Anaya-His heartbeat

CHAPTER-24

ANAYA'S POV

The evening's Haldi glow still lingered on my cheeks as I sat on my bed, clutching a cushion and letting the day's memories wash over me. Today was magical, with everyone laughing, dancing, and painting each other in vibrant shades of yellow and orange. And then, amidst all the laughter and warmth, there was Shivarth. He was so unexpected—gentler, almost caring. His touch had been soft when he brushed the Haldi onto my cheeks, and the way he'd helped me, his hand steady on my arm, had left me with a confusing feeling that I couldn't quite explain. This was the same Shivarth who'd once seen me as a stranger. And yet, today, I felt something different, like maybe, just maybe, he saw me as someone he wanted to protect.My thoughts were swirling when Annie barged in, wearing that playful grin that said she was up to something. "Anaya, look at these pictures!" she exclaimed, holding up her phone and flipping through photo after photo of the day. There were so many beautiful moments—a few of me laughing with my friends, one with my mom, her eyes watery as she hugged me, and then... then there was *us*—a picture of Shivarth and me, his hand resting on my arm, and the warmth of his smile reaching his eyes."This is *the* one," Annie said, her eyes shining as she zoomed in on the picture of us. "Post it. Just look at it!""What? No way!" I said, the mere thought making my cheeks burn. "I mean, people will say so much, and..." My voice trailed off as my heart fluttered with anticipation. The idea was thrilling, yet terrifying."Oh, come on! You're getting married; everyone's going to find out anyway!" Annie laughed, rolling her eyes at my hesitation. "Plus, it's not like it's a secret. You'll be the talk of social media!"We went back and forth for what felt like forever, Annie's laughter and teasing chipping away at my reluctance. Eventually, I sighed, grabbing her phone and typing out the caption, my fingers shaking. *Rang Lageya Ishq Daa.* The words felt like a whisper of the butterflies bouncing around in my chest, wild and thrilling. My heart was beating so fast, it felt like it might leap out of my chest.As soon as I hit 'Post,' the gravity of it sank in. My heart pounded, and my stomach did an anxious flip. Had I done too much? Or would he even notice? Before I could think of deleting it, Annie snatched her phone back and gave me a triumphant look.Moments later, a notification buzzed. Annie gasped, her eyes lighting up. "Anaya! Shivarth mentioned you back!" she squealed, bouncing in excitement.My heart seemed to stop, then start again, wildly racing as I looked at her screen. *Shivarth Oberoi mentioned you back.* The butterflies in my stomach grew tenfold, swirling around, leaving me breathless. Shivarth, with his fifteen million followers, had just publicly acknowledged *me.* I covered my face, feeling a strange mix of excitement and embarrassment. This wasn't just a private moment; it was now out there for the world to see. I stole another peek at the screen, and every time I saw his name tagged with mine, my cheeks flushed deeper, my heart racing faster. A thousand thoughts crossed my mind. Why would he do that? Was it just because of the engagement, or... did it mean something more?Annie was practically jumping for joy, laughing and pulling me into a hug. "See! Fifteen million followers, and he's telling all of them that he's marrying *you,* Anaya!" Her voice echoed around the room, filling it with the same dizzying excitement buzzing in my head.And then, just as I was beginning to breathe normally again, Annie's phone buzzed again with a news notification. The screen lit up with a headline that stopped me in my tracks: *"Shivarth Oberoi and Anaya Sharma's Haldi Ceremony Goes Viral: Wedding Bells Soon?"* My eyes widened as we opened the article to see our picture from the story, now plastered across multiple news pages. Within minutes, it seemed like every media outlet was sharing our picture, and comments from all over the world poured in, congratulating us, speculating about our relationship, and adding their wishes."Oh my god," I whispered, feeling both thrilled and mortified. "This is... unbelievable."Annie laughed, nudging me playfully. "Look at you! Shivarth Oberoi has declared to the entire world that he's marrying you, and you're sitting here blushing like a schoolgirl. Admit it, you're happy!"I hugged the cushion closer, unable to stop a smile from spreading across my face. Yes, I was happy. Embarrassed, confused, and maybe still a little unsure, but undeniably happy. It felt like a dream, one filled with butterflies and warmth, like everything had somehow shifted. And as I stared at our picture on the screen, I couldn't help but feel that maybe this wasn't just a formality. Maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something real.

SHIVARTHS POV

I sit alone in my room, surrounded by a silence that feels almost suffocating. The lively chaos of the Haldi ceremony lingers in my mind, but now, everything seems muted and distant. I replay moments from earlier in the day—the vibrant colors, the laughter echoing in the air, and most importantly, Anaya's radiant smile. It was a smile that lit up even the dullest corners of my heart.Lost in these thoughts, a notification suddenly pops up on my phone: *Anaya Sharma mentioned you in a story.* My heart does a flip. Curiosity pulls me in, and I quickly click on the notification. The screen loads, revealing a picture of me and Anaya from the ceremony. In the photo, we stand close together, her laughter frozen in time, my hand resting casually on her shoulder. A wave of warmth surges through me, and I feel a blush creep onto my face as I read her caption: *Rang Lageya Ishq Daa.* Butterflies flutter wildly in my stomach as I realize what this means. For the first time in years, I feel a rush of excitement I can't quite place. Without thinking, I tap 'Share,' posting it to my own story. *Am I really announcing to the world that I'm getting married?* The thought spins around in my mind, and I can't help but feel a mix of pride and disbelief; it feels surreal. Why am I feeling this way? Just then, the door swings open, and Vivaan, Ayaan, and Samaira burst into the room, their laughter filling the silence. "Dude, what just happened?" Vivaan exclaims, eyes wide with a teasing glint. "Did I just see Shivarth Oberoi post a story? For the first time ever?"I feel the heat rising in my cheeks, embarrassment mingling with the thrill of it all as my friends crowd around me. Ayaan smirks, leaning closer. "Seriously, man, you never share anything personal. What made you do it now? Did Anaya cast a spell on you?"Samaira grins playfully. "This is huge! You've officially announced to the world that you're marrying Anaya Sharma. How does it feel to put a ring on it?""Yeah, how did you even muster the courage to post a story?" Vivaan laughs, his tone playful. "You're usually so reserved! What's next? A romantic date with candles and everything?"I chuckle, my heart racing, feeling those butterflies again. "I just... felt like it. It's different this time." But inside, I'm confused. Why do I feel this rush? Why does the thought of her make my heart race?Ayaan raises an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the moment. "Different how? Are you actually excited about this? You sound like a lovesick puppy.""I guess I am," I admit, glancing back at my phone. Anaya's smile still glows on the screen, and a warmth envelops me again. As THEY continue to tease me, throwing playful jabs about love and marriage, I can't shake the feeling that something has shifted within me. This is just the beginning, and perhaps sharing this part of my life won't be so daunting after all. But deep down, I wonder if I'm ready for the whirlwind that comes with these new emotions.