Enjoy reading 🤗.

Author's POV-

The palace buzzed with excitement, bursting at the seams with laughter, color, and the aroma of marigolds and sweets. It was the big day - Ananya and Dhruv's wedding. The baraat had arrived, the dhols were beating in perfect rhythm with dancing feet, and inside the main hall, chaos had its own charming tune playing. But somewhere away from all the ruckus, an elite, mischievous mission was underway: Joota Chupai ki Rasm.

Ekakshi, with her squad of cousins and friends, crouched behind a pillar in the hallway near the mandap. Her eyes sparkled with mischief and determination, her hair tied in a loose braid adorned with white jasmine, and a sly smile playing on her lips.

"Operation: Joota 420 starts now!" she whispered, eyeing Dhruv's shoes placed casually behind a satin curtain.

"Arey buii, plan B ready hai!" Vansh whispered dramatically, saluting her like a junior officer.

(Plan B is ready)

Charan (One of ananya's cousin) giggled. "Didi, aap toh James Bond ho!"

(Sister, you are James bond)

"No, no, brother," Ekakshi wiggled her brows, "Hum hain Lady Joota Chor 007... license to loot!"

(Iam lady shoe thief 007...)

They all suppressed laughter. The moment the priest got busy with chanting and the bride side was distracted, Ekakshi signaled. She tiptoed like a trained ninja and snatched the shoes, tucking them under her lehenga like treasure.

But before she could disappear with her loot, a very familiar baritone echoed from behind.

"Caught you."

She froze for a microsecond, her heartbeat skipping a beat. She turned, shoes clutched in hand, to find Rivaan standing a few feet away, arms folded, wearing a sherwani that was clearly unfairly designed to make women weak in the knees. His jaw sharp, his smile sharper.

"No way!" she exclaimed.

"Yes way," he smirked.

"Aap dulhe ke bhai ho na... to guard mat bano." she pouted.

(You are groom's brothers right... Then don't behave like a guard)

"Guard nahi, saviour. Yeh jootiyan Dulhe ke pairon me acchi lagti hain, Khubsurti ke haathon me nahi. Wapas karo."

(Not a guard, but a saviour. These shoes looks good in groom's feet, not in beauty's hand. Give it back.)

She blushed harder listening to that word. But then, her reflexes kicked in. With a cheeky grin and a loud, "Catch me if you can, Mr. Bodyguard!" she turned and bolted.

"RUHHH!" he called, laughing, and sprinted after her.

Their laughter echoed through the palace corridors. She ran with her lehenga lifted slightly, careful not to trip, darting around pillars and dodging random guests. She turned once and poked her tongue out at him.

"Aaj toh hum jooti le jayenge!" she sang, laughing.

(Today I'll take these shoes away.)

"Sapne dekhte reh jaogi," he growled playfully, gaining on her.

(In your dreams)

They both unknowingly entered a guest bedroom on the far side of the palace. She jumped on the sofa, then onto the bed.

"Ruhh... Lag jayegi," he said out of concern.

(Ruhh... You'll hurt yourself.)

"Lage toh lage," she retorted sassily. "Jootiyan toh hum nahi denge."

(Let it happen. I'll not you the shoes back)

Just then, he caught up. With one smooth motion, he lunged forward and grabbed the shoes from her hands.

"Ha! Got them," he grinned victoriously.

"Give it back!" she said, reaching up, but he raised the shoes over his head. His unfair height difference was on full display.

"Bhul jao, Ekakshi jii. Yeh toh ab mere paas rahengi."

(Forgot it, Ekakshi ma'am. These are mine now.)

She jumped, trying to reach them. "Aap mujhe underestimate mat karye. Hum shaadi rok sakte hain!"

(Don't underestimate me. I can stop the wedding)

He laughed. "Drama queen."

They ended up facing each other, bodies close, eyes locked. Her hands rested on his chest from the last attempt to reach the shoes, and his hand had instinctively gone around her waist to steady her.

The teasing smile on both faces slowly faded, replaced with something more intense, deeper. The world outside disappeared. The sound of wedding shehnais blurred, the lights felt dimmer, the air suddenly warmer.

He gently tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. Their noses brushed.

"I can hear your heartbeat," she whispered.

"That's because you're the only one it beats for," he replied, voice low and hoarse.

They stood like that for what felt like hours. Inches apart. A breath away from crossing a line they both had danced around for days.

His gaze dropped to her lips.

She closed her eyes.

But then...

Reality knocked.

He blinked, stepping back. "Sorry... got a little carried away."

She opened her eyes, cheeks crimson. "Yeah..."

Before he could complete, she snatched the shoes from his lowered hand, grinned mischievously, and darted out.

"You little thief!" he shouted, laughing.

"Winner winner jooti dinner!" she called from the hallway, sticking her tongue out again.

He collapsed on the bed dramatically. "This girl will be the death of me."

🥀

Back in the hall, the chaos resumed.

Ekakshi proudly handed the shoes to her team. Charan, pratham(his brother) and Vansh did a celebratory dance, while Advait offered mock salute to her.

"Mission accomplished, Agent Eka," he said.

"Yeah yeah, Iam the best ," she said proudly.

In the crowd, Rivaan was looking at her with a soft, crooked smile, shaking his head.

Aarav nudged him, whispering, "So... how far did she run with those shoes?"

"Far enough to take my heart with her," Rivaan said absentmindedly.

These days passed in rituals, blessings, and dances. But for Rivaan and Ekakshi, the highlight was the stolen moment, a laugh, a race, a heartbeat that almost spilled a secret.

Somewhere between the jootas and the teasing... love found another rhythm to dance to.

🥀

The wedding rituals were coming to an end. Vedic chants echoed through the air, mingling with the mild aroma of incense and flowers. The mandap was illuminated in golden hues as Ananya and Dhruv sat side by side, tying the eternal knot, surrounded by the blessings of both families.

Everyone stood nearby, admiring the couple, lost in the sacred beauty of the moment.

Among them, Rivaan stood quietly, his hands behind his back, his eyes flickering with warmth-not toward the bride and groom, but toward Ekakshi, who stood across from him, in a soft mustard yellow lehenga, the golden sequins on her dupatta shimmering under the lights.

She didn't dare look at him directly-but her heart had other plans. A small, involuntary smile tugged at her lips as her eyes wandered toward him. When their eyes finally locked, something fluttered in her chest. She looked away instantly, chewing the inside of her cheek, trying to calm the blush rising to her ears.

He, too, turned his face away-his jaw clenched as if trying to focus, but the twinkle in his eyes betrayed him. The corners of his lips curled up in a knowing smile.

They both imagined the same thing-themselves in that mandap, side by side, promising forever. And even without speaking a word, their shy smiles had said it all.

Lost in thought, Ekakshi was gently swaying, her eyes lowered, fingers brushing the edge of her dupatta when suddenly she felt a familiar warmth behind her.

A husky whisper fanned against her ear.

"Shaadi ke mandap mein mujhe dekh ke itna blush karengi toh phere kaise le paayengi, Princess?"

(If you blush so much just seeing me at the wedding mandap, how will you manage to take the wedding vows, Princess?)

Her breath hitched, and her eyes widened. But she didn't dare look back.

"K-kya?" she whispered, too flustered to respond properly.

He chuckled low, deep in his throat.

(Wh-what?)

"Bas itna jaan lo... next baar jab mandap mein tum hogi, tumhare paas main hi rahunga."

(Just know this much... the next time you're at the wedding mandap, I'll be the one standing beside you.)

And just like that, he walked away without looking at her.

THE NEXT DAY :

The wedding house, once buzzing with excitement, was now filled with the chaos of goodbyes. Luggage lined the corridors, and family members bustled around giving instructions, checking bags, and hugging one another with teary smiles.

But in the middle of all the hustle, Ekakshi stood silently on the first-floor balcony, leaning against a pillar. Her usually bright eyes looked dim, her smile nowhere in sight. She fiddled with the hem of her kurti, stealing glances at the driveway where cars were getting ready to leave.

Her heart felt unusually heavy.

She didn't want to go.

Not now... not when her heart had finally started to feel full. Not when the very air had started to smell like him.

She slipped away from the noise, needing air. Or maybe... needing him.

Barefoot, she walked down the marble steps and into the garden. The soft morning light painted her skin in golden strokes. But her heart was still heavy. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize someone was following her.

Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around her waist and yanked her inside the empty guest room beside the hallway. Before she could even yelp, a warm hand covered her mouth.

"Main hoon! Main hoon!" came the familiar voice in a whisper.

(It's me! It's me!)

She blinked, shocked. Rivaan.

As he slowly lowered his hand from her lips, her wide eyes narrowed into a glare.

"Aap mujhe heart attack dena chahte hain kya?" she growled.

(Are you trying to give me a heart attack?)

He laughed. A real, carefree laugh.

"Tumhara reaction toh priceless tha!"

(Your reaction was priceless!)

She huffed, looking away.

But his smile faded as he took a good look at her face.

Red, puffy eyes. Tear-streaked cheeks.

Panic washed over him.

He immediately stepped forward, cupping her cheeks, his thumb wiping away the wet trail.

"Ruhh... kya hua? Tum ro kyun rahi ho? Kahin lagi toh nahi?" His voice cracked with worry.

(Ruhh... what happened? Why are you crying? Did you get hurt somewhere?)

She didn't answer, only stared at him with trembling lips before suddenly burying her face in his chest.

And then, she sobbed.

Heavy. Raw. Real.

His arms instinctively wrapped around her, protectively. His chin rested gently over her head, his heartbeat racing, matching her ragged breaths.

"Talk to me... please," he whispered.

She finally mumbled against his chest.

"Hame wapas nahi jaana...Aapse door nahi jaana."

(I don't want to go back... I don't want to go away from you.)

His body relaxed at those words.

For a second, he had feared the worst. But it was this? She was crying... because she couldn't bear to be apart from him?

His lips curled up in relief.

He chuckled softly, brushing her hair with one hand.

"Bas? Mujhe laga koi badi baat hai..."

(That's it? I thought it was something serious...)

She pulled away slightly, her chin still resting on his chest, and glared up at him with watery eyes.

"Aap hans rahe ho?" she pouted.

(Are you laughing?)

He instantly softened, his fingers trailing over her cheek as he murmured,

"Nahi, sorry sorry... main toh bas..."

(No, sorry sorry... Iam just...)

She looked up at him, lips trembling again.

He took her face between his palms again, gently.

"Ruhh... hum dono Delhi mein hi rehte hain. Main har din nahi toh har doosre din milne aa jaunga. Jab tum bulaogi main aunga... chahe raat ho ya din."

(Ruhh... we both live in Delhi. If not every day, I'll come to meet you every other day. Whenever you call me, I'll come — whether it's night or day.)

She sniffled.

"Phir bhi..." she muttered under her breath, "Roz thodi mil paayenge..."

(Still... We won't be able to meet every day...)

He smiled. God, how he loved this woman and her innocent stubbornness.

He leaned forward and kissed her forehead-long, soft, and full of unspoken promises.

"Main roz milunga... ya kam se kam tumhari yaadon mein toh hamesha rahunga."

(I'll meet you every day... or at the very least, I'll always be there in your memories.)

She closed her eyes and smiled faintly.

Their moment was peaceful. The kind that stayed forever.

She rested her head against his chest again, both of them swaying slightly like leaves in a gentle breeze, stealing a few more seconds before the world called them back.

Finally, he whispered,

"Chalo, ab sab dhoondh rahe honge. Tumhari aankhein phir se ro padengi toh mujhe hi villain banayenge sab."

(Come on, everyone must be looking for us by now. If you start crying again, they'll all make me the villain.)

She giggled faintly.

He took her hand and walked her back, stopping at her room door.

"Aaram karo... aur haan, jaane se pehle milna mujhe."

(Get some rest... and yes, make sure to meet me before you leave.)

She nodded.

He leaned in again and kissed her forehead, his lips lingering a moment longer.

As she stepped inside, she turned once again, eyes meeting his.

And then the door closed behind her.

Rivaan leaned back against the opposite wall, running a hand through his hair, sighing deeply.

"Hayee... Meri cutipie."

❣️｡⁠◕⁠‿⁠◕⁠｡❣️

I hope you like this chapter.

If you have any kind of doubts then ask me in the comment section.

Please Vote if you like the chapter.

Drop atleast one Comment so that I keep motivated to write further stories.

Do you guys like their chemistry?

What about the juta chhupai rasm?

Do you like our sassy girl?

Are you excited for their reunion in Delhi?

Stay tuned....☺️

Byeeeeeee 😊