"Riya, Soumya, hurry up, my girls! We'll be late if you take any longer," Sharda called out from the living room while adjusting the earrings in her ears.
Just then Vijay walked in, fully dressed in a sharp blue suit, carefully straightening his tie. The suit made him look much younger than usual.
Sharda glanced at him as he approached and couldn't help but smile. Seeing her husband so well dressed after such a long time made her quietly admire him.
Vijay noticed her gaze and smiled back.
"Well, look at you! You're looking wonderful today. Honestly, you should dress up like this at home once in a while too. You look beautiful."
He said this while gently fixing a strand of her hair.
Sharda smiled playfully.
"Why shouldn't I dress up today? After all, this party is being held for my son. But look at you, Doctor Sahib… you're looking quite handsome yourself tonight."
While Sharda was still adjusting her earrings, Vijay suddenly placed his hand around her waist.
The sudden gesture startled her. She looked up at him, her face turning slightly red with embarrassment.
"You know," Vijay said softly, pulling her a little closer, "today you reminded me of our old days. Remember how, after our engagement, I used to bring you jasmine flowers every single day?"
Sharda laughed softly while trying to move away.
"Oh, I remember everything. How you used to stand outside my house wall and whistle softly to call me out… and the moment I came close, you'd steal a kiss on my cheek. I still remember all your mischief."
Vijay grinned.
"Oh really? Then I think my beautiful wife deserves another kiss today as well."
Saying that, he pulled her closer again.
This time Sharda didn't resist. She simply looked at him shyly.
Just as they were about to lean closer—
Someone cleared their throat loudly.
"Ahem… ahem."
Both of them immediately turned toward the sound.
Standing there were Soumya and Riya. Soumya was pretending to cough, while Riya had her hand over her mouth, trying to hide her laughter.
Seeing their daughters, Vijay and Sharda instantly jumped apart and awkwardly looked in different directions.
"Ah… my little angels! You're both ready already. That's great. Look how beautiful our daughters look today," Vijay said nervously, trying to change the topic.
Sharda simply smiled at his clumsy attempt.
Soumya folded her arms and teased them.
"Oh really? We're ready… but what exactly were you two doing just now?"
Vijay stammered,
"W-well… actually… your mom had something in her eye. I was just trying to remove it. Right, Sharda? Tell them I'm right."
Sharda widened her eyes at him but quickly looked away and said,
"Yes… yes, that's right. Your father was just helping me."
Soumya laughed.
"Oh yes, we know exactly what kind of 'treatment' that was."
Vijay coughed awkwardly and quickly tried to change the subject.
"Anyway… where's Om?"
Sharda reminded him,
"Did you forget? He already left earlier in his car. The mayor's son had called him for something."
"Oh, I see. Then what are we waiting for? Everyone's ready, so let's go."
Trying to avoid further teasing from his daughters, Vijay quickly walked ahead while the rest of the family followed him, laughing.
At the Party Venue
A large hall had been booked for the party.
Many of the city's most influential and well-known personalities were present there. Almost every prominent figure in the city had arrived, which clearly showed the level of respect the mayor commanded.
After a while, Vijay and his family also arrived.
As soon as they entered, the mayor and the Kathwanis personally welcomed them and treated them with VIP hospitality.
People around them noticed this immediately. Guests holding drinks in their hands and chatting among themselves watched in surprise.
Two of the city's most influential men—the mayor and the Kathwanis—were giving such special treatment to the family of a simple doctor.
Everyone seemed curious.
Meanwhile, Vijay felt proud. The respect he had longed for all his life was finally coming to him because of Om. That thought filled his heart with quiet happiness.
The hall was beautifully decorated. Waiters moved around constantly, serving drinks and snacks to the guests. The mayor had clearly spent a great deal of effort and money to make the party grand.
Guests kept arriving, greeting the mayor and Ayush with handshakes before joining the celebration.
Vijay's family stood alongside the mayor and the Kathwanis, welcoming the guests. The mayor was also introducing them proudly to everyone.
After some time, Ankshika entered the hall through the main entrance.
She was wearing a stunning red dress.
The moment she walked in, many young men in the hall couldn't help but stare at her. She looked breathtaking—almost like a fairy.
In fact, not just the young men, but many others in the hall were captivated by her presence. Her beauty drew attention from every corner of the room.
Smiling politely at the guests around her, Ankshika walked over and joined Supriya and Seema.
"Wow… Miss Ankshika, what an entrance! You've brought life to this party," Supriya said while taking a sip of her drink.
"Thank you, Miss Supriya. But you're looking equally amazing tonight," Ankshika replied with a smile, raising her glass slightly.
Interestingly, when Supriya had entered earlier, she had received the same kind of attention.
And so, once again, a silent battle between the two beauty queens had begun.
Ever since the Kathwanis and the Oberois had known each other, this friendly rivalry between Supriya and Ankshika had always existed. Both came from wealthy families and both were exceptionally beautiful—so it was only natural that comparisons followed them everywhere.
Ankshika smiled and asked,
"So Miss Supriya… where is the special person this party is being organized for? I've heard he's quite extraordinary. You've already met him, right? Tell us something about him."
Seema, who had been quiet till now, also joined in.
"Yes, is he really as impressive as everyone says… or are the stories exaggerated?"
Supriya smiled knowingly.
"Let's just say… he's even more impressive than what you've heard. Once you see him, you might forget everyone else in this hall. There's something about him… an attraction you can't easily ignore."
Ankshika raised her eyebrows with curiosity.
"Wow… if Miss Supriya herself is praising a man this much, then I definitely need to meet him. Who is he? I don't see him anywhere here."
Supriya took another sip of her drink.
"Your Bade Papa gifted him a suit tonight. He went to change into it."
Ankshika looked surprised.
"Really? Bade Papa is giving him that much attention? That's rare."
Supriya smiled.
"Well, of course. He saved the life of the most powerful man in this city."
Seema leaned forward curiously.
"Now I really can't wait to meet him. What's his name?"
Supriya answered casually,
"Om… his name is Om."
The moment Ankshika heard the name, she choked slightly on her drink.
Her eyes widened.
The drink suddenly felt stuck in her throat.
Seema immediately noticed her reaction—and she had a strong idea why.
To confirm her suspicion, Seema asked Supriya,
"Om… but he must have a surname too, right?"
Supriya thought for a moment.
"Oh yes, sorry. I almost forgot… what was it… Om Raheja… or yes—Om Ahuja."
The moment they heard the full name, both Seema and Ankshika looked at each other in shock.
Now they were certain.
This was the same Om they knew.
Neither of them could believe it.
The simple, awkward boy they used to call Champu… was now the most admired guest at the mayor's party.