“Dekho, kaise baal karliye hai!” Dadi scolds softly, pouring extra oil onto my scalp before rubbing it in with slow motion. Her fingers moved gently in a rhythm, massaging my scalp. It felt like she wasn't just untangling my hair but also my thoughts.

[Translation - Look how you made your hair]

A sigh escapes my mouth, the weight in my head feeling lighter

It's been a while, hasn't it?

“Baas time nahi milta” I mutter, pulling my knees to my chest and leaning back against her leg. She sat on my bed,she has been doing this my whole life.

[Translation - I just didn't get time]

“Time nahi Mila? Aapna dhyan rakhne ka? Aapne aap ko sabse pehle dalne ka?” Her voice was tender, but her words pierced through my chest, directly going to my heart.

[Translation - You didn't get time? To take care of yourself? To prioritise yourself before others?]

“Nahi dadi, bas busy ho gayi thi. Ab se dhyan rakhungi” I reply

[Translation - No Grandma, I just got busy. I will take care of myself from now]

She sighs, continuing her gentle massage on my head. But I could feel it — she didn’t believe me. She knows I would slip again, let life or laziness distract me from myself. She knew me too well.

“Aaj tum sab ne cricket khela?” She asks changing the topic.

[Translation - Today you all played cricket?]

My face instantly brightens up with the memory “Haan! Bahut maza aaya! Unlog ne Bahut koshish ki par jeete toh hum hi!” I say with a hint of pride in my voice though I know the truth — we won because the boys were playing with their hearts and not their heads

[Translation - Yes! It was so much fun! They tried their best but at the end we won]

“Accha? Mujhe bhi dekhna chahiye tha” She says, delighted. After applying the oil, she began braiding my hair. Her hand weaving strands into a pattern with a tenderness that made me feel like a child again.

[Translation - Really? I should have also seen it]

My mind slowly goes back to yesterday when Lucas was braiding my hair, adding small flowers in between. When he was doing that, I felt at peace, moreover I felt safe — I sat there with my eyes closed, trusting him with whatever he was doing.

He understood it didn't he?

I am falling for him.

Is that too soon? Too reckless to call it that? I don't even know if ‘love’ is the right word I should use to describe my feelings for him.

“Dadi, agar mai Australia kuch aur time ke liye jaom toh?” The question slips past my lips before I could stop myself.

[Translation - Grandma, What if I go to Australia again for sometime?]

Dadi’s hands stills in my hair  “Phir se? Par tumhe toh Veer ke saath kaam karna tha na?”

[Translation - Again? But you wanted to work along with Veer right?]

Yeah

Isn't that what I always wanted?

Study, get a degree, come back, and join the company. That’s what I always wanted. So why this sudden pull… this restlessness?

Because I want more time with him.

Three weeks aren’t enough.

I shake my head quickly, tightening my grip on my knees. “Hm, bas socha tha.” Maybe a master’s degree before joining the company would help. It would add more credibility and knowledge. But it would also mean more time away. And if Veer’s Singapore expansion happened then I would be placed there.

[Translation - I was just thinking]

It would increase the distance.

My priorities are shifting and I can't ignore it.

She caressed my hair, a gentle assurance “Aapna time leke decide Karo, theek hai? Mai hoon yahan”

[Translation - Take your time to decide it, okay? I am here for you]

I smile, a small relief seeping through me “Ji Dadi”

[Translation - Yes, Grandma]

Just then, a knock on the door made me frown. The door creaks due to old hinges as it opens, and to my surprise, Lucas steps in holding a tray.

“Jasmine, I—”

He froze when he saw Dadi. His eyes widened, darting between her and me. He might have not expected her here. Lucas have developed a habit of sneaking into my room whenever he pleased. Even when we were texting, flirting, teasing sometimes — the very next minute, I would catch him climbing into my balcony.

Thank God he didn't do that tonight.

“Good Evening, ma’am” He greets politely, though his body stayed still, glued to the spot.

Dadi’s face softened instantly “Lucas, you brought tea for us? How sweet of you. Come, join us” She suggests.

I straighten up, finally able to see the two tea cups on the tray.Chai, This late? That too for me and dadi? I don't think he knew she was here with me.

He smiles but the twitch at the corner of his lips gave him away that it wasn’t genuine. Gingerly, he stepped forward and placed the tray beside Dadi. “Only two? You didn’t bring one for yourself?” she asks curiously.

He let out an awkward laugh. “No, I don’t drink it. Please, you have it.” he trails off. His eyes flicker toward me, almost unconsciously.

A smirk tugged at my lips. He brought it for me but he couldn’t admit it in front of dadi

“Thank you, Lucas” I say, lifting the cup and saucer. The sweet warmth of ginger rose up immediately. It smelled different from the usual — papa didn't make it for sure.

I glanced up at him. His shoulders were tense in some kind of anticipation. His eyes fixed on me like he was holding his breath.

I took a slow sip, letting the flavor spread across my tongue. His fingers twitches, his chest rising just a little faster, as if he was waiting for something.

He made it.

A smile broke across my lips. “It’s amazing. I really needed this.” His eyes lit up instantly at my words, the nervousness that was weighing him down, vanishes into the air.

“Thank you,” I add, taking another sip. Behind the rim of the cup, I give him a teasing smile. Letting the cup tilt just enough to show him the faint stain of my lipstick on the crockery.

Heat crawls up to his face, blooming from his cheeks all the way to his ears, tinting them into a soft pink hue. I bite the inside of my cheek, holding back my smile.

A man— my man blushing? It was the cutest sight

Dadi cleared her throat, interrupting the silent flirting. Lucas jolts upright “Hm, I will leave then. Good night.” He rushes out of the room, almost too quickly. Escaping like he’d been caught red-handed.

Well he did

Dadi chuckled, rising to wash her hands in the bathroom. “Woh poora lattoo hai tujpe” she calls out, her voice muffled under the running tap.

[Translation - He is totally whipped for you]

I didn’t answer. She is observant enough to know the truth behind my silence.

She returned, drying her hands with a towel, and sat back down beside me. As I placed my cup back on the tray, she lifted hers, curiosity flashing in her eyes.

“Dadi, woh—”

[Translation - Grandma, actually—]

But before I could stop her, she took a sip. A cough escapes her instantly. She quickly set the cup down, wiping her lips. Her face frowning into a look of disbelief and disgust.

“Hay Bhagwan. Tu bhi uspe utni hi lattoo hai,” she mutters while shaking her head at my empty cup.

[Translation - Oh God. You are also whipped for him]

I couldn’t help it but smile wider at her words

He learnt how to make chai, tried his best to recreate it the way I liked.

He didn't make it perfectly but watching him beam at my praise was enough to show how much it meant to him.

✄┈┈

“Nahi hoga yeh mujhse…”

[Translation - I can't do this]

I mutter, already on the verge of giving up. The endless meters of saree fabric around me is now mocking me because I can't figure out how to drape a single saree. I have even tried watching the tutorials on YouTube — paused, rewind , zoomed in but somehow my brain refused to understand it.

When Veer had explained it to me last time for the university event, it all seemed so simple, almost effortless. But now? Without him, I am hopeless.

I can’t ask Ma — she would start interrogating me endlessly. ‘Why suddenly a saree today? What’s the occasion?’

And I can’t exactly tell her the truth.

Maybe Dadi? No… she would also catch on too quickly.

The fabric tugs against my knees, and I glance down. Ginger, Sonia’s little orange chaos ball, is happily batting at the pleats, rolling her tiny body into the folds like it’s her personal playground.

I sigh softly. “I knew it was too good to be true that an orange cat could stay calm for long.”

She shamelessly mewls back at me,then flops onto her back and makes the saree unravel even more. I place my hand on my hip, staring down at her playtime with a helpless smile “You are too cute to even be scolded”

I crouch down to her level, scratching under her chin. She gazes up at me with those wide, innocent eyes as if buttering me even more “Is this why you do it? Cause you know treats and cuddles are guaranteed?”

Her only answer is a smug little purr.

Suddenly, Charlie leaps off the bed with a growl, ears twitching in irritation. He’s never been fond of Ginger,especially when she is taking all my attention.

Ginger, being Ginger, ignores him completely and keeps playing with my pallu.

Charlie’s blue eyes narrow, his tail flicking like a warning. Before I can react, he flicks her away with one massive Maine Coon paw — not even hard, but enough to send her rolling straight into another tangle of my saree.

“Aare, aare…” I sigh, rushing to free her from the crimson mess. She squirms dramatically, then immediately springs up to pounce at Charlie. He doesn’t even budge. Being triple her size, he just sits there nonchalantly while watching her fail to push him miserably

“Bas karo, you two. I’m already in a crisis,” I huff, pulling them apart.

[Translation - Stop it]

Ginger grinds her tiny teeth before walking away to sulk near the dressing table. While Charlie plants himself by my side, still glaring at her.

“Stop glaring at her” I murmur, smoothing the fur on his head. He relaxes under my touch, his purr, eyes flutters closing in content.

“I’m trying to plan a surprise for your dad but the whole universe seems against me.”

At the word dad, his eyes pop open, tilting his head as though he actually understood. Normally, he would flick his tail in that sassy way and walk away. Maybe jealousy is keeping him close.

Like father, like son.

“Oh wait!” I exclaim, straightening so fast I almost trip on the saree. I catch myself by grabbing the mirror frame. I grab my phone and quickly call Maya. If anyone will help me without questions it's Maya.

She picks up after a couple of rings “Hello?”

“Maya, mujhe thodi help chahiye. Please mere room mein aa jao.”

“Haan, okay. Give me a minute,” she replies, no questions asked. Just like I hoped.

I toss my phone onto the bed and start gathering the crumpled saree off the floor. Thankfully, the fabric is silky, no wrinkles, no need to iron.

Charlie hops back onto the bed, stretching like he has been working for hours and sits. But keeps his watchful eyes fixed on Ginger, who is now pretending to nap near the mirror.

Everything else is ready. Every arrangement checked, every detail in place. Referring to the photos I have taken of Lucas’s studio, I managed to create a miniature version upstairs for him.

It’s not perfect, some things were impossible to get but I tried my best. The order arrived late last night, and I stayed up unpacking and setting it all up.

The only reason I had the energy? Lucas’s chai. Somehow that warmth kept me going through the night.

Getting up early to have a bath, Dressing up in red — which he likes seeing on me, wearing a saree. Doing all this makeup. Never thought I would do all this for a man?

A knock sounded at the door before it slowly opened “Maya, Thank you, actually I—”

“Lucas?”

He freezes in the doorway, eyes widening at the sight of me half-dressed. For a heartbeat too long, his gaze lingered then he spun around, his back facing me — stiff as stone “I am sorry. Maya said you needed help, but Nikhil and Nyra dragged her away to pick up the flowers. She… she sent me instead.”

I wrap my arms around myself, rubbing my skin to smoothen the goosebumps. “It's alright. I needed help to wear this saree” I replied, clenching the saree against myself.

He cleared his throat, already reaching out for the door “I will call someone”

“Can you help me instead? It's getting late”

His hand stops mid-air, the silence between us stretches. My heart beats faster waiting for his response. Finally, he exhaled slowly and then shut the door behind him. Without a word, he stepped forward, holding out his hands for the bundle of cloth.

“First, can you help me dust it a bit? It was rolling on the floor”

He took one end while I held the other, and together we moved back until the entire length unfolded like a red river between us. We swing it gently, fabric rippling and catching the light before it settles down.

“Hold it like that” I instruct, snatching my phone to replay the tutorial video. Lucas gathered the fabric carefully in his arms to keep it from dragging down to the floor again.

I follow the first steps — wrapping it clumsily around my waist. I did the same before but it resulted in my failure “Can you give me that edge?” I ask, hand extending towards him.

He moved closer, his fingers brushing mine as he passed me the end. I swallow, refusing to meet his eyes, focusing on the video instead. Draping it over my shoulder — I adjust it to stay secure but when it came to pleating. I fumbled again. The pallu slipped again, and I stumbled with it.

Lucas’s hand shot out to firm around my arm. “Careful” he murmurs.

The warmth of his touch makes me melt. “This is impossible!” I groan, dragging the silk back into place “Why can’t I get it right?” I recklessly toss my phone on the bed.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he picked my phone from the bed and replays the video himself. His eyebrow furrows in concentration.

While he was studying the video, I tried once more, fumbling with the pleats. My fingers slipped and suddenly his fingers brushed against mine. He slid the pallu over his shoulder, folding each pleat with surprising precision. His hands were patient, deliberate, repeating each step if he messed up until each fold was aligned perfectly.

The way he focused so intently, like nothing else existed. The fabric moving between his fingers, measured and careful. My chest felt tight, my breathing felt heavier and louder than intended.

I hadn’t realized until now how intimate this was. His hands are on the same fabric that is against my skin. His quiet patience and the closeness. I had been so eager to surprise him with the studio that I forgot to notice this surprise.

“Can you give me the pins?” His voice broke through my thoughts.

I fumbled for them, popping one open and passing it to him. He leaned in slightly, the faint scent of his cologne filled through the air

Throughout the process, his gaze stayed low. I didn’t notice it at first until I caught the way his hand trembled slightly as he pinned the fabric together.

He was being careful. Too careful. Respectful would be the right word, eyes trained anywhere but on me. Yet somehow he still managed to bind the six yards of slippery silk together.

“Lucas?”

He hummed quietly and focused.

“You know…” I tilt my head, watching him closely. “You can look at me, right?”

His hands stilled at my words, his fingers twitched, betraying him. The corner of my mouth curved into a smile. “What is it? Are you shy or trying to resist yourself?” I tease, lightly poking his cheek.

His jaw tightens, though the faintest flush warmed his skin “I was trying to be respectful”

My eyes softens, slipping my fingers through his free hand “You are respectful. And I feel comfortable enough for you to look at me”

A shadow of a smile tugged at his lips. His voice came quieter, deeper. “Can I touch you?” His other hand hovered just above my waist, not daring to touch — yet

“Yes”

His fingertips brushed my bare skin as he adjusted the saree, feather light but secure. He was closer than before, our body almost brushing with each other.

Charlie leapt from the bed, striding directly between us. Without hesitation, he walked to the dressing table where Ginger was fast asleep. With shocking behaviour, Charlie picked Ginger up by the scruff and padded towards the door.

“Charlie—” Lucas tries to stop him but he doesn't listen. Still holding Ginger, he glanced back. Lucas follows him and opens the door for Charlie to slip out.

I tilt my head “What was that?”

He shrugs, nonchalantly “He wanted to give us privacy or he was fed up”

A laugh escapes me, breaking the heavy moment “I think the latter”

He turned back to me, something in him had shifted — like he needed that approval to move. His movements grew more certain. He added another pin to secure the saree, fingers brushing my hip before tucking the pleats neatly into place. Then he draped the pallu over my shoulder, smoothing it properly.

Before I could even thank him, he caught my hand gently and spin me lightly in place. The silk waved around me, fanning out before settling against my body.

When I stopped, his eyes were on me. Soft, no restraint, no hesitation. “Beautiful” he murmurs. His gaze lingered on me as long as he wanted, like trying to remember every part of me.

His gaze makes me understand the difference in being in love instead of being lusted.

I take a step back to admire myself in the mirror. The fabric falls flawlessly, hugging me in the right places. “It’s perfect!” I exclaim, running my hand down the perfectly draped saree.

Before I can take in more, his arm snakes around my waist, pulling me back against his chest “I found it very simple” He murmurs, resting his chin on my shoulder Why did you need help?”

I roll my eyes playfully as I slip on the heavy jhumkas on my ears “Because not everyone is a fast learner and honestly…” I laugh softly “I always thought wearing a saree was an impossible task. I panicked trying to look perfect”

I reach for the nath, adjusting it delicately on my nose. In the mirror I catch him watching me — his gaze fixed and intense, following every tiny movement as if he was memorizing me. The heat in his eyes sends a shiver down my spine.

Yeah, dear butterflies. Hello again.

“I thought about asking ma” I add, remembering the scoldings that would have followed after. “But she would have lectured me on how I still didn't learn how to wear a saree. How will I manage after marriage and stuff” My lips twitch at the memory of her words, the same day I swore I would never wear a saree after marriage.

“You don’t need to” Lucas mutters, his voice low against my skin. “You would look beautiful in anything. Or nothing at all.” His lips brush against my shoulder in a slow, lingering kiss.

I blink at his words, my eyes widens ‘or nothing at all’

Don't fall down, Jasmine!

I laugh under my breath, his warm breath ghosting over my bare skin. “I would wear it for my husband” I say, sliding the cool bangles up my wrist, watching the gingle. A smile tugs at my lips as I wait for his reaction.

As expected, his grip tightens possessively around my waist. His mouth hovering dangerously close to my ear “Really?” His voice drops to a husky whisper.

“Your husband would more than love it” His lips graze the curve of my ear, sending goosebumps all over my arms. “In fact, he should be worshipping you in it.” His mouth dips lower, pressing a wet kiss against my beating pulse.

A gasp slips from me “Sometimes….for special occasions too” I manage to speak but my voice was barely above a whisper. I was melting into him, aching for more of his touch. My knees are getting weaker by every passing second.

His only response is a low hum of approval as he tucks my hair behind my ear, making the jhumkas stand out. “Then tell me” he murmurs, trailing kisses down the curve of my neck till my exposed shoulder “What’s the occasion today?”

I turn slowly to face him, sliding my arms around his neck, drawing him closer until our breaths mingled. His hands trails down my spine, settling at the small of my back and pressing me flush against him “I thought you would like it” I whisper

His brows lift slightly, caught off guard. “You did this… for me?”

I nod, brushing my thumb along the sharp line of his jaw. “You do so much for me, Lucas. Can’t I even do this much?” My voice falls softer, lips brushing against his teasingly. His eyes widens, indicating his surprise.

I smile, savouring his reaction while tugging him closer by his neck. “You are getting confident” He observes, rubbing his nose against mine.

“Yeah” I whisper back with a smirk “Isn't that a good thing?”

He nods, lips tilting into a smile “I like seeing you like this — bold, confident and happy in yourself”

his lips found mine, taking them into a deep kiss. His one hand remained on my waist while the other came up to tilt my neck back. His tongue brushed past my lips, deepening the kiss.

Before I can answer, his mouth claims mine in a deep, searing kiss. His hand tightens around my waist while the other slides up, curling behind my neck as he tilts my head back.

The angle makes me gasp, just enough for him to slip past my lips. His tongue teases against mine, the kiss deepens, consuming me fully.

My eyes flutter close, feeling heavier. Every brush of his mouth against mine leaves me dizzy. My fingers curls behind his neck, clinging onto him.

He pressed me tighter against him, his hand at my waist firm while the other cradled the back of my neck, guiding me exactly where he wanted.

I break the kiss, just for a second — gasping for air. “Lucas…” My voice cracks slightly, my chest rising and falling against his. “You dressed up for me” His lips find the curve of my neck, tracing open-mouthed kisses down my skin — gently sucking and biting my skin.

“That thing alone is enough to make me lose my mind”