Khushi (thinking):
(After combing my hair, I applied my makeup and a bold red lipstick. With the black saree, it's just perfect...
And Mark — ahh, he looks so hot today. I don't know how I'm going to control myself...
How can someone look that good?)
(I saw him getting ready to leave through the mirror. I walked toward him and gave him a hug from behind. He turned around, and told me I'm making him crazy — but the truth is, he's the one driving me crazy.)
(I looked into his eyes, gave him a quick peck on the lips, and rushed out of the room before he could react.)
Mark (thinking):
(She didn't say anything — just looked into my eyes and then gave me a kiss. Well, not a kiss — just a peck — and ran out before I could respond.)
(I followed her out, but by the time I reached the door, she was already gone.)
(She really is crazy... in the best way.
I wish I'd known her better back then.
I don't know what I was thinking three years ago.)
(Anyway, let's check what Abhi's up to. His room's right across from mine.)
(Mark knocks on Abhi's door. Abhi opens it, already dressed and looking sharp.)
Abhi (thinking):
(After checking the arrangements, I came back to my room. There was an outfit on the bed — probably Mom and Dad left it here. Time to get ready.)
(I had already showered earlier, but with all the running around, I needed another one. After showering, I wrapped a towel around my waist and applied moisturizer to my face and hands.)
(I'd already shaved, so my skin looked clean and bright. I applied a little foundation, put on my white shirt, then my black tuxedo. Added formal black shoes, a watch, some perfume, styled my hair with gel — and done.)
(Looking in the mirror — yep, looking good. Nice, Abhi.
Wish I could get ready with Ishana... how romantic that would be...
Just keep dreaming, Abhi.)
Knock knock!
(Abhi hears the knock and goes to the door, hoping for someone...)
Abhi:
(Umm... maybe it's Ishana? That would be nice... I haven't seen her for 3-4 hours now.)
(He opens the door. It's Mark.)
"Oh... Bro! Why are you here?"
Mark:
"Wow, that's rude! Can't I visit? Or were you expecting someone else?"
Abhi (laughing):
"No, no! It's not like that.
Okay, yeah... I guess I was expecting someone else."
Mark (grinning):
"Ohh, so you really were!
Well, hate to disappoint you, but she's not back yet. I was just about to go pick her up."
Abhi:
"Oh... I thought you were staying there and would come back with her."
Mark:
"That was the plan, but some issues came up here, so I came back.
Anyway, I'm heading to get her now. Just thought I'd ask — want to come with me?"
Abhi:
"Of course I'll go!
But... I don't think she'll want to come back with me."
Mark:
"Still mad?"
Abhi:
"Probably."
Mark:
"Then let's go together."
Abhi:
"Alright."
(They head downstairs and walk to the parking lot. Abhi spots his dad taking something out of the car.)
Abhi:
(Dad's here. Let me go help.)
"Hey Dad, let me help you with that."
Dad:
(Lifting sweet boxes from the trunk.)
"Ohh, look at my son — how handsome he looks today!"
Abhi (smirking):
"Yeah, I know, Dad."
Mark:
"Hello Uncle, let me help."
Dad:
"Sure.
Abhi, seriously — you're looking really good today."
Abhi:
"Thanks, Dad!"
Mark:
"I told him the same thing, Uncle!"
Dad:
"Where are you two going?"
Abhi:
"To pick up Ishana."
Dad (teasing):
"Both of you? Is she that heavy that my son can't bring her back alone?"
Mark (laughing):
"No no, Uncle! It's not that...
She wouldn't come back unless I went to get her.
So I asked Abhi if he wanted to tag along."
Dad:
"Ah, she must be close to you."
Mark:
"Yeah, kind of. We're all really close — all of us siblings."
Dad:
"That's lovely. That's why I really liked your family from the start."
Mark:
"Thanks, Uncle. And hey — you've got good taste in cars!"
Dad:
"Oh, this? It's not mine — it's Abhi's. I just drove it here."
Mark:
"Ohh, not bad Abhi!"
Dad:
"Why don't you take this car to pick her up?"
Mark:
"Sure, Uncle."
(He takes the keys and hands them to Abhi.)
Abhi:
"You can drive, bro. I don't mind."
Mark:
"Really? I already drove your wife — now you want me to drive you too?
Come on, man — you drive."
Abhi:
"Alright, alright. I got it."
(They get in. Mark takes the passenger seat and buckles up. Abhi starts the car, and they head to the parlour.)
Ishana (thinking):
(Finally, after 3-4 hours, I'm ready!
I'm wearing a pink lehenga — and it looks amazing. I never knew I could look this beautiful. The light makeup is just perfect.)
(I came out and noticed my brother still wasn't back, so I waited for about half an hour.
Then I heard the sound of a car outside...)
(I stepped out and there he was — standing in front of the car.
He looked so good today... almost too good.)
Ishana:
"Bro!! Look at me!
How do I look? Look, look!! I'm looking so beautiful today, right?!"
(She twirls happily, showing off her outfit like an excited little girl. Then she notices something...)
"...Wait... this isn't his car..."
( ON THERE WAY TO PICK ISHANA)
(They start driving. As they drive, Mark breaks the silence.)
Mark: "Abhi...umm... Jokes aside, I just want to apologize on behalf of my sister."
Abhi: "Apologize? For what?"
Mark: "For the slap and her behavior toward you."
Abhi: "Oh, no… you don't need to apologize for her. I understand. You don't have to do that."
(Mark looks over at Abhi, genuinely touched by how he is handling it.)
Mark: "You're kind, man. But really, I thought you might not know what she's feeling. I assumed you didn't understand how she felt about marriage or about you."
Abhi: (smiling, shaking his head) "Mark, how could I not know? I've spent enough time observing her to know how she feels. She's scared, I can see it."
Mark: "You know about the fear, huh? I thought you wouldn't understand. I thought maybe you'd be clueless about her reasons for not wanting to marry you. She has a whole list of excuses."
Abhi: (chuckling softly) "What excuses? What did she tell you?"
Mark: "Well, she said she wants to travel the world first, especially South Korea. She's obsessed with it. Honestly, if I were you, I'd be careful when you take her there."
Abhi: "Why? Is she that crazy about it?"
Mark: "Well, let's just say I wouldn't be surprised if she runs off with someone else over there."
Abhi: (laughs) "No way, man. She can't run away from me. She won't find someone who cares about her as much as I do."
Mark: (nodding in agreement) "Yeah, you've got a point. But still, keep an eye on her when you travel."
Abhi: "I will. She's mine, no one else's."
Mark: (raising an eyebrow) "Well, if you're so confident, that's good. You've got your faith in her. But what else did she say?"
Abhi: (seriously, though his eyes are still focused on the road) "What else did she tell you about me?"
Mark: "She knows you're caring, but... she's still unsure. She's scared of losing her freedom, of changing who she is."
Abhi: (sighs softly) "I don't get it, bro. I've told her, over and over, that nothing will change. She'll still be herself. If she doesn't want to cook, I'll cook. If she doesn't want to do house chores, I'll do them. If she doesn't want me to get close, I'll respect that. But at some point, she has to realize... I'm here to support her, not control her."
Mark: "Wow... Bro, you're perfect husband material. If I were a girl, I'd marry you right now. You've figured out all the answers she's looking for. But wait, the part where you said you'd respect her space... do you really mean that? You're just going to wait?"
Abhi: (earnestly) "Yes. I mean it. I want her to feel safe with me. She'll come around, eventually. I don't want to rush things."
Mark: "Well, if you say it like that, you're never going to get close to her, bro. Let me be honest. If you say that to any virgin girl, she's going to take it and think you're going to stay at arm's length forever."
Abhi: (pauses, processing Mark's words) "Personal experience, huh?"
Mark: "Yup, you bet. I'm speaking from personal experience here. I thought I'd be respectful, but all I did was make things worse. Girls who have never been touched by a man will resist. They'll think it's all scary. And yes, it is scary, for them."
Abhi: (laughs softly) "Did you give that option to sister-in-law, too?"
Mark: (chuckles, raising his hand in mock surrender) "Don't remind me, bro. I messed up... big time. But listen, I'm telling you this for a reason. You want her to feel comfortable with you? You have to take the first step. Don't wait for her to come to you."
(Abhi nods, reflecting on what Mark said. It's hard for him to imagine taking the first step, but deep down, he knows he has to. He doesn't want to live the rest of his life with this distance between him and Ishana. But he's determined to do it his way.)
Abhi: "I understand. I just don't want to force her into something she's not ready for."
Mark: "You won't be forcing her, bro. But you have to show her that she's safe with you. If you don't, you'll just end up living like roommates."