Starlite Affair

1. A New Kind of Chaos

VIAAN'S POV:

Finally, home. After a draining week, nothing compares to the solace of familiar walls and the warmth of family. Yet, these days, even home feels slightly different-emptier, quieter. Ever since Maa passed away, our house has felt like a half-written story. Dad, consumed by grief, drowned himself in work to escape the void. His absence was loud, and it left an ache. But then there was Dadi-our savior. She held us together like glue, making sure our family didn't crumble into pieces.

Thinking about my siblings always brings a smile, though. My elder brother, Kushal Bhai, has been more than a brother-he's been a father figure. It's odd, but true. When Mom left, he stepped up. His calming presence, firm guidance, and never-failing support have been a lifeline. Bhai is in the US now, managing the family business there.

My younger sister, Avika, is another story entirely. The mischievous prankster of our family, she's an endless bundle of energy and chaos. She's always finding new ways to get herself into trouble, and guess who has to rescue her every single time? Me, of course. But that's the thing about Kaira-underneath all the mischief is a heart of gold. She's a budding fashion designer now, thankfully channeling her creativity into her work instead of more pranks.

When I reached home tonight, the eerie silence caught me off guard. It's strange when you live in a house that's rarely quiet. "Where is everyone?" I muttered to myself before calling Avika. But instead of answering, she let my call ring out-a rare occurrence. Moments later, her call came through.
Just as I was about to answer,

my phone died.

Typical

A few minutes later, one of the maids informed me that everyone was at Bua's place for a family get-together. I sighed, grabbed a quick dinner, and decided to unwind with my comfort show: Friends. Nothing beats Chandler's sarcasm after a long day. Three episodes in, the house's signature chaos returned-complete with loud footsteps and chatter.

"Avika," I called out as I heard her unmistakable voice. She burst into the room like a whirlwind, clearly excited about something. "What's with the energy? Did Bua stuff you with sweets or something?"

She plopped onto the couch beside me and grinned mischievously. "Forget sweets, Bhaiya. I have a tea! You are going to be real astonished after this like..for real!!!!!!"

"SPILL"

Avika leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Ishaan Bhaiya's wedding. It's happening. Three months from now."

I blinked, utterly stunned. "Ishaan? Our Ishaan? The cold-hearted, stoic Ishaan?"

She laughed, delighted by my reaction. "The same. And here's the real tea-he's completely, totally, head-over-heels in love. Like, love-sick-puppy levels of whipped!"

I stared at her, trying to process the impossible image of Ishaan as a romantic. "This has to be a joke."

"I swear, it's not! You should've seen him when he spoke to me today. The way he talks about Aadhya-it's like he's been enchanted or something. She's absolutely stunning, by the way. And guess what? She's the reason Ishaan isn't the brooding, intimidating guy he used to be. She's melted him into a complete softie!"

The disbelief must have been evident on my face because Avika laughed even harder. "I'm serious, Bhaiya! Aadhya's ruined his whole 'stoic and mysterious' persona. Now he's just... happy."

"I need to meet this Aadhya," I muttered, shaking my head.

"Oh, you will," Avika teased. "The wedding is in three months, after all. And you better prepare yourself because Ishaan has big plans for it. He's going all out."

She continued to ramble about the wedding details-the venue, the outfits, the guest list-until I interrupted her. "Hold on, Avika. Are you saying Ishaan Bhaiya is actually planning the wedding himself?"

"Yep. He wants it to be perfect for Aadhya. He's even involved in the décor choices!"

Now I was genuinely flabbergasted. The Ishaan I knew barely cared about birthdays, let alone décor. This wedding was turning out to be more interesting than I'd anticipated.

Avika's excitement was contagious, and despite my initial skepticism, I found myself looking forward to meeting this woman who had turned Ishaan's world upside down. Aadhya sounded extraordinary-someone capable of transforming the toughest man in our family into a lovesick romantic.

As the night wore on, Avika and I found ourselves laughing over snacks and another episode of Friends. It was one of those rare moments where the weight of the past didn't feel as heavy. Eventually, exhaustion caught up with me, and I headed to bed, my thoughts still circling around Ishaan and Aadhya.

As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, Avika's words replayed in my head. Ishaan Bhaiya and Aadhya. Married. The idea felt surreal, but at the same time, it stirred something warm in me. For years, Ishaan had been the definition of unapproachable-a man with walls so high you couldn't even glimpse what lay behind them. And now, here he was, tearing those walls down for someone he loved.

My thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door. "Come in," I said, propping myself up on my elbows.

Dadi peeked in, her warm, wrinkled face lighting up when she saw me. "Kiaansh beta, you're awake? I thought you'd be fast asleep by now."

"Couldn't sleep, Dadi. Avika's news got me thinking."

She smiled knowingly and came to sit by the edge of my bed. "Ishaan's wedding?"

I nodded. "Did you ever think we'd see this day? I mean, Ishaan Bhaiya... love? It's hard to wrap my head around."

Dadi chuckled softly, her hands resting on mine. "Love has a way of finding even the most guarded hearts, beta. Ishaan may have seemed tough on the outside, but deep down, he was always searching for someone who could understand him. Aadhya is that person. You'll see when you meet her-she's a kind soul, and she's brought out the best in him."

I could see the pride in Dadi's eyes, and it made me smile. "Avika said he's completely smitten."

"Oh, he is!" Dadi laughed, her voice light with amusement. "When he talks about her, it's like watching a different man. And that's a good thing. Ishaan has spent so many years being serious, carrying the weight of his responsibilities. It's about time he allowed himself to be happy."

Her words lingered with me as she kissed my forehead and left me to rest. Happiness. That's what this wedding symbolized-not just for Ishaan, but for all of us. It was a reminder that even in the darkest times, joy could find its way back into our lives.

As Dadi left, her words stayed with me, wrapping me in a warmth I hadn't felt in a long time. Ishaan's wedding wasn't just a big family event-it was a symbol of how far we'd come. Losing Maa had left a void we thought could never be filled. But here we were, planning a celebration that would bring not just joy, but also hope.

Before I knew it, my eyelids began to grow heavy. But just as sleep started pulling me in, the faint hum of laughter from the living room reached my ears. Avika, of course. Her voice carried a contagious energy, even through closed doors.

For a moment, I considered joining her, but exhaustion won out. "Tomorrow," I told myself, rolling over. Tomorrow would bring the same routine-meetings, calls, and the growing chaos of wedding preparations. A comforting rhythm, even if it was chaotic.

Yet, tonight felt different. There was a lightness in the air, a sense of anticipation. The wedding wasn't just three months away; it felt like the start of something bigger-a reminder that life could still surprise us, still give us reasons to smile.

I closed my eyes, a small smile on my face. Tomorrow would be here soon enough, with its own share of surprises. For now, I let the quiet comfort of the moment lull me to sleep, knowing that even in the midst of life's messiness, there was still so much to look forward to.

That's it for the first chapter..I hope u enjoyed reading it..