She pointed at the railing dramatically. "Shashwat, dekho waha! Kya scene hai!"

Shashwat gave her a tight-lipped smile, completely unimpressed.

"Mujhe kya bewakoof samjha hai?" He asked, crossing his arms.

Realizing that subtle tricks weren’t working, Siya took a deep breath—time for Plan B.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, she started sobbing.

Her sudden tears shocked everyone, but most of all, Shashwat’s eyes widened in alarm.

He quickly turned toward her, concern flashing across his face. "Mishti… why are you crying?"

Siya sniffled, wiping her fake tears with the back of her hand. "Didi… Didi ki yaad aayegi!" She choked out, her voice trembling.

Shashwat’s concern deepened. He knew how close Siya was to Ritika, and for a moment, he completely forgot about the game.

Akash, who was also caught off guard, leaned in, trying to console her. "Arre, hamare sath hi rahegi na… tu bhi toh aa jayegi kuch saal me.”

While the boys were distracted with Siya’s tears, Kanak subtly gestured toward Divya.

Now was the perfect moment.

Divya took a deep breath and carefully bent down, her fingers reaching for the groom’s shoes that were placed right under Shashwat’s chair.

Her heart pounded as she slowly pulled them out, praying that nobody noticed.

Holding the shoes tightly, she stood up as casually as possible and rushed inside before anyone could register what had just happened.

But she wasn’t the only one who saw it.

Darsh’s sharp eyes caught the movement.

Realizing what had just happened, he immediately sprang into action.

She reached Ritika’s room, her fingers curling around the doorknob as she exhaled deeply, victory almost in her grasp. But just as she was about to twist it open, her fingers froze.

A presence. A shadow. And then, a hand.

His hand.

A large, warm palm gripped the same doorknob from the other side, halting her movement entirely. Her entire body tensed as a shiver ran down her spine, the heat of his touch radiating through the metal. She knew exactly whose hand it was even before she turned her head.

And when she did—he was right there.

His lips curved into a slow, knowing smirk, his dark eyes gleaming with mischief. "Hi," he murmured, his voice deep, husky, and far too close.

Her pulse stuttered. Her breath caught. But she somehow managed to lift her other hand and wave back, as if this were some casual greeting.

He let out a soft chuckle, his gaze flickering to the shoes in her arms before meeting her eyes again. "Tumhe kya laga mujhe kuch pata nahi chalega?" He drawled, tilting his head slightly as he leaned in, his face now only inches from hers.

Her throat went dry. That sentence—it had two meanings.

He let the moment stretch, savoring her nervous energy before he finally whispered, "About the shoes, Divya."

She sucked in a sharp breath, her hands instinctively tightening around them, and she bit her lower lip, shaking her head defiantly.

His smirk deepened. "Lao. Give me the shoes." His voice was softer now, more coaxing, more dangerous.

"Nahi!!" She yelped, stepping back in panic, but she barely had time to react before she felt his foot slide right beside hers, a calculated move, a trap.

Her balance wavered.

Her body tilted back.

She gasped.

And then—strong, unyielding arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her against him as she fell, his grip tightening protectively, his body bending slightly, holding her inches from the floor.

His face was right above hers, their noses almost brushing, their lips merely a breath apart.

"Darsh…" she whispered, her voice barely audible, a trembling exhale of his name.

His dark gaze burned into hers, intense, filled with something that made her stomach twist in a way that had nothing to do with fear.

"Should I leave you?" He murmured, his breath ghosting against her skin, warm, inviting, a silent challenge wrapped in seduction.

She shut her eyes tight, shaking her head slowly, unable to speak, unable to do anything but clutch onto his sherwani like her life depended on it.

His lips curled at her reaction, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes as his fingers traced down her arm, slowly, deliberately, until he reached her wrist.

With agonizing slowness, he took her hand and guided it behind his neck, pressing her palm against his nape, making her hold onto him tighter, forcing her to acknowledge the closeness, the heat between them, the way their bodies fit together effortlessly.

Her heart was pounding so hard she was sure he could hear it.

And then his other hand moved.

A slow, featherlight caress against her bare shoulder.

She shuddered, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the back of his neck, her breathing erratic as her lashes fluttered open, her gaze locking onto his, an unspoken war waging between them.

Her lips parted slightly, unsure, nervous, breathless.

He leaned in, just a fraction closer, just enough for her to feel the warmth of his breath against her cheek, his fingers still tracing over her skin, burning, teasing, igniting something she couldn’t name.

And then—

In one swift move, he grabbed the shoes from her hands.

"Thank you," he whispered against her lips, his grin smug, triumphant.

Before she could even react, before she could process the sheer betrayal of the moment, he had already straightened up, placing her firmly on her feet as he turned away and started running down the hall.

Her eyes snapped open, realization crashing into her like a storm.

"DARSH!!!" She screeched, lunging forward, but he was already gone.

Darsh ran down the long corridor, his heartbeat thudding in his ears, his grip firm around the stolen shoes as if they were the most precious treasure in the world. His sherwani swayed with each hurried step, his breath coming in sharp pants, the rush of victory pumping through his veins. He was going to win this war.

Or so he thought.

Until—

Two figures suddenly stepped in front of him, blocking his way. His feet skidded to a stop, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he looked to his sides—only to see Divya stepping in, closing in on him like a predator trapping its prey.

His eyes widened in betrayal.

"Ye cheating hai!!" He protested, clutching the shoes tighter. "Aap do log mujhe aise nahi gher sakte! Aur Kanak didi, aap toh hamare side thi!"

Kanak simply folded her arms, a devilish grin on her lips. "Kisne kaha?" She raised an eyebrow, amusement twinkling in her eyes.

Darsh groaned, backing away slightly, but he was outnumbered.

"Guys, hold him!" Siya commanded, and before he could react, hands grabbed onto him from both sides.

"NOOO!!" He yelled, struggling, but Siya was already snatching the shoes from his grip, a victorious laugh escaping her lips as she spun on her heels and bolted in the opposite direction.

She ran with all her might, her heartbeat erratic, adrenaline and triumph fueling her every step.

But before she could make it too far—Arushi stepped into her path.

And the betrayal struck instantly.

A sharp gasp left Siya’s lips as Arushi suddenly launched forward and attacked her with merciless, relentless tickles.

"Aru, harami kutti sali cheater!!" Siya shrieked through her laughter, her body twisting and struggling under Arushi’s assault, her grip on the shoes weakening.

With a mischievous grin, Arushi snatched the shoes from Siya’s trembling fingers and took off, sprinting down the corridor.

She ran fast, her legs moving at lightning speed, determined to reclaim what was stolen from her. The corridor was empty, silent except for the sound of their hurried footsteps against the marble floor.

Before she could react, a strong arm wrapped around her waist from behind, lifting her off her feet in a sudden, breathtaking twirl.

"AAAAAA!!" She screamed, her hands instinctively clutching onto the arm around her as her body spun in the air.

She barely had time to register what was happening before she was slammed back against the cold, unyielding wall, trapped between it and a dangerously familiar body pressing into hers.

Her breath caught.

Her pulse stuttered.

And then she saw him.

Reyansh.

His smirk was sinful, his eyes dark, intense, dripping with mischief and something hotter, deeper, more dangerous.

"Not so soon, darling," he whispered, his voice a low murmur against her ear, sending a shiver racing down her spine.

Arushi gasped, a sharp inhale of breath, but before she could curse, scream, fight—

His lips crashed onto hers.

A deep, searing heat exploded in her chest, her mind short-circuiting, her entire body freezing under the sheer intensity of the kiss.

His lips moved against hers with dominance, claiming, conquering, devouring. It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t gentle. It was fire and chaos, a challenge and a victory all at once.

Her fingers dug into his shoulders, her breath hitching, her lips parting in shock—and that was all it took.

He swallowed her gasp, deepening the kiss, stealing every ounce of resistance she had left.

Her grip on the shoes loosened.

She barely registered the moment he pulled back, his lips curling into a smug grin against hers as his hand swiftly snatched the shoes from her grasp.

"REYANSH!!! CHEATER KAHIN KE!!!" She screamed, her voice echoing through the corridors.

Suddenly Shashwat appeared indront of him, out of nowhere, and he looked at his back.

"Harsh uncle, Reyansh aur Arushi ka chakkar chal raha hai." he said and Reyansh's grip loosened as his soul left his body.

"Papa iska bhi chal raha hai!" He started turning but there was no one and till then, Shahswat vanished in thin air, with shoes in his hand.

Siya’s heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she strode toward him, determination burning in her eyes, her dupatta slipping slightly off her shoulder from the brisk movements. Her rage was quiet but potent, like a matchstick on the verge of igniting.

Shashwat stood with his back turned, his phone against his ear, his voice smooth and unbothered—until he turned and saw her standing there, fire blazing in her gaze.

He raised an eyebrow, pocketing his phone, his lips curving into that infuriating smirk. "Ji?" He drawled, leaning slightly against the pillar, his confidence dripping off him like an intoxicating scent.

"Shashwat, bas ho gaya. Give me the shoes." She demanded, her arms folding across her chest.

"Kyun? Tumhe dhundna tha na? Maine toh bina dhoonde le liya. Toh main kyun dun?" His voice was lazy, teasing, effortlessly smooth—and entirely infuriating.

Siya inhaled sharply, stepping closer, her patience unraveling. "You love me na?" She asked, her voice a little softer now, testing him, tempting him.

Shashwat’s eyes darkened slightly, his smirk never fading, but his head tilted as he shot back effortlessly, "Isse uska kya connection? You also love me na? Tum de deti agar tumhare haath aata toh?"

She huffed, knowing he had a point, but she wasn’t backing down.

Instead, she stepped even closer, her fingers curling slightly at her sides. "Please de dijiye, ladki walon ki izzat ka sawal hai… Aap jo kahenge hum wo karenge." Her voice was softer now, a whispered plea wrapped in honey.

His smirk deepened.

"Jo mai kahunga wo?" He murmured, stepping toward her now, slow, calculated, his body radiating the kind of dominance that sent her heartbeat into a wild rhythm.

She gulped, nodding slowly, her throat dry as his presence grew heavier, closer.

"Pakka?" His voice dropped into a whisper as he trapped her against the pillar, one hand resting lightly above her head, his body mere inches from hers.

Siya’s breathing hitched, her fingers clutching at the fabric of her lehenga as she felt his foot slip forward, nudging against hers beneath the heavy layers of embroidered silk.

A sharp shiver raced up her spine.

She clenched her fists, forcing herself to meet his gaze, but the way he was looking at her, teasing, challenging, daring— it made her feel like she was the one being hunted.

"I will give you the shoes only if you will…" He started, his voice dipping, deliberate.

"I will?" She echoed, barely managing to form the words.

"Kiss me."

Her breath hitched, her fingers tightened against the folds of her dress, her lips parting in shock

She tilted her head, leaned in, and pressed her lips against his.

She pulled back almost immediately, her breath shaky, her heart hammering against her ribs.

"Dijiye." She whispered, trying to steady her voice.

But he wasn’t done.

His eyes held a dangerous glint as he stepped even closer, closing the remaining space between them, his fingers brushing against her waist ever so slightly, teasing, torturing.

"Pura suna nahi tumne." He murmured, his lips just a breath away from hers.

Siya’s brows furrowed in confusion. "Matlab?"

His smirk was sinful. "Kiss me in front of Kabir."

Her eyes widened.

"Aap pagal ho kya?!" She blurted out, stepping back against the pillar, but there was no more space left to run.

"Haan." His smirk deepened, his fingers lightly grazing the tip of her nose before he straightened, taking a step back. "Complete the challenge."

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, breathless, speechless, and utterly flustered.

But what he didn’t tell her—what she would never know—was that he never actually wanted her to do it.

He only gave the challenge because he knew she wouldn’t do it.

And more than that… because he didn’t want her to.

Near the beautifully decorated stage, the group stood in a circle, exhausted and utterly frustrated.

"Pata nahi kaha gayab kar diye! Itna dhoondh liya, lekin joote toh mil hi nahi rahe!" Richa sighed, throwing her hands up in despair.

"Wahi to …kha gaye kya joote!" Kanak added dramatically.

Siya, however, had reached her limit. She folded her arms across her chest and huffed. "Hamse nahi ho raha ab ham thak gaye! Jaa rahe hain chowmein khane! Yeh joote-joote ka khel dimaag kharab kar raha hai!" She spun on her heels and marched towards the food stalls, leaving the others groaning.

"Aur yahan ham pareshan hon!" Divya called after her, shaking her head.

"Jo bhi ho, ab koi aur tareeka sochna padega," Richa muttered, rubbing her temples.

Siya walked towards the food stalls, her mood lifted slightly at the sight of steaming plates of chowmein being served. As she waited for her order, she overheard a conversation from the drinks counter nearby.

"Yaar bhaiya, yeh ladki vale bekaar mein pagal ho rahi hain!" Darsh chuckled, taking a sip of his cola. "Har jagah dhoondh rahi hain, lekin joote toh bhaiya ne car me rakhe hain!"

"Aur ye log idhar-udhar dhundh rahe hain!" Akash laughed, shaking his head.

Siya didn’t wait another second. She abandoned her chowmein and sprinted back towards her team, her heart pounding with excitement.

Siya ran across the venue, nearly colliding with a waiter carrying a tray of sweets. She skidded to a stop near her group, panting.

"LADKIYON!!!" she shouted at the top of her lungs, making everyone jump in alarm.

Reyansh crossed his arms. “Mai tujhe ladki dikh raha?” He said.

“Arre ladkiyon aur ek kutta suno” Siya said, rolling her eyes. “Suno!" Siya took a deep breath, her face breaking into a victorious grin. "Hamne joote dhoondh liye!"

"Kya?!!" The entire group exclaimed in unison.

Kanak grabbed Siya’s arm eagerly. "Batao kaha hai aur jaldi se chupa do?!"

Siya dramatically brushed off an imaginary speck from her sleeve. "Hatt! Matlab abhi haath nahi lage hain, par pata chal gaya kahan hain."

“Par Kahan hain ye to batao!!" Divya said, frowning.

Siya rolled her eyes. "Arre! Arav jiju ke cousin aaye hain na kal, unke hi car me rakhe hain!" She grinned triumphantly.

Richa’s jaw dropped. "Bahot sahi chalo pata to chala!" She lunged forward and hugged Siya tightly.

But their excitement didn’t last long.

Divya’s smile faded as she looked around. "Lekin… ab kya karenge?"

A slow, mischievous smirk formed on Kanak’s lips. "Simple hai! Car ki key churani padegi!"

The group fell silent.

Richa bit her lip. "Lekin kaun churayega?"

All eyes turned towards Reyansh.

Sensing danger, Reyansh immediately took a step back, holding up his hands. "Nahi bhai! Mai gaya toh usse shaq ho jayega! Aur wo log aur alert ho jayenge!"

Then, suddenly, his face lit up with mischief. He slowly turned towards Siya, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

"Siya, tu jaa!" he declared dramatically. "Apni manmohak adaaon se usse manmohit kar ke chabhi chura le!"

Siya’s jaw dropped in horror.

"HATT, KUTTA!!!" she shrieked, smacking his arm. "Besharam hai kya?!"

Richa giggled, nudging Siya’s shoulder. "Arre, Reyansh bhaiya sahi keh raha hai! Tu hi kar sakti hai!"

Siya took a step back, eyes darting between them.

"NAHIII!!!Mummy ya kisine dekh liya hamko hi Mohit kar denge ache se!" she yelled, throwing her hands up in a dramatic fashion.

Kanak shook Siya's shoulder. “Arre to ek hi idea thodi hai kuch aur soch le.”

Siya groaned. "Mere hi sar pe kyun daal rahe ho sab?!"

"Kyunki tu hi kar sakti hai ye!" Richa winked teasing her.

Reyansh smirked as he picked up his cousin’s phone and dialed Shashwat’s number. The plan was simple, distract him long enough for Siya to execute her mission.

Shashwat picked up almost immediately.

"Hello!!"

Reyansh quickly covered the speaker with a handkerchief, ensuring his voice was distorted.

"Hello ji… aawaz nahi aa rahi!!" he said, faking frustration in a high-pitched tone.

Shashwat frowned, pulling his phone away slightly. He went outside a little far from the noise.

"Kaun bol raha hai?"

Reyansh continued his nonsense.

"Aap Poonam ke papa bol rahe?"

Shashwat’s brows are knitted together. "Wrong number!!" he snapped and ended the call.

But that was all the time Siya needed.

Just as Shashwat turned to go back inside, Siya, who had been waiting for this exact moment, pretended to trip.

"Aaah!" She let out a small yelp and dramatically fell onto the soft grass.

"Mishtiiii!!" Shashwat exclaimed, his voice filled with concern as he rushed toward her.

She clutched her ankle, her brows furrowed in fake pain.

"Aaa… lag gayi zor ki," she groaned, massaging her foot.

Shashwat immediately crouched beside her, his concern evident in his eyes.

"Dekh ke nahi chal sakti kya?!" he scolded gently, his tone exasperated but soft.

Siya pouted slightly. "Sorry… hamne dhyaan nahi diya" she murmured, biting her lip.

Shashwat exhaled and extended his hand.

"Utho, idhar baitho."

Carefully, he helped her up, one hand firm on her shoulder for support. Siya’s heart pounded, not from nervousness, but from the thrill of her secret mission.

He guided her to a nearby bench and knelt in front of her, rolling up his sleeves.

"Pair idhar lao," he instructed.

Siya hesitated for a moment before extending her foot, internally grinning.

"Sorry Shashwat, but ye chhota sa dhokha de rahi hoon… zindagi mein pehli baar," she thought mischievously.

Shashwat took her foot in his hands, his fingers gently pressing around her ankle, trying to locate the "injury." Siya forced herself to