Chapter - 20
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Vihaan ~
"So, let me get this straight," Yash said, leaning back in his chair with a smirk that I wanted to wipe off his face. "In the three months that I've been gone, you told Shivanya you love her, set up a wager you lost, and now you have no bloody clue how to get her to marry you?"
I shot him a glare. "Thanks for summing it up, genius."
He snorted. "Raichand, you didn't just lose the wager. You screwed it up so badly, I'm surprised she hasn't filed a restraining order. You're a real catch, Vihaan."
I groaned. "Do you ever shut up?"
"Only when I'm sleeping," he said with a shit-eating grin. "But you wouldn't know that, because you're the one who never sleeps. Always plotting world domination or some other nonsense."
"Remind me why I still talk to you?" I muttered, rubbing my temples as he chuckled, clearly enjoying himself.
"Because no one else has the balls to call you out on your crap," Yash said, leaning forward. "And let's face it, you need it. You think you can throw a couple of grand gestures at her and she'll fall into your arms? Newsflash, you aren't some Bollywood hero, Raichand."
"Thank God for that," I said dryly.
Yash grinned wider, the smug bastard. "No, but you've got the emotional range of a brick, which is just as bad. You're telling me the Vihaan Raichand, Mr. Hawk of the Court can't figure out how to get a girl to say yes? Bloody hell, man, even I managed to convince someone to marry me. And you? You've been overthinking the whole damn thing."
I rolled my eyes, staring at him in disbelief. "Your idea of romance was taking Nisha to a cricket match and getting drunk on cheap beer. You really think I should be taking advice from you?"
"Worked, didn't it?" Yash smirked, clearly pleased with himself. "And just so we're clear, it wasn't cheap beer. It was slightly above average. But you, you're treating Shivanya like she's one of your business deals. Have you even tried being... I don't know, normal with her?"
I crossed my arms, leaning back in my chair. "Normal? And what exactly does normal mean to you?"
"Anything that does not have Vihaan Raichand written all over it."
"That's rich coming from the guy who proposed with a ring hidden in a sandwich."
He threw his head back and laughed. "Worked, though! And it's still a better plan than whatever the hell you've got going on. Seriously, you're making this harder than it needs to be. She's not your latest case. She's Shivanya. You know, the woman you're supposedly in love with?"
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "What do you suggest then? Enlighten me, since you're the relationship expert."
He grinned like a cat who just caught a mouse. "Easy. You stop trying to win her with your big gestures and start showing her why she should marry you. You're already Vihaan Raichand—just be the guy she actually wants. Not the one with the grand plans but the one who knows how to make her laugh, who's there when she needs someone."
I stared at him, surprised at the bit of wisdom that managed to sneak its way through his usual idiocy.
"And if that fails," he added, grin widening again, "you can always just lock her in a room until she says yes."
I groaned. "Get out of my house, Yash."
"Would you like me to throw you out instead, Vihaan?" Maa jumped in immediately in his defence while she served another bowl of custard to the leech.
"Aunty, I hope you're coming to the party in the evening? I mean it's not everyday that a firm celebrates their Twenty-Five years. Besides, Aman uncle is the one who deserves all the credit." He said and this was one of the rare times that I agreed to him.
"Of course beta! But more than the happiness of twenty years, your Aman uncle is happy that he might finally get to interact with his soon to be daughter-in-law, if she accepts Vihaan." She said, taking a seat next to Yash who had an expression of a happy cheshire cat.
After that, I tuned him out.
The party had already started when we got there and almost immediately, Dad found his group and Maa found hers, but my eyes were fixed on the entrance.
I did not even know what I was expecting, but the moment Shivanya walked in, it felt like the entire room dimmed, leaving her in focus. She was dressed in a pastel blue saree, the kind of delicate shade that seemed to glow against her skin, bringing out the softness of her features. Her saree hugged her in all the right places and her hair was tied back, strands falling free to frame her face, and she looked like a beautiful dream.
Absolutely mesmerizing.
My throat dried up. It was like seeing her for the first time all over again. Only this time, I was rooted in place, my eyes unable to leave her. She scanned the room, her gaze floating over the crowd, unaware of the effect she had just by existing. And then, she saw me.
Her eyes met mine, and for a moment, everything around us blurred. There was no crowd, no party. Just her, and the pull she had over me. My heart stammered, the confidence I always wore cracking at the sight of her.
I knew I should walk over, say something, anything but I was frozen in place, too captivated to move. She looked like a dream, she looked like my dream.
Yash, of course, noticed my dazed state and elbowed me in the ribs. "Raichand, you look like you've just been hit by a truck. Snap out of it. She's walking this way."
I blinked, shaking myself out of the trance, but my pulse still hammered in my ears. "Shut up, Yash."
"Don't tell me you're just gonna stand here staring at her all night," he continued, biting back a laugh. "Might want to pick your jaw off the floor first."
Ignoring him, I finally managed to move. Each step toward her felt heavier than it should, my mind racing to find the right words. But when I got close enough, all thoughts seemed to evaporate. She was everything. Everything I had ever wanted and everything I was afraid of losing.
"Sunshine," I said, my voice low and rough, trying to keep the awe from showing too much.
She smiled, that gentle curve of her lips, and it was enough to make my heart skip a beat. "Mr. Raichand."
"Aap jitni baar mere saamne saree mein aati hain, utni baar mere dil ka ek tukda chura le jaati hain apne saath Shivanya." I could not hold myself back from telling her the truth.
(TRANSLATION - You steal a piece of my heart away from me every time you come in front of me in a saree, Shivanya)
Shivanya blinked, clearly caught off guard by my words. Her smile faltered for a split second before a soft blush crept up her cheeks. There was something extremely satisfying about the way she reacted, how my words could disarm her, even when she tried so hard to maintain her composure. Her eyes flickered to mine, wide and uncertain, and for a moment, I just let the silence between us stretch.
I reached out, my fingers brushing lightly against hers. "Dance with me, Shivanya?" I asked her and could see the way she hesitated, her gaze briefly darting around the room before landing back on me.
She bit her lip, clearly weighing her options, but I knew she would not say no. Not tonight. Not when there was something unexplainable in the air between us.
"Alright," she whispered, barely audible, but the consent was there, and that was all I needed.
I led her onto the dance floor, one hand settling at the small of her back while the other gently held her hand. She fit perfectly into my hold, her body so close yet so careful not to touch too much. The music was slow and as we moved, I leaned in just a little, my lips hovering near her ear.
"Do you know what you're doing to me, Shivanya?" I murmured, my breath ghosting against her skin. I felt her shiver ever so slightly, but she didn't pull away. If anything, she moved closer, though she tried to hide it.
"Stop saying things like these, sir," she said, her voice a little shaky, though she tried to sound stern.
I smiled against her temple, the scent of her jasmine shampoo teasing my senses. "Why should I stop? You blush every time I do, and I happen to like the way you blush." My thumb brushed the back of her hand gently, almost absentmindedly, as if I couldn't help but touch her.
She looked up at me, her eyes catching mine for just a second before she quickly glanced away. "You're impossible."
"Not impossible. Just persistent," I corrected her. "And you are not exactly running away."
Her lips twitched, fighting a smile. "Only because we're in public."
I chuckled softly. "Is that a promise that you'd run away in private?"
Her cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of pink, and I could see she was struggling to maintain her composure. God, she was beautiful when she was flustered. "You're insufferable."
"Yet, here you are," I teased, tightening my grip on her ever so slightly as we turned. "Dancing with me. Smiling at my terrible flirting. Blushing every time I call you my Sunshine. It's almost like you're enjoying this, Shivanya."
She looked up at me again, this time holding my gaze a bit longer, her lips parting as if to retort. But nothing came. She simply stared, and for that moment, the whole room felt like it had faded into the background again. It was just us.
I lowered my head, my voice dropping to a husky whisper. "I wonder, Shivanya... what would happen if I kissed you right now?"
Her breath hitched audibly, and I felt a surge of satisfaction. I could feel her pulse quickening under my fingertips, her grip on my shoulder tightening ever so slightly. But instead of waiting for her response, I pulled back just enough to give her space, my lips curving into a knowing smile.
"Relax," I said, the mischief clear in my tone. "I'll save that for when we get married."
Her eyes widened slightly at my words, and she let out a soft huff, her usual composure slipping just enough to reveal the whirlwind of emotions behind her gaze. I could see the mix of surprise, frustration, and maybe, just maybe something else, something she wasn't ready to admit yet.
"You're assuming a lot, Mr. Raichand," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I haven't said yes to anything."
"Maybe not with words," I murmured, "but actions speak louder, don't they? You're here. You didn't run."
"That's only because I know that you are not going to accept my resignation, at least for the next few weeks because that will only hurt your ego that you lost the wager. I am letting that ego heal first before putting in my notice." She said, rolling her eyes.
I laughed softly, shaking my head. "Ah, so you're playing the long game, then? Giving me time to lick my wounds before delivering the final blow? Smart move, Sunshine, but don't be so sure that I'm the one who's losing here."
She looked away, her expression faltering for just a moment before she gathered herself. "What is it with you, huh? Why can't you just—"
"Just what?" I interrupted, stepping closer, closing the gap between us again. "Give up? Let you go? You think it's that easy? Not when you're the only thing I can't stop thinking about. Not when every moment away from you feels like something's missing."
She swallowed hard, clearly caught off guard by my words. Her eyes flickered with a mix of emotions, and I could see her defenses wavering, just for a second. But then she drew in a breath, straightening her spine as if to regain her composure.
I noticed the subtle shift in Shivanya's expression, her eyes darting toward the entrance. Following her gaze, I saw Radhika walk in with Taran, followed by Sameer and Vidhi Singh.
"Radhika..." Shivanya whispered under her breath, her gaze narrowing as she watched her sister walk further into the room.
Her grip on my shoulder loosened, her hand slowly slipping away as her mind seemed to drift to another place and I could feel her pulling back, metaphorically and physically.
"I should go and meet them." She said, looking at me and with a nod, I let her go after brushing my lips on her knuckles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shivanya ~
I knew Radhika would come but did not expect Sameer uncle and Vidhi aunty to be here as well. We had been over to their place this weekend and it was just as warm as ever and even today, the moment I saw them, I couldn't hold myself back from going and giving them a big hug.
"Oh my God Shivi you look so beautiful beta." Aunty pulled me in for a hug before she put a nazar ka teeka behind my ear.
"Thank you aunty!" I said but before we could talk any further, Radhika jumped in.
"Looks like someone's boss can't take his eyes off my Di." She said, resting her elbow on my shoulder and looking at me with the most mischievous expression.
"Exactly. But I am sure that this woman here has ignored him even when she danced with him." Taran came to the other side and kept his elbow on my other shoulder, mimicking Radhika.
"You both are crazy." I declared and they laughed as if I had cracked a joke.
"Shivi, do you have a boyfriend?" Vidhi aunty asked curiously.
"What!? Of course not aunty!" I replied, outraged.
"Then I fail to see any problem in that man Shivanya! I mean, look at him looking at you. The man is flat." She sang in the teasing.
Sameer uncle was standing there silently, supporting his wife.
"Guys, this is my office party! He is my boss and everyone around are my colleagues. Can we drop this already?" I asked, looking at them.
Thankfully, before they could come up with some other embarrassing remark for me, I found Aman Raichand and Sangeeta aunty make their way towards us.
Sangeeta aunty and Naina aunty (Taran's mom) greeted each other before Aman uncle signalled someone behind me something.
Of course he asked his son to join us and the next moment, Mr. Birdbrain was standing right next to me.
"So young lady, you have been a topic of discussion at work and in my home lately. Have a portfolio as diversified as you do is an accomplishment." Aman sir addressed me as I looked at him and was stunned.
Praise from him? That was something like a career achievement.
"Th...thank you sir." I said with a smile, trying to contain my excitement.
"I understand at work Aman, but at home too? How is that?" Taran's father asked him and in that moment, I wanted the Earth to open up and swallow me.
Mr. Birdbrain had told his parents.
"Humare saahabzade hain na yeh, bas inko ishq ho gaya hai Shivanya se." He said and all of a sudden, I found myself losing balance.
(TRANSLATION - My son here has simply fallen in love with Shivanya.)
Was this really happening right now?
I could see Radhika and Taran having the time of their lives while Vidhi aunty and Sameer uncle were smiling.
"Haan toh ab agar Shivanya ka koi takleef na ho toh baat aage badha sakte hain." Sameer uncle, blissfully unaware of more than half of the things, said.
(TRANSLATION - So if Shivanya has no problem, we can move forward with the discussion.)
"Sab paagal ho gaye hain kya? Sir aap kuch bol kyun nahi rahe hain?" I whispered to Mr. Birdbrain who was standing next to me but then just as the words left my mouth, I realised that this is more or less what he wanted.
(TRANSLATION - Has everyone lost it? Sir, why aren't you saying anything?)
"Apne hi pair pe koi kulhadi maarta hai kya Shivanya?" He whispered back and I turned my head around to look at him, gave him the sweetest smile that I could muster and kicked his shoe with my heel in annoyance.
(TRANSLATION - Who in their right mind would sabotage themselves, Shivanya?)
Thankfully and surprisingly, everyone was so deeply involved in the ridiculous conversation that no one noticed.
Mr. Birdbrain, even after my violence, had no effect. Instead, he had a huge smile plastered on his face.
Come on, Shivi Di! Vihaan sir is perfect for you," Radhika exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Taran chuckled, nodding his head. "Exactly Shivi, besides he was still standing there alive when you scolded him in the market the other day. Who else would stand there alive under your wrath?"
Taran then looked at Vihaan with an appreciative nod and I rolled my eyes.
Vihaan smirked, shifting slightly closer to me, clearly amused. "It was difficult, even for me."
I shot him a sidelong glance. "You're supposed stay quiet here Mr. Raichand!"
"Why Sunshine?" he asked, feigning innocence as he leaned back again, clearly enjoying her frustration.
"Have you seen the way he looks at you Di?" Radhika chimed in again, wiggling her eyebrows. "It's like he's found the last piece of pizza in the universe."
"Ugh, not the pizza analogy again Radhika!" I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "I'm not some slice of cheese!"
Vidhi aunty clasped her hands dramatically. "But you are a beautiful slice of cheese, Shivanya! You belong on the finest platter of life with Vihaan!"
"Honestly, what kind of metaphor is that?" I shot back, stifling a laugh despite the ridiculous situation.
"I think it's a fantastic metaphor!" Sangeeta aunty said, smiling. "But in all seriousness, what's holding you back Shivanya? Because if there is someone else you like or love and despite knowing that, my son has pursued you, I will disown him."
"No aunty, there is no one, I guarantee." Taran said and this time, I couldn't stop myself from laughing at the irony.
The words were rich, coming from Taran.
Meanwhile, one of the junior associates who had arranged for this party made his way towards us.
"Aman sir, it's time for your speech." He said.
"Speech? Yahan mere bete ke future ki lanka lagi hui hai aur tumhe speech ki padi hai? Beta speeche hoti rahengi, beta mera ek hi hai." Aman sir said and shooed the associate away while the others laughed at Vihaan's expense, Vihaan himself too.
(TRANSLATION - Speech? Here, my son's future is at stake, and you're worried about a speech? Son, there will always be speeches, but I have only one child.)
Shivanya, dear, think of the family you could create. Vihaan is a wonderful man. He comes from a good family, he's successful, and most importantly, he's crazy about you!" Naina aunty said.
"Crazy is the right word," I muttered under her breath, glancing at Radhika. "I don't even know how I got roped into this!"
"Because you're too nice to say no!" Radhika said, nudging me playfully.
The next five minutes, chaos ensued. Everyone had something to say, something to advise and for some reason, everyone wanted to speak together. I tolerated that for another ten minutes before the pull of my patience snapped.
"Alright, everyone! Enough! I can't take it anymore!" I took a deep breath, kept both my palms to cover my eyes and then narrowed my eyes at everyone standing around. "You've all made your points, for the love of god I'd THINK about marry Mr. Raichand if that shuts all of you up."
Radhika's mouth dropped open, and she exchanged glances with Taran, who wore an expression of sheer amusement. "Wait, what did you just say?" She asked, leaning forward with a glimmer of mischief in her eyes.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair.
Before I could formulate a proper response, Radhika was already grinning widely, her excitement infectious. "Oh my god, I can't believe this! My sister is getting married!! Di!!! Vihaan sir is perfect for you! So nice, warm and so -
"Annoyingly strategic and I said that I would think about it, not yes!," I added, rolling my eyes before I glanced his way, only to find him looking at me.
There was no smug expression, no cockiness, no winners attitude.
He was looking at me like he could not believe me.
"Did I tell you how beautiful you're looking tonight, Shivanya?" Were the first words that came out of him, making everyone around me laugh while all i wanted once again was for the Earth to swallow me right away.
Shivanya's Look ~
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