Chapter 30: Chapter 27

The gala ballroom buzzed with excitement, the lingering thrill of the night still dancing in the air. But for Siya, the music seemed to fade into the background as she made her way through the crowd. Gauri had been teasing her about the earlier dance with Raghav, and Siya couldn’t help but smile, feeling a warmth in her chest.

But that peaceful moment was shattered when her gaze met Noorie's.

Noorie stood at the far side of the room, her posture rigid, a microphone clutched tightly in her hand. Her eyes were narrow slits, filled with fury. Siya knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that Noorie was coming for her.

She stood tall, heart pounding, as Noorie began to march toward her, each step filled with purpose. The crowd seemed to take a collective breath, sensing the impending tension. Siya's spine stiffened, preparing herself for whatever was coming, but she didn't step back.

“Look at you,” Noorie spat, her voice sharp and cutting. “You think you can just waltz into his life and take over? Think you’re some kind of princess now, don’t you? Wearing that dress, dancing with him like you own him!”

Siya’s throat tightened, but she held her ground. She’d faced this before. “ Were you dropped on your head, Noorie. Raghav and I are married and—”

“No!” Noorie hissed, her face contorted with rage. “You’ve always wanted him, haven’t you? I saw you two in the canteen that day”. Siya's face turned red. “And now, you think you can just steal him from me, from the past we shared?”

She raised the microphone, and Siya's eyes widened. The way Noorie was holding it, it wasn’t just for speaking. No, it was clear she had every intention of using it as a weapon, a way to hurt her.

Before Siya could even react, she heard a voice—one that cut through the tense silence like a blade.

“Noorie!!!”

Raghav’s shout was sharp, cold as ice and commanding. Siya’s heart leapt into her throat. She turned, just in time to see Raghav storming toward them. His face was like stone, eyes blazing with fury. His steps were quick, purposeful, as he reached them.

Without missing a beat, he stood between Noorie and Siya, facing her squarely. His voice was a low growl as he spoke.

“Don’t. Even. Think. About it.” Raghav’s words were filled with venom, his anger palpable. He stood tall, his eyes never leaving Noorie, daring her to try anything. “If you even think about raising that thing at her,” he said through clenched teeth, “I swear, Noorie, you won’t get away with it.”

Noorie froze, the microphone trembling in her hand as Raghav’s words hung heavy in the air. The crowd seemed to hold its breath, sensing the gravity of the situation. Noorie’s lips parted, but no words came out. She was visibly rattled, her hands shaking as she looked from Raghav to Siya.

Raghav stepped closer, his body almost radiating heat with anger. “You have no right to lay a finger on her,” he continued, his voice, calculated. “Not now, not ever.”

The intensity of his words seemed to pierce through Noorie’s fury. She looked at him, then back at Siya, a slow burn of humiliation creeping up her neck. For a moment, it seemed like Noorie might argue, but instead, her eyes were red and moist.

She took one last look at Raghav and turned away, walking out of the ballroom without another word, her heels clicking sharply against the floor, leaving behind a trail of raw, frustrated energy.

As soon as Noorie left, Raghav turned toward Siya. His gaze softened slightly, his anger still simmering beneath the surface, but now there was something more—something protective.

“You okay? You aren't hurt right ?” he asked quietly, his voice rough but genuine.

Siya nodded, though her heart was still racing. “I am now. But... that was intense.”

Raghav let out a long breath, his hands running through his hair. “I shouldn’t have let her treat you like that,” he muttered, almost to himself. His eyes were full of regret. “I shouldn’t have stood by and let her do that.”

Siya stepped closer, her expression softening. She holds his arms tight. “Raghav, you did more than enough. You stopped her. And I’m grateful for that.”

He looked at her, his gaze sincere, but his features still tight with frustration. “I’ll always protect you, Siya,” he said, his voice low. “No one gets to treat you like that. Not while I’m around.”

Siya felt a warmth spread through her chest. His body stiffened at first, but when he looked down at her, his expression softened.

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

Raghav smiled faintly, but there was a darkness in his eyes that lingered. “I just wish I could’ve done more. She has this way of... manipulating things, and I hate that she tried to do it to you.”

Siya nodded. “I get it. But I don’t want you to feel like you have to fix everything. I’m not fragile. I can handle it.”

Raghav’s expression softened, and for a brief moment, there was a tenderness between them, a silent understanding that went beyond words.

“I know you can,” he said quietly, his voice full of warmth.

They stood there, in the aftermath of the confrontation, the noise of the ballroom around them fading into a distant hum. In that moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the world, connected in a way that didn’t need to be explained.

Siya looked up at him, a smile tugging at her lips. “And I’ll be here too. You don’t have to worry. So next you can invite me to share the fun”.

Raghav nodded, his smile returning, but the heaviness of the moment still lingered in the air. He’d done what he could tonight, but it wasn’t just about that. It was about making sure she never had to face anything like that again. He has to keep his promise.

With a final glance toward the door Noorie had left through, Raghav turned his attention back to Siya. “You ready to go? Let’s get out of here before anyone else thinks they can take a swing at you.”

“Yeah sure, someone like me”, Rudra jumped in between the conversation.

Pinching Rudra’s ear, Gauri replied, “Let him flirt you idiot”.

Siya laughed softly, her heart light weighted in Raghav’s presence. “Please lead the way, Sir.”

And together, they all walked out of the ballroom, ready to face whatever came next, but knowing that as long as they were together, nothing could break them.