The next day, the mansion was alive with music and excitement as the Sangeet ceremony began. The entire household was buzzing with energy, and the mood was electric. The air was thick with anticipation as everyone prepared to showcase their dance moves, sing, and celebrate in their own unique way.

Avantika couldn't help but smile as she watched the preparations unfold. The women were busy getting ready in beautiful, colorful lehengas and sarees, while the men were similarly dressed, exuding elegance and charm. There was an undeniable joy in the air, and Avantika found herself swept up in it, despite the nervous fluttering in her stomach.

The Singhania haveli was transformed into a magical paradise. Golden lights twinkled on every corner, flowers hung in elaborate patterns, and the air buzzed with laughter and the beats of dhol. Guests filled the courtyard, excitement building as the performances were about to begin.

The evening kicked off with Radha and Siya, who brought incredible energy to the stage with their performance on "Ghaghra"

लड़के, ओ-रे लड़के, कहाँ से आया है रे तू?

प्यारा है शकल से, अकल का मारा है रे तू

लड़के, ओ-रे लड़के, कहाँ से आया है रे तू?

प्यारा है शकल से, अकल का मारा है रे तू

हाँ, जल गई, हाँ, जल गई, मेरी बातों से तू जल गई

हाँ, खल गई, तुझे खल गई, मेरी बेपरवाही खल गई

मोहतरमा, तू किस खेत की मूली है? ज़रा बता

TV पे breaking news, हाए रे, मेरा घाघरा, हाए

Baghdad से लेके दिल्ली via Agra

TV पे breaking news, हाए रे, मेरा घाघरा, हाए

Baghdad से लेके दिल्ली via Agra

Their flawless coordination and playful expressions had the audience on their feet. Raghav clapped the loudest, yelling, "Radha, youll be death of me!" Radha rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile.

Next up were Yug and Yash, who turned the stage into a comedy show with their exaggerated moves on "Chalti Hai Kya 9 Se 12"

"Oonchi hai building, lift teri band hai,

Kaise main aaun, dil razamand hai..."

Yash dramatically pointed at Siya during the line "Kaise main aaun?" earning a glare from her. Yug joined in, dancing so wildly that Sneha yelled, "Bas karo, ab stage toot jayega!"

When Kamini and Raghavendra, the grandparents, took the stage, the crowd erupted into cheers. Their adorable performance on "Ek ajnabi haseena".

"Ek ajnabi hasina se,

Yun mulaaqat ho gayi

Phir kya hua yeh na puchho

Kuch aisi baat ho gayi.."

They held hands, swayed gently, and even managed a little twirl that earned them a standing ovation.

And then, Aaradhya and Pratap graced the stage. Their slow, romantic performance to "Tum Hi Ho" left everyone breathless with admiration for their grace and enduring love.

"Tum hi ho, tum hi ho,

Zindagi ab tum hi ho..."

Aaradhya's elegant, timeless moves and Pratap's protective gaze toward her spoke of years of deep love and respect. Their chemistry was unmatched, and the crowd erupted into applause at the end of their performance.

Abhiram and Archana followed next, dancing to the vibrant beats of "Main Rang sharabato ka".

"Main rang sharbaton ka

Tu meethe ghaat ka paani

Main rang sharbaton ka

Tu meethe ghaat ka paani

Mujhe khud mein ghol de to

Mere yaar baat ban jaani..."

Their energy was infectious, and they ended their performance with a playful pose that had everyone clapping enthusiastically.

And next come our little angle Kaira performing her move on 'Lagdi Hai Thaai'. Making everyone to laugh at her steps and making Sayli to curl her fingers to take evil eye off her granddaughter.

Madam ji desi fashion vilayti

Boli me gholi meethi ilaichi

Hile foreign di tan nakhra

Baatein badi hai hi-fi

Nikla piya pe atittude wakhra

Jhoome aise na roki jaaye

O jadon nache baby saj dhaj

Lagdi hai thaai

Then came Sayli and Digvijay, adding a touch of drama to the evening with their performance on "Bole chudiya".

"Bole chudiyan bole kangana

Haay main ho gayi teri saajna

Bole chudiyan bole kangana

Haay main ho gayi teri saajna

Tere bin jiyo naiyo lagda

Main te margaiyaan

Lehja lehja soniye lehja

Lehja dil lehja lehja.."

Digvijay's over-the-top expressions had the crowd roaring with laughter, while Sayli tried her best to keep up with the beats.

As the excitement continued, Raghav took the stage, dedicating his performance to Radha. He chose "Tera Ban Jaunga".

"Main tera ban jaunga,

Tera ban jaunga...

Kya tujhse door main jaaun?"

His soulful moves and dramatic gestures made Radha blush, though she tried to act indifferent. By the end of the song, Raghav knelt in front of her, extending his hand. "Radha, tumhare liye dance nahi karunga toh kiske liye karunga?" he said, earning loud cheers and laughters from the crowd.

Radha finally joined Raghav on stage, dragging Sneha along, and the trio performed to the lively "Cutiepie".

"Ae cutiepie, ae cutiepie,

Cutiepie, cutiepie, oh baby!"

Their playful moves had everyone laughing and clapping along.

The stage then lit up as Vinesh, Reyansh's cousin, performed a solo to "Batameez Dil"

"Ab Toh Kya Buraa Kyaa Bhalaa Hai

Fark Pehchaane Naa

Zidd Pakad Ke Khadaa Hai Kambakht

Chhodna Jaane Naa

Badtameez Dil, Batameez Dil, Batamiz Dil

Maane Na, Maane Na

Badtameez Dil, Batameez Dil, Batamiz Dil

Maane Na, Maane Na"

Vinesh's high-energy moves and wild antics got the crowd hyped, and by the end, he dragged Yash and Raghav onto the stage to join him.

Then came the most awaited moment of the evening-Reyansh and Avantika's performance. Avantika hesitated, but Reyansh extended his hand, steady and reassuring. Together, they danced to "Raabta".

"Kehte hain, khuda ne iss jahaan mein sabhi ke liye...

Kisi na kisi ko hai banaya har kisi ke liye.

Tera milna hai uss rab ka ishara mano

Mujhko banaya tere jaise he kisi ke liye."

Reyansh's understated yet elegant moves perfectly complemented Avantika's shy but graceful steps. The way Reyansh kept his gaze on her, silently guiding her through the performance, made the moment feel magical. As the line "Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta..." played, the audience couldn't help but be captivated by their chemistry.

To wrap up the night, the entire group-friends, family, and even the guests-hit the stage for a grand finale to "London Thumakda" followed by "Zingaat" And other songs.

Yash and Yug tried to outdo each other with wild moves, Raghav dragged Radha into the spotlight, and even Reyansh joined in, swaying lightly with Avantika. Siya and Sneha led the crowd, their infectious energy setting the perfect party vibe. All the family members were dragged onto the dance floor by the youngsters.

Avantika smiled, her admiration for him growing. As the night continued, the family's energy never faltered. Laughter, music, and dancing filled the room, the joy palpable as everyone celebrated the upcoming wedding.

The Sangeet had become not just a celebration of music and dance, but also a moment where the family, though with their individual quirks, came together in laughter and joy, paving the way for the big day ahead.

❤️

Later that night, after the laughter and excitement of the Sangeet had started to die down, the atmosphere in the mansion grew quieter. The guests had retired to their rooms, and the family members were winding down, some sitting in the living room chatting and others heading to bed.

Reyansh was in his room sitting in peace by silence but the peace was shattered when Reyansh's phone buzzed, drawing his attention.

He glanced at the screen, and his eyes narrowed when he saw it was an unknown number.

Reyansh's mind immediately went into alert mode, his relaxed posture slipping away as he rose to his feet. He walked to the balcony of his room, answering the call without a word. On the other end, a familiar voice greeted him, its tone casual yet carrying an underlying tension.

"Reyansh, I hope the wedding preparations are going well," The voice was smooth, but there was a cold edge to it. "You know, it's always such a pleasure to see things come together. Too bad things aren't as smooth as they seem..."

Reyansh clenched his jaw but said nothing. However, he had hoped that after all the efforts made, this unknown person non other than Aakash Bachavat would back off, at least temporarily. But that wasn't the case.

Akash continued, "A message, just for you... If you don't move the wedding date, there will be consequences. I hope you know what I mean."

The message lingered in the air, sending a cold shiver down Reyansh's spine. He knew that Akash wasn't someone to make idle threats. His words were always calculated, and his actions followed swiftly after.

Reyansh's mind raced, thinking through all the possible threats. He was determined to protect his family, especially Avantika, but Akash was always one step ahead. With his underworld connections and ruthless ways, Reyansh knew that there was no room for error.

"I'm not afraid of you, Akash," Reyansh finally replied, his voice calm but with a deadly undertone. "You've been warned before. Stay away from my family."

There was a brief silence before Akash's voice crackled back through the phone. "You'll see soon enough, Reyansh. You can't escape fate. The clock is ticking."

Before Reyansh could respond, the line went dead.

His heart raced as he stood there, staring at the phone in his hand. Akash's threat felt different this time. There was no humor, no playing around. The message was clear.

Reyansh knew he couldn't ignore this. His mind shifted into high gear as he made his way towards the living room, where Yash and his security team were still working on the details of the protection plan.

"This is getting worse," Reyansh said to Yash, who was immediately alert when he saw Reyansh's expression.

Yash nodded, already familiar with the situation. "We'll increase the surveillance around the farmhouse. And I'll get the team to double-check every angle. Akash is not going to get what he wants this time."

"I don't care about him. It's Avantika, my family, and the people I love I need to protect," Reyansh replied, his voice firm. "Whatever happens, they can't be harmed."

❤️

As the evening wore on, the house settled into a serene silence, the air thick with the aftereffects of the Sangeet's excitement. The lights dimmed, and the laughter from the party faded as guests retired to their rooms. Avantika, still caught in the euphoria of the event, made her way back to her room, the echo of the songs and dances still lingering in her mind.

She closed the door behind her, breathing a sigh of relief. The weight of the day, the performances, and the overwhelming attention left her feeling both elated and exhausted. She quickly slipped out of her lehenga and into something more comfortable, then went to sit by the window, staring out at the twinkling lights of the mansion's courtyard below.

Her phone buzzed on the side table, interrupting her thoughts. Avantika picked it up without much thought, expecting a message from Siya or Raghav. But her eyes widened in shock as she saw the notification from the unknown number.

"If you want your loved ones safe, stop the wedding. You don't know the danger you're in."

Her heart skipped a beat. The words seemed to burn into her mind. For a moment, everything around her felt like it was spinning. She stared at the screen, her fingers trembling slightly as she read the message over and over, hoping it would somehow make sense.

But it didn't.

Avantika's thoughts raced. She had no idea who could have sent such a message or what it meant. The threat felt too real to ignore, but too vague to act upon immediately. Her gaze shifted toward the door of her room. Reyansh's face flashed in her mind-his protective nature, his calm demeanor in moments of chaos. He would never let anything happen to her she knew. But this message felt different. She couldn't burden him with this now. Not now yet.

What if it was just a cruel prank? A way to unsettle her before the wedding? But what if it wasn't?

Avantika pressed her phone to her chest, a knot forming in her stomach. She decided not to tell anyone-not yet. Not Reyansh, not Radha, and certainly not Yash. She didn't want to cause a stir unless she was sure of the source of the threat. Besides, her instinct told her that Reyansh was already dealing with enough. She couldn't bring this dark cloud into his life, especially not now.

Shaking her head, Avantika set the phone down, trying to push the unsettling thought from her mind. But the unease lingered, gnawing at her thoughts like a persistent whisper. She pulled the blanket around herself as she lay down, her body exhausted but her mind restless.

Unbeknownst to her, Reyansh was also in his room, processing the message he had received from Akash. The cool tone of the warning still rang in his ears. He had hoped for a moment of peace, especially after the celebration of the Sangeet, but now his mind was consumed by the impending threat.

As he sat by the window, staring out into the night, his phone buzzed-another message from Akash. This time, it was a video of a shadowy figure standing in front of the mansion's gates, followed by the chilling words: "You've been warned. The clock is ticking."

Reyansh's jaw clenched as he watched the video. His instincts screamed danger. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, not now. He immediately dialed Yash.

"I want full surveillance, and no one, absolutely no one, is to leave without clearance," Reyansh said in a low, commanding voice.

Yash's voice came through the line, sharp and alert. "Understood. I'll handle it."

Reyansh hung up, running his hand through his hair. His mind raced with plans to protect Avantika, his family, and everyone close to him. He couldn't afford to let Akash's threats become a reality. The wedding, the celebrations, everything was now at risk.

Yet, amidst the chaos of the threat, Reyansh's thoughts kept drifting back to Avantika. The way she had looked at him during their dance, the spark of trust that seemed to have formed between them. He would do anything to keep her safe, even if it meant facing Akash head-on.

But little did he know, Avantika was sitting in her room, grappling with her own fears, the same dread silently echoing in her heart. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, but she refused to burden Reyansh with this worry just yet. The night was quiet, but the storm of unknown threats loomed large in both their worlds.

❤️

Yash, ever vigilant, moved through the hallways of the mansion with purpose. He had some paperwork for Avantika to review regarding the arrangements for the next day and decided to deliver it personally. 

As he approached Avantika's room, he noticed the faint light spilling out from beneath the door. He knocked gently, but there was no response. Frowning, Yash opened the door slightly and peeked inside. 

"Avantika?" he called out softly, stepping into the room. 

He found her sitting by the window, wrapped in a blanket, her silhouette illuminated by the soft glow of the moonlight. Her eyes were fixed on something beyond the glass, but it wasn’t the serene nightscape that held her gaze—it was fear. Her expression was tight, her body tense, as though trapped in a whirlwind of her own thoughts. 

"Avantika?" Yash called again, his voice filled with concern. 

Avantika jumped at the sound of his voice, her head snapping toward him. Her wide eyes reflected a moment of panic before she recognized him. "Yash bhaiya!" she gasped, clutching the blanket closer to her chest. 

"Are you okay?" Yash asked, stepping closer. He crouched down in front of her, searching her face for answers. "You look... terrified. What happened?" 

Avantika shook her head quickly, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "No, nothing, Yash bhaiya. Just... lost in thoughts. I didn’t hear you come in." 

Yash wasn’t convinced. He could see the slight tremor in her hands, the way her breathing was uneven. "Avantika," he said gently, "don’t lie to me. I’ve known you long enough to tell when something’s wrong. You can talk to me, you know that, right?" 

She hesitated, biting her lower lip. Her mind screamed to tell him about the message, but something held her back. She didn’t want to trouble him, didn’t want to add to the burdens he and Reyansh were already carrying. 

"I promise, it’s nothing," she finally said, her voice soft but firm. "I was just... thinking about Rohan bhaiya. That's all. Sometimes, when you stand beside me, I feel like Rohan bhaiya is still here. You remind me of him—not just because you’re protective, but because you care."

Yash’s expression softened at the mention of Rohan, her late brother. He knew how much she missed him, how his absence still left a gaping hole in her heart. "I know you miss him," he said gently. "And I know nothing can fill that void. But Avantika, I’m here for you. Always. You know that, don’t you?" 

A lump formed in Avantika’s throat as she nodded. "I know, Yash bhaiya. You’ve always been like Rohan bhaiya to me." 

His lips curved into a small, reassuring smile. "Good. Because you’re like my little sister too. And I can’t stand seeing you upset like this." He reached out and placed a comforting hand on her head. 

For a moment, the fear in her heart eased, replaced by a warmth she only felt with Yash. He had always been her safe haven, a reminder of the brother she had lost but never forgotten. 

"Now," Yash said, standing up, "you need to rest. Big day tomorrow. I’ll take care of everything else, so don’t worry, okay?" 

Avantika nodded, watching as he moved toward the door. Just as he reached it, she called out softly, "Yash bhaiya?" 

He turned back, his expression calm and patient. 

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. 

Yash smiled, a protective glint in his eyes. "Always, kiddo. Always." 

As he closed the door behind him, a part of Avantika felt lighter, though the weight of the message still lingered in her mind. She lay down, clutching the blanket tightly, her thoughts now filled with gratitude for Yash’s presence and the hope that she could face whatever came her way.

As Yash closed the door to Avantika's room, he paused for a moment in the dimly lit hallway, his heart heavy with unspoken emotions. He leaned against the wall, running a hand through his hair, his mind racing. Seeing Avantika like that—stirred something deep within him. She was like a little sister to him, a bond formed not by blood but by trust, love, and shared moments of quiet understanding. 

He had seen her happy, laughing with her friends, and he had seen her strong, standing tall despite the weight of her past. But tonight, the fear in her eyes had pierced him in a way he wasn’t prepared for. Yash clenched his fists at the thought of anything—or anyone—hurting her. 

He thought about her words, how she had compared him to Rohan, her late brother. It wasn’t the first time she had said it, but it never failed to leave him both humbled and heartbroken. He had never known what it was like to have a sister, to be someone’s protector in the way a sibling would be. But with Avantika, he had found a purpose he hadn’t realized he needed. 

As he walked away from her room, his mind churned with plans to ensure her safety. The paperwork he had brought for her was now forgotten, his focus entirely on the lingering unease he had seen in her eyes. 

Entering the security room, Yash found himself pacing, unable to sit still. His usual calm demeanor was replaced by a storm of emotions. He had faced dangerous men, life-threatening situations, and countless challenges alongside Reyansh, but this was different. This was personal. 

"She’s not just Reyansh’s fiancée," Yash muttered to himself, his voice low but firm. "She’s family. My family." 

He pulled up the surveillance footage, scrutinizing every angle, every shadow, as if willing himself to find the source of her fear. His mind replayed the scene in her room—the way she had clutched her blanket, the tremble in her voice when she said she was fine. She wasn’t fine, and he knew it. 

Yash couldn’t shake the thought that Avantika was hiding something. She was brave, sometimes to a fault, and he knew she would rather carry a burden alone than let it affect those around her. But he also knew that she couldn’t bear this alone. 

"Akash," Yash growled under his breath, his jaw tightening. The man’s name was like poison on his tongue. If this was his doing, if he was the reason for Avantika’s fear, Yash wouldn’t rest until he made him pay. 

Taking a deep breath, Yash forced himself to focus. He wasn’t going to let his emotions cloud his judgment. Avantika needed him to be strong, to be the unwavering pillar she could lean on beside Reyansh. He would double the security around her, ensure that every step she took was guarded, every moment she spent was safe. 

But beyond the logistics, Yash vowed to be there for her emotionally, too. He wouldn’t push her to share what was troubling her, but he would let her know, in every way possible, that she wasn’t alone. 

As he stared out the window at the quiet night, Yash made a silent promise to himself and to her: No matter what happens, no matter the cost, I will protect her. I’ll be the brother she deserves, the one Rohan would have wanted her to have. 

And with that thought, Yash’s resolve hardened. Avantika’s safety wasn’t just a duty—it was a matter of the heart.

----------------------------------

Hey loveliss!

BTW...How was the story?

Which was your favorite part? For me it was of Yash being protective about Avantika and promising to keep her safe.

Don't forget to vote and comment ❤️

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Bye...!!