April 22nd.
It was the day of her elder sister's wedding rituals. It was the kind of day where everything should feel like a scene from a movie: people dancing, laughing, eating, celebrating. But there she was, running around like a headless chicken, making sure everything was perfect. After all, she was the designated wedding coordinator—because of course, someone had to be. The venue was alive with guests, music, and chaos, but she had no time to enjoy it. Not yet. She had to make sure the seating arrangements were sorted, the caterer didn't mess up the dessert table, and the photographers were capturing the right moments.
Her elder sister was about to get married, and this was supposed to be a special day. But as she moved from one task to another, she couldn't help but feel like she was missing out. The past few months had been full of sadness and overthinking. Her mind was stuck in a loop of regret, wondering whether she had made the right choices, or if her life was actually a series of mistakes strung together. It felt like everything around her was moving forward, except her. But today, for the sake of her sister, she would push all those thoughts aside.
Luckily, she wasn't entirely running the show alone. Her best friends, Naina and Viaan, were in town just for the pre-wedding rituals, acting like her personal glam squad, event crew, and emotional support humans rolled into one.
Naina, with her perfectly winged eyeliner and that "I-don't-take-nonsense" energy, kept shoving snacks into her hands every time she passed by."Eat something before you faint and become a dramatic centerpiece," Naina said, eyeing her up and down. "You look like you're running on caffeine and anxiety."
"I am running on caffeine and anxiety," she deadpanned.
Viaan sauntered up, holding two mocktails and a smug grin. "And yet somehow, you're still pulling off the 'stressed-but-sexy' look. Iconic."
"Shut up," she muttered, but laughed anyway, taking the drink.
"Honestly," Naina said, looking around at the dancing guests, "This is the closest we've ever come to being in a Karan Johar movie. All we need is a wind machine and some unnecessary family drama."
"Oh, trust me, the drama is always on standby," Viaan added. "Also, side note, if anyone tries to hit on you today, blink twice and I'll pretend to be your overprotective fiancé."
"You're already acting like one," she teased.
These two knew her better than anyone. They had been through it all—failed crushes, impulsive haircuts, mid-week existential crises—and now, here they were, making sure she didn't collapse under wedding pressure. They weren't at the main wedding in the resort, but their presence at the rituals made all the difference.
Even in the chaos, having Naina and Viaan by her side made everything feel a little more bearable—and a lot more fun.
The ceremony went off without a hitch. Everything was picture-perfect. The guests were dancing, laughing, and taking photos like they were in a travel magazine. It felt unreal, like a dream. Yet, in the middle of the festivities, she couldn't shake the feeling that her own life was on pause.
And then, the memories of a few years ago came rushing back…
She had met him during one of those perfect sunny August mornings. Louis. He wasn't just any boy—he was the boy. The one who had everything: charm, confidence, that perfect smile that made everyone swoon, and that delicious arrogance that she couldn't resist. He was the kind of guy you'd see on the cover of a magazine and immediately think, "He's probably a little too perfect to be real."
It was her first day at the park, and there he was, working out like he owned the place. She'd barely noticed him at first, but then something about him caught her eye. It wasn't just his toned body (though, yes, that helped). It was the way he moved—effortless, like everything in the world was beneath him. And of course, she wasn't the only one who noticed. Every girl at the park seemed to be drooling over him, making her feel like she had zero chance. But no matter how many admirers he had, she couldn't stop thinking about him.
Louis wasn't the only one with admirers, though. She had her fair share of guys who wanted to catch her attention, too. Some of them had the right intentions, but most of them were just looking for a good time. She wasn't interested. Not really. She had her eyes on Louis, and that was that. She didn't know what it was about him, but there was something that pulled her in.
After a little bit of persistence (okay, a lot), and with a little help from one of his friends, Victor, she got Louis's number. The rest, as they say, was history. Within three months, they were a couple. The kind of couple everyone envied.
But now, as she stood there at her sister's wedding, Louis was calling again. She wasn't answering. Not today. Not when she had other things to focus on. Her mind was too busy with wedding details to care about his texts. But three days later, the wedding came to an end, and it was time for the real celebration: the big, beautiful wedding day.
The venue was straight out of a fairytale: a secluded resort surrounded by tall trees, a river that sparkled in the sunlight, and rolling hills in the distance. It was breathtaking. But she couldn't enjoy it. Not with everything that needed her attention. From managing the caterers to making sure no one was fighting over seating arrangements, there was no time for deep breaths or wistful gazes into the sunset.
The wedding went off smoothly. The guests were having a blast, and everyone was busy celebrating. But as the ceremony came to an end, she felt that familiar tightness in her chest—her elder sister was leaving. She was about to start a new chapter of her life, and it made her feel like she was standing still.
Wanting a moment to process, she went to her brother-in-law's room, planning to have a quick word with him about taking care of her sister. She was ready to give him that protective speech every younger sister gives before a wedding.
But then, the universe decided to play its hand.
There, leaning casually against the window frame, was Mick. He was one of her brother-in-law's friends.
Mick.
She froze.
He was everything she didn't need right now—and everything she couldn't resist. He had this way of standing that made it look like he didn't have a care in the world, as though the entire wedding was a backdrop to his own personal runway show. His presence, his charm, the sizzling looks he served is to die for. His eyes deep like ocean to dive in, his hair was disheveled in that "I don't care" way that somehow made him look even more handsome. He had a two small moles on his neck- subtle, perfectly placed, and somehow more intimate than any shirtless photo could ever be.A lazy, knowing smile played on his lips, the kind that hinted he was always five steps ahead, and a voice that sounded like he could talk you into any kind of trouble. He mocked her, "Emotional again?"
She eye-rolled and walked past him like he was just another random guest.
But as the wedding wrapped up, she couldn't get him out of her mind. On the way home, she found herself texting her brother-in-law, asking for more details about Mick. His name. His job. His hobbies. What made him tick.
After all, it wasn't every day that a guy like Mick casually waltzed into your life and left you wondering if this was fate or just pure chaos.
She didn't waste any time. She found Mick's ID and sent him a text. It was bold. It was daring. And it was definitely her style, she couldn't help herself.
"Out of all your bro's hotshot friends, I still managed to find you. Guess fate really wanted me to choose trouble."
His reply came almost immediately, and she felt a little flutter in her chest when she saw it.
"Oh, some trouble is meant to be avoided. Me? I was made for you to chase"
Her heart did this weird little skip. They were off to a start neither of them had expected. A little playful. A little sarcastic. A lot interesting. And maybe—just maybe—this was the kind of trouble she needed in her life.
Her romantic, green-flagged relationship had just begun which she didn't even knew unfolding different chapters in her life.