CHAPTER 3

Author's POV

Ritvik walked through the long corrider that led into the wedding hall.

The place was buzzing with energy. Relatives were moving everwhere greeting eachother loudly while the wedding music player in the background.

He walked calmly,hands in his pocket, his usual composed expression on his face.

But suddenly -

He stopped in the middle of the corridor.

For a moment, his step froze.

His gaze had unknowingly drifted towards the stage area.

There she was wearing a soft pink colored pattu Saree.

Rishika.

Standing near the stage among the groom relatives, she was adjusting the plates of her Saree neatly.

A loose stand of hair slipped across her cheek.

Without noticing anyone watching. She casually tucked it behind her ear.

The simple gesture somehow made Ritvik pause long than he realized.

Behind him, Rohan his brother nearly walked into him.

"Array Anna! "

"Endi ra ila madhayalo aagipoyav? "

(Hey brother! Why did you suddenly stop in the middle like that?)

Ritvik blinked and looked away immediately .

"Em Ledu. "

(Nothing.)

But Rohan had already followed the direction of his gaze.

A mischievous smile slowly uppeared on his face.

"Ahaa... ipudu scene ardham ayyindi."

(Ohh... Now I understand the situation.)

Ritvik frowned slightly.

"Em ardham ayyindi? "

( what did you understand?)

His brother leaded closer, lowering his voice dramatically.

"Anna... Wedding ki vacham. Bride Akkada undi... Kani nuvvu nuvu Vere ammayini chesthunnav."

( Brother... We come for a wedding. The bride is there... But you're starting at some other girl.)

Rohan chuckled.

"Story start ayinatte undi ga."

(Look like a story has started.)

Then he continued teasing with grin.

"Anna... Ila aagi chusthe andariki doubt Vastudi Ra.."

(Brother... If you stop and stare like this everyone will start suspecting something.)

He looked again toward the stage and smirked

"Cheppalante cheppu... Nenu vadini (sister-in-law) pilichi introduce chestha."

(If you want just tell me... I'll call sister-in-law and introduce you.)

Ritvik shot him a sharp look.

"Rey... Ekkava matladaku."

(Hey...don't talk too much.)

But Rohan wasn't done.

"Ayyayyo Anna, face chusthe clear ga telustundi... matter serious anukunta."

( Oh brother, your face clearly shows it... Look like the matter is seriou.)

Ritvik gave him a warning glare.

His brother lifted his hands innocently.

"sare sare... Nenu emi Aananu le."

(Okay okay... I will not say anything.)

But the teasing grin on his face remained.

Some time later

Ritvik stood near the bride's relatives, talking politely with few elder.

Through he nodded and responded when needed, his mind still replayed the moment from earlier.

Just then someone called him.

"Ritvik!"

He turned and it was Tanuja, his elder sister, walking toward him carring her ten-month-old baby boy.

She looked at little tired.

"Ritvik, konchem Anvit ni pattukuntava?"

(Ritvik,can you hold my baby for a bit?)

Before he could answer, she gently placed the baby in his arms.

"Konchem saypu chusuko...nenu akkada vellali.

( Take care oh him for some time... I need to go there.)

Ritvik didn't mind.

In fact, his serious face softened slightly.

He love to spend time with him.

The baby immediately grabbed Ritvik's collar with his fingers and giggled.

"Rey.. Enti ra Idi? Shirt ni vadhulu. "

(Hey.. What is this? Leave my shirt.)

Anvit only giggled louder.

Ritvik adjusted him comfortably in his arms.

"Anvi, clam ga undu ra... Padipothav. "

(Anvi, stay calm.. you might fall.)

He gently tapped the Anvit's nose.

"Em cheddam... walk ki veldhama?"

( What shall we do... Shall we go for a walk?)

Then he said softly ,

"Let's go baby."

Anvit happily waved his tiny hand as if agreeing.

Tanuja laughed seeing them.

"Choosava? Naa kanna mama daggare ekkuva comfortable ga untadu.

(see? He feel more comfortable with his mama than me)

Ritvik shook his head slightly.

~Meanwhile

Rishika had been asked to go to the bride's side to hand over the traditional bangles. They can even say this to the servants but they don't believe they can do this all works carefully because a small mistake and everythink goes wrong so, they prefer someone who can take the responsibility.

Though she belong to the groom's family, someone requeated her for help.

After finishing her responsibility, she stepped out of the bride's room.

Just then one of the bride's relative stopped her.

"Amma,idi groom side vallaki ivvali. Konchem tondaraga Ivvu."

(Dear, please give this to the groom's family quickly.)

The women handed her a decorated tray.

Rishika nodded politely.

"sare aunty, eppude istanu."

(OK aunty, I will give it right now.)

Holding the tray carefully, she hurried through the corridor.

"Konchem side ivvandi please."

(Please give some space.)

People moved aside as she walked quickly.

She turned the corner in a hurry-

And suddenly-

Thud!

She collided with someone

The tray titled dangerously.

But a strong hand caught it instantly.

Rishika's eyes meet with Ritvik's chocolate brown eyes .

Her words stopped halfway.

He stood there holding the Anvit baby in one arm. While his other hand steadied the tray.

For a brief moment, both of them froze.

The baby suddenly stretched his tiny hand towards her and giggled.

Rishika couldn't help smiling.

Ritvik was lost in her.

"Hey... Cutie."

Then she looked at Ritvik apologetically.

"sorry... Konchem tondaralo vachaanu. "

(sorry...l came in a hurry.)

Ritvik looked at her calmly and Rishika turned to leave but before she could move forward Anvit suddenly leaned forward.

His tiny fingers grabbed the edge of Rishika's pallu.

Rishika couldn't help but smile on his action

"Hey.. "

Ritvik glanced down at Anvit and sighed lightly.

"Rey... Vadilesey. "

(Hey... Leave it.)

But Anvit is Anvit he only giggled more.

Rishika gently loosened the tiny finders holding her pallu.

" Parledu... Parledu."

( It's okay.)

For a moment, Anvit looked at her curiously.

Then his small hand stretched forward and wrapped around her finger.

Rishika blinked in surprise.

Anvit held her finger tightly and giggled.

For the first time, a soft laugh escaped from her

Ritvik watched the scene quitely.

Something about that moment felt unexpectedly warm.

Anvit immediately reacted to her voice. His grip tightened for a second, his round cheeks lifting as he giggled happily.

She carefully trying to free her finger from his hold. It was hare to free from his hold with only one hand because she was holding a tray with other hand.

But Anvit only held it tighter.

Ritvik exhaled quickly, adjusting the baby in his arms. Anvit tiny finders had latched onto Rishika's hand, ignoring Ritvik's gentle attempts to free the fabric. His little eyes wide and curious.

Rishika looked up at Ritvik for a brief moment and their eyes met. The air between them seemed to pause,charged with a quiet intensity. She finally managed to loosen the baby's grip.

Anvit, however, still reached out towards her, squealing in delight as if he hadn't quite finished the game. Ritvik shifted him slightly on his shoulder, smiling quietly at the kitchens still stretched in her direction.

Rishika gave a small, polite smile at the child, her attention softening for just a moment, she turned to move back to leave towards her relatives. Even as she walked away, the sway of her Saree, the yuletide her head as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, drew Ritvik gaze like a magnet

Ritvik's POV

Atvik finally settled in my arms, his small fingers still tangled in the collar of my shirt, completely unaware of the chaos inside my heart.

I had seen countless womens but I never this way.

I have even faced boardroom full of ruthless men without blinking. Negotiate deals that could ruin companion. People often said my clam was insetting.

Yet somehow...

One unexpected moment in a crowed wedding hall had disturbed that calm me than any business rival even had.

Then Anvit tiny hand suddenly come up to my face, his soft fingers pressing against my cheek as if trying to pull my attention back to him.

I blinked and looked down at him.

"Enti ra? " I murmured.

(what it is?)

He giggled happily, patting my check again before tugging lightly at my collar

I adjusted him in my arms, letting out a quiet breath.

But my mind...

It hasn't moved on.

my eyes lifted ,almost uncosciously searching through the crowd near the stage.

And there she was.

Standing among the relatives, completely unaware that she had somehow become the center of attention.

My jaw tightened slightly.

Strange

I had seen her for barely a minute.

And yet my mind kept replaying every detail.

Her golden brown eyes and the way she had turned when the pallu was pulled. The smile which formed when she looked at Anvit.

It hadn't been dramatic.

It hasn't that was exactly why it stayed with me.

A quiet though settled in my mind, cold and certain.

Some encounter pass like a shadow

Other leave a mark

And something inside me told... She wasn't passing shadow-

I came out of my thoughts when Anvit suddenly tugged my collar again.

I look at him and smirked faintly.

"So... "I murmured softly

"Did you like her? "

He answered with an excited squeal, kicking his tiny legs happily.

I again looked her direction and the only thought come in my mind.

Who are you...?

That question settled in my mind heavier than I expected.

U didn't like unanswered questions.

Especially not once that kept distracting me like this

Then, almost instinctively, my hand move towards my phone in my pocket

If I wanted an answer

I knew exactly how to get it.

I should call Tanish

My personal assistant rarely asked questions.

He just do the the given work without any questions.

I pulled the phone out, glancing once more in her direction.

Let's see who you are.

I dialed a number

The call connected almost immediately.

"Tanish " I said calmly.

"I need you to come to the wedding venue. "

My eyes moved back to her across the hall.

"And find out something for me"

A small pause followed.

"About a girl."

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Hello!

Lovely readers,

Do you all like the chapter, if yes please like and comment for the next chapter.

Nenu me comments Kosam wait chesthunta

Your

Rishu❤

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