Roohi's voice was laced with a mix of fear and determination as she pleaded with Siddharth. "Please, bhaiya, let me explain first," she said, her eyes locked on his, searching for a glimmer of understanding. Siddharth, still seething with anger, took a deep breath and slowly released his grip on Aryan's collar. His chest heaved with effort as he struggled to control his emotions.
With a curt nod, Siddharth turned to Roohi and said, "Go inside." His voice was low and even, but the underlying tension was palpable. Roohi hesitated, her eyes darting between Siddharth and Aryan, concern etched on her face. She was afraid of what Siddharth might do to Aryan, and her lingering presence seemed to be a silent plea for restraint.
Aryan, sensing her unease, offered a reassuring nod, and Roohi's shoulders sagged in resignation. With a soft sigh, she turned and walked towards the door, her footsteps echoing through the silence. The click of the door closing seemed to seal the fate of the conversation, and Siddharth's gaze snapped back to Aryan.
His eyes narrowed, Siddharth's tone turned cold and calculating. "I'll be straight. What are your intentions with my sister?" he asked, his words devoid of emotion, but laced with an unspoken warning. Aryan's eyes met Siddharth's, and he replied, his voice measured, "I...care about her a lot."
Siddharth's response was dripping with sarcasm, his tone heavy with disdain. "'A lot'? That's comforting, considering what I just walked in on." Aryan's eyes dropped, and he sighed, his shoulders sagging under the weight of Siddharth's disapproval.
"Look, I know this all looks so...sudden," Aryan began, his voice laced with a mix of apology and explanation. "And I should have talked to you sooner. But Roohi and I...we've been feeling this way for a while. We just needed to figure things out." Aryan's words hung in the air, a plea for understanding and acceptance, but Siddharth's expression remained unreadable, his thoughts and emotions still simmering beneath the surface.
Siddharth's eyes narrowed, his voice laced with disapproval as he questioned Aryan. "Figure things out? By sneaking around in the garden?" The words hung in the air, a pointed reminder of Aryan's actions, and he winced at the statement, a hint of regret flashing across his face.
"You're right," Aryan admitted, his voice tinged with remorse. "It wasn't the right way to go about it. I messed up. But my feelings for her are genuine. I wouldn't do anything to hurt her." His words were laced with sincerity, and Siddharth studied him for a moment, searching for any sign of insincerity.
But Aryan's expression remained resolute, his eyes locked on Siddharth's. Siddharth's gaze lingered, then he spoke, his voice softening slightly. "You know Roohi...she is naive in some ways. She is still immature. I don't want her to get hurt."
Aryan nodded, his face set in determination. "I know it's hard for you to trust me right away. But please give me a chance. I promise I will never hurt her." His words were laced with conviction, and Siddharth's expression softened, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered Aryan's plea.
After a moment, Siddharth sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. "Fine," he said, his voice resigned. He looked away, his gaze drifting into the distance, before snapping back to Aryan. "Roohi is my sister, but she is an adult after all. I can't object to her decisions. But..." His eyes locked on Aryan's, a warning implicit in his tone. "If you ever tried to hurt her...."
Aryan didn't let him finish, interrupting with a firm "I won't."
Siddharth nodded sharply, his expression unyielding, before his features relaxed, a hint of calm washing over his face. "Good," he said, the word hanging in the air, a fragile truce forged between them.
Meanwhile, Roohi sat in her room, her fingers drumming a nervous rhythm on the armrest as she fidgeted with anxiety. "What are they talking about?" she murmured to herself, her mind racing with possibilities. Her eyes darted around the room, but the silence seemed oppressive, and she couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Roohi got up and walked to the window, pushing aside the curtains to gaze down at the garden below. Her eyes scanned the scene, homing in on the two figures standing outside. Siddharth's imposing frame loomed large, his body language tense, while Aryan stood opposite him, his hands gesturing animatedly.
Roohi's brow furrowed in concern as she watched the scene unfold. "What will bhaiya do now? Is he still angry?" she murmured, her voice barely audible. She bit her lip, her heart racing with anticipation, as she waited for some sign of resolution.
After what felt like an eternity, Roohi saw Aryan get into his car and drive away. Siddharth stood watching him leave, his expression inscrutable. As the car disappeared from view, Siddharth turned and began walking towards the palace's main door. Roohi's heart skipped a beat as she realized their conversation had ended.
Without hesitation, Roohi rushed downstairs, her footsteps light on the stairs. She reached the hallway just as Siddharth was entering his cabin. She followed closely behind, her heart pounding in her chest, wondering what would happen next. Would Siddharth be angry with her? Would he forbid her from seeing Aryan? The uncertainty hung over her like a shadow, and she steeled herself for the conversation ahead.
Roohi halted in front of the door, her hand hovering momentarily as she gathered her courage. Taking a deep breath, she knocked lightly, the soft rap echoing through the silence. The response came promptly, Siddharth's voice muffled but clear, "Come in."
With a gentle push, Roohi opened the door, peeking inside with a mixture of trepidation and curiosity. Her eyes scanned the room, homing in on Siddharth, who sat at his desk, his gaze fixed on his phone. His expression seemed absorbed, his fingers scrolling through the screen with a detached air.
Roohi's eyes lingered on her brother's face, searching for any hint of his mood. Satisfied that he hadn't noticed her yet, she slipped inside, her movements quiet as she closed the door softly behind her. The click of the latch seemed amplified in the stillness, and Roohi stood awkwardly near the door, her hands clasped together in a nervous gesture.
The room seemed to stretch out before her, the distance between her and Siddharth feeling like a chasm. She hesitated, unsure of how to bridge the gap, her eyes fixed on her brother's bent head, waiting for some sign or signal that would indicate what was to come.
The silence between them lingered for a few minutes, the only sound the soft ticking of the clock on the wall.
Roohi finally broke the silence, her voice hesitant as she asked, "So...what did you and Aryan talk about?"
Siddharth leaned back in his chair, his face stern, his eyes fixed intently on Roohi. "You know what we talked about, you were the topic," he replied, his tone firm.
Roohi's fingers instinctively clutched the hem of her dress, her eyes wide with a mix of anxiety and curiosity. "Yeah, but...specifically? Was he...mad?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Siddharth's expression remained serious, but a hint of amusement danced in his eyes. "He was a little defensive at first. I think he was expecting a full-on brotherly beatdown. But no, he wasn't mad. I made it pretty clear what I expect from him."
Roohi's eyes locked onto her brother's, her gaze searching for reassurance. "And...?" she prompted, her voice laced with anticipation.
Siddharth's face softened slightly, his tone turning more measured. "And he seems like a decent guy. He's clearly head over heels for you. I told him, hurt you even a little and he'll have to deal with me."
As Siddharth's words sank in, Roohi's tense posture relaxed ever so slightly. Her voice was tinged with relief as she asked, "So...you're not going to ground me or anything?"
Siddharth raised an eyebrow, a dry smile playing on his lips. "Roohi, you're an adult. I don't ground adults."
"Right, right. Of course," Roohi replied, her voice a little too quick, a little too eager to please. A beat of silence hung in the air, the tension between them palpable. Roohi shuffled her feet, her eyes darting around the room before coming back to rest on Siddharth's face.
Siddharth looked at her, his expression softening, and sighed. "Look Roohi, I'm not mad at him anymore. He seems genuinely good."
A shine of hope lit up Roohi's eyes as she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, "So...you like him?"
Siddharth's response was measured, his tone cautious. "I'm willing to give him a chance."
But then his gaze turned serious, his eyes narrowing slightly as he added, "But you...what I'm a little annoyed about is that you hid it from me."
Roohi's face fell, her eyes dropping to the floor as she mumbled, "I was scared! I didn't know how you would react."
Siddharth's voice took on a slightly stern tone, his words probing. "And you thought keeping it a secret was the best approach? What if I had found out some other way? Or what if Dad had found out first? It would have been worse then." His words hung in the air, a reminder of the potential consequences of her actions, and Roohi's eyes flashed with understanding, her face set in a mixture of guilt and determination.
"I know, I know. I'm sorry. I should have told you. But I just...I really like him, bhaiya. And I didn't want you to scare him away before I even knew it was serious," Roohi said, her voice filled with sincerity.
Siddharth raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "He is 23, do you think I can scare him away just like that?" he asked, his tone laced with skepticism.
Roohi's eyes met Siddharth's, and she knew he was teasing her. Siddharth sighed, his expression softening as he said, "Roohi, you are my little sister. You know I love you the most. I don't want you to be afraid of me just because I'm a little protective." Roohi nodded, her face relaxing into a gentle smile.
Siddharth gestured for her to come near him, and Roohi walked towards him, standing beside him. Siddharth's hand reached out, and he patted her head, his touch warm and reassuring. "Next time, I want you to share everything with me without being afraid, okay?" he said, his voice filled with affection.
Roohi nodded, her voice barely above a whisper as she promised, "Okay, I promise." She looked up at Siddharth, a mischievous glint in her eye as she asked, "So...are we good now?"
Siddharth's face turned serious, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yeah, we are, but Aryan still needs to pass the 'Siddharth's approval', got it?" he said, his tone firm but playful.
Roohi chuckled, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. "God, not this again," she said, her voice laced with laughter.
Siddharth's face remained serious, but his eyes twinkled with amusement. "What? He is dating my little sister. He better pass my approval," he said, his tone unwavering.
"Of course, of course," Roohi said, her voice laced with a hint of resignation. But then her face lit up with a sudden idea, and she asked, "How about we all go on a trip?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement, but Siddharth's response was immediate.
"Not we. Just me and him," he said, his tone firm. Roohi's face fell, and she pouted, her lips jutting out in a cute expression of disappointment. "Why!?" she asked, her voice tinged with protest.
Siddharth's expression softened slightly as he replied, "You'll go with Shruti to help her with the wedding preparations."
Roohi's pout deepened, but she eventually nodded, her voice resigned. "Fine."
Siddharth's eyes widened in surprise. "What? How did you agree so easily?" he asked, his tone laced with amusement. Roohi's face broke into a mischievous grin. "Well, it's for my bhabhi after all," she said, her voice dripping with sweetness.
Siddharth chuckled, his eyes sparkling with teasing. "Really? Switching teams already?" he asked, his tone playful. Roohi's grin grew wider. "I was in her team from the very start," she said, her voice filled with confidence.
They both burst out laughing, the tension dissipating as they shared a warm, playful moment. The air was filled with the sound of their laughter, a testament to the strong bond between the siblings.
The next day, Siddharth and Aryan were seated in Aryan's car, the morning sun casting a warm glow over the landscape. Siddharth had called Aryan earlier that morning, inviting him to join him on an outing, and to his surprise, Aryan had agreed without hesitation. As Aryan drove, Siddharth observed him discreetly, taking note of his driving skills and demeanor behind the wheel.
"So, where are we going?" Aryan asked, breaking the silence.
Siddharth's response was casual, "I want you to help me choose a wedding gift for Shruti."
Aryan's brow furrowed slightly, and he asked, "Don't you think Roohi would be a better choice for this task?"
Siddharth smiled, "She said she needs to help Shruti with the preparations." He added with a hint of teasing, "And you must know more about her preferences. You're her childhood best friend after all." Aryan chuckled, his face relaxing into a warm smile.
The conversation trailed off, and they drove in silence, the only sound the hum of the engine and the occasional honk of other vehicles. Siddharth continued to observe Aryan, noting how he navigated through the busy streets, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
As they approached a red signal, Aryan brought the car to a smooth stop. When the signal turned green, he started the engine, but just then, a bike rushed out from nowhere, speeding recklessly towards the intersection. The biker's trajectory was precarious, and it seemed inevitable that he would collide with the car. However, Aryan's reflexes kicked in, and he stopped the car just in time, his face calm and composed.
Siddharth's heart skipped a beat as he was startled by the sudden movement. He shifted his gaze to the biker, expecting Aryan to erupt in anger, given the biker's clear fault. But to his surprise, Aryan's expression remained serene. "Be careful, buddy," Aryan said to the biker, his tone friendly and concerned.
The biker looked sheepish, apologizing with a nod. "Sorry, bro." He drove away, leaving Siddharth to ponder Aryan's reaction. Despite the provocation, Aryan had chosen to respond with kindness rather than anger, revealing a glimpse of his character that Siddharth found intriguing.
After a while, they arrived at the jewelry shop, the sign above the door reading "Eternal Jewels" in elegant script. Aryan parked the car, and they stepped out, walking into the shop together. As they entered, they were greeted by a dazzling array of jewelry on display, the sparkling gems and precious metals catching the light and sending shafts of color dancing across the room.
The staff member, a courteous man with a warm smile, greeted them as they walked further into the shop. "Good morning, sir. How can I help you?" he asked, his eyes attentive and interested.
Siddharth replied, his voice smooth, "I want a wedding gift for my wife." The staff member nodded, his face lighting up with understanding, and began to pull out various pieces of jewelry to show them.
Aryan chuckled, a low, amused sound, and whispered, "Shruti would have been over the moon if she had heard you addressing her as your wife."
A slight flush rose to Siddharth's cheeks, and he cleared his throat, trying to maintain his composure. "Ahem," he said, attempting to steer the conversation back on track.
The staff member, oblivious to the exchange, returned with several boxes in his hands, placing them on the table in front of Siddharth. The table was soon filled with an assortment of jewelry, including earrings, necklaces, rings, anklets, and bracelets. Siddharth examined each piece carefully, his eyes scanning the intricate designs and craftsmanship.
After studying the options, Siddharth turned to Aryan and asked, "What do you think?"
Aryan's response was prompt, "I think anklets would be good."
Siddharth raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really?" he asked, and Aryan nodded, "Yeah, she likes them very much."
Siddharth's gaze shifted to the anklets, his eyes roaming over the various designs. His attention was drawn to a beautiful chain anklet, adorned with delicate filigree and sparkling gemstones. He turned to the staff member and said, "Please pack these." The staff member nodded, his face smiling, and began to wrap the gift in elegant paper and a sturdy box.
As they both waited for the staff member to finish packing their selected gift, another staff member approached them with a tray containing two glasses of water. The staff member, moving with a sense of purpose, navigated through the shop with ease, the glasses clinking softly against the tray. However, as he drew closer to their table, disaster struck. His leg accidentally tucked into the chair, causing him to lose his balance and stumble forward.
The tray tilted precariously, and before anyone could react, the water poured out of the glasses, cascading down onto Aryan's pants. The cool liquid soaked through the fabric, drenching his pants thoroughly. The sound of the water hitting the fabric was followed by a collective gasp from the people around them, their attention drawn to the sudden mishap.
The staff member's eyes widened in horror as he realized what had happened, and he quickly tried to regain his footing, his face flushing with embarrassment. Aryan's expression changed from calm to surprise, his eyes widening slightly as the water drenched his pants. The atmosphere in the shop became momentarily tense, with all eyes on the unfortunate incident.
As the onlookers took in the identities of the two men standing before them, whispers began to circulate. "Oh no," someone murmured, their voice barely audible. "Hey, isn't he the heir of Doobay estate?" another person asked, their eyes wide with recognition. "Yeah, right, and beside him is the heir of Rai estate," someone else chimed in, their tone laced with a mix of awe and trepidation.
The whispers grew louder and more urgent, with some people speculating about the potential consequences of the staff member's actions. "God, what has he done," one person exclaimed. "God knows what will happen to him now," another person added, their voice dripping with concern.
The atmosphere in the shop became increasingly tense, with the weight of the two men's influential positions hanging heavy over the proceedings. The staff member's mistake had suddenly taken on a much greater significance, and everyone seemed to be holding their breath, waiting to see how the situation would unfold.
