The ballroom of the hotel was dazzling with lights, and the guests were engaged in conversations with drinks in their hands. Ishaan arrived at the party dressed in a royal blue shirt and grey suit, greeting the guests warmly. When he received word about his family’s arrival, he rushed to the entrance.
Reyansh walked in royally, dressed in a charcoal black suit, with Vaishu by his side in an elegant silk saree. Ishaan hugged his parents and glanced at his siblings, all looking stunning in the outfits he had gifted them. Together, the family entered the ballroom, and an eerie silence enveloped the room as everyone turned to look at the powerful family.
A few minutes later, Mithun and Kajal arrived, followed by Varun’s parents and his cousin Meghna. Ishaan hugged Mithun and Kajal, gave a polite nod to Varun’s parents, and then noticed Meghna trying to edge closer to him. Without acknowledging it, he walked away and joined his father.
Vaishu greeted Mithun and Kajal warmly before turning to Varun’s family.
“Where are Pari and Varun? They should have arrived by now,” Vaishu asked.
Just then, the door opened, and Pari entered with Varun beside her. Ishaan’s eyes glued to her the moment she stepped in, and his heart skipped a beat. She looked breathtaking in a royal blue closed-neck gown, her hair tied in a bun, with diamond danglers completing her look. Varun stood beside her in a black suit paired with a crisp white shirt.
The couple greeted the guests, and Meghna immediately rushed forward, hugging both Varun and Pari.
“You two look stunning, just like the perfect couple. Everyone has their eyes on you. I think you should go official and everyone should know that you are couple now “
Pari knew Meghna was faking her excitement and admiration, yet she simply smiled and walked over to Reyansh and Vaishu, hugging them both. Reyansh chuckled and kissed her forehead.
“Years have passed, you’ve grown up, I’ve grown older, yet nothing has changed between us—you’re still my little darling,” Reyansh said. From afar, he could see Mithun rolling his eyes.
Still in Rey’s embrace, Pari stuck out her tongue playfully at her father, but her smile faded when she noticed Mithun hugging Ishaan.
“Yes, nothing has changed. He’s still jealous and never stops trying to provoke us,” Pari mumbled, making Reyansh chuckle.
She returned to join Varun and his family but frowned upon seeing Meghna clinging to Varun’s arm, her bosom deliberately brushing against him. A pat on her shoulder made her turn to see Ishika smiling at her. Pari smiled back politely but quickly frowned again when she noticed Ishika’s outfit—it was the exact same design she had wanted to wear for the party, except in a different color. Pari had chosen a wine-red version, but Ishika had worn the black one—and she looked stunning in it.
“Ishi, you look stunning. Girl, you are gorgeous,” Pari said, hugging her.
“Thank you, bestie. I’ll thank Ishaan later for choosing this outfit for me,” Ishika replied, making Pari look at her, perplexed.
” Why do you look shocked ? Ishaan bought outfits for all of us for today’s party. He even picked outfits for appa and amma,” Ishika added, and this time Pari smiled genuinely. The two of them started chatting and waited for the party to officially begin.
Ishaan stood in the center of the hall and took the mic from his PA.
“Thank you all for gracing this evening with your presence. I’m very happy that Rey’s Group of Hotels has reached its 5-year milestone, and I’m proud to say we are the leading hotel group in the country in the very short span of time. I would like to thank our prestigious employees of Rey’s Group, who have been the true pillars of this success.
But tonight, there’s another reason to celebrate. Rey’s Group will be collaborating with a new partner in the upcoming project. This partnership is limited to that specific project and not with Rey’s Group as a whole. Since this is a new venture that marks both family and business, I would like to invite Ms. Pari to do the honors.”
Pari froze at his words, her eyes widening as the guests erupted into applause, cheering her on. The spotlight fell on her, and Varun gently led her toward Ishaan, who stood holding a remote.
She looked first at Varun, then at Ishaan.
“Why me? This has nothing to do with me. It should be Vaishu aunty or Varun’s mother doing this,” Pari protested, but Ishaan only chuckled.
“This collaboration is happening because you are my family. And this is Varun’s first new project after your engagement, so it’s only right that you inaugurate it. Even if not from Varun’s side, my mom and dad already treat you as their own daughter. They’d be happy to see their daughter given importance after her engagement. So, as family, you deserve this honor.”
He handed her the remote and gestured toward the huge wall opposite them.
Pari pressed the button, and a screen rolled down, revealing a bold ‘P‘ with wings on either side. Beneath it, the name Pristine Halo was printed in elegant letters. The hall erupted in claps and cheers, but Pari stood frozen. Her gaze locked on the winged ‘P,’ and she instantly understood the meaning behind it. She refused to let him confirm it, so she forced a smile for the guests, then walked away, her heart unsettled.
Ishaan noticed Varun was too caught up in the moment to even follow her.
“When do we sign the agreements?” Varun asked.
“Before you leave tonight. My PA will have the papers ready by then,” Ishaan replied calmly, before quickly slipping away in search of Pari.
He found her in the corridor, pacing restlessly. He cleared his throat.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Pari glanced at him but only bobbed her head in reply. Ishaan leaned against the wall, watching her quietly.
“You should go back. It’s your party. The guests will be looking for you,” Pari said, avoiding his eyes.
“You looked lost. I couldn’t just leave you alone, so I’m here,” Ishaan replied softly.
Pari sighed, folded her arms across her chest, and finally turned to face him.
“Why are you doing this? I thought we were over this. I’m engaged to Varun,” she said, frustration in her tone.
“Exactly,” Ishaan said calmly, settling into a couch and crossing one leg over the other. “We are over this. You’re engaged. You’re my family now. So, of course, I’ll care for you. Is it a crime to care for family?”
Pari looked away, refusing to meet his gaze, while Ishaan bit his cheek to hide a smile.
Varun, who had come in search of Pari, saw her pacing the corridor while Ishaan sat casually on the couch, scrolling through his mobile.
“Is everything okay? Pari, why are you here? I was looking for you everywhere. Come on, let’s get back to the party—it’s time for the couple’s dance,” Varun said, reaching for her hand.
Pari smiled faintly and was about to leave with him, but her heel tripped and broke. She hissed in pain, stumbling, but Varun caught her just in time. Ishaan’s jaw clenched as his gaze fell on Varun’s hold on her.
“Oh god, how will I go back to the party now?” Pari muttered, distressed.
“Can you manage to walk to the parking lot? We can leave then,” Varun suggested, earning a frown from both Pari and Ishaan.
“Varun, we can’t leave now. Our families are here, and I want to spend a little more time with everyone,” Pari replied firmly.
“Okay then, let me call my PA and arrange new sandals for you,” Varun said, pulling out his mobile and walking away.
Ishaan exhaled sharply, finally unable to hold back. He walked over to Pari, guided her to the couch, and crouched before her. Gently, he removed her heels despite her protests and checked her ankle.
“Do you feel any pain?” he asked softly. Pari shook her head and tried to remove her leg from his hold but Ishaan looked at her with a smile, his eyes held her captive.
Without a word, Ishaan called his PA and instructed him to bring one of Ishika’s sandals from the family room. In less than five minutes, his PA returned with a box. Ishaan carefully held Pari’s ankle and helped her into the sandals.
“Try walking in these. If they don’t fit, I’ll arrange something else,” he said. Pari took a few steps and nodded—it fit perfectly.
Ishaan rose to his feet, holding the broken sandals, and smiled. “Let’s get back to the party now.”
Pari tried to take the sandals from him, but he refused, carrying them himself. She noticed—his face carried no disgust or shame in holding a woman’s sandals. He was calm, composed, his usual self. Ishaan placed them in a corner and told her he would discard them later.
When they re-entered the ballroom, Pari’s smile faded. Varun was already on the dance floor—with Meghna. She was clinging to his arm, her smile wide, while Varun seemed to have forgotten completely that he had left Pari in the corridor.
Ishaan, noticing Pari’s expression, handed her a glass of juice and signaled Ishika. Taking the cue, Ishika quickly pulled Pari toward a table to have dinner with the family. But Pari was too lost in her thoughts, her mind spiraling into chaos.
Finally, when Varun returned to her, he casually ate a morsel from her plate.
“I thought you were arranging sandals for me,” Pari said quietly.
Varun froze, looking mortified. He immediately pulled out his mobile, but Pari stopped him.
“I got sandals already. Let’s just have dinner.”
“Seems like you’ve fixed your relationship with Ishaan. You looked… comfortable with him,” Varun said, his tone sharp as he continued eating.
Pari, who was about to take a bite, stopped in her tracks. Her eyes narrowed, but she held her composure.
“You are my friend, Varun. And now, we’re engaged. I can’t carry a grudge against him forever. He is family, and he helped me when you left me alone and didn’t bother to check on me after the name revelation. Don’t forget that,” Pari snapped, pushing her chair back.
She stormed out, with Varun quickly tailing her.
Outside, he grabbed her elbow and pulled her to a quiet corner.
“Pari, I didn’t mean to offend you. But… it feels like you’re not happy with this collaboration. If this project is causing problems between us, then I’ll back out. Nothing is more important than you. I’ll always prioritize you, Pari. I love you,” Varun said, hugging her tightly.
For a moment, Pari hoped he meant it—that he would back away from the project and the problem would end. But her hope shattered when Meghna’s voice called out.
“You guys are here? Varun, uncle is looking for you. Ishaan has the agreement ready. Let’s go.”
Varun smiled at Meghna’s words and tugged Pari back into the room.
At the center table, Ishaan, Reyansh, Mithun, and Varun’s father were seated. Varun took the seat next to his father. The only seat left was between Ishaan and Varun. Slowly, Pari sat down, unease twisting inside her.
Ishaan signed the agreement first and slid the file toward Varun.
“Varun, you still have time. If you have any doubts or second thoughts, you can step back. Pari, are you okay with this collaboration?” Ishaan asked, his eyes lingering on her.
Before Pari could answer, Varun’s father his son and Varun signed without hesitation. Meghna patted his back with satisfaction. Everyone congratulated both Ishaan and Varun.
Pari forced herself to wish Varun first. Ishaan then extended his hand toward her. For a moment, she hesitated, then gently held his hand. Ishaan’s smile was genuine, warm.
“Appa, I want to go home. I feel tired,” Pari announced, excusing herself.
She left the hall quietly. Ayaan followed her and guided her to his car, opening the passenger seat for her. Ishika and Advika soon joined them.
“Let’s party tonight! Ice cream and a movie,” Advika cheered, and Pari smiled faintly, leaning on Ishika’s shoulder.
Ishaan received a message from Ayaan, glanced at it, and then returned to attend to the guests.
*************************
A/N:
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