Ishaan winced, giving her a wounded look. "I was trying to be romantic, but you almost fractured my ribs instead."
Riva, now stirring beside her, peeked an eye open. "Did I just wake up to Lavika assaulting a man in our room?" she mumbled.
Ishaan pointed at her dramatically. "Exactly! Thank you!"
Riva yawned, rolling onto her side. "You deserved it. Who sneaks into a girl's bed at dawn?"
"I didn't sneak! I just... hugged her." Ishaan huffed. "And instead of a cute reaction, I got bodily harm."
Lavika narrowed her eyes. "Next time, knock."
Ishaan smirked, inching closer. "But where's the fun in that?"
She picked up a pillow. "Try it again, and I'll show you 'fun.'"
Laughing, he held his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay—I'm leaving."
Just before stepping out, he threw her a playful wink. "But don't worry, sweetheart. I'll get my revenge."
The door clicked shut behind him.
Lavika exhaled sharply, still recovering.
Riva, now fully awake, grinned mischievously. "Sooo... when's the wedding?"
Lavika groaned, throwing a pillow at her next.
✮⋆˙
After shaking off the morning's chaos, the girls got ready. 
Riva slipped back to her room, while Lavika dressed in a breezy pastel pink chikankari kurti with pearl earrings and her hair in soft waves.
She decided to find Ishaan, heading to his room.
Just as she knocked, the door opened, revealing Ivaan.
Lavika's lips parted slightly. "Oh... I didn't know you were here."
Ishaan, who was tying his watch strap, raised a brow. "What happened?"
Lavika hesitated, stealing a quick glance at Ivaan, before looking at Ishaan. "Can you come outside for a minute?"
Ishaan frowned slightly but nodded, following her into the hallway.
She turned to face him, playing with the end of her dupatta. "I'm sorry about earlier" she mumbled. "I didn't mean to... you know—attack you."
Ishaan watched her for a moment, then a slow grin spread across his face.
"Acha baba, kuch nahi hua mujhe. I'm okay, bache" he teased, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. 
Then, before she could react, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.
Lavika's breath hitched.
"Chalo, ab jao dining table pe. Sab wait kar rahe hain." He smirked. "Main aur Ivaan bas aa rahe hain... phir kahin ghoomne jaate hain." His voice dropped slightly. "Sirf hum dono."
Her cheeks warmed, but she nodded quickly, stepping back.
Ishaan watched her go, a knowing glint in his eyes.
✮⋆˙
The table was filled with chatter and laughter as everyone enjoyed breakfast.