The ballroom of the Grand Hyatt, Seoul, usually a symphony of muted taupes and crystal, was currently an explosion of color and sound. It was the engagement celebration of Jae-won Park, a dependable member of the HYBE security team, and Vanya Singh, an architect from India.

The vast majority of the attendees, the Korean side—label executives, staff, and the seven globally famous members of BTS—were a tableau of understated elegance. Kim Namjoon stood near the back, a study in quiet sophistication in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, his gaze sweeping over the scene. Seokjin was in a luxurious navy velvet blazer, his shoulders broad and his laughter bright as he spoke with a manager. Jimin and Jungkook were engaged in a lively debate over the canapés, both looking sleek in deep sapphire and black suits respectively. Even Yoongi was smiling faintly in a muted tweed coat. Their world was polished, precise, and expensive.

Then there was the bridal side. They were a riot of silk, mirror-work, and heavy embroidery. Vanya, the bride-to-be, glowed in a soft lavender lehenga that caught the light with delicate silver thread. Her cousin, Aisha, stood out in a vibrant bubble-gum pink saree, her jewelry glittering. But it was the woman stepping onto the small dance stage who drew every eye, especially Namjoon’s.

She was not petite; she was curvy, draped in a breathtaking, heavy white lehenga adorned with intricate multicolor floral embroidery and prints. Her figure was lush, framed by a cascade of mid-back length black curls. She was perhaps the shortest woman in the room, maybe , but her presence was colossal. Her dark brown eyes sparkled with mischief. This was Mahika Gaur, Vanya’s cousin.

The DJ, having just played a gentle Korean ballad, abruptly dropped a beat that hit the room like a thunderclap. The music was loud, bass-heavy, and fiercely energetic: a Haryanvi track.

Mahika threw her head back, a wide, confident grin splitting her face. She launched into the dance with a magnetic, unapologetic energy.

A young man in a deep blue kurta joined her—Arun, a friend of the bride's family. The pair began a spirited, teasing dance, directing their performance entirely at the engaged couple, Vanya and Jae-won, who were beaming from their seats.

Mahika, playing the role of the sassy woman, pointed at the very shy, smiling Jae-won, throwing out the Hindi and Haryanvi lyrics with a challenging flair that needed no translation to be understood.

हाय यो छोरा जाटां का (Look at this Jat boy)

हाय यो छोरा जाटां का (Look at this Jat boy)

हाय यो छोरा जाटां का (Look at this Jat boy)

हाय यो छोरा जाटां का (Look at this Jat boy)

Then, mimicking the action of taking a drag, she continued, the mischief in her eyes daring Jae-won to deny it.

होक्के की मारे घूंट (He takes hits of the hookah)

यो छोरा जाटां का (This Jat boy)

हाय यो छोरा जाटां का (Look at this Jat boy)

हाय यो छोरा जाटां का (Look at this Jat boy)

Namjoon watched, transfixed. Her confidence was absolute; she danced with the uninhibited joy of someone utterly comfortable in her own skin, every move sharp, fluid, and perfectly in sync with the powerful beat.

Hoseok, whose face was a mixture of awe and confusion, leaned towards Namjoon. “Hyung, what is this? I need the choreography for the next song. It’s insane!”

“I don’t know, Hobi. The music is… incredible, but I can’t understand a word,” Namjoon admitted, unable to tear his eyes away from the woman in white.

Arun, playing the role of the protective, boastful friend, stepped forward, his eyes locked on Mahika as he pointed towards Vanya—the 'Jaatni' in the lyrics.

रे जाटनी रोहतक की (Oh, the Jaatni from Rohtak)

हां जाटनी रोहतक की (Yes, the Jaatni from Rohtak)

हाय जाटनी रोहतक की (Look at the Jaatni from Rohtak)

रहे जाटनी रोहतक की (The Jaatni from Rohtak)

He then made a gesture indicating ultimate cuteness, dedicating the next line to the bride.

ये होवे से घणी क्यूट (She is very cute)

जाटनी रोहतक की (The Jaatni from Rohtak)

हां जाटणी रोहतक की (Yes, the Jaatni from Rohtak)

हे रे रे जाटणी रोहतक की (Hey, the Jaatni from Rohtak)

हां जाटणी रोहतक की (Yes, the Jaatni from Rohtak)

Mahika, taking the mic from Arun in a fluid motion, switched back to teasing Jae-won, making the entire Korean side exchange puzzled glances. Taehyung flagged down an Indian guest standing nearby, who happily agreed to translate.

“What is she saying now? She looks like she’s complaining,” Jungkook asked the translator.

Mahika sang, throwing her hands up in mock exasperation towards Vanya.

हाय री मम्मा, यो ते घूंट लेवे (Oh my mother, this one takes drags)

मेरे खातर नये नये सूट लेवे (But he buys me new new suits)

री मम्मा, यो ते घूंट लेवे (Oh my mother, this one takes drags)

मेरे खातर नये नये सूट लेवे (But he buys me new new suits)

“She is teasing the groom, telling the bride he has bad habits, but that he makes up for it by buying her nice clothes,” the guest explained with a grin.

Mahika moved towards Jae-won, pointing playfully down to the floor, indicating his origin.

मारे सोनीपत का रूट (He’s from the Sonipat region)

यो छोरा जाटां का (This Jat boy)

हाय यो छोरा जाटां का (Look at this Jat boy)

हाय यो छोरा जाटां का (Look at this Jat boy)

हाय यो छोरा जाटां का (Look at this Jat boy)

The music shifted slightly, and Arun, playing the male counterpart, stepped in with a philosophical defense, all the while circling Mahika. Namjoon found his own breath catching as the spotlight caught the deep, intelligent sparkle in her dark brown eyes.

या जिंदगी जीनी पड़ ज्या से (One has to live this life)

कदे कदे रे पीनी पड़ ज्या से (Sometimes one has to drink/indulge)

He gestured to Vanya, and in a deeply affectionate, flirtatious voice, he sang to her.

तू पक्या पड़्या फ्रूट (You are a ripe fruit)

जाटणी रोहतक की (The Jaatni from Rohtak)

रे जाटणी रोहतक की (The Jaatni from Rohtak)

हे रे रे जाटणी रोहतक की (Hey, the Jaatni from Rohtak)

हां जाटणी रोहतक की (Yes, the Jaatni from Rohtak)

हे रे रे जाटणी रोहतक की (Hey, the Jaatni from Rohtak)

Mahika returned to the attack, her expression now stern and theatrical as she pointed a finger accusingly at Jae-won.

हाय री मम्मा, एके यार घणे (Oh my mother, he has many friends)

यो ते राखे से हथियार घणे (He even keeps many weapons)

The last line made the translator laugh. Yoongi raised an eyebrow. “Weapons? He’s security staff. Is that… part of the song context?”

“Yes, it’s a typical boast! It means he’s strong and influential—he has powerful friends and is a man of honor, even if she’s complaining playfully,” the translator clarified.

Mahika wasn't done, she dramatically covered her mouth as if horrified.

री मम्मा, एके यार घणे (Oh my mother, he has many friends)

यो राखे से हथियार घणे (He even keeps many weapons)

यो बोले जा से झूठ (He also tells lies)

री छोरा जाटां का (This Jat boy)

हाय यो छोरा जाटां का (Look at this Jat boy)

Mid-song, Vanya and Jae-won, who had been sitting patiently, jumped up and joined the center stage. Jae-won, shedding his shyness, surprised everyone by attempting the signature shoulder and hip movements, making the Indian guests cheer. Arun took the mic for his last defense, now singing directly to Mahika and Vanya.

ना 2 नंबर का काम से रे (No, it’s not some dishonest work)

क्यूं कर री तू बदनाम से रे (Why are you defaming me?)

ना 2 नंबर का काम से रे (No, it’s not some dishonest work)

क्यूं कर री तू बदनाम से रे (Why are you defaming me?)

He concluded with a flourish, pulling Vanya close.

राकेश माजरेया से ऊठ (Get up with Rakesh Majreya)

जाटणी रोहतक की (The Jaatni from Rohtak)

रे जाटणी रोहतक की (The Jaatni from Rohtak)

हे रे रे जाटणी रोहतक की (Hey, the Jaatni from Rohtak)

हो जाटणी रोहतक की (Oh, the Jaatni from Rohtak)

हो जाटणी रोहतक की (Oh, the Jaatni from Rohtak)

As the song ended, the room erupted in applause. Mahika was laughing, breathless, her hair slightly mussed, and her face flushed with exhilaration. She was radiant.

"Well," Jimin whispered, still clapping, "I feel like I just watched a short drama. That was truly something."

Namjoon didn't speak. He simply watched as Mahika stepped off the stage, her attention instantly shifting from the crowd to a group of catering staff by the buffet. She launched into a rapid stream of Hindi and what sounded like the same sharp, powerful Haryanvi dialect from the song, her hands gesturing instructions. She moved with purpose, the energy of the dance floor seamlessly transitioning to the focus of a commander.

A few minutes later, Jae-won approached Namjoon, Yoongi, and Jin with a smile. “I’m glad you guys are enjoying the chaos. It’s a lot different from a quiet Korean ceremony, huh?”

“It was phenomenal, Jae-won-ssi. I’m exhausted just watching,” Jin laughed.

“And the food is amazing,” Yoongi added, picking up a golden-fried item. “I didn’t even notice until someone mentioned it, but I don’t think there’s been any meat or seafood on the menu.”

Jae-won nodded, pride flickering in his eyes as he looked over at Vanya and the beautiful woman in the white lehenga. “Vanya’s family is strictly vegetarian, and that’s a non-negotiable part of their culture. But our caterer—she’s Vanya’s cousin—made sure the menu was so rich and diverse that no one would miss it. Everything you see, from the paneer tikka to the chhole bhature, is all her work. The restaurant is called Maayavini.”

He pointed, not at the staff, but at the woman who had captivated Namjoon. “She’s the owner and head chef. A force of nature.”

Namjoon finally had a connection—the sheer energy he had witnessed was rooted in a driven, professional life. He watched her across the room: a vibrant dancer, a stern commander, and a brilliant chef.

Mahika. Maayavini. He didn't know the names yet, but he knew he wanted to.