“Jasmine, this is a bit different” I sigh while buttoning up this long jacket. Soothing out the fabric with my palms and fixing the red stole draped on my shoulder — I am glad I remembered the guidance from the staff.

I have tried on so many different kinds of clothes for the past hour. Jasmine selected a couple of them for the countless series of wedding ceremonies.

Veer has made the arrangements for us to select our outfits in one of the rooms of this palace — even adding changing stalls. Bringing all kinds of traditional Indian clothing in different designs, colours and patterns. Each one with a separate name and unique styling.

I was astonished at first looking at the racks of outfits brought just for trials. I have seen and been used to fashion shows and designer clothing because of my family but the variation between foreign and Indian style has gotten me.

Jasmine has made me try out each piece which I like and also the ones she liked. I have worn so many of these that I lost count. For each one she had a different reaction — giggling, blushing, punching the cushion and all.

She looked cute while she gushed over me in her traditional clothing

I slid the curtain open and set out, Jasmine was seated on the couch while sipping a drink. She was talking to one of the staff members about a design in the catalogue.

God, her face.

Her hair was tied softly into a bun while leaving a few curls to frame her face. She wore this mirror work top that reflected every bit of the light along with a light work — silver lehenga. That's what she called it when I called it a long skirt.

She wasn't even trying, just casually lounging and looking like a masterpiece of art.

She looked up.

And stopped.

Just paused. No comment, no smirk or remarks. Her lips parted, and for a second, she just looked.

“What do you think?” I ask, trying to keep it breezy, spreading my arms a bit. While it's about my selection, I care a lot about her opinions. Not only because they matter but also because she knows what's appropriate for these events.

She stared at me for a long beat before speaking “You look like the groom” She mutters in a low tone but I could hear it. The instant fluster covers her face as she realizes.

My lips curve up into a smile at the thought to tease her “A groom is incomplete without a bride. Are you volunteering?”

She suddenly throws a pillow at my face which I catch mid-air. Due to the long experience in basketball and dodging her throws many times.

The woman who was previously talking to Jasmine lets out a small giggle which makes her even more embarrassed.

“Let me focus please!”Jasmine takes a long look at me from head to toe, her expressions neutral making it hard for me to understand if she likes it or not.

“You are absolutely handsome. Though the fitting is a bit” She trails off without completing. I know what she meant, not every outfit I tried suits my body structure. She already sent two kurtas.

She stands up, grabbing an ivory coloured stole that matches the coat — sherwani I am wearing.

She moves closer to me and removes the red stole before replacing it with an ivory coloured one. “Are you comfortable with this?” she asks while buttoning the collar button. Her fingers brushing against the skin of my neck making me swallow hard.

I nod silently while keeping my eyes forward. My hand clenches and unclenches involuntarily as I try to maintain my composure. I am really tempted to pull her closer and if I look at her again then I definitely will.

“It's good. Do you want me to try other colours? Like red?” While she made me try on different clothes, she also made me wear the same kurtas in different colours to see if they match the theme properly or not.

And taken dozens of pictures calming if they look good in pictures

I doubt that was the reason.

“I would have made you try them but Bhai has given me instructions on the theme. For wedding it's especially golden and ivory. Mira's preference” Jasmine says while clicking more pictures of mine with her camera. Her expressions a bit conflicted “I mean I can't imagine weddings without red but it's her choice, I should make sure that we don't do something that ruins her big day”

“Your wedding can be red, you know?”

Jasmine looks at me with a slight smirk, she tilts her head slightly with a playful look in her eyes “Just mine? Not yours?”She remarks without missing a beat this time.

My heart skips a beat at her words. The image of her dressed in a red lehenga, the rich hue highlighting her features—

She snaps her finger in front of my face, pulling me out of my thoughts “Imagining too soon. First think about the current wedding” A grin spreads across my face at her implementation “Yes, Sure. Though this time or that time — you can always select my clothes”

I don't know if she is just talking or serious but I am very serious about it.

“Remember that, don't take the words back” Jasmine says teasingly and steps back “Okay, we are selecting this one too. Please add the rest of the accessories too” She requests to the woman. She nods and replies something in hindi and Jasmine continues the conversation.

“Accessories?” I question, seeing the woman keep a velvet wrapped box on the couch before leaving. Jasmine nods “Yeah, this sherwani comes along with some jewels. We can add them later”

I sigh slightly, my shoulders limping down “Are you trying to convert me into a prince and shove me into one of these royal paintings?”

She giggles and turns to face me “Come on, it ain't that bad. This fit is for the wedding so you gotta look spectacular”

“I understand that but this is heavier and layered than the previous ones” I say unbuttoning the collar again.

“Yeah because for haldi and mehendi you have embroidered kurtas which are light and elegant. For Sangeet a bit more refining with a bandhgala jacket. For the wedding of course it's gonna be a sherwani and for reception you can wear a suit or a tuxedo” She explains while she undrapes the stole and starts folding it back to its original shape.

I step closer to her and wrap my arms around her from behind — pulling her against my chest. She blinks in surprise but doesn't protest, melting against me “Aww, is my baby tired?”

I feel a wave of embarrassment at her babying tone but don't complain

I rest my chin on her shoulder “Kinda because of the amount of clothes I have tried”

She nods understanding, setting down the neatly folded stole. “You can go and rest now. All the selections are done and I have already talked about the adjustments” She says while her palm gently patted my cheek. I nuzzled my face into her touch.

My mind replays her words, a look of confusion appearing on my face “But you didn't select your outfits”

“Yes, I will do it now. Then I have to call Liam and Stella taking their opinions on the outfits I selected for them and send those for fitting too”

“So you are not gonna show me?” I ask in disbelief, pulling back to look at her. Jasmine's eyebrows furrow in genuine confusion. I sigh looking up at the ceiling and back at her “I did a whole fashion show for free and I don't even get a glimpse of you in those dresses?” I say pointing at the racks of dresses.

She looks at them and then back at me “I thought you are tired”

“Doesn’t mean I am gonna miss out”

She laughs softly, her eyes crinkling in the corner “You really wanna stay? I might take some time in selecting”

“I don't mind”

She turns around to face me. My grip loses on her to give her free moments — my hands gently caress the bare skin of her waist while she trails her hands up my chest and binding them together behind my neck.

“Okay, you can stay but only if you try one last outfit for me” She demands, her eyes glistening with an unspoken mischief. My eyes narrows suspiciously “Which one now?”

Suddenly the woman appears again, holding a garment bag with a new outfit. “Oh right on time!” Jasmine claps her hands excitedly and detaches herself from my grip and walks away to receive it.

My mind races trying to guess what that bags hold while Jasmine is having a conversation with the woman before sending her away.

“Okay, try this and impress me!” She says giving me the bag while trying to push me back into the changing stall. “Alright” I sigh, having no choice, grabbing the bag I walk inside and close the curtains.

I easily dress into her new choice of black outfit — wearing the long black kurta and rolling its sleeves to my elbow, pairing it with loose pants. It still takes time to figure out these sparkly stoles that came along.

Finally I step out.

Jasmine was sitting back at her original place, scrolling through her phone with the internet. I wait for her to notice me, it takes a few seconds but when she does — her reaction is priceless.

Her eyes widens in amusement, her lips parts as she lets out a soft gasp. She keeps her palm on her mouth while she speaks with her other hand on the couch repeatedly “Oh my gosh! You look so freaking hot!” She squeaks while bouncing her feet.

I jerk back at her sudden reaction. The warmth of her words creeps to my cheeks and ears. Among all of the clothes I tried, this is by far her best reaction.

“Really?”

She nods continuously as she gets up and approaches me. My heart races suddenly by looking at her eyes which hold an excited spark.

“You look so damn good, okay?” She mutters under her breath while standing in front of me. Her eyes roam over my body in an appreciative way — lingering on my neck and chest where a few buttons are undone.

“Milaya?”

She puts her weight on her left leg making her body lean to the side, she holds her chin “This is dangerous. You can't wear this”

My brows shoot up “What? Why? I thought you liked it?”

She claps her palm on the other creating a loud noise in this almost empty room “Excatly! I didn't expect you to look like this. So dangerous to let others see this except me!”

I chuckle, crossing my arms, intentionally flexing my forearms. “So you are possessive about me?”

She shrugs her shoulders “Well yeah. Can't have anyone put an evil eye on you. I didn't even wear a kajal or eyeliner” she mutters to herself. Before I could ask what she is talking about — she suddenly moves forward and cups my face, making me drop my arms.

She kisses my jaw, her lips brushing against my skin makes my breath hitch at her intimate gesture. My hands came to her lower back to pull her closer “Why?”

“Hmm here we put a small black dot with kajal to protect a person from evil eye. I didn't have that so I thought to do this”

“Is this protection from evil eye? It would grab more attention” I comment, looking at myself in the mirror placed a few steps away from the changing stall. I tilt my head a bit to have a better look at my jaw — my fingers trace the lipstick mark she left.

“It's done with good intention okay? It will work!” She replies defensively and tries to take a step back. I look at her with a smirk, pulling her closer in a tight grip “If that's what you think then you should put more — maybe here?” I point at the side of my neck “and maybe one here too?” I add, pointing at my lips

She scoffs shaking her head “You will not leave a chance huh”

“Oh really? You started this, you can't leave without ending it”

She rolls her eyes in fake annoyance but I could see her internally enjoying this. She holds my nape to pull me closer and press another kiss on my neck and then proceeded to peck my lips.

I close my eyes savouring the moment before she pulls away. Despite our date last night — I still need more of her.

“Now focus” She reminds me, lifting my chin up with her fingers, I slowly open my eyes and nod.

“Sit while I try them on,” She says before disappearing into the changing stall. I plop myself on the couch and stretch my arms and legs a bit.

I grab my phone to send a text to Liam. Hoping he is done with all the appointments and didn't face any difficulties with Charlie.

Me: Did everything go smoothly?

Liam: Almost. Had to bring Mia along because your son doesn't listen to me.

He replies in a few seconds. I have already guessed it, Charlie goes to everyone except Liam. My phone rings with another message from him — a photo attached of his arm that has minor scratches which are definitely from Charlie.

I wince internally, I knew it would be difficult but not this much. I quickly type an apology for it.

Liam: Now Stella is worrying about it even though the doctor said it's fine. What about that?”

He is concerned that Stella is worrying about him instead of his own injuries. I honestly get him at this point.

Me: Tell Stella not to worry and it will heal soon. I have gotten those too.

Liam: She is already reading the messages right now.

Me: Oh? Well, Hello sister in law! Sorry for the trouble

Liam: Doing this for my best friend.

I am ninety nine percent sure that this message is from Stella as it has a heart emoji followed by. Which Liam never uses.

What confirms my guess with a hundred percent is — that text gets deleted and then resent without the heart.

Done by Liam.

Me: Still I am very thankful that you both and Mia went through the trouble to take Charlie to check up before the flight.

Liam: It's alright. Will inform before taking off

Me: okay, have a safe journey

Jasmine has been missing Charlie for a while. I thought maybe ask Liam and Stella to bring him here along with them. I have never taken him out as he likes staying indoors so it was him checked up beforehand.

I hope they all have peaceful journey

The rustling of fabric grabs my attention. I put my phone aside and look up at the curtain where Jasmine is. I could see her silhouette due to the thin white curtain. The gentle glow from the lights above casting a translucent filter over her frame.

I didn't think about it before because the stall I used had red velvet like curtains which were thick but this…

The way her hands slid on the fabric of her lehenga to smoothen it. Her back toward me as her hands went back to reach for her top, her soft groans of frustration as she couldn't find the hook. Her body arching slightly, her head tilting to find a better look. The soft curve of her waist reaching her hip. I feel my heart race as I gaze at her.

If I could just reach out—

My pulse takes a sudden jump “Damnit” I mutter under my breath and quickly get up without a thought and reach out for the switch board and turn off all the lights.

“Lucas? What happened?” Jasmine asks in surprise. The room gets a bit darker but there is still a source of light from the windows. I take a deep breath trying to not let my mind wander to the previous scenario.

“Nothing, the electricity is being wasted, the sunlight is enough” My breath comes out a bit huskier than intended.

I stand there trying to calm my heart. I could hear her move inside but don't dare to look up again. After a few moments, Jasmine finally steps out.

My eyes trail down to her outfit. The lehenga glimmering under the rays of sunlight filtering through the windows. Casting a dusky look on her skin which enhances her look. The colourful floral lacework and rich embroidery drapes elegantly over her body.

“How is it?” She asks. I couldn't take my eyes off her as she twirls to show her whole outfit. “I love clothes in which I could twirl like experiencing a Disney moment” The fabric swirling around her body in a graceful and also sensuous way.

“So breathtaking” I manage to mutter out “It suits you and the colour looks perfect on you”

She laughs under her breath, a little shy as she stands in front of the mirror while fixing her dupatta “I really like this. I don't know for which ceremony” She sighs while placing her hands on her hips.

I approach her from behind. Her eyes trails to me in the mirror’s reflection. “You look stunning in this” I add, my hand reaching out for her waist. “You can try other ones too before selecting”

She leans her back towards me while we maintain eye contact in the mirror. She gives me a small smile, her eyes flickers “I love seeing you in the traditional, can't take my eyes off you” She says, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dupatta.

She doesn't realise how tantalizing she looks

I chuckle at her words, feeling a sense of pride “Oh yeah? I could say the same about you” I gesture to her look. “I wish I could paint you and hold this moment forever”

She looks at me, her hand resting on mine “You really like painting?”

I shake my head “I love painting. Especially my muse who brings life to my art”

She presses her lips together holding back her smile “Your words distract me too much” she mutters

“Just the way you attract me” I whisper, making her face me before pressing a small kiss to her lips — gentle enough to not ruin her makeup

She giggles softly as I pull back, brushing her nose against mine “Okay, I could never win this”

“So will you select this now?”

She hums before slowly turning towards the mirror again, placing her hand on her chest “It's good for Sangeet and theme but it's kinda heavy”

“Heavy?” I repeat, watching her nod while examining her look with concern. Without a word, I hook my arm under her knees while supporting her back and hoist her up in my arms

“Lucas!” She yelps, her arms coming around to hold my shoulders for support.

“See? It's perfect” I turn to the mirror so she could see herself. “Not heavy” I add, smoothly lifting her in my arms. She rests her head on my shoulder as she looks at me “Yeah, these are moving handy” She replies, poking my bicep playfully.

I shrug my shoulders trying to stay nonchalant. “You won't protest to put you down like last time?”

“Nope, I love this!” She exclaims, wrapping her arms around my neck making her body press against mine. “I could stay here forever! Feeling like a Disney p

rincess!”

“I don't mind” I say without hesitation, holding her securely as I spin myself with her in my arms. Her joyful laughter fills the room as she spreads her arms and closes her eyes enjoying the moment.

I don't mind doing this forever