Recap: Vivaan saves Maya from goons at the club

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Sanju lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, waiting desperately for Aryan's call. Midnight ticked past, but her phone remained silent. Her heart sank with disappointment, and tears streamed down her cheeks. She cried silently into her pillow until sleep finally took over.

The next morning, she woke up to the soft sunlight streaming through the window. Her eyes instinctively drifted to the framed photo of Aryan on her nightstand. She picked it up gently and kissed it.

After lying there lazily for a while, she got up and walked over to her desk drawer. This time, she took out a different photo,  her father's. As her fingers traced his smiling face, a flood of memories washed over her. Every year, she'd spent this day, her special day  with him, until the previous year, when an accident took him away.

Tears welled up again, and she clutched the frame to her chest. Just then, a knock at the door interrupted her. She quickly wiped her tears and opened it.

"Good morning, Sanju," Ranjith greeted with a warm smile, handing over a neatly packed box.

Sanju opened it, and her eyes widened in delight. A surprised gasp escaped her lips.

"Bro! Thank you so much! This is exactly how I wanted it to be. It's so beautiful! Thank you, thank you!"

"Why do you even thank me, Sanju?" he chuckled. "I'm just happy that you like it."

"Seriously, it's perfect. Just like I imagined."

Ranjith handed her another bag. "Sir will reach by afternoon. He already boarded the jet. It took him some time to wrap up his work, so he flew straight from there. Must be dead tired. I have some errands to run now. I'll pick up Sir from the airport. You have your breakfast, okay? It'll be another four hours before he gets home."

"Thanks, bro."

"Looks like even Ranjith bro forgot about this day." Sanju thought in her mind.

Ranjith left with a hidden smile tugging at his lips, stealing one last glance at Sanju's face.

Those five long days of waiting for Aryan somehow felt shorter than the four hours left until his return. Her emotions swirled within her  love, longing, restlessness. The closer it got, the more impatient she became.

Finally, the seemingly endless wait neared its end. Sanju stood at her balcony, eyes fixed on the entrance. She had thought of waiting downstairs at the main door, but worried she might lose control of herself with the maids and Ranjith around, so she stayed in her room.

After thirty long minutes, a familiar car horn brought her crashing back to the present. Her fingers began to fidget out of joy.

Aryan stepped out of the car, his eyes searching for her.

"I'll look after the arrangements at the garden," Ranjith informed.

"Carry on, Ranjith," Aryan replied, handing over his bag.

Bala moved to carry his luggage, but Ranjith stopped him. "Leave it in the guest room for now. We'll move it to their room later."

"Okay, Ranjith sir."

Aryan walked with long strides, holding a bag, and pushed open the door to their room.

The moment Sanju saw him, she ran into his arms. Without hesitation, he wrapped one hand around her waist and lifted her effortlessly, twirling her once before holding her close.

She threw her arms around him and buried her face in his neck, sobbing softly.

"Shhh... sweetheart, don't cry. I'm back," he whispered.

"I missed you a lot," her voice cracked, barely audible.

"I love you. I missed you too."

He sat on the couch, still holding her. She lifted her tear-streaked face to look at him. He kissed her forehead. Her hands gripped his collar, and she kissed him on the lips, passionately nibbling at his lower lip. This time, she dominated, pouring all her bottled-up emotions into the kiss. Aryan surrendered completely.

After a long moment, he pulled back, wiping her tears and kissing her cheeks.

She rested on his chest, gripping his shirt tightly as he wrapped her in his arms.

"Why isn't she angry yet? Maybe she forgot in the excitement. I'll talk to her after the party." Aryan thought to himself.

He reached for the bag he'd brought and handed it to her. It was filled with chocolates.

"All these are only for you."

"Hmm... let's share them," she smiled faintly.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" he asked, concerned.

"We don't have to talk. Let's just stay like this."

"Okay, sweetheart."

He lifted her gently and laid her on the bed, her head resting on his chest. He stroked her back soothingly, but soon his hand stilled as sleep overcame him.

Hearing his soft snores, Sanju lifted her head and gazed at him. The dark circles under his eyes betrayed his exhaustion. She leaned against the headboard and ran her fingers lovingly through his hair.

After a while, she stepped out and saw his luggage lying near the door. She dragged it into the room and began unpacking it for laundry. As she opened it, something familiar caught her eye — her missing purple nightshirt and his sweatshirt.

"What? Here I was searching all over my wardrobe for this, and he took it with him! And he didn't even say a word when I mentioned it was missing. Let him wake up. I'll handle him," she muttered, half-amused.

She went downstairs and met Kowsalya.

"Kowsalya maa, I've put Aryan's dress in the laundry bag. He's still sleeping, so please pack the food in the thermal box. We'll eat later once he wakes up."

"Finally, I see that smile again. Seems like you swore not to smile in his absence," Kowsalya teased.

"Maa, it's nothing like that..."

"I understand. Stay happy forever, dear."

Sanju returned to her room and set an alarm to wake up for the evening party. She dozed off beside Aryan, both lost in peaceful slumber.

At exactly 4:30 in the evening, the alarm buzzed softly, breaking the comforting silence of the room. Aryan stirred, blinking his eyes open before turning toward Sanju. He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"I'll go freshen up and get ready first," he said, stretching slightly as he slipped off the bed.

"Wait a second," Sanju called out, narrowing her eyes mischievously. "I found it."

Aryan paused mid-step. "Found what?"

"The missing purple nightshirt."

His heart skipped a beat. Oh no... she found it. He turned to her with a carefully crafted look of surprise.

"Is it? Where was it?" he asked, feigning complete ignorance.

"A cat stole it," she replied, arms crossed, eyebrow arched.

"A... cat?" he repeated, buying time.

"Yes. A smart, two-legged cat who flew to London with it."

Aryan chuckled nervously. "Why would I take your shirt? You packed my suitcase, remember? Maybe you placed it in by mistake?"

She gave him a look. "Do you really think I don't know what I pack? Come on, Aryan. Just tell me the truth."

He exhaled, his mask of innocence crumbling. "Fine. You want the truth? I missed you, okay? I couldn't sleep without you. So I packed your favorite shirt—secretly—and hugged it every night in London."

Sanju's expression softened, her annoyance melting into affection. "Why are you so ridiculously cute?" she said, throwing her arms around him and playfully biting his cheek.

"Hey! Don't leave marks. We've got a party to attend."

"I'll let go... for now," she teased, releasing him.

Aryan grinned. "So, shall I finally go bathe now?"

"Yes... but wait," she said suddenly, her tone turning more serious. "Aryan... do you have something to say to me? Anything you need to confess?"

He paused, reading the hopeful look in her eyes. "Hmm... yes, sweetheart."

She leaned in slightly. "What is it? Tell me."

"The party might go on till late," he said casually. "So take your time getting ready and come to the venue right at the start."

She stared at him blankly. "That's what you wanted to say?"

He nodded, lips curved in an innocent smile. "Hmm. What else were you expecting?"

"Nothing..." she muttered, looking away. "Go get ready."

Aryan chuckled and walked into the bathroom, whistling under his breath. Sanju flopped back on the bed with a sigh, her face clouded in disappointment.

"If there wasn't a party tonight, I swear I would've smacked you, Aryan. How could you forget? Let this party end... and I'll deal with you. "

Aryan came out after bathing.

"Sweetheart, there's not much time. I'm heading down now. Get ready quickly and come."

"Yeah, yeah," she replied grumpily.

She entered the washroom and returned to find someone unexpected in her room.

"Ramya? How come you're here?"

"Hi Sanjana," Ramya smiled. "Aryan sir invited me to get you ready for the party."

Sanju's face lit up with surprise and joy.

"Here's a gift from Aryan sir," Ramya said, handing her a bag.

Sanju opened it and gasped. Inside was an exquisite pink Kanchivaram silk saree with a rich gold zari border, adorned with tiny woven flowers. A jewel box sat beside it, along with a handwritten note.

She opened the box to reveal a stunning long diamond necklace ending in a floral pendant embedded with a sparkling blue diamond. Matching earrings and bangles accompanied it.

With trembling hands, she unfolded the note.

"Hi sweetheart,

I hope you liked my gift. The saree is my choice, but the jewels... these are my mom's. She always said she'd gift them to the girl who becomes part of my life.

You didn't just come into my life, Sanju. You took over my heart and soul.
So, what's yours has finally reached you.
Can't wait to see you.

I love you.

Yours,
Aryan"

Tears welled up again, but this time they were tears of joy. She carefully folded the note and turned to Ramya with a grateful smile.

"Shall we get ready?" Ramya asked gently.

"Yes," Sanju nodded, her heart full.

At the DC residence, Chandrasekar and Naren stood in their elegant suits, ready for the evening's event. The two men waited patiently in the living area, occasionally glancing toward the staircase.

Moments later, Maya descended gracefully. She wore a rich green top paired with a blue lehenga adorned with intricate stonework. Her dupatta was more subtle, with just a hint of shimmer. Around her neck gleamed a diamond choker—her father's gift—adding a regal touch to her already royal presence.

Naren frowned the moment he saw her.

"Aren't we invited to a business party? Why are you dressed like this?" he asked bluntly.

"Why does it bother you?" Maya replied coolly. "I like this, so I chose to wear it."

"I don't know what you both are up to," Naren muttered, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Chandrasekar, however, smiled warmly as he approached her. "You're gorgeous, my child. Let's go."

"Aryan, I'm doing all of this only for you. I hope everything changes after tonight's party... the beginning of our partnership " Maya thought in her mind as she followed her father.

Without another word, Chandrasekar and Maya stepped into one car, while Naren followed in a separate vehicle, each heading toward Aryan Mansion.

As they arrived, the estate was a vision of grandeur.

The entire mansion was bathed in golden light. The expansive garden glittered with floral arrangements crafted from rare, vibrant blooms. Decorative lights twinkled along the hedges, and hanging lanterns lined the pathway from the entrance to the garden, swaying gently in the evening breeze. The setting was nothing short of magical—every detail reflecting the significance of the celebration to come.

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A/N:

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