Pratap Singh Mansion — Early Evening
The mansion glowed under soft amber lights as evening settled in. The fragrance of marigold garlands drifted through the air, mixed with the faint sweetness of incense. The engagement ceremony was only moments away, and every corner of the house hummed with a gentle anticipation.
Yuvaan descended the grand staircase with unhurried steps.
His renewed sherwani — now a deep, midnight blue — shimmered subtly with every movement. The fabric hugged his shoulders perfectly, falling with a regal sharpness that made him look like he'd stepped straight out of a royal portrait.
Bhoomi looked up first.
Her eyes softened, emotion flickering across her face.
"Just look at you…" she whispered, almost breathless.
Chandrika, standing beside her, adjusted her glasses and smiled proudly.
"Bilkul Pramad ki parchai… exactly like your father looked that day."
Yuvaan offered a small, gentlemanly tilt of his head.
Before he could speak, Bhoomi stepped forward and placed her hand gently over his head. Chandrika followed, murmuring a quiet prayer under her breath.
Bhoomi circled him once, warding off the evil eye with a soft click of her tongue, brushing her fingers near his forehead, then flicking the imaginary darkness away.
"Nothing bad will touch my son tonight," she said softly, voice thick with love.
Yuvaan gave her a rare, genuine smile — the kind he only showed two people:
his mother…
and Kiara.
The distant hum of a car engine pulled their attention.
A staff member hurried to the entrance. The doors swung open.
And she walked in.
Kiara.
Draped in a soft, golden-pink lehenga — Bhoomi's lehenga — now subtly reworked with Yuvaan's magic. It moved like liquid light around her, every step making the room glow a little brighter.
Varun walked beside her, protective as ever.
Mishka followed, adjusting Kiara's dupatta gently.
But Yuvaan…
Yuvaan forgot to breathe for a second.
His eyes locked onto her, widening the slightest bit — that villainous calm breaking into raw awe.
Her gaze met his for half a heartbeat.
A shy, nervous smile touched her lips.
His jaw clenched, the corner of his mouth twitching upward like he was fighting the urge to smirk.
Kiara looked down quickly, blush rising.
She approached the elders, hands folded respectfully.
"Namaste, Chandrika Baa," she said softly.
Chandrika cupped Kiara's cheeks with grandmotherly affection.
"Khush raho, beta. Always stay blessed."
Kiara then bent slightly toward Bhoomi.
Bhoomi placed her hand tenderly on her head.
Her voice was warm, emotional.
"May your life always be filled with love, my child."
Kiara's eyes shimmered.
Because the blessing felt like a mother's blessing — the one she'd missed all her life.
Just then, Yuvaan stepped forward a little, unable to hide the pull toward her.
Kiara finally looked at him…
And everything else in the mansion faded for a moment.
The soft murmur of guests filled the beautifully decorated hall as Kiara rose from receiving blessings. Her lehenga shimmered under the chandelier, golden-pink hues reflecting in her eyes.
Yuvaan stepped forward, his posture confident yet gentle — that signature mix of charm and danger only he possessed. Without a word, he extended his hand toward her.
Kiara hesitated for just a second…
then placed her hand in his.
His fingers curled around hers, firm but careful.
A tiny breath escaped her lips — a breath she didn't even realize she was holding.
Yuvaan's touch had that effect.
He leaned closer, voice low enough only she could hear.
"Try not to run away now."
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Kiara's cheeks warmed.
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm not going anywhere."
"Good," he murmured.
He guided her slowly toward the beautifully arranged engagement seating — two grand velvet chairs side by side, framed with cascading jasmine and glowing lanterns. The room buzzed softly, eyes drawn to the couple as they walked, fingers still interlocked.
Yuvaan helped her sit first, lowering her hand gently before taking the seat beside her. Their knees brushed lightly.
A spark.
Small… yet impossible to ignore.
Angad, Aakash, and Riddhi slipped into the center of the hall. Aakash clapped loudly to catch everyone's attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" he announced with theatrical flair, making the guests chuckle. "Since the engagement ceremony will begin shortly, the Pratap Singh family would like to entertain you until then."
Angad lifted his hand in greeting, grinning.
"After all, our bhai and bhabhi deserve nothing less than the best show tonight."
Riddhi chimed in, "So sit back and enjoy — we promise the next few minutes will be worth watching!"
The crowd clapped warmly, excitement building.
Yuvaan casually leaned back with a soft exhale, one arm resting on the chair's armrest. His fingers instinctively brushed against Kiara's lehenga fabric beside him.
Kiara glanced at him sideways, noticing his subtle confidence.
He didn't look at her directly — but his smirk deepened the moment he sensed her gaze.
The guests waited eagerly.
Music began to hum in the background.
The lights dimmed slightly, creating a soft glow around the couple.
But neither Kiara nor Yuvaan noticed any of it.
Because in that moment…
they were watching each other.