"𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞"

7. Whispers in the dark

Chapter 7

(Aarvi’s POV)

The Same Night of the Event

The air in the dining room was thick with anticipation as our families gathered around the table, the sound of cutlery clinking and quiet conversations swirling like a warm embrace. It felt surreal, the reality of our engagement pressing in around me. I stole glances at Vivaan, who sat across the table, his expression unreadable. The tension from the dance still clung to us, a silent thread weaving our lives together in ways I wasn’t sure I wanted.

After a hearty meal, Karan Baba cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. “I think we can all agree that the time has come to formalize our alliance,” he began, glancing at Rajendra Uncle, who nodded in agreement. “Vivaan’s grandmother has returned after a long time and consulted with the pandit. Tomorrow evening is deemed the perfect time for the engagement ceremony.”

A wave of murmurs rippled through the room, excitement mixed with apprehension. My heart raced. “Tomorrow?” I echoed, the word tasting foreign on my tongue.

“Yes, my dear,” Baba replied, his tone soothing. “It’s time we celebrated our families’ union properly.”

As discussions continued about the details of the ceremony, I felt a sense of dread mingling with the excitement. I had imagined my engagement day differently, with love and warmth not this forced arrangement. I exchanged a glance with Riya, whose eyes mirrored my uncertainty. We both knew we were being thrust into a life neither of us had chosen.

Vivaan’s mother, Maya Aunty, stood to address the workers. “Please prepare rooms for everyone. Our families will stay overnight,” she said, and my stomach twisted at the thought. I was to share a roof with Vivaan, the man who was supposed to be my fiancé yet felt like a stranger.

As the evening wore on, I found myself in a guest room just across from Vivaan’s. Riya had insisted on sharing the space with me, and I appreciated the company, though sleep felt far from me. The house was eerily quiet, shadows dancing against the walls as the moonlight filtered through the curtains.

Riya was already asleep in the other bed, her soft breathing a comforting sound in the otherwise quiet room. But sleep evaded me, and I finally decided to get a glass of water. As I slipped out of bed, a sense of trepidation washed over me. I ventured quietly into the hallway, the cool air brushing against my skin.

The house was eerily silent, shadows lurking in every corner. I carefully descended the stairs, but just as I reached the bottom, the lights flickered and went out, plunging me into darkness. My heart raced, and I cursed myself for not bringing my phone.

I made my way to the kitchen, opening the fridge to pour myself a glass of water. Just as I turned, a presence loomed behind me, and I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. I was about to scream when a hand clamped over my mouth.

“Shh, don’t make a sound... it’s me,” Vivaan’s voice was a low whisper, wrapping around me like a shroud.

Recognition washed over me, and I nodded, the initial shock fading. He removed his hand, but the closeness sent a jolt through me. Before I could step back, I found myself leaning against him, my head resting against his chest. I could feel his heartbeat thundering beneath my ear.

“Ms. Mehra scared of the dark?” he teased, amusement lacing his tone.

“Shut up, Vivaan. I thought I was going to die,” I shot back, pulling away slightly to look up at him.

He smirked, leaning against the counter with a relaxed confidence that belied the tension in the air. “Die? No, Ms. Mehra, you can’t. Not when we have our engagement tomorrow,” he replied, his gaze suddenly serious.

“Why does it feel like everything is happening so fast?” I murmured, looking down, the gravity of our situation hitting me. “This isn’t just a party, Vivaan. It’s… a commitment.”

His expression softened, and he stepped closer, the space between us disappearing. “Commitment? Or a performance for everyone else?” His voice dropped to a whisper, the air thickening around us.

I felt my breath hitch, and his presence seemed to fill the kitchen, leaving no room for doubt. “I-” I started, but the words escaped me as he leaned in, his lips almost brushing against mine.

“V-vivaan…” I stuttered, caught off guard by the sudden intensity of the moment.

“Just for show, right?” he murmured, his breath warm against my skin. “Is that what you want, Aarvi? To pretend this doesn’t affect us?”

My heart raced, the tension palpable. “Vivaan, we can’t-”

Before I could finish, he closed the distance further, his hand finding its way to my waist, resting just above the bare skin . I shivered at the contact, my breath catching as I felt the heat radiating from him.

“Are you afraid?” he whispered, his eyes locked onto mine, an intensity that made my heart race. “Afraid of what this means for us?”

His gaze lingered on my lips, and I felt a rush of uncertainty and desire. “It’s just… too much,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “Everything feels too real.”

He tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Then maybe we should embrace it, Ms. Mehra. We both know there’s something here-something we can’t ignore.” His voice was husky, sending shivers down my spine.

I opened my mouth to protest, but he silenced me with a finger against my lips. “Shhh… enjoy the moment. Just for tonight, let’s not think about tomorrow.”

“Vivaan…” I breathed, my heart racing as I leaned in closer, his lips tantalizingly close to mine. The world outside faded, leaving just the two of us in this cocoon of uncertainty and yearning.

“If you don’t get from here in five seconds Aarvi , I will…” he began, his voice low and teasing.

I didn’t let him finish. My instincts kicked in, and I turned to flee, my heart pounding in my ears. “No! I have to go!” I exclaimed, my cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and exhilaration.

I dashed back up the stairs, my mind racing. As I reached my room and closed the door behind me, I leaned against it, trying to catch my breath. The encounter had left me breathless, my heart still racing from the intensity of the moment.

What just happened? The thrill of it all lingered in the air. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this engagement was just the beginning of something far more complicated.

As I climbed back into bed, sleep felt impossible. My thoughts spiraled, a chaotic mix of fear and excitement about what tomorrow would bring. All I knew was that I was already entangled in something I couldn’t fully understand, and I was terrified of what it might mean for both of us.
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Bye🤍