The boutique shimmered with rows of lehengas and sherwanis, each one brighter than the last.
"Prerna, look at this dress!" Ankitha's eyes sparkled as she held up a pastel outfit. "Isn't it beautiful? You could wear this for the Sangeet."
Prerna stepped closer, her fingers brushing over the embroidery. "Yeah… it is nice."
Ankitha smiled slyly. "Actually, this is Dev's favorite color."
then suddenly boutique worker joined in, "Madam, you should try it. We even have a matching sherwani in the same shade. The groom can also wear it."
Ankitha's grin widened. "See? Perfect! Prerna, you should try it… and you too, Dev."
Hesitant yet unable to protest, Prerna and Dev walked toward the trial rooms with the outfits.
Meanwhile, Aanya drifted away, pretending to scan the racks, but her thoughts betrayed her. Which one… which color would be Aryan's favorite? If I knew… maybe I could choose something that would make him notice.
Her eyes flicked across the boutique until she heard Ankitha's voice again.
"So, Aryan… what did you select?"
Startled, Aanya quickly turned her head.
Aryan stood a little apart, hands buried in his pockets, scanning the shelves half-heartedly. "I… didn't. I mean, I don't know what I should take."
Ankitha laughed lightly, shaking her head. "Oh, Aryan, you don't even know what to select? Wait, let me help you." She said.
Aanya, who was looking at another rack of dresses, turned quickly. Her steps rushed as she reached them, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"What's happening here?" she asked, her voice calm yet carrying a hint of unease.
Ankitha smiled knowingly.
"Well, I'm helping Aryan with his selection," she replied smoothly.
Aanya's gaze flickered to Aryan. He, too, turned his eyes toward her, and for a brief second, silence lingered between them.
"By the way, Aryan," Ankitha continued cheerfully, "what's your favorite color? We can choose a design in that shade."
Aanya's expression froze in surprise. She turned quickly toward Aryan, waiting for his answer as if the entire world paused on his reply.
Aryan rubbed the back of his neck, looking a little awkward.
"Well… there's no particular color I like but—"
Before he could finish, voices interrupted.
It was Prerna and Dev, stepping out from the trial room. All three turned to look, and for a moment, everyone stood stunned. The dresses Prerna and Dev wore matched perfectly, as though they had been designed for them alone.
"Wow!" Ankitha clapped her hands. "You both are looking perfect!"
"Yes," Aanya added with a warm smile. "Prerna, you're looking so beautiful—and Dev, you too. Am I right, Mr. Aryan?" she asked, tilting her head toward him with a playful challenge.
Aryan glanced at them and nodded.
"Yeah… they are looking good."
Prerna forced a small smile, but her eyes betrayed something deeper.
"Thank you," Dev replied earnestly.
"Then this will be fixed for the Sangeet!" Ankitha announced quickly. She turned to the worker. "Now, show us some options for the wedding ceremony."
But Aanya's eyes lingered on Prerna. She noticed the faint sadness in her expression. Leaning closer, she asked softly,
"Prerna, why are you looking sad? Didn't you like the dress?"
Everyone turned to look at Prerna. She shook her head quickly.
"It's nothing…"
"No, I mean," Aanya pressed gently, "don't you like this color?"
Before Prerna could answer, Ankitha intervened.
"Well, it looks good, right, Aanya?"
Aanya nodded but her voice carried wisdom.
"Yes, Ankitha, it is good. But sometimes… even if a dress is beautiful, that doesn't mean we should buy it. We have to choose what we truly love. Beauty alone doesn't guarantee it belongs to us."
Her words hung in the air. Aryan's eyes softened as he watched her, admiration flickering across his face.
Dev turned to Prerna and said gently, "Yes, what Aanya said is right, Prerna. If you don't like it, just say it."
Prerna quickly tried to cover up, forcing a small smile. "No, I mean…I liked it. I'm just thinking about something else."
Aanya nodded softly. "Okay, Prerna. If you like it, then we don't have any problem."
She then turned toward Ankitha. "By the way, Ankitha, did you select anything?"
Ankitha smiled. "Yes, Aanya. I'm actually thinking about this one."
Aanya glanced around and then teased, "Well, everyone seems to be selecting something…except Mr. Aryan."
Aryan suddenly looked at her, his eyes locking with hers.
Aanya continued, a little nervously, "I mean, Mr. Aryan, look—everyone is choosing, except you. There must be some color that's your favorite."
Suddenly, Prerna blurted out, "Black."
The whole place fell silent in an instant.
Aanya suddenly burst out laughing. "Mr. Aryan, you like black!" she said, laughing harder.
Aryan turned his eyes toward her, his expression unreadable.
Still giggling, Aanya added, "Actually, I really thought you liked black—because of your personality." But as she caught his serious gaze, her laughter slowly faded.
"Oh…well, good, Mr. Aryan," she covered quickly, fumbling with her words. "You like black. Nice. I mean, a lot of people love black."
"Yeah, even I like black," Ankitha added smoothly.
Aanya's eyes flicked toward her, irritation flashing in her thoughts. She never misses a chance to get close.
Suddenly, Aanya spoke up. "Ankitha, why don't you try that dress?"
"Huh? Oh…okay, I'll try it now," Ankitha replied, picking it up and heading toward the trial room.
Meanwhile, the worker began showing more dress collections to Dev and Prerna. Aanya's gaze wandered until it landed on a purple outfit. She turned to Aryan quickly.
"Mr. Aryan, look! This color is very nice. You should wear it for the Sangeet. This purple one," she suggested brightly.
Aryan's eyes shifted to her.
Flustered, Aanya added quickly, "Well, Mr. Aryan, I mean…I'm just helping you. You know, since you don't know what to choose. And by the way, everyone always says my choice is the best."
Aryan raised an eyebrow, his expression forming a silent question mark.
Aanya hurried to defend herself. "Yes, Mr. Aryan, you don't believe me—but I'm telling the truth! Everyone always asks me to select for them, you know."
For the first time, Aryan's lips twitched as if he was trying to hold back a smile.
Just then, the worker approached. "Sir, would you like to try this one?" he asked, holding up the purple outfit.
Aanya looked at Aryan doubtfully, wondering whether he would really try her choice. She held her breath as she watched him.
"Yes, I'll try it," Aryan said simply.
Aanya's face lit up instantly, happiness bubbling inside her.
She waited eagerly, her eyes fixed on the trial room door, imagining how Aryan would look. Just then, Ankitha stepped out in her chosen outfit.
"Aanya, how is it?" Ankitha asked with a bright smile.
Lost in her thoughts about Aryan, Aanya barely glanced at her and replied absently, "It's nice."
"Really? Okay, then I'll take this one," Ankitha said happily.
"Mm-hm…okay," Aanya muttered, still distracted.
Suddenly, Aryan walked out, adjusting the sleeves of the purple kurta. The moment Aanya's eyes landed on him, the world seemed to shift into slow motion. Her breath caught. He looked effortlessly elegant, the deep shade making his presence even more striking. Aryan's gaze rose and met hers.
Aanya stood frozen, her heart racing, a soft smile tugging at her lips without her even realizing it.
"Wow, Aryan! It looks perfect on you," Ankitha's voice cut through, pulling Aanya back into reality.
Snapping out of her daze, Aanya blinked and quickly composed herself, stepping closer.
Ankitha circled Aryan, beaming. "You said you don't know how to select, but this—this is amazing!"
Aanya's eyes narrowed slightly at Ankitha's enthusiasm, but Aryan's gaze lingered only on Aanya.
The worker joined in, nodding with approval. "Sir, it suits you perfectly."
Aanya's lips curved again, warmth filling her chest.
"I'll take this one," Aryan said firmly.
Her smile deepened, unable to hide her joy.
Just then, Ankitha turned to Aanya.
"Aanya, everyone's done selecting. What about you?"
Aanya smiled lightly. "Well, I've already made my selection…I just need to do the trial."
"Then what are you waiting for? Come on, go and try it!" Ankitha encouraged.
Aanya glanced at Aryan for a moment before heading into the trial room.
Inside, she slipped into a stunning purple ghagra choli. Excitement rushed through her as she twirled once in front of the mirror. I hope Aryan will love this. We'll be matching… she thought, her cheeks glowing with anticipation.
Meanwhile, outside, everyone waited, discussing the dresses they had chosen. Aryan's phone buzzed. He frowned, stepped aside, and went outside to take the call.
At that exact moment, Aanya came out of the trial room, her face lit with excitement. She walked toward them, her outfit shimmering under the lights.
Everyone turned to look.
"Aanya, wow!" Ankitha gasped. "It's perfect on you!"
But Aanya's eyes scanned the room restlessly, searching only for Aryan. He wasn't there. Her smile faltered.
Ankitha tilted her head. "Aanya, will you select this one?"
Still distracted, Aanya nodded softly. "Yeah…"
"Okay, then it's settled." Ankitha grinned.
But Aanya lingered a little longer, her gaze flicking toward the door. She waited, hoping—praying—that Aryan would come and see her like this.
Ankitha noticed her hesitation. "Aanya, what happened?"
"Nothing," Aanya murmured, forcing a smile before retreating back into the trial room.
When she came out again, her excitement had dimmed. Just then, Aryan returned, slipping his phone back into his pocket. Aanya's eyes went to him immediately.
"Is everything done?" Aryan asked, his tone casual.
"Yes, Aryan. Everyone has selected," Ankitha replied cheerfully.
Aryan's eyes shifted subtly toward Aanya, catching the sadness in her expression. For a brief moment, his gaze softened.
"Okay then, let's go," he said, breaking the silence.
Everyone gathered their bags and stepped out of the store.
Outside, as they moved toward the cars, Prerna suddenly froze. Her eyes widened as she spotted a familiar figure standing across the street.
Her lips parted in shock. "Aahil…" she whispered to herself.
---
End Of Chapter 35.