Hello friends I am here with this new chapter I hope you will like it....

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I joined the others in preparing for the sangeet function, swiftly wrapping up the mehendi setup.

With a tight timeline, we hastily readied the new venue, a different part of the palace, as the mehendi ceremony concluded at 7 and the sangeet was scheduled to begin at 10, promising a late-night extravaganza. By 9:30, we were all set. Since it was an intimate family gathering, we didn't need to fuss over elaborate details.

We quickly retreated to our rooms to change and get ready.

I opted for a stylish indo-western dress, its fusion of traditional and modern elements perfectly capturing the essence of the occasion. I complemented the outfit with elegant earrings and bangles, their subtle sparkle adding a touch of sophistication to my overall look. With my attire in place, I felt confident and ready to take on the night's celebrations!

My dress

Bangles

Earrings

After getting ready I went straight to the venue to check if the things are properly arranged or not.

Others were also there and the trio that I met in the morning already have entered the venue.

The decoration....

I glanced over at the trio, who had already taken their seats, before joining my team to discuss a few last-minute details.

"I heard Mogambo was giving you a hard time." the girl whispered,
I raised an eyebrow, confused, not about the person, but the nickname.

"You mean Saniya?" I asked, clarifying.

She nodded.

"Yeah, I mean, she's basically a villain incarnate, born with the traits of the worst Bollywood villains." I chuckled at her dramatic description.

"Well, you know she's a piece of work, jealous and all that. I'm sure she was the one who sabotaged the last event manager's leg, just because they were Adwait's classmate." Her  words painted a vivid picture of Saniya's notorious reputation.

"Wait, what?!?" I exclaimed, my eyes widening in shock as I glanced at the others.

But they seemed unfazed, almost resigned, as if they'd grown accustomed to Saniya's antics. My mind raced with the implications - was she really capable of sabotaging someone's leg? The way they looked at me, I sensed they believed she was involved in the accident.

I shook my head.

"Well, it's good I never met your brother. I'm here for work, and I'll do just that - work and leave." I distanced myself from the drama, my focus solely on obtaining the ring.

"I don't want to get entangled in your family's conflicts." Ariv nodded in agreement, his expression sullen,

"Yeah, we're the ones who'll suffer from her tantrums." His words reinforced my determination to stay out of their family dynamics and get the job done.

As guests and hosts began to arrive, the trio remained stationed, embroiling me in their family drama.

I felt trapped in an awkward situation, eager to escape the uncomfortable conversation.
Just as I was searching for a reprieve, my phone rang, providing a timely excuse.

I apologized and stepped outside the hall to answer the call, grateful to flee the tension.

The loud music and chatter faded into the background as I connected with Jarek's call.

"Hello! What's up?" I asked Jarek, curious about his call.

"Don't forget why you're there," he reminded me.

"Of course, I remember. I'm just waiting for the right moment to act," I replied, my eyes scanning the surroundings.

"What's the plan?" Jarek asked, his voice low and conspiratorial.

"It depends on the situation," I said vaguely.

"Sorella, just grab the ring and run!" Jarek exclaimed.

"Who do you think I am, a thief?"I chuckled.

Just then, a tap on my shoulder made me jump. I turned to face the man who had been with Adwait this morning.

My heart skipped a beat as I wondered how much he had overheard. I tried to read his expression, but it was neutral.

" How can I help you, Sir?" I composed myself and asked.

"I didn't get a chance to introduce myself earlier," he mouthed with a smile.

I was taken aback, my mind racing with possibilities.

"Oh, Yes!" I replied, trying to sound casual.

"I'm Vidharth Bansal," he introduced himself, extending his hand.

"Anisha Chauhan," I responded, shaking his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Vidharth."

"Great, now that we know each other, can we be friends?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with warmth.

"Of course!" I agreed, feeling a sense of relief.

"Then, friend, let's head inside!" he suggested, gesturing towards the hall.

"You go ahead, I'll finish this call," I spoke, holding up my phone.

"Oh, sorry to interrupt! Please, continue," he said, waving his hand dismissively before heading inside.

I let out a sigh of relief.

"Fuck, that was close..." Jarek muttered, his voice laced with concern.

"Yeah, I know," I huffed, my heart still racing.

"Make sure he didn't hear anything," Jarek emphasized, his tone serious.

"Got it," I replied, my eyes scanning the area to ensure Vidharth was out of earshot.

"Wow, you're really attracting a lot of attention there. You should give in and have some fun. How long are you planning to stay single, huh?"Jarek's tone shifted to sarcasm.

"Shut up, Jarek! I'm here to work, not to get entangled in some romantic mess. You're unbelievable... I'm not here to 'fuck up' someone, you jerk!" I retorted, my voice firm.

"Oh, Sorella, you're so uptight. Just relax and enjoy the ride."Jarek's chuckle echoed through the phone.

I ended the call, putting an abrupt stop to Jarek's teasing. His words had already gotten under my skin, and I didn't need any more of his playful jabs.

I turned to head back into the hall, but my feet seemed to have other plans.
I slipped, my balance faltering, and my heart skipped a beat as I felt myself falling.

But before my bottom could hit the floor, a pair of strong hands grasped my arms, steadying me.

I regained my footing, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

I looked up to find the familiar pair of blue eyes gazing into mine, their expression soft and gentle.

For a moment, I was lost in their depths, my conscience silent. But then reality kicked in, mocking me.

He's the groom, not yours. I snapped back to the present, aware of our compromising position.

"Well, if you want to save a damsel in distress, then you definitely need to move your limbs faster," I said, my voice laced with sarcasm, my eyes locked on his ocean-blue gaze.

"What?" he asked, taken aback, before chuckling and releasing his grip on my arms.

"I apologize, I didn't mean to scare you."

"Yeah, you should be," I replied, my tone firm but my heart still racing from the close proximity.

"You're really straightforward," he observed, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Yeah, I am," I acknowledged, turning to leave. But he followed closely behind me.

"Can I ask you a question?" he requested, his voice gentle.

"Well, this is your house, and you're my employer, so I suppose I have to say yes, even if I don't want to," I replied, my tone hinting at reluctance.

"Hmm, that means yes, right?"He beamed.

"Ask away."I nodded.

"Do you really never went to Bengaluru?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Nope, never!"I shook my head.

But his question stirred a nagging feeling, like there might be a gap in the information I had about Anisha.

"Why did you ask?" I countered, seeking clarification.

"Well, it's like... uhmm... I'm not quite sure how to phrase it..." He hesitated, his trailing words only added to my growing unease.

"Adwait bhai!! Badi maa is calling you !" the girl from the trio exclaimed, rushing towards us with a playful grin. Adwait looked like he'd been caught off guard, but we were just having a conversation. I took the opportunity to exit the awkward situation and made my way to the sangeet venue, leaving Adwait to attend to his family matters.

As I entered, Arushi pounced on me with a barrage of questions.

"Where were you? We've been searching for you forever!" she exclaimed.

"Sorry, my friend called and I stepped out since the music was too loud." I apologized

"Okay, hurry up! The bride is looking for you!"Arushi's expression turned urgent.

"What's going on?"My curiosity piqued,

"Let's go, I'll fill you in later!" Arushi's response was brief, She grabbed my hand, pulling me along towards the bride's location.

We arrived at the bride's chamber, and I forced a smile as I greeted the lady sitting in the room.

"How can I assist you, ma'am?"

She gazed at me with an intensity that made me uneasy. "I need you to stay with me. My mehendi is still wet, and I require help with it."

"Of course, ma'am," I agreed after all that's what I want, being close to her means higher chances of getting the ring, but my instincts sensed something was off.
Her piercing black eyes seemed to be warning me to be cautious.

As we proceeded to the venue, descending the stairs, my doubts were confirmed. The bride intentionally tried to trip me by stumbling my ankle, but I managed to regain my balance after a few steps.

I couldn't fathom why she was behaving in such a manner. "Pathetic woman," I thought to myself. But then, a possible motive struck me. "Wait, did she not want to marry him? Was she trying to scare me away, the event planner, to disrupt the wedding?" But then, I realized that even if she succeeded in scaring me off, the wedding would still proceed.

We arrived at the venue, and I attempted to make a quick exit, eager to escape the bride's strange behavior.

However, she grasped my arm, her grip tightening as she motioned for me to stay by her side.

Arushi shot me a sympathetic glance before hurrying off to attend to her duties. I resigned myself to my fate and trailed behind Saniya, her grasp on my arm unyielding. We reached her designated seat, where Adwait was already seated, his eyes locking onto mine as we approached.

But before I could gauge his expression, Saniya claimed his attention, clinging to his arm and asking,

"Baby, how do I look?"

"You look good." Adwait's response was lukewarm, his voice devoid of emotion.

Saniya pressed for more, "Just good?"

"You look stunning," He reluctantly added, his face a mask of indifference.

I took a seat behind the bride and groom, tuning them out as they continued their charade.

It was clear that Saniya was putting on a show for my benefit, trying to mark her territory and warn me off.

But her efforts only seemed pathetic, given Adwait's evident disinterest. He barely even looked at her, let alone reciprocate her affections.

I rolled my eyes, unimpressed by her attempts to stake a claim on him.

As the event began, I focused on the stage, where Vidharth was announcing the first performance. The girl from the trio, Vritika, was up first, and I watched with interest as she took the stage.

As the performances continued, Saniya suddenly turned to me and said,

"Well, Anisha, why don't you perform too?"

 "Well, mam..."I was taken aback by the suggestion, I began, but an elderly woman interrupted me.

"Yes, it's your duty to make the wedding memorable," she said, her tone firm but

"But..." I hesitated.

"If she's not comfortable, why force her?" Mrs. Randhawa came to my rescue. She reasoned.

"Oh, come on, Ishwari ! It's our children's wedding. I want to make it memorable for them. And if Saniya wants her to dance, what's the harm? Dancing is not a big deal, after all." But the elderly woman persisted.

"Yeah, go on, please!" Sanya's words dripped with malice, her eyes gleaming with a mean intensity.
she spat, the 'please' sounding more like a threat.

I sensed something was off, that she had some hidden agenda waiting for me.

Ugh, how did I end up in this mess? Just a week ago, I was sitting in my office, seven seas away, barking orders at my minions like the Queen that I am.

And now, I'm stuck here, taking orders from this...this...madwoman! She thinks I'm pestering her husband? Ha! This woman is unbelievable. I'm the one who should be in control, not her.

I trudged toward the stage with a heavy heart, my feet feeling like lead. My teammates shot me sympathetic glances, sensing my reluctance. As I stepped onto the stage, the music began to play in the background, the familiar melody a stark contrast to my tumultuous emotions. The song's opening notes filled the air.

Na to maiya ki lori
Na hi phaagun ki hori
Mohe kuch doosra na bhaaye re
Jabse naina yeh jaake
Ik dhanurdhar se laage
Tabse birha mohey sataaye re

Duvidha meri sab jag jaane
Duvidha meri sab jag jaane
Jaane naa nirmohiya
..........

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..........

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Ho naino ke, naino ke tere baan se
Murchhit huyi re hiraniya
Jhoom jha na na na na...
Jhana na na na na...
Bani re bani main teri joganiya

Ghar morey pardesiya
Aao padhaaro piya
Ghar morey pardesiya
Aao padhaaro piya

As the song ended, the audience erupted into applause, and a genuine smile spread across my face.

I had even trained in classical Indian dance forms. It was a secret passion I had nurtured during my high school days, hidden from prying eyes.

My eyes scanned the crowd, basking in their awe and admiration, except for a few familiar faces that seemed less impressed.

And then, my gaze met his - ocean blue eyes that seemed to bore into my soul, as if I would vanish if he blinked.

Just then, Vidharth stepped onto the stage, praising my performance.

"It was mind-blowing! You should totally try your hand at Bollywood!" I chuckled.

"Yeah, I just might give it a shot!" I replied, leaving the stage.

I joined my crew mates, basking in their praise and admiration.

"You burned the stage!"

"Your dance was amazing!" They showered me with compliments.

As we sat there, enjoying the other performances, my eyes landed on the unknown figure. The young man about to take the stage his hazel- brown eye's that seemed to mirror my own felt familiar.

Suddenly, a pang of nostalgia hit me, and I felt a lump form in my throat

My brother, if he were alive, would be around the same age as this young man. The thought caught me off guard, and my eyes welled up with tears.

I quickly excused myself, making a hasty retreat to the restroom to compose myself before the tears could fall.

As I headed towards the restroom, I caught a snippet of conversation that made me pause. I stood beside the window, leaning in to listen more clearly through the slightly opened window.

"Are you sure?" a voice asked, laced with urgency.

"Yes, sir, I'm hundred percent sure," the other person replied.

"Someone was digging up information about Girish Basu and his family."

My ears perked up at the mention of Girish Basu, a name that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Did you manage to find out anything about him?" the first voice pressed on.

"No, sir, but..." the other person hesitated.

"I think someone is trying to uncover the truth behind his sudden death."

"What the hell? This man... he can't even let me live in peace after his death... What the fuck..." The first voice let out a string of expletives, his anger palpable.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway, and the two men hastily departed through the gate opposite the window, their conversation abruptly terminated.

I continued on to my room, feigning nonchalance, and locked the door behind me. My mind, however, was reeling with the implications of what I had just overheard.

The words lingered in my thoughts, intertwining with the fragmented dreams and memories that had been plaguing me.

The mystery deepened, and I couldn't shake the feeling that my subconscious was trying to unravel a truth I was not yet prepared to confront.

"Ah, this is all so damn confusing... God, please help me..." I exclaimed, feeling overwhelmed by the tangled web of secrets and mysteries surrounding me.

Just then, my phone rang, breaking the spell. It was Raunak, asking about my whereabouts.

"I'll be there in five minutes." I took a deep breath, composing myself, and replied.

Those five minutes were a blur of calm determination, and then I headed back to the venue.

After what felt like an eternity, the show finally came to a close, and the exhausted attendees retreated to their rooms.

I slipped into comfortable pajamas and burrowed under the blankets, ready to surrender to sleep.

But just as I was drifting off, a startling realization jolted me awake. "Anisha never went to Bengaluru, but... Shubhra went."

The words echoed in my mind, and I felt a chill run down my spine.

They weren't talking about Anisha; they were talking about Shubhra - about me. My heart raced as I realised it.

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