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The party lights dimmed, and soft music floated through the hall. Haniya and Kashvi were standing near the drinks counter, laughing while holding glasses filled with a sparkling cocktail.
Kashvi nudged her. "This is so good, yaar!"
Haniya giggled. "I know! I didn't expect this party to have such good drinks."
They clinked glasses and took another sip.
Just then, the announcement came—
"Everyone, please get ready for the partner-exchange dance!"
The hall buzzed as couples and partners moved toward the dance floor.
Kashvi grabbed Harsh. Vivaan ended up with someone from another team.
And Aarav…
He was paired with Anamika.
Haniya rolled her eyes instantly. "Great."
Aarav caught her expression and gave her a helpless smile before turning toward Anamika.
The music started—slow, elegant.
Anamika placed her hand on Aarav's shoulder and leaned too close.
"So," she said sweetly, "you didn't dance with me last time. Now you can't escape."
Aarav looked straight ahead. "I'm just following instructions."
"Why are you so distant today?" she asked, pouting.
"I'm always distant," he replied.
She laughed lightly. "Only with me?"
"With people I'm not interested in," he said bluntly.
Anamika's smile died.
Across the floor, Haniya had changed partners twice, but now the rotation ended—
And she stopped in front of Aarav.
The moment their hands touched, something warm moved between them.
Aarav smiled. "Finally."
Haniya smirked. "Missed me?"
"A lot," he whispered near her ear.
Her cheeks warmed even with all the lights around them.
"You're glowing," Aarav murmured.
"Maybe it's the drink."
"Maybe it's me."
She tried to hide her smile. "Overconfident."
"Not at all. You're beautiful tonight."
She looked down shyly but then glanced sideways—Reyansh was standing far away, arms crossed, glaring at them like a strict bodyguard.
"Ahem," she whispered. "My brother is burning holes in your head."
Aarav laughed softly. "Let him. I'm dancing with my girl."
She pushed his shoulder slightly. "We're in public! Behave."
"I am behaving. Barely."
They swayed gently with the music, not too close, not too far—just enough to feel each other's warmth.
When the song ended, Aarav squeezed her hand lightly before letting go.
Haniya stepped back, smiling—but then she heard voices behind her.
Her father and Reyansh, speaking quietly near a pillar.
"You can't choose for her," her father said calmly.
"I'm not letting her get hurt again," Reyansh argued.
"It's her life," her father continued. "Not ours. Not yours."
"But Dad—"
"No. She will decide who she wants."
Reyansh looked frustrated, jaw tight.
Haniya stared, confused. Choose? Decide? About whom? Why are they discussing me like this?
She didn't understand what they were referring to, and her mind felt hazy from the drink.
Before she could think more, Kashvi grabbed her wrist. "Hey! Come here! One more drink!"
Haniya blinked out of her thoughts and joined her.
They clinked glasses again.
Kashvi grinned. "Okay tell me, honestly—how much do you love Aarav?"
Haniya smiled softly. "More than enough."
"And how much does he love you?"
"More than I expected," she said with a tiny laugh.
"Then why are you overthinking?"
"I… I don't know," Haniya murmured. "Sometimes I feel scared."
Kashvi wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Don't be. You're strong. And he worships you."
Haniya chuckled. "Worship is a big word."
"But true," Kashvi insisted.
Haniya finished her drink and took a breath. "Okay, I'm going to him."
"Go," Kashvi pushed her gently.
Haniya walked across the hall, scanning the crowd.
Aarav stood near the balcony doors, talking to Vivaan and Harsh, smiling lightly. When he saw her approaching, his eyes lit up instantly—like she was the only person he could see.
She stopped in front of him.
Aarav raised his eyebrows. "Someone is glowing again."
"That's because the lights are good," she teased.
"No," he said softly, stepping closer. "It's because of me."
She laughed. "You're really in a mood to flirt today."
"Should I stop?"
"No…" she said, looking away shyly.
Aarav leaned slightly closer. "What's going on? You look a little dazed."
"Nothing. Just drinks," she lied.
"You sure?"
"Hm."
He smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You look breathtaking tonight."
"Thank you," she whispered.
"And… also a little dangerous."
"How?"
"Because I've been dying to kiss you since the moment you walked down the stairs."
Her heart skipped a beat. "Aarav… not here."
"I didn't say now," he whispered. "But I still want one."
She narrowed her eyes playfully. "You're demanding too much."
"You owe me one," he teased. "Actually… more than one."
"I don't remember."
"You will," he murmured with a grin.
She shook her head, trying not to blush. "You're impossible."
"And you love it."
She did. More than she could admit aloud.
She stepped closer and whispered, "One kiss. Later."
Aarav smirked. "Deal."
Haniya didn't realize she was smiling like a fool until Harsh said loudly from behind them—
"OH MY GOD, LOOK AT THEM—TOTAL ROMANCE MODE!"
Vivaan joined. "Bro, control yourself. Her brother is watching."
Aarav rolled his eyes. "Let him watch."
Haniya elbowed him. "Stop instigating my brother!"
Aarav whispered, "If he wants to stop me, he'll have to catch me first."
She covered her face with her hands. "Aarav, behave!"
He just laughed.
And somewhere across the hall, Reyansh watched it all with an unreadable expression…
But that was a problem for later.
Right now, the music, lights, drinks, and Aarav's teasing smile made the night feel perfect.
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