Viraj was peacefully sitting on the sofa with a drink in his hand when he noticed Gaurav approach the site where his eyes were already trained. Nupur had excused herself for the restroom and he was glad to have some alone time. It wasn't as if Nupur disturbed him. On the contrary, she never disturbed him in any way...except for the continuous stares she threw his way. However, seeing Gaurav interact with Sneha made him feel uneasy. He wondered desperately to know what they were talking about.

The curiosity turned into anger, and then into a much more intense emotion, when Gaurav asked for Sneha's hand, and she walked with him on the dance floor like a calf! He didn't realize his grip on the glass of drink tighten and his eyes narrowed automatically.

'Why is she dancing with him?' He wondered angrily.

He hated everything about their little encounter. He didn't like the little distance between them or the way she was hesitantly twirling on his command.

The watershed moment finally arrived when he saw her move closer to Gaurav and whisper something in his ear. Gaurav seemed concentrated as he listened to whatever she was telling him. And then, he smiled...both of them smiled. More than anything...he hated this. She shouldn't be laughing with other men, he concluded.

Without any control over his rational mind, he walked in their direction. He couldn't...wouldn't see her this close with any man. He declared for himself without any rationality.

Gaurav had seen him approaching from his periphery but he ignored it. His attention was focused on Sneha's words. Finally, when he raised his hand a little so as to make her twirl, he noticed Viraj just in front of him. It was quite late and Viraj had already caught Sneha mid-twirl by her waist.

"What...are you doing?" She asked as she looked into Viraj's eyes while being hyper-aware of his hand on her waist.

"Dance with me." Viraj stated as he pulled her closer to his body. Their chests were almost touching each other's now, thanks to her heels. The faint odour of ethanol was clear in the air around him.

Sneha turned to look at Gaurav, who had a small playful smile on his lips. She turned back to look at Viraj who pretty much looked angry! She expected Gaurav to say something! When he didn't help her out, she took her stand.

"I don't want to." She said curtly and tried to get away from him. She had almost succeeded when he pulled her with force and she fell on his body...again. Her head hit his upper chest, and she hated this. For her, it was clearly manhandling!

"You'll have to." Viraj simply announced to her as he glared at Gaurav.

Gaurav raised his hands in playful surrender and stepped back to slowly go back to where Natasha was sitting.

"I won't. Now, let me go. Or, I will shout." Sneha strictly mumbled in his arms.

Viraj finally looked at the feisty woman. His eyes still held anger and maybe...frustration, but seeing her try to push him away made him feel irritated beyond limits. She was dancing perfectly fine with Gaurav! What was the problem now? He wondered.

"Shout." He challenged in his straight emotionless tone.

His word stilled her for a while. She stopped struggling and looked at him in confusion.

'What is his problem now?' She thought as she met his eyes. But, she knew that she couldn't simply shout out of nowhere. It would create drama and Ananya's birthday would be ruined. However, she knew that she won't hesitate to do it if Viraj forced himself on her further.

"I am not lying. Leave me." She repeated and tried to remove his hands from her waist. The couple nearby noticed their weird interaction while others remained oblivious as they went along with their dance.

"Dance...with...me." He repeated as well...a little more sternly.

"And I said, I don't want to. Why do you even care? You already danced with Nupur!" She retorted as she thought he wanted to dance because he hadn't danced yet!

The current music was about to finish.

Viraj took a deep breath to calm his anger. And, then he remembered an important key to the night.

"You lost the game. Now, dance with me as the dare that you owe me." He laid his condition.

Sneha looked at him in confusion.

"Are you serious? You cheated and we all know it." She contradicted.

"I didn't cheat. And, we had a vote. I clearly won." He reminded her.

"They are all your relatives. Of course, they'd support you." She said and resumed trying to remove his hands from her body.

Viraj hated it. According to him, she should just stand still and follow his lead. She should do what he wanted her to do. But she was doing everything other than that!

"Then why didn't you say this earlier? By the way..." He stepped closer. "...aren't you being too casual with me? Did you forget what I did to your and your father's jobs?" He stated in a sarcastic tone and she froze.

Sneha looked at him in disbelief. He was threatening her, she knew. So, she lowered her eyes when she realized her weakness. Her job was important to her. Her father's job was important for her family.

"I am...sorry." She mumbled in order to not provoke him to repeat the stunt he performed earlier with her job.

Viraj sighed.

"Just dance with me. I have to use the dare anyway." He said and took her right hand in his left one, gently.

At that instance, the band began a new song. It was another romantic song...Tera Hua by Atif Aslam.

He expected her to keep her left hand on his shoulder, but she obviously didn't. So, he took the liberty to hold her left hand's wrist and guide it on his right shoulder. Then, he placed his free hand on her waist again...all the while looking at her.

Sneha didn't say anything and held his blazer lightly. She just tried to follow his steps. It was a beautiful song...but with her new partner, she couldn't enjoy it. She hated him for forcing her to dance and also threatening her with her and her father's jobs!

Viraj pulled her closer when she tried to step away and make some space between them. She looked at him in confusion.

'Why is he doing this?' She wondered with narrowed brows.

She had to, however, quickly look down when she saw him stare at her, yet again. Since the distance was minimum between them, she stepped on his shoes by mistake.

"Sorry!" She whispered and stared at his chest in embarrassment.

Even though he clearly heard her apologize, he didn't say anything... just continued to look at her as they swayed to the music. When the music changed the beat, he raised his hand so that she'd twirl...just like she did with Gaurav. However, it took her a moment to realize why he raised her hand. So, she very awkwardly twirled. Viraj pulled her back quickly to resume the dance.

"You are angry." He stated, finally when he couldn't take her silence anymore.

Sneha took a moment before replying.

"You just threatened me. What are you expecting from me after that?" She said, while maintaining her straight tone.

"I didn't threaten you. I was just asking you to complete your dare." He corrected her.

She looked at him in confusion again.

"Didn't you threaten me with my job and my father's job?" She asked.

"I didn't say I'll repeat that. I was just reminding you that you should keep your tone in check in front of me. Especially, when I hold so much power over you." He said casually.

It hurt her, though.

"You don't hold any power over me." She corrected him this time.

Viraj chuckled.

"Don't I? Should I show you?" He said as he made her twirl again and pulled her rather powerfully at him. Sneha fell on him again. She couldn't believe what he had just done.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked angrily, pointing at his threats and his sudden rough dance movements.

"Doing what?" He asked playfully and she looked at him in frustration.

"Don't throw me around." She asserted to which he faintly smiled.

Soon the music changed to a slow tune and Viraj took his cue to do the dipping step. Sneha got confused when she saw him move his hand from her waist to her mid-back and come closer to her.

"W.what...?" She asked but soon realised his intention.

"You wanted me to be gentle, right." He asked as he dipped her with the support of his arm.

She had to quickly grab his shoulder firmly when he continued dipping her into a deep dip-pose. She was scared of falling. So, she held on to him with all her might.

'Why is the music not ending?' She wondered as she looked everywhere but him, and he remained at the same pose for more than necessary. He had, after all, come so close to her face.

Viraj stared at her expressive face. He knew that she was scared of falling...and that made him more confident because he held the power to protect her right now, from whatever that she was scared of.

"Pull me up." She muttered with a clenched mouth and he came out of his imagination.

He pulled her up back slowly and then gently swayed with her after that, in order to not scare her further. He really hoped she learnt her lesson of keeping her tone in check in front of him.

Sneha was tired now. With all the dancing, tonight's game activities and his mild threats...she just wanted to go back home and sleep.

They both sensed the music coming to an end. So, Viraj asked the question that he had been meaning to ask.

"I remember what you said yesterday about the gift that you'd bring for Ananya. I hope she likes it as you claimed." He said in a clearly playful tone, as their steps slowed.

Sneha looked at him and sighed.

"It's a normal gift. I didn't know what to get her." She said, in order to not provoke him. She knew now for sure that he hated when others try to be snarky with him. And, she didn't want to be on his bad side to only be left jobless...again.

"Why? You were so confident and...cocky...yesterday?" He asked, trying to prolong the conversation.

Sneha stopped. So, did he. The music ended at the same time.

"I am sorry." She mumbled and left his hand. She turned around and almost ran towards her friend.

He stood still at his position. He didn't know why she apologized. Was it for the gift or the fact that she wanted to run away from him?

Another song played and he sighed. Coming back to his original seat, he took his glass again.

'She is messing with my mind.' He concluded when he reflected on his impulse actions. He didn't have to go and force her to dance with him. It was immature of him! If anything, he should have asked like a gentleman.

He saw Sneha and Jyoti walk out of the hall. He took out his phone again to give one of his men the required instruction.

He was almost done giving his orders when he noticed Nupur standing in front of him. He cancelled the call and gave her a questioning look.

She had so many questions to ask! Why was he dancing with Sneha? Why was he so close to her? Why did he dip her ever so gently when he clearly wasn't interested to do it with her! But, she didn't dare ask him. The fear of him getting angry or...upset, made her drop her questions.

So, she brought her left hand on his left shoulder and patted slightly, in order to smoothen the creases that formed because of Sneha's strong grip.

Viraj understood her dilemma and the reason for her actions. But, he didn't clarify his act. He had nothing to say!

He knew she had seen him dance with Sneha. And, he had no justification.

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.

"Let's go home." Sneha mumbled quickly as she took her sling bag and the little present that she had won.

Sensing her irritation, Jyoti took her stuff too and followed her out of the hall. Jyoti asked the valet to bring her scooty back. So, meanwhile, they waited for their ride, Jyoti mustered the courage to ask.

"What was wrong with Viraj? Why was he dancing with you?" She asked.

Sneha sighed.

"I don't know. He said he wanted to use his dare! But, I don't believe him. He...was clearly throwing me around. I know he hates me...but that doesn't mean he can do whatever he wants with me." She threw all the anger she had for him at her friend.

"Yeah, I saw him being rough at the dance. He was almost throwing you on him. And, the last dipping pose! I thought he'd let you fall on the ground since he went so deep!"

"I didn't even do anything to him. I always try to keep my distance from him...just so that I won't anger him unintentionally!" Sneha whined again.

"I think I got it."

"What?" Sneha asked.

"He was being rough because you were dancing with Gaurav. And, perhaps he thought you were trying to seduce Gaurav. So, in order to not make Natasha feel sad, he pushed him away and danced with you." Jyoti tried to make some conclusions that they both could accept.

Because the idea of Viraj having any feelings for Sneha was completely unacceptable for both of them.

Sneha thought over her response.

"Do you think that was the reason?" She asked Jyoti.

"I don't see any other reason. Surely, he doesn't like you! He wouldn't have been throwing you like that if he liked you." Jyoti concluded.

"You are right! But, I was not seducing Gaurav. It was he who asked me for a dance. And, from Natasha's expression, it was clear that she had no issues as well." Sneha defended herself.

Jyoti sighed.

"I don't know what's going in these rich people's minds. But, the party is over and we are still alive. So, I think it is a good thing." Jyoti commented. The valet brought the scooty in front of them.

Sneha nodded and looked at her present while her mind was somewhere else. She really wondered why Viraj forced her to dance with him. Why was he constantly staring at her? Why did he threaten her with her job, again? And, above all, why was he being so gentle when he dipped her during the dance. It almost felt romantic!

"Sit." Jyoti called for her attention after checking her scooty for any damage.

Sneha sat behind her friend quickly.

"I am so excited to see what prize I got!" Jyoti mumbled.

"Me too. But, I will have to wait till I reach home. Priya loves to open the wrappers and she will kill me if I'll tear the gift wrapper." Sneha said.

"Oh, I completely forgot to ask...What was with that guy asking you for a dance?" Sneha asked when she came out of her own thoughts.

"Miher?" Jyoti asked.

"Yup! Is he all over you, now?" Sneha sang in a teasing manner.

Jyoti chuckled as they entered the traffic finally.

"He asked me out." Jyoti confessed.

"What? Are you serious?" Sneha chuckled in complete surprise.

"Yeah. He asked me for a date tomorrow to get to know each other better." She explained.

"And?"

"And, I declined the offer." Jyoti said with a laugh.

"What reason did you give?" Sneha asked. It was obvious for her that Jyoti would decline.

"I told him frankly that my father wouldn't allow it. Also, just because he looked handsome doesn't mean I'll go out with him. He could be a serial killer! Who knows!" Jyoti said dramatically.

"What did he say then?" Sneha asked.

"Nothing. He just nodded in understanding. But, he is really a good dancer." Jyoti said.

Sneha nodded.

They were on road for about five minutes now, when Jyoti felt uneasy.

"Sneha...look at that black car behind us. I think they are following us." Jyoti said. Sneha narrowed her brows and looked at the side mirror of the scooty.

"Are you sure?" Sneha asked in a serious tone.

"Yeah. Just notice it now." Jyoti said as she took the first left on the intersection, which was not their usual route.

Jyoti then parked the scooty near a store, some thirty meters from the intersection. However, ten minutes flew by and the black car that they had suspected didn't follow them.

"I guess, I was wrong." Jyoti mumbled.

Sneha looked forward again and nodded.

"Yup. You were getting paranoid for no reason. Let's go home." She said and they went on their way again.

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Viraj got another call at about 9:30 pm and he knew who it was going to be. He answered it immediately as he walked to his car to head home.

"Did they reach home safely?" He asked and pressed the unlock button of his car key.

"Yes, boss." The guard replied quickly.

"Did they suspect you following them?" He asked while referring to Sneha and Jyoti.

"At one point they did, boss. I am sorry. They took a different route to see if I'd follow them. I noticed it and parked my car to take a taxi. Then, I followed them on the taxi while making sure to not let them see me again." The guard explained.

"You saw them entering their home safely, right?" He asked specifically.

"Yes, boss. I did."

"Okay." Viraj nodded and cancelled the call.

Their safety was important and he had to make sure that they reach home safely. After all, they were his guests. Or as he told himself.

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.

.

Nupur and Ananya were heading back to Viraj's house in another car which was just in front of his car. Nupur was a guest today. So, she was to stay in one of the guestrooms.

Ananya would have talked merrily with her, but she was aware of Nupur's spoiled mood. And, she knew the reason for it too. So, she decided to finally ask her.

"Nupur...about bhai...I am sure he was dancing with Sneha out of hospitality." She initiated. Nupur looked at Ananya and thought over her words.

"I know him better than anyone, Ananya. And, I know he didn't do it to entertain the guests." Nupur contradicted. Even if her voice still had that soft tone, the sharp edge on her voice was clearly audible.

"Sneha helped me, Nupur. She almost saved my life and dignity that day. And, bhai feels highly grateful to her. This might be the reason that he asked her for a dance."

"What about the distance between them? He held her so close to him! She was practically stuck on his body! He made her fall on him multiple times! And if we ignore all these, then what about his gentle yet intense gaze on her when he dipped her? For once, I thought he was going to kiss her!" Nupur threw out her frustration finally.

Ananya was stunned. She didn't know Nupur had it in her. She had never seen Nupur angry...or jealous. Perhaps, because Viraj never gave her a reason to be jealous...before today.

"Uhh...bhai..." She began defending her brother when Nupur interrupted her again.

"Tell me honestly, Ananya... Does he like her as a woman?" She asked.

And, Ananya was dumbstruck again. She didn't know what to say! She honestly didn't know the answer to it. She knew that her brother denied it clearly. But, whatever he did, it only proved the opposite. But she couldn't tell this to Nupur! If Nupur complained to her father, then her brother will be in trouble...not from Nupur's father...but from their own father.

"No, Nupur. He doesn't. In fact, he dislikes her a lot. Once he even told me that he hates her type of girl. You know, she, kind of, do not obey bhai." Ananya explained.

"Did he say that? You are not lying to me, right?" Nupur asked again, this time gently.

"Yeah! Why would I lie to you? You can ask him if you want." Ananya suggested.

Nupur sighed.

"I can't ask him. I am scared that he might get upset with me." She said truthfully.