Saakshi sought solace in the company of her longtime friend, Devdutt Mehra, a refuge from the constant presence of her sister, Sana. As she approached him, his concern was evident. "What's wrong? You look troubled," he inquired.

Saakshi was fuming. Her younger brother, Abhishek, had abruptly asked her to leave, creating a private space for him and Sana. A growing suspicion gnawed at her. "Abhishek and Sana are up to something. I need to know what," she declared.

Devdutt tried to calm her. "Sana will confide in you before midnight. Don't let it ruin your evening," he reassured.

Saakshi nodded, but her scepticism lingered. Before she could elaborate, her gaze fell on an unexpected sight: Sana was dancing with Devdutt's elder brother, Shubman Mehra. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Why is she dancing with him?" she asked, incredulous.

Devdutt chuckled. "It's a ball, Saakshi. Dancing is part of the fun," he explained.

"But Sana dislikes Shubman," Saakshi countered.

Their conversation was interrupted by the approach of Mr. Vora, who extended an invitation to Saakshi. "May I have this dance with you after this song?" he asked politely.

Saakshi hesitated, eager to decline. Devdutt, ever the loyal friend, quickly intervened. "She's dancing with me for the next song, sir," he replied.

Mr. Vora persisted. "Then perhaps after that?"

Devdutt, unyielding, countered, "She'll still be with me."

A third attempt was made. "After that, then?"

With a decisive tone, Devdutt announced, "The ball will be over, and she'll be home asleep by then." He then turned to Saakshi, offering his hand. "May I?"

Saakshi accepted, grateful for his quick thinking. As they stepped onto the dance floor, Devdutt whispered, "You owe me one."

_____

Shubman spun Sana effortlessly, his grip firm yet gentle. "So, are you saying yes?" he inquired, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation.

Sana's mind was racing. The past twenty-five minutes had been a whirlwind of unexpected events. Her brother, Abhishek, had shared his ambitious plans to expand their business, a venture requiring the support of the Mehra family, who owned vast tracts of farmland in the region. The proposal that followed had sent shockwaves through her: she was to marry Shubman Mehra to secure this crucial alliance. And now, here she was, dancing with the man who could potentially become her husband.

"I need to think," Sana replied, her voice barely audible over the music.

Shubman had undeniably changed since his return from his two-year absence. There was a new maturity, a certain allure about him. She couldn't help but recall the moment he had asked for this dance, his hands clasped behind his back as he approached, the simple yet elegant question, "May I have this dance, Sana?" His pronunciation of her name had lingered in her mind, a soft, melodic sound that had resonated within her.

As they danced, Shubman leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "If you agree to this, understand that it's purely a business arrangement," he whispered, his voice low and intense. "Don't expect me to be your Lover."

Sana was caught off guard by his proximity and the directness of his words. Her mind was in turmoil, struggling to process the implications of his statement.

_____

"Can I just ask any girl I like to dance?" Riyan inquired of his cousin, Esma.

She nodded nonchalantly. "Sure, just find someone who catches your eye."

Riyan scanned the ballroom, taking in the array of beautiful women. His gaze settled on a particularly striking figure surrounded by a bevy of admirers. Esma noticed his focus. "That's the diamond of the season," she informed him. "The queen herself proclaimed her the most beautiful woman here."

Riyan studied her for a moment. "She's certainly lovely, but not my type," he replied.

"I'll get a drink," Esma said, excusing herself.

As she left, Riyan's attention was drawn to a woman across the room. Their eyes met, and a spark ignited between them. He had seen many attractive women, but there was something captivating about her. Without hesitation, he walked towards her, navigating through the dancing couples.

"Riyan," he introduced himself, extending his hand.

"Swagata," she replied, accepting his hand with a graceful smile.

He gently kissed her hand, causing a blush to creep up her cheeks. "I haven't seen you here before," she observed.

"I'm new to the ton, visiting my sister," he explained.

"Have you found someone you like?" she asked curiously.

"Yes, I'm talking to her right now," he replied, his gaze unwavering. Her blush deepened.

"Talking or dancing?" he inquired, his voice low and inviting.

Swagata met his intense gaze. "Talking," she responded, her voice barely a whisper.

_____

As Esma savored her drink near the refreshment area, Mrs. Harita approached her with a beaming smile. "Congratulations!" she exclaimed, startling Esma.

Confused, Esma inquired, "Why are you congratulating me?"

"Look around," Mrs. Harita gestured. "Everyone is wearing your designs. You're the only woman in town who is both successful and independent," she explained with admiration.

Esma felt a surge of pride mixed with a bittersweet nostalgia. "Thank you," she replied, "but it hasn't been easy." The sacrifices she had made to reach this point were immense.

Just as Mrs. Harita turned to leave, a familiar voice pierced through the crowd. "Was it all worth breaking my heart?"

Esma's heart pounded in her chest. She recognized that voice, a voice she had once loved deeply. Slowly, she turned to face Abhishek Jain.

"Abhish-" she began, but he cut her off. "Don't say my name," he said coldly, his voice a stark contrast to the one she remembered.

Esma felt a pang of sorrow but held her ground. She had come too far to allow herself to be pulled back into the past. With newfound strength, she silently affirmed her decision. 

I made the right choice. she thought. 

"I will always choose myself and my passion." And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving Abhishek standing alone.

_____

Washington surveyed the bustling ballroom, his gaze drifting between his dancing brothers, Devdutt and Shubman. One sister was entangled in a trivial conversation with a stranger, while the other, the so-called "diamond of the season," was surrounded by a swarm of admirers. Feeling a growing sense of detachment, Washington slipped away from the opulent confines of the castle into the quietude of the night.

The town was eerily silent. Every shop was shuttered, the streets deserted as the populace reveled in the festivities. Yet, amidst this desolate landscape, a solitary figure caught his attention – a young woman engrossed in a book on a park bench. Intrigued and concerned, Washington approached her. It was unusual to find a woman alone at such a late hour.

"It's dangerous to be out by yourself, my lady," he began, his voice laced with concern.

The woman looked up, her eyes holding a mysterious depth. "Not for me," she replied calmly.

Seeking her permission, he gestured towards the empty space beside her. She nodded, and he carefully lowered himself onto the bench.

"Are you...some sort of enchantress?" he ventured; his curiosity piqued.

She chuckled softly. "No, just an outcast," she replied.

"You need protection too," he insisted.

Her expression turned serious. "Why would I need protection? As an outcast, I'm invisible to them." She stood up abruptly, her intention clear.

Washington instinctively reached out and caught her wrist. "That goes for you too," she said, her voice firm. "Being seen with me could damage your reputation. You are young and eligible. So, go home and don't follow me"

She pulled her hand free and turned to leave, but a gust of wind caught her bookmark, sending it fluttering to the ground. Washington retrieved it, his eyes drawn to the name written on it:

माही. (Mahi) 

A small smile tugged at his lips as he slipped the bookmark into his pocket. With a final glance at the departing figure, he turned and walked away, pondering the enigmatic encounter.

_____

Saina, the Daimond of the season, was weary of the relentless attention. Her beauty was undeniable, but she knew the fervor surrounding her was largely a product of her title, not genuine admiration. Seeking respite, she escaped the suffocating ballroom and ventured into the castle's garden.

The night air was a balm to her senses as she strolled through the fragrant blooms. Her gaze fell upon a solitary figure standing beneath the moonlit sky. A man, lost in contemplation. Drawn to his isolation, Saina approached him.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she began, her voice soft in the quietude of the night.

The man started, his eyes meeting hers with a brief flicker of surprise before he stepped back to create a respectful distance. Saina smiled at his instinctive courtesy.

"You're the policeman," she stated, recognizing his uniform.

His cheeks flushed slightly. "You can call me Dhruv," he replied.

"Dhruv," she repeated, savoring the unfamiliar sound of his name.

He seemed uncomfortable under her scrutiny, his gaze darting around the garden. Saina sensed his unease and decided to retreat. As she turned to leave, her long gown caught on a stray stone, and she stumbled. In that fleeting moment of vulnerability, Dhruv reacted instinctively, catching her before she could fall.

Their bodies were dangerously close, their breaths mingling in the still night. For the first time, Dhruv truly looked into Saina's eyes. There was a depth and intensity in his gaze that surprised her. It was as if she were seeing him for the first time.

Their intimate moment was abruptly interrupted by the booming voice of Shubman. "Saina!"

Startled, Saina and Dhruv broke apart, their faces flushed with embarrassment.

"What's going on here?" Shubman demanded, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation.

Saina hastened to explain, "Nothing, brother. I almost fell, and Dhruv caught me. It's really nothing."

Dhruv stood silently; his gaze fixed on the ground.

Shubman's expression hardened. "No, no, this can't be allowed to happen. You'll have to marry him," he declared.

Saina's voice rose in protest. "What? We don't even know each other! Nothing happened!"

Shubman was adamant. "You've been compromised, and I can't take that risk. It's the only way to protect our family's honor."

Saina felt a surge of anger and frustration. How could her brother be so unreasonable? Before she could retort, Dhruv's unexpected words silenced the room.

"I'll marry her," he said simply.

_____

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Dearest Gentle Reader,

The stage is set, and the drama is about to unfold. As our characters navigate the complexities of love, desire, and society, I invite you to immerse yourselves in their world. 

Share your theories and speculations in the comments below. Your engagement through Votes and Comments fuels my creative fire!

Can you predict the romantic tropes of each couple?  

PS- Should I make a chapter for tropes?