Inayat, a 25-year-old with a heart of gold, has been navigating life solo since a tragic accident took her parents and her memories. Raised in an orphanage, she stepped into the world at 18, ready to leave her mark. An alumna of a top Indian college...
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- One year later...
"Arrey sab log jaldi karo, warna hum jab wahan pahunchenge toh Holi khatam ho jayegi," (Hurry up everyone, otherwise by the time we reach there, Holi will be over) Niyati announced from the living room. "Niyati, Holi toh tumhare hi ghar mein hai, tum late kaise ho sakti ho?" (Niyati, Holi is at your house, how can you be late?) Maa retorted as we exited the kitchen, our hands laden with trays of sweet dishes.
"Oh, main toh bas yeh keh rahi thi ki sabhi guests aa chuke hain, humein bhi garden mein chalna chahiye," (Oh, I was just saying that all the guests have arrived, we should also go to the garden) Niyati replied. "Theek hai, chalo idhar aao, phir ye sweet dishes garden mein lekar chalo. Main Veer ko bulakar aati hoon," (Okay, come here, then take these sweet dishes to the garden. I will go and call Veer) I told Niyati, passing her the trays. "Theek hai Bhabhi." (Okay Sister-in-law)
"Veer, tum abhi tak tayyar nahi hue?" (Veer, you are not ready yet?) I asked as I entered our bedroom. "Dil main tayyar hoon, bas mujhe comb karna hai aur tumhara favourite perfume lagana hai, phir main poori tarah se tayyar hoon," (I am ready, I just have to comb my hair and apply your favourite cologne, then I am fully ready) Veer replied, pulling me closer by my waist. "Veer, chhodo aur jaldi tayyar ho, sab log neeche intezaar kar rahe hain," (Veer, let go and get ready quickly, everyone is waiting downstairs) I said, pushing myself out of his grip. "Lekin tumne aaj mujhe morning kiss nahi di," (But you didn't give me a morning kiss today) he complained, heading towards the dressing table.
"Tum jhooth bol rahe ho, subah tumne hi toh zabardasti kiss li thi," (You are lying, you forcibly took a kiss in the morning) I retorted, sitting on the bed. "Wahi toh, woh maine li thi, lekin tumne toh di hi nahi," (Exactly, I took it, but you didn't give it) he whined like a child. I looked at him with squinted eyes. "Toh Mr. Veer Singhania ko kiss chahiye?" (So Mr. Veer Singhania wants a kiss?) I teased, stepping towards him.
"Ji Mrs. Veer Singhania, aapka pati 24 ghante free hai aapki kisses ke liye," (Yes Mrs. Veer Singhania, your husband is free 24 hours for your kisses) he replied, spraying his perfume and turning towards me. "Theek hai, follow me, tumhe kiss mil jayega," (Okay, follow me, you will get a kiss) I said, picking up my phone from the dressing table and making a U-turn to exit the room. I could almost see his shocked face, which I knew would soon turn into a smirky one.
As we all head downstairs, the house is filled with the laughter and chatter of our loved ones. The aroma of delicious food wafts through the air, mingling with the scent of blooming flowers. The house is decorated beautifully with colorful rangoli and marigold garlands, all set for the Holi celebrations.
Veer wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. "Happy Holi, love," he whispers in my ear, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine. "Happy Holi," I reply, leaning into his touch.
Suddenly, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small pouch of gulal. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he gently smears the vibrant color on my cheeks. I gasp in surprise, but then retaliate by reaching for my own pouch of gulal. We laugh and playfully chase each other around, our laughter mingling with the cheers of our family and friends.
