INSEPARABLE HEARTS 2

Chapter 136

Happy Reading

The dining hall was decked out in soft yellow lights and white lilies, with one long table stretching across the space like a symbol of this new family they were slowly weaving together.

Laughter rippled now and then  mostly from vikram’s corner  as plates clinked and warm rotis were passed around.

But Dharshi was unusually quiet.

Sitting next to Abeer, she barely touched her rice, her fingers moving in slow, distracted motions. Her eyes flicked toward Nick at the far end of the table, who was happily engaged in a conversation with Elena and Isabella.

Abeer noticed.

“You okay?” he whispered, nudging her arm gently.

She glanced at him, then leaned closer, voice hushed but sharp.

“Can you stop being so... stubborn?”

Abeer blinked. “What?”

“It’s just—” she sighed, “It’s embarrassing when my brother says things like you’re flirting with someone else and maybe you’re not serious enough. I don’t like hearing that.”

Abeer pulled back, brows furrowing. “Wait, what is he saying? Dharshi, I haven’t ”

“I’m not accusing,” she cut in quickly, “but it hurts that he’s forming these opinions. I just wish you’d prove him wrong instead of acting so... blank.”

Abeer stared at her, utterly lost for a moment.

“I didn’t even know he was saying that.”

But Dharshi just gave a tight smile and went back to picking at her plate.

Across the table, Keerthi watched silently. Her eyes darted between Dharshi and Abeer, noticing the strain. Something was off — more than just pre-wedding stress. She filed it in the back of her mind.

____________

Later That Night – In the Guest Room

Keerthi helped Noah adjust the gold-trimmed dupatta she’d just handed her.

“Are you sure about this?” Noah asked, laughing nervously as she turned in the mirror. “I look like a lost extra from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.”

“You look stunning,” Keerthi said with a smirk. “And it’s Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham levels of drama, not KKHH.”

“Totally different eras,” Elena added, popping her head in. “Karan Johar would approve.”

“Where did you even get this outfit?” Noah asked, turning back.

“It’s mine. But we’re nearly the same size. I figured this haldi needs a little Indo–Western sparkle.”

“Well, you’re officially the best future sister-in-law ever,” Noah grinned.

Keerthi grinned back, adjusting the bangles on her wrist.

“Don’t tell Angad I lent this. He says I don’t share.”

_______

Nick sat with a soda in hand, one leg resting over the other, exuding casual cool as always. Elena and Dharshi dropped beside him on the couch, and the conversation turned playful.

“You know,” Dharshi said, a mischievous smile creeping in, “Elena had a crush on you when we were, like, thirteen.”

Elena groaned. “Ugh, don’t bring that up.”