Falling Into Oblivion

Chapter 20: Yellow marigolds

Banhi looked stunning in the radiant yellow saree Danish had given her, the fabric catching the sunlight and highlighting her graceful movements. It was one of many gifts he'd managed to buy for her—gifts she had carefully hidden from her nani and father, tucking them away in the corners of her room like little secrets. Despite her best efforts to stay in the festive spirit, an unsettling weight pressed on her every time she caught Danish's intense gaze. He hadn't left her side all morning, his presence looming like an unwelcome shadow over her attempts to lose herself in the day's celebrations.

She had also noticed Dhriti and Ranveer sneaking playful glances at each other during the chaotic haldi festivities. At one point, Dhriti had smeared turmeric all over Ranveer's face, prompting a chase that left them both laughing and breathless. Banhi couldn't help but smile at their antics, though the unease in her chest never quite faded.

As the festivities settled down for a brief moment, Dhriti grabbed Banhi's hand.

The two climbed the stairs to their home, leaving behind the turmeric-stained courtyard, where most people were now desperate for a shower. Anala waved her towel dramatically as she headed out. "I'm going home to shower. This haldi has made everything sticky!"

Meeta chimed in as she gathered her things. "Same here! I'm the bride, after all. I need my beauty shower!" she teased, her grin infectious.

Back at Banhi's house, the competition for the bathroom began in earnest. Dhriti smirked as she grabbed her clothes. "You can shower later. I'm going first!" she declared, darting toward the bathroom.

"Dhriti, don't you dare!" Banhi shouted, narrowing her eyes and chasing after her.

But Dhriti was quicker, slamming the door with a triumphant laugh. "Oops! Sorry, Banhi!"

Banhi groaned, stomping her foot in frustration. "Dhriti! Just wait till you come out—I'll get you for this!"

To make matters worse, the second bathroom in the house was occupied by an auntie who seemed determined to turn her shower into an extended spa day. Banhi muttered under her breath, her patience wearing thin. "Great. Now I'll have to use Meeta's bathroom."

Grabbing her towel, she headed to Meeta's house, grumbling, "One day, I'm going to get revenge on all of them."

When she arrived at Meeta's bathroom, she found the door unlocked and hesitated for a moment. Stepping inside, she turned on the shower, only to be greeted by an icy blast of water. The freezing spray hit her like a slap, and she yelped, stumbling back. Her foot slipped on the wet tiles, and she flailed her arms, narrowly avoiding a full-on fall.

"OH, COME ON!" she shouted at the ceiling, glaring at the shower as if it had betrayed her.

Feeling utterly defeated, Banhi wrapped herself in her towel and stepped outside, her mood marginally better after Meeta's brother mentioned that Anala might have already finished showering. Adjusting her towel, she made her way back toward her house, muttering, "I can't believe this day. Revenge is definitely happening."

As she rounded a corner, a strong hand suddenly clamped over her mouth, and another grabbed her arm, yanking her backward. Banhi's muffled gasp turned into frantic struggles as she twisted against the grip, her heart hammering in terror. She barely managed to catch a glimpse of her captor before dread settled in her chest—it was Danish.

His expression was unreadable, his jaw set tight and his eyes cold with a determination that sent shivers down her spine.

Banhi's pulse raced as panic consumed her. She struggled harder, desperate to break free, but Danish's grip was unrelenting.