Kavi smiled awkwardly as he approached them.
Riya turned instantly, arms already open. "There's my baby brother!" she beamed, pulling him into a warm hug.
He held her back gently.
"Congratulations, didi," he murmured with a soft smile.
Beside her, Kiaan stood with his hands in his sherwani pockets, shifting awkwardly.
Kavi extended a hand toward him. "Congratulations."
But Riya nudged his arm with a playful grin. "Oh, come on. We're all family now. A hug will do."
Kavi hesitated, then gave in a short, stiff hug, his hands barely touching Kiaan's back.
"Congratulations, bro," he muttered.
"Thanks, man," Kiaan replied, just as formal.
A photographer waved them in. Riya pulled them close, arms locked at their waists, smiles plastered on. The camera clicked.
Then the crowd began moving toward the reception.
The ballroom transformed into a celebration playground. Waiters in sharp black uniforms glided between guests, trays balanced with mocktails, champagne, and fusion canapés.
A lavish buffet stretched across the far wallpaneer tikka skewers, saffron rice, truffle-stuffed parathas, sushi boats, and more.
Guests, finally free from the rituals, scattered like confetti dancing, gossiping, posing endlessly beneath the floral photo wall with K & R glowing in gold calligraphy.
Riya who had changed into a new outfit floated through it all like a queen, laughing with old friends, taking selfies, hugging everyone. Her energy drew people in like gravity.
At the drinks counter, Kavi stood with Pinky, Roy, and Alina. He wasn't glowing but he was present. He chuckled at Roy's jokes, swayed to the music, even snapped a photo of Pinky mid-laugh.
"I don't trust that grin," she said, squinting at him.
"Just capturing your rise to power," he joked, handing her the phone.
Alina looped her arm around his casually. She didn't say much, but she knew how he must have been feeling, she felt relieved cause soon she is going to have him to herself.
Just then, Riya's voice rang out. "Dance performance time! Kavi, come on!"
"Oh no—no way."
"You promised!" she grinned, already dragging him.
And so he danced.
Under the gleam of lights, with Roy and Alina cheering him on, Kavi moved like he belonged there. Every step practiced, every beat hit. The crowd clapped. Phones recorded. And for a moment, he looked happy.
Across the room, Kiaan watched in silence beside his father.
Pride flickered in his eyes. And something else. Something quieter. Sadder.
"Go join them. it your party," Kiara teased, nudging Kiaan.
He shook his head. "Let him shine."
Later, a toast was called.
Rukmini stepped forward, glass in hand, commanding and regal.
"To love, to family, and to a union that not only brings two hearts together, but two legacies," she said, her voice clear and calm. "May your journey ahead be as grand as today, and your love even greater."
Glasses clinked across the room.
The music slowed. Couples filled the dance floor. Kiaan twirled Riya under the lights picture-perfect.
Kavi stood at the edge of it all. Still. Quiet.
"This is real," he whispered to himself.
Roy nudged his shoulder. "You okay?"
Kavi turned, forcing a smile. "Yeah."
Across the room, near the dessert station, stood a man who didn't belong.
Abhishek.
In charcoal black suit. Wine glass in hand. A smirk curled at his lips like he'd just dropped a lit match into a gasoline-soaked room.
Kavi froze. His breath caught.
What the hell is Kiaan's ex doing here?
He slipped away from a family friend mid-sentence, weaving through the crowd with sharp, quick steps. He caught Abhishek beneath the archway of hanging orchids.
"What are you doing here?" Kavi snapped, voice low, sharp.
Abhishek turned slowly, swirling his wine like this was a private rooftop soirée.
"Nice to see you too, Kavi. Still dramatic, I see."
"I asked who let you in."
Abhishek raised a brow. "I didn't crash. My father's firm does business with the Oberois. Got the invite last week. Would've come earlier, Paris held me up."
"You shouldn't be here."
"Neither should Kiaan."
Kavi stilled.
Abhishek stepped closer, voice cutting through the music like a knife.
"You're really letting your sister marry him? The same man who used to look at me like I was the sky? The one who once held my hand and said, you're the one?"
"That was years ago—"
"No," Abhishek said sharply. "That was real."
He leaned in, his words slow and deliberate.
"And you—you—you love him too, don't you?"
Kavi's silence was answer enough.
Abhishek didn't gloat. He didn't smirk. He just looked… tired.
"You think you're being noble. Letting her have her fairytale. Letting him pretend. But Kiaan's not noble. He's scared. He hides. And people like us? We're left holding the ashes."
He took one last sip. "Enjoy the show, Kavi. It's not every day you watch the man you love marry someone else… under your own roof."
And then he was gone, vanishing into the glittering chaos.
Kavi stood frozen, heart in his throat, the noise of the party suddenly far, far away.
He thought he had let go.
But the truth?
It had never really left him.