“Good morning, Muffin,” Hiten said with a teasing grin, holding a cup of tea. “Ready to face your fan club of relatives again?”

She shot him a look through the mirror. “Don’t call me that in front of everyone, Dumbo.”

Hiten blinked, pretending to be offended. “Dumbo? Excuse me, I have a sharp brain with average-sized ears, thank you very much.”

“Then use that sharp brain to stop teasing me every five minutes,” she retorted, standing up and adjusting her earrings.

He smirked. “Hmm. I think I like ‘Dumbo.’ Sounds exclusive. Only you get to call me that, right?”

She laughed softly, “Yeah, yeah, whatever helps your ego.”

---

By noon, the wedding preparations were in full swing. Aarya was helping her cousin with decorations when Hiten joined, now wearing a neatly pressed kurta that made him look far too confident for the chaos around.

“Wow,” Aarya said, folding her arms. “You clean up pretty well, Dumbo.”

He straightened his collar with mock pride. “And you, Muffin, look… dangerously cute. I might get distracted during the ceremony.”

Her cousin, walking by, overheard and grinned. “So now it’s Muffin and Dumbo? Should we print that on the wedding invitation?”

Both of them turned red instantly. “No!” they said at the same time, then exchanged a helpless laugh.

---

Later, they set out for the main venue. The car ride was quiet but comfortable. Aarya looked out the window, her hand resting lightly on her chin as the scenery rolled by.

After a while, she said softly, “Hey, Dumbo.”

He glanced at her. “Yeah?”

She smiled faintly. “Just checking if it suits you.”

He grinned. “It does. But only when you say it.”

Her cheeks warmed, and she turned back to the window, trying not to smile too obviously.

---

The wedding was a burst of color and laughter. Strings of fairy lights lined the courtyard; music floated through the air, and everyone was either dancing, chatting, or eating. Aarya’s cousin dragged them both into a dance circle.

As they stood face to face, Hiten leaned closer and whispered, “Don’t worry, this time I will keep your toe safe.”

She looked up, laughing. “Yeah,yeah,yeah, Last time, you almost made me fall.”

“Oh please, you just used that as an excuse to hold my hand longer,” he teased.

Aarya’s cheeks reddened. “You wish.”

They began to dance — light steps, playful spins, just like the dance competition months ago. For a moment, it didn’t matter who was watching. It was just them — laughing, teasing, perfectly in rhythm.

---

Hours later, the night wound down. Firecrackers sparkled in the distance, and people began to rest. Aarya and Hiten sat on the terrace steps, the faint music still humming in the background.

“That was… fun,” she said quietly.

“Yeah,” he replied. “I almost forgot how much chaos weddings can bring.”

“Well, get used to it,” she teased. “You’ll have to face ours someday too.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Was that a proposal, Miss Muffin?”

She smirked. “Dream on, Dumbo.”

They both laughed softly, the kind of laugh that stayed in the air long after it ended.

---

The next morning, as they prepared to leave, her brother grinned mischievously.

“Visit again, Hiten! Even if she denies, you have to come!”

Aarya groaned. “Shut up, bhai!”

Everyone laughed — except her, though she was smiling behind her hands.

Her mother hugged her gently and whispered near her ear, “You both look perfect together — like you’re meant for each other. May God bless you both.”

Aarya’s lips parted to respond, but no words came out. She tried to give an angry look, but her cheeks betrayed her — warm and red. Hiten saw it, fighting a grin.

As they walked toward the car, she muttered, “You heard nothing.”

He chuckled, brushing his hand through his hair. “Oh, I heard everything.”

When they finally stepped into the car, Hiten glanced at her one last time and said softly,

“You know, Muffin… your mom might just be right.”

Aarya turned toward him, her heart fluttering at his tone. She smiled shyly, the faint blush still painting her cheeks.

“Maybe,” she whispered.

The chapter closed on that — the quiet hum of the car, a shared smile, and a warmth that lingered long after the road stretched ahead.

---