Whispers of Destiny.

CHAPTER 9

AUTHOR'S POV

The morning sun filtered through Nina's window, casting a warm glow across the room. She woke slowly, her thoughts filled with hazy memories of the night before. Harsh's touch, his quiet confession, the warmth of his shoulder against her cheek—it all felt both dreamlike and intensely real.

Today was Ganesh Chaturthi. The house was already alive with the sounds of laughter and preparations, and Nina could smell the aroma of incense and flowers drifting up from the courtyard. Her heart fluttered with a strange mix of excitement and anticipation, not just for the festival, but for whatever lay ahead with Harsh.

She dressed quickly, choosing a pale green saree that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. It was her favorite, the color a perfect match for the marigolds adorning the courtyard. She took one last look in the mirror, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and made her way downstairs.

The courtyard was bustling with activity. Family members bustled about, arranging flowers and lights, setting up trays of offerings, and laughing as they shared last-minute instructions for the day's ceremonies. Nina spotted Harsh helping her cousin with the final touches on the Ganesha idol's platform. He looked up just as she entered, his gaze lingering a bit longer than usual. Their eyes met, and a soft, knowing smile passed between them, unspoken but unmistakable.

Vikram noticed her first, giving her an exaggerated wave. "Nina! Finally! We thought you'd slept in and left us with all the work!"

She laughed, rolling her eyes. "I needed my beauty sleep to deal with all of you today."

Akshay chimed in, "Looks like it worked. You're glowing." But his teasing stopped abruptly as he saw her exchange a glance with Harsh. He raised an eyebrow, smirking knowingly, though he didn't say anything. Akshay knew them both too well to miss the subtle shifts between them.

The morning ceremony began with the family gathered around the Ganesha idol. They offered their prayers, each one in silent reflection, asking for blessings, strength, and new beginnings. As Nina folded her hands and closed her eyes, she found herself silently thankful for this time—both with her family and with Harsh. It was a reminder of the joy in the small, grounding moments.

After the ceremony, the family gathered for the traditional breakfast. Plates piled high with modaks, puris, and sweet dishes were passed around, and everyone indulged, sharing stories and laughing over old memories.

Harsh found his way over to her in the midst of the meal, holding a plate piled high with food. He handed it to her with a shy smile. "Thought I'd get one for you before Vikram finished it all."

She grinned, taking the plate. "You saved my life," she said, laughing as she bit into a modak. "You know how he is around sweets."

They fell into an easy conversation, slipping back into the familiar rhythm they'd shared growing up. But today, there was something else—a quiet undercurrent that ran beneath their words. Harsh seemed different, more open, his eyes holding hers longer than usual, and she could feel a new closeness forming between them, like a thread pulling them together.

As the morning turned into afternoon, the family gathered for the final preparations for the evening aarti. The courtyard was dazzling, with marigold garlands and lights adorning every corner. Harsh and Nina found themselves working side-by-side again, placing the last strings of flowers along the railings and adjusting the tiny oil lamps around the idol.

The air grew quieter as dusk settled in, and the family began to gather around the idol once more, the warmth of the lights casting a soft glow over everyone's faces. The priest began the mantras, his voice filling the space, and everyone folded their hands, eyes closed in reverence.

Nina felt Harsh's presence beside her, their arms brushing slightly as they stood side-by-side. 

She opened her eyes briefly, glancing at him. He was looking down, but his hand shifted subtly, his pinky brushing against hers. Her heart skipped, and she felt a warmth spreading through her.

The aarti concluded, and as everyone scattered to enjoy the festivities, Harsh pulled her aside, his voice soft and low. "Can we talk?"

She nodded, following him out into the courtyard. The evening air was cool, a welcome contrast to the warmth inside, and the faint scent of incense still lingered.

Harsh hesitated, his gaze drifting down before he looked back at her. "I know we talked a little last night, but... I don't want this to stay unsaid. I meant it, Nina. I really do care about you, and I can't ignore what I feel any longer."

Nina smiled softly, feeling her heart swell. She reached out, taking his hand, her thumb brushing over his knuckles. "Harsh... I care about you too. More than I thought I did." Her voice was steady, but her heart raced with the weight of her words. "This isn't just because we're here, with family, or because it feels like old times. It's... real."

A look of relief and happiness washed over his face. He took a step closer, his fingers tightening around hers. They stood like that, inches apart, the courtyard quiet around them.

"I know we've both got our lives to get back to," Harsh said softly, "but... maybe we can start figuring this out?"

She nodded, feeling a surge of certainty. "I'd like that," she whispered.

For a moment, it felt like the world had melted away, leaving just the two of them standing in the warm, soft glow of the festival lights. Harsh lifted his hand, his fingers brushing her cheek gently, and she leaned into his touch, her heart racing. He leaned forward, his lips inches from hers, and her breath caught. Just as she tilted her face up, feeling the warmth of his breath on her skin—

They heard Akshay's loud, playful voice from inside. "Where are Harsh and Nina? Don't tell me they're sneaking off in the middle of the celebration!"

They both froze, stifling laughter as they pulled apart, their cheeks flushing.

Harsh gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "We'll have to finish this later, then."

Nina's heart was pounding, but she managed to keep a straight face as they walked back in together, sneaking glances and smiles when no one was looking. The night continued...

10 MORE DAYS UNTIL BACK TO NORMAL!?