The late-morning sun spilled softly into the Diwan farmhouse, casting golden rectangles on the polished wooden floor. Outside, the laughter of children drifted in from the garden.

In the main living area, minimally adorned with fresh marigolds and ivory drapes, The Singhania's, Diwan's and guests seated there. 

Kashish sat poised on an ivory couch, her red saree pooling around her like liquid silk. Her hair was swept into a graceful bun, the white gajra circling it like a quiet crown. Before her, a gleaming silver thali held the red chooda, its glass bangles resting in milk and rose water, the fragrance faint yet distinct.

Kabir, in a soft pastel kurta and churidar paired with a blush-pink Nehru jacket, sat across from her. The ceremony was wholly hers, the quiet domain of the bride and her family but he remained present, a silent witness.

One by one, her brothers stepped forward  Samrath first, then Shivansh, Abhir, and Dhruv. Each lifted a minor set of red bangles, sliding them over her wrists with gentle care. It was a ritual steeped in tradition, yet in that moment, it was simply family holding on a little longer before letting go.

Kashish's eyes shimmered, the first tear tracing her cheek almost shyly, as though unsure if it should fall. Her brothers' eyes mirrored hers  pride and love tangled with the ache of parting.

Kabir found himself stilling. He had seen her laugh with her cousins,  even roll her eyes at some family teasing but never like this. Never this raw, this unguarded, that tugged at him in a way he hadn't expected.

She didn't look his way, but he didn't mind. He knew he would remember this — the red of her saree, the sound of the bangles clinking, and the way her tears made him want to reach out, even though it wasn't yet his place to do so

✨✨

"I need your help," Kabir said, stepping towards the group in the garden.

"Yes, Bhaiya, tell us... what happened?" Alia asked eagerly.

"Whatever it is, just say it. For you, I'm ready to give my life," Ivaan declared dramatically.

"Oh please, don't start flying in the air now," Kabir replied dryly. 

looking at them kabir continued saying now with a smile on his face "I've organized a surprise for Kashish."

"Oohhh... surprises and all for your future wife," Yatharth teased.

Kabir shot him a glare.

"Sit quietly, Yatharth," Arohi scolded. "Let Bhaiya speak. Yes, Bhaiya, go on."

"There's a hotel next to this farmhouse," Kabir explained. "I've booked its rooftop. But after today's chooda ceremony, no one will let us meet. So... Yatharth, Arohi you two will keep watch at the entrance and inside the house, make sure no one sees us coming or going. Alia, Ivaan  your job is to take Kashish out of her room and bring her to the back gate without anyone noticing."

"And the timing?" Alia asked.

"Eleven p.m., when everyone's asleep," Kabir answered.

"We've been here five days, Bhaiya... why didn't you plan this earlier? Tomorrow's your wedding, and tonight you want this?" Arohi said in disbelief.

"I tried, Arohi, but we've been so busy with the functions," Kabir replied patiently. "Tonight there's nothing, everyone will sleep early, tomorrow's going to be hectic."

"Have you told Kashish Bhabhi?" Alia asked curiously.

"No," Kabir admitted. "I'll tell her now that the chooda ceremony is over."

"Bhai... you're getting romantic day by day," Ivaan said with a grin.

"And along with being romantic, Bhai's even starting to blush," Yatharth added.

Kabir narrowed his eyes at them, tossed them a bunch of grapes, and walked back inside the farmhouse

✨✨

As the chooda ceremony ended and the living room began to relax into soft chatter, Piyali leaned towards Kashish with a teasing smile.
"So, devrani ji, from tomorrow you'll officially be a Singhania," she said.

Kashish smiled, the red of her saree catching the morning light.

"Keep smiling like this, Kashish," Diya said warmly.

Paridhi chuckled. "You'll see soon enough how full of madness the Singhania family is. Here, nobody takes a peaceful breath."

Tanushri added with a laugh, "Yes, and if you want to learn how to joke around and pull someone's leg, then learn it from the Singhania men."

Everyone laughed together.

Just then, Jeevika Chachi walked in with Rhea beside her.
"Kashish, meet Rhea — Naksh's future wife. And after your wedding, hers will be next," Jeevika said with a grin.

"Bhabhi, I didn't get a chance to meet you yesterday because of the sangeet functions," Rhea said, stepping forward politely.

Kashish reached for her hand and made her sit beside her. "Now we have time," she said gently.

Jeevika smiled at the little circle they'd formed and then went off in search of the children.

The six of them  Piyali, Paridhi, Diya, Tanushri, Rhea, and Kashish — settled comfortably on the sofas.
Within minutes, the conversation turned lively, full of giggles as Paridhi and Piyali began giving Kashish a mix of genuine advice and playful warnings about being a new bride in the Singhania household. Kashish listened, half amused and half curious, as they explained little family quirks, inside jokes, and "survival tips" for living among the Singhanias.

✨✨

After the chooda ceremony, Kashish went to her room. A few minutes later, her phone rang.
The screen flashed Kabir — no emoji, just the name.

She answered the call

"Done with the chooda ceremony?" Kabir asked from the other side.

"Yes," she replied, "but where did you disappear in between?"

"Went to give some instructions," he said.

"To whom?" she asked curiously.

"Arohi, Alia, Ivaan, and Yatharth," Kabir replied.

"But why?" she pressed.

"Kashish, be ready at 11 p.m. tonight," he said instead. "Alia and Ivaan will come to your room. You come with them down to the back gate."

"But why, Kabir? Nandini Badi Maa told me after the chooda ceremony I shouldn't meet you," she reminded him.

"Don't worry about that. No one will see us," he assured.

"And if someone does?" she asked.

"I'll handle it," he replied firmly. "I'm sending something for you through Alia."

"What thing?" she asked, frowning slightly.

"How many questions do you ask?" Kabir teased.

"Sudden plans like this, Kabir, you'll give me a heart attack," she said with a half-laugh. "Fine... I'll see what you send."

Before she could cut the call, he added softly, "Be ready at 11 p.m., Kashish."

✨✨

At exactly 11 p.m., Alia and Ivaan stood near Kashish's door. They didn't knock — no one should hear — instead, Alia quietly called her.

Kashish picked up. "Are you ready, Bhabhi? Bhai is waiting near the back gate," Alia whispered.

"There's no one outside, right?" Kashish asked cautiously.

"Till now, no one's been around," Alia replied. "Yatharth and Arohi are on guard duty."

Kashish laughed. "Poor kids... Kabir has put everyone to work."

Ivaan took the phone from Alia. "Bhabhi, are you going to keep talking on the phone or will you open the door? Bhai is waiting."

"Oh, right! I forgot," Kashish said with a small laugh. "Staying around you people, I'm also turning crazy." She ended the call and opened the door.

The moment she stepped out, both Alia and Ivaan said together, "You're looking beautiful, Bhabhi."

Alia nudged Ivaan. "Bhai gifted this dress," she revealed.

Kashish smiled. "Hmm... let's go now."

As they came down the stairs, Kashish, Alia, and Ivaan found Yatharth and Arohi at their posts near the entrance. Both looked a little worn out from their "guard duty."

"Finally," Yatharth said with a sigh.

They walked towards the back gate, and there was Kabir, leaning casually against his car, hands in his pockets, waiting.

Kashish's steps slowed when their eyes met. For a moment, they just looked at each other  silent, steady, as though the rest of the world had faded away.

A loud, fake cough broke the moment. "Go quickly before everyone wakes up," Yatharth said, grinning.

The sudden voice made both Kabir and Kashish blink in surprise.

"Bye, Bhabhi... Bye, Bhai," the four of them — Alia, Ivaan, Yatharth, and Arohi — chorused.

Kabir walked forward, opening the passenger-side door for Kashish.

Seeing this, Alia and Arohi exchanged mischievous smiles. "Oho..." they teased in unison.

"Go inside," Kabir said, half-smiling but firm.

Once they'd gone back towards the house, Kabir closed the door, circled around, and slid into the driver's seat.

As the car rolled through the exit gate, Kabir pulled out a 2000-rupee note and handed it to the guard. "Thank you," he said quietly. "We'll be back in two hours."

"Okay, Sir," the guard replied, tucking the note away.

Kashish stared at him in surprise. "Kabir Singhania — the neurosurgeon — is bribing the guard?" she asked, half-shocked, half-amused.

Kabir smirked. "Sometimes, Madam, it has to be done."

"And where exactly are you taking me?" she asked, narrowing her eyes playfully.

"Relax," Kabir replied. "I'm not kidnapping you."

Minutes later, they pulled up in front of a nearby hotel.

Kashish's brows lifted slightly. "You booked... a hotel?"

"Not the hotel. Just the rooftop," Kabir said simply.

They walked into the lobby. As they reached the lift, Kabir stepped to her side and gently took her hand in his. Without a word, he pressed the button for the 12th floor.

The lift doors opened to the rooftop, and they stepped out together — the night air cool, the city lights glittering below, and the space entirely theirs

As Kashish stepped onto the rooftop, she was met with the glow of minimal, warm lights strung across the space. The air was cool, carrying the faint hum of the city below.

Kabir guided her towards a small table set near the edge, where the city lights twinkled like scattered jewels. Pulling a chair out for her, he waited until she sat before taking his seat across from her.

"You're looking nice in this dress," Kabir said, his tone casual but his eyes lingering.

"Thank you," Kashish replied with a small smile. "It's comfortable... I was honestly irritated wearing heavy outfits for all the pre-wedding functions."

"I realized that," Kabir said, leaning back slightly. "That's why I got this dress for you."

Kashish tilted her head, curious. "But how did you know my size?"

"I asked Jiya," he answered simply.

"Ohh... quite a nice planner you are," she said, a faint teasing note in her voice

They sat across from each other, the faint city lights shimmering beyond the rooftop's edge. The plates between them were warm with the aroma of freshly served dinner.

As she picked at her food, Kashish looked up and asked softly, "But... why did you plan all this?"

Kabir set his fork down and smiled faintly. "Because tomorrow... we're going to be husband and wife. From tomorrow, all dimensions will change."

He paused, his eyes drifting briefly toward her. Kashish sensed the shift in his tone and looked at him carefully.

"I know this is an arranged marriage," Kabir continued, "and it happened very fast between us. We hardly know each other's likes and dislikes. We'll take this marriage at your pace. I won't rush... and I won't scare you."

Relief washed over her features. "I was worried about the same thing... thinking how I should bring it up to you. I was about to say the same thing, that we shouldn't rush. And... thank you, Kabir, for saying the words I couldn't."

Kabir's lips curved in a gentle smile. "From now on, dont hold back your thoughts? Whatever you want to say, say it without any hesitation"

Kashish nodded, her heart feeling unexpectedly light.

"Now," Kabir said, picking up his fork again, "eat properly. I know you haven't eaten well these past days because of all the pre-wedding functions."

She laughed softly, finally taking a proper bite, the night between them feeling warmer than the lights above

After dinner, the plates were cleared away, and the night settled into a comfortable silence. The city lights shimmered below them, painting golden glows over the quiet rooftop.

Kabir and Kashish sat side by side on a wooden bench, the cool breeze tugging lightly at her hair.

Kabir slipped his hand into his  pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. Opening it, a delicate diamond ring sparkled under the dim rooftop lights.

"Kashish..." he said softly, turning to face her fully. "I don't know every page of your story yet, but I promise I'll never stop reading it. I promise to protect your smile, to respect your space, and to stand with you—whether life brings storms or sunshine."

Kashish's eyes glistened, her breath catching as she looked at the ring and then at him. "Kabir... you make it sound so easy to trust you," she whispered. "I promise to give this marriage my heart and my effort... and maybe, one day, my soul too. Just... don't ever stop being this man."

Kabir smiled faintly, slipping the ring onto her finger. "Deal, Mrs. Almost Singhania."

She laughed softly, looking at the diamond, then at him. "Deal, Mr. Almost My Husband."

Kabir's hand lingered over hers for a moment before he stood up, offering it to her. "Come on, Mrs. Almost Singhania, it's getting late."

Kashish smiled, slipping her fingers into his. The rooftop lights faded behind them as they made their way downstairs, the quiet hum of the city replaced by the soft purr of the car engine.

The drive back to the farmhouse was peaceful—no need for words, just the occasional glance and a shared smile.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We've now reached the final moments of Kabir and Kashish's pre-wedding journey. The next chapter will open the doors to their much-awaited wedding. ❤️

As we step into the grand chapter of their wedding, I hope you'll continue walking beside them and me with the same warmth and support.

Your love makes this story shine brighter. 💫

Image Credit: Unknown

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