 AVNI
đź“Ť Mussoorie,
India
I woke up with a soft sigh, the memories of last night still vivid in my mind. The Mehndi ceremony had been magical, filled with music, laughter, and a sense of warmth that lingered like the scent of flowers. As I lay there, flashes of the evening returned: dancing with Ritvika and Kabir, laughing until my cheeks hurt, the vibrant swirl of colors and music surrounding us. But mostly... I remembered the way Rudra had looked at me, his gaze soft and almost warm, a look I hadn't seen in him before.
I smiled to myself, thinking about how the night had ended. After the main festivities, we had all gathered outside, the younger crowd, around a small bonfire Kabir had insisted on starting. We sat around it, singing every cheesy Bollywood song we could think of, taking turns teasing each other and laughing until we were practically in tears. The air was filled with voices, all blending together with the crackling warmth of the fire. The stars above felt endless, scattered across the sky, and for that brief moment, everything felt perfect.
Still wrapped in those memories, I stood up and stretched, making my way to the balcony attached to my room. The morning air was cool and refreshing, a welcome change after the warm night by the bonfire. As I stepped outside, I saw event managers bustling around below, draping marigolds and colorful drapes, transforming the place yet again for today's Haldi and Sangeet ceremonies. Golden marigolds lined the pathways, and vibrant hues of fabric swayed in the gentle breeze—it looked like a scene out of a movie.
While I watched, taking it all in, I suddenly spotted Kabir among the crowd. He looked up, noticing me on the balcony, and waved with his usual infectious energy.
"Avni!" he called up, grinning. "Come down already! We're all making plans and you don't want to miss out, do you?"
I laughed, giving him a quick nod, and headed back into my room to get ready. There was still some time before the actual ceremonies began, so I kept it simple, throwing on a casual kurta and tying my hair back. Just something comfortable for now, so I could help out and be part of the planning without worrying about ruining my outfit.
As I walked down to join the others, my heart fluttered with excitement. Today was going to be another beautiful day, filled with love, family, and laughter. And maybe, just maybe, there'd be more quiet moments—moments where I'd catch a certain look from Rudra that would make everything feel a little warmer, a little more special.
I was practically flying down the stairs, eager to join the others, when my foot caught the edge of a step. In a split second, I felt myself tipping forward, and I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable collision with the floor.
But instead of hitting the ground, I felt a pair of strong arms wrapping around me, steady and secure. My heart skipped a beat as the familiar scent of sandalwood and something uniquely him filled my senses. I didn't even need to open my eyes to know who had caught me.
"Do you have a habit of tripping and falling, Princess?" a deep, masculine voice asked, tinged with amusement.
I opened my eyes slowly, meeting Rudra's gaze, his face mere inches from mine. There was a playful glint in his eyes that made my heart race even faster.
"Do you have a habit of catching me every time, Mr. Bodyguard?" I replied, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
"Exactly," he said, his voice lower now, almost a whisper. "I'm here to guard your body... You."
The way he said those words sent a shiver down my spine, and for a second, I forgot everything—the staircase, the ceremony, the world around us. It was just him, holding me close, his eyes watching me with an intensity that made my breath catch.
A few seconds ticked by, and I realized I was still in his arms, not that I minded... but I knew others were probably around. With a quiet laugh, I pulled myself together and gently eased out of his grip, steadying myself on my feet.
"Well then," I said, trying to sound casual, "good to know you're on duty."
His lips curved in a slight smirk as he replied, "Always."
"Okay... see you then..." I said, turning to head downstairs. But I stopped mid-step, a thought crossing my mind, and I turned back toward him.
"Rudra... today's ceremony... no Formals, please."
His brows lifted, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly masked it with a faint smirk. "Is that a request or an order, Princess?" he asked, amusement flickering in his voice.
"Just a... suggestion," I replied, trying to sound casual but feeling a warm flush creep up my cheeks. "It wouldn't hurt to see you looking a little more... festive."
Rudra chuckled softly, the sound warm and almost inviting. "Noted. I'll do my best to meet your... expectations."
I gave him a small smile and nodded, feeling oddly pleased, before turning to head downstairs for real this time. As I went, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation for what the evening would hold.
I joined the group, eager to contribute, and we began brainstorming ideas for the haldi and sangeet setup, deciding on flower arrangements, lighting, and even small details for the decor. There was laughter and jokes, and everyone's excitement was contagious. After a while, everyone split up to handle their assigned tasks.
Just as I was gathering my things, Kabir came over, his face lighting up with that easy smile of his. "So, Avni... are you planning on stealing the show tonight?" he asked, his tone playful, his gaze lingering on me.
I laughed, not fully understanding what he meant but sensing he was teasing. "Stealing the show? I'm just here to help and make sure everything goes smoothly!"
"Ah, come on... with you here, who's going to notice anyone else?" He leaned in slightly, eyes twinkling as he added, "I might need to watch out myself."
I raised my eyebrows, not quite catching on. "Watch out? For what?"
He chuckled, almost as if he was holding back a laugh. "You know... for any competition. I'd hate for all the attention to shift my way when it's clearly meant for you," he said, eyes gleaming mischievously.
I blinked at him, still not quite piecing it together. "Competition? For the decor?" I asked, genuinely confused.
I thought maybe he was joking about the setup. "We're all in this together, Kabir. No need to compete."
He stared at me for a moment, and then he burst into laughter. "You're... you're something else, Avni."
Before I could respond, I felt a shift in the air. A familiar presence, one that made the hairs on the back of my neck prickle with awareness. Rudra was standing just behind me. I glanced back to find his intense gaze fixed on us, his expression unreadable but... sharp.
Kabir noticed him, too, his playful smile fading slightly as he sized up Rudra. "And you are...?"
Rudra's jaw tightened as he replied, "Her personal bodyguard."
There was a hint of irritation in his voice, maybe from overhearing Kabir's teasing, or maybe... from the way Kabir had gotten close.
Kabir, ever unflappable, just shrugged and responded, "And I'm her friend."
Rudra narrowed his eyes slightly. "Toh?" he replied, his tone holding a hint of challenge.
(So!?)
Kabir looked like he was about to say something, but before he could, Rudra turned to me, his expression firm. "Come on, Princess. I need you for something."
I felt my heart skip a beat as he motioned for me to follow. Not quite understanding, but oddly curious, I nodded to Kabir and turned to go with Rudra.
He led me outside, and as we stepped into the open area, I saw the decorations in full view: strings of marigolds, a mini stage draped in colorful fabrics, and small lanterns scattered around, casting a warm glow. The scene felt like something out of a dream.
"It's so beautiful..." I whispered, taking in the details.
Rudra glanced at me, a softness in his gaze. "I knew you'd feel good watching this," he said quietly. There was something different in his tone, something... gentle.
In that moment, the hustle and chatter of the others felt like a distant hum, and all I was aware of was the peace of the scene and his presence beside me.
I sighed, taking in the serene beauty of the scene before us. "I'm loving this break, Rudra... away from royal duties and all. I feel... lighter," I admitted, glancing his way, hoping he understood what I was trying to say.
He looked at me, his usual stern expression softened, listening intently.
"It's not like I hate that life. I actually love it... helping people, being there for them, making an impact," I continued, a small smile tugging at my lips. "But this... this is something everyone should experience. Just... a break from it all, you know?"
Rudra nodded, a slight hint of understanding in his eyes. "Everyone needs a moment to breathe," he said quietly. "Even you, Princess."
I laughed softly, feeling a sense of relief. "Exactly. It's nice to just be... Avni. No titles, no expectations... just me, enjoying the moment."
The air around us felt different as we stood there, the quietness of the early morning wrapping us in a sense of calm. I couldn't quite place it, but there was something so grounding, so steady about being here with him, sharing these small but meaningful moments.
After a few hours, the Haldi ceremony began, filling the entire villa with laughter and vibrant shades of yellow. The courtyard was buzzing with excitement as friends and family gathered around the bride and groom. Ritvika, looking radiant with a playful glow, sat on the intricately decorated dais while everyone surrounded her, holding small bowls of turmeric paste and rose water.
As I joined the group, Kabir nudged me, a mischievous grin on his face. "Ready to get a bit messy, Princess?"
I laughed, rolling my eyes. "As long as no one throws the haldi directly at me."
He grinned wider. "No promises!"
With the music playing, family members took turns applying turmeric to the bride and groom, laughter and jokes filling the air as each person tried to add their unique touch. The energy was contagious, and soon enough, I found myself fully immersed, joining in with everyone.
The warmth and joy of the ceremony reminded me of why I loved these traditions so much—each one a moment of bonding, of shared happiness, a reminder of togetherness. And in between the rituals and laughter, I couldn't help but search the crowd for Rudra. He was there, stationed near the entrance, watching with his ever-present focused gaze.
For a moment, our eyes met, and he gave me the smallest nod. There was a hint of something in his eyes—almost as if he shared in the joy of the moment, even from afar.
I blinked, almost doing a double-take. Rudra was wearing a kurta today—a yellow color that looked incredible against his skin, with a matching dupatta draped casually over his shoulder. It was simple but elegant, a perfect blend of festive yet understated.
I couldn't stop myself from staring, my mind going blank for a moment. Gone was the intense, stoic bodyguard in his usual suit or tactical attire. Instead, he looked like he'd stepped right out of some dreamy Bollywood scene.
God, he looked... hot.
I quickly turned my attention back to the ceremony, mentally scolding myself.
Get it together, Avni.
I couldn't afford to be thinking things like that, not when he was only a few feet away. But of course, as luck would have it, he chose that exact moment to look over at me, his eyes flickering with something like amusement.
Embarrassed, I looked away, hoping he didn't catch me staring.
As the Haldi ceremony wrapped up for the bride and groom, the atmosphere shifted from formal tradition to pure, playful chaos. A mischievous glint appeared in everyone's eyes as we moved into the next part of the ritual—playing Holi with haldi.
Within seconds, handfuls of turmeric paste were flying through the air, and laughter filled the space. Kabir got the first sneak attack, his face smeared with a generous swipe of yellow from Ritvika, who laughed as he tried to chase her down. Atharv and Ishani teamed up, gleefully covering each other's faces and arms with the bright yellow paste.
I tried to dodge around the mayhem, but there was no escaping it. Before I knew it, Kabir grinned, sneaking up on me with a mischievous expression.
"Don't even think about it!" I warned, laughing, but it was too late. He tried to dab haldi on my cheek, smirking.
But i dodged it
"Now it's officially a Holi!" he declared.
As I returned the favor, a familiar presence caught my attention—Rudra, who had somehow managed to stay unscathed in the midst of all the turmeric chaos. His maroon kurta was still clean, the deep color untainted by even a hint of yellow. Clearly, he had no intention of joining in.
But Kabir spotted him, an evil grin spreading across his face as he nudged me. "Should we?" he whispered, his eyes glinting with pure mischief.
I looked at Rudra, then back at Kabir, feeling a sudden surge of boldness. "Definitely," I whispered back.
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