A Symphony Of Silence And Storm

Party has just begun

The grand ballroom vibrated with the clinking of champagne glasses and the low hum of conversation. Shivay, a vision of elegance in his navy blue tuxedo, stood by the entrance with Kanika. Her fiery red dress, a whirlwind of cascading ruffles and sequins, clashed spectacularly with his classic attire. All eyes turned towards them – the boys captivated by Kanika's flamboyant display, the girls mesmerized by Shivay's charm.

Kanika, ever the attention seeker, reached out to hold Shivay's hand. But he, oblivious or perhaps uninterested, bypassed her outstretched arm and headed towards the party without a backward glance.

Rudra, witnessing the awkward exchange, stifled a laugh and sauntered towards Kanika. "Waiting for someone, Kanika?" he asked, barely containing his amusement. "Come on, Bhaiya is already inside. Let's go join the party."

With that, Om and Rudra swept past a fuming Kanika, leaving her standing awkwardly in the doorway. Ignoring the possibility of joining Shivay, she gravitated instead towards a group of girls who, from their air of superiority, were clearly part of the same social circle – a group of spoiled rich kids who reveled in making others feel inferior.

As Kanika approached the group of girls, a collective gasp rippled through them. "Kanika, you look incredible!" gushed Natasha Malhotra, the sole heir to Malhotra Industries. "You've completely stolen the spotlight! Before you arrived, everyone was fawning over me."

Natasha and Kanika were a notorious duo, famous for their talent at making others feel insecure and inferior. Every party they attended became a hunting ground, where they targeted unsuspecting victims for their amusement. All the young women present desperately craved their approval, hoping to avoid becoming the next target.

"But what brings you here with Mr. Oberoi?" Natasha inquired with feigned curiosity. Kanika, about to blurt out her supposed engagement, slammed on the brakes. Shivay's stern warning echoed in her mind: "If anyone finds out about us, I'll call off the wedding and ruin your company. Be careful what you say."

Swallowing her pride, Kanika concocted a flimsy lie. "Oh, it was just a coincidence. We bumped into each other outside and decided to enter together." Hoping to deflect further questions, she quickly changed the subject. "By the way, where are the Shekawats, the evening's guests of honor?"

"They should be arriving any minute," Natasha replied. "The event planner went to pick them up, since their son Mr. Akash Shekhawat is currently busy welcoming guests."

As the notorious duo, Kanika and Natasha, scanned the room for their next victim, the DJ's voice boomed, "Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to welcome our esteemed guests, Mr. and Mrs. Shekhawat, who will be gracing the stage with their presence any moment, accompanied by their fabulous event planner!"

A hush fell over the room as the lights dimmed, focusing a single spotlight on the grand entrance that had been closed just moments ago. All eyes fixated on the doorway in anticipation.

The doors swung open, revealing Mr. and Mrs. Shekhawat, an elegant couple adorned in their finest attire, walking hand-in-hand. However, their entrance was overshadowed by the breathtaking vision that followed. Annika, the event planner, emerged, captivating the entire room.

Clad in a navy blue gown that hugged her curves perfectly, her back elegantly bare, and her hair cascading down like a waterfall, Annika embodied understated elegance. With minimal makeup – just a touch of lipstick, kajal, and mascara – her natural beauty shone through. The simplicity of her attire only amplified her radiant glow, transforming her into a vision of ethereal beauty.

Despite the sudden surge of attention, Annika felt a flicker of nervousness. But with a deep breath and a steady hand, she guided Mr. and Mrs. Shekhawat onto the stage, expertly maneuvering them into the spotlight.

Mr. Shekhawat took the microphone after reaching the stage. "Thank you all for joining us tonight! We apologize for the delay in our arrival. It seems our forgetful son, Akash, neglected to inform us about the celebration. Thankfully, Annika came to the rescue, ensuring you wouldn't have to celebrate without the guests of honor!"

A chuckle rippled through the audience.

"Before we indulge in the beautiful cake," he continued, "I must commend the decorations. They're truly impressive and evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminding me of the night I proposed to my lovely wife." He gestured towards Mrs. Shekhawat, who beamed beside him. "Annika, you've done a fantastic job!"

Thunderous applause erupted from the audience, a wave of appreciation washing over Annika. A wave of pride swelled within her chest – a testament to her hard work and dedication. The evening continued with the cake cutting ceremony, Mr. and Mrs. Shekhawat surrounded by well-wishers offering congratulations and warm smiles.

As Annika captivated the room with her effortless beauty, a wave of fury washed over Kanika and Natasha. Turning to Kanika, Natasha hissed, "Who is that event planner? I've never seen her at any major events."

A smirk played on Kanika's lips. Today's victim had practically presented herself on a silver platter. "Natasha," she purred, "get a load of our new target." She gestured towards Annika. "Just a small-time event planner who somehow snagged this gig. I know her from way back, and let me tell you, her attitude is atrocious."

Intrigued, Natasha pressed, "What's your history with her? Why the dislike?"

Kanika, unwilling to reveal the truth about her connection to Shivay, simply shrugged and muttered, "Just a personal grudge, that's all."

Natasha, sensing a juicy story hidden beneath the surface, simply nodded, a glint of mischief in her eyes. One thing was clear: they would make this "event planner" regret stealing the spotlight.

The booming announcement from the DJ tore Shivay's attention away from his conversation. He, along with everyone else, turned his gaze towards the entrance. There, bathed in the spotlight, stood Mr. and Mrs. Shekhawat, but it was Annika who stole his breath away. Adorned in the navy gown, her hair cascading down her back, and her natural beauty accentuated by minimal makeup, she was a vision of breathtaking elegance. His eyes remained glued to her, even as guests began approaching the couple with well wishes.

Meanwhile, oblivious to Shivay's intense stare, Annika scanned the room. Reaching the other side, she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Om and Rudra grinning at her.

"Om, Rudra! Finally! I was starting to think you ditched me," Annika said, feigning disappointment. (Annika had previously asked Rudra to accompany her to the Shekhawat party, fearing she'd be bored alone. Rudra had mentioned Shivay would be there, but Annika, assuming Shivay would be preoccupied with business as usual, dismissed the notion. In Rudra's eyes, any event for his brother meant business and profit. He'd convinced Om to join him.)

"Didi, we've been here for half an hour already," Rudra chuckled. "You're the one who took forever to get here! But seriously, you look amazing!"

"Yes, Annika," Om chimed in, offering a warm smile. "You look stunning and the decorations are incredible!"

A blush crept onto Annika's cheeks. "Thank you," she murmured. "Have you seen Bhaiya?" Rudra inquired playfully.

Just then, Shivay, who'd been lost in his admiration for Annika, snapped out of his trance when someone nudged him to greet Mr. and Mrs. Shekhawat. He took the stage to offer his congratulations, noticing Annika's absence. Scanning the room, he spotted her talking to his brothers, a small smile playing on his lips. As he approached them, he overheard Om's comment, "He must be busy with someone discussing business."

"Who said I'm busy?" Shivay's voice startled them all, his presence drawing their attention.