Aryan and Aanya's eyes locked, the silence between them heavy, almost suffocating.
Then Ankitha broke it with a cheerful voice. "Well then, Aanya, you and Suraj should dance first. We'll all watch, and then we after we all will follow."
Meera quickly added, "Yeah, Aanya, come on! Suraj, you too—go and dance with her. We'll all join after."
Suraj stood up confidently and moved closer. Aanya's heart skipped a beat. She glanced at Tara, Nisha, and Meera, who were all grinning and nodding at her like cheerleaders. Reluctantly, she turned and saw Suraj waiting. He extended his hand.
With a small breath, Aanya placed her hand in his, and the two began to dance.
Prerna sat quietly, lost in her own thoughts, while Dev and Ankitha watched with interest. Aryan, however, struggled. He tried to keep his gaze elsewhere, but his eyes betrayed him, stealing glances through his side vision. Each time, his jaw tightened a little more.
Tara, Nisha, and Meera noticed instantly, exchanging secret smiles. He's jealous, they thought in unison, delighted with their plan.
On the floor, Aanya stole glances at him in between steps. Each time she caught him looking, he turned his head sharply, pretending to be unaffected. But the storm brewing in his eyes was clear to her.
Ankitha leaned forward with a soft smile. Wow, how cute… they really look like a couple, she thought aloud.
The music stopped. Everyone turned toward him in shock.
Aryan's head snapped toward her instantly, his eyes darkening. A dangerous silence filled the room. Then, suddenly, he pushed himself up to his feet.
"That's enough," Aryan's voice boomed, low and commanding.
The music stopped. The room froze. Everyone turned toward Aryan, their eyes wide in shock.
Ankitha broke the silence first. "What happened, Aryan?"
He didn't answer. His gaze was fixed on Aanya—intense, sharp, almost burning. Aanya's heart skipped as her body stiffened under his stare.
Why is he looking at me like that? Did I do something wrong?
Gathering her courage, she asked softly, "Mr. Aryan… is everything okay? Why did you suddenly stand up like that?"
Aryan clenched his jaw, hesitated, then said coldly, "Look, I… don't want to dance."
The words stunned her. Her eyes widened. "But, Mr. Aryan—you already agreed…"
His voice deepened. "I didn't like your dance."
Aanya froze. He didn't like it? But why?
Her voice trembled with confusion. "But, Mr. Aryan, we were just doing the easy, popular steps… Why didn't you like it?"
Ankitha jumped in, trying to ease the tension. "Yes, Aryan, actually it's really good. I mean—look at them, they're doing so well! What didn't you like?"
Dev and Prerna nodded. "Yeah, what exactly didn't you like?"
Aryan's lips pressed into a thin line. He had no answer—at least, not one he could say aloud. His silence only made his anger more obvious.
Then Tara smirked knowingly and whispered just loud enough, "Look, he's jealous."
Meera and Nisha giggled in agreement. "Yeah, he's jealous."
Aanya's cheeks burned. "Tell Mr. Aryan," she said, her voice low, her eyes searching his.
Aryan's expression hardened. "Well… I just didn't like it. That's it. I'm leaving."
He turned abruptly, striding toward the door.
"Mr. Aryan!" Aanya called out, her voice desperate. She rushed forward and blocked his way, standing directly in front of him.
He stopped abruptly, his eyes narrowing at her, sharp and unreadable.
Aanya swallowed her nervousness and spoke quickly, "Mr. Aryan, I know you don't like dancing… and all this kind of stuff. But come on, this is your sister's wedding. A wedding only happens once in her life, not twice."
Aryan's gaze sharpened at her words, making her falter for a moment.
On the other side, Prerna's thoughts drifted—Once in a lifetime… Aahil… Her eyes clouded with memories she tried to push away.
Meanwhile, Aanya continued, stumbling over her words, "I-I mean… you only have one sister, right? And of course she wishes her brother would dance for her, am I right, Prerna?"
She looked at Prerna and quickly gestured with her hands, signaling her to say yes.
Aryan caught the movement, his eyes narrowing further. Aanya froze, realizing he had noticed.
Still, Prerna softly said, "Yes."
Aanya immediately smiled and clapped her hands lightly. "See, Mr. Aryan? Even Prerna wants it. Then why not?"
Aryan's jaw tightened. Her words, her pleading tone, the way she stood before him—it all unsettled him.
Then, with mock emotion and playful persuasion, Aanya added, "Mr. Aryan, you're her only brother. Can't you do this one thing… for your sister?"
For a moment, Aryan's expression softened as he turned his face away, clearly battling something within.
Dev, Ankitha, and Aanya's friends were biting their lips, trying hard to hide their smiles. They could sense the tension—the push and pull between the two.
Just then, Devika walked over, frowning slightly. "What happened here? Aanya, why are you and Aryan standing like this?"
Aanya immediately straightened, forcing a bright smile. "Nothing, aunty! Me and Mr. Aryan were just… thinking about some dance steps."
Aryan's head snapped toward her, his eyes widening just a fraction at her bold cover-up. She looked back at him with a teasing smile, her eyes sparkling.
then Devika said, "Wait, let me see how your dance practice is going."
Aanya quickly replied, "Sure, aunty." Then she added, "Start the music, please."
They all began dancing: Aanya with Suraj, Ankitha with Aryan, and Prerna with Dev. Dev was looking at Prerna, but she was lost in her thoughts. Ankitha, however, kept looking at Aryan while dancing—but Aryan's eyes were fixed on Aanya.
As Aanya and Suraj danced, she occasionally glanced at Aryan. Devika observed everyone carefully.
Then, in the middle of the steps, Aryan glanced at Aanya again, completely distracted. Suddenly, he stepped on Ankitha's foot.
"Ouch!" Ankitha cried.
Everyone immediately stopped and turned toward them. Aryan looked startled.
"What happened?" they all asked.
Ankitha winced and said, "Aryan stepped on me."
Aanya's friends tried hard to hold back their laughter. Aanya shook her head slightly at them, signaling them not to tease.
Devika hurried forward. "Oh no, Ankitha! Come, sit here. Let me see your foot."
Ankitha quickly said, "No, aunty, I'm alright."
Aanya asked gently, "Ankitha, are you sure?"
"Yeah," Ankitha nodded, forcing a smile.
Then Aanya glanced at Aryan, her eyes silently asking, Did you apologize?
Aryan understood her unspoken words. Reluctantly, he said, "Sorry, Ankitha. I didn't see."
Ankitha forced a smile. "Yeah, it's okay, Aryan."
Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through the room. "What's this noise? What is happening here?"
Everyone turned. Nandini had arrived, her eyes scanning the scene with disapproval.
Devika quickly answered, "They are practicing dance, sister-in-law."
But Nandini's gaze shifted to the unfamiliar faces. "And who are those?" she demanded.
Aanya stepped forward respectfully. "These are my friends, aunty. They came here to practice dance with us."
Nandini's expression hardened. "So now you're bringing your friends too? This is a house, not a public park."
The room fell silent. Aryan's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing at his aunt's tone. Devika opened her mouth to intervene, but before she could, Aanya spoke up, her voice calm yet firm.
"Aunty, I know this is a house, not a public park. But I called my friends because we need people our age for the dance. After all… you're not our age, right?"
For a moment, the air went still. Everyone tried to hold back their laughter at Aanya's unexpected boldness.
Aryan's lips curved, pride flashing in his eyes as he looked at her.
Nandini, however, glared seriously, clearly unimpressed.
Sensing the tension, Devika quickly clapped her hands together and said, "Well, you all have practiced enough for now. Come on, everyone—let's eat lunch."
Aanya's friends stood up. "No, aunty, we'll leave now," one of them said politely.
"Arrey, how can you leave without eating? No, no—you must eat," Devika insisted warmly.
They smiled and agreed, and soon everyone gathered around the dining table. Devika began serving food.
Aunty, I'll help, Aanya offered, moving to her side.
Before Devika could reply, Nandini turned her head sharply, her eyes narrowing. Still, she didn't say anything. Together, Devika and Aanya began serving. But when Aanya reached to serve Nandini, she raised her hand.
"I will take it myself," Nandini said curtly.
Aanya froze for a second, then quietly sat back down.
Ankitha quickly broke the silence. "Wow, aunty, the food is really good!"
Devika smiled. "Thank you, beta."
Aanya's friends chimed in, "Yes, aunty, it's very nice."
As everyone ate, Devika's eyes landed on her daughter. "Prerna, your plate is still the same. Why aren't you eating?"
Prerna shifted uncomfortably. "No, Mom… I'm eating."
"These days you're always lost in your thoughts," Devika pressed gently.
Prerna shook her head. "No, it's not like that."
Before she could say more, Aanya teased with a mischievous grin, "Yes, aunty, actually Prerna is lost in Dev's thoughts. Am I right, Prerna?"
Prerna's lips curved into a faint, embarrassed smile.
Ankitha asked sweetly, "Prerna, do you like cooking?"
Devika replied on her behalf, "Yes, Prerna does help me in cooking sometimes."
Ankitha smirked. "Well, no problem, aunty. Even if she doesn't, she doesn't need to worry. After all, there are maids at our place—she won't have to cook for us."
Her teasing tone made Prerna stiffen. She lowered her gaze and said softly, "I will cook."
"No, no, Prerna, I was just teasing," Ankitha replied casually.
Just then, Nisha jumped in, smiling. "Well, Aanya loves cooking!"
Aryan's eyes immediately flickered toward Aanya.
Ankitha nodded eagerly. "Yes, I know. We already tasted her food—she cooks so well."
Aanya smiled shyly at the compliment. She picked up her glass of water, about to take a sip, when Meera suddenly teased, "Aanya should get married soon so that she can cook for her husband every day."
Aanya choked and instantly spat the water out in shock.
The table went silent for a beat. Aryan's gaze snapped to her, intense and unreadable. Everyone else also turned to look at her in surprise.
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End Of Chapter 38.