“Finally, it's the time for wedding bells” Nikhil teases Veer, nudging his shoulder playfully. Veer just rolls his eyes, taking a sip of the water. The sun has begun to set below the horizon, changing the sky into a soft orange colour. The sangeet buzz has calmed down, leaving all of us exhausted.

Liam and Stella already retreated because Stella's feet were sore after dancing in heels for hours

“But all the ceremonies went well” Maya says with a satisfied sigh, plopping herself on the couch. “And it was so much fun!” Nyra adds with a smile, resting her head on Nikhil's shoulder and he gives her a gentle smile. They all are sweet with their partners around, especially Nikhil calms down from his hyperness when Nyra is around.

Jasmine walks over and settles beside Veer “How are you feeling?” she asks softly, looking at him with a concerned gaze. Maybe because this marriage is a start to another trouble. That this fusion isn't based on love but on the situation. Even during the sangeet, jasmine’s concern was towards mira, making sure she is alright.

The room falls into a brief silence , waiting for Veer’s response. He looks around at all of us and then lets out a chuckle “I am fine. Just… a little nervous”

Maya hums teasingly “Well, you are jumping straight into marriage without dating. Totally understandable”

Veer shoots her a dry look “Thank you for the words of encouragement” he replies sarcastically, earning a few chuckles. I shift closer to Jasmine, and lower myself on the armrest beside her

“You look grumpy,” Nikhil comments to Kunal

At first I couldn't differentiate between them but now it's very easy because of their nature and behaviour.

Kunal finally looks up from his phone, his face detached and annoyed “You know why I am tensed. Don’t push me” he snaps. Everyone gets taken aback by his sharp tone.

Maya frowns “Kunal, calm down. He was just asking. And you still haven’t told us what’s going on”

His jaw tightens as he glares at her “Oh, don’t even pretend to care”

Veer’s eyebrows furrows together “Kunal, don’t—”

But it’s too late. Kunal stands abruptly and storms out before Veer can stop him. Maya tilts her head, watching him leave with a lingering smirk “Leave him, Veer. His world is already collapsing” she says

That was weird.

Before anyone can comment further, Kavya arrives, practically singing, “Guysss, time for evening tea” At the mention of tea, Jasmine’s face lights up instantly. She already had some this morning, so I thought she would skip it but I guess I was wrong. Missed my chance.

Kavya sets the tray on the table and begins passing cups around. As she picked one for jasmine, she leaned a bit too close “oh!” she exclaims, losing her balance on her heels.

I react on instinct. Moving swiftly between them and catching the teacup midair. But hot tea splashes over my hand, a sharp hiss escapes me as the burning sensation takes over

“Lucas!” Jasmine stands up, reaching out for my hand, she yanks the cup from my grasp and lets it crash on the floor. Her eyes falls onto my hand “Are you alright?” She exclaims, her expressions horrified watching my skin blister.

“Put his hand under water!” Maya calls out. Without another word, she drags me towards the kitchen, “Jasmine I—” a loud wince escapes my mouth as she pulls my hand under the tap and opens it. The sensation of the cold water against the burn gives me pain before relief.

“What were you thinking!” She snaps out, her hands trembling more than mine while she held it. “It's alright, it's just a small burn” I assure her, trying to free my hand from her grasp but she doesn't let go.

“Who does that? Are you crazy? Why would you do that? Do you realise how important hands are for an artist?”

Her words hit me

An artist.

God, it feels good to hear her say that.

I can’t help but chuckle “Do you know how important you are to me?”

She pauses and looks at me, her eye twitches slightly in disbelief “Har waqt flirt karna hai, kabhi toh serious hojao” she grumbles, she is most likely scolding me but her voice is very sweet to even take it as a scolding.

[Translation - You wanna flirt everytime? Be serious for once!]

“It's okay now” I assure her, placing my free hand on her arm. She takes a deep breath, still holding my hand under the water and I feel the pain subside “Don't you ever do something like that” she warns, glaring at me. I couldn't help but nod, too afraid to argue with her.

After a few minutes, she gently dries my hand and wraps it carefully  “You’re not doing anything with this hand” she says sternly, pointing at my bandaged palm. She grabs her phone and texts someone. Once done, she turns to me, all bossy and beautiful “Now you are going to rest.”

I lift my hands in surrender “Yes, Ma’am”

She nods in satisfaction, glancing at my hand once more before turning to walk ahead. I follow behind, grinning as she continues her lecture like an angry yet worried girlfriend “You are gonna get it checked and don't—”

Her voice falters down suddenly, making us stop. I frown and follow her gaze — seeing everyone standing frozen.

“Kya hai yeh! Itne bade hoke aise ladte ho?!” Jasmine’s grandmother’s voice slices through the silence

[Translation - What is this! You both are fighting despite being adults?!]

“What happened?” Jasmine steps forward slowly

That’s when we see it.

Veer and Kunal stand side by side, clothes crumpled, faces bruised

Jasmine lets out a loud gasp.

“Do din mein shaadi hai, aur yeh haal bana liya hai!” her grandmother scolds, smacking her forehead while shaking her head in disappointment. Both men stay silent, jaws clenched like their fists.

[Translation - Your wedding is in two days and see what you have done to yourself]

Sonia slips next to me and tugs on my kurta. I crouch slightly to hear her whisper “When you both left, Veer bhaiya tried talking to Kunal bhaiya. They argued and then fought. Nani heard and broke it up. But it started because of Mira bhabhi.”

Jasmine’s gaze snaps toward Sonia, maybe hearing her words before turning back to the scene.

“Ab shaadi tak, koi bhi ek dusre se nahi milega!” Jasmine's grandmother declares. I don’t fully understand Hindi, but judging by everyone’s faces, that’s  not good?

[Translation - Until the wedding, you all won't meet each other]

Sonia leans closer, whispering fast, “Nani said we are not allowed to meet or talk until the wedding to avoid more bad luck. No fights, no drama”

Wait—

“What do you mean I can't meet—”

“Shhh!”

I quickly lower my voice “why!”

“I just explained! Nani said that. Can't do anything!” Sonia replies back

“Dadi—” Nikhil steps forward to protest but she raises her hand to shut him. She always seemed so sweet and kind but seeing her this change has shocked me.

Great. Just great

Why can't I meet my girlfriend because her brothers had a fight? What kind of logic is that?

Jasmine's grandmother claps her hands “Everyone back to their room. Separately” She orders, stressing on the word ‘separately’.

Nikhil grumbles as Nyra walks off. Sonia and Kunal leave next. Veer exhales sharply before heading upstairs, Jasmine following close behind to talk to him privately.

Jasmine's grandmother turns to me and passes me a small smile before walking away.

Maya approaches me, “How's your hand?” She asks, looking at the bandage “It has some burns but less the pain”

She nods, almost sympathetically “We would have called a doctor but it's very late. He will arrive soon tomorrow morning. Take care until then” I smile and nod as she also goes to her room.

I let out a deep sigh, an overwhelming feeling washing over me. Too many things have happened today. Slowly, I am understanding why Jasmine was paranoid about this wedding and the amount of drama it came along with.

I need some air.

I slip out of the palace quietly, stepping out in the garden as the cool night greets me. The garden has been cleared, chairs stacked neatly, the stage disassembled until the wedding

Only a few days left

And then what?

What will I do after that? Continuing this relationship in a long distance when we haven't even gotten proper time together? Will that work?

I don't even know what I will do next.

Loren sent me a text, checking up on me and saying he is already looking for jobs. Leo, my ex-captain, proposed to his girlfriend last week and is chasing his basketball dreams.

I wish I could also choose between my dream and career.

The application forms sit in my bag like a ticking bomb, one leading to Aunt Lia’s company, safe and certain. The other? A shot at sending my art for exhibition, a risk with no guarantees.

Mom and aunt lia have been texting me, getting updates on the preparation. When Jasmine informed them about our relationship, they were over the room. Especially aunt lia, as she had an idea about it for a long time. She subtly asked me what I am choosing

I exhale slowly, letting the cool breeze run through my hair, I close my eyes for a moment to refresh my mind. I walk further towards the fountain, hearing the water’s gentle movements due to the wind. The clouds slowly flows away, making the moon's reflection fall on the water

If only life could be that easy

All the worries flowing away with a gush of wind

If the answers to problems would be as clear as the reflection of the moon in this water.

That's when I see her.

Jasmine

She is standing on the terrace, maybe to get some air too, unaware of me. Her hair gently flows with the air, her face enchanted with a glow of moonlight as she looks up

My hand lifts instinctively, fingers grazing the surface of the water, tracing her reflection.

I smile, feeling everything leave my mind until she is left. I wish I could have held her in my arms until letting her go tonight.

My milaya

She takes a step back, disappearing into the shadow, leaving only the empty water behind. I stare at the ripples, wishing she could have stayed a little longer so I could keep memorizing her like this.

“Thank you” I whisper to the fountain, as if it granted me a wish to get her glimpse.

“What are you doing?” A sharp voice calls out, making me snap out of my thoughts. I take my hand back turn to see Kavya marching toward me, arms crossed and a look of annoyance on her face

“Nothing,” I reply flatly, my voice dropping to a colder tone

Kavya's eyes narrows, her tongue clicking against her cheek “You know Veer and Kunal fought because of Jasmine, right?”

I frown “What?”

She scoffs “Don’t pretend. If Veer wasn’t so busy protecting her, he wouldn’t be marrying that woman. Kunal wouldn’t be a mess. All this…” she gestures vaguely toward the palace “Is because of her!” She says, her breathing heavies with each word.

How does she know that—

“You are talking nonsense” I mutter, walking away as a dismissal to her breakdown. She latches onto my arm, holding so tight that her nails dig into my skin “All because of her and you. If she would have just agreed to arrange marriage then he wouldn't be sacrificing himself for her!”

My expressions flatters down after hearing her her words “What do you mean?”

Kavya smirks, almost menacingly “Oh, she didn’t tell you? Uncle Vikas has been searching for suitors for her for ages. Veer’s wedding announcement was just a distraction to buy her time. If she would have just accepted, none of this mess would happen!”

My blood runs cold at her words.

“It's Veer's choice too. He wanted to marry and she didn't. It's not her fault!” I snap, jerking her hand off mine. “He wanted to help her. Don’t you dare blame Jasmine for his decisions”

A disgusted feeling washed over me. Jasmine never mentioned this, if I didn't agree with the fake dating, would she be married to someone else right now?

“She is the reason everything is falling apart!” Kavya’s voice cracks into a near scream, raw and jealous. “Uncle Vinod and Uncle Vikas are fighting. Veer and Kunal are at each other’s throats. And I lost the person I love because of her”

Oh lords

She thinks it's Jasmine's mistake just because she couldn't be with Veer. Jasmine did mention she had a crush on Veer long back but she couldn't understand that those feelings didn't die.

“Don’t project your heartbreak onto her” I warn, my voice low and dangerous. “And don’t you dare dump this toxic crap on Jasmine. I mean it”

“You think she wouldn't leave you?”

She needs to shut up

I feel her footsteps getting closer, she catches my arm again and forces me to face her “Once the truth is out, she will leave you!”

“You have lost your mind”

Her lips curves up into a smile, her eyes glistening “You need to stop pretending to be real Lucas” she says, her voice dropping lower.

The air leaves my lungs. Her words hit something buried deep inside me, something she shouldn't know.

Something no one should know

The confidence between her words, she wasn't bluffing, she knew. Seeing my expressions, a wave of satisfaction crosses her face.

I shove her away, hard enough that she stumbles “Stay away from her”

Then I turn and rush toward the palace, my heartbeat hammering in my ears, her words echoing in my mind

You need to stop pretending to be real lucas

Stop pretending to be real

Stop