Happy Readingđź“– đź’•
Isha's POV
The morning arrived faster than I expected.
I barely got any sleep the previous night, my mind racing with last-minute worries about the event. When my alarm finally blared, I groaned, reaching out to silence it before dragging myself out of bed.
Today was my engagement.
The weight of those words pressed down on me as I stepped into the shower, letting the cold water wake me up. The entire house was already buzzing with preparations when I came out of my room. The decorators, event planners, and caterers were all setting things up, voices overlapping in a chaotic rhythm.
I moved quickly, skipping breakfast entirely as I rushed toward the engagement hall.
It was already past eight in the morning by the time I arrived. The decorators were finalizing the floral designs, the lighting crew was adjusting chandeliers, and I could hear the faint clatter of utensils from the catering team. The hall, grand and elegant, was coming to life before my eyes.
I pulled out my phone, checking the to-do list for the hundredth time.
Checklist:
âś… Stage setup
âś… Seating arrangement
⬜ Final flower placement
⬜ Gift table arrangement
⬜ Guest entry coordination
I sighed, rolling my shoulders as I prepared myself for another long day.
"Ma'am, should we place the guest gifts near the entrance or by the stage?" one of the event managers asked.
"By the entrance," I answered immediately. "It's easier for distribution that way."
I barely noticed my stomach growling. Breakfast had completely slipped my mind, but it didn't matter. I had too much to do before Shivansh's family arrived around noon.
I made a quick round across the hall, fixing minor issues—adjusting a misplaced table, confirming the seating arrangement, coordinating with the decorators. Time blurred as I worked, my head constantly switching between tasks.
Somewhere around mid-morning…
"Isha, at least drink some water."
I turned to see Ishika, hands on her hips, holding out a bottle.
I blinked. "I will, later."
She frowned. "You said that thirty minutes ago."
Before I could respond, she grabbed my wrist and forced the water bottle into my hand.
"Drink."
I sighed but took a few sips. Ishika wasn't going to let me off easy.
"Did you even eat breakfast?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
I hesitated. "I—"
"I knew it!" She groaned. "I swear, you're impossible."
"It's fine," I muttered, trying to move past her, but she blocked my way.
"It's not fine. You have the entire day ahead. You're already running on no sleep, and now no food?" She shot me a look. "I don't care how busy you are. You're eating something before your fiancé arrives."
I flinched at the word fiancé, but before I could protest, she dragged me toward a corner and forced me to sit down.
A small plate with some fruit and a sandwich was placed in front of me.
"Eat. Now," she ordered.
With a sigh, I picked up a piece of fruit and took a bite. Ishika watched me like a strict guardian until I finished half the sandwich.
"Better," she said, satisfied. "You don't want to faint before the engagement even starts."
I shook my head at her dramatics but didn't argue.
In Noon, Shivansh's Family Arrives.
By 12:30 PM, the hall was almost completely set up.
The soft hum of traditional music played in the background, floral garlands decorated the walls, and waiters in crisp uniforms walked around with refreshments. The Rathore family's arrival was scheduled any minute now.
I took a deep breath, fixing my outfit—still in a simple, pre-engagement dress—before stepping toward the entrance.
And just as expected, a row of sleek black cars pulled up outside.
Shivansh's parents were the first to step out, followed by his grandparents, chote papa and maa, Juhi's parents, Dhruv bhai, avi bhai and ofcouse juhi.
But it was Shivansh himself who stole my attention.
Dressed in a simple yet sharp beige kurta with a tailored jacket, he stepped out of the car like he belonged to another world altogether. Even in something so basic, he exuded authority, confidence, and something else—something that made my heart race just a little too fast.
Our eyes met for a fleeting second.
And then his brows furrowed.
He had noticed something.
"You didn't eat properly, did you?"
The question was unexpected—and too accurate.
I blinked up at him. "What—"
Shivansh took a step closer, his sharp gaze scanning me like he was assessing the damage.
"Shivansh!" I hissed, glancing around. The hall was busy, but I still felt the heat of his proximity.
His eyes darkened. "Sit down."
I frowned. "I—"
He didn't wait for an argument. Instead, he led me to a quieter corner near the stage, pulling out a chair and making me sit. The next second, he took out something from his pocket and placed it in my hands—a protein bar.
"You carry protein bars?" I asked, blinking up at him.
"That's not the point," he said flatly.
I hesitated
"Now, Isha."
His voice was softer this time, quieter. The way he said my name sent a strange warmth through my chest.
I swallowed and took the protein bar from his hands.
As I started eating, Juhi's voice cut through the moment.
"You're spoiling her, shiva," she said with a forced laugh. "She can take care of herself."
My grip on the protein bar tightened, but before I could say anything—
"Let me worry about her," Shivansh said calmly, but firmly.
Juhi's expression faltered.
I forced myself to stay quiet, but I couldn't ignore the tension in the air.
before unwrapping it. The moment I took a bite, my stomach growled, betraying just how hungry I actually was.
Shivansh leaned in slightly, voice quieter. "Isha, you don't have to do everything alone."
Something in my chest tightened.
I wanted to snap back, to tell him that I did have to do everything because this engagement, this entire event, had to be perfect. I had thrown myself into planning, into keeping everything under control—because the more I focused on that, the less I had to focus on the overwhelming reality that today… today, I was getting engaged to him.
I looked up, ready to say something, but the intensity in his gaze shut me up.
"Just let someone else handle it for once," he murmured, his fingers brushing against mine briefly as he pulled away.
The touch was fleeting. Barely there. But I felt it everywhere.
And I wasn't the only one who noticed.
Across the room, Juhi's expression darkened.
Her lips curled into a forced smile, but her hands were clenched by her sides as she watched the scene unfold. She had been hovering nearby the entire time, pretending to be busy with decorations, but I could feel her gaze burning into me.
I ignored her, forcing myself to focus on finishing the protein bar.
Unfortunately, his brother and my beat friends were not as merciful.
"Are we interrupting something?" Avi's voice cut in, amusement laced in his tone.
I turned sharply to see him standing there with Avi, Dhruv, Ishika, and even prisha, all of them wearing varying degrees of smug expressions.
"Shivansh feeding Isha?" Avi smirked. "How domestic."
"Very husband-like," Ishika added, nudging me with her elbow.
I felt heat rush to my cheeks. "It's not what it looks like."
"It exactly looks like what it looks like," Dhruv said, grinning. "First, he carries around protein bars for her, now he's forcing her to eat? Bro, just admit it, you're whipped."
Shivansh didn't even blink. "She wasn't eating properly."
"And you noticed that? How romantic," Avi teased.
Juhi's fake smile tightened even further. "I'm sure Isha can take care of herself," she said sweetly, her eyes flicking toward me with barely hidden contempt.
"You're all annoying," I muttered.
Shivansh didn't bother responding to them. His attention was still on me.
"Eat properly this time," he said before walking away.
And just like that, the engagement had already become something I wasn't prepared for
I exhaled slowly, knowing I'd have to deal with her later.
For now, I had bigger things to worry about—like the engagement ceremony that was about to begin in just a few hours.
And the fact that Shivansh Raghuvanshi, my soon-to-be fiancé, was looking at me like I was something his to take care of.
Shivansh's POV
She looked tired.
Not just the I-worked-late kind of tired. No. This was exhaustion, the kind that settled deep in the bones.
Her shoulders were stiff, her posture tense, and there was a slight redness around her eyes—like she hadn't slept properly.
And then it hit me.
She'd been handling everything. The hall. The decorations. The planning. Probably running around since morning without taking a proper break.
A muscle in my jaw ticked.
She hadn't even eaten properly, had she?
The realization made irritation curl in my chest. I could already guess what had happened—she had thrown herself into work, forgetting everything else.
Including herself.
Isha didn't realize how obvious she was.
She was exhausted, but she wouldn't stop. She was stressed, but she wouldn't ask for help.
And I hated watching her like this.
I had known she was independent, stubborn even, but seeing her push herself to the point of exhaustion made something in me tighten.
I wanted to tell her to stop, to let someone else handle it.
But I knew she wouldn't listen.
So I did what little I could.
When she took the protein bar from me and started eating, I felt something shift—something I wasn't ready to name.
I didn't understand what it was about her that got under my skin.
But I did know this—
I didn't like seeing her this tired.
And I didn't like the idea of her doing this alone.
Author's POV
Isha walked through the quiet hallway, away from the loud voices in the main hall. She had needed a moment to breathe. The day had been overwhelming, and the thought of the engagement, the rituals, and the expectations were weighing on her.
She stopped near a large window, looking outside at the garden. The fresh air calmed her nerves. But then, she felt a familiar presence behind her.
"You're ignoring me, again."
Isha turned sharply. Shivansh stood there, his arms crossed, his gaze unreadable. The soft glow of the palace lights reflected in his dark eyes.
"I'm not ignoring you," she replied, though she wasn't sure if that was entirely true.
His lips curved slightly, as if he saw through her lie. "Really? Because for the past hour, you haven't even looked at me once."
She exhaled. "I just... there's a lot happening. And you—you're acting like this doesn't affect you at all."
Shivansh stepped closer, his expression serious now. "You think this doesn't affect me?" His voice was lower, more intense. "You think I don't feel anything?"
Her heart raced. She wanted to step back, but she held her ground. "Then what do you feel, Shivansh?" she whispered.
For a moment, he didn't answer. His gaze flickered to her lips, then back to her eyes.
The silence between them was charged, heavy with something unsaid.
But before either of them could say another word, a voice echoed down the hallway.
"Isha?"
Juhi.
Isha immediately stepped back, putting distance between them. Shivansh's jaw tightened, his moment of vulnerability gone in an instant.
Juhi walked toward them, her eyes flickering between them with suspicion. "Everyone's waiting for you," she said, her tone sweet but her gaze sharp.
Isha nodded quickly, excusing herself. But as she walked past Shivansh, she felt his gaze linger on her, making her heart pound even harder.
Juhi's expression darkened as she looked at Shivansh. He didn't even glance at her before walking away in the opposite direction.
And that was enough to make her jealousy burn even brighter.
Juhi might try to interfere in the engagement in some way.
Isha and Shivansh's moment leaves both of them unsettled.
Juhi stood near the grand staircase, her hands clenched into fists. Every time she looked at Isha, surrounded by Shivansh's family, her anger flared. The girl who had once been an outsider was now the reason for all the celebration. It should have been her.
"Why does everyone like her so much?" Juhi thought bitterly. Even her father, who rarely praised anyone, had spoken highly of Isha's intelligence.
Her eyes flickered to Shivansh. He was standing near the entrance, talking to Avi and Dhruv, looking effortlessly charming. But what made her stomach churn was the way his eyes followed Isha. Even when he wasn't looking directly at her, he was aware of her presence.
Juhi inhaled sharply. No. She wouldn't let this happen.
Later the afternoon, after isha parents also came with isha dress and accessories. And her make up artist also came.
Then she went to get ready, In the guest wing, Isha sat in front of a grand mirror, staring at her reflection as the makeup artist worked her magic. The soft golden embroidery of her lehenga shimmered under the light, the intricate designs dancing across the fabric. Her long earrings grazed her jawline as she moved slightly, her fingers clutching the edge of her dupatta.
Prisha and Ishika were seated beside her, both busy fawning over the details of her look.
"I swear, I have never seen you look this stunning," Prisha murmured, adjusting the fall of her dupatta.
Ishika grinned. "Shivansh is going to forget how to breathe."
At the mention of his name, Isha's stomach fluttered. It was strange—this wasn't a dream wedding, nor a love story she had written for herself. But there was something about today, about the weight of the moment, that felt undeniably significant.
Somewhere across the palace, Shivansh was getting ready as well. He stood in front of his own mirror, his expression unreadable as he buttoned the cuff of his white with gold embroidery. Avi and Dhruv stood behind him, grinning like idiots.
"You look like a king from some historical drama," Avi teased.
Avi smirked. "Correction—he is already a king. Just one who's about to get tied down."
Shivansh shot them both a glare but said nothing. He wasn't the type to get caught up in the emotions of an event like this, yet for some reason, there was an unfamiliar tightness in his chest. He thought of Isha, how she had looked last night, exhaustion weighing down her frame, yet her determination never faltering.
A part of him wanted to tell her to stop overworking herself. Another part of him—one he didn't quite understand—wanted to be the one who made things easier for her.
On the Other side, The sun was at its peak when a sleek black car pulled up outside the grand engagement hall. The doors opened, and out stepped Veer Raghuvanshi—Shivansh's elder brother—fresh off a long flight. Despite the exhaustion evident in his posture, his aura remained sharp, commanding respect without needing to ask for it.
As he adjusted the cuffs of his tailored blazer, a few attendants rushed to greet him. "Sir, welcome back," one of them said, taking his small travel bag.
Veer merely gave a nod before striding toward the entrance. Before he could take another step, a loud voice echoed from inside.
"Look who finally decided to show up!"
It was Dhruv, standing near the door with arms crossed. Beside him, Avi smirked. "You do realize that we all thought you were skipping the engagement, right?"
Veer sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I was working."
"Oh, of course. The great Veer Raghuvanshi and his never-ending meetings," Avi teased. "You could've at least answered your damn phone!"
Before Veer could respond, his mother appeared, her arms folded. "That's what I'd like to know too. Why weren't you answering our calls?"
Veer exhaled. "I landed just now, Maa. And my phone was on silent."
Shivansh's father, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "We understand work is important, Veer, but this is your brother's engagement. You should have been here earlier."
Veer met his father's gaze and gave a slight nod. "I know. I came straight from the airport."
His grandmother, who had been sitting nearby, chimed in. "Beta, at least freshen up before joining everyone. You look exhausted."
Veer let out a small chuckle. "That bad, huh?"
"Terrible," Dhruv added with a grin. "Like you just wrestled a lion at the airport."
Veer rolled his eyes but didn't argue. "Fine. I'll get changed."
Veer made his way to the suite provided for them, the same one Shivansh had used earlier. As he opened the door, he found his brother's engagement attire neatly placed on one side while his own change of clothes had been set out for him.
He ran a hand through his hair before quickly freshening up. Changing into a dark blue sherwani that contrasted well with his strong features, he buttoned up the embroidered collar before giving himself a once-over in the mirror.
A knock came at the door.
"Bhai, are you alive in there?" Dhruv's teasing voice sounded from outside.
Veer smirked. "Give me two minutes, Dhruv."
"You've already taken twenty."
Shaking his head, Veer opened the door, revealing Dhruv and Avi waiting. The moment they saw him, Avi whistled.
"Well, well, now you look like you belong at this engagement."
Veer smirked slightly but didn't respond as they walked back toward the main hall.
As soon as Veer stepped into the hall, his mother caught sight of him again.
"Finally. Come sit," she said, patting the seat next to her.
Veer sat down, greeting the elders as his father leaned back. "Now, tell me—what exactly was so important that you couldn't return a single call?"
Veer sighed. "I was stuck in a meeting until late. By the time I checked my phone, it was already morning here, and I had to rush straight to the airport."
Shivansh, who had been standing nearby, raised an eyebrow. "You're really that busy?"
Veer gave his younger brother a pointed look. "Says the man who also prioritizes work over everything else."
Shivansh smirked. "At least I made it here earlier than you."
Their grandfather chuckled. "Enough, enough. Veer is here now, and that's what matters."
Juhi, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke. "Veer bhai, you missed so much already. The decorations, the setup—everything looks beautiful."
Veer nodded. "I'll have a look around after dinner."
His grandmother placed a hand on his. "We're just happy to have you back, beta. Now, no more running off. Tonight is about family."
Veer gave a rare, small smile. "I'm not going anywhere."
And with that, the engagement celebrations finally felt complete.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
How was the Chapter??
Aage kya hoga? Hmm?
Share your thoughts and don't forget to click on the star button below.
And follow me on Instagram for spoilers.
đź”—link in bio.
Love you all, bye
Ishđź’—