Chapter 15: Mehendi Dreams
The Ruthless King's Claim [Completed]
Kiaraâs POV
The next afternoon, the house buzzed with excitement. It was the day of the mehendi ceremony, and the entire space was transformed with bright marigold flowers and intricate decorations in hues of green and yellow. The aroma of henna filled the air as women sat around, their hands adorned with beautiful designs, eagerly awaiting their turn. There was an undeniable sense of joy that seemed to carry through the entire house, but as usual, I felt disconnected from it all.
Today, I wore a deep purple lehenga choli. The fabric shimmered in the light, embroidered with delicate gold thread. The blouse was adorned with small stones that caught the light with every move I made. My dupatta was draped elegantly over my shoulder, the rich purple color adding a royal touch.
Her look~
The henna artist had already begun to apply intricate patterns on my hands, the cold paste sending a slight chill through my skin. The scent of the henna lingered in the air, a traditional scent that always seemed to bring a sense of calm. But for me, there was no calm today.
I sat cross-legged on a cushioned mat, surrounded by family and friends. The chatter and laughter of the women created a backdrop, but my thoughts remained occupied with Reyaansh and what was to come. I tried to focus on the designs forming on my hands, the small floral patterns creeping up my wrist, but my mind kept drifting back to him.
---
Just then, I saw Reyaansh walk in with his family, his gaze scanning the room. He wore a soft beige kurta with gold accents, his demeanor as composed as always.
His look~
His eyes found mine across the room, and for a moment, everything else seemed to blur. The way he looked at meâintense and unwaveringâmade my breath catch in my throat. It was as if he could see straight through me, as though he knew what I was thinking.
Before I could look away, he started moving toward me, and I instinctively straightened up, smoothing the folds of my lehenga. His approach felt like an inevitability, a moment I couldnât escape, and though part of me wanted to shrink back, I found myself rooted to the spot.
Reyaanshâs gaze softened ever so slightly as he stopped in front of me, his presence commanding yet subtle. âYou look beautiful,â he said, his voice low, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
I swallowed, my heart beating louder than I wanted it to. âThanks,â I muttered, unsure how to react. I didnât want to encourage him, but there was a flicker inside me that I couldnât ignore.
---
Reyaansh noticed my unease and leaned down slightly, his voice barely a whisper. âI donât bite, Kiara.â
I shot him a look, trying to mask the sudden rush of warmth that spread across my skin. âYou donât need to,â I replied, keeping my tone cool. But my voice was shaky, and I cursed myself for it.
He didnât respond immediately, instead looking at the henna being applied to my hands. âIt suits you,â he remarked, nodding toward the designs. âBeautiful, just like you.â
I wanted to roll my eyes, to dismiss him, but for some reason, I couldnât. There was a weight to his words that I wasnât ready to deal with, but I wasnât sure I ever would be.
---
As Reyaansh moved to speak to some relatives nearby, I tried to focus on the ceremony again, but I couldnât shake the feeling that he was still watching me. The sense of being under his scrutiny was almost palpable, and I couldnât tell whether it made me uneasy or strangely... drawn to him.
The henna artist finally finished with my hands, and I looked down at the intricate patterns, the dark brown stains against my pale skin creating a beautiful contrast. I was distracted for a moment, but as I glanced up, I saw Reyaansh again, this time with a glass of juice in his hand. He was surrounded by his family, yet he still found a way to look back at me.
I bit my lip, feeling the familiar rush of emotionsâconfusion, frustration, and something else I couldnât place. What was happening between us? It felt like a dance I didnât know the steps to, one that was pulling me in despite my best efforts to stay distant.
The ceremony continued, but all I could think about was Reyaansh and the quiet tension that seemed to exist between us, one that neither of us had yet acknowledged, but both of us felt.
---
As the afternoon wore on, the mehendi ceremony was in full swing. Music played in the background, with everyone swaying to the beats of folk songs, their laughter filling the air. Yet, despite the vibrant atmosphere, I couldnât shake the feeling that something had shifted between me and Reyaansh. Every time our eyes met, it felt like there was an unspoken conversation happening, one I wasnât sure I was ready to have.
My family continued to surround me, their excitement palpable, but my thoughts kept drifting back to him. Reyaansh was in the corner now, talking to my uncle, though I couldnât help but notice that every so often, his gaze flicked toward me, as if checking to see if I was still watching. I tried to look away, to focus on the women around me as they discussed the wedding plans, but it was impossible to ignore him.
A servant came by with glasses of juice, and I took one, trying to distract myself from my thoughts. I sipped it slowly, my fingers tracing the rim of the glass as I tried to calm the storm inside. âKia, youâre so quiet today,â Sneha said suddenly, her voice laced with curiosity.
I turned to her with a small smile. âIâm just⦠tired, I guess,â I replied, though it wasnât the full truth. There was a part of me that felt like I was suffocating under the weight of expectationsâexpectations I hadnât asked for and didnât know how to live up to.
She raised an eyebrow, but before she could probe further, the music shifted to something faster, and people began pulling each other into the center for a traditional dance. It seemed like the perfect distraction. I stood up and offered a smile to my sister. âLetâs go, Sneha. I need to get my mind off things.â
---
Sneha beamed, clearly relieved that I wasnât retreating into my thoughts. We joined the rest of the women, laughing as we began to dance to the lively rhythm. As I moved with the group, my body flowing with the beat, I felt a momentary sense of freedom. The weight of Reyaanshâs gaze, the confusion swirling inside me, faded for just a few moments as I let myself get lost in the joy of the dance.
But then, just as quickly, I felt a hand on my waist, and my body tensed instinctively. I turned to find Reyaansh standing behind me, a mischievous grin on his face. âCare to dance with me?â he asked, his voice dripping with playful confidence.
I froze for a second, my heart racing. âWhat are you doing?â I managed to ask, my words almost a whisper.
He didnât answer at first, just guiding me into the dance with the crowd, his hand steady on my waist. âIâm offering you a dance,â he said simply, his eyes locking with mine. âLetâs see if you can keep up.â
---
I took a deep breath, my chest tight with anxiety. There was no way out of it now. I could either dance with him and let him have control over this moment, or I could refuse and risk making a scene. I chose the former, reminding myself that it was just a dance. Just a simple, meaningless gesture.
As we moved through the steps, Reyaanshâs grip on me was firm, yet oddly comforting. The dance was light and playful, but with every touch, every turn, I felt more and more aware of him. The crowd around us faded as his presence grew stronger, more commanding. There was something magnetic about him, something that drew me in against my will.
âYouâre not as bad as I thought,â he said with a teasing smirk, breaking the silence that had settled between us. âMaybe I should make you dance more often.â
I met his gaze, my breath catching in my throat. âDonât push your luck,â I replied, my voice low but playful. Inside, though, a storm was brewing, one I wasnât ready to confront. The closer we got, the more I wondered if I was getting in too deepâand if I even had the strength to pull myself out.