I entered the room, filled with people.
That irritated me instantly.
I was only here because Dia wanted me here. Otherwise, I had no interest in stepping into a place full of forced smiles, fake respect, and people who spoke in profits rather than honesty. I acknowledged a few familiar faces with a nod, ignored the rest, and moved forward.
I scanned the room out of habit. Investors. Politicians. Business rivals pretending to be allies. Nothing new.
Then my eyes stopped.She was standing near the bar.
Avira.
For a second, the noise around me blurred into something distant, like I’d been dropped underwater without warning. She looked… different. Not fragile. Not broken. Just quiet. Composed. Strong in a way that didn’t beg to be noticed.
And that scared me more than her tears ever would have.
Twenty years.
That’s how long it had been since I’d last allowed myself to really look at her. Since I’d made the decision to erase myself from her life completely. It wasn’t cruelty. It was survival. Hers and mine.
It was better us being this way, her thinking I am cruel. I have no worries about that.
Oh my poor little daisy.
Control, that I was convincing my inner self for, which was going crazy seeing her stand in front of him. I know how much effort it takes to see the girl you promised a future with and still not talk to her.
She had no wrong doings in it, but I did.
Me and her can never happen, she doesn't belong to it,or she does? I don't deserve her,but I want her anyway…
She deserved better than me,but you can be better for her.
I fucking hate my inner thoughts! Just to interrupt my thoughts.I saw him before she did.
Mahendra Reddy.
Of course he would crawl out of whatever hole he lives in the moment there’s money, power and a crowd. Men like him survive on cheap liquor. Foolish idiot.
My jaw tightened as I watched him change direction.
Toward her.
She didn’t notice at first. She was standing near the bar, posture straight, face calm, that unreadable expression she wears like armor. She looked like she belonged anywhere but here — like this entire room was beneath her and she was just being polite enough not to say it out loud.
Then he spoke.I saw the exact second she turned.And I swear something ugly moved inside my chest.
I saw how that bastard was bothering her rather than talking to her. How dare he, he doesn't hold that right to trouble her, no one does.
I saw how he said things making her shift uncomfortably, though she handled everything with grace. She was furious, never silent and dumb little baby. I love that about her.
Enough.
I started walking in their direction. Mahendra Reddy leaned in a little, his voice lowering like he was about to say something he thought was clever.
“He—”
“Mr. Reddy.” My voice cut through before I could rethink it.Both of them turned.
Her eyes hit mine first.
And for one second — just one — the entire room disappeared.There it was again.
That pull. That strange, silent recognition like we were standing too close to a line neither of us had agreed to cross… but both of us were already standing on.
I could feel her gaze at me, a little too much. How her eyes turned in hope, how innocent she was, hopeful like a lost little kitten.
I dragged my gaze away from her before it could soften.Looked at him instead.
Reddy straightened immediately. Men like him always know when a bigger predator walks into the frame.
“Viransh,” he said, fake warmth sliding into his voice.I didn’t offer him a smile.
“I heard you speaking to my… acquaintance,” I said, stepping closer, my voice intimidating. “And I thought I should interrupt. You tend to forget your limits when no one reminds you.”
Reddy chuckled “Limits? I was merely having a conversation. With Manav’s daughter.”
“Exactly,” I said. He thinks he can do that? “Manav Malhotra’s daughter.” The room suddenly felt smaller.
“You see,” my voice low, cold enough to m all e his spine straighten “people who speak about her so casually usually forget one thing.”
Reddy raised a brow. “And what’s that?”
“That she doesn’t need to be discussed. And those who try… rarely benefit from it.”
“You’re a man whose biggest achievement is being tolerated in rooms you don’t belong in. So maybe next time—think twice before speaking to someone who could buy your entire legacy and still not find it worth keeping.”. I spoke in a calm, yet powerful voice. Controlling myself from not throwing punches over his face.
Reddy’s face was drained of colour.
My gaze flickered to her for half a second—so fast no one else would notice.
Why did I do that!
“And Mr. Reddy,” I said further, “next time you feel like speaking about someone’s childhood—make sure they’ve invited you into their present.”
Reddy’s jaw tightened. He muttered something under his breath, nodding stiffly before walking away. Bastard!
The moment he left, the noise of the party returned—but something between us stayed suspended. It was just me and her, the crowd gone invisible.
“You handled him well,” I said, and then I regretted saying that!
Avira said, “You didn’t have to step in.” I saw how her face was filled with thousands of thoughts.
“I know,” I replied.
Our eyes met again—too long, too intense.
I took a step back, I can't stand there, not like this with her eyes over me, questioning my actions. The way her eyes screamed at me somehow managed to make my heart shift but I didn't let that show up.
I walked away from her without any other word. The cake cutting was loud. Too loud.
And through all of it.I stayed back. Watching.Not her.
I told myself I wasn’t watching her.
I congratulated Dia, she hugged me, I fed her the cake, let her live in her moment. I played my part. The calm, controlled, slightly disinterested brother.
But I was aware.
Aware of where she stood in this room.
Aware that she hadn’t come near me.
Aware that I was being a total jerk.
Aware that I hadn’t looked at her again.
Not once.
Because I knew if I did, I wouldn’t look away easily. I wouldn't be able to stand in front of those innocent big eyes.
The music picked up after the cake cutting. People started moving toward the dance floor. Conversations got louder, messier. Waiters passed around drinks.
I reached for a glass of water from a tray-and that’s when it happened. I looked up.
And she was already looking at me.
Not by accident.Not a passing glance.
She was standing near one of the pillars, soft golden light falling across her face, the noise of the party moving around her like she wasn’t really part of it. Her expression was calm, composed like always…
But her eyes-Her eyes weren’t calm.
They held questions. Confusion. A flicker of something she clearly didn’t like feeling. Like she was trying to understand me… and was annoyed that she couldn’t.
My fingers tightened slightly around the glass
.
Don’t look at her. Look away. I didn’t. I couldn't.
For a second, neither of us moved.
People crossed between us, blocking the view, then clearing again — but every time the space opened, our eyes found each other like magnets snapping back into place.
She didn’t smile.Didn’t look shy. She just held my gaze — steady, almost challenging.
As if asking me:
Why did you step in?
Why did you walk away?
And why are you pretending I don’t exist now?
My jaw ticked. Because I didn’t have answers I was ready to admit. I won't be able to fight her.
Someone bumped into her shoulder lightly while passing. My body reacted before my mind did — I straightened, eyes sharpening — but she barely moved, just shifted her stance and kept looking at me.
Unbothered.Strong.That quiet fire again.A slow breath left me.Dangerous.
She was dangerous.
Not because she was loud.
Not because she tried to get attention.
But because she didn’t.
And somehow still had all of mine.
Dia’s laughter rang out nearby, pulling a few people between us again. This time when the space filled, I forced myself to look away first.I took a sip of the drink trying to brush the storm inside me.
It didn’t help.
Because even without looking…
I could still feel it.Her eyes.Still on me.
And for the first time in a long time-I wasn’t the one in control of a situation. I was losing it. I am not used to losing in front of anyone but.
Avira Malhotra was making it hard for me.
Oh! Everything was messed up right now, it was the fashion show week, the event was just 2 days away and everything was not on time. I felt like one wrong move and I was so close to beating the shit out of people around me. Control Avira,control.
The studio smelled of fabric, hairspray, and stress.
“Avira, the emerald lehenga blouse is still loose from the back!”
“Where is the second pair of silver heels?”
“Ma’am, the press list—”
“KEEP IT ON THE TABLE, I’LL SEE IT!”
I moved through the chaos like I belonged in it. Because I did. I rushed around getting things done one by one.
Models rushed past me in robes. Makeup artists argued over palettes. Steam from irons fogged the mirrors. Hairspray, perfume, fabric, panic — the air smelled like ambition and stress.
And right in the middle of it all…It was me.
“God, look at this pretty lady,” a familiar voice said beside me.
I didn’t have to turn to know who it was.
Tanya.
My best friend. My unpaid therapist. My professional overreactor.
I glanced at her rolling my eyes. She stood there with a coffee in one hand, wearing an oversized tee that said ‘Trust me, I’m judging you’.
“I told u to stop wearing that Tanya” i rolled my eyes back on the work in front as she walked to me. Tanya had a talent — she could make disasters feel manageable just by standing next to me.
Her eyes softened as she studied my face.
“You didn’t sleep again.”
“I slept,” I lied.
“For like… twenty minutes?”
“Thirty,” I corrected, still focused on my sketch.
“Stupid girl, take this…” Tanya handed me the coffee, making me smile. She helped me get through work. Right now we stood as a model tried on her fittings. I was silently focused.
“You still think about him, don't you?” Tanya spoke in the middle of nowhere.
“Who?” I knew exactly who she was talking about.
“Tera pagal ashiq” Tanya said, rolling her eyes.
(Your psycho lover)
“Why would I think about him? There's nothing between us. There is no us.” I stepped away fixing the dress.
“You can't let that jerk show up on a random night and disturb you, Avi. I would have beat the shit out of him.” Tanya spoke walking to me as I glared at her. No one talks like that about him.
“Whatever!” Tanya exclaimed knowing there's no use of arguing with me over Viransh.
I looked away, watching one of the models — Dia — step off the fitting platform while a stylist adjusted the fall of the outfit I designed for her.
Dia.Viransh’s sister.
Sweet. Warm. Completely unaware of the emotional war zone her brother was in. She was completely opposite of him.
I smiled softly at her, showing her a thumbs up “Good luck!” I lip synced.
“AVIRA!” the show coordinator yelled. “We’re starting rehearsals in ten minutes!”
“Coming!” I shouted back.
I grabbed my clipboard, slipping instantly back into designer mode. Structured. Focused. Untouchable.
Tanya watched me switch masks in real time.
Just as I was rushing towards the stage I stumbled bumping into someone, two strong arms wrapped around my waist pulling me closer, not letting me fall. My heart beat reached its peak. My eyes met his.
Viransh!
God no! Not him!
My hand instinctively fisted into the fabric of his shirt.
My other palm pressed flat against his chest.
Steady. Strong. Real.
For a second, my brain forgot how to function. His hand was still around my waist.Like he hadn’t even struggled to catch me — like holding me came naturally.Like he’d done it a hundred times before.
My breath got stuck somewhere between my lungs and my pride. His eyes dug holes in my soul. They weren't holding their coldness as usual. It had something I couldn't address.
“I..” I shuttered standing up straight. His hands fell to his sides as he left me after making sure I was steady. His jaw was tight, eyes scanning my face quickly — checking if I was hurt — before his expression shut down again.
That cold mask.The one I hated.
“I am fine” I lied, My heart was just so close from running out of my body feeling him inches away from me.
“You should watch where you’re going,” he said, voice low, controlled.I blinked at him. Excuse me?
“I was working,” I shot back, straightening my clipboard against my chest like a shield. “Some of us don’t attend events just to stand and judge.”
His eyes flickered — irritation…No! something else. Something almost… impressed.
“This isn’t an event,” he said. “This is chaos.”
“My choas…..and you are just standing in it” my tongue flicked like a sharp knife. I almost saw him small at my reply but he controlled himself.
Viransh looked back at me. “I’m here for Dia.”
“I know,” I said. Because of course he was. He wouldn’t be here for me. Why would he be here for me? And why was I even thinking about it?
Just then Tanya jumped in out of nowhere, before she could say anything that could bring us more trouble I placed my hand on her lips.
I closed my eyes briefly. “Please ignore her.”
“I already am,” he said.
But he wasn’t looking at Tanya, not even a single glance.He was looking at me. His eyes are not leaving me for a second.
“Well,” I added, forcing professionalism into my tone, “models are in the rehearsal area. Family seating is in the front row. Try not to distract anyone.”
His eyebrow lifted slightly. “Distract?” he almost smiled again. Like he was impressed by my sassy little attitude.
“Avira!” someone yelled. “We need you here for a second!”
I tore my eyes away first. I had to. I need to leave.
“Work,” I muttered, stepping around him.“Some of us have actual responsibilities, rather than sitting and watching.”
I walked past him, but I felt it — the way his body stilled when I brushed by, the way the air shifted for just a second too long.I didn’t look back.I couldn’t.Because if I did.
I knew I’d find him already watching me walk away.And I wasn’t ready to know what that would do to me. Because whatever it was going to be…. I know I can't handle that!
It had been a few minutes since that almost-fall… since his hands were on my waist… since my heart decided to forget how to function properly.
Focus, Avira. Fashion show. Not feelings.
I was standing on the side of the stage. I moved to my seat near the stage, clipboard back in hand, pen tucked behind my ear. From here I could see everything — lights, walk line, backdrop, model flow. Control. Structure.
Things I understood.Unlike him.
The rehearsal music started.One by one, models walked the runway, practicing their pace and turns. Stylists whispered corrections. Coordinators signaled lighting cues. I watched sharply, making notes, occasionally calling out adjustments.
“Straighten your posture”
“Chin up”
“Keep your face neutral not too expressionless”
My voice is loud through the chaos, commanding and strict. I tried my best not to even glance at him, which I was failing miserably. My eyes kept on going to him.They drifted to the front row.He was sitting there.
Leaning back in his chair, one ankle resting over the other knee, phone in his hand. His expression was neutral, almost bored. Like he’d rather be anywhere else.He didn’t look at the stage.Didn’t clap.Didn’t react.
Just scrolled on his phone like this was some minor inconvenience in his day.Typical.I told myself I didn’t care.
Good. Stay uninterested. Stay distant. That’s what you’re good at.More models walked. Outfits shimmered under lights. Applause tracks played through speakers.Nothing from him.Not even a single glance.
“Closing walk, Dia Rai Singhania on stage!” The coordinator yelled and that's when his eyes drifted from his phone to the stage.
Dia stepped onto the runway in the final outfit — the deep wine-colored lehenga I had designed especially for her. Elegant. Graceful. Confidence. She walked beautifully. Smooth turns, soft smile, shoulders back.
It was small at first. Just his eyes lifting from his phone.Then his posture changed.His shoulders relaxed.And a smile appeared.Not his usual polite smirk.Not that cold, business smile.This one was real.
Soft. Proud. Warm in a way that didn’t match the man I knew.He watched Dia like the rest of the world didn’t exist. His eyes followed her every step, not critically, not judging — just… proud. Watching his little sister walk her dream.
Something inside my chest shifted.Because in that moment… I didn’t see the distant, unreadable businessman.I saw a brother.
A protective, caring, silently supportive brother. Just how Ayushman and Reyansh are for me, always protective, supporting me no matter what, encouraging me even in my mistakes.
Maybe he wasn’t heartless.Maybe he was just careful about where he allowed himself to feel. Maybe he just pretended to not care.
My eyes stayed on him a second too long. I felt something strange seeing him that I couldn't address, I saw the way Dia ran over to him hugging him as she was happy that he took out time for her. Just to see her rehearsals.
Something in me shifted.
Later I was back to work trying to focus. The models were getting unready. I was done for the day now I was just pa
cking my things.
“You handle her well” A male voice bore through my ears. I don't have to turn to know who it was.
It was him, Viransh.
----⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ♡ ･:*ೃ࿔⋆----
What is he talking about? Their first conversation!
Next update on Thrusday!
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Lots of love
-Your Dear Author Avani ❤️
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