Author's POV :
The next day was haldi, the traditional ceremony where the bride and groom are covered in turmeric paste. Siya was all business in her yellow lehenga, the color of the day. She had to ensure that the venue was just right, the turmeric paste was neither too dry nor too runny, and that every guest had enough space to participate without bumping into each other. The energy was infectious as the Mehra family members danced and sang, their faces glowing with the warmth of the occasion.
As the festivities grew more boisterous, a playful shove from one of the cousins sent a dollop of haldi flying towards Raghav. He ducked just in time, but not fast enough to avoid getting a splatter on his crisp white shirt. He turned to retaliate, his eyes locking onto Siya. Without a second thought, he scooped up a handful of the yellow paste and flung it at her. She squealed and tried to dodge, but it was too late. The turmeric splattered across her face, staining her cheeks a vibrant hue.
The air was filled with laughter and good-natured shouts as the wedding party descended into a full-blown turmeric war. Guests threw handfuls of the fragrant paste at each other, their laughter echoing through the sprawling lawns. Siya found herself in the thick of it, dodging and weaving as she tried to retaliate against Raghav. She felt a thrill of excitement as they circled each other, their eyes sparkling with mischief.
Suddenly, the chaos paused. Raghav's hand was poised mid-air, a fistful of haldi hovering just out of reach. Their eyes met, and time seemed to slow down. The world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them standing there, breathless and covered in the warm, golden glow of the turmeric. In that moment, Siya felt a jolt of something she hadn't felt in a long time—something that went beyond the simple admiration of her schoolgirl days.
Raghav's hand paused, and she could see the question in his eyes—the same question that had been playing in her mind since their chance encounter at the airport. Then, with a mischievous grin, he tossed the paste at her, breaking the spell. She shrieked, throwing her hands up in defense, but it was too late. The vibrant color painted her skin, blending with the laughter lines that had etched themselves around her eyes.
They broke apart, both laughing, and Siya couldn't help but feel a strange sense of relief. It was as if the playfulness of the moment had shattered the glass wall that had separated them for so long. They were just two people, enjoying a moment of shared joy.
But as they began to clean up the mess, wiping the haldi from their faces and clothes, the mood grew more serious. Raghav's laughter died down, and he looked at her with a vulnerability she'd never seen before. "You know, Siya," he began, his voice low and earnest, "I've always had feelings for you."
Her heart stuttered in her chest. She'd hoped, dreamed even, but she'd never allowed herself to believe it could be true. "What?" she murmured, her eyes searching his for any sign of teasing or jest.
He nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "It's true. Back in school, I was too shy to say anything. And now..." He trailed off, his gaze drifting to the ground. "It seems like we've both moved on with our lives."
Siya felt a lump form in her throat. She hadn't expected this confession, not after all these years. She had built walls around her heart, convincing herself that their paths had diverged for good. But here he was, standing in front of her, peeling back the layers she had so carefully constructed. "I had a crush on you too," she admitted, her voice shaky. "But I thought it was just a teenage infatuation."
Raghav looked up, his eyes hopeful. "Maybe it was," he said, "but maybe it's more than that."
They stood there, the laughter and chatter of the wedding party a distant backdrop to their conversation. It was as if they were the only two people in the world, connected by a thread of unspoken feelings that had somehow remained unbroken over the years.
Siya took a deep breath, her mind racing. "But what about now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "We're both so different. I'm not that shy girl anymore, and you're not just the boy who could make anyone laugh."
Raghav stepped closer, his hand reaching out to brush a stray strand of hair from her face. "I know," he said, his voice gentle. "But maybe that's the beauty of it. We've both grown, but maybe the feelings we had back then are still there, waiting for us to rediscover them."
Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she could feel the warmth of his hand on her skin. She knew that this was a pivotal moment, one that could change the course of her life. She searched his eyes, looking for answers, for reassurance that this wasn't just a fleeting moment of nostalgia.
"I don't know if it's possible," she said, her voice trembling. "We've both moved on. There's so much we don't know about each other now."
Raghav's smile was soft, understanding. "But there's also so much we do know," he said. "We know that we share a history, a connection that's been there all along. And maybe that's enough for a second chance."
The words hung in the air between them, filled with the weight of possibility. Siya felt her resolve crumbling, the walls she'd built around her heart threatening to collapse. "Maybe," she said, her voice barely audible. "Maybe it is."
The hustle and bustle of the wedding preparations swirled around them, but in that moment, all she could see was Raghav—his eyes, his smile, the way he looked at her as if she was the only person who mattered. And for the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to hope that maybe, just maybe, they could write a new chapter in their story.
The wedding day dawned bright and early, the sun casting a golden glow over the city as it awoke to the sounds of laughter and excitement. Raghav looked every inch the dashing doctor in his pristine white sherwani, the embroidery glinting in the light. Siya's heart fluttered as she saw him from afar, her royal blue lehenga swirling around her as she moved through the crowd, ensuring that every detail was perfect.
Her parents, Dr. Arvind and Dr. Nandita Ahuja, were also present, their faces beaming with pride as they mingled with the Mehra family. They had come to know the Mehras well over the years, collaborating on various medical projects and charity events. Dr. Ahuja had even been a mentor to Raghav's father, Dr. Rakesh Mehra. As they exchanged pleasantries, Siya couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu. Here she was, at a wedding she had organized, standing next to the boy she had crushed on for so long, with her parents who had inspired him to pursue medicine.
The wedding ceremony was a riot of color and tradition, with the bride and groom dressed in vibrant outfits that shimmered under the marquee's lights. The air was thick with the scent of sandalwood and roses, the sound of mantras and laughter. As the priest chanted the sacred verses, Siya felt a strange sense of belonging, as if she had found her place in this grand tapestry of life and love.
And through it all, she felt Raghav's eyes on her, a silent promise of something more. They shared glances that spoke volumes, smiles that held secrets, and a dance that was more than just steps to a beat. As they twirled around the dance floor, she realized that this was the moment she had been waiting for all along—a chance to step out of the shadows and into the light, with someone who had seen her for who she truly was, even when she had been too scared to see it herself.
The wedding was a blur of rituals and celebrations, the night passing by in a haze of happiness and hope. As the final goodbyes were said and the guests began to leave, Siya found herself standing next to Raghav once again, the quiet of the early morning wrapping around them like a warm blanket. "So, what now?" she asked, her voice filled with a tentative excitement.
Raghav took her hand, his eyes holding hers with a gentle intensity. "Now," he said, "we see where this takes us."
And with that, they stepped into the unknown, their hearts racing with the thrill of a new beginning.
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