The house was louder than usual the next morning.

Not chaotic—but filled. Voices, footsteps, instructions being passed around, fabrics being moved, trays being set. The kind of noise that came with preparation, not celebration.

Kiara stood in front of the mirror, barely registering her reflection as one of the stylists adjusted the drape over her shoulder.

“Ma’am, this color will complement the jewelry better,” the woman said.

“Hmm.”

“Kiara,” her mother called from behind, “at least look at yourself.”

Kiara’s eyes lifted slightly.

She looked.

Really looked.

And for a second, it felt strange.

Because everything about this—outfit trials, jewelry selection, discussions—it all resembled something she had imagined before.

Just… not like this.

“Turn a little,” her aunt said.

Kiara did.

“Perfect,” someone added.

She didn’t feel it.

Across the hall, things weren’t much different.

“Stand straight.”

“I am standing straight.”

“Not like that.”

Aarav exhaled quietly as Kabir adjusted the collar of his jacket like he had any authority to do so.

“You’ve been more cooperative than expected,” Kabir remarked.

Aarav gave him a look. “I’m not cooperating. I’m finishing what needs to be done.”

“Same thing.”

“No.”

Kabir smirked but didn’t argue further.

“Anyway,” he added, stepping back, “you clean up well for someone who looks permanently annoyed.”

Aarav didn’t respond.

His gaze shifted briefly toward the doorway—

Then away.

By afternoon, both families had gathered again, this time to finalize the engagement venue and guest list in person.

The living room was full.

Not unfamiliar faces.

Just… too many at once.

Kiara stepped in, already aware of the attention shifting toward her.

She ignored it.

Took her seat.

Composed. Quiet.

A few minutes later, Aarav walked in.

Same reaction.

Same silence.

Same awareness.

He sat across from her.

Neither acknowledged it.

“Let’s finalize the venue,” Vikram Malhotra said, bringing everyone’s attention back.

“Outdoor or indoor?” one of the uncles asked.

“Indoor,” Kiara said immediately.

“At least we agree on something,” Aarav added at the same time.

A brief pause.

Then—

Rohan let out a quiet chuckle. “Miracles do happen.”

Kiara ignored him.

Aarav did too.

“Guest list,” Shalini said next. “We’ll keep it selective.”

“Selective?” Neel muttered from the side. “This already looks like a conference.”

Aditya elbowed him lightly. “At least don’t say it out loud.”

Tanya shook her head slightly, though a faint smile touched her lips.

The discussion continued.

Names being added.

Removed.

Adjusted.

Kiara stayed mostly silent.

Answering when needed.

Not engaging beyond that.

At some point, Riya leaned closer to her. “You’re very calm.”

“I’m not.”

“You look like you are.”

“That’s because I don’t have the energy to react to everything.”

Riya studied her for a second. “Fair.”

On the other side, Kabir nudged Aarav slightly. “You’ve been quiet.”

“There’s nothing to say.”

“That’s new.”

Aarav didn’t respond.

His attention drifted—

Not intentionally.

Just… automatically.

Toward her.

She was listening to something Dev was saying, nodding faintly.

Comfortable.

At ease.

Not with the situation—

But with the people.

And for some reason—

That bothered him.

“Colors?” Anika asked, flipping through a few options.

“Keep it subtle,” Kiara said.

“Nothing too loud,” Aarav added.

Another pause.

Then Dev shook his head slightly. “You two are starting to sound coordinated.”

“We’re not,” Kiara said immediately.

“At all,” Aarav added.

That earned a few quiet laughs.

The meeting stretched longer  than expected.

Decisions took time.

Opinions overlapped.

But eventually—

Most things were finalized.

As the room slowly began to empty out, conversations splitting into smaller groups, Kiara stood up, needing a break.

Not from the people.

From everything.

She stepped out toward the balcony again, the noise fading behind her.

The air outside was cooler.

Quieter.

Easier.

She rested her hands against the railing, closing her eyes for a moment.

Just a moment.

“Running away seems to be a habit.”

She didn’t turn.

“Following me seems to be yours.”

Aarav stepped beside her, maintaining distance.

Silence settled.

Not tense.

Just… familiar now.

“They finalized everything,” she said after a moment.

“Yes.”

“That was fast.”

“They don’t want this dragging.”

Kiara let out a quiet breath. “Of course they don’t.”

A pause.

Then—

“Your friends came,” he said.

She glanced at him briefly. “Yours too.”

“They’re the same people.”

“Exactly.”

Another silence.

Then—

“They know,” she said.

“They would have figured it out anyway.”

“That it’s forced?”

“Yes.”

She nodded slightly.

“Good,” she muttered. “At least someone’s not pretending.”

Aarav didn’t respond.

Because he agreed.

Kiara straightened slightly. “This still doesn’t feel real.”

“It will.”

She frowned faintly. “That’s not reassuring.”

“It’s not meant to be.”

A small pause.

Then—

“You’re very calm about all this,” she said.

Aarav’s gaze shifted toward her. “I’m not.”

“You look like you are.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.”

She studied him for a second.

Then looked away again.

“Right.”

Another silence.

This one longer.

Heavier.

“Just don’t make things worse,” she said finally.

Aarav’s jaw tightened slightly. “I’m not the one who does that.”

Her head turned sharply. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”

“I don’t create problems.”

“That’s debatable.”

There it was.

That spark.

That familiar irritation.

Kiara let out a short breath, shaking her head. “Unbelievable.”

“Accurate.”

She turned fully toward him now. “You really think this is on me?”

“I think you escalate things unnecessarily.”

Her eyes narrowed. “And you don’t?”

“I don’t start them.”

She let out a quiet, incredulous laugh. “That’s actually impressive. The level of denial.”

“It’s not denial.”

“It is if you believe it.”

A brief pause.

Then—

“Fine,” she said, stepping back slightly. “Let’s make one thing clear.”

Aarav didn’t move. “Go ahead.”

“This,” she gestured vaguely between them, “isn’t going to change anything.”

“It shouldn’t.”

“I’m not suddenly going to start agreeing with you.”

“I don’t expect you to.”

“And I’m definitely not going to tolerate your attitude.”

Aarav’s gaze held hers steadily. “Likewise.”

Silence.

Sharp. Clean.

Defined.

Kiara gave a small nod. “Good.”

Then turned and walked back inside.

Aarav stayed where he was for a moment longer.

Watching the space she’d just left.

Expression unreadable.

Because despite everything—

Nothing had changed.

They still disagreed.

Still clashed.

Still irritated each other.

And yet—

They were moving forward.

Together.

Whether they liked it or not.