Chapter 36 - Chapter 33

Happy Reading📖 💕

Isha's POV

The grand hall buzzed with an energy that should have thrilled me. Instead, it felt like an unbearable weight pressing against my chest. The engagement was tomorrow, and every little detail had to be perfect. I had spent weeks finalizing everything—the floral arrangements, the seating charts, the catering. And yet, here I was, running around, fixing last-minute issues.

"Ms. Isha, the decorators have a question about the entrance setup," one of the planners called out.

"Isha, the jewelry delivery just arrived," Prisha informed me, while talking to someone which I guess is mummy.

"Isha, the caterers need confirmation on the dessert selection!" Said ishu.

I barely had time to breathe.

I adjusted my dupatta, forcing a polite smile as I answered each question, my brain already moving on to the next issue. There was no room for error. Not when this event involved two of the most prominent families in the country. Not when everything had to be… perfect.

But my body had other plans.

As I reached for a folder, my vision blurred for a split second. I blinked rapidly, pressing my fingers against my temple.

I was fine. Just a little exhaustion.

"Isha," a familiar deep voice interrupted my thoughts.

I turned, and there he was. Shivansh.

He was dressed sharply, exuding his usual authority, but there was something different about his gaze—something that told me he had been watching me. Closely.

"You haven't eaten, have you?" he asked, more like a statement than a question.

I scoffed, turning back to the checklist in my hands. "I don't have time, Shivansh."

He didn't respond immediately. But before I could register what was happening, my ipad was snatched from my hands.

"Ansh!" I gasped. "Give it back!"

"Not until you eat," he said, completely unfazed.

"You're being ridiculous—"

"I'm being practical," he cut in smoothly. "And since you clearly won't take care of yourself, someone has to do it for you."

I huffed, but before I could argue, he reached behind him, revealing a small box. My stomach betrayed me with a low growl at the familiar scent of warm parathas and paneer.

"I asked the chef to make this for you," he said, opening the box. "Eat. Now."

I wanted to protest. I really did. But the way he was looking at me—with that mix of concern and stubborn determination—made me falter.

Grudgingly, I took a bite.

He smirked, satisfied.

"Good girl," he murmured, making my face heat up instantly.

Before I could respond, a sickly sweet voice cut through the moment.

"You two look so… cute," Juhi said, her fake smile barely hiding the bitterness in her eyes.

I stiffened. Shivansh's cousin had been hovering around us the whole time, pretending to be interested in the arrangements but clearly keeping an eye on us.

"You're really lucky, Isha," she continued, her voice dripping with faux admiration. "Not everyone gets to marry someone like Shivansh."

I bit the inside of my cheek, sensing the jealousy behind her words.

I didn't respond. But I didn't have to—because Shivansh did.

"I'm the lucky one," he said simply, without hesitation.

Juhi's face fell slightly, but she masked it quickly with another forced smile.

I wasn't sure what shocked me more—the possessiveness in his voice or the way my heart clenched at his words.

Shivansh's POV

I never believed in something as ridiculous as butterflies in the stomach. That was for foolish men who let emotions cloud their judgment. Or at least, that's what I told myself—until today.

It was late in the evening, and Isha had been working non-stop, making sure every detail of the engagement preparations was flawless. Her focus was intense, her brows furrowed in concentration, her lips moving slightly as she mentally ticked off tasks. She barely noticed anything else around her, and I had been watching her for the past ten minutes, debating whether or not to drag her away and force her to take a break.

And then it happened.

"Ansh."

I froze.

My heart—steady, composed, always in control—did something strange. It skipped. Or maybe it tripped over itself before resuming its usual rhythm, but much, much faster.

I turned to her, half-expecting her to realize what she had just said, to at least look embarrassed, but she was start eating, completely unaware. She didn't even glance at me.

She had just called me Ansh.

A nickname. An intimate, casual, effortless nickname.

I had never heard it before, had never expected it, yet from her lips, it sounded... right. Too right. Like it belonged.

I swallowed, the weight of the moment settling in my chest. It wasn't just the name—it was the fact that she said it so naturally, like it was something she had been calling me for years. Like it was the most normal thing in the world.

And I? I was anything but normal in that moment.

The Shivansh Raghuvanshi who prided himself on logic, who never let emotions dictate his actions, was now standing in the middle of a decorated hall, unable to do anything except process the fact that Isha had just given me a name only she had the right to use.

She didn't realize it.

She had no idea what she had just done to me.

I exhaled and handed her the folder without another word, but inside, I was still reeling.

Ansh.

I had never liked the idea of nicknames. But maybe—just maybe—I could make an exception for this one.

Isha thought I didn't notice how exhausted she was.

She thought I didn't see the dark circles under her eyes, the way she kept rubbing her temples, the way her hands trembled ever so slightly when she flipped through those endless lists.

But I saw everything.

And it pissed me off.

She was running herself into the ground, taking care of every little detail as if the entire world depended on it. No one else saw it. No one else seemed to care.

So, I did.

Juhi's presence annoyed me, but I refused to let her get under Isha's skin. Instead, I focused on the woman who actually mattered.

"You're done working for today, and every thing is set take rest tomorrow is our engagement and I don't want that while making me wear a ring, you fainted infront of every one. " I told Isha firmly.

She blinked up at me. "What—"

"I'm taking you home," I cut her off. "No arguments."

Her lips parted as if she wanted to protest, but I didn't give her the chance. Instead, I reached out, taking her hand in mine.

Her breath hitched.

I pretended not to notice.

"Come on," I said, pulling her toward the exit.

Behind us, Juhi fumed silently, but I couldn't care less.

This engagement might be an arrangement. But Isha was mine.

And I was going to take care of her—whether she liked it or not.

Author's POV

As Shivansh led Isha away, the hall remained abuzz with preparations, unaware of the quiet storm brewing between them.

Isha, always the one to take responsibility, was finally forced to slow down. And Shivansh, the ever-cold businessman, found himself unable to ignore the pull he felt toward her.

But amidst the teasing from their friends, the simmering jealousy from Juhi, and the weight of their engagement, one thing was becoming increasingly clear—

This wasn't just a duty anymore.

Something deeper was unfolding between them.

Something neither of them was ready to name.

Yet.

The engagement was just a day away, and the hall buzzed with final preparations. The decorators moved swiftly, setting up the floral arrangements, while the catering team confirmed the final menu. Everything needed to be perfect, and Isha had been on her feet since the evening, ensuring that every small detail was in place.

Shivansh had been keeping an eye on Juhi, making sure she didn't pull any of her usual tricks. He knew she was growing restless with Isha's presence, and that alone was enough for him to remain close by.

As the clock neared nightfall, the hall was finally beginning to resemble the grandeur it was meant to hold. Isha exhaled, satisfied with how everything was coming together.

And then, a voice cut through her thoughts.

"Come with me."

She turned to see Shivansh standing a few steps away, his usual composed expression in place.

"What?" she asked, blinking in confusion.

"My family has been waiting for you at home. They want you to join us for dinner." He stated it simply, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Isha hesitated. "But—"

"Let's go," he interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "It's already late. They're waiting."

Isha bit her lip, glancing around. There was still work to do, but she knew that if she refused, he would simply stand there until she agreed. With a sigh, she nodded.

"Fine. But let me inform my parents first."

As she took out her phone to make the call, Juhi's voice chimed in.

"I'm coming too."

Both Shivansh and Isha turned to see Juhi stepping forward, a sickly sweet smile on her face.

"I came here in the evening with the driver, but now that you both are leaving, I'll come along too," Juhi added, moving toward the car without waiting for a response.

Shivansh's expression darkened. "No. You came with the driver. You can go back with him."

Juhi pouted. "But shiva—"

"Or," he cut her off, his voice calm but firm, "sit in the back seat."

Juhi's smile faltered. There was a brief moment where she wanted to argue, but Shivansh's sharp gaze made her swallow her words. With a reluctant nod, she turned and silently slipped into the back seat.

Isha, standing by the passenger side, watched the exchange with barely concealed amusement.

As Shivansh opened the passenger door and got in, Isha followed suit, settling into the front seat beside him. She caught a glimpse of Juhi's irritated expression in the rearview mirror and felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

The drive was quiet.

Shivansh kept his focus on the road, his fingers tapping lightly against the steering wheel. The hum of the car's engine was the only sound in the enclosed space.

Isha, sitting beside him, stole a glance at his profile. His jaw was set, his expression unreadable as always.

Juhi, in the back, was clearly sulking.

And Isha?

For some reason, she didn't mind the silence.

The grand mansion stood tall and majestic under the moonlit sky. As the car pulled into the driveway, Isha felt a strange mix of nervousness and anticipation.

The moment they stepped inside, Shivansh's family greeted her warmly.

"Isha, beta, you're finally here!" Shivansh grandmother beamed, walking over to take her hands.

Shivansh's parents smiled, nodding approvingly as she entered.

His father spoke first. "We've been waiting for you. Come, sit."

Juhi trailed behind, watching the scene with clenched fists as Isha was effortlessly welcomed into the Rathore family.

"You must be exhausted," Shivansh's mother said, leading Isha to the dining area. "Have you eaten anything at all?"

Before Isha could answer, Shivansh spoke.

"No. She barely had time for a proper meal." His tone held something unreadable.

Isha shot him a look. "I ate something—"

"Not enough," he cut her off, pulling out a chair for her. "Sit. Eat properly now."

There was no arguing with that tone. With a sigh, she settled into the seat.

Shivansh, taking his own chair beside her, didn't waste time. "Eat this," he instructed, placing a bowl of dal in front of her before adding some paneer and roti onto her plate.

Isha blinked. "I can serve myself, you know."

"I know. But you won't."

"Bhai sa, why are you serving isha?" Avi teased from across the table. "This is new."

"And unexpected," Avi added, smirking. "Should we be worried?"

Shivansh shot them a glare, but Isha felt the corners of her lips twitch.

"Your Bhai sa is just making sure she doesn't faint in the middle of the function tomorrow," avi mother intervened with a knowing smile. "It would be quite a scene if the bride collapses."

Juhi, who was sitting a few seats away, silently watched the exchange, her grip tightening around her fork.

"Isha, do you like the food?" Shivansh's grandmother asked kindly.

Isha nodded quickly. "Yes, Dadi. Everything is delicious."

Shivansh's father spoke up. "Good, good. You should eat well today and rest. Tomorrow will be even more hectic."

As they continued eating, Isha couldn't help but notice how naturally she was blending into the family. Even though everything still felt surreal, there was a strange comfort in sitting here, listening to their conversations, feeling included.

Shivansh, meanwhile, remained composed but attentive. Every now and then, when he thought no one was looking, his gaze would flicker toward Isha, his expression unreadable.

She wanted to argue. She really did. But with his entire family watching—his grandmother smiling knowingly, his mother looking pleased—she had no choice but to quietly accept the food.

Juhi, who had taken a seat across from them, looked like she wanted to throw her plate across the room.

Her jealousy only deepened when her parents arrived a little later.

"Ah, Juhi, you're here," her father said, patting her head before turning to Isha. "And you must be Isha. We've heard so much about you."

Juhi's mother smile a little, her eyes shine with this. "Yes, you seem quite… close with the family already."

The unspoken tension was there, but Isha refused to acknowledge it.

She focused instead on finishing her food while Shivansh, much to her annoyance, continued making sure she ate enough.

"More rice?"

"No."

"You barely had any."

"I'm full."

He didn't look convinced, but he let it slide.

By the end of dinner, Isha felt a warmth in her chest—not just from the food, but from the way his family treated her.

Like she belonged.

And Juhi?

She hated every second of it.

Dinner had been wonderful. Warm. Comfortable. A stark contrast to the tension that had hung over Isha ever since she found herself entangled in this engagement.

After they finished eating, the family moved to the garden area, the cool night breeze making the setting even more pleasant. Fairy lights twinkled around the space, casting a soft golden glow.

Isha found herself sitting on one of the cushioned benches, sipping on a cup of warm tea, when Shivansh's younger brothers—Dhruv and Avi—came up to her, their expressions mischievous.

"So, bhabhi maa," Avi started, making her nearly choke on her tea.

"Excuse me?" she coughed, looking at him in horror.

"Bhabhi sa," Dhruv repeated with a wide grin. "We're just practicing. It's going to be official tomorrow anyway."

Isha shot a quick glance at Shivansh, who was sitting on the other side, scrolling through his phone like he was unaffected.

"Don't call me that," she muttered, her ears turning red.

"Oh, come on, we need to get used to it!" Dhruv teased. "You're practically family now."

"Exactly!" Avi added. "Besides, we need someone to side with us when we fight with Shivansh bhai. He never listens to us."

Isha smirked. "And what makes you think I'll side with you?"

Avi leaned in conspiratorially. "Because we're more fun."

Before Isha could respond, Shivansh finally spoke without looking up from his phone. "Don't involve her in your nonsense."

Avi groaned. "See? This is what we mean. He's no fun."

Isha couldn't help but chuckle. "Maybe I'll consider it. Let's see if you're actually fun first."

Both mans high-fived each other in excitement, while Shivansh simply shook his head, a small smirk playing on his lips.

The conversation soon shifted to the engagement preparations, and Isha, feeling responsible, updated them on the progress.

"Everything is set at the hall," she informed them. "Decorations are in place, catering is final, and all that's left is for you guys to show up."

Shivansh's mother smiled. "You've done so much already, beta. You should rest a little too."

Isha shook her head. "It's fine. It's a big responsibility, and I want everything to be perfect."

Shivansh's father nodded approvingly. "That's a good mindset."

"Speaking of which," Isha turned to Dhruv and Avi. "You two should come early tomorrow so I can show you the hall. That way, you'll know where everything is in case we need extra hands."

"Yes, boss!" Avi saluted.

"We'll be there," Dhruv confirmed. "And don't worry, we'll make sure Shivansh bhai doesn't just show up at the last minute like he usually does."

Isha raised an eyebrow at Shivansh. "Is that true?"

He finally looked up from his phone, his expression blank. "I'm always on time."

Avi scoffed. "Sure. In your own definition of 'on time.'"

Shivansh gave him a warning look, making Avi laugh.

As the evening wind picked up, Shivansh's mother gently patted Isha's shoulder.

"Don't overwork yourself, beta," she said kindly. "Look at you—so focused, so responsible. But remember, even the strongest people need rest. Don't force yourself just because you feel obligated."

Isha smiled faintly, but deep down, she knew she wasn't doing this out of mere obligation.

She had taken this responsibility upon herself. She had committed to this engagement, to this new chapter in her life. And she was holding onto it—tightly, as if letting go even a little would mean losing control.

So, she just nodded. "I'll be fine."

Shivansh, who had been silently listening, glanced at her briefly, his eyes unreadable.

He didn't say anything.

But something in the way he looked at her made her wonder if he could see through the words she wasn't saying.

As the evening stretched on, the warmth of family conversations and teasing faded into the quiet hum of the night. The elders were still seated in the garden, discussing the final details of the engagement, while Isha found herself standing near the doorway, rubbing her temples. The exhaustion from the long day was finally settling in.

Just as she was about to excuse herself, Shivansh's grandmother glanced at her and said, "Beta, you should stay the night. It's already late, and tomorrow will be another busy day."

His mother nodded in agreement. "She's right, Isha. You've barely rested. You need sleep if you want to handle everything tomorrow."

Isha hesitated. "I appreciate it, aunty, but I—"

"No arguments," his grandmother cut in firmly. "We've already decided. You're staying."

Shivansh's father, who had been quietly listening, added with a small smile, "It would be good for you to get proper rest. You've done enough running around for one day."

Isha felt trapped. She appreciated their concern, but her mind was still on the engagement hall, the pending arrangements, and—most importantly—returning home. She was comfortable here, yes, but was she that comfortable?

Just when she was about to find another excuse, she caught Shivansh looking at her. He hadn't said a word throughout the conversation, but his gaze was sharp, assessing.

"She won't stay," he finally said, his voice calm but certain. "She's already made up her mind."

Isha glanced at him, surprised that he understood her hesitation so easily.

"And how do you know that?" Aarav teased.

Shivansh ignored him and turned to Isha. "Come on. I'll drop you home."

Isha blinked. "You don't have to—"

"I know," he interrupted. "But I will."

His tone left no room for argument.

Without another word, Shivansh walked towards his car, waiting for Isha to follow. She quickly said her goodbyes, promising everyone she'd see them tomorrow, before slipping into the passenger seat.

The drive was silent.

Not tense. Not awkward. Just... quiet.

The streets were mostly empty now, the streetlights casting soft golden glows onto the roads. Isha leaned back against the seat, finally letting herself breathe for the first time in hours.

She had spent the entire day running around, making sure everything was perfect. And now, in the dimly lit car, with Shivansh beside her, driving in silence, she finally felt the weight of exhaustion settling into her bones.

After a while, Shivansh spoke. "You need to sleep properly tonight."

Isha turned her head slightly to look at him. "I know."

He didn't take his eyes off the road. "No, I don't think you do. You're overworking yourself."

Isha sighed. "It's just one more day. After tomorrow, everything will settle down."

Shivansh's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "That's not the point."

Isha frowned. "Then what is the point?"

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he exhaled slowly before saying, "Just… don't push yourself to the point where you collapse."

There was something in his voice that made Isha pause. He wasn't scolding her. He wasn't being condescending.

It almost sounded like... concern.

She wanted to argue, to tell him she was fine. But the truth was, she was exhausted. And she did need sleep.

So, instead of responding, she simply nodded.

A few minutes later, they pulled up outside her house.

Shivansh cut the engine and looked at her. "Go inside. Sleep."

Isha unbuckled her seatbelt but hesitated before stepping out. For some reason, the idea of leaving the quiet comfort of the car felt… strange.

Shivansh watched her for a second before shaking his head. "You're overthinking again."

Isha rolled her eyes. "I am not."

He gave her a look. "You always do."

She huffed. "Goodnight, Shivansh."

"Goodnight, Isha."

With that, she stepped out, shutting the door behind her.

As soon as she was inside, she kicked off her heels, barely making it to her bed before collapsing onto the mattress.

Her eyes fluttered shut almost instantly.

And for the first time in days, she didn't dream of checklists, decorations, or last-minute preparations.

She just slept.

----------------------------------------------------------------

How was the Chapter??

Aage kya hoga? Hmm?

Share your thoughts and don't forget to click on the star button below.

And follow me on Instagram for spoilers.

🔗link in bio.

Love you all, bye

Ish💗