After everything was done, Dhwani called Abhinav over with a mischievous smile.“Come here,” she said, pulling him toward Isha. “Now, find your name in her mehndi. Let’s see how much attention you’ve been paying.”
Abhinav hesitated but then leaned closer to Isha’s hands, carefully examining the intricate patterns. He tilted his head, squinting as he searched for the tiny letters hidden in the swirls and designs. A minute passed, then another.
“I don’t see it,” he finally admitted, straightening up, his face slightly flushed.
Isha raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful smile. She leaned closer, her voice soft but teasing as she whispered in his ear, “You’re so unromantic.”
Abhinav’s cheeks warmed at her words. He opened his mouth to reply but stopped himself, his usual confidence shaken by her teasing tone. Isha, enjoying his reaction, let out a soft chuckle before pulling her hands back.
As the ceremony wrapped up, the guests began leaving, and the house started to quiet down. Abhay, however, felt restless. He didn’t know why, but his mind kept wandering to Kavya. His eyes scanned the space, searching for her.
Abhay’s eyes narrowed as he spotted Kavya on the rooftop with Shaan. His chest tightened, and a surge of frustration bubbled inside him. Last night’s conversation with Kavya replayed in his mind—
The thought of that conversation made Abhay’s blood boil. And now, here Shaan was, casually talking to her as if nothing had happened.
Without thinking, Abhay strode toward them, his jaw clenched.
Kavya noticed him first, her eyes widening. “Abhay—” she began, but before she could say more, he was already standing in front of them.
Shaan turned, a polite smile on his face. “Oh, hey,” he said smoothly.
Abhay ignored him and looked straight at Kavya. “What’s he doing here?”
Kavya frowned. “We were just talking. Calm down.”
“Talking?” Abhay’s voice was sharp. His eyes flicked to Shaan. “He doesn’t just show up to ‘talk,’ Kavya.”
Shaan raised his hands defensively, his smile faltering slightly. “Look, man, I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. Kavya and I were just catching up. That’s all.”
Abhay scoffed, his fists clenching. “Catching up? After the way you left her? You’ve got some nerve.”
Shaan’s face fell into an expression of hurt. “I know I made mistakes,” he said softly, glancing at Kavya. “I regret them every day. That’s why I wanted to see her—to apologize properly. She deserves that, at least.”
Kavya shifted uncomfortably, and Abhay could feel his temper rising.
“Apologize?” Abhay snapped. “You think an apology makes up for breaking her heart and disappearing from her life?”
Shaan turned to Abhay, his expression calm but pained. “You don’t understand. I didn’t want to hurt her, but life doesn’t always go the way you plan. I was young and stupid back then. I’m trying to make things right now.”
Kavya opened her mouth to speak, but Abhay didn’t give her a chance.
“Don’t buy into this, Kavya,” he said, glaring at Shaan. “He’s just trying to worm his way back into your life. He doesn’t deserve a second chance.”
Shaan sighed, shaking his head. “I’m not trying to do anything, Abhay. I just wanted to apologize. That’s it.”
Abhay stepped closer, his eyes blazing. “You’re lying. You don’t get to show up out of nowhere and act like you care. You don’t deserve her forgiveness.”
YOU ARE READING
Hidden Marriage
RomanceIsha Sehrawat, a 22-year-old introverted and clumsy college girl, had always lived in her own quiet world. But her life takes an unexpected turn when she learns that her father has arranged her marriage to his old friend's son-Abhinav Singh, a man e...
