Yug took the mic, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Before Bhabhi Gauri and Bhaiya Vihaan's engagement ceremony begins, we have a special dance performance lined up!"
Raani giggled as she pulled Gauri and Vihaan onto the dance floor. The music began, and they swayed to the rhythm, their movements graceful yet charged with tension.
As they danced, Vihaan leaned in close to Gauri, his voice low and husky. "You made the right decision by coming."
Gauri's eyes sparkled with amusement as she taunted him. "How could I not, when you've blackmailed me?"
Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "You know what? I shouldn't call you Mr. Vihaan, but Mr. Blackmailer."
Vihaan's eyes locked onto hers, his voice even lower. "Call me whatever you want… it's all acceptable." He swirled her around, the music swallowing their words.
Outside the Kothari mansion, Nishigandha, in human form, arrived with a group of guests and entered with calculated elegance.
Inside, Charvi suddenly felt a strange wave pass through her, like a headache brewing. Yug, standing nearby, immediately noticed her discomfort. At that moment, a guest accidentally spilled juice on Charvi's dress.
Without hesitation, Yug stepped forward. "Come, I'll show you the guest washroom."
Charvi frowned, brushing off the juice stain as Yug stepped closer.
"Why?" she snapped lightly. "Did I ask for your help?"
Yug smirked, unfazed. "Of course you didn't. But you're a guest—and not just any guest. You're my Bhabhi's sister. And for us, a guest is akin to God. We must take proper care." He leaned in playfully. "Or perhaps… are you scared of me?"
Charvi turned her gaze on him properly, her eyes sharp. "Why would I be scared of you?"
"Exactly." Yug spread his arms casually. "You've got no reason to fear me. So why can't I escort you to the washroom?"
Charvi's lips curled into the faintest smile. "Fine. Lead the way."
Yug gave a mock bow, his grin cheeky. "As you wish, Your Highness."
They headed upstairs together, a strange spark buzzing between them.
---
Meanwhile, on the dance floor, Gauri and Vihaan moved to the rhythm, their bodies close, their eyes locked in a battle of words.
Gauri's lips curled with mischief. "You know, I used to think you were an honest, dashing, and hot ACP."
Vihaan's brows furrowed. "What?"
She leaned closer, taunting. "But apart from being dashing and hot—"
"What?" Vihaan interrupted again, his voice laced with irritation.
Gauri smirked. "Stop saying what and let me complete my statement! Apart from being dashing and hot, you're a very disgusting police officer. Absolutely disgusting."
Vihaan's jaw clenched, his voice sharp. "At least I don't sell myself in bars and brothels."
Gauri's expression turned icy, though her eyes burned with fire. "You think so lowly of me… then why are you still marrying me?"
For a moment, Vihaan was silent, his gaze heavy on her. Finally, his voice dropped low. "I have my reasons."
Gauri's heart skipped, her voice barely a whisper. "Do you… love me?"
Vihaan froze, visibly startled by the question. Their eyes locked, unspoken emotions swirling between them as the music carried their dance forward.
Vihaan's hand slid firmly around Gauri's waist, pulling her closer until their breaths mingled, hot and uneven, lost in the rhythm of the music.
"Love?" he scoffed, his lips curving into a mocking smile. "What nonsense."
Gauri's eyes gleamed with defiance as she pressed back against his words. "Exactly. It would be nonsense if you loved me. Because in order to love someone, you need to first respect them. And in your eyes, I don't see even a shadow of respect for me. So why," her voice softened into a challenge, "are you so keen on marrying me?"
Vihaan's jaw tightened, but instead of answering, he suddenly lifted her by the waist, twirling her effortlessly in front of the stunned audience. As he pulled her back into his arms, his voice dropped low, teasing yet edged with command.
"I'm the police… or are you?" he smirked, his eyes boring into hers. "You keep on asking questions after questions."
Their faces hovered close, eyes locked, neither willing to back down, their dance now less about music and more about dominance.
Upstairs, the corridor stretched quiet, only the sound of footsteps echoing as Yug led Charvi toward the guest room.
He glanced sideways, his tone playful. "Tell me something, are you usually this stern?"
Charvi shot him a look, her lips twitching with the hint of a smile. "No. I'm actually a very sweet girl. But since your brother is mean to my sister, I'll also be mean to you."
Yug chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, I see… but don't go ruining my love story just because of my brother."
Charvi stopped mid-step, her eyes narrowing. "What did you just say?"
Yug blinked innocently. "Nothing. Did you hear anything?"
Charvi folded her arms, tilting her head. "No…" she replied slowly, though her suspicion lingered.
High above them, Nishigandha crawled across the ceiling like a predator, her dark aura seeping into the walls. Her glowing eyes burned with hatred as she whispered to herself:
"If I strike down Vihaan's brother, the chaos will delay his wedding. His family will drown in sorrow and fear, and he will not think of marrying that girl."
Her voice slithered with venom, echoing faintly through the corridor. "This family must never unite vihaan and Gauri, because if vihaan gets married he might fall in love and love is the most powerful weapon.Their union will destroy everything I've built in darkness. I will not allow it."
Her gaze darted toward Yug below, calculating him as a pawn to shatter Vihaan's resolve.