Rajas : Passion Unveiled

Chapter 20

Ishani's POV

I am standing outside the venue waiting for my parents to arrive. The place is indeed very beautiful.

My thoughts go to HIM as I stand there. I still have not been able to process what happened that night at their mansion.

I don't know what I was thinking when I sent that perfume with his outfit. I just like that fragrance and I impulsively just placed it in his box. I had ordered some for Shreyansh bhaiya. He loves perfumes and he had been asking me from where I buy mine ,so I ordered some for him. I was just smelling each of them and this one caught my attention. And before I could realize I just went and put it in that box and sent it away.

Before I could think much about it I spot my parents coming towards me. I inhale and exhale deeply and plaster a fake smile on my face. I look at my mother who still looks a bit weak but absolutely beautiful in her silk saree. I feel a bit of joy as I realize it's the one I gifted her. I hug her as she comes to me.

This feels nice. This warmth. I've missed this for years. I hear my father clear his throat and grab my mother's arm a bit too tightly to pull her away from me. I grit my teeth to control myself from saying something here.

We enter the hall and I take in the decorations. Its extravagant. Of course it will be, I think , its hosted by THE Ranawats.

I spot Yuvika coming towards me and tense up in worry. What if my father says something to her? No, Yuvika is a sweet child and I am not letting him do any harm. I ask them to go wish Rajveer sir while I meet a few people. My father looks at me doubtfully for a second but leaves with my mother. I sigh in relief and turn as Yuvika engulfs me in a hug.

"Hey di. How are you? Do you like the party?" she asks excitedly as we break the hug and I look around. "It's really beautiful and grand" I say and nod in appreciation. "Well if you ever want help with decorating for an event then let me know. From the replies I am getting I believe I have done a good job at this" she says with a twinkle in her eyes. My eyes widen in surprise, "You did all this ?" I ask impressed. She nods as she laughs "Well not me I mean we did hire an event manager but the ideas they had sent us were shit" she says and rolls her eyes "So I just told them my idea and guided them wherever necessary". I smile at her, "Well still you did a good job".

We talk for sometime and I glance around feeling someone's gaze on me. My eyes lock with HIM. My heart races as I take in the look in his eyes. His face shows no hint of emotion but his eyes. I gulp as I see the desire in them. I feel hot and I grip my phone tightly.

"Di?" I ear Yuvika's voice and look at her. She looks at me and then at her brother and asks me teasingly , "What was that?". I just shake my head. "Which one?" she asks. I furrow my eyebrows in confusion and turn to see Laksh and Mr.Ranawat talking to each other. My eyes widen in horror "Laksh is like a younger brother to me Yuvika" I tell her. "So its Ayansh bhai huh" she says with a chuckle. I feel goosebumps on my skin at the sound of his name. "I don't know what you are talking about" I say. "Lets go drink something. I am parched" I say. But before I could ,there is an announcement that everyone has to gather for the cake cutting.

After the cake is cut my parents come to me and we go to meet Rajveer sir. "Don't do anything stupid" my father says griping my hand. His hold is light because my dress is strapless. I just nod.

Trilok uncle comes to us and hugs my father as he sees us coming, "Are Kailash. We are meeting after so long" he says. Aradhana aunty hugs my mother and I greet everyone. Trilok uncle introduces my parents to Rajveer sir and we wish him. Soon he is called by other people and Trilok uncle and Ardhana aunty come with us at a distance to talk.

"The dresses she sent for us are fantastic. Your daughter is very talented" aunty says to my parents. My mother smiles but I can see my father grit his teeth. They start talking business and Aradhana aunty sees my expression and says, "Beta you must get bored with us elders why don't you find the kids". I smile at her and leave, grateful for her intervention.

I look around and spot Laksh talking to someone. I should go to him, I think. As I reach somewhat closer I recognize the woman standing in front of him. Seriously? I think. He is talking to her? By the looks of it he didn't seem to enjoy the conversation either. I go and stand beside him and he seems relieved to have me there.

I turn to the woman in front of me and greet her. "Naina Awasthi. Glad to see you here" I say as I take the glass from Laksh's hand that she offered to him which he didn't drink from at all. Her face sours as she sees him let me take it without any objection and I drink from it.

Naina Awasthi is the daughter of the famous actress Prerna Awasthi. As good and kind her mother is , she is the complete opposite, a total bitch. I had the unfortunate luck that I had to deal with her few years back and I decided to stay away from her as much as possible. She is an over pampered daddy's princess. That pretty much sums up her personality.

"Ishani Agnihotri. What a pleasure" she says with a fake smile. "It's Ms.Agnihotri for you" I say as I keep the glass on the tray of a waiter who was passing by. "Didn't know someone like you would be friends with the likes of him" she says with distaste as she eyes him up and down. My grip on my phone tightens as I see Laksh's pale face. What's it with people talking to him like that? I think.

"What do you mean by the likes of him?" I hear Yuvika say as she joins us. She stands beside her brother and glares at Naina. " Oh you know how he is. You live in the same house after all. Who would've thought that he would become the CTO of India's biggest company, but again we all know how he got there." She says in her sugary voice that practically grates on my ears.

"And what would you know about that?" Yuvika says. "My brother earns his money where as all you do is waste your father's money" she adds with disgust. Laksh seems very uncomfortable but says nothing. Why isn't he saying anything?

" Oh please" she scoffs " He doesn't even have the caliber or capability to earn. Everyone knows how he is" she says as she looks at him. " A worthless son who is a disgrace to his family and was given his position as charity" she says and laughs as if accomplished something great. I feel Laksh stiffen but he stays quiet.

I feel my anger rise the more she speaks. I turn to Yuvika and ask her to leave. Laksh turns to me and sees the look on my face. I am enraged. He pleads me with his eyes to not do anything. My heart breaks seeing his state. I blink and assure him that everything is fine. I turn to Naina with a smile.

"Naina, why don't we engage ourselves in something WORTH our while" I say and she smiles at me , falling for the bait. "There is this beautiful decoration I saw while coming here. Would you like to see?" I ask. She nods and she follows me outside.

To the backside of the hall.

I hope you liked this chapter.

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