Anaya-His heartbeat

CHAPTER 23

Anaya's pov

As I stood in front of the mirror, I couldn’t help but admire the way everything had come together. My lehenga was absolutely stunning,  embroidered with intricate gold details, shimmering with every slight movement. The makeup artists had outdone themselves, creating a look that was glamorous yet elegant, making me feel every bit like the bride tonight. The excitement was building up, and I could feel the butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

Before I could get lost in my thoughts, Annie, Rohan, and Sam came barreling into the room, practically buzzing with excitement. “Come on, Anaya! It’s time for your big performance!” Annie squealed, thrusting her phone toward me. They had spent days preparing a special dance, and now they wanted me to join in. My eyes widened as I saw the routine they’d planned—it was elaborate, filled with high-energy moves and perfect synchronization.

“Oh no, no way!” I laughed, shaking my head. “I’m not ready for this!”

But they wouldn’t take no for an answer. Sam grinned, nudging me. “Oh, come on, you can’t be the only bride who doesn’t dance at her Sangeet! Don’t worry, we’ll guide you through it!”

After a bit of teasing, pleading, and not-so-subtle guilt-tripping, I finally caved. "Fine, but if I mess up, it’s on you guys!” I said with a playful eye roll, unable to hide my own smile.

Finally, we made our way downstairs, and as I stepped into the hall, my breath hitched. The grand, open space had been transformed into a vibrant celebration, adorned with thousands of, shimmering lights, and rich fabric drapes in hues of gold, red, and teal. The scent of roses and jasmine filled the air, and the sound of traditional Indian drums, or dhols, mixed with upbeat Bollywood music, echoed through the hall. Family and friends, dressed in their finest attire, mingled, laughed, and danced, creating an atmosphere that felt like magic.

And then, my eyes landed on him—Shivarth. He was standing near the dance floor, looking effortlessly handsome in a black and gold sherwani that fit him perfectly. His presence was so strong, so magnetic, that for a moment, everything else faded away. My heart skipped a beat. He looked up, and our eyes met. A subtle smile tugged at the corner of his lips, and I quickly looked away, feeling my cheeks warm.

"Someone's already lovestruck," Rohan teased, nudging me. "You might want to tone down the blushing, or Shivarth will notice."

"Stop it!" I muttered, playfully swatting him, trying to hide my embarrassment.

Dinner was served shortly after, with an extravagant spread of Indian delicacies. I picked up a bowl of hot soup, eager to warm up a bit, but took a sip a little too quickly. The heat caught me off guard, and I hissed, feeling the burn on my tongue. “Ouch,” I whispered under my breath, hoping no one had noticed.

But then I heard a familiar, low voice. “Be careful,” Shivarth said, his tone gentle yet amused. I looked up to see him watching me with a slight smirk. Our eyes met again, and that little spark between us seemed to grow. I felt my cheeks turn even warmer, and I quickly looked away, unable to suppress my smile.

Annie noticed everything, of course. “Ohhh, so he does have a soft spot for our Anaya,” she whispered, giggling. “See? He’s already looking out for you!”

“Annie, please,” I whispered back, trying to hide my grin. But I couldn’t deny how his small, thoughtful gesture had made my heart flutter.