He Stayed Anyway

~11~

For Next chapter. Vote Target- 10 🙏🏻 (bohot kam hai tbh, compared to people reading it)

Sunanda clapped her hands with authority.

"Everyone, after dinner we practice. Kal sangeet hai!"
(Meera immediately nodded in support.)

Meera smiled warmly,
"Yes, we should all rehearse. Tomorrow needs to look clean."

Half the younger crowd looked like they needed a stretcher already—
but before anyone protested...

Another car arrived at the palace gates.

More relatives.
More chaos.
More noise.

The palace was now officially full.

The ballroom was once again lit up, music echoing off the pillars.

Savi was tying her hair, pulling Reeva forward,
"Come on! You're dancing today."

Reeva stared at her tiredly,
"No. I'll just help with coordination."

Savi groaned dramatically,
"Not allowed. No one wants a chemistry professor with no chemistry on stage."

Reeva opened her mouth to argue—
but before she could...

Rishika gasped as if she'd walked into a crime scene,
"What nonsense! It's your own sister's wedding! You better dance!"

Reeva blinked.

Savi folded her arms and grinned,
"Be careful, Rishika. She will now calculate the force required to throw you off the stage."

Sulochana, who had finally found a chair, looked sharply at Savi.
She didn't appreciate newcomers being so casual with family.

Her tone was frosty,
"Aap thoda zyada... familiar nahi ho rahi?"
(Aren't you being a little too familiar?)

The room quietened.

Sulochana continued, eyes narrowing,
"Family matters mein itni bol rahi ho... Where even is your family?"

Savi froze for half a second.

It was harsh.
Too harsh.

Before Savi could form a reply—

Reeva stepped forward calmly, voice steady but sharp.

"She is family."

Sulochana looked surprised.

Reeva continued,
"She's my friend. She's here because we value her. And she has every right to speak."

Savi blinked—touched, and a little shocked.

Reeva rarely defended anyone publicly.
Especially with such composure.

Sulochana opened her mouth,
but Sonal stepped in smoothly before tempers rose.

"Let's not spoil the evening."

Sunanda nodded firmly,
"Everyone came to enjoy. Focus on the dance."

Sulochana sat back, clearly not thrilled,
but the moment passed.

They stepped out for a little air before practice, music still drifting from inside.

Reeva quietly
"Sorry Sulochana dadi ke liye, kabhi kabhi she crosses a line."
(Sorry for Sulochana aunty, sometimes she crosses a line)