Backstage — Wedding Chaos
Behind the heavy golden curtains of the Sharma mansion's stage, the world was quieter. The thumping dhols and cheering guests faded into a distant hum.
Nitya leaned against a pillar, her lehenga slightly dusted with flower petals from the dance, cheeks still flushed from excitement. Reyansh stepped close, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.
"You're amazing out there," he whispered, voice low, almost reverent. "I couldn't stop watching."
Nitya's heart pounded. "I… I was nervous," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "Everyone was… so intense."
"Not me," he said, tilting his head closer, his eyes locking with hers. "I was only paying attention to you."
She swallowed hard, heat rising to her cheeks. "You always know exactly what to say, don't you?"
He smirked, brushing his hand lightly against hers — just a touch, but enough to send a jolt through her.
"Maybe I do," he murmured. "Maybe I like seeing you like this… vulnerable, laughing, nervous. All of it."
Nitya's breath caught. "Reyansh…"
He leaned in slightly, close enough for their foreheads to almost touch. The smell of jasmine from her hair mixed with the faint scent of his cologne — intoxicating, dizzying. "I've been wanting this moment all day," he whispered.
Her hands found his, gripping lightly. "Me too…"
Just then, a quiet snicker came from the shadows.
Across the backstage area, Advika leaned casually against a prop ladder, smirking. Aarav was beside her, trying (and failing) to look stern.
"So," Advika drawled, "I see someone's having a private moment, huh?"
Aarav's eyes narrowed slightly, though the corner of his lips twitched. "I wouldn't call it that," he said
smoothly, stepping just a little closer to her.
"Oh please," she said, raising an eyebrow. "You're practically glowing every time you look at me. And don't think I didn't notice you watching the dance floor."
He leaned in, voice low, teasing. "I was… ensuring educational standards."
Advika rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the grin. "Right. Standards of… flirting?"
"Strict ones," he said, his smirk dangerous. "Miss Verma, I expect you to comply."
Advika bit her lip, trying not to laugh. "And what if I… refuse?"
Aarav's gaze lingered. "Then I might have to assign extra… homework."
She groaned, half exasperated, half amused. "You're impossible."
Meanwhile, a few feet away, Nitya and Reyansh shared a stolen, heated glance. Their hands lingered longer
than necessary, fingers entwining as they stepped slightly closer.
"You're making this impossible," Nitya whispered, half-laughing, half-breathless.
"I like impossible," Reyansh murmured, tilting his head toward hers. "Especially when it's with you."
The quiet backstage became their little world — the chaos of the wedding outside forgotten for a few stolen minutes.
Advika, hearing the whispering and sighs, smirked at Aarav. "See? Not everyone is as disciplined as you. Some people… just fall head over heels."
He glanced at her, tone low and teasing: "Perhaps I should teach them a lesson."
She laughed softly, the sound mingling with the faint music from the hall. "Good luck with that."
And so, behind the curtains, two couples danced their own private dances — one in heat and longing, theother in teasing tension and forbidden attraction — while the wedding carried on outside in a swirl of colors, laughter, and petals.