The music in the garden slowly softened as the announcer’s voice echoed through the decorated courtyard.

“Ladies and gentlemen… may I have your attention please.”

Guests turned toward the stage as the lights dimmed slightly.

Then the spotlight turned on.

At the center of the stage stood Inaya Saxena and Rahul Oberoi side by side.

The soft golden light fell on them, making their outfits glow. Inaya’s lavender lehenga shimmered delicately, while Rahul stood beside her in an elegant traditional outfit. Together they looked like the perfect couple everyone had gathered to celebrate.

Guests began whispering compliments.

“They look beautiful together.”

“What a perfect pair.”

Among the crowd, Tarini stood watching the stage.

Her eyes slowly filled with tears.

Seeing her daughter standing there, dressed like a bride, ready to begin a new chapter of life… it made her heart swell with emotion.

She quickly wiped the corner of her eyes, trying to control herself.

But the tears kept forming.

Beside her, Navdeep noticed immediately.

Without saying anything, he quietly took a tissue from his pocket and held it out to her.

Tarini glanced at him.

Navdeep gave her a small, understanding smile.

“No need to hold back the tears,” he said softly.

Tarini felt slightly embarrassed and looked away, taking the tissue from him.

Even after all these years together, moments like this still made her shy.

Meanwhile on the stage, under the bright lights and smiling faces around her, Inaya stood quietly beside Rahul…

carrying a secret in her heart that no one in the celebrating crowd could see.

The moment everyone had been waiting for finally arrived.

Under the glowing lights of the stage, Inaya Saxena gently picked up the ring and slid it onto Rahul Oberoi’s finger.

For a brief moment their hands stayed together.

Then Rahul smiled politely and placed the ring on Inaya’s finger as well.

The instant the rings settled into place, the crowd erupted.

Claps, cheers, whistles, and congratulatory voices filled the palace garden.

Flowers were tossed lightly from the sides and the music rose again.

Soon after, the host invited the couple for their first dance.

Soft music began playing as Rahul offered his hand to Inaya, and the two stepped onto the dance floor while guests gathered around to watch.

A little distance away from the crowd stood Kabir.

He wasn’t watching the dance.

His eyes were busy searching the crowd.

He had come here for a reason—to find some clue about Taniskh Chandravanshi.

Near the front, he noticed Tarini Chandravanshi greeting guests gracefully. But Kabir knew approaching her directly would raise suspicion.

Just then his eyes landed on someone else.

Malini Chandravanshi.

Tarini’s mother.

A woman who had been away from India for many years.

Kabir’s expression sharpened slightly.

Perfect.

He quietly began following her through the crowd as she moved toward the buffet area.

Right on cue, a waiter carrying a tray of sauce accidentally came toward her path.

Malini didn’t notice.

She was about to bump into him—

But suddenly Kabir stepped forward and caught her gently by the arm, pulling her slightly aside.

The waiter passed by quickly, but the sudden movement caused a small bowl of sauce to spill—

Right onto Kabir’s hand.

Malini gasped.

“Oh! I’m so sorry,” she said immediately, clearly feeling guilty. “It’s my fault. I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

Kabir shook his head politely, wiping his hand with a napkin.

“No, no ma’am. It’s completely fine.”

Malini still looked apologetic.

Kabir then smiled warmly and continued, casually creating conversation just as he had planned.

“Actually… I worked with Miss Inaya once on an advertisement shoot. That’s how I was invited here. Seeing such royal people tonight is truly an honor.”

He paused slightly, then added with charm,

“And meeting a queen like you… is a pleasure.”

Malini smiled faintly at his words.

“I was a queen,” she corrected gently. “Not anymore, son.”

Then she looked at him with a hint of amusement.

“But you speak very well.”

Malini Chandravanshi looked at the young man in front of her more carefully now.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she was trying to place a memory.

“I think… I know you,” she said slowly. “Wait… what is your name?”

For a split second, Kabir’s heartbeat picked up.

This was exactly the moment he had been waiting for.

He opened his mouth to introduce himself.

“Yes, ma’am, I’m—”

But before he could finish, someone hurried toward them through the crowd.

A guest leaned slightly toward Malini and said politely,

“Ma’am, your daughter is looking for you. She wants you to come meet the Oberoi family.”

Malini immediately turned her head toward the stage area where the newly engaged couple was surrounded by guests.

“Oh,” she said softly, remembering her responsibility.

She turned back to Kabir with an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry, son. We’ll talk later.”

Kabir nodded politely.

“Of course, ma’am.”

Malini gave him one last thoughtful look—still trying to remember where she had seen him before—then walked away toward the stage where Inaya Saxena and Rahul Oberoi were greeting the Oberoi family.

Kabir watched her leave.

A small, calculating smile appeared on his face.

Almost… he thought.

He had been just one second away from introducing himself.

But now something else caught his attention across the hall.

Someone he hadn’t expected to see again tonight.

Sahera.

Music and laughter still filled the palace courtyard, but away from the main crowd the garden was much quieter.

Soft lights hung on trees, and the night sky above looked deep and calm.

Sahera had been walking with Tara when Tara suddenly stopped.

“I’m going to the washroom,” Tara said quickly. “You go ahead.”

Sahera nodded. “Okay, I’ll wait outside.”

Instead of returning to the crowded engagement area, Sahera wandered toward the quieter garden side where only a few guests were standing far away.

The cool night air felt calming after all the noise inside.

She walked slowly toward a couch placed near a small fountain and looked up at the sky.

The stars were faint but visible.

Without really looking where she was sitting, Sahera casually dropped onto the couch—

—or at least she thought it was the couch.

Instead, she accidentally sat on someone’s lap.

A startled voice immediately spoke.

“Excuse me?”

Sahera froze.

Her eyes widened as she quickly turned her head.

And there, looking equally surprised, was Kabir.

For two seconds neither of them moved.

Kabir raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.

“Comfortable?” he asked dryly.

Sahera jumped up instantly, her face turning red with embarrassment.

“Oh my God—I’m so sorry!” she said quickly. “I didn’t see you sitting here.”

Kabir leaned back slightly, still half-smiling.

“Yes, I noticed.”

He looked up at her teasingly.

“But I must say… that’s a very unique way of greeting someone.” 😄

For a moment after the awkward incident, silence hung between them.

Sahera was about to say something when her eyes fell on the half-lit cigarette in Kabir’s hand.

She chuckled softly.

“Oh… so you do smoke,” she said teasingly. “And you were saying the other day you have shame and principles. Nowadays people are so fake.”

Kabir opened his mouth to respond—

But before he could, someone suddenly appeared from behind.

“Bro! Thanks for holding the cigarette,” said Yuvaan as he rushed toward them. “You know the pressure was so high.”

Then Yuvaan finally noticed Sahera standing there.

He glanced at her… then at Kabir… then back at her again.

A mischievous understanding flashed across his face.

“Oh,” he said slowly. “Bro… I think the pressure is back again.”

Before Kabir could stop him, Yuvaan quickly snatched the cigarette from his hand and walked away dramatically.

Kabir sighed under his breath.

“Coward,” he muttered.

Meanwhile Sahera felt a small wave of guilt.

She had just accused Kabir of being fake when the cigarette wasn’t even his.

She hesitated for a moment, unsure how to apologize.

Kabir looked at her calmly, as if nothing had happened.

“So,” he asked casually, “what are you doing here? A guest?”

Sahera decided to play along.

“Yep,” she said lightly. “My father is a businessman.”

She paused mid-sentence, realizing she had almost said more than she should.

Kabir tilted his head slightly.

Then a faint smile appeared on his face.

“So… Miss Botanist.”

Sahera blinked in surprise.

“You remember?”

Kabir chuckled softly.

“How can I forget?” he said. “You had such a cool dream.”

He looked toward the garden flowers nearby and added,

“And how could I forget the girl who talks to flowers like they’re her best friends?” 🌙🌸

Sneak peek- Chapter 26

“I’m pregnant.”

Both the man and Kabir froze.

A heavy silence filled the room.

Then Inaya said the words that made everything clearer.

“It’s your baby.”

Kabir’s eyes widened.