"From Rivals to Forever: A Journey of Love"

Chapter 15

Aditi's Perspective

Sunday morning was always a whirlwind of activity, but today was different. It was the day of the hawan puja at our house, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and anticipation. I had been up since 4 AM, helping Mami prepare for the day. The hawan was important, not just as a religious ritual but as a family gathering that brought everyone together.

After making the kheer with Mami and adding the final touches, I found myself kneeling by the hawan kund, arranging the samagri on a small silver plate. I was trying to focus, but my mind kept wandering, especially knowing that Kabir would be here soon. There was something about his presence that made me feel both excited and nervous, though I tried not to show it.

As the ceremony began, I became aware of Kabir's gaze on me. Even though I didn't look up, I could feel his eyes on me, and it made my heart race. I tried to stay focused on the mantras, but every time I caught a glimpse of him, my concentration wavered.

When Arjun slipped and almost fell into the hawan kund, my heart nearly stopped. Instinctively, I reached out and caught him, pulling him onto my lap just in time. The collective gasp from everyone made my cheeks flush, but I was just relieved that he was safe. His little giggle as he kissed my cheek made me smile, and I couldn't help but kiss him back, feeling a surge of affection for the little troublemaker.

But as I looked up, I noticed Kabir watching us with an expression I couldn't quite place. Was it... jealousy? The thought made my heart flutter, and I quickly looked away, focusing on the flames before me.

As the hawan continued, I became more conscious of Kabir's presence. Every time our eyes met, it was like a spark of electricity passed between us, and I couldn't help but wonder if he felt it too. Raghav's teasing, however, was impossible to ignore, and every time he whispered something to Kabir, I could see Kabir trying to suppress a smile or a blush.

After the ceremony ended and the prasad was served, I found myself surrounded by family, busy serving kheer with Anaya. She was so proud of her contribution to the dish, and her innocent boasts about adding almonds made everyone laugh. The warmth and love in the room made me feel content, but every now and then, my thoughts drifted back to Kabir. The way he interacted with Arjun, the way he smiled at my little sister—everything about him made me feel something I hadn't expected.

Later, when Ridhima and Arushi insisted that Kabir should feed me, I felt my cheeks heat up. I tried to brush it off, telling him to leave the plate on the side, but when he sat down next to me and offered me the first bite, my heart skipped a beat. As I took the bite, the brush of his fingers against my lips sent a jolt through me. It was such a simple gesture, yet it felt so intimate, so personal.

With every bite he fed me, the butterflies in my stomach grew more restless. When he finally handed me the glass of Rooh Afza and I took a sip, I felt like I was floating. I whispered for him to keep feeding me, and when he smiled and continued, I couldn't help but smile back. There was something incredibly sweet and caring about him in that moment, and I found myself enjoying every second of it.

But then, as the Ludo game continued, I noticed that Kabir was more interested in feeding me than in playing. I teased him gently, telling him to focus on the game, but he just grinned and said, "Feeding you is more interesting than the game." His words made my heart race, and I had to take a deep breath to steady myself.

Eventually, the game ended, and as everyone got up to leave, Kabir fed me the last few bites. I took the plate and glass from his hands, trying to steady my nerves, and quickly went to keep them aside. When I returned to the room, everyone was still there except for Kabir. I felt a slight pang of disappointment, but before I could dwell on it, Atharv, with his usual teasing grin, said, "Jij—bhaiya ko kisi ka phone aya tha."