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Isha's POV
As we entered the living room, the lively chatter of the elders filled the space. They were seated on the plush sofas, sipping tea and laughing over some old memory. The warm light cast a cozy glow over the room, but my stomach churned with nervousness.
Maa, dressed elegantly as always, noticed us and stood up with a smile that was both warm and regal. "Ah, there you are," she said, gesturing toward me. "Isha, come here."
I glanced at Shivansh, who is already looking at me, before stepping closer to her.
"I want you to meet them," maa said, addressing the room. "This is Isha." Her voice was kind, but there was an unmistakable air of pride as she spoke. "And Isha, these are Shivansh's bua sa and futa sa, and…" she gestured toward a young woman standing by the fireplace, "this is Juhi, Shivansh's cousin."
Juhi was strikingly beautiful, her features sharp and her expression filled with mischief. She smiled at me, a grin that almost felt too wide, and then turned her attention toward Shivansh.
"Shiva!" she exclaimed, her voice high-pitched with excitement. Before I could process what was happening, she bolted toward him, running so fast that I instinctively stepped aside.
She threw her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. "I've missed you so much!" she said, her tone overly cheerful.
For a moment, I stood there awkwardly, unsure of where to look. When I glanced at Shivansh, my breath caught in my throat. His jaw was clenched so tightly that the muscles in his face twitched. His hands hung stiffly by his sides, his knuckles white, veins popping out.
It wasn't just him. Behind me, Dhruv bhaiya and Avi bhaiya had gone completely silent. The teasing smiles they wore earlier were replaced with expressions so stern, it felt like they were ready to storm into battle.
Juhi, however, seemed blissfully unaware of the tension. She pulled back slightly, still holding onto Shivansh's arm. "Why didn't you tell me, that you are in delhi, if you tell me we already meet each other, do you know how much i miss you, and i know you also miss me, do you?"
Shivansh didn't answer immediately. His dark eyes flickered to mine for the briefest second before he spoke, his voice low and measured. "Let go, Juhi."
She blinked, feigning innocence. "Oh, come on, Shiva. Don't be so serious."
"I said, let go," he repeated, his tone sharper this time.
Juhi finally released his arm but pouted as if he'd just ruined her fun. "You're no fun anymore," she muttered, crossing her arms.
I couldn't help but feel a strange pang in my chest. The familiarity Jugu had with Shivansh made me uncomfortable, and the way she so easily dismissed his annoyance irritated me even more.
Before I could dwell on it, Maa spoke again, her voice breaking the tension. "Juhi, let's sit down. Isha, come meet and sit with the rest of the family."
I nodded and followed her, but my gaze lingered on Shivansh. His expression was unreadable, but the storm in his eyes was impossible to miss. As I sat down, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this dynamic than what met the eye. And whatever it was, it wasn't good.
Dhruv bhaiya and Avi bhaiya stood nearby, still watching Juhi with cold, calculating stares. It was as if they were daring her to try something else.
The room was filled with conversation again, but I barely heard any of it. My focus remained on Shivansh, who had taken a seat beside me, his hands still clenched into fists on his lap.
The lively hum of conversation in the living area came to a sudden halt when Dadi sa placed her teacup down with a soft clink. A hush settled over the room as all eyes turned toward her.
She sat with a regal poise, her hands folded in her lap, and a knowing smile graced her face. There was something about her calm demeanor that made my stomach twist with anticipation.
"Since we are all gathered here today," she began, her voice carrying a quiet authority, "I think it is the perfect time to make an announcement."
I glanced at Shivansh instinctively. He remained composed, his expression unreadable, but the way he exhaled slowly told me he already knew what was coming.
"As you all know, family bonds mean everything to us," Dadi sa continued. "And strengthening those bonds is important. That is why…" she paused, letting the moment sink in before delivering her next words, "today, we will do the Roka of Isha and Shivansh."
The silence that followed was almost deafening.
For a split second, even I froze.
Yes, I knew about the engagement. I knew that my family and Shivansh's family had agreed on this, and I had even told them yesterday that they could go ahead with the Roka and engagement. But hearing it announced so suddenly, so officially, still made my breath catch in my throat.
I recovered quickly, reminding myself that this wasn't unexpected. This was something I had already agreed to. Marriage was still years away—but the Roka was happening today.
Before I could fully process my thoughts, a sharp inhale from my left drew my attention.
Juhi.
Her fingers had tightened around her teacup, knuckles turning white. Her entire posture had stiffened, but her face…
It was a perfect mask. A smile, frozen in place, stretched across her lips. But her eyes—her eyes burned with something dangerous.
"Isha and Shivansh's Roka?" she finally spoke, her voice eerily composed, though a little too light, too forced. She let out a small laugh as if she had misheard. "You mean… Isha is going to marry Shiva?"
"Yes, Juhi," Dadi sa answered with a proud smile. "She is the one chosen for him. Their bond has been decided, and today, we will make it official."
Juhi's gaze flickered toward Shivansh, searching his face for a reaction. But he gave her none. He merely exhaled quietly, reaching for his cup as if nothing out of the ordinary had just been said.
Dhruv bhaiya, sitting beside me, shifted slightly, his expression guarded. Ishika, on the other hand, was visibly excited, her eyes practically sparkling as she nudged my arm. "Isha!" she whispered under her breath, barely able to contain herself.
Juhi let out another laugh—short, breathy, almost amused. But the way her eyes flickered between Shivansh and me told a different story.
"Oh wow," she said, her tone laced with fake enthusiasm. "That's… amazing. Congratulations, Isha!"
I saw it in the way her grip on the spoon tightened. In the way her nails pressed into her palm. In the way her fake smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
She turned to me, her smile unwavering, but I felt something sharp beneath it—something unsettling.
"You must be so thrilled," she continued, tilting her head. "Getting engaged to Shiva… What a dream come true."
There was something about the way she said it that sent a shiver down my spine.
But before I could respond, she leaned in ever so slightly, her voice lowering just enough that only I could hear.
"But I do wonder…" she murmured, "do you really think you know him? do you even know what kind of man he really is?"
There was something unsettling about the way she said it.
Something that told me—this wasn't just jealousy.
It was something deeper. Something dangerous.
I stiffened, her words hitting me like a cold wave.
And that's when I realized—Juhi wasn't just upset. She was furious.
And whatever was going on in her mind… it wasn't good.
The living room was filled with chatter, but a strange tension hung in the air. I could feel it pressing against my skin, making it difficult to relax.
Juhi sat beside Ishika, but I could sense her gaze flickering toward Shivansh every now and then. Her expression was unreadable-somewhere between amusement and something else I couldn't quite place.
I was seated with Dhruv bhaiya, while Avi bhaiya with Arjun was nearby. The seating arrangement was comfortable, but my mind was far from at ease. My fingers curled around the warm glass of orange juice in my hands, though I barely took a sip.
Across from me, Juhi leaned back on the couch, her legs elegantly crossed, as she stirred her tea slowly. The silver spoon clinked softly against the porcelain, her movements deliberate, almost lazy.
"So, Isha," she suddenly said, her tone light yet pointed, "tell me about yourself. What do you do?"
I lifted my gaze to meet hers, offering a polite smile. "I'm a Chartered Accountant. I have my own firm."
For a split second, I caught the flicker of surprise in her eyes before she masked it with a practiced smile. "Oh? That's... impressive."
I simply nodded, not interested in elaborating.
"I thought you might still be studying," she added, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "You look quite young for someone running a firm."
I let out a soft chuckle, but my tone remained firm. "Age has nothing to do with capability, does it?"
Juhi's lips twitched, as if she hadn't expected that response.
"Of course not," she said lightly, but there was something in her tone that made me feel like I was being scrutinized.
I could sense Dhruv bhaiya shift slightly beside me, his posture turning more alert. He had caught the subtle undertone in Juhi's words, just like I had.
She asked raised an eyebrow, feigning interest. "Oh, that's nice. And… how did you and Shivansh meet?"
My fingers twitched around the glass. The way she asked the question—so casual yet probing—made me uneasy.
"We—uh, it's a long story," I said vaguely, glancing at Ishika for support.
"Oh, come on," Juhi insisted with a small laugh. "I'd love to hear it."
Her persistence made my stomach twist. I didn't know why, but something about her made me feel like I was being tested.
Before I could respond, Dhruv bhaiya leaned forward, his voice deceptively calm. "Juhi, why are you so interested?"
She blinked at him, feigning innocence. "What? Can't I be curious about my cousin's fiancée?"
The word fiancée felt foreign to my ears, even though I knew it was technically true. I saw the way Juhi's lips curled slightly as she said it, as if she were tasting the bitterness of it.
"Curiosity is one thing," Avi bhaiya added, his tone sharp. "But you seem awfully invested in it."
Juhi laughed lightly, but there was a tightness to it. "Oh, come on, bhaiya. You're acting like I have some hidden agenda."
No one responded to that.
The silence stretched for a few seconds too long, heavy and filled with unsaid words. Even Ishika shifted uncomfortably beside Juhi, sensing the unspoken battle happening in the room.
I glanced at Shivansh, who had been quiet all this time. He was leaning back in his chair, fingers tapping rhythmically against his knee, his expression unreadable. But his eyes… they were locked onto Juhi, sharp and assessing.
"So, Isha," Juhi spoke again, turning back to me with that same overly sweet smile, "do you like tea or coffee?"
I hesitated at the sudden change in topic. "I don't really drink either that much."
Juhi let out a soft hum. "Oh… but I thought you loved tea?"
I frowned slightly. "I never said that."
She tilted her head, as if amused. "Oh? Maybe I assumed. You just have that… tea-drinking vibe, you know?"
Something about her words made my pulse quicken. It was subtle, but I felt it—she was playing a game with me.
"Does it matter?" Arjun interjected, his voice laced with irritation. "What she drinks doesn't concern you, does it?"
Juhi turned to him, her smile never wavering. "Relax, umm whatever your name is. I'm just making conversation."
Arjun rolled his eyes but didn't respond.
I exhaled slowly, trying to ease the unease pooling in my stomach.
I didn't know why, but something about Juhi felt… off.
It wasn't outright hostility. It wasn't even open dislike. It was something more dangerous—something lurking beneath the surface, hidden behind her perfect smile and casual words.
And the worst part?
I had no idea why.
"So, how do you know everyone here?" Juhi continued, her voice still pleasant but her eyes sharp, as if she was carefully analyzing me.
I frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
She gestured vaguely, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup. "I mean, Dhruv bhaiya, Avi, and Shiva... how are you all connected?"
A part of me hesitated. Her question felt... off. Like she was searching for something.
I tilted my head, meeting her gaze steadily. "We're family friends," I replied coolly, not giving away anything more.
Juhi's smile faltered for a brief second, but she quickly recovered, as if she hadn't expected such a straightforward answer. But before she could ask again, I added, "Is that enough for you, Juhi? Or would you like more details?"
Avi bhaiya and Arjun, who had been watching the interaction closely, exchanged glances and started nodding in approval. Ishika, unable to hold back, burst into laughter and clapped her hands. "Well done, Isha!" she cheered. "That was a great comeback!"
She cleared her throat, and I could almost hear the wheels turning in her mind, trying to figure out how to maneuver the conversation back to her liking. But I wasn't giving her any more room.
"Well, Juhi," I said, my tone firm, "just because I don't spill every detail of my life doesn't mean there's anything more to it. Some things are private."
The room shifted slightly as the others joined in, and the tension that had been building around Juhi seemed to crack. Even Dhruv bhaiya shot a small smirk in my direction. It was clear they were all silently cheering me on.
Juhi, however, didn't seem to take it well. Her smile wavered and she quickly tried to recover her composure, but her eyes narrowed in annoyance. She looked at me, and for a moment, it seemed like she was about to speak.
But I didn't wait for her to finish. I leaned back, meeting her gaze head-on, and said with a sharp edge, "If you're expecting me to entertain your questions, Juhi, you're wasting your time. I've got nothing to explain. So maybe you should get out of my business."
The words landed with a thud. I saw her flinch, and for a second, there was a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. Avi bhaiya and Arjun gave each other a subtle high-five, and Ishika let out a victorious laugh.
Juhi opened her mouth to say something, but she quickly closed it, the words stuck in her throat. The silence stretched between us, and she was clearly caught off guard. She threw a tight smile, but it was clear she couldn't respond in the same way anymore.
"Alright then," she muttered, her voice now surprisingly neutral, as if all her earlier bravado had been shattered. "I'll keep that in mind."
It was a small victory, but it was enough to make her rethink trying to provoke me again.
Juhi tilted her head, pretending to process my words, but I noticed the way her fingers tightened slightly around her teacup. She was frustrated-though she hid it well.
Shivansh, who had been silent all this time, leaned back in his chair, observing quietly. I knew he had caught on to Juhi's questioning, but he made no move to intervene.
And I understood why.
He wasn't going to step in-because he didn't care, of course he will take her side and i knew I could handle this myself.
Juhi let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "You're quite interesting, Isha."
I smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Thank you."
Juhi's eyebrows knitted together, but she held her tongue, visibly trying to keep her smile in place.
"I see," she muttered, her voice suddenly lacking the charm it had moments ago. "You're a bit more... straightforward than I expected."
"Good to know," I replied casually, leaning back slightly, feeling the power shift. "Not everyone's as easy to read as you think, Juhi. If you're looking for answers, maybe try asking someone else. I'm not your target."
The room was filled with conversation again, but my focus remained on Juhi.
She was watching me. Calculating. Measuring.
And for some reason, I got the feeling that she didn't like what she saw.
As I sat there, the laughter and chatter slowly faded into the background, my thoughts drifting back to the conversation that had just unfolded. A part of me was still reeling from the exchange with Juhi. I couldn't help but wonder if she had truly understood the message I had thrown at her, or if she would try again later. Maybe I was being too harsh, but it felt like I was finally standing up for myself in a way I never had before.
The fact that Juhi was so eager to pry into my life, to dig for details about my connection with Shivansh and his family—it unnerved me. I knew her game, but I wasn't going to let her control the narrative. She's not going to get under my skin, I thought, trying to steel myself against whatever else she might try.
Just as my thoughts were still swirling, Maa called out softly, "Isha, bachhe" her voice warm but filled with purpose. I turned to find her standing at the door, her gaze gentle. "Come with me. It's time to get ready for the Roka."
I felt my heart race at the mention of the Roka. The reality of what was happening began to settle in, and I nodded, trying to steady my nerves. I followed her down the hallway, my mind in a daze as we reached the room where I had spent the night.
"Sit here, freshen up," she said as she gestured to a plush chair in front of a vanity. "I'll get the dress ready for you, the one you're supposed to wear."
I nodded again, grateful for her help and for the momentary quiet. She stepped out for a moment, and I heard her call for Ishika.
" Shree, come with me," she said, and a few moments later, Choti maa and Ishika appeared at the door. "I need your help with the dress. And if you can, and ishika beta you can help with the makeup too. I'm going to handle her outfit."
Ishika beamed and nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, aunty I'd love to help!"
As they spoke, I took a deep breath and sat down in front of the mirror. My mind raced with a hundred thoughts—Is this really happening? Am I ready for this? But before I could think too much, Ishika turned to me with a teasing smile.
"Where's mummy?" I asked, my eyes scanning the room for her.
Maa, who was talking to ishika abhout something, smiled and replied, "She's with Maa and didi, don't worry."
I nodded, reassured. With this Maa left eith choti maa for my outfit. And I didn't need to worry about anything now, whatever happens, happened for good, I had Ishika to help me with the rest.
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