Singhania Mansion was in a state of chaos as everyone hurriedly prepared for the upcoming engagement. Continuous orders were being issued to the workers to ensure that every detail contributed to the grandeur of the event. The entire mansion radiated an air of magnificence and beauty.
Nita was in a state of panic as Aryan had not yet arrived and was not answering her calls. Dreadful thoughts crossed her mind, fearing that Aryan might be having second thoughts about the engagement. Despite those worries, she pushed the negative thoughts away, trusting in her understanding of her son, believing that he wouldn't do anything to bring disgrace to their family in front of everyone.
Followed by Aryan's instructions, the guest list was intentionally short. Aryan aimed to avoid unnecessary media attention, considering the potential problems it could cause for Disha. As a result, only a few relatives and close friends were invited to the engagement.
As the clock approached 6:30, guests began to arrive, and the family members were engrossed in welcoming them. Nita anxiously kept her eyes on the clock, her heartbeat increasing with each passing second. Just then, Disha, along with her family and friends, entered the Singhania mansion.
While everyone else marveled at the grandeur of the Singhania mansion, Kunal, having come from a similar background, didn't find it particularly noteworthy. Disha, uninterested in materialistic things, remained unfazed as well.
Nita warmly welcomed them, ensuring their comfort in the living room. She then led Disha to a guest room where she could relax, given that there was still some time left before the engagement ceremony commenced.
Nita, on the verge of tears, felt relief wash over her as she saw Aryan entering the living room. With an apologetic look, he went straight into his room.
Now that Nita had no worries, she happily started engaging with the guests and got busy with the conversations.
Grandpa and grandma entered the living room, their faces lighting up with joy as they observed the complete preparations. They happily engaged with the other guests, spreading warmth and happiness.
Slow music played in the background, creating a soothing atmosphere as the guests indulged in delightful refreshments and starters, relishing the pleasant evening. Sameer took the stage, microphone in hand, ready to make an announcement.
Sameer expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you all for gracing this occasion with your presence. Your smiles and warmth make this celebration even more special. Let's make this engagement memorable!"
The room echoed with applause, a harmonious sound of joy and celebration.
Sameer chuckled and began, "Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves for the man of the hour, the master of mystery, the one who's been keeping us all on our toes... Aryan Singhania! Let's see if we can get him to crack a smile tonight!"
As Aryan descended the stairs, the dimmed lights focused on him, emphasizing his powerful and commanding presence. Whispers of admiration echoed as guests couldn't help but express their awe at his handsome and authoritative aura.
As Aryan reached the stage, he warmly embraced Sameer, sharing a brotherly hug, before taking his seat. The stage was elegantly arranged, featuring a beautiful seating arrangement for the couple.
Sameer, with a wide smile, announced, "Now, ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce the beautiful and radiant Disha.
As Disha gracefully made her entrance, a beautiful song played in the background. With each step, her heartbeat quickened. Unbeknownst to her, two individuals were even more affected – Aryan and Kunal.
Aryan couldn't tear his gaze away from her. Disha looked breathtakingly beautiful in her exquisite lehenga. He admired every detail – the subtle makeup highlighting her natural beauty, the intricate braid framing her face, a few loose strands, her perfectly shaped eyebrows, and her lashes fluttering nervously. As she walked, her eyes were cast down, revealing a cute nose and tempting lips that stirred a desire in him, making him wish to taste them in that very moment.
Disha took her seat beside Aryan, maintaining a noticeable distance between them.
As Sameer made the announcement for the ring exchange, Nita and Aarti gracefully stepped onto the stage, each holding an engagement rings.
Nita delicately passed the ring to Aryan, who carefully took it out of the box and slid it onto Disha's ring finger. At that moment, a cascade of flowers showered down on couple, and the applause from the guests filled the room.
Aarti extended the ring towards Disha, who accepted it with a slightly hesitant look. Instead of proceeding with placing the ring on Aryan's finger, Disha's gaze shifted, appearing to search for someone. Observing this, the guests assumed she was looking for her father, who then joined them on stage.
Unbeknownst to others, Aryan and Kunal noticed that Disha wasn't focused on her father but rather on the spot where Kunal had been standing. In those fleeting moments, Kunal felt a surge of satisfaction. Aryan felt a surge of anger within him, seeing Disha's actions on the stage.
Aarti delicately grasped Disha's elbow, guiding her forward. Disha, who had been lost in thought, shifted her focus from Kunal to Aryan and smoothly slid the engagement ring onto his finger. A cascade of flowers showered upon both of them.
Applause erupted from the guests, and they began extending their congratulations to the newly engaged couple.
Seated side by side, Aryan and Disha watched the guests reveling in the celebration after the ring exchange. The room was filled with laughter, music, and the joy of the occasion. They observed the lively atmosphere, though a noticeable distance lingered between them, reflecting the unspoken tension of their newly formed engagement.
Aryan felt a surge of anger seeing Kunal's continuous gaze on Disha. The tension increased as Vidhyut's presence added another layer of complexity to the already strained atmosphere at the party. Aryan tried to keep his composure, but the mounting emotions were challenging to contain.
The vibrant dance performance by Ishaan and Abhi managed to create a lively and joyous atmosphere in the hall. The audience, caught up in the rhythm and energy of the dance, couldn't help but applaud enthusiastically, contributing to the overall celebratory ambiance of the engagement party.
Vidyut and Sameer gathered at the bar counter at the corner of the party hall, engaging in casual conversation and sharing a few laughs. The atmosphere at the party remained vibrant, with guests mingling and enjoying the celebration.
Disha observed Kunal's distance and the somber expression on his face as he sat at the bar counter, unable to hide the turmoil within. She felt a pang of worry, sensing that her decisions might be affecting him more deeply than she anticipated.
Aryan's eyes flared with an intense mixture of anger and frustration as he followed Disha's gaze towards Kunal. The emotions he had kept under control threatened to erupt like a volcano, but he restrained himself, mindful of the guests present at the engagement party. In an attempt to divert his focus, he gripped Disha's elbow tightly, prompting her to stand. Unaware of the storm brewing within Aryan, Disha was startled by the sudden and forceful grip on her hand.
Aryan, fueled by his suppressed anger, started dragging Disha away from the stage. Nita, witnessing this abrupt action, hurried towards them, concern etched on her face. She questioned Aryan, "What happened? Where are you taking her?" The tension in the air grew, leaving Nita anxious for an explanation.
Observing Nita's concerned expression, Aryan swiftly released Disha's hand and fabricated a reason. He lied, "I'm taking her for a tour of the mansion. She insisted on seeing more of it." Aryan's words tried to mask the underlying tension, leaving Nita with a sense of reassurance, though skepticism lingered.
In the seclusion of the guest room, Aryan swiftly locked the door, isolating them from the celebratory ambiance of the engagement party. The room now held an air of intensity as Aryan prepared to address the issues at hand with Disha.
Panicked by the locked door, Disha hastened to unlock it, hoping to diffuse the tension. However, her efforts were met with a forceful shove from Aryan. Struggling to maintain her balance in the high heels, she ended up on the ground, bewildered and anxious about the sudden escalation of the situation.
Aryan, witnessing Disha on the ground for a brief moment, felt a twinge of sadness in his heart. However, he swiftly dismissed the emotion, determined to keep himself detached. Refraining from offering assistance, he remained standing, impassively observing as Disha picked herself up without any assistance.
Disha, upon rising, gingerly massaged her elbow, which had made contact with the ground during her fall.
Disha glared at Aryan with a mix of pure hatred and anger, questioning him about his actions.
Disha, her eyes seething with anger, demanded, "What's your problem? Why did you lock the door? Open it now. I refrained from making a scene outside, but don't mistake my silence for compliance."
The disdain in Aryan's gaze intensified, conveying both frustration and anger, as he remained quiet.
Disha fell silent, interpreting the intense emotions in Aryan's eyes. She couldn't comprehend why Aryan had acted forcefully, and fear enveloped her as she gazed at his angry demeanour.
Aryan, observing Disha's silence, advanced slowly toward her, his expression still masked with anger and frustration.
Aryan approached Disha, who instinctively retreated, inadvertently stumbling back until her legs met the foot of the bed, causing her to land on it.
Aryan advanced with determined strides, enclosing Disha between himself and the bed. Despite her attempts to free her hand, he refused to release his grip, tightening it further.
Disha, terrified by Aryan's behavior, felt a mix of fear and an unusual flutter in her stomach as he drew near. Her gaze remained fixed on him, caught between fear and an unexpected sensation, until their eyes locked, revealing the depth of resentment in his.
Aryan, who also felt the impact of their closeness, managed to regain his composure. Through gritted teeth, he sharply remarked, "Carrying your past into your own engagement—quite audacious. Or perhaps you're relishing the sight of him right in front of you."
Disha, who had been avoiding direct eye contact with Aryan, swiftly turned her gaze towards him upon hearing his accusations. She sternly said, "Mr. Singhania, he is not my past; he is a friend whom I hold in high regard. Therefore, refrain from questioning my character, as you have no authority to pass judgment or make remarks about me."
Aryan smirked and retorted, "In case your memory fails you, we're now engaged, and that gives me full authority over you."
Disha sternly stated, "If you've conveniently forgotten our agreement, let me refresh your memory. The terms clearly state that you shouldn't intrude into my personal space. Yet, you're blatantly violating that condition."
Aryan retorted, "I've adhered to those conditions so far, but if you take any action that tarnishes my reputation, I'll conveniently forget those conditions and ensure you regret your choices."
Disha retorted, "I haven't done anything to warrant threats like these from you."
Aryan retorted, "Are you absolutely certain? Standing beside me on the stage during our engagement and yet casting glances at your ex. How do you justify that?"
Disha snapped, "Enough with your baseless accusations. He's a friend, and my concern for him has nothing to do with you or our engagement."
Aryan sternly asserted, "I don't give a damn if he's merely your friend or some past flame. You will not disrespect me like that again. Do it, and you'll rue the day you crossed that line."
Before Disha could utter a word, Aryan's stern expression silenced her, then he deliberately directed his gaze towards Disha's lips.
Disha, feeling uncomfortable with Aryan's proximity and his gaze, tried to push him away.
Aryan, seeing Disha's struggle, deliberately leaned forward, creating a minimal gap between their lips. He maintained this proximity for a moment, keeping his lips tantalizingly close to hers, before abruptly releasing her hand and standing up.
Disha, stunned by Aryan's behavior, swiftly rose to her feet, opened the door, and dashed away without sparing a backward glance.
Aryan, left alone after Disha's departure, stood there frustrated, unknowingly punching the wall, grappling with the unfamiliar possessiveness he felt towards her.