Meanwhile — Inside the Raizada Villa
The soft glow of the newly lit diyas continued to flicker around the hall, unnoticed by most, but not forgotten by those who had been waiting for a sign.
Conversation slowly resumed.
Bani Dadi stepped forward, her presence calm yet authoritative, as she addressed Ruby's parents.
"You have raised the girl well," she said gently. "She has been part of this family since childhood. It is only right that we now move ahead with clarity and blessings."
Ruby's mother smiled, relieved. "We feel the same," she replied. "If you believe the time is right, we trust your judgment completely."
Vanraj nodded in agreement. "We can proceed formally."
Bani Dadi inclined her head once. "I will speak to the priest," she said with quiet certainty. "He will guide us on the engagement and wedding dates. Everything must be done at the right moment."
A ripple of approval moved through the room.
Vedshree exhaled slowly, her shoulders easing for the first time since morning. Suman exchanged a subtle glance with her—hopeful, cautious, but reassured enough to let the moment pass.
Ruby, however, could barely contain herself.
Her excitement bubbled over as she turned toward Arnav, her eyes shining. Without hesitation, she stepped closer and slipped her arm around him, holding onto his sleeve possessively.
"Oh my God," she said, laughing softly. "I can't believe it's finally happening."
Arnav stiffened—just slightly.
To anyone else, it might have looked like shyness. But inside, something felt… off. The warmth of the room did not reach him. The certainty everyone else seemed to feel did not settle in his chest.
Still, he said nothing.
This was not the moment.
From across the hall, Bani Dadi watched them quietly—Ruby's excitement, Arnav's stillness. Her expression did not change, but something deep in her eyes remained unsettled.
The priest will decide the date, she told herself.
And the truth… has a way of revealing itself before then.
---
Arnav gently but firmly eased Ruby's hand away.
"Excuse me," he said, his tone polite, controlled. "I have an office call."
Before anyone could respond, he turned and headed toward the main door, his steps steady but his mind anything but.
The celebration blurred behind him—voices, laughter, the faint echo of bells. He had barely crossed the threshold of the hall when—
He collided with someone.
The impact was soft, sudden.
"Hey—!"
The tiffin slipped from Pranati's hands.
Time seemed to stretch.
Before it could hit the floor, Arnav's reflexes kicked in. His hand shot out, catching the tiffin mid-air, the metal rattling once before settling in his grip.
Their breaths collided next.
Pranati looked up, startled—then stilled.
Arnav froze.
For a moment, the world narrowed to just the two of them. Her eyes—wide, familiar in a way he couldn't place—met his. The noise of the house faded, replaced by a strange, quiet pull neither of them understood.
The air between them felt… heavier.
Closer.
Somewhere in the hall, laughter rang out, breaking the spell—but neither of them moved right away.
The tiffin rested between their hands.
An unspoken recognition flickered—brief, unsettling.
And then—
Reality rushed back in.
Pranati steadied the tiffin against her chest and let out a small breath.
"Thanks," she said, then added lightly, "and don't mind me, ASR… but why do you keep bumping into me?"
There was no accusation in her tone—only amused curiosity.
Arnav opened his mouth to answer, already preparing a calm, logical explanation—
—but she didn't give him the chance.
She tilted her head slightly, lips curving into a confident grin.
"Or let me guess," she continued, eyes dancing. "You got distracted staring at my very beautiful face and forgot where you were going. It happens. A lot."
Arnav raised an eyebrow.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
She caught it and laughed softly. "Relax. I'll forgive you," she said magnanimously. "It is Maha Shivratri today."
She stepped aside, adjusting her grip on the tiffin.
To be continued...