Before Sanskriti could weave through the crowd toward him, Atharva vanished into the sea of sherwanis and sarees.He reached her father moments later, forcing a polite smile.

"What did you call me for?" Atharva asked, though his mind lingered on that beautiful girl her wide eyes, the graceful sway of her lehenga. "How can I finish this quickly and find her again?" He thought.

His father beckoned him over moments later. "Atharva, come—meet our esteemed guest, the King of the neighboring state, SamSher Singh," he said with a proud nod, eyes gleaming.

His father leaned closer, whispering, "The king's daughter, Anamika,she's perfect for you. I've always liked her grace."

Atharva's face hardened into a cold expression at his father's words.He didn't the idea. After greeting them with a forced smile, he turned to Anamika and extended his hand.

As their fingers met, he winked deliberately, making her cheeks flush shyly. Let them think I'm no good for her, he thought. "Come, I'll show you around," he said smoothly.

Before his father could react or say a word, Atharva and Anamika slipped away into the crowd. Though his father disapproved of the attitude, the wedding rituals demanded his focus.He let it go, for now.

Atharva was angry at his father for mentioning marriage.He was already mad about the training issue which his father ordered him to go.

Atharva held Anamika's hand with exaggerated affection and started showing her around.

Soon, he reached Devika and said, "Sweetheart, meet Anamika."Devika's eyes sparkled with mischief as she knew her friend needed her help to stoke the flames.

"Oh darling!" she purred, linking arms with Atharva dramatically. "Who's this lovely new friend? Don't tell me you've forgotten our little dance last week?" She winked at Anamika, playing along perfectly.

Anamika's face flushed deep red, eyes wide with shock as she pulled her hand back slightly.

"I... I should go," she stammered, glancing nervously toward her father.

Atharva just grinned wider, the plan working perfectly.

Yuvansh had been watching the drama from afar, dying to know what was happening. He rushed over quickly and asked, "What on earth was that? Spill it!"

Atharva grinned playfully, dodging the question. "Darling, let's go dance!" he said to Devika, pulling her toward the floor. Yuvansh stood there, mouth open in frustration, yelling after them, "Hey, wait. you can't just!!!"

Meanwhile, Sanskriti scanned the crowd frantically, her heart still racing from spotting Atharva earlier. Her eyes caught the dance floor there he was, twirling Devika dramatically, both laughing as whispers spread.

While dancing, Atharva's gaze fell on Sanskriti staring at him from the corner. He signaled Yuvansh to join the dance floor, then excused himself and headed straight toward her.

Sanskriti's heart pounded hard.

he's coming right at me! Her hands felt sweaty as she froze, the heavy lehenga weighing her down, eyes searching for a way out.

Atharva stopped in front of her, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Looking for me?" he asked softly.

Sanskriti wasn't afraid of him instead she feared her mother finding out about the accident. She glanced around carefully, confirming her parents weren't nearby. Then she whispered urgently, "You won't tell anyone about the accident."

As she turned to leave, he called out softly, "Wait where are you running off to so fast?".

"That's not your concern," she snapped over her shoulder.

Atharva smirked, calling after her softly, "Maybe not... but your blush is."

Sanskriti froze mid-step, her heart pounding as Atharva's words hung in the air. She whipped around, eyes flashing with a mix of fury and something hotter, cheeks flushed crimson.

"Blush? You wish ," she stepped back and about to move backward.

Atharva's pulse raced, eyes locked on her retreating form. He stepped forward, voice a husky whisper that cut through the wedding din."Keep staring like that, and I'll make you blush in ways you can't handle."

Sanskriti paused, her back still to him, but her voice sliced through the air sharp, laced with challenge.

"Is this your usual flirting trick on every girl?"

Atharva opened his mouth to reply, but before a word could escape, she moved swiftly in another direction, melting into the crowd.

she spotted her mother weaving through the crowd. Panic flashed in her eyes and she immediately retreated to her direction.

Sanskriti weaved through the guests, heart still racing from the encounter, until she reached her mother's side ,composing herself with a forced smile.

"There you are," her mother said, linking arms.

She nodded, stealing one last glance back at the crowd, wondering if he'd follow.

Luckily, he didn't follow. She gave a sigh of relief after observing no one trailed her, tension easing from her shoulders.

Vikrant and Nandini stood at the mandap, the priest chanting mantras as the fire crackled between them. Nandini’s hands trembled slightly in Vikrant’s steady grip during the kanyadaan ritual, her father’s eyes misty as he placed her palms in her groom’s.

The saat phere began first round for dharma, their steps synchronized under the floral canopy, garlands heavy with jasmine. Guests cheered softly, the air thick with incense and anticipation.

Atharva lounged in the sitting area with his friends, a prime spot overlooking the mandap where their elder brother Vikrant and Nandini circled the fire for their pheras.

Yuvansh sprawled beside him, munching a samosa and elbowing Devika with a grin. "Yo, bet big bro Vikrant slips on phera three those knees are knocking like he's facing a boss level!"

Devika smacked his arm, bursting into giggles as the priest chanted. "As if! Nandini bhabhiis  running the show she's yanking that garland like she's got him on a string already. Total queen move!"

Shaurya cracked up from the other side, snatching a samosa. "Vikrant bhai's ancient wisdom won't save him,he's whispering bachelor prayers under his breath. Quick, hoard the snacks before sindoor time turns us into the next victims!"

Atharva laughed along, the group's chaos lighting up the rituals as the fire danced.

Then Yuvansh turned to Devika, eyes twinkling mischievously, leaning in close.

"Speaking of queens... you in that lehenga? You're stealing the whole show's spotlight. One dance later, and Vikrant bhai won't be the only one circling fire."

Devika rolled her eyes but blushed, shoving him playfully. "Dream on, samosa thief save that charm for the all those girls!"

The priest's final chants swelled as Vikrant applied sindoor to Nandini's parted hair, the vermilion streak sealing their union amid thunderous applause. Nandini blushed under the mangalsutra, now fully Vikrant's bride, as they bowed to the elders for blessings rice grains showering like confetti.

Atharva and his friends exploded from their seats in the sitting area, whooping as the sindoor ritual sealed Vikrant and Nandini's marriage amid roaring cheers.

Yuvansh pumped his fist, nearly spilling his samosa. "Big bro did it! No trips, no drama Vikrant's officially off the market!"

Devika jumped up, clapping wildly before elbowing Yuvansh. "Told you Nandini's the real MVP. Look at that blush pure victory!"

"Sindoor squad assemble! Who's hitting the feast first before we all get matchmade next?"Atharva grinned through the chaos, joining the rush toward the couple with hugs and backslaps, the wedding's electric high pulsing aro

und them.

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