He cut her off by pressing his finger gently against her lips. The contact was brief, but enough to send a quiet jolt through both of them.
“One more word on this topic,” he warned, his voice dropping further, “and I am not letting you meet the Goels tonight.”
That did it. Mishti’s brows knitted together. “Stop blackmailing me,” she said, pushing his finger aside.
Karan stepped back, releasing her completely and moved her aside. Without another word, he opened the car door, got in, and drove away.
Mishti stood there, watching the car disappear through the gates. Slowly, a smile curved her lips.
Today was a good day. She had received the good news from Divya, plus Karan’s mood will be even better once he signs off the deal with Lexi group. What better time to confess her feelings than tonight? She knew Karan would not come around easily, not without a push.
But he was surely melting. She could see it already in his concern, in his irritation, in the way he was already drifting, unknowingly, toward their marriage instead of away from it.
Her confession would only hasten that process. She had something in mind on how to do this, and Maria would be the best person to help. She quickly rushed back inside to share her full proof plans with Maria and make her do the rest of the arrangements so that when she and Karan return home from work, she would surprise him. For the first time, she could hardly wait for the night to arrive.
CHAPTER 25
KW Capital Office - Evening
Mishti stood near the entrance, checking her phone for the fifth time in as many minutes. The driver was late. He had taken the car for servicing earlier in the day, after dropping her off at work, and wasn’t here yet. But Mishti wanted to reach the Goel mansion as soon as possible, to see Divya, to share the happiness that still felt unreal even hours after hearing the news.
On one side, she was excited about Divya’s pregnancy, that the Goel family is going to grow. But beneath that excitement lay a restless nervousness that refused to settle.
Because tonight, she had plans.
To confess her feelings to Karan.
She had already asked Maria to decorate Karan’s bedroom, nothing excessive or dramatic. Just a few candles placed discreetly, fairy lights, flowers and the cake she baked that morning before she had left for the office.
‘I love you Karan’were the exact words written on the cake.
Karan was not going to reach home before her. So she would go to the Goels, meet Divya, return home before him, change into his favourite red saree, and wait for him in his room. Just to finally confess what had been growing inside her for weeks now.
She knew it was a huge risk. But waiting endlessly for things to change on their own had begun to feel more painful thanrejection. Someone had to take the first step. And this time, she wanted it to beher.
She was still lost in these thoughts when a sleek black car rolled to a smooth stop in front of her.
The window shield of the front passenger seat slid down slowly, and there he was.
Karan.
Her breath caught. He was supposed to be at work, buried in meetings. Did he finish early?
“Get in.”
No. This could not be happening. If he reached home before her, if he saw the candles, the lights, the cake without her being there to explain any of it, he would lash out. All her plans would collapse before they even began.
She stepped closer to the window and leaned down slightly to speak to him.
“I told you I’m going to meet Divya Bhabhi,” she said. “I was just waiting for the car.” Then, unable to hide her surprise, she added, “How come you’re leaving so early?”
He exhaled, glancing on the road ahead, gripping the steering wheel, before turning his head just enough to look at her.
“I wrapped up early,” he replied. “I’m taking you to the Goels myself.”
For a second, Mishti simply stared at him, unsure if she had heard him right. Her face lit up in a way she could not hide even if she tried. Karan did not like her brother. That was no secret. And yet, here he was, choosing to go with her, choosing to acknowledge Daksh and Divya’s happiness in his own way. For her, it was a miracle.
Without hesitating, she slipped into the front passenger seat, fastening her seatbelt quickly.
