"Silent Exchanges and Hidden Glances"

Author's Note:

Hey lovely readers! First off, I want to apologize for the delay in this chapter's release—life got a little crazy, but I'm back with a chapter I think you'll love. There's tension, there's banter, and of course, there are those sweet (and sometimes intense!) moments between Rudra and Anaya that we all crave. Thank you for your patience and support! Let's dive in! 💕

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The golden hues of the morning sun filtered through the grand windows of the Singhaniya mansion, casting soft shadows on the polished marble floors. The living room, with its high ceilings and luxurious decor, was filled with an air of tension, though not immediately visible to an outsider. The room seemed like a picture-perfect representation of wealth and elegance, yet if you looked closer, you could feel the quiet undercurrent—an invisible tug between two people who sat on opposite sides of the large, cream-colored sofa.

Rudra Singhaniya sat at one end, his posture impeccable, dressed in a black button-up shirt that fit his athletic frame perfectly. The first two buttons were undone, revealing just a hint of the strong chest beneath. His sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, showing his taut muscles. His expression was, as always, a perfect mask of indifference, the lines of his face sharp and cold. Every movement he made was measured, controlled, as if he'd long ago mastered the art of hiding whatever emotion might be simmering just beneath the surface. His dark eyes scanned the room, missing nothing, but giving away little.

Across from him, Anaya sat quietly, her heart beating just a bit faster than normal. Her attire, a white cotton kurti paired with loose blue jeans, was simple yet elegant, and her hair, styled in a loose braid, fell gently over her shoulder. The morning sun highlighted the softness of her features, her dark eyes occasionally flickering to Rudra, though she quickly looked away whenever she felt his gaze on her. The quiet tension between them was almost palpable, though neither acknowledged it aloud.

Her fingers fidgeted with the file she held, though she tried to look composed. She told herself it was just another ordinary morning, yet the heat rising to her cheeks betrayed her. The brief exchanges of glances between her and Rudra left her flustered. No matter how hard she tried to remain composed, the weight of his presence on the other side of the room was undeniable.

Suddenly, the silence was broken by Ria's voice. She sat on a nearby armchair, her legs tucked under her as she scrolled through something on her tablet. Dressed in a light green top and skinny jeans, she looked casual yet chic, her hair pulled back into a high ponytail. Her fingers tapped nervously against the tablet screen as she hesitated to speak again, glancing towards Rudra with a look of mild concern.

"Big brother…?" Ria's voice was soft, almost hesitant. Her eyes darted from her tablet to Rudra, who hadn't acknowledged her the first time she spoke. She shifted in her seat, her legs now untucked, and her tablet resting on her lap. She glanced at Anaya, almost as if hoping for some silent encouragement.

Anaya smiled at her, though the tension didn't leave the room. It was as though everyone was walking on eggshells, waiting for Rudra's response.

Rudra remained silent, his cold, sharp gaze fixed on the invitation card in his hand. The light from the chandelier above reflected off the glossy card, the name "Rajawat" embossed in gold lettering across the top. He turned the card over, examining it with a frown, his thoughts seemingly elsewhere.

Ria bit her lip, clearly unsure whether to try again or not. She was used to her brother's silence—his cold, distant nature—but today felt different. His energy seemed even more withdrawn, more intense, and it made her nervous. She glanced again at Anaya, who offered her a subtle nod of reassurance. Taking a deep breath, Ria spoke again, her voice trembling slightly.

"Brother…?" she said, softer this time. "Are you okay?"

This time, Rudra slowly lifted his eyes from the card and locked them on Ria. His expression was unreadable—cold, but not angry, though the intensity in his gaze made her fidget in her seat.

"What is it, Ria?" he asked, his voice low and smooth, though it carried a hint of impatience. He set the card down on the coffee table in front of him and leaned back into the sofa, his arms resting on the back of the seat.

Ria swallowed hard. "I just wanted to ask… about the meeting today. Will you be going?"

Before Rudra could answer, the door to the living room opened, and Ravi, one of Rudra's trusted assistants, walked in. Dressed in a sharp black suit, Ravi looked every bit the professional. He held a sleek tablet in one hand and an elegant silver-bordered envelope in the other.

"Sir," Ravi said, his voice steady and respectful as he approached Rudra, "this just arrived. It's an invitation card for an event hosted by a business tycoon in Asia—Mr. Rajawat. The invitation doesn't specify the full name, only the surname."

Rudra's eyes flicked to the envelope in Ravi's hand, his expression still unreadable. He took the card from Ravi, glancing over the details as Ria visibly relaxed, grateful for the interruption.

Across the room, Aarav strolled in, his steps casual yet confident. Dressed in a navy-blue shirt and dark slacks, he had the air of someone who enjoyed a good laugh, always ready to tease and lighten the mood. His eyes, sharp and observant, quickly noticed the subtle tension in the room. With a mischievous grin, he plopped down onto the sofa opposite Rudra, lounging comfortably as he rested one arm along the back of the seat.

"So," Aarav began, his voice light and teasing, "Mr. Rajawat, huh? Sounds mysterious. A fancy card with only a surname? What's he trying to hide?"

Rudra barely acknowledged Aarav's question, continuing to examine the card in his hand. His face remained impassive, though Aarav's lightheartedness seemed to chip away at the tense atmosphere.

"Maybe it's someone trying to challenge your title of business tycoon of Asia," Aarav added, leaning forward with a cheeky grin.

Rudra's lips barely twitched, though there was a glint of amusement in his eyes. "If someone's trying to challenge me," he said coolly, "they'll need more than a fancy invitation."

Aarav chuckled, leaning back again as he glanced at Anaya, who had been quietly observing the conversation. "You know, Anaya," he said, raising an eyebrow playfully, "I don't know how you handle all this seriousness. Doesn't it ever get a bit exhausting?"

Anaya's cheeks flushed slightly as all eyes turned toward her. She hadn't expected to be dragged into the banter, and her mind raced for a response. Before she could reply, Aarav continued, his grin widening.

"I mean, really," he added, glancing at Rudra, "you'd think he could lighten up just a little."

Rudra shot Aarav a sharp look, though there was no real anger behind it. "I'm not here for your entertainment, Aarav," he said coolly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Maybe you should focus on your own affairs instead of worrying about mine."

Aarav raised his hands in mock surrender, clearly enjoying himself. "Alright, alright," he said, "no need to get all defensive. I was just pointing out the obvious."

Ravi, who had been standing quietly to the side, stifled a grin as he watched the exchange. He had grown accustomed to Aarav's playful jabs at Rudra, though the older brother never let them get too far under his skin.

As the conversation continued, Anaya found her gaze drifting back to Rudra. There was something about him—something magnetic and unspoken—that drew her in, despite his cold demeanor. She wondered what thoughts were hiding behind those dark, intense eyes. The subtle tension between them, the unspoken connection, made her heart race in ways she couldn't explain.

Rudra, though outwardly composed, was not oblivious to her glances. He felt the weight of her gaze on him, and though he didn't show it, he found himself responding to it. It was a strange feeling—one he wasn't entirely comfortable with, but couldn't deny. His cold exterior was a shield, but when it came to Anaya, that shield was starting to crack, even if only slightly.

The chandelier above them cast a warm, soft glow over the room, making the moment feel both intimate and distant at the same time. The plush sofas, the elegant furniture, and the grandeur of the mansion all seemed to fade into the background as Rudra and Anaya continued to exchange silent glances.

Aarav, ever the observant one, noticed the subtle interaction between his brother and Anaya. With a smirk, he decided to push the boundaries further.

"You two should just sit together, you know," Aarav teased, his voice laced with amusement. "It's obvious you're missing each other from opposite sides of the room."

Ria, who had been quietly watching the whole exchange from her seat, giggled at Aarav, her eyes twinkling with amusement. She, too, had noticed the silent exchanges between Rudra and Anaya, though she hadn't dared to comment until now.

"Yeah, Aarav's right," Ria chimed in, her voice light but teasing. "Why are you both sitting so far apart? It's not like there's a wall between you."

Anaya's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink as she cast a quick glance at Rudra, who remained unbothered on the surface, though the faintest hint of amusement played at the corner of his lips. The tension in the room was no longer cold and distant—it had shifted to something warmer, though equally unnerving for Anaya.

Rudra leaned back against the sofa, one arm casually resting along the backrest, his dark eyes still fixed on the invitation card in his hand. He didn't respond to Ria or Aarav immediately, but his silence only heightened the atmosphere in the room. It was as if he was allowing the teasing to unfold, knowing full well that his composed demeanor would eventually force someone to break the silence.

Aarav, being the lively spirit he was, wouldn't let the opportunity slip. "Come on, Rudra. Don't leave her hanging," he pressed, grinning mischievously. "You're supposed to be the protective boss and husband, right? Or are you too scared to sit closer?"

Rudra's sharp gaze flicked toward Aarav, and for a brief second, the younger brother felt the weight of that cold stare. But Aarav wasn't one to back down. He met Rudra's gaze with a cheeky smile, knowing that underneath all that coldness, there was a man whose feelings for Anaya were far more complex than he let on.

"Scared?" Rudra's voice was smooth, with an underlying edge of authority. "Of what, exactly?"

Aarav leaned forward, enjoying the tension he was building. "Of getting too close, obviously," he said, the words meant to poke fun but laced with a truth that everyone in the room could feel.

Rudra set the invitation card down on the coffee table with deliberate slowness, his movements measured and calm. He then shifted his gaze to Anaya, who had been quiet throughout the exchange, her heart pounding in her chest. For a brief moment, their eyes met—his intense and unreadable, hers wide with surprise and something else she couldn't quite place.

Anaya felt her breath hitch. There was something about the way Rudra looked at her that always made her feel like the room had shrunk, like they were the only two people left in the world. His gaze was powerful, almost as if he could see straight into her thoughts, and it left her feeling exposed, vulnerable.

But Rudra said nothing. Instead, he leaned back again, his posture relaxed, and his eyes moved back to Aarav. "I'm not the one sitting across the room," he said coolly, his voice laced with the barest hint of amusement.

Aarav laughed. "Touché, brother, touché," he said, raising his hands in surrender. "But I still think you two are being unnecessarily distant."

Before Rudra could respond, Ravi, who had been standing quietly at the side, cleared his throat to bring the conversation back to business. "Sir, should I respond to the invitation from Mr. Rajawat?"

Rudra's expression turned serious again as he considered the card in front of him. "Yes," he said, his tone all business now. "Accept it. We'll attend the event."

Ravi nodded, taking the card back into his hand. "Understood, sir. I'll handle the arrangements."

As Ravi turned to leave, Aarav leaned back into the sofa again, this time directing his playful smirk at Anaya. "Well, Anaya, it looks like you'll be accompanying Rudra to a fancy business event. Ready to play the role of the dutiful wife?"

Anaya's face heated up again at the mention of the event. She hadn't even thought about what it would entail—standing next to Rudra at a high-profile event, being seen as his wife in front of all the business elites. The thought made her stomach flip with anxiety, but she also felt a strange sense of anticipation.

She glanced at Rudra again, trying to gauge his reaction to Aarav's comment, but his face remained unreadable. He hadn't said anything about her attending the event with him, but the way Aarav phrased it made it sound like an unspoken expectation.

"Don't tease her, Aarav," Ria said, cutting in with a soft laugh. "Anaya will look amazing, I'm sure."

Anaya smiled nervously at Ria, appreciating her support but still feeling the weight of the unspoken expectation hanging in the air. She fiddled with the edges of her file, trying to calm the nerves that were now fluttering wildly in her stomach.

Rudra stood up from the sofa, the sudden movement catching everyone's attention. He looked down at Anaya for a brief second before turning his gaze to Aarav.

"We have more important things to discuss than teasing," he said, his voice firm but not harsh. "The Rajawat family has a lot of influence. This event could be a significant opportunity."

Aarav, always the easygoing one, shrugged. "I'm just saying, you two could at least try to look like you enjoy each other's company at the event. It's good for appearances."

Rudra's gaze sharpened, though his expression remained controlled. "Appearances are the least of my concerns."

The tension in the room shifted again, this time becoming more serious. Aarav, sensing that the playful banter had run its course, nodded and sat up straighter. "Fair enough," he said. "But don't underestimate the value of good impressions. The Rajawat family is powerful for a reason."

Anaya watched the exchange between the two brothers, feeling like an outsider in their world of business and power plays. She still wasn't entirely sure of her place in all of this—her marriage to Rudra was more of a practical arrangement than anything romantic, but moments like these made her realize how deeply she was becoming entangled in his world.

Rudra turned to Anaya, his expression softening just slightly. "We'll leave for the event in a few days," he said, his voice quieter now. "Be ready."

Anaya nodded, unsure of what to say. She wasn't used to this—being in the spotlight, attending grand events, playing the role of the wife to a man as powerful and enigmatic as Rudra. It all felt overwhelming, but she knew she had no choice. This was the life she had stepped into when she married him.

As Rudra turned to leave the living room, Ravi following closely behind, Aarav leaned back into the sofa with a sigh. "Well, that was fun," he said, his voice light again. "But seriously, Anaya, you'll do fine. Just remember, Rudra might act like he doesn't care, but he notices everything."

Anaya's heart skipped a beat at Aarav's words. She glanced at the doorway where Rudra had just left, wondering what exactly Aarav meant by that.

Ria stood up from her armchair, stretching her arms above her head. "I think Aarav's right," she said with a smile. "You'll be amazing at the event. And if you ever feel nervous, just remember that we're all here to support you."

Anaya smiled at Ria, her nerves easing slightly at her words. It was comforting to know that, despite the complexities of her relationship with Rudra, she wasn't entirely alone in this.

"Thanks, Ria," Anaya said softly, feeling a bit more at ease.

Aarav grinned at her. "And if Rudra gives you a hard time, just let me know. I'm always happy to put him in his place."

Anaya laughed, the tension in the room finally dissipating as the mood lightened again. Despite the challenges ahead, she knew she had people who cared about her, and for now, that was enough.

##To be continue...**