Hi friends! Sorry it took a while to get the second part updated but here you go. Hope you guys like it :)
Part 2: Burning Flames
“Well, it’s nice to meet you too, Mr. Singhania, and you’re welcome, I’m glad your dad enjoyed the modaks,” Mannat responded with a smile. Just the mere thought that she had been able to make someone’s day through her modaks brought her joy, joy that she had not felt in a long time.
“Call me Karan, please. Mr. Singhania is my dad and honestly, being called that just makes me feel old, which I clearly am not,” Karan said, winking at Harneet who was standing by Mannat’s side, a flirtatious grin on her face.
Just as Harneet was about to respond, Vikrant stepped forward “Karan, why don’t you come in, it’s been a while and I would love to catch up with you. Dad is here too, and I’m sure he would be excited to meet you too.”
Karan clapped Vikrant on the back as they stepped to go inside Mezbaani. “I can’t tell how good it is to see you again, it’s been …what… almost 7 years since we last met?! But…” he looked around, then leaned in, voice lowered, “Tell me something. Did I hear right? You married Mallika… Mallika Rai Singh?”
Vikrant shifted uncomfortably. “Yes. It was… unexpected.”
“I’ll say,” Karan said, his brows lifting. “You and Mallika? I mean, I’ve known both of you for years, and you guys are like oil and water…I didn’t even think you liked each other. What happened to...”
His sentence stopped mid-air. His eyes shifted toward Mannat, who was standing a couple of tables ahead of them, slightly turned away, pretending to be engrossed in her phone. But her hand trembled slightly, her jaw clenched just enough to be noticeable.
He turned back to Vikrant, who also looked worn and tired, very unlike a newly wedded groom. “You okay, man? You don’t look it.”
“I’m fine,” Vikrant said, a little too quickly. “It’s complicated.”
Karan nodded slowly. “Complicated. Right….”
His gaze lingered on Mannat for a moment longer before he turned back to Vikrant. “Well, maybe a party will shake things up.”
Vikrant looked confused. “What party?”
“Which brings me to the other reason I am here. My dad’s 70th. And I wanted to ask if we could host the party here, at Mezbaani?”
Vikrant looked caught off guard and before he could say another word, Ronnie appeared from behind. “ Mezbaani? Now why would the owner of the Singhania Hotels want to host his birthday party here?”
“Ronnie uncle,” Karan called out affectionately, pulling him into a hug, “always a pleasure. The hotel is still undergoing renovations, plus, he wanted it to be a more intimate affair, just close family and friends, so what better place than Mezbaani.”
“Well, you know that you and your family are always welcome here, Karan beta,”
“Thanks, uncle. Now that that is confirmed, I can proceed with my second request,” Karan said as he turned around and walked back toward Mannat, who was now standing with Shruti and Harneet again, half-listening to Harneet’s theories on Karan’s star sign compatibility.
Karan stopped in front of Mannat and smiled. “Okay, second reason I came: I need a favor. A big one.”
Mannat looked at him questioningly. “You already thanked me for the modaks. What now? Want me to name a sweet after you?”
“Tempting. But no.” Karan leaned in a little, dropping his voice like it was some kind of top-secret mission. “My dad’s turning 70. Huge celebration in two days. And he’s obsessed with those modaks you made. I was hoping you’d agree to make a batch. Or five. Possibly six.”
Mannat hesitated, glancing at Shruti.
“I’ll pay whatever you want,” he added quickly. “Or I could owe you a favor. I’m told I give great favors.”
Mannat raised a brow. “That sounds... vaguely threatening.”
He smirked. “I promise it’s the good kind. Free hotel stay, unlimited breakfast, rooftop infinity pool. No strings, just carbs.”
Shruti chuckled softly behind her, but Harneet stepped in with full dramatic flair. “Mannat, say yes. Please. And also ask if he’s bringing single cousins.”
Karan laughed. “All three are married, but my driver Ravi is a hopeless romantic. He writes poetry. And, I’m single too, by the way, in case anyone’s looking” Karan gently nudged Harneet giving a pointed look at Mannat.
Vikrant glanced over at that comment, not missing the gentle smirk on Mannat’s face.
“Fine. I’ll make the modaks. But only because it’s for a 70th birthday, and your dad clearly has taste.” Mannat agreed.
Karan beamed. “You’re the best. But I don’t just want your modaks at the party. I want you and your family to come too. As guests. Celebrate with us.”
Mannat blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “Us? As in us us? You’re inviting us to a Singhania family birthday party?”
Karan nodded. “Absolutely. You’re practically family after those modaks, and Vikrant and his family will be there too.”
Her smile faded just a fraction at the mention of Vikrant, her eyes narrowing slightly before she recovered.
“I’d really like it if you came,” Karan added, more sincerely now.
“I’m happy to make the modaks but coming to the birthday party….,” Mannat trailed off but before she could say anything further, Harneet paaji jumped in, “Of course we will be there, plus I have to meet Ravi the poet as well.”
“Harneet paaji…what are you doing?” Mannat grumbled, shooting her a sharp look.
“Saving you from yourself,” Harneet said cheerfully. “Also, I already mentally planned our outfits. You can’t bail now. Plus, Shruti would love to go as well, right Shruti?”
Mannat narrowed her eyes. “I didn’t say yes.”
“But you didn’t say no fast enough,” Karan chimed in with a grin. “That’s basically a soft yes.”
Karan added, “Look, just come. Eat, laugh, watch me dance, and leave whenever you want. No pressure.”
Mannat glanced between the two of them and Shruti, Harneet, visibly vibrating with excitement, and Karan, offering an easy smile and just enough charm to be dangerous. Shruti gently looked at Mannat and silently smiled hinting at her to agree
She exhaled sharply. “Fine. I’ll come. But…”
Karan just laughed. “No buts…this is going to be fun.”
From a short distance away, Vikrant watched the entire exchange, his jaw clenched as Karan and Mannat continued their light banter. He couldn’t hear the words, but he didn’t need to.
The laughter. The way Mannat’s shoulders finally relaxed. The way her eyes actually sparkled again — something he hadn’t seen in what felt like forever.
And the worst part? The way Karan was looking at her.
As the valet brought Karan’s car around, Mannat gave him a polite nod. “Well, I guess this is your cue to disappear. Hopefully for at least twenty-four hours.”
Karan chuckled. “Ouch. And here I was wondering if I’d earned the right to drop by uninvited tomorrow.”
She crossed her arms, half-smiling. “Try it, and I’ll hand you a broom instead of a welcome.”
“Deal,” he said, flashing that easy grin. “As long as you’re the one supervising.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “You’re persistent.”
“I’ve been called worse.”
Harneet leaned in to whisper to Shruti, loud enough to be heard, “I give them two more conversations before she lets him hold the tray of desserts romantically.”
Mannat rolled her eyes. “Harneet paaji, control yourself.”
But it was Karan’s gaze that flicked subtly to the side , catching Vikrant standing just a little apart, near the hedge, not even pretending to look away anymore. His eyes were locked on Mannat.
Not possessive. Not angry.
Just... aching.
Karan studied him for a long beat.
The way Vikrant’s shoulders tensed every time Mannat smiled at someone else.
The subtle downturn of his mouth when she laughed at Karan’s jokes.
And the smallest, saddest kind of smile Vikrant gave when Mannat brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, something so innocuous, but clearly, something he loved watching her do.
Karan turned his attention back to Mannat, but now his smile had a slight tilt to it — thoughtful, maybe even a little sad. He clapped his hands together suddenly, lightening the moment again.
“Well then. I’ll be off before I accidentally propose over modaks and make this situation even more dramatic.”
Mannat rolled her eyes. Then, just as he turned to go, he glanced one last time at Vikrant, still rooted to the spot, still watching.
Their eyes met briefly.
And just like that, Karan slid into the driver’s seat of his sleek car, gave one last wave to Mannat and her family, and drove off,music low, mind reeling, and for the first time in years, genuinely unsure whether he was walking into a party or the middle of a storm.
and a piece that needs to be updated very soon
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