Aisha stood in front of her massive walk-in closet, her fingers grazing over the fabric of a stunning navy-blue gown....the one she had originally chosen to match Ranvir's tuxedo. The thought alone made her stomach churn. The dress had been carefully picked out, meant to complement him, to make them look perfect together in front of the cameras and the business world.
But tonight, everything was different.
Her hands tightened around the hanger before she yanked the gown off the rack and threw it aside. She refused to wear anything that tied her to him anymore.
Taking a deep breath, she scanned the endless array of dresses and gowns before her eyes landed on something she hadn't considered before....a deep crimson saree with a modern cut, the fabric delicate yet sultry, hugging every curve in all the right places. It exuded confidence, power, and elegance, all while making a statement. A silent message that she was done being the naive woman she once was.
A smirk tugged at her lips as she pulled it out. If she had to face Ranvir tonight, she wouldn't do it as the woman he thought he could string along. She'd do it as Aisha Oberoi....unapologetic, stunning, and in complete control.
As she draped the saree over herself, adjusting the pleats, she struggled with the final piece....her blouse. The intricate design had a chain at the back, making it difficult to close. She reached behind, trying to secure it, but the clasp remained just out of reach. Frustrated, she sighed.
"Where is she?" Aisha muttered under her breath, glancing towards the door. "Maya? I need your help!" she called out, expecting the maid to arrive any moment.
When she heard approaching footsteps, she sighed in relief. "Finally, you're here. Help me with this," she said, assuming it was the maid she had called.
She didn't hear a response, only the sound of slow, steady footsteps approaching. Then, warm fingers brushed against her exposed back, sending an unexpected shiver down her spine. Aisha froze. This touch....it wasn't the maid's.
Her breath hitched as she felt the chain glide smoothly through its clasp, the slow drag of fingers lingering just a second too long. She turned slightly, catching the reflection in the mirror.
Rishi.
His gaze was dark, unreadable, yet intense as he locked eyes with her through the mirror. His fingers still rested at the nape of her neck, his warmth seeping into her skin. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, louder than the silence between them. Every part of him screamed to step away, to let go, but his fingers didn't move. He wasn't sure if he could.
He had always loved her. And in this moment, standing this close to her, he felt it more than ever.
"I...." she started, but the words wouldn't come.
"You should be more careful, Aisha," he murmured, his voice husky, almost teasing, though there was an unmistakable strain behind it. "Asking for help without checking who's behind you… dangerous habit."
She swallowed hard, her pulse racing. "I thought it was the maid."
His lips curved into a slow smirk, but his eyes told a different story. "Disappointed?"
Her cheeks flushed, but she quickly recovered, turning to face him fully. "You wish."
Rishi exhaled sharply, stepping back, forcing himself to create distance before he did something reckless. His fingers clenched at his sides as he fought to suppress the emotions that had surged within him in those brief, stolen moments.
He turned swiftly and left the room, running a hand through his hair, trying to calm the storm raging inside him. He needed to get ready. He needed to focus on something other than the way her skin had felt under his fingers, or the way her scent lingered on him even after he had left.
Aisha, on the other hand, stood there in silence, staring at her reflection, lost in thought. The intensity of that moment refused to fade, and it unsettled her more than she cared to admit. She was lost in thought , silence surrounded her and after few minutes-
A knock on the door interrupted the silence.
"You ready, or do you need another hour to admire yourself?" Rishi's teasing voice came through, though his heart was still racing from what had just happened.
Rolling her eyes, she opened the door, prepared with a sarcastic remark....only for the words to die in her throat the moment she saw him.
Dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit with a crisp white shirt, Rishi looked effortlessly suave, his usual playful smirk replaced with a subtle, appreciative glance as he took her in.
For a moment, he just stared. Then, with a low whistle, he finally said, "Damn, Aisha. If I knew you were planning to set the entire gala on fire, I'd have brought a fire extinguisher."
She rolled her eyes, but a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Well, someone has to make an impression."
"Oh, you'll be making a lot more than just an impression." He stepped closer, offering his arm. "Shall we?"
She hesitated for a second before slipping her hand through his. "Yes, Let's go."
As they walked out together, for the first time in a long while, Aisha felt a flicker of anticipation for what lay ahead.
Rishi opened the car door for her, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back as she stepped inside. Sliding in beside her, he started the engine, stealing occasional glances at her as they drove towards the gala.
She looked breathtaking.
The way the moonlight cast a glow on her skin, the way her fingers absentmindedly played with the edge of her saree....every little thing about her had him completely captivated.
He had spent years watching her from a distance, loving her silently, but tonight, she wasn't Ranvir's Aisha. She was just Aisha. And he was by her side.
As they pulled up to the grand venue, the flashing lights of the cameras blinded them even before they stepped out. The moment Aisha set foot on the red carpet, a wave of photographers surged forward, calling her name, snapping endless pictures. She was used to this....used to the attention, the flashing lights, the admiration.
But tonight, it felt different.
She walked forward with poise, each step radiating confidence. The media went wild, calling out to her, praising her look, throwing out questions she had no intention of answering.
"Aisha! Over here!"
"Miss Oberoi, one pose, please!"
"Who are you wearing tonight?"
She smiled, poised and graceful, effortlessly owning the attention. Every flash of the camera captured her strength, her beauty, her undeniable presence.
Rishi remained a few steps behind, watching her with an unreadable expression. Pride swelled in his chest, but so did something deeper....something raw and unspoken.
She was dazzling under the spotlight, a queen in her element, and he was more than happy to stay in the shadows, watching her shine.
But then, just as she turned slightly, their eyes met.
For a moment, the world faded. The noise, the cameras, the people....it all disappeared.
It was just the two of them.
Her lips parted slightly, as if she, too, felt the shift in the air between them. And then, almost instinctively, she took a step closer, as if drawn to him.
Rishi, unable to hold back any longer, extended his hand. She hesitated for a second before placing her hand in his, allowing him to lead her inside.
The moment their fingers intertwined, a loud cheer erupted from the crowd. The excitement, the flashing lights....it all intensified. The gesture had been unintentional, but as soon as she realized what she had done, her breath caught in her throat.
She snapped back to reality, her fingers loosening. But before she could fully retreat, Rishi gently tightened his grip, just for a second, grounding her.
He leaned in slightly, his voice barely above a whisper. "You okay?"
Aisha forced a small smile. "Yeah."
If she was going to face the night ahead, she wasn't going to do it alone.
And Rishi? He wasn't planning on letting her go. Not anymore.
As they stepped inside the grand ballroom, the glittering chandeliers cast golden light across the lavish venue. Aisha barely had time to take it all in when she felt her throat go dry. "I'll get you some water," Rishi offered before stepping away.
Left alone, she let out a slow breath, only to freeze as her gaze landed on someone across the room.
The same woman from that night. The woman Ranvir had been with.
She sauntered toward Aisha, a mocking smirk curling her lips. "Well, well, if it isn't Aisha Oberoi," she purred. "Alone tonight, are we?"
Aisha tilted her head, an icy smirk forming. "Oh? You recognize me? That's surprising. I didn't think mistresses paid attention to the women they replaced."
The woman's smirk faltered for a second before she chuckled. "Replaced? Honey, I didn't replace you. He simply upgraded."
Aisha feigned surprise. "Oh, is that so? Then tell me, does your 'upgrade' come with loyalty this time, or is he still as slippery as ever?"
The woman's jaw tightened. "You're just bitter because he chose me."
Aisha let out a soft laugh. "Chose? Oh, sweetie, he didn't choose you. You were just easy."
The woman's face darkened. "Watch it, Aisha."
"Or what?" Aisha took a step closer, her voice dripping with venom. "You'll cry? Throw a tantrum? Go ahead. But let's be real....you're nothing more than his temporary entertainment."
Aisha leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a mock whisper. "Oh, sweetheart, I left the game before you even entered. Enjoy my leftovers."
The woman's eyes flashed with anger just as Rishi returned, stepping smoothly between them. "Something wrong here?" His gaze swept over the woman before settling protectively on Aisha.
The woman scoffed. "Oh, so this is who you've moved on to? That was fast." Then, with a suggestive smirk, she added, "What's the deal, Aisha? Is he just keeping your bed warm?"
Rishi's jaw clenched, and he was about to fire back when Aisha stepped forward, a saccharine smile on her lips. "Oh no, darling," she cooed. "Rishi is far more than that. He's not just a warm bed....he's everything Ranvir never could be. A man who actually knows how to treat a woman. You wouldn't understand, of course."
The woman's face flushed with frustration, and before she could retort, Aisha took Rishi's hand and walked away. Once they were out of earshot, Rishi chuckled. "That was fun."
Aisha smirked. "Oh, you have no idea."