As Teju stood before Sahir, she bowed her head slightly. "Congratulations, Sir."
Sahir smiled, his eyes lingering on hers. "Thank you, Teju."
As they exchanged pleasantries, Sahir couldn't help but wonder, "Why do I feel a pang of hurt seeing her? We're just professor and student, after all. Why does it feel like I'm losing something precious?"
Teju, on the other hand, thought to herself, "Why do I feel unhappy about his engagement? He's just my professor, and I should be happy for him. But why does it feel like something's off?"
As Teju stood before Sahir, they both couldn't help but recall the accidental romantic moments they had shared. Sahir's eyes seemed to hold a hint of nostalgia, and Teju's cheeks flushed slightly as she looked away.
Sahir thought to himself, "I remember the time we accidentally touched hands in class, and the spark I felt. I wonder if she remembers it too."
Teju, on the other hand, recalled the same incident and felt a flutter in her chest. "I wonder if he still thinks about that moment," she thought, her eyes drifting back to Sahir's face then teju extended her hand, her smile warm and genuine. "Congratulations once again, Sir."
As Sahir shook her hand, they both felt a spark of familiarity, a sense of connection that went beyond mere formalities. The touch of their hands sent a shiver down Teju's spine, and Sahir's eyes locked onto hers, his expression momentarily caught off guard.
For a fleeting moment, the engagement ceremony, the guests, and the surroundings faded into the background, leaving only the two of them, suspended in the electricity of their handshake.
As Teju's hand touched Sahir's, she was flooded with memories of the times he had come to her rescue. She recalled the bravery with which he had saved her from the fire in the storage room, the way he had stood up to the board to secure her admission, and the protection he had offered her against Sunehri Daayan's evil plans.
Her eyes softened with gratitude as she looked at Sahir, her thoughts whispering, "He's always been there for me, no matter what." The handshake lingered for a moment longer than necessary, as if both of them were savoring the connection.
As Sahir held Teju's hand, he was transported back to the moments when she had clung to him in fear, her arms wrapping tightly around him as he saved her from harm. He remembered the way her body had trembled with relief, the way her warmth had seeped into him, and the way his heart had responded to her closeness.
His eyes searched hers, and for a moment, it seemed like they were both reliving those tender moments. The handshake became a gentle caress, a silent acknowledgment of the bond that had grown between them.
Ruby's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing as she watched Teju and Sahir. She felt a surge of anger and resentment, thinking to herself, "I'm the one getting engaged to him, but here they are, lost in each other's eyes. It's like they're the ones meant to be together."
Her glare intensified, her expression icy cold as she watched the tender moment between Teju and Sahir. She seemed to be willing Teju to look away, to break the connection that Ruby perceived between them.
Maira called out to Mihir, her voice respectful. "Mihir Sir, wait!"
But he didn't respond, continuing to walk ahead without even a glance in her direction. Maira's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why is he ignoring me?" she wondered, quickening her pace to catch up to him.
Mihir reached the terrace first, his eyes scanning the area before landing on a basket of hibiscus flowers above the entrance. A memory sparked in his mind, recalling a passage from a mystic book about revealing a witch's true form. "Hibiscus flowers, used to force a witch to reveal their true form due to the burning sensation," he thought.
As Maira approached, Mihir's eyes gleamed with a secret intent. With a subtle flick of his wrist, the hibiscus petals floated down, gently landing on Maira. She twirled around, surprise etched on her face, and Mihir's gaze was momentarily captivated by her movements.
In the sudden spin, Maira lost her footing, and Mihir instinctively reached out to save her. As he pulled her towards himself, they both tumbled down, their bodies entwined. In the fall, their lips met in an unexpected kiss, leaving them both shocked and frozen in surprise.
Mihir and Maira quickly moved away from each other, the tension between them palpable. The sudden kiss had caught them both off guard, and now they stood there, unsure of how to react.
Maira's face was flushed, her eyes avoiding Mihir's gaze. Mihir, too, seemed taken aback, his expression unreadable. The air was thick with awkwardness as they both struggled to find the right words to break the silence.
Maira's eyes widened as she asked, "What was that?"
Mihir's eyebrow arched, a hint of amusement dancing on his lips. "The kiss?"
Maira's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "Oh God, no! I meant the flower shower," she said hastily, her voice laced with relief and embarrassment.
Mihir's expression softened, and he smiled. "I...I don't know what you're talking about," he said, his tone innocent.
Maira's eyes narrowed, her finger pointing accusingly at the hibiscus petals. "Really? And why did you make petals fall on me?"
Mihir's thoughts were a jumble, "I was trying to find out if you were a Daayan... but it turns out you are... you are." He hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Maira prompted him to speak up, her voice firm. "Mihir, what's going on?"
Mihir's response was evasive. "What's wrong with showering flowers on someone?"
Maira's eyes locked onto his, her mind racing. She realized that if Mihir had showered her with rose petals, it would have been a romantic or teasing gesture. But hibiscus was different. It was a deliberate choice, a test. She pieced together the truth, and her voice took on a measured tone. "Do you really want to know who I am?"
Mihir's eyes widened, his face frozen in surprise, as he struggled to find a response.
Maira took a step closer to Mihir, her eyes intense. "Do you really want to know who I am? What I am?"
Mihir's expression shifted, and he took a step back, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Oh, please, do tell. I'm sure I have no idea what you're capable of. Do you have another shade of you hidden from me?" His tone was biting, but beneath it, a hint of wariness lurked.
Downstairs, Ruby's patience was wearing thin. She turned to the priest, her voice low and urgent. "Let's begin the engagement ceremony. Now."
Her eyes darted towards Teju and Sahir, a flash of annoyance crossing her face. She seemed determined to move forward with the ceremony, eager to seal her own fate with Sahir's and put an end to the tender moment she had witnessed between him and Teju.
Sapna walked in with a smile, the ring box held delicately in her hands. She handed it to Ruby, who took it with an air of expectation. Teju stepped aside, her eyes avoiding Sahir's gaze as the focus shifted to the engagement ceremony. The ring box remained closed, its contents waiting to be revealed.
Maira's eyes locked onto Mihir's, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm going to tell you who I truly am." Her words hung in the air, laced with a sense of anticipation and mystery.
As she spoke, Maira's proximity to Mihir became almost palpable, the space between them charged with tension. Mihir's gaze intensified, his eyes searching hers for answers, his face inches from hers.
As Ruby and Sahir opened the jewelry box, their faces fell in unison - the rings were nowhere to be found. Moti Baa's eyes widened in surprise. "Kya? Where have the rings gone?"
Sapna's voice was laced with worry. "How could this happen? We had them right here."
Uma stepped forward, her expression determined. "Don't worry, I'll search for them. They must be around here somewhere."
Akhil, Sahir's uncle, chuckled and suggested, "Let's not delay the celebration. Why don't we have a dance performance while the rings are being searched for? It'll keep the guests entertained."
Ruby's face lit up, and she pulled Sahir onto the dance floor. As they swayed to the music, their movements were romantic and fluid. Teju, meanwhile, looked away, her expression unreadable.
Sahir's eyes, however, betrayed his calm demeanor. As he danced with Ruby, he couldn't help but imagine himself dancing with Teju instead. The fantasy was vivid, and for a moment, he felt like he was lost in a dream.
Maira's lips brushed against Mihir's ear, her warm breath sending shivers down his spine. As she whispered, "My real identity is your PA," Mihir's eyes widened in surprise.
For the first time in his life, Mihir felt a flutter in his chest, a sensation he'd never experienced before. The playboy, who'd had his fair share of romantic conquests, was taken aback by the sudden rush of emotions.
Mihir's reaction was unexpected, even to himself. He'd always been in control, never letting anyone get too close. But Maira's whispered words had somehow managed to pierce his armor, leaving him feeling... vulnerable.