Hridyanshu closed his eyes in annoyance and stopped walking when he heard the loud music. A sigh left his mouth, remembering why he had asked or told Nalani that it was okay to live with them in the palace. He could hear her and Atulya's voices as they sang the song. He should've known better. Time might change, not people.

He started walking and saw people scattered in their private living room. He stopped in his tracks. Looking in, about thirty people were dancing in the middle of the living room. The furniture was pushed to the corners, Atulya and Nalani were standing on his table holding the mic.

His parents live in their private palace. Hridyanshu and his siblings share a private wing on the second floor with their own apartments or suites. But they had a private living room which they had to share. They never threw parties as Hridyanshu didn't like anyone in their private space.

Vedant froze when he saw Hridyanshu throwing glares at everyone. All of a sudden, everything stopped around them. Nalani and Atulya stopped and looked around in confusion when the music stopped. They weren't drunk drunk, they had just gotten started and were yet to get tipsy.

"Why the hell did you stop the music?" Atulya questioned in irritation. But the guy responsible for DJ looked at where Hridyanshu was standing. It wasn't hard to find Hridyanshu, he stood tall at 6.2 feet and could be spotted by anyone.

"Holy shit," Vidha muttered, putting the beer down on the table. Not that Hridyanshu knows anything about her drinking, but they have an important meeting tomorrow.

Hridyanshu didn't break his eye contact with Nalani. He stood there for ten seconds before walking towards his room. "Let's go and talk with him," Atulya said, getting off the table. Followed by Nalani. The siblings, along with Nalani, wandered to Hridyanshu's apartment. The doors were ajar, so they simply walked in and stopped when they saw Hridyanshu with crossed arms.

"Care to explain what's happening over there?"

"A party," Nalani replied, crossing her arms as well. Hridyanshu's face was stoic. Vedant gave an awkward smile, standing in front of Nalani, hiding her sight from Hridyanshu.

"They are our close friends. It's Saturday night and we haven't met in ages. Nalani is here and decided to throw a private party," Vedant said. Hridyanshu glared at Vedant. He doesn't like parties happening in this wing. "There's an east wing for the parties."

"Yeah, bhaiyya, but dadu's friends were staying over there and it would disturb them," Vidha said. "Then you should not have partied."

The alcohol in Nalani was doing its magic on her mind as she frowned at Hridyanshu's words. She stepped away from her hideout and faced Hridyanshu. "Why shouldn't we throw the party? The last time I checked, this wing belonged to all your siblings and you. So yeah, their opinion matters as much as yours." Nalani glared at Hridyanshu. "You don't have to be a dick."

Vedant and Vidha's eyes widened while Atulya laughed but covered it with a cough. "Nalani, babe stay calm," Vedant said, wrapping his hand over Nalani's wrist. Nalani didn't back off from throwing diggers at Hridyanshu, he was doing the same. Vidha, Atuly and Vedant shared a look before Vida spoke.

"Why don't we do the voting and decide if we should call it a night or party till morning?"

"That's a good idea!" Atulya said. "Let's vote."

Vedant looked at Hridyanshu. "Let's do the voting, bhaiyya. Fair enough." Hridyanshu gave a slight nod. Atulya and Vidha raised their hands for the party while Vedant kept his hand down, knowing Hridyanshu.

"Oh, it's a tie." Then Nalani raised her hand to vote. "You cannot vote."

"I have a room here and I live here. For a fact, I'm uncle and auntie's favourite kid too. So yeah, my vote is considered."

"Fair enough," Vedant said.

"Let's go party!" Atulya squealed. "We will keep it low and you won't be hearing anything because of the soundproof walls, bhaiyya."

They started stepping out of Hridyanshu's suite. Nalani didn't leave the suite without smirking at Hridyanshu. A different spark crossed her eyes. It was a declaration of unsaid war...

*

Nalani smiled as she shared a joke with Vedant and Vidha. She was sitting in between the siblings while Atulya sat adjusted to Padmanabh. Vrishali winked at Padmanabh as he shared the news of last night. They were at the breakfast table and would be leaving for their work.

"So, there was a party last night in the palace and you kids haven't invited us. That's sad." Vrishali looked at everyone. Hridyanshu rolled his eyes and continued eating.

"It was a last-minute invite, ma. Only close friends were present." Vedant looked at Vrishali. "It was late, so we decided not to disturb you both."

"Next time, invite us or call your dad. We will be there."

"Sure."

"No," Hridyanshu spoke. Vrishali's brows frowned in confusion. "No?" She glanced at Padmanabh before looking back at Hridyanshu. "You don't want us to join the party?"

"No, I meant no parties in our private wing. There's an east wing to throw parties but they had to bring their close friends to the private wing where we don't allow anyone." Hridyanshu glared at Nalani, Vidha and Atulya. "There was no need for a party when the east wing was occupied."

Nalani scoffed, placing her spoon down. "There was a need for a party." Hridyanshu brought his hands together and leaned his elbows on the dining table as he fixed his attention on Nalani. "Why was there a need for a party in the middle of the night?"

"To celebrate togetherness." Padmanabh and Vrishali looked in between Hridyanshu and Nalani as they continued glaring at each other. "Celebrate togetherness?"

"Yes, we aren't getting any younger nor do we have time to meet our close friends all the time. Vedant, Atulya and I were in the town and so were our close friends. It doesn't matter if it is mid-afternoon or midnight." Hridyanshu grunted his teeth in annoyance as he glared at Nalani. He regrets telling her to move to the palace. It's just the first week and she is going to stay for another four months.

"Yashu, I believe it is okay to throw parties in the palace. They are their friends and you usually throw parties with your friends as well. It's only fair if they get to party and they hardly leave their work to have fun," Vrishali spoke, placing her hand on Hridyanshu's hand.

"Not in the private wing. I used to throw parties in the east wing. They will do the same." Nalani openly rolled her eyes at him. "Okay, kids, it would be better for everyone if the parties were thrown in the east wing. We don't allow anyone in the private wing. Nor are there CCTV cameras to supervise," Padmanabh said, finishing his breakfast. "I don't have any problem with you kids throwing parties in the palace. It would be better if you all followed certain rules and respected boundaries. That is the main purpose of the east wing."

"Okay, dad."

"We will, uncle."

"Sure, dad."

"We will keep it in mind." They all started eating their food but Hridyanshu didn't break his eye contact with Nalani. He mouthed, 'Trouble.'

Nalani's lips slowly turned upwards as she picked up her juice glass. Without breaking eye contact, she mouthed back, 'Only for you.'

Hridyanshu tightened his hold on the spoon and clenched his jaw. Vrishali rolled her lips into her mouth to stop herself from smiling when she saw the exchange.