The next morning, Ishani woke up at 5:30 AM and got ready in a beautiful red Anarkali suit. She kept her look simple-just a small bindi, light earrings, and left her hair open.And left for Reyansh's house.

On the other side, Reyansh woke up at 6:00 AM, wearing a beige color kurta that complemented his sharp features. He took his laptop along to the hall, planning to finish some work while waiting for Ishani.

By 6:55 AM, Ishani arrived at the Agarwal Mansion with Panditji.

As soon as she entered, Reyansh's mother, Sunidhi Agarwal, noticed her.

Sunidhi (smiling warmly): "Arre beta, aap aa gayi? Itni subah subah takleef ho gayi aapko."

Ishani (softly smiling): "Nahi Aunty, koi takleef nahi. Yeh sab toh mere kaam ka hissa hai, aur waise bhi, yeh pooja bohot special hai."

At that moment, Dadi entered the hall, her warm eyes falling on Ishani.

Dadi (happily): "Beta, tumne toh raat ko wish bhi kiya tha aur abhi bhi aayi,Hume Bohot achha lag raha hai."

Ishani touche her feets and said "Once again happy birthday Dadi, or aapko to accha lgna hi chahiye yeh sab aapke liye hi toh hai."

Dadi's face lit up with joy. Meanwhile, Reyansh's cousin, Shreya, walked up and observed Ishani closely.

Shreya said to Reyansh playfully "Bhai, aapki event manager toh kaafi sundar lag rahi hain aaj."

Ishani's cheeks turned slightly pink, but before she could respond, a familiar voice interrupted.

Reyansh replied teasingly by leaning against the pillar "Bas sundar?''.

Hearing his voice, Ishani looked up. That's when Reyansh saw her properly for the first time in traditional attire. His teasing words faded for a second as he just stared.

She looked ethereal-the red suit perfectly complementing her soft features. Reyansh, who usually had a witty remark ready, found himself silent for a brief moment.

On the other hand, Ishani felt his intense gaze and quickly looked away, feeling a sudden rush of shyness.

As the elders got busy with the preparations, Reyansh walked closer to Ishani.

Reyansh smirked "Aaj aap kafi aalg dikh rhi hain".

Ishani cleared her throat "Aisa kuch nahi hai... main toh bas havan ke liye tayyar hui hoon."

Reyansh raised his eyebrows and said "Haan haan, aur mujhe lagta hai sirf havan ke liye nahi, kisi ko impress karne ka bhi plan tha?"

Ishani's eyes widened slightly at his words, and she quickly looked towards Panditji, pretending not to hear him.

Ishani trying to change the topic "Aapne poocha tha na ki main kitne baje tak aaungi? Toh main Panditji ke saath time se pahunch gayi. Pooja ke liye saari cheezein ready hain."

Reyansh nodded, folding his arms to his chest "Wah, punctual bhi aur organized bhi. Bas ek problem hai."

Ishani frowned slightly "Kya problem?"

Reyansh leaning in slightly, lowering his voice "Aapko dekhne ke baad pooja pe dhyan dena thoda mushkil lag raha hai."

Ishani's breath hitched for a second before she quickly turned away, pretending to focus on the arrangements.

Ishani said softly "Aap bas pooja pe dhyan dijiye."

Reyansh chuckled "Pakka? Kyunki mujhe toh lagta hai ki aaj ka din aur bhi interesting hone wala hai."

While Panditji prepared for the havan, Ishani went to the kitchen to help Sunidhi with the prasad.

Sunidhi Aunty (smiling): "Beta, tum toh har kaam bade pyaar se karti ho. Bahut acchi baat hai."

Ishani (softly smiling): "Aunty, mujhe yeh sab pasand hai, aur yahan toh apnapan mehsoos hota hai."

After everything was ready, she returned to the hall just as Panditji called everyone for the main rituals.

As the rituals began, Reyansh sat beside his parents, listening to the chants, but every now and then, his eyes drifted toward Ishani, who was seated at a little distance, immersed in the ritual. The soft glow of the diya reflected on her face, making her look even more serene.She tried her best not to meet his gaze, though a soft smile lingered on her lips.

A couple of times, she sensed his gaze and glanced in his direction, only to quickly look away, her cheeks warming up. Reyansh, noticing her shyness, smirked slightly.

Once the havan concluded, Ishani took charge of serving the prasad. Moving gracefully, she ensured everyone receives Prasad , approaching Reyansh last.

As she placed the bowl in front of him, he looked up, a soft, amused expression on his face.

Reyansh gently asked"Aapne khud banaya hai?"

Ishani nodded slightly "Haan, thodi help ki thi kitchen mein."

He picked up the spoon and took a small bite, savoring the taste before looking at her with an approving nod.

Reyansh smiled "It's good. Bilkul waise hi jaise hona chahiye... ya shayad usse bhi accha."

Ishani pressed her lips together, trying to suppress a shy smile.

Reyansh said playfully "Lekin ek baat bataiye, jo insaan prasad bana raha ho, usko bhi toh khan chahiye na?"

Ishani asked confusedly "Matlab?"

Reyansh replied "Matlab yeh ki agar aapne yeh itne pyaar se banaya hai, toh main chahunga ki aap bhi baithkar aram se khayein. Mujhe yeh dekhna accha lagega."

Ishani looked at him, slightly impressed by his considerate words. A soft warmth spread through her heart.

Ishani said softly "Main baad mein kha loongi, pehle sabko serve karna zaroori hai."

Reyansh "Jaise aapko theek lage. Lekin ek baat batam?"

She looked up questioningly.

Reyansh said calmly with a beautiful smile"Aaj aap sundar lag rahi hai."

Ishani's cheeks flushed, and she quickly turned away, mumbling something about serving the rest of the family.

Reyansh watched her walk away, his smile deepening.

Maybe, just maybe, this day had turned out to be more special than he had expected.

Ishani finally took a bowl of prasad for herself and settled in a quiet corner to eat. As she lifted the spoon to her lips, she felt a gaze on her.

She looked up-only to find Reyansh casually leaning against a nearby pillar, arms crossed, watching her with an unreadable expression.

Her hand paused mid-air.

Ishani raised an eyebrow "Aap mujhe kyun dekh rahe hain?"

Reyansh smirked slightly but didn't look away "Bas dekh raha hoon. Aaj pehli baar aapko bina kisi kaam ke baithe dekha hai."

Ishani glanced at her bowl, pretending to focus on her food.

Ishani replied "Kabhi kabhi baith bhi leti hoon."

Reyansh pushed himself off the pillar and walked toward her. Stopping at a comfortable distance, he tilted his head slightly.

Reyansh teasingly said "Agar main na bhi dekh raha hota, toh bhi aap mujhe notice kar leti, hai na?"

Ishani almost choked on her bite. She quickly took a sip of water, avoiding his gaze.She replied after composing herself "Aisa kuch nahi hai."

Reyansh chuckled lightly at her flustered response "Sach? Phir bhi, aapne notice toh kar hi liya."

Ishani pursed her lips, knowing he wouldn't let this go. She focused back on her food, trying to ignore the way her heart was suddenly beating faster.

Reyansh took a step closer, looking at her bowl "Aapko pasand aaya? Prasad ka taste?"

She nodded, still avoiding his gaze "Haan... achha bana hai."

Reyansh hummed in approval and said playfully "Toh ab tasalli ho gayi ki sabko serve karne ke baad bhi aapne khud ke liye bhi thoda time nikala?"

Ishani finally looked at him, shaking her head at his words and said "Aap hamesha itni baatein kyun banate hain?"

Reyansh leaned in slightly, his voice dropping a notch "Kyuki jab aap sharma jaati hain, tab baat aur bhi interesting ho jaati hai."

She quickly looked away, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and muttered "Aapko bas mazak udana aata hai."

Reyansh grinned and asked "Aapko serious baatein pasand hain?"

Ishani didn't answer, finishing the last bite of her prasad instead.

Reyansh watched her silently for a moment before speaking again, his tone softer this time "Aaj ka havan or Katha dono bohot achha tha, Ishani. Sab kuch perfect tha... aapki wajah se."

Her heart skipped a beat at his words. She looked up, finding him watching her with genuine appreciation.

For the first time in their conversation, she didn't have a quick response.

Instead, she simply nodded, hiding a small smile as she picked up her empty bowl and walked away, leaving Reyansh still standing there, watching her go.

After pandit ji left, and everyone gathered in the hall, chatting casually. Ishani stepped out of the kitchen, adjusting her dupatta, and looked at Sunidhi.

Ishani: "Aunty, I should leave now. The decorations were done yesterday, so there's nothing left for me."

Before Sunidhi could respond, Dadi spoke up.

Dadi: "Arey beta, itni jaldi kya hai? Thodi der aur ruk jao, waise bhi tumne sab itna achha arrange kiya hai. Baitho, do minute rest bhi kar lo."

Ishani hesitated for a moment, but seeing everyone's expectant faces, she nodded slightly and sat down on the couch. The only empty spot was next to Reyansh, and though she tried not to, she felt her heartbeat quicken a little as she sat beside him thinking "hamesha inke pas ki hi jgh khli kyun hoti hai bas"

Avyansh(Reyansh's younger brother )grinned and asked" Ishani di, aapko decoration ka kaam kab se pasand hai?"

Ishani smiled slightly "Bachpan se hi creativity pasand thi, toh is field mein aa gayi."

Abhay (Reyansh father )nodded "That's good. Passion se kiya hua kaam hamesha successful hota hai."

Shreya: "Aur waise bhi, sabko decorations pasand aayi,Mujhe toh pura setup bohot elegant laga."

Yuvan: "Haan, but mujhe lagta hai lights aur bright ho sakti thi."

Ishani laughed lightly.

Ishani: "Noted, next time aapse suggestion le lungi, Mr. Perfectionist."

Everyone chuckled at her reply, making Ishani feel more comfortable. She relaxed a little, sipping the juice Sunidhi had offered her.

Meanwhile, Reyansh had been quiet, but his eyes had been on her, observing. When the conversation shifted elsewhere, he leaned slightly towards her.

Reyansh whispered softly "Tum waise itni jaldi bhaag kyun rahi thi?"

Ishani, looked at him: " koi Kaam hai aur?"

Reyansh raised his eyebrows"Nhi lkn Bina kaam ke yahan rukne se problem ho rahi hai?"

Ishani glanced away "Aisa kuch nahi hai."

Reyansh smirked slightly "Sach?"

Ishani cleared her throat and pretended to focus on the conversation around her. Reyansh leaned back, his expression unreadable but amused.

Dadi asked "Beta, shaam ko tumhari family bhi Aa rhi hai na ?"

Ishani nodded politely"Haan dadi."

Sunidhi (smiling): "Han sb honge to or accha lgega Waise bhi ab aap hamari family jaise hi to h"

Ishani felt warmth in her chest at those words. She wasn't sure why, but sitting here, in the middle of their conversations and warmth, she felt like she belonged.

Reyansh noticed her expression soften and, for a brief second, found himself staring. Something about the way she fit into his family so effortlessly made him feel... something he wasn't ready to name yet.

As the conversation in the hall ended, Ishani checked the time and realized it was getting late. She turned to Dadi with a polite smile.

Ishani: "Dadi, mujhe ab chalna chahiye. Kaafi der ho gayi hai."

Dadi nodded but then looked at Reyansh.

Dadi: "Reyansh, beta, Ishani ko bahar tak chhod aao."

Reyansh, who had been casually listening, glanced at Ishani and then gave a small nod.

Reyansh: "Chaliye"

Ishani hesitated for a second but then followed him outside. The evening air was cool, and there was a peaceful silence as they walked towards her car.

They reached her car, and Reyansh leaned against the door for a moment.

Reyansh: "Tumhe itna kaam karne ke baad thodi der rest karna chahiye. Bohot energy lagti hai event handle karne mein."

Ishani smiled "Haan, ghar jaake thodi der relax karungi,frr shaam ko bhi party shuru hone se thoda jldi aake sb dubara check krlungi"

Reyansh"Appke decorations aur arrangement dekhke lag raha hai ki birthday special hone wala hai."

Ishani looked at him for a second, surprised by his compliment"M-Maybe."

Reyansh (smirking): "I'm sure sabko pasand aayega."

She smiled, feeling lighthearted.

Ishani: I should leave now , shaam ko milte hai."

Reyansh stepped back as she opened the car door .

Reyansh: "drive safe."Ishani said "bye,Mr.Agarwal and left"

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