His heart twisted painfully. He cupped her cheek with his free hand, eyes wide with a flicker of panic.
"I'm so sorry," he rasped, his voice breaking. "Did I hurt you?"
Her lips curved into a faint, sorrowful smile that pierced him deeper than any...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Author's POV:
Two days flew like falling petals in a storm of preparations, and the house had never looked brighter. Strings of marigold and gold-dusted white roses were draped over the grand entrance. Lights blinked like shy stars across the estate. The Singhania mansion, usually wrapped in political silence and guarded decorum, had finally cracked into laughter.
The engagement ceremony was done.
Archit and Amaira-now officially engaged-stood in the middle of a storm of blessings and teasing.
Chitra looked absolutely delighted, a permanent glow on her face, clinging to Abhimaan's arm as Megha circled around teasing Archit, "Finally, the lovebirds landed!"
Abhimaan grinned, "And about time. I thought you two would make us wait till our retirement."
Everyone laughed.
On the other side of the hall, Prachi, stood near the main stage, her soft beige saree wrapped with grace. She looked at her three sons with that rare warmth only a mother carries-watching them as men, but remembering them as boys who used to steal laddoo ( sweet )before rituals.
"Arnav!" she called.
He turned around instantly, leaving a half-conversation with one of the clients.
" Where's your Father ? "
" Last time I saw him with bhai ( brother ), here.. " He told her pointing towards yuvan and yuvshekhar standing in a corner talking with a man.
" Thik hai beta, tu jaa Tina akele khadi hai wahan " She teases him, he looks at her smiling a little at her blushing probably for his butterfly.
( Ok son, you go Tina is standing there alone )
Prachi smiled with a proud sigh and walked off to check on some relatives.
Under the fairy lights at the far corner of the hall.
Tina and Arnav had slipped out. Not completely hidden, but far enough from the noise.
Tina giggled, "So, you were telling me something inside, and then conveniently escaped with a glass of juice?"
Arnav leaned against the railing. "I thought I needed hydration before confessing."
She blinked. "Confessing what?"
He stared at her, suddenly serious. "That maybe-"
" I've been looking for some girl so that I could be standing there next year." he spoke to her looking at Archit and Amaira standing at the stage.
" Oh I see " Tina nodded rubbing her hands together, then stared at him, only to find his eyes on hers.
