After Two Days – Engagement Day

The morning of the engagement had arrived, and the entire house was alive with energy. Decorations shimmered across every wall, strings of lights blinking like stars scattered against the backdrop of tradition. The fragrance of fresh flowers—marigold, roses, jasmine—wafted through the halls, mingling with the distant sound of laughter and hurried footsteps as relatives rushed about with last-minute arrangements. It was the kind of day where every corner of the house seemed to vibrate with anticipation, nerves, and the unspoken excitement of a new chapter beginning.

Inside one of the quieter rooms, Aryan’s grandmother, the matriarch everyone lovingly called Dadi, stood with her hands folded neatly in front of her sari. Her eyes sparkled with the joy of the occasion, though her tone carried the commanding authority that came naturally to her. “Aruu beta,” she called, her voice carrying down the corridor, “get ready quickly. Sharanya and her family will be here any moment now.”

Aryan, ever the dutiful grandson, nodded from where he sat, but before he could reply, Vihaan—his younger brother, with that ever-present charm in his tone—spoke up. “Don’t worry, Dadi,” he said confidently, flashing her a reassuring smile. “I’m here, right? Bhai will be ready on time. You just relax.”

Dadi gave him a look, half skeptical, half amused. “Haa, pata hai, pata hai. You’re here too,” she replied with a small shake of her head, though the fondness in her eyes betrayed her sternness. “Still, you go and get yourself ready as well. Don’t think you’re excused from looking presentable today.”

Vihaan chuckled softly, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Ji bilkul, Dadi. Consider it done,” he said with an exaggerated bow, making her laugh despite herself before she shuffled off to oversee yet another detail of the function.

Elsewhere, near the main hall where the stage was being decorated, Aashvi stood with her clipboard, scanning every detail like a hawk. The wedding planner in her thrived in such chaos, yet her personal side often slipped through with sarcastic commentary that no one asked for. She let out a sigh of relief, brushing back a loose strand of hair as she muttered under her breath, “Finally… all the preparations are done.” Her eyes flickered toward the stairs, and a mischievous smirk tugged at her lips. “I still don’t know who in their right mind agreed to marry that Hitler,” she added, her voice dripping with dry humor.

The words had barely left her mouth when a sharp voice interrupted. “What are you saying?”

Startled, Aashvi turned sharply, her brows lifting as her gaze landed on a tall, elegantly dressed young woman. Her lehenga shimmered with intricate embroidery, the jewelry adorning her neck and ears glinting under the golden lights. Her expression, however, was not nearly as beautiful—it was sharp, stern, and unmistakably offended.

“What??” Aashvi blinked in confusion before straightening her posture. “And… who exactly are you?” she asked, her tone firm but not rude, though her eyes narrowed slightly.

The woman lifted her chin proudly, her lips curving into a smile that held no warmth. “I’m the one whose fiancé you were just gossiping about,” she declared, her voice icy. “Sharanya. And you—who even allowed you to work here?”

Aashvi let out a small laugh, shaking her head as though she couldn’t believe what she had just heard. Her voice, however, remained calm, her tone even. “Miss bride-to-be,” she said, emphasizing the title with deliberate politeness, “if you want to know who brought me here to work, you can ask your fiancé that question directly.” She took a small step closer, her eyes unwavering as she continued, “And one more thing—if you’re going to talk to people, try to bring a little respect and a little sweetness into your words. It doesn’t cost anything.”

Sharanya’s face turned red with indignation, her lips parting in disbelief. “How dare you talk to me like that?” she snapped, her voice rising with outrage.

“Just the same way you talked to me,” Aashvi replied coolly, her tone sharp as glass yet steady, as if she refused to bow down even an inch.

Sharanya’s hand clenched around the edge of her dupatta as though holding back her frustration. “You… you insolent—” she began, her voice trembling with suppressed fury.

Before the argument could escalate further, a deep, commanding voice cut through the tension like a blade. “What’s happening here?”

Both women turned at once to see Aryan standing at the doorway, his expression unreadable, but his eyes sharp and focused. The air seemed to shift instantly, the weight of his presence enough to silence the noise of their clashing tempers.

Sharanya wasted no time in seizing the opportunity to play the victim. She stepped forward, her voice trembling with feigned hurt. “Look at this girl, Aryan,” she said, gesturing toward Aashvi as though pointing at an intruder. “Do you hear how she’s speaking to me? Who even is she? Throw her out right now. I don’t want her here.”

Aryan’s jaw tightened, his gaze flickering briefly between the two women. He had arrived early enough to hear more than Sharanya realized, and his tone reflected that knowledge. “I saw who spoke to whom and how,” he said firmly, his voice calm but carrying undeniable authority. His eyes softened as he turned toward Aashvi, then back to Sharanya. “And for your information, she is our wedding planner. She is here because I want her here. She will remain here until this wedding is complete. I don’t want any unnecessary problems.”

Sharanya’s lips parted in shock, her expression faltering as the weight of his words settled in. “But…” she began, her tone shrinking, her eyes searching his for some leniency.

“I don’t want to argue with you,” Aryan cut her off, his voice final, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

For a moment, Sharanya simply stood there, her pride wrestling with the sting of being silenced so publicly. Finally, she let out a deep breath and forced a smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Fine,” she said softly, her voice clipped. “Let’s just ignore her. It’s our day, Aryan. Let’s make it more special instead of ruining it.” Her hand reached out to brush his arm as if to mend the tension, her eyes darting away from Aashvi’s unyielding stare.

From across the room, Dadi’s voice echoed once again, calling them both. “Aryan! Sharanya! Come here quickly!”

Relieved by the interruption, Aryan gave a small nod and turned to leave, Sharanya following close behind him. Their footsteps faded into the background as the hall returned to its usual hum of voices and preparations.

Left standing there, Aashvi exhaled sharply, shaking her head as she muttered under her breath. “What an ill-mannered girl,” she whispered to herself, her voice laced with irritation. Her eyes rolled skyward as though she were appealing to some higher power for patience. “Out of the entire world, Hitler managed to find her? Really? The one girl who doesn’t even know how to speak politely to people?” She clicked her tongue, her arms crossing over her chest. “Forget it, Aashvi. It’s none of your business. Both of them are the same anyway… Huh.”

She shook her head again, her lips curling into a half-amused, half-exasperated smile, before turning back to her work. But the sting of Sharanya’s words lingered, and so did Aryan’s firm defense—two things that would stay with her far longer than she cared to admit.

After some time -

Shavni walked into the room, noticing the way Aashvi sat slumped on the edge of the bed, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her dupatta, clearly lost in her own storm of thoughts. Concern etched across Shavni’s face as she stepped closer. “Hey… what happened to you?” she asked softly, her voice laced with worry.

Aashvi lifted her head, her expression clouded with frustration and irritation. “Nothing…,” she muttered, but the heaviness in her tone betrayed her words. “It’s just that Hitler’s fiancée has completely ruined my mood.” The way she said it carried the weight of annoyance, as though the unpleasant encounter still replayed in her mind.

Shavni sat beside her, trying to read her emotions. “She’s… a little rude, yes,” she admitted thoughtfully. “I don’t know what kind of attitude she carries around with her, but honestly, I can’t stand it either. In fact, I doubt anyone would like it. More than half the people probably don’t. Who knows, maybe even Aryan himself doesn’t.” Her words were gentle, spoken with the kind of honesty that only a close friend could dare to share.

Aashvi exhaled sharply, her frustration spilling out in a rush. “Not just a little, Shavni. She’s very rude. And if no one actually likes her, then why is this marriage even happening?” Her voice rose slightly, carrying both irritation and helplessness, as though the unfairness of it all was gnawing at her.

Shavni folded her arms across her chest, her eyes lowering in thought. “You know how it is,” she said after a pause. “Dadi must’ve fixed this marriage with the daughter of one of her friends… and Aryan never goes against Dadi’s words. Whatever she says, he agrees.” The resignation in her tone reflected the reality they both understood—Aryan’s deep respect and obedience to his grandmother.

Aashvi rolled her eyes and shook her head in disbelief. “Oh, so that’s how Mr. Hitler is? I always thought he never listened to anyone, but apparently when it comes to Dadi, he follows blindly.” A small, sarcastic smile touched her lips as she added, “Well, I guess it suits him. Someone like him deserves exactly this kind of situation.” Her words dripped with irony, yet beneath it all, there was a trace of sympathy, perhaps even disappointment, that Aryan had no say in something as important as his marriage.

Shavni glanced at her sharply, unwilling to let the conversation turn entirely bitter. “It’s not exactly like that, Aashvi. Aryan… he has so many good qualities too, qualities you don’t know about yet. There are sides to him that might surprise you—things about him that are really admirable.” Her voice softened as she spoke, her loyalty to Aryan evident in the way she tried to balance the conversation.

But Aashvi waved her off impatiently, her irritation still raw. “Forget it, Shavni. I don’t even want to know anything about him. I’ve had enough. All I care about is finishing this wedding. Once it’s done, I’ll finally be free of all this nonsense.” Her words were final, heavy with the kind of exhaustion that comes after dealing with people who drain every ounce of patience.

The air in the room grew heavy with the mix of their emotions—Aashvi’s frustration clashing against Shavni’s attempts to reason, both of them pulled between what they knew and what they felt. In that quiet space, only their voices lingered, weaving a conversation that revealed not just their thoughts on Aryan and his fiancée, but also the bond between two friends who weren’t afraid to speak their truths.

The living room was filled with the faint smell of incense as Aryan’s grandmother, sitting gracefully with her hands folded, looked toward the family priest. Her voice carried the weight of tradition as she asked, “So, Pandit ji, when is the most auspicious time for their engagement ceremony?”

The priest adjusted his glasses, flipping through the pages of his almanac before replying with authority, “The most favorable date for the engagement is two days from now. And as for the wedding itself, the auspicious time falls ten days later.”

Dadi’s eyes widened slightly, her brows knitting together in concern. “Ten days? That’s far too soon. How will everything be managed in such a short span of time?” she said, her tone laced with genuine worry.

Before the priest could answer, Shavni, who had been listening quietly from the side, voiced her concern as well. “Yes, exactly, Dadi. How can so many preparations be completed in just ten days? A wedding isn’t some small affair. It requires time, patience, and perfection.”

The priest nodded, acknowledging the concern. “After these ten days, the next auspicious date will come only after six months. If that suits the family, then you may fix it for that time.”

But Sharanya’s mother interjected almost immediately, shaking her head firmly. “Six months later would be far too late. It would be better to keep the ceremony in ten days itself.”

Sharanya, who had been standing nearby with a subtle smirk on her face, clasped her mother’s hand gently and added in a sweet yet pointed tone, “Yes, Mom. Ten days later sounds perfect, doesn’t it? After all, all the wedding arrangements will be handled by the wedding planner. Let’s see how she manages everything.” Her eyes shifted to Aashvi, her words carrying an edge of challenge.

Aashvi, however, stood her ground. Straightening her shoulders, she replied with calm confidence, “I have no problem with that. I’ll handle all the arrangements. And honestly, even I don’t want to wait six months.”

Her words were firm, but the moment they left her lips, she felt Aryan’s gaze burn into her. He glared at her sharply, his jaw tightening as though her confidence had rubbed against his pride. Still, he chose his words carefully, his tone clipped and authoritative. “Okay then. Final. Engagement in two days and the wedding ten days later. Miss Sharma,” he said, addressing Aashvi directly, “I don’t want a single flaw in the arrangements.”

Aashvi tilted her chin slightly, meeting his glare without flinching. “There won’t be. You don’t have to worry about that.”

Aryan gave a curt nod. “Good.”

But before the tension could dissolve, Sharanya stepped forward, her lips curling into a mocking smile. “I’ll also be watching to see how you manage everything. Let’s see if you’re truly capable or if you’re just a wedding planner in name.”

Aashvi’s eyes narrowed, but her tone was sharp with composure. “I think you’re showing quite an unusual amount of interest in me. Don’t you think you should focus on your wedding instead?”

Sharanya gasped, her temper flaring instantly. “Dadi, did you hear how she’s talking? How can you hire someone who doesn’t even know how to talk respectfully to her employers?”

Aashvi’s lips twitched into a small, humorless smile. “First of all, you are not my employer. And second, I am not anyone’s servant. My job is to handle your wedding arrangements, and I’ll do that. But if someone talks to me disrespectfully, I won’t stay quiet either.” Her words fell like steady drops of water, calm but cutting.

Dadi, however, frowned deeply, clearly displeased. “Aashvi! Is this any way to speak? She is the bride-to-be of this house. Go and do your work, and don’t forget your place.”

Aashvi bit back the sharp retort rising in her throat and instead nodded stiffly. “Hmm,” was all she said before turning away, though her heart burned with silent frustration.

Sharanya, smirking in victory, whispered just loud enough for Aashvi to hear, “I’ll deal with you. Just let this wedding happen first.”

—

Later, inside Aryan’s room, Vihaan leaned casually against the doorframe, watching his elder brother who sat silently, his face clouded with thought. “Bhai,” Vihaan said with a teasing smile, “you look as if this isn’t a wedding but a noose being tied around your neck.”

Aryan shot him a sharp look. “Shut up, Vihaan.”

But Vihaan didn’t back down. He pushed off the doorframe and walked further into the room, his tone more serious now. “Bhai, if you didn’t want to get married, you should have just said no. Why are you going through with it? And to be honest, I don’t like Sharanya at all.”

Aryan sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “It’s Dadi’s choice, Vihaan. You know I never go against her decisions. If she wants this marriage, then it will happen. Her word is final, and so, by default, it’s my final decision too.”

Vihaan frowned, frustration visible in his eyes. “But the wedding isn’t Dadi’s, it’s yours. You’re the one who has to spend an entire lifetime with her. Are you really ready to live like this? With that expression on your face all the time?”

Aryan’s gaze hardened, but his voice carried a quiet finality. “Sharanya isn’t so bad that life cannot be spent with her.”

Vihaan crossed his arms, not convinced. “And she isn’t good enough either.”

“Vihaan…” Aryan’s tone grew sharp, warning him to stop. “Don’t you have work to do? Go and finish it. Let me focus on mine.”

But Vihaan wasn’t ready to let it go just yet. “Fine, I’ll go. But think once more, Bhai. Just once more before you make this permanent.”

Aryan turned back to his desk, dismissing the conversation. “There’s no time left to think. The engagement is in two days. Tell Miss Sharma I want everything perfect. No flaws. Not a single one.”

Vihaan said in quite disbelief,"sure as you wish bhai.

And with that, the room fell silent, the heavy weight of duty and decisions pressing down between the two brothers.

The evening had fallen softly over the house, draping everything in a subtle golden glow. The chandeliers inside sparkled as if they were waiting for the grandeur of the coming days. But amidst all that glitter, in one corner of the spacious hall, Aashvi stood rooted, her heart racing in panic. She pressed a hand to her forehead, whispering to herself in frustration.

“Oh god… in flow I just said yes, but how on earth will I manage all these preparations so soon? Nothing is making sense. I’ve never planned a wedding before… how am I supposed to handle all this?” Her voice trembled as if the weight of responsibilities was pressing down on her. She looked around at the staff arranging decorations, the hum of activity buzzing everywhere, and for the first time in her life, she wished she could just vanish.

Just then, a cheerful voice broke through her thoughts.

“Don’t worry when Shavni is here!”

Aashvi turned, her eyes widening in disbelief. Her best friend, Shavni, stood there with her usual mischievous smile, her hands resting confidently on her hips. She looked as if she had no worries in the world.

“I’m here to help,” Shavni declared, walking closer, her eyes full of warmth.

Aashvi’s panic-stricken face softened into a weak smile, though doubt still lingered. “You? How can you help me? You’ve come here to enjoy the wedding, not to work like me.”

But Shavni only shrugged casually, brushing off her words. “So what? Can’t I help my best friend too?”

Aashvi blinked at her, almost unable to believe she was serious. “Really… you mean that?”

“Yes, really!” Shavni chuckled, folding her arms.

The relief in Aashvi’s eyes was visible. She let out a shaky breath as if finally someone was listening to her heart. Lowering her voice, she confessed, “To tell you the truth, I’ve never planned a wedding before. This is my very first time. I don’t understand what to do, how to do it, or even where to begin. Everything feels like a mess.”

Shavni’s brows shot up. “Wait, what? You’re saying this when you’re supposed to be the wedding planner?”

Aashvi bit her lip and gave an awkward smile. “Actually… I’m not a wedding planner. Not at all. It’s just… because of that Hitler’s broken watch, I got stuck in this whole mess and ended up here.”

Shavni’s eyes widened further, shock painted on her face. “What…? I’m not understanding anything. Start from the beginning.”

“It’s a really long story,” Aashvi muttered, rubbing her palms together nervously. “I don’t know how to even explain the whole thing.”

“Then explain!” Shavni insisted with sparkling curiosity. “I’m right here and I’m listening.”

And so, under the flickering glow of the evening lights, Aashvi spilled everything—every detail of what had happened between her and Aryan back in Mussoorie. The broken watch, the misunderstandings, the arguments, and how fate had somehow tied her into this unwanted role of wedding planner for his engagement. Her voice carried a mix of exasperation and disbelief, as though she herself couldn’t believe the turn of events in her life.

By the end of the story, Shavni’s jaw dropped. “So much happened… in just two days?”

“Yes!” Aashvi groaned, throwing her hands in the air. “That Hitler is exactly like that. But honestly, I was so scared when I saw him in college. I thought… that’s it. I have no chance left in the competition. He’s going to destroy me completely. But he didn’t. He didn’t defeat me.” Her eyes softened at the last words, as if even she didn’t realize there was a faint hint of pride in her voice.

“I told you,” Shavni grinned knowingly, “Aryan isn’t that bad. And if you ask me… all of this sounds a little romantic, doesn’t it?”

“Romantic?” Aashvi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “This is nothing but dramatic!”

Both of them burst into laughter, their giggles echoing in the corner of the hall. For a moment, all her stress melted away as the two friends shared the silly lightness of the moment.

But the moment didn’t last long. A deep, commanding voice interrupted them from behind.

“So… you’re here to gossip?”

Both Aashvi and Shavni froze mid-laughter. Aashvi turned sharply, her heart skipping a beat, only to find Aryan standing there. His sharp eyes were fixed on her, and his presence alone was enough to silence her.

“You… you?” she stammered nervously. “When did you come here? And seriously—don’t you know any manners? Who listens to other people’s conversations like that?”

Aryan’s lips curved into a faint smirk, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Really? Manners? You think you’re the right one to talk about manners? Look at you—standing here gossiping instead of doing the work you’re supposed to do. And you dare question me about manners?”

Aashvi clenched her fists, glaring at him. “So what? Is there a problem if I talk for a moment? I’ll get the work done. If anything in the arrangements doesn’t meet your standards, then you can say something. Until then, stay quiet.”

“Really?” Aryan stepped closer, his gaze steady and unyielding. “Let’s see how you manage then… without messing up.”

“Fine,” she shot back confidently, though her heart was thudding wildly. “I’ll handle it all. And I don’t even need anyone’s help.”

Aryan’s smirk deepened. “Oh, that’s great then. Shavni, don’t you dare help her.”

“What?!” Shavni’s eyes darted between them, caught in their tension. “Why are you dragging me into this? You two handle your fight yourselves. But for the record, I’ll help my friend. That’s it.”

Aashvi turned away with a huff, muttering under her breath. “Huh… typical Hitler, acting like he owns the world.”

Aryan raised an eyebrow. “What did you just call me? Hitler? Really?” His voice lowered into a warning tone. “You’ve got some nerve. Be careful, Aashvi… or I’ll make sure you regret this.”

Before she could reply, another voice chimed in with amusement.

“Well, well… for the first time, I’m seeing my brother talk like this to someone.”

It was Vihaan, Aryan’s younger brother, grinning mischievously at the scene before him. He leaned casually against the wall, enjoying every second of this fiery exchange.

Aryan shot him a glare. “Vihaan, mind your own business. Go do your work instead of standing here like a useless audience.”

Vihaan chuckled, shaking his head. “Sure, bhai. But I must say… this is interesting.” With that, he strolled away, leaving Aryan fuming and Aashvi biting back her laughter.

Vihaan stood there with a playful glint in his eyes, clearly enjoying the fiery banter he had just witnessed between his elder brother and Aashvi. Folding his arms casually, he tilted his head and teased, “Well, well… this is the first time I’ve ever seen Aryan bhai in such a fighting mood. What’s the matter, Aashvi? You’ve actually managed to make him lose his cool and speak like this. That’s an achievement.”

Aashvi’s mouth fell open in disbelief at his teasing. She pointed toward Aryan’s retreating figure, her voice rising in protest. “What did I even do? I didn’t force him to argue with me! Your brother is nothing less than a Hitler. I don’t know what he thinks of himself. Always giving orders, always commanding people around as if the entire world should dance on his instructions. He never knows how to talk politely.” Her frustration poured out in her tone, her hands flying in animated gestures.

Shavni, who had been silently watching the siblings’ exchange with amused eyes, finally decided to step in. She placed a hand on Aashvi’s shoulder and spoke softly yet firmly, “Alright, enough of all this. Leave it. Don’t waste your energy on Aryan and his moods. Instead, think about the engagement. That’s more important right now. We need to focus on what still needs to be done.”

Vihaan, however, chuckled at her attempt to calm things down. “You two can sit and plan all you want. As for me, I’ve got some work to take care of. So, excuse me.” He gave them both a half-smile and turned to walk away, clearly still entertained by how easily Aashvi managed to provoke his otherwise stoic brother.

Aashvi exhaled deeply, her shoulders dropping in relief as the teasing ended. She turned to her best friend with softer eyes now. “Okay fine. Shavni, you should also go and get some rest. We’ll figure everything out tomorrow—what needs to be done and how it’s going to happen.”

Shavni studied her carefully, her face filled with concern yet affection. She reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind Aashvi’s ear like an elder sister. “Alright then. But listen to me—don’t take too much stress. Everything will fall into place. You’ll see. It will all be fine.”

Aashvi felt her heart relax a little at her friend’s soothing words. A small, grateful smile tugged at her lips as she replied softly, “Yes, I’m not going to stress anymore. After all, you’re here with me, right? That’s more than enough.”

Shavni’s lips curved into a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with reassurance. “Good. That’s what I wanted to hear. Now rest. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.”

With that, the two shared a gentle goodbye.

“Okay… bye,” Aashvi whispered, waving slightly.

“Bye,” Shavni replied, her voice carrying warmth before she disappeared toward her room.

As Aashvi stood alone in the quiet corner, her heart finally felt a little lighter. For the first time that evening, she believed that maybe—just maybe—everything would indeed turn out fine.

To be continued-

Happy reading lilies 💗