The next day, the Kothari haveli buzzed with music, laughter, and vibrant lights. The sangeet ceremony had begun, the hall filled with relatives and guests clapping to the rhythm of dhol beats. Women swirled in colorful lehengas, men laughed over plates of sweets, and the atmosphere glowed with festivity.
Yet Vihaan's eyes sought only one person.
Gauri.
She moved gracefully between the guests, offering drinks, checking on arrangements, and making sure everyone was comfortable. Her dupatta brushed softly against her arm as she leaned forward to greet an elder, her smile radiating a warmth that lit up the hall.
Vihaan, restless, pushed through the crowd. Every time he tried to approach, someone stopped him—an uncle pulling him into conversation, an aunt fussing over his kurta. Finally, when he caught Gauri passing near the corridor, he seized his chance.
"Gauri," he murmured, grabbing her wrist and tugging her gently toward a quiet corner.
She looked up, startled. "Vihaan? What are you—"
"I need to tell you something," he said, his voice low but urgent.
Gauri froze, her mind instantly flashing back to the night before—their almost-kiss, his arms around her, the heat of his breath against her neck. Her cheeks burned at the memory.
Vihaan leaned closer, his gaze fixed on her. "Last night… I—"
Before he could continue, Gauri panicked. Her heart thudded wildly, and she quickly stepped back. "I'm quite busy. Guests are waiting." Her words tumbled out too quickly, too nervously, betraying her own emotions.
She turned away before he could stop her, nearly running back toward the hall, leaving Vihaan standing alone in the dimly lit corner. He exhaled sharply, frustrated, running his hand through his hair.
"How can I confess my love to you if you keep running away, Gauri?" he muttered under his breath, his voice a mix of exasperation and helpless affection.
Then, as the music from the sangeet swelled in the background, his lips curved into a determined smile.
"No matter what, tonight," he whispered to himself, his eyes glinting with resolve. "Tonight, Gauri… I will confess my love to you."
Meanwhile, at the far end of the mansion, Yug paused at the half-open door of the guestroom. Sunlight streamed in through the curtains, spilling across Charvi's desk. She sat there quietly, sketchbook in her lap, her pencil moving rapidly as though she were possessed by the drawing itself.
He knocked lightly on the doorframe. "Charvi?"
No response.
Yug chuckled, stepping inside. "So… ignoring me now? Must be your famous no-disturb mode again."
But as he came closer, his grin faded. His eyes fixed on the sketch she was making—an arched gateway in the woods, dark markings etched across the stone, almost pulsing as if alive.
"Charvi…" Yug's voice dropped. "What is this?"
Charvi blinked suddenly, snapping out of her trance. She looked down at the paper, stunned. "I—I didn't even realize… it just… happened. My visions—they've been showing me this gateway again and again."
Yug frowned, unease spreading over his face. "Your visions always mean something. This… this is not random."
Before either of them could react further, the sketch on the paper glowed faintly under the sunlight. The lines lifted off the page, reshaping into a brilliant white bird right before their eyes.
Both gasped as the bird perched softly on Charvi's shoulder, its feathers glowing like shards of light. It tilted its head at her, as if recognizing her, then suddenly spread its wings and darted out through the open balcony.
Charvi leapt to her feet. "Yug, we have to follow it!"
Yug raised his hands nervously. "In broad daylight? Everyone will notice if we go running after some… glowing bird!"
Charvi's gaze didn't waver. "If my visions sent it… then it's showing me something important. We can't ignore it."
Yug hesitated, torn between reason and loyalty, before muttering, "Fine. But I'm sticking to your side no matter what."
And so, under the brightness of day, with wedding songs echoing faintly in the mansion behind them, Charvi and Yug slipped away, chasing the bird that cut across the sky—leading them toward something waiting in the woods.
Meanwhile, at the sangeet party, the music swelled as guests clapped to the rhythm. Dhruv, with his usual charming smile, approached Gauri who was standing near the corner serving sweets to some relatives.
"Gauri," Dhruv said, extending his hand, "it's been years since we've had a dance together. Will you join me?"
Gauri froze, caught between politeness and hesitation. Her eyes darted around nervously—aware of the crowd, aware of Vihaan's presence somewhere in the hall. She opened her mouth to respond when suddenly—
A firm hand slid between hers and Dhruv's.
"I'm afraid she already has a dance partner," Vihaan's deep voice cut through the music. His eyes locked with Dhruv's for a second before softening as he turned to Gauri. "And that partner… is her husband."
The crowd let out a few playful "oohs" at his boldness. Gauri's cheeks flushed, her heart skipping. Before she could protest, Vihaan gently pulled her toward the dance floor.
The lights dimmed slightly as a romantic song began to play. Vihaan drew her close, his hand resting at her waist, guiding her movements with surprising grace. Gauri whispered, embarrassed, "Everyone is watching…"
"Let them watch," Vihaan murmured, his gaze never leaving hers. "For once, I want the world to know you're mine."
As the music rose, their dance grew more fluid, more intimate. Gauri's initial stiffness melted into the rhythm, her eyes drawn to his intensity. Around them, relatives cheered, clapped, and teased, but in that moment—it felt like only the two of them existed.
Gauri's heart pounded wildly. She had danced before, but never like this, never with someone whose every touch made her breath catch. Vihaan twirled her once, catching her back into his arms with a strength that left her stunned.
The song ended with Vihaan pulling her closer than ever, foreheads nearly touching. A silence fell over them as applause erupted around.
Gauri looked away shyly, but Vihaan only smiled faintly, whispering, "Next time, don't hesitate."