It was late afternoon, and the engagement venue shimmered under the golden hue of fairy lights. Te scent of marigolds and mogra wafted through the air, blending with the occasional giggle and the clatter of crockery. The mandap was still being decorated for the formal ring hange, while the courtyard was a ing pot of distant cousins, nosy aunties, teasing uncles, and children too hyper for their own good.
"Koi mujhe yeh bata do, rasgulla kisne chhupa liya?"
Meenu bua's voice rang through the hallway like a melodramatic climax.
"Humein kya pata, bua! Aapke rasgulle koi bhooton ne nahi le liye honge!" one of the teenage boys shouted back, earning a chorus of laughter.
("How would we know, bua? Maybe ghosts took your rasgullas!")
Sanvi rolled her eyes as she passed by the food section, holding two glasses of juice - one for herself, and one for Mehak, who was in no mood to socialize and had retreated to the back garden with her diary. Sanvi paused when she heard a familiar chuckle behind her.
"Tumahare yahan engagements mein mithai chupai jati hai kya?*
("Do people hide sweets at engagements in your side?")
It was Vedarth, casually leaning against a pillar, dressed in a navy-blue kurta and beige churidar, looking infuriatingly amused.
Sanvi gave him a look. "Tum yeh batane aaye ho ya rasgulle dhoondhne?"
("Did you come here to tell me that or help find the rasgullas?")
"Dono," he grinned. "Main multitasking karta hoon."
Just then, one of the aunties called out to Sanvi from across the room, "Beta, Mehak kahan hai? Unse Raghav milne aaya hai, Vedarth ke chhote bhai."
Sanvi blinked. "Raghav?" she asked, looking back at Vedarth, who nodded with a small shrug.
"Mehak garden mein hogi, diary le ke. Uska mood thoda-"
("She's probably in the garden with her diary. Her mood's a bit-")
But before Sanvi could finish, Raghav had already followed the direction of her half-pointed hand and headed off.
Vedarth tilted his head. "Lagta hai Mehak ko bhi aaj koi naye kisse milne wale hain."
("Looks like Mehak's about to have an interesting story today too.")
Sanvi narrowed her eyes. "Tum sab bhaiyon ka sense of timing itna perfect kyun hota hai?"
("Why do all of you brothers have such perfect timing?")
Vedarth gave a slow, smug smile. "Genetics."
In the Garden....
Raghav stepped into the slightly quieter garden space, hands in pockets, his formal shirt sleeves folded back to his elbows. He found Mehak seated on a stone bench under the bougainvillea, scribbling something fiercely into her diary.
He paused a few feet away. "Tumhi Mehak ho na?"
She looked up sharply, her brows furrowing. "Tum?"
"I'm Vedarth ka chhota bhai," he said with an easy grin. "Mujhe kaha gaya tha ki main Mehak se miloon. Toh lo, milne aa gaya."
("I'm Vedarth's younger brother. I was told to meet Mehak. So here I am.")
Mehak arched a brow, unimpressed. "Tumhe lagta hai yeh koi filmy entry thi?"
(Do you think it's sort of a filmy entry?)
Raghav laughed. "Thodi to thi. Tumne effect spoil kar diya."
(It was kinda... But you spoiled the effect.)
Before she could retort, he bent a little forward, peering at her diary. "Tum likhti ho?"
(Do you write?)
"Haan, logon se bachne ke liye," she replied flatly.
("Yes. To avoid people.")
Raghav grinned. "Tumhare jaison se mil ke mazaa aata hai mujhe. Challenge lagta hai."
("I enjoy meeting people like you. It feels like a challenge.")
She gave him a sharp look, but a small smile tugged at her lips despite herself.
Back at the Hall....
The noise swelled again as Rishabh and Anjana were called to the stage for their ring exchange. Everyone clapped as Anjana walked in, dressed in a soft pink lehenga with delicate embroidery, matching Rishabh's rose-colored kurta.
Vedarth stood beside the stage, watching his brother with pride. Sanvi joined him
"Yeh dono ache lag rahe hain saath," she said softly.
("They look good together.")
"Hmm," Vedarth agreed. "Rishabh ko dekh kar lagta hai jaise woh har cheesy shaadi line seriously le raha ho."
("Looking at Rishabh, it feels like he's taking every cheesy wedding line seriously.")
"Woh toh hai," Sanvi giggled. "Par usme hi toh charm hai."
A round of teasing started as Rishabh held out the ring with exaggerated drama. "Anjana, yeh anguthi nahi, mera dil hai."
("Anjana, this isn't just a ring - it's my heart.")
Someone from the crowd yelled, "Arey wah! Filmy Rishabh!"
Even Anjana giggled as she put the ring on his finger. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the loud room faded into a soft glow of intimacy.
The crowd burst into claps and cheers.
"Sanvi," Vedarth called softly.
She looked up from the low table where she was sorting boxes. A few strands of hair had fallen from her bun; her bangles jingled lightly with every movement.
He walked closer, his hand casually hidden behind his back.
"Tum kuch bhool gayi thi."
("You forgot something.")
She tilted her head. "Main? Kya?"
("Me? What?")
He slowly brought his hand forward, revealing a silver anklet with small ghunghroos. It caught the light-twinkling, delicate, unmistakably hers.
"Meri payal!" she gasped, eyes wide. "Yeh tumhare paas kaise aayi?"
("My anklet! How did it end up with you?")
Vedarth smiled, eyes resting on her surprised expression. "Mujhe ussi jagah mila jahan tum kal raat jaldbazi mein venue se chali gyi. "
("I found it at the same place last night when you were hastily exited the venue.")
She chuckled, slightly embarrassed. "Toh tumne sambhal ke rakha?"
("So you kept it safe?")
"Haan," he said, then paused, voice dropping just a notch. "Sambhalne laayak cheez thi."
("Yes. It was something worth keeping safe.")
Her eyes flickered to his-confused for a moment. The air shifted.
"Tumhe kaise pata yeh meri payal hai?" She asked.
(How do you know that this anklet is mine?)
"Voh darasal Mehak ne mere haathon mein dekh liya tha." He replied.
(Actually Mehak saw the anklet in my hand.)
"Phir usine kaha ki yeh payal toh tumhari hai." He added.
(Then she herself told me that this anklet belongs to you)
"Usne kuch pucha nai tumhe?" She asked.
(Didn't she ask you anything?)
"Pucha tha... Maine bata diya ki kaise yeh payal mujhe mili." He replied and she hummed.
(She did... I explained how i found this anklet.)
He stepped just a bit closer, and held the anklet out.
"Chaho toh... main pehna doon?"
("If you want... I could help you wear it?")
The ghunghroos in his hand trembled slightly with the air between them.
Sanvi blinked, stunned. "Tum..." Her voice faltered.
He grinned. "Don't worry, doctor hoon. Precision mera kaam hai."
("Don't worry, I'm a doctor. Precision is my thing.")
A tiny laugh escaped her. She tucked her pallu around her shoulder nervously. "Tumhe pata hai na... tum flirt kar rahe ho?"
("You know... you're flirting, right?")
"Bas halka sa," he said with a wink. "Therapeutic dose."
("Just a little. Therapeutic dose.")
She shook her head but lifted her foot a little, hesitating.
His gaze softened. He knelt down, delicately held her ankle, and clasped the anklet on. The ghunghroos jingled softly-like a secret promise.
He didn't linger. Just stood back up, smiling.
"Ho gaya."
("Done.")
She cleared her throat, avoiding his eyes. "Thank you..."
Vedarth leaned closer, voice teasing, "Mujhe toh laga tum phir se daantogi."
("I thought you'd scold me again.")
Sanvi looked up at him, eyes glinting. "Waqt ke saath symptoms change ho jaate hain, Doctor Vedarth."
("Symptoms change with time, Dr. Vedarth.")
He grinned, turning to leave. "Agar aur kuch girana ho, mujhe batana. Lost & found service free hai."
("If you lose anything else, let me know. Lost & found service is free.")
"Sirf tumhare liye." He added while her cheeks flushed with redness.
(Only for you.)
*****************************
Kabhi kabhi, chhoti si payal bhi kismat ka signal hoti hai. Ek ghunghroo ki halki si aawaaz-aur dil ki dhadkan thoda tez chalne lagti hai. Sanvi ne toh us pal mein sirf ek payal wapas paayi thi, lekin Vedarth... usne ek raasta dekh liya tha-ek naya silsila jo shayad shuru hone ko tha.
(Sometimes, even a tiny anklet is a sign from fate. The faint chime of a ghunghroo-and the heartbeat starts to race. In that moment, Sanvi had merely reclaimed an anklet. But Vedarth... he had glimpsed a path-a new journey, perhaps about to begin.)
Abhi toh silsile shuru hue hain, rishton ki mithaas aur nazar ke khel baaki hain...
(The story has only just begun; the sweetness of bonds and the play of glances are yet to unfold...)
Until next time—
with love,
-The Author. ❤️✨
Write a comment ...