Background music cue for readers: Play "Ve Haaniyaan" softly while reading the dance scene. Trust me, it'll hit different.]

The engagement venue had turned into a dreamy whirlwind of fairy lights, low laughter, and soft music floating through the evening air. Ira stood near the refreshment counter, sipping mocktail from a wine glass, her eyes scanning the crowd as if trying to settle her heart. But someone else was trying to settle his, too.

Reyansh couldn't take his eyes off her.

She wasn’t just beautiful tonight—she was something else. Something deeper. Something magnetic. It wasn’t the soft purple fabric clinging to her delicately or the light around her making her look like art. It was the storm behind her eyes, the mystery in her smile, the way she guarded herself even when laughing.

He was drawn in.

Meanwhile, Varun hovered close to her, cracking jokes, whispering something in her ear that made her roll her eyes and laugh.

Reyansh’s jaw clenched.

The music shifted. A soft Bollywood track picked up.

[Song cue: "Ranjha" — a perfect emotional undercurrent for what comes next.]

People began dancing in pairs. Ira was pulled into the circle with Varun. Riyansh stood frozen at the edge, his eyes burning holes into the scene. And then, midway, the music paused briefly.

"Change your partners!" someone called.

She turned—and found herself facing Riyansh.

Their hands met, he adjusted his other hand on her waist. His grip was firm. Possessive.

Her breath hitched.

Before she could process the tension swirling between them, he pulled her slightly away from the crowd. A turn. A spin. And in one move, she was against the wall. The music, the crowd, the chaos blurred into nothing.

His body was close. Too close.

His eyes were wild. And angry.

"Kya chal raha hai varun aur aapke beech? Aapko Varun pasand hai?"

Ira blinked, stunned. "What the hell are you doing? Yeh kya badtameezi hai? Who even are you to ask me this?"

He didn't move.

She scoffed, her voice rising. "If I do like Varun, why does it matter to you, Mr. Khanna? I'm just your business partner, right? So, don't even try to get into my personal life.”

He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Just the rapid sound of his breathing.

And then—

She tilted her head back to glare up at him.

He hadn't realized how tiny she was until that moment. Barely reaching his chest, even after wearing heels ,her neck craned to meet his furious eyes.

He bent slightly, instinctively—

That proximity did something to both of them.

The heat.

The closeness.

The sound of a call broke it all.

Jams' voice echoed from behind, calling Reyansh's name. Snapping him out of the trance.

He blinked, stepping back suddenly as if he just realized what he'd done.

Ira, stunned, composed herself and walked away without a word.

But her mind screamed.

What the hell just happened?

Am I imagining this?

Was he really jealous?

Mr. Khanna is NOTHING to me...

Forget it, Ira.

The engagement resumed.

The ring ceremony began. Ishan and Mansi stood on the center stage, glowing.

Cheers, claps, music.

Everyone gathered. The families exchanged blessings, and the elders blessed the couple.

Varun's family stood beside Ira.

"Ira, you look divine today. Just perfect for our family," his mother said, placing a hand lovingly on her shoulder.

She smiled politely.

And then...

His father took the mic. "We have an announcement! A little surprise. Ira has become a part of our hearts, and we can all see how beautifully she fits into our family. So, with everyone's blessing..."

A pause.

"...we'd like to announce the upcoming marriage of our son Varun with Ira."

The crowd clapped.

Ira froze.

Her eyes darted to her mother, who simply nodded, trying to silently calm her.

This wasn’t discussed. Why is this happening now?

And far behind the crowd—

Reyansh stood still. His fists clenched. His jaw locked.

Why does this feel like someone just stabbed me in the gut?

Why do I care this much?

But like always, he said nothing.