Smoky clouds layered the morning skies. Like the previous day, Ranveer dropped Sakshi at Vinnati's home and left in his jeep. Lining her eyes with dark kohl, Sakshi glimpsed at the packed bags and luggage trolleys in the bedroom.

"What's all this for, Vini?"

Vinnati's lips flattened into a thin line. "We are leaving for Shillong tonight."

Sakshi's hands weighed down, smudging the kohl above her eyelids. "You didn't tell me a word!"

"I wanted to inform you yesterday, but I couldn't," she said.

"When will you return?"

"Maybe within a couple of months."

"Oh Vini, how am I going to pull through two months without you?"

Vinnati stared at the cement floor, shoulders drooping. "You have your Ayush. He'll take care of you, bae."

She dropped to the bed beside Vinnati, hands on her shoulders. "How can you think like that? The reason I met Ayush is because of your spice stall. You've helped us so much. Even today, there's no way I could've sneaked out without your help. You are an important part of my life . . ."

Vinnati burst out laughing. "My dear overthinker, you misunderstood my words. I meant that till I return, Ayush will support you. I'm happy that someone cares about my best friend."

"Oh, I get it," Sakshi said with an abashed grin.

"I know how much you care about me, bae. I'll never feel jealous of my friend finding true love."

"Sorry, Vini. But I'm still not happy you're leaving!"

"You and Ayush ditch everything and join me," Vinnati said.

"Ah! I wish we could do that."

"Leave that aside. You said you'll share pictures from the shooting."

"I completely forgot." She fished out her phone and clicked on the photos taken yesterday. "No teasing!"

"Can't promise that!" Vinnati snatched the phone and swiped through the gallery. The amused expression on her face progressed into that of awe. Her silence deepened with every swipe.

"What a surprise! Vini is viewing the pictures without passing comments," Sakshi said, nudging her ribs.

Her eyes dazzled with fondness and sisterly love. "You two are such a beautiful couple. I feel like you're wedding is already over and I missed it."

"Nonsense! When I do get married, you have to be with me every step of the way."

Vinnati hugged her out of the blue. "I will be."

After a while, Sakshi rose up and grabbed her handbag with a sigh. "I will take leave now."

"Take care, text me after reaching."

"Sure, Vini."

Sakshi followed yesterday's pattern- waiting at Chocobar Café, riding pillion with Ayush, makeup and food at Darshak's house, and a journey up the Aakhya hills. This time her costume included a purple nauvari saree with gold borders, matching Ayush's purple sherwani and gold dhoti.

Setting up the equipment near the serene lake by the fort, Tanuj began the shoot. Sakshi knelt on the ground, wet grass tickling her feet. She poked a finger into the still water, causing a series of ripples. Rishabh collected a handful of wildflowers and placed them around her reflection in the lake. Thanks to the sunless sky, they didn't need a reflector or diffuser to bounce the light.

Placing a portable table fan beside her, Tanuj said, "Look into the water, smile with all your thirty-two teeth. Pick those flowers and let your hair fly in the fan breeze. Any questions?"

"No, sir," she said.

He turned on the fan and flicked the clapperboard. "Action!"

Her thick locks fluttered in the air. Pulling her lips apart into a pearly smile, she picked the flowers one by one-pink, yellow and purple- and filled it in her lap. Her fingers drew shapes, giving rise to wavelets in the turquoise waters.

Behind the camera shutter, Ayush's eyes photographed Sakshi's every move. Her candid grin, the silly manner in which she pushed a flower inside instead of picking it up, her bright and vivid eyes.

"Cut! Ayush, you have to walk into the frame from the left and hold Sakshi's shoulders. We'll capture your reflection too," Tanuj said.

"Alright, sir," Ayush said.

Plodding to the lake, he stationed himself beside her.

"Action!"

He pressed her shoulders in his palms and crouched below. The scent of her hair wash blended with the fragrant wildflowers tantalised his senses. He smiled at her reflection in the disturbed water. Unable to hold himself back, he ruffled her head His hands lifted the yellow flower from her's and affixed it in her hair. She touched the petals and blushed like a blooming rosebud.

"Cut! How did you do that?"

Ayush and Sakshi froze, startled. "S-sorry, sir. I thought it would be a good improvisation."

"Raw and beautiful!" Tanuj said, thawing their fears. "Time for the last scene, guys! Off to the top."

The team made its way to the large rectangular terrace of the fort. Four chatris, or dome-shaped pavilions, stood at each corner, embellished with hexagonal lattice windows.

"The last scene is when the prince takes off his signet ring and hands it to the princess. They seal their love with a final kiss."

"Kiss?!" Ayush and Sakshi said.

"We won't show the kiss. Y'all have to come close, and we'll turn the camera angle as if the kiss happened," Tanuj said, making them gawk in silence.

"Are you okay with this, yaara? You don't have to do it if you're not comfortable," Ayush whispered to her. Her eyes involuntarily flickered and closed as he neared her.

"I'm okay with this," she said in a hushed voice.

"Guys, any problem?" Tanuj asked.

"Not at all, sir," Sakshi said.

"Right. Now, places. Stand with your back facing the chatri. Y'all know what to do."

Taking their places, Ayush and Sakshi nodded at Tanuj.

"Good. Action!"

Ayush removed the giant star-stamped signet band and slid it down her ring finger. Closing the minimal space between them, his right hand delved into her hair while the left trailed around her waist. Balancing herself on her toes, she cupped his jaw with her trembling fingers. Their bodies burned with a shared passion. They moved closer and closer, just inches away from each other's touch.

"Cut!" Tanuj yelled. They broke apart, dazed and lost. Kanak, Rishabh, Tanuj and Darshak clapped and whistled.

"You've done it, my boy! Your very first music video," Darshak said. "And thanks for your support and dedication, dear Sakshi."

"My pleasure, sir."

"You'll be joining us for the pizza party, right?"

"Since we wound up early, I guess I can make it."

"Splendid! It will take a while to pack up, so you can wait here or come downstairs."

"I'd like to stay here," Sakshi said.

"And I'd like to stay with her," Ayush said.

"Looks like there's gonna be a downpour, anyway, it's up to you," Darshak said and headed down with the rest of the team.

"I wanted to get a closer look at the chatri," Sakshi said.

"Race you!" Ayush shouted and sprinted forward.

"Not fair!" Her feet hurried to overtake him.

Like children dashing to a toy shop, they ran to the chatri, giggling and panting. Ayush reached first and tapped the pillar.

"I'm the winner," he said, gasping and leaning on the wall.

"More like the cheater," she said, slumping forward and clutching her knees.

"Jealous much?" he said with a cocky grin.

She slapped his arm with a playful frown. "Enough!"

The faint light filtering through the intricate lattice designs arrested her eyes. Stepping inside, she ran her fingers over the shapes and carvings. "Mind-blowing architecture. I wonder how people ages ago made this."

"I know, right?"

"Can you click a picture of me with this background?"

Taking the phone from her hand, he flashed his teeth. "Say chatreeee! Turn to your left. Perfect!-How is it?"

She zoomed on the pictures and raised her brows. "Amazing. If you weren't a musician, I think you would have been a photographer."

"Anyone can pride in being a photographer if they get a beautiful model like you," he said, entering the chatri.

A drop of water slipped through the lattice and settled on her hand. Followed by many. Light and love-filled raindrops drizzled on the terrace. Huddled inside the compact space, Sakshi remembered the first time the rain brought him to her.

"I need to ask you something, yaara. I don't know how to put it across," he said, focusing on the floor.

"You can tell me anything."

Taking the deepest breath of his life, he looked up with an unnerving frown.

"Do you like me?" he said.

The corners of her mouth quirked up. Her eyes glowed with affection as she fluttered her lashes and looked down. A naughty idea harped her mind.

"What do you think- do I like you or not?"

He expected a straightforward yes or no. Her question swept him by surprise. "How will I know, yaara?"

"Take a wild guess," she said, winking and driving him crazy.

"You like me, but as a friend."

"Haha, thanks for the amazing idea! I'll stick to that. I like you as a friend."

He crossed his arms and tipped his head to a side. "Not fair."

Reeling from anticipation, she steadied her breath. "Do you want an honest answer?"

He gave an eager nod.

Taking his hand in his, she poured her heart's feelings along with the pouring skies.

"I don't like you-I love you."

She confessed the three special words first. Overwhelmed with emotions, he engulfed her in a tight hug, letting tears cloud his eyes.

"I love you, yaara."

"Our past?"

"I don't care about the past, I want you to be my future."

He popped a ring from the sherwani pocket, the one purchased using his savings and performance money. In a voice gentler than wild honey, he whispered two life-altering words.

"Marry me?"

She pressed her palms over her mouth, letting silent tears stream down her face. The sudden proposal pleasantly shook the ground beneath her. "Yes! I will!"

He slid the cool silver band down the finger just like in the shoot, only this time for real. The sparkling ring twinkled in her eyes. Holding it close, she examined the glittering heart-shaped stone that reflected his love. Her eyes met his, and without a word, they crashed into each other's arms, convulsing in gratitude and tears of joy.

He cupped her face and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. Her body shivered and turned feverish from his touch, blood rushing to her face and neck. As they pulled apart, he dried her moist eyes with the pads of his thumbs.

"Thank you so much, yaara. You've made me the happiest man on earth."

"Thank you, Ayush. I didn't expect this."

He pointed to the ring. "Do you like it?"

"What do you think- do I like it or not?"

"Not again!"

Biting her tongue, she shrugged. "I'm kidding. I love it, it's the prettiest ring I've seen."

"Yay! My girl is happy and my efforts didn't go waste."

Twisting the ring, she lowered her gaze. "Will you promise me something?"

"Anything."

"Promise me that no matter what happens, you'll always love me the same."

"That's not possible," he said.

Her face contorted in perplexion.

With a naughty grin, he pinched her cheeks. "How can I love you the same? My love for you will keep increasing every day."

"Promise?"

"Promise. Or as you girls say, pinky promise."

"Haha, that's more like it."

She chuckled and rested her head on his shoulder as they waited for the rain to abate. "You surely know how to charm a girl."

"Not any girl. Only my girl-you."

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