The hospital buzzed with its usual hum of activity—patients and staff moving about in a coordinated rush. But inside my office, a rare calm prevailed.
Arya, my best friend, was holding my hand, tears glistening in his eyes. "Vanya, I'm really sorry. Because of me, you had to suffer alone through that panic attack. I feel awful... kitni buri dost hoon main." Tears now flowed freely down her cheeks.
"Aru, tu pagal hai kya? Tu ro kyun rahi hai? Main ab bilkul theek hoon. Tu aise royegi toh mujhe bhi rona aa jayega. Please mat ro, meri jaan," I said, gently wiping her tears away. She hugged me tightly, and I rubbed her back in comfort.
A small smile tugged at my lips. How did I find this girl? She was mature to the world, but in front of me, she was a baby.
My baby.
After some time, when she finally calmed down, she looked at me and asked, "Vanu, sun... Siddharth called you that night, right?"
Her question made me pause. Siddharth... he didn’t call me that night. I had asked him to, but he never did. I was suffering alone that night. Maybe... just maybe, he was busy, I told myself, shaking the unsettling thought away.
"Vanu, what happened? Are you nervous today?"
I looked up at her,"A little," I admitted. "It's just... I always imagined Papa being here for these moments."
Arya’s teasing smile faded, her voice softening. "I know," she said gently. "But I think he would have been so proud of you, Vanu. You’ve come so far, and today is about celebrating you."
I nodded, a faint smile playing on my lips. "Thanks, Arya. I just wish I could feel that kind of excitement... like a bride is supposed to."
Arya’s eyes twinkled mischievously. "Don’t worry. By the time we’re done with you, you’ll have no choice but to feel like the queen of the day. Now, come on! Haldi isn’t going to apply itself!"
The Sharma House,
The Sharma household, nestled in a quiet suburban lane, was alive with the sound of laughter, dhol beats, and the faint scent of marigold flowers. Bright yellow and orange drapes adorned the courtyard, and family members buzzed about, putting final touches on the decorations.
As me and Arya arrived, Aarav my neighbour greeted us at the door, smirking. "Didi, are you ready to become a human mango today?"
I rolled my eyes but laughed. "Very original, Aarav. Now move!"
Inside, maa was waiting, dressed in a simple but elegant yellow saree."You’re late, ," she said,
"Sorry, Ma. Duty called," I said, trying to keep my tone light.
Saying that me and aru went to my room for change wear a very beautiful printed lehnga, perfect for the haldi ceremony. My chubby cheeks were flushed as aru started teasing me mercilessly.
(Vanya's look)
The courtyard of the Sharma house was alive with the vibrant energy of celebration. Bright marigold garlands hung in every corner, and the air was filled with the earthy aroma of turmeric mixed with the floral scent of roses. Women in yellow sarees bustled around, carrying trays of turmeric paste, sweets, and flower petals, while the sound of traditional dhol beats set a lively rhythm.
I sat on a low, intricately decorated stool, my cheeks already flushed with color from all the teasing and laughter,my hair tied back to avoid the inevitable mess. Maa lovingly applied the first smear of haldi to my cheeks, her touch tender and her eyes glistening with pride and longing.
As one by one, relatives and friends came forward to smear me with turmeric, Aarav, the mischief-maker, took center stage. He grabbed a large dollop of haldi and smeared it across my entire forehead.
“Aarav!” I squealed, trying to swat him away. But before I could retaliate, Payal joined the chaos, throwing a fistful of turmeric at Aarav.
It was my baby aru..that's why I love her
In seconds, the haldi ceremony turned into a playful war zone. Turmeric flew through the air, children and adults alike joined in, and I was soon covered in bright yellow, laughing uncontrollably.
Amid the laughter and chaos, a loud cheer erupted from the entrance. i turned, my eyes widening in disbelief as I saw Siddharth stepping into the courtyard, dressed in a casual white kurta, looking effortlessly charming.
(Siddharth's look)
“Siddharth!” maa exclaimed, half-laughing, half-scolding. “The groom isn’t supposed to be here during the haldi!”
“I know, aunty,” Siddharth said with a sheepish grin, holding up a small box wrapped in gold paper. “But I couldn’t wait to give something to Vanya. I promise I won’t stay long.”
The crowd erupted in whistles and teasing. Aarav ran up to Siddharth, blocking his path dramatically. “You can’t just walk in here, jijaji! If you want to see the bride, you need to pay a fine!”
Siddharth chuckled, pulling out his wallet. “How much are we taking?”
Aarav smirked. “No money! You have to let us apply haldi to you first!”
Before Siddharth could protest, the crowd erupted in cheers, pulling him toward the makeshift haldi station. He laughed in surrender as they smeared turmeric on his cheeks, arms, turning him into a messy but good-natured participant.
---
Once the crowd calmed down, Siddharth finally made his way to me, as I was watching the entire scene with wide eyes and a mixture of amusement and embarrassment.
“You weren’t supposed to come,” I whispered as he knelt down beside me.
“I know,” Siddharth said, grinning. “But I couldn’t resist seeing you like this—completely covered in yellow and still managing to look beautiful.”
Before I could respond, Siddharth dipped his fingers into the bowl of haldi and gently smeared it across my cheek. Gasps and cheers erupted around us.
“Siddharth!” maa scolded, though her smile betrayed her. “You’ve broken all the rules!”
“Some rules are worth breaking,” Siddharth replied, his eyes never leaving mine's
The women giggled, and the men cheered as Siddharth leaned closer, whispering, “Now you can’t say I didn’t get my share of haldi today.”
My cheeks burned, not from the turmeric, but from the way his words sent my heart racing.
Later, as the haldi ceremony went down, Siddharth found a moment alone with me . He reached for my hand, his touch warm despite the cool breeze of the evening.
“Today was perfect,” he said softly.
“It was messy,” I corrected, smiling.
“The best moments usually are,” Siddharth replied, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face.
For the first time in a long while,I felt a sense of peace. Despite the loss of my father and the weight of my responsibilities, I realized I could still find happiness in moments like this—with Siddharth by my side.
—
As the evening drew to a close, the haldi chaos began to settle. The courtyard, once echoing with laughter and playful teasing, now shimmered softly I was alone near the garden swing, wrapped in a shawl to fend off the chilly breeze.
“I thought you’d left,” I said softly, my voice carrying a hint of surprise.
“I wasn’t leaving without saying a proper goodbye,” Siddharth replied, his hands tucked into his kurta pockets as he walked toward me. “I saw you sneak away. I figured you might need some quiet.”
I smiled faintly. “You’ve been paying attention.”
Siddharth stopped a few steps away from me, his dark eyes softening as they met mine's. “I always do.”
The sincerity in his tone made my breath hitch. I glanced away, trying to hide the warmth creeping onto my cheeks. “You didn’t have to break all the rules today, you know.”
Siddharth chuckled, stepping closer. “Breaking rules is worth it when it makes you smile.”
His words lingered in the air, heavy with meaning. I looked up at him,my light brown eyes reflecting a mix of shyness and vulnerability.
“Can I?” Siddharth asked, gesturing to the swing beside me.
I nodded, shifting slightly to make space for him. We sat side by side, the swing creaking softly as we gently swayed. The night is quiet, save for the faint rustling of leaves and the occasional laughter from inside the house.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then, Siddharth reached into his pocket and pulled out the small, gold-wrapped box he’d brought earlier.
“I didn’t get the chance to give you this earlier,” he said, holding it out to me.
I hesitated before taking it, my fingers brushing against his. I unwrapped it carefully, revealing a delicate bracelet with tiny charms—a heart, a stethoscope, and a book.
“It reminded me of you,” Siddharth said quietly. “Strong, caring, and always dreaming.”
My throat tightened as I traced the charms with my fingertips. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
“Not as beautiful as you,” he replied, his gaze unwavering.
The sincerity in his voice made my heart race. I looked up at him, my eyes glistening. “Sid, I…”
Before I could finish, he reached out, gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. His touch lingered, his hand resting lightly against my cheeks.
“You don’t have to say anything,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. “I just want you to know that I’m here. Always.”
I felt a tear slip down my cheek, but it wasn’t sadness—it was the overwhelming warmth of being truly seen and cherished.
“I’ve been so scared,” I admitted, my voice trembling. “Scared that I’ll never be enough or that I’ll somehow ruin this.”
“You’re more than enough,” Siddharth said firmly, his thumb gently brushing away my tears. “And nothing you do could ever ruin what we have. I love you, Vanya. Every part of you, even the parts you try to hide.”
The words washed over me, melting away the walls that I built around my heart. In that moment, I let myself believe—believe in him, in us, and in the possibility of a future filled with love and hope.
Without thinking, I leaned into him, resting my head against his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close as we sat together under the stars, the swing rocking gently.
For the first time in years, I felt safe. Safe to hope, safe to dream, and safe to fall in love.
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