Siya looked around; Kavita was calling Aarav, but he hadn’t moved.

She stood up and walked to Kavita. “Mom, what happened?” siya asked.

Kavita replied, “Aarav hasn’t eaten anything. Go call him, and then you all eat.”

Siya nodded. “Fine, I’ll call him.”

Siya walked behind him, calling his name once… twice… thrice. No response. Maybe he didn’t hear—or maybe he was pretending.

She sighed in annoyance, her dupatta flowing behind her as she walked.

Aarav finally entered the room, appearing casually behind her.

“What happened?” he asked.

“Don’t you have ears? I called your name thrice!” siya snapped.

“I didn’t hear… but why were you calling me? Missing me, were you?” Aarav teased.

“No! I never missed you,” she said quickly.

“Lie,” Aarav smirked and said. “You were missing me , because I didn’t come to you all day.”

She let out a frustrated sigh and shouted, “I don’t care! I was calling you because Mom asked me to, that’s all!”

He chuckled. “Okay… but why are you shouting like you’re angry at me?”

“I’m not angry!” siya said and turned away.

“Siya…” he called softly.

She paused, realizing her dupatta was flowing—and maybe he was holding it to stop her.

“Leave my dupatta!” she snapped.

“What?” he asked, feigning innocence.

“I said… leave it!” Siya turned—and noticed her dupatta had actually caught on the edge of the bed.

She looked at him. He looked at her, a faint smile on his lips, and her cheeks flushed.

She yanked her dupatta free and hurried out. He stood there, smiling and shaking his head.

Outside, Siya muttered to herself, What the hell is happening to me? Why is everything so… confusing?

She walked to the dining table, trying to steady her racing thoughts.

Siya sat at the dining table, quietly eating, avoiding his gaze.

Aarav came and sat beside her. He smirked and said, “Mrs. Goenka, what’s wrong? It’s okay.”

She sighed and shot him a sharp glare. He only smiled, clearly enjoying her reaction.

Siya lay down on the bed, lost in her thoughts. Only tomorrow… as soon as I reach the Goenka mansion, I’ll go straight to my home, she mused.

She paused, thinking of her bigger responsibility. I also have to plan something to protect the Goenka empire. But they… they always have the best backup plans.

Her eyes flickered toward Aarav, sitting silently beside her earlier. Should I tell Aarav? siya wondered. Then she shook her head firmly. No. If he knows everything I’m planning, it will only create more problems. I have to handle this on my own.

Her mind raced through possibilities. Their first move will be financial, for sure…

Lost in her thoughts, she finally closed her eyes and drifted into sleep, the weight of the looming battle heavy on her mind.

Today was the reception.

Siya was wearing a light brown lehenga with a slightly revealing blouse. Her hair was open, falling softly over her shoulders. Her dupatta was lying on the bed beside her.

Just then, Paakhi entered the room.

“Bhabhi,” Paakhi called.

“Yes?” Siya replied.

Paakhi looked at her from head to toe with a mischievous smile.

“What?” Siya asked suspiciously.

Without answering, Paakhi quickly grabbed Siya’s dupatta from the bed and started running.

“Paakhi! What are you doing? Return it!” Siya exclaimed.

But Paakhi only laughed and ran into the corridor.

Siya chased after her, laughing despite herself, holding her lehenga slightly so she wouldn’t trip while running.

She was still chasing Paakhi when siya suddenly stopped.

Aarav was standing in the corridor.

He looked at them running and smiled when he saw siya smiling freely.

Siya froze right in front of him.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Aarav simply looked at her.

Siya looked back at him.Both made an eye contact.

Paakhi, who had stopped behind them, noticed the moment. With a playful smirk, she walked forward and handed the dupatta to Aarav.

Siya glared at her, but Paakhi quickly slipped away, leaving them alone.

Now it was just the two of them.

Siya crossed her arms slightly and said, “Give me my dupatta.”

“Oh, yes,” Aarav replied casually.

He handed it to her.

She quickly took it and draped it over herself before turning to leave.

But as she walked away, her heart was beating faster than usual.

And behind her, Aarav was still standing there, watching her leaving figure.

Her image replayed in his mind again and again.

She is gorgeous, he thought.

And even more beautiful when she laughed and smiled.

Paakhi came back to Siya.

Siya immediately looked at her and said, “What were you trying to do, huh?”

Paakhi laughed softly. “I was just teasing you. You were looking very beautiful.”

Siya sighed, but a small smile appeared on her lips.

Paakhi gently held her hand. “Come on, let’s go.”

Siya nodded and walked with her.

Soon they joined the cousins who were gathered together. Everyone was laughing, chatting, and enjoying the reception.

One of the cousins suddenly looked at Siya and said, “Bhabhi, you are looking very beautiful tonight.”

Siya smiled politely.

Another cousin immediately added, “Even Aarav bhai froze when he saw you.”

Siya sighed inwardly, thinking, So he (cousin )saw me…

One cousin asked curiously, “Where did you see that?”

The cousin grinned. “When bhabhi was running in the corridor. Bhai literally stopped after seeing her. It was like a full Bollywood scene.”

Siya’s cheeks slowly turned pink.

Siya looked away and sighed inwardly while the cousins burst out laughing.

Paakhi was smiling too.

Siya leaned closer to Paakhi and whispered, “All this happened because of you.”

Paakhi quickly shook her head. “No, bhabhi! I didn’t do anything intentionally.”

Siya glared at her.

Paakhi immediately made an innocent face.

Seeing that, Siya sighed helplessly.