As the evening unfolded, the anticipation reached its peak. At 8 o'clock, the moment of truth arrived – the birthday girl's grand entrance.
The lavishly decorated hall, reminiscent of a fairy tale, was abuzz with esteemed guests: family members, relatives, influential business associates, and Aeni's school friends. Amidst this sea of familiar faces, Ayden's eyes yearned for only one.
After a relentless two-week search, the wait was finally over. His heart raced with excitement.
Ayden's thoughts drifted back to their first encounter, when Aeni's presence had left an indelible mark on his heart, a sweet, aching wound. Now, he hoped she would bring solace to his longing soul.
Ila's voice cut through the chatter, her gesture drawing all eyes to the staircase. "Here she is!"
As Ayden's gaze shifted from Ila to the stairs, his heartbeat quickened, and a wave of warmth swept through his body.
Aeni emerged, radiant, beside her father, her slender hands grasping his arm. Her captivating smile illuminated the space, and Ayden's soul stirred.
He drank in every detail of her appearance, mesmerized by the sparkle in her eyes, the gentle curve of her lips, and the soft flush on her cheeks.
Her minimal makeup accentuated her natural beauty, and Ayden's admiration grew. Aeni's eyelashes, long and luscious, blinked slowly, captivating Ayden's heart.
Her presence was magical, like a fairy who had just descended from heaven.
He couldn't help but imagine releasing her hair from its elegant bun, gently pulling it back to reveal her neck, and pressing his lips to hers.
A sly smile spread across his face as he indulged in the fantasy. His eyes never left hers, entranced by the vision descending the stairs.
But his reverie was shattered when the room erupted in song and applause, as everyone wished Aeni a "Happy Birthday." He snapped back to reality, realizing she had descended the stairs and was now just a few steps away.
"Happy birthday, Aeni! God bless you with all the happiness in life," Shanaya, Aeni's aunt, said warmly.
"Happy birthday, princess, keep smiling always," Vikram, Aeni's uncle, added.
Aeni smiled, thanking them. "Thank you, Chachu. Thank you, Chachi."
Krish, Aeni's cousin, chimed in, "Happy birthday, Di!" The Rai Singhaniya also extended their wishes, which Aeni graciously acknowledged.
Amidst the chaos, Aeni sensed someone's gaze on her. She scanned the room, trying to locate the mysterious observer, but couldn't pinpoint them.
Just then, Aeni's friends swarmed around her, pulling her to the other side of the room. Ayden's eyes narrowed, feeling frustrated as he lost sight of her.
Later, while Aeni chatted with her friends, Aryan intervened, "Princess, I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine. May I borrow you for a moment?"
Aeni smiled, replying, "Ji, papa." (Yes, papa.) She excused herself and followed Aryan to Ayden's family.
As they approached, Aeni's gaze fell on Samarth, but her attention was swiftly captivated by a stunning figure standing beside him. The tall, handsome man wore a tailored white tuxedo, his hair perfectly styled. His chiseled features, light brown eyes, and strong jawline evoked a Greek god.
Their eyes met briefly, and Aeni felt an inexplicable jolt. She quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing. Yet, she couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched.
A bell rang in her mind; those light brown eyes seemed familiar, but she couldn't quite place them. Her heart fluttered, and butterflies danced in her belly. No one had ever made her feel this way before.
"Princess, he is Mr. Samarth Rai Singhaniya, one of my close friends," Her father's words, jolted her back to reality.
A subtle, knowing smirk spread across his face, as he caught her staring.
Aryan's introduction of Samarth was unnecessary; Aeni was well-acquainted with their friendship. She had often seen Aryan and Samarth conversing on the phone and had even seen Samarth's photos. She knew about his family, too.
"Hello, uncle," Aeni said warmly, a bright smile illuminating her face.
"Hey, little birthday girl!" Samarth replied, his eyes twinkling.
"And this," Aryan continued, "is Ayden."
Samarth turned to his son, "Ayden, this is Aeni, Aryan's daughter."
Aeni's eyebrows arched in surprise. "But uncle, I've never seen him before in your family," she said, her curiosity piqued.
Samarth chuckled. "Oh, yeah! Actually, he used to live in the USA. He went to America for studies when he was 16, and it's only been a month since he returned to India."
Aeni's face lit up with a warm smile. "Oh! Hi!" she said, extending her delicate hand for a handshake.
Ayden's husky voice sent shivers down her spine. "Hello, Aeni." His large hand enveloped hers, sending a spark of electricity through her.
As they shook hands, Ayden's mind wandered to intimate possibilities. "She's so small, and I'm so big... she'll definitely pass out when I'm on top of her."
A sly smile spread across his face.
Their hands lingered together for a beat too long, until Kabir's voice broke the spell.
"Hey, Aryan!" Kabir called out.
Aeni swiftly separated her hand, her face flushing.
Samarth greeted Kabir warmly and introduced Aeni. After exchanging pleasantries, the trio excused themselves. "Baccho, you guys have fun! We'll catch up with you in a while." Aeni felt awkward, left alone with Ayden.
What could she say to this stranger who stirred unfamiliar emotions within her?
Ayden, sensing her unease, leaned against the nearby pillar, his eyes never leaving hers. The silence between them grew thick with tension.
Just as she thought to break the silence, Ayden's husky voice wrapped around her like velvet. "Fairy?"
Aeni's breath caught as she turned to face him, their chests mere inches apart. Her lashes fluttered open, locking eyes with Ayden's.
"Fairy?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ayden's smile was radiant. "You're just like a fairy, straight from heaven."
Aeni's cheeks ignited, her skin burning with a fierce blush. "Thank you," she stammered, her smile trembling.
Ayden's eyes gleamed with satisfaction, his pride evident.
"I've brought something for you," he said, his voice low and mysterious.
Aeni's curiosity spiked. "What?"
Ayden's hand disappeared into his pocket, emerging with a sleek black box. He gently enveloped her hand, placing the box on her palm.
As she opened the lid, her face illuminated. The delicate diamond bracelet sparkled like stardust.
But Aeni's delight gave way to hesitation. "Why have you brought this? You shouldn't have. I won't take this from you."
Ayden's expression softened. "Why? Didn't you like it?"
Aeni's voice barely rose above a whisper. "No, I loved it... but it's too expensive."
Ayden's low chuckle sent shivers down her spine. "Hey, I can buy a whole jewelry shop for you. This is just a token."
Aeni drowned in his words, her mind reeling. Why would he lavish such luxury on her?
Who is she to him?
She felt an inexplicable connection, as if she'd known him for years.
But little did she know, their paths had crossed before.
Aeni's thoughts swirled, her heart racing. Why does his voice stir butterflies in my stomach?
Ayden's gentle prompt broke the spell. "Hey, fairy? Where are you lost?"
Aeni snapped back, steadying herself with a smile. "Yeah, I-I'm here."
Ayden chuckled, his eyes crinkling. He took her hand, securing the bracelet on her wrist.
Raising her hand, Aeni asked, her smile radiant, "How is it looking?"
Ayden's gaze locked onto hers. "Not prettier than you." Aeni's cheeks flushed.
As music filled the air, couples glided onto the dance floor.
Ayden extended his hand, his eyes sparkling. "May I have the pleasure to dance with you, princess?"
But Aeni's response stunned him.
"No, right now I want to dance with someone else."
With that, she brushed past him, ignoring his outstretched hand.
Ayden's face fell, his eyes narrowing and his jaw clenched.
Who doesn't love his life that he'll even think about dancing with his girl?
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