Among the crowd, Darsh's eyes landed on Ritika ans Arav from behind the pillar, who stood a few feet away.
Darsh grinned. Then, sighing dramatically, he said dreamily, "Hayee... ek din mera bhi aise hi reception hoga, aur mai bhi apni biwi ke saath aise hi baithunga."
She let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head.
"Isme hasne ki kya baat hai?" he asked, pretending to be offended.
Divya turned fully toward him, placing her hands on her hips. "Tujhse koi pagal ladki hi shaadi karegi," she teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Satisfied with her little jab, she turned on her heels to leave.
But she had barely taken a step when she felt it.
A sudden tug at her waist.
Her breath hitched as something cold brushed against her bare skin-the touch of his fingers as they slipped inside the delicate chain around her waist.
Her heart stopped.
Her eyes widened, and she froze in place, her pulse roaring in her ears.
Slowly, cautiously, she turned her head, only to find Darsh standing dangerously close, his grip firm yet teasing.
Her throat went dry.
"Toh tu kar le na," he murmured, his voice low and laced with something that made her stomach flip.
"M... mai.. mai kyun karungi!" she stuttered, her breath coming out in soft, uneven gasps as she tried to push away the heat crawling up her spine.
Darsh smirked, his eyes darkening with amusement, but there was something else in them.
"Kyun? Kya kami hai tujh me?" he murmured, his voice low, laced with a teasing challenge.
She gulped, her hands pressing against his chest, but her strength was nothing compared to the way he held her trapped against the pillar.
"Shut up, Darsh... and leave me. Why do you keep entering my private space?" she demanded, trying to regain her composure, but even she could hear the slight tremble in her voice.
He didn't move.
Instead, his grip on her waist tightened, fingers slipping inside the delicate chain that rested against her soft skin. The cool metal burned against the heat of his touch as he slowly, deliberately rolled his fingers along its length.
She sucked in a sharp breath.
"Why?" he whispered, his lips mere inches from hers. "Does it affect you?"
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, the warmth of his breath grazing her lips making her toes curl.
"N-n-not at... at all," she barely managed to get out, her voice breaking at the end.
Darsh let out a husky chuckle, his smirk deepening. "Pakka?" he asked, his voice a dangerous whisper as he leaned even closer, his fingers ghosting over her bare waist, the rough pads of his fingertips sending tiny shivers down her spine.
She nodded hastily, looking anywhere but at him, her lashes fluttering as she tried to gather the remains of her broken resolve.
But he wasn't having it.
His fingers left her waist, traveling up, tilting her chin until her gaze met his. His dark eyes burned into hers, sharp and intoxicating, pulling her into their depths.
"Mujhse nazar milane se darr lagta hai?" he murmured, his thumb stroking the side of her jaw.
Her breath caught.
"Darsh..." she whispered, but it barely came out, her voice betraying her.
"Hmmm?" he hummed lazily, his gaze flickering to her lips for a split second before returning to her wide, panicked eyes.
"Then what is it?" he whispered, his voice a low murmur, watching the shiver that ran down her spine, the goosebumps rising along her delicate neck. His fingers trailed up slowly, brushing against her skin, his touch featherlight as if wiping away the evidence of her body's betrayal.
She gulped, her breath coming out uneven.
"S-stop this," she barely managed to whisper, her hands pressing against the cold pillar behind her, as if trying to ground herself.
"What?" he asked, his lips quirking into a smirk.
"Jo tum... kar rahe ho," she stammered, her heart hammering against her ribs.
His smirk deepened. "Kya kar raha hoon, huh?" he teased, his voice dropping an octave as he leaned in, his breath warm against her cheek.
Her lashes fluttered, and she turned her face away, but his fingers caught her chin, forcing her to meet his piercing gaze.
"Why... why are you doing this?" she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Don't you love that girl? Then why do you keep coming close to me?"
For a second, something flickered in his eyes-something unreadable. He exhaled sharply, biting his lip as his hand slid from her waist to the pillar beside her, caging her in. His gaze dropped to the ground, as if lost in thought.
Then, he looked up, his eyes burning with a different kind of intensity.
"Actually... ab I am having second thoughts about her," he admitted, his voice laced with something unsettling.
Her breath hitched.
"I find you more... interesting."
Her eyes widened in shock, her body going rigid as his words sank in.
"Wh-whattt?!" she gasped, her chest rising and falling in disbelief.
He shrugged, his fingers toying with the strands of her hair, curling them around his fingers absentmindedly. "Haan. Usse kabhi dekha nahi, I don't even know who she is... so what do I get from loving her?" he mused, as if the thought had only just occurred to him.
Her jaw clenched, anger flashing in her eyes.
"Darsh!! You cheat!! How could you even think of betraying her?" she snapped, shoving against his chest.
But he didn't budge.
Instead, he chuckled, tilting his head as if her outburst amused him. "Cheat? I am not committed to her,"* he pointed out casually.
"But you love her!" she shot back, her fists tightening at her sides.
"Do I?" he countered, his gaze sharp, his tone unreadable.
She blinked, her lips parting slightly, unable to find an answer.
"She never even told me her name," he continued, stepping closer, his presence overwhelming. "Who knows? Maybe she's the one playing with me."
"But... we... we are best friends," she stammered, her voice betraying her as it trembled.
Darsh smirked, tilting his head slightly as his fingers curled just a little tighter around her waist.
"Best friends?" he murmured, his voice low and teasing. "Do best friends stand this close?"
His fingers slid along the delicate metal of her waist chain, grazing the skin beneath as he slowly, torturously, twirled the chain between his fingers. She sucked in a sharp breath, her stomach clenching at the sensation.
"Do best friends touch like this?" he whispered, his lips barely an inch from hers.
Her pulse pounded in her ears, drowning out all rational thought. She tried to step back, but the cold, unyielding pillar pressed into her spine, trapping her in place. Her fingers twitched at her sides, desperate to push him away, yet frozen in place.
"Darsh..." she breathed, her voice barely a whisper.
"Shhh..." he hushed her, his fingers tracing slow, lazy circles against her skin. His other hand rose, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his knuckles grazing the soft skin of her cheek. "Tell me... do best friends do this?"
She didn't answer. She couldn't.
His hand skimmed up her back, his touch featherlight yet scorching. Her body betrayed her, leaning ever so slightly into him.
"Do best friends make you feel like this?" he continued, his voice a husky murmur.
Her breath hitched as he leaned in, his lips grazing her earlobe, sending shivers cascading down her spine. His warm breath caressed her skin, making her knees feel weak.
"Tell me, sweetheart... do best friends leave you breathless?"
She gasped softly, her fingers instinctively gripping his shirt for support.
He leaned in even closer, his lips hovering over her cheek, torturously close, teasing her with his proximity.
Then, finally, he pressed a slow, lingering kiss against her cheek-hot, firm, and filled with something unspoken. His lips didn't just brush against her skin; they claimed it, lingering for just a moment longer than necessary.
Her chest rose and fell in uneven breaths, her entire body shivering from the warmth of his lips.
"Do best friends kiss like this?" he murmured against her skin, his lips barely leaving her cheek before pressing another, softer kiss-this time dangerously close to the corner of her lips.
Her hands fisted against his chest, her resolve crumbling, her mind clouded with sensations she couldn't control.
"S-stop..." she whispered weakly, her voice barely more than a breath.
"Why? Because it affects you?" he smirked, his nose grazing hers, their lips just inches apart.
"But... if... someday... she came in front of you..." she somehow managed to whisper, forcing herself to break free from the haze of his touch.
Darsh exhaled, pulling back slightly to look into her dazed eyes.
"Then I'll love her then," he said casually, as if none of this meant anything.
Her eyes snapped open, the spell breaking instantly.
She shoved him back with all her strength, her breath coming in rapid gasps.
"You are disgusting!!" she spat, her voice filled with betrayal. "Kaise soch sakte ho tum kisi pe cheat karne ka? I never thought you would be like this... I hate you!"
With that, she turned and stormed away, leaving him standing there.
Darsh leaned back against the pillar, running a hand through his hair before finally letting out a deep, amused laugh.
Since it was late and everyone needed rest after the reception, they all stayed at the Rajvansh residence for the night.
Arushi, Siya, Richa, Divya, and Kanak surrounded Arav, teasing him relentlessly. They playfully nudged him, making sly comments about how Ritika must be waiting for him, eager and excited. Arav, though used to their antics, was starting to get flustered.
"Mujhe sach me need aa rahi hai," he muttered, rubbing his temples dramatically.
"Ohh bechari didi ka kya hoga." Kanak said and everyone laughed.
Just then, Kirti walked past and gave the girls a sharp look. "Bas karo ab, bechara kitna sharma raha hai. Jaane do use, Ritika bhi wait kar rahi hogi," she said in a firm tone. The girls giggled but finally relented, stepping aside and letting Arav escape. With a sigh of relief, he adjusted his sherwani and headed toward his room.
As he opened the door, he was expecting a shy, blushing Ritika waiting for him, but instead, he was met with a sight he hadn't imagined. Ritika was comfortably sitting on the bed , her legs folded, completely engrossed in counting money from a pile of envelopes.
"Ye sab kya hai?" he asked, confused, his eyes darting between her and the stacks of cash.
"Arre, bore ho rahi thi, toh socha jitna reception, shaadi mein mila hai, sab gin kar dekh lun," she replied nonchalantly, her excitement evident. She looked up at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Tum bhi aao, maza aayega. Aadhaa-aadhaa baat lenge," she added, grinning.
Arav let out a tired sigh, shaking his head. "Tum hi karo bhai, mai thak gaya hun," he muttered, running a hand through his hair before heading straight to the bathroom.
After a refreshing shower, he changed into comfortable clothes and stepped out, only to find Ritika still sitting in the same position, her brows furrowed in concentration. He narrowed his eyes, noticing her counting the same stack again.
"Ab kya hua?" he asked, a little amused at her dedication.
"Ek jagah galti ho gayi, ab dobara ginna padega," she replied, pouting slightly.
Arav chuckled, shaking his head as he sat beside her. "Chalo, mai help kar deta hun," he said, grabbing an envelope and opening it.
The corridor outside Arav and Ritika's room was dimly lit, but the mischief in the air was undeniable. The girls, Siya, Arushi, Richa, Divya, and Kanak stood in a close huddle, whispering among themselves, their eyes twinkling with excitement.
Shashwat, who had been watching them from a distance, narrowed his eyes suspiciously. He folded his arms and took a step closer. "Kya khurafat chal rahi hai?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
The girls abruptly stopped whispering and turned to look at him, their expressions a mix of surprise and forced innocence.
"K...kuch nahi," Siya said quickly,with innocence.
Shashwat scoffed, clearly not buying it. "Mujhe pata hai tum log Arav aur Bhabhi ko pareshan karne ka plan bana rahi ho, hai na?" he accused, tilting his head.
Before the girls could respond, Akash suddenly appeared, jumping into the conversation with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Mai bhi karunga!" he declared, making the girls giggle.
Darsh, who had been casually leaning against the wall, smirked and stepped forward. "Mai bhi part lunga," he said, joining the group.
Shashwat sighed, shaking his head at the growing number of conspirators. "Koi competition hai kya jo part loge....Pitoge tum log, mujhe mat kehna phir," he warned, though the hint of amusement in his voice was hard to miss.
Divya, however, didn't seem too thrilled. She crossed her arms and looked at them with a skeptical expression. "Guys, acha plan nahi lag raha. Mai pehle keh rahi hoon," she said in a serious tone.
Richa rolled her eyes dramatically. "Arre, Shashwat ki female version, jaa ke udhar serious logon ke sath baith," she teased, making the others laugh.
Divya huffed. "Fine, but jab pitoge toh mujhe blame mat karna," she said, stepping slightly aside but still curious about their scheme.
Darsh rubbed his hands together. "Par idea kya hai?" he asked eagerly.
Siya's eyes gleamed as she looked at everyone. "Abhi batate hain," she said mysteriously, motioning for them to huddle closer. The group leaned in, their whispers growing more intense as Siya finally revealed the mischievous plan that was about to unfold.
The hallway outside Arav and Ritika's room was bathed in dim lighting, the soft glow of the lamps casting long shadows on the walls. Siya, Arushi, Richa, Kanak, Darsh, and Akash-were huddled behind a pillar, their faces barely visible in the low light. Their eyes sparkled with excitement as they exchanged knowing glances.
Siya, who had been leading this little operation, stealthily crept forward, holding a small Bluetooth speaker in her hand. Her fingers worked quickly as she connected it to her phone, making sure the volume was set to just the right level, loud enough to be heard inside but not so deafening that it would alert the entire house.
With a wicked smirk, she pressed play.
"Hum honge kamyaab
Hum honge kamyaab
Hum honge kamyaab ek din
Mann mein hai vishwas, poora hai vishwas
Hum honge kamyaab ek din..."
The inspirational yet oddly misplaced song filled the quiet hallway, its echo bouncing off the walls.
Inside the room, Arav had just sat down on the edge of the bed, stretching his arms after a long day. At first, he barely registered the sound, but as the lyrics continued, his brows knitted together in confusion.
"Yeh kya bakwas hai?" he muttered, his ears straining to identify the source.
He turned toward the door, sighing as he pushed himself up. His instincts immediately told him who the culprits were.
As he reached for the handle and swung the door open, expecting to catch someone red-handed, he was met with... nothing.
The hallway was eerily empty. Not a single soul in sight.
Arav narrowed his eyes, scanning the area for any signs of movement. He took a few steps out, looking left and right, but it was as if the pranksters had vanished into thin air.
He exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple in frustration. "Wahi log honge, pakka," he muttered under his breath before stepping back inside and shutting the door.
Meanwhile, Ritika was comfortably seated on the bed, a few envelopes spread out in front of her. Unlike Arav, she had paid little attention to the commotion outside. She was far too engrossed in her task, counting the money.
Humming to herself, she carefully organized the cash, stacking the notes neatly. When Arav turned back to her, she looked up with a grin.
"Chalo, mai sab rakh leti hoon. Tumhe toh chahiye nahi," she said playfully, slipping the envelopes into her purse with a victorious smile.
Arav, still annoyed by the prank, let out a dry chuckle. "Haan, haan, rakho tum hi sab." he said, shaking his head as he sat down beside her.
Arav smirked and leaned slightly towards Ritika, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.
"Acha, sone se pehle ek kiss toh kar sakte hain?" he teased, his voice dripping with playful intent.
Ritika chuckled, tilting her head. "Hmmm," she hummed, her lips curving into a smile as she closed her eyes, leaning in just slightly.
Just as their lips were about to meet,
"Gali gali teri raah chali
Jiyo re Bahubali, praanon se badhkar humko tu hai pyaara..."
The sudden explosion of dramatic beats made Ritika's eyes snap open in shock, while Arav groaned in pure frustration.
"Yeh log insaan hai ya kya hain?" he muttered, already knowing exactly who was responsible for this nonsense.
Fuming, he stormed towards the door, yanking it open with a determined glare, expecting to catch the pranksters red-handed.
The hallway was eerily empty, as if no one had been there at all.
Arav narrowed his eyes, scanning every possible hiding spot. He let out a sharp breath and mumbled, "Ek baar haath lag gaye na, phir dekhna..." before shutting the door with a decisive thud.
Turning back, he caught Ritika stifling a laugh, her lips pressed together as she tried to hold back her amusement.
Arav sighed, shaking his head before stepping closer to her. He cupped her cheeks gently, his thumb brushing against her skin. "Ab koi disturb nahi karega," he assured her, pulling her closer, their noses brushing softly,
And then,
"Maa ke pet se marghat tak hai teri kahani pag pag pyaare
Dangal dangal dangal dangal
Suraj tera dhalta chadhta gardish me karte hain tare
Dangal sangam dangal dangal!"
The loud beats of song blasted through the walls.
This time, Ritika groaned in exasperation, her head falling onto Arav's chest. "Bohot ho gaya!" she declared, pushing away from him and stomping toward the door.
Meanwhile, outside, the pranksters were clutching their stomachs, struggling to hold back their laughter.
"Ab didi Ritika maar daalegi," Richa whispered, her eyes wide with amusement as she clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Shhh!" Kanak hissed, but she was barely holding back her own giggles.
Ritika flung the door open, her eyes scanning the hallway like a hawk. But once again, it was deserted.
She let out an annoyed huff and slammed the door shut.
Arav smirked, arms crossed. "Aaj toh rehne do, lagta hai kiss hone se rahi," he teased, his voice filled with mock defeat.
Ritika sighed dramatically, flopping onto the bed. "Aise bhai-behan hon toh dushman ki zaroorat hi nahi hai," she muttered, shaking her head.
Arav chuckled, leaning down beside her. "Ek cheek kiss hi de do," he pouted, tilting his head slightly, his puppy eyes in full effect.
Just as Ritika rolled her eyes, about to respond,
"Gareebon ki suno, woh tumhari sunega
Tum ek rupaiya doge, wo das lakh dega..."
That was the last straw.
Ritika shot up from the bed, eyes blazing. "Inn log ko das laat dekar aati hoon!" she declared, storming toward the door once again.
Meanwhile, outside, the pranksters were in complete hysterics.
Arushi wiped a tear from her
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