Sakshi’s POV:

The house was glowing in shades of yellow, marigolds hanging from every corner, aunties singing shaadi songs off-key but with unmatched energy. And me?

I was hiding in my room.

They had already put the shagun haldi on me, now it was time for the haldi war. I don't know who made such rituals. Playing with haldi. Seriously?

The moment I heard someone yell “Haldi lagao! Dulhan chhup gayi!” I knew it was my cue to lock the door. But that obviously didn't help because within seconds, Ritika di, Nikki, and Soniya barged in, like warriors armed with haldi bowls.

“Bas kuch din ki baat hai Sakshi,” Nikki smirked. "Phir toh Vihaan ke naam ka haldi, shampoo, toothpaste sab hoga."

“Eww Nikki,” I replied, trying not to laugh as they dragged me to the living room like I was some sacrificial goat.

As they applied haldi to my face and arms, I tried to smile. But somewhere in the back of my mind, the same thought kept creeping in-Why did he say yes? What does he want?

I didn't even realize I was zoning out until Samira whispered in my ear, "Apne Vihaan ke khayalo mein kho gayi pyaari dulhaniya?".

(Dear bride, lost in your Vihaan's thoughts?)

I just rolled my eyes, “Thinking of a plan to escape from here”

“You can't!” Soniya shouted, and before I could react, a handful of haldi landed straight on me.

"You won't be spared either," I yelled back, and jumped straight into the war.

We were running all over the place, throwing haldi and aata (flour) on each other like maniacs. I was chasing Hriti with a full bucket of haldi water, she had just dumped a bowl of dry haldi all over me, and revenge was a must.

She bolted toward the entrance door, thinking she could escape. But no one escapes me.

I aimed and threw the bucket of haldi water, but she dodged to the right at the last second.

The water landed on the person standing right behind her.

I covered my eyes with both hands, embarrassment taking over. Peeking through the gap between my fingers, I saw a tall, perfectly built figure. His white kurta was now drenched and clinging to him, his biceps clearly visible.

I looked up, right into a pair of very familiar eyes.

It was him.

“This is how you welcome your groom?” he asked, his voice flat, his face unreadable.

Was that sarcasm or was he really pissed?

"I... I'm-" I started, about to apologize, when he brushed past me and walked toward the main hall.

He picked up a bowl of haldi from the stage, and I walked up to him, trying again to speak. But he raised a hand to stop me.

“I think I need to teach my would-be-wife how to welcome her groom and his family,” he said calmly.

Before I could even process his words, he grabbed all the haldi from the bowl-oh no.

Run, Sakshi!

I turned around and tried to make a run for it knowing exactly what he had in mind but, it was already too late.

He caught me.

He pulled me into his arms and smeared haldi all over my face, mercilessly. I must've looked like a literal yellow ghost now.

Everyone clapped and hooted around us at his not-so-genius move.

I struggled in his arms, trying to break free, but his grip was too tight. It was when I realised we were too close, just few inches apart. Our chests almost touching, his breath brushing against my cheek. My skin burned with the closeness.

"Vihaan, leave me... everyone's looking," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He didn't flinch. Still holding me, that devilish grin on his face, eyes locked on mine.

"I prefer a request... with a please," he smirked.

"In your dreams," I snapped.

"Then get out of my grip... if you can," he teased, tightening his hold.

I tried. I really tried. But it was pointless. I looked around, everyone was enjoying the show. His cousins, my cousins, even my girl gang. All hooting and cheering him on.

"Okay, fine... Vihaan, please, can you leave me?" I finally pleaded.

He smirked in victory, loosened his arms, and let me go.

"Besharam," I muttered under my breath as I walked away, cheeks still burning.

But of course, he heard that.

"So finally... I got my favorite nickname back," he called out behind me.

I flipped my hair dramatically and walked off, ignoring him completely.

Vihaan's POV:

I entered the venue, expecting calm, traditional haldi function.

What I didn't expect was a war zone.

Flour flying. Haldi flying. People flying. I was still processing the scene when a whole bucket of haldi water landed directly on me.

Great.

I stood there, dripping, looking like someone pulled me straight out of a turmeric factory. The culprit? None other than my beloved bride-to-be.

She froze, eyes wide in horror, hands covering her face, peeking through her fingers like a guilty litle kid.

“This is how you welcome your groom?” I asked, stone-faced.

No response. Just more awkward blinking.

She tried to stammer an apology, but I didn't wait. I walked straight to the main stage, picked up a bowl of haldi, and smiled to myself.

Time for revenge.

I heard her footsteps behind me, trying to explain. I raised my hand to stop her. Not now.

“I think I need to teach my wife how to welcome her groom... and the in-laws,” I said.

And with that, I gathered haldi in my hands

She ran.

But not fast enough.

I caught her, pulled her into my arms, and went full chaos mode. Haldi everywhere, her cheeks, forehead, neck. She looked like a sunshine-soaked ghost.

She wriggled and struggled in my grip. But nope. She wasn't going anywhere.

We were close now-real close. And for a second, the noise around faded. Her breath hitched. Her cheeks turned crimson, and her eyes flickered everywhere except at me.

“Vihaan, leave me... everyone's looking,” she whispered, flustered.

I leaned a bit closer. “I prefer a request, with a please,” I smirked.

“In your dreams,” she fired back, trying to wriggle out again.

“Then try escaping... if you can,” I replied, tightening my hold just enough to make my point.

She gave up. "Okay, fine... Vihaan please, can you leave me?" she said, clearly embarrassed.

Victory tasted sweet.

I let her go.

She muttered something under her breath-Besharam. Music to my ears.

I grinned. "So finally, I got my favorite nickname back."

And just like that, she flipped her hair and walked away, pretending I didn't exist.

But she forgot one thing...

I never lose.

~~~•••~~~~

Hey my readers, hope you are enjoying reading this, did you all liked the chemistry between them?

Well, it's nothing... just wait for next chapters😉

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