Apulki Chapter 13 – The Engagement That Slipped
- Hansa
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Recap Chapter 12: A fleeting spark between Yamini and Akash is interrupted by Isha’s engagement news. Rain, stubborn cabbies, and mounting nerves turn the Pune trip into chaos, with Isha, Neerav and Akash stranded at Chimboli police station.
When the Bride Was Someone Else
Outside the police station, Isha, Neerav and Akash waited in awkward silence, each lost in their own thoughts, when a car pulled up in front of them.
Yamini's car.
But it did not look like a khatara today. It was covered in flowers and bright decorations, practically screaming celebration. A board dangled proudly from the bonnet – JUST ENGAGED.
Yamini stepped out.
She was wearing a stunning lehenga and was as decked up as the car itself.
All three of them stared at her. Then at the car. Then back at her.
“It was supposed to be an after-engagement surprise,” Yamini said, mildly annoyed. She walked up and smacked the bonnet. “You guys had to spoil my surprise.”
Akash couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“You’re looking yummy, Yammu.”
Yamini's annoyance vanished instantly. Blushing, she smiled and batted her eyelashes at him.
“Thanks, Akku. C’mon, guys. Let’s go.”
They all piled into the car.
Soon they were in Pune. Yamini slowed down as they approached a beautifully lit building.
“Okay, we’re almost there,” she said. “I’ll stop near the back door and you guys sneak into the dressing room.”
Then she frowned.
The road ahead was blocked. Barriers, roadworks, the whole mess.
“Damn,” she muttered. “I’ll have to pull up in front. Be very quiet. Hopefully we can sneak in without being seen.”
Yamini stopped the car outside the engagement hall.
Akash and Neerav stepped out quietly, just as someone spotted the decorated vehicle from an upstairs window.
“The bride’s here!”
Pandemonium followed.
Guests rushed out. The band burst into music. Lights flicked on everywhere.
Isha stepped out of the car.
Her clothes were still caked in mud. She tugged her t-shirt down over her torn jeans, suddenly painfully aware of herself.
The band stopped.
Everyone stared. At her. Then at each other.
Yamini stepped out next, in her exquisite lahenga.
The crowd erupted into applause. Flower petals rained down. The band started playing again.
Neerav smacked his forehead.
Wrapped in Warmth, Unravelling Anyway
By the time the ring ceremony began, Isha was transformed. She stood beside Neerav in a beautiful sari, Neerav equally resplendent in a sherwani. Parents, relatives, friends, Yamini, Akash, everyone gathered around.
Isha slipped the ring onto Neerav’s finger.
Applause.
Neerav then frowned, patting his pockets theatrically.
“Uh-oh.”
He searched again. Then pulled out a ring made of a drinking straw, exactly like the one with which he had proposed, and winked at Isha.
Isha folded her arms and gave him a look that said – seriously?
Neerav gave a lopsided grin, dug into another pocket, and finally slipped the real ring onto her finger.
Cheers. Claps. Celebration all around.
Later, the chairs were pushed aside, and the hall turned into a dance floor.
Some guests danced. Others ate, drank, and talked loudly.
In a quiet corner, Isha and Neerav spoke softly. Isha shivered.
Neerav took a shawl from his mother and gently wrapped it around her shoulders.
Nearby, Yamini and Akash were dancing.
Yamini stared at him, amazed.
“Gosh, Akku, you’re so good. I can’t believe my super lazy friend is such a cool dancer.”
Akash smiled, brushed a strand of hair away from Yamini’s face, and tucked it behind her ear.
“You’re looking beautiful, Yammu.”
“You’ve already said that,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “What do you want?”
He hesitated, then spoke softly.
“I never realised… not until the night I developed the pictures from our photoshoot. When your mesmerising eyes and that smile stared back at me in the darkroom, I was blown away. I knew then I was looking at a future star.”
Yamini smiled, touched.
“Aww. That’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me in a long time.”
She waved at Isha and Neerav as they joined them on the dance floor.
“You okay, Ishu?”
“Yup. So far, so good.”
The four of them danced to the Bollywood number Radha on the Dance Floor.
“Ishu!”
“What?”
Yamini pointed subtly at the floor.
“Pallu on the dance floor.”
“It’s Radha on the dance floor, sweetie.”
“No, no. Your pallu.”
She pointed again. “It’s sweeping the floor.”
Isha looked down, horrified.
“What is my pallu doing on the floor? How did it even reach there?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll sort it out. Come with me.”
Yamini slipped an arm around Isha’s shoulders as Isha tightened the shawl about herself.
“We’ll be right back,” Yamini told the boys.
As the girls walked away, Neerav and Akash looked at each other. Neerav shrugged. The two of them started dancing together instead.
Neerav’s mother noticed the girls leaving and followed them, wondering if something was wrong.
The Night That Wouldn’t Stay Simple
Isha stomped into the dressing room and broke down in a flood of tears.
For days now, everyone had been smiling too much, deciding too much, planning too far ahead. Neerav was already talking about four kids, selling her bike, getting a family car. Somewhere along the way, her bike, her freedom, even her choices had quietly disappeared.
“That’s it,” she said. “I quit.”
Yamini stared at her. “What do you mean? This isn’t a job. It’s a lifelong commitment.”
“Look at me, Yammu. Just look at me. I’m a total wreck. My life isn’t in my control anymore. I can’t even control my own sari.”
“Relax,” Yamini said gently. “It’s just your nerves.”
She began fixing Isha’s sari, retying it neatly.
Isha fiddled with the ring on her finger.
“No. I’ve had enough. I can’t take it anymore. I grew up watching Mum shrink herself to fit everyone else’s needs… I can’t live like that. I’m breaking off this engagement. Right now.”
A sharp gasp came from behind them.
Mrs Banerjee collapsed to the floor.
Isha and Yamini spun around and rushed to her side.
Mrs Banerjee was having a heart attack.
Isha touched her left arm instinctively, fear flooding her face.
“Yammu,” she said urgently. “Get help. Quick.”
Yamini ran out.
Outside, an ambulance zig-zagged through the traffic, its siren cutting through the night.
Subscribe to my newsletter to unlock Apulki’s next chapter before anyone else, and your exclusive weekly fix of humour, quotes, and little nuggets of trivia.
Missed a chapter? Click on the links below:
Chapter 10 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-10
Chapter 11 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-11
Chapter 12 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-12
Want to know more about the Author? Click here – https://www.hansawriter.com/get-to-know-me
Keep smiling friends. Life is beautiful. Cherish each moment.
© 2026 Hansa Writer. All Rights Reserved.
I thought there would be bride mixup and yamini will get married, was horrified by that thought. Glad it didn't happen.
Couldn't have bear that gondagol
I liked the line 'looking yummy, yammu' lol❤️ 🤭 🤣
Im not liking where is this turning, hope nothing happens to Mrs bannerjee , like if that would be true isha would be so gravely guilty. No no just even that thought shivers me.
I want jolly jocular jocund end where yammu-akku; isha-neerav are married and are in spill the beans reminiscing about old times.
By-the-bye we need ship name for yammu and akku .
Ps: yes i posted before and while editing there was one technical error so i deleted and commented again
Nice chapter
Yeah Isha should break off the engagement
Hope nothing happens to Mrs Banerjee
Where is Sunil?
I loved the scene where they arrive at the engagement venue 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Waiting for the next chapter
Oh my god
Mrs Banerjee having heart attack. Oh dear
Ok first mixed up bride
That I did not see coming 😂
Yamini and aakash that had sweet moment.
Hmm Isha nerves I can relate to that thoda bahut . Too much happened in night. This is feel good story but suspense still intact. I can't even figure out what next happens. 😂😂 Good one next part soon pls 😂