"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, but it is the moments of quiet understanding along the way that make the distance worthwhile."

The wedding preparations were in full swing. The Ahuja and Chaturvedi families were bonding effortlessly, their laughter and camaraderie filling both households with warmth. Roohi and Vivaan found themselves swept into the excitement of planning,a shared journey neither had anticipated but were beginning to embrace.

Vivaan, true to his introverted nature, stayed in the background, quietly observing the joy around him. Meera was the heart of the preparations, her exuberance a guiding force for everyone involved. Even Vivaan found himself drawn into her enthusiasm, albeit subtly.

“Bhaiya,” Meera called, holding up two swatches of fabric. “Which one do you think Roohi would prefer? This soft peach or this deep red?”

Vivaan hesitated, his brow furrowing in thought. “Peach. It’s understated and elegant.”

Meera’s face lit up. “You’re really paying attention, aren’t you? Who knew my brother had such a romantic side?”

Vivaan gave a small, shy smile. “I just… want her to feel at ease. That’s all.”

Meera grinned and patted his arm. “You’re already doing great, bhaiya. She’s lucky to have you.”

At the Ahuja home, Roohi was grappling with her own emotions. Her practical side kept her grounded, but the enormity of the approaching wedding often left her reflective. Standing in front of the mirror, draped in a maroon bridal lehenga, she felt a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

“You look beautiful,” her mother said, her voice soft and full of pride. “You’re going to be a radiant bride.”

Roohi smiled faintly. “Do you think Vivaan will like it?”

Her mother’s eyes softened as she adjusted the dupatta. “Vivaan seems like the kind of man who will see more than just how you look. He’ll like you for who you are.”

Roohi bit her lip, her heart warming at her mother’s words. “I hope so, Maa. I want him to feel comfortable with me, too.”

As the days passed, Roohi and Vivaan began spending more time together, finding moments to connect amidst the chaos of wedding planning. One evening, they found themselves at the Chaturvedi home, tasked with organizing the seating arrangements for the reception.

Vivaan spread the list of names across the table, his expression thoughtful. “We need to make sure both families are happy with where they’re seated. It has to feel balanced.”

Roohi leaned over, her brow furrowing slightly as she scanned the names. “How about grouping the younger cousins together? They’ll have fun that way.”

Vivaan nodded, his gaze softening. “Good idea. And the elders?”

“They should be near the stage,” Roohi said, glancing at him. “They’ll appreciate feeling involved. "

Vivaan looked at her with quiet admiration. “You’re really good at this. It’s like you know exactly what will make everyone happy.”

Roohi smiled, her cheeks warming under his gaze. “It’s nothing, really. I guess I’ve just been part of so many family events that it comes naturally.”

There was a brief silence, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Instead, it was filled with an unspoken understanding.

“Roohi,” Vivaan said quietly, his voice hesitant, “I know I’m not the most expressive person, but… I want you to know that I’ll try. To make this work, to be someone you can trust.”

Roohi blinked, surprised by his openness. She gave him a gentle smile. “Thank you, Vivaan. That means a lot. I think we’ll figure this out together.”

After a moment, she added softly, “You know, I was nervous about all of this. But the more I see how you care about everyone, the more I feel like… maybe this is the right step for both of us.”

Vivaan’s eyes met hers, and for the first time, he felt a small weight lift off his chest. “That means a lot, Roohi. Thank you.”

As the evening went on, Roohi and Vivaan continued to sort through the seating arrangements. Vivaan glanced up at her after a few moments, his voice quiet yet curious.

“So… do you have any close friends you’d like to invite? I mean, apart from family?”

Roohi paused, her fingers resting on the edge of the list. She looked down for a moment, a soft sigh escaping her lips. “I never really had friends growing up,” she began, her tone more reflective than she intended. “I was always the studious one in school, so… I guess I didn’t fit in with the others. I was always too busy with books and studies. In college, well… people just used me for notes or assignments. I was the go-to person for help, but it wasn’t really friendship, you know?”

Vivaan’s gaze softened, his eyes filled with quiet understanding. He gave a small nod, his own experiences shaping his response. “I know what you mean,” he said, his voice tinged with a quiet sadness. “Before the age of twelve, I had a good number of friends. But after… after my parents passed, I just… became different. I joined an art school, but being an introvert, no one really wanted to be my friend. I ended up spending most of my time alone.”

He paused, his fingers absently tracing the edge of the table. “But, Roohi, it’s different now. We’re not alone anymore. We have each other. Before anything else, we’ll be each other’s best friends. That’s what matters.”

Roohi looked at him then, her heart fluttering softly at his words. She hadn’t expected that response, but it made her feel warm, understood. Vivaan, the man she was about to marry, had never been surrounded by friends, had never truly felt the connection she longed for, but now here they were, on the verge of something new.

“I think we’ll be okay,” she whispered, the quiet honesty in her voice matching the sincerity she saw in his eyes. "I’ll just invite a few colleagues from work and my CEO. He’s like a father to me, always caring for me, making sure I’m okay. He’s been a guiding figure for me in a lot of ways."

Vivaan’s face lit up with a small but meaningful smile. “You’ll have your colleagues and your CEO there. And as for me, I’ll make sure I have some friends from the art world there. They’re the closest I have to real friends.” He hesitated, but then added with a little more certainty, “And Roohi… we’re going to build our own life now. Just you and me. We’ll make it ours.”

Roohi smiled back, feeling an unexpected sense of peace settling in her chest. In that moment, the weight of wedding preparations, family expectations, and the uncertainty of their future seemed to melt away. What mattered most was that they had each other.

Vivaan returned his gaze to the seating chart, his fingers lightly brushing over the names. It was the beginning of something new, a new chapter that they were writing together, and perhaps, for the first time in a long time, both of them felt hopeful about it.

Later that night, Vivaan sat in his room with his sketchbook open. He had planned to work on a new piece, but instead, his pencil seemed to move on its own, tracing a silhouette that looked unmistakably like Roohi. He stared at the drawing for a long time, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Roohi, meanwhile, found herself thinking about Vivaan’s quiet sincerity. His words echoed in her mind, offering a sense of comfort she hadn’t expected. For the first time, the idea of their future together didn’t feel daunting , it felt hopeful.