PRESENT TIME
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HOTEL TAJ LAKE PALACE
A stunning white marble wonder, floats like a fairytale on the tranquil waters of Lake Pichola in Udaipur. The hotel, illuminated under the soft glow of the evening lights, looks no less than a royal dream. The gentle ripples in the lake reflect the golden hues of the palace lights, making the entire scene look like a painting brought to life. Inside, the corridors exude regal charm with intricate Rajasthani architecture, ornate chandeliers, and soft golden lighting, creating an ambiance of timeless luxury.
Inside the Bridal Suite – A Scene of Chaos and Cuteness.
A grand room marked "Bride and Bridesmaids" on the door was anything but organized. Inside, the room was in utter chaos. Six suitcases lay open, their contents spilling out like a fabric explosion—sarees, lehengas, jewelry boxes, and makeup products scattered everywhere. The large French windows allowed the soft evening breeze to enter, making the delicate white curtains sway lightly. A magnificent chandelier hung from the ceiling, its warm glow reflecting on the golden-embroidered pillows tossed carelessly on the king-sized bed.
Amidst all this, Yashika stood in the middle of the mess, furiously digging through one of the suitcases. Her brows were furrowed, lips slightly pursed in frustration. She was so focused on her treasure hunt that she didn’t notice when the door opened silently.
A tall figure entered the room quietly, stopping at the doorway for a moment. Sahil took in the sight of his fiancée standing in the middle of the suitcase battlefield, her expressions shifting between confusion and irritation. He shook his head, a fond smile spreading across his lips. Same old Yashika—adorably chaotic.
With slow steps, he approached her, coming to stand right behind her. Then, in one swift move, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into a back hug, and rested his chin on her right shoulder.
Sahil (softly, near her ear): “Calm down, sweetheart.”
Yashika, startled, gasped but immediately recognized the warmth and scent of the person behind her. She pouted dramatically, turning her face slightly to him.
Yashika (whining): “Sahil! I can’t find my heels for the cocktail party! I swear they were in one of these suitcases, but now they have vanished into thin air.”
Sahil chuckled, looking at her messy yet adorable face. His hand rubbed small circles on her waist as he reassured her.
Sahil (teasing): “With the way this room looks, I wouldn’t be surprised if your heels grew legs and ran away.”
Yashika shot him a glare but immediately blinked her big, sad eyes at him.
Yashika (cutely): “But I need themmm…”
Sahil grinned, finding her pouty frustration too adorable to resist. He leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose, making her blink in surprise.
Sahil (softly): “First, take a deep breath and calm down. Then, we’ll find them together, okay?”
Yashika looked around at the disaster zone she had created and then looked back at Sahil, nodding like a guilty child.
Yashika (sheepishly): “Fine…”
Sahil chuckled, amused by her cute little tantrum, and before she could react, he leaned in and stole a soft peck on her lips.
Sahil (grinning): “That’s my good girl.”
Yashika blushed, smacking his chest lightly before pulling away.
.
.
She was on her knees, digging through yet another suitcase, her frustration growing by the second. “Where are they? Ugh! Sahil, I swear these heels have legs! They ran away on their own!”
Sahil, who was leaning against the bedpost with his arms crossed, watched his adorable mess of a fiancée with amusement.
Sahil (teasing): “Maybe they ran away, scared of your energy.”
Yashika (glaring, hands on her hips): “Sahil! I’m serious!”
Sahil chuckled and walked towards her, placing a soft kiss on her temple.
Sahil (grinning): “Calm down, sweetheart. We’ll find them.”
She sighed, continuing to rummage through another suitcase. Sahil, however, was in a mood.
As she bent down to check under the bed, he placed a quick kiss on her lips.
Yashika (freezing, glaring): “Stop it!”
Sahil (innocently): “Stop what?”
She rolled her eyes and continued searching. But the moment she stood up, he kissed her cheek.
Yashika (huffing, turning to him): “Sahil Malhotra, do you want to get slapped?”
Sahil (grinning, leaning closer): “Only if it’s followed by another kiss.” and kissed her again on her lips.
Before she could respond, her phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen and her eyes widened.
A message from Prerna:
"We’ve reached!"
Without a second thought, she DROPPED everything and BOLTED out of the room. Sahil blinked, completely caught off guard.
Sahil (panicking): “YASHIKA?! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!”
But she was already gone.
Cursing under his breath, he sprinted after her.
Yashika flew down the grand corridor, her red Patiala suit billowing dramatically, her jodhpuri juttis clicking rapidly against the marble floor.
Sahil, still running behind her, called out desperately.
Sahil (panting): “At least tell me where you’re going?! STOP RUNNING!”
But she didn’t even glance back.
Relatives from both sides saw the chaotic scene and exchanged knowing looks.
Relative 1: “Is she running away from the wedding?”
Relative 2: “HEEEE...... SHAADI CANCEL HO RHI H?”
Some tried to stop Yashika, but she dodged them like a pro, leaping over decorative flower stands and narrowly missing a waiter carrying drinks.
Sahil, still chasing her, nearly tripped over a carpet.
Sahil (frustrated): “FOR GOD’S SAKE, WOMAN!”
Yashika burst into the garden, her eyes wildly scanning the parking lot—and then she saw her.
Aarya, just stepping out of the car, wearing a peach shirt and white pants with white heels.
Without a second’s hesitation, Yashika LAUNCHED herself at her, wrapping her in a tight hug.
Yashika (squealing, squeezing her tightly): “AARYAAAAA!!! I MISSED YOU SO MUCH!!!”
Aarya, caught completely off guard, stumbled back slightly, laughing.
Aarya (chuckling): “Yashika! At least let me breathe!”
Yashika (dramatically): “I CAN’T! I’M TOO HAPPY!”
Just then, Sahil arrived, panting like he just ran a marathon.
Sahil (breathless, hands on his knees): “What… the hell… was that?!”
Aarya (raising an eyebrow at him): “Uh… why does he look like he just chased a thief?”
Yashika (ignoring Sahil completely, holding Aarya’s face): “Do you have any idea how miserable I was without you?!”
Aarya (laughing, pulling away slightly): "Yashika, it's been a year, not a decade!"
Yashika (gasping dramatically, clutching her chest): "HOW DARE YOU? A YEAR WITHOUT YOU FELT LIKE A LIFETIME!"
Just then, Prerna stepped out of the car, stretching.
Prerna (smirking): “Uh, hello? What about me? Don’t I get this kind of dramatic welcome?”
Yashika GASPED and immediately tackled Prerna into another crushing hug.
Prerna (laughing, struggling): “Okay! Okay! I get it! You missed me!”
Prerna (rolling her eyes): "Drama queen. I bet you didn't even cry once."
Yashika (pointing at Sahil): "Ask HIM! I cried on his shoulder every night, didn’t I, Sahil?"
Sahil (deadpan): "No, you cried when your favorite Netflix show ended. You only whined about Aarya and Prerna when you needed someone to go shopping with."
Aarya & Prerna (fake offended, gasping together): "EXCUSE ME?!"
Yashika (nervous, glaring at Sahil): "BABE, SHUT UP!"
Sahil (grinning): "What? Just stating facts."
Yashika (laughing nervously, holding their hands): "NO NO NO! You guys are my soul sisters! My lifelines! My everything!"
Aarya (narrowing her eyes, crossing her arms): "Hmm. Sounds fake, but okay."
As they walked towards the hotel, laughter filled the air. Yashika was excitedly narrating a dramatic story about her struggle with packing, while Aarya and Prerna listened with amused smiles.
Sahil, however, was a step behind, his phone buzzing in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw the caller ID—Ansh Pratap Singh.
His relaxed expression shifted slightly, eyes darting towards Aarya and Prerna, who were still lost in conversation. A conflicted look crossed his face before he finally sighed and answered.
Ansh (grinning through the phone): "Five minutes away, mere laal. Ready to welcome me?"
Sahil (calmly): "YES!! I'm"
He let out a deep breath. He was excited to see Ansh, but he also knew this was about to be interesting or disaster. Hanging up he made his way to the parking lot just as a sleek black SUV pulled in.
The door swung open, and there he was—Ansh Pratap Singh, in all his overconfident glory, stepping out like he was walking onto a movie set.
Ansh (grinning, arms wide open): "SAHIL MY LOVE!"
Sahil (shaking his head, chuckling): "Why do you make everything weird?"
Before Sahil could react, Ansh lunged at him, trapping him in a bear hug.
Sahil (grunting, struggling): "Bhai, what is this?! Let go! I need my ribs intact for the wedding!"
Ansh (laughing but squeezing tighter): "Shut up and let me love you!"
Finally, he let go, stepping back with a grin.
Ansh (patting Sahil’s shoulder): "Look at you, about to be a married man! How does it feel?"
Sahil (sighing dramatically): "Like I’m on death row."
Ansh (laughing): "Arre, don’t say that! Shaadi ke baad toh asli maza hai!"
Sahil (raising an eyebrow): "Bhai, you’re single. What do you know?"
Ansh (grinning): "I know enough to give free advice."
Sahil rolled his eyes, but his smile didn’t fade. He patted Ansh’s back, feeling a sense of comfort. It felt good to have his best friend back.
Sahil (smirking): "Come on, let’s go inside before you start giving life lessons nobody asked for."
And with that, the two of them walked into the hotel, ready for whatever chaos awaited them.
.
Sahil led Ansh to his room, opening the door and stepping aside as Ansh walked in. The room was spacious, decorated in warm shades of gold and beige, with a stunning view of Lake Pichola from the balcony. But Ansh wasn’t paying attention to any of that.
He dropped his bag onto the floor with a dull thud and sat down on the edge of the bed, facing Sahil, who remained standing with an unmistakable tension in his posture.
Ansh leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, fingers loosely intertwined. He watched Sahil carefully, a small, almost hesitant smile forming on his lips.
Ansh (softly): "I saw Prerna."
A sharp exhale left Sahil’s lips, as if he had been holding his breath. Without a word, he walked over and sat beside Ansh, staring at the floor for a few seconds before finally speaking.
Sahil (firmly): "Prerna and Aarya... they aren’t guests, Ansh. They’re Yashika’s best friends. They’re my best friends. And I don’t want them to get hurt—especially not at my wedding."
Ansh's smile faded slightly. He gave a small nod, understanding the weight of Sahil’s words.
Ansh (quietly): "I know."
Sahil turned his head slightly, studying Ansh’s expression. There was no arrogance, no teasing smirk—just quiet determination mixed with something else. Regret, maybe?
Sahil (warningly): "Then be careful. Don't go near her if it means reopening old wounds."
For a moment, Ansh was silent. Then, a slow smile crept onto his lips, he bit his lower lip lightly, eyes gleaming with something dangerous and sparkling—something final.
Ansh (standing up, voice unwavering): "I WON'T LET HER GO THIS TIME."
Sahil clenched his jaw, his hands instinctively forming fists. His first instinct was to argue, to stop him—but he forced himself to take a deep breath and calm down.
Instead of responding, Sahil just shook his head with a small, exasperated smile.
Sahil (sighing): "You’re impossible."
Ansh merely chuckled and walked toward the bathroom, his steps relaxed, as if he had already made up his mind. Before closing the door, he called out.
Ansh (grinning): "Don't stress too much, dulhe raja. I’ll behave… for now."
Sahil rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t hide the smirk playing on his lips. He turned toward the door, opening it before calling out one last time.
Sahil (mocking): "Take some rest, lover boy. You'll need it."
From inside the bathroom, Ansh’s amused voice rang out.
Ansh (playfully): "Or maybe I’ll plan my next move."