Third person's pov!

The event buzzed with life, a hub of laughter, clinking glasses, and the occasional flash of cameras.

Vedant Khoda, dressed in a crisp black suit, stood near the edge of the venue, his expression as impassive as ever. He sipped his drink, eyes scanning the crowd with disinterest until he heard an unmistakably cheery voice approach.

"Mr. Khoda, this event is so elegant. I am sure this is going to be a huge success," Drishti Maheswari said, her tone dripping with charm.

Vedant glanced at her briefly, his face betraying no emotion.

"Thank you, Mrs. Maheswari." His voice was polite but cold, his entire demeanour silently willing her to leave him alone.

But Drishti Maheswari was not one to take a hint, especially when she was on a mission. She smiled wider, tilting her head and batting her eyelashes.

"Hey, have you noticed Shraddha Agnihotri?" She asked, her tone casual—too casual.

Vedant's attention sharpened, though his expression remained neutral. The name struck a nerve, and he turned to face her fully. Shraddha Agnihotri was his best friend's wife, though no one other than them knew it.

"Yes. What about her?" Vedant asked curiously.

Drishti mentally fist-pumped. Got him! She feigned nonchalance, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Oh! Isn't she stunning?" She asked, her eyes sparkling with feigned admiration. Vedant frowned, clearly unimpressed by the sudden shift in conversation.

"Hmm," he replied noncommittally, his tone flat. Undeterred, Drishti pushed on.

"When was the last time you went on a date, Mr. Khoda?" She asked sweetly, her tone suggesting pure curiosity.

"None of your business, Mrs. Maheswari." Vedant's cold gaze met hers, his annoyance bubbling beneath the surface.

"How about I set you up on a date with our beautiful Shraddha? I am sure you will love her." Drishti ignored the warning in his voice, her smile growing sly.

That was the last straw. Vedant shot her a look so icy it could have frozen the champagne in her flute. Without bothering to dignify her suggestion with a response, he turned on his heel and walked away, his patience clearly exhausted.

"Well, someone's touchy." Drishti watched him go, muttering under her breath.

Vedant found Dhruv near the edge of the ramp, observing the ongoing event with his usual intensity. Without ceremony, Vedant stepped beside him, still fuming.

"What happened?" Dhruv noticed his friend's stormy expression and raised an eyebrow.

"Drishti Maheswari is such a nuisance," Vedant growled, running a hand through his hair.

"What did she do?" Dhruv smirked, intrigued.

"Oh, she is trying to set me up on a date," Vedant said, the irritation evident in his tone.

"Why don't you take her up on it? You never know, you might find 'the one.'" Dhruv chuckled, air quoting the last two words.

"I take relationships seriously, Dhruv." Vedant shot him a withering look.

"When did you ever have a relationship to take seriously?" Dhruv scoffed, clearly amused.

"I mean when I have one. I believe strongly in the values of marriage. If I get involved with someone, she should be my one and only." Vedant said.

"Who would've thought The Vedant Khoda was such a hopeless romantic at heart?" Dhruv's smirk grew wider, his voice laced with amusement.

Vedant ignored the jab, his lips quivering in a rare grin.

"Oh, and by the way, the girl Drishti wants to set me up with is none other than your beloved wife."

"What?" Dhruv froze, the grin slipping from his face as the words sank in.

"You heard me." Vedant's grin widened, thoroughly enjoying his friend's discomfort.

"Damn it," Dhruv muttered under his breath, his gaze scanning the crowd for the woman who tried to set his wife up with his best friend.

"She is the self proclaimed matchmaker. That's what my sisters say. Drishti was their senior in college." Vedant said.

Dhruv scowled, as he looked at Drishti standing at a distance, talking animatedly to Siddhu.

"Good luck dealing with that whirlwind." Vedant chuckled, clapping a hand on Dhruv's shoulder.

Dhruv shook his head, muttering a curse as Vedant walked off, his irritation replaced by amusement at the absurdity of the situation.

The event was winding down, and the guests were chatting leisurely, the air buzzing with the satisfaction of an evening well spent. Dhruv Khuranna stepped onto the makeshift stage, microphone in hand, commanding attention as the crowd gradually fell silent.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Dhruv began, his voice smooth and full of charisma, "thank you all for joining us tonight and making this event such a memorable one. It's your presence and support that make evenings like these truly special. Now, before we officially call it a night, I thought we would end on a fun note—with a lucky draw!"

Dhruv stepped to stand beside Vedant and kept the microphone away.

"Seriously, Dhruv? A lucky draw just to give your wife a gift? I can't believe we are doing such a cheap game." From the corner of his eye, Vedant sighed dramatically. Dhruv grinned unabashedly.

"How else am I supposed to give it to her? I designed this specifically for her to wear tonight. But things happened..." His words trailed off with a wistful tone.

"Let me guess," Vedant said with an amused smirk, "that bowl is full of chits with just Shraddha's name on them?"

"Of course," Dhruv replied without a hint of shame.

"Go ahead then, Mr. Romantic. Let's see this masterpiece of a plan unfold." Vedant shook his head, exasperated.

As an employee brought forward the fish bowl full of chits, Dhruv scanned the crowd. His gaze stopped on baby Kriti, who was perched on her chachu's arms, looking adorable and slightly dishevelled from the long evening.

"Siddharth, why don't you bring little Kriti over? Let's have her pick the winner for the night!" Dhruv's eyes softened. She was the youngest child there. The only one younger than her was Vidyut.

The announcement brought delighted murmurs from the crowd and warm smiles from the Agnihotri family.

Vaiga quickly stepped forward to fuss over her baby girl, smoothing her slightly mussed hair and placing a headband that she had thrown off a while ago, back on her tiny head. Kriti pouted adorably but let her mother adjust her, earning coos from the nearby guests.

"She is ready," Vaiga said with a kiss to her daughter's chubby cheek, and Siddhu walked toward the stage, carrying a wiggling Kriti.

The moment they reached the stage, the photographers sprang into action, clicking away at the adorable sight. Kriti, her curious eyes darting around, seemed fascinated by all the lights and attention.

"Okay, little one," Siddhu said with a chuckle, holding Kriti close to the glass bowl. "Pick a chit for us."

Kriti leaned forward, her eyes wide with wonder. But instead of reaching out her tiny hand, she did the unexpected—she tried to push her entire head into the big bowl. The crowd erupted in laughter as Sid quickly pulled her back.

"Not like that, you little troublemaker!" Siddhu said, grinning. "Use your hand, not your head."

Encouraged by his words, Kriti finally reached out, her tiny hand dipping into the bowl. But instead of taking one chit, her chubby fist closed around a handful, pulling them out triumphantly.

Dhruv's heart skipped a beat, his grin faltering momentarily. 'What if someone notices the names on the chits?' He quickly stepped forward, his voice soft as he said, "Just one, baby."

Gently, Dhruv pried her little fingers open, taking one chit from her hand and nodding to an employee to swiftly remove the bowl from sight. The staff member complied, vanishing with the evidence before anyone could inspect it too closely.

Dhruv made a grand show of unfolding the chit, his expression morphing into mock surprise.

"Well, well, it seems like baby Kriti is very fond of her aunt!" He announced, his voice filled with exaggerated awe.

Vedant, standing beside him, rolled his eyes subtly, suppressing a chuckle at Dhruv's theatrics.

"So," Dhruv continued, holding up the chit for dramatic effect, "the winner of tonight's lucky draw is... Shraddha Agnihotri!"

The crowd broke into applause, and Shraddha, standing at the back, stared at Dhruv knowing very well that this was all his games. Dhruv's gaze softened as it landed on her, his plan a success.

"That was very convincing, Bhatra. Truly, a master of subtlety." As the cameras clicked again, Vedant leaned over, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Anything for my wife, Khoda. Anything." Dhruv smirked. 

A/N

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SF❤️