BANGTAN's INDIAN Neighbours

43. Saamne tu haina

The puja was lengthy and went on for several minutes. All of their homes were twinkling and looked beautiful, laden with colorful lights. Ananya had done some of her best Rangolis on everyone's doorsteps and their outfits were coordinated too.

Dipti was sweaty after the pooja but still her face had a glow. The Bengali cultural touch in her saree made her look unreal. Her eyes were sharpened more due to eyeliner work by Trisha & Trisha & her quiet meditation after the aarti really gave the home a spiritual vibe. Namita legit got goosebumps .

After the conclusion of the Pooja, they arranged the diyas and prasad in many thaalis. Dipti asked Trisha to give the prasad to everyone & let others know where to place the diyas. Jimin," Taehyung, Yoongi & Hoseok who were standing at the back the whole time found the whole thing really interesting and watched it all in rapt attention. After a while. faint sounds of fireworks, probably going off at a distance were heard. The girls smiled because it was finally starting to feel like Diwali.

They bowed to the idols of Lord Ganesha, Goddesses Lakshmi & Saraswati one last time before lifting up thaalis. "This is so powerful . . . like the energy you know, I could totally feel it '" Yoongi said when trisha was done praying

"It is powerful, actually this whole festival is about the triumph of good over evil, stuff like that," Trisha said as she picked up a thaali for her apartment. She kept it short, not wanting to bore him with details.

" I'm feeling like there's a long story & you're not telling me," Yoongi & followed her to the lift. "There is," she said, " But I'll tell u later," I m gonna do this first" she raised her eyebrows & pointed at the diyas.

Yoongi helped her with it, placing them at various corners and also one on the Rangoli in the hall on their floor. When they were done they stood together on Yoongi's door, admiring the fully decorated (but empty) apartment on the opposite.

"Ah, finally done, looks really good," Trisha remarked a bit proudly.

"'It is indeed so pleasant to look at, " Yoongi had said in a deep, ungiving tone. Trisha turned around and her suspicions were true. He was looking at her. Eye on her, head tilted, the whole setting was filmy, Firework going off at a distance, the whole floor quiet, only music and lights nearby and the two alone, not saying anything.

"What is ?" She feigned innocence & Yoongi just just stood there, a bit flustered, blinking in disbelief at the girl, whom he had first met while she was singing an erotic song.

"You do know how to take pictures right? She handed him her phone.

"Wait" Yoongi went inside & brought back his DSLR.

"No you didn't!! -- Duudee'' Trisha was not expecting that.

" Umm, U can delete the pictures if they take memory no need to keep" Trisha said after they were done.

"And what If I don't want to delete?" Yoongi didn't look at her, just continued to go through her shots, a little smug smile on his lips.

Trisha went quiet for a few moments.

Then she said, "Well then I'll be forced to draw conclusions".

"What do you mean?" Yoongi looked at her, so serious that it almost made Trisha doubt herself. Am I reading him wrong? This time her silence was so prolonged that Yoongi was back to checking her pictures. Soon Trisha could hear Yoongi laughing, his shoulders shaking in effect. "I thought you were good at this?. the whole flirting thing" He said. Trisha could not believe it. Him openly acknowledging it

"I - She was unable to say anything, blood rushing to her skin, warmth spreading because.

"I'd love to keep them actually " Yoongi stood close to her, face merely a few inches away. "Simply because the subject is gorgeous & very much to my liking" He zoomed in on her face, voice so low that it sounded like a whisper, only meant for her to hear. Her heart was beating loud & she didn't want it to stop.

That song from Bandish Bandits'' saamne tu hai na, visfot sa dil me hua re, pyaar ke ocean me, ek boat sa tair gaya re." played in her head.

Yoongi moved closer, a smile on his face. "You know why I.."He said, his lips close to her ear.

" why I stayed that late to eat snacks with you.." He breathed out slowly, pushing her hair behind her shoulders slowly gently with his fingers. Trisha stood dazed, looking at him. They stayed close for a while, no more words exchanged, words were simply not made to fit that moment.

Trisha loved all of it so much. She could not simply put it as to why she was attracted to this man, his nature, his voice, his eyes, his hands, everything. she just was.

Then her phone rang.

Dipts's name flashing on the screen. "What's taking so long ?? we have to go on terrace"

"Nо-Nothing, I'll be there" She then took a step & kissed the guy on his cheek. His eyes went wide but before he could address it, Trisha was already running away.

" Where's thaal?" Dipti asked like it was the most obvious thing when an out of breath Trisha arrived.

"Uhhh," Before Trisha could come up with an excuse she noticed Dipti looking at someone over her shoulder.

It was Yoongi who had come down with the thaal.

"oh thank you, I was just asking About it!" Trisha didn't turn around & tried hard to stop herself from smiling. He walked close to her & cleared his throat.

"Wait, let's take some pictures first " Namita said & yet again Yoongi was assigned the photographer.

The girls arranged themselves in various combinations. It was a noisy affair and time taking too. Coz everyone wanted a 1000 picture of them solo and also with everyone else and in groups too.

Jimin, Taehyung & Hoseok, who were waiting for the girls on the terrace, came back to check what was going on. After Yoongi, Tachyung willingly took over the photographer role & the whole thing took another half an hour.

"ohkay now, I think it's enough, let's go now," Dipti said and everyone agreed.

Dipti stayed back in the hall while everyone else took the lift to the terrace.

She wondered why Seokjin hadn't shown up. It was 11:45 pm & she decided against going to check on him. No sakta hai soo gaya ho, faltu me kya jagana.

She waited a few moments before his door then left for the terrace.

To be continued. . .

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