~ 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 || 𝟏𝟖+ [ On Hold ]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟔

Next Morning Continued

Hearing Ahaan laugh, Mahi turned toward him and, with a steady stare, asked, "Why are you laughing?"

Laughing even harder, he replied, "Are you wearing the saree or wrapping it up like a gift?"

Mahi paused, ready to retort with her usual sass, but remembering Aanchal ji's advice, she softened her tone and said, "Ahaan…"

It was the first time Mahi had addressed him by his name, and Ahaan felt his heart skip a beat. Her voice was unexpectedly tender, and it stirred something within him.

Ahaan raised an eyebrow, suspecting she was up to something. "What do you want?" he asked, amusement in his tone.

With a playful smile, Mahi started moving slowly toward Ahaan. But just as she took a step, her foot got tangled in the saree, and she tripped. Ahaan quickly caught her, his strong arms wrapped securely around her waist, while her hand landed on his chest. Their eyes met, and the world seemed to fade away as they were drawn into each other’s gaze.

Ahaan leaned in, his eyes locked on Mahi’s as he moved closer, inch by inch. Mahi’s heart raced as she closed her eyes, expecting a kiss. But just as Ahaan’s lips were about to touch hers, her phone rang, jolting them both out of the moment.

Flustered, they separated, creating an awkward silence between them. Mahi, avoiding Ahaan’s gaze, went to check her phone. Her father's name flashed on the screen. She quickly declined the call and put the phone on silent.

Turning back, Mahi looked at Ahaan and asked, "So, do you actually know how to drape a saree?"

Ahaan thought for a moment, then shrugged. "Yes, I do."

Mahi hesitated, then requested, "Could you help me with it, please?"

Ahaan couldn’t refuse, so he nodded. Mahi untangled the saree and handed one end to him.

"You handle this part," he instructed, as Mahi tucked the fabric into her petticoat. With careful guidance, Ahaan wrapped the saree around her, their fingers occasionally brushing as he helped her arrange the pleats. Each time his hand touched her waist, Mahi felt her skin tingle, her pulse quickening with each accidental graze.

Once they were done, Ahaan stepped back and took in her appearance. "There, all set," he said, but his voice faded as he found himself mesmerized by Mahi's beauty.

Mahi walked over to the dressing table, where she carefully applied kajal to her eyes and dabbed a soft baby-pink lipstick on her lips. She completed her look by adorning herself with the jewelry Aanchal ji had given her.

Turning back to Ahaan, she found him watching her, captivated. Snapping her fingers in front of his face, she teased, "Where are you lost, Mr.?"

If only he could say, "In your beauty," Ahaan thought, but he merely replied, "Nowhere."

Mahi, genuinely curious, asked, "By the way, how do you know how to drape a saree?"

Fixing his hair, Ahaan explained, "Well, when you went to the bathroom, you left your phone on, and I noticed a video playing on how to wear a saree. I watched it twice and picked it up."

Mahi smiled, impressed. "Wow. What I couldn’t manage as a girl, you learned in minutes as a guy. Impressive."

Hearing her tease, Ahaan rolled his eyes and thought, "This girl doesn’t know how to say thank you; instead, she starts teasing me."

But before he could say anything, Mahi said with a smile, "By the way, thank you."

Relieved, Ahaan thought, "Maybe she’s not so bad after all." Grinning, he replied, "You’re welcome!"

Mahi adjusted her saree once more, then said, "Alright, let’s go downstairs."

Ahaan nodded, and together they made their way down. When Aanchal ji saw Mahi, she warded off the evil eye, saying, "May no one’s gaze fall on my beautiful daughter."

Everyone smiled, touched by her affectionate gesture. Mahi touched Aanchal ji’s feet, and Ahaan followed, bowing to his mother. She blessed them both with a radiant smile.

Turning to Mahi, Aanchal ji said, "Beta, please make something sweet today. This is your first day in the house. The chef will prepare the rest of the food."

Mahi’s face instantly betrayed her anxiety. She’d never cooked a full meal before—her culinary knowledge didn’t stretch far beyond tea, which she had barely learned as a child.

Stay tuned to see what happens next!