"From Rivals to Forever: A Journey of Love"

Chapter 60

Kabir's Perspective

The warmth of Aditi's touch lingered on my fingertips as we stepped out of my office and into the brightly lit corridor. She was still blinking the sleep from her eyes, her hair a little tousled, giving her an endearing, just-woken-up look. She was trying to smooth down her hair with one hand, her lips curling into a sheepish smile as she walked beside me.

I glanced at her and chuckled softly. "You're cute when you're sleepy, you know?"

She shot me a playful glare, but the blush creeping up her cheeks betrayed her amusement. "Don't start, Kabir. I didn't mean to fall asleep. It's your office, so comfortable..."

"Yeah, I'll make sure to send a note to the interior designer," I teased. "Sleeping Aditi approved."

She let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "You're impossible."

As we approached the party venue, the sound of music and chatter filled the air, growing louder with each step. We could hear the muffled thrum of a bass-heavy song and the low hum of laughter from just around the corner. The anticipation of introducing Aditi to the rest of my world started to build within me. I wasn't nervous, per se, but there was an excited energy buzzing in my chest, a mix of pride and eagerness.

I glanced at Aditi again, watching her adjust the hem of her dress and smooth out imaginary creases. She didn't need to do any of that—she looked stunning. The dress she'd picked out was a deep blue that brought out the warmth in her skin, and the simple elegance of it suited her perfectly. My heart swelled with a sense of possessiveness—not in a controlling way, but in a way that made me want to proudly introduce her to everyone as mine.

Finally, we turned the corner and entered the main hall where the party was already in full swing. The room was filled with colleagues, friends, and acquaintances, all mingling, drinking, and chatting. The lights were dimmed just enough to give the room a lively, celebratory feel without it being too chaotic. The scent of fresh appetizers and the faint tang of alcohol drifted in the air, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Aditi tightened her grip on my arm slightly as we stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room with a mix of curiosity and slight nervousness. I leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Relax, you've got this."

She looked up at me, her lips curving into a smile that held both gratitude and a touch of vulnerability. "Thanks. I'm just not used to these kinds of events."

I squeezed her hand gently. "Well, now you are. And besides, you've got me. You're going to be the star of the evening."

Before she could respond, a familiar voice cut through the air, and I felt an arm slung casually over my shoulder.

"Aare yaar, yeh lo! Star couple finally pohonch gaye!"

I turned to find Raghav grinning at us, his eyes twinkling with mischief. His smile widened as his gaze shifted from me to Aditi, and I could already see the teasing brewing in his head. Before he could start, Sahil appeared at his side, his arms crossed over his chest, an equally mischievous grin on his face.

"Bhai, tum dono ko aate hue itni der kyu lagi? Party toh kab ki shuru ho gayi!" Sahil teased, winking at Aditi.

I shook my head, already knowing what was coming. "Shuru hone do. I don't have to explain myself to you two."

But Raghav, being the quick-witted joker he was, wasn't about to let me off that easily. He leaned toward Aditi, his voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper, loud enough for me to hear but low enough to pretend it was meant just for her.