𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟎𝟗| 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

AUTHOR POV:

The day of the grand engagement ceremony had finally arrived, filling the Rajawat Mansion with a warm, golden light. The historic estate, rich with tradition, had been completely transformed. Its wide lawns sparkled with decorations, making it feel like the heavens themselves had touched down for the celebration.

The usually calm atmosphere was now filled with noise, as the staff and servants hurried around, each busy with their own tasks. The maids, dressed in their neat uniforms, moved around quickly and easily. Their hair was tied back in tight buns as they carefully focused on their work. Some were arranging the detailed flower decorations on the floors, while others were dusting the fancy furniture and setting the tables.

At the same time, the sound of hammering and drilling echoed through the halls as the decorators worked hard to set up the grand stage. The air was filled with the sweet smell of flowers roses and marigolds.

"Dhruv beta, I need a favor from you," his mother said, instructing the maid on the decorations.

"Your bhai is at the office, so I need you to go to Chahuan mansion and bring your Bhabhi and her family here. We're hosting the engagement ceremony at our Rajawat mansion, and we want everything to be perfect." Dhruv nodded and set off to fulfill his task.

He headed out to Chahuan mansion to pick up his bhabhi and her family, eager to bring them back to Rajawat mansion for the engagement ceremony.

She was packing her clothes and belongings as they were moving into Rajawat mansion until her wedding. They wanted to make their elder son's wedding unforgettable. so that's why they are shifting. Just as she was closing her suitcase, a call came in.

"Hello," she said, answering the call.

On the other end, a voice said, "Tanvi, speak." "Hello, ki bachchi, jaldi neeche aa. Hum tera intezaar kar rahe hain"

(Hello, what's taking you so long? Come downstairs quickly, we're waiting for you).

She nodded, grabbed her suitcase, and headed downstairs.

As she looked around, she saw them standing next to their suitcases, ready to join to Rajawat Mansion. Her younger sister, Diya, stood with them. Meanwhile, her parents walked toward their own car, leaving them to wait for her brother-in-law, who would be coming to take them to their destination.

About ten minutes later, Dhruv arrived at the Chauhan mansion, looking sharp in a black shirt and white pants. It seemed like all the Rajawat men had inherited a charm and good looks that left everyone who saw them completely captivated.

With a charming smile, he called out to her, "Bhabhi, let's go."

But before she could respond, Ishika intervened, whispering to her that Dhruv had left something behind in my room. And so, they both slipped back into her room to retrieve it, leaving Tanvi and Dhruv alone together.

Dhruv couldn’t take his eyes off Tanvi as he watched her quietly, taking in every detail while she stayed focused on her phone, unaware that he was looking at her.

He smiled softly and whispered to himself, barely loud enough to hear, "I've found my angel, my beauty, my treasure the one who will belong only to Dhruv Singh Rajawat."

Tanvi's eyes flickered up, catching him staring, but she chose to ignore him, her cheeks flushing ever so slightly.

Undeterred, Dhruv lingered towards her, his smile widening into a charming grin.

"Hi, Miss Adaa," he said, his voice low and smooth. "My name is Dhurv Singh Rajawat."

Tanvi's response was swift and sassy, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she winked at him. "I didn't ask for your name, Mr. Chuchundar," she retorted, her voice dripping with amusement.

Just then, Ishika and Saanvi appeared, curiosity etched on their faces.

"What's going on?" Saanvi asked, her eyes darting between Tanvi and Dhruv. "Why are you laughing, Tanvi?"

Tanvi merely shook her head, a sly smile still playing on her lips. Without another word, the group slid into the car, bound for Rajawat Mansion.

After some time they arrived at the Rajawat mansion, they all stepped out of their car, and the maids swiftly attended to their luggage, carrying the suitcases inside.

Mr. and Mrs. Rajawat came down the stairs with their family, their warm smiles showing the love and respect that filled their home. As Saanvi instinctively started to bend down to touch their feet, they gently stopped her, their eyes full of affection.

"In our family, daughters are cherished with love, not bound by tradition," they said, their voices filled with warmth.

"We welcome them with open arms, not bowed heads." With that, they wrapped Saanvi in a tender hug.

The meet up was soon joined by Mr. and Mrs. Chahuan, and the two families spent a few moments catching up.

Later, Mrs. Rajawat turned to her younger daughter and said, "Kia beta, please take your bhabhi and her friends to their room."

With a nod, the she led the way, escorting Saanvi and her friends to their rooms.

As they settled into the luxurious room, Tanvi's uneasy feelings quickly surfaced. She couldn't get rid of the sense of boredom that had been slowly building inside her.

"I'm going to explore the mansion," she said to her friends . "I'm getting bored just sitting here."

Her friends nodded in understanding, and with a mischievous grin, Tanvi slipped out of the room, eager to explore the Rajawat mansion.

She wandered through the maze of hallways, her footsteps echoing on the marble floors. She was amazed by the intricate designs on the ceilings and the lavish chandeliers that cast colorful light across the rooms.

But her daydreaming was interrupted when she turned a corner and bumped into a tall, imposing figure.Tanvi looked up and found herself staring into the intense eyes of Dhruv Singh Rajawat, the Chuchundar. For a brief moment, their eyes met.

With a sharp glare, Tanvi quickly pulled away from the awkward situation, leaving Dhruv standing by himself with a slight smile on his lips. Unfazed, Tanvi continued her tour of the mansion.

As Tanvi continued exploring the mansion, she began to feel like someone was behind her. The soft creaking of the floorboards and the faint rustle of fabric suggested she was being followed. Her instincts kicked in, and her heart raced as she turned to face the person trailing her. She narrowed her eyes, locking gazes with the tall, imposing figure of Dhruv Singh Rajawat. A sly smile curled on his lips, and Tanvi’s anger flared. She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow in response.

"Why are you following me, Mr. Rajawat?" she demanded, her voice firm but laced with a hint of irritation.

Dhruv's smile widened, "It's my mansion for your kind information, Miss Adaa," he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I'm not following you I'm merely ensuring that you don't get lost."

Tanvi's eyes flashed with anger, her instincts screaming that he was lying to her. Her patience snapping, she blurted out, "Fuck you, Mr Rajawat".

Before she could turn away, Dhruv's hands shot out, pinning her to the wall.

His face inches from hers, his voice low and husky, he teased, "If you want to, then how can I say no to you, Angry Bird...uff, Miss Adaa?"

Tanvi's breath caught in her throat, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She was a blushing mess, her heart racing with a mix of anger and something else . she couldn't quite define. With a powerful effort, she pushed against his chest, breaking free from his grasp.

She turned and ran, her feet pounding against the marble floor as she fled from the scene. Dhruv stood there, a sly smile spreading across his face as he stroked his hair, his eyes glinting with a knowing spark.

🌷

Saanvi pov:

I sat in front of the dressing table, staring blankly into the mirror as my mind began to wander. The soft light from the table lamps lit up my face, highlighting the gentle curves of my features. But my thoughts were distant, lost in the maze of my own reflections.

My thoughts drifted back to that hectic shopping day. It felt like just yesterday we were rushing around, trying to find the perfect outfits for the upcoming wedding. The excitement was transferable and the anticipation grew with every moment. Then, in the middle of all the chaos, we received the news that would change everything we were moving to the Rajawat mansion.

The reason was simple yet grand - the elder son's wedding. The family wanted to make it a memorable occasion, one that would be etched in the memories of their loved ones for years to come.

And what better way to do that than to host it in their beautiful mansion?

As I waited for my beautician to arrive, my thoughts wandered to the past memories of when I was completely broken.

Then, the door to my room swung open, and a rush of colorful fabrics and laughter filled the air. My best friends, Ishika and Tanvi, along with her younger sister Kiara and my own sister, Diya, walked in, their faces glowing with excitement.

Their beautiful ethnic dresses , each one showcasing their unique sense of style. Ishika's emerald green lehenga while Tanvi's ruby red saree , Kiara's bright yellow salwar kameez and Diya's sky blue anarkali suit.

They gathered around me, their eyes examining my face, which was still not made up. Tanvi’s voice broke through the conversation.

"Why aren't you ready yet? In just one hour, your engagement ceremony will begin" Her words were tinged with a hint of concern.

I felt a flutter in my chest as I confessed, "I'm feeling really nervous, guys. I don't know why. And to make matters worse, my beautician hasn't arrived yet, so I'm just sitting here, feeling helpless."

Ishika's eyes sparkled with mischief as she chimed in, her voice dripping with teasing amusement.

"Kiara tell your bhabhi sa that Raj bhai will vanish her nervousness after seeing her." She winked at me, and I felt my cheeks flush a deep, dark red.

Kiara, not one to be left out, added her own two cents, her voice bubbling with laughter. "Yes, bhabhi sa, don't worry! Bhaiya sa has many tricks up his sleeve to make you feel better." Her wink at me only added to my embarrassment, and I felt like I was going to melt into the floor.

As my friends continued to tease me, their jokes and laughter filling the room,

Just as my friends' teasing reached its peak, a soft knock on the door the arrival of my beautician, Ishani. With a warm smile, she got to work, creating a natural, effortless look that enhanced my features without overwhelming them.

As she worked her magic, I watched in the mirror, amazed by the transformation unfolding before my eyes. The light makeup made my eyes stand out, giving them a bright, sparkling look that seemed to shine in the light. The open braids added an elegant touch, framing my face with delicate, intricate patterns.

But the best part was still to come. With a careful touch, Ishani highlighted my collarbone with a subtle shimmer, drawing attention to the graceful curve of my neck. The result was nothing short of stunning.

Finally, I slipped into the lehenga he had picked out for me, the soft fabric rustling as I moved. As I gazed at my reflection, I couldn't believe my eyes. The person staring back at me was almost unrecognizable  a vision of beauty, with a radiant glow that seemed to shine from within.

My four friends, Ishika, Tanvi, Kiara, and Diya, burst into a chorus of admiring gasps, their eyes wide with wonder. "Omggg, you look stunning!" Ishika exclaimed, her voice full of awe.

"Raj bhai is going to be whipped!" Tanvi added.

As their compliments washed over me, my cheeks flushed a deep, becoming red, and I couldn't help but smile. We spent the next few minutes taking photos, capturing the memories of this special moment.

As I descended the staircase, the grandeur of the mansion unfolded before me. The crowd was a mix of unfamiliar faces, a blend of colors and textures that took my breath away. My nerves started to fray, as I scanned the room. Then, my eyes landed on him. His chiseled features were highlighted by the sleek black suit, which seemed to be his signature look. I couldn't help but wonder why he always wore black, but one thing was certain he looked incredibly handsome.

A soft sigh escaped my lips, a barely audible whisper that only I could hear.

"Hehh..." I murmured to myself, my cheeks flushing with a warmth that seemed to spread throughout my entire being.

Just then, our eyes met, and everything around me seemed to fade. Time seemed to stop as we locked gazes, and I could feel an electric intensity between us. My face grew warm, and my heart raced with a mix of emotions. Suddenly, I couldn’t keep looking at him any longer. I turned away, my eyes dropping to the floor as I stepped off the staircase.

As I stood there, Mrs. Rajawat approached me, her eyes shining with warmth and affection.

She gazed at me with a tender smile, her voice dripping with maternal love.

"My future daughter-in-law, may no evil eye fall upon you. You look absolutely stunning," she said and then I smiled back at her.

As the engagement ceremony started, I sat down on the plush sofa, surrounded by beautiful decorations and the soft buzz of people talking. He soon joined me, his tall figure sitting beside me comfortably.

He leaned in close, his breath whispering against my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

"Behatah khoobusrat lag rahi hai, sweetheart," he whispered, his voice low and seductive, making my cheeks flush.

Just then, our friends gathered around us, eager to capture the moment forever.

But amidst the chaos, Tanvi's voice rang out, her words leaving me aghast. "Jiju, maal lag rahe ho ekdam " .

She said it in a bold, flirty tone, leaving everyone shocked. I shot her a sharp glare, clearly annoyed, and she immediately shut her mouth, her face turning red with embarrassment.

Meanwhile, he thanked her, his smile charming and gracious. And then our mothers approached us, their faces radiant.

His eyes met mine as he gently slid the ring onto my finger. Then, he softly kissed my hand, sending a wave of shivers down my spine. Everyone around us cheered and clapped. I returned the gesture, taking his hand and sliding the ring onto his finger.

We sat there, our hands intertwined, and our elders came forward with warm smiles, placing their hands on our heads and giving us their blessings. Cameras flashed, capturing every special moment as we soaked in the love from our family and friends.

Soon, the DJ’s music filled the air, and my friends rushed to the dance floor, laughing and calling us to join them. Ishika, eyes full of excitement, grabbed our hands and pulled us up. As we stepped onto the dance floor, surrounded by vibrant colors and music, it felt like nothing else mattered.

We moved together in perfect rhythm, our bodies in sync, our connection stronger than ever. The music echoed through me, making me feel alive, carefree, and overjoyed. He didn’t look away from me for a second his eyes were intense, and his smile made my heart race.

Everyone else faded into the background. Under the twinkling lights, it felt like it was just the two of us. As the music reached its peak, we spun around, laughing together.

As the night went on, the music slowed and the lights dimmed to a soft golden glow. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. I could feel his heartbeat matching mine.

He leaned close, his lips near my ear, his breath warm as he whispered, "Kitne time tak aap humse nazare churayengi, jaan?"

I looked up at him and met his gaze. "Hum nazare nahi chura rahe hain aapse," I replied softly.

As the final notes of the song faded, he slowly let go of me. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he whispered something that made me blush. Then, just like that, he vanished into the crowd with a smile and a nod, leaving me smiling and breathless.