18. Engagement

AYAAN MUKHERJEE'S POV

I'm trying to focus on getting ready for Inayat's engagement, but my stepmother, Nalini, is making it difficult. She's standing in front of me, her eyes critical as she examines my outfit.

"Ayaan, why are you wearing this?" she asks, her voice dripping with disdain. "You look like a street urchin."

I feel my anger rising, but I try to push it down. I don't want to give her the satisfaction of getting under my skin.

"It's fine, Nalini," I say, trying to sound calm. "I'm just going to a family gathering."

But she won't let up. "A family gathering? We're going to Inayat's engagement, aren't we? You should dress better than this."

I take a deep breath, trying to count to ten before responding. But she keeps going.

"You know, Ayaan, you're never going to amount to anything if you don't start taking yourself seriously. Look at Yuvraaj - he's successful, he's confident... what are you?"

I feel my face burning with anger and humiliation. Why can't she just leave me alone? I'm trying to move forward, to make a better life for myself, but she's always holding me back with her constant criticism and belittling.

"Ayaan, let's go!" my father calls out from the living room, oblivious to the tension between us.

I'm grateful for the interruption. I nod at Nalini, trying not to show my emotions. "Let's go," I say curtly, and head out of the room.

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As I drive towards Yuvraaj's mansion, I can't help but feel a mix of emotions. I miss him, I really do. But I'm not ready to face him, not yet. Our past is complicated, and I'm still trying to process my feelings.

Inayat was supposed to be my bride, but fate had other plans.

But it's not just that. Yuvraaj and I... we have a connection, a spark that I've never felt with anyone else. And it's not just friendship. I've tried to deny it, to ignore it, but it's there, lingering in the back of my mind.

I pull up to the mansion, taking a deep breath as I step out of the car. I can do this, I tell myself. I can face Yuvraaj.

I enter the mansion, scanning the room for familiar faces. That's when I see him - Yuvraaj, Inayat's brother, standing across the room, his eyes locked on mine. I feel a jolt of electricity run through my body, and I quickly look away, trying to compose myself.

I remind myself that I'm here for Inayat's engagement, to celebrate her love for Ilya. Yuvraaj is her brother, I tell myself, trying to downplay the butterflies in my stomach.

But as I make my way through the crowd, I can feel Yuvraaj's eyes on me, watching me. I try to avoid him, focusing on congratulating Inayat and Ilya, but I can sense his presence, drawing me in.

Finally, I can't avoid him any longer. Yuvraaj appears beside me, a charming smile on his face. "Ayaan, it's been too long," he says, his voice low and smooth.

I try to play it cool, but my heart is racing. "Yuvraaj, congratulations on your sister's engagement," I reply, trying to sound casual.

But Yuvraaj's eyes sparkle with amusement, and I know he can see right through me. "Thanks, Ayaan," he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm thrilled to be gaining Ilya as a brother-in-law."

I laugh, trying to break the tension, but Yuvraaj's gaze lingers on mine, and I know this is far from over.

As the ceremony begins, Ilya and Inayat exchange vows, their love radiating like a beacon. But I'm stuck, my eyes drifting to Yuvraaj, who's standing across from me, his gaze intense.

As the couple exchanges rings, Ilya's hand brushes against Inayat's, and I feel a pang in my chest. It's a gentle, loving touch, and I'm hit with a wave of nostalgia. I remember when Yuvraaj's hand used to brush against mine, sending shivers down my spine.

Yuvraaj catches my eye, and for a moment, we just stare at each other. The air is thick with tension, and I feel like I'm drowning in his gaze. I quickly look away, focusing on the happy couple.

But the awkwardness lingers, and I can sense Yuvraaj's eyes on me, boring into my skin. I shift uncomfortably, trying to break the spell.

As the ceremony ends, and the guests erupt into cheers, I force a smile, trying to blend in. But Yuvraaj appears beside me, his voice low and husky. "Congratulations, Ayaan. Looks like love is in the air."

I turn to him, my heart racing. "Yeah, it is," I reply, trying to sound casual. But Yuvraaj's gaze lingers on mine, and I know he sees right through me.

Yuvraaj nods towards the bar, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Hey, Ayaan, want a drink? I think we could both use one."

I hesitate for a moment, unsure if I should accept. But Yuvraaj's smile is disarming, and I find myself nodding in agreement.

As we walk towards the bar, the tension between us is palpable. I can feel the weight of our past, the unspoken words and unresolved feelings.

Yuvraaj orders us a couple of whiskeys, and we stand there, sipping our drinks, the silence between us thick with emotion.

I try to break the ice, asking him about his work, but Yuvraaj's responses are curt, his eyes never leaving mine.

It's like we're stuck in a time warp, reliving the moments we shared, the moments we lost.

I take a sip of my drink, feeling the burn in my chest. "Yuvraaj, can I ask you something?" I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

He raises an eyebrow, his expression guarded. "What is it, Ayaan?"

I take a deep breath, my heart racing. "Do you ever think about... us?"

Yuvraaj's eyes lock onto mine, his expression unreadable. "Us?" he repeats, his voice low and husky.

I nod, my heart pounding in my chest. "Yeah, us. What could have been."

Yuvraaj looks around the room, his gaze scanning the crowd before nodding towards the balcony. "Let's take a walk," he says, his voice barely above a whisper.

We make our way through the throng of people, our bodies brushing against each other as we navigate the crowded room. Finally, we reach the balcony, the cool night air enveloping us like a shroud.

The city sprawls out before us, a sea of twinkling lights that seem to stretch on forever. We stand there, side by side, the only sound the distant hum of traffic.

Yuvraaj turns to me, his eyes burning with intensity. "What do you want to know, Ayaan?" he asks, his voice low and husky.

I take a deep breath, my heart racing. "I want to know if you ever think about what could have been," I repeat, my voice barely above a whisper.

Yuvraaj's gaze lingers on mine, his expression unreadable. And then, in a move that catches me off guard, he reaches out and brushes a strand of hair out of my face.

Yuvraaj's fingers graze my skin, sending shivers down my spine. I feel a jolt of electricity as our eyes lock, the tension between us palpable.

And then, in a moment that feels like an eternity, Yuvraaj's lips brush against mine. It's a soft, gentle kiss, but it sets my soul on fire.

I feel like I'm melting into his embrace, our lips moving in perfect sync. The world around us fades away, leaving only the two of us, lost in this moment.

The kiss deepens, our tongues entwining as we surrender to the passion between us. I feel like I'm home, like I've finally found the missing piece of my heart.

As we break apart for air, Yuvraaj's eyes burn with intensity. "I've wanted to do that for so long," he whispers, his voice husky with emotion.

I smile, my heart soaring. "I've wanted you to," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper.

We stand there, wrapped in each other's arms, the city lights twinkling like stars around us. It's a moment I'll never forget, a moment that changes everything.

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~ to be continued