The Regal Reunion

XVII. Past

As Dev and Suhana watched Keya and Shivansh on the dance floor, Suhana felt a pang of concern for her best friend. She wanted to go to Keya and comfort her, but Dev stopped her, reminding her that they were in public and Shivansh would handle Keya.

"Don't worry, Suhana. Shivansh knows how to take care of Keya. Let's give them some space," Dev said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Suhana nodded reluctantly, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. Dev, noticing her discomfort, decided to distract her by pulling her onto the dance floor. Suhana, surprised but willing, followed his lead.

As they began to dance, Dev and Suhana fell into their usual banter, their argument turning into a playful exchange.

"You know, Suhana, you really need to work on your dance moves," Dev teased, twirling her around.

Suhana rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile. "Oh please, Mr. Perfect Dancer. I'd like to see you do better."

Dev grinned, taking on the challenge. He tried to impress her with some fancy footwork, but ended up stepping on her toes.

"Ouch! Watch where you're stepping, Dev!" Suhana exclaimed, trying to hide her laughter.

Dev chuckled, pulling her closer. "Sorry, I got distracted by your dazzling beauty."

What did he just say?!

Suhana rolled her eyes again, but this time, she was blushing. "Smooth, Dev. Real smooth."

As they danced, their argument faded into the background, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and shared amusement. Despite their differences, Dev and Suhana found joy in each other's company, their playful banter bringing them closer together.

Meanwhile, Keya had calmed down in Shivansh's arms, her tears drying up. She felt grateful for his presence, his comforting embrace giving her the strength to face her emotions. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with gratitude.

"Thank you, Shivansh. I needed that," she whispered.

Shivansh smiled down at her, his eyes full of warmth. "Anytime, Keya. I'm here for you."

She nodded and excused herself, and as much as Shivansh wanted to follow her, he knew she needed a moment alone.

———

Keya stood in the quiet spot, the soft moonlight casting a gentle glow around her. The events of the evening still lingered in her mind, but the tranquility of the garden offered a sense of peace. She took a deep breath, the cool night air refreshing against her skin.

Lost in her thoughts, Keya didn't notice Shivansh's approach until he was standing beside her, holding his suit blazer loosely on his shoulder. He looked at her, his eyes soft with concern. "Keya, are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Keya turned to him, offering him a small smile. "I'm fine, Shivansh. Just needed some fresh air," she replied, her voice calm.

Shivansh studied her for a moment, as if trying to read her thoughts. He then took a seat on the bench, gesturing for her to join him. "Mind if I join you?" he asked.

Keya shook her head, grateful for his company. She took a seat beside him, the silence between them comfortable. They sat there for a while, simply enjoying each other's presence and the peacefulness of the garden.

After a moment keya spoke up, "Can I trust you Shivansh?" She said, voice barely above a whisper and Shivansh didn't even take a moment to reply back, "Always."

She sighed, and started talking in a very low voice, "when I was a kid, we- as in me, my mum and my dad, lived in Delhi. We had a good house which was not very small but also cozy enough you know?" She chuckled humourlessly, eyes fixed on the ground. Shivansh could see that she is sharing a something very sensitive, on one hand he was happy that she trusted him enough to share her story but also concerned, about where will it lead to.