WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

Yash:

"It's noon, bro."

(I took out my phone and snapped a quick picture.)

Mark:

"What are you doing?"

Yash:

"You were looking good today, so I took a photo. Hehe.

Anyway, you've got half an hour to get ready and pick up Ishana."

Mark:

"Hmm. But where's Abhi? Ask him to pick up Ishana… I might get late."

Yash:

"I think he's getting ready too.

And after all, it's his engagement — let him take his time."

Mark:

"Umm… okay. I'll get ready."

(After saying this, I went inside and saw Khushi — still stuck at the draping step.

I picked up my outfit from the bed and headed to take a cold shower.

After ten minutes, I came out wearing a white shirt and black trousers.

I looked at her — she was still struggling with the saree — so I walked up to her.)

Mark:

"Let me help you. I don't think you can do this on your own."

Khushi: (narrating)

After he went out, I started draping the saree again.

I wrapped it around my waist — and again, the drape slipped from my hands. Ugh!

He came back after talking with his brother and headed straight to the bathroom with his clothes.

He came out ten minutes later, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers.

He looked so good… like he just descended from heaven, like an angel.

And here I was… still stuck at the draping part.

He offered to help.

But… should I let him?

What if we get distracted again?

Ugh. No… no…

Khushi:

"Umm… do you even know how to drape a saree?"

Mark:

"No, I don't. But I'm a quick learner.

Anyway, it's not that hard, I guess."

Khushi: (thinking)

He seems serious about helping me…

Khushi:

"Okay then… try it."

Mark: (narrating)

After putting on my shoes, I kneeled down, took her saree, and started draping.

In one go, I made a perfect pleat, tucked it into her waistline, pinned the drape with a safety pin,

and then made the front pleats — neat and perfectly aligned — and pinned them on her shoulder.

She was stunned, just staring at me.

I smiled.

Mark:

"What are you looking at?"

Khushi: (narrating)

He draped the saree in minutes.

Pleats, pins, everything — done so perfectly.

I was shocked — I've only worn a saree a couple of times, and he never helped before.

How is he so good at this?

He looked so cool, smiling like that…

Khushi:

"You."

Mark:

"Huh?"

Khushi:

"You asked what I was looking at… and the answer is: you."

Mark: (grinning, raising an eyebrow)

"Ohh… so you want to flirt with your hubby now?"

"I can flirt too… but not now. I'm getting late, sweetheart."

Khushi: (thinking)

The way he said "sweetheart"… ugh, he's so cute…

*(He combed his hair, and I started combing mine too.

I had already done it earlier, but after he tossed me onto the bed…

my hair got all messy again.)

He finished combing, sprayed a soft, sweet perfume, and looked at me.*

Mark: (narrating)

After helping her with the saree and getting a little bit of flirtation from her,

I combed my hair and sprayed some perfume on my neck and wrists.

The whole time, I could feel her staring at me.

I applied a little moisturizer on my face and looked at her —

she was still combing her hair, again and again, on the same side.

I smiled and looked at her.

Mark:

"Enough... come on, get ready.

I can't take you staring at me like this.

Or do you want me to do something?"

Khushi:

"No, no… it was hard enough getting this saree on.

I'm not unwrapping it again."

Mark:

"Huh, so you were planning to unwrap it?"

"Never mind — I can help you wear it again."

Khushi: (smiling to herself)

Well… truthfully, I wouldn't mind that.

But let's not go there right now.

Khushi:

"No, Mark. Go. You're already late."

Mark:

"Yeah, okay. If you insist…

But be ready for tonight."

Khushi:

"Hmm…"

Mark: (narrating)

After saying that, I grabbed the suit from the bed and put it on, still sneaking glances at Khushi.

She was getting ready too —

after fixing her hair, she applied lipstick, foundation, concealer, eyeliner, blush, eyeshadow…

And even while doing all that, she was staring at me through the mirror.

This girl is driving me insane.

(As I was about to leave, she suddenly hugged me from behind.

I turned around—)

Mark:

"What now?!

Ugh, you're seriously making me go crazy…

Do you even know how hard it was to control myself earlier?"