The wedding invitation came unexpectedly.
It was mid-morning at the office when one of Aakrati's colleagues walked around distributing cream-colored envelopes with golden borders.
"My wedding next week. You have to come," she said excitedly.
Aakrati's face instantly lit up.
"Of course! I wouldn't miss it."
She loved weddings. The music, the outfits, the pictures, the chaos — everything about them made her happy.
As soon as she opened the card and saw the date, one thought popped into her head:
I need something traditional.
That evening at home, she mentioned it to Shrisha while they were sitting on the couch.
"I got a wedding invite. I'm thinking of buying something traditional."
Shrisha looked up. "Finally. You and traditional? That I need to see."
"Shut up," Aakrati laughed. "Will you come shopping with me tomorrow?"
Shrisha sighed. "I would have loved to, but tomorrow I have work outside. I'll be late. You go with Arsh."
Aakrati tried to act casual. "Yeah… maybe."
But inside, she was already planning how to ask him.
The next morning, while Arsh was driving her to work, she held the invitation in her hand.
"So," she started.
"So?" he repeated.
"There's a wedding next week. Office colleague."
"Hmm."
"I need to buy something traditional. Will you come shopping with me today in the evening?"
He glanced at her briefly. "We just shopped a few days ago."
"That was casual stuff."
"What are you planning to buy?"
"Something traditional. Maybe a saree. Maybe a lehenga. I don't know."
He nodded. "Okay. I'll come."
"That easy?" she teased.
He smirked. "I like watching you get confused in stores."
She hit his arm lightly. "I don't get confused."
"You try twenty things and still say you're not sure."
She looked out the window dramatically. "Rude."
"Accurate."
She tried not to smile.
After work, both of them were tired. It had been a long day.
Still, they didn't cancel.
They went home, freshened up, and met at 8 PM near the nearest shopping mall.
The mall was glowing with lights, music playing softly in the background, people walking around with bags in their hands.
She looked at him. "You have to help me choose. I'm not good with traditional outfits."
He folded his arms. "I thought you said you don't get confused."
"That's different. This is important."
He nodded like a serious consultant. "Fine. I'll judge honestly."
"Be nice."
"No promises."
Inside the store, she began scanning racks carefully.
He followed behind her quietly, surprisingly patient.
She picked an elegant Anarkali suit first.
"Wait here," she said and disappeared into the changing room.
A few minutes later, she stepped out.
The suit was soft pastel with light embroidery. She twirled slightly.
"Well?"
He examined her.
"It looks good," he said.
She narrowed her eyes. "That tone means something."
"It's nice. But it's not… doing anything."
"Doing anything?"
"It's not giving that feeling."
She sighed. "You're useless."
He grinned. "Next."
Second outfit — a heavy lehenga.
When she walked out this time, even she felt it was a bit extra.
He stared for a moment.
"You look amazing," he admitted honestly. "But this is too much. You'll outshine the bride."
She laughed. "That dramatic?"
"Yes. People will forget whose wedding it is."
She looked at herself in the mirror. "Yeah… it is heavy."
Back inside again.
Third outfit.
A peach-colored saree.
She wasn't even sure why she picked it. Sarees weren't her usual style. She preferred cute dresses, flowy tops — things easy and light.
But something about the color caught her attention.
She stepped out slowly, adjusting the pallu over her shoulder.
He looked up.
And went silent.
She noticed immediately.
"What?"
He didn't answer for a second.
He just looked at her properly.
"Aakrati," he said softly.
She suddenly felt shy under his gaze. "What?"
"You look like a goddess."
Her heart skipped.
"You're looking… too pretty."
There was no teasing in his voice this time. No smirk.
Just sincerity.
"If I'm looking pretty," she said, trying to act normal, "then I'm buying this."
He stepped a little closer. "Pretty is small word."
She looked away quickly. "Stop."
"I'm serious."
She checked herself in the mirror again.
For the first time, she saw what he was seeing.
Maybe sarees weren't so bad.
At the billing counter, she took out her card and paid.
He watched but didn't interrupt.
When they stepped outside, he finally said, "You didn't even let me offer."
She shrugged lightly. "I don't like being a burden."
He looked at her properly. "You're not."
She smiled but didn't argue further.
On the way back, he kept glancing at her.
"Peach is your color," he said.
"Oh really?"
"Yeah. Nothing can beat you in that color."
She laughed softly. "It's not even my style."
"Make it your style."
"Why?"
He leaned slightly closer while walking.
"Because when you wear it… I forget how to act normal."
She pushed him lightly. "You're impossible."
"Only with you."
She felt warm inside.
Even though sarees were never her thing…
For a second she thought—
If he compliments me like this, I might actually wear one more often.
They reached her place.
There was a small pause before leaving.
"Goodnight," she said softly.
"Goodnight, peach."
She smiled and walked inside.
And he stood there for a few extra seconds, replaying the image of her in that saree in his mind before finally turning around.