Page 48 of When Love Trespassed

Valentine’s Night

The club was bathed in hues of crimson and gold, with dim lights dancing across velvet walls and a mirrored ceiling. Heart-shaped balloons floated above the tables, and the soft, romantic melodies filled the air, mingling with the low hum of conversations and clinking glasses.

At one of the private lounge booths sat Shaurya, Nandini, Varun and Priya, lost in their own little world despite the noise around them. The booth, tucked away in a quieter corner of the club, allowed enough space and privacy for conversations and a few stolen moments amid the chaos.

Nandini sat close to Shaurya, their knees touching beneath the table.

She looked stunning in the long red gown that hugged her curves perfectly.

The slit on the right side teased him, offering glimpses of her toned leg each time she moved.

A delicate diamond pendant sparkled at her collarbone.

Her hair was styled in soft curls cascading down her shoulders, her lips tinted a bold red to match the night.

Shaurya, seated right beside her, looked maddeningly hot in a black linen shirt with the top two buttons left casually undone.

Paired with well-fitted black trousers and that ever-so-perfectly-styled hair, he looked every bit the man who didn’t need to try for attention, but still had every woman in the club doing double takes.

Under the soft, amber lighting, the faint stubble along his jaw only added to his dangerous charm.

Across from them, Priya and Varun completed the foursome. Priya looked chic in a fitted shimmery wine-coloured dress, and Varun, in his navy-blue blazer, flashing that mischievous smile of his, looked like he had walked straight out of a rom-com novel.

They all lifted their glasses in a toast. The girls had ordered champagne while the boys had ordered something stronger.

“To Valentine’s nights together like this for the rest of our lives,” Nandini said, grinning, clinking her glass with Priya.

“To secrets half-told and plans fully executed,” Priya added with a wink, and the men joined in the toast with a smirk.

“To Nandini’s success in finding the investor for her startup,” Shaurya added.

Nandini smiled with quiet pride. Just three days ago, she had met Mrs. Choudhary, one of the principal partners at Aura Wellness, a renowned lifestyle venture capital firm co-founded by a former brand entrepreneur turned investor.

Known for championing women-led consumer brands with a strong emotional appeal, Aura Wellness operated out of both Delhi and Singapore and had built a reputation for backing purpose-driven, homegrown D2C ventures, particularly those rooted in Ayurvedic and organic wellness.

Given their focus on empowering female entrepreneurs, they saw real potential in Nandini’s startup. They had agreed to invest. By next week, she would be signing the official contract. And with that, her business would finally be back on track, stronger than ever.

After a sip, Varun leaned in and said, “Honestly, thank God you two patched things up. I was almost about to check Shaurya into an emotional rehab. He was walking around like he’d just watched five tragic films back-to-back.”

Shaurya didn’t bother denying it. He turned to Nandini, took her hand, and gently lifted it to his lips. “I swear, that was our last fight. From now on, no more drama, no more doubts.”

Varun smirked. “Bold promise, bro. I’ll believe it the day Nandini goes a full hour without giving you the death glare. And trust me, I am saying this from experience… as someone who’s been your friend forever. No one can tolerate your broody, grumpy tantrums the way I do.”

Nandini grinned, nudging Shaurya playfully. “He’s right. But being broody and grumpy suits you.”

Shaurya shrugged with a grin.

But then, Nandini’s smile softened, and she looked at him thoughtfully. “I do feel bad, though,” she said, “for keeping this relationship a secret from Grandpa.”

Shaurya’s expression softened. “Not for too long now,” he promised. “We’ll make it official whenever you’re ready.”

She raised a brow playfully. “Let’s just wait until he retires that antique shotgun hanging in our living room first. Because I swear, if he finds out and it still works—”

Priya cracked up. “Imagine the headline: ‘Man shot for loving granddaughter too dearly.’ ”

Even Shaurya laughed at that, though he rolled his eyes. “Come on. I’ve already won over your grandpa. He likes me. Sure, he’ll throw a fit or two. But eventually, he’ll realise he’s not going to find a better grandson-in-law than me.”

“Yeah,” Priya chimed in, raising her hand. “I agree. Shaurya’s got that parent-pleasing face. The respectful and responsible kind. I’m not worried about you, Nandini.”

She turned to Varun with mock dread. “It’s me I’m worried about.

My dad still thinks I’m too innocent to even like someone, let alone date them.

And now imagine breaking the news that I’ve been secretly seeing this man here…

” she gestured dramatically toward Varun, “…who’s even been to our house while they were away. ”

Varun laughed, catching on. “Remember! I had to hide in your closet for a good fifteen minutes because they came back early and your mom barged in to show you her shopping.”

The table erupted into laughter as Priya gasped. “Don’t even remind me! I was panicking. She just wouldn’t stop, even when I told her I was sleepy and would see the stuff the next day! Thank God her friend called and she left the room.”

Varun mock-shuddered. “I was suffocating in there. Honestly, if you hadn’t opened the door when you did, I’d be a news headline by now: ‘Boyfriend Found Unconscious Among Sarees and Fragrances.’ ”

Priya swatted his arm, giggling. “Suffocating? Please. I’ve got the best perfumes in that closet. It smells like a designer boutique in there.”

Varun leaned in with a lopsided smile. “Yeah, but none of them smell like you. Fresh. Warm. Familiar.”

The table fell quiet for a beat. As Priya and Varun slipped into their own little bubble of whispered teases, Shaurya turned his gaze back to Nandini. Her cheeks were still flushed from laughing. He never got tired of looking at her like that.

He reached for her hand again, trailing kisses along her fingers. “I wish we could stay over at my house. Just us. You and me!”

Nandini’s eyes gleamed with mischief as she moved closer and murmured, “I know exactly when that’s going to happen.”

Shaurya’s curiosity flared. “When?”

She leaned in even closer, her breath warm against his skin. “After we get married.”

She pulled back laughing just as he groaned and dragged her into his arms.

“Then let’s get married,” he murmured, nuzzling her cheek before his lips trailed to her jaw. Her breath caught, her body reacting to the intimacy, the heat, and the intensity of his touch. She was dangerously close to forgetting where they were when Priya cleared her throat.

“Okay, okay, break it up, you two,” she teased, rising from her seat with Varun beside her. “We’re leaving you lovebirds alone. Varun and I are going for a drive.”

They broke apart instantly, turning to see Priya and Varun standing with mischievous grins on their faces.

Nandini raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. “Wait a second. You’re leaving us alone for our sake… or for your own privacy?”

Priya smirked. “Hmm, let’s say it’s mutually beneficial. A win-win.”

Varun chuckled, slipping an arm around Priya’s waist. “I’ll drop her home by 11. That’s the time Nandini told Grandpa she’d be home, right?”

“Perfect,” Nandini said, giving him a thumbs-up. “And Priya’s supposed to be back at her place around the same time, so it works.”

They waved the pair off as they disappeared into the crowd, hands entwined and laughter echoing behind them.

Then, Shaurya turned back to her again. “So,” he said with a slow smile, “now that we’re finally alone... how should we use the time?”

Nandini grinned. “That depends, Mr. Ahuja... just how romantic can you get in a room full of roses, music, and no one to interrupt us?”

He leaned in closer, his eyes locked on hers.

“Challenge accepted.”

Nandini giggled as she looked up at him, her eyebrows raised with curiosity. “You were saying something when we were interrupted. What was that?”

Shaurya didn’t respond right away. Instead, he reached into the pocket of his trousers and pulled out something. Then, gently, he took her hand in his. She looked at him, puzzled at first, until she saw it.

A solitaire ring. Delicate, elegant, and absolutely breathtaking, as it caught the ambient light, sparkling like it had been waiting for this moment all along.

Her smile faded into something tender, her heart hammering in her chest.

Shaurya didn’t break eye contact. He smiled calmly. “Will you marry me, Nandini Raichand?”

Nandini blinked, her lips parting in disbelief. But of course, in true Nandini style, she didn’t make it easy for him.

“Hmm,” she murmured, mischief flickering in her eyes. “And why, exactly, should I say yes?”

He let out a laugh, then pulled her gently into him, his arms settling around her waist.

“Because,” he began, “I’m in love with your mango tree. And I want to spend the rest of my life kissing you under it… just like in fairy tales.”

She stared at him, her heart melting with every word.

“I want to water that tree with you every morning. I want to eat those sweet mangoes your grandpa swore never to let me touch. I want to grow old loving your grandpa like my own. And I want to stand beside you, always. I want to give you every bit of my strength and support so you can build the business you’ve dreamed of. ”

He held her even tighter, his voice full of emotion. “I want to celebrate every milestone of your business. Whether it’s the very first order or the millionth. I want to be by your side through it all.”

Nandini didn’t let him finish. She couldn’t.