6506 words.

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The moon hung high in the midnight sky, its pale silver light casting an ethereal glow over the intricately decorated room. The room was bathed in a soft, golden glow, the kind that seemed to wrap everything in an intimate haze. Jhavni sat at the middle of the intricately decorated bed, her heart thudding in her chest like a wild bird trapped in a cage. Around her, the faint aroma of jasmine and roses hung in the air, mingling with the subtle scent of sandalwood from the candles scattered across the room. The wedding had been nothing short of a grand spectacle, and now, hours later, the night stretched before her with an almost tangible anticipation.

Jhavni’s fingers played nervously with the edge of her dupatta. Her crimson bridal lehenga cascading around her like liquid fire. The delicate jingling of her bangles echoed faintly in the otherwise quiet room as she nervously fidgeted with the hem of her dupatta. The deep red and gold fabric shimmered in the dim light, a stark contrast to her pale, trembling hands. It was strange, she thought, how a night that seemed so distant once was now here, a reality. She’d imagined this moment more times than she could count — not in the practical sense, but in fleeting, stolen dreams of what it might feel like to let someone in.

Somewhere along the way, between the chaos of wedding preparations and the quiet moments when she caught Shourya looking at her, she'd found herself ready for this night. Or at least, she thought she was.

Her cheeks flushed as she remembered those stolen glances Shourya had cast her way. There was something in his eyes, a quiet intensity that seemed to see right through her. It made her heart race, but also left her questioning what lay behind that gaze. Did he feel the same nervous anticipation that she did? Did he wonder, like her, if this night would bring them closer or build yet another wall between them?