The night stretched on.
But sleep—
Didn't come easily.
Anaya lay still.
Eyes open.
Staring at nothing.
The words still echoed.
The feelings still lingered.
But this time—
She didn't reach for them.
She pulled back.
"…this doesn't make sense."
Her voice was quiet.
Firm.
Because it didn't.
None of it did.
Those lines.
Those memories.
That feeling.
They didn't fit into her reality.
"…I'm just overthinking."
She turned to her side.
Trying to ground herself.
"…it's just a story."
She repeated it.
Like a fact.
Because facts were easier.
Safer.
Her mind searched for logic.
Something solid.
And it found it.
"…Reyansh is from another city."
A pause.
"…he wasn't even there."
That was enough.
Because her past—
The little she remembered—
Belonged somewhere else.
Another city.
Another time.
And Reyansh—
Wasn't part of it.
At least—
That's what made sense.
"…so why would it connect?"
It wouldn't.
It couldn't.
And just like that—
She built a wall.
Between what she felt—
And what she believed.
Because believing feelings—
Without proof—
Was dangerous.
And she didn't want to go there.
Not without understanding.
Not without certainty.
A slow breath left her.
"…stop it, Anaya."
She closed her eyes.
Forcing her thoughts to settle.
And this time—
She didn't open that page again.
Didn't read another line.
Didn't chase that feeling.
Because sometimes—
Not knowing—
Felt safer than knowing halfway.
Across the resort—
Reyansh stood near the window.
Phone in his hand.
Screen still open.
The words he had written—
Still staring back at him.
But something felt off.
Like a shift.
Like a silence—
That wasn't there before.
"…you stopped reading."
The thought came quietly.
And somehow—
He knew.
Because he had learned her patterns.
Even unknowingly.
And tonight—
Something had changed.
A small breath escaped him.
"…did it scare you?"
Not a question.
A realization.
Because the closer the truth got—
The more it hurt.
And maybe—
She felt that too.
His grip tightened slightly.
Because this—
Was the part he feared.
Not just her remembering.
But her pulling away.
Before she even knew why.
"…don't go there."
The words slipped under his breath.
Almost like a request.
Almost like a prayer.
Because if she chose distance again—
Even unknowingly—
He didn't know if he could stop it this time.
Back in her room—
Anaya finally closed her eyes.
Not because she was at peace.
But because she had decided—
Not to question it.
At least—
Not tonight.
Because some truths—
When they don't make sense—
Are easier to ignore.
Until they don't stay ignored anymore.
Morning arrived brighter than expected.
Sunlight poured into the resort.
Warm.
Golden.
Almost blinding.
Anaya stood by the window.
Already dressed.
Soft yellow fabric wrapped around her.
Light.
Flowing.
She looked… calm.
Too calm.
Because last night—
Didn't show on her face.
No confusion.
No questions.
Just—
Silence.
Her phone lay untouched on the table.
Screen dark.
She hadn't opened it.
Not once.
And maybe—
That was her answer.
"…focus on today."
She whispered to herself.
Because today—
Was simple.
Haldi.
Family.
Laughter.
No past.
No questions.
Just—
Now.
Outside—
The place had transformed.
Yellow drapes.
Marigold flowers.
Soft music.
Laughter already filling the air.
Guests gathered.
Voices overlapped.
And somewhere—
Reyansh stood.
Watching.
As she walked in.
For a moment—
Everything paused.
Because this—
This wasn't just beautiful.
It felt—
Familiar.
Like a memory trying to take shape.
He blinked.
Pushed it away.
Because today—
Was not the day for that.
"…you're staring again."
Arya's voice came from beside him.
Reyansh didn't look away.
"…I know."
Arya smirked faintly.
"…dangerous habit."
"…I've had worse."
A quiet answer.
Because this—
This wasn't just habit.
It was attachment.
Meanwhile—
Anaya sat among the women.
Soft laughter around her.
Haldi bowls being passed.
Mira leaned closer.
"…you look really pretty."
Anaya smiled lightly.
"…thank you."
"…nervous?"
A small pause.
"…a little."
Honest.
"…about the wedding?"
"…about everything."
Mira nodded.
"…that's normal."
"…I hope so."
Because what she didn't say—
Was that her thoughts—
Were quieter today.
Not gone.
Just—
Ignored.
"Anaya!"
Someone called out.
"It's your turn!"
Laughter erupted around her.
Before she could react—
Someone gently held her hand.
She turned.
Reyansh.
"…come."
Simple.
Soft.
And without thinking—
She stood.
Letting him lead her forward.
The crowd cheered lightly.
She sat down.
And then—
The first touch.
Cool haldi against her skin.
A soft gasp escaped her.
"…cold."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"…it'll get used to you."
The words were simple.
But something about the way he said them—
Felt like more.
Their eyes met.
And for a second—
Everything else faded.
No noise.
No people.
Just—
That moment.
"…Ansh."
She said it softly.
Without thinking.
And again—
It landed differently.
Not like a new name.
But like something returning.
"…hmm?"
"…nothing."
She shook her head lightly.
But her gaze lingered.
Because even today—
Even after deciding not to think—
Some things—
Still found their way back.
Across from them—
Arya watched.
Quiet.
Because he could see it.
That thin line—
Between past and present—
Starting to blur.
And Reyansh—
Was standing right in the middle of it.
Trying not to fall.
Laughter filled the air again.
More haldi.
More teasing.
And slowly—
The moment passed.
But not completely.
Because beneath the yellow—
Beneath the smiles—
Something else was building.
Quietly.
And neither of them—
Were ready for it.
But...Morning had turned into celebration.
The resort was alive now.
Marigold strings swayed gently.
Music played louder.
And laughter—
Louder than everything else.
Anaya sat in the center—
Already covered in soft strokes of haldi.
Yellow against her skin.
Bright.
Warm.
"Don't you dare—!"
She protested—
Too late.
A cousin smeared more haldi across her cheek.
Laughter burst around her.
"We have to do this properly!"
"The groom should be stunned when he sees her!"
"I'm already done, stop!"
"No chance."
Mira leaned in, laughing softly.
"You're glowing."
"I'm suffering."
"Same thing."
Anaya rolled her eyes.
But smiled anyway.
And then—
Reyansh stepped closer.
"Your turn."
Someone handed him haldi.
"Don't."
Anaya warned immediately.
"Reyansh, don't you dare."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Too late."
Before she could react—
He gently touched her cheek.
Soft.
Careful.
Not messy.
Not teasing.
Just…
Intentional.
"You're not even trying to win this."
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"I'm not here to win."
"Then what?"
A pause.
"Just making sure it stays."
Her breath hitched—just slightly.
"What?"
"The color."
He corrected smoothly.
But something about it—
Stayed.
"Oh, that was smooth!"
"Someone is trying to impress the bride!"
She looked away instantly.
"You all talk too much."
But her cheeks—
Were already warm.
Later—
After the teasing.
After the laughter.
Anaya slipped away quietly.
"My phone…"
She frowned slightly.
"I left it inside."
Carefully lifting her outfit—
She walked back toward the hall.
The noise grew louder again—
But different this time.
More chaotic.
More teasing.
"Looks like it's the groom's turn now."
She stepped inside—
And stopped.
Completely.
Because there—
In the center—
Was Reyansh.
And he—
Was shirtless.
For a second—
Her mind went blank.
Because this—
She wasn't prepared for.
His shoulders—
Broad.
Defined.
Haldi smeared across his chest—
But not enough to hide—
The sharp lines beneath.
The strength in the way he stood.
His friends surrounded him—
Laughing.
Teasing.
"Are you a doctor or a model?"
"When did you secretly get this fit?"
He rolled his eyes slightly.
"Enough."
But he didn't look uncomfortable.
Just—
Used to it.
Anaya stood there.
Frozen.
Heat crept up her cheeks—
Slowly.
Because no matter how much she tried—
Her eyes—
Didn't move away.
"…since when…"
Her thoughts tangled.
Because just a moment ago—
She was laughing outside.
And now—
This.
Something unfamiliar stirred inside her.
A mix of—
Embarrassment.
Surprise.
And something else—
She refused to name.
"Anaya?"
His voice.
She snapped out of it.
Because now—
He was looking at her.
Directly.
And somehow—
That made it worse.
"I—"
She blinked quickly.
"My phone."
Smooth.
Not smooth at all.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Over there."
He nodded toward the table.
But his eyes—
Didn't leave her.
And she knew—
He had noticed.
Everything.
She walked quickly.
Picked it up.
"Thanks."
"Hm."
A pause.
She turned—
About to leave—
"Anaya."
She stopped.
"Yes?"
A slight tilt of his head.
"You missed my haldi."
A beat.
"I think I saw enough."
The words slipped out.
And instantly—
She regretted them.
Because the teasing around—
Exploded again.
"Oh wow—she definitely saw everything!"
"That was bold!"
Her face burned.
"I didn't mean—!"
But it was too late.
Reyansh's smile deepened slightly.
Not teasing.
But knowing.
"It's fine."
A pause.
"You can see the rest later."
Silence.
And then—
Complete chaos.
"Reyansh!"
"Seriously?!"
Anaya turned instantly.
Walking out—
Almost escaping.
Heart racing.
Because now—
It wasn't just the haldi.
It wasn't just the teasing.
It was him.
And the way—
She reacted to him.
That didn't feel unfamiliar either.
And somewhere—
That scared her.
More than anything else.