vihaan who was recording everything smiled at them, as he was too shy to join them even after their so many requests.

The lively atmosphere in the hall was suddenly disrupted when Yash’s excited voice rang through the air.

"Chachi! Chachi!! Chacha, dekho chachi!!" he exclaimed, his small hands gripping Shashwat’s wrist tightly as he pointed ahead.

Shashwat, who had been casually chatting, froze. His heart skipped a beat, and his eyes snapped in the direction Yash was pointing.

The entire room fell silent, heads turning to see what the little boy was fussing about.

"Chachi yahin hain! Dekho chacha!" Yash insisted, his enthusiasm unwavering.

Siya, who had been serving refreshments to the guests,