Malhotra Mansion – Engagement Evening
The courtyard of the Malhotra mansion had transformed into a dreamscape.
Fairy lights draped the neem trees, a soft golden glow lit up the jharokha's, and fresh mogra garlands perfumed the air. Musicians played soft instrumental Bollywood tunes in a corner while waiters in crisp white served mocktails and starters on silver trays.
Tonight was the engagement.
And all eyes were on Yukti Malhotra, descending the staircase.
She wore a golden lehenga, its intricate embroidery catching every shard of light. Her blouse shimmered subtly, and a delicate dupatta draped over one shoulder framed her like royalty. Her hair was styled in soft waves, and her makeup was minimal — just kohl, a nude lip, and a bindi that made her look timeless.
Whispers followed her descent.
"Bas nazar na lage..." Lakshmi whispered emotionally, nudging Raghav.
Across the hall, Yuvraj Rajvansh turned at the hush... and stilled.
He wore a pure white bandhgala, its collar embroidered with barely-there silver thread. His hair was neatly done, watch strapped in place, and as always — he looked like a man impossible to ignore.
But tonight, he wasn't just looking sharp. He was looking at her.
And for the first time since their arranged chaos began — he smiled first.
The Ring Exchange
The pandit cleared his throat. “Ab dono var-vadhu ek dusre ko anguthi pehnayein.”
Yukti stepped forward with carefully controlled nerves. Her fingers were steady, but her heart was another story.
Yuvraj held out his hand. Their eyes met. The world hushed.
She slid the ring on.
He followed, his fingers brushing hers longer than necessary.
Everyone clapped — except Yukti, who blinked, registering the strange calm that had settled inside her.
No anxiety. No hesitation.
Just... a quiet thump of her heart and the realization — this might not be so bad after all.
Chaos Returns via Yugant*******
“Excuse me! Ahem! Speech time!”
Yugant took the mic from the DJ, standing in front of the crowd with his trademark drama.
“To my bhai, Yuvraj — who’s always serious, always brooding, and somehow found a girl who can actually shut him up with one look!”
Laughter.
“And to bhabhi Yukti — jinki entry ne not only hamare ghar mein, par Pragna Hospitals ke gossip charts mein bhi aag laga di!”
The guests chuckled.
“But bhai,” Yugant grinned wickedly, “yeh toh bas engagement hai. Shaadi ke baad toh headline banegi — ‘Scalpel Se Shaadi Tak: Pragna’s Power Couple!’”
Yuvraj muttered, “I’m going to kill him.”
Yukti whispered back, “After the shaadi. I’ll help.”
Enter: The Uninvited Guest******
Just as the DJ switched to a soft romantic track, a hush fell again — this time, colder.
A woman had stepped in, unannounced.
She wore a navy-blue gown, sleek and elegant, with diamond studs and a confidence that didn’t match the guest list.
Yukti noticed her first. So did Manjri.
But Yuvraj... froze.
“…Kritika,” he said, almost under his breath.
Lakshmi frowned. “Who?”
The woman smiled. “I hope I’m not too late. I heard Yuvraj was getting engaged. Thought I’d congratulate the happy couple.”
Yukti’s smile faltered slightly. Her hand instinctively reached for her ring.
Yuvraj cleared his throat, posture stiff. “You shouldn’t have come.”
“Oh, but I had to,” Kritika said softly. “Some moments can’t be watched from a distance.”
Manjri stepped forward like a lioness. “Kritika, this is a family function.”
“I won’t take much time,” she said, eyes still fixed on Yuvraj. “I just needed to see... what I lost.”
Yukti’s lips parted, but no words came out.
Kritika turned toward her with a smile far too sweet. “You’re lucky, Dr. Yukti. He’s a complicated man.”
And just like that — she left.
Leaving behind perfume, questions... and tension thick enough to cut with a scalpel.
Later – Balcony, Away from the Crowd***************
Yukti stood alone, the breeze teasing her dupatta, mind replaying that moment again and again.
“Complicated,” she muttered. “Figures.”
“Yukti.”She turned. Yuvraj.
He stood by the balcony door, his white outfit now a little wrinkled, his face… sincere.
“I didn’t invite her,” he said simply.
“I figured.”
“She was… someone I knew. From before.”
“Did you love her?”
He hesitated. Then: “I thought I did. Until she made me question everything about myself. We ended badly.”
Yukti nodded, still quiet.
“I don’t have anything left with her. Whatever this is — between us — I want it to be real. Clean.”
She looked at him. The breeze paused, just for a second.
And then she said, softly, “You could’ve said nothing. But you chose truth. That matters.”
His breath eased. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not walking away.”
She smiled faintly. “It’s just the engagement. I might still run on the wedding day.”
Yuvraj stepped closer. “I’ll catch you.”
Their eyes locked again — not as strangers, not as enemies, but something undefined... growing.
To be continued....
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