[shailu4ever]

But it wasn’t until three girls, perhaps a little younger than Madhavi, approached from the corner of the room that the real color arrived.

Tanvika, dressed in an emerald green half-saree, leaned in with a grin. “You don’t look like someone who enjoys this kind of thing. First time?”

Abhi smiled awkwardly. “First time surviving a half-saree invasion.”

She laughed. “I’m Tanvika. This is Niharika, and that’s Isha.”

Niharika wore a deep purple silk, hair tied in a bun with jasmine spilling over it.

She gave him a look that lingered just a second too long. “You’re Madhavi akka’s neighbor? Lucky akka,” she said lightly, and both the other girls giggled.


Isha, tall and elegant, had sharp eyes and a more reserved air.

She gave him a gentle nod and said, “You’re quite brave to walk into a hall full of aunties and cousins with zero backup.”

Abhi chuckled. “I’m still looking for an escape route.”

“You won’t find one,” Tanvika said with a grin, slipping a small plate of sweets into his hand. “But we’ll protect you.”

Madhavi watched the scene from a few steps away, arms folded, lips curved faintly in a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Her eyes lingered on the girls for a few seconds longer than needed, before she turned and called out, “Abhi, come sit near the stage. I’ll be back in a bit.”

Abhi excused himself politely and followed her. As he passed, he heard Tanvika whisper, “He’s way too cute,” followed by a laugh.

He caught up to Madhavi. “Your family is... friendly.”

She arched a brow. “You’re clearly popular.”

Abhi shrugged. “You said I’ll be safe with you.”

She smiled. “I didn’t say I’ll be the only one keeping you safe.”

They reached a bench near the stage. Madhavi sat beside him for a moment, brushing a strand of hair away from her cheek. Her arms gleamed in the sunlight that slipped through the side curtains. Her saree had shifted slightly as she bent forward, revealing just a delicate sliver of her midriff beneath the folds.

“Enjoy the show,” she said softly. “And don’t flirt too much.”

He looked at her with a slight smirk. “I thought I wasn’t the one doing the flirting.”

Their eyes locked for a brief moment. Warm. Electric. Brief—but long enough to feel like a secret exchanged in silence.

Madhavi stood. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

Abhi nodded and watched her walk away, her silhouette melting into the colors of silk and laughter and gold.