Hope you all like this chapter. Love you all so so much!

TARGET : 1100 VOTES, 290 COMMENTS.

Shivanya ~

The next morning, the reality of everything hit me like a tornado. I had said yes, to him, to Vihaan Raichand, to my boss, to the man who had lost the wager.

"Shivi, what were you thinking last night? What?" I questioned myself, burying my head in the pillow but my mind kept drifting back to his words on the terrace, his steady gaze, the gentleness in his touch.

Hardly having an option, I threw myself off the bed, freshened up and made myself a cup of coffee.

I clutched my cup, staring blankly at the view outside my window. The sun was shining, the world was alive, and yet I felt strangely disconnected from it all. My phone buzzed on the table beside me, a message from Radhika lighting up the screen.

"Hey Di! Tell me everything. Every single detail!"

I sighed. Trust Radhika to be full of excitement even when I was in a mess.

I was about to pick my phone to type when my impatient little girl called me instead of waiting for my text.

I hesitated for a moment before answering but did eventually.

"Shivi di! Are you there? You can't just leave me hanging like this!" Radhika's excitement was hardly contained, even through the phone.

"Di, when I reached back home, I realised the biggest biggest biggest perk of you marrying him. Di we will like the next door!!" She exclaimed without waiting for me to say anything.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm. "Radhika, slow down! Last night at the terrace, something came over me and I said yes."

"But Di think about it! We can hang out all the time! You and Vihaan will be just a wall away! It's practically perfect!" she chirped, the energy radiating from her words brightening my morning a little.

"My Doll, did you not hear what I just said?," I asked, a smile creeping onto my face.

"I don't want to hear anything Di, I really think Vihaan is perfect for youuuu." She sang but then she stopped for a second and I realised that she was processing my words.

"WHAT? YOU DID? YOU SAID YES DI?" She literally screamed in my ear.

I winced at the volume of her excitement, but I couldn't help but laugh a little. "Yes, I did. But hold on, it's not as simple as it sounds."

"Not simple? You just agreed to marry Vihaan Raichand! The man whose name is known in every corner of this city Di!" she exclaimed, her voice rising with infectious enthusiasm.

"Yes, Radhika, but he is still my boss, and I've just said yes to something that I'm still wrapping my head around," I replied, trying to be a little more practical and making a little assessment of the situation I had put myself in.

"Okay, okay, I get that. But you've got to admit that's pretty epic!" she said, trying to keep her excitement in check now. "You have to tell me everything. How did it happen?"

I told her the details of our conversation and I could practically hear her swooning and Taran continuing to ask what happened in the background.

For the next twenty minutes, I heard her rambling about how perfect this is going to be and how we could only stay away from each other for just two months.

As I got ready for work, my phone buzzed again, a message from Vihaan.

"Morning, Sunshine. Head straight to the court today. We're presenting the Mahesh Rana case you researched. Courtroom 2."

I felt a flutter in my chest at his message. This was unusual. Typically, I only reviewed his case files from the office for research and drafting. But seeing Vihaan in action? That was rare. The idea intrigued me. I quickly gathered my things and made my way to the courthouse, taking a cab because my car had decided to ditch me again.

The courtroom was filled with chatters, every eye on Vihaan as he stepped up to the judge's bench. His presence was powerful, radiating a quiet confidence that drew everyone in. This was his territory, and my heart raced as I watched him take control of the room.

The opposing counsel rose first, attempting to defend the accused, Mahesh Rana, on grounds of insufficient evidence. She spoke well, highlighting gaps in the prosecution's case, painting her client as a victim of circumstance rather than crime.

Then, Vihaan stood before the judge, his stance confident, his presence dominating every corner of the room. He was calm, but there was a controlled intensity in his eyes.

 "My Lord," he said, drawing everyone's attention, including mine. Then, for just a fleeting moment, his gaze flicked towards me. Our eyes met, and I felt a jolt of electricity shoot through me, momentarily breaking the tension of the room.

But he was quick to refocus and I shook off the warmth spreading through me, forcing myself to concentrate on his words.

"Let's go over the facts," he said. "The defendant claims he was nowhere near the scene of the crime on the night in question. But the evidence," he paused, "tells a very different story. Surveillance footage places him exactly where he claims he wasn't. Textbook definition of a lie. And if there's one thing we don't entertain in court, it's fiction." His gaze bore into the opposing counsel, challenging them to prove otherwise.

The defense attorney rose, attempting to interrupt with doubts about the credibility of the witness who had placed Mahesh Rana at the scene. But Vihaan didn't flinch. Instead, he turned toward the attorney, a faint, almost taunting smile gracing his lips. "Counsel, are we really going to question the credibility of a witness who has no vested interest in this case? Who has nothing to gain by lying?" His voice dropped, low and cutting, as he added, "That's desperate, even for you."

I felt a rush of chills as he handled the challenge effortlessly. There was an undeniable power in his words. My heart raced, and I found myself leaning forward in my seat, fully engaged in his words.

With each point the opposing counsel made, Vihaan countered with ease, dismantling their arguments one by one. "And let's address the so-called 'alibi' the defense has presented," he said, pacing slowly. "A single statement from a friend who was conveniently unable to verify his own whereabouts that night. My Lord, we're not here to entertain hearsay from a friend hoping to save his buddy's skin. We're here to establish the truth."

I held my breath as he spoke, completely blown away by his commanding presence. Another quick glance toward me, brief but purposeful, sent a shiver down my spine.

He took a breath, allowing the silence to hang in the air, and then delivered his final argument with a force that resonated throughout the courtroom. "Justice is not a game of convenience," he declared, his tone a mix of conviction and finality. "Mahesh Rana was at the scene. He had the means, the motive, and the opportunity. And no amount of theatrics or baseless arguments will change the facts we have laid out here today."

As he finished, the courtroom fell silent, every eye fixed on him. I could see the judge nodding, while be begun to scribble his pointers.

When the judge finally spoke, his voice broke the silence. "The court will now deliberate on the evidence presented. We will reconvene shortly for the verdict." With a firm bang of the gavel, he signaled a break. I noticed the relief on Vihaan's face, but he still looked focused, his eyes locked on the judge as if willing him to make the right decision.

As he walked back to his seat, our eyes met again. That spark of connection was there once more, and I couldn't help but blush. There was something more in his look this time. It was clear he was aware of me, and that thought sent a rush of warmth through me.

Vihaan was calm on the outside, but I could see the focus in his eyes as he waited for the judge's decision. My heart was pounding just watching him, and when the judge finally returned, the silence was almost too much.

When the judge finally stepped back in, the air grew still. "After careful consideration of the evidence presented, the court finds the defendant, Mahesh Rana, guilty of all charges." The gavel came down and a wave of relief washed over me. Mr. Birdbrain had done it.

As we left the courthouse and headed to the car, Vihaan kept glancing at me, a quiet satisfaction in his gaze. His win had electrified him, and though he looked every bit the controlled, confident man I knew, there was a flicker of warmth beneath that intense exterior.

I tried to find the right words as we walked, but my thoughts were still tangled from watching him in action. "I've seen you in court before, sir," I said softly. "But every time... I learn something new. You don't just argue cases; you make people believe."

He turned to me, his usual cool smile softening a fraction. "You've been paying close attention," he replied, his tone gentle, but I could feel the weight of his eyes on me. "Does that mean I impress you, Sunshine?"

The way he looked at me then, so sure of himself yet open, made me blush. I looked down, "Maybe," I mumbled, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

His hand came to rest on my lower back, guiding me towards the car. "Good," he murmured, opening the door for me. "I plan to keep doing that every single day."

The drive to office was silent and comfortable and neither of us spoke anything. He was driving and I was replying to the emails which required my attention and in about half an hour, we were at the office building.

He had just parked when I called out for him, stopping him from stepping out of the car.

As he parked and reached to open his door, I found myself speaking, almost impulsively. "Sir, I don't want..."

He turned to me, one brow raised, and cut me off with a gentle understanding. "You don't want anyone to find out about us here. Not yet," he said, finishing my thought perfectly, his voice a reassuring low murmur.

I blinked in surprise, my eyes searching his face for any hint of irritation or frustration. Instead, I found none. There was only a calm acceptance and a nod of understanding as if he had anticipated my concern all along.

"Whatever makes you feel comfortable, Shivanya," he replied softly, and in that moment, his hand reached for my wrist, his touch feather-light. His fingers lingered there and I felt warmth spreading from his touch, soothing the nerves I hadn't realised were building.

"You...you'll be okay with that?" I asked once again.

"Sunshine, this, us, it does not need to fit anyone else's timeline, only ours." He continued, his voice gentle and steady.

I gave him a small smile, feeling an odd relief settle over me. "Thank you," I whispered, barely audible, but he caught it, his gaze softening even further.

He returned a gentle squeeze to my wrist before pulling his hand back, his expression composed as ever but with that unspoken warmth still lingering in his eyes. "Shall we?"

I nodded, and we both stepped out, falling back into our usual roles as we walked into the building side by side but carefully maintaining the professional distance that I knew we both silently agreed upon and then I made my way to my office and he made it to his.

Hours passed, filled with the meetings, emails, and case notes but my focus on work kept slipping back to thoughts of him. Around noon, my phone vibrated with a message from Radhika.

"Di! I need you to come home after you're done with work but go home and change or else Mom will think that you live in your office!"

I rolled my eyes at her slight jibe but she always knows how to make me smile.

grinned, typing back,

"Alright, I'll come. But why do you keep forgetting that I am your elder sister and not the other way round?"

Her reply was of two words,

"Birth Right."

I think entitlement comes with being the younger sibling.

After a long day at work, I finally reached home, Radhika's message still echoing in my mind. I slipped into a little fancy purple suit before booking myself another cab.

Shivanya's Look ~

When I walked into Radhika and Taran's home, I was taken aback. The room was filled with people I knew. There was Vihaan, standing near the wall with a subtle smile, his gaze meeting mine as soon as I entered. Next to him were Aman sir and Sangeeta aunty, who gave me warm, welcoming smiles. Taran waved from the couch with a grin, while Naina aunty chatted with uncle cheerfully nearby. And across the room stood Sameer Uncle and Vidhi Aunty.

"Di! You made it!" Radhika rushed over, practically bouncing with excitement. "Come on, everyone's been waiting for you."

Still processing the sight of everyone here, I looked around, a bit speechless, until Naina Aunty walked over with a gentle smile. "Shivanya, we wanted to have a small family gathering today. I hope it's not too much of a surprise."

I nodded, trying to take it all in. "I... I wasn't expecting this."

Vidhi Aunty stepped forward, "Shivi, we thought that this was the perfect time to talk... about the wedding."

Radhika gave my hand a reassuring squeeze, her excitement contagious. "Di, everyone here just wants you to be happy. It's going to be a small wedding, just family, just us, exactly how I know you want it to be."

Sameer Uncle and Vidhi Aunty came over, their smiles comforting. Sameer Uncle placed a hand on my shoulder, his voice kind. "We're so happy for you, Shivanya. Your parents would be, too."

Sangeeta Aunty took my hand in hers, her eyes warm. "Shivanya, we're blessed that Vihaan found someone as wonderful as you. We have waited a long time for this."

Aman Uncle chuckled, his tone light. "And knowing Vihaan, he doesn't take 'no' lightly, does he?" He shot his son a teasing look, which made everyone laugh.

Vihaan's gaze softened, a rare warmth in his expression. "I'm just glad she said yes," he murmured, his words directed at me, though everyone could hear.

Everyone began discussing wedding details and somehow it felt overwhelming. I looked around, taking in all the smiles, the happiness everyone seemed to have for Mr. Birdbrain and me. It was strange, almost surreal. Just yesterday, I was all confused and mad at myself for even letting this thought come to my head to say yes to Vihaan and today, I was here, planning my own wedding.

Radhika's excitement was unmatched; she bounced from person to person, talking about every tiny detail of the wedding she had already imagined. Taran chimed in too, suggesting ideas and making jokes that had everyone laughing. Even Aman Uncle had a sparkle in his eye as he offered his thoughts on venues and dates. It felt like I was watching a play unfold, everyone so animated, so happy. Yet, I couldn't shake this growing, silent pressure inside me.

Vihaan's family and mine were deep in conversation, and though their voices filled the room, they started to blur together. Words like "dates," "guest lists," and "decorations" floated around, yet none of it seemed to truly settle in my mind. I just stood there, smiling and nodding, hoping no one would notice my nervousness.

I took a step back, giving myself a bit of distance, but still listening as best as I could. My mind wandered back to just a few weeks ago, when this entire thing was put into motion by one man, my boss who somehow, for some reason claims to love me.

He lost the wager, I won it and yet here we were. I had said yes to him because for some reason, my hearts wanted me to say yes.

As I turned, I suddenly felt a gentle touch on my arm. Looking up, I found Vihaan's eyes on me. His gaze was steady, knowing. He gave me a small nod and without any hesitation, I followed him, grateful for the escape he was offering.

He led me to the balcony, the sounds of everyone else fading behind us. The cool night air felt refreshing against my skin, and I took a deep breath, feeling the tension leave my shoulders.

He leaned on the railing beside me, looking out at the city lights. "You seemed a little overwhelmed back there," he said softly, a slight smile playing on his lips.

I chuckled, leaning next to him. "Was it that obvious?"

"To me? Yes," he said, turning his gaze toward me. "You don't have to pretend to be okay if you're not, Sunshine. I get it. This is a lot, isn't it? I did not know that our families were planning to do this today or I would have stopped them."

I took another breath, feeling the knot in my stomach begin to untangle. "It's just... I wasn't expecting all of this to happen so fast. It feels like everyone else is two steps ahead of me, already planning the future before I've even wrapped my head around the present."

He nodded, his expression calm. "We don't have to rush anything. This is our life, Shivanya. Let it travel at your pace."

I smiled, feeling lighter. "Thank you for bringing me out here Mr. Raichand. and for understanding. I didn't want anyone to see me struggling a bit back there back there."

He shifted closer, his hand finding mine and I felt a blush creep up my cheeks the moment his fingers intertwined with mine. He looked down at me, his eyes softening with a warmth that only seemed to make my face feel warmer. "They are all busy planning what they think will make you happy, in their own ways." he said gently.

I nodded as his words settled over me like a soft blanket. I squeezed his hand, realizing how much his presence calmed me. "I still can't believe I said yes," I whispered, almost to myself.

"Neither can I," he admitted with a smile. "But I'm glad you did. And I want you to know, whatever you're feeling, I'll be right here. We're a team now, Shivanya. I'm not going anywhere."

I felt a surge of emotion, my cheeks warming again at his steady gaze. "You're annoyingly good at saying exactly what I need to hear," I said, a playful smile tugging at my lips.

Vihaan chuckled, his fingers still laced with mine. "Annoyingly good? I can live with that," he replied, his voice as soft as his eyes.

"You know, I never imagined you'd be like this, kind and patient," I murmured, half-teasing, looking away from his eyes.

"Only for you, Sunshine, only for you." His thumb brushed softly over my hand and my eyes refused to meet his again for the rest of the night.