Sanya POV...
The bright studio lights flickered for a moment before the camera flashed one last time. A soft round of applause erupted from the team, signaling the end of the shoot.
"Perfect! That's a wrap," the cameraman announced, checking the final shots on his camera screen.
I stretched my arms, feeling the slight stiffness in my back from holding different poses for hours. My assistant, Naina, rushed to me with a silk robe, draping it over my shoulders. "Here, Sanya. You must be tired."
I smiled at her. "A little. But the shoot went well, right?"
Naina nodded eagerly. "You looked stunning! This collection is going to sell out in no time."
I chuckled at her enthusiasm and walked towards the main monitor where the creative director, Mr. Kapoor, and the brand's PR head were discussing the final pictures.
"Come, come, Sanya," Mr. Kapoor gestured for me to take a look. "You should see how amazing you look."
I stepped closer, my eyes scanning the images on the large screen. I was dressed in a luxurious white satin night suit, the fabric falling effortlessly over my figure. A pastel ribbon tied my hair into a loose half ponytail. One of the shots showed me sitting on a sleek wooden table, scrolling through my phone with one hand while the other delicately held a steaming cup of coffee. Another had me leaning against a plush sofa, barefoot, laughing naturally.
"What do you think?" the PR head, Priya, asked, tilting her head.
I smiled. "They're beautiful. The theme feels so effortless and real."
"Exactly what we wanted!" Mr. Kapoor clapped his hands together. "Luxe, elegant, but relatable."
As we wrapped up, my manager, Aarav, stepped into the studio, clearing his throat. I turned to find him standing near the entrance, arms crossed, waiting patiently.
"Sanya," he started, "you have a meeting with Luxe Comfort's PR team in an hour."
I nodded, wiping my hands with a tissue Naina handed me.
"And," Aarav added hesitantly, "your dad called earlier. He wanted to talk to you."
I frowned slightly, reaching for my phone. "Dad called?"
"Yes, but your phone was on silent because of the shoot," Naina reminded me, giving me an apologetic smile.
I waved it off. "It's fine."
Moving to a quieter corner of the studio, I quickly redialed my father's number. He picked up instantly.
"Hello, beta," Dad's warm voice came through.
A smile immediately tugged at my lips. "Hello, Dad."
"Where are you?" he asked.
"I'm at the brand photoshoot," I said, glancing around the busy studio as the team packed up.
"You remember today's plan, right?"
I frowned slightly, trying to recall. "Plan?"
"Dinner at the Rathores' house," Dad reminded me.
Oh. That dinner.
It finally clicked.
I pressed my fingers against my temple. "Oh! Yes, yes, I remember."
"Hm," Dad hummed. His tone was light, but I could sense the underlying warning in it.
I exhaled softly. "Don't worry, Dad. I'll be on time."
"Good," he said. "And Sanya, this dinner is important. Be respectful."
"I know," I assured him. "I'll see you in the evening."
The call ended, and I leaned against the makeup counter for a second, sighing.
Aarav, who had been standing nearby, raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"
I shook my head. "No, just a dinner I completely forgot about."
He smirked. "Wow, must be important if Mr. Raichand himself is calling."
"It is," I admitted. "It's the annual celebration of the day both political parties came together." I sighed, grabbing my clothes to get changed. "We do this every year."
Naina perked up behind me. "Will Ayaan be there too?"
I turned slightly, raising an eyebrow at her. She gave me an exasperated look. "Of course, it's his house," she said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
I pulled off the ribbon from my hair, running my fingers through the loose waves to smooth them out.
"My god, he is so handsome. You are so lucky," Naina gushed, clasping her hands together dramatically.
Typical Ayaan fans.
I rolled my eyes, shaking my head.
Aarav chuckled, shaking his head. "You do realize half the country is obsessed with Ayaan. right?"
Naina clasped her hands together dramatically. "Not just obsessed! That man walks, and headlines are made. I mean, Sanya, have you seen him in those crisp suits? The way he carries himself-powerful, mysterious, dangerously handsome-"
I groaned, pulling off my earrings. "Oh, please."
She ignored me completely. "And his voice! Deep, commanding, yet smooth.
I threw a makeup sponge at her. "Get a grip, Naina!"
She dodged it, laughing. "What? Just saying, Sanya. If I were you, I'd be thanking the universe."
Aarav smirked, arms crossed. "Yeah, yeah. So, Ms. Raichand, what's your take on Mr. Dangerous and Handsome?"
I grabbed my outfit and turned towards the dressing room. "He is just the guy I grew up with."
"Right," Aarav dragged the word.
I ignored them, closing the door behind me.
As I changed into a casual outfit-a fitted beige top with high-waisted jeans-I caught my reflection in the mirror.
Ayaan Rathore.
The boy who used to steal my chocolates in childhood. The teenager who once dared me to jump into a pool in my designer dress. The man who now graced newspaper headlines and prime-time debates.
To me, he was just Ayaan.
And yet, as I slipped into my heels and ran a brush through my hair, a nagging feeling settled in my chest.
Tonight's dinner wouldn't be simple. Not this time.
---
As the car rolled to a smooth stop in front of the Rathoree mansion, I took a deep breath before stepping out. The grand estate stood tall, its intricate architecture glowing under the golden evening lights. The guards stationed near the entrance immediately bowed their heads in greeting.
"Good evening, ma'am," one of them said politely.
I offered them a small smile in return. "Good evening."
Adjusting my bag over my shoulder, I made my way towards the entrance. As soon as I stepped inside, the vast and elegantly decorated hall came into view. Crystal chandeliers hung overhead, casting a warm glow across the marble floors. The air carried the faint scent of fresh flowers, and the soft hum of conversations filled the space.
At the center of the hall, my father, Vijay Raichand, stood alongside Vikram Singh Rathore, Ayaan's father. Their presence was commanding-two influential men engaged in what seemed like an important discussion.
The moment Vikram uncle caught sight of me, his face broke into a warm smile.
"Sanya, beta!" he called out, his deep voice laced with affection.
I returned his smile and walked towards them. As I approached, my father also turned, his expression softening. Both men rose from their seats, their suits crisp and their postures relaxed.
Before I could say anything, Vikram uncle pulled me into a tight embrace. His familiar cologne and the warmth of his presence instantly comforted me.
"My daughter," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
He had always been like a second father to me, ever since childhood. I closed my eyes briefly, appreciating the moment before we pulled away.
As we broke the hug, he placed a firm yet affectionate hand on my head, a gesture of protection and care. "How are you, beta?" he asked, his sharp yet kind eyes studying me.
I smiled, nodding. "I'm good, uncle. How are you?"
"Better now that you're here," he chuckled. "It's been a while since you came to visit."
My father, finally spoke, his voice laced with mild amusement. "She's been busy, Vikram. Work, events, and... avoiding us."
I sighed dramatically, shaking my head. "Dad, I'm here now, aren't I?"
Vikram uncle laughed heartily. "That you are. And just in time, too. Ayaan should be here any minute."
At the mention of his name, I felt Naina's words from earlier replay in my mind. Ayaan Rathore. The nation's heartthrob. Future political leader.
I straightened my posture, brushing those thoughts aside. This was just a family dinner-nothing more.
Or at least, that's what I kept telling myself.
As I sat beside Vikram uncle, my gaze wandered around the grand hall. The rich décor and intricate designs made me feel both impressed and somewhat overwhelmed. Trying to break the tension, I asked, "Where is everyone else?"
"They must be upstairs," my father replied, his voice warm with a hint of amusement. "Relaxing, probably."
I nodded in response, just as one of the maids came over, carrying a tray with a glass of juice for me. "Here you go, Miss," she said, offering it with a polite smile.
"Thank you," I replied, taking the glass and sipping the juice. The cool sweetness of the drink was refreshing against my lips, a small comfort amidst the buzzing thoughts in my head.
Vikram uncle, still watching me with a curious smile, asked, "So, how's work going?"
I set the glass down on the table, giving a small shrug. "It's good," I replied simply, trying to keep the conversation light.
He nodded, then his gaze shifted slightly, a playful glint in his eyes. "How about politics?" he asked, his tone teasing.
Before I could respond, my father burst into laughter, his deep chuckles filling the room. "You don't know Vikram. I'm tired of telling her to get into politics."
Vikram uncle joined in the laughter, grinning widely. "She could blow up the whole political scene with just one word," he teased, looking at me with a knowing smile.
I gulped, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "No, uncle. I'm happy with my career. Politics and all the unnecessary drama that comes with it... not for me," I said, finishing off the juice in a single gulp to calm my nerves, which only made them laugh harder.
"Well, you wouldn't be the first to stay out of it," Vikram uncle said, still chuckling.
I smiled, relieved that the conversation had taken a light-hearted turn.
Just then, my father raised an eyebrow, his attention shifting. "Well, where is Ayaan?" he asked, his voice casual.
"He must be on his way," Vikram uncle replied, a smile tugging at his lips.
But as soon as his name left Vikram uncle's mouth, I felt a flutter in my chest. My heart started beating faster, almost as though I couldn't quite explain why, but the mere mention of Ayaan seemed to stir something deep within me.
I quickly masked the feeling, hoping no one would notice.
Calm down, I told myself silently.
The others were engrossed in their conversation, discussing political matters and the latest developments. But my mind began to wander. It had been a year since we last spoke. A year since he started keeping his distance, after we'd been best friends. Those were the days when everything felt easy, when his presence in my life was a constant source of joy. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of those carefree moments, but I quickly scolded myself. Stop thinking about him, I thought, pushing the memories away. This is just a dinner. Focus.
I was still lost in my thoughts when the sound of a baby crying abruptly pulled me back into reality. There was nothing else but the sound of a baby's cry filling the silence of the room.
Confused, I looked in the direction of the noise. And there he was.
Ayaan.
He stood in the doorway, drenched, his clothes clinging to his body as if he had been caught in a downpour. His hair was wet, dripping onto his forehead, but what caught my attention the most was the small bundle in his arms-the baby, wrapped in a blanket.
He looked around the room, and for a brief moment, our eyes met. My heart raced, a mix of emotions flooding my chest. But the moment broke when I heard footsteps descending from the staircase.
Sharmila aunty, Vikram uncle's wife, Sikha, my mom, and Sonam aunty, Rajveer uncle's wife, all came into view. As soon as they saw Ayaan holding the baby, their expressions shifted to surprise and confusion. They froze in place, their eyes widening as they took in the unusual sight.
I couldn't look away. Ayaan, normally the confident, cocky man I knew, looked so different in that moment. His face, usually a mask of indifference, was now filled with concern, and he gently rocked the baby in his arms, trying to calm her down.
"What's going on, Ayaan?" Sharmila aunty asked, her voice tinged with confusion.
The baby had gone quiet, her tiny hands clutching onto Ayaan's shirt as if seeking comfort from him. I watched intently, unable to tear my eyes away from the sight.
"I found her," Ayaan said, his voice low and strained.
Found her? What was going on?
My gaze shifted to the baby in his arms. She looked so fragile, so small, and yet so peaceful now in Ayaan's embrace. Her tiny fingers curled around his shirt, her face peaceful, oblivious to the storm of questions swirling around her.
"Found her? Where?" Rajveer uncle asked, his tone still holding a note of disbelief.
"In the park," Ayaan replied simply, but his voice was laced with something deeper-something unsettling.
Before anyone could respond, the baby sneezed, breaking the fragile silence in the room. Ayaan quickly wrapped her up tighter in his arms, as if trying to shield her from the cold. He didn't waste a second. Without waiting for any more questions, he began to walk towards the stairs, not even glancing back. His focus was entirely on the baby.
Everyone in the room stood frozen in place, their faces a mixture of confusion, concern, and shock. No one seemed to know how to react to what had just happened. I could hear Vikram uncle muttering under his breath, his voice barely audible, "What has he done?" I heard him clearly, but I knew I had to step in before things got more out of hand.
I walked toward Vikram uncle, placing a hand on his arm, gently urging him to look at me. "Uncle, please don't worry. Let me talk to him," I said, my voice firm, despite the storm of questions swirling inside me.
After a long moment of hesitation, Vikram uncle finally nodded, his eyes full of worry. "I hope you can make sense of this," he said, his voice hoarse.
Before I could say anything more, Sharmila aunty arrived with a glass of water, handing it to Vikram uncle. "Please, calm yourself. Your blood pressure will rise if you keep this up," she said softly, her tone warm yet insistent. Vikram uncle took the glass, drinking slowly, his gaze distant.
I turned to look at the rest of the group. They were still standing there, unmoving, as if the entire scene had stunned them into silence. My heart raced as I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. I couldn't leave things like this. I needed to find out what was going on.
With one last glance at the room, I moved toward the stairs and curiosity driving me forward.
As I walked up the stairs, my mind was filled with questions. What was he doing with a baby? Where did she come from? Why didn't he tell anyone before showing up like this? And most importantly, what had happened to the Ayaan I once knew?
But there was no time for answers right now. The only thing I knew for was that I had to follow him, to make sure the baby was okay, and to finally get some answers.