Page 83 of One Hellish Wedlock
Radhika, noticing Aanya’s shaken demeanour, quickly put the pieces together. Without delay, she went to confront her brother.
“Rey,” she said softly, entering his room.
“Don’t defend her, Di,” he said firmly. “I’m not against her working, but she’s impulsive. One day she’s determined to be independent, the next she might walk away from it like it meant nothing. This isn’t something to take lightly. Her reputation’s on the line. People have already judged her, mocked her… even herown parents. I won’t let anyone else have the chance to break her down again.”
“Just give her the benefit of the doubt this time,” Radhika urged gently. “Maybe she’s really serious about it now.”
She sensed her brother’s anger beginning to thaw. His concern for Aanya was surfacing.
“Rey,” she said softly, moving closer to sit beside him on the recliner. “She needs encouragement, support and she’ll only find that within her family. From you. From all of us. If we don’t stand by her now, she’ll lose faith. Do you want her to return to that same purposeless life she was living before?”
“No,” he replied, almost growling the word.
“Then support her. I know you’ll find a way to watch over her without making it obvious. You’ll protect her before she can make any choices that might hurt her.”
He turned his head, eyes narrowing slightly. “You think I haven’t already considered that?” he asked, voice low and tight. “I know how to safeguard what’s mine. I’ll do the same for her.”
Radhika smiled softly. “Then that’s all she needs. Let go of your anger and come with us to the party. If anything, you should be the one throwing it for your wife, who’s finally chasing something she truly wants.”
He didn’t respond at once. He wasn’t sure if this celebration made sense to him, but if it would make his sister happy, he wouldn’t object.
“Go on and take a shower,” Radhika said, rising to her feet. “I’ll let Aanya and Navya know.”
Reyansh gave a silent nod and headed for the bathroom, while Radhika left the room with a knowing smile.
*****************
Radhika didn’t inform Aanya yet that Reyansh had agreed for the party. On the other hand, when she told about it to Nani, the latter showed almost no interest in Aanya’s career decisions.Still determined to make the evening special, Radhika had called Navya, sharing the plan and requesting she keep it a surprise. Navya agreed, just as excited to be part of the celebration.
When Aanya emerged into the living room later that day, she spotted Navya at the living room of Chopra Mansion, already dressed up for the night. And standing just a few feet away, straightening the cuffs of his dark navy blazer, was Reyansh.
Ignoring him, she made her way to Navya instead.
“Navya? I told you we weren’t going,” Aanya said, puzzled.
“You did,” Navya replied, barely holding back her grin. “But then your sister-in-law happened to call...”
“And,” Radhika chimed in, stepping forward, “we’re all going out to celebrate. Reyansh has agreed.”
Aanya’s breath hitched. “He… agreed?” she repeated in disbelief. Her gaze flicked from Radhika to Reyansh, who stood tall and impossibly handsome, fully suited up for the evening, and looking at her.
A broad, incredulous smile broke across Aanya’s face.
“Oh my God. Thank you, Di!” she squealed, throwing her arms around Radhika and planting a quick kiss on her cheek.
Caught in the rush of excitement, she turned toward Reyansh without thinking. Before logic could catch up to emotion, she crossed the short space between them and wrapped her arms around his neck, landing a soft, impulsive kiss on his cheek.
“Thank you, Rey,” she whispered breathlessly, using the nickname again without hesitation. As she pulled back from the kiss, her arms slid down slowly from around his neck, her palms grazing over his broad chest, lingering with soft affection. “Thank you for saying yes.”
The pure, flushed look on Reyansh’s face in the aftermath of her kiss made her realize what she had just done.
She had kissed Reyansh Chopra. On his cheek. In front of his entire family!
Though a spark of shock flickered across her face, she masked it quickly, schooling her features into cool indifference, as if what just happened meant nothing at all.
But Reyansh saw it.
Both her panic and her cover-up.
