Destined to Be Yours

Saanvi kept a cheerful facade, chatting with the guests despite the mishap, but her disappointment was evident to those who knew her well.

Shourya stood in a corner, his irritation bubbling beneath the surface, ready to lash out.

Before he could, Vedha stepped forward, her voice steady and calm. "Bhaiyya," she addressed Aditya,

"why don't you engage everyone for a few minutes? I'll be right back."

Aditya nodded hesitantly, eager to redeem himself, and moved to entertain the guests, apologizing profusely. Vedha turned and hurried to the kitchen, her mind racing.

Ten minutes later, Vedha emerged from the kitchen, carefully carrying a freshly baked cake. The air filled with murmurs of surprise and admiration as she placed it on the table.

The cake was a delicate vanilla sponge, layered with a rich chocolate ganache and topped with freshly sliced strawberries. A light drizzle of caramel crisscrossed the surface, giving it an elegant, homemade charm that captured everyone's attention.

Saanvi's eyes widened with delight. "Vedha! You made this?"

Vedha offered a small, nervous smile. "It's nothing fancy, but I hope it makes up for the earlier mishap."

"It's perfect!" Saanvi exclaimed, clapping her hands.

Aditya, still feeling guilty, looked at Vedha with immense gratitude. "You saved the evening," he said softly.

As Saanvi cut the cake, the room came alive again with laughter and applause. Shourya watched from the sidelines, his expression unreadable.

"This is wonderful," Saanvi said, savoring a bite. "Honestly, this feels so much more special than the grand birthdays we used to have back at the Verma Mansion."

Shourya, standing silent in the background, couldn't deny the truth in her words.

As the evening wound down and the guests began to leave, Saanvi approached Vedha. "You were incredible tonight," she said warmly. "Your intelligence and creativity saved my birthday. Thank you."

Vedha smiled faintly, but before she could reply, Shourya interrupted. His voice was cold and sharp.

"What's the use of intelligence when it comes from someone who has no heart or feelings?"

His words hit Vedha like a slap, and she lowered her gaze to the floor, swallowing her hurt.

"Vedha, let's go," Shourya said curtly, turning and heading for the door.

Vedha turned to follow, but Saanvi grabbed her hand gently. "Vedha," she said softly, her voice filled with concern, "I've been noticing things. You two don't act like a couple. You keep your distance, and he speaks to you like this... What's going on? Why did he say that?"

Vedha forced a smile, her voice barely above a whisper. "Even I don't understand him, Saanvi. But I suppose... that's just my destiny."

Before Saanvi could ask more, Vedha turned and walked out, leaving her words hanging in the air like an unanswered question.