A shrewd glint appeared in Mr. Jaitley's eyes as he leaned in slightly. "You truly are a master strategist, Mihir," he said. "But don't underestimate me either. The main purpose of this party isn't just to celebrate—it's to carve out a place for these two children in the old man's heart." He smirked slightly. "It won't be easy, of course, but I have no doubt that if Vansh can't break through to him… Drishti will."
Mihir raised an eyebrow.
"She's Maithili's daughter, after all," Mr. Jaitley continued. "The apple of her grandfather's eye. If anyone can melt that old man's heart, it's her."
As those words lingered in the air, Drishti felt a storm brewing within her. She had never asked to be a pawn in anyone's plans, yet here she was—thrust into a game much larger than herself. The question was, would she play along?
The air was thick with the scent of festive sweets and the laughter of young hearts. The party hall was a whirlwind of colors, shouts of joy, and the rhythmic beats of music that resonated with the energy of Holi.
Tia, her hands coated in a riot of bright hues, stood silently behind Chahat. A mischievous smile danced on her lips as she leaned closer and, without warning, smeared a burst of colors across Chahat's face.
"Bura na mano, Holi hai!" she declared, her voice ringing with laughter.
Chahat froze for a second, stunned, before reaching up to touch her face. As she pulled her hand back, her palm was covered in a kaleidoscope of colors. Realization dawned upon her—Tia had played a trick on her.
With a playful glint in her eyes, Chahat grabbed a handful of colors and took off after Tia, who shrieked in delight and tried to escape. The party hall, however, was packed with people enjoying the festival, making it impossible for Tia to get away for long. Within moments, she was caught, and in an instant, she was drenched in colors from head to toe.
Their friends erupted in laughter at the sight of Tia, now as colorful as a canvas of Holi. But she wasn't one to back down. With a devilish grin, she turned on them, chasing each of her friends in turn, determined to share her fate with them. Soon, the entire group was engaged in a chaotic, joyous battle of colors, their laughter ringing across the hall, drawing the attention of everyone around.