Nisha added another reason why having the garage door beside the flower decoration was a disgusting idea.

Her wide eyes travelled up to find an intense pair glaring at her, those moonlit eyes that shone even under this dark atmosphere.
"Stop being a snitch," Kabir spoke, his blazing eyes boring holes through her. This was a warning, she could guess.

Words fumbled within her brain but she tried to shake herself out of the daze.   

"You g-guys are sneaking in my house and God knows why. Why shouldn't I snitch if you don't tell me?" She tried to sound classy but the fact she couldn't see him correctly, yet felt his breath so near her, failed it.

It was dark and he dragged her into the corner of the garage, pressed against the wall. And she couldn't even see properly. The dim light entering through the windows was her unreliable source of light.

Surprisingly, she wasn't feeling endangered like a normal person should. Because in no way did he give her that vibe. And she was in the garage of her own house, anyway.
Still, it was a matter of fact that you should trust none. And sometimes, not even your closest people.

She heard his sigh, that hit her temple. Her chest stiffened up and she tried to shift away but he struck his palm on the wall beside her, making her gasp slightly.
"Excuse me?" She frowned, "You are not getting out of here until they get the work done."
"What work?!" She asked.

She could hear her heartbeat as her eyes wandered, trying to get a proper view of his face.

From earlier observations, she knew he had a fake moustache that looked hilarious but she didn't have the time to laugh at it.

She felt his hand move and knew immediately he was fixing the moustache. She attempted to move away but failed once again as he shifted closer, "Stay quiet."

Instead of letting her intrusive thoughts win and kick him right where everything would end, she heaved out a soft sigh, "I get it, you're trying to hold me hostage but... this is inappropriate."

She heard him huff deeply, "It's your thoughts that are inappropriate. Listen, I don't trust you and if you expose us right now, the wedding could be cancelled."

She looked down thoughtfully. He wasn't wrong.

"Okay. I won't... snitch. I wouldn't, anyway. I was just playing around. Why are you here? I should know that since it's my house you guys broke into." Her brows furrowed — trying to make eye contact with him but the dim moonlight entering through that shabby window did not support her expectations.

"Shams wanted to give a bracelet to Priti. And... he wanted to ask her to write his name on her henna, only if she agreed. God knows where he gets those filmy ideas from." Kabir sounded fed up, but he still came to fulfil his friend's wishes. That made Nisha smile slightly.
"Well, from films, of course." She spoke, and she was sure he gave her a fed-up look too. She just couldn't see it.

"Uh, anyway, he could've called on Priti's phone," Nisha spoke.
"You girls boycotted all phones of the girls present and turned them off. How would he? And Priti's phone has been turned off for a day. He only planned it this noon." Kabir sighed.
"Oh... then he could've asked Soha."
"The thing is... he doesn't tell Soha about these."
"As if she doesn't know it by herself." Nisha whispered making Kabir ask, "Huh?"

"Anyway. What on earth is this plan? This is even riskier than calling on Maa's phone for Priti."
"We didn't think that much." Kabir spoke, "I wasn't even agreeing to this, to begin with."
"It was Atif's plan, right? And Wahi just remixed it with some extra spices and Ajay hyped everyone up." Nisha spoke, more to herself.
She felt him shift slightly as he spoke, "How'd you know?"
"Not even surprised." She chuckled.

"Where's the bracelet he wants to give her?"
"It's in my pocket." His breath hit her temple, leaving a warm sensation there. She swallowed the lump in her throat, looking down.
He had a refreshing scent, that always remained. She sniffed it slightly, licking her lips to get a taste of her strawberry lipgloss. As uneasy as her heart was, somehow, she wasn't feeling negative about their unexpected proximity.
"You can move away now... you know. I won't snitch."
"Oh. Sorry." He moved away immediately, the heat of his body dissipating with his proximity.

"Here," He spoke, taking out something from his pocket.
She smiled, hearing a jingling sound, "I can't see it properly." 

He walked somewhere with a low, frustrated hiss as she cautiously followed him.
They both stood near the window as he held it in the air, the dim light of outside reflecting on the bracelet. The glistening shine looked beautiful.

And so did she.

Her face was illuminated — highlighting her golden skin tone under the dim moonlight.

"It's honestly pointless. There were tons of other ways for him to send this here, instead of putting you all at risk. But this is... pretty." She whispered, looking at the face behind the glistening bracelet. 
There stood a goofy-looking Kabir with his ridiculous moustache — staring at her with his complete attention.
"I mean, maybe he did it to see that face of yours." She spoke, silently laughing. Kabir frowned, his eyes falling from her eyes to her lips. He looked away, "Shut up."

"Really but how—" Nisha's words were interrupted by the sound outside. She heard a few bangs on the garage door, making her flinch.
Kabir looked at her, confusion was evident in his eyes.

Both of their eyes widened and a gasp escaped her lips when the garage door opened.

Were they about to get caught?

Before she could process her thoughts, her hands automatically worked, dragging Kabir down with her as they hid behind the nearby car. 

She shushed him when he was about to speak, both of their eyes widening.

"We'll get caught, don't talk." She mouthed, trying to peek outside but failed. Upon looking at his wide eyes and working throat, she realized what she was doing and took her hand back, mouthing an apology. 
His fingers grazed the bottom of his lips slightly but he fisted his hands, looking at her confused, "Who is it?" 
She shook her head, indicating her lack of knowledge. 

"Uff, why are these workers so noisy?" Nisha heard her mother's voice and gulped. Her eyes wandered around in anxiousness but Kabir seemed comparatively calm. His gaze went from her face to her hands, noticing her henna. 
One of her hands was free, with which she shushed him. While the other one had a beautiful floral design on it. His gaze shifted from her hands to her face. 

Her golden tan skin was glowing under the pale moonlight, giving him a proper view of how many flaws hid beneath that skin. She had very light makeup — just mascara and lipgloss. And all her light acne which wasn't visible before with her makeup was now clearly visible.

And those somehow added to her beauty. 

She wasn't flawless yet he couldn't describe how attractive she looked. It was sudden, almost thoughtless for him. But her sight was exquisite. 

"She's coming here." She mouthed to him— seeming like she'd pass out anytime. She shifted closer to him, gesturing for him to crouch further. 
They both looked at each other, the moonlight reflecting on their faces. 
"Ah, where is it? Nisha?! Oy Nisha!" 
Her mother called as Nisha gulped, breathing heavily. 

No words escaped his lips. 

All he did was watch her intently. She fluttered her lashes, louring at his statue figure. 

Coming out of his trance at her intense gaze, he gulped.

"It's okay." He mouthed, shutting his eyes once something fell — causing a loud thud. He felt Nisha's figure shifting towards him in a flinch at the noise. His hands nearly rose to hold her shoulders but he restrained himself from the abrupt reaction.

"Oh, god. This is so troublesome." Her mother rummaged through a few drawers and suddenly spoke, "I'll have Nisha find the screwdrivers. Why do they even keep it in the garage?"

Nisha shut her eyes once her mother's footsteps were heard at her side. He gulped, looking down to see Nisha looking down. She was mentally praying to not get caught. 

As scary as this situation was, he wanted to smile at how adorable she looked. 

Soon enough, the footsteps faded and the sound of the door closing reached their ears. 

She let out a breathless gasp, plopping behind. He stared at her tensed figure, "We're safe now..."
"Did you seriously not get scared?" She whisper-asked, surprise evident on her face. 
He chuckled silently, "I did but... your face was funnier to watch than be scared."
She frowned, rolling her eyes.
"Anyway. That's... not the point." Her eyes scanned the minimal distance between them as she shifted away, clearing her throat.

"How did you... call my Maa?" 
"When— Oh." Realization dawned upon his face. He smiled slightly, "Well, nothing much. We paid the workers who were about to come and got rid of them. And Shams had your mother's number so we used it just in case we appear different, no one would be suspicious." 
"But you do know how bad you all are at acting, right?" Nisha tried not to laugh as he sighed.

"Let's not talk about that. Take it, give this to Priti." He handed her the bracelet.
She nodded, "Alright. But you guys need to go now. And, thank you very much for delaying the decoration." 
Her sarcasm was radiating through the air as Kabir thinned his lips, "Okay, we'll decorate it for you all. Don't worry." 

"With that suspicious behaviour?" Nisha asked. 
"No, of course. We were planning on how to send the information to Priti. Since we have you now, it's easy!" He shrugged. She hummed, "Okay. Then go to work. Or I might seriously snitch this time." 
"What?! Wait—" Kabir forwarded his hand, about to call her but she got up and rushed outside, "Get out quickly otherwise they'll think you're a chor! " 

Thief.

That was right. Anyone would think that.

He quickly got up and rushed outside, to find the other 3 men trying to fix the flowers.
"Seriously?" He asked, approaching them. 
"Did you explain it to her?"
"Yeah, she will send the information."

"Okay. Let's go home now—" Atif was about to move but Kabir pulled him by his collar, "Where are you going, sir? We have to finish the work the real workers were supposed to do." 

—Next Day—

"Did you fix the Dala?" Nisha asked as Bindu nodded, "Yes, it's all done. We'll take these out now." 
"Alright." She fixed her dupatta and ran outside, "Baba, it's all done." 
Her father hummed, watching the guys store the Dala in the car. 
"This one's soap and shampoo, this one's shoes and dress... this one's fruits..." Nisha counted properly and sighed. She was overwhelmed, working since morning for these.

It was Priti and Shams's Haldi tonight. The Holud. 

The first and foremost duty of the cousins and siblings was to carry the wedding gifts in the local baskets, wrapped with transparent wrapping paper to the venue.
"This paan dala is the worst." She heard Priti sigh and chuckled, "Well, the elders love it so. Now, quickly go, we have to get to the parlour." 

"Right. But the saree Shams's parents sent is so complicated... I don't think I'll be able to wear it." She sighed. Nisha patted her back, "Don't worry. We'll have arrangements for it." 

—Time skip—

"You look stunning," Nisha whispered to Priti as they got out of the car, making their way towards the entrance of the venue decorated with golden fairy lights and marigolds around. 
"I'm so nervous." Priti whispered as Nisha chuckled, "Of course, you'd be. I'm sure Shams will go crazy for you tonight."
"Shut up." She whispered, fiddling with the bracelet on her hands. 
Nisha remembered the past night's events and smiled slightly, the thought of Kabir occupying her mind.

She didn't know the reason for her smile. But thinking of him did keep her entertained. Or at least until she realized what she was doing.

"You stay here, I have to walk in with the Dala. The groom's side is waiting. Also, you're entering with the palanquin there, remember? Good luck having your entry, queen!" Nisha chuckled, leaving her sister to their father and rushing out. Priti wanted to call her but stopped, sighing. 

Nisha quickly took the Dala and got in the line with her cousins. 

Adisha stood in front of her, complaining about how tacky the decoration was. Oftentimes, Adisha's statements made her confused. 
As much as she loved wedding festivities, she complained about strange things. 

In no way was the decoration tacky, to begin with.

As they entered, they heard a few welcome and whispers around. 
She watched the Shams's cousins standing in a line, "First us, then you guys are welcoming us!" 
Atif shouted and everyone laughed. 

Beside them, Soha, along with some other girls sprinkled flowers on them as they entered.

Upon walking further, Nisha laughed seeing Atif and Wahi keeping a flower on everyone's Dala who entered. They had a rose tucked in their ear and looked hilarious with it. 
"Welcome, Nisha!" Atif greeted and kept a flower on her Dala as she smiled. Wahi gave her a friendly wink.

Then came Ajay who had a plate full of small sweets. He picked up a toothpick and stuffed it into everyone's mouth, one by one. 
"Give me one more, Ajay!" Adil called but he was pushed further by Adisha. 
Nisha opened her mouth as Ajay inserted a sweet into her mouth. She grinned, taking her steps. 

Finally, came Kabir.

Nisha cleared her throat, her chewing pace decreasing as she stood beside him. He looked at her with raised brows, "Looking beautiful, huh?" 
"Huh?!" Her eyes widened, coated with surprise but she let out an offended noise when he continued, "I was lying." 
"Excuse me?" She frowned but he laughed, taking some Chandan with his ring finger and pressing it on her forehead.

Her body shifted when the slightest of his touch was felt on her forehead. 

She gulped, pressing the Dala closer to her chest, taking a deep breath. 
"Looking ugly." She said to him and walked away before he could continue. But she was sure he was staring at her for almost a minute after that. She didn't dare to look back.