The soft chime of wind bells and the mellow buzz of casual chatter filled the cozy ambiance of Brew & Beans cafe. Fairy lights zig-zagged across the ceiling, casting a warm golden hue that wrapped the place in comfort. The air was scented with fresh coffee beans and a hint of vanilla caramel that could tempt even the strongest will.

Aarini sat on a corner table by the window, legs crossed, her phone in hand, scrolling through Instagram with the intensity of a bored queen waiting for her court jester.

Her eyes twinkled as she landed on a post.

"Uff Divya!" she mumbled to herself, smiling.

"Apna insta toh ekdam aesthetic photos se bhara hua hai... ek se badhkar ek pose... like she lives in a Vogue magazine."

(Divya’s Instagram is literally filled with aesthetic photos… one pose better than the other, like she lives in a Vogue magazine.)

She chuckled softly, eyes still glued to her screen.

"Yeh mujhe kehti hai dark romance obsessed... but khud ko dekho... camera is clearly her soulmate!"

(And she calls me obsessed with dark romance books… but look at her… the camera is clearly her soulmate!)

Her lips curled into a dreamy smile as her thoughts drifted.

"I’m sure kisi na kisi ko toh Divya pe full flat hua hoga... ekdum Majnu type... hye kya maza aayega jab Divu ki shaadi hogi... mere jiju honge... joota chupai mein toh pura lootungi!"

(I’m sure someone must be totally in love with Divya… full Majnu type… oh god, it’ll be so much fun when she gets married… she’ll be my sister-in-law’s husband, and I’ll completely loot him during the shoe-stealing ritual!)

She bit her lower lip to stop herself from laughing too loudly at the thought. Her heart was lighter than usual today. Maybe it was the cozy weather, or maybe just the comfort of meeting an old friend.

Just as she was mid-laugh, lost in her wild theories, a warm hand landed on her shoulder.

"Aaruuuuu!!" came a loud, familiar voice brimming with excitement.

Startled, Aarini turned around sharply and her eyes lit up.

"RIYAAAA!!" she almost screamed, leaping from her chair.

The two girls hugged like long-lost sisters in the middle of a K-drama reunion episode, ignoring the soft chuckles and stares from nearby tables.

They finally pulled apart and dropped onto their seats, still smiling.

"Where the hell were you? I’ve been waiting forever! Tu jaanti hai mujhe wait karna bilkul pasand nahi hai! Mujhe toh boredom ne mar hi dala!"

(You know I hate waiting! I was dying of boredom here!)

Riya raised a hand dramatically.

"Arre ruk toh ja, bolne toh de! Tabhi toh batayungi kahaan thi!"

(Hey wait, let me speak! Then I’ll tell you!)

She gave a soft, mysterious smile. Aarini narrowed her eyes and leaned forward.

"Oho! Wait wait wait… mujhe lagta hai I know where you were… don't tell me tu apne lover boy ki wajah se late hui!"

(Wait wait wait… don’t tell me you’re late because of your lover boy!)

Riya blushed and looked away with a guilty grin.

"Aariniii! Aisa kuch nahi hai! Waise bhi tu jaanti hai, hum dono kaafi time se nahi mile the. Sahil office ke kaam se out of town gaya hua tha… subah hi bola ki aaj milna hai. Aur tu jaanti hai na, agar main nahi milti toh phir uska mood off ho jaata…"

(Aarini, it’s not like that! You know we hadn’t met in a while. Sahil was out of town for office work… and this morning he insisted we meet. And you know how he gets upset if I don’t…)

Aarini scoffed, picking up the menu.

"Oh God! Tum dono aur tumhara la la love world! Mujhe abhi tak samajh nahi aaya tum dono mein love hua kaise? Ek shaadi mein mile aur bas! Insta reel lagti hai tumhari story!"

(You two and your la-la-love world! I still don’t understand how you guys even fell in love! Met at a wedding and boom! Your whole story looks like an Insta reel!)

Aarini leaned forward, dramatically clutching her heart.

"Main toh sochti thi filmon mein hota hai aisa… ek function, ek ladka, ek ladki, ek dance, aur bas pyaar!"

("I used to think this only happened in movies... one function, one boy, one girl, one dance, and love!")

They both burst out laughing as a waiter approached. The girls gave their order—masala fries, cheesy garlic bread, and iced tea for Riya, and Aarini stuck to her cappuccino and a chocolate croissant.

"Tumhara kuch nahi ho sakta, hamesha chocolate hi khana hota hai!"

Riya teased.

("You’ll never change, always ordering chocolate!")

"Excuse me? Chocolate is life. Chocolate is therapy. Chocolate is boyfriend, bas!" Aarini shot back with fake sass.

("Excuse me? Chocolate is life. Chocolate is therapy. Chocolate is my boyfriend, that’s it!")

They giggled, and the chatter flowed like monsoon rain—endless and dramatic.

As they waited for the food, Aarini took another sip of her coffee.

"Waise tujhe dekh ke lagta hai koi dulhan hi banne wali hai... glow maar rahi hai madam!"

("By the way, looking at you, it seems like you’re ready to become a bride… you’re glowing!")

Riya blushed again.

"Mujhe toh bas engagement ke liye shopping karni hai... I want to look perfect for Sahil."

("I just have to shop for the engagement… I want to look perfect for Sahil.")

Aarini wiggled her eyebrows.

"Ohooo! Sahil ke liye special glow ho raha hai!"

("Oooh! You’re glowing specially for Sahil!")

Riya playfully pushed her.

"Chup kar, nautanki!"

("Shut up, drama queen!")

Their food arrived, and both dived in with excitement, snapping pictures for their stories.

"Hashtag BestiesDayOut, Hashtag FriesBeforeGuys, Hashtag RiyaKiengagement!"

Aarini declared as she clicked the food flatlay.

("Hashtag BestiesDayOut, Hashtag FriesBeforeGuys, Hashtag Riya'sengagement!")

"Hashtag AariniIsTheRealBride!" Riya added and they both burst out laughing.

("Hashtag AariniIsTheRealBride!")

The café buzzed around them—people murmuring, coffee machines hissing, cutlery clinking—yet they were in their own bubble of chaos.

Aarini leaned back, munching on her croissant, a dramatic sigh escaping her lips.

They both cracked up again, clutching their stomachs.

After finishing their food, Riya clapped her hands.

"Okay! Let’s go shopping! I need to find the perfect lehenga!"

Aarini stood up dramatically.

"Mission Lehenga for Dulhaniya begins!"

They left the café, arm in arm, ready to take on the chaos of shops, colors, bling, and bridal dreams.

Outside, the sun had softened into a golden hue. Aarini looked at Riya—happy, glowing, in love—and smiled.

"Yeh rishton ki duniyaa bhi na… ek ajeeb si kahani likh deti hai. Kab kaun kiski life mein important ban jaata hai, pata hi nahi chalta..."

("This world of relationships… it writes strange stories. You never know when someone becomes important in your life...")

But she shook the thought away as Riya dragged her toward the nearest boutique.

"Aaruuuuu! Stop overthinking and help me pick a dupatta that screams main future bride hoon!"

("Aaruuuuu! Stop overthinking and help me pick a dupatta that screams I’m the future bride!")

"Coming, Dulhaniyaaa!"
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.

.

As the boutique’s glass door slid open, a burst of cool air-conditioning hit them, carrying the rich scent of sandalwood, fresh fabric, and expensive perfume.

"Wah bhai, boutique ke andar aate hi feel aa gayi. Ekdum shaadi vibes," Aarini muttered, pushing her sunglasses up on her head.

("Whoa, this place has full wedding vibes the moment you step in.")

The boutique was luxurious—ivory-white interiors, golden panel mirrors, soft instrumental sitar music, and racks upon racks of lehengas arranged by color palettes—pastels, bolds, reds, and even exclusive fusion wear. A crystal chandelier hung in the center, twinkling like Riya's eyes.

"Yeh dekh! Yeh pastel peach wala mujhe bulaa raha hai," Riya whispered dramatically, eyes glued to a heavy-threaded lehenga.

("Look! That pastel peach one is calling me.")

"Zaroor. Aur agar tu usko nahi uthayegi toh woh lehenga sad ho jayega," Aarini teased.

("Absolutely. And if you don’t pick it, it’ll feel heartbroken.")

"Main try kar rahi hoon yeh!" Riya declared like a soldier on a mission.

("I’m trying this one!")

As the assistant led Riya to the trial room with the pastel lehenga in hand, Aarini sank into the plush sofa, crossing her legs, sipping on the welcome rose sherbet a staff member handed her.

"Shaadiyon mein excitement hoti hai… but yeh shopping? Yeh toh battle hai," she muttered, watching Riya struggle to carry the layers of her lehenga.

("Weddings are exciting… but this shopping? It’s a whole battle.")

Aarini’s phone buzzed. A meme from their college group.

"‘When your best friend gets married and leaves you alone with your overthinking’—very accurate," she said, grinning as she sent it to Riya.

Moments later, Riya walked out.

And Aarini's jaw dropped.

"OHHHH MY BRIDE TO BE!"

Riya stood there in a pastel peach lehenga with intricate zardozi and mirror work, a net dupatta pinned across her shoulder, her bangles softly clinking, cheeks flushed, eyes unsure.

"Too much?" she asked, biting her lip.

"Too little! I mean… tu toh literal Pinterest board ban gayi ho!"

("Too little! You’re a literal Pinterest board right now!")

They both laughed, and Aarini jumped up, adjusting the dupatta.

"Iski neckline thodi aur deep hoti toh killer hota," she added thoughtfully.

("If the neckline was a bit deeper, it’d be killer.")

Riya rolled her eyes.

"Mujhe dulhan banna hai, item girl nahi!"

("I want to look like a bride, not a Bollywood item girl!")

"Uff! Dulhan bhi bold hoti hai aajkal!"

("Uff! Brides are bold these days!")

Another assistant walked in with a deep maroon lehenga.

"Ma’am, try this one too. It’s from our Royal Rajputana collection. Recently worn by a celebrity at her sangeet."

Riya’s eyes lit up. Aarini’s too.

"Areeee! Yeh toh power dulhan wala look hai!" Aarini whispered.

("This is a power-bride vibe!")

As Riya went in to try the maroon lehenga, Aarini stood looking at the mirror, imagining herself in bridal attire.

Just for fun.

She picked a champagne-gold lehenga from the rack and held it in front of herself.

"Haan haan... Aarini Mehta in an arranged marriage… kya scene hoga?"

("Yeah yeah… Aarini Mehta in an arranged marriage… what a scene it’d be.")

"Jise dekha hi nahi uske saath saat phere?"

("Seven vows with someone I’ve never even met?")

She snorted, laughing to herself.

But something inside flickered.

Loneliness?

Maybe.

"Shaadi ka craze mujhe tab tak nahi hoga jab tak us insaan ka face mere dimag mein clear nahi hota… ya fir koi meri life mein aise drop ho jaye jaise filmon mein hota hai—bam! Sudden entry!"

("I won’t be excited for marriage unless I clearly see his face in my mind… or someone drops into my life like in films—bam! Sudden entry!")

A voice broke her thoughts.

"Excuse me, ma’am? Would you like to try that one on?" a salesgirl asked politely.

Aarini smiled awkwardly.

"No no, I was just... daydreaming."

Before she could retreat from her moment of drama, Riya stepped out again.

This time in that maroon masterpiece. The dupatta had a heavy golden border. The blouse was elegant with deep back strings, and the lehenga shimmered under the boutique lights.

Aarini gasped.

"Bas! This is the one. Isse better kuch nahi ho sakta. Sahil ki toh aankhein phat jaayengi tujhe dekh ke."

("That’s it! This is the one. Nothing can beat this. Sahil’s eyes will pop when he sees you.")

Riya twirled slightly, her face flushed.

"Main nervous hoon... engagement mein sabki nazar mujhpe hogi."

("I’m nervous… everyone will be staring at me at the engagement.")

Aarini smiled, walked over, and held her hands.

"Sab teri taraf isliye dekhenge... kyunki tu poori duniya mein sabse zyada khush lagegi uss din."

("Everyone will look at you… because you’ll be the happiest woman in the world that day.")

And then added with a wink—

"Aur phir mujhe mauka milega jiju ki taang kheenchne ka... win-win!"

("And then I’ll get a chance to pull your fiancé’s leg... win-win!")

They both burst out laughing again.

As Riya went in to change, Aarini stood looking at the rows of bridal wear, her phone silent in her hand, and heart a little louder in her chest.

Something about today felt like the beginning of something... even though it wasn’t her wedding.

Not yet.

But maybe, just maybe...

Soon.
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.

.

The soft hum of chill lo-fi music, pastel pink interiors, and the sharp scent of acetone made the nail salon feel like a mini escape from the chaotic world of lehengas, jewelry, and nosy rishtedaars.

Aarini plopped herself on the butter-leather recliner, kicking off her shoes with a sigh.

"Aaj ki shopping toh gym ka substitute thi," she muttered, rotating her wrist dramatically.

("Today’s shopping was basically my workout for the week.")

Riya giggled beside her, lifting her hand as the nail technician began prepping her cuticles.

"Arre tu toh sirf dekhti rahi... bhagee toh mere pair the!"

("You were just watching—my feet did the actual running!")

"Woman hoon. Dekh ke thaka ja sakta hai," Aarini declared, flipping her hair like a K-drama queen.

("I’m a woman. I can get tired just by watching.")

Riya rolled her eyes, mouthing drama queen as they both laughed.

The technician held up a display of colors. Neon pinks, metallic golds, subtle nudes.

"Riya, choose wisely. Engagement photos mein agar neon green nails huye na… Instagram pe trolls ki baarish ho jaayegi."

("If you end up with neon green nails in your engagement pics, Instagram trolls will rain on you.")

"Oye chup! Nude peach is safe choice. Subtle, classy, dulhan-ish."

("Shut up! Nude peach is the safe choice. Subtle, classy, bridal.")

Aarini smirked.

"Matlab boring."

("Basically boring.")

"Bas zyada mat bol. Tu toh kabse nails ke liye aayi hi nahi."

("Stop talking too much. You haven’t even come here for your own nails in ages.")

Aarini gave a lazy shrug.

"Kya karun, mere nails bhi meri life jaise hi hain... single aur ignored."

("What can I do? My nails are just like my love life… single and ignored.")

They both cracked up, earning amused looks from the nail artists.

Silence settled for a brief second as Riya stared at her hand, then turned to Aarini with a sudden seriousness in her eyes.

"Uska… phir se koi message ya call aaya kya?"

("Did he... call or message again?")

Aarini didn’t look up. Just scoffed, her expression sharp.

"Nope. Maine uska number block kar diya hai. Permanently."

("Nope. I’ve blocked his number. Permanently.")

"Aur uski shakal bhi nahi dekhni mujhe."

("And I don’t even want to see his face again.")

Her voice was calm, but her eyes had that flicker. That quiet rage.

"Good," Riya nodded firmly.

"Agar ab kuch bola na usne... toh mujhe batana. Main Sahil se kehke uski naak todwa dungi."

("If he says anything again… just tell me. I’ll ask Sahil to break his nose.")

Aarini burst into laughter.

"Arre nahi yaar, Sahil pe kyun zulm karna? Pehle engagement, fir case... dulha jail se seedha mandap pe aayega kya?"

("No yaar, why torture Sahil? First engagement, then a case... your groom will go from jail to the wedding altar!")

"Valid point," Riya laughed.

"But still, I can't believe college mein wo tere peeche itna pagal tha."

("But still, I can't believe how crazy he was about you in college.")

"Like literally obsessed."

"And jo usne kiya tha... I still can’t digest. Acha hua tujhe uske baare mein time pe sab pata chal gaya."

("And what he did... I still can’t digest. Good that you found out everything on time.")

Aarini looked out the window, blinking once, then turned to her with a fake dramatic gasp.

"I told you na... har chehra angel nahi hota. Kabhi kabhi woh chehra Excel sheet mein red flag banke flash karta hai."

("I told you... not every face is an angel. Sometimes that face turns into a red flag on an Excel sheet.")

"Dekh, mujhe uske baare mein koi discussion nahi chahiye."

("I don’t want to discuss him anymore.")

"Waise bhi, woh mera type nahi tha."

("Besides, he wasn’t even my type.")

Riya raised an eyebrow.

"Haan haan. Tera type toh koi super-hot, dangerously mysterious, novel-ka-hero type hoga na?"

("Yeah yeah. Your type is some super-hot, dangerously mysterious, novel-type hero, right?")

Aarini smirked, her eyes lighting up mischievously.

"Bilkul"

("Yes")

"Kya pata... meri engagement mein koi handsome hunk drop ho jaaye... aur tujhe dekhte hi flat ho jaaye."

("Who knows... maybe at your engagement some handsome hunk drops in... and falls flat for you  at first sight.")

Riya chuckled, clutching her stomach.

"No way, I don't like this simple thing, I deserve something different."

"Pagli! Kya filmy expectations hain teri!"

("You crazy girl! Such filmy expectations!")

Aarini winked.

"Toh kya karu? Meri life ekdam novel jaisi hi toh honi chahiye. Drama, plot twists, aur ek irresistible male lead."

("What can I do? My life deserves to be like a novel. Drama, plot twists, and an irresistible male lead.")

"Waise bhi... meri story kisi arranged shaadi wali nahi hogi... meri story toh ekdam ‘soulmate with tension, attraction, and background secrets’ wali hogi."

("Also... my story won’t be about arranged marriage... mine will be a ‘soulmate with tension, attraction, and secret pasts’ type love story.")

Riya shook her head in mock defeat.

"Bas yehi faltu fantasies leke tu mujhe jaldi hi aunty bana degi. Sabse last mein shaadi karegi tu."

("These useless fantasies will turn me into an aunty. You’ll be the last one to get married.")

"Toh kya hua? Toh bhi meri shaadi hogi toh headlines banegi." Aarini flipped her invisible dupatta.

("So what? Even if I marry late, my wedding will make headlines.")

Both of them broke into another fit of laughter, causing the technician to accidentally drop a bottle of nail paint. The lady gave them a helpless smile while muttering something in Garhwali.

"Didi, main keh rahi thi... kabhi kabhi pta nhi chalta kb aapka aapko soulmate aapko mil gya ho bs abhi aapko iska pta nhi chla ho," the young technician said, quietly smiling at their bond.

("Didi, I was just thinking… Sometimes you don't even realize when you became someone's companion, who knows you may not have realized it yet.")

Riya and Aarini exchanged a look—and then cracked up all over again.