Heart's in Conflict

2. Fainted

नैनों की चाल है, मख़मली हाल है
नीची पलकों से बदले समाँ
नैना शरमाएँ जो, या के भर आएँ जो
थम के रुक जाएँ दोनो जहाँ
रब की नेमत हैं तेरी निगाहें
जिसमें बसती हैं उसकी दुआएँ
ऐसे नैनों की बातों में कोई क्यों ना आए?

हो, तेरे नैना, तेरे नैना, रे
तेरे नैना, तेरे नैना, तेरे नैना रे
हो, ऐसे नैनों की बातों में कोई क्यों ना आए?
हो, तेरे नैना, तेरे नैना, तेरे नैना रे
तेरे नैना, तेरे नैना, तेरे नैना रे...

Rajveer's POV

The moment I walked into the grand party hall, I could feel the heavy atmosphere of high expectations and fake smiles. The chandeliers sparkled above, and waiters floated around with trays of champagne, serving the richest families in the city. To most people, this was a night of celebration. To me, it was just another event filled with meaningless conversations.

I was used to these types of parties, but tonight felt different. My mind wasn't on the business deals happening over drinks or the alliances being formed with handshakes. Instead, I was focused on someone—someone who had caught my attention from across the room.

Vihana Agarwal.

The moment she had entered, I had felt a strange pull. I couldn't stop myself from watching her, from studying the way she moved and the emotion she tried so hard to hide behind her polite smile. She was undeniably beautiful, but that wasn't what intrigued me. There was something in her gaze—something hidden behind the mask of politeness she wore—that made me wonder if there was more to her than the delicate, obedient daughter everyone thought she was.

I found myself watching her now, standing across the room as she spoke to her parents. Her soft pink gown fitted her body perfectly hugging her curves and the slit on her left thigh which she was trying to hide whenever she moved, she was not comfortable in it. But she did not show it on her face, To me she looked fragile, like she didn't quite belong in this world of power and control. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was a fire buried deep within her, one that even she might not fully realize.

My uncle's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Rajveer, are you even listening?"

I turned to him, keeping my expression calm. "Hmm?"

He raised an eyebrow at me, clearly unimpressed. "I asked if you had any second thoughts about this deal. You haven't said a word."

I glanced back at Vihana, who was now talking to my mom. She seemed quiet, but there was a subtle strength in the way she held herself. "No second thoughts," I finally said, my voice firm.

My uncle smiled, satisfied with my answer. "Good. The Singhanias are an important client. This will be a beneficial deal for us all."

I nodded, but my focus stayed on Vihana. There was something about her that unsettled me in a way I didn't expect. I just couldn't stop myself from watching her. 

I shifted my gaze back to her, watching as she glanced around the room, clearly trying to stay composed. Our eyes met across the sea of people, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to slow. Her expression faltered slightly, as if she hadn't expected me to be watching her. But she didn't look away immediately. She held my gaze, her lips parting as though she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.