Avni is the CEO and Founder of NR Industries and is a very professional and calm person. She will think 100 times before making a decision. Neil is the heir of Khanna Industries who is a very arrogant and levelheaded person. They both love their fam...
Everyone had gathered in the grand hall, a blend of old friends and family members exchanging greetings and introductions. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and warmth, the kind that comes with long-awaited reunions. Avni stood amidst the crowd, her face a mask of calm politeness as she greeted everyone, though inside her, a storm raged.
She took blessings from Bebe and Prakash with reverence, her demeanor composed and respectful. Despite her outward calm, she felt the weight of unspoken emotions swirling within her, memories and feelings threatening to spill over.
Swetha, looking slightly apprehensive, glanced at Neil and was about to introduce him when DD's cheerful voice cut through the murmur of conversations.
"Hi Avni, how are you?" DD asked casually, drawing everyone's attention.
Avni turned to him, a smile lighting up her face. "Hi DD. I'm good. How are you?"
Swetha, noticing the familiarity, inquired, "You guys know each other?"
DD nodded, gesturing towards Avni, Neil, and Sunehri. "We completed BBA at the same college, and the four of us studied in the same school."
"Oh, that's great," Swetha replied, genuinely surprised and pleased by the revelation.
Neil, who had been standing quietly, finally spoke, his voice thick with suppressed emotion. "How are you, Avni? It's been years."
Avni's composure faltered, her voice breaking as she responded. "I... I... I'm good, Neil. How about you? Yeah, it's been years." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, a subtle display of emotion that only Neil seemed to notice.
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As Avni tried to regain her composure, she was unaware that another pair of eyes had also caught the shift in her demeanor. Riya, standing at the edge of the group, observed the exchange with keen interest, noting the silent conversation that passed between Avni and Neil.
The lively chatter in the hall was interrupted by the pandit's authoritative voice. "It's time for the engagement."
Everyone moved towards the stage, gathering around with anticipation. Riya and Ali, the couple of the hour, were seated on a beautifully adorned couch, radiating happiness. The pandit began chanting mantras, his rhythmic voice filling the space with a sense of solemnity and joy. As the ritual progressed, Kareena gracefully brought the engagement rings to the stage, handing them to the couple
While the rings were being exchanged, Avni and Neil couldn't help but steal glances at each other, their eyes meeting briefly before they looked away, lost in their own silent conversation.
Once the engagement ceremony concluded, the hall erupted in applause and cheers. Friends and family members crowded the stage, congratulating Riya and Ali, and posing for photographs. Avni joined the throng, her emotions masked by a bright smile. She hugged Riya tightly and kissed her cheek. "Congrats, Di," she whispered, her voice filled with genuine happiness.
