Before I Said Do

ch-17(let's have fun guys)

WHERE IS SHE?!"

His voice was a jagged blade, whispered yet echoing with enough venom to stop a heart.

"What do you mean, 'she is not around'? FIND HER! Bloody hell, FIND HER ANYHOW! You think this is a game? You absolute, incompetent fools... you can't even handle one twenty-five-year-old girl?!"



He turned his back to the party, his eyes dark and dilated.

"If she isn't in my sight within the hour, don't bother coming back. Do I make myself clear! Call me when you find her!

"A bird has flown the cage without its master's leave," Devraj murmured to himself, watching the scene unfold.

Rajvardhan trembling? The cords of fury in his neck strained violently against his collar, his skin flushed a deep, dangerous crimson. Devraj felt a prickle of unease. I need to get to him, devraj thought and stepping forward to intervene.

What happened, Rajvardhan? Is everything alright?



"

Rajvardhan turned. His eyes were shot through with jagged red veins, and his jaw was clamped so tight it looked ready to snap. Hard ridges of fury were etched across his forehead.

He forced a smile at Devraj's question, but the light didn't reach his eyes-they remained cold and hollow. "Yeah," he rasped, "yeah, everything is fine."

"Good. Then come, let's enjoy the party!" Devraj clapped him on the shoulder. "By the way, where is Samaira?"



Rajvardhan swallowed hard, his throat working against a dry knot. He ran a restless hand through his hair, his voice dropping an octave. "She'll be here. Don't worry about it. Let's just... let's just get back to the party, Devraj."

Devraj offered a breezy grin and nodded. "Okay, okay! If you say so."



The air inside the grand ballroom didn't just feel cold from the hum of the air conditioners; it felt expensive. Luxury hung in the atmosphere, thick as the scent of expensive cologne and imported lilies. The hall was a masterpiece of midnight aesthetics-a sea of navy blue and obsidian black decor that turned the high-profile gathering into a sophisticated shadow play. Under the crystal chandeliers, the elite of the city settled around circular tables, their hushed conversations blending into a symphony of elegance.



Devraj stepped toward the stage. His stride was rhythmic and commanding, the kind of walk that didn't ask for attention but demanded it. As he reached the center, he tapped the microphone, the sharp sound cutting through the chatter like a gavel.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for joining us," Devraj's voice boomed, rich with authority. "Today, there are no announcements-only fun and enjoyment! I want a clear divide. All the young blood, move to the right. All the distinguished, grey-haired seniors-including myself-move to the left. Fast, guys! I don't like waiting, and as you all know, Devraj never repeats himself. So, move it!"



A flurry of motion followed. The room split as instructed. Devraj surveyed the result with a satisfied smirk. "Perfect. Now, to the seniors-let's vacate the premises and head toward the garden. We're going to enjoy the night with zero tension about the past, present, or future. Just be yourself and rock this night! Let these young people have their fun here in the hall."



As he stepped off the stage, the mask of the host slipped for a fraction of a second. He leaned into Rajvardhan's personal space, his voice a low, jagged whisper. "Where is Samaira , Raj?"

Rajvardhan reached up, subconsciously touching his ear as if the question stung. "She is feeling unwell; that's why she will not attend today's party."

Devraj's brows knitted together, his gaze searching Raj's face. "Is she fine? Or is it something serious?"

"Yes, yes, everything is alright and absolutely fine," Raj insisted, his tone perhaps a little too hurried. "You and the rest of the people please go to the garden. I will join you soon."



"Okay, Raj. But come fast," Devraj said, though his eyes lingered on his friend with a sharp, lingering suspicion before he turned toward the glass doors leading to the greenery.

The moment Devraj was out of earshot, the warmth drained from Rajvardhan's face. His jaw tightened, and a terrifying, jagged smirk pulled at his lips. "Dev... Sorry, I lied. Samaira isn't just ill. I don't know where the hell she went." He looked at the empy space beside him, his voice dropping to a chilling hiss. "But don't worry, Samaira fly wherever you want to, but you will see the rising sun in my cage only!"



Inside the hall, the vibe shifted from formal to electric.



Ravi navigated the crowd, his eyes landing on a vision in black. He stepped into Priyanshi's space, a playful glint in his eyes. "Hey, you beautiful lady, why are you standing alone?" He reached out, sliding his hand into hers.

Priyanshi's lips tilted into a soft smile.

"Let me take you to the stage, my dearest beautiful lady?" Ravi suggested, leaning in.

Priyanshi let out a soft huff of laughter, playfully wrenching her hand from his grip. She reached up and gave his head a firm, affectionate tap. "Shut up, stupid! I'm not going to dance here, okay? If you want to, then you can!"

Six feet away, the atmosphere at Rudra's table was suffocating.

Rudra sat slumped in his chair, his body a coiled spring. He held a glass of wine, but he wasn't drinking. His knuckles turned white against the stem of the glass the exact second Ravi's fingers brushed Priyanshi's skin.

How dare he touch her? Rudra's internal monologue was a roar of static. Look at her; why the hell is she happy with that stupid guy! My eyes are burning. If she is happy with that i***t, then let her be! I don't care! Huh!

Despite his silent protest, he couldn't look away. She was a conquest in a black bodycon dress-the fabric gripping her curves with a lethal precision that made his pulse thrum. Her hair was a dark waterfall over her shoulders, moving as she laughed.

"Aaye Shiv, yaar chal dance karte hai," Ayansh shouted over the music, trying to shatter the dark cloud hanging over the table.

"Haan bhai, chal chal! Thoda thumka lagate hai, maza aayega!" Shiv agreed, already bouncing on his heels. They both grabbed at Rudra's arms, trying to haul him up.

"Nahi mujhe nahi jaana hai, tumlog jao," Rudra snapped, his voice like grinding stones.

"Arey chal na yaar, chalta hai kya? Tu kyun Devdas banna baitha hai? Chal na!" they teased, relentless.

Shiv turned to Ayansh with a wicked grin. "Ayansh, tell me one thing: who will you dance with? Because I'm going to dance with my GF. Let's go, sexy!"

He looked back at his friends, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. "Abey saale, ek ladki ke liye tu mujhe chhod ke jayega! Chal bey, tere liye toh main apne nakhuno ki bhi kurbani na du... yeh toh phir bhi itni sundar ladki hai jo meri GF hai. Chal main toh chala!"

"Sala playboy!" Ayansh muttered, grinding his teeth in feigned annoyance.

On the floor, Shiv caught Jeksey's hand. The American girl beamed at him. "Come babydoll, let's have fun together," Shiv cooed.

"Let's have fun, honey!" Jeksey replied, her accent swirling into the music.

Shiv was on cloud nine. He marched to the DJ booth, sliding a crisp 2000-rupee note across the console with a wink. "DJ wale babu, koi accha sa gaana baja do, thoda romantic wala. Dekh, agar yeh phirangi pat gayi na, toh main tumko iska das guna zyada dunga. Aisa gaana baja na!"

The lights began to bleed into a soft, pulsing pink.



Rose petals drifted from the ceiling like slow-motion confetti, and heart-shaped balloons bobbed in the air. The first notes of Ishq Wala Love filled the room.

((Surkh wala, souz wala, faiz wala love

Hota hai jo love se zyaada, vaise waalaa love

Ishq waalaa love

Hua jo dard bhee to hamko aaj kuch zyaada hua

Ishq waalaa love

Ye kya hua hai kya khabar yahi pataa hai zyaada hua

Ishq waalaa love

Agar ye usko bhi hua hai, fir bhi mujhko zyada hua

Ishq waalaa love))

Shiv and Jeksey moved in perfect rhythm. He spun her, her laughter lost in the beat, before dipping her back low, her hair sweeping the floor. The crowd erupted. "Wooooo! Ohooo bhai!!!"



Back at the table, the mood was far more tragic.

Ansh groaned, leaning his head on his hand. "Hey Akash, kuch kar bey! Main aur yeh iss gadhe ka love nahi dekh paunga. Re pagle, saala kaisa dost hai, ek ladki ke liye chhod ke chala gaya!"



"Tu chhod ke nahi jata kya, Ansh, agar woh phirangi Jeksey tere saath hoti toh?" Avinash taunted, poking him in the ribs.

Akash and Avinash suddenly stood up, shouting in unison, "Sab ladki ka chakkar hai, babu bhaiya!"

In the chaos, Akash's arm swept wide, sending a full glass of beer cascading directly into Ansh's lap.

"Hey pagle, chill! Kya kar raha hai?" Ansh yelled, jumping up and shaking his soaked trousers.



"Sorry bhai, sorry, hehehe!!" Ayansh cackled, holding his stomach.

The three of them collapsed into a huddle, mock-sobbing loudly. "Aye uthale re deva, uthale re baba!"

Akash finally straightened his collar, trying to regain some dignity despite the jealousy prickling at him.



"Why are you guys being so melodramatic?"

Ayansh didn't answer Akash. Instead, he let out a roar of laughter, pointing a finger at the silent figure in the center of their group. "Why are you asking Rudra? Can't you see, ever since the party started, this boy has only been staring at Ms. Rajput!"

It was the truth. Amidst the spilling beer, the dancing petals, and the Hinglish banter, Rudra remained an island of obsession. His heart was anchored to the girl in the black dress-the simple, conquering silhouette that had claimed every inch of his attention without even trying.

The pink mist of the dance floor and the sweet scent of falling rose petals are doing nothing to calm the storm brewing at the VIP table. Akash watches Shiv and Jeksey with narrowed eyes, his fingers drumming a restless, agitated beat against the tablecloth.

"Bas... Bas... abb aur nahi," Akash mutters, his voice trembling with a mix of mock-agony and genuine mischief. "Ab dekh tu, Ansh... ab dekh main kaise iss ladke ka 'ishq wala love' khatam nahi, naashta karta hoon! Ruk ja tu!"



Ansh leans in, clutching his heart as if he's on the verge of a medical emergency. "Haa bhai, kar kuch jaldi... nahi toh aaj meri yahan se antim yatra niklegi," he wheezes, pointing at the happy couple.

Akash stands up, straightening his blazer with a predatory glint in his eyes. "Nahi bhai, nahi. Tu chinta maat kar. Tera bhai abhi zinda hai. Tu dekh abhi kya karta hoon main."

Author pov

Akash's gaze remains fixed on Shiv. To anyone else, they look like the perfect couple, but to Akash, it is a personal affront.

My dear friend Shiv, he thinks, a smirk playing on his lips. I always want the best for you; but I cannot let you enjoy it alone. You do not know how it feels when such a beautiful lady dances with your friend and ignores everyone else. So now, I am going to ruin your little love story.

He begins to move toward the stage, his steps synchronized with the heavy bass of the music.

The Floor in Flames

On the center stage, the world belongs to Shiv and Jeksey. The DJ transitions into a soulful, upbeat rhythm that echoes through the hall:



((Ishq mein dil bana hai

Ishq mein dil fana hai, oh-oh

Mita de ya bana de

Maine tujhko chuna hai, oh-oh, oh))

Their movements are fluid, a slow-motion glide that mirrors the rising swell of the music. Shiv's confidence is at an all-time high. He places a hand on the small of Jeksey's back, the black fabric of her dress bunching slightly under his palm as he draws her closer. The heat between them is palpable, turning the sophisticated ballroom into a private sanctuary.

The lyrics soar, filling the void between the guests:



((Tere saare rang odh ke, dang odh ke

Tera hua main sab ko chhod ke, oh-oh, oh

"Ishq nahi karna naap-tol ke, " raaz khol ke

Aaya hoon main sab ko bol ke, oh-oh, oh-oh))

With a flourish, Shiv raises his hand, leading Jeksey into a delicate pirouette. For a split second, she is a breathtaking blur of obsidian silk and flying hair-a dark star spinning in a pink galaxy-before she tumbles back into his personal space, breathless and laughing.



The song reaches its peak, the melody pulling at the heartstrings of everyone watching-everyone except the jealous huddle at the table and the brooding Rudra.

((Oh, main taan chaleya teri or, tera chaleya hai zor

Tera hoya main, yaar ve, bhulleya ae sansaar ve

Chaleya teri or, tera chaleya hai zor

Tera hoya main, yaar ve, bhulleya ae sansaar ve))

At the song's crescendo, Shiv takes the ultimate plunge. He shifts his weight, catching Jeksey firmly as he supports her back. He dips her low, her golden hair sweeping the rose-petal-strewn floor like a silk broom. Her gaze locks into his, a scripted moment of intimacy that feels far too real for the spectators.



But as they hang there, suspended in a romantic trance, Akash is only seconds away. The "Ishq Wala Love" is about to meet a very chaotic end.

Author's Note:

The party is just getting started, but the shadows are growing longer. While Shiv loses himself in a dance, and Akash prepares for his hilarious sabotage, don't forget that Rajvardhan is still out there, and Rudra's patience is wearing thin. Who do you think will break first? Stay tuned for the next chapter!