"Jail me !" Reyansh whisper-yelled, hurriedly straightening his T-shirt while shooting panicked glances toward the door.

A chorus of hurried movements followed, Akash frantically rubbing his eyes, Arav shoving Darsh toward the side to make space, and Vihaan stumbling toward the door like a zombie.

With all six of them barely awake but in full survival mode, they rushed to the door and flung it open.

There stood Harsh, arms crossed, looking at them with a mix of suspicion and amusement.

The boys immediately plastered their most innocent smiles on their faces, standing as straight as possible.

"Good morning, uncle/papa!" they said in perfect unison, their voices almost too sugary-sweet.

Harsh's eyes narrowed slightly. He wasn't buying it.

"Good morning," he replied, his tone firm. Then, without missing a beat, he added, "Chalo sab taiyar ho, pooja hai Shashwat ke liye na...late ho raha hai!"

"Ji, uncle!" they all chorused obediently, nodding rapidly.

Harsh gave them a last once-over before walking away.

The moment he turned the corner, the boys exhaled loudly in sync, shoulders sagging in relief.

Reyansh, dramatically wiping his forehead, sighed, "Bach gaye."

Akash, who was still recovering from the shock, grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him. "Ek din tujhe sach me heart attack de dega tera papa!"

Arav shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "Bhai, agar papa ek minute aur ruk jaate, to ab tak yahan baith ke lecture sun ne milta!"

Shashwat yawned, stretching his arms. "Ab fresh hone jaa raha hoon, warna sach me late ho jayenge."

Akash, who was still lying on the bed with his arms stretched above his head, let out a loud yawn. "Wahan chal ke nahana hi hai, to yahan kyun nahayen?" he muttered, rubbing his eyes.

Reyansh, sitting cross-legged on the mattress, immediately perked up. "Haan wahi! Bas brush kar ke seedha wahan chalte hain."

Darsh, who had been lazily leaning against the headboard, nodded in agreement. "Sahi keh raha hai! Waha pooja se pehle wapas naha lenge. Abhi kya tension lena?"

But their moment of mutual agreement was short-lived.

Reyansh suddenly noticed Shashwat rummaging through his suitcase. His sharp eyes caught the neatly folded shirt and pant in Shashwat's hands. He frowned, confused.

Akash, noticing this too, turned to him. "Tu kya jaa raha hai kapde lekar?" he asked suspiciously.

Shashwat, still focused on neatly unfolding his clothes, casually replied, "Nahana obviously."

Darsh, who had been lazily playing with a loose thread on his T-shirt, suddenly sat up straight, blinking. "Heinnnn!! Bhaiya, sabse pehle aapko hi nahana hai, to abhi kya naha rahe?"

Shashwat, completely unfazed, folded his towel over his arm and straightened. "Main bina nahaye kahin nahi jata. Meri aadat nahi hai." His tone was calm, but firm.

Vihaan, who was still sitting half-asleep on the edge of the bed, let out a small amused snort. "Army man hone ki nishaani." He shook his head, smirking.

That was enough for Reyansh to see an opportunity.

He leaned back on his elbows, eyes twinkling mischievously. "Iska Siya ke saath kaise beetega? Wo to ek ek hafte tak nahi nahati!"

Darsh dramatically gasped, clutching his chest as if Reyansh had just revealed the biggest scandal of the century. "Matlab future me ya to Siya bhabhi ko roz nahaane ki aadat dalani padegi ya Shashwat bhaiya ko bina nahaaye ghoomne ki!"

Vihaan, finally waking up fully, shook his head, laughing. "Aur hum sab jaante hain ki Siya didi kisi ki sunne waali nahi hain!"

The teasing continued, but Shashwat didn't react.

He had picked up his towel, adjusted the clothes over his arm, and was now standing near the bathroom door. For a moment, he paused mid-step, tilting his head slightly as if debating whether to respond.

Then, without giving them the satisfaction of a comeback, he shook his head with a small smile and quietly walked into the bathroom. The door clicked shut behind him.

There was a moment of silence before Darsh burst out laughing again.

Reyansh smirked. "Siya ki daily nahane ka adat jayegi ya nahi par iski adat jaroor badal jayegi."

Another round of chuckles and teasing filled the room before they finally began forcing themselves to get ready.

The hotel hallway buzzed with the sound of footsteps and murmurs as everyone started stepping out of their rooms, adjusting their clothes and making last-minute touch-ups.

Tara, who had been waiting impatiently near the elevator, tapped her foot and looked at her watch. Her patience finally ran out.

"Siya, jaldi aa! Teri shaadi nahi ho rahi jo itna time laga rahi hai!" she called out, her voice carrying through the corridor.

From inside the room, Siya's voice rang back, slightly breathless. "Aa rahi hoon, Mumma!"

A moment later, Siya stepped out of the room, her presence radiating elegance and charm. She was wearing a stunning pista green Anarkali suit adorned with delicate golden embroidery. The fabric flowed gracefully around her, enhancing her ethereal beauty. The intricate border at the hemline added a regal touch, making her look nothing less than a vision.

Her hair cascaded down in soft curls, the glossy strands framing her face and resting over her shoulders, adding to her enchanting aura. Her makeup was kept minimal yet effective, just enough to accentuate her delicate features. Her lips were adorned with a subtle shade of pink, complementing her fair complexion beautifully.

She wore heavy earrings that shimmered as they caught the light, perfectly matching her outfit. Her wrists were adorned with matching bangles that jingled softly as she moved, completing her look with a graceful elegance.

As Siya stepped forward, Shashwat, who had been casually standing outside, found himself momentarily speechless. His eyes locked onto her, taking in every detail with admiration. His usual playful demeanor faded for a moment, replaced by pure awe. The way her curls framed her face, the way her dupatta draped effortlessly over her shoulder it was as if she had stepped straight out of a dream.

"Bhai muh band kar le Harsh uncle se dekh liya na besharmo jaise taadte hue unki beti ko to bandook muh me daal ke goli chala denge." Akash said in a teasing tone bringing Shashwat on earth.

As she moved towards the group, Ritika leaned in, whispering mischievously. "Tu hum sabse zyada taiyar hui hai!"

Siya smirked, adjusting her bangles. "Ab Shashwat ke liye pooja hai, toh humein toh ready hona hi hai!" She winked playfully, before adding with a knowing smile, "Arav jiju ke liye hogi tab tum bhi tayyar ho jana."

Naman checked his watch and spoke up.

"Nikalna chahiye, ek ghante me muhurat hai." His tone was firm but calm, reminding everyone of the time constraint.

With that, the group finally started moving towards the hotel exit.

At Vashisht Temple, Kullu

As soon as they stepped out of their cars near Vashisht Temple, a cold breeze hit them, making everyone instinctively pull their shawls and jackets tighter. The temple stood majestically, nestled amidst the snow-capped mountains, with a light mist surrounding the area. The sound of temple bells echoed in the crisp air, blending with the soft chants of priests and the murmurs of devotees.

Darsh rubbed his hands together and shivered. "Bhai, kya jabardast thand hai!" he exclaimed, his breath visible in the air.

Reyansh, stuffing his hands into his pockets, nodded. "Hai na? Iss se accha wahan room pe naha lete. Kam se kam garam kambal ke andar se nikalna toh nahi padta!"

Arushi smirked, adjusting her woolen shawl. "Hum toh mast naha ke aaye hain. Pata tha itni thandi mein himmat nahi padegi!"

Richa, who was admiring the beauty of the place, added, "Waise pani garam hai yahan."

Arav, stretching his arms, chuckled. "Haan, lekin normal pani se naha ke niklo toh thandi nahi lagti. Garam pani se nahane ke baad thandi aur bhi lagti hai!"

The group laughed, but before anyone could say anything else, a pandit ji, dressed in a saffron dhoti with a shawl draped over his shoulders, approached Kirti and Naman.

With a polite smile, he asked, "Ji, woh balak kahan hain jiski suraksha ki pooja rakhi thi? Unhe bulaiye."

Kirti and Naman both nodded before Naman turned around, scanning the temple premises.

His eyes landed on Shashwat, who was standing near the intricately carved temple pillars, holding Arushi's phone. She was posing for pictures in front of the temple, adjusting her hair and shawl.

"Bhaiya, ek photo aise lo," Arushi instructed, striking another pose.

Shashwat, clicking the picture with little patience, handed the phone back to her. "Chal hatt!" he muttered, walking away.

Arushi pouted dramatically, looking at the handful of pictures he had taken. "Abhi Siya ki photo lene keh do, toh 1000 photos lega. Meri bas 5-6 li!" she grumbled, flipping through them.

By this time, Shashwat had reached Naman.

Naman gestured towards him as he addressed the pandit ji. "Yeh hai Shashwat."

Pandit ji gave him a once-over, then smiled. "Beta, aap yeh dhoti pehen kar aaiye pehle." He pointed towards the changing area near the temple's natural hot springs.

Shashwat nodded respectfully. "Ji," he said before heading towards the small changing room built near the steaming natural spring water.

As he walked away, Reyansh called out, smirking. "Shashwat, dhoti sambhal ke pehn na! Kahi hawa se gir na jaye!" He said everyone burst out in laughter. Shashwat takes a small stone from the ground and throws it to him

The group chuckled, watching as Shashwat disappeared into the changing area.

As everyone stood chatting near the temple steps, the door to the changing area creaked open.

Shashwat stepped out, now wearing only a saffron dhoti wrapped securely around his waist, with a Janeu (sacred thread) draped across his bare torso. His upper body was fully exposed, revealing his sharp, well-defined abs, broad shoulders, and sculpted chest. The morning sunlight glistened against his toned muscles, highlighting every ridge and curve of his strong physique.

A cold mountain breeze passed through the temple, making his taut skin ripple slightly, his muscles flexing naturally in response. His wet hair, still damp from the quick splash he had taken, clung messily to his forehead before he ran his fingers through it, pushing it back effortlessly. The small droplets of water glistened on his skin, making him look even more striking.

For a moment, there was utter silence.

Siya, who had been adjusting her shawl absentmindedly, froze mid-motion. The moment her eyes landed on him, her fingers stilled on the fabric, and she forgot to breathe for a second.

Her lips parted slightly, her throat suddenly feeling dry. Her gaze involuntarily trailed from his sharp jawline down to his broad chest, lingering for a moment on his hard abs, before she quickly snapped out of it and looked away, pressing her lips together tightly.

But her body betrayed her.

Her cheeks flushed a soft pink, and she quickly pulled her shawl tighter around herself, as if it could somehow shield her from her own thoughts.

Siya, still avoiding direct eye contact with Shashwat, quickly walked ahead, her heartbeat still a little unsteady. Meanwhile, Ritika, Arushi, and Richa exchanged amused glances, their giggles barely suppressed, as the pooja preparations began.

As the priest completed his ritual, he carefully tied a sacred thread on Shashwat's wrist, marking the beginning of the pooja.

"Ab aap snan kar ke aaiye, phir ye dusri dhoti pehniye, phir pooja shuru karte hain," the priest instructed in a calm, authoritative voice.

Shashwat nodded and turned towards the hot spring lake near the temple. The air was crisp, and a thin layer of mist hovered over the surface of the water. Without hesitation, Shashwat walked towards the lake, his bare feet crunching on the frozen ground, before he stepped into the warm water. The warmth of the spring contrasted sharply against the cold mountain air, and Shashwat closed his eyes briefly in contentment, his body relaxing into the soothing waters.

Unbeknownst to him, Siya's eyes were glued to him. She stood a few paces away, trying to pretend like she wasn't staring, but her gaze kept shifting back to him. Her lips parted slightly, as her eyes wandered over his exposed upper body, taking in the sight of his sculpted abs and strong arms.

Siya's heart raced, and her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink as her thoughts ran wild. She licked her lips slowly, feeling the heat rise in her body.

Shashwat, now noticing the weight of her gaze, looked up. Their eyes met, and Siya gave him a sly wink, her lips curling in a playful smirk.

Shashwat's eyes widened in surprise, and for a second, he forgot to breathe. His cheeks flushed a deep red, as he turned his head, pretending he hadn't seen her. His heart raced, and he shifted uncomfortably in the water. He tried to focus on the surroundings, but every glance at Siya reminded him of her bold stare.

He quickly turned back to her, and this time, he saw her licking her lips, unable to control her obvious admiration. The awkwardness bubbled up inside him, and he waved his hand, gesturing for her to look away. But Siya was having too much fun, her eyes glued to him as if she couldn't tear them away.

Shashwat, now extremely flustered, had no choice but to quickly rise from the water. He quickly stepped out, his muscles flexing as he moved, trying his best to maintain his composure, his skin glistening from the water. He hurried to the changing room, his face still flushed, and as soon as the door closed behind him, he let out a deep breath.

When he emerged from the changing room, now dressed in a fresh dhoti, Shashwat immediately noticed that Siya's gaze was fixed on him again. She was still ogling him, her eyes locked on his body, tracing every line, every curve.

Shashwat couldn't help but smile slightly, but he quickly shook his head, trying to control his flushed cheeks. The last thing he wanted was for her to see how much she affected him.

Meanwhile, the priest was busy preparing the altar for the pooja, and Shashwat decided to distract himself by taking pictures of the temple-anything to keep his mind off Siya's constant gaze. He pulled out his phone and began clicking photos of the architecture, the ancient carvings, and the temple surroundings.

That's when he received a message from Siya, and his heart skipped a beat as he glanced at his phone screen.

"Haaye mere chilke kya mast lag raha re tu chikne😋🥵."

Shashwat's eyes widened, and his fingers hovered over the phone screen before he quickly typed back.

"Sharam nahi aati🙂."

A few moments later, another message popped up, and his stomach dropped when he read it.

"Arre sharmata kya hai janeman zara idhar to mudna samne ka nazara abs arms vagera bhi to dekh lun👁️👁️👄🤤."

His face turned bright red as he read her words, and he quickly typed his response with a mildly amused yet embarrassed expression.

"Mai Harsh uncle ko bata dunga abhi."

Just as he was about to walk away, another message came through, and his hands trembled slightly as he opened it.

"Man me gande gande khayal aa rahe hain👄🥵🌚."

His eyes widened even further, and he froze for a moment, staring at the message in disbelief. He quickly glanced around, trying to spot Siya, and saw that she was still ogling him, her gaze making him feel exposed.

His voice almost faltered as he called out to Kirti.

"Mummy zara shawl dena."

Shashwat's face was now so red it could rival the color of his dhoti, and he turned to leave the temple steps, trying his best to act natural. But inside, his mind was racing a mile a minute.

Siya, on the other hand, was enjoying his awkwardness entirely. She couldn't help but chuckle quietly, knowing full well the effect she was having on him.

From behind her, Kanak teased her with a playful smirk.

"Behan tu aankhon se usko molest feel karva rahi hai," she whispered, shaking her head at her antics.

Siya, her lips curled in a mischievous grin, looked back at Shashwat's flustered expression and chuckled even more.

"Maza aa raha shakl dekho unki," she said, thoroughly enjoying Shashwat's discomfort.

But Shashwat, as he turned to walk away, couldn't help but smile despite the redness creeping up his neck. Even though he was feeling the heat, there was something about Siya's teasing that made him appreciate her boldness in an entirely different way.

After Shashwat finished his bath, the air still crisp with the chill of the mountain, the other boys began preparing to take their own dips in the hot spring. They moved toward the lake, their shirts still on, ready to brave the cold water. However, Ritika noticed this.

"Arre, tum log kya kapde geele karoge?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as she approached the group.

"Arre, itni thandi hai bhai, hawa lagegi bahut!" Arav replied, looking up at her with a grin, his teeth chattering a little.

Ritika crossed her arms, shaking her head. "Shashwat bhi to nahaya bechara, itni thandi mein," she added, thinking of how Shashwat had braved the cold water earlier.

"Wahi to," Shashwat chimed in, smiling at the memory of his own experience in the chilly water.

Reyansh joined the conversation, his hands on his hips. "Ye to Army mein hain, iski training strict thi, isliye isko adat hai. Hum logon ko nahi hai." He shrugged, clearly amused by the situation.

Ritika rolled her eyes. "Ye kya baat hui? Ham log bhi nazara lootne ke chakkar mein baithe the, sara mood kharab kar diya... Siya ka hi sahi hai." With a dramatic sigh, she turned on her heel and walked away, clearly still upset at not having the opportunity to ogle Arav in his damp shirt.

The boys exchanged amused glances, chuckling to themselves as Ritika's words echoed in the distance. After a few minutes, the boys completed their baths, quickly changing into fresh clothes before heading back into the temple.

Inside the temple, Shashwat was already seated, a calm expression on his face as he waited for the pooja to begin. The priests were busy setting up, when the ritual finally started. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of reverence, but it wasn't long before the priest noticed Shashwat and Siya, who were sitting next to each other, communicating with each other in sign language. The priest's eyes fell on them, and a knowing smile formed on his lips.

"Agar inki patni bhi yahan hain, to ye akele pooja kyun kar rahe hain? Aap bhi aaiye," the priest said, his voice clear and deliberate, making everyone freeze for a moment. His eyes glanced over at Siya, then back at Shashwat.

A wave of surprise swept over the group, and Piyush was the first to break the silence. "Kya, kon patni?" he asked, clearly confused, looking around.

The priest, pointing to Siya, answered, "Ye hari suit wali."

The young crowd, Reyansh, Arav, Ritika, and the others, looked back and forth from Siya to Shashwat, holding back their laughter as their faces contorted in amusement. They all struggled to keep their composure, but a few snickers escaped.

Meanwhile, the elders, except for Ishika, appeared to be shocked, their eyes wide with surprise. Tara tried to explain, "Arre nahi, ye uski patni nahi hain, abhi iski shaadi nahi hui." Her voice was slightly defensive as she looked around at the confusion.

"Haan, ye to uski beh..." Harsh