The Rathor mansion buzzed with excitement as final preparations for the evening's celebration fell into place. The family had invited close relatives, including the ArorasâNeha's familyâand the Mehtas, Sia's parents. The occasion was a tribute to Sia's incredible journey as a writer, a proud moment for everyone.
Sia found herself surrounded by love as her grandmothers-in-law pampered her, while Devika and Shalini ensured everything was perfect. Snowy pranced around the mansion, stopping in her tracks when Shreya arrived. The fluffy dog's tail wagged furiously before jumping into Shreya's lap, covering her with licks of affection. Shreya laughed, scratching Snowy behind the ears, while Harish watched the scene, his heart swelling with pride.
Acknowledging Sia
As the celebration began, the room was filled with laughter and conversations. The guests enjoyed family games, lighthearted teasing, and stories. Arjun, though busy managing the arrangements, stole moments to glance at Sia, whose happiness lit up the room.
The highlight of the evening came when Arjun's grandmother stood to make a toast. With a glass of sparkling juice in hand, she began, "Today, I want to honor not just my grandson's wife, but the daughter of this family. Sia, you have brought so much joy, resilience, and pride into our lives. You're not just Mrs. Rathor; you are our Sia."
Sia's eyes glistened with tears as applause erupted. Harish and Shreya exchanged a glance, their hearts brimming with pride for their daughter. Shalini and Devika pulled Sia into a warm embrace as the family's cheers filled the room.
Aarav and Neha: The Teasing Continues
While the evening flowed with joy, Aarav and Neha became the subject of much playful teasing. Sia, slipping easily into her new role as a "big sister," couldn't resist joining in.
"Aarav, I can't believe you're blushing," Sia teased, leaning closer. "And Neha, don't think I haven't noticed your smile every time he looks at you."
Neha covered her face with her hands while Aarav raised his hands in surrender. "What can I say, Sia bhabhi? She's got me wrapped around her little finger," he said with a wink.
"Good!" Sia replied, her tone turning mock-serious. "Now, remember, Aarav, I'm watching you. If you hurt my soul sister, you'll have me to answer to."
The laughter that followed was genuine, as the bond between Sia, Aarav, and Neha grew even stronger.
Mayank's Visit
As the evening wound down, Mayank arrived, catching Arjun's attention. Sia greeted him warmly, though Arjun's expression tightened. Mayank approached Sia with news about her book launch, sharing the details of the venue and media coverage.
"You're going to be a sensation, Sia," Mayank said confidently, his admiration for her evident.
Arjun, standing slightly apart, felt a pang of jealousy. He watched Mayank's easy rapport with Sia and clenched his jaw. Though he trusted his wife, the sight of another man praising her ignited insecurities he hadn't yet confronted.
Still, Arjun managed a polite smile as he joined the conversation. He casually draped an arm around Sia's shoulder, a silent declaration of his place in her life. Mayank, ever perceptive, noticed but continued the discussion, respecting their bond.
Harish's Revelation
Meanwhile, in a quieter corner, Harish spoke with Vijay and Sanjay about a topic that weighed heavily on his mindâRiya.
"I've sent her far away to get the help she needs," Harish confessed, his voice low. "It wasn't easy, but I knew it was necessary. She's in a good facility, receiving the best care."
Vijay nodded solemnly. "You've done the right thing, Harish. She needs to heal, and sometimes, distance is the best way to begin that process."
Sanjay added, "And what about Sia? Does she know?"
Harish shook his head. "Not yet. She has enough on her plate. I don't want her to feel guilty or burdened. When the time is right, I'll tell her."
The three men shared a moment of understanding, their concern for their families evident in their expressions.
The Evening's End
As the last guests bid their farewells and the house fell into a tranquil silence, Sia stood in the middle of the grand living room, her heart full. The love and warmth she had received from Arjun's family today had been overwhelming. She had never imagined feeling this welcomed, this cherished. Her eyes glanced around the room one last time, savoring the moment, before heading toward the bedroom, ready to escape into the quiet of the night.
She opened the door, only to find Arjun standing there, his strong presence filling the doorway. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his gaze that immediately made her heart skip a beat. He wasn't just her husband anymoreâhe was everything.
"Sia," he murmured, his voice low, laced with something that sent an unexpected warmth flooding through her.
She stepped into the room, her heart racing. "Arjun... what's going on?" Her voice came out softer than she intended, the air thick with tension between them.
He didn't answer. Instead, he moved toward her, closing the distance between them with a few purposeful strides. His eyes locked onto hers, every inch of his body drawn to hers like a magnet. His gaze was intense, almost like he was seeing through to her soul. And for the first time, Sia realized that Arjun didn't have control over his emotions anymore. He was completely, utterly lost in her.
Without a word, his hands cupped her face gently, as if he was afraid she might disappear if he held on too tight. But there was nothing gentle in the fire that burned between them. His lips brushed hers in a kiss that was slow, almost tender, like he was savoring this moment. But soon, the tenderness melted into something far more desperate. The kiss deepened, every movement a silent promise, every touch a confession.
Sia's world spun. Her first kiss. She had never imagined it would feel like thisâlike she was falling into him, like she was dissolving in the very space between their hearts. She felt his warmth engulf her, his hands sliding down her back, pulling her closer. There was no space between them anymoreâjust a wild, unstoppable force that surged through both of them.
His lips left hers for a moment, trailing down her neck as she gasped, her body instinctively pressing closer to him. Her hands tangled in his hair, and she pulled him back to her, desperate for more. Arjun's breath came in ragged gasps, his control slipping, but he wasn't stopping. He didn't want to stop. Not now. Not ever.
The room seemed to blur around them, and Sia felt like she was floating. Every kiss, every touch ignited something inside her that she hadn't even known existed.
But thenâbark.
Candy, their excitable dog, charged into the room, tail wagging furiously, disrupting the intense moment. Arjun growled under his breath, momentarily pulling away in frustration. Sia laughed, breathless, her heart still pounding from the intensity of the kiss.
Snowy followed suit, jumping onto the bed, causing Arjun to groan loudly in annoyance. He stood there, visibly trying to regain control over his racing heart.
"Not now, Candy," he muttered, his voice thick with the frustration of their interrupted moment. "You've got terrible timing."
Sia, still flushed from the passion, couldn't help but laugh harder, her heart light despite the interruption. "Well, looks like our dogs have decided to make it a family affair," she teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Arjun, not wanting to let go of her just yet, reached for her once more, pulling her close as he kissed her forehead gently. But as the dogs continued to nudge them, he gave in, letting out a long sigh. "Okay, okay. I'll let them have their moment," he grumbled, though his smile couldn't be hidden.
He turned to the dogs and began ushering them out of the room, but not before shooting one final playful glare at Candy and Snowy. "You two never learn," he said, but his voice held no real angerâjust an amused affection.
Sia sat on the bed, still breathless, feeling the heat of the kiss lingering in her veins. She watched Arjun as he returned to her side, his eyes softened, the usual smirk replaced with a tenderness that made her heart swell.
"I never thought our first kiss would be interrupted by the dogs," Sia said softly, her voice teasing but filled with emotion.
Arjun chuckled, sitting next to her and pulling her into his arms, his fingers gently threading through her hair. "I wasn't planning on waiting, but, well, Candy and Snowy had other ideas." He kissed her forehead before pulling back slightly, his gaze searching hers. "But Sia... this is just the beginning. I'm not holding back anymore. Not with you."
Arjun pulled her closer again, his lips hovering just inches from hers. There was a playful spark in his eyes as he whispered, "You're mine, Sia. Always will be."
The words were simple, but they held so much more. It wasn't a confessionâit was an unspoken promise. And in that moment, Sia realized she didn't need any more words.
They stayed like that for a while, lost in the quiet, in each other, knowing that the next steps in their relationship would be just as intense, just as raw, and just as beautiful. The connection they shared was undeniable, and while neither of them spoke those three words, they both knew the truth. It was just a matter of time.
But for now, they were content in this unspoken moment, feeling everything without needing to say a thing.