Aarav stood alone on the balcony.

From there, he could see the courtyard clearly.

Siya was sitting with the cousins.

Smiling.

Laughing.

Looking normal.

But he noticed something others didn’t.

She kept checking her phone.

Again and again.

As if waiting for something.

Or someone.

He leaned slightly against the railing.

Lost in thought.

Kavita approached him.

“Aarav.”

He turned. “Yes, Mom?”

“Why are you standing here? Go sit with everyone.”

He gave a faint smile. “It’s okay here, Mom.”

She studied his face.

“Did something happen?”

He hesitated.

Then said quietly,

“Nothing… just…”

He paused.

“Whenever I think the distance between us is decreasing… it increases even more.”

Kavita’s expression softened.

“It’s okay,” she said gently. “I’ll talk to her.”

He shook his head immediately.

“No, Mom. Let it be.”

He looked back toward Siya.

“I’ll handle it myself.”

Kavita sighed softly.

“Okay. But remember one thing.”

He looked at her.

“You have to win her heart. She has gone through a lot.”

There was weight in her words.

Not pressure.

Understanding.

Aarav nodded slowly.

“I know.”

Kavita patted his shoulder and walked away.

He stayed there a little longer.

Watching Siya.

Determined.

Because for the first time—

This wasn’t about ego.

It wasn’t about proving anything.

It was about earning her.

Siya’s phone buzzed again.

This time she immediately stood up.

“I’ll be back,” she said casually and walked away from the crowd.

She moved toward a quieter corner near the corridor and answered the call.

“Yes.”

“Ma’am,” the man on the other side said urgently, “the Mittals’ next target is the Goenkas.”

Siya froze.

“What?”

“They’re planning something. A move on the business. It won’t destroy them… but it can shake their empire.”

Her expression changed instantly.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, ma’am. The preparations have started.”

She inhaled slowly.

“The Goenkas have a strong empire,” she said, thinking aloud.

“Yes. But even strong empires can be destabilized.”man said.

There was silence for a second.

“Fine,” she said calmly. “Keep tracking everything.”

“And Raghav is coming.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“When?”

“Next month.”

A faint shift crossed her face.

“Fine. I’ll meet him. It’s been a long time.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She disconnected.

For a moment, she just stood there.

The haldi music echoing faintly from inside.

War outside.

Celebration inside.

She turned—

And almost bumped into Paakhi.

“Bhabhi! Everyone is calling you.”

Siya composed herself instantly.

Her face calm again.

“Coming.”

And she walked back inside.

As if nothing had changed.

The entire palace was glowing under fairy lights.

Music filled the air.

Laughter echoed through the courtyard.

Aarav was standing near the decorations, supervising something absent-mindedly.

Then he turned—

And saw her.

Siya.

She was wearing a royal blue lehenga.

The fabric shimmered softly under the lights.

Her hair flowed loosely over one shoulder.

For a moment—

The world went silent.

There was only her.

He wanted to walk to her.

Hold her hand.

Stand beside her.

But he stopped himself.

Because she had already made it clear.

Siya looked up.

Their eyes met.

She turned her face away first.

And started walking.

Just then—

Her foot got tangled in the hem of her lehenga.

Before anyone could react—

Siya stumbled.

And fell.

Gasps filled the air.

Aarav was beside her within seconds.

“Bhabhi!” Paakhi rushed forward. “Are you okay?”

Siya nodded faintly. “It’s just a cramp.”

Aarav knelt in front of her.

“Let me see.”

Without hesitation, he gently lifted her foot in his hands.

Siya froze.

Her heart skipped.

Around them, whispers started.

Some relatives smiled admiringly.

Some murmured that such gestures should be private.According to them husbands should not do these things publicly.

But Aarav didn’t care.

He carefully pressed near her ankle.

“Does it hurt here?”

She tried to stand up quickly.

“It’s fine.”

Paakhi helped her.

But siya winced.

She couldn’t walk properly.

“Let’s go to the room you need rest,” Aarav said firmly.

“No,” she replied instantly. “I want to see the performances.”

He looked at her for a second.

Then without another word—

He slid one arm under her knees.

The other behind her back.

And lifted her into his arms.

In front of everyone.

Siya went completely still.

Stunned.

The music paused briefly as people noticed.

He walked calmly toward the stage area.

As if carrying her like this was the most natural thing in the world.

He placed her gently on a seat right in front.

Paakhi quickly sat beside her.

Kavita leaned closer to siya and asked

“Are you okay now?”

Siya nodded with a small smile.

“I’m fine mom .”

The performances began.

Music filled the air again.

But Aarav didn’t move far.

He stood nearby.

Watching her.

Not possessively.

Not dramatically.

Just… protectively.

And Siya—

Pretended to focus on the stage.

While her heart refused to behave normally after what he did and even infront of everyone.

A slow romantic song began playing in the courtyard.

The lights dimmed slightly.

Cousins cheered loudly and started dragging couples toward the stage.

“Dance! Dance!”

Kartik looked toward Siya.

“Bhabhi, come! Dance with Aarav bhai!”

Aarav smiled faintly.

All eyes turned toward her.

She adjusted slightly and said calmly,

“No… my foot has a cramp.”

Kartik nodded dramatically.

“Oh okay! Next time then.”

Siya smiled politely.

But her eyes didn’t meet Aarav’s.

Later that night—

Siya was lying on the bed in her room, staring at the ceiling.

Her blue lehenga neatly placed aside.

The door opened.

Aarav entered quietly.

Siya sat up.

“How’s your foot now?” he asked.

“It’s fine,” she replied. “How many times will you ask? It’s not that serious Aarav”

Aarav looked at her steadily.

“It is for me.”

She looked at him.

“Because it’s about you.”he added softly.

Her heart skipped at the softness in his voice.

She looked away refused to meet his eyes.

Silence filled the room for a moment.

Siya asked,

“When will we return?”

“After the reception,” he answered.

Aarav paused.

“But why?”

She hesitated.

“Nothing… I just want to go back.”

He watched her carefully.

“I feel peace there,” she added quietly.

He understood what she didn’t say.

“You’re not enjoying here?”he asked

“No… I am.”siya replied.

She stopped midway and said

“Just… nothing.”

He nodded slowly.

Understanding that the noise, the memories, the people—

Were overwhelming her.She has suffered enough.

“I’ll see what I can do,” he said gently.

She looked at him.

For a brief second—

There was no wall.

No pretending.

Just two tired people sharing the same space.

And something unspoken between them.

The next day was the mehndi function.

The palace courtyard was filled with the scent of henna and fresh flowers.

Soft music played in the background.

Siya was wearing a flowing green frock.

Her hair styled in neat braids with tiny floral pins woven in.

She looked fresh. Soft. Effortlessly graceful.

In the center, Kavya sat with her hands extended as the mehndi artist carefully traced intricate designs.

Paakhi sat beside her, admiring the patterns.

Siya walked toward them.

Kavya looked up and smiled brightly.

“Bhabhi! You should apply mehndi too.”

Siya shook her head gently.

“It’s your day. You’re the bride.”

Kavya pouted.

“No, you should. It’s good luck.”

Siya sighed lightly.

“Okay fine… but who will apply it?”

Before anyone could answer—

“I will.”

Aarav’s voice came from behind.

Everyone turned.

He walked toward her calmly.

“I want to apply mehndi in your hands.”

Kavya clapped softly.

“See, Bhabhi? You already have an expensive artist.”

The cousins burst into laughter.

“Ohhh!”

“Nice!”

“Romantic!”

Siya crossed her arms slightly.

“Do you even know how to apply mehndi? You’ll ruin my hands.”

Paakhi bit her lip, trying not to smile.

Aarav stepped closer.

“I’ll give my best.”

Kavya teased softly,

“See, Bhabhi? Bhai won’t break your heart. Give him one chance.”

The cousins immediately echoed,

“Yes Bhabhi!”

Siya internally sighed.

Not again.

All eyes were on her.

Finally—

“Okay. Fine.”

She sat down slowly.

Aarav sat in front of her.

Close enough to feel the warmth of each other.

For a moment—

The noise around them faded.

He gently took her hand.

Carefully.

As if it was something fragile.

And she felt it again.

That unfamiliar flutter.