As the night wore on, the dinner party at the Rajvansh mansion only grew more suffocating. Rudra's eyes met Chandni's across the table, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. The tension between them was palpable, a living, breathing thing that seemed to pulse with its own rhythm.

Tamanna, oblivious to the undercurrents, chatted brightly with her parents, discussing the latest fashion trends. But Rudra's gaze kept drifting back to Chandni, his mind whirling with thoughts of their complicated past.

Chandni, sensing his gaze, looked up, her eyes flashing with defiance. Rudra felt a spark of irritation, but beneath that, he sensed a flicker of somethin, he couldn't easily define.

As the evening drew to a close, the families gathered in the living room, discussing the upcoming wedding. Rudra's grandfather, Pratap Rajvansh, beams with pride, his eyes shining with happiness.

But Rudra's heart felt heavy, weighed down by the expectations of his family. He knew he had to go through with the wedding, but a part of him rebelled against the idea of spending his life with someone he didn't love.

As the guests began to leave, Rudra caught Chandni's eye once more. For a moment, they just looked at each other, the air between them thick with unspoken emotions.

Ekaksh and Naina looked at each other and then nodded, signalling it was the right time to announce the big news as everyone was present here.

Ekaksh clicked his glass with a spoon and said, "Everyone please pay attention".

Everyone leaned forward, each face covered with curiosity, Ekaksh and Naina again looked at each other, they stood up and said in union.

"We are going to be parents"

The room erupted into a chorus of gasps, cheers, and applause. Everyone's faces lit up with excitement and curiosity. Rudra's eyes widened in surprise, and he felt a genuine smile spread across his face.

"Congratulations, Ekaksh! Congratulations, Naina!", Vaibhav their father exclaimed, beaming with pride.

He rushed over to hug the expectant couple, tears of joy shining in his eyes.

Vaishnavi rushed to her daughter in law, cupped her face and kissed her forehead, "Congratulations beta, you two are going to be incredible parents".

Naina kneels down to touch Vaishnavi's feet, but she stops her in the middle and says, "Betiyan devi hoti hain unki pooja hoti hai unse pair nahi chuaye jate".

{Daughters are goddesses, they are worshiped and they don't touch anyone's feet}

Aashvi's face glowed with excitement as she hugged Naina. "I'm going to be an aunt!" she squealed, bouncing up and down.

Chandni's eyes sparkled with delight as she congratulated Ekaksh and Naina. "This is amazing news! You two are going to be wonderful parents."

Ishaan, Vihaan, Vidyut and Tamanna swarmed around Ekaksh and Naina, offering their congratulations and good wishes. The room was filled with laughter, cheers, and the sound of clinking glasses.

As the celebrations continued, Rudra found himself caught up in the excitement. He hugged Ekaksh and Naina, offering his congratulations and promising to spoil their child rotten.

For a moment, he forgot about the weight of his family's expectations and the tension between him and Chandni. He simply enjoyed the joy and love that filled the room.

But as the evening drew to a close, and the guests began to leave, Rudra couldn't shake off the feeling that his life was about to change in ways he couldn't yet imagine.

The next day, Rudra sat in his office, sipping his coffee and staring out the window.

Just as he was lost in thought, his assistant, Ramesh, knocked on the door. "Sir, the meeting with the potential investors is about to start.

Ramesh shuttered and said, "Sir Miss Chandni kulkarni is also here for a pitch meeting".

Rudra's eyes narrowed. He took a deep breath, stood up, and walked into the conference room. Chandni was already seated, her eyes fixed on her phone. She looked up as Rudra entered, and their eyes met in a flash of tension.

The meeting began, with every side presenting their proposals to win a project. But it wasn't long before the atmosphere in the room turned heated.

Mr. Saxena, one of the powerful businessmen and investors, leaned forward on the table and said, "We are looking forward to investing in that company where everything is available, the raw materials, advanced technology and global access marketing department, but as we can see, there is no firm fulfilling that condition".

Rudra looked up from his phone, so did Chandni, Chandni said, "Mr. Saxena, What are you trying to say? Explain.".

Saxena continued, "I want to pitch this project in a joint venture, two companies with good reputation and technology would be great if they work together".

The air in the room was electric with tension, and it seemed like the meeting was on the verge of collapse.

But then, something shifted. Rudra caught Chandni's eye, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. The tension between them was palpable.

Another investor continued, "So Mr. Saxena there are only two companies which can do this project as per your choice together but...", he paused, trying to choose appropriate words.

Mr. Saxena asked, "But what?".

Chandi chimed in and said, "Don't fear Mr. Khanna spit it, no one is stopping you", her eyes flickered to Rudra who was smirking.

"Umm.. Rajvansh's and Kulkarni's could do it together but they are business rivals".

Mr. Saxena chuckled and said, "Everyone in the market is business rivals, what type of excuse is it, if they are looking forward to this project they have to kick aside their rivalry and be together for business".

Rudra looked at Mr. Saxena, his frustration evident on his face, he wasn't looking forward to working with Kulkarni's but this project is so crucial for their real estate development.

He forced a smile, "Okay then we would love to do a project together, What say Miss kulkarni?", his tone sarcastic.

Chandni's annoyed face didn't get unnoticed by Rudra but she forced a smile and said, "Yes Mr. Rajvansh I would love to".

The moment passed and the meeting came to an end.

Everyone left, now Rudra and Chandni were alone in the meeting room, the tension between them palpable.

She stood in front of him, his hands in his pockets, his demeanor calm and composed, a smirk playing on his lips, Chandni rolled her eyes at his usual smirk- a sinful and something mischievous smirk.

She spat, "So my brother in law how are you feeling? After all you are getting married soon", her voice is sarcastic.

"Ohh Chandni rather than focusing on someone else's life events why don't you look for yourself?", his tone carried something deep.

She narrowed her eyes and asked, "What do you mean?".

He cleared his throat, leaned forward to her face, their faces inches apart, eyes locked, their breaths mingling with each other, Chandni fist her palms and tried to control, but his presence always commanded her attention, the hot tension between them was overwhelming.

He whispered to her ear, his lips caressing her ear lobe, a sinful yet soft whisper, "You have to find someone, Don't you?, I think you forget what happened 16 years ago".

Her eyes widened at the fact how he knew she was finding someone?.

She took a step back, looked at his face, for a hint of something, but his face was usually calm and composed.

She stammered, "H.. How did you know I.. I am..".

"I know much more than you Miss Chandni, your 9th birthday night, that kidnapping, everything", his dark chuckle filled the silent room.

She gasped, "Rudra... How did you know this?", her voice barely above a whisper.

"I said to you I am a step forward to you", his tone is firm and determined.

Her expressions changed, confusion lingering in air. She tried to process his words but the only thought lingering in her mind was, how does he know about my 9th birthday night?

Rudra stepped back and turned away but Chandni stopped him by holding his wrist he turned, his eyes locked with hers, the silent arguement between them increasing the heat.

Rudra took her wrist in his and pulled her towards him, her flush colliding with his front, his hands snake around her waist, his grip only tightened, pulling her closer.

Their faces inches apart, Chandni gasped at the swift motion, their hot breaths mingling in air.

He whispered, his voice cold and slow, "Chandni I told you not to interfere in my matters", she tried to push him away but his grip only tightened, she spat, "You jerk just step away. I am not interfering in your matters Mr. Rajvansh but you are the one who knows something and not telling me", her voice rose, their eyes locked in silent battle, each glare trying to prove something- the challenge, the fierceness and something they couldn't define.

He let go of her and walked away from the room, leaving her there alone in confusion.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Fictorians let me make one thing clear that if you are not comfortable, yk like they are to be's brother and sister in law, please do not proceed further cuz they will do more than this in further chapters..

How was the chapter?

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Love

~leen

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