The silence prevailed in her cabin as she had drowned herself in reading the legal documents of the project attentively. She did not want any legal disputes between them and Malhotra's later. Also, she did not want to give any chance to Ahaan to blame her for anything more.

It was a week ago when she had received the approval mail from Malhotra's Construction. She had not believed it until she received his signed documents. This has somewhere raised hope inside her that maybe things can get back to normal between them, but later when he did not show up for the meeting and had sent his assistant on his behalf, her hope came crashing down. Also, the initial days of the project were with so much of workload, that she could hardly get time for herself and also she did not get the time to tell Mayank the whole truth about her past.

"May I come in Ma'am"

A known voice distracted her from her ongoing work. She looked towards her cabin door and found a very cheerful Mayank standing there with the bouquet of her favourite flowers. This gesture of Mayank brought a small smile to her face.

"What is all this Mayank? Come inside." Ishqi said with a small laugh. She had always found his gestures cute. She wished that even she could have felt the same way as him. Even she could love him the way he does. But she had already loved someone and now that place in her heart was not ready to accept someone else in it. This also made her feel guilty but then even you can't love someone forcefully. Then to Ishqi was trying her best to work out her relationship with Mayank.

"Fresh flowers for my lovely lady." Mayank forwarded the bouquet to her. He sounded very happy.

"Thank you, but why this bouquet suddenly?" Ishqi asked.

"Look at it carefully, it isn't just a bouquet," Mayank said and Ishqi looked at it again and found an invitation card. She took it out and read it. It was the invitation to the 25th-anniversary party of Mayank's mom and dad.

"Uncle Aunty are in town?" She asked excitedly. This time she was genuinely excited. She was eager to meet his parents from the time she was in India.

"Yes, and I want to introduce you to them at the party. So be ready at eight I will send my car for you and Maasi." Mayank notified her about the plan.

"Okay, we will be ready." Ishqi smiled back.

"I have to give an invitation to more guests so-"

"You don't have to ask me Mayank, you may go." Mayank had begun to say but was interrupt by Ishqi.

"Bye see you in the evening." Mayank gave a small hug to Ishqi and left the cabin. Finally, something exciting was happening for Ishqi after a very long time. She was very excited to meet her in-laws and also she was having a mixed feeling of nervousness and happiness.

Ishqi had decided to finish all her work before seven. She called and informed Massi about the invitation and was back to work. She finished her work at her decided time. She left exactly at the time she had decided.

After reaching home she began to get ready for the party. She wanted to make a good impression on her in-laws because she believes that first impression is everything. She decided to wear a strapless red gown with black pair of pencil heels. She wore red lipstick and applied a thin layer of eyeliner and Kajal. She styled her hair in a French braid that fall on her right shoulder with some strands falling on her face. She wore a three strings Beaded Necklace and long bead earrings, she also wore a bracelet and watch which matched her attire.

"Ishqi is you-" Massi entered her room wearing a dark blue saree with thick golden borders and saw her fully dressed up and looking just like a princess.

"Omg, Is this my niece or someone else?" Massi joked.

"Massi tell na how am I looking?" Ishqi asked checking herself in the mirror.

"You are looking fabulous, Mayank won't be able to take his eyes off you." Massi complimented her with a little teasing. And applied a dot of kajal behind her ear, to prevent her from bad eyes.

"The car has already arrived. Let's go." She said after admiring her niece.

Ishqi took her silver clutch and both the ladies walked to the just arrived car. They sat inside and the driver drove towards the venue.

The car halt outside a huge hotel. Ishqi and Massi got down and saw Mayank waiting for them at the entrance. He wore a black blazer with a white shirt inside.

Mayank was left awestruck looking at Ishqi. He was mesmerised by the way she was carrying herself so elegantly in that simple red gown. She looked liked she has just stepped down from heaven. He hurriedly walked towards them and led the way inside.

"I don't have words to express how beautiful you look," Mayank whispered into Ishqi's ear while they walk towards the party hall. Ishqi blushed at his statement.

They walked inside the beautifully decorated hall. The guest had already started arriving. Mayank looked around for his parents and spotted them talking with some guests.

"There are my mom and dad, come let's go," Mayank told Ishqi and took her with him after she nodded.

Ishqi was feeling nervous. Because she knew that now there was no turning back. Maybe this was her fate and she should accept it. And at that moment her heartbeat increased just like the meeting day. Ishqi knew what her heart was indicating but she denied it. She told herself that this was happening to her because she was going to meet her in-laws.

"Mayank." And his voice proved her wrong. She looked behind and saw him dressed in Red blazer and white shirt. His black hair was perfectly set.

Ahaan stopped on his way when he saw Ishqi standing with Mayank. How much he stopped himself from checking her out but failed as she looked just like an angel.

"Ahaan bro, come here," Mayank called him towards them. Ahaan trying not to look at Ishqi and walked towards them. But he met one of his clients and got busy conversing with him.

Mayank called his mom dad. His excitement of introducing his love of life to the most precious people in his life had no bound.

"Mom dad here she is, whom you wanted to meet," Mayank said looking at Ishqi. Ishqi greeted them.

"She is so pretty," Suman, Mayank's mom exclaimed. And Ishqi looked at her feet not knowing what to say.

"I like your choice son." His dad tapped his shoulder. He hugged him. He also introduced her Massi to them. The family got along in no time.

"I am so happy Ishqi that today finally you met my parents," Mayank told her.

"I am also very happy and your parents are so sweet." Ishqi smiled back. After meeting his parents she felt as of she has found her mom and dad in them.

"Now that you have met my parents I want you to meet someone." He said.

"Whom?" She asked.

"Come with me." He took her hand and started walking.

Ishqi feared that the person is Ahaan. As they walked towards where he was standing her fear was coming true. She wanted to run away. Before she could think any of the excused they were near him.

To be continued...

◦•●◉✿✿◉●•◦

Here we go with the next chapter!!!

Comment your precious reviews and don't forget to vote for the chapter.