The party had already begun. Guests were arriving one by one, greeting and wishing Dadi a warm and joyful birthday. The family was busy welcoming everyone, each member ensuring the celebration felt grand and perfect.
"Where is Aathya?" Dadi asked, glancing around.
Ishita, Ivaan's aunt, stepped forward. "Mom, I sent her to the boutique. She'll come after getting ready—with her friend Shruti."
"Alright," Dadi nodded. "Good."
Just then, the atmosphere shifted. Ivaan entered, radiating power and authority. The confident echo of his shoes on the marble floor announced his presence long before his voice did. His assistant, Daryl, followed closely. All heads turned toward him. Guests began approaching, offering greetings and handshakes, but Ivaan made his way straight to Dadi, bent down, and respectfully touched her feet.
"Happy Birthday once again, Dadi," he said with a rare smile.
He then moved toward his business associates, surrounded by admiration and whispered praises. He looked like a Greek god in a tailored suit—strong, young, and strikingly handsome. It was no surprise every woman in the room had eyes only for him.
Meanwhile, stuck in traffic, Aathya sighed, frustrated. Her phone rang.
"Where are you, Aathya?" It was Dadi.
"Dadi, I'm so sorry. The traffic is terrible. Just five more minutes—I'm almost there."
"Come quickly, beta. We're waiting."
"Yes, Dadi. I'm on my way."
She hung up and turned to Shruti. "We're so late."
Shruti thought for a moment. "Why don't we just book a cab from the other road? Less traffic."
"Good idea," Aathya nodded, and the two crossed the road to call for a cab.
Back at the party, everyone urged Dadi to cut the cake.
"Not until Aathya comes," she insisted.
"Okay, Dadi," Ivaan said calmly. "But until then, I'd like to make an announcement."
The family exchanged puzzled looks.
Ivaan walked to the stage, took the mic, and with a practiced calm said, "Thank you all for joining us on this special day. It means a lot to our family. And now, I'd like to share some personal news... Today, I'm getting engaged to Miss Alina Aguilando."
The entire hall went still.
Media lights flashed.
Family members stood in stunned silence, putting on fake smiles to avoid a scene. daryl brought forward the rings. Ivaan slipped a ring onto Alina's finger.
Just as she reached for his hand to do the same, the door creaked.
Aathya walked in.
Her eyes locked on the stage.
She saw Ivaan.
She saw Alina.
She saw the ring.
Her heart shattered. Her smile disappeared. Her soul trembled.
Dadi rushed to her. "Where were you, beta? We were all waiting."
"I'm sorry, Dadi," Aathya replied with a broken voice.
"Are you okay? You look pale."
"I'm fine, Dadi. I just feel nervous with so many people around."
Dadi caressed her cheek. "I'm sorry, beta. I didn't mean to stress you."
"It's your birthday, Dadi. How can I not be here? Let's go cut the cake."
They did. Aathya fed Dadi a piece, and Dadi returned the gesture. Then, with a forced smile, Aathya asked, "Can I go to my room now? as i not feeling well dadi "
"Of course. Shruti, go with her."
In the room, Aathya finally broke down.
Shruti hugged her tightly. "Stop crying, Aathya. I warned you... He doesn't care."
"I know," Aathya sobbed.
Shruti shook her gently. "Why, Aathya? Why do you love him?"
Aathya clutched her tighter and whispered, "Because when I was five, after my parents died, I was left in an orphanage. Ivaan came there with his family to donate. It was my second day. I was sitting alone when he came up to me and asked, 'What happened, little angel?' That's what he called me—angel. I told him everything in a broken voice. He gave me chocolate and said, 'You can be my friend.' Then he took me to Dadi and said, 'She's like a little angel, Dadi.'
That day, Dadi picked me up. She took me home.
When I was ten, I was bullied in school. My knee was hurt. I never told anyone. But he saw it. He cleaned my wounds. He fed me with his hands. Since that day, I started to love him."
Shruti was quiet.
"You don't understand," Aathya continued. "The girl who had no one... when someone cares for her, even a little, it becomes everything. I didn't want to fall for him. I tried. But the feelings kept growing—, then like, and now... love. And it hurts."
"I know it hurts," Shruti said softly. "But you have to move on."
"I'm trying. But this love—it's always be stay as the love that I never get."
She wiped her tears. "No one will ever know. I'll bury it so deep, not even time will find it."
Later that night, the guests left. The family confronted Ivaan.
"Why didn't you tell us about the engagement?" Dadi asked.
"Because it's happening. Alina and I are getting married. You've met her before."
"We met her, yes. But we never expected this, Ivaan."
Riyan(ivaan dad) stepped in. "Let it go, Mom. It's alreadydone."
"Fine," Dadi said firmly. "But the marriage will happen in Indian tradition."
Ivan nodded. "As you wish, Dadi."
Everyone dispersed.
Later, alone with Ivaan, Alina tried to hug him.
He stepped back. "Not when the family isn't watching. I told you—this marriage is a deal. Don't touch me without my permission."
Alina smirked. "Once you're mine, no one can stop me."
Ivaan left in silence.
And miles away, Aathya cried herself to sleep.
by eethya :)
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