ch 32 She is not Guest
then photo clicked ashiana quickly wipes her tears that fallen unknowingly saying , ''thankyou everyone for.. for this.. i.. i cant even thought.. i deserved''.
Everyone looked at me, smiling softly as she tried to hold herself together. Meera placed her hand gently on her cheek, brushing away a tear she'd missed.
"Shh... don't say that, Ashiana," she said warmly. "You deserve happiness more than you think."
Raghav added with a faint smirk, "And now you've officially become part of the chaos too... congratulations."
Everyone laughed softly. she chuckled through her tears and nodded, whispering, "Thank you... really."
Then her eyes met Aarav's his expression calm, but his eyes... softer than she'd ever seen before.
He didn't say anything, just gave the faintest nod, the kind that said more than words ever could.
she lowered her gaze shyly, her heart fluttering. For the first time, the grand Malhotra mansion didn't feel like just a house.
It felt like... home.
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its night its Kabir and Prerna's wedding
they were in mandap rituals were going
Meera and Ashiana were laughing at something silly.
Aditya, Raghav and Arav were standing with few guests drinks in hand.
when the man's voice cut through the music and chatter.
The man was staring at ashiana longer, taking another sip of his drink, continuing casually,
"So, Mr. Malhotra, your guest... what's her name? I'm thinking about marriage, and that girl—" he nodded subtly toward her "—is beautiful."
Aditya's brow furrowed immediately. Raghav shot the man a sharp glance over his glass, his polite smile disappearing in an instant.
But Aarav didn't move for a few seconds.
He just looked at the man, then at me standing near Meera, smiling innocently, unaware of the words being spoken. His gaze darkened, protective, possessive, something fierce flickering beneath that calm exterior.
Then, in his usual deep, composed tone, Aarav said,
"She's not just some guest, Mr. Sethi."
The man blinked, confused. Aarav took a step closer, voice low but edged with authority.
"She lives with us. And you'll do well to keep your thoughts... and your eyes... where they belong."
The air around them turned cold. The man awkwardly laughed, raising his hands. "Of course, of course... didn't mean to offend."
Raghav muttered dryly, "Then don't."
Aditya clapped Aarav's shoulder lightly to ease the tension, but the look in Aarav's eyes didn't soften not even a little.
The man laughed lightly, swirling his drink, clearly not reading the warning in Aarav's eyes.
"It's okay, Mr. Malhotra," he said in an almost mocking, casual tone. "Marriages are for matchmaking too, aren't they? And if someone wants to make a proposal, that's not so bad after all."
He smirked, glancing toward me again.
"What's wrong in it? She's looking good... and one day or another, she has to marry. Maybe she gets someone today only."
Raghav's glass paused mid-air Aditya's eyes went sharp. The air around the small group turned tense enough to slice.
Aarav didn't blink. His jaw flexed, a slow exhale leaving him as he set down his own glass with a soft clink.
His tone came low, measured, every word wrapped in steel.
"Be very careful with what you say next," he said. "You're standing in my house, at my brother's wedding."
The man shifted uncomfortably, trying to chuckle it off, but Aarav took a step closer voice barely above a whisper yet far more dangerous.
"She doesn't need anyone to find her someone. And she's not here for anyone's proposal."
His gaze locked on the man's, unblinking.
"So if you value your seat here tonight... keep your opinions and your intentions to yourself."
The man swallowed, nodding quickly, murmuring, "Of course, Mr. Malhotra... I didn't mean—"
But Aarav was already turning away, his expression carved from stone the only thing softening in his eyes when they found her across the hall, still smiling, still unaware of the storm he'd just silenced for her.
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Ashiana was standing at the food counter and eating food then she felt a presence behind her she tilts her head to see.
its Aarav . her breath hitched but before she could react he guided her towards back of the pillar.
ashiana froze completely, still holding her plate, cheeks puffed from the bite of food she hadn't even swallowed yet.
her heart thudded as Aarav's hand brushed lightly against her back steady, careful, but making every nerve in her body spark alive.
Before she could even turn or speak, he gently spun her around so her back met the his chest. she blinked in confusion, swallowing hard, the fork in her hand trembling slightly.
"A–Arav sir... what are you—"
"Don't move," he said quietly, voice deep, calm that same commanding tone that made people stop without question.
she froze again. Then she felt it the faint tug of his fingers at her back. His touch was firm yet precise as he tied the delicate string of my blouse that had come undone.
My eyes widened in shock. I hadn't even realized it was loose.
His breath ghosted near her ear as he leaned just enough to make her skin tingle.
"It was open," he murmured, his tone low but edged with protectiveness. "Next time, be careful. You're in a room full of people."
her throat went dry, words refusing to form. she could only nod faintly.
Then he stepped back, gaze lingering on her for a heartbeat longer than it should have, eyes dark and unreadable.
"Finish your food," he said quietly. "And stay close where I can see you."
And with that, he walked away leaving her standing there, pulse racing, her fingers still clutching the edge of the plate as if it was the only thing holding her steady.
As Aarav walked away, his jaw was tight, steps measured but his mind anything but calm.
Every muscle in him was coiled with something dark something he didn't want to name.
That man's eyes on her... the way he spoke about her, like she was some choice to be made at a dinner table. His fists flexed at his sides. I should've broken his hand right there.
He could still feel the warmth of her skin under his fingertips, the faint tremor when he tied her string and that alone made his control slip for a second.
She doesn't even realize what she does to me. The thought burned in his mind. One look, one smile, and the world around her fades. And those fools think they can talk about her like she's anyone else?
His jaw clenched harder. No. She's mine to protect. Mine to look after.
He exhaled slowly, trying to push the thought away but it stayed, rooted deep.
She has no idea... how dangerous it is when I start caring about someone.
Because once Aarav Malhotra claimed something no power, no man, no god could take it away from him.
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As the wedding ended and guests began trickling out, the mansion buzzed with chatter about farewells and thank-yous.
Meera's voice cut through the noise, tinged with concern.
"Where's Raj?" she asked, scanning the crowd.
Aditya's gaze flicked around the hall and he frowned.
"And Ashiana... she's not here either," he said, worry creeping into his tone.
Kabir, Raghav, and the others immediately started moving through the rooms and corridors, checking every corner, calling out softly for them.. A mild panic began to settle in the mansion.
But Aarav paused. His gaze caught a quiet corner of the living hall, near a large, cushioned couch. There, leaning back in the corner, he saw