Author's Note / Blurb:Some moments are more than they seem—they carry memories, unspoken emotions, and the weight of those who came before us.
Ryu steps into tradition, adorned in her mother's jewelry, her heart fluttering in ways she can't explain. Rey's gaze lingers, friends tease, and every glance seems to echo something unspoken. Between heritage, hidden feelings, and quiet connections, this isn't just a school function—it's the beginning of a story that will tug at hearts and awaken memories long forgotten.
Ryu adjusted the pink border of her dupatta, pinning it carefully while brushing back a stubborn strand of hair from her cheek. The soft rustle of fabric, the faint scent of rosewater from her hands — everything about her felt composed on the outside, but inside, her heart beat with tiny nervous thuds.
From the corner of her eye, she spotted Rey — standing awkwardly by the mirror, holding a crumpled Kumaoni stole, his collar refusing to sit right.
"Give it," she said softly, walking up to him.
Rey raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"
"Obviously," she smirked, reaching for the stole. "We can't have the Devil of Section C looking like a confused groom."
He let out a low chuckle but stood still. She began adjusting the folds, smoothing the creases, fixing the pin at his shoulder. Her hands were careful, but he felt it — the slight tremble when her fingers touched his shoulder.
🎴 Rey's POV:
She was closer than usual.
Focused, soft — like this was more than just fixing my clothes. Like it was something sacred. A moment I wasn't ready for but never wanted to end.
Her bangles jingled near my ear. The echo of her payal from earlier still played in my head. Why is this simple moment making my chest feel... heavy?
I always thought I looked fine. But now, I wanted to look better — for her.
Ryu stepped back, admiring her work. "Much better," she said, then teased, "Now you don't look like you just got dragged out of a Kumaoni wedding."
Rey smirked. "Maybe you should do this every time."
Before she could respond, Maya's voice rang from across the room, "Ryu! Photos!"
She turned to go, and Rey caught a glimpse of her smile before she left — quick, real, and enough to make his breath hitch.
🪷 Ryu's POV:
I didn't expect his voice to do that to me.
The way he stood still while I fixed his kurta, the quiet look in his eyes... it wasn't teasing. It was something else. Something I wasn't ready to name.
My hands shouldn't have shaken. But they did.
Ryu helped Maya with her makeup next, her fingers more confident now. Just then, a small voice piped up behind her, "Didi, will you not help us too?"
She turned to see Anika and Aarav, grinning in their tiny traditional clothes, looking like mini versions of a bride and groom.
"Of course, little ones," she smiled.
"We're not small," Aarav huffed.
"Okay, okay," she laughed, kneeling. "But you both are looking too cute. Deal?"
Even in all the noise, Rey couldn't stop watching her. The way she smiled at Aarav and Anika, her voice going soft like she was someone else entirely when she was with them.
There was this strange ache blooming in his chest again.
He looked away quickly, running his hand through his hair.
(Rey: "Why does she keep doing that? Smiling like that. It's not for me, but I wish it was.")
He tried to focus, adjust his collar again. His gang whistled at him from afar, but his mind was stuck on the echo of her payal, her fingers brushing his shoulder, her scent—jasmine and something warm.
They giggled, then ran over to Rey and hugged him. He bent slightly, ruffling Aarav's hair, his smile softening.
Later, Maya pulled Ryu into a selfie, followed by a full group photo. Ryu clicked pictures with the kids, with Maya, and finally — with Rey.
She tried not to blush. Failed.
🌸 Rey's POV:
She looks like... someone out of an old Garhwali ballad. Saree, payal, jasmine in her hair.
She's glowing, but there's this ache behind her eyes.
And when we stood together for the photo — her arm brushing mine, her smile flickering — I felt like we were standing on the edge of something unnamed.
Lunchtime came, and Ryu opened her dabba, offering it to everyone — Maya, the kids, and even Section C. She and Maya sat laughing while eating, though Ryu kept glancing backstage. Her nerves were returning.
Finally, it was Section C's turn.
Backstage, her fingers clenched. What if she forgot the lines? What if her voice cracked?
Then, she felt a hand wrap around hers.
Rey.
🤍 Ryu's POV:
He didn't say anything.
Just... held my hand. No drama. No smile. Just quiet reassurance.
And my heart — it forgot how to be nervous.
Their speech on India's diversity flowed like music. Everyone clapped — Anika, Aarav, Maya cheering loudest.
Later, they performed a Garhwali-Kumaoni fusion dance, and the cheers grew louder.The music started. Cheers rose again. She smiled—just like she was expected to.
But her feet felt heavy. Each step rehearsed, each move robotic.
Rey hadn't even looked her way again.
Maya whispered, "Smile more! Everyone's watching!"
(Ryu: "Not the one I want to smile at me...")
"I practiced this whole week for this. With him. And now he's a stranger in the crowd.")
Still, she danced. Maybe with grace, maybe with pain. But only one face mattered in that crowd—and he looked away.
The teacher and principal called it the most heartfelt act of the day.
Ryu and Maya beamed with pride.
But when Ryu looked around... Rey was gone.
🖤 Ryu's POV:
Where is he?
She looked past the crowd, the chaos, the laughter — and found him.
There, in a corner, Rey stood with his usual gang. But something was different. His body was tense. His voice low. And when he leaned in to whisper something, his expression changed.
Cold. Secretive.
Her heart sank.
Why is he hiding something...?
Why does it feel like the Rey who held my hand isn't the Rey I'm seeing now?
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🗳️ Vote if you felt Ryu's pain... and drop your fav moment in the comments!
She fixed his kurta. He fixed his stare.
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📝 Tell me in the comments: Was this softness or the storm before it?