Chapter 13

𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒐 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔🎀

𝑰 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍..💓

𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔✨❤️ 🥀

𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚𝒚𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 ✨

✦·┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈·✦

"Yaar dekh, tujhse kya chhupana?" Ved said, pulling out his phone "I like someone" He glanced at Vardaan again "Par use batana nahi chahta... idk kyun, bas nahi batana chahta"

"Acha... WHAAATTTT?!" Vardaan nearly spat his tea and quickly placed the cup on the table "Tujhe koi ladki pasand aa gayi hai?" he asked, then burst into loud laughter, clutching his stomach "Saale, tu kisi aur ko bana ullu mujhe nahi because I am Vardaan Singhania" He took another sip of tea and smirked"Aur tu mujhe ullu nahi bana sakta. Chal bhag!"

Ved didn’t say anything. He quietly unlocked his phone, scrolled through his gallery, and then held it out to Vardaan.

"Ye hai woh"

Vardaan took the phone and stared at the picture of Naina for a moment. His smirk slowly faded into a look of surprised admiration.

"Main isliye nahi maan raha hoon kyunki jisne college ki kisi bhi ladki ko bhav to dur, 'bhav' ka B bhi nahi diya, use pyaar ho gaya hai..." He raised an eyebrow, still looking at the picture "Interesting… interesting... Ya to main koi sapna dekh raha hoon shayad"

Ved immediately pinched his arm hard.

"Le saale bahar aa ja sapne se" he said, annoyed.

"Ahhh! Kitna tez chiti kata re!" Vardaan yelped "Hatt yaar! Par ek sec— tujhe sach mein koi pasand aa gayi hai?" He suddenly sprang up from his chair, grabbed Ved’s phone again, and beamed.

"Yaar, bhabhi to sundar hai!" he said with excitement "Saale, tu jaldi shaadi kar main nachunga ‘Bhabhi meri hoor wargi’ is gaane pe!"

"Shhh! Chup! Ekdam chup!" Ved hissed, glancing nervously around "Sabko pata chalwana hai kya?"

Vardaan grinned wickedly "Of course, bhai! sabko pata chalne de! Kyunki—" He picked up the newspaper, rolled it into a makeshift mic, and held it up dramatically.

"Kyunki the great Ved Mehta ko koi pasand aa gayi hai!" he announced a little too loudly.

"Saale chup kar tu!" Ved snatched the phone back and gave him a glare, though a faint smile crept onto his face.

________________________

“ARRYAAASHHHH!” Ranjan’s voice thundered through the hall as he raised his hand, ready to slap Aryansh.

But before his hand could land, Isharth stepped in—swift and instinctive. He yanked Aryansh back and took his place, just in time to receive the full force of the slap himself.

The sharp sound echoed in the silence that followed.

Ranjan’s eyes widened the moment his hand met Isharth’s cheek “I-Is… Isharth?” he whispered, disbelief flooding his face. The realization struck harder than the slap itself.

Almost instantly, his expression softened. He reached out, cupped Isharth’s cheek—the same one he had just struck—and pulled him into a hug.

For a moment, time stood still for Isharth, because it was unexpected for everyone who was present there.

He forgot the sting of the slap. He forgot the people around him. All he felt was his father’s arms around him—something he hadn’t felt in years. He couldn’t even remember the last time Ranjan had held him like this.

Ranjan pulled back slightly and looked at Isharth’s face. His own eyes shimmered with unshed tears. He blinked quickly, wiping them away before they could fall.

But Isharth had seen them.

“Ish…Ishu… I-I’m sorry baccha” Ranjan said in a broken voice, barely above a whisper. And before Isharth could respond, Ranjan turned away and silently walked toward his room, his shoulders heavy with regret.

As Ranjan stormed away, Prema rushed to Aryansh and grabbed his arm tightly.

"Ye kya badtameezi thi, Aryansh?" she snapped, her voice sharp with anger. Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and followed Ranjan, not even sparing a glance at Isharth.

Moments later, Janaki came over, her eyes brimming with tears. She gently embraced Isharth, her voice trembling.

"Kitni berehmi se maara hai..." she whispered, overcome with emotion.

Isharth didn't respond, only wiped her tears with a faint smile.

"Main theek hoon, Dadi," he assured softly.

Janaki turned to Aryansh, who stood nearby with his gaze fixed on the ground, guilt written all over his face. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Kyun karta hai aisa, tu? Ranjan ka gussa tujhe achhi tarah pata hai na... phir bhi?"

Aryansh finally looked up at her, pain and defiance clashing in his eyes "Sorry Dadi... par woh….meri maa," he said through gritted teeth "Woh chahti hai main bhai se door rahun... aur main aisa kabhi nahi kar sakta."

"Aryansh," Isharth said gently, stepping closer and placing a hand on his arm.

"Jaake maa-papa se maafi maang le."

Aryansh stared at him, shocked. "Par bhai—"

"Aryansh, main keh raha hoon na. Ja, sorry bol de," Isharth repeated firmly yet calmly.

Hearing his brother’s words, Aryansh nodded and walked away to make amends. Janaki turned back to Isharth, cupping his cheek, now red and sore from the earlier slap.

"Main theek—" he began, but Janaki cut him off gently.

"Mujhe pata hai, tu kitna theek hai," she said, her voice laced with emotion. She guided him to a bench in the garden and made him sit.

Without a word, Isharth rested his head in her lap. Tears welled up in his eyes, spilling freely. He didn’t try to stop them. For the first time in years, his father had touched him—hugged him—and that simple act broke down every wall he had built inside.

He cried, not from pain… but from the joy of finally being seen.

“D-Dadi… p-papa ne mujhe gale se lagaya… aapne dekha na?” his voice trembled, eyes still wet. “Kaise... kaise unhone mujhe apna beta mana...” A shaky smile tugged at his lips as he wiped his tears with the back of his hand “Main kehta tha na aapse… ki papa mujhse pyaar karte hain…” he laughed softly, the kind that hides years of longing behind it.

He stepped closer to Janaki and cupped her face gently, his fingers trembling.

“Aapne dekha na dadi… bilkul aise hi unhone mera chehra pakda…” His eyes sparkled with a childlike wonder, as if reliving the moment.

Then, slowly, his gaze drifted upward—towards the sky.

“Mu-mumma… aapne bhi dekha na? Papa ki aankhon mein aansu the… mere liye...” His voice cracked under the weight of emotions. He turned and buried his face into Janaki’s arms, clutching her tightly.

“Dadi… mere papa… mujhse pyaar karte hain…” he whispered again, but this time, the dam broke.

He sobbed freely, his shoulders trembling. Janaki said nothing—her silence, a soft embrace, her fingers gently ruffling his hair. She let him cry. He needed this. After all the years of silence, this was the moment he had waited for.

_____________________

Shobha sat cross-legged on the bed, surrounded by a small pile of sarees and gowns, thoughtfully deciding what to wear for tonight’s party. Her fingers brushed against a navy blue saree when she suddenly felt a pair of familiar arms wrap around her waist from behind.

“A-are aap? Ye–ye kya kar rahe ho? H-hatiye, Mr. Mehta!” she stammered, trying half-heartedly to loosen Ashish’s firm grip.

He chuckled, completely unaffected. In one swift motion, he turned her around to face him.

“Hatein kyun? Bataiye?” he asked, his voice low, his eyes locked with hers.

Shobha looked down instantly, a shy smile tugging at her lips.

“Arey… bacche aa jaayenge…” she whispered, trying to sound stern but failing adorably.

Ashish leaned in closer, mischief dancing in his eyes.

“Aane dijiye… unhe bhi thodi classes de dunga… future ke liye.” His smirk was wicked, teasing.

“Hawww!” Shobha gasped, eyes wide. “Roj roj pata nahi kaun kaunsi filmein dekhte ho… ekdum ashleel hote ja rahe ho, Mr. Mehta.” She turned her face away, cheeks flushed crimson.

Ashish couldn’t stop smiling.

“Aur aapne notice kiya?” he teased. She looked at him, confused.

“Humari saari ashleeliyat… sirf aapke saamne nikalti hai.” His voice was soft, laced with affection.

He tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear and murmured, “Itni sundar kyun ho aap?”

Shobha bit her lip, refusing to meet his eyes. “Aap bhi na…” she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

Just as their quiet, romantic moment deepened, Ved walked into the room without knocking, focused on something in his hands.

He froze mid-step.

His eyes widened as he saw his parents lost in each other’s arms, completely unaware of his presence.

He was about to quietly slip out when he paused—his brows knit together, sensing something unusual… something different in the air… between them. Ved blinked as he stared at his parents, still wrapped in each other’s arms, lost in their own world. He awkwardly turned to leave… but something made him pause.

A soft smirk crept onto his face and his mind wandered.

He imagined himself in Ashish’s place and Naina at Shobha’s place, her hair flowing loose, her eyes shyly looking down just like his mom’s had. His arms were wrapped around her waist, and she was playfully trying to escape.

"Ved! Kya kar rahe ho? Chodo mujhe!" Naina’s voice was half-scolding, half-laughing in his mind.

"Arrey kyun chhod doon?" Ved asked in his fantasy, eyes twinkling. "Mujhe toh pakka lagta hai tum yahin rehne ke liye bani ho—meri baahon mein."

Naina blushed, pushing at his chest.

"Tum roz roz itne cheesy kyun ho jaate ho, haan?"

Ved leaned closer, pretending to think.

"Kya karein… tumhari muskaan meri creativity badha deti hai."

"Oh please!" Naina rolled her eyes, laughing. "Tumhe toh Oscar milna chahiye flirting mein."

Ved smirked.

"Oscar? Nah. Main toh bas tumhara ek smile hi jeet lun, wahi kaafi hai."

"Tumhare dialogues itne filmy kyun hote hain?" she asked, unable to hide her grin.

"Kyunki tum meri heroine ho na, Naina." He winked. "Aur film tabhi hit hoti hai jab dono leads mein chemistry ho…"

He slowly pulled her closer.

"Aur apni chemistry toh… pata hai na… next level hai."

Ved was completely lost in his dreamy bubble—his arms around Naina, her laughter ringing in his ears, the warmth of her gaze making his heart do tiny somersaults. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he imagined her blushing under his flirtatious lines.

But that bubble popped—abruptly.

Shobha, still wrapped in Ashish’s arms, had turned her head slightly… and that’s when she noticed him. Ved, standing there, grinning like a love-struck teenager, completely zoned out.

Her eyes widened.

Without warning, she gently but quickly pushed Ashish away and called out, “Ha-ha Ved! Bolo beta—”

But as her eyes settled on her son’s faraway expression, her voice trailed off.

Something was off.

Ashish followed her gaze, furrowed his brows, and then the two exchanged a silent glance. He stepped forward slightly and called, this time louder—

“VED!”

Ved blinked rapidly, snapping out of his reverie.

“H-ha? Maa? Aapne bulaya?” he stammered, his voice slightly high-pitched in panic. His eyes darted nervously between his parents, trying to pretend like he hadn’t just been starring in a full-blown romantic fantasy.

Shobha narrowed her eyes, lips twitching, clearly holding back a smirk.

Ashish crossed his arms and asked,

“Tum aaye kyun the yahan?”

Ved’s gaze fell on the file in his hand like a lifeline.

“Oh! Haan… haan Papa, yeh file aapko deni thi.” He stepped forward quickly and handed it over.

“Ek baar dekh lijiye please… woh Mr. Taneja ke contract ka final draft hai.”

Trying his best to regain composure, he straightened his kurta, cleared his throat, and added,

“Main chalta hoon ab. Aap log bhi ready ho jaaiye… hume Mr. Taneja ke ghar bhi jaana hai, yaad hai na?”

Without waiting for another teasing comment, he turned around and made a quick exit—his ears still burning, knowing very well he had been caught red-handed in a moment that wasn’t meant to be shared.

Behind him, Shobha looked at Ashish with a raised eyebrow and a knowing smile.

Ashish chuckled softly, flipping open the file.

“Mr. Mehta aap maniye ya na maniye par lagta hai humare Ved babu ko bhi pyaar ho gaya hai.”

___________________

The grand ballroom of The Royal Sapphire Hotel was shimmering in gold and ivory. Crystal chandeliers hung like floating stars, while live classical music played softly in the background. The crowd was elite—business magnates, political faces, media tycoons—all gathered to celebrate the birthday of Aryansh Taneja.

Staff in crisp black-and-white uniforms moved gracefully between guests, offering champagne and hors d'oeuvres. Camera flashes sparked at intervals as media captured the arrivals.

A sleek black BMW glided up to the entrance. The doors opened, and out stepped the Mehta family—an embodiment of grace, power, and understated sophistication.

Ashish Mehta, in a tailored charcoal suit with a deep burgundy pocket square, carried his usual calm authority. Beside him, Shobha Mehta walked elegantly in a rich maroon silk saree with intricate golden embroidery, her hair neatly pinned, her demeanor serene.

Kaushiki, poised in an elegant emerald green gown, followed behind with a subtle smile, while Ved, in a well-fitted navy blue three piece, looked every bit his father’s son—confident, composed, and observant.

As they entered the ballroom, heads turned.

Standing near the grand staircase was Ranjan Taneja. He noticed the Mehtas instantly and moved forward with measured steps.

“Ashish ji,” he said, extending his hand, “so glad you could make it. The evening just got more dignified.”

Ashish shook his hand firmly. “Ranjan ji, the pleasure is ours. We wouldn’t have missed Aryansh’s birthday for anything.”

Shobha greeted him politely, “It’s a beautiful setup. Very tasteful.”

Ranjan smiled. “Thank you, Shobhaji. That means a lot coming from someone with your sense of aesthetics.”

He then turned to Kaushiki and Ved.

“Welcome beta” he welcomed Kaushiki “And Ved” his eyes gleamed slightly “Hearing a lot of promising things about your recent expansion project and you’ve inherited your father’s vision.”

Ved nodded respectfully “Thank you, Mr. Taneja. Just trying to walk the path my father has paved”

Ashish placed a hand on Ved’s shoulder, subtly proud but composed.

“We’re still learning,” he said, with his usual humility laced with confidence “But with allies like you, the journey becomes smoother.”

Ranjan laughed lightly “Allies, yes. And perhaps soon—collaborators” His tone hinted at future business talks, but in a setting like this, it was left open-ended.

“Let’s not bore the young ones with business tonight” Shobha smiled politely “It’s a celebration, after all”

Ranjan gestured toward the gathering. “Absolutely. Please, enjoy yourselves”

As the Mehta family moved deeper into the hall, their presence commanded respect—not by loud statements, but by dignified silence, warm smiles, and quiet power.

✦·┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈·✦

𝑺𝒐 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓??

𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 13?

𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 ✨❤️

𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒔.

𝑩𝒚𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆!!

𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 💖

𝑳𝒐𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 💕

~𝑵𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒙𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒔_