Author's P.O.V...

The light is dim, Everyone swayed to a romantic slow -motion couple song playing in the background.

On the dance floor, Prisha, now wearing the elegant dress Vaani gave her -is dancing gracefully. She's paired with a charming guest, his hand lightly resting on her waist. She smiles at something he says, twirling softly as they move in sync.

Manik sits alone near the bar, leaning back in his chair, one hand around his glass. His jaw clenches. His eyes, sharp and focused, don't move from Prisha. The amber drink in his hand swirls slowly.

" Dekhi kaise has has ke dance kar rahi hai uske saath... aur jab mere saath hoti hai toh kaatne ko dodti hai." Manik muttered in frustration.

He tightens his grip on the glass. His lips twitch -not in a smile, but in unknown irritation.

Then, the guy dancing with Prisha pulls her slightly closer, his hand sliding more firmly around her waist.

Manik's gaze sharpens instantly. His breath catches. He leans forward slowly, voice barely audible, almost growled. " What the hell...."

He gets up. His footsteps are slow but firm, like a warning approaching. The party sounds blur into the background, except the beat that echoes through his chest. His eyes stay locked on that man's hand.

Reaching them, Manik interrupts the dance without breaking eye contact with the guy. He slides his hand gently but assertively into Prisha's pulling her slightly towards him -not rough, but undeniablely possesive.

Manik to the man, icy calm. " Excuse me. I need a word with Miss Prisha. It's important."

The guy looks from Manik's intense eyes to Prisha's wide, stunned expression. He stutters. " Uh...yeah, sure...no problem, man."

He steps back, awkward and intimidated, quickly disappearing into the crowd.

Prisha blinks up to Manik, still processing what just happened. " Manik? What are you doing?"

Manik in a low voice, tight." Woh aadmi thoda zyada comfortable ho raha tha."

She searches his face, trying to read his face. His jaw is still clenched. His fingers still slightly around hers. The music faded into a softer, more romentic note.

" And why do you care?who getting comfortable with me? " Prisha raised an eyebrow, surprised.

Manik scoffed. " I-I don't care about you, okay? Mujhe toh bas uss bichare ki fikr thi. He doesn't know you're Disaster. Kya pata kuch galti se bol deta aur tum uska sar fod deti toh."

" Haha, ho gaya tumhara?" She crossed her arms. " Not everyone's like you."

Manik." Ye toh hai, no one can like me...main hoon hi ek limited edition."

She rolled her eyes, pulled her hand away. " Great, Now bye. Thanks for ruining my dance." she turned to leave.

But Manik caught her wrist and pulled her back, close. Too close. Her breath caught for a second, eyes wide. " What are you doing?" she asked.

He looked at her." Dance ruin kiya na maine? Toh ab theek bhi main hi karunga. Let's dance."

Prisha jerked her hand lightly. " No thanks,Tumhare saath dance karne se behtar hai...main zindagi bhar na naachu."

Manik raised a brow, smirk teasing at his lips. " Kyu?Dar lag raha hai kahin mera charm dekh kar dil fisal na jaye? Ya mujhe pyaar na ho jaye?"

" Main kyu darungi...aur Pyaar? Tumse? Itna kharab taste nahi hai mera." Prisha snorted.

He leaned in, voice low. " Then prove it. Dance with me without falling."

The music slowed down,soft and intimate, casting a hush over the crowd.

Manik and Prisha moved gently to the rhythm, eyes locked occasionally, yet quickly looking away.

As the melody dipped, Manik's hands slid to her waist, firm yet careful, pulling her a little closer.

A different kind of smile played on his lips -soft, almost vulnerable. Like he wasn't just teasing anymore. Like something deeper was beginning to stir.

Prisha's breath hitched. Her heartbeat quickened, a strange warmth blooming under his touch. She wasn't used to this version of him. And suddenly her usual boldness began to slip, just a little.

He leaned in, voice low near her ear. " What happened?" he asked, gazing into her eyes. " Feeling something?" His smirk was playful, but his tone had a surprising sincerity.

His hand on her waist tightened slightly, slow and deliberate.

Prisha blinked, her lips parting slightly, but she quickly composed herself. " No," she said, trying to sound firm, though her voice had softened. " But it does look like you're feeling quite a lot." She raised an eyebrow, smirking right back.

As the song ended, the room erupted in gentle applause. Prisha and Manik instinctively stepped apart, both still slightly breathless, their eyes lingering just a moment too long.

Manik leaned in slightly, that teasing smirk back on his lips. " You know, Miss Disaster....just admit it. You did feel something when I came close."

Prisha looked at him with an unreadable expression,lips curling into a sly smile. " Actually..." she said, stepping a little towards him. " You're right."

Manik raised an eyebrow, caught off guard for once.

She leaned toward his ear slowly, like she was about to whisper something intimate...then -Wham-brought her heel down hard on his foot.

" I felt like crushing your overconfidence," she said sweetly, smirking as he jumped back in pain.

" Ouch! What the-are you serious?" Manik clutched his foot, wincing.

Prisha walked away coolly, tossing over her shoulder, " Next time you flirt, wear steel-toes."

Manik stood there, bent Slightly, making a twisted face somewhere between pain and betrayal. " Yeh ladki...poora chalta firta atom bomb hai," he muttered to himself, still clutching his foot. " Aur main bewakoofon ki tarh red button daba deta hoon."

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The house buzzed with excitement. Plates of snacks, fresh flowers, and subtle music filled the cozy home. Naina, dressed in a pastel pink suit, sat nervously in the living room with her mother kusum fussing around her.

Prisha munched on kaju katli near the window watching the chaos like she was enjoying a live show.

Aashi, Rachit, Arun and Saanvi finalized the final touches. Vikram and Meera, too, were busy arranging welcome trays.

The doorbell rang. " I'll get it," said Ananya, quickly walking towards the main door, smoothing her dupatta.

She opened it...and froze. standing in front of her was Abhimanyu. In a charcoal kurta and calm presence. Their eyes met -a quiet pause, unspoken words hanging in the air.

Ananya blinked, breath catching. " A-aap?" she whispered, still trying to process.

Before Abhimanyu could reply, voices rose behind him. " Hi Ananya!" Trisha, Avni, and Manik popped their heads out from behind him and grins.

Prisha came to the door as well, eyebrows rising. " You've got to be kidding me..." she muttered, stunned to see the kalras.

Ananya's confusion deepened as Trisha and Avni hugged her warmly.

Just then, the rest of the Kalra family arrived -Mahesh and Shanta, Rajeev and Saanvi along with them was a well dressed polite young man -kabir, and Rhea.

Ananya greeted everyone respectfully, still utterly clueless. "Namste...but, um, aap sab yaha?"

Before anyone could answer, kusum came rushing in. " Kabir beta, you're here! Aao na, sab andar wait kar rahe hain."

The living room now felt like a packed diwali gathering. Kabir stepped forward, folding his hands with a warm smile. " Namste, everyone. I'm Kabir. And this is my younger sister Rhea. Aur ye hai kalra's aap sab jante hi hone...Rhea Abhimanyu sir ke liye kaam karti hai...also ye mere aur Rhea ke liye family se badhkar hai...mumma, papa ke baad inhi logo ne humara khyal rakha or hmesha aapni family jaisa treat Kiya."

Everyone looked touched. Saanvi gave him a warm smile, kusum dabbed at her eyes.

Ananya finally pieces it all together. She turned slightly, her gaze automatically drifting to Abhimanyu, who was already looking at her. A soft smile played on her lips. She looked down shyly, her cheeks tinged pink.

Prisha, standing beside her, leaned in with a wicked grin." Wah Ana.... teri toh lottery lag gayi. Lagta hai Naina di ke sath teri bhi vidai ki planning poori ki hai kanha ji ne."

Ananya shot her a look. " Tu chup reh sakti hai kya?" she mumbled, blushing harder.

Prisha smirked, watching her visibly flustered as Abhimanyu greeted her parents respectfully nearby.

Everyone was now seated comfortably in the warmly lit livin' room. The aroma of fresh samosas and adrak chai filled the air. Laughter and light conversations flowed around the room.

Kabir and Naina sat beside each other, subtly shy, while the elders discussed about wedding.

Abhimanyu, seated across the room, seemed as calm as ever -but his eyes kept drifting toward Ananya, who sat beside Prisha, nervously tucking her hair behind her ear every time she caught him looking.

Their glances met again -just a second -but it was enough. Prisha, of course, noticed.

She leaned forward suddenly and said in a loud teasing tone, " Aise chupke chupke mat dekho...sab dekh rahe hain."

Every head turned. Ananya's eyes widened, looking away quickly, avoiding Abhimanyu's eyes now.

Abhimanyu, too looking away quickly from Ananya and sipping his chai.. Prisha with smirk. " Naina di and Kabir jiju...Aisa chori chori, sharma ke mat dekhiye...hak se dekhiye."

Naina or Kabir both flushed. She threw a glance at Abhimanyu and Ananya without saying their names.

Ananya, realizing the trick,shot her a warning look but also smiled softly, a little more relaxed now.

Abhimanyu hiding a smile, looked away but his ears had turned a little red.

Manik,sitting near him, leaned in with a devilish grin. '" bhai.. dekhiye aap bhi hak se..kya chori chori dekh rahe ho.."

Trisha and Avni giggled, nodding in agreement. Aashi and Rachit, sitting across with knowing smiles, exchanges a glance.

In the middle of this light moment, Arun said warmly. "Kitna acha sanjog hai. Ab toh aap sabse ek rishta bhi judne jaa raha hai.."

Rajeev smiled graciously." Bilkul. Lagta hai bhagwan ka koi ishaara hai."

The elders smiled, a few even looking between Naina or Kabir with speculative warmth.

Just then, Manik leaned in again to Abhimanyu's side. " Ishara toh hai bhai...main toh kehta hoon, Kabir ke saath aap bhi aapne liye blue butterfly ka haath maang hi lo Arun uncle se."

Abhimanyu choked slightly on his chai, giving Manik a sharp glare. " Shut up, Manik," he muttered.

But his eyes, on their own, found their way back to Ananya-sitting quiet, stealing another look, cheeks flushed pink.

Everyone was still in discussion when Manik, with a suspiciously innocent expression, brought a fresh samosa on his plate and sat beside Abhimanyu.

Manik devilishly. " Bhai try this one with chutney."

Before Abhimanyu could react Manik " accidentally" nudge his elbow, and a generous blob of green chutney landed right on Abhimanyu's kurta.

Abhimanyu startled. " Manik! Kya kar raha hai tu?"

Manik gasps dramatically." Oh no! Sorry Bhai, galti se."

Everyone turns. Meera." Arey beta yeh lo napkin.."

Before the napkin could help, Prisha, ever the opportunist, jumped up with exaggerated concern.

Prisha." Arey yeh napkin se thodi hatega..Ana! Tu le ja na abhi Abhimanyu ko guest room mein, washroom mein ache se saaf Kara de."

Ananya froze eyes wide. A deadly glare aimed straight at Prisha. Who smiled sweetly in return, clearly enjoying this too much.

Aashi. " Kya dekh rahi? Prisha ko ja na! Main Rachit ki shirt le aati hoon..ye kurta khrb ho gya hai."

Saanvi." Haan Ana, jaa na bethi kya hai?"

Abhimanyu politely refused. " No no, it's okay -I'll manage."

Meera firmly." Aise kaise jaoge beta? Ananya jao zara help Karo."

Ananya, flustered and cornered looked at Abhimanyu, then nodded. " Chaliye.."

Abhimanyu stepped into the guest washroom, quietly trying to scrub off the chutney. After a minute or two, he stepped out, wearing a new shirt -courtesy of Aashi, who had conveniently left him alone with Ananya.

Ananya." Aapko fit toh aayi na?"

Before he could answer - " bho!bho!" Both of them looked down. Chiku stood at Abhimanyu's feet, tail wagging furiously.

Abhimanyu chuckle. " Aur yeh kaun hai?"he bent down and picked him up gently." Hello there..."

Ananya smiling. " Chiku. My partner in crime."

Chiku immediately began licking Abhimanyu's face happily. " Arey chiku! Stop it bache!" Ananya takes chiku quickly.

She put him down with mock scolding. " Jao yahan se...shaitaan!" Then softly added with a laugh. " Lagta hai chiku ko bhi aap bahut pasand ho."

Abhimanyu arching an eyebrow, smirking." Bhi? Aur kisko pasand hoon main?"

Ananya paused, realizing." Vo...voh sabko."

Abhimanyu turns to her." Sabko? Kaun kaun?"

" Maa...papa.." Ananya said nervously.

Abhimanyu took a slow step toward her. " Aur?"

Ananya stepping back. " Chacha...chachi...

Abhimanyu again stepped closer. " Aur?"

Ananya's voice almost trembling." Bhaiya... bhabhi... P-prisha."

Another step. Abhimanyu's eyes locked on her. " Aur?"

Ananya retreats, back hits the wall. " Bua ji...fufa ji...Mohit.. Naina didi."

Her eyes didn't dare meet his. His gaze, however, stayed intense, unwavering -like he was searching her face for an answer he already suspected.

Abhimanyu softly, deeply. " Aur tumhe" said to her.

Ananya's heart stuttered. She looked up, breath shallow, lips parted slightly, eyes wide with emotions, and cheeks glowing deep pink. " H-hume..hume chalna chaiye." she whispered.

She tried to move, but Abhimanyu didn't move back. Instead, he gently caged her between his arm, one hand on each side of the wall behind her.

Their bodies are just inches apart. Silence hummed between them -charged, cracking.

Abhimanyu gently, firmly." I asked, Ananya...what about you?"

His hand slowly tilted her chin up. Their eyes met -his filled with warmth and something much deeper...hers with nervous electricity.

Abhimanyu whispers with a smirk. " Tell me..."

A beat. His gaze travelled down slowly -taking in her flushed cheeks, the delicate curve of her nose, her trembling lashes -and finally, her lips. So close. So impossible tempting.

Ananya swallowed hard, heart pounding like a drum. His nearness made her dizzy -his voice alone enough to weaken her knees, but his eyes? They made her forget how to breathe.

Just his presence was magnetic. His barely -there touch was enough to send a hold down her spine.

Ananya, heart racing, voice trembling tried to form words as Abhimanyu stood a breath away, his gaze still intense. " I-I.."

Prisha suddenly from behind, clearing throat. " Ahem. Ahem..."

Like a bolt of electricity, both Abhimanyu and Ananya jumped apart , as if caught red-handed sneaking dessert before dinner. Flushed. Breathing uneven. Awkward silence.

Prisha leaning casually by the doorframe, smirking. " Uhh...sab log wait kar rahe hain neeche."

Abhimanyu mumbling. " I-I'll just... I'll go first.

Without waiting, he walked off Swift. Ananya looked like she was trying to disappear into the floor.

Prisha walking in, hands crossed. " Ab bata...chal kya raha tha yahan?"

Ananya quickly. " K-kya? Kuch bhi toh nahi!"

She avoided eye contact, picking at an invisible thread on her kurti.

Prisha grinning, grabs her face gently. " Toh phir yeh gaal tamatar jaise laal kyu ho rahe hain, haan?...kuch hua kya?"

Ananya was too flustered to lie. " Voh..kuch nahi yaar. Tu chal, sab wait kar rahe hain!"

And with that, she escaped -leaving behind a very amused Prisha..

Everyone was gathered again chatting and laughing. Abhimanyu had rejoined, visibly trying to act casual, but stealing glances at the staircase.

Just then, Ananya entered, and their eyes met briefly before darting away.

Manik grinning. " Bhai...itna time kyun lag gaya? Aisa kya kar rahe the?"

Trisha mocking. " Haan bhaiya, kya kar rhe the."

Abhimanyu dry glare. " Kuch nahi. Tum log kuch zyada nhi bolte.".

A stolen glance at Ananya again. Both flushed.

Shanta ." Naina aur Kabir ki shaadi ke liye...kal pandit ji ko bula lete hain. Date fix karni hai."

Excited murmurs followed. Everyone laughed, shared warm wishes, and a joyful family buzz filled the room.

As the kalras prepared to leave , one by one , they said goodbyes.

Rachit raised an eyebrow, to Abhimanyu."  Vaise itna time shirt change karne mein kaise lag gya?

Abhimanyu. " Woh...I-"

But before he could finish, a chorus of soft chuckles floated in younger people. " Rachit, I think what he means is...shirt tumh par achi lag rhi thi.bas." Aashi said to cover.

Rachit catching on. "Oh Haan... That's what I meant."

Everyone started saying their final goodbyes. Hugs, waves, see-you-soons. But amid the buzz, Abhimanyu and Ananya shared one last lingering glance -soft, shy, silently loud.

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