The wedding hall buzzed with life.

The sound of dhols echoed through the air, mixing with the laughter of cousins, the click of camera shutters, and the scent of rose petals scattered across the marble floor.

Women in bright lehengas swayed to the rhythm, the shimmer of bangles dancing in the golden light of chandeliers.

Outside, strings of marigolds framed the entrance like fire-colored curtains. Inside, the mandap glowed - drenched in soft hues of gold and crimson.

The sacred fire was yet to be lit, but the room already felt warm with joy, noise, and stories being told in giggles.

Shreya, the bride and Yn's cousin, was somewhere in her room - her cousins running in and out, shouting about missing bangles, lipstick shades, and flower jewelry.

Jimin's side - the groomsmen - had arrived in full glory. Namjoon tried to manage the chaos, Jungkook was already teasing one of the cousins, and Taehyung... well, Taehyung stood near the entrance, quietly watching the scene unfold with his usual unreadable expression.

The sound of the shehnai rose softly, like a thread connecting the madness to something sacred.

Aunties gossiped near the buffet, uncles discussed business even here, and kids ran around with cones of ice cream, their laughter cutting through the music.

Somewhere in the middle of it all, Y/N adjusted the end of her dupatta and looked around - lost between the noise and the warmth, her heart fluttering with emotions.

Y/N made her way toward the bride's room. She lightly knocked once before peeking in.

"Hayyeee... kitni sundar lag rahi hai tu, thu thu!" Y/N gasped dramatically the moment she saw Shreya.

(Hayyeee... You're looking so beautiful, thu thu!)

Shreya turned, her cheeks blooming red as she laughed softly. "Thank you..." she murmured, almost shy, the glow of her bridal attire making her look nothing less than a dream.

Y/N's laughter faded into a small, nostalgic smile.

For a fleeting second, memories of their childhood came rushing back - fighting over the last piece of chocolate, pulling each other's hair, and making up the next minute like nothing ever happened.

She blinked quickly, brushing away the tears threatening to spill from the corner of her eyes.

Regaining her playful tone, she said, "Dulhan sahiba, chalna hai bhi ya sharmate rehna hai?"

(Dear bride, are you planning to come out or just keep blushing here?)

Shreya chuckled, her nervousness easing a little. "Bas aa rahi hoon," she replied, her voice trembling with excitement.

(Just coming)

Y/N smiled again - wide, proud, and a little teary - before turning toward the door.

As soon as Y/N left the room, she saw her brother Yashveen walking toward her, his expression already impatient.

"Kitni der lagegi?" he asked, slightly frowning.

(How long will it take?)

"Bas aa rahi hai, tu kyun uchal raha hai?" Y/N replied casually.

(She's coming, why are you jumping around?)

He gave her a look - that classic I'm-so-done-with-you stare.

"Behena, shaadi hai aaj uski, dulhan ke bina shaadi mein kya mai jaake baith jau?" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

(Sister, it's her wedding today - should I just go sit at the wedding without the bride?)

Y/N grinned, not wasting a second to hit back.

"Idea to mast hai, lekin Jimin jiju tere jaise gadhe se shaadi nahi karna chahenge."

(The idea is great, but Jimin jiju wouldn't want to marry a donkey like you.)

And before he could reply, she ran.

Yashveen stood there, his expression blank as ever. For a second, he closed his eyes dramatically.

He was so, so done with his sister.

He cried internally before turning around and heading toward the family to help.

Time passed. The laughter, the music, the chatter - everything slowly melted into the soft hum of wedding rituals.

Under the mandap, Shreya and Jimin sat side by side, the sacred fire glowing between them. The pandit ji recited the mantras, the rhythmic sound of Sanskrit verses filling the air as everyone watched the couple taking their vows.

Y/N stood a little behind the crowd, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. The flicker of the fire reflected in them - part joy, part ache. She smiled faintly, her heart heavy but full.

Just behind her, Yashveen stood silently. His gaze shifted between his sister and the bride sitting before the fire.

"Ek na ek din ye bhi mujhe chhodke chali jayegi..." (One day, even she will leave me and go away...) he thought, his throat tightening.

A bitter chuckle almost escaped his lips as another thought crossed his mind.

"Meri zindagi kitni shaanti se kategi na..." (My life will pass so peacefully then, right?) he told himself sarcastically.

But then he paused.

His eyes went back to Y/N - laughing softly at something one of the cousins whispered, her dupatta glowing under the light.

"Shaanti se kategi?" he repeated in his mind.

(Peacefully?)

His chest felt heavy.

The thought of his sister leaving one day, just like Shreya, was unbearable. He looked down quickly, blinking hard - trying to be strong, trying not to let the sting in his eyes show.

Y/N's gaze stayed fixed on the mandap.

Shreya and Jimin were now taking pheras - the soft crackle of the sacred fire echoing with every step they took. The fragrance of ghee and rose petals lingered in the air, mixing with the sound of bangles and the quiet murmur of blessings from elders.

Y/N's eyes softened as she watched her sister - her smile trembling with pride and love.

The glow from the fire brushed against her face, making her tears shimmer like glass.

And then, unknowingly, her eyes drifted to the side.

There he was.

Taehyung.

Standing just a few feet away, his hands tucked loosely into his pockets, the golden sherwani hugging his frame perfectly. His expression was unreadable - calm, composed, but his eyes...

his eyes were already on her.

Y/N's breath hitched. Her lashes fluttered as her heart skipped, startled.

She immediately turned her eyes back toward Shreya, pretending nothing happened. Her fingers clutched her dupatta tightly, as if anchoring herself back into the moment.

FLASHBACK - few hours ago.

Away from the noise of the wedding hall,, Y/N stood with her little team - Yashveen, Uttkarsh, and a few cousins - all grouped together like a secret squad on a mission.

"Suno, mai jaunga aur Jimin jiju ke ek dost ko sambhal lunga,"

Yashveen said confidently, folding his arms as if he was the leader.

(Listen, I'll handle one of Jimin jiju's friends.

Y/N gave him a suspicious look.

"Yashveen, tu jaiyo aur Jimin jiju ke dost Tea... Taeh... Taehyung! Haan, Taehyung ko sambhal liyo," she said, and let out awkward laugh.

(Alright Yashveen, you go and distract Jimin jiju's friend Tea... Taeh... Taehyung! Yes, Taehyung!)

"Uttkarsh, tum Sugar... Sugaa, haan tum Suga ko sambhal lena," she instructed, biting back a grin.

(Uttkarsh, you take care of Sugar... Suga, yes you handle Suga.)

"Siddharth, tum Jhope ko sambhal lena."

(Siddharth, you handle J-Hope.)

And she instructed others.

Everyone looked at each other like trained agents being given their final orders.

"Aur tum?" Yashveen asked, raising a brow.

(And you?)

Y/N grinned mischievously. "Main? Main Jimin jiju ke jutto ko chupa dungi!"

(Me? I'll hide Jimin jiju's shoes!)

The team nodded, all putting their hands together in the center.

"Mission Joota Churayi Rasam - shuru ho!" they said in unison, and laughed collectively.

(Mission Shoe Stealing Ceremony - begins!)

_________________________________________

Yashveen made his way toward the corridor and sat in the corner - just visible enough for anyone passing by to notice him.

The faint hum of the wedding songs echoed from afar, mixing with the chatter of guests.

Taehyung stepped out of his guest room, fixing his hair in the reflection of his phone's screen.

His sherwani shimmered faintly under the corridor lights - elegant, calm, effortlessly composed.

That's when he noticed someone sitting awkwardly near the corner.

Yashveen.

The moment their eyes met, Yashveen instantly sprang into action.

"Ahhh! Maar diyaaa!" he winced dramatically, clutching his leg as if someone had shot him.

(Ahhh! I'm hurt!)

Taehyung blinked, startled, then frowned, walking toward him quickly.

"What happened?"

Yashveen looked down at his leg, then back at him, pretending to wince.

"M... main woh... main chair jaa raha tha, neeche se lag gayi..."

(I... I was going toward the chair, it hit me from below...)

Taehyung stared at him with WTF look.

"Huh?"

Yashveen mentally cursed himself.

"Mera matlab... main neeche ja raha tha, chair se lag gayi... ahh!"

he corrected himself quickly, adding another fake wince for effect.

(I mean, I was going downstairs, the chair hit me!)

Taehyung still looked suspicious but sighed, deciding not to question further.

"Oh... come, I'll help you," he said finally, his voice low and smooth.

Yashveen grinned inwardly, trying not to look too happy that his plan was actually working.

Taehyung bent slightly, holding Yashveen's arm to steady him as he stood up.

"Thank you," Yashveen said, leaning on Taehyung for balance.

Taehyung gave a short nod and was about to turn away when Yashveen suddenly let out a dramatic, "Ahh!"

Taehyung froze, sighing under his breath before glancing back at him.

"Come on," he muttered, a hint of reluctance in his tone. "Let me help you to your room."

Yashveen grinned immediately, trying to hide his amusement as he nodded.

Taehyung shot him a suspicious look but decided to let it go, walking beside him with slow, steady steps.

As soon as they reached the room, Taehyung carefully made Yashveen sit on the bed. He adjusted the pillows behind his back so he could sit comfortably.

Yashveen let out another exaggerated wince, making Taehyung sigh.

"Let me bring you a strong tea," he said, turning toward the door.

The moment Taehyung took a step, Yashveen - who had been lounging rather comfortably - suddenly straightened up.

"Arreee!!"

Taehyung spun around, almost clutching his chest. "Whattt?"

Yashveen froze for a second under Taehyung's suspicious gaze.

"Arre mera matlab... mu-mujhe... haan, mujhe tea pasand nahi hai," he blurted out, forcing a nervous laugh.

Taehyung narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression saying it all - definitely something fishy.

Taehyung nodded, straightening his shirt a little before saying,

"If you need anything... just call me or any of my friends."

Yashveen's eyes widened in fake horror.

"Aap mujhe chhodkar jaa rahe ho?"

(You're leaving me alone?)

he asked, voice trembling as if Taehyung had just abandoned him on a battlefield.

Taehyung stared at him blankly for two seconds - completely done with the drama - before replying flatly,

"Haan ji."

(Yes, I am.)

And without another word, he turned on his heel and bolted out of the room.

Left alone, Yashveen slumped back dramatically and muttered under his breath,

"Ab ye Y/N meri laash bichha degi..."

(Now Y/N is going to kill me for this...)

He let out one last over-the-top wail, clutching his leg like a tragic hero in a bad play.

Meanwhile...

Siddharth and Aman, Y/N's cousins, were on their secret "mission" too - their target. Jhope and Jin

They whispered and giggled to themselves as they approached the two. From afar, it looked like Jin was talking nonstop while Jhope was just nodding - or maybe praying silently for someone to come rescue him.

Finally, Siddharth and Aman reached them.

Both of them greeted in unison,

"Hey guys!"

Jhope's head snapped up - and so did Jin's. Both smiled, but Jhope's smile was wider... almost like he'd just seen an angel descending from heaven to save him from Jin's endless chatter.

"Heyyy!" Jhope said, immediately stretching out his hand for a handshake.

Meanwhile Jin puffed his chest and introduced himself proudly,

"Hi! I'm World Wide Handsome Jin, you know," he said with a wink.

Jhope froze mid-handshake and slowly brought that same hand up to his face.

He facepalmed hard and muttered under his breath,

"Oh God..."

Siddharth and Aman exchanged an awkward glance and let out small, polite laughs before sitting beside them.

Jhope subtly tried to signal them something with his eyes - maybe a desperate plea for help - but before they could decode the look, Jin leaned forward dramatically and asked,

"What tea do rich people buy?"

Jhope's hand once again smacked his own face.

Siddharth and Aman looked at each other, confused, and then asked,

"What...?"

Jin grinned ear to ear, took a dramatic pause, and then proudly announced,

"Proper-tea!"

And burst out laughing so loudly that even the pigeons on the roof probably questioned their existence.

It wasn't just a laugh - it was one of those contagious, belly-aching, "my joke is the funniest thing on Earth" kind of laughs. He clutched his stomach, clapped

his hands, tilted his head back and howled with delight, absolutely wheezing.

Jhope just sat there, eyes closed, clearly reconsidering all his life choices.

Meanwhile, Siddharth and Aman?

They laughed too - not because the joke was funny, but because Jin's laughter waas.

It was impossible not to.

Vote for the next part!