The atmosphere at the Goenka mansion was electric with excitement as the groom's side arrived for the sangeet. The grand entrance was beautifully decorated with marigold garlands and twinkling lights that added a festive glow to the evening. The air was filled with the sound of dhol beats and laughter as Abhimanyu and his family stepped into the mansion, warmly greeted by Karthik, Sirat, and the rest of the Goenka family.
Kairav, standing tall beside his father, smiled warmly as he welcomed Abhimanyu's family. "Welcome! We've been eagerly waiting for you all," Kairav said, his voice full of genuine warmth as he folded his hands in a respectful greeting.
Suhasini, the family's beloved grandmother, stepped forward, her eyes twinkling with joy as she applied a small tilak to Abhimanyu's forehead. "God bless you, beta," she said warmly, her voice filled with affection. "You've come to take our Anushka's hand; may you both always be happy together."
Sirat, though reserved, offered a polite smile, while Akshara, with her eyes on Abhimanyu, greeted him with a bright, almost too eager smile. She stepped closer to him, her voice sweet as honey. "Welcome, Abhimanyu. It's so wonderful to see you again," she said, her tone hinting at something more, though Abhimanyu barely noticed.
His eyes were searching for someone else—someone whose presence he could feel even before he saw her. And then, as if drawn by an invisible thread, his gaze found Anushka.
She was sitting gracefully on a beautifully decorated swing at the center of the garden. Her lehenga, a stunning creation of soft pastels and shimmering embellishments, caught the light as it swayed gently with her movement. Her dupatta was draped elegantly over her shoulders, the intricate embroidery adding to the ethereal beauty of her attire. Anushka's hair was styled in loose waves cascading down her back, adorned with delicate floral pins that matched her outfit. She looked every bit the radiant bride-to-be.
When Abhimanyu's eyes locked with Anushka's, the world seemed to slow down. His breath caught in his throat as he took in her beauty, and his heart pounded in his chest. Anushka felt the same surge of emotion; her cheeks flushed a soft pink as she held his gaze, feeling the shy yet intense connection between them.
Neither could look away, both lost in the moment. Abhimanyu smiled softly, his eyes filled with admiration and love. Anushka returned the smile, her own eyes reflecting the same feelings. They were both shy, their emotions palpable even in the distance between them.
Karthik noticed the silent exchange and felt a swell of emotion. His little girl was growing up, and the love he saw in Abhimanyu's eyes for her reassured him that she was in good hands.
Meanwhile, Akshara, standing close to Abhimanyu, tried to draw his attention. "Abhimanyu, how do you find the decorations? We put in a lot of effort to make everything perfect," she said, her voice laced with an eagerness to engage him.
But Abhimanyu's attention was only on Anushka. He barely registered Akshara's words, his focus entirely on the beautiful woman sitting on the swing. This didn't go unnoticed by Neil, who stood nearby, observing everything with a slight frown. He saw how Akshara was trying to capture Abhimanyu's attention and how Abhimanyu's eyes never left Anushka. Neil sighed, feeling a mix of concern and amusement.
Aarohi, who was standing next to Anushka, noticed her sister's flushed cheeks and couldn't help but tease her. "Di, I think someone's very eager to meet you," she whispered, nudging Anushka gently.
Anushka blushed even more, glancing down at her hands shyly. "Aaru, stop it," she murmured, though she couldn't hide the smile playing on her lips.
Kairav, ever the protective brother, noticed the exchange between Anushka and Abhimanyu. He leaned closer to his sister, his voice low but warm. "He's completely smitten, you know," he teased, causing Anushka to laugh softly.
