Chapter 21
The room had gone completely silent after Aarav's sentence.
"I think your husband is jealous."
My heartbeat immediately betrayed me.
Meanwhile Dhruv looked ready to commit several crimes.
"Aarav."
His voice came dangerously calm.
Which somehow felt scarier than yelling.
But Aarav just grinned wider like provoking Dhruv was his lifelong hobby.
"What?" he said innocently. "I'm just observ-"
"Leave."
The word came flat.
Cold.
Absolute CEO tone.
Aarav raised both hands dramatically.
"Fine, fine."
Then before leaving,
That idiot leaned slightly toward me and whispered loudly enough for Dhruv to hear:
"If he keeps acting emotionally constipated, call me. I'll show you the stars."
My eyes widened instantly.
OH GOD.
Because Dhruv's expression darkened immediately.
Aarav burst out laughing and escaped the room before murder occurred.
The door shut behind him.
Silence.
Dangerous silence.
I slowly turned toward Dhruv.
He stood near the desk now.
Jaw tight.
Expression unreadable again.
But somehow,
The air around him felt sharper.
I bit my lip softly trying not to smile.
Because for the first time in weeks,
Dhruv looked openly irritated over another man talking to me.
And unfortunately?
My stupid heart liked that information too much.
I spoke carefully.
"You didn't have to scare him."
Dhruv looked at me blankly.
"I wasn't scaring him."
Oh.
So homicide face was natural apparently.
I tried not to laugh.
Bad idea.
Because the second he noticed the tiny smile I was hiding—
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"What?"
I shook my head immediately.
"Nothing."
Silence.
Then finally,
Dhruv grabbed his car keys from the table.
"Come."
I blinked.
"...what?"
"You wanted to see the lake."
My eyes widened instantly.
Wait.
Really?!
Dhruv already walked toward the door before I could process it.
And somehow..
That tiny gesture affected me way too much.
Because despite all the coldness lately,
He still took me himself rather than letting another man do it.
My heart reacted immediately.
Annoying thing.
....
Udaipur at night felt magical.
Actually magical.
The palace lights reflected beautifully across the calm lake water while soft music echoed from distant wedding functions nearby.
Cool breeze touched my face gently as we walked slowly along the quieter side of the lake.
And for once,
No security guards followed too closely.
No relatives.
No family drama.
Just me and Dhruv.
Side by side.
The city lights reflected softly against his sharp features while he walked with both hands in his pockets.
Still cold.
Still quiet.
Still emotionally unavailable.
But here.
With me.
And somehow,
That mattered.
I looked up toward the stars excitedly.
"They're so clear here."
"Hm."
Still minimal words.
I frowned slightly.
"You could at least pretend to enjoy being outside."
Dhruv glanced toward me briefly.
"I'm here, aren't I?"
The answer came simple.
But something about it made my chest tighten softly.
Because with Dhruv,
Presence itself meant more than words sometimes.
We kept walking quietly afterward.
And honestly?
The silence didn't feel uncomfortable tonight.
The lake water shimmered beautifully under moonlight while the breeze played softly with my hair.
I smiled unconsciously while watching everything around me.
Then suddenly,
A voice interrupted sharply behind us.
"Dhruv?!"
We both turned instantly.
And the moment I saw her,
My stomach dropped slightly.
Beautiful.
That was the first thought.
The girl walking toward us looked absolutely stunning.
Long dark hair.
Designer lehenga.
Perfect makeup.
Rich elegance practically radiating off her.
And the moment her eyes landed on Dhruv,
They lit up completely.
Like she'd just found the center of her universe.
Oh.
Oh no.
She reached us quickly.
And before I could even process anything,
She hugged Dhruv tightly.
Very tightly.
My entire body froze instantly.
Because unlike Isha,
This hug wasn't emotional.
Or sad.
Or accidental.
This girl hugged him like she belonged there.
Like she'd imagined doing it forever.
My chest tightened painfully.
Dhruv immediately stiffened though.
I noticed it instantly.
His hands didn't hug back.
Not even slightly.
But still.
The sight hurt anyway.
The girl finally pulled back smiling brightly.
"I can't believe you're here!"
Then suddenly her eyes shifted toward me.
And the smile froze.
Just for one second.
Before returning again.
Fake this time.
Dangerously fake.
"Oh."
Silence.
Her eyes slowly traveled over me.
Judging.
Calculating.
Then finally,
She smiled sweetly.
"You must be the contract wife."
The world stopped.
My heartbeat stumbled painfully.
Because the sentence hit like a slap.
Beside me,
Dhruv's entire expression darkened instantly.
The girl continued smiling innocently.
"I'm Ananya."
She extended her hand toward me casually.
"My family and Dhruv's family have known each other forever."
I shook her hand politely despite the weird feeling in my chest.
"Riya."
Ananya's eyes returned toward Dhruv immediately afterward.
Too quickly.
Too lovingly.
And suddenly.
I understood everything.
This girl was obsessed with him.
Not a crush.
Not attraction.
Obsession.
The kind rich families probably joked about for years.
The kind that dreamed about becoming Mrs. Dhruv Malhotra since childhood.
Ananya laughed softly while touching Dhruv's arm familiarly.
"You disappeared after the wedding."
Dhruv calmly removed her hand from his arm.
So subtle.
Yet unmistakable.
"I was busy."
For some reason,
That tiny action made me breathe easier.
But Ananya clearly noticed too.
Because something dark flickered briefly across her face before disappearing again.
She looked toward me once more.
Smile sharp now.
"So how are you liking the Malhotra family?"
I answered softly.
"They're nice."
Ananya almost laughed.
Cute.
Condescending.
Like I was stupid.
Then casually,
"You'll learn eventually."
Silence.
Dhruv's jaw tightened again.
"Ananya."
Warning.
Clear warning.
But she ignored it completely.
Instead she stepped closer toward him again.
"Your mom told my mom you'd be attending the wedding."
Then softer,
"I missed you."
The sentence hung heavily in the air.
And suddenly,
I felt stupid standing there.
Because this girl belonged in his world.
Beautiful.
Rich.
Elegant.
The kind of woman billionaire families actually wanted beside their sons.
Not me.
Just me.
My fingers unconsciously tightened around my dupatta.
And unfortunately,
Dhruv noticed immediately.
Because his eyes shifted toward me sharply.
Then something in his expression changed.
He suddenly stepped closer toward me.
Close enough that our shoulders brushed slightly.
Protective.
Intentional.
Ananya noticed instantly.
Of course she did.
Her smile faltered slightly for the first time.
Dhruv finally spoke coldly.
"Riya is tired. We're leaving."
Ananya blinked.
"So soon?"
"Yes."
Her eyes shifted between us slowly.
Then suddenly,
She smiled again.
But this time?
The smile looked dangerous.
"Oh."
Silence.
Then sweetly toward me:
"Be careful with him, Riya."
My brows furrowed slightly.
"What?"
Ananya looked directly into my eyes now.
And quietly,
"Dhruv Malhotra destroys every person who gets too emotionally attached to him."
The night air suddenly felt colder.
Because somehow,
The sentence didn't sound like a warning.
It sounded like experience.
....
NEXT MORNING
The palace looked straight out of a dream the next morning.
Sunlight reflected beautifully against the lake outside while soft traditional music echoed through the huge courtyards.
Servants rushed everywhere with flower baskets.
Relatives wandered around in expensive ethnic outfits.
Photographers practically attacked everyone breathing.
And unfortunately,
Today was apparently Couples Games Day.
Which honestly sounded harmless.
Until I entered the courtyard and realized rich Indian weddings treated games like Olympic warfare.
The huge garden area had been decorated beautifully.
Colorful drapes.
Fresh marigolds.
Small game stations everywhere.
Long tables covered with desserts and drinks.
And at the center,
Every married couple from both families.
Young couples.
Old couples.
Newlyweds.
Parents.
Everyone.
I immediately wanted to disappear.
Dhruv stood beside me wearing a blush pink kurta that should honestly be illegal because WHY did this man look this attractive doing absolutely nothing.
Meanwhile I wore a soft pink lehenga Dhruv's mother had practically forced me into.
The moment we entered,
Several relatives instantly looked toward us.
Whispers already starting.
God.
Rich people never rested.
Dhruv's aunt walked toward us immediately.
Smile fake as always.
"There you both are."
Her eyes shifted toward me critically.
Then toward Dhruv.
"You'll participate properly, right?"
Dhruv answered instantly.
"No."
I almost sighed in relief.
Thank God.
But unfortunately,
His mother appeared from nowhere.
"Yes you will."
Dhruv looked deeply exhausted already.
"Mom."
"No excuses."
She pointed dramatically around the courtyard.
"Every couple is participating."
Then suspiciously narrowing her eyes:
"Unless you want people questioning your marriage again."
Silence.
Dhruv clearly hated that argument because he stopped objecting immediately.
Meanwhile I panicked softly beside him.
Games?
In front of all these people?!
Absolutely not.
Too late.
A cheerful host suddenly grabbed the microphone dramatically.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
Everyone turned toward the stage area excitedly.
"Welcome to the couples championship!"
The crowd clapped loudly.
I wanted death.
The host grinned widely.
"We'll begin with our first game,"
Oh no.
"...the classic couple compatibility challenge!"
Several couples cheered.
I looked toward Dhruv nervously.
He already looked like he'd rather attend a tax audit.
The first game involved both partners answering questions about each other on small whiteboards.
Simple.
Harmless.
Except apparently everyone here took romance very seriously.
An older uncle proudly shouted his wife's favorite color before she even answered.
Another newlywed couple got every answer correct and acted like soulmates reincarnated.
Meanwhile Dhruv and I sat at the far end looking like emotionally unavailable royalty.
The host suddenly appeared near us excitedly.
"And now, our newest couple!"
Oh God no.
The spotlight literally shifted toward us.
I nearly combusted.
The crowd clapped loudly while people leaned forward curiously.
Because obviously everyone wanted entertainment from the infamous Dhruv Malhotra and his mysterious wife.
The host grinned.
"Mr. and Mrs. Malhotra!"
The title still made my heartbeat weird.
Dhruv looked entirely unimpressed beside me.
We got handed whiteboards.
My palms already sweating.
The host smiled dramatically.
"First question!"
Oh God.
"What is your partner's favorite drink?"
I froze.
Wait.
I actually knew this.
I quickly wrote black coffee.
Beside me, Dhruv wrote calmly too.
The host counted dramatically.
"One, two, three, show!"
I lifted my board nervously.
Dhruv lifted his.
And instantly,
The crowd reacted loudly.
Because both our answers matched perfectly.
Mine:
Black coffee.
His:
Cutting chai.
My eyes widened instantly.
Wait.
He knew?!
Dhruv looked equally surprised for one tiny second.
Then immediately neutral again.
But unfortunately,
I noticed.
The host grinned excitedly.
"Ohooo! Good start!"
Several aunties looked impressed already.
Meanwhile Dhruv's aunt looked annoyed.
Next question.
"What annoys your partner the most?"
Easy.
I instantly wrote:
Loss of Time.
Dhruv wrote something too.
"SHOW!"
I flipped my board.
Then blinked.
Because Dhruv's answer read:
Rude people.
Silence.
The crowd cooed dramatically.
"Ohhh he notices!"
I immediately looked down embarrassed.
Meanwhile Dhruv looked irritated that the answer revealed too much.
The host looked delighted now.
"Mr. Malhotra paying attention to his wife? Historic moment!"
The crowd laughed.
Dhruv stared blankly at the host.
The poor man almost backed away physically.
Then came the dangerous question.
"What is your partner most afraid of?"
My smile faded slightly.
Because honestly,
I didn't know.
Dhruv hid himself too well.
I slowly wrote:
Losing control.
Beside me,
Dhruv stopped writing for one tiny second.
Then continued.
The host counted again dramatically.
"SHOW!"
I lifted my board slowly.
Dhruv lifted his.
And my breath caught instantly.
Because his answer said:
Being unwanted.
Silence.
The entire world genuinely blurred for one second.
My heartbeat stumbled painfully.
Because no one knew that about me.
No one.
Not even Isha.
Not even childhood friends.
Yet somehow,
Dhruv knew.
The courtyard had gone quieter now too.
Because suddenly this didn't feel like silly wedding games anymore.
This felt personal.
Real.
I slowly looked toward him.
And he was already looking at me.
Dark eyes unreadable.
But intense enough to ruin my breathing.
The host awkwardly cleared his throat dramatically trying to lighten the mood.
"Okay WOW, deep answers from the Malhotras."
The crowd laughed softly again.
But the tension between us stayed.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Then suddenly,
Another voice interrupted sweetly from nearby.
"Of course Dhruv would know emotional weaknesses."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
I turned immediately.
And there she was.
Ananya.
Beautiful.
Perfectly dressed.
Smiling.
Poison hidden behind elegance.
She walked closer slowly while several relatives greeted her warmly.
Then casually,
Like she belonged there,
She sat beside Dhruv.
Too close.
Way too close.
My stomach tightened slightly.
Ananya smiled toward the crowd.
"Dhruv has always been observant."
Her hand lightly touched his arm while speaking.
Familiar.
Practiced.
And for some reason,
That irritated me immediately.
Dhruv's jaw tightened faintly.
But before he could move away,
The host suddenly announced the next game excitedly.
"Now comes the most awaited challenge!"
Everyone cheered loudly.
"The blindfold challenge!"
Oh no.
OH NO.
The host explained happily:
"The husbands will be blindfolded and must identify their wives only by touch!"
The crowd absolutely lost their minds.
People laughing.
Cheering.
Whistling.
Meanwhile I nearly stopped breathing.
Because beside me,
Dhruv had gone completely still.
Whereas,
The courtyard exploded with excitement instantly.
Couples laughing.
Relatives cheering.
Phones already recording.
Meanwhile,
I wanted the earth to swallow me whole.
Because absolutely not.
No way.
The host looked delighted by everyone's reactions.
"This game is simple!"
Easy for HIM to say.
"The wives will stand in a line while the husbands are blindfolded."
The crowd cheered louder.
"The husband must identify his wife only by touching her hand."
Several aunties giggled dramatically.
Someone's grandfather yelled:
"Arre if he fails, cancel the marriage!"
The crowd burst into laughter.
Meanwhile I slowly turned toward Dhruv.
Big mistake.
Because he looked terrifyingly calm.
Too calm.
Which somehow felt worse.
The host grinned wickedly.
"Mr. Malhotra participating will definitely be interesting."
Several people laughed knowingly.
Because apparently Dhruv Malhotra having emotions was considered national entertainment now.
Dhruv answered flatly:
"I can leave."
The host immediately panicked.
"NO."
The crowd laughed again.
His mother looked dangerously amused nearby.
And unfortunately,
Ananya looked interested.
Very interested.
She leaned slightly closer toward Dhruv.
Smile soft.
"I wanna see if you can recognize people properly."
Something about her tone made my stomach twist slightly.
Dhruv didn't even look at her.
Cold as ever.
But I noticed one thing instantly,
He subtly shifted his arm away from where her fingers rested near him.
Tiny movement.
Still enough.
The game began quickly afterward.
Several couples went first.
One husband accidentally identified another woman and his wife nearly murdered him publicly.
The entire courtyard laughed so loudly people from other wedding functions started watching too.
Another older man instantly recognized his wife by her bangles alone.
The aunties practically cried from happiness.
Meanwhile my nervousness kept increasing.
Because unfortunately,
Dhruv noticed things.
Tiny things.
Dangerous things.
And the idea of him touching my hand in front of everyone suddenly felt way too intimate.
The host finally looked toward us dramatically.
"And now!"
Oh God.
"The couple everyone has been waiting for!"
The spotlight practically shifted toward us again.
"Mr. and Mrs. Dhruv Malhotra!"
The crowd clapped loudly.
Whistles everywhere.
My heartbeat immediately lost stability.
Dhruv stood up slowly beside me.
Cold expression.
Tall intimidating billionaire aura fully activated.
And somehow,
Every woman in the courtyard stared at him.
Including Ananya.
Especially Ananya.
The host handed him a black blindfold dramatically.
"Ready, Mr. Malhotra?"
Dhruv looked deeply exhausted by humanity.
"No."
The crowd burst out laughing again.
Meanwhile I got guided toward the line of women nervously.
Five women total.
Including me.
And unfortunately,
Ananya suddenly joined the line too.
My brows furrowed instantly.
Wait.
She wasn't even married.
But the host laughed.
"Extra difficulty!"
Oh absolutely not.
Ananya smiled sweetly beside me.
And somehow,
The smile looked intentional.
Calculated.
Like she wanted this.
My stomach tightened slightly.
Then slowly,
I understood.
She wanted Dhruv to hesitate.
To confuse her for me.
To prove something.
The realization made something uncomfortable twist inside my chest.
The women stood in a line while the crowd watched excitedly.
Meanwhile Dhruv got blindfolded.
And somehow,
The sight itself ruined my nervous system.
God.
Why did this man look attractive doing literally anything.
The host spun him around dramatically while the crowd laughed.
"Now identify your wife!"
The music in the courtyard softened slightly.
Everyone watching carefully now.
Dhruv started walking forward calmly.
Blindfold covering his eyes completely.
Yet somehow,
He still looked controlled.
Dangerously controlled.
The first woman extended her hand nervously.
Dhruv touched her fingers lightly.
Brief.
Then immediately moved ahead.
"No."
The second woman giggled while he touched her wrist briefly.
Again,
"No."
Third.
Fourth.
No hesitation.
No confusion.
Then finally,
He stopped in front of Ananya.
The entire courtyard suddenly became quieter.
Because everyone knew their history.
Knew she'd wanted him for years.
Ananya slowly extended her hand toward him.
Beautiful smile already forming like she expected victory.
Dhruv touched her fingers briefly.
And instantly,
His expression changed.
Not confusion.
Recognition.
Cold recognition.
Then flatly,
"No."
Ananya's smile froze immediately.
The crowd reacted softly.
Whispers beginning.
Meanwhile my stupid heart felt relieved.
Too relieved.
Dhruv had already moved ahead.
And suddenly,
He stood in front of me.
My heartbeat started pounding violently.
Because despite the blindfold,
Something about the way he stopped felt certain.
Like he'd known already.
The courtyard had gone almost silent now.
Everyone watching.
Waiting.
Slowly,
Dhruv reached forward.
And his fingers touched mine.
Warm.
Careful.
The second our skin touched,
Something shifted in his expression instantly.
Subtle.
But there.
His hand closed around mine gently.
Not formal.
Not distant.
Gentle.
And then,
He smiled.
Tiny.
Almost invisible.
But real.
The entire crowd reacted loudly immediately.
Because apparently witnessing Dhruv Malhotra almost smile was a historic event.
But I barely heard them.
Because my heart had genuinely forgotten how to function.
Dhruv still held my hand lightly while speaking calmly:
"This one."
The host laughed dramatically.
"CONFIDENT!"
The blindfold finally got removed.
And the moment Dhruv looked at me,
The atmosphere changed again.
Because for one dangerous second,
Neither of us looked away.
His dark eyes remained fixed entirely on mine.
Intense.
Steady.
Like the rest of the crowd disappeared.
Then the host shouted excitedly:
"CORRECT!"
Everyone clapped loudly.
Whistles echoed everywhere.
But suddenly,
A voice cut through the noise softly.
Too softly.
Dangerously softly.
"Of course he'd recognize her."
The atmosphere shifted instantly again.
I looked sideways.
Ananya stood there smiling.
But her eyes?
Burning.
Obsessed.
Broken.
And when she looked at me,
For the first time,
I realized something terrifying.
This wasn't jealousy anymore.
This girl genuinely saw me as the person who stole the life she believed belonged to her.