Hukum's Rani Sa

43 . Aftermath

Hey fam..

Although the previous target is not completed... Yet I posted this one...

No target this time ( as I already know it's going to incomplete )
So...

Happy reading 🌷
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The applause for Rajveer and Ishqi’s dance still echoed in the air, the cousins whistling and elders clapping with joy. But amid all that warmth, one pair of eyes was dark—stormy, unreadable.

Ishan Malhotra had left his drink half–finished on the side table. His jaw was still locked, chest rising a bit too quickly. No one else noticed, but his eyes—oh, they betrayed everything.

He excused himself silently, walking out into the garden, his polished shoes clicking against marble before sinking into grass. The cool night air hit his face, but it did nothing to douse the fire inside him.

What was that? What the hell was that?

He dragged a hand down his face, pacing near the fountain. His reflection in the water was a stranger—tense, restless, burning with a jealousy he had no right to feel. He clenched his fists.

He remembered the man’s hand on Shree’s lower back. He remembered the way she laughed, the way she let herself be dipped, the way she looked at her partner during the steps. None of it was wrong. None of it was inappropriate. But every second of it had gutted him alive.

“Damn it,” he muttered, punching the air in frustration. The urge to break something, to scream, coiled inside him. But he didn’t. He never did.

From the open doors of the hall, music and chatter spilled out again. He could hear Shree’s laugh among her friends. It twisted like a knife in his chest.

She’s happy. And I’m… drowning, and the reason... The reason is also unknown to me.

He hated himself for it. Hated the helplessness of wanting something he couldn’t claim.

Inside, Shree had no idea what storm she’d left behind. She was chatting with Daksh, giggling as he teased her about “her mysterious dance partner.”

“Bas bhai, it was just a dance,” Shree rolled her eyes.

Daksh smirked. “Haan haan, lekin dance floor pe tu bilkul drama ke heroines ki tarah enjoy kar ri thi "

( Yes yes .. but you were enjoying on the dance floor just the the heroines of the dramas )

Shree shoved his arm, laughing, but her smile faltered for half a second. Almost like some invisible thread tugged her thoughts elsewhere… towards the shadow that had slipped out into the night.

But before she could dwell on it, another cousin pulled her away to introduce her to some relatives.

---

Meanwhile, in another corner of the hall, Rajveer and Ishqi were still the center of attention.

Rajveer hadn’t let go of her hand even after the dance ended. The teasing hadn’t stopped either.

“Arre wah, Rajveer beta! First time dancing and kamaal kar diya,” Chacha clapped his back.

( Wow, son it was your first time dance and you did awesome)

" Ishqi ne hi sikhaya hoga” Dadi teased, her eyes twinkling.

( Ishqi taught him for sure )

Ishqi blushed, ducking her head, but Rajveer only smirked faintly and nooded at them ... And said lightly in her ears... “Agar teacher itni khoobsurat ho toh student top karega hi.”