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AADHIRA'S POV :-

As soon as we both enter the temple, the priest greets us with a genuine smile on his face, welcoming us. In response, Kabir and I move forward to bend down and touch his feet, seeking his blessings. He warmly blesses both of us. After receiving his blessings, I glance inside the temple room and notice that arrangements have already been made for the pooja. A mat is placed on the ground for us to sit.

I realize that Dadi must have informed him about our arrival. It feels so special and heartwarming to be welcomed in such a thoughtful way. The atmosphere is filled with a sense of reverence and anticipation.

After receiving the blessings, the priest invites us to come and sit on the mat already laid out in front of the havan kund. He sprinkles some holy water on us using a leaf, and then he hands us a water pot. With a nod, we accept the task of fetching water from the kund located at the back of the temple. Kabir takes the pot in his hands, and together, we embark on our journey. The temple grounds are peaceful, and the sound of distant bells adds to the serene atmosphere.

As I gaze upon the temple, I am filled with even more astonishment by its breathtaking beauty. From the outside, it may appear simple, but once inside, it reveals its true magnificence. The intricate scriptures and the incredible vibes that permeate the air leave me in awe. I am captivated by the spiritual energy that surrounds me in this sacred place.

Lost in my own thoughts, I suddenly realize that we have reached the river, just a few steps away. The smooth marble beneath my feet is replaced by soft sand and mud. I almost trip, but fortunately, I manage to regain my balance. I can't help but chuckle, knowing that if I had fallen, Kabir would have surely given me another one of his famous lectures.

With each step, the floor grows more slippery, and I've already stumbled twice. Determined not to fall again, I decide to hold onto Kabir's kurta for support . As My luck isn't always on my side, and I can't afford another tumble today.

Nervously, I reach out with trembling hands towards the hem of his kurta, grasping it lightly. But as soon as my fingers touch the fabric, Kabir's head snaps in my direction, and he raises an eyebrow with a questioning look on his face. It's as if he's silently asking, "What's going on?"

"I...uh...well...you know, the floor is really slippery here, so I kinda grabbed onto your kurta for support," I finally manage to reply, my words filled with stuttering and hesitation.

Instead of saying anything, Kabir simply looks at me for a few seconds, his expression unreadable. Then, he breaks into a slight smile and gives me an approving nod, as if to say, "It's okay, I understand."

Oh God, did it really take him that long to process what I said? Is he that slow? Has I married a tube light or something?

"Kya topa aadmi se shaadi hui hai meri" I thought to myself scrunching my nose and hiting my head internally. (Oh god , I have got married to such a stupid man)

I can't help but tease myself with these idiotic and stupid thoughts. But then, out of nowhere, I notice his hand reaching towards mine, his fingers intertwining with mine, holding them firmly. A smile spreads across my face as I feel his gesture, and when I look up at him, I'm surprised to see him smiling too, though it's clear he's enjoying my blushing more than my smile.

We lock eyes for what feels like an eternity, lost in the moment, until his phone interrupts us with a ring. He dismisses the call, deeming it unimportant, but now there's an awkward silence between us. To break that silence, I gather the courage to ask him...

"How many times do you come here? The priest seems quite familiar with you," I ask curiously.

"Yeah, you know, this place holds a special spot in my heart. When I was a child, I used to come here every day during my vacations. Our village is just a stone's throw away from this beautiful temple. I would eagerly spend my entire vacation here, exploring every nook and cranny with my dadi."

"Those were the days filled with laughter and joy, cherishing the moments with my grandmother. I only prefere to spend my vacations there except for the condition if my mom would take us with a visit to Rajat uncle's place, I mean your place." I explain with a nostalgic smile.

"But Once I grew up, my visits here reduced quite a bit because of study and work. I would only come here during festivals, and over time, those visits eventually stopped. So, I can say that it's been almost 5-6 years since I last came here".

"Accha," I replied, trying to hide my curiosity. But as I looked into his eyes, I could see a whirlwind of emotions.

Nostalgia was definitely there, but there was something more. I sensed a mix of pain, happiness, and a whole range of feelings that I couldn't quite put my finger on. It was like a beautiful yet complex tapestry of emotions unfolding before me.

While Kabir finishes his reply, we've already reached the riverside. Kabir steps forward to fill the water pot, being cautious of the slippery floor covered in algae. He kindly asks me to stay put and wait, so my saree doesn't get wet.

After a minute, he returns with the water pot filled to the brim. I eagerly extend my hands to hold it, as the pandit ji instructed me to do so on our way back.

"What?" he asks, his gaze fixed on my outstretched hands, reaching for the pot.

"The pot," I reply, directing his attention to it with a glance.

"But you'll slip if you carry the pot," he says firmly, concern etched on his face.

"But pandit ji specifically asked me to hold it," I respond, a hint of determination in my voice.

"Never mind, I won't tell him," he replies with a mischievous smile, causing my eyes to widen in surprise. Is he treating this whole situation as a joke?

"Give it to me!" I retort, my voice laced with anger, and my face clearly displaying my frustration. Without hesitation, he hands me the pot, seemingly taken aback by my sudden outburst.

Clutching the pot tightly in my hands, I stride forward with determined steps, leaving him standing there, bewildered and trying to process what just transpired a few moments ago.

My anger fuels a constant stream of frustrated words, escaping my lips in a flurry of emotions. "Is this all a joke to him? Even though I pretended to be okay, now he's toying with Dadi's feelings, with my devotion. How could he do this?"

The questions whirl around in my mind, a mix of confusion and disappointment, as I continue on my path, constantly blabbering.

Just as I hear a voice, he says, joining his hands together, "Nahi karunga meri maa, galti ho gayi." (I won't do this my highness , it was by mistake)

"Chalo tum aage, ab chahe water pot hath mein rakho ya sar par rakh ke naacho, kuch nahi bolunga. Ek to inka bhala socho aur phir inse hi baatein suno," he continues, completing his sentence , from which annoyance completely evident. (Now you walk ahead. Now either you hold the pot in your hand or start dancing while keeping it on your head , I won't interrupt. It's like we can't even think of good for someone )

His words leave me feeling amused and my eyes went wide seeing him standing joining his both the hands infront of me and then I giggled at his unexpected reaction, realising that I annoyed him so well. And then, I can't help it—I burst into laughter, finding his response absolutely hilarious.

"Haso mat chalo," he says, and I begin to move forward. This time, I take slow, cautious steps, feeling a sense of unease lingering within me. (Walk , don't laugh)

But then, I sense two hands sliding onto my shoulders from both sides, causing me to freeze in place. A chill runs down my spine, and fear courses through my entire body, leaving me paralyzed.

I come to a sudden halt, my heart pounding in my chest, as I anxiously turn around to see who is standing behind me. As I spin around, my eyes widen in surprise, and I let out a sigh of relief.

"It's you !" I exclaim, looking at Kabir and letting out a sigh of relief .

"To aur kaun hoga," he replies, shrugging his shoulders. (So who else it will be(

"Mai kitna dar gayi thi pata hai? Aaram se nahi kar sakte kuch," I respond, my voice filled with fury. (I got so scared , can't you do anything normally)

"Kya kiya maine ab?" he asks, curious about my reaction.(What did I do now)

"To mere haath kyu pakde hai dono side se?" I ask, my face displaying annoyance. (So why did you hold my hands from behind)

"Bahut khali lag rahe the to socha, mehendi laga du tmhare shoulders pe," he replies, his expression deadpan and sarcasm dripping from his voice. (They were looking very empty so I thought of applying mehndi on them )

I can't help but roll my eyes at his explanation. "Mehendi lagane ke liye? Seriously?" I retort, a mix of frustration and amusement in my tone. (Seriously, to apply mehndi)

"Mujhe irritate mat karo," I continue, my teeth gritted with frustration. His lame jokes and my growling stomach aren't making things any better for me. ( don't irritate me)

"Accha accha, thik hai. I'm sorry. Don't get scared, it was just me. I was holding you so that you don't fall, since you're so adamant about holding the pot. Got it?" he asks, his tone filled with a mix of apology and concern.

"Hmm," I replier turning back again and moving. He then holds me from both sides of my shoulders, causing a shiver to run down my spine , feeling my cheeks and neck turn red as I realize that he cares about me. After taking a moment to calm down my racing heart, I gather my courage and start moving towards the temple.

As we walk side by side, I steal a glance at Kabir. His presence bringing a sense of comfort to me.

-----

And within a few minutes, we reach the temple again. The pandit ji has already made the necessary arrangements. We both follow the instructions given by the pandit ji, one by one. Then, he asks Kabir to extend his hand to receive some flowers. Kabir gestures for me to do the same, and I obediently follow his instructions.

As I extend my hand, a sudden wave of pain shoots through my nerves, causing me to let out a soft, almost inaudible scream with a "sssssss" sound as I hiss in pain. I know exactly why it hurts, but there's nothing I can do about it. I try my best to hide my discomfort, not wanting to spoil the moment.

And because of that my eyes squinted shut. But I quickly manage to get back  my senses to not let anyone know about it and looked at Kabir's face to see if he saw me . But to my bad luck he noticed me ,  as just the moment I tilted my head to look his side to confirm it , he looked at me with a questioning look that showed concern as well. But I shook my head in negative to not let him know about anything. And then We both focus on completing the rituals.

As everything is completed, it's time for the aarti. The pandit asks both of us to stand up and perform the aarti together.

And as the aarti begins, it feels so unreal, so different, yet so magical all at once. I gaze at Kabir's face, completely absorbed in the act of aarti. In that moment, a rush of emotions floods over me - love, gratitude, and a deep sense of fulfillment. It's like a dream come true, performing the aarti with my partner by my side, holding the plate together, our eyes locked, and our hearts filled with prayers for each other's well-being.

Although I believe that love doesn't exist, at least for me, somewhere deep in my heart, there has always been a longing for a moment like this.

A moment where I can worship with my husband, holding the same thaal of pooja together, and being captivated by the love shining in his beautiful eyes.

Well, I know the second condition isn't fulfilled here and may seem far from reality, but I find happiness in this moment, appreciating all that I have instead of worrying about what the future may hold.

For me this is the most precious moment, the best romance and the most romantic moment. And if my life were to be written as a romantic novel , this scene will undoubtedly be my absolute favorite.

KABIR'S POV:-

I don't know what's happening to me since yesterday, but every time I gaze into her eyes, it's like I'm being swept away, drowning in their mesmerizing depths. They exude a profound sense of innocence that touches the very core of my being.

And as we sit here together, in front of the sacred fire, it feels incredibly divine. Even though I'm not usually a spiritual person, the emotions, feelings, and vibes surrounding us as we perform these rituals together are truly extraordinary.

I guess dadi was really right , I did so wrong by trusting my mom . I shouldn't have done that .

Aadhira's prays - "Dear Lord, thank you for all you've given me. My only wish is to care for my mother and brother, as they are my whole world. And my husband too,  Though he may not love me, still I want to be there for him, whenever he needs me as I know the pain of loneliness. Grant me the strength to fulfill this role."

Kabir prays - "well dear lord , I believe in you and hence All I pray is jst keep this mad girl safe and never let me do anything wrong with her ever. Please guide me"

---

After completing all the rituals and receiving blessings, we bid farewell and headed towards the car. However, just as we were about to reach it, the rain started to pour.

What began as gentle monsoon droplets soon transformed into a torrential downpour. Seeking shelter, we found solace under the shade of a quaint sweet stall. We waited for a while, but the rainfall intensified, dampening not only our clothes but also my mood. It turned sour and filled me with a sense of frustration and disappointment.

As I glanced at Aadhira's face, my expression transformed completely. Without even realizing it, a wide grin spread across my face. She looked so joyous, admiring the rain with her wet hands, fully embracing its beauty. Her eyes sparkled with delight. In that moment, memories flooded back to me.

I remembered how much she adored the rain. Once, during our childhood, I visited her home, and we had the most incredible time playing in the rain. That spirited girl dragged me into the downpour, and I ended up enjoying it immensely. Oh, those were the days!

"What's up?" she questioned, her eyes catching Kabir's unwavering stare.

"Oh, nothing," I swiftly retorted, redirecting his gaze elsewhere.

"How much longer do we have to hang around?" she pressed, curiosity evident in her voice.

"We'll stick it out until the rain lets up," I assured her.

"But what if it keeps pouring?" she quizzed, arching an eyebrow.

"You don't even say anything positive?" I retorted, my voice tinged with frustration. I really didn't want to get drenched today.

"I'm just stating the facts. It's pretty clear that the rain won't let up for at least the next two hours," she replied, pouting and shrugging her shoulders.

"So, are you suggesting that we should just brave the rain and get soaked on our way to the car?" I asked, wiggling both my eyebrows and a scowl forming on my face.

"Up to you. Otherwise, you might end up blaming me," she replied, casually shrugging her shoulders.

I paused for a moment, then suddenly grabbed Aadhira's hands, causing her to whip her head towards me in surprise.

"What?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with shock.

"Let's go," I responded, holding our hands tightly as we sprinted through the rain.

We both dashed through the raindrops, reaching the car completely drenched, just as I had predicted.

Despite being soaked to the bone, Aadhira couldn't help but wear a wide grin, like a kid who had just gotten their hands on their favorite treat. Oh, my girl and her playful antics!

"Wait, what did I just say? Did I actually call her 'my girl'?" I thought to myself.

"Calm down, Kabir, calm down," my inner voice mocked, as my heart started racing with the realization.

---

We were driving home at a slow pace, the rain still pouring down. But it seemed to ease up a bit, so we decided to continue our journey to avoid getting too late.

As we drove, the rain gradually started to lessen, and I couldn't help but pick up the speed a little. I was driving in silence when I noticed Aadhira, her gaze fixed outside the window, but with a noticeable frown on her face. It was clear that something is disturbing her for sure.

Maybe I know the reason, or maybe I don't. So I ask her, "What's so interesting outside?"

She jumps in her seat, as if her mind was somewhere else, and then replies, "Uh... now nothing," with no expression on her face. She turns away, muttering something under her breath.

After a few seconds, something clicks in my mind, and I ask her if she's hungry. She doesn't reply, just stares at me intently.

"You can stare at me later," I say with a teasing smirk, enjoying the playful banter.

"N...No no, I won't. I mean, I wasn't," she stutters, her nervousness evident as she bites her lip.

I decide to tease her a bit more, finding joy in seeing this shy side of her, even though I've always been drawn to her fierce personality. But wait, what did I just say? I don't like her... at least not yet , especially in that way. I unknowingly hit my forehead with my palm , grabbing her attention.

"What happened?" she asks, her expression filled with concern.

"Nothing, I was just thinking that I look so bad, you won't even stare at me," I say, pretending to be sad, with a slight pout on my face.

"Oh no no, you got me wrong. It's not like that," she replies trying to explain me everything.

"So, what is it like then?" I ask, looking straight into her eyes and moving a bit closer, feeling her heartbeat quicken.

Nervously biting her lip, she replies, "No, it's not that I meant. I'm sorry if you feel bad."

Not wanting to make her uncomfortable any further, I decide to change the topic. "Leave it, tell me if you want to have something?" I ask, hoping to shift the focus.

Once again, she doesn't reply. Instead, she lowers her eyes and fidgets with her fingers. Oh, I don't like seeing this fearful side of Aadhira. Have I scared her so badly these past few days? The thought weighs on my mind as I focus on driving, increasing my speed slightly.

But then I hear a low voice, and I look at her as she fidgets with her fingers. "Actually, umm Kiaan asked you to bring sweets. What about that? Have you purchased them?" She asks me.

"It's my responsibility. I'll take care of it. Do you also want to buy them or anything else?" I ask firmly this time, feeling a bit annoyed.

"But..but" she was trying to say something but I cut her off in mid and asked her again a bit sternly, stressing each word and trying to control my anger -"Just tell me what I asked. Are you hungry or do you need anything?"

"No, I'm not hungry," she replies, trying to hide her true hunger.

But at the same time, her stomach betrays her by emitting a loud growling sound.

I can't help but let out a side smirk and a tight smile. "I can hear it very well, Mrs. Kabir. Your stomach is definitely telling a different story," I say playfully, teasing her about her hunger.

She quickly turns her face because of the embarrassment.

Her heart flutters at the sound of her newly given name, bestowed upon her by her husband. Her cheeks turn red and heat rushes to her face, all from the power of a name.

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