Author's POV:

It's the engagement day, and the house is buzzing with excitement. Everyone is busy getting ready while Sakshi sits quietly, surrounded by makeup artist and her cousins fluttering around her like butterflies.

She's draped in a gorgeous white lehenga for the Chheka and engagement ceremony, the kind that makes hearts skip a beat.

“Is she done?” Sunaina asked, peeking in.

“Yes, aunty, just two more minutes for the last touch-up,” the artist replied, still blending in the final strokes.

“Okay, but hurry up-we're already running late! Ritika beta, please check if everyone else is ready and ask them to wait near the cars. I and your choti mami will join after Sakshi's makeup is done,” Sunaina instructed.

Ritika nodded and hurried off.

A few minutes later, Sakshi was ready.

“Didi, hamari Sakshi kitni pyaari lag rahi hai... kala tika laga dijiye, kahin meri hi nazar na lag jaye,” Sudha whispered emotionally, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Sunaina wiped her eyes discreetly, then gently touched her finger to the kajal and placed a small dot behind Sakshi's ear.

“For protection-from all evil eyes,” she said softly.

Sakshi chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "It's just an engagement, not bidaai. No need to get so much emotional!"

But even she couldn't hide the lump rising in her throat after watching their teary smiles.

They stepped out and walked toward the waiting cars. As soon as everyone settled in, the engines roared to life, taking them one step closer to the ceremony that would seal her fate.

Vihaan's POV:

We had reached the engagement hall. Her family was still on the way.

The decorations looked beautiful...pastel hues, delicate floral arrangements, and an aroma in the air that instantly calmed nerves. Guests had already begun arriving.

A few minutes later, her family walked in together.

My gaze instinctively moved to the entrance not because I was desperate to see her, of course. Just... casually checking if she looked like someone worthy of being addressed as Mrs. Vihaan Sharma.

And then I saw her.

Walking beside her cousins, draped in a stunning white lehenga that shimmered softly under the golden lights. Her hair was pinned half up, cascading down in gentle curls. She didn't just walk in, she made time slow. She looked like she'd walked straight out of a fairytale.

No, not just a princess... a Disney princess.

Everything around blurred. In that moment, it was just her.

Then it hit me, we were twinning.

Well... I didn't mind.

“Will you just stand there and stare? Go and bring her to the stage”, my mom whispered sharply, nudging me out of my trance.

Without another word, I started walking toward her. She looked up, and our eyes met-like gravity pulling us together. I extended my hand, and she hesitated for a split second before gently placing hers in mine.

Together, we walked toward the stage, with soft music playing in the background, matching the strange rhythm in my chest.

We took our seats, and the Panditji arrived, beginning the rituals. Everything was happening too fast, yet it felt like the world had slowed down,  just for us.

Then came the moment... the ring exchange.

She went first, slipping the ring onto my finger with calm hands and unreadable eyes.

Now it was my turn. I extended my hand, and she placed hers in mine again. Her touch-light, warm, almost trembling, sent a jolt of current through me. My eyes lingered on her fingers for a second before they traveled up to meet hers.

She was already looking at me.

Our eyes locked. And just like that... time stopped.

In that stillness, I gently slid the ring onto her finger.

And with that, we were engaged.

Sakshi's POV:

I stood there, surrounded by my cousins, pretending to be calm while my heart raced like it was late for something.

My dress was too heavy, mangtika kept slipping from its place, my heels were already killing me, and my mind? A complete mess.

Then I saw him. He was walking toward me dressed up in a white Indo-western kurta with a beautiful stole which had mirror work on it. Why did he always have to look so effortlessly charming?

Wait. Are we twinning? Now I get it, why they forced me to buy this white lehanga.

These people.

His eyes... they weren't the same anymore. There was a softness to them, calm and steady, almost glowing like quiet stardust.

He extended his hand with a smile.

That smile. Ughhh!

For a second, I just stared at it. But then, against every ounce of logic in me, I placed my hand in his.

Warm. Steady. Unshaken.

We walked together toward the stage. The soft background music barely reached my ears. All I could hear was the chaos inside my chest. What was I even doing?

As we sat down, the rituals began. Everyone seemed excited, clicking pictures, exchanging smiles. But I, the bride, was somewhere else entirely.

Then came the moment.

The rings.

I took his hand first, awkwardly at first, but steadied myself and slid the ring onto his finger. My hands were trembling, but I didn't let it show.

Then he looked at me and asked for my hand. And I gave it.

His touch was gentle, almost too careful. As if he was holding something precious. He didn't look away, his eyes traveled from my hand to my face, and then,

Our eyes met.

And it felt like the entire room disappeared.

He slowly slid the ring onto my finger.

And that was it.

We were engaged.

I was just beginning to compose myself when Panditji announced, "Vivah ka shubh mahurat, aaj se thik ek mahine baad ka nikla hai."

(The ideal date for wedding is on the same date,after a month.)

One month.

One month and I would be... married?

My gaze shifted toward him, almost instinctively. He was already looking at me. And for a moment, the whole room faded into silence.

No words. No expressions.

Just our eyes locked across a lifetime of unsaid things. His eyes... holding something deep, it was unreadable.

I quickly looked away, unsure of what I was supposed to feel.

Was this really happening?

Was this really us?

I didn't know whether to smile, cry, or laugh at the irony of it all. But one thing I knew for sure,

This story... was just beginning.

~~~•••~~~

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