Chapter 30
The ballroom of the Malhotra mansion glittered under chandeliers, music floating across the crowd as laughter and glasses clinked. Everyone looked radiant, but Rayyan Malik felt suffocated. His chest was tight, his throat dry, and guilt coiled inside him like a poisonous snake.
What have I done...?
His fingers brushed across his lips unconsciously, recalling the unwanted kiss. He hadn't kissed Ramsha-he hadn't initiated it. But he had allowed it. He hadn't pushed her away fast enough. He had closed his eyes for a moment, a single damn moment, and that moment now burned him alive.
How could I let her? How could I betray the one woman I ever loved?
His heart screamed the only one name: Aayat.
It had always been Aayat.
Dragging in a shaky breath, Rayyan straightened his suit jacket and re-entered the party hall, his eyes scanning desperately across the crowd. His soul was restless, searching only for her.
And then he saw her.
Aayat stood gracefully beside a tall foreign businessman, her poise regal yet approachable.
Rayyan's chest loosened slightly, a fleeting calm washing over him. She's here.
But then, a dagger twisted. She didn't even glance his way. Not once.
Not even a cold look. Not even indifference.
As if he didn't exist.
His jaw clenched. A few minutes ago, at least she was looking at me-even if it was with those distant, frozen eyes.
At least she acknowledged I was here. But now.
.. nothing. Did she see me with Ramsha? Ya Allah.
.. nahin. Nahin, aisa nahi ho sakta, rayyan tum zada soch ray ho, aisa kuch nhin hain.
"Mr. Malik!" Mr. Malhotra's booming voice pulled him back. Rayyan plastered on a polite expression and walked toward them. His mind wasn't here-it was only fixed on whether Aayat had seen that moment in the corridor.
Introductions began. Rayyan shook hands with the London businessman, his grip firm but his heart elsewhere. His gaze flickered sideways, trying to catch even a flicker of recognition from Aayat. But she remained composed, her eyes refusing to acknowledge him.
Before the silence could choke him, a cheerful voice rang out from behind:
"Aayat!"
Her head turned sharply. A genuine smile broke across her lips.
And there he was-Ayaan Khan.
A warmth spread across her face, a light that hadn't been there a moment ago. She hurried toward him, relief softening her features.
"Tum yahan? Tum toh keh rahe the tumhe bohot kaam hai?" she asked, her voice carrying a mix of surprise and happiness.
Ayaan chuckled, his grin playful.
"Woh toh surprise dena tha tumhe isliye kaha. Tumhe kya lagta hai main tumse zada time door reh sakta hoon?"
Rayyan's stomach twisted violently.
The London businessmen instantly recognized Ayaan.
"Mr. Ayaan Khan! You are here as well...!"
Ayaan's smile broadened. He shook their hands with confidence.
"Of course. How could I miss it? After all, someone very special mentioned me in her award speech. Though,"-he looked at Aayat teasingly-"she only said friend. Name bhi nahi liya mera."
Aayat's lips curved into a helpless smile, shaking her head.
"Ab shuru mat ho jana phir se, please."
"Filhal ke liye chod raha hoon," Ayaan replied with mock seriousness. "But ghar jaa kar jawab Chahiye mujhe is baat ka."
The surrounding group chuckled at their light banter. But for Rayyan, every smile, every word between them felt like a thousand needles piercing his skin.
Why is she so comfortable with him? Why does she laugh with him, stand so close to him, when once... once she used to look at me like that?
The music shifted; the dance floor began to fill. Ayaan extended his hand toward her, his voice smooth:
"Dance?"
Aayat hesitated for only a fraction of a second, then placed her delicate hand in his.
Rayyan's breath caught.
The lights dimmed, the melody of Sanam Re filling the hall.
They moved together with natural grace, their steps perfectly in rhythm. Her gown shimmered as she twirled under his arm, laughter escaping her lips.
Rayyan's fists clenched at his sides. His vision blurred, his heartbeat thundered painfully.
That should have been me. Always me.
Every smile she gave Ayaan tore another piece of him apart. He felt the poisonous burn of jealousy, so raw, so consuming, he could hardly stand still.
When the song ended, Aayat and Ayaan returned to their place, her expression still soft with warmth.
"Mama aur Baba bhi aye hain kya?" she asked eagerly.
"Nahin," Ayaan shook his head. "Unhe aane mein abhi ek hafta lagega. Lekin wo tumhe bohot miss kar rahe hain. Mama toh mere saath aana chahti thi. Unhe tumhari bohot yaad aa rahi hai. Lekin phir baba waha akele reh jate."
Aayat's eyes softened with emotion.
" Aur Mujhe Baba ne strictly kaha hai ke main tumhara khayal rakhun," Ayaan continued, his tone protective. "Toh madam, time 10:30 baj chuka hai. Humein chalna hoga. Warna Mama aur Baba meri jaan le lenge-keh gay kay maine unki princess ka khayal nahi rakha."
She laughed lightly, nodding.
Rayyan's insides twisted again. Princess?
Back at Khan Mansion, Aayat lay on her bed, but sleep was far away.
Her eyes burned with unshed tears as one memory replayed mercilessly-Ramsha and Rayyan. That kiss.
She shot up, hugging herself.
"Ye normal hai, Aayat," she whispered shakily. "Wo sirf tumhara nahi hai ab ... wo Ramsha ka be hai.Husband-wife mein ye sab normal hai. Tumhe farq nahi padna chahiye."
But tears spilled anyway. Why does it hurt so much still?
Her mind pulled her back into the fresh flashback:
Outside the party, just as she and Ayaan were about to leave, Ramsha appeared, grabbing her arm tightly.
"Ye kya badtameezi hai!" Ayaan snapped, stepping forward.
"Oh, mister, tum jo bhi ho, beech mein mat bolo," Ramsha hissed.
Aayat smiled faintly, calming Ayaan.
"Ayaan, tum gaadi mein mera wait karo. Main aati hoon."
He hesitated but nodded, stepping back.
Aayat dragged Ramsha aside, her voice icy.
"Kya masla hai tumhara, Ramsha?"
Ramsha yanked her arm free, glaring.
" tum mere Rayyan se door rehna warna tumhare liye acha nahi hoga samji."
Aayat's laugh was sharp, mocking.
"Ye baat apne shohar se keho, mujhse nahi."
"Bilkul sahi kaha. Mera shohar," Ramsha emphasized, venom dripping. "Yaad rakhna, wo mera shohar hai. Uske kareeb mat aana, dur rehna us se."
Aayat stepped closer, her eyes blazing.
"Aur agar na rahun toh?"
Ramsha's smirk was cruel.
"Toh yaad hai na 8 saal pehle kya kiya tha? Is bar us se bhi bura hoga. Puri duniya ke samne tumhe zaleel kar dugy."
The old wound throbbed, but this time, something inside Aayat had changed. She leaned in dangerously close, her whisper sharp as a blade.
"Abhi tak mera koi plan nahi tha tum logon ki zindagi mein dobara aane ka. Lekin tumhari dhamki ne sab badal diya. Ab game shuru karte hain."
She turned to leave, but after a few steps, she paused, glancing back with a dark smile.
"Ek aur baat, Ramsha. 8 saal pehle tumhara muqabla Aayat Malik se tha-a weak girl who couldn't understand your games.
Lekin is bar tumhara muqabla AK se hai. Aur AK ko kamzor ladki samaj kr lightly na laina , pehle hi bata doon, mat baad mein Bolo maine tumhe warn nahi kiya.
..Tyar rehna... tum jaldi samajh jaogi. Aur phir tum ro gy is din ko, pachtaogy ke tumne mujhe dhamki kyun di. "
With that, she walked away, leaving Ramsha rattled.
Flashback end
'Game on'
Aayat opened her drawer, pulling out the sleeping pills. She swallowed one with water, bitterness coating her tongue.
"Tum log meri nindo ko barbad kar ke khud sukoon se sote ho," she whispered into the silence.
"Aur mujhe sone ke liye yeh pills leni padti hai.
Lekin ab waqt aa gaya hai. 8 saal pehle jo hua tha uska sach saamne lanay ka.
Lekin us se pehle main tum sab ki nind sukoon sab barbaad kar dugy.
Ab AK kon hain ye batane ka waqat a gaya hain, sirf malik family ko nahi , balkay sabko.
.. Ab mein nay agar sabko sabak na seekhaya toh mein sameer khan ki beti AK nahi. . "
Her voice hardened.
"Aur malik k saath is jung mein taqleef mujhe be bohut hogy, lekin main peeche nahi hatungi. Main yeh ladai akhri had tak ladungi ab. "
Her eyes fluttered shut, darkness pulling her into uneasy slumber.
~
Rayyan lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind refused to quiet.
Why was she smiling with him? Why so normal with Ayaan Khan, when she is cold to everyone else?
Every laugh, every glance between them clawed at his chest. And then guilt returned, Ramsha's kiss burning his conscience raw.
Mein kaise kar sakta hoon ye... rayyan toh sirf aayat ka hain... Per Main Ramsha ke saath be galat kar raha hoon. Uska haq hai mujh par.
But his heart screamed otherwise. His heart knew who it beat for.
~
Ramsha reclined on the bed that once belonged to Aayat and Rayyan. A smug smile curved her lips.
"Aj usne dekha jo main dikhana chahti thi," she whispered to herself. "Rayyan mera hai. Aur Aayat ka kabhi nahi tha, kabhi nahi hoga."
Her eyes gleamed with malice.
"Yeh toh shuruwat hai, Aayat. Tum soch bhi nahi sakti is bar main tumhara kya haal karungi. Is bar tumhe puri duniya ke samne barbaad karungi. Tum pachtaogi ke tum wapas India kyu aye...."
She closed her eyes, savoring her false victory.