𝓑𝓱𝓪𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓪: 𝙵𝚘𝚛𝚋𝚒𝚍𝚍𝚎𝚗 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚒𝚛𝚎

STRIP!!!!!!

KRITI

The warmth of Swayam’s body next to mine made it hard to move, but the knocking on the door snapped me out of my cozy haze.

“Kriti Jiji ! Are you awake? The haldi function is about to start, and you’re running late!”

I shot up, panicking as Diya’s voice grew more impatient outside. I glanced at Swayam, still fast asleep and blissfully unaware of the chaos just outside our room.

“Swayam, wake up!” I whispered frantically, nudging him. But he groaned sleepily and pulled me tighter into his arms.

“It’s haldi time! We need to hide you!”

Instead of jumping up like I needed him to, he mumbled something unintelligible and pulled me back down, his arms wrapping around me again. I groaned in frustration, smacking his chest lightly.

“Swayam! Wake up!”

His eyes shot open in sudden alarm. “Haldi? What?!” He sat up abruptly, blinking the sleep from his eyes.

“Diya’s outside, and we’re late!” I hissed, pulling him out of bed.

The knocking grew louder.

“Kriti jiji! Hurry up!”

I shot a frantic glance around the room, my mind racing for a solution. There was only one place. “The washroom! Get in there, now!” I shoved him toward the door, and after a moment of disoriented stumbling, he complied.

I locked the door from the outside and quickly wiped my face, trying to look like I had just woken up.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the door, and there stood Diya, looking both irritated and exasperated.

“Finally!” she said, walking into my room without a second thought. My heart pounded in my chest as she looked around, her eyes falling on me.

“Why aren’t you ready yet? It’s almost time for the haldi!”

“I-I’ll get ready in 15 minutes,” I stammered, trying to block her from going any further into the room.

Diya’s eyes narrowed, her impatience clear. “Fifteen minutes? The entire gang is running late, Maithili jiji is nowhere to be found, and Shashvata Bhai-sa left early this morning but hasn’t come back yet! And you’re not even dressed?”

Before I could respond, Diya glanced toward the washroom. My heart sank. “Why aren’t you ready? You could’ve at least taken a bath!” she said, moving toward the door.

My eyes widened in panic.

“I-I’m going to take a quick bath now!” I rushed past her and locked the washroom door, praying she wouldn’t push any further.

“Fine, but be quick! I’m waiting outside,” Diya called from behind the door.

Inside the washroom, Swayam sat on the toilet seat, his face resting on one palm, that infuriating smirk playing on his lips.

“Close call,” he teased, his voice low.

I glared at him, pacing back and forth. “This is all your fault! What are we supposed to do now? She’s waiting outside the door!”

Swayam just leaned back, still smirking. “I have an idea.”

I stopped, crossing my arms. “What?”

“Strip,” he said, his tone playful but devilish.

I blinked in shock, heat rushing to my face. “SHUT UP!!!! Are you insane? You’ve already had enough! 6 mahene ka quota ek raat mei poora kiya hai, ab bas....  I pointed an accusing finger at him. “Now just stay quiet and let me deal with this.”
(Six months' worth of quota in one night!”)