After the pooja, Abhir stepped outside, where he had arranged for bhog for the needy. He didn't just oversee it-he personally served prasad, his hands moving efficiently, his demeanor completely different from the flamboyant star people were used to.
His movements fluid, efficient-almost as if he had done this a thousand times before.
There was no reluctance, no pretentiousness in his gestures.
He would bend slightly to hand over a bowl to an elderly woman, smile at a young boy who stared at him in awe, ruffle a child's hair gently.
For someone who lived under constant media scrutiny, he didn't act like a man who needed validation.
Kiara, watching from a few feet away, sighed dreamily. "Bas, ab main roz mein mandir aana shuru kar dungi!"
Charu rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't pop out.
"Haan toh? Abhir is different, di!
He's not just like any another celebrity singer he's so real as a person. His voice, his devotion, his kindness-matlab yeh sab sirf show-off nahi hai!"
Charu huffed. "Waah. Tujhe do second mile usse dekhne ka aur tu already itna sab pata chal gaya?"
Kiara sighed dramatically, pressing her hand to her heart. "Di, aap nahi samjhengi. Abhir sirf dikhta rough and broody hai, par andar se toh ekdum softie hai!"
"Accha?" Charu scoffed. "Ek gaana gaya, ek baar pooja karli, bhog garibo mey baat diya toh softie ho gaya?"
"Woh sachme hai bas aap hi uski achai dekhna nahi chahti ,woh ek din aapka bhi opinion change kardenge aap dekhti jao!" Kiara declared.
And that was exactly what Charu was doing-watching.
Unconsciously, her gaze kept drifting back to him, watching the way his long fingers wrapped around the bowl as he served, the way he nodded at an old priest with a quiet, respectful tilt of his head.
There was something about him.
Something steady yet unsettling.
And that was what annoyed her the most.
----------------------------
A few minutes later, as Abhir handed over the last bowl of bhog, Kiara seized the opportunity and rushed forward before Charu could stop her.
"Abhir... ek photo?" she asked breathlessly, her eyes shining.
Abhir turned to her, his face neutral.
"Sure" he said simply.
Kiara beamed and pulled out her phone, positioning herself beside him.
Abhir stood at a comfortable distance, offering a small, polite smile.
"Ek aur!" Kiara insisted, shifting closer to him.
That's when Charu finally lost it.
"Bas kar, Kiara," she snapped, striding forward. "Mandir mein aayi hai ya celebrity meet-and-greet pe?"
Kiara pouted. "Di, bas ek aur-"
"No. Bas. Let's go," Charu ordered, grabbing Kiara's wrist and pulling her away.
Abhir, who had been standing silently, finally looked up.
His gaze met Charu's.
And for the first time, Charu felt something jolt inside her.
His eyes-dark, sharp-weren't the kind of eyes one forgot easily. They weren't amused, nor irritated. Just... observant. Assessing.
As if he had been aware of her this whole time, even when he hadn't looked.
For some reason, that unsettled her.
She yanked Kiara harder and turned on her heel, leaving without another glance.
Abhir watched them go, an inexplicable smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
He had seen many types of admirers in his life.
Kiara was easy to read. She was sweet, harmless, openly infatuated.
But Charu Bansal?
She was a puzzle.
And puzzles always intrigued him.
-----------------------
In the Evening
The venue was alive with energy, buzzing with devotion and anticipation.
It wasn't just a concert-it was a spiritual experience.
The open-air grounds were packed, and the night sky stretched above like a vast temple ceiling, waiting for the first note to strike.
In the midst of the crowd,
the Poddar family arrived together, their presence turning heads as they were ushered to the VIP sectionâfront row seats with an unobstructed view of the grand stage.
Ruhi and Abhira were the most animated, already hyping up the energy, their faces lit with pride.
This wasnât just any performanceâit was his performance. Their Abhir.
"Bro is about to set the stage on fire," Ruhi smirked, nudging Abhira, who nodded enthusiastically.
"Forget fire, he's gonna make Mahadev himself come down to vibe to his song!" Abhira shot back, grinning.
Their enthusiasm was contagious, drawing even the elders of the family into the moment.
Charu quietly took her seat, telling herself she was here because this morning she did not get a chance to speak with Abhir at the temple.
She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. It wasn't like she was desperate to talk to him.
It was just... practical.
Yes, that was the word.
She needed to clear things up before he did something reckless.
"Di!" Kiara's excited voice jolted her out of her thoughts. "Isn't this just perfect? A full moon, Mahadev's blessings, and him performing. It's almost like a sign!"
"Sign for?" Charu deadpanned, trying not to roll her eyes.
Kiara sighed dramatically. "For my future! Imagine, his eyes land on me, and boom-instant connection."
"Boom-instant delusion" Charu muttered under her breath.
But before Kiara could protest, the lights dimmed.
A hush fell over the massive gathering.
The stillness before a storm.
A single damru beat echoed through the air, slow and deep.
Then came the long, haunting call of a conch shell.
The air crackled with something unexplainable-something ancient, something divine.
And then, a spotlight illuminated the center of the stage.
A lone figure stood, back to the audience.
Abhir.
Dressed in black, a rudraksha mala around his wrist, his hair tied back.
This Abhir was something else-something raw, intense, and deeply, fiercely devoted.
The music began-a slow, hypnotic chant of "Har Har Mahadev" reverberating through the venue. The crowd swayed, entranced. Charu exhaled sharply as the air around her thickened with something unspoken.
And then, he turned.
Their eyes met.
Even in the dim lighting, she felt the weight of his gaze. It wasn't just a passing glance-it was deliberate. Calculated. A pull stronger than logic.
Then, the tempo shifted.
The drums thundered. The electric guitars roared, blending seamlessly with traditional dhol beats, creating a pulse that thrummed in everyone's veins.
And then, his voice rang out.
"Bolo Har Har Har..."
A shiver ran down Charu's spine.
Thatâs when Kiara grabbed Charuâs wrist.
"Come on, Di!" she yelled over the booming music.
Charu frowned. "Kyaâ?"
"VIP seats are boring! Letâs go!"
Before Charu could protest, Kiara had already pulled her into the crowd.
They wove through the sea of people, pushing closer and closer to the stage until they were right in the heart of the chaosâwhere the music wasnât just heard, it was felt.
People danced, hands raised in worship, voices rising with Abhirâs chants. The energy was infectious, a hypnotic trance.
And then, she looked up.
Abhirâs eyes found hers.
Even in the flashing lights, even among the roaring crowd, his gaze locked onto her.
He sang, but his eyes didnât stray. Not even once.
The crowd blurred around her. The music roared. The chants filled the air. But Charu could feel nothing except the weight of his stare.
His voice-deep, commanding-wasn't just singing. He was invoking. Every syllable crackled with an intensity that sent goosebumps down her arms.
And yet, despite the raging energy, despite the crowd erupting in chants of "Har Har Mahadev!", his gaze kept finding her.
Even when he moved across the stage.
Even when his hands lifted in devotion.
Even when he let the music possess him completely.
His eyes always found her.
Kiara, beside Charu, looked absolutely enchanted, hands clasped together.
Ruhi and Abhira screamed like the proud sisters they were
The Poddar elders watched on, expressions unreadable, but approving.
But Charu - she was drowning in something else entirely.
Then, as the song was built to its crescendo, the crowd surged forward.
The frenzy of devotion turned chaotic, pushing, shoving, and in the middle of it all-Charu lost her footing.
She gasped as the momentum sent her backward.
But strong arms caught her.
The world blurred.
The music thundered.
The chants roared.
But in that single moment, all she registered was warmth, strength... him.
She looked up-straight into Abhir's face.
The world had not stopped moving. But his arms were steady around her, a silent anchor amid the storm.
His breathing was heavy.
So was hers.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Neither of them moved.
And then-he let go.
The moment shattered, the performance continued, and Abhir stepped back as if nothing had happened.
But Charu knew.
She knew something had shifted.
And judging by the way his eyes lingered for just a second longer before he turned back to the crowd.
He knew it too.