The Night After Haldi

Veer sat on the balcony of his room, nursing a glass of whiskey. The golden liquid glinted in the moonlight, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

His mind kept drifting to her. Bani.

*******

Veer’s POV

She wasn’t like anyone he had ever met. Her eyes had held a fire that refused to be dimmed, a strength that seemed to challenge everything he believed about himself. Veer leaned back in his chair, his fingers absently tracing the rim of his glass.

"Who are you, Bani?" he murmured under his breath, his voice low, as though saying her name out loud might summon her.

He hadn’t spoken to her, hadn’t even been close enough to catch more than a glimpse, yet she occupied his mind as if she had always belonged there.

"Veer bhai!" Monil’s voice broke his thoughts as the door swung open.

Veer didn’t even flinch. "Knock next time, Monil."

"Arre, it’s not like you’re doing anything secret. Oh, wait..." Monil smirked, leaning against the doorframe. "You’ve been sitting out here since haldi. Planning world domination or thinking about someone specific?"

Veer’s sharp gaze flickered to Monil, his lips curling into a smirk. "Do you ever stop talking nonsense?"

"Nope. It’s my job to annoy you," Monil replied, plopping down in the chair opposite him. "But seriously, you’ve been quiet all day. Even Ponky noticed."

Veer raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"And Ponky thinks you’ve fallen for someone," Monil teased, wagging his eyebrows.

Veer chuckled, shaking his head. "Ponky thinks every woman who looks at him is in love with him. I’m not taking advice from him."

"But you’re not denying it!" Monil shot back, grinning.

Veer leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You’re too curious for your own good, Monil. Let’s leave it at that."

Monil opened his mouth to press further, but Veer’s sharp look silenced him. With a sigh, Monil got up, muttering, "Fine, but I’m watching you, bhaiya."

******

Later That Night

The house had grown quieter, and most of the family had retired for the night. Veer, however, couldn’t sleep. He found himself walking through the dimly lit corridors, his thoughts still clouded by her.

In the main hall, he found Tapish sitting on a couch, reading a book.

"Can’t sleep either?" Tapish asked without looking up.

Veer sat down across from him, resting his head against the back of the couch. "Too much noise in my head."

Tapish set the book aside, studying his brother. "You’re not usually this... restless. Something on your mind?"

Veer hesitated for a moment before replying, "Do you believe in connections, bhai ? The kind you can’t explain?"

Tapish’s brow furrowed slightly. "Like fate?"

"Something like that," Veer said, his voice softer than usual.

Tapish regarded him thoughtfully. "It’s rare for you to talk like this. You’re usually the one who says we make our own fate."

"Maybe I’ve been wrong," Veer admitted, surprising even himself.

Tapish didn’t press further, recognizing the weight behind Veer’s words. Instead, he said, "If it’s meant to be, you’ll figure it out."

Veer nodded, though his thoughts remained tangled.

******

Bani’s POV

Across the city, Bani sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her reflection in the mirror. The events of the day replayed in her mind—the laughter, the rituals, the fleeting moments she couldn’t explain.

And then there was him.

That man with the piercing gaze, the one who had looked at her as if he knew her. She shook her head, scolding herself for letting her thoughts linger.

"It doesn’t matter," she whispered to herself. "I have other things to focus on."

But no matter how much she tried to push him out of her mind, the memory of his smirk, the intensity in his eyes, refused to fade.

*****

Back at the Singhania mansion, the younger cousins had gathered in the kitchen, sneaking snacks and exchanging jokes.

"Daksh, did you see Veer bhai today? He was acting weird," Ponky said, biting into a samosa.

"Yeah, like he’s got something on his mind," Daksh agreed.

"Maybe he’s in love," Monil said dramatically, clutching his chest.

The trio burst into laughter, though Daksh quickly added, "If he is, we’re doomed. No woman’s going to put up with all of us."

"Speak for yourself," Ponky retorted. "I will be  very good brother in law ."

"Sure ," Monil teased.

Their laughter echoed through the kitchen, a reminder of the lighthearted chaos that defined the Singhania family.

********

From his room, Veer could hear his cousins’ muffled laughter. He shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. They were a handful, but they were his family.

As he lay down, his thoughts drifted back to Bani once more. He didn’t know why or how, but he felt certain their paths would cross again.

And when they did, he was determined to uncover the mystery of the connection that bound them.

****
Next day

The Singhania men were a sight to behold as they led the baraat. Ponky, Monil, and Daksh danced at the front, their moves wild .

"Ponky, you're going to scare off Meera bhabhi's family with those moves!" Monil teased, trying to mimic him.

"Jealous much?" Ponky shot back, spinning dramatically.

Balwant and his brother walked beside the procession.

"Looks like the boys are enjoying themselves," Pawan commented, chuckling.

"As they should," Balwant replied, his tone lighter than usual. "It’s not every day we marry off one of our own."

Veer followed behind, his gaze scanning the crowd. Despite the vibrant energy around him, his mind remained elsewhere, searching for a certain face.

***
Wedding Venue

The mandap was decorated with strings of jasmine and marigold, glowing under the soft light of chandeliers. Meera sat beside Tapish, her lehenga a deep red with golden embellishments, her face glowing with a mix of nervousness and joy.

Tapish couldn’t take his eyes off her.

"Stop staring," Meera whispered, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Can't help it," Tapish replied, his voice soft. "You look... perfect."

The priest began chanting the mantras, and the family gathered around, their faces lit with happiness.

******

Meanwhile, Veer was half-listening to Pawan and Balwant’s conversation while his eyes scanned the venue. He spotted Bani standing by a group of women, her laughter ringing out like a melody. She looked breathtaking, her saree draped elegantly, her hair cascading in soft waves.

For a moment, Veer forgot everything else. His focus narrowed to her—the way her eyes crinkled when she smiled, the way she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Balwant noticed his son’s distracted gaze and followed it. His  eyes landed on Bani.

“Who’s that?” Balwant asked, his voice cutting through Veer’s thoughts.

Veer blinked, quickly schooling his expression. “Just a guest,” he replied casually.

“Hm,” Balwant murmured, his gaze lingering on Bani for a moment longer before shifting back. “Focus, Veer. It’s Tapish’s day.”

Veer nodded, but his mind was already elsewhere, plotting how to steal another moment with Bani.

*****

Veer's POV

Veer’s eyes locked onto Bani. Even with the wedding in full swing around him, she was the only thing he could see. She moved so effortlessly, drawing him in without even trying. It wasn’t just her beauty—there was something else about her, something that pulled him in, making him forget everything else.

His senses were on high alert, tuning into every little detail. The rustle of her saree, the way her breath hitched slightly when she laughed, the soft thrum of her heartbeat—it all felt connected to him.

And then, she stopped. She looked around the room, like she was searching for something. Maybe she felt it, too. That strange, unexplainable pull between them?

She turned and their eyes met for a second. Time slowed. She looked confused, like she didn’t understand why she was feeling this. But Veer knew. She felt it.

He leaned back against the pillar, trying to stay calm, but inside he was restless. She’s mine, he thought. She just doesn’t know it yet.

"Still watching her?" Tapish’s voice broke his focus.

Veer barely moved, keeping his gaze on Bani. "Just keeping an eye on things."

Tapish raised an eyebrow. "You’ve been watching her from the time I sat in mandap.Careful, Veer, you're not hiding it well."

Veer smirked, unfazed. "She’ll notice. Eventually."

Tapish shook his head. "And then what?"

Veer’s attention went back to Bani, who was laughing with someone, her smile lighting up the room. His voice softened. "Then she’ll understand. She’ll see it’s all meant to be."

As the ceremony went on, Veer couldn’t stop watching her. There was something about the way she smiled, the way she moved, that held his attention.

Bani seemed uneasy, her eyes darting around the room, like she was looking for something or someone.

She feels it, he thought, knowing she didn’t understand yet.

Their eyes met again, and in that brief moment, everything else faded. It was just them. Her face held confusion, but something else too—maybe she was starting to realize it.

Veer’s heart skipped a beat. This was only the beginning. She would figure it out soon enough.

********

I have added POVs to make it more better and interesting