Finding you in the crowd

It had been a few months since Manish had moved to Chandigarh. He was slowly settling into his new life — the early mornings, the work routine, the busy streets, and the quiet evenings. But no matter how much he got used to things, there was always a space in his heart that stayed a little empty.

That space had Deepika's name on it.

They still talked — not every day, but enough to keep the bond alive. A few words here and there, a small "I miss you" at night, sometimes just a heart emoji. Even when the days got busy, their love stayed tucked in little corners of time.

Then, one evening, Manish got some big news.

His elder brother's wedding was fixed.

The whole family was excited. There was laughter in the house again. Aunties began discussing clothes and jewellery, uncles made travel plans, and cousins created WhatsApp groups for dance practice.

It was going to be a grand celebration.

Everyone started preparing — shopping, planning, inviting guests. And Manish? He smiled, laughed, helped out… but something didn't feel complete.

His eyes often went to his phone. His thoughts kept drifting to Deepika.

She had never met his full family. She had never been part of such a gathering. She had always stayed quietly in the background, like a beautiful secret he held close to his heart.

But this time, he didn't want her to stay hidden.

He wanted her to see his world. To be a part of his people. To witness this moment with him.

Somehow, he wanted her there.

He didn't know how it would happen. His family still didn't fully know about them — about the years of friendship, the silent promises, the love that had grown between school corridors and quiet phone calls.

But in his heart, he knew — if there was anyone who deserved to be by his side at this celebration, it was her.

⸻

That night, he finally picked up the phone.

He dialed her number. His heart beat a little faster as it rang.

"Hello?" Her voice was soft, familiar, comforting.

"Deepika…" he paused for a second, gathering courage. "Bhaiya's wedding is next month."

"Oh wow!" she said happily. "That's great! Congratulations to him!"

There was a little silence after that. Then Manish quietly added, "I really want you to come. At least for one day. Please try."

Deepika didn't reply immediately.

She understood what this invitation meant. It wasn't just about attending a wedding. It wasn't about wearing a pretty dress or watching dances. It was more than that.

It was about trust.

It was about taking a step forward in their relationship.

It was about being seen.

For the first time, he wasn't hiding her. He was asking her to be present — not just in his heart, but in his world.

"I'll try," she whispered. "Let's see how things go at home."

⸻

The next few days were slow and uncertain.

Deepika kept thinking — how would she ask her parents? Would they understand? Would they even allow her to go?

She wanted to be there. More than anything, she wanted to see him again, be a part of his happiness, watch him laugh among his cousins, help him choose outfits, maybe even dance with him under the lights.

But saying yes wasn't so easy.

She knew her family — they were strict, traditional, and careful about how things looked to others. And even though they liked Manish as a classmate or a friend from school, they didn't know how deep things had gotten between them.

Still, she tried.

One evening, while sitting with her mother, she gently brought it up.

"Ma… one of my old school friends is getting married. I was thinking, if possible… maybe I could attend for just one day?"

Her mother looked at her curiously. "Whose wedding?"

"Manish's elder brother," she said carefully, keeping her voice neutral.

There was a pause. Her mother didn't say no. But she didn't say yes either.

"Let me think about it," she finally replied.

⸻

Days passed.

Deepika waited. She didn't want to pressure anyone. But inside, she hoped.

And Manish? He didn't ask again, but she could feel the hope in his every message.

"Did you ask at home?"

"Any update?"

"No pressure… just want to see you."

The wedding preparations picked up speed. The house in Chandigarh turned into a festival — music, colours, family, food, dance.

But somewhere in all of it, Manish kept glancing at the gate, at his phone, at every new face arriving.

Would she come?

Would she walk into his world and finally stand beside him, not just in private, but in front of everyone?

⸻

Sometimes, love isn't just about romance.

It's about courage.

It's about standing up and saying, "Yes, she matters to me."

It's about two people trying — truly trying — to take the next step, even if the world doesn't make it easy.

That's what Manish was doing. That's what Deepika was trying to do.

They didn't know how things would turn out. But they both knew one thing:

This invitation had opened a new door.

And whatever happened next, they had already taken a step closer — not just to each other, but to the future they both quietly dreamed of.