Unravelled Love || ✔️

♡CHAPTER 33♡

Le Meridian

I gazed at the sprawling hotel that had been exclusively reserved for the Singhanias.

Its sheer size was impressive, and I found myself admiring every detail.

The exterior was relatively quiet, with only a handful of guards patrolling the area, suggesting that most guests had already arrived, leaving Miss Bhatt and me as the last stragglers.

We approached the receptionist, who checked our invitation cards and granted us entry to the festivities.

As we stepped inside, my eyes were immediately captivated by the stunning decorations, but it was the guests who truly stole the show.

Everyone looked so impeccably dressed that it could easily make one feel out of place.

However, having grown up attending such lavish gatherings, I knew that everyone shared the same sense of unease.

It was best to embrace who you are.

"Hey, I need to chat with someone, so I'll be stepping away for a bit. You're welcome to join if you'd like," Miss Bhatt said.

"No, that's fine. You go ahead," I replied, and she smiled before leaving me to navigate the crowd alone, a situation I was quite accustomed to.

I recalled the days when I would eagerly rush to engage with anyone, imitating my grandfather's business talk, which always drew laughter.

That was until Alok arrived and put an end to my carefree childhood.

With a sigh, I moved further into the party, just as a waiter approached me with a drink.

"Oh, I don't drink alcohol," I replied, gently pushing him away as he bowed and moved on to offer drinks to others.

Scanning the crowd, I realized I couldn't find anyone I recognized when suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

Turning around, I was greeted by Aunt Kiara's warm smile, which instantly brightened my mood.

I rushed to hug her, and she embraced me tightly in return.

"You're late! You missed the Singhanias' arrival," she remarked, and I nodded in acknowledgement.

"I had to check on my grandfather," I explained.

"How is he doing?" she inquired, concern etched on her face.

"He's doing better now. I hope this continues so he can be discharged soon," I told her honestly.

"He will be fine," she reassured me, placing her hand gently on my shoulder.

"You know, your husband was searching high and low for you. When he couldn't find you, he sulked in a corner with a drink, so I gather Agastya must have told him you'd be arriving eventually." She chuckled at the thought, and I wondered why it seemed to matter so much to him; he'd always preferred keeping me at arm's length.

"Later, when I mentioned you might be running late, he still seemed fixated on the idea that you wouldn't show up. I suspect he did something to upset you, didn't he?" she probed.

Her question caught me off guard, leaving me unsure how to respond.

"It's not that at all," I reassured her, watching her nod slowly in understanding.

"You should go and find your husband," she encouraged, giving me a gentle nudge just as a group of women her age approached.

With a quick apology, she excused herself to chat with them.