Author's POV
Megha was in her office, reviewing some documents when Shreya rushed into her cabin.
Megha raised a brow at her hurried entrance.
"How dare you hide such a big thing from me, Megha? Am I even your best friend anymore or not?" Shreya demanded, visibly upset.
Megha looked at her, confused. "What happened, Shreya? Why are you reacting like this?"
Shreya placed her palms on the table and leaned forward. "My best friend is getting engaged today—to her biggest enemy—and she didn't even bother telling me! And you're asking what happened?"
Megha shot up from her chair in shock. "What? Today? Are you serious? Oh god, I knew he was planning something behind my back!"
Shreya crossed her arms. "Why are you acting like you just found out?"
Megha asked, "First, tell me—how did you find out? Who told you?"
Shreya huffed. "Your grandfather sent me an invitation for your engagement, which is happening tonight at one of the Oberoi banquet halls!"
Megha's jaw clenched. "What nonsense is this? He could have at least informed me!"
Just then, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen—it was Arjun. Before Shreya could see, she quickly answered the call.
"You must have gotten your surprise by now," Arjun's voice came from the other end.
Megha groaned. "Yeah, it was such an awesome surprise. I'm thrilled." She rolled her eyes. "I knew they'd pull something like this, but I didn't think it would be this soon."
Arjun sighed. "Yeah, but what can we do? Let's just go along with it—it's not like we have another choice."
Megha scoffed. "Of course, we don't. Fine, let's see each other in the evening. First, I need to talk to Dadu."
"Alright. Bye," Arjun said.
Megha hung up and immediately called her grandfather.
As soon as he answered, his cheerful voice came through. "My dear Meghu! Are you missing me so much that you called just an hour after leaving the house?"
Megha gritted her teeth. "Dadu, stop acting—you know what you did."
Her grandfather chuckled. "What did I do now, hmm?"
"Dadu, don't play innocent! You sent out invitations for my engagement without even telling me!" Megha snapped.
Harsh sighed. "Megha, you knew this was bound to happen sooner or later. We talked about this."
"Yeah, but I thought I'd at least get a heads-up before you made it official!" She ran a frustrated hand through her hair. "I mean, today? That's barely enough time to process anything!"
"Processing time?" Harsh said with amusement. "What's there to process, Meghu? You and Arjun already have discussed it right, and whether you like it or not, this is happening. So, put on something nice and be ready."
Megha groaned. "Dadu, you're impossible!"
"That's why I always win, my dear." Harsh chuckled. "Now, don't stress too much. Everything is arranged, and I'll see you at the venue tonight."
Before Megha could argue further, he ended the call.
She let out a frustrated sigh and threw her phone on the desk.
Shreya, who had been silently watching, finally spoke. "Damn. Your grandfather really knows how to get his way."
Megha slumped back in her chair. "Tell me about it."
Shreya smirked. "So, what are you wearing for your engagement?"
Megha shot her a glare. "You really think I care about that right now?"
"Well, you should," Shreya teased. "You may hate Arjun, but let's not forget—he's ridiculously handsome. You need to show him what he got."
Megha huffed. "I don't need to show him anything." But her mind betrayed her as she imagined the look on his face when he saw her tonight.
Shreya grinned knowingly. "Mhm. Sure, keep telling yourself that."
Megha threw a cushion at her. "Just help me figure out how to survive this evening."
Shreya laughed. "With style, my friend. With style, let's go."
Megha asked, "Where?"
Shreya smugly said, "To our dear best friend who is also the best fashion designer—Mauli."
Megha said, "Yeah, Mauli! How could I have forgotten about her? She's a lifesaver, literally. And Shreya, please call her and explain the situation. I don't want to give an interview there."
Shreya chuckled and said, "Okay, let's leave first."
They both left and arrived at Mauli's boutique. When they walked in, they saw Mauli standing at the entrance with a teasing smile on her face.
Megha groaned. "Mauli, please don't start! Just help me, and I promise I'll answer everything later. But right now, I don't have time."
Mauli laughed. "Of course, I'll help you! After all, you're my best friend. Tell me, what are you looking for?"
Shreya jumped in. "Something simple, light-colored, and not too heavy, okay?"
Mauli grinned. "Don't worry! I have the perfect piece for you. I just designed it last week, and the cherry on top? It's a couple's set."
Megha said, "Okay, show me the dress first."
Mauli took them inside and showed her a beautiful lehenga in light peach and off-white, intricately embroidered. It came with a matching off-white kurta set for a man. It looked so pretty that Megha fell for it at first sight.
She chose the dress immediately, but then a thought struck her—did Arjun have something to wear for the evening?
She quickly sent him a message.
M: What are you going to wear in the evening?
He replied after a few seconds.
A: Nothing in particular. I'll check my wardrobe and see if I have a suitable suit.
M: Are you serious? You're going to wear some old suit to your engagement?
A: What else can I do? It's not like I have time to get a designer suit right now, so I'll just make do with what I have.
M: No need. I was selecting my dress, and it turns out it's a couple's outfit. If you want, should I send you a picture to see if you like it?
A: Did you like it?
M: Of course I did! If I hadn't, I wouldn't have asked you.
A: Then just take it. Send me the bill, and I'll pay for it. I'll send one of my guards to pick it up.
M: No need to pay. I'm not so broke that I can't afford a suit for my fiancé.
A: Okay then, as you say. Just leave it there and send me the address. I'll have someone pick it up.
M: It's alright. I'll just tell my friend to have it delivered to your office with one of her staff.
A: Okay then. See you in the evening.
Megha put her phone back in her pocket and noticed Shreya staring at her.
"What?" she asked.
Shreya smirked. "Don't you talk to your fiancé a bit too much?"
Megha shrugged. "What nonsense! I was just asking him about the dress." She turned to Mauli. "Anyway, let me try it to see if it fits or if you need to make adjustments."
She tried on the dress, paid for it, and told Mauli to deliver Arjun's outfit to his office. Then, she and Shreya left.
As they stepped out of the boutique, Megha asked, "Now where?"
Shreya grinned. "Parlor, where else? After all, you have to look your best."
Megha groaned. "No way! I'm not going to waste so much time. Do you know how many documents I could sign in the time you're asking me to waste?"
Shreya rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on! It's your engagement. Don't be a spoil sport." She grabbed Megha's arm and pulled her along.
Megha groaned again but relented.
They ended up spending a lot of time getting ready before finally leaving for the venue.
When they arrived at the venue, Megha's eyes swept over the decorations. The soft glow of fairy lights, pastel-colored drapes, and elegant floral arrangements gave the place an ethereal charm—just the way she liked it. It was tasteful, understated, and effortlessly beautiful.
As she stepped inside, her gaze instinctively searched for Arjun. She spotted him standing a short distance away, engaged in conversation with a young man who appeared to be around 18 or 20 years old. The boy's features bore a striking resemblance to Arjun—sharp jawline, intense eyes, and the same confident posture.
But Megha barely spared the boy a glance. Her eyes stayed locked on Arjun.
Dressed in the off-white kurta that matched her lehenga, he looked effortlessly handsome. The soft fabric draped over his tall, broad frame perfectly, the intricate embroidery adding a touch of elegance. The warm lighting of the venue cast subtle shadows on his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his cheekbones and the depth in his eyes.
For a moment, she forgot everything—the past, the tension, the unresolved emotions.
He looked good. Too good.
And the worst part? He hadn't even noticed her yet.

Her grandfather stood at the front, waiting for her. It looked like Arjun and his family had already arrived.
As soon as she reached him, he stepped forward, cupped her face gently, and kissed her forehead. "You look beautiful, darling," he said with warmth in his voice.
She smiled playfully. "Okay, with your compliment, I forgive you." Then, adjusting the sleeve of his kurta slightly, she added softly, "You're looking handsome too."
He chuckled and took her hand, leading her inside where everyone was gathered.
The first person she noticed was Harshvardhan. His sharp gaze softened when he saw her, and he smiled warmly. As she bent down to touch his feet, he stopped her midway and pulled her into a hug.
"You look gorgeous, beta," he said affectionately.
Megha smiled in response, feeling a sense of ease.
"Come," he said. "Let me introduce you to the rest of your family."
She hesitated for a moment. Family. That meant meeting a certain someone. But she couldn't exactly refuse, so she nodded and followed him.
The first people he introduced her to were a middle-aged couple.
"They are Arjun's badi ma and bade papa," Harshvardhan said.
Megha greeted them with a polite smile and joined her hands in a respectful namaste.
Arjun's badi ma, Richa, stepped forward, pulling her into a warm embrace. "Welcome to the family, beta," she said kindly.
His bade papa, Jay, placed a hand on her head in a fatherly gesture. "God bless you," he said.
Megha returned their smiles, feeling an unexpected warmth from them. She then continued forward with Harshvardhan.
"Arjun's parents aren't here," he explained. "They're in the U.S., and with such short notice, they couldn't make it. But you'll meet them later."
She unconsciously let out a deep breath of relief she hadn't realized she was holding. "Oh," she said, nodding with a small smile.
After being introduced to a few more people, Harshvardhan finally brought her to someone familiar—Arjun. Standing beside him was a younger boy, around 18 or 20, with strikingly similar features to Arjun.
"This is Arjun's younger brother, Aarav," Harshvardhan introduced.
Aarav grinned brightly. "Hello, bhabhi! Welcome to the family!" he said, his voice cheerful.
Megha immediately liked him. He was so cute and full of energy. A part of her wanted to pinch his cheeks, but she controlled herself. Instead, she smiled warmly as Aarav pulled her into a hug, which she gladly returned.
Then, she spotted Rajat, who greeted her before asking, "Where's Shreya?"
"She was waiting for Aaru at the entrance," Megha replied. "She must be here by now."
Rajat nodded. "Okay, I'll go bring them in."
With that, he left, and Megha turned back to find herself standing beside Arjun.
After some time, Shreya and Aarohi arrived, with Rajat following behind them.
The moment Aarohi spotted Megha, her face lit up with excitement. She rushed toward her and gasped dramatically. "Meghu di! You look like a fairy!" she gushed. Then, turning to Arjun, she flashed a toothy grin. "Hi, Arjun bhaiya!"
Arjun smiled and side-hugged her. "Hi, Aaru," he greeted fondly.
Still beaming, Aarohi clasped her hands together. "I can't believe two of my most favorite people are getting married!" she said, almost bouncing on her feet.
Shreya rolled her eyes but smiled. "Okay, Aaru, enough now. Get off the stage. The ceremony is about to start."
Aarohi pouted but nodded. "Fine, fine!" With that, she stepped down, still looking thrilled.
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