Just as she was about to fall, two strong arms caught her, holding her steady. "Are you okay?!" a deep, familiar voice asked, concern etched in its tone. Roohi's eyes snapped up to meet Aryan's, and she felt her heart skip a beat. She had been so caught up in her own thoughts that she hadn't expected to run into him.
As she looked up to reply, she froze, realizing that her face was mere inches away from Aryan's. Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, and she felt her breath catch in her throat. Aryan gazed back at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. Roohi looked adorable, her face flushed and her eyes wide with surprise. Aryan's heart skipped a beat as he felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her. The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a moment of pure connection.
Aryan leaned in,and their lips were about to touch. But their moment was shattered by the sound of approaching footsteps. Roohi's eyes widened in panic as she whispered, "Someone is coming! They might see us!" Aryan's instincts kicked in, and he swiftly pulled her into a nearby room, pinning her against the wall. His attention was focused on the guest passing by outside, his eyes fixed on the door as the footsteps drew closer and then faded away.
Roohi's heartbeat was racing wildly, her chest heaving with excitement and fear. She was acutely aware of Aryan's body pressed against hers, the warmth of his skin radiating through her. As she gazed up at him, she couldn't help but admire the tiny details of his face. Her eyes wandered over the curve of his neck, the shape of his lips, and the bridge of his nose. But when her gaze met his eyes, she felt a jolt of surprise. Aryan was already looking at her, his eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that left her breathless. The air seemed to vibrate with tension as they stood there, frozen in a moment of pure connection.
"Should we continue?" Aryan teased, his voice low and husky, sending shivers down Roohi's spine. She playfully pushed him away, her hands lightly touching his chest. "You!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Aryan chuckled, the sound warm and rich, and took her hand in his. He brought her knuckles to his lips, bestowing a gentle kiss on them.
"I've a gift for you," he said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Roohi's curiosity was piqued. "What is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Aryan's smile grew wider. "Close your eyes," he instructed, his voice filled with anticipation. Roohi pouted, but her trust in Aryan won over, and she closed her eyes.
Aryan pulled out the delicate silver bracelet he had brought for her, the intricate patterns catching the light. He gently took her wrist and fastened the bracelet around it. The metal felt cool against her skin, and Roohi's anticipation grew. "Open your eyes now," Aryan said, his voice filled with excitement.
Roohi slowly opened her eyes, and her gaze fell upon the bracelet. Her eyes widened in wonder. "It's...it's so beautiful," she breathed, her fingers instinctively reaching out to touch the delicate patterns. Aryan smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He leaned in and kissed her forehead, his lips brushing against her skin. "I'm glad you liked it," he whispered, his voice filled with warmth and affection.
Inside Shruti's room, she was chatting with Isha when another maid knocked on the door. "Isha, your mother is looking for you," the maid said, her voice respectful. Isha glanced at Shruti, who nodded in understanding. With a gentle smile, Isha left the room.
Shruti returned her attention to getting ready, carefully putting on her bangles as she sat in front of the mirror. Just as she was finishing up, she noticed her mother's reflection behind her. Her mother had quietly entered the room and now sat beside her, a warm smile on her face. With gentle hands, she helped Shruti put on a bengles, her fingers moving with practiced ease.
Shruti turned to her mother with a questioning look. "What happened, Mom?" she asked, concern etched on her face. Her mother looked at her, and for a moment, Shruti saw tears welling up in her eyes. "Nothing, beta," her mother said softly, using the affectionate term for child. "Just trying to spend more time with my daughter. You're growing up so fast, and before I know it, you'll be gone, starting your new life." Her voice cracked slightly, revealing the mix of emotions she was feeling.
In that moment, Shruti felt a surge of love and appreciation for her mother. She reached out and hugged her tightly, feeling grateful for the bond they shared. "I'll always be your daughter, Mom," she whispered, trying to reassure her. Her mother held her close, savoring the moment, knowing that these tender moments were precious and fleeting.
"Your dad is also very emotional since this morning," her mother said, her voice filled with understanding. "Go meet him." Shruti nodded, knowing that her father was a sentimental man who wore his heart on his sleeve. She decided to go talk to him, to try and lift his spirits.
A minute later, Shruti was walking down the hallway, scanning the area for a glimpse of her father. As she turned a corner, she spotted a maid dusting the banister. "Hey, did you see my father?" Shruti asked, her voice friendly. The maid looked up, a hint of a smile on her face. "He just went inside his room," she replied, nodding towards the door at the end of the hall.
Shruti's face lit up with concern and affection. She quickly rushed towards her father's room, her footsteps light on the floor.
Shruti stood outside her father's room, her hand raised to knock on the door. However, she hesitated as she caught snippets of his conversation. Curiosity getting the better of her, she peeked inside through the slightly ajar door. Her father was pacing around the room, engaged in a phone call. Shruti's eyes were fixed on him as she leaned in closer to listen.
"Did you do what I asked?" her father's voice came through the door, his tone firm and authoritative. There was a pause, followed by a response from the other end of the line that Shruti couldn't quite make out. Her father replied, "Very well." His voice was laced with satisfaction.
"Yes, yes, I won't forget your help," he continued. "I'll definitely pay you well." Shruti's mind registered that it was likely just a work-related conversation. "It's just about work," she murmured to herself, about to knock on the door and enter.
However, her father's next words brought her to a standstill. "The Rai's will definitely regret it," he said, his voice dripping with an unsettling intensity. Shruti's heart skipped a beat as she processed her father's words. "What does Dad mean?" she whispered to herself, confusion etched on her face.
Why was her father talking about Siddharth's family in such a manner? And who was he speaking to? The tone of the conversation seemed sinister, and Shruti's instincts told her that something wasn't right. Her curiosity piqued, she stood frozen, unsure whether to enter the room or continue listening. The seed of doubt had been planted, and she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss.
Shruti tried to strain her ears to catch more of her father's conversation, but he abruptly ended the call. Her heart racing, she panicked as she heard her father's footsteps getting louder, signaling that he was about to exit the room. With quick reflexes, she darted behind the curtains in the hallway, holding her breath as she remained perfectly still.
As her father's footsteps grew fainter, Shruti let out a sigh of relief. When she was certain he was far enough away, she cautiously emerged from behind the curtain and slipped into her father's room. "What on earth is going on?" she murmured to herself, her mind buzzing with questions and concerns.
Her gaze swept across her father's desk, where papers and documents were scattered. She began to rummage through them, her fingers moving swiftly as she searched for any clues. After a few minutes of searching, her eyes landed on a file labeled "Merger." Her heart skipped a beat as she opened the file and began to read its contents.
Shruti's eyes scanned the clauses of the merger, her mind racing with every word. As she read on, her face grew hotter with indignation. "This is a clear scam!" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. The more she read, the more she realized the extent of her father's deceit.
Her rage intensified as she grasped the full extent of her father's manipulation. Siddharth and his father must have signed the agreement without even reading it, trusting and believing in the partnership. The thought of their trust being exploited made Shruti's blood boil.
"How could Dad do this?" she whispered, feeling a mix of anger, disappointment, and betrayal. She couldn't believe that her own father would stoop to such levels, putting his own interests above everything else. The merger, which was supposed to be a celebration of her union with Siddharth, now seemed like a cleverly crafted trap.
Shruti's thoughts were a jumble of emotions as she struggled to process the revelation. She knew she had to act, but she wasn't sure what to do next. One thing was certain, though – she couldn't let her father's scam ruin Siddharth's life and business.
"I need to talk to Dad," she murmured, determination etched on her face. Clutching the documents tightly in her hands, she walked out of the room, her footsteps purposeful. In the hallway, she spotted her father chatting with some guests. She was about to rush over to him, but a sudden realization halted her. She couldn't confront him about this in front of everyone.
With a calculated move, she called out a maid and discreetly asked her to send her father to his room. The maid nodded and hurried off to deliver the message. Shruti waited, her anxiety and anger simmering just below the surface.
Once inside her father's room, she began pacing back and forth, her footsteps a testament to her growing frustration. After what felt like an eternity, her father arrived, a hint of curiosity on his face. "What happened, beta?" he asked, his voice calm and soothing.
Shruti took a deep breath, her anger boiling over. She threw the documents onto the bed, the papers scattering across the covers. "What is this?" she demanded, her voice firm.
Her father's expression remained unreadable, but Shruti could sense a flicker of realization in his eyes. "It's a merger," he replied, his voice neutral.
Shruti's eyes flashed with anger. "I know what scam you're plotting against Siddharth's company," she accused, her voice low and even.
Her father's demeanor changed in an instant. He walked towards her, his hands reaching out to grasp her shoulders. His grip was firm, almost painful, and Shruti winced. "It's not a scam," he said, his voice taking on a stern tone. "It's business."
Shruti's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling from her father's behavior. She couldn't understand why he was being so callous and ruthless. The man standing before her seemed like a stranger, and she felt a pang of fear and uncertainty.
Her father locked eyes with her, his gaze piercing and intense.Then he released his grip on her shoulders and stepped back. "Do you remember what his father said when I wanted to sign a deal with them?" he asked, his voice low and measured.
He walked towards the bed and picked up one of the documents, his eyes scanning the page before returning to hers. "He said he'll never sign a deal with me," he continued, a hint of old resentment simmering beneath the surface. Shruti's eyes widened as memories of the incident flooded back. She recalled the meeting, the tension, and the outright rejection.
"Oh, so this is your revenge?" she asked, her tone laced with disgust and sarcasm. Her voice dripped with incredulity, and she couldn't help but wonder how her father could stoop so low. "I told you, this is business," he replied, his expression unyielding.
Shruti's anger boiled over, and she raised her voice. "This is cheating, Dad!" she yelled, her words echoing through the room. Her father's face darkened, and he took a step closer to her.
"Listen here," he said, his voice firm but controlled. "You have already humiliated me so many times. Don't you dare spoil my plan this time. You should support me. You are my only heir, and I'm doing all of this for your sake." His words were laced with a possessive intensity that made Shruti's skin crawl.
She stood her ground, her resolve unwavering. "I'm not going to support you in this scam," she declared, her voice firm. Her father's expression twisted into a cold smile as he glanced at his watch.
"What can you do now, huh?" he asked, his tone dripping with condescension. "The wedding is in half an hour. And this marriage will confirm the merger." His words hung in the air, a challenge and a warning that left Shruti feeling trapped and desperate.
"Don't be dramatic and come downstairs," her father said, his voice dripping with impatience. "The guests are waiting." His words were a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside Shruti. He turned to leave, his demeanor calm and collected, as if the intense conversation they had just shared was nothing more than a minor disagreement.
With a swift motion, he walked towards the door, his footsteps echoing through the room. Shruti watched him go, feeling a mix of emotions: anger, frustration, and a deep sense of betrayal. She wanted to call out to him, to confront him again about the merger and his intentions, but something held her back.
As the door closed behind her father, Shruti was left standing alone in the room, the weight of her discovery bearing down on her. The sound of her father's footsteps fading away seemed to underscore the distance growing between them. She felt like she was staring at a stranger, not the father she thought she knew.
The clock was ticking, and the wedding was just half an hour away. Shruti's mind was racing with thoughts of what she could do next, but for now, she was trapped in this situation, with no clear way out.
"Anything I'll do will cause a commotion," Shruti thought to herself, her mind racing with the potential consequences of her actions. "There are so many guests outside. What to do?" The weight of her discovery and the pressure of the impending wedding bore down on her, and tears began to roll down her cheeks. She felt overwhelmed, and her emotions got the better of her.
She dropped to her knees on the floor, the tears flowing freely now. But she quickly realized she couldn't sit there like that, not when she needed to find a solution. "No, I can't sit here like this!" she thought, determination rising within her. She wiped her tears away, trying to compose herself.
A new resolve formed in her mind. "Mom, I should talk to Mom!" she thought, hoping that her mother would understand her predicament and offer some guidance. With a sense of urgency, Shruti rushed out of the room, determined to find her mother and confide in her.
She finally found her mother in another room, who looked up as Shruti entered. Her mother's expression changed from calm to concern as she took in Shruti's tear-stained face and smudged mascara. "Shruti! What happened?!" she asked, her voice filled with worry.
Shruti didn't hesitate; she ran towards her mother and wrapped her arms around her, tears streaming down her face once more. Her mother held her close, trying to comfort her. "What happened, beta?" her mother asked softly, trying to soothe her.
Shruti pulled away slightly, taking a deep breath before launching into a recounting of everything that had happened. She told her mother about discovering her father's plan, the merger, and the confrontation they had. Her mother listened attentively, her expression growing more and more concerned as the story unfolded.
Her mother's eyes widened as she listened to Shruti's account, her expression a mix of shock and concern. "Mom, I don't know what to do now," Shruti said, her voice cracking as she cried. "I...I should tell Siddharth everything," she added, her mind racing with the potential consequences.
But her mother's face turned stern as she heard the suggestion. She grabbed Shruti's wrist, her grip firm. Shruti turned to her in surprise, wondering why her mother was reacting this way. "Don't tell him," her mother said, her voice low and serious.
Shruti's confusion deepened, and she asked, "Why?" Her mother made her sit on the bed, her eyes locked on Shruti's. "Shruti, listen carefully to what I'm saying," she said, her voice measured. Shruti looked up at her mother intently, waiting for an explanation.
"If you tell this to Siddharth, the wedding will be cancelled," her mother said, her words hanging in the air. Shruti's eyes widened as she considered the implications. "But Mom, if this wedding happens, Siddharth's company will be doomed," she protested.
Her mother's response was calm and calculated. "We will...we will do something about it after the wedding," she said, her words offering little reassurance. Shruti shook her head, feeling a sense of desperation. "No Mom, we wouldn't be able to do anything after that. I've to tell Siddharth everything."
As she tried to stand up, her mother grasped her arm, making her sit forcefully. Shruti looked up at her mother in surprise, wondering why she was being so controlling. "Why don't you understand?" her mother said, her voice rising. "This will ruin your father's image!"
Shruti felt a pang of hurt inside her heart, a sense of betrayal and disappointment.
"Oh, so you're only worried about that," she said, her voice laced with sadness and frustration. The realization dawned on her that her mother's priorities might not align with hers, and that thought filled her with a deep sense of sorrow.
"It's not like that," her mother said, her voice softening. "I'm worried about you." Her words were meant to be reassuring, but Shruti's response was immediate and firm.
"And I'm worried about Siddharth," Shruti said, her voice unwavering. She stood up, her mind made up, and began to walk towards the door. But before she could take another step, she heard a thud. She turned around, and her heart skipped a beat as she saw her mother had dropped to the floor.
Shruti rushed towards her, concern etched on her face. "Mom!" she exclaimed, helping her mother stand up. She guided her mother to the bed and made her sit down, worry creasing her brow. "Mom, are you okay?!" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Her mother was breathing heavily, her face pale. She grasped Shruti's hands tightly, her eyes pleading. "Shruti, I'm begging you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please don't tell anyone about this."
Shruti's heart went out to her mother, seeing her in such a state. She nodded, her resolve wavering in the face of her mother's distress. "I...I won't," she promised. "You take some rest." She tried to reassure her mother, hoping that she would be okay.
As she looked at her mother's frail form, Shruti's mind was filled with conflicting emotions. She was torn between her loyalty to her mother and her duty to protect Siddharth. The weight of her promise hung heavy on her shoulders, and she wasn't sure if she was doing the right thing.
