𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑 𐙚

Daksh paced back and forth in his room, his phone pressed to his ear as he spoke to his best friend, Kunal. "We need to nail this deal, Kunal. Be prepared."

Kunal sighed on the other end of the line. "Bhai, meetings are going to keep happening. But tell me, how's bhabhi ji doing? How was your suhagrat (first night) ?" Kunal teased, his voice laced with amusement.

Daksh face-palmed himself, his eyes rolling in exasperation. "Daravni," he muttered, without realizing what he had said.

(Scary)

Kunal chuckled. "Daravni kyu?" (Why are you saying "scary"?)

Daksh's eyes widened as he realized his mistake. "Are, chodh na mujhe uss baare mein baat nahi karni... Kal baat karenge, bye," Daksh said hastily, ending the call.

(Leave me alone, I don't want to talk about it... We'll talk tomorrow, bye.)

As he turned around, he was startled to see Dhvani standing behind him, a hint of a smile on her face. Daksh's eyes widened in surprise, and he stuttered, "Ye... k-kya aise kya achanak se aagyi?" (How... how did you come in so suddenly?)

Dhvani's smile grew wider, and she said dramatically, "Toh kya mere aane se pehle do log bheju announce karte hue, suno suno rani sahiba kamre mein pravesh kar rhi hai?"

(Should I have sent two people to announce my arrival, saying "hear, hear, the queen is entering the room"?)

Daksh shook his head, a mixture of amusement and annoyance on his face. "Why are you so dramatic?"

Dhvani ignored his question and said, "Whatever... thanks for getting my things and tofu from my home."

Daksh's eyes widened in surprise, and he said, "You're saying thanks?"

Dhvani nodded, and Daksh smiled, feeling a warmth in his chest. But before he could get too comfortable, Dhvani said, "Ab jyada khush mat ho aur niche chalo, mom ne bulaya hai sabko."

(Don't get too happy and let's go downstairs, mom has called everyone.)

Daksh's smile faltered, and he looked at Dhvani. But her expression was neutral, and he sighed, following her out of the room.

As Daksh followed Dhvani downstairs, he was greeted by the warm and cozy atmosphere of living room. His family was seated on the couch, laughing and chatting as they enjoyed their ice cream.

His brother, Aditya, was sitting on the floor, busy eating his icecream. His sister, Tara, was sitting next to their mom, giggling as she tried to lick a dripping ice cream cone.

Their dad, relaxed and content, sat at the other end of the couch, a bowl of ice cream in his hand. He looked up and smiled as Daksh and Dhvani entered the room.

"Ah, Daksh, Dhvani come and sit"

Tara looked up at Dhvani and smiled "Bhabhi, come sit beside me"

Dhvani smiled and went to sit beside her and Tara handed her a bowl of ice cream.

As Daksh sat down too, his dad say, "So, we've decided to host a Holi party tomorrow at our lawn. We'll invite all our relatives and friends."

Daksh's mom nodded  "Yes, it'll be a great opportunity for everyone to meet Dhvani and welcome her into our family."

Aditya, Daksh's brother, grinned. "And we'll get to play with colors and water guns! It's going to be so much fun!"

Tara clapped her hands excitedly. "I'm going to make a big banner that says 'Holi Party'! Can I help with the decorations, Mom?"

Daksh's dad smiled. "Of course, beta. We'll need all the help we can get to make this party a success."

Dhvani, who had been quietly observing the conversation, spoke up. "I'd be happy to help with the preparations. What needs to be done?"

Daksh's mom smiled warmly at her. "That's very kind of you, Dhvani. We'll need to set up the lawn, prepare the food and drinks, and decorate the area. We'll also need to send out invitations to our relatives."

Daksh's dad nodded. "And, of course, we'll need to make sure everyone knows that Daksh is now a married man."

Daksh felt a pang of discomfort at the thought of pretending to be a happy newlywed couple in front of his relatives. He glanced at Dhvani, wondering how she was feeling about the whole situation.

As Dhvani listened to Daksh's family discussing the Holi party, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She had agreed to this contract marriage for a year, but she hadn't realized how much she would have to pretend.

She glanced at Daksh and wondered if he was feeling the same way.

Dhvani's mind began to wander as she thought about the upcoming party. She would have to put on a show, pretend to be the happy bride, and make small talk with Daksh's relatives. She felt like she was living a lie, and it didn't sit well with her.

As she looked around the room, she noticed Daksh's family watching her, expecting her to be the perfect daughter-in-law. She felt a surge of anxiety and wondered how she would get through the next year of this charade.

Dhvani took a deep breath and tried to push her doubts aside. She had made a commitment, and she would see it through. But as she glanced at Daksh, she couldn't help but wonder what the next year would bring.

"Daksh bhai you will invite—Kunal too right?" Tara asked hesitant.

"I will" Daksh said.

Tara blushed and looked down, no one noticed it except Dhvani. She looked at Tara curious about her expression but didn't say anything.

── .✦

𝐃𝐇𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐈 𐙚

I stood in front of the mirror, carefully applying a face mask to my skin. The cool, creamy texture felt soothing, and I closed my eyes, letting out a relaxed sigh.

Just as I was starting to unwind, I heard the sound of the door opening. I opened my eyes to see Daksh walking into the room, dressed in a casual T-shirt and pants. His hair was still damp from his shower, and he had a smug look on his face.

As he caught sight of me, he chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Kya hai?" I glared at him, irritated. (What's so funny?)

Daksh laughed, shaking his head. "Shakal dekho apni, chudail kahi ki," he said, still chuckling as he walked towards the couch.

(Look at your face, you look like a witch.)

I ignored him, feeling a surge of annoyance. I walked over to the bed and sat down, grabbing my phone to scroll through social media. Daksh's laughter still echoed in my mind, and I couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious about my mask-covered face.

As I scrolled through my feeds, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Daksh was still watching me, a smirk on his face. I glanced up, but he was engrossed in his own phone, a neutral expression on his face.

I turned my attention back to my phone, trying to focus on the screens in front of me. But my mind kept wandering back to Daksh's teasing comment, and I couldn't help but feel a little irritated.

Daksh got up from the couch, stretched his arms, and walked over to the light switch. "Time for bed," he said, flipping off the lights.

I won't let you sleep Mr Kashyap.

I waited until he lay down on the bed, then I quickly got up and switched the lights back on. Daksh groggily opened his eyes, irritated. "Let me sleep," he muttered.

I smirked, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "Huh, I'm doing my skincare. Wait for sometime," I said, walking over to the mirror.

Daksh face-palmed himself. "Iss sab mask se kya hota hai vaise?" (What's the point of all these masks anyway?)

I turned to him, a mask still on my face. "It glows up the skin. Also, I'm doing this to keep stress away from me," I said, pointing at him.

Daksh sighed, muttering under his breath. "Sabse bada stress toh tum hi ho" (You're the biggest stress of all).

I glared at him. "What did you say?"

Daksh shook his head, trying to play it off. "Nothing, just do your faltu ka skincare jaldi"
(Just do your useless skincare quickly).

I rolled my eyes. "Jyada baat kiye toh aapke muh par chipka dungi"

(If you talk too much, I'll stick this mask on your face).

Daksh's eyes widened in alarm. "Iww, I don't use this cheap stuff," he said, turning his back on me and lying down.

I rolled my eyes and turned back to the mirror, removing my mask.

As I rinsed off the mask and patted my skin dry, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. I had managed to get under Daksh's skin, and it felt good.

I walked over to the bed and climbed in, trying to disturb Daksh. As I settled in, I couldn't resist one last jab. "By the way, you're welcome for not sticking the mask on your face," I said, trying to stifle a grin.

Daksh opened one eye and glared at me. "Just go to sleep, Dhvani," he muttered.

I smiled and snuggled under the blankets hugging my Tofu. "Goodnight, Daksh," I said, trying to sound sweet.

Daksh grunted and turned his back on me. As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but wonder what the next day would bring.

── .✦

𝐃𝐀𝐊𝐒𝐇 𐙚

I lay in bed, wide awake, while Dhvani slept peacefully beside me. I gazed at Dhvani's face. She was deep in sleep, her chest rising and falling with each gentle breath.

"Meri neend uda kar khud kumbhakarn jaisi so gayi"

(She's sleeping peacefully like kumbhakarn after ruining my sleep)

I couldn't shake off the feeling of restlessness.  Frustrated, I threw off the covers and got out of bed.

I decided to use the restroom, hoping that a short break would help me clear my head. As I was walking back to the bed, my eyes dropped on the packet of face masks on the dressing table.

I remembered Dhvani's words: "It glows up the skin." I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Maybe it was worth a try.

I glanced over at Dhvani, who was still fast asleep. I thought to myself, "She won't even know." I picked up the packet and examined it. But the light in the room was too dim, so I turned on my mobile torch and carefully read the instructions.

As I understood the instructions, I unpacked the mask and applied it to my face. But in my haste, I knocked over a small container on the table, making a soft clattering sound.

"Shit"

I froze, holding my breath as I turned to see if Dhvani had woken up. But she didn't stir, and I let out a sigh of relief.

I leaned back in the chair, feeling the cool sensation of the mask on my skin. "Hmm, it's refreshing," I thought to myself. "Not bad at all." I closed my eyes, letting the calmness wash over me.

As I sat there, lost in my own world, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. The mask on my face seemed to be working its magic, and I was starting to relax.

"Acha lag raha hai na?" (Doesn't it feel good?) a soft voice whispered in my ear.

I nodded, still in a daze. "Haan" (Yes), I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

But as soon as I spoke, I realized that someone had actually said something! My eyes snapped open, and I turned to see Dhvani standing beside me, her arms crossed over her chest.

My heart skipped a beat as I took in the sight of her. I let out a loud scream, my hand flying to my chest. "Ahh!" I exclaimed, my eyes wide with surprise.

She raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on her lips. "Kya hua?" (What happened?) she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. But my heart was still racing, and my face felt like it was on fire. I glared at Dhvani, trying to play it cool. "Nothing," I muttered, looking away from her.

Dhvani chuckled, a low, throaty sound that made me feel even more self-conscious. "Nothing, huh?" she repeated, "You screamed like a girl, Daksh."

I felt my face grow even hotter with embarrassment as I glared at her. "Shut up," I muttered, trying to play it cool.

But Dhvani just laughed again, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "So, I see you're trying out my face mask," she said, nodding towards the mask on my face.

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. I had been caught red-handed, and I knew I couldn't deny it. "Uh, yeah," I muttered, trying to sound nonchalant.

Dhvani raised an eyebrow, a small smile still playing on her lips. "And how does it feel?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I hesitated again, unsure of how to respond. But then I realized that the mask actually did feel kind of... good. Refreshing, even. "It's... not bad," I admitted, trying to sound grudging.

Dhvani laughed again, clearly pleased with herself. "I told you it was good," she said, nodding smugly.

I rolled my eyes, feeling a bit annoyed. But at the same time, I had to admit that Dhvani had been right. The mask did feel kind of... amazing.

"You know, I didn't think you'd actually try it out," she said, a hint of teasing in her voice.

I shrugged, feeling a bit defensive. "I was just curious, okay?"

Dhvani chuckled. "Curious, huh? Well, I'm glad you're enjoying it. Maybe I'll even start calling you 'glow-up Daksh'".

I glared at her, feeling my face grow hot with embarrassment. "Shut up and go to sleep"

── .✦

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑 𐙚

The air was already alive with the vibrant spirit of Holi. The lawn was transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors, with intricate rangoli designs adorning the pavement. The sound of upbeat music filled the air, mingling with the chatter of relatives as they began to arrive.

Inside the house, Dhvani and Tara were busy getting ready for the festivities. They stood side by side in front of the mirror, both dressed in white outfits, their hair tied up in matching braids. The simplicity of their attire was a deliberate choice, waiting to be splattered with the vibrant colors of Holi.

As they applied a final layer of makeup, their excitement was palpable.

Tara turned to her, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Ready to get colored?" she asked

Dhvvani's grin widened. "Bring it on!" she exclaimed.

As Dhvani and Tara made their way downstairs, Dhvani pulled out her phone and dialed Anvita's number. "Hey, where are you?" she asked

Tara suddenly stopped on the stairs, turning to Dhvani. "I forgot my phone, I'll get it," she said, before hurrying back up the stairs.

Dhvani nodded, continuing down the stairs as she waited for Anvita to respond. But her call dropped. She sighed, deciding to text Anvita instead.

Meanwhile, Daksh was heading up the stairs, his eyes fixed on his phone as he texted Kunal. He was so engrossed in his conversation that he didn't notice Dhvani coming down the stairs.

As a result, neither of them saw the other, and they collided on the stairs. Dhvani lost her balance, her arms flailing wildly as she stumbled backwards.

But before she could fall, Daksh's hands shot out, grasping her by the waist. He pulled her close, his face inches from hers. Dhvani's phone slipped from her fingers, landing with a soft thud on the stairs.

For a moment, they just stood there, frozen in time. Their faces were so close that Dhvani could feel Daksh's warm breath on her skin. It was the first time they had been this close, and Daksh's heart was racing with a strange, unfamiliar sensation.

Just as Dhvani and Daksh were standing there, frozen in a moment of awkward intimacy, Aditya suddenly appeared, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

"Ohhh, bhai-bhabhi!" he exclaimed, his voice dripping with teasing.

Dhvani's face turned bright red with embarrassment as she quickly pulled away from Daksh's grasp. Daksh, too, looked flustered, his eyes darting around awkwardly.

Aditya chuckled, clearly enjoying the moment. "What's going on here? Matargashthi khule ghar mein?" he asked.

Dhvani rolled her eyes, trying to play it cool. "Nothing, Aditya. Just... just Daksh being clumsy," she said, trying to brush off the moment and picked up her phone.

But Aditya wasn't buying it. He raised an eyebrow, his grin growing even wider. "Clumsy, huh? That's not what it looked like from here,"

Daksh shot Aditya a warning look, but Aditya just chuckled and continued to tease them.

Just as Aditya was continuing to tease Daksh's mom, appeared from the kitchen a warm smile on her face.

"Good morning, everyone!" she exclaimed, "Isn't it a lovely Holi morning?"

Tara, who had been upstairs retrieving her phone, now appeared, a curious expression on her face. "What's going on?" she asked, eyeing Aditya's mischievous grin.

Aditya, still chuckling, gestured to Dhvani and Daksh. "Bhai-bhabhi were just... um.....discussing the finer points of Holi celebrations," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Daksh's mom asked "Oh, really?" her voice teasing.

Dhvani's face was now a deep shade of crimson as she tried to extricate herself from the awkward situation. Daksh, too, looked uncomfortable, his eyes darting around the group.

Tara, meanwhile, was watching the exchange with great interest, a small smile playing on her lips. "I think I missed something," she said

Aditya grinned. "Don't worry, Tara. I'll fill you in later."

Daksh's mom, clapped her hands together, "Okay, enough teasing for now. Let's go outside and greet our relatives. Your father is already there, and I'm sure he's eager to see all of you."

The group began to move towards the lawn, Aditya still chuckling to himself. Dhvani and Daksh exchanged a brief, awkward glance before looking away.

As they stepped out into the bright sunlight, the sound of laughter and music enveloped them. The lawn was filled with colorful decorations and relatives, all chatting and laughing together.

Dhvani's eyes widened as she took in the scene. "Wow, it looks amazing!" she exclaimed.

Tara nodded in agreement. "I know, right"

Daksh's dad smiled as he saw Dhvani coming towards them and said "Ah Preeti! Meet out daughter in law, Dhvani"

Daksh's mom, guided Dhvani and Daksh through the crowd, making their way towards Daksh's bua. As they approached, Bua smiled warmly and opened her arms for a hug.

Dhvani and Daksh touched Bua's feet, seeking her blessing. Bua placed her hands on their heads, "May you both be happy and prosperous."

Next, Daksh's parents introduced Dhvani to a few more relatives, including Daksh's chacha and chachi. Dhvani smiled and exchanged pleasantries, but she couldn't help feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of people.

As the introductions continued, Dhvani's attention began to wander. She glanced around, looking for a familiar face, and that's when she saw her - Anvita, her best friend, was walking towards her with a big smile on her face.

Dhvani's face lit up as Anvita enveloped her in a tight hug. "Hey, girl! Happy Holi!" Anvita exclaimed.

Dhvani hugged her back, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. Finally, someone she knew and could relax with. "Happy Holi, Anvi! I'm so glad you're here," Dhvani said, smiling.

Anvita pulled back from the hug a sly grin spreading across her face. "So, where's your husband?" she asked

Dhvani rolled her eyes. "He's right there," she said, gesturing vaguely in Daksh's direction. "Forget him, though. You should meet Tara and Aditya, they're Daksh's siblings. They're so fun-loving, you'll love them."

"Oh, okay. I'd love to meet them," she said, her eyes scanning the crowd for Tara and Aditya.

Dhvani grinned, happy to have diverted Anvita's attention away from Daksh.

Dhvani smiled, making the introductions. "Tara, Aditya, meet Anvita, my best friend."

Tara smiled warmly, extending her hand for a handshake. "Hi Anvita di, nice to meet you!" she exclaimed.

Anvita smiled back, shaking Tara's hand. But as she turned to Aditya, she was taken aback by his expression. He seemed lost, his gaze intense and unblinking.

Anvita shared a confused glance with Dhvani, who raised an eyebrow in amusement. Tara, noticing Aditya's trance-like state, nudged him playfully.

Aditya chuckled, snapping out of his reverie. "Oh, hi! I'm Aditya," he said, extending his hand to Anvita.

Anvita smiled, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you, Aditya," she replied

As they shook hands, Dhvani noticed Aditya's eyes locking onto Anvita's once again, his expression soft and dreamy. She exchanged a knowing glance with Tara, who raised an eyebrow in surprise. It seemed like Aditya was already smitten with Anvita!

Just as the introductions were wrapping up, Kunal walked into the scene, accompanied by Daksh. Kunal's eyes landed on Dhvani, and he flashed her a charming smile.

"Hello, Bhabhi ji! I'm Kunal, your husband's best friend," he said

Dhvani smiled awkwardly, feeling a bit taken aback by Kunal's forwardness. "Hello," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Meanwhile, Daksh secretly pinched Kunal's arm, as if warning him to behave. Tara, who was standing nearby, was secretly blushing at the sight of Kunal, her eyes darting away whenever he looked in her direction.

Aditya spoke up, his voice booming across the lawn "Guys, enough of introductions now! Let's play Holi!"

"Yes, let's play now! But let Daksh and Dhvani color each other first, then only we will play!" Anvita said.

Dhvani's eyes widened in horror as she glared at Anvita, thinking, "Is she mad or what?" She felt a surge of embarrassment and awkwardness at the suggestion.

Daksh, too, looked taken aback. He didn't know what to do, caught between his friend's teasing and his wife's obvious discomfort.

But before Dhvani could protest further, Aditya jumped into the fray, his voice echoing Anvita's. "Yes, Bhai, you should apply color first! Don't waste time now!"

The group began to chant, "Daksh, Daksh, apply color! Daksh, Daksh, apply color!" The atmosphere was electric, with everyone urging Daksh to take the lead.

Dhvani felt like she was being pushed into a corner, with no escape from the embarrassment that was about to ensue.

"Huh fine" Daksh sighed and went to grab some color. Daksh returned with a handful of dark blue color, a mischievous smirk spreading across his face.

Dhvani's eyes narrowed, her voice low and warning. "Don't you dare put all that color on my face... Just apply it with two fingers," she whispered

But Daksh just chuckled and smeared the dark blue color all over Dhvani's face, covering her cheeks, nose, and forehead. Dhvani's eyes widened in shock and anger.

"How can I miss this chance?" He smirked.

Tara stomped her foot, laughing. "Bhai, thoda pyar se lagana tha! Ye kya kiya aapne?" (Brother, you were supposed to apply it with love! What have you done?)

"You guys said 'color lagao' (apply color), that's exactly what I did!"

Dhvani's face was a picture of fury, her eyes blazing with anger. "Mr. Kashyap, you wait! I'll show you now!" she exclaimed, marching off to get some color of her own.

Daksh chuckled and took off running, with Dhvani hot on his heels. The rest of the group erupted into laughter, cheering and chanting as they watched the chase.

Kunal, caught up in the excitement, laughed and grabbed some color, ready to join in on the fun. But before he could make his move, Tara snuck up behind him and applied a generous amount of color to his face.

"Happy Holi!" Tara exclaimed, giggling.

Kunal smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Happy Holi, kiddo!" he replied, gently applying some color to Tara's nose.

Tara scrunched up her nose in mock annoyance. "Kiddo? What kiddo—I'm not a kid!" she protested

Kunal chuckled, teasing her. "Yes, you are!" he said, grinning.

Meanwhile, Aditya joined in on the fun, applying color to Anvita's face. Anvita laughed and retaliated, covering Aditya's face with a vibrant shade of pink.

The Holi celebration was in full swing, and everyone was having the time of their lives.

As the Holi celebration continued, Dhvani's dress was now a vibrant canvas of colors, a testament to the fun she'd had so far. But as the afternoon wore on, she began to feel tired and parched.

"Thandai, anyone?" she asked, scanning the crowd for a refreshing drink.

Anvita, who was busy laughing and playing, pointed to a nearby stall. "Get it from there, Dhvani!" she exclaimed.

Dhvani made her way to the stall, her eyes scanning the colorful array of drinks on offer. She spotted a tall, frosty glass of thandai and reached for it, eager to quench her thirst.

But in her haste, she didn't notice the small sign on the glass that read "Bhaang Wali Thandai". Unaware of the potent ingredient, Dhvani took a long, refreshing sip of the drink.

At first, she didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. But as the cool liquid slid down her throat, she began to feel a strange, tingling sensation spreading through her body.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group was still engaged in the Holi celebration, laughing and playing in the colorful chaos. Daksh, Aditya, and Kunal were busy trying to dodge Tara's water balloons, while Anvita was cheering them on.

But as Dhvani stood there, sipping her thandai, she began to feel her senses start to blur. The colors around her seemed to swirl and blend together, and she stumbled slightly, her feet feeling unsteady beneath her.

As the effects of the Thandai began to take hold, Dhvani's giggles and smiles became more frequent. She felt a sense of carefree abandon wash over her, and her worries seemed to melt away.

"Another glass, please!" she exclaimed, holding out her glass to the vendor.

The vendor, a friendly old man with a kind smile, raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure, beta? You've already had one glass," he said, his voice tinged with concern.

But Dhvani just giggled and nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes, I'm sure! It's Holi, after all! We have to celebrate!" she exclaimed, her words slurring slightly.

The vendor chuckled and handed her another glass. Dhvani took a long sip, feeling the cool liquid slide down her throat. She closed her eyes, letting out a contented sigh as the Bhaang began to take hold.

As she stood there, sipping her drink and swaying to the music, Dhvani felt like she was on top of the world.

── .✦

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 <𝟑!