Incandescent

Chapter 2

Laughter and noise filled the air and the Raizada mansion was ablaze with lights and flowers, decked beautifully for the engagement party. Khushi had seen photos of the house but up close, it was magnificent.

The foggy winter night's chill got to her as she alighted her cab and walked towards the house.

She must have brought a shawl or something but in her excitement to leave the house before she was late, she had forgotten everything else. Outside, cars lined up in the huge driveway of the house trying to find a spot to park. It was going to be huge with nearly two hundred guests all of whom were high class, powerful and sophisticated people. Among the guest lists were some A-list celebrities who were clients of Payal and Arnav. It was after all the engagement of two very powerful khandans, the Raizadas and the Aroras. Both families were all known in the business world and were one of the most influential in India.

As she entered the huge, opulently decorated hall through the solid wooden door,Khushi felt a peculiar jerk in her stomach borne out of pure nervousness. She was coming here for the first time and she'd  be seeing his family for the first time in person. She casually looked around the room to see if he was here yet.

He wasn't.

As she walked inside, she took a glass of orange juice from a waiter passing by carrying trays. She didn't know many people here as not many employees were invited but she did find a few people who had recognized her from her photos. If not the face of Elan' she liked to think she was at least a little famous. She nodded to acquaintances trying to converse and politely thanked people complimenting her.

Aman was the first to see her and she turned towards him with a full smile as she heard him say, "Oh my god! Khushi! I should have known, considering half the male population in this room is directed towards this direction," he told her.

"Do I look alright?" She asked, fully nervous and earned a look of absolute disbelief from Aman. She really wanted to know. She might be a model and may appear confident and comfortable in her skin to the entire world but she was the most insecure person he knew. Aman was her photographer and as close to a friend she had in the industry and she knew he would tell her honestly so she asked him again.

If it were anyone but her Aman would have thought they were trying to fish for compliments but this was Khushi. So he said, "Alright? Did you just ask if you were alright? You are unbelievable, Khushi. Alright would be the understatement of the millennium. You look gorgeous and you only have to take a look around the room to know how many eyes are on you right this moment."

She hadn't been oblivious to all the attention and it's hard to ignore when you're blatantly ogled at. She was so tense underneath her calm demeanor that Aman went ahead and hugged her, patting her back. She smiled at him and before she could say anything else they were swept up into conversation by a group of acquaintances.

Arnav had just begun descending the stairs from the top floor when his eyes alighted on Khushi. She was hugging Aman. Not a sight he had hoped to see as soon as he entered the room. If he had been in bad spirits till now, he was more than slightly annoyed right now. It worsened when his Nani, Devyani Singh Raizada pulled him aside to introduce him to a family friend which only translated to prospective bride.

Khushi knew it the moment he stepped into the room. She felt him. Felt his eyes on her and felt the attention of the entire audience turn toward the stairs where he was walking down along with Aakash. Their eyes met for but a fraction of a moment. His expressions may have revealed nothing but Khushi knew he appreciated what he saw. She felt his eyes slowly take in the full length of her in a sensual caress only she could have noticed. And suddenly, all her nervousness flew out the window giving way to a confidence she felt only in his presence.