𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆'𝒔 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑷𝒂𝒕𝒉: "ᴡhᥱrᥱ shᥲdoᥕs ᴇmbrᥲᥴᥱ ʜᥱᥲrts"

2. His Fairy

As the evening unfolded, the anticipation reached its peak. At 8 o'clock, the moment of truth arrived – the birthday girl's grand entrance.

The lavishly decorated hall, reminiscent of a fairy tale, was abuzz with esteemed guests: family members, relatives, influential business associates, and Aeni's school friends. Amidst this sea of familiar faces, Ayden's eyes yearned for only one.

After a relentless two-week search, the wait was finally over. His heart raced with excitement.

Ayden's thoughts drifted back to their first encounter, when Aeni's presence had left an indelible mark on his heart, a sweet, aching wound. Now, he hoped she would bring solace to his longing soul.

Ila's voice cut through the chatter, her gesture drawing all eyes to the staircase. "Here she is!"

As Ayden's gaze shifted from Ila to the stairs, his heartbeat quickened, and a wave of warmth swept through his body.

Aeni emerged, radiant, beside her father, her slender hands grasping his arm. Her captivating smile illuminated the space, and Ayden's soul stirred.

He drank in every detail of her appearance, mesmerized by the sparkle in her eyes, the gentle curve of her lips, and the soft flush on her cheeks.

Her minimal makeup accentuated her natural beauty, and Ayden's admiration grew. Aeni's eyelashes, long and luscious, blinked slowly, captivating Ayden's heart.

Her presence was magical, like a fairy who had just descended from heaven.

He couldn't help but imagine releasing her hair from its elegant bun, gently pulling it back to reveal her neck, and pressing his lips to hers.

A sly smile spread across his face as he indulged in the fantasy. His eyes never left hers, entranced by the vision descending the stairs.

But his reverie was shattered when the room erupted in song and applause, as everyone wished Aeni a "Happy Birthday." He snapped back to reality, realizing she had descended the stairs and was now just a few steps away.

"Happy birthday, Aeni! God bless you with all the happiness in life," Shanaya, Aeni's aunt, said warmly.

"Happy birthday, princess, keep smiling always," Vikram, Aeni's uncle, added.

Aeni smiled, thanking them. "Thank you, Chachu. Thank you, Chachi."

Krish, Aeni's cousin, chimed in, "Happy birthday, Di!" The Rai Singhaniya also extended their wishes, which Aeni graciously acknowledged.

Amidst the chaos, Aeni sensed someone's gaze on her. She scanned the room, trying to locate the mysterious observer, but couldn't pinpoint them.

Just then, Aeni's friends swarmed around her, pulling her to the other side of the room. Ayden's eyes narrowed, feeling frustrated as he lost sight of her.

Later, while Aeni chatted with her friends, Aryan intervened, "Princess, I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine. May I borrow you for a moment?"

Aeni smiled, replying, "Ji, papa." (Yes, papa.) She excused herself and followed Aryan to Ayden's family.

As they approached, Aeni's gaze fell on Samarth, but her attention was swiftly captivated by a stunning figure standing beside him. The tall, handsome man wore a tailored white tuxedo, his hair perfectly styled. His chiseled features, light brown eyes, and strong jawline evoked a Greek god.

Their eyes met briefly, and Aeni felt an inexplicable  jolt. She quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing. Yet, she couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched.