THE IInd DECISION

🌸Sangeet🌸

Ashi Pov:-

I slipped into a beautiful pastel outfit, the soft hues perfectly complementing the elegance of the day. My makeup artist and hairstylist worked diligently, each touch adding to the radiance they envisioned for me. As they fussed over every detail, Ruhi, was getting ready on the other side of the room, her energy a mix of excitement and calm.

Finally, it was time to put on the blouse, and as soon as I fastened it, I felt a slight constriction around my ribs. It was tight, almost suffocating. "This feels a bit snug," I mentioned to my stylist, hoping she would notice the discomfort. But she merely waved off my concern with a practiced smile. "It's fine, dear. You're just nervous. It fits perfectly," she said, dismissing my unease as if it were nothing more than pre-ceremony jitters.

I tried to shake off the feeling, but as Ruhi and I settled into the car, I couldn't help but bring it up again. "Ruhi, this blouse... it's really tight. I'm starting to feel a bit uncomfortable." Ruhi's face instantly mirrored my concern. "You should have told me earlier!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with regret. "I could have had it altered. But now... it's too late to do anything." Her words hung in the air, a reminder that there was no turning back now. I sighed, resigned to the discomfort, and we continued our journey to the engagement venue.

As we arrived, my eyes were drawn to the stunning décor. The banquet hall was a dream, awash in soft pastel colors, with flowers, lights, and a refreshing aroma that filled the air. It was everything I had imagined, yet my mind couldn't fully appreciate it. Something else had caught my attention-Piyush and Riya were huddled together, whispering intensely. They looked suspicious, almost as if they were plotting something. I mentioned it to Ruhi, but she only gave me a knowing smile, trying to brush off my concerns. Still, her smile didn't reach her eyes, and that made me even more uneasy.

I pushed the thoughts aside and went to greet Mrs. Adviti, who welcomed me warmly and guided me towards the podium. There, I saw Ayan seated, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. He looked... different, like he was seeing me for the first time. My heart fluttered, though I quickly reminded myself that this was nothing more than a formality.

The room began to fill, and soon, Mrs. Adviti took the microphone, her voice commanding attention as she announced the beginning of the engagement ceremony. A wave of nervousness washed over me. It was strange-Ayan and I had barely spoken since our first meeting, and now, here we were, about to exchange rings in front of everyone. I could feel the weight of the expectations on my shoulders.

With trembling hands, I pulled out the ring and slid it onto Ayan's finger. As he reached for my hand to place the ring on mine, doubt crept into my mind, gnawing at my resolve. Was I making the right choice? Was this truly what I wanted? But then I forced myself to remember why I was here. This was for my career, for the future I had envisioned. And Ayan was the best candidate-reliable and everything I needed to secure my path. I took a deep breath, allowed the ring to slide onto my finger, and the room erupted in applause, the sound echoing around me like distant thunder.

Just as I was beginning to catch my breath, Riya and Piyush suddenly appeared on stage, their faces alight with mischief. "Let's start the Sangeet ceremony!" Riya announced, her voice brimming with excitement. I blinked, caught off guard. "Sangeet?" I thought. "When did they plan a dance?" I hadn't been informed of this, and a sense of unease settled in my stomach.

Ruhi was the first to perform, her dance mesmerizing, as always. Then Rudra and Piyush took the stage, their moves in perfect harmony. But the real surprise came when my mother stepped forward. She danced to "Chanda Mere Chanda," a song that had been a lullaby in my childhood. The memories flooded back, and I couldn't stop the tears from welling up. I looked down, trying to compose myself, when I noticed Ayan holding out a handkerchief. His gesture was so unexpected, so gentle, that it made my heart skip a beat. I took the handkerchief, wiped my tears, and handed it back to him, feeling a strange connection that hadn't been there before.

The evening continued with more surprises. Mrs. Adviti and Ruhi performed a special dance, one that seemed to be choreographed just for Ayan and me. It was beautiful, and for a moment, I allowed myself to be swept up in the magic of it all. Then, as we all gathered on stage, Riya took our hands and led us to the podium, with Ruhi following close behind.

As we walked, I suddenly felt a sharp tug at my arm, followed by the unmistakable sound of fabric tearing. My heart sank as I realized what had happened-a stitch in my blouse had given way. Panic surged through me, and my face must have turned as pale as a ghost. But before I could react, I felt a firm, reassuring hand on my shoulder. I turned, and there was Ayan, his expression calm and composed. Without a word, he led me aside, away from the prying eyes of the crowd.

I was stunned. We were supposed to maintain our distance, to keep our interactions minimal, yet here he was, taking charge in a way that completely threw me off guard. He made a quick call, his voice low and authoritative. Within minutes, a man in a suit arrived, carrying a new outfit. He handed it to me with a polite nod, and I stood there, still processing what was happening.

"Get changed quickly," Ayan said, his tone leaving no room for argument. I nodded, still in a daze, and hurried to a private room to change. The new dress fit perfectly, as if it had been made for me. As I looked in the mirror, I couldn't help but wonder why Ayan had gone to such lengths to ensure I was comfortable.

When I stepped out, Ayan was waiting, leaning casually against the wall with his phone in hand. He glanced up as I approached, and that's when I noticed-the dress was the exact same color as his suit. It was a detail that sent a flurry of butterflies through my stomach. He gestured towards the entrance, and we walked back into the hall together.

As soon as we entered, the room fell silent, all eyes turning towards us. Riya, never one to miss an opportunity, called out, "What, you two can't even wait for tomorrow?" Her comment hung in the air, and the room erupted in laughter. It took me a moment to realize what she meant, and when I did, my face turned crimson with embarrassment. I glanced at Ayan, who was already looking at me with a faint smile, and that only made my cheeks burn hotter.

The event continued, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between us. Ayan's unexpected kindness, the matching outfits, the way he had looked at me-it all felt like the beginning of something new, something I hadn't anticipated and something I feared.

--Ashi Sangeet outfit

Ayan Sangeet Dress

Ashi dress after changing

Engagement Decoration

*---------------------*----------------------------*------------------------------