ch 62 sangeet
Ashiana froze against the pillar, breath caught in her throat as Aarav stepped closer, crowding her space without touching
until he did.
Warm haldi finger smudged her cheek first.
Soft.
Slow.
Deliberate.
her lashes fluttered down as heat bloomed across her face.
Aarav hushed, teasingly "Look at you... already turning red."
He trailed the haldi along her jawline, the pad of his thumb grazing her skin in a way that made her knees weak.
Then his fingers slid down
over her arms, smearing the golden paste gently, drawing slow lines over her skin.
she shivered, breath hitching.
He turned her around lightly with a hand on her waist.
her back hit his chest.
she gasped.
Haldi-coated fingertips brushed along her back, over the curve of her shoulder, down her spine through the fabric
her whole body warm.
her fingers curled at her sides.
Aarav voice drops, brushing her ears "Still running?"
she shook her head, shy, breathless.
Then his hand slid under the hem of her top
reached over just below her girlies, spreading haldi in gentle strokes.
her body stiffened, then melted.
she sucked in a quick breath, face burning.
her eyes stayed glued to the floor. whispers "Aarav... stop... everyone will see..."
He tilted her chin up with his clean hand, forcing her to meet his eyes.
"Let them."
she blush deepenedher cheeks hot, lips parted, eyes trembling. "Aarav... you're applying too much..."
Aarav smirks, "No. Not enough."
He dipped his fingers again and reached for her again—
The night glittered like a dream.
Music.
Lights.
Gold shimmer everywhere.
And thenAshiana and Aarav stepped in.
Hand in hand.
Gasps moved through the entire hall.
The spotlight hit the two of them, bathing them both in a warm golden glow as petals drifted from above.
she looked ethereal in her sangeet outfit soft, glowing, breathtaking.
Aarav, in his royal sherwani, looked like danger wrapped in perfection.
His hand tightened around her just slightly.
Aarav near her ears, "Steady, sweetheart. They're staring at you."
she blushed deeper, her eyes lowering shyly.
But he wouldn't let her hide.
He slid his hand around her waist and pulled her closer, chin lifting proudly as if telling the whole world:
She is mine.
The hall brightened as everyone clapped, cheering the couple.
Prerna squealed.
Meghna grinned wide.
Kabir whistled.
Raghav smirked.
Aditya nodded in approval like the elder brother he was.
them both walked forward through the aisle of lights her gown brushing against his legs, his warm fingers intertwined with her.
Every step she took felt like a fairytale.
Every heartbeat echoed the same truth
Tonight she wasn't just Ashiana.
she wasAarav Malhotra's bride-to-be.
And he...
he looked like Ashiana is the only woman in the entire universe.
Aarav smiles softly "Ready to dance with me, Mrs. Malhotra?"
The lights dimmed.
A single soft spotlight fell on the stage as Ashiana and Aarav stepped into the center, hand in hand.
The hall turned slightly waiting. Watching.
And then...
song played
https://youtu.be/TdT9PsFjOzA
Something timeless, soothing, the kind of music that melts straight into the soul.
Aarav placed one hand around her waist, the other gently holding her fingers.
His touch was warm... steady... claiming.
she looked up at him shyly.
He looked at her like she was the only person that existed.
Aarav whispers forehead touching her "Just follow me, my love."
Ashiana nodded, heart fluttering.
And the two of them began to sway.
Slow.
Graceful.
Perfect.
her gown brushed lightly against his legs as she moved.
He twirled her gently her dupatta swirling, her bangles chiming softly and caught her back with a hand firm around her waist.
she gasped softly as her chest pressed against his.
Aarav lips curves in slow smile "Careful... I might not let you go after this."
she blushed, eyes lowering, but he lifted her chin with a single finger and made her look right at him.
His thumb brushed her cheek. she rested her hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat steady and strong under her palm.
The world blurred.
The hall, the people, the lights everything faded.
It was just... two souls dancing together.
He leaned closer, his lips brushing her ear. "You look like a dream tonight."
she smiled shyly and whispered back "And you look like someone I could fall in love with... all over again."
He exhaled softly because she always had a way of undoing him.
He pulled her even closer, her forehead touching his chest as the song reached its soft, beautiful end.
When the final note faded, he kisses her temple...
long... gentle... full of love.
And the hall erupted into applause.
Everyone saw it.
Everyone felt it.
Tonight's dance wasn't choreography.
It wasn't practice.
It was a love story unfolding on stage.
Ashiana. And Aarav's.
Then little Rajruns onto the stage, confidently taking the center as the song "Chhota Baccha Samajh Ke Humko..." starts playing.
He begins dancing with full energy tiny steps, big expressions, and all the dramatic thumkas.
The entire hall explodes into laughter and cheers.
People are hooting... clapping... whistling... phones come out to record him.
Ashiana, seated beside Aarav, instantly turn into his biggest cheerleader.
she jump a little in her seat, hands cupped around her mouth as she scream:
"Yesssssss... myyy chottaa handsome Malhotraaaaa!"
Aarav looks at her, amused, warmth in his eyes as she cheer like a proud elder sister.
her voice echoes with the crowd, het excitement so pure that Aarav chuckles softly, sliding an arm around the back of her sofa, pulling her a little closer as Raj finishes his performance with a superhero pose.
Everyone claps louder, and Ashiana scream again,
"Raaajjjjj! Uff kitna cute lag raha hai!"
Kabir and Prerna's names are called next, and the spotlight hits them as they walk up both already bickering under their breath like always.
The beat drops.
A loud, chaotic, high-energy Bollywood song starts playing .
https://youtu.be/kuEeCAnB3EI
And they absolutely lose it.
Prerna flips her hair like she's in a music video.
Kabir does smooth steps half-funny, half-dramatic moves.
At one point he almost bumps into her and she slaps his arm mid-dance.
The crowd roars with laughter.
They spin... almost fall... recover... then start doing random hooks steps that match the beat.
Ashiana laughs glowy, clutching Aarav's arm.
Aarav shakes his head, smirking, "ye doo hi ek jaise h"
Kabir suddenly pulls Prerna close for a "romantic spin"...
Prerna twirls... And ends with a smooth dip.
Ashiana gasp and laugh louder, "CHAOTIC COUPLE OF THE YEAR!"
Everyone is hooting, clapping, yelling:
"Kabirrrr!"
"Prernaaaa!"
"Once more!''
The lights shift into a warm golden glow as the host announces:
"Next... Meera and Raghav!"
Ashiana smile instantly everyone knows their chemistry is effortless... cute... and always a little unintentionally funny.
They walk up holding hands, Raghav looking confident, Meera already blushing and laughing.
The music starts something sweet, romantic, but with a playful beat.
https://youtu.be/EkxOXF9J77w
Raghav starts with a smooth step...
Meera follows... a bit shy... but then matches his rhythm perfectly.
They sway together, soft and graceful.
Then
Raghav suddenly adds a funny exaggerated step, raising his eyebrows at Meera.
She gasps, slaps his arm lightly, and starts giggling in the middle of the dance.
Everyone laughs.
He pulls her in gently for a twirl...
She twirls but ends up spinning a bit too much, stumbling into his chest.
Raghav catches her instantly, steadying her by the waist.
The audience: "Awwwwwww!"
Ashiana, hooting loudly,
"MEERA DIIII... LOOKING SO CUTEEE.... GOOOO RAGHAVVV BHAIYAAA..!"
They finish with a sweet, close pose foreheads touching, still laughing together.
The hall claps, whistles, and cheers as their soft-sweet-with-a-dash-of-funny dance ends beautifully.
The mansion had gone quiet...
Lights dimmed... music fading into distant echoes.
The sky was ink-dark and sprinkled with stars as Ashiana stood on the terrace, her dupatta fluttering in the cool midnight breeze.
she hugged her arms, lost in the silence.
Footsteps approached slow, heavy, familiar.
Aarav.
He didn't announce himself.
He just came to stand beside her, hands in his pockets, gaze fixed on her first... and then the sky.
Aarav (soft, deep):
"Couldn't sleep?"
she looked at him, her cheek warming despite the night breeze.
"Just... needed some air. And the stars looked beautiful."
Aarav stepped closer, close enough that Ashiana's arm brushed his. "They're not the only ones."
ashiana blinked, heat rising to her face.
He tilted his head slightly, watching her the way only he does intense, gentle, possessive all at once.
"You've been running around all evening. Laughing. Dancing. Smiling at everyone..."
He leans closer
"...and I had to sit there pretending I wasn't staring the whole time."
her breath caught.
The breeze lifted her hair, and Aarav slowly pushed a strand back behind her ear, fingers grazing her cheek.
Aarav (lower, rougher)"Come here."
He turned her fully toward him, his body towering, shadow wrapping around her like a shield.
"Tomorrow... you become mine. Completely."
she swallowed, heart hammering.
Ashiana(whispering)"Aarav... I'm already yours."
His jaw clenched. His hand slid to her waist, pulling her in.
"Say it again."
The night held its breath.
Then she looks up at him
'' I love you soo much Aarav...''
then
she steps back smirking folding arms ''Enjoy your singlehood tonight Mr. Malhotra because from tomorrow.. I will be the one controlling you...''
Aarav froze for a second.
Not because he was shocked
but because Ashiana, his fierce, giggling, chaotic Ashiana...
had just smirked up at him and challenged Aarav Malhotra like that.
A slow, dangerous smile spread across his lips.
He stepped closer.
Close enough that her back touched the terrace railing.
Close enough that he caged she completely in his shadow.
His fingers lifted her chin.
Aarav (voice deep, amused, possessive)"Controlling me... hmm?"
He leaned in, brushing his nose against hers.
Aarav says"You think marrying me makes you the boss?"
she smirked harder.
Ashiana raises an eye brow"Absolutely. 100%. And there's no refund policy, Mr. Malhotra."
Aarav's jaw flexed as he chuckled a low, sinful sound that vibrated against her skin.
Then he dipped his head, lips almost touching her but not quite.
"I love you too, Ashiana."
His hand slides to your waist, pulling her in"And if you think I need to 'enjoy my singlehood' tonight..."
He kissed the corner of her mouth, slow and teasing. "...trust me, I stopped being single the minute I fell for you."
He pressed his forehead to her, breath mingling.
Aarav (whispering, dark)"And as for controlling me?"
He smirks"Sweetheart... tomorrow, the world will see you standing beside me
Mrs. Ashiana Aarav Malhotra.
My queen.
My home.
My madness."
He lifts her hand and kisses her knuckles.
"You can try controlling me... but don't blame me when I don't let you walk properly after the wedding night."
He smirks wickedly.