Page 218 of No Boss
Pandit ji guided them away. The couple moved toward the reception stage.
They welcomed each guest with folded hands, offering thanks for their presence. Servants moved through the crowd with trays and gifts. Kishore kept a watch over the arrangements, ensuring everything moved in order.
Near the entrance, the atmosphere changed. Conversations dipped. Heads turned.
Rajveer Singh Sisodia entered Anand Mahal.
He wore a midnight blue suit that fit him to the line of his shoulders and frame. The collar lay open at the throat. A single diamond stud caught the light near his right ear.
Amar Singh followed. Two attendants carried a carved chest between them.
Rajveer crossed toward the stage. People made space for him without instructions.
He reached Abhinav. Their handshake lasted a second before Rajveer drew him into a brief embrace.
“About time.”
Abhinav smiled softly. “Thank you for coming.”
Rajveer turned to Sarita and folded his hands. “Thakurain Sa. Congratulations.”
Sarita smiled warmly. “You honour us with your presence, Your Highness.”
“The honour is mine.”
His attention moved to Meera. “Ms. Chauhan… Mrs. Anand now. Congratulations.”
Meera greeted him with folded hands.
Before she could speak, Abhinav leaned closer. “The contract you overheard that day was for purchasing a heritage property from Rajveer in Jaipur. The new Anand Group headquarters.”
Meera blinked. “What?”
Rajveer caught her reaction.
“Abhinav rejected three commercial sites before agreeing to this one. Your love for heritage architecture guided that decision.”
Emotions rose again. She was overwhelmed.
“You are fortunate, Meera ji,” Rajveer continued. “Your husband loves you very much.”
Abhinav pressed a kiss to her temple. Meera looked at him in disbelief, as if she had not yet understood how she had become this lucky.
Across the courtyard, Naina stood with Ishani and Divya. Abhinav caught her attention and signalled her to come.
Naina crossed to him casually at first.
Then she looked up. Everything inside her stopped.
Not metaphorically. Actually stopped.
Her steps slowed.
‘Oh…’
That was the first thought. Followed immediately by,‘... no, oh no… this is unreasonable.’
His photos on magazine covers had not prepared her for this.
