Page 49 of Since You Stole My Heart

‘Everything is ready, and the temple is open. Swayam is coming over,’ she said, quickly typing a response.

Kashvi’s gaze drifted towards the window, to the faint outline of the white marble temple across the road, just visible through the slit in the curtains. A nervous energy curled low in her chest.

‘Did you ask Dhruv to come today?’ Siya asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.

The question caught her off guard. In the rush of decisions and the speed at which her life had changed, she had simply forgotten to talk to him.

A small part of her felt something like guilt, though she quickly pushed it down, her mind supplying the logic she had relied on for years. Her stepbrother had never really been a part of her life. There was no reason for that to change now.

‘No, I didn’t,’ Kashvi said.

Siya studied her, deciding whether to push further, then slowly nodded, letting it go.

The sharp sound of the doorbell cut through the room. Siya touched her eyeliner, gathered a little kohl on her finger, and placed it behind Kashvi’s ear. ‘You’re the prettiest bride ever.Nazar naa lage,’ she said, sniffling lightly.

They walked out together. The quiet morning in the living room wrapped around them until the loud and unmistakable beat of the dhol echoed through the hallway.

Kashvi paused mid-step, frowning as she glanced at Siya, who shrugged in response and reached for the handle.

The moment the door swung open, they found their friends dancing to the rhythmic beats of the dhol playing from the phone Kusha held up in the air.

His face lit up with a grin, Swayam moved his shoulders in tune with the beat. Meera and Raghav danced beside him, matching his energy with enthusiasm. Kusha laughed as Luv and Abhay performed theNaagindance steps.

‘What’s going on?’ Siya asked, watching them with wide eyes.

Luv, clad in a deep blue kurta, slightly wrinkled from his dancing, stopped and asked, ‘What does it look like? We’ve brought our brother’sbaaratto take away his bride.’

Kashvi had always believed they hung out with her because they were Siya’s friends, which was why she hadn’t imposed by hoping they’d be part of today. But not only had they come, they were celebrating as well. She tried to steady the unexpected wave of emotion rising in her chest.

Abhay came to stand beside his wife and draped an arm around her. He wore a simple off-white kurta paired with the gold in Siya’s saree. He pushed his damp hair out of his eyes, sniffling lightly as he said, ‘Luv had more elaborate plans, but this is the best we could do in so little time.’

‘I can see that, but why are you playing the songChote Chote Bhaiyon ke Bade Bhaiya? Swayam is a month younger than Luv,’ Siya pointed out.

Swayam added, ‘I emotionally adopted him, so I should get all the respect I deserve. He can do this much for his to-bebhabhi.’

Kashvi’s heart lurched at the wink he threw her, throwing off the rhythm she had only just managed to regain.

His emerald green kurta was plain yet perfectly fitted, his sleeves pushed up to his elbows. His hair was tousled, his eyes bright with delight. He went down on one knee in front of her, holding his palm open. ‘Shall we?’

Heat rushed to her cheeks. ‘Swayam, isn’t this wholebaaratthing a bit much?’

Mischief glinted in his eyes. ‘If it were up to me, I would’ve just picked you up and carried you all the way to the temple, but I figured you might object to that.’

A soft ripple of laughter moved through the group. Kashvi placed her hand in his and softly scolded him. ‘You’re mad.’

‘Only for my bride,’ Swayam replied easily, tangling their fingers together.

‘Let’s go before Kashu changes her mind,’ Luv announced loudly as he turned towards the stairs.

Kashvi shot him a look, making his twin, Kusha, chuckle. ‘Don’t worry, I’m back. I’ll take revenge on your behalf.’

‘You guys go ahead,’ Raghav said, bending down to help Meera settle the pleats of herKanjivaramsaree.

The cool morning air greeted them immediately, carrying the faint scent of incense from the temple across the road. The street was quiet, with only a few early risers moving about.

Kashvi’s heart refused to settle, and then she realised why. Swayam kept stealing glances at her.

‘What?’ she asked when she caught him again.