Mystic Flames

7

The grand ballroom buzzed with opulence, the golden lights dancing off the intricate wall designs as anticipation hummed in the air. In the center, a stage awaited, draped in luxurious fabrics, its grandeur only outmatched by the tension lingering beneath the surface.

Backstage, Aaradhya, adorned in a shimmering costume, stood with her dance group. She took a deep breath, unaware that the evening's event was hosted by her fiancé, Mr. Sinha. The excitement in the air was palpable, but a faint unease gnawed at her senses, hinting at something amiss.

As the music began, the audience's attention was drawn to the stage, where the curtains rose to reveal Aaradhya and her group. Their performance was a mesmerizing display of grace and precision, each movement captivating the crowd.

But as the performance reached its crescendo, the grand double doors at the back of the ballroom burst open with a resounding bang. The music screeched to a halt, and the spotlight snapped to the entrance. There, with a wicked smile, stood Meera, Aaradhya's younger sister, draped in a provocative, glittering outfit and flanked by a group of similarly dressed dancers.

"Well, well, well... Look who's the star of the evening," Meera drawled, her voice dripping with mockery. "My dear sister Aaradhya, gracing us with her presence. But tell me, sister, care to give us a little tutorial?"

Aaradhya, momentarily stunned by Meera's brazen entrance, tried to maintain her composure. "Meera, what are you doing here?"

Meera's smile widened into a challenge. "This, dear sister, is a dance duel. You and me, right here, right now. Or are you afraid I'll outdance you in front of your precious audience?"

Aaradhya's eyes narrowed, sensing Meera's true intent. This was more than a challenge—it was a trap. The crowd, sensing the brewing storm, fell into a tense silence.

The murmur of the audience grew louder, thick with anticipation. Aaradhya exchanged a glance with her dance group, their concern mirroring her own. She knew she couldn't back down without losing face, but she also knew Meera was up to something far more sinister.

"Fine, Meera," Aaradhya agreed, her voice steady. "I'll dance."

The duel was fierce, each sister pushing the other to the brink. Aaradhya's movements were a blend of grace and passion, while Meera's were sharp, calculated, and dangerously aggressive. The audience watched with bated breath as the sisters clashed on the dance floor. But as the dance intensified, Meera's true intentions became clear—her movements grew increasingly dangerous, aimed at tripping Aaradhya, throwing her off balance, and even causing her harm.

Jalandhar entered the ballroom, drawn by the commotion. His eyes widened in alarm as he saw Aaradhya on stage, locked in a perilous dance with Meera. Recognizing the danger, he began pushing through the crowd, his focus solely on reaching her.

On stage, Aaradhya barely dodged one of Meera's vicious moves, exhaustion beginning to take its toll. Just as Meera attempted a particularly dangerous spin meant to trip her, Jalandhar reached the stage's edge.

Meera noticed someone approaching and, seeing the protective stance of Jalandhar, fury flashed in her eyes. She lashed out, aiming to push Aaradhya off the stage, but before she could, Jalandhar leaped onto the stage, grabbing Aaradhya and pulling her out of harm's way.

Aaradhya, breathless, looked up at Jalandhar, her eyes filled with questions. "Jalandhar... what are you doing here?"

Jalandhar, his jaw clenched in barely controlled anger at the thought of Aaradhya being hurt, responded firmly, "Protecting you, as always."

Meera, noticing the fury in Jalandhar's gaze, felt her confidence waver. But as she took in his striking features and powerful physique, her wickedness resurfaced, completely disregarding her now-boyfriend's possible presence. She approached Jalandhar, letting her hand trail seductively over his biceps, her eyes alight with a newfound desire. Leaning in, she whispered into his ear, "Hey handsome! With a body like yours, how about becoming my bodyguard? I'll pay you handsomely."

Jalandhar's gaze turned icy as he looked at Meera, then without a word, he pulled Aaradhya by the wrist and strode out of the ballroom, leaving Meera fuming.

"That slutty witch!" Meera spat, her face twisted with jealousy as she watched them leave. "Why does fate always put the most handsome, eligible men in her path?!"

But before she could unleash her fury further, a group of muscular men in black suits appeared from the shadows. In a swift, calculated move, they knocked Meera out cold and dragged her away, leaving the ballroom in stunned silence.

As they hurried out of the ballroom, Jalandhar guided Aaradhya to a quieter corner of the grand hotel. Once they were safely away from the crowd and the chaos, he turned to her, concern etched into his features.

"Are you alright, Aaradhya?" His voice was gentle, but the underlying tension was unmistakable.

Aaradhya, still palpitating from the adrenaline rush, nodded shakily. "I-I think so. Just a little shaken."

Jalandhar's eyes scanned her for any signs of injury, his hands lightly grazing her arms and shoulders as he checked for bruises or cuts. "You're not hurt? Meera's moves were reckless. She could have—"

"No, I'm fine," Aaradhya interrupted, though her voice trembled. "It was so close... I thought she was going to—"

"Shh," Jalandhar soothed, his hand gently cradling her face as he tried to calm her. "It's over now. You're safe. Just breathe with me."

He guided her through a few deep breaths, his presence anchoring her frazzled nerves. Slowly, the pounding of her heart began to settle.

But as Aaradhya calmed down, she noticed something odd about Jalandhar. His usual warm gaze seemed... different. There was something unsettling in his eyes, something she couldn't quite place. The color of his irises seemed off, almost as if they had darkened or shifted into a shade she hadn't noticed before.

"Jalandhar..." she began hesitantly, "your eyes—they look different. Did something happen?"

Jalandhar blinked, a flicker of surprise crossing his features before he quickly composed himself. "Oh, that. It's just new lenses. I wanted to try something different today."

Aaradhya stared at him, her instincts telling her something was amiss, but she let it go for now. "Alright... If you say so."

Before the conversation could continue, Aaradhya's dance group boss approached them, his expression beaming with pride. "Aaradhya! You were absolutely fantastic out there, despite the... interruption. The client was so impressed that they've decided to give you a bonus."

He handed her a large envelope, its thickness a clear indication of the generous amount inside. Aaradhya's eyes widened in surprise. "Thank you! This is more than I ever expected."

"You earned it," the boss said with a smile. "Use it well."

After he left, Aaradhya turned to Jalandhar, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "You know what I want to do with this? I want to visit the Jagannath Puri temple and thank God."

Jalandhar's expression froze for a moment before he quickly masked it with a nod. "That sounds like a nice idea. When would you like to go?"

"How about tomorrow?" Aaradhya suggested, already planning the trip in her mind.

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1146 words

(sigh)

Rose