"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,while loving someone deeply gives you courage." - Lao Tzu

THE soft, melodic music enveloped the room, casting a romantic spell over the dance floor. Sana moved in perfect rhythm with Ram, her hands resting lightly on his chest and shoulder, while his rested respectfully on her waist. They swayed gently to the beat, the world around them fading into the background as they shared a comfortable silence. It wasn't the passionate dance of lovers but the intimate dance of close friends, two people who found solace in each other's presence.

But despite the ease of the moment, Sana couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. It was a piercing, almost possessive gaze, one that made her shiver involuntarily. She didn't need to look to know who it was.

Sidharth Vyas.

She forced herself to ignore it, focusing on Ram instead. She noticed the distant look in his eyes as they swayed to the music, his gaze fixed somewhere behind her. There was a softness in his expression, a longing she hadn't seen before. Curious, she followed his line of sight and wasn't surprised when her eyes landed on Siya, who was wrapped in her boyfriend Sidharth's arms, lost in the moment.

They looked perfect together-two people deeply in love, entirely absorbed in one another.

"Do you love her?" Sana's voice was gentle but direct, her question startling Ram.

Ram blinked, his usual carefree demeanor faltering. "What?" he stammered, taken aback. "No, it's not like that. Siya's just a friend...a good friend."

Sana gave him a knowing look, her lips curving into a soft, empathetic smile. "Ram, I see how you look at her. You don't have to pretend with me."

He looked away, his grip on her waist tightening slightly. "Even if I did... it doesn't matter. She's happy with Sidharth. They're good together. I'd never do anything to ruin that."

His voice was filled with resignation, and Sana's heart ached for him. She could see it clearly now-the quiet, selfless love he harbored for Siya, a love that would never be returned in the way he wanted.

"Have you ever told her how you feel?" she asked softly, hoping to give him a chance to unburden his heart, even if it was just to a friend.

Ram shook his head, his smile sad. "No. It wouldn't change anything. She loves Sidharth. I'm just... her friend. And that's enough for me."

Sana nodded, understanding the pain of unrequited love all too well. She decided to change the subject, sensing that Ram needed a break from his thoughts.

"You know, I had a boyfriend once," she said casually, her tone lightening.

Ram raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh yeah? Who was the lucky guy?"

Sana laughed softly. "It was back in school. We were in eighth grade, and everyone thought we were the cutest couple. We dated for three years."

Ram grinned. "Three years? That's impressive for a school relationship. Why'd you break up?"

"His family moved to the USA," Sana said with a shrug. "Long distance wasn't really an option at that age. It was a mutual thing."

Ram chuckled. "Long-distance relationships do suck." He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Do you ever miss him?"

Sana shook her head, smiling. "No, not really. It was puppy love, you know? We were just kids."

Before Ram could respond, the air around them shifted. Sana felt it again-Sidharth Vyas's gaze burned into her back. She did her best to ignore it, but the tension was undeniable.

Suddenly, Sidharth's voice cut through the moment. "Julia, care to dance?"

Sana blinked, turning to see Sidharth standing in front of Julia, who looked equally surprised. After a brief pause, Julia nodded, a shy smile tugging at her lips. "Sure."

Sidharth led Julia to the dance floor, and Sana felt her heart skip a beat, though she didn't know why. She watched them for a moment, the way Sidharth easily guided Julia through the music. He was graceful, confident-almost too much so.

But then, without warning, Sidharth spun Julia in a twirl and seamlessly exchanged partners with Ram. Before she could even register what had happened, Sana found herself in Sidharth's arms, his hands firmly but gently placed on her waist.

Her breath caught in her throat as their eyes locked. There was something different about the way he held her-his touch was soft, yet there was an underlying intensity that made her pulse race. The room seemed to blur, and all she could focus on was the heat of his hand against her skin and the way his dark eyes bore into hers.

They moved together, their bodies in sync, and Sana felt a dizzying swirl of emotions. She was trapped in the moment, her breath coming in shallow bursts as they swayed to the music. His grip on her waist tightened slightly, pulling her closer, and Sana felt her knees weaken. There was something magnetic about the way he held her, something that made her want to both push him away and pull him closer at the same time.

Sidharth leaned down, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "You seem nervous, Sana. Not used to being this close to me?"

She bit her lip, trying to steady her breathing. "I'm not nervous. Just surprised you can dance without tripping over your own ego."

He chuckled softly, the sound sending shivers down her spine. "Funny. But you're not fooling anyone, Baby Girl. I can feel it-how much you're trying not to give in."

Sana's heart raced as she met his gaze, her defiance flickering despite the way her body reacted to his touch. "And what exactly am I giving in to?"

Sidharth's smirk deepened. "You'll figure it out."

Before she could respond, the song ended, and he stepped back, leaving her feeling breathless and unsteady. He offered a small, mocking bow before walking away, leaving her standing in the middle of the dance floor, utterly dazed.

After the whirlwind of emotions on the dance floor, Sana found herself walking with Julia and Siya toward Siya's parents. Mr. and Mrs. Shukla stood near the bar counter, chatting happily with some guests. As soon as they saw Siya approaching with Sana and Julia, their faces lit up with warm smiles.

"Mom, Dad, meet my friend Sana and Julia." Siya introduces them to her parents.

"Girls!" Mrs. Shukla greeted them, her voice soft and melodic. She was dressed in an elegant black gown, her soft features radiating kindness. "It's so lovely to finally meet you."

Sana smiled, taking in the sight of Siya's mother-average height, with delicate features and a grace that matched her warm personality. "It's lovely to meet you too, Mrs. Shukla."

"Oh, please, call me Aunty," she said, waving off the formalities. "This is my husband, Sidharth."

Sidharth Shukla, tall and imposing at over six feet, stepped forward with a charming grin. His dusky complexion and sharp features made him strikingly handsome, and the all-black suit he wore added to his model-like appearance.

"Nice to meet you, girls," he said, his voice deep and smooth.

Sana and Julia exchanged impressed glances as they took in his presence. He looked every bit like someone who could be on a magazine cover.

Mr. Shukla turned to his wife with a teasing smile. "Princess, these girls are even prettier than Siya described."

Shehnaaz flushed slightly, playfully slapping his arm. "Oh, stop it, you're embarrassing me."

The girls watched in awe as Mr. and Mrs. Shukla exchanged affectionate glances, their love for each other evident in every word and gesture. It was rare to see a couple still so in love after years of marriage. Sana found it adorable, and Julia couldn't help but giggle.

"They're so cute together," Julia whispered to Sana, who nodded in agreement.

"Shehnaaz, baby, please come! I need to show you something funny." A beautiful woman in her mid forties called Shehnaaz.

"Tina Mina, for fuck's sake she's my baby. How many times do I have to tell you this? And, Mohit, control your wife. She always brings trouble in my life teaching Shehnaaz weird shit." Mr. Shukla yelled in irritation.

"Sorry, Sid. But, I can't do anything about it." Mohit said, raising hands in surrender.

"Fucking pussy-whipped cunt!" Mr. Shukla mumbled softly, in irritation.

"I love you, Jiju juju." Tina flipped him off with a mocking smile

"Fucking bitch!" Mr. Shukla cursed but then smiled cutely at Shehnaaz, who was glaring at him. "What happened, Princess?" he cooed, kissing Shehnaaz's hand making her roll her eyes.

"Kids are here, and you're talking like this. Have some shame." Shehnaaz scolded and ready to leave but looked at Sana and Julia with a sweet smile, who were trying hard not to laugh. "And, girls enjoy the party and have your dinner. Then our driver will drop you home before 10."

Before Sana and Julia could deny her offer Mr. Shukla added. "It's an order." Then he followed his wife like a puppy.

"Damn! They're cute." Sana giggles along with Julia and Siya.

"Come let's have dinner, guys." Siya said.

Dinner passed in a comfortable flow, with everyone enjoying the food and conversations. But Sana's mind kept drifting back to her dance with Sidharth. She couldn't shake the feeling his touch had left on her skin, the way her heart had raced when he was close. Soon, she found Julia chatting happily with Siya, who was talking excitedly about her parents' love story.

"They've been married for almost twenty years, and they're still acting like newlyweds!" Siya giggled, glancing at her parents, who were now dancing together, lost in their own world. "It's so embarrassing sometimes."

Julia smiled at Siya, clearly enchanted by the Shuklas' love. "No way! It's adorable. I hope I find someone like that someday."

Sana, despite the whirlwind of emotions she had been through, couldn't help but smile too. She looked over at Mr. and Mrs. Shukla. Mr. Shukla is still whispering something into his wife's ear that made her blush deeply. They were so comfortable with each other, so obviously in love. It was the kind of relationship she had always dreamed of, the kind of love that felt unshakeable.

Sana and Julia shared a knowing glance, both silently acknowledging how rare and precious that kind of connection was. It was something to aspire to, but for Sana, it felt a million miles away from her current reality, where she was caught in the chaotic whirlwind that was Sidharth Vyas.

"Siya, don't you feel weird that your boyfriend's name is the same as your father's?" Julia asked, out of curiosity.

Siya giggled, "No, in fact I fell for him because of his name. Somewhere."

"What do you mean?" Sana asked in confusion.

"When I was five, I had this terrifying dream. In it, I was at a restaurant with him-someone I called 'superhero,'. In my dream, the restaurant caught fire. I remember calling out to him, thinking he could save us, like a superhero would. I think I dreamt it because before I slept my Mom had told me about how she and my Dad met in a restaurant, and how she called him her 'superhero' that night. It was a business meeting between their families; my grandfathers were business partners. But that same night, a real tragedy struck. The restaurant caught fire, and my grandparents... they didn't make it." Siya's voice softened, the sadness settling into her words.

"Oh my God!" Sana gasped, cupping her mouth in shock, feeling a deep sense of sympathy for Siya's parents.

"How old were your parents when this happened?" Julia asked gently.

"My mom was ten, and Dad was barely fifteen," Siya replied, her gaze softening as she glanced toward her parents. "So when Mom told me that Dad's new business partner, Mr. Kapoor, had a son named Sidharth... I don't know, I just started liking him. Eventually, it turned into an obsession," she finished with a small smile.

"Do you really love him, or is it just an infatuation because of everything that happened?" Sana asked, her tone gentle but probing. She cast a quick glance at Ram, knowing his feelings for Siya ran deep. "You were just a kid back then, after all."

Siya paused for a moment, then shook her head with certainty. "No, it's not just that. I really do love Sidharth," she said, her eyes locking onto her boyfriend, who was sitting across the room with his parents. Though he looked annoyed, but as soon as he felt her gaze, he smiled and winked at her, causing a blush to rise in her cheeks.

Sana nodded smiling.

After dinner, Sana slipped out onto the balcony to get some fresh air. The cool breeze was a welcome relief from the heat of the evening, but she wasn't alone for long.

"I see you're still running off to catch your breath," came a familiar voice behind her.

Sana turned to find Sidharth standing at the doorway, his hands in his pockets, watching her with that same intense gaze. He walked over, his presence once again overwhelming.

"You enjoy being dramatic, don't you Vyas?" Sana quipped, crossing her arms over her chest.

Sidharth chuckled, stepping closer until they were just a few inches apart. He leaned in slightly, his voice low. "Only when it gets your attention."

Sana's breath hitched, her pulse quickening as she met his gaze. Before she could respond, Sidharth gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering for just a moment longer than necessary.

"See you later," he murmured, his voice sending shivers down her spine.

And just like that, he walked away, leaving her standing there with her heart racing and butterflies fluttering wildly in her stomach. She exhaled shakily, trying to make sense of the chaotic feelings swirling inside her.

This was Sidharth Vyas-maddening, infuriating, and yet somehow utterly captivating. As much as she tried to convince herself that she despised him, her heart betrayed her every time he was near.

After that moment on the balcony, Sana did her best to avoid Sidharth, throwing herself into conversations with her friends. Julia, of course, had noticed something was off and kept giving her curious glances, but Sana waved them off, trying to act like everything was fine.

Eventually, the party began to wind down, and guests started to leave. Sana and Julia found themselves walking toward the Shukla's to say their goodbyes. As they approached, they couldn't help but smile at the sight in front of them. Mr. and Mrs. Shukla were standing close, speaking softly to each other, their hands intertwined.

"Thank you so much for inviting us," Julia said warmly as they approached, breaking the couple's tender moment.

Mrs. Shukla turned to them with a bright smile. "Oh, girls, we're so glad you came! It was lovely to meet you both."

Mr. Shukla, towering over them all, grinned and gave his wife a playful nudge. "My princess here threw the best party, didn't she?"

She flushed, nudging him back. "Bebu, stop calling me that in front of the kids. You're embarrassing me again."

He felt embarrassed by the word 'Bebu' but quickly sobered up and chuckled knowing now his Princess was taking revenge from him. But she doesn't know once the guests leave the house, he will lock her inside their bedroom and punish her in his way.

"Embarrass you?" Mr. Shukla teased with a smirk, pulling his wife closer and planting a soft kiss on her forehead. "Never."

Sana and Julia exchanged amused glances, both of them unable to hide their admiration for the Shuklas' playful, loving dynamic. Despite being parents to two grown kids, their love was as vibrant as ever, and it was refreshing to see.

"They're so cute," Sana whispered to Julia, who nodded in agreement.

"Goals," Julia whispered back with a grin.

As they said their final goodbyes and headed toward the exit, Sana couldn't help but think about how rare it was to see a love like that-one that had survived years of marriage, children, and life's ups and downs. It was the kind of love people dreamed of, the kind she secretly wished for herself, even if she'd never admit it out loud.

But just as she was about to leave, she felt that familiar, intense gaze on her again.

Sidharth Vyas was standing by the entrance, his arms crossed over his chest, watching her with that same unreadable expression. She had no choice but to walk past him to get to the door, and every step made her heart beat faster.

When she finally reached him, he stepped forward, blocking her path.

"Leaving without saying goodnight?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.

Sana sighed, trying to keep her composure. "I didn't realize we were on speaking terms."

Sidharth smirked, leaning down slightly, his proximity once again making her pulse quicken. "We're on whatever terms I want, Baby Girl."

She glared at him, trying to ignore the way his closeness made her feel. "Stop calling me that."

"Why? Does it bother you?" His tone was soft, almost playful, but there was a deeper edge to it that made her shiver.

Before she could respond, Sidharth took a step closer, his hand brushing hers for just a moment. The contact sent a jolt of electricity through her body, and she cursed herself for reacting.

"Goodnight, Sana," he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper. His eyes lingered on hers for a moment longer before he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, breathless once again.

Sana stood frozen, her heart hammering in her chest as she watched him walk away. She could still feel the faint warmth of his hand on hers, a feeling that stayed with her long after he had disappeared into the night.

She let out a shaky breath, trying to compose herself. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between them tonight-something that scared her more than she cared to admit.

As she finally walked out into the cool night air, one thing was clear: Sidharth Vyas was becoming more than just a nuisance. He was becoming impossible to ignore.

And that terrified her.

✿✿✿

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