Seen. But Not Chosen
A group of loud, familiar voices cut through the tension.
"OMKAR!"
Omkar turned instantly.A wide grin spread across his face.
"Finally...They come...!!.." he muttered.
Three people walked toward him confidently.
Tiya .Viki .Virat.
"Where the hell were you guys?"Omkar laughed, pulling Virat into a quick hug, then Viki.
"Blame the traffic. Not us."Tiya rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Okay ..Excuses already ready." Omkar smirked.
Then his eyes searched behind them.
" But Where's Anika?"Omkar asked them.
"She's sick. She has Fever and Couldn't't make it."Tiya sighed, flipping her hair back.
Omkar nodded casually."Her loss."
But then...
Viki's gaze shifted.Straight toward Meera.
And everything about his expression changed.A slow, mocking smile appeared.
"Well... well...See who comes here!!"
Virat followed his gaze.
"Oh wow...interesting.."Then chuckled under his breath.
Tiya crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed.
"Seriously, Omkar?How did they get in here?" she said.
Meera felt her chest tighten instantly.
Her fingers curled into her saree.
Not again...Not here...Not in front of everyone...Ruchika stepped slightly in front of her.
"What's your problem?" she snapped.
Viki laughed and said,
"Oh, relax.We're just... curious about you guys!!" He tilted his head.
"Yeah... this doesn't look like a charity event.Then how you guys come here!!"Virat added a smirk.
A few nearby guests turned subtly, sensing the tension.
Meera lowered her eyes.Her heartbeat grew louder.
Tiya stepped closer, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.She looked Meera up and down.
Then she smiled sweetly..The kind of smile that wasn't kind at all.
"Did someone get lost from the staff area?" she asked softly.
Ruchika's temper snapped about to shout at her .
Meera quickly grabbed her hand.
"Ruchi... don't. Not here .." she whispered.
Her voice was small.Because she knew how this ends.
Veer stepped forward now.
"Enough. Say whatever you want to me, not to her."His jaw tight.
Virat laughed loudly.
"Oh hero entry?Nice. Very nice." he clapped slowly.
Then he stepped closer to Meera.
Too close.
"So what's your role tonight?Serving drinks? Cleaning after the party?" he asked, lowering his voice mockingly.
Meera instinctively stepped back.
Fear flickered in her eyes.
And Aarav saw it.Every bit of it.
But he didn't move.Didn't speak.
His face remained unreadable.
Viki leaned casually beside Virat.
"Or maybe she's here for entertainment? Or maybe someone is getting their bed warm" he added, smirking.
"Omkar really has interesting taste these days."Tiya chuckled softly.
"You're crossing a line!"Ruchika snapped again.
"Or what?You'll do what? Throw us out?" Tiya shot back instantly.
The tension thickened.
Omkar stood there.Watching.A faint smirk playing on his lips.
As if he was enjoying the scene.As if he wanted to see . How far this would go.
Meera noticed.And something inside her broke a little.
So he's just going to stand there...?
Virat suddenly reached out grabbing Meera's wrist harshly. But enough to make her freeze.
"Relax . Why are you shaking? We're not going to eat you." he said mockingly.
Meera's breath hitched.Her body went stiff.
"Aarav...help.." her mind screamed silently. But can't .. she is not weak anymore..at last not in front of him..
But Aarav didn't move.His eyes darkened slightly.
That silence...
"Leave her." Veer stepped forward immediately.
"Or what?" Virat challenged.
Now his grip tightened slightly.
Meera flinched.And that was it.
Omkar moved.
"Enough guys . Leave them."His voice cut through everything.
Virat immediately let go.The playful mood vanished.
Omkar stepped forward.His expression completely changed now.
No smirk.
"They're my guests today. So, don't do something stupid today.." he said slowly.
"Your... guests?"Tiya blinked.
"Yes, guests. I invited them."Omkar nodded.
His eyes moved between all three of them.
"And you will behave."he said.
"Relax, bro. We were just joking.."Virat scoffed lightly, trying to recover.
"I don't remember laughing, virat.." Omkar cut him off.
His tone dropped lower.
Warning.Viki raised his hands slightly.
"Alright. Chill. We got it."he said.
Tiya rolled her eyes but said nothing.
The atmosphere shifted again.
Omkar turned slightly.Glancing at Meera for a second.Her pale face.Her trembling hands.
Then it was gone.He smiled again.As if nothing happened.
"Come here guys . Let me introduce you to someone important." he said casually.
He gestured toward Aarav.
"Aarav. These are my friends Tiya, Viki, and Virat." Omkar said smoothly,
"Nice to meet all of you."Aarav nodded politely.
They immediately straightened up.
Their tone changed completely.
Respectful and interested.
"You're the Aarav Oberoi?I've heard you a lot ." Virat said.
Aarav gave a faint smile.They laughed lightly.
Viki let out a low whistle."Damn... we've heard a lot about you, man," he said.
"International deals... expansions... Singapore, Dubai..." he added, clearly impressed.
Tiya leaned slightly forward, her tone suddenly softer.
"That's actually really impressive.You've built quite a reputation in this age ." she said.
"Just doing my work with my study ."Aarav nodded politely.
Virat chuckled."Modest too? That's rare."
Aarav gave a faint smile."Not modest. Just realistic."
Omkar watched the shift with amusement.
"Careful. You guys are starting to sound like fans." he said lazily.
"Can you blame us?Not every day we meet him" Viki smirked.
Aarav glanced briefly at Omkar.
"And you are?" he asked.
" We are Close friends. Basically family."Virat answered quickly.
"Unfortunately."Omkar rolled his eyes slightly.
They laughed.The conversation flowed easily after that.
"So how long have you been back?" Tiya asked.
"Recently. Work brought me here.Also something emergency come" Aarav replied.
Virat nodded eagerly.
"Heard you're planning something big with Thakur Industries?" he asked Aarav.
"We're exploring options."Aarav's tone remained calm.
"Exploring?That sounds like a lot more than just exploring."Viki repeated.
"Damn...Wish I was part of that." Virat muttered.
"You'd ruin it in a week," Tiya shot back instantly.
"Excuse me?" Virat frowned.
"She's not wrong."Omkar laughed.
They laughed again.The mood was light.
Like nothing had happened just moments ago.The insults...The humiliation...
And in the middle of all this.Meera stood silently .Right there.
Yet completely unseen.
Ruchika glanced at her, her brows furrowed.
"Meera...are you okay??" she whispered softly.But Meera didn't respond.
Her eyes...Were on Aarav.Waiting.Just once...Look at me.Say something...
But Aarav didn't.Not once.Not even by accident.
Veer noticed it too.His jaw tightened.
"He's doing this on purpose." he muttered under his breath.
"I know, But we can't do anything."Ruchika nodded slightly.
Meanwhile..Virat continued talking.
"So Aarav, you planning to stay here permanently now?" he asked.
"Not sure . But maybe I am staying for a while . Depending on how things go." Aarav replied.
Tiya smiled.
"Well, the city just got more interesting than for you."she said.
"Let's hope so."Aarav gave a polite nod.
Omkar's eyes flickered briefly
Toward Meera.Then back to Aarav.
A faint, knowing smirk touched his lips.
Interesting...
Behind them.Her chest felt heavy.
But because of this distance.This... indifference.
Even strangers were speaking to her more than him.And the man who once knew her heartbeat...Was talking like she didn't even exist.
Music suddenly filled the hall.
Soft at first...Then louder.The lights dimmed slightly as golden spotlights turned toward the dance floor
Couples began moving.Laughter. Whispers. Movement.
Tiya clapped excitedly, almost jumping.
"Oh finally it's started!!" she grinned.
She immediately turned to Omkar, stepping closer.
"Come on, Omkar. Let's dance." she said, her voice softening slightly.
There was something more in her tone now.Expectation.Hope.
She extended her hand toward him.
"Please? I know you can't say no to me."
Omkar looked at her.Tiya's smile held.
Waiting.
"You always dance with me .Don't tell me you're going to say no tonight."she added, half teasing, half serious.
Virat smirked from behind.
"Yeah bro, don't break her heart like that.She's been waiting all evening."
Viki chuckled.
"Shut up. Guys..Do not start again."Tiya shot them an annoyed look.Then her eyes returned to Omkar.
"Come on...Omkar says something " she said again, softer this time.
But Omkar didn't take her hand.
Instead . His gaze shifted.Past her.
Toward Meera.Tiya followed his line of sight.And her expression froze.
No...Omkar slowly stepped forward.
Not toward Tiya.But toward Meera.
Meera's breath caught.What is he doing...Omkar stopped in front of her.
"May I have dance with ms Sharma?"He extended his hand toward her.
Meera blinked.Her fingers tightened slightly around the edge of her saree.
He asked...?Omkar never asked.
He took.He decided.Her brows furrowed slightly.
"...You're asking me?" she whispered, almost in disbelief.Omkar's lips curved faintly.
"Don't misunderstand . I'm not becoming a gentleman overnight." he said softly, leaning a little closer.
Meera looked at his hand again.
Then back at his face.
"Then why ask?" she murmured.
Omkar's eyes held hers.
" For once...I wanted to see if you would come to me on your own."he said quietly,
Her breath caught slightly.Before she could respond.
Before she could respond.
"Omkar..."Tiya's soft voice came from behind.Hopeful. Expecting.
But Omkar didn't even turn.
Didn't acknowledge her.
Meera noticed.And then instinctively...They moved.Toward Aarav.He stood beside Tiya.
Meera's heart tightened painfully.
Say something...React..Stop this...
But Aarav . Did nothing.Like it didn't matter.He doesn't care...After everything...Still...A small, stubborn part of her whispered..
Maybe he's hiding it...Maybe...
Before she could think further..
Omkar's fingers gently closed around her hand.
"Too late.. For giving me an answer. Now let's go . " he said softly.
And pulled her toward the dance floor. Meera stumbled slightly but followed.As they stepped into the soft golden lights, music wrapped around them.
Omkar placed one hand on her waist.
He pulled her a little closer than necessary.
Meera stiffened.
"Omkar... people are watching," she said quietly.
"Let them, ms Sharma" he replied.
She looked up at him and said,"You're doing this on purpose."
"Doing what?"Omkar tilted his head slightly.
"This. Creating a scene.And what's the purpose of this?" she said, her voice low but steady.
Omkar smiled faintly.
"Everything I do has a purpose, Meera . And Maybe I wanted to dance with you." omkar said.
Her eyes searched his face.He leaned slightly closer.Meera shook her head softly.
"No... that's not it.You're trying to show something."Her voice dropped.
Omkar's grip on her waist tightened just a little.
"And what do you think I'm trying to show?" he asked.
Meera hesitated.Her eyes flickered again Toward Aarav.
"I don't know...But it has something to do with him." she whispered.
"You're smarter than you look ." Omkar said and he followed her gaze briefly.
Meera frowned slightly."That wasn't a compliment."
"It wasn't supposed to be also. "Omkar replied calmly.
Tiya let out a sharp breath.
"He ignored me .After I asked him first. Reject me for her..How embarrassing..." she said bitterly.Her lips curved into a soft laugh
"I mean... I'm not exactly invisible, am I?" she added, a hint of sarcasm slipping through.
Aarav glanced at her briefly.To Meera . To see what she will do .But Meera chose Omkar .
The way her shoulders were slightly tense under Omkar's hand.
Aarav noticed everything.Meera's
Every glance , hesitation.
Omkar wasn't dancing.He was provoking.A game
And using Meera as the center of it.
Aarav's eyes darkened slightly.
Interesting...
Tiya crossed her arms, clearly annoyed now.
"You're very quiet guys .Don't tell me you're enjoying this." she said, turning to him.
Aarav didn't respond immediately.
" I don't know about you all but i don't enjoy predictable games," he said calmly.
Tiya frowned.
"Predictable?You call this predictable?" she repeated.
"Care to explain?"Tiya looked at him, confused.
Aarav finally shifted his gaze to her.
"Omkar is doing exactly what he always does . He creates a situation... then waits to see who breaks first." he said quietly.
"And who's supposed to break here?"Tiya blinked as she asked.
"Not her. Not you"Aarav looked back at Meera.
" It's You?Why would he try to provoke you?"Tiya's brows shot up. She let out a short, disbelieving laugh.
Aarav's expression remained calm.
But his eyes... sharper now.
"Because he knows I'm watching."
Tiya studied him carefully.
Tiya looked back at the dance floor again. Omkar's hand tightens slightly on Meera's waist.Meera trying to keep her distance.But unable to.
Tiya's expression softened for a brief second.
"...And What about her?" she asked quietly. Aarav's gaze didn't move.
"She's in the middle.Whether she wants to be or not." he said.
Tiya exhaled slowly."That's unfair."
Aarav gave a faint, almost unreadable smile.
"Since when was anything about this fair?"he asked.
"So what?You're just going to stand here and analyze everything like it's some kind of business deal?"" she said, looking at him again.
Aarav didn't react.
"Or does it not matter enough for you to get involved?"Her voice softened slightly.
Aarav finally looked at her.
"It matters," he said quietly.
"Then why aren't you doing anything?"Tiya asked.
Aarav's jaw tightened just slightly.
"Because reacting now , would mean playing exactly the role ." he said slowly.
"And that is?"Tiya frowned.
"The jealous one."Aarav's eyes flickered briefly toward Omkar.
"So you're just going to prove him wrong by doing nothing?"Tiya blinked.Then let out a soft scoff.
Aarav didn't answer immediately.
His gaze shifted again Back to Meera.
She looked uncomfortable.
But Still trying to stay composed.
Aarav noticed.His expression changed just a fraction.
Tiya noticed it.
"...You're not as unaffected as you're pretending to be," she said quietly.
Aarav looked at her again.
"And you're not as indifferent as you're pretending to be," he replied calmly.
Tiya
"Touché."Then laughed softly.
She looked back at Omkar.
Her eyes dimmed slightly.
"He didn't even look at me...not even once." she murmured.
Aarav watched her for a moment.
Then said,"You're focusing on the wrong thing."
"What do you mean?"Tiya frowned.
Aarav nodded toward the dance floor.
"He's not ignoring you.He's using you." he said.
"Excuse me?"Tiya stiffened.
Aarav's voice remained calm.
"He knew you would ask him first and everything."
Tiya followed his gaze to Meera.
Realization slowly settled in.
Because she already understood.Tiya let out a slow breath.
"Wow...That's... twisted." she muttered.
"That's Omkar."Aarav gave a faint smile.
A moment of silence passed.
Then Tiya looked at him again.
"So what are you going to do?" she asked softly.
Aarav didn't answer immediately.
His eyes were still locked on Meera.
On the way she lookedLike she was holding herself together.
Barely.
He moved.Without warning.He stepped forward.
"Wait..Aarav. what are you doing?"" she called out quickly,
He didn't stop.Didn't turn.
Tiya took a step forward instinctively.
"Aarav . So, you are going to react?"
But he was already walking away.
A slow, knowing smile appeared on his lips."Just not the way he expected."
Aarav grabbed Tiya's hand and took her on dance floor.
Tiya smiled at him, trying to enjoy the moment.
"You dance well," she said.
"I've had practice . But I don't think you're focusing on the dance ." Aarav replied.
"Are you blaming me?" she said.
Of course he did.
"You like him," Aarav said simply.
"...Is it that obvious?"Tiya froze for a second.
"Yes."he said.
She sighed and said,"And he just ignored me like I didn't exist."
Aarav's gaze moved toward Omkar and Meera again.
"I wouldn't take it personally," he said.
"What do you mean?"Tiya frowned.
Aarav's lips curved slightly."He's not dancing with her because he wants to."
"I understand ?" she said..Aarav eyes remained on Meera.
Meera's heart was anything but calm.
Every step.Every movement.Because no matter how close Omkar was...Her eyes kept searching.
For someone else.
And he was right there.Holding someone else.Smiling faintly.
Like nothing had ever happened between them.
Her chest ached.Even after all these years...Why does it still hurt like this...?
Omkar noticed her distraction.
"Focus on us , Meera. You're stepping on my foot." he said quietly.
"Sorry," she murmured.