ch 30 Matchmaking
I stood in front of the mirror, the soft golden lights of the room reflecting on my lehenga that shimmered every time I moved.
My hair cascaded in soft curls, and a small bindi adorned my forehead. For a moment, I just stared at myself, unable to believe it was me in the reflection.
Then, I twirled around once, laughing softly.
"Ohhh, Ashianaaa..." I said dramatically, placing a hand on my chest, "you're looking like an apsara straight from heaven... like swarg se utri hui kokil kanthi apsaraaaa!" I giggled at my own words, posing like a movie heroine.
Turning a little, I admired the flow of the lehenga and said with a wink at my reflection, "Oh god...ashiana aaj sare ladke tujhe dekh kar flat ho jaynge ek dam kunki ashiana sharma the diva is here.. ''
(today all the boys are going to lose their hearts, kunki Ashiana Sharma, the great diva, is hereee!")
I flipped my hair dramatically and laughed again, half in pride, half in disbelief. "Uff, stop it, Ashiana! Don't fall for your own charm now," I teased myself and struck one last playful pose before grabbing my clutch.
I put my hands on my waist, looking at my reflection with a half-serious pout.
"But I don't understand one thing," I said to myself, tilting my head, "everyone's saying that Aarav sir especially wants to see me tonight... and why would he even?"
I huffed, rolling my eyes. "Besides, he's always so... weird around me. Either he suddenly starts talking in that strange tone or just makes that serious face and says something I can't even figure out. Huh!"
Crossing my arms, I muttered dramatically, "But whatever... now that I'm looking this beautiful, anyone could fall for me." Then with a teasing smirk I added, "Not everyone is like sir, after all... such a , akdu kahike!" I said and huffed.
I chuckled at my own words, flipping my hair again before grabbing my earrings. "Let's see, Mr. Serious... who's speechless tonight."
----
The grand living hall of the Malhotra mansion shimmered under golden lights crystal chandeliers glinting over silk drapes and fresh orchids.
Soft instrumental music played in the background as elegantly dressed guests began to fill the space, laughter and chatter blending into a refined hum of celebration.
Aditya stood near the entrance, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his usual calm composure radiating authority as he greeted guests and exchanged firm handshakes.
Then, from the grand staircase, Raghav and Meera descended gracefully, little Raj's hand nestled securely between theirs.
Meera looked ethereal in an ivory saree with gold borders, while Raghav, in his sleek tuxedo, couldn't take his eyes off her.
Every few seconds, he leaned in with a teasing whisper something that made Meera blush furiously, lightly swatting his arm while trying not to draw attention. Raghav's smirk only grew wider each time.
Kabir stood near the bar corner, talking to a few business associates tall, broad, commanding, his royal sherwani for his sangeet.
And then Aarav Malhotra.
He entered the hall with an effortless authority that silenced whispers without a word.
Tall. Imposing. Dressed in a classic black sherwani with subtle embroidery, his watch gleaming faintly under the lights.
His every step was deliberate, calm, yet carried that unspoken power the kind that made men move aside and women hold their breath.
As he joined Aditya, his sharp gaze briefly swept across the staircase as if searching for someone. A hint of curiosity flickered in his eyes before it vanished behind his usual calm mask.
Raghav let out a low whistle as he looked at Aarav from head to toe. "Well, well... The King finally stepped down from his throne," he said with a teasing smirk. "I never thought I'd live to see the day Aarav Malhotra wore something other than black suits."
Meera laughed, clasping her hands together. "Oh please, Raghav! He looks amazing! traditional suits him more than those boring office outfits."
Kabir chuckled, sipping his drink and shaking his head. "Amazing? He looks like the groom himself. Bhai, the sangeet's mine, but tonight it seems like you're the dulha."
Aditya, standing beside them, added with a knowing grin, "And what's more shocking he actually wore it because someone asked him to."
Kabir leaned forward, smirking. "Not just any girl. I think we all know which one."
Aarav's jaw flexed as he calmly adjusted his cufflink, ignoring their laughter. "You all seem unusually free tonight," he said coolly. "Maybe I should assign extra work tomorrow morning."
That only made them laugh harder.
Raghav grinned. "Classic deflection, Bhai. But admit it if she saw you now, she'd probably faint before reaching the last stair."
For the first time that evening, Aarav's lips curved into the faintest, rarest hint of a smile. "Then," he said quietly, eyes glinting, "let's see if she does."
Raj jumped excitedly, pointing toward the staircase, "Ashiana di cameee!!"
Everyone turned their gaze upward.
There she was Ashiana, stepping down the grand staircase slowly, her soft lehenga shimmering under the chandelier lights.
Her bangles jingled lightly with each step, her hair perfectly framing her glowing face. But inside, her heart was racing she was nervous, feeling all eyes on her.
Then her eyes met Aarav'sand the world seemed to pause.
His usual stoic expression faltered for a moment. His gaze softened, dark eyes fixed on her as if the rest of the hall didn't exist.
Ashiana swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. She quickly looked away, cleared her throat, and took another step down to distract herself from his intense stare.
ohh goshhh.. sir actually looking so hot today in this traditional.. and wait he weared it.. ashiana thought giggling silently.
Aarav's POV:
The moment the soft murmur of music shifted and a few gasps echoed near the staircase, Aarav's gaze followed instinctively and then it stopped.
She was there.
Ashiana.
For a second, he forgot to breathe.
The golden lights spilling from the chandeliers hit the jewels on her lehenga just right, making them shimmer with every hesitant step she took.
Her hair fell loose over her shoulders, soft curls brushing her face, that same face he'd always seen covered in worry and exhaustion now glowing, alive, radiant.
He had seen beauty before expensive, perfect, practiced but never something that felt like this. Never something that made his chest tighten and his mind go completely still.
Damn it.
He clenched his jaw, trying to look away, but his eyes betrayed him, dragging back to her again.
Every step she took down those stairs, he could feel his pulse picking up a slow, unfamiliar rhythm that irritated him just as much as it pulled him in.
But just as she reached the last stair, her heel caught in her lehenga.
"Ah—!" she gasped, losing her balance, her body tilting forward
but before she could fall, strong hands caught her firmly by the waist.
Her eyes flew open she was inches away from Aarav Malhotra.
The crowd murmured softly, but all she could hear was her own heartbeat pounding in her ears. Aarav's grip tightened just enough to steady her, his face close enough that his breath brushed her skin.
"Careful," he said in a low, husky voice that only she could hear. "You really have a habit of falling wherever I'm around, don't you?"
Ashiana blinked up at him, her lips parting, cheeks flushing deep red. "I–I... it's not my fault... this lehenga—"
He arched a brow slightly, the corner of his mouth twitching in amusement. "Maybe next time... try not to make an entrance that nearly gives me a heart attack."
Aditya chuckled from behind them, whispering to Kabir, "Well, looks like the King just found his queen's stage entrance."
Kabir smirked. "Or maybe fate's still doing the matchmaking for him."