On the Brink of falling in Love (On Hold)

"Not enough, I need more."

~ Kehte hain agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaho, toh puri kaiynaat use tumse milaane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai ~

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"Why is your husband such a spoilsport?" Preeti whined as she walked into Srishti's room, holding her heavy gown carefully, settling down with a huff on the bed. Srishti, who had just replied to Akash turned around, her brows knitted in confusion, asking her friend what had happened.

"He doesn't want the typical wedding procession, with him seated on a horse. He told his parents that he would directly get to the mandap."

Srishti sighed, knowing she couldn't do much about it. Her parents wouldn't mind, there shouldn't be any trouble, she thought.

"That's okay. I mean, why push him to do things he's not comfortable with, right?" Srishti voiced a little hesitantly, not knowing how she should be reacting to the situation.

"Seriously? I agree he looks hot, but that doesn't mean you become as boring as him. Gosh, who are you and what did you do to my friend?", Preeti exclaimed in an over-dramatic tone.

Before Srishti could protest, one of her mom's friends barged into the room asking her to come down as they were about to start the rituals in a while. She nodded and looked over to Preeti, only to find her friend already on her side, ready to escort her. They shared a genuine smile before walking out of the room.

Just as she descended off the last stair, Srishti saw all the wedding guests huddled up near the entrance. She walked past them to have a look, her curiosity getting the better of her. She felt her eyes widen at the sight in front of her. Just a few meters away she spotted Akash, seated on a beautifully decorated horse. His friends were hooting and dancing, a few lighting fireworks ahead of him, marking his royal arrival. Her eyes travelled back to Akash, only to find him already staring at her. She instantly felt shy and moved behind a few guests, hiding her appearance from him. She felt someone tugging her from behind and looked at Preeti who was ushering her to come quickly for the puja that had to be done before the actual marriage rituals began. Srishti immediately moved away with her, not before turning one last time to see him winking at her.

Hiding her blushed face, she walked towards her mom trying to behave normally when she heard Preeti whisper from beside her, "I didn't see anything, I promise."

Srishti felt her face flush more, as she quickly nudged her friend to the side before joining her mother for the puja. Shanti very quickly told Srishti what had to be done and ensured that her sister was around to assist her daughter while she joined her husband at the entrance to welcome the groom. Just as she turned around to walk, Srishti called out to her in a soft voice.

"Ma, he had told his parents that he didn't want all this. So how.. How did he agree to the whole procession and horse thing?" Srishti questioned worriedly, hoping Akash had not been forced for the ritual.

"Yes, he had told his parents about it. But then I decided to give a try. I merely requested him and he did it. He was not forced, Srish. Don't worry", Shanti assured her daughter before running across the hall to join her husband.

Srishti smiled slightly, her heart still running a marathon. What if he felt forced because Ma asked him? Was he angry? He didn't look angry though, did he? Her chain of thoughts was broken as the priest called her to complete the puja. Just as she finished, she saw Akash walking into the hall, his eyes glued over her form the entire time. Srishti felt tingles run through her spine as her shoulders shuddered involuntarily under his gaze. She slowly rose from her seat and waited for Akash to join her, her eyes fixed on the floor. She felt him stand beside her in no time, his manly cologne messing up with her senses. She reached out to his outstretched arm, and a gasp escaped her lips as her icy cold fingers met his warm ones.