Junoon E tishnagi

Chapter 14: *Unspoken Desires*

The event night was upon them, and *Aarohi* felt a wave of excitement coursing through her as she stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her saree. The black chiffon draped her elegantly, hugging her curves perfectly, making her look both sophisticated and radiant. She had spent months working on this project, and tonight, her designs were finally going to be showcased on the runway. This moment felt like the culmination of all her dreams—a dream that her mother had envisioned for her, one that Aarohi had nurtured for years.

As she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she couldn't help but smile at her reflection. This was it. Tonight was her night.

**Aarohi (thinking to herself):**
"Ma... I hope you're watching. I wish you could be here, but I know you're with me."

She took a deep breath and stepped out of her room, her heart racing with anticipation. The models were already preparing backstage, wearing her designs—each piece reflecting her passion, creativity, and hard work. The entire venue was a beautiful setup—a farmhouse-turned-ramp, lined with fairy lights and flower arrangements. It was straight out of a dream.

*Ansh* was already at the venue, going over the final preparations. He was in his usual crisp, well-tailored suit, but his mind wasn't completely on work. Something had been nagging at him ever since that moment by the pond with Aarohi. He hadn't been able to get her out of his mind—the way she had looked at him, the warmth in her eyes, the way his heart had raced when he held her close.

But as soon as Aarohi stepped into the venue, his thoughts completely derailed.

He turned, and there she was—standing near the entrance, her black chiffon saree flowing gracefully as she moved, her face glowing with excitement. Ansh's breath caught in his throat. She looked stunning, more beautiful than he had ever seen her before. For a moment, he couldn't take his eyes off her.

His heart skipped a beat as their eyes met across the room. Aarohi, unaware of his staring, smiled politely and looked away. But Ansh couldn't stop himself from following her movements, his gaze lingering a little too long.

**Ansh (thinking to himself, mesmerized):**
"How... is she this beautiful?"

Just then, *Rahul*, Aarohi's colleague, approached her and greeted her with a wide smile. He pulled her into a friendly hug, congratulating her on her work. Aarohi laughed, her eyes lighting up as they exchanged a few words. Ansh's jaw tightened at the sight.

Unable to control his irritation any longer, Ansh marched over to where they were standing.

**Ansh (coldly, voice edged with sarcasm):**
"Aap log yahan kaam karne aaye ho ya masti karni? Just move back to your work guys ."

Rahul, startled, immediately stepped back, stammering an apology. Aarohi, on the other hand, could sense Ansh's usual condescending tone and rolled her eyes. The frustration in her chest bubbled over.

**Aarohi (muttering to herself, exasperated):**
"Yeh khadus hamesha mujhe dantne ka mauka dhoondta rehta hai."

Ansh, always sharp, heard her mutter.

**Ansh (firmly, raising an eyebrow):**
"Kuch kaha aapne, Miss Aarohi?"

Aarohi clenched her jaw, her anger rising, but instead of arguing, she simply shot him an angry glare.

**Aarohi (stiffly):**
"No, sir. Kuch nahi."

Without waiting for another word, Aarohi turned and walked away, her heart pounding with frustration. For the rest of the event, she purposely avoided looking in Ansh's direction. She was too upset to deal with him, and his constant attitude was ruining what should have been the best night of her career. She focused on her models, her designs, and the praise she was receiving from everyone.