The venue for the party was nothing short of a fairy tale. The Khanna Mansion was decorated with shimmering lights, elegant decorations, and a lavish spread that showcased wealth. The magnificence of the place was heightened by the luxurious setting, creating an atmosphere of sophistication and celebration.

The party venue was decorated with exquisite decorations, sparkling chandeliers casting a warm glow over the luxurious surroundings. The air was filled with the fragrance of fresh flowers, and soft music played in the background, creating a vibe of sheer sophistication.

Elegant tables were set with fine China and crystal, while a team of chefs prepared a culinary feast that would tantalize the taste buds of the guests. The sprawling garden, beautifully illuminated, added a touch of magic to the celebration.

Guests were welcomed with a grand entrance, leading them into the heart of the celebration. The venue boasted a dazzling dance floor, and the soft tunes of live music added to the enchanting atmosphere. The party was a perfect blend of high-class décor and lively entertainment.

Amidst the preparations, an announcement resonated in the Kapoor mansion – the Khannas were special guests for the night, intensifying the anticipation and adding an extra layer of significance to the upcoming event.

Shifting the focus to the Kapoor Mansion, everyone was busy preparing for the party. The family members were dressed in their finest attire, sharing laughs and smiles as they readied themselves for the evening. Amidst the hustle, Kiara's room presented a contrasting scene. Clothes and accessories were scattered, and the room was in disarray. Kiara, frustrated and in a rush, was getting ready for the party.

Kiara's POV:

Kiara muttered to herself, "Late ho gayi main.... Why does everything have to revolve around him? I don't care about meeting him. I'm going for my family and the Khannas, not him. Ugh, this better be worth it."

Translation: "I'm late. Why does everything have to revolve around him? I don't care about meeting him. I'm going for my family and the Khannas, not him. Ugh, this better be worth it."

Kiara, while trying to fix her tangled bracelet and failing miserably due to being late, muttered, "Ugh. If he weren't in the picture, everything would have been fine!"

(Translation: "Ugh. If he weren't in the picture, everything would have been fine!")

Voicing her irritation, Kiara continued to get ready, determined to put on a brave face for the upcoming party.

Then there is a knock on the door, she opens it and she founds her younger sister Maya.

Maya teasingly commented, "Hamesha punctual rehne wali ladki aaj late kaise hai? Apne hone wale pati ke liye itna shringaar?" She burst into laughter, but Kiara, frustrated, snapped back, "Chup! Aur maddad kar meri." With Maya's assistance, Kiara, after a lot of struggles, managed to get ready for the party.

(Translation: Maya teasingly commented, "The always punctual girl is running late today? Getting all dolled up for her future husband?" She burst into laughter, but Kiara, frustrated, retorted, "Shut up! And help me." With Maya's assistance, Kiara, after a lot of struggles, managed to get ready for the party.)

....

At the Khanna mansion, the scene was in stark contrast. Aarav was getting ready with utmost calmness, a serene expression on his face.

Aarav's friend (Aditya): "Bro, aren't you even a bit nervous or excited about meeting Kiara tonight?"

Aarav, nonchalantly adjusting his cufflinks, replied, "Why would I be? It's just another social gathering."

Aarav's younger sister (Riya): "Aarav, do you even care about this alliance?"

Aarav, looking at himself in the mirror, calmly said, "Riya, I care about the important things in life, not trivial matters like this."

Aarav's father's voice echoed through the room, "Aarav, we should leave for the party now. It's an important evening for us."

Aarav, unruffled, replied, "Sure, Dad. I'll be there in a minute."

.....

The Khannas entered the venue with an air of ownership, exuding confidence and charm. Aarav, the man of the hour, was greeted by the guests with admiration and congratulatory remarks.

Guest 1: "Aarav, my man! Heard about the deal. You're rocking the business game!"

Guest 2: "Congratulations, Aarav! That deal of yours is the talk of the town. You've set the bar high!"

Guest 3: "Aarav, my man! Heard about the deal. You're rocking the business game!"

Aarav, acknowledging the praise with a humble nod, replied, "Thanks, appreciate it."

Guest 4: "Congratulations, Aarav! That deal of yours is the talk of the town. You've set the bar high!"

Aarav flashed a confident smile in response, "Just doing my part."

As the Khanna family mingled with the guests, Aarav's eyes unintentionally scanned the room, searching for a familiar face. Despite his outward composure, a part of him couldn't shake off the primary tension at the thought of encountering Kiara once again.

Meanwhile, across the room, Kiara entered the venue with her family, her character reflecting a mix of nervousness and determination. As she made her way through the crowd, the whispers and curious glances didn't go unnoticed.

Guest 3: "Isn't that Kiara Kapoor? I heard she's quite the independent woman."

Guest 4: "Yes, that's her! I wonder what she's doing here."

Kiara, aware of the attention, maintained her dignity, her mind worried with thoughts of the evening ahead.

Inside, amidst the chatter and laughter, the two families found themselves drawn into separate circles, each engrossed in their own conversations and interactions. While the Kapoor family seemed to effortlessly blend into the vibes of the party, the Khanna family held court with an air of sophistication and charm.

Kiara's father, Mr. Kapoor, engaged in a discussion with Aarav's father, Mr. Khanna, their conversation lively and friendly.

Mr. Kapoor: "Mr. Khanna, I must say, your son's achievements are truly praiseworthy. Aarav has made quite a name for himself in the business world."

Mr. Khanna, pride evident in his voice, replied, "Thank you, Mr. Kapoor. Aarav has worked hard to reach where he is today."

As the two fathers continued their conversation, Kiara found herself drawn into a conversation with Riya, Aarav's younger sister.

Riya: "Hi, I'm Riya. You must be Kiara, right?"

Kiara, caught off guard by the unexpected introduction, replied with a polite smile, "Yes, I'm Kiara. Nice to meet you, Riya."

Riya: "Aarav's just over there. Why don't I take you to him?"

Before Kiara could respond, Riya had already taken her hand, leading her through the crowd towards Aarav, who stood conversing with a group of guests.

Riya: "Aarav, see who is here."

Aarav, turning to face them, couldn't hide the surprise in his expression at the sight of Kiara.

Aarav: "Kiara Kapoor... it's a pleasure to meet you again."

His tone was polite, but there was a hint of disinterest in his voice that didn't go unnoticed by Kiara.

Kiara, catching the hint in Aarav's voice, couldn't suppress her own sense of irritation.

Kiara (with a forced smile): "Likewise, Mr. Khanna. Let's hope this evening is as pleasant as we all expect it to be."

Her response carried a slight edge, mirroring the coldness in Aarav's character.

As the evening unfolded, Aarav and Kiara found themselves unwillingly engaged in conversations, each exchange escalating the tension between them.

Aarav, already feeling the weight of the evening's expectations, stood with a stiff posture amidst the swirling crowd. His brow furrowed as he scanned the room, his mind worried with thoughts of business deals and familial obligations.

Suddenly, a collision disrupted his daydream as Kiara, lost in conversation, accidentally bumped into him, causing her drink to spill onto his pristine suit jacket.

Aarav's POV.

"Another one of these social responsibility... I should be focusing on the upcoming business deals, not wasting my time here. And yet, here I am, expected to play the perfect host and socialize with these people. The pressure is suffocating. On top of that this Marriage topic is a headache. "

I was busy with my dreams when someone bumped into me and spilled there drink ruining my mood and expensive suit jacket. When I looked up to see who it was, I got even more angry. It was her, Kiara. What is she trying to prove?

Kiara (apologetically): "Oh no, I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there."

My irritation flared and voice was snappish .

(coldly): "Watch where you're going. Can't you see I'm busy?"

Kiara (defensively): "Excuse me? It was an accident. No need to be so rude about it."

Look at this girl, first she spoiled my suit and now what's with that attitude.

My jaw tensed and frustration was bubbling to the surface as I struggled to maintain my composure.

(impatiently): "Just be more careful next time. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more important things to attend to."

End of Aarav's POV

With a rude nod, Aarav turned on his heel, leaving Kiara standing there, a mix of surprise and indignation flashing across her features.

As Aarav retreated into the crowd, the tension between them hung obviously in the air, setting the stage for a simmering hatred to make between the two.

Kiara's heart raced as she felt the sting of embarrassment wash over her. She watched Aarav's cold demeanor with disbelief, feeling a rush of hurt and fury welling up inside her.

Kiara's POV.

"What the hell? How dare he? I was only trying to apologize, and he treats me like I'm petty. The nerve of him to speak to me like that!"

All of my happy mood was now replaced with the sense of disrespect coming from Aarav's rude attitude.

(thoughts, growing resentment): "I can't believe I ever thought he might be different. He's just like the rest of them – arrogant."

With each passing moment ,my initial annoyance changed into a boiling resentment, fueling the flames of dislike towards Aarav.

Kiara (thoughts, resolving): "Fine, if that's how he wants to play it, then so be it. From now on, I'll steer clear of him and his arrogant attitude. I have no time for someone who can't even gather a shred of decency."

End of Kiara's POV

With a strong resolve, Kiara made a silent vow to keep her distance from Aarav, her fleeting hopes dashed by his callous behavior.

As Kiara stood there, furious with anger and frustration, she found herself gravitating towards her brother Arjun, seeking support in his familiar presence amidst the chaos of the party. Arjun, noticing the stormy expression on her face, gently placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, "Kiara, what's wrong? You seem upset."

Kiara, struggling to contain her emotions, replied curtly, "It's nothing, bhaiya. Just a minor incident."

Arjun, sensing her pain, persisted, "Are you sure? You look really upset. Did someone say or do something to upset you?"

Kiara hesitated for a moment, torn between her desire to confide in her brother and her reluctance to burden him with her troubles. Finally, she shook her head and forced a weak smile, "It's really nothing, bhaiya. Just forget about it. Let's enjoy the party."

Arjun studied her for a moment, concern carved on his face, but ultimately nodded in understanding. "Alright, Kiara. But remember, I'm here for you if you ever need to talk."

As Kiara and Arjun shared a moment of quiet company, their attention was momentarily diverted by the sight of Aditya, Kiara's youngest cousin, engaging in some rather overt flirting with Riya, Aarav's younger sister. Aditya, with his charming smile and playful demeanor, was pulling out all the stops to impress Riya, who seemed to be equally enjoying the attention.

Aditya: "Hey there, gorgeous! You're looking absolutely stunning tonight."

Riya, her cheeks flushing slightly, replied coyly, "Why, thank you, Aditya. You're not looking too bad yourself."

Aditya, flashing his trademark grin, leaned in closer, "So, Riya, do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?"

Riya, unable to suppress a giggle, played along, "Oh, I don't know. Maybe you should give it another try and see if it works this time."

Their playful banter continued, drawing amused glances from those nearby, as Aditya and Riya indulged in a flirtatious exchange that seemed to be escalating with each passing moment.

Kiara couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of her cousin's antics, nudging Arjun with a knowing smile. "Looks like Aditya's found himself a new admirer."

Arjun, amused by the spectacle unfolding before them, nodded in agreement. "Seems like it. Let's hope he doesn't get himself into too much trouble."

As they watched Aditya and Riya continue to flirt shamelessly, Kiara couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement wash over her, momentarily distracting her from the tension and frustration of her own encounter with Aarav. After all, if nothing else, Aditya and Riya's antics provided a much-needed dose of lighthearted entertainment amidst the otherwise formal atmosphere of the party.

With a grateful nod, Kiara leaned into her brother's comforting presence, silently grateful for his unwavering support. Together, they stood side by side, facing the uncertainties of the evening with a united front.
As the night wore on and the party reached its peak, the elders of both the Khanna and Kapoor families exchanged knowing glances, silently acknowledging that it was time to call it a night.

Mr. Khanna: "Well, it's getting late, and we have an early start tomorrow. Perhaps it's time we bid our farewells."

Mr. Kapoor, nodding in agreement, replied, "Yes, indeed. It's been a wonderful evening, but all good things must come to an end."

With that, the two families began to say their goodbyes, exchanging pleasantries and expressions of gratitude for the delightful evening they had shared.

Mrs. Khanna: "Thank you all for joining us tonight. It was truly a pleasure to have you here."

Mrs. Kapoor, smiling warmly, added, "Yes, thank you for your hospitality. We had a lovely time."

As the guests began to disperse and make their way home, Aarav and Kiara found themselves standing on opposite ends of the room, their paths never quite intersecting again.

The party, which had begun with such promise and excitement, had taken a sour turn for both Aarav and Kiara. Despite the success of the event, the tension between them lingered in the air, casting a shadow over what should have been a joyous celebration.

As they watched the Khanna family depart, Kiara couldn't shake off the lingering sense of disappointment and resentment towards Aarav, while Aarav, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret for the way he had treated Kiara earlier in the evening.

Little did they know, their paths were destined to cross again in the most unexpected of ways, setting the stage for a series of events that would change the course of their lives forever.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x