Chapter 14: The Dance of Shadows

Kiara's POV

One month had passed, and I still felt like I was living someone else's life. The house was alive with laughter and music, vibrant lights casting colorful patterns on every wall. Relatives I hadn't seen in years danced and mingled, their faces glowing with excitement. It was my sangeet night-a night that should've been filled with joy and anticipation. But all I felt was a dull ache in my chest, a reminder of the life that was slipping away from me.

The elaborate green lehenga I wore shimmered with every move, its intricate embroidery glinting in the soft lights. My hair was styled in cascading waves, adorned with delicate jasmine flowers. I wore traditional jhumkas, a matching necklace, and gold bangles that jingled softly as I adjusted the dupatta draped over my shoulder. On the outside, I looked like a bride-to-be basking in the glow of celebration. On the inside, I was anything but.

Her look~

Sneha, my elder sister, walked into the room, her eyes lighting up as she took in my appearance. "Kia, you look stunning!" she said, pulling me into a warm hug. "If Reyaansh doesn't fall in love with you all over again tonight, then I'll have to question his taste."

I forced a smile, not wanting to dampen her enthusiasm. "I'm sure he'll survive either way," I replied, my tone light but empty. Sneha frowned slightly, but before she could say anything, a commotion outside drew our attention.

---

The sound of dhols echoed through the house, signaling the arrival of Reyaansh and his family. My heart skipped a beat as I heard the collective cheers of the crowd welcoming them. Sneha grabbed my hand and grinned. "Come on, the groom's family is here. Let's go."

I hesitated for a moment before nodding, letting her lead me out of the room. The sight that greeted me was a spectacle of colors and energy. Reyaansh's family was in the middle of the courtyard, dancing with unrestrained joy. He stood at the center of it all, looking as composed as ever, though the faintest hint of a smile played on his lips.

He wore a black sherwani with gold accents, the tailored fabric fitting him perfectly. His hair was neatly styled, and his sharp features were accentuated by the flickering lights of the celebration. As if sensing my gaze, his eyes found mine, locking me in place. There it was again-that unyielding intensity, as though he could see right through me.

His look~

---

Before I could look away, Reyaansh raised an eyebrow and held out a hand, silently inviting me to join him. My breath hitched. Was this some kind of game for him? A way to prove his control over me in front of everyone?

Sneha nudged me forward. "Go. It's your night, Kia. Enjoy it," she whispered, her tone encouraging.

Reluctantly, I stepped into the courtyard, my lehenga swishing softly with each step. Reyaansh's gaze never wavered, his hand still extended as I reached him. Taking a deep breath, I placed my hand in his, the warmth of his touch sending an unexpected jolt through me.

The crowd erupted into cheers as we stepped onto the makeshift dance floor. The music shifted, and a slow, melodious tune filled the air. Reyaansh pulled me closer, his hand resting lightly on my waist. "You look beautiful tonight," he murmured, his voice low enough that only I could hear.

---

I stiffened at his words, unsure of how to respond. "Thank you," I said softly, my gaze fixed on a spot over his shoulder.

He chuckled, the sound rich and smooth. "Still avoiding me, Kiara?" he asked, tilting his head slightly to meet my eyes.

"I'm not avoiding you," I said quickly, though the quiver in my voice betrayed me.

"Hmm," he said, his smirk deepening. "If you say so. But you should know, I'm not going anywhere."

As the music swelled and we moved in sync, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't just a dance. It was a battle of wills, a silent conversation between two people who refused to back down. And for the first time that night, I felt the faintest flicker of something I couldn't quite name-something that both scared and intrigued me.

---

The music around us seemed to fade into the background as I became hyper-aware of Reyaansh's presence. His hand on my waist was firm but not imposing, and the way he moved, so effortlessly in control, made it impossible to ignore him. I hated how my body betrayed me, responding to his every touch, his every glance.

"Relax, Kiara," he said softly, leaning just close enough for me to hear. "It's just a dance."

"Just a dance?" I repeated, my tone sharper than I intended. "It feels more like a spectacle." My eyes darted around the courtyard, catching the amused expressions of our families and the knowing smirks of some of the guests.

Reyaansh followed my gaze, his smirk never faltering. "Let them watch," he said simply, his tone laced with confidence. "They're expecting a show, and I never disappoint."

I rolled my eyes, biting back a sarcastic retort. But as we continued to move, I realized he wasn't just showing off. His steps matched mine perfectly, his movements fluid and calculated, as though he had been waiting for this moment. And despite my initial resistance, I felt myself easing into the rhythm, the tension between us shifting into something else entirely.

---

When the music ended, a round of applause erupted, pulling me back to reality. Reyaansh stepped back, his hand lingering on mine for a moment before he let go. "See?" he said, his voice teasing. "That wasn't so bad, was it?"

I glared at him, my cheeks burning. "Don't get used to it," I muttered, turning on my heel and walking back toward my family.

Sneha intercepted me, her face glowing with excitement. "Kia, that was amazing! You two looked like you were made for each other out there!"

I forced a smile, unwilling to burst her bubble. "Thanks," I said, though my mind was already racing. Reyaansh might have won this round, but I wasn't about to let him dictate how the rest of the night-or my life-would go.

---

As I sat with my cousins, pretending to listen to their chatter, my gaze wandered back to him. Reyaansh was standing with a group of relatives, his demeanor as composed as ever. But every so often, I caught him looking in my direction, his eyes unreadable yet piercing.

I hated how he could unsettle me so easily. How he seemed to thrive on the push and pull between us. But more than that, I hated the way a small part of me didn't want to look away.

With a deep breath, I turned my attention back to the festivities, determined to make it through the night without giving Reyaansh any more power over me. But as the evening wore on, I couldn't shake the feeling that, whether I liked it or not, this was just the beginning.