One by one, they opened every room on the first floor.
The first door creaked open to reveal a guest bedroom drowned in soft yellow light. The bed lay untouched, pillows perfectly aligned, as if no one had dared disturb the calm. Curtains fluttered lightly near the window, teasing the air, whispering secrets to no one.
"Not here," Ravi muttered.
They moved to the next room. Then the next.
A study. Empty.A reading lounge. Silent.A balcony overlooking the garden. Vacant.
Each door opened with growing impatience, their footsteps echoing faintly through the long corridor of Singhaniya Mansion.
"Yeh log gaye kahan?" Ria frowned, lifting her saree slightly so she wouldn't trip.
Just when Anaya was about to suggest giving up, Ria suddenly froze.
Her fingers tightened around Anaya's wrist.
"Look," she whispered urgently.
Anaya followed her gaze.
At the far corner lounge, where the corridor dipped into shadow and warmth mixed together, two silhouettes sat on a sofa.
Still.
Too still.
Aarav Singhaniya and Janvi Sharma.
Facing each other.
No phones.No movement.No sound.
Just… staring.
Not blinking.Not breathing.Not even pretending to exist in the same universe as everyone else.
They looked like two people who had accidentally locked eyes and forgotten how to look away. Like time had paused out of sheer embarrassment.
Rudra stepped closer, his voice dropping into a low whisper laced with amusement."Yahi room, chhote Singhaniya… tumhari bhabhi ki devarani ko dekh rahe the."
Anaya burst into laughter, clapping a hand over her mouth before the sound could escape too loudly.
Ravi leaned forward slightly, squinting. "Inhe kuch padi hi nahi. World war bhi ho jaaye na, yeh dono nahi hilenge."
They took cautious steps toward the sofa.
"Janvi?" Ria whispered."Aarav?" Ravi added.
Nothing.
No reaction.
The two on the sofa didn't even blink.
They were lost in that strange, magical universe where romance heroes lived. The one where eye contact meant destiny and silence screamed louder than confessions.
Ria's lips curved into a mischievous smile. She glanced at Anaya."Shuru karein?"
Anaya's eyes sparkled. "Obviously."
They moved quietly, almost tiptoeing, like children planning a harmless crime.
Ria slipped behind Janvi.Anaya positioned herself behind Aarav.
Rudra folded his arms, watching like a proud director witnessing a scene unfold exactly as planned.
And then—
Pinch.
"OW!"
Aarav jumped so violently that he nearly fell off the sofa, his entire body jolting as if electrocuted.
"What the—?!"
Anaya leaned in with an innocent smile that fooled absolutely no one."Devar ji," she said sweetly. "Devarani achhi hai na?"
Aarav, still disoriented, still half-trapped in whatever dream he had been living in, replied without thinking."Haan—"
Ria gasped dramatically, hand flying to her chest."Haan bol diya?! Toh Janvi bhabhi bulau?"
Janvi choked on thin air.
Her face turned crimson in seconds as she scrambled off the sofa and hid behind Ria's pallu, clutching it like a shield, her ears burning.
Aarav blinked rapidly, reality crashing into him."Bhai—bhabhi—Ria—Ravi—tum log yahan kya kar rahe ho? Kya ho raha hai?"
Too late.
The damage was done.
Laughter exploded down the corridor.
Ravi pointed at him, laughing openly. "Dekho. Hero gir gaya. Ek nazar mein hi."
Rudra shook his head slowly. "Control your expressions, chhote Singhaniya."
Aarav's face flushed deeper. "Main bas—woh—she—main—"
"KUCH NAHI HUA!" Janvi squeaked from behind Ria, her voice high-pitched with panic.
That only made everyone laugh harder.
Rudra glanced sideways at Anaya. "Tumhari friends danger magnet hain."
She giggled, unapologetic. "Tumhare brothers bhi."
On the side, a separate argument brewed.
Ria suddenly turned on Ravi. "Tumne mere muh par haath kyun rakha tha?!"
Ravi leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Tum cheekhti ho."
"I do NOT cheekh!" Ria protested, cheeks warming.
"Abhi cheekh kar dikha do," he teased.
She smacked his arm without hesitation.
Aarav and Janvi stood awkwardly now, both avoiding eye contact, both blushing like teenagers caught passing secret notes in class.
The entire first-floor corridor echoed with laughter, teasing remarks, shy smiles, and stolen glances. Curtains swayed gently as if gossiping. Lights shimmered softly with each heartbeat.
The mansion watched.
And remembered.
Somewhere between all the chaos and noise, Rudra's hand found Anaya's.
Warm.Firm.Claiming.
No one noticed.
Except her.
She tightened her grip back, her pulse quickening.
He leaned down slightly, his voice brushing her ear."Biwi ji… lipstick abhi bhi perfect hai. But I'm still waiting."
Her cheeks burned instantly.
She pushed him lightly toward the stairs, pretending irritation, failing completely.
A perfect mess.A perfect moment.A perfect beginning.
When Teasing Becomes Truth
The laughter lingered beneath the golden glow of the chandeliers, softening slowly.
Aarav tried to regain composure, straightening his collar, attempting to reclaim the dignity of a Singhaniya heir. But the faint redness dusting his ears betrayed him completely.
Rudra folded his arms, his gaze sharp despite the amusement dancing beneath it.
"Junior Singhaniya," he said calmly, cutting through the noise, "do you actually want Janvi to be your wife?"
The words dropped like a stone into still water.
Janvi froze.
Aarav stiffened.
"Bhai," Aarav muttered defensively, "you already know she doesn't even like me. She's not even my type."
Janvi snapped up, fire igniting instantly."Excuse me? I am everyone's type."
Aarav smirked. "Oh? Then prove it."
Anaya's eyes lit up dangerously. "Wait. I have an idea."
All heads turned toward her.
"If Janvi gets attention downstairs," she declared, "from any guy at the engagement party… Aarav has to propose. On the spot."
Ravi clapped instantly. "Full support."
Rudra looked at Anaya. She nodded, mischief and certainty dancing together.
Janvi lifted her chin. "I don't need to prove anything."
Something snapped inside Aarav.
Before logic could interfere, he grabbed flowers from a nearby vase, turned sharply, and dropped to one knee.
The corridor fell silent.
"I'm Aarav Singhaniya," he said, voice steady despite the storm inside. "If you want… I want to be your husband. I'll change. I want to be only yours."
Janvi knelt too, eyes shimmering."I want respect," she whispered. "And love."
He pulled her into a hug, relief and joy colliding.
Destiny shifted quietly.
The Garden Where Storms Begin
The reception garden shimmered under warm lights, music floating through the air. Conversations blended into laughter, glasses clinked, flowers glowed.
Anaya sat among the girls.
Rudra sat across.
Watching her.
So was Kunal Rajawat.
Rudra noticed.
Every time Kunal's gaze lingered, something dark tightened in Rudra's chest.
Dinner unfolded. Conversations flowed.
Until Ruby Kukreja's voice sliced through the table.
"Oh… you know what Mr. Singhaniya likes?"
Silence fell.
Anaya froze.
Rudra's fork hit the plate.
"STOP."
The word cracked like thunder.
Dinner ended in unease.
Later, Kunal approached Anaya.
"I can drop you."
Janvi stepped forward.Ria backed her.Ravi intervened smoothly.
Kunal smiled thinly. "Next time… I expect answers."
He walked away.
Rudra stood behind Anaya, silent, furious.
His fingers brushed hers.
I'm here.You're mine.No one touches what's mine.
And as the night settled over Singhaniya Mansion, something dangerous awakened.
A storm.
Named Rudra.