Three years ago. . .

Nalani took a sip of her champagne as she sighed, looking around. Vedant and Dev were chatting, but she couldn't focus.

"Where's Nithya?" She questioned. Vedant and Dev stopped their conversation and looked at her. "Hmm. . . I haven't seen her," Dev replied. Vedant's gaze went to the hall and the crowd. "I have seen her with Atulya a while ago."

Nalani stopped looking around and turned her attention to Vedant. "Atulya?" Vedant gave a nod. "She was with Atulya when I walked in. I got busy, so I didn't get the chance to greet her. I believe Atulya brought her in."

Vedant watched the confusion on Nalani's face. "Is everything okay? Atulya will take care of her." Dev watched the both of them. "I will go look for them." Nalani handed her champagne glass to Vedant. She looked at Dev. "You guys carry on."

Nalani left to search for Nithya and Atulya as she hadn't met them yet. She was meant to arrive in Jaipur last night but was unable to. Nitya messaged her, expressing that she felt out of place without Nalani or Vidha.

"Nalani. . ." Vrishali stopped her. "Where are you going, honey? Vidha was asking for you." Nalani smiled and took a step towards Vrishali. "I was going to meet her but haven't seen her anywhere nor the others."

Vrishali's brows frowned in confusion. "You haven't met anyone? They were all together. . ."

"I met Vedant and Dev."

"Hridyanshu, Atulya, Mitali and Vidha? Have you met them?" Nalani shook her head. "Vidha isn't answering my phone, and I'm looking for them." Vrishali looked around. "Maybe they went to the garden where they planned a private party. You should go over there and check."

"Sure." Nalani gave a smile before leaving towards the private garden. Her head is blasting, and she's been in a cracking mood since last night. She was supposed to be happy, but things didn't go accordingly.

There were some issues at dance school. Twenty students decided to drop out of their classes. It indeed took a significant toll on her mind and body. Aadya tried to stop the girls from dropping, but nothing worked.

They had to refund all the fees. Adjust the classes and place the remaining students in different courses. It was a hectic work. She wants to have a good time and not worry about anything, but something seems off.

There's this negative vibe she's getting from the night and the heavy feeling on her chest. She took a deep breath, pulled her phone out of the purse and called Vidha. She waited for Vidha to answer the call, but it went unanswered.

She turned around the corner towards the hallway. By the time she reached the end― She saw Mitali and her friends. This time, Mitali and Hridyanshu invited all of their friends. Groaning, she turned and went the other way towards the garden.

She had tried calling Nithya and Vidha. None of them were answering her calls. She was about to enter the garden gates when she was stopped by the guards. Her brows frowned in confusion. "What's the problem?"

"Sorry, ma'am. Mitali ma'am, has ordered us not to allow anyone if they do not have the band." Nalani crossed her arms. "What band? Is this your first time seeing me?"

The guard looked at the other one. "We―" He couldn't finish his steps before Mitali walked in with her friends. "Is there any problem?" Nalani sighed and clicked her tongue to the roof of her mouth as she turned around.

"Nalani. . . How are you?" Mitali asked, a fake smile playing on her face. "I'm doing good. How are you?" Nalani watched as Mitali did a quick glance at Nalani's outfit. Nalani was wearing a simple baby-pink saree. She looked beautiful. Meanwhile, Mitali was wearing an elegant cocktail black floor-length dress.

Mitali beamed, "I'm doing good. What happened?"

"Nothing." Mitali's gaze went to Nalani's arm. "Oh, my god― Didn't Hridyanshu send you the private access band?" Nalani disliked having a conversation with Mitali.

"Anyway, I will help you enter the garden." Mitali turned towards the guard. "She's a friend, allow her inside." The guards nodded their heads. "Nalani, I hope you don't mind about this. Hridyanshu and I only wanted our close friends. Maybe he didn't send you one because you aren't close to us. I hope we get to know each other at this party."

Nalani was beaming with anger as Mitali's friends snorted mockingly before leaving with Mitali. Nalani took a deep breath before entering the garden in search of her friends. The whole garden was decorated. She was taken aback when she looked at everyone. Mitali was speaking with everyone, which was interesting.

She has yet to see Mitali's so-called long-term boyfriend. She was about to go towards the pool when someone yanked her from behind. Nalani was startled when she saw Nithya. "Nalani."

"Nithya." Nithya hugged Nalani. Nalani patted her back. "What happened? Is everything okay?" Nithya glanced at everyone before looking back at Nalani. "Where have you been? I was waiting for you."

"I was at the main party. Vedant was with me. Where's everyone? I haven't met others." Nithya nodded her head. "Atulya was with me, and Vidha ghosted everyone. She's not here."

"What?! Did something happen?" Nalani asked. Nithya pulled her towards the fountain, where there was none. "The siblings fought. Atulya and Vidha aren't happy with this private party."

"Hmm?" Nithya looked around, not wanting anyone to hear them. "Mitali made a scene last night. She cried, holding Hridyanshu, saying that none of her friends were invited. We all were having a drinks night, and she kind of― I don't even know what to say."

"Vidha and Vedant invited her to join us as Hridyanshu was busy. She ignored us and sat alone. So, Vedant asked us to join her table so we would not make her feel alone. She snapped at Vidha when she tried to have a conversation. And we didn't know that today was their anniversary."

"Long story short, we don't know what she said to Hridyanshu or why she cried before him. Things went downhill when Hridyanshu had a word with the siblings. Atulya and Vidha argued that they all had common friends, so they only invited those who were close. That meant― Hridyanshu and Mitali's common friends weren't present."

Nalani scratched her head. The siblings fighting because of Mitali wasn't a good thing. The fights were serious when Mitali was involved. "And?"

"Mitali had another fight with Hridyanshu, saying he forgot their anniversary and that she wanted to celebrate it grandly with her friends and him." Nalani looked around.

"Is this all because of the fight? Did he plan out the private party because she cried?" Nithya gave a nod. "He didn't sleep the whole night. Because he was planning this party and calling all their close friends."

"Poor him. . ."

"Well― That's not all." Nalani raised her brow. "Mitali was insulting all of us and Hridyanshu might propose to her tonight."

"Wow― I heard from Vedant that their engagement is in two days? And he is proposing?" Nithya nodded her head. "I actually don't want to be here. But I'm worried about Hridyanshu, so I'm stuck."

Nalani rolled her eyes. "He didn't call me to inform this party or send me the band this morning. The guards didn't allow me inside." Nithya's eyes widened. "What?"

Nalani sighed, "Yeah. Mitali showed up gracefully and allowed me inside." Nithya shook her head. "I― I really doubt Hridyanshu's decision. There's a feeling that she will break up the siblings' bond."

Nalani doesn't have to reply. She simply shrugged her shoulder and looked at the fountain. Hridyanshu and Mitali could go to hell for all she cares.

*

Nalani finished her drink and waited for the food. She was sitting in between Vidha and Vedant. Hridyanshu and Mitali were sitting opposite them. The grand table was complete, and the chatter was loud.

"I wish Kavya and Lalith could sit here. I had so much to catch but no chair left," Mitali said. "I'm sure you can catch up with them after dinner. The party isn't going to end any time soon," Hridyanshu replied. His voice was gentle.

Nalani completely ignored them and focused on her friends. She didn't want to join the table, but Vidha and Vedant pulled her in. Nalani tapped her fingers on her thigh underneath the tablecloth as she listened to Nithya and Vedant's conversation.

"Vidha. . ." Mitali called. The people sitting beside Vidha glanced at Mitali. "I hope we get along well and go out alone now that we are family." Mitali placed her left hand on the table. Nalani's gaze went to the beautiful diamond on Mitali's ring finger.

"Sure."

Mitali gave a sweet smile. "I'm really sorry for what happened yesterday. I― We never got the chance to hang out alone." Nalani watched as Mitali's eyes fell on her for a second. "I couldn't bond with you because someone or the other was always with you."

Vedant leaned closer to Nalani. "Do not mind her. She's being unnecessarily mean to everyone," Vedant whispered. Nalani turned her face and gave a nod. "I don't really mind her, anyway."

Before the dinner was served, Hridyanshu was called to the main party. He excused himself from the table. It went calm for a while before Mitali's friends started talking.

"Nalani, how is the food?" Mitali asked. Nalani gave a nod. "Good."

"Everything's on the menu is my personal favourite. Hridyanshu planned everything last night." Nalani blinked her eyes and didn't understand why in the hell she was telling her. "That's nice. Good for you."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm. . ." Mitali placed her spoon down. "You seem unhappy from the moment you stepped in. Are you upset that the guards didn't allow you to the party? Or that Hridyanshu didn't consider you as a close friend?"

Nalani grunted her teeth. People who were sitting closer stopped eating and looked at the duo. Most of the people sitting at the table were their close friends. "I apologize on behalf of him. I will inform the guards to never stop you from attending the parties."

Vidha snapped her fork down. "Are you kidding me?" Vidha glared at Mitali. Atulya immediately held Vidha's hand. Tapping down, telling her to keep it down. Nalani chuckled as she looked at Mitali.

"Why do you have to tell them? I― Don't need anyone's permission to enter this house." Nalani replied. Mitali's best friend Ekta snorted. "You are not family, girl. You were stopped by the guards."

"Ekta, if I were you, I would mind my words," Vedant said. Mitali gazed at Vedant. "Why? What Ekta has said is true, isn't it? She isn't family. . . She is a friend of yours― Not Hridyanshu's or mine."

"Uh― Do you think I would give a damn about it?" Nalani's gaze went to the ring she was severely trying to show off. "Atleast, I do not need a key or a ring to be a part of this family."

Mitali grunted her teeth. "What do you mean? Do you think this ring is the key? Or are you jealous that Hridyanshu proposed to me? I have been seeing you, Nalani. You are jealous that I got Hridyanshu, not you."

Nalani let out a humourless laugh. "Wait a minute, why are you railed up on her?" Atulya questioned. "She might not be your friend, but she's family."

"Why would I be jealous? And is Hridyanshu a trophy that I would be upset with if I didn't get?" Nalani picked up her champagne glass. "Trust me, I would never go for your man. Or are you having this imaginary competition with me to get Hridyanshu? Do you even love him?"

Mitali gasped, and Nalani sighed. "You know― I have been watching your drama too. . . You weren't even trying to have a conversation with him. You are just too busy showing off that ring everywhere when you had to show love to your man." Nalani leaned her arms on the table. "Tell me, babe, do you really love him? Or are you using him to be a part of this family and home?"

"You do know right his parents love me. . . I could ask them anything, and they would agree to it in a snap of my finger." Nalani smiled. "Better watch your mouth if you want your trophy."

Everyone froze as Mitali's eyes widened in horror. "Nalani!" Every head turned towards the voice. Hridyanshu was furious, and his eyes were wild as he glared down at Nalani.

"Yash. . ." Mitali got up from her seat and ran towards Hridyanshu. She started crying as she held Hridyanshu. Hridyanshu broke his stare and wiped the tears off her face. "Did you hear? Did you hear what she said? I―I."

"Ssh. . . I have heard, and I will take care of it." Nalani rolled her eyes but kept a blank face when Hridyanshu gazed back at her. She doesn't feel a bit of guilt knowing the tears were fake. But poor Hridyanshu doesn't know it, and he believes whatever his sweet Mitali says.

She watched him and took the time to check him out properly. He looked hot in the black salwar kameez. "I need to speak with you personally." Nalani knew he was fuming in anger and just controlling it for the sake of the party and the other guests.

He walked towards the private room close to the garden. Nalani got up from the seat and followed him. Hridyanshu unlocked the room and walked in. He watched as Nalani stepped into the room and didn't make any move.

"I have always ignored your brattiness in this house. You have to watch your mouth if you ever want to step into this house in the future. Maybe―My parents love you, but I'm their son. You need to know where you stand. Mitali will be my wife and this house's important member." A silence fell upon them. Both of them knew that his words didn't hold anything.

Even if Mitali will be a house member, Nalani has always been part and parcel of the family. She is the bestfriend of his other siblings. He knew she could do anything in this house, and others would agree to it without a second thought.

His jaw was clenched as he raked his eyes at Nalani. Nalani started walking towards him while he controlled himself from something that he would regret later.

Her lips tilted upwards when she looked into his eyes. Her eyes raked him as she licked her lips, holding her lower lip between her teeth. "You have no idea of what I could be?" She stopped her gaze at his crotch. "Or what could I be doing?"

A sly smile started playing on her face, knowing the power she had over him. "That alone excites me." She turned around and left the room and the man who turned her world upside down.

She didn't go back to her friends, nor was she interested in the main party. She made her way towards the main gate. She clenched her jaw as tears threatened to fall. She would lie to herself if she said her heart didn't break hearing those words from Hridyanshu.

*

Sorry, everyone. . . It was a shitty day―A late update.