CHAPTER 11 #2
He shook his head in exasperation. She was such a drama queen sometimes. Her phone alarm rang, and she jumped in place, grinning as she turned it off.
“Alright, time for action,” she said, all business now. “I’m heading to the kitchen to get the cake. You get Nani and meet me outside Di’s room.”
She left, leaving Reyansh staring after her. Had she just... ordered him? For once, he didn’t mind. The surprise was thoughtful, something even he hadn’t considered. No doubt, she was a better planner than he was.
He shut the laptop and left the room.
By the time Aanya reached Radhika’s bedroom with the cake, Reyansh and Nani were already there.
“Reyansh, why are we disturbing her at this hour?” Nani grumbled. “She’s pregnant. She needs rest, not surprises.”
“Nani,” he explained patiently, “Aanya planned a small midnight celebration for her. Just a gesture to make her feel special.”
Nani shot Aanya a disapproving look. “Of course she did. What would she know about the importance of rest during pregnancy?”
Aanya bristled. “Then why don’t you ask your grandson to plan a baby with me? Once I’m pregnant, I’d be more than happy to share my firsthand experience on rest.”
The room fell silent. Nani was speechless and Reyansh? He turned to Aanya, cheeks tinged with pink, stunned by her brutal honesty. Aanya really had no filter and she didn’t care to think twice before she said such one-liners.
“If you’re not interested in celebrating with us, feel free to leave,” she added before knocking softly on Radhika’s door.
“This is my house!” Nani snapped behind her.
“It’s mine too for the next two months,” Aanya turned around, reminding her.
“Enough!” Reyansh growled. “Let’s just do this peacefully. I don’t want Di to know we were arguing on her birthday.”
Aanya smirked. “Finally, someone’s thinking right.”
The door creaked open and Rishi peeked out.
“Jeeju, is she awake?” Aanya whispered.
“No,” Rishi replied with a grin, stepping aside to let them in.
They gathered around Radhika’s bed. Aanya turned on the bedside lamp, and they began singing. Radhika stirred, blinking at the light and the unexpected chorus. She sat up, surprised and visibly moved.
“Oh my God… no one has ever wished me like this before,” she said tearfully.
Aanya placed the cake before her and passed her the knife.
“Di, that’s what makes it a surprise,” she said gently.
Radhika cupped Aanya’s cheek with affection. “I want this every year. You and Reyansh, together, wishing me like this… always.”
Aanya’s smile faltered. Just for a second. Because always wasn’t part of their plan. But before she could respond, Reyansh stepped in.
“Of course, Di,” he said warmly. “We will always wish you like this… together .”
He glanced at Aanya once, who was already looking at him. Their eyes locked for a breath too long, because for that one moment, they both almost believed the lie.
Then Aanya blinked, breaking eye contact first. She turned back to Radhika and gestured toward the cake.
“Come on, Di. Make a wish,” she said gently.
Radhika, teary-eyed, nodded and cut the cake. She fed Rishi, then Aanya and Reyansh. Afterward, she stepped down to take Nani’s blessings.
“This already feels like the best birthday of my life,” she said joyfully. “My whole family is with me. Especially Aanya.”
She hugged Aanya tightly. Reyansh felt his sister’s genuine affection for Aanya… and Aanya’s unfeigned fondness in return was sweet to watch. She wasn’t faking any of this. She loved his sister. And somehow, that truth stirred something dangerously close to longing in him.
Birthday Party – Next Day
The celebration at the Chopra Mansion had just begun.
Guests were pouring in steadily. Outside the gates, the media gathered in anticipation, eager for a glimpse of the elusive Reyansh Chopra, the reclusive business tycoon, accompanied for the first time, by his wife.
Whispers swirled everywhere: tonight, Mrs. Reyansh Chopra would be making her public appearance beside her husband.
But upstairs, in the privacy of her bedroom, Aanya stood before the mirror, lost. In a few minutes, she would be introduced as Reyansh’s wife in front of the entire world, an identity she’d have to abandon in two months when their arrangement came to an end.
She didn’t enjoy fooling people, especially not those who would believe this charade of a marriage was real.
If only Reyansh had thought like her. He could have spared his sister the truth with a white lie, avoiding this entire performance. But no, he chose the theatrical route.
A sharp knock broke her thoughts. She sprang to her feet and opened the door and saw Radhika.
She had assumed the birthday girl would be downstairs, basking in the festivities.
“Aanya, what is this? You’re still not dressed? Everyone’s waiting for you.”
“They’re waiting for you , Di. It’s your birthday,” Aanya replied.
Radhika stepped inside, surveying the room. Her eyes landed on a black dress sprawled on the bed.
“Is that what you’re wearing?” she asked, then shook her head. “No, wear something red tonight.”
“Red?” Aanya echoed.
“Yes, it’s Reyansh’s favourite colour,” Radhika said with a mischievous grin.
Aanya offered a wry smile. “Red - the colour of rage?”
“Or the colour of love,” Radhika added gently and moved toward the closet, selecting a deep crimson gown. “Wear this.”
The dress was stunning. Elegant, bold, impossible to ignore. She stared at it, her fingers brushing lightly over the fabric. It was exactly the kind of dress Reyansh would admire on a woman—clean lines, understated glamour, strong but feminine.
But that was the problem.
She couldn’t wear this. Not because it’s not beautiful, but because it’s his favourite. Because if he saw her in red, he might think she was trying. That she wanted more than what they agreed to.
She didn’t want to send wrong signals.
She didn’t want to blur the line between contract and something more.
“Are you sure?” she asked cautiously. “I don’t want his favourite colour to become his least favourite just because I wore it.”
Radhika laughed, brushing aside her concern. “Stop joking. And I’m not taking no for an answer. It’s my birthday, and I’m giving you an order.”
Aanya shook her head with a reluctant smile. “You’re impossible. Fine. I’ll wear it.”
“Good.” Radhika beamed, cupping her cheeks before leaving. “Come soon.”
As the door clicked shut, Aanya’s smile slowly faded.
She turned back to the gown in her hands, staring at the red silk as if it might answer all the questions tangled in her heart.
This doesn’t mean anything, she told herself. It’s just a dress. Just a night. And nothing’s changed.
With a quiet sigh, she began to change, still unsure whether she was dressing up for Radhika’s birthday… or stepping a little too close to a line she’d promised not to cross.
**************
Downstairs, Reyansh was entertaining guests, introducing Radhika and Rishi to some new business clients he had invited for the evening.
“Reyansh, it’s lovely to meet your family,” one of the clients said. “But where’s your wife? We’ve heard she’s back in town.”
He scanned the room. Aanya hadn’t made her appearance yet.
“There she is,” Radhika said, pointing toward the stairs.
Reyansh turned around with the rest and stilled seeing Aanya descending gracefully, wearing a red gown.
It clung to her curves in all the right ways.
He had no idea Sunny had included something like that in her wardrobe.
His assistant clearly had good taste. But the thought of another man choosing such outfits for Aanya stirred something possessive in him.
Aanya, meanwhile, felt every pair of eyes trained on her as she made her way down. Her pulse raced. Was something wrong with her appearance? Did she look absurd?
“Reyansh, go get her!” Radhika whispered, nudging him forward.
He moved toward the stairs without protest. When he reached her, he slipped an arm around her waist, drawing her close.
“Smile,” he whispered in a low, velvety tone.
Cameras flashed. Lights blinded. Aanya forced a smile, remembering her role. Her heart pounded, not just from the attention, but from how easily Reyansh played the part of a devoted husband.
Anand and Kyle entered the party at that very moment when Reyansh and Aanya were posing for the cameras. Anand’s eyes shone.
“Is this really happening?” he murmured, awestruck.
“It looks fake,” Kyle replied dryly.
Anand turned to her, clearly disheartened. “For once, Kyle, think positive.”
“I can’t lie my feelings,” she countered. “This sudden sweetness between them looks staged. They can fool the world, but not me. I can read their faces.”
He sighed and took her hand. “Let’s go greet them.”
Just then, Reyansh’s voice rang through the hall.
“Ladies and gentlemen, many of you have asked me about my wife—whether at parties, events, or casual gatherings. Tonight, I officially introduce to you... Mrs. Aanya Reyansh Chopra.”
Aanya swallowed hard. Mrs. Aanya Reyansh Chopra ? Not Aanya Malhotra. Could one announcement erase an entire identity?
She smiled again for the cameras.
“I’m grateful for your presence here tonight, to celebrate my sister’s birthday,” Reyansh continued. “Bring the cake, please.”
The staff brought it in and placed it on the centre table.
Guests gathered. Aanya and Reyansh stood beside Radhika as she cut the cake amid cheers and applause.
The celebration began in earnest. Reyansh popped open a bottle of champagne, the sound echoing across the room.
Aanya’s eyes lit up at the sight, only to darken when he leaned close.
“Don’t touch a drop,” he whispered roughly.
Aanya scowled, mouthing a curse as he turned away with a smug smile. Of course, the contract said no alcohol for two months. But tonight, of all nights, she wanted to celebrate. She didn’t want to act happy. She wanted to feel it.
“Aanya, where’s your drink?” Radhika asked, looking puzzled.
“I’m not drinking, Di,” she replied with a soft smile. “I’m keeping you company instead.”
“Did Reyansh stop you?” Radhika asked with a slight frown.
Aanya pouted dramatically. “Yes. He thinks I need to stay in control.” She added a smile to soften her words, but inside, a rebellious spark had already ignited.
What if she pretended to drink? She wouldn’t break the rules.
.. but she could make him squirm thinking she did.
Just a little. Just enough to see his reactions.