Glimmer of Love

The morning of the wedding was chaotic yet exciting. Aditi stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the pleats of her golden lehenga. The intricate embroidery shimmered under the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. Her friends, draped in their own vibrant outfits, surrounded her, chatting and reminiscing about their school days.

"Aditi, remember how we used to sneak into the hostel pantry at midnight?" Priya grinned as she adjusted her dupatta.

"And got caught by the warden! God, that was a nightmare," Ananya added, laughing. "We thought we'd be expelled!"

"But Aditi being the sweet talker she is, convinced the warden that we were just getting snacks because we were studying for exams." Priya rolled her eyes playfully.

"Yeah, right," Aditi smirked. "And the warden totally believed it, didn't she?"

"Not really," Ananya giggled. "But she did let us off with just extra cleaning duties instead of calling our parents."

The girls burst into laughter, their voices echoing in the bride's suite. It felt surreal to be together again after so many years, sharing the same carefree laughter that had once filled their hostel rooms.

"Feels like nothing has changed," Priya sighed, fastening the bangles on her wrist. "Except, of course, one thing—our Aditi has a special someone now."

Aditi furrowed her brows, confused. "What? No, I don't!"

"Really?" Ananya raised a suspicious eyebrow, peeking at Aditi's phone screen. "Then why do you keep checking your phone every five minutes?"

Aditi glanced down at her phone, which had just vibrated with a message from Tanmay. She felt her heart race a little. Trying to stay nonchalant, she opened it.

Tanmay: What's the bridesmaid doing?

Aditi: Helping the bride not freak out and making sure she doesn't trip over her lehenga.

Tanmay: Sounds like an important mission. Do you get a bridesmaid medal for this?

Aditi: No, just sore feet and unlimited emotional drama.

Tanmay: Bridesmaid life sounds exhausting.

Aditi: It is. What about you? Where are you?

Tanmay: Currently being the perfect son. Driving my parents to a wedding.

Aditi: Aww, what a good boy.

Tanmay: Haha, very funny. You say that like I don't usually behave.

Aditi: Because you don't. Anyway, where's the wedding?

Tanmay: Some banquet hall in the city. I have to drive with the baraat to the venue. Fun, right?

Aditi: Absolutely. Go, enjoy the dancing.

Tanmay: Only if you join.

Aditi smiled at the message, shaking her head. Her friends were watching her with amused expressions.

"Who's making our sensible Aditi smile like that?" Priya teased, nudging her arm.

"No one," Aditi tried to sound casual, but the pink tinge on her cheeks betrayed her.

"Uh-huh, sure," Ananya smirked. "Then why does it look like you just got a text from your boyfriend?"

"He's not my boyfriend," Aditi protested, tucking her phone away.

"Right, right," Priya grinned. "But the blush on your face says otherwise."

The teasing continued as Aditi tried to divert the conversation, but inside, she couldn't ignore the warm feeling bubbling in her chest.

Tanmay sat in the driver's seat, his parents chatting in the back. His mother, always observant, had noticed his distracted smile while texting.

"Who are you texting so much?" she asked.

"No one, Ma," Tanmay said quickly.

His father chuckled. "No one? Beta, no one doesn't make you grin like that."

"Is it that girl from next door?" his mother asked knowingly.

Tanmay stiffened. "Which girl?"

"Don't act innocent," his mother smirked. "The one who opened your door when we arrived. Aditi, wasn't it?"

Tanmay sighed, knowing he was caught. "We're just neighbors."

"Neighbors don't look at each other the way you two do," his mother teased.

His father, amused, added, "So, do we need to start wedding preparations for our son too?"

"Pa, please," Tanmay groaned, gripping the steering wheel tighter. "Nothing's happening."

His mother exchanged a look with his father and smirked. "Yet."

Tanmay rolled his eyes but felt warmth spread in his chest.

After reaching the wedding venue, Tanmay busied himself with helping his parents. His mother, ever the opportunist, sent him on multiple errands.

"Tanmay, get me some paani puri."

"Tanmay, can you bring me a juice?"

"Tanmay, those samosas look good. Go grab a plate."

Every time he went to the food stalls, a few women tried to strike up a conversation with him.

"Are you here alone?" a woman in a red saree asked, smiling.

"Uh... no," Tanmay said, backing away.

Another girl, in a navy blue lehenga, touched his arm lightly. "You look familiar. Have we met before?"

"Don't think so," he replied quickly, excusing himself.

His mother, watching from a distance, laughed as he returned with snacks. "You're quite popular here."

"Not funny, Ma," Tanmay muttered, setting the plates down.

"Maybe you should give those girls a chance," his father teased.

"Not interested," Tanmay said, pulling out his phone to check for messages.

"Of course you're not," his mother smirked. "Because your mind is on someone else."

Tanmay ignored her, scrolling through his phone.

Just then, the varmala (garland exchange) ceremony was about to begin. The announcement echoed through the venue, and everyone moved towards the stage.

Tanmay, standing in a corner, looked at his phone again until his mother called out, "Tanmay, look ahead!"

"What?" he muttered.

His mother's voice held amusement. "Even your bride is arriving with the bride."

He frowned. "Ma, stop joking."

"I'm not joking," she said, nudging him. "Just look."

Tanmay finally looked up, and his breath hitched.

Aditi was walking alongside the bride, dressed in a golden lehenga that shimmered like the last rays of a sunset. The soft glow of the wedding lights made her look ethereal, her eyes lined with kohl, her lips painted a subtle shade of pink. Her hair was styled in soft waves, cascading down her shoulders, a few strands framing her face.

For a moment, Tanmay forgot everything—where he was, the noise around him, even the teasing remarks from his mother. All he could see was her.

As if sensing his gaze, Aditi turned slightly, their eyes meeting. A flicker of surprise crossed her face before she offered a small, knowing smile.

Tanmay's mother chuckled beside him. "Still think I'm joking?"

He exhaled, a slow smile creeping onto his lips.

"Maybe not."