you like my chapter plese do vote and comments

Please follow me on stck.me and insta for early updates

Next chapter will be uploaded on thursday on stck.me and saturday on wattpad

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Shaili was sitting in her room, scrolling endlessly on her laptop, when Aditya barged in without knocking.

"I was saying something..." he began casually.

But the moment Shaili saw him, her expression changed. She slammed her laptop shut and glared at him like he was the last person she wanted to see.

"Oh, now you remember me?" she snapped. "Weren't you the one who kicked me out of your room yesterday and declared you weren't talking to me ever again?"

Aditya, completely unfazed, dropped next to her with a sheepish grin and that oh-so-familiar puppy face.

"Yeah... about that. I actually needed something," he said, pulling a bar of chocolate from his pocket. "So here, peace offering. Brought your favorite."

Shaili took the chocolate but raised an eyebrow.

"And this sudden shower of affection? What's that for?"

Aditya leaned back, half-smiling.

"Dude, did you not notice? Ever since Dadi came back from the roke, her face has been twisted like she just smelled something rotten."

That got Shaili talking. She spilled every last detail to him - from the drama to the awkward silences, from who said what to who looked at whom with daggers in their eyes.

Aditya sighed, dramatically disappointed.

"Damn, I missed the whole soap opera!"

Shaili chuckled.

"Your loss. I told you like a thousand times to come along."

She paused before adding, "Oh, and guess what? Riddhima bhabhi totally loved my gift. She even hugged me!"

Aditya looked vaguely interested.

"Huh. She did? That's nice."

Shaili tilted her head, watching him closely.

"By the way, what do you think of Riddhima bhabhi?"

Aditya shrugged.

"She's... fine. I mean, I just want her and bhaiya to get married already."

"Just fine?" Shaili repeated, unimpressed.

He smirked.

"Yeah. I'm not her crazy fangirl like someone I know."

Shaili folded her arms, mock-glaring at him.

"And what's so wrong if I like her, huh? Name one girl who doesn't. She's confident, bold, and one of the top businesswomen in the country. Basically, a total queen."

"Okay, okay, stop fangirling now," Aditya teased.

But his gaze had shifted. His eyes were now fixed on the closed laptop.

"Anyway, forget all that. What were you searching on your laptop just before I walked in? The way you slammed it shut? Suspicious much?"

Shaili rolled her eyes.

"None of your business. Mind your own work and let me do mine."

"Oh, really?" Aditya smirked as he pulled something from his pocket - a sleek business card.

Shaili stared at Aditya with wide eyes

Downstairs, the Singhania family was gathered at the breakfast table, the clinking of cutlery and soft chatter filling the air.

"Are there any wedding preparations left, or is everything done?" Kishore asked, his voice laced with curiosity as he looked toward Vansh.

Before Vansh could respond, his phone started buzzing-

Caller ID: "Sar Darad" flashed across the screen.

He rolled his eyes and declined the call.

But the phone rang again. And again. And again.

Arjun smirked. "Who's Sar Darad? Sounds like someone important. Maybe you should answer."

Vansh let out a deep sigh and picked up the call, irritation leaking into his voice.

"What now? Can't I even have my breakfast in peace?"

On the other side, Riddhima snapped, "Breakfast? I swear I'll personally feed it to you! Wherever you are, just come meet me. Immediately."

"Send me your location, I'll come," Vansh said, tone now careful.

But Riddhima wasn't having it. "Don't bother. I'll come to you."

"Fine," he muttered. "Half an hour."

Without another word, Vansh pushed back his chair and stormed out of the dining hall, dialing Kartik on the way.

The moment Kartik picked up, Vansh didn't hold back.

"God really does exist-I'm offering a ten-rupee prasad today. You finally answered after two damn days!"

Kartik laughed. "Whoa. What's happened now? You sound like a man about to be executed."

"Disaster struck. Miss Riddhima Raichand just threatened to feed me breakfast " Vansh groaned. And she wants to meet me if you know you know so Please come fast

Meanwhile, upstairs...

Shaili was trying to snatching the business card from Aditya's hand.

"How did this end up with you?" she demanded. "she asked in anger I found it lying on the bed and picked it up. Who is Aryan?"

Aditya's voice dropped to a whisper as he leaned close.

"Give it back. It's nothing." shaili said

"No way," , backing away. "Tell me, or I swear, I'm out."

Aditya sighed, then loudly blurted out, "Bhai, someone's Aryan-!"

Shaili quickly slapped her hand over his mouth.

"Will you stop yelling?!"

She leaned in, whispering, "It's top-secret, okay? Promise you won't tell anyone."

Aditya nodded, dead serious now.

"Promise."

Shaili exhaled and finally confessed.

"I met Aryan recently... He invited me to lunch. I was trying to find the location on my laptop, but it's hard. I'm scared someone might catch me searching."

She sat back on the bed, looking torn between excitement and fear.

Aditya moved beside her, concern softening his features.

"Why are you scared? I'm here, aren't I?"

He got up, walked to his closet, and pulled out a sleek black suit.

"My friend owns a hotel. Private, no one will find you two there. I'll book it. It's on me. And wear this-you'll look stunning. At least I won't be embarrassed to call you my Sister"

Shaili burst out laughing, playfully hitting his shoulder before hugging him tight.

"Thanks, Adi. You're the best. But I'll remember this-I owe you a favor now."

"You better remember," Aditya grinned. "And listen, I'll go out around noon. You leave with me. No one will suspect a thing."

Shaili nodded, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Deal."

---

Meanwhile, Vansh was stuck in traffic, silently cursing under his breath, while Kartik had already reached the designer's house, sitting on the plush couch-lost in thought, completely unaware of the chaos brewing elsewhere.

The auditorium was buzzing with chaos - dancers rehearsing, coordinators yelling, lights being tested. Kartik sat at the back, half-lost in the madness around him. His focus, however, was glued to the stage.

She was there.

In a red anarkali, her open hair swaying with every graceful spin, and ghungroos chiming like wind chimes on a summer evening. She danced like no one was watching - but Kartik was. He always had been.

And then it happened.

Unaware of how close she'd come to the edge of the stage, she twirled... one step too far.

"Aaah!"

A sharp scream tore through the air as herfoot slipped.

Gasps echoed. Everyone ran.

But before the panic could sink its claws into her heart - she felt it. Strong arms catching her mid-air, cradling her like she weighed nothing.

When she opened her eyes...

She was in his lap.

Kartik looked down at her with a soft smile, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

"Haye, Mr. Ji..." she exhaled dramatically, still catching her breath. "You saved me! Thank God... or else I thought it was the end - of me and my fest both!"

Kartik chuckled, his eyes twinkling. As she made a cute pout, he gently lifted her down and pinched her cheek.

"How could I ever let you fall... when I'm always here to protect you?"And she just smiled through her eyes and lips

The hall echoed with footsteps and the soft hum of conversation - until suddenly, the doors swung open with a bang.

"Mr. Singhania!" Riddhima's sharp voice cut through the air as she marched inside, clearly not in the mood to wait for anyone.

Kartik, who had been lost in his thoughts on the couch, snapped out of his daydream at the sound of her voice.

Riddhima glanced at him and, with a sarcastic smile, plopped down on the sofa opposite him.

"Ohh... so he brought backup with himself " she said, tilting her head and raising a brow at Kartik.

Kartik chuckled at her tone and replied, "Me? And backup? No way. I'm totally on your side, Riddhima." with 100% loyalty

While Riddhima and Kartik were talking, Vansh arrived.

From the main gate of the hall, he paused.

His eyes scanned the room - and stopped right

Riddhima.

And Kartik.

Together.

He stopped just outside the hall, peeking in through the door.

"Wait a second... did those two team up against me or something?" he mumbled to himself, narrowing his eyes.

"And what are they talking about so seriously?"

He paused.

"No... I'm overthinking. Kartik's my friend. My childhood friend."

But then he made a face like someone just bit into a lemon.

"But still... this Kartik guy can't be trusted. He's selfish man"

Vansh let out a dramatic sigh and muttered under his breath,

"Whatever. I'm more than enough for everyone. Alone." and he shruged his shoulders

While he was busy overthinking, and suspicion, he suddenly heard Riddhima's voice loud and clear.

"Mr. Singhania, you can come inside."

Present day ~

The car came to a gentle halt outside the hotel.

Shaili's palms were slightly clammy, her heart racing beneath layers of nervous excitement. She adjusted the hem of her kurti and checked her reflection one last time in the side mirror. Her lips curved into a soft smile - today wasn't just any casual hangout.

It was her first real date.

With Aryan.

She opened the car door slowly and stepped out, her flats clicking softly on the pavement. Just as she was about to head toward the hotel entrance, a hand caught hers.

"Shaili ," Aditya's voice came, firm yet calm.

She turned.

"I'm letting you go," because i want you to explore things and choose right one for you its your life but he began, his voice laced with concern, not control. "And I won't say a word to anyone about Aryan - unless you want me to. But listen to me very carefully."

Shaili blinked, nodding slowly, already knowing where this was headed.

"If at any point," he continued, "you feel uncomfortable - if he says or does something you don't like, even slightly - you call me. Right away. No hesitation. I'll be just one call away. Understood?"

"Okay, Adi," she said, gently squeezing his hand. "I'll call if anything feels off. Promise. And when the date's over... you'll come pick me up?"

" Of course I will " Aditya said

With that, he let her go,

Shaili turned, took a deep breath, and stepped inside the hotel lobby.

Warm lighting. Soothing music. And there, near the far corner table by the window - he sat.

Aryan.

Hair perfectly tousled, glancing at his phone, then the entrance... and then finally - her.

Their eyes met.

And in that small instant, the world slowed down

From head to toe, he took in the sight of her - her soft curls cascading over her shoulders, her black outfit glowing under the golden lights, and that quiet confidence in her walk.

He stood up immediately, walking towards her with a look that almost made her blush on the spot.

"May I, Miss Beautiful?"

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Thank you ♡