"Love isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about embracing the unknown and taking the first step together."

The days leading up to the wedding were filled with a flurry of activity, each moment buzzing with energy and anticipation. Roohi found herself caught in a whirlwind of preparations, her days blending into nights filled with chatter, laughter, and the soothing scent of marigolds and incense wafting through the house.

One evening, Roohi stood by the window, the cool breeze brushing against her face as she tried to center her thoughts. Her bridal lehenga lay draped over a chair nearby, its intricate embroidery catching the dim light. The quiet moment was interrupted by the soft buzz of her phone.

It was Vivaan.

“Busy?”

She smiled faintly and replied, “Not anymore. Just taking a breather. What about you?”

His response came quickly. “Same. It feels like everything’s moving so fast, doesn’t it?”

Her fingers hovered over the screen as she thought for a moment before typing:
“Yes, like we’re on the verge of something big, and I’m not sure if I’m ready.”

There was a pause before his next message appeared.
“Me too. But maybe... we don’t have to be completely ready.”

His words were simple, yet they held a quiet reassurance that eased the tightness in her chest.

Elsewhere, in his room, Vivaan leaned against the window frame, gazing out at the glowing streetlights below. His thoughts were a jumble of emotions,anticipation, nervousness, and a flicker of something he couldn’t quite name. The soft shuffle of feet caught his attention, and he turned to see his grandmother, Nirmala, entering the room.

“Lost in thought again?” she asked gently, a knowing smile on her face.

Vivaan nodded. “Yes, Dadi. It’s... a lot to take in. I keep wondering if I’ll be good enough for her, if I’ll be able to give her the life she deserves.”

Nirmala placed a hand on his shoulder, her gaze warm and steady. “Vivaan, love isn’t about grand gestures or having all the answers right away. It’s about showing up, being there for each other, and growing together. And I know you’ll do that.”

Her words settled over him like a soft blanket, quieting some of his doubts.

The next afternoon, Roohi was at her final fitting, the vibrant red and gold of her bridal attire shimmering in the sunlight streaming through the windows. Aditi, her ever-supportive cousin, stood by her side, helping adjust the heavy dupatta.

“You’ve been so quiet today,” Aditi said, tilting her head. “What’s on your mind?”

Roohi hesitated before speaking. “I guess I’m just... reflective. It’s strange knowing that my life is about to change completely. And part of me wonders if I’ll measure up to his expectations.”

Aditi paused, then turned Roohi to face the mirror. “You’re thinking too much, Roohi. Vivaan isn’t expecting some ideal version of you. He just wants you. And trust me, that’s more than enough.”

Roohi’s lips curved into a small, grateful smile. Her cousin always knew how to say the right thing. Just then, her phone buzzed with a message from Vivaan.

“Hope today isn’t too tiring for you. Let me know if you need anything.”

She quickly typed back, “Thank you. It’s been a long day, but I’m okay. What about you?”

His response made her pause.

“Thinking of you. I’m glad it’s you I’ll be walking into this new chapter with.”

Her breath caught as she reread his words.

“I’m glad it’s you too,” she replied softly, her heart settling into a sense of calm she hadn’t expected.

That evening, Roohi found herself texting Vivaan again, their conversations becoming her quiet solace amid the chaos.

“Do you ever think about how we’ll look back on this moment?” she typed.

His reply came after a short pause. “I think we’ll look back and realize it was the start of something amazing. Even if it didn’t feel that way at first.”

Her lips curved into a smile as warmth spread through her chest.

“Amazing sounds like a good place to start,” she replied.

“It is,” he wrote back. “And we’ll build it together.”

For the first time in days, Roohi felt a deep sense of peace. It wasn’t about having all the answers or knowing exactly what the future held. It was about trust,trust in herself, in Vivaan, and in the quiet beginnings of something she knew had the potential to become extraordinary.