Everyone at the party was enjoying themselves. Some people, however, were present not just to celebrate but to secure high-value deals for their benefit. These individuals were deeply engaged in discussions with their clients, trying to secure their business history and future. Devraj’s eyes, however, were fixed on Divyanshi, who stood a few feet away with her parents, laughing and chatting animatedly. Mishthi stood beside her, and he had already noticed her quite intently. Her off-shoulder dress had irritated him beyond words, and when his eyes drifted downward and caught sight of the long slit in her dress, his anger reached a completely different level, but he just made himself ignore everything.

He turned to look at Mantra, who was busy with another client, enthusiastically sharing his ideas. They had agreed beforehand that they wouldn't both stand beside the same client at the same time but would try to cover as many people as possible during the event. Mantra was completely immersed in his interaction, so deeply involved that he seemed oblivious to everything else around him. This gave Devraj the opportunity to steal another glance at Mishthi, who was still laughing and talking to Divyanshi.

Trying hard to divert his attention and regain his composure, Devraj slightly turned away, shifting focus to the clients in front of him. He was trying to focus on his work and avoid looking back at Misty, although he couldn’t understand why his attention kept drifting back to her that night. Everyone seemed genuinely impressed with their project and the details they presented, which only boosted their confidence further.

Mantra glanced once toward Devraj, who gave him a quick, firm tap on the arm, a gesture of assurance that things were going well on his side. Mantra instantly responded with a playful wink, understanding the signal perfectly.

After spending quite a while talking to potential investors, both Devraj and Mantra finally regrouped and started sharing their updates with each other. They exchanged details with pleased smiles on their faces and then walked over to their families, where Devraj enthusiastically shared the good news.

“We had planned to approach three investors,” he said, “but we ended up finding five already.” Plus, many people are showing genuine interest in our project. Some of them are even planning to come tomorrow and have scheduled follow-up discussions.”

Their parents, visibly delighted by the news, patted them both proudly on the back. Mantra noticed that the music had already started playing in the background. His eyes immediately sought Divyanshi, who, being a passionate dancer, had already joined the dance floor and was joyfully swaying to the beat.

Watching her laugh and twirl, Devraj immediately turned his back toward her, knowing all too well that she would soon ask him to dance. It wasn’t that he couldn’t dance; he could, but he always found it to be a complete waste of time. It just wasn’t his thing.

Mantra noticed Devraj’s predictable reaction and chuckled to himself. Without missing a beat, he walked over to Divyanshi, bent slightly forward like a true gentleman, and extended his hand toward her. Her parents couldn’t help but laugh as well; they had seen this dynamic play out countless times. Because of their children's friendship, they are also sharing a very beautiful bond with each other. Whenever they meet, they always feel so delighted. Devraj would always escape, and Mantra would always step in to save the moment.

Divyanshi, smiling sweetly, placed her hand in Mantra’s and deliberately threw a sharp look at Devraj before walking away with Mantra to the dance floor.

Mishthi, who had been observing the scene quietly, gave a fleeting glance toward Devraj because, after hugging him, there was a very strange sensation running through her body that was not calm at all, and she knew how to calm it. She then looked at her parents. Without saying a word, she turned and started walking away. Devraj’s eyes instinctively followed her movements. She was heading toward the bar counter. He often tried his best to avoid her, especially when Mantra was around, but whenever Mantra wasn’t nearby, Devraj always kept a subtle yet close eye on her, on what she was doing, whom she was with, and even what mood she was in.

He started walking behind her slowly, matching her pace discreetly. At the counter, Misty leaned in slightly and softly said to the bartender,

“One Coke with vodka…”

“Children shouldn’t be drinking alcohol.”

From behind her came a calm yet firm voice. Startled by the unexpected voice, she immediately turned around and saw Devraj standing there. He wasn’t looking at her; instead, his eyes were locked onto the bartender with a fierce, unblinking stare. The bartender, sensing the unspoken warning in his gaze, instantly turned away and started attending to someone else.

Misty, slightly confused, turned her head toward the bartender, noticing his sudden shift. She understood instantly he wasn’t going to make her drink. She turned back to Devraj, eyes narrowed, and said in a slightly defiant tone:

“You are always ruining everything. First of all, I’m not a child, I’m an adult. And I know exactly how to handle my drink. I don’t need anyone to tell me what to do.”

“Ohhh, alright then. Take whatever you want. I’ll just inform your mom and dad that you’re perfectly capable of handling it.”

As he turns to walk away, she quickly steps in front of him, blocking his path. Glancing around to make sure no one is listening, she lowers her voice and says,

“What exactly is your problem? Just because you don’t like to enjoy life doesn’t mean others shouldn’t either.”

“In my view, drinking poison doesn’t count as fun. Yes, there have been parties where I’ve had to drink because it couldn’t be avoided. But when you can avoid it, you should. And I’m not just suggesting that to you; I’ve told Mantra the same thing…”

“Mafia don…. Idiot… He always has to stick his big foot in everything.”

She muttered under her breath, words laced with sarcasm and growing anger. Devraj could tell from her tone that her irritation was escalating, and he calmly looked at her again before replying,

“If you’re done singing my praises, shall we go back to your mom and dad?”

She gave him a sharp glare. She knew very well that as long as he was around, she wouldn’t be able to get that drink. And with her parents here, she couldn’t risk making a scene. A few months ago, she had tried alcohol for the first time at a friend’s insistence, and ever since then, she had started to enjoy it, even though she knew it wasn’t right. But since all her friends did it, she didn’t see it as a big deal or anything wrong. Her brother still had no idea, and she had kept it well hidden from him. But now, Devraj had followed her all the way here, and if she argued too much, Mantra might find out too. So without creating further drama, she reluctantly followed him. Misty quickly walked over to Varun and said sweetly,

“Papa, I want to dance. Let’s go…”

“It’s my duty to fulfill every wish of my princess. But first, I was just taking permission from my queen, and now I was about to take her along when you chimed in. If I say no now, you know I’ll be sleeping in the hall tonight,”

He said dramatically. Everyone laughed, and Misty burst out laughing too. Devraj looked at her, truly laughing out loud, carefree and joyful. She clapped in excitement and looked toward Rohit, who immediately pulled his wife in front of him and said,

“I have to go dance with her. You better find a solid dancer for yourself, someone who can keep up with you regularly. Because once you hit the dance floor, you don’t stop, and my legs can't take that anymore. I can’t dance with you, sorry.”

Sudha looked directly at Devraj and said,

“You do everything else you want. You only do what pleases you. If I give you a challenge, will you take it?”

“There’s nothing Misty can’t do,” he replied.

“Then take him to the dance floor. Make him dance. I honestly don’t even remember the last time I saw him dance.”

Devraj looked at his mother, then at Misty. Misty, taken aback, also glanced at Sudha. Sudha smiled and walked away, but the challenging gleam in her eyes didn’t go unnoticed. Misty turned toward Devraj, who, without saying anything, walked to a seat and sat down. If there’s one thing Misty doesn’t take lightly, not even as a joke, it’s a challenge. And now, someone had unintentionally challenged her. So without hesitation, she followed him. As always, her habit is to move towards him and literally order him.

“I want to dance... on the dance floor now.”

“And as far as I remember, I never stopped you from doing that.”

He replied flatly without looking at her. She immediately stood in front of him. With a few people standing nearby, she lowered her voice and said,

“First of all, you’ve stolen my brother’s suit. And on top of that, you’re giving me attitude?… Do you even realize this is my choice of outfit? … And since you're wearing something I picked, you are indebted to me…. To repay that favor, you have to dance with me.”

Devraj made a face. Her logic always baffled him. She said the most random things, and he never tried to make sense of them. That’s why he usually preferred to ignore her. But just then, his eyes caught a few of the people nearby looking at Misty a little too intently. Misty's exposed leg, visible through the slit in her dress, caught his particular attention. Anger surged through him, but he reminded himself this was a high-society elite party. He couldn’t just start a scene here.

He instinctively looked around for Mantra. Usually, whenever Misty acted out like this, it was Mantra who handled her. Devraj had never dealt with this kind of situation before, as he was usually too busy with work. But Misty wasn’t one to wait.

She noticed Sudha smiling at her, then without giving Devraj another second, she grabbed his hand and began pulling him toward the dance floor. As soon as she touched his hand, Devraj glanced at it in surprise. That strange electric current he’d felt before, he felt it again.

Misty, who was dragging him along, felt it too, a strange vibration coursing through her body. She had spoken to Devraj many times, but they had always maintained a certain distance. They never really stayed close for long. However, today she was experiencing something new. Something she’d never felt before. Suddenly, she let go of his hand and said,

“Look, there are a lot of people here. It’ll look much better if you walk properly to the dance floor instead of being dragged.”

Devraj was just looking at her. And for the first time, he felt like he should listen to her. Without hesitation, he holds her hand in a firm grip and feels a trembling sensation through her touch.

Even Misty hadn’t expected that. Once they reached the dance floor, they held each other’s hands and began to dance. Their eyes met, and something deeper passed between them. His other hand on her waist suddenly gives her alien feelings. He is looking into her eyes to find something, but what, he doesn't know. At one point, he gently spun her, wanting to push away the strange emotions swirling inside him. But when she turned, she landed right in his arms, and he instinctively held her by the waist, stopping her from moving.

Misty slightly opened her mouth, locking eyes with him. Devraj, too, seemed confused, just staring into her eyes. Misty felt a strange pull toward him, as if some unknown force was drawing her closer. Caught in that moment, she softly whispered with stammering.

“Challenge completed…”

Devraj, startled, looked at her again and suddenly withdrew his hand from her waist. A jolt of guilt struck him. He came to the realization that he was holding his best friend's younger sister, who was eight years younger than him, on the dance floor in a manner that went against every boundary he had set for himself. The thoughts racing through his mind were wrong. Completely wrong.

He quickly looked toward his mother, who was smiling at them. But the moment she caught his expression, she realized something was off. Devraj immediately walked off the dance floor, sat in a quiet corner, and gulped down a glass of cold water. He said to himself.

“You’re not meeting Misty for the first time. Thinking like this about someone is wrong, completely wrong. Control yourself."