Selfish For You

38

The courtyard buzzed with the lively sounds of family and friends, all drenched in shades of yellow and laughter. The Haldi ceremony was in full swing, with Mehak at the center, her cheeks glowing with turmeric as relatives surrounded her, singing and teasing.

Kritika, her yellow sharara, sat on the fringes of the gathering, quietly soaking in the joy. She smiled as she watched the bride laugh uncontrollably while her cousins splashed her with Haldi. The scent of fresh turmeric and marigold filled the air, and a warm breeze carried with it the excitement of a wedding in full bloom.

Yuvraj, standing just a few feet away, leaned casually against a pillar, his sharp eyes never leaving Kritika. Dressed in a white kurta that contrasted with his dusky skin, he looked every bit the heartthrob he was known to be. His gaze softened as he saw Kritika laugh, her shy nature melting in the warmth of the moment.

Unable to resist, he moved toward her, a slow, confident stride that made Kritika glance up, her heart beating just a little faster. She knew that look,the playful spark in his eyes that always made her both excited and nervous.

Yuvraj scooped a generous amount of Haldi from a nearby bowl and grinned wickedly. "Jaan" he called, his voice smooth yet teasing, "you look too clean for a Haldi ceremony. Shouldn’t you be wearing more yellow?"

Kritika's eyes widened, realizing his intent. "Yuvi, don’t even think about it!" she protested, backing away slightly, but she knew it was of no use. He had already made his mind

With a quick step, Yuvraj was beside her, and before she could react, he gently smeared the turmeric across her cheek. His fingers lingered on her skin, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to stop. The chatter and laughter around them faded into a dull hum, leaving just the two of them, standing close, their breaths mingling in the warmth of the afternoon.

Kritika’s heart fluttered, and her cheeks, already tinged yellow with Haldi, flushed a deeper red beneath the surface. "Yuvraj" she said, her voice barely above a whisper, trying to mask the flustered feelings rising in her chest.

He smirked, his thumb still softly caressing her cheek where the turmeric lay. "What?" he asked, his voice low and teasing. "I’m just following tradition. Haldi is supposed to be spread with love, right?"

She swallowed hard, trying to ignore the electricity between them, but it was impossible. Yuvraj had always been able to stir something deep within her with his bold, intense energy. "This isn’t tradition," she muttered, trying to sound annoyed, but her voice wavered, betraying her.

Yuvraj leaned in slightly, his breath warm against her ear. "Oh, but it is. I think it’s a beautiful tradition,getting close to someone, touching them, feeling their heartbeat…" His words sent a shiver down her spine, and her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it " don't you think so?"

She looked up into his eyes, and for a moment, everything else fell away,the noise, the people, even her own shyness. It was just Yuvraj, his mischievous smile fading into something softer, something more vulnerable. "You have Haldi on you too now," Kritika said softly, trying to regain control, but her voice was full of affection.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Oh really?" He tilted his head playfully. "Maybe you should clean it off."

Kritika blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the challenge in his tone. She took a deep breath, surprising even herself as she raised her hand, hesitating for only a moment before her fingers gently brushed against his cheek, wiping away some of the Haldi. Yuvraj’s eyes never left hers, and the closeness between them seemed to grow with each passing second.

Their fingers brushed as she finished wiping his face, and the soft contact sent a jolt of warmth through her. Kritika, usually so reserved, found herself lingering, lost in the moment.