RANAWAT MANSION :

Two days later, the Ranawat Mansion was a hive of activity. The staff was working feverishly, more worried than usual because this year's E.R. Enterprise 30th Anniversary party was being held on the estate. The hustle and bustle was palpable throughout the mansion and its grounds.

Inside, the entire Ranawat family was gathered at the dining table for breakfast. The younger generation was absorbed in a lively discussion about their party outfits, while the elders quietly discussed the evening's preparations.

Suddenly, a silence fell over the room. Everyone looked toward the stairs as Ekansh descended, his face a perfect mask of composure. He offered a stoic "Good morning" to everyone. His badi maa served him breakfast, and once he started eating, the rest of the family quietly followed suit.

After breakfast, Ekansh, Taksh, and Samarth headed to Ekansh's office. Meanwhile, Amrita Devi and Aruna went out to the garden to check on the progress of the decorations, leaving the two girls to finish their own preparations for the party.

SHARMA HOUSE :

Mrs. Sharma had already informed her children about the party so they could get ready. They were going to the house of their father's business partner and old friend to celebrate the company's 30th anniversary.

Raghav and Sanskriti were already dressed and waiting for their children, who were, as usual, "Late Lateef." After a while, Arav came downstairs and sat on the sofa to put on his shoes. Seeing that his sister was still not ready, he shouted her name: "Miku!"And there she was.

SANSKRITI'S POV :

Our daughter came downstairs and showed us her dress. My husband, ever the innocent and doting father, immediately praised her.

"Miku, change your dress," I told her.

"Why, Mumma? You liked this dress before," she asked, looking a bit upset.

My husband quickly jumped in. "Nahi nahi, beta, bahut acha dress hai."

[No, no, my child, your dress is very good.]

"Nahi bacha, you are looking very good. Koi jaroorat nahi hai change karne ki," he said again, not wanting to see her sad.

[No, my child, you're looking very good. There's no need to change.]

"Sharma Saab, ab toh bas bhi kariye. Aapko kuch pata nahi," I scolded him.

[Mr. Sharma, just stop. You don't understand anything.]

"Beta," I said, turning to my daughter, "hum ja toh formal event ke liye hi rahe hain, par Ranawat traditional log hain. Aur wahan sab traditional formal hi wear karenge, toh aapko bhi kuch waisa hi pehna chahiye. Nahi toh aap khud awkward feel karoge."

[My dear, we are going to a formal event, but the Ranawat are very traditional people. Everyone there will be wearing traditional formal clothes, so you should wear something similar, or you'll feel awkward.]

After hearing my explanation, she quickly went back to her room to change.

"Mihika pehli baar Ranawat se milne ja rahi hai, usse kuch traditional hi wear karna chahiye. Ab aap kuch mat bolna." I turned to my husband and made sure he understood.

[Mihika is meeting the Ranawat for the first time, so she should wear something traditional. Now, don't say anything else.]

He didn't say another word, silently agreeing with me.

While waiting for Mihika to get ready, Aarav asked us, "Mom, why is it so important for Miku to wear traditional clothes? She looked fine already. Can you please explain?" He was serious, not understanding our behavior towards his sister.

"Vo... voh..." Mrs. Sharma stammered, signing for her husband to take over.

"Aarav beta, tumhe pata hai na, main Samarth Ranawat ke office kuch din pehle gaya tha ek important meeting ke liye? Tab mujhe Samarth ne..." Mr. Sharma began to explain the marriage proposal regarding Ekansh Ranawat to his son.

Aarav listened silently, and when his father finished, he finally spoke, making both his parents feel a sense of relief.

"Dad, Ekansh can be the best choice for Mihika, but whatever Miku decides will be the final decision. I'm with her on this."

"Yes, beta, hum bhi wahi chahte hain," the Sharma couple agreed with their son.

[Yes, dear, we also want that.]

Mihika came back down, wearing a beautiful traditional outfit. They all praised her, and soon after, the family left for the Ranawat Mansion.

RANAWAT MANSION :

The Sharma family entered the Ranawat Mansion and was directed to the garden area by the butler. Mihika was in awe of the mansion and the beautiful garden decorations. Every detail was perfectly arranged, creating a truly magnificent scene.

After a few more steps, they met the hosts of the event.

"Welcome, Raghav," Samarth Ranawat said, greeting the Sharma's warmly.

"Welcome, Sanskriti," Aruna Ranawat added, embracing her old friend.

"And who are this handsome young man and beautiful young woman with you?" Aruna asked, looking at Arav and Mihika. She had heard about them but had never met them in person.

"Oh, meet my children, Aarav and Mihika. Bacho, ye Samarth uncle aur unki wife, Aruna aunty hain," Sanskriti introduced.

[Children, this is your Samarth uncle and his wife, Aruna aunty.]

Aarav and Mihika smiled, folding their hands in a gesture of respect.

"Where are your children, Samarth?" Raghav asked, not seeing any of them.

"Arre, bhai saab, yahi honge. Main bulati hoon," Aruna said, spotting them standing nearby. She gestured for them to join their group.

[Oh, they must be around here. I'll call them.]

Aruna introduced her children to the Sharma couple. "Taksh, Saavi aur Kirti."

They smiled at the couple, folding their hands respectfully. Just as the couples were about to introduce their children to each other, they realized they already knew one another.

"Hey, Mihika!" Kirti exclaimed, and Saavi hugged her. Mihika hugged them back.

"We meet again, Miss Sharma," Taksh said, extending a hand to Mihika.

"Yes, Mr. Ranawat," Mihika replied with a sweet smile.

"Aap kaise jaante ho ek dusre ko?" Saavi asked.

[How do you know each other?]

"We met at E.R. She came to give some important files, and I met her then, right, Miss Sharma?" Taksh explained to his sisters.

Taksh and Aarav already knew each other from meetings and formal parties, so they didn't need a formal introduction.

"Tum kaise jaanti ho ek dusre ko?" Taksh asked his sisters, seeing their easy camaraderie with Mihika.

[How do you two know each other?]

"Mihika ne Saavi ki help ki thi us din mall mein, tab se hum contact mein hain aur friends bhi," Kirti told everyone.

[Mihika helped Saavi in the mall that day, and we've been in touch and friends ever since.]

Everyone settled into a comfortable conversation, enjoying the party and each other's company.

MIHIKA'S POV :

The party was in full swing when the lights went out, leaving only the stage lights on. The focus shifted to Samarth uncle, who took the stage and gave a speech about how E.R. had become a well-known company, both in India and worldwide. He spoke about the person who had made the company so successful since taking over as CEO.

"Please welcome to the stage, the CEO of E.R... EKANSH SINGH RANAWAT," Samarth uncle announced.

A tall man with broad shoulders appeared on the stage in the spotlight. I couldn't hear what he was saying. His voice was so deep and raspy. His eyes were a deep gray, and his hair was styled perfectly. I was so caught up staring at him that I didn't even notice when he finished his speech, came down from the stage, and joined a group of men near the bar.

Have some shame, Miku. You're staring, and that's rude, I scolded myself.

I was lost in my thoughts when Kirti and Saavi joined me. They asked if I wanted to meet someone and pulled me toward an older lady sitting on a sofa who was already staring at me. I suddenly felt nervous but made my way toward her.

"Mihika, meet our dadi," Saavi introduced me.

I smiled at the older lady, a bit intimidated by her presence. I folded my hands as a sign of respect and then went forward to touch Ambika's, Ekansh's grandmother's, feet.

"Jeeti raho, beti," their dadi said, blessing me with a smile.

[Stay blessed, child.]

After that, I sat with them, and we talked about the event and what was happening in our lives.

Mrs. Sharma was lovingly watching her daughter, who was mingling with the Ranawat so well. She silently signaled her worried husband to look at her, and he smiled back, praying to God that his daughter would always be this happy.

EKANSH'S POV :

She was standing away from the crowd, looking petite and radiating a simple, shy charm. I first saw her when she entered the garden with her family. I watched as she met my bade papa and badi maa, and even after I got busy with the guests, my eyes kept following her every timid step, especially when she met my siblings.

After my speech, I went to the bar to avoid the guests. I found my best friend Abhay, along with Taksh and Aarav Sharma. The four of us started drinking and talking about business.

Even at the bar, I kept checking on her. I noticed how nervous she got when she met my dadi maa. I was observing her far more than I needed to.

I was deep in thought when my bade papa signaled for me to come meet the Sharma's. She was sitting with her mother, looking bored or tired.

"Raghav, Sanskriti, meet my elder son, Ekansh Singh Ranawat," my bade papa introduced me. I didn't think it was necessary, as everyone here already knows who I am.

I folded my hands in a gesture of respect to the elders, and my overly excited badi maa introduced me to her.

"Ekansh, meet Mihika Sharma. She is the daughter of Raghav and Sanskriti," she said.

"Hi," Mihika spoke nervously.

"Hmm," I replied, enjoying her nervous state and trying to intimidate her even more.

Afterward, I had a good conversation with Mr. Sharma, learning more about them, but my focus remained on her. She was trying so hard to avoid my gaze. I finally decided to have some mercy on her and took my leave so she could breathe.