Deceptive Affections

CHAPTER 21

REYAAN

Zaisha is continuously avoiding me. It has been 5 days and 6 hours and I have had enough now. Her avoidance stops today. I have given her enough time to process and think about what happened. Now either she will willingly talk to me, or I will tie her to a chair until she tells me what is going on inside her pretty little head.

We are all gathered in the garden for the Haldi ceremony. As soon as Zaisha entered, my gaze followed her everywhere. She looks... stunning, gorgeous, beautiful. She is wearing a yellow Anarkali with a long dupatta and I can't take my eyes off her. She ran towards Aarohi to cover her face with Haldi (turmeric).

All I could do was stand back and watch. Admiring her laugh, the way her hair looked like waves as she moved and how she was enjoying herself. She is a ray of sunshine.

That fucker Jai was going towards Zaisha with Haldi in his hands. I'll break his hands before I let him touch her. Since yesterday he has been roaming around her. I have tried everything to keep him away. I even got someone to puncture the tires yesterday and asked my staff to not let a cab in here just so Zaisha couldn't go with him. She can go anywhere she wants just not with this idiot.

And what kind of a name is Jai. It's the most basic ass name I have ever heard. It's like even his parents didn't want to put any effort into naming him. Clearly a disappointment.

Without wasting a second, I made my way towards Zaisha. She was already running in my direction, not looking ahead. I grabbed her by her waist before she could fall. "How do you always manage to stumble into me?" I teased.

Her hands were on my chest and she tried getting out of my hold but my grip was tight enough to not allow her to get away. Everyone around us was in a frenzy, the air was filled with Haldi, not really allowing us a clear view of others.

"How is it always you who catches me when I am falling?" she retorted.

"You are finally talking to me now?" I asked while gently caressing her cheeks, removing a bit of Haldi on it.

"When was I not?" she said, knowing well that she has been ignoring me.

"Zaisha! Here you are. I was looking for you." He has a death wish. Isn't it basic manners to not disturb people mid-conversation. I pulled Zaisha closer to me just to let him know she is mine and he needs to back off if he wishes to live.

Zaisha gently pushed at my chest, and I reluctantly let her go. As soon as she was free, she ran away. It's becoming a habit for her.

After that little conversation I had with Zaisha, she became invisible. I haven't seen her since then. The worst part is that I haven't even seen that fucker Jai as well which probably means that she is with him.

When I saw Aarohi nearby, I stopped her, "Have you seen Zaisha?"

"Um... after lunch, she went to change and then I think she went for dance practice." She answered. Without wasting a second, I went there.

When I reached there, I found Zaisha yelling at Jai. That's my girl. I have never been the happiest in my life than I am at this moment. "What are you doing? We have been practicing for an entire day and you still can't get it right. We have to perform in an hour." She yelled at Jai.

"You know what, you need to let yourself loose. You are too rigid." She said and then changed the music to high energy, fun songs, and switched the mood lightings. "Enjoy the music."

She pulled everyone else on the dance floor and enjoyed the beats. I admired her from the corner. And as if she sensed my gaze on her, she turned back to look at me. Our eyes met and the rest of the world disappeared. A smile appeared on her face and my racing heart calmed.

ZAISHA

Reyaan was leaning against the door, looking devilishly handsome in his white Kurta, already dressed up for the function. I couldn't help but smile at the way he was looking at me. I really need to get done with this talk because I just can't handle this torture anymore.

I was about to give in this afternoon when he wrapped me in his arms. His touch on my cheeks and the sparks that erupted. If Jai hadn't disturbed us, I would have melted in his embrace.

Thankfully, he didn't make any other move, just stood there. His dark, black eyes softened for a second. No. Get a grip, Zaisha. I can't fall into the trap.

I somehow managed to get out of there after some time, when Reyaan got a call and went outside to attend it. I went to my room to get ready. I wore a white Lehenga and went to the venue.

When I reached, everyone was already there, enjoying themselves. Aarohi entered, looking like a princess with her fiancé, Vedang. They looked like the perfect couple and everyone gushed over them, deservedly so. They met at Aarohi's previous workplace and have been together for the past 4 years.

After their arrival, the dance performances started and all of them were amazing. I was next. First, I gave a solo performance, then one with Aarohi and at the end it was a group performance. At the end everyone was so engaged in the dance that we didn't even notice when the song changed, and the rest of the people also joined us on the dance floor. It was so wholesome that I let myself go and relished the moment.

I was dancing with Jai, Aarohi and Ridha. Me and Jai got quite close while dancing as I was lost in the moment and didn't realise we got this close. Suddenly I felt a jerk in my hand and somebody dragged me off the dance floor.

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