I chuckled softly as I recalled a Bollywood movie I had watched recently. In it, the male protagonist said something profound: "When you meet someone, even for a few seconds, they become a part of your story." I raised my camera to capture a fleeting moment, my fingers poised delicately on the shutter button. My gaze was fixated on a woman across, draped elegantly in a blue lehenga that shimmered under the ambient lights. she was the same woman I had shared a flight with from Seoul to India.

Now you might ask, how I remembered her? Well...

Not only had she arrived late, causing the boarding to delay, but she had also engaged in an animated argument with the airline attendant about her seat. The vividness of her emotions had left an imprint in my memory.

My heart skipped a beat when, with a sudden clumsiness, she began to trip over her own feet. The resultant crash echoed through the otherwise cheerful chatter, and I felt my stomach lurch as the vase hit the ground - cracking on impact but somehow still standing, as if stubbornly resisting the fate of shattering into oblivion.

"Oh no!" I whispered to no one but myself. Click. The shot was captured - perfect in its rawness; laughter, shock, and a fleeting moment of vulnerability draped in blue.

She turned sharply, her eyes narrowing into a glare that could have melted lesser mortals. "What are you doing?" she snapped, clearly irate.

"Just taking a picture," I replied, fumbling for justification. My fingers still hovered over the camera shutter, itching for another click, but the urgency in her voice held me back.

"Those weren't your pictures to take," she declared, crossing her arms defiantly.

"But it's an engagement event! You're part of the scenery," I shot back, instantly regretting my words. They were definitely not the diplomatic response I should have given.

"Scenery?" She scoffed. "I'm not a prop. You handle those few random people showing off in front of your lens while I deal with my misfortune. Also, you should focus on doing the job you're paid for instead of loitering around and invading people's privacy."

I couldn't help but laugh. "I'm not a hired-," I began to say, but before I could finish, her phone rang, cutting me off in mid-sentence. She answered it quickly, moving away as she shouted, "On the dood! Coming!" I watched her walk away, still flustered, but I couldn't help but smile at her fiery demeanor.

I returned to the celebration unfolding around us. I shifted my focus back to the celebration at hand. A kaleidoscope of colors enveloped me as guests mingled, traditional music filled the air, and laughter echoed like a sweet symphony. Over the next hour, I clicked countless photos and maneuvered around guests, all while glimpses of her in the blue lehenga flitted through my mind.

After a while, I spotted her again. She was engaged in animated discussion with a group of family members. I took a few more pictures, capturing her laughter, her gesture of brushing back her hair, and the way her eyes twinkled when she smiled. It was like she had completely transformed. The stern look from before had been replaced by genuine warmth.

As the event winded down, I noticed Jimin standing on the stage. Jimin, my childhood friend, was finally tying the knot. Someone I had shared so many memories with, from late-night study sessions to wild, seemingly endless adventures during our university days. Traveling all the way from South Korea to India had been a minor sacrifice compared to witnessing him step into this new chapter of his life. He was radiating an aura of happiness that was almost palpable. Beside him stood Ruchi, his dazzling fiance, her smile bright enough to rival the twinkling lights above. But there was another figure next to them-a girl in the blue lehenga.

I smirked to myself, knowing I had to say hello before the crowd swept her away. I maneuvered my way through the bustling attendees, positioning my camera at just the right angle as I approached the stage. "Sir!" I called out, grinning wide as Jimin turned his attention to me.

"Jungkook! You made it!" he exclaimed, his face lighting up in recognition. There was a glimmer of relief in his eyes, perhaps realizing that his old friend hadn't missed such a pivotal moment in his life.

"Of course, I had to! It's my boy's wedding!" I responded, my chest swelling at my effort to be here. It felt surreal witnessing this important day unfold.

He rolled his eyes playfully, feigning exasperation. "Don't remind me. I'm still older, you know."

I couldn't help but retort, "Aye, but I'm still taller!" It felt good to banter like old times, to momentarily forget the adult responsibilities waiting back home.

"Congratulations, Ruchi," I said, turning to the beautiful bride-to-be. "You're lucky to have Jimin; he's a great catch."

"Thank you, Jungkook! But don't sell yourself short; you're a catch too!" she responded with a radiant smile that eased my embarrassment.

As I basked in the warm exchange, I caught a glimpse of the blue lehenga girl. She was watching us closely, curiosity evident in her eyes. Ruchi sensed the moment and, with characteristic enthusiasm, introduced me. "This is Ishika! She's a friend of mine."

Ishika turned her gaze towards me with an inquisitive look, and I felt my heart flutter inexplicably. Ruchi continued, "Jungkook, this is Ishika. She's half Indian and half Korean."

So that's why she looked so uniquely captivating, a rare blend of two cultures. With her porcelain skin set against the rich blue of her lehenga, and dark, cascading hair, she possessed an ethereal beauty that felt surreal.

Ruchi beamed with pride as she shared more about Ishika, "She's got an impressive background, too! I mean, she's doing-" She suddenly turns towards Ishika, "Ishika! You know he's the future CEO of the Jeon empire in South Korea," she said proudly, her voice dripping with enthusiasm as she made me sound like a celebrity.

"Nice to meet you," I said, extending my hand towards Ishika, a tinge of embarrassment creeping onto my cheeks.

Ruchi continued unabated, "Jungkook's company is making waves in tech! Did you know he was awarded the Innovation Leader of the Year last time?"

I attempted to interject, shaking my head, "Ruchi, that's a bit too much, really-"

But she was on a roll, oblivious to my discomfort. The attention turned toward me, leaving me with red ears and a grin that felt forced.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of blushing under Ruchi's spotlight, she was interrupted by someone calling her name. "Oh! Excuse me for a moment," she said, bustling off to greet a group of family members.

And suddenly, I found myself alone with Ishika, standing in the corner of the stage. The cacophony around us faded into a backdrop, and it became just the two of us and the vibrant atmosphere.

As I stood there, nursing a drink that had long since lost its chill, I found myself in an unexpected corner with Ishika - a part of Ruchi's close entourage, known for her sharp wit and sharper gaze.

Ishika crossed her arms, giving me a look that could either bake a cake or boil it over. "You didn't really do it, did you?" Her tone was mock-serious, but a spark of amusement glinted in her eyes.

"Hey, I tried to delete those pictures," I began, my voice slightly nervous, "but they just wouldn't leave my memory."

A glimmer of disbelief flickered on her face, then morphed into that all-too-familiar glare reserved for mischief-makers like me. If I had started a playful fire, she was ready with a bucket of ice. "Just how many did you save? Because if there's even one, I swear I'll-I'll make you regret it!"

"Oh please, it's a masterpiece!" I retorted, my smirk breaking through the tension.

Ishika shook her head, trying to maintain some decorum, but the corners of her mouth were already betraying her. "An antique vase that your clumsiness ruined! Gosh, I'll never live it down. Just delete them already!"

I leaned against the wall, my glass temporarily forgotten in my hand. "Denying such a value event would be a crime, Ishika! Think about the future generations who will relish the hilarity of it all!"

"Oh, I am so not arguing with you about this." She rolled her eyes, a gesture that told me she was already weighing the merits of escalating the banter. "No means no. Just delete the pictures."

"Everything comes at a price, my dear," I declared dramatically, throwing my arms wide in bestowing a rather pompous gesture of a proposal. "What do you say to a coffee with me? Could be an interesting trade."

Her brow arched challengingly, a sardonic smile beginning to spread. "Right. Coffee. I don't drink coffee."

I was taken aback for half a second before swiftly recovering. "Okay, then tea!"

"Doesn't drink that either."

"A glass of water?" I ventured next, already entertained at the mental image of her elaborately turning down an innocent glass of H2O.

She opened her mouth smartly to dismiss the suggestion, but before she could unleash her reply, Ruchi flitted back toward us, a delicate glint of gold threading through the strappy accoutrements of her engagement ring. She was radiant, all energy and excitement, but her demeanor shifted as soon as her gaze darted between us.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Ruchi interjected, hands on her hips. "What's happening here? I go away for five minutes, and you two look like you're plotting something diabolical!"

"Just a little banter," I replied innocuously.

"Banter, right." Ruchi pointed a finger, her expression playful but firm. "Ishika, do I need to remind you?"

She looks towards me, "She's off-limits!"

"Off-limits?!" I piped up, mock-indignant, swinging the banter back towards Ruchi. "I'm merely having a civil conversation with your dear friend, and suddenly I'm on the bad list? This is discrimination at its best!"

Ishika flashed a conspiratorial grin, "Oh, do you mean to suggest there's an actual list? And I'm not on the list right, Ruchi?"

"See?" Ruchi said, turning to Ishika with a theatrically exasperated sigh. "Now you're encouraging him! You know what, good friends don't let friends flirt with bad decisions!"

I pressed my hand dramatically against my forehead, pretending I was pained. "I can't believe you think I'm bad for her. I'm practically a saint! Just look at me!"

"Shut up! She's off limits!" Ruchi retorted.

"But why? I'm curious!"

"She's already engaged."

*****
Short update. Next one will be long.

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