Chapter XVIII
"Soft Hands, Loud Music, and a Whispered Rebellion"
The reunion between Shruti and Sita was something out of a dream — two sisters, finally together again after what felt like lifetimes apart. There was laughter, tears, hugs that lasted a little too long, and a silence that spoke volumes of the things they had missed in each other's lives.
But once the emotion had settled and joy started bubbling again, the party truly began.
I took charge of setting up the sound system — adjusting the bass, testing the volume, and finally hitting play on a high-energy party track that instantly shook the floor with its beats. As soon as the music burst into the air, the girls around me didn't wait a second.
Sasha, Mia, Sweetie, Jasmine, Gorya, Brownie, Alfiya — even Sita's friends Minaci, Dhanvi, and Avika — all hit the dance floor with wild energy. Even Shruti joined in, laughing as she spun in circles, losing herself in the rhythm.
The vibe was electric, carefree, untamed — just the way I loved it.
I jumped in too, letting the music guide me, my body moving freely with the beat, letting go of everything else. But not long after I joined in, I felt a presence by my side — soft, yet firm.
Sita.
She leaned in close, trying to get her voice through the thunderous music. "Ved, change the song," she said. "It's too noisy… something peaceful, please."
I blinked at her, caught in the adrenaline of the dance floor. "Huh? What?"
She repeated herself louder, but the song drowned her out. I grinned, pretending not to understand, caught between the rhythm and her soft pleas.
But Sita wasn't letting it go.
Suddenly, her warm, soft hands cupped my cheeks. For a moment, I thought she was about to kiss me — and I swear my heart stopped for just a second. I was already floating in that small moment of fantasy, imagining her lips brushing against mine.
But no.
Instead, her fingers trailed from my cheeks to my ears — and the next thing I knew, she was tugging me gently but firmly toward the hallway, dragging me away from the crowd.
She pulled me all the way into my room — locking the door behind her. Because the room was soundproof, the moment the door clicked shut, the noise of the party disappeared like a light switch being turned off. Silence. Just the two of us.
I blinked. "Sita… what is this?" I laughed nervously. "Is this really the time for romance? Everyone's outside… what will they think?"
She placed both hands on my shoulders, gently lowering her forehead to mine until our noses touched.
Then she whispered, teasingly, "You're obsessed with romance, aren't you?"
I grinned. "Well, of course I am. How can I not be… when I'm married to someone as sexy as you?"
Then I leaned in, brushing her cheek with a playful kiss and said, "Come on, give me a quick kiss, and let's go back. The party's lit — such a good song playing out there!"
But Sita pulled back slightly and crossed her arms. "Ved, that song is too loud. I'm not enjoying it. Please… play something softer. Something that calms the heart."
I rolled my eyes dramatically and groaned. "Sita… we're not in a temple doing meditation! We're at a party! Loud music is mandatory. Otherwise, our friends will be bored out of their minds!"
But she stayed firm. "I don't care. Change the song."
I narrowed my eyes at her. "Not happening."
Then — with that classic glint of playful mischief — she grabbed my hands in hers and looked deep into my eyes, trying to hypnotize me with her sweetness.
But I wasn't falling for it.
Instead, I leaned in again and kissed her cheek, whispering into her ear, "Still not happening."
Her breath caught. "Ved, now you owe me for that kiss."
I smirked. "Oh yeah? If that little kiss costs this much… what will it cost me to kiss you everywhere?"
Sita's eyes widened as her cheeks turned a deep red. "Ved! You're such a dusth — shameless!"
I held up my hands in mock innocence. "What did I do now?"
"You just asked something dirty!" she accused, stepping back with a pout.
I chuckled, stepping closer and wrapping an arm around her waist. "What's dirty in that? We're married. It's… normal."
She gasped and turned away dramatically. "Go! Go back to your party! I'm not talking to you."
I was about to respond — probably with another flirty comeback — when a soft knock sounded on the door.
It was Shruti.
"Vedu… are you there?" she called gently from the hallway.
I sighed, smiling as I walked toward the door.
Sita crossed her arms with an over-exaggerated huff, refusing to look at me.
But as I reached for the doorknob, I paused, looked back at her, and whispered softly…
"I'm not changing the song… but maybe… I'll dance just for you next time."
And with that, I opened the door — stepping back into the noise, into the lights, and into the part of my world that hadn't yet realized just how much it revolved around her.
"Wine, Whispers, and a Game of Secrets"
After Sita left me behind in the soundproof room, I took a deep breath, smoothed down my outfit, and returned to the party.
The moment I stepped back into the hall, the energy still pulsed — the lights twinkling above, laughter echoing off the walls, the music still upbeat, though not quite as loud. I had adjusted the volume before returning, remembering the way Sita had cupped my cheeks and pleaded so sweetly.
As soon as I arrived, Shruti came up to me with a soft smile and said, "Sita doesn't really like loud music. Maybe that's why she looked a little upset."
I nodded gently. "It's okay. I turned it down a little. She'll come back out soon."
Even though I said it lightly, a part of me kept glancing toward the hallway — hoping, waiting for her.
Before I could dwell on it too much, I was suddenly surrounded by my group of mischief-makers.
"Time to pop the wine!" shouted Brownie, already pulling the cork off with practiced flair.
Minaci handed me a glass and winked, "Come on, Vedu. Today's your wedding celebration. No backing out. Drink!"
I laughed nervously and held up my hands in defense. "Guys, you know wine hits me way too fast. I'll be drunk after one glass!"
But they weren't having any of it.
Sweetie linked her arm with mine. "Exactly! That's the point. It's your big day — your party! And you're not allowed to escape it sober."
Everyone chimed in with cheers and whistles. Before I knew it, a glass was in my hand and they were counting down like a bunch of wild teenagers at a festival.
"3… 2… 1… Drink!"
With laughter bubbling in my chest and the warmth of friendship surrounding me, I gave in.
The first sip burned a little, the second felt smoother, and by the time I reached the bottom of the glass, my head was already feeling light and fuzzy. But I didn't stop. Another glass. Then another.
Somewhere in the middle of my third — or was it fourth? — glass, the room seemed to blur just slightly. My cheeks felt flushed, and I was grinning without even realizing it.
And that's when the door creaked open.
All heads turned.
Sita.
She stepped out from the hallway, looking calm — but with that subtle seriousness still lingering in her eyes. She scanned the room, her gaze landing on me.
Our eyes met, and for a second… the world slowed.
I smiled at her, sheepishly lifting the now-empty glass in my hand.
She raised one brow, clearly unimpressed. But then — a tiny, reluctant smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
Before anyone could tease me for staring, Sasha clapped her hands loudly. "Alright, ladies — enough drinks for now! It's time for a classic!"
"TRUTH OR DARE!"
A collective cheer went up.
Gorya dragged a cushion to the center. "Everyone sit in a circle! Bring your wine, bring your secrets — let's go!"
Someone dimmed the lights just a bit, giving the room a cozy, mysterious glow. Everyone scrambled to find a spot, including Sita, who — to my surprise — sat down beside me.
Close. Too close.
My heart did a little somersault. Maybe it was the wine. Maybe it was her warmth. Maybe it was both.
I turned to her, whispering, "Did you come out just for the game?"
She didn't look at me. "I came out because you lowered the music."
I grinned, whispering even softer, "So… that means I still get a kiss later?"
She rolled her eyes, but I didn't miss the way her lips twitched like she was trying not to laugh.
"Let's just survive the game first," she muttered.
And with that, the bottle in the center was spun — wildly, clinking softly as it rotated — ready to point out secrets, dares, and maybe… change everything.
To be continued…