𝐆𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐬

Hey everyone!!

The new version of REVIVE REUNITE REVENGE is up!
Be sure to check out the prologue, and don't forget to vote and leave your comments!
The characters and Chapter 1 will be coming soon, so stay tuned for more.
Thank you for all your support!❤️

That's all..now you may proceed.....

I leaned back in my chair, listening to my sister on the other end of the call while gazing around the cafe.

"Radhika, please, get a boyfriend already! You're too stubborn to spend your whole life alone, you know?"

I rolled my eyes, though a small smile tugged at my lips. "Yeah, yeah, Di. I hear you," I replied, not really meaning it. As I swirled my coffee absentmindedly, I tried to ignore the sinking feeling in my chest.

She sighed, her tone softening. "I know it's difficult for you, Radha, but love... it's worth it. You've seen how it's changed my life, right? And now that I'm married, you need to think about finding the right one for yourself before our parents will end up marrying you off to whoever they want."

My jaw clenched slightly, knowing all too well what she meant. "Yeah, Di, I know," I murmured, focusing on the comforting warmth of my coffee cup.

Our parents had always been... selective, let's say, about the paths they thought were "suitable" for us. Di's marriage had already been a battle, her choice treated like a betrayal.

And me? I knew they only tolerated my obsession with badminton because they saw it as a phase—something I'd eventually give up for a more "proper" path. To them, dreams like mine were just childish distractions.

"They're never going to you with badminton," Di said, her voice filled with the quiet understanding only she support could offer. "And now, I'm married to someone they didn't choose, and you know how they'll use that against you. They'll try to control everything. Don't let them, Radha. You're stronger than that."

I took a deep breath, hiding my frustration. "Yeah, Di, trust me—I get it. I know better than to expect anything different. But listen, I've got to go. I'm meeting someone, so we'll talk later, okay?"

We exchanged quick goodbyes, and I hung up, feeling that familiar weight settle over me. Love, dating, relationships... I'd coached Aisha endlessly on these topics, helping her sort out her tangled emotions.

But when it came to myself? I had nothing—no real experience, just a lot of mistrust and a guarded heart that felt safer kept under lock and key.

I took a long sip of coffee, trying to shake off my dark thoughts. Right now, I had more important things to handle than my nonexistent love life. This meeting was for Aisha, to deal with a guy who'd been constantly pestering her.

She'd made it clear she'd "kill him with one look" if they ever had to meet in person, so here I was, about to face this asshole myself.

Just then, an irritatingly familiar voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Hey, Radhika. Long time."

There he was. The asshole. Fucking Shantanu

I turned slowly, forcing a smile and fighting every urge to roll my eyes. Shantanu wasn't even worth my time, but here I was.

God, I don't lose my cool this easily. But just seeing him made me want to toss him into freezing waters in Antarctica and let him stew there.

His eyes gleamed with a smug sense of familiarity, as if he thought we were old friends.

"What do you want, Shantanu?" My voice was sharp, colder than I'd intended, but I didn't care.

Ignoring my question, he slid into the seat across from me with that irritating ease, smirking. "Where's Aisha? I thought she'd be the one meeting me."

"Cut the crap," I snapped, leaning forward, my patience already wearing thin. "What do you want with Aisha?"

He hesitated, something flickering in his eyes—an unease that he quickly masked with a casual shrug. "It's not what you think, Radhika. I just want to talk to her, you know? She's been avoiding me."

I raised an eyebrow, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Good that you know she's avoiding you. So why are you still behind her? Or are you not satisfied with using Anya? Now you're after Aisha, too?"

He flinched, clearly taken aback that I knew his hi온라인카지노게임. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he composed himself quickly. "One second, I didn't use her. I was clear with her—I told her I was attracted to her. But Aisha is... different. I just want a chance with her, that's all."

I leaned back, crossing my arms, my patience gone. "Get the hell away from both Aisha and Anya's lives, Shantanu. Before Aisha takes the honors of making your life a nightmare."

A twisted smirk crept onto his face. "At least I'd get to see her, talk to her. Maybe even... touch her."

My temper snapped. I clenched my fists, slamming one onto the table as I leaned in close, my voice low and full of warning. "I swear, if you try to touch her or come anywhere near her, I'll personally make sure you regret it. So back off and stay out of her life."

For a moment, anger glinted in his eyes, quickly replaced by something else, something dark and calculating. Suddenly, before I could react, he reached across the table, engulfing my hand in his, his thumb brushing over my skin in a way that made my skin crawl.

"Radhika," he murmured, his voice a sickening whisper, "just one chance. Give me one chance with Aisha, and I'll make sure all your needs are met."

Disgusting Pig.

Before I could jerk my hand away, I felt myself pulled back, yanked up and out of my seat. My face pressed against a broad, familiar chest, and I breathed in the warm, comforting scent of a cologne I knew well.

The person holding me growled, his voice a deadly promise. "How dare you touch her, you bastard."

I glanced up, heart pounding as I realized who it was.

Vikram's gaze pinned me down, his dark eyes narrowing as he demanded, "Why are you on a date?"

I blinked, confusion flickering across my face. Before I could respond, Shantanu jumped in, "I'm sorry, man, but I think you're mistaken. This isn't a date."

Vikram's glare intensified as he snapped back, "If not, then how dare you touch her?"

Shantanu's words stumbled, his confidence visibly shaken. "I...she...we..."

Vikram rolled his eyes and turned back to me, his expression unreadable. "Aisha and the others said you were on a date."

I shook my head firmly, irritation seeping into my tone. "No, not at all—and especially not with this fucker." Vikram's shoulders visibly relaxed. 

Shantanu said. "Well, thanks for the compliment, Radhika. And, buddy, chill out. I've already got my eyes on my girl."

I shot him a warning glare. "She isn't your girl. Back off."

Vikram's brows furrowed in suspicion as he looked between us. "Who are you talking about?"

Panic shot through me. Knowing Vikram's fierce protectiveness over Aisha, this could end badly for Shantanu.

 I tried to shoot Shantanu a warning look. But he either didn't notice or didn't care. Instead, he flashed a smug smile and said, "Oh, just one of Radhika's friends from back in school."

Vikram subtly moved me behind him. The air grew dangerously still. I could practically hear the slow burn of Vikram's rage. His jaw tightened, veins standing out against his neck, but his voice remained deceptively calm. "And why do you 'like' Aisha?"

Still clueless, Shantanu replied without a hint of hesitation. "She's... different. I liked her back in school, you know? Sweet, cute, hot. And if I'm honest, I'd love to see her... submissive side... while—"

He didn't get to finish.

Vikram didn't hesitate—he pounced on Shantanu, fists flying as he snarled, "How dare you talk about my sister like that!" 

Each punch seemed to land with more emphasis than the last, and Shantanu's protests quickly turned to incoherent mumbling, his face already looking like something out of a horror movie.

"Alright, Hulk, maybe let's not turn him into a full zombie," I muttered, tugging at Vikram's arm. After what felt like a hundred attempts, he finally backed off, but not without a final, withering glare at Shantanu, who could barely stay upright.

Dragging Vikram outside, I pulled him toward his car, glancing back to see Shantanu looking like he'd just survived an apocalypse.

 I nudged Vikram into the car, and we climbed in together. He was still fuming, clenching and unclenching his fists with an impressive level of commitment.

I raised an eyebrow at him, lips twitching. "Feel better now, or do we need to go find some fucker bystanders for you to practice your new career as a professional puncher?"

Vikram's jaw tightened, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "He's lucky I let him walk away."

"Right," I replied with exaggerated innocence.

After a few minutes of silence, Vikram sighed. "I'm sorry you had to see that."

I waved it off with a grin. "Nah, he had it coming. Honestly, I enjoyed watching you knock him down a few pegs."

I smirked, unable to resist the tease. "But why the sudden rush to get here as soon as you heard I was on a date?"

His shoulders stiffened before he turned to me, relaxed but with a hint of challenge in his gaze. "Like you don't already know."

Oh, I knew alright. But it was way more fun to hear him say it, so I played along with an innocent smile. "Nope, not a clue."

In the next moment, he had me pinned against the window, his face close, and all that easy confidence I had felt a second ago was gone. His voice dropped to a husky whisper. "Oh, really?"

My breath hitched, but I wasn't about to back down. I ran my tongue over my lips, deliberately slow. "Yeah, really. Tell me, Vik."

His eyes darkened, his gaze flickering to my lips. "Careful, darling. Keep this up, and I might just take you right here," he murmured, his tone both a threat and a promise. "But, lucky for you, I'm feeling patient. Let's give it a few hours. You wanted to know why I came, right? Alright then. In two hours, be ready, dressed in something simple. We're going on a date."

And just like that, he leaned back, buckled his seatbelt, and started the car.

I was still catching my breath, processing everything. A date tonight? Guess my sister would be thrilled. And me? Well, let's just say my boring evening had taken a wildly unexpected turn.

Next day

"Please, stop! Let her go, please," I heard myself pleading, my voice so small, so helpless.

"No... no, please, at least not in front of the child," my aunt's voice begged, a broken whisper 

"No, no! Kaki! Bad uncle, go! Don't touch my Kaki!" The words echoed in my ears, my  voice trembling, desperate.

"Sing the poem, you little brat. Sing Twinkle, Twinkle," his voice sneered, slurred, every syllable like poison.

I could see her—, her tear-filled eyes pleading with me, "Please, Aisha, bacha, close your eyes."

"Ahh, it's fun fucking a slut like you, right, brother?" one sneered, their laughter chilling, the sound etching itself into the walls of my mind.

"Yeah... after her, it'll be the little one's turn," the other replied, his voice cold and vile.

I could hear Kaki's desperate pleas, her broken cries filling the room. "No, no, leave the little girl, please!"

Then came the scream—a sound I'd never forget, her last gasp, as they silenced her forever.

My small hands clung to her, trembling as I whispered through the tears, "Kaki, please don't leave me. I don't have anyone else... no one to love me..."

She reached out, barely able to lift her hand to my cheek. Her voice was barely a whisper, her last gift to me. "Aisha, be kind, bacha. But don't let anyone walk over you. One day, you'll find many to love you. I love you, bacha. Be happy..."

And then she was gone.

I gasped, jerking awake, the nightmare's grip still tight around my heart. My pulse pounded in my ears, and I stumbled into the bathroom, splashing water on my face, letting the cold calm the frantic edge of panic.

When I finally felt steady enough to leave, I drifted back to my room, catching sight of myself in the mirror. I saw someone who looked broken—barely held together, with eyes hollowed out by shadows that sleep could no longer chase away. 

Anger simmered underneath, fueling me with a restless energy that had nowhere to go. Before I knew it, my hand had grabbed the closest thing on my dresser—and hurled it at the mirror.

It shattered beautifully, each shard scattering across the floor like a twisted mosaic of my life. So, there it was—pieces of glass scattered everywhere, reflecting back the mess I was apparently meant to become.

Last night had been another sleepless horror, like my mind had its own private screening of my past playing on a loop, dragging me back to places I'd spent my whole life trying to escape. A new day, same headache, same memories. But peace? Of course not. Peace had left the chat a long time ago.

Kaki was right, though—apparently, I did have people who loved me now. Only thing is, none of that love could patch the empty space she left. None of it brought the kind of peace she used to give me, and maybe it never would.

I wiped away a few stray tears, rolling my eyes at the ridiculousness of it all. I was in my apartment, and soon enough, everyone would be here to help me clean up for Diwali.

Aisha groaned loudly, rubbing her temples in frustration. "For fuck's sake, someone please make this lady shut her mouth!"

Neha, arms firmly crossed, glared at her. "Really, Aisha? If you don't want me scolding you, maybe you should've cleaned your apartment properly for once."

Aisha's apartment was chaos, but the real hurricane was Neha, who had been lecturing nonstop since the group entered. Everyone else threw Aisha sympathetic glances, but no one dared to intervene.

Rolling her eyes dramatically, Aisha turned to Veer with a mock-serious expression. "You still believe in fate? Time to change it, Veer. Do it now."

Neha gasped at the audacity, her jaw dropping as if she couldn't believe what she'd just heard.

Before she could let loose another barrage of words, Aisha clapped her hands loudly and yelled, "Come on, people! We've got work to do. Chop, chop, chop, chop!"

The group scattered in all directions, clearly relieved to have something to do that didn't involve enduring Neha's wrath. Huffing, Neha stormed off to one of the rooms, muttering under her breath.

Spotting her opportunity, Aisha grabbed Rivaan's wrist, her grip firm, and dragged him towards the guest bathroom. She didn't even glance behind her to check if anyone had noticed. Once inside, she slammed the door shut and leaned against it, exhaling sharply.

Rivaan raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "You good?"

Instead of answering, she stepped forward, looping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a tight hug. His body stiffened for a moment, but then his hands slid around her waist, pulling her close.

"We didn't even get a fucking minute together since yesterday," she muttered, her face buried in his chest.

"I told you," he whispered, smirking against her hair.

She tilted her head up, resting her chin lightly on his chest, her wide gray eyes locking onto his. They were soft, laced with an innocence that belied the fire she carried within. It was a look that always managed to disarm him, making his breath hitch as his composure wavered.

Every time she looked at him like this, it was as if the world fell silent, and all he could see was her. There was something dangerous about it—a pull so magnetic it rendered him powerless. She wasn't just adorable; she was an enigma, a tempest wrapped in sweetness, and every time, it drove him wild.

"Every time you do this, you just..." He didn't finish. He couldn't.

Grabbing her wrists, he pinned her against the door, his movements sharp and commanding. Aisha's breath hitched, her smirk vanishing as his lips crashed onto hers. The kiss was wild, raw, and filled with a hunger that neither could control. His grip tightened on her wrists as he deepened the kiss, his teeth grazing her lower lip before pulling it between his teeth.

She gasped, her body arching against his. He released her hands only to thread his fingers into her hair, pulling her head back to expose her neck. His lips moved down, biting, sucking, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

"Rivaan," she whispered, her voice a mix of protest and plea, but her hands clutched at his shirt, pulling him closer.

He growled against her skin, his teeth grazing her collarbone. "You drive me fucking insane, Pixie," he muttered. "I should just take you and lock you away from everyone else."

Her laugh was breathless, almost taunting. "Oh, please. You wouldn't survive my brothers."

Rivaan pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, his own dark with desire and frustration. "Your brothers don't scare me."

Rivaan continued with a dramatic shudder. "But, Raj Uncle? No way. I'm not ready for another 'Let's teach Rivaan a lesson' session. Not after the last time."

She burst out laughing, her giggles filling the small bathroom. Rivaan grinned, leaning down to rest his forehead against hers.

"Alright, let's get back before someone comes looking for us," she said, still giggling.

Rivaan groaned again but nodded. "Fine. But you owe me for this."

"Oh, I owe you?" she teased as they slipped out of the bathroom, their secret moment hidden behind mischievous smiles.

✨

The balcony buzzed with light chatter as Aisha, Radhika, and Manvi leaned against the railing, indulging in gossip while everyone else busied themselves with chores. Aisha smirked smugly, lifting invisible collars like she had just won a championship.

"I knew it. I knew I'm the best. Your last night's date? Full proof of that," she declared with exaggerated pride.

Manvi rolled her eyes before smacking Aisha lightly on the head. "It wasn't just you, genius. Gaurav and I were there too, remember?"

Radhika crossed her arms and rolled her eyes dramatically. "Yeah, yeah, we get it. But seriously, seeing Vikram there was a shock. Although, I'll admit, it turned out to be helpful."

Manvi's curiosity piqued, and she tilted her head. "So, what does Shantanu want?"

Radhika groaned, throwing her hands up. "What else? A chance with Aisha! He's such a disgusting pig. I swear, if Vikram hadn't shown up, I'd have used my karate on him."

Aisha and Manvi burst out laughing, clearly amused by the mental image of Radhika taking Shantanu down.

Aisha added with a mischievous grin, "Vikram actually messed him up pretty good. Did you see Vikram's knuckles?"

Radhika nodded with a satisfied smirk. "Oh, yeah. Shantanu looked like a zombie when Vikram was done with him."

Manvi squealed, clapping her hands. "Finally! Both of you are in relationships now! This is so great!"

The girls shared knowing giggles until Divyansh suddenly appeared with Aditya in tow.

"Hey, girlies!" Divyansh crooned, earning amused looks from the trio.

Before Aisha could respond, Divyansh grabbed her hand dramatically, starting to drag her away. Aisha, too stunned to protest, could only watch as he waltzed off, singing, "Bye, girlies!"

Radhika, Manvi, and Aditya exchanged bemused looks, shaking their heads in sync.

Aditya leaned against the railing with a teasing glint in his eyes. He turned to Radhika, his smirk widening. "Oh, look at that. Our champion's in a relationship, huh?"

Radhika blushed furiously, and Manvi chuckled, nudging her. "Shut up," Radhika mumbled, trying to hide her reddening cheeks.

Aditya snickered. "Sahi hai, sahi hai,"

Manvi hesitated, glancing at Aditya before letting out a soft sigh. "Aditya, are you okay?" she asked cautiously.

Her question caught him off guard, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. For a moment, he froze.

Before his betrayal, Manvi had been the one closest to him, the one who understood him without needing words. That part of their bond lingered, even now.

Aditya nodded, sighing heavily. "Yeah, I am."

Both Manvi and Radhika arched skeptical eyebrows at him, their silent disbelief cutting through his facade.

Aditya's shoulders sagged in defeat as he let out another, deeper sigh. "No, I'm not. I keep saying I'm fine, that I've moved on. But I haven't. I can't." His voice dropped to a whisper, raw with emotion. "I still love her too much."

He rubbed his face with both hands, frustration and guilt etched across his features. Manvi and Radhika exchanged a glance before placing gentle, reassuring pats on his shoulder, grounding him.

Aditya exhaled shakily, his voice hoarse. "You know, there's this saying: 'You only realize the value of something when it's gone.' That's exactly what's happening to me. When she was with me, I didn't cherish her the way I should have. And now..."

He paused, his throat tightening. "Now she's with someone else. Someone who obviously loves her more than I ever did. A man who was searching for her with nothing but her name and the memory of her as a four-year-old. And me?" His bitter laugh carried no humor. "I had her. And I hurt her."

He shook his head, the weight of regret crushing him. "She loved me more than she loved herself. She was the reason I built myself, the reason I stood up for myself, worked hard, became independent going against from my parents. She was my everything. And I still destroyed it all."

Radhika's voice was gentle but firm as she finally spoke. "Aditya, we were all upset and disappointed with you. But, back then, we all saw your pure love, but lets be honest it started because of game. A dirty one. And games like that? They're meant to end."

Manvi nodded, her tone softer. "We know moving on isn't easy. But we're here for you. And even if she doesn't say it outright, somewhere deep down, Aisha would still be there for you as a friend."

Aditya looked up at them, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. For the first time in a long while, the storm inside him felt less suffocating. A small, tentative smile tugged at his lips, one of genuine gratitude.

In that moment, he realized just how lucky he was to still have friends like them. If only he hadn't been such a jerk, maybe he could've kept his best friends—and her—forever.

✨

Saad dragged Ayush toward Aisha's bedroom, as no one had gone in to clean it yet. As they entered, the air was thick with silence. Without warning, Saad spun Ayush around and kissed him, catching him completely off guard.

Ayush froze in shock before quickly responding, his hands gripping Saad's arms. But the kiss didn't last long. 

Ayush suddenly pushed Saad away, his voice rising in disbelief. "What the hell? Are you serious? This is your sister's room!"

Saad huffed in frustration, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But seriously, do you know how hard it's been? First, that little Oberoi pokes his nose into everything, and now even here—" He cut himself off with a groan, clearly frustrated.

Ayush shook his head, chuckling lightly as he looked around the room. His eyes landed on something that made him freeze. "Saad," he said, his voice tinged with worry.

Saad hummed distractedly, not looking up until he followed Ayush's gaze.

Ayush pointed at the shattered mirror on the floor. "Oh my God, how did this happen? What if Aisha got hurt?"

Saad stiffened, his jaw clenching. Somewhere deep down, he already knew the answer. The broken mirror wasn't an accident—it was Aisha's doing. Her anger had gotten the better of her again. 

He forced a calm tone. "Let me clean it up before anyone else gets hurt."

Ayush nodded, stepping aside as Saad bent down to pick up the shards of glass. Carefully, he began tossing them into the dustbin.

But before he could finish, Ayush's shocked voice broke the silence. "Oh. My. God. What the hell are these doing here?"

Saad's heart skipped a beat. His mind jumped to the worst-case scenario—the gun. He rushed to Ayush, prepared to come up with an excuse. But when he looked, relief washed over him. 

Ayush wasn't staring at a weapon. Instead, his eyes were fixed on the stash of beer and wine bottles, along with a neat stack of cigarette packs shoved haphazardly into a corner.

Saad sighed in annoyance, rolling his eyes. "Ayush, just forget about it, okay? It's mine. I hid it in here."

Ayush narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms. "Stop lying, Saad."

Caught, Saad let out a resigned groan. "Okay, fine. But please, don't tell her—or anyone—about this."

Ayush shook his head, a look of utter disbelief on his face. "So, what you're telling me is that my innocent, sweet Aisha isn't so innocent after all?"

Saad smirked half-heartedly. "Well, she was for about three months after moving in with me. Then she found my secret stash, and, well... you can see the results."

Ayush shot him a glare, clearly unimpressed. "I can't digest this. Hide all of this somewhere before someone else finds it. I'm going—I just can't deal with this right now."

With that, Ayush stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Saad sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Great," he muttered to himself, looking at the mess around him. "Just great."

Saad moved swiftly, hiding the bottles of alcohol, cigarette packs, and, most importantly, the guns and dagger Aisha had forgotten to secure. He was methodical but quick, checking every drawer and compartment to ensure nothing incriminating was left out.

As he opened the last drawer, his brows furrowed. Inside were several white medicine bottles neatly arranged. Grabbing one, he examined the label, his confusion deepening. The name of the pills didn't ring any bells, but his gut churned with unease. Something about this didn't feel right.

He pulled out his phone, opened a search engine, and typed in the name of the medication. The moment the search results loaded, his breath hitched. His face paled, and his heart sank as he read the information. 

These weren't ordinary pills—they were heavy antidepressants, mixed with sedatives. The listed side effects and warnings made his stomach twist painfully.

His mind raced. Why would Aisha need these? How long has she been taking these?

As he processed the information, the door creaked open. Saad's head snapped up, and his wide, pale eyes met those of Neha and Veer, who entered the room with amused smiles.

"Saad, what are you—" Neha started, but her words caught in her throat when she saw him holding the bottle.

Veer's amusement vanished in an instant, replaced by a look of shock. His eyes widened, and his jaw tightened as he glanced between Saad and the pills.

The silence was deafening. Saad's gaze flickered between the two of them, his breathing heavy. Slowly, realization dawned.

"You knew," he whispered, his voice trembling with a mixture of hurt and rage. He raised the bottle slightly. "You knew about this, didn't you?"

Neither of them spoke, their stunned expressions all the confirmation Saad needed. His grip on the bottle tightened as his knuckles turned white.

"You knew," he repeated, his tone growing colder. "And you didn't bother to tell me?"

"Saad—" Neha began softly, taking a cautious step toward him, but he cut her off with a sharp glare.

"For how long?" His voice cracked. "How long has she been on these? How long has she been drowning like this while I was blind to it?"

Veer exhaled deeply, his own expression laced with guilt. "It's not what you think, Saad. We—"

"You let her do this?" Saad's voice rose, his frustration boiling over. "You let her spiral to this point? What kind of care is this?"

Neha's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she spoke, her voice soft yet resolute. "Saad, we only found out right before the day she left with Rivaan. She didn't talk to us, didn't let us in—like she always does during sessions."

Veer frowned, his confusion evident. "Aisha... takes sessions?"

Ignoring Veer's question, Saad's expression darkened. "When did she have her last session?" he asked, his voice cold and clipped.

Neha hesitated for a moment before replying, "When she returned from Lucknow."

Saad's jaw tightened. "What did she say? What did she tell you?"

Neha's sharp tone cut through the tension. "Saad, you know I can't share that."

Saad clicked his tongue in frustration, his fists clenching. "You're telling me that? I can't risk it anymore, Neha. I've already lost one sister—I can't lose another. You know that better than anyone."

Neha's eyes moistened further, but her resolve didn't falter. "I can't, Saad. She made me promise, and after yesterday, I won't break her trust."

Saad sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair, his frustration palpable. Veer, still piecing together the fragments of their cryptic conversation, asked, "What are you two even talking about?"

Before Saad could answer, Neha interjected, her voice steady. "Saad, let's discuss this after Diwali. In these five years, we've both seen it—she's never celebrated any festival. Let her have at least this one... without any stress."

Saad exhaled heavily but nodded, the weight of unspoken words settling over them. Veer remained silent, his mind reeling with unanswered questions.

Saad sighed as he walked out, heading towards the living room. As he entered, he saw Rivaan and Vikram cleaning up the kitchen while Natasha and Ayush annoying them. 

"Where's Aisha?" Saad asked, his tone neutral. They shrugged, clearly unaware of her whereabouts.

Aditya entered with Radhika and Manvi, and without missing a beat, Aditya said, "Last time we saw Divyansh took her."

Before Saad could respond, Arjun walked in with Kavya, carrying a box from the storeroom. "Guys, you have to see what I found!" Arjun called out. The others gathered around eagerly.

Inside the box were various awards, medals, and certificates. Saad and Neha exchanged a brief smile, knowing exactly what it meant.

"Wow, she was brilliant," Natasha remarked, her voice filled with admiration.

Arjun smiled proudly. "She is the golden child."

Neha, her voice slightly more serious, said, "These are just a few of them."

The others looked confused, so Saad stepped in to explain, "These are from her last semester of college. Neha and I were away at the time, and she was staying in an apartment in Delhi. That's why she brought them here to Mumbai—they never made it to the right place."

Neha added, "She has a whole wall full of them in her room in Saad's Delhi Mansion."

Saad nodded. "Now that I've moved here, they're all in the Mumbai Mansion."

The group exchanged surprised looks at this new revelation.

Aditya, eyeing the awards, said thoughtfully, "I remember she got a lot of awards in school, too."

Radhika chimed in, "Yeah, she was always first in everything. She even got 'Best Student' every year."

Manvi, her face lighting up with pride, added, "And of course, she was always top in dance too."

Saad smiled. "Oh, those? They're in the Mumbai mansion now. She sent them when she visited Lucknow this time."

Kavya, still in awe, said, "Aisha is incredible."

Vikram's tone shifted, quieter but heavier, as he looked at the awards with a mix of pride and sorrow. "She was a rose," he said, his voice tight, "but she was planted in soil that never knew how to nurture. Only knew how to break her."

A heavy silence fell over the group, the weight of his words sinking in as everyone understood the pain behind them.

Ayush broke the silence with a loud whine. "Where's Aisha?"

Veer frowned, glancing around. "And Divyansh? Weren't they here just now?"

That was all it took for the group to spring into action, scattering across the apartment. They checked every room, every corner, but the two were nowhere to be found.

Saad, pulling out his phone, quickly called one of his guards. Arjun did the same, pacing near the window.

After a moment, Saad sighed, hanging up. "They're gone. Slipped out without telling anyone."

Arjun leaned against the wall, rubbing his temples. "Those two are unbelievable. Sneaky, irresponsible, and—" he stopped, realization dawning. "They left us with all the work."

It hit everyone at the same time. "WHAT?!" they shouted in unison.

Vikram's jaw tightened as he clenched his fists. "Let them come back. I swear, I'm not letting this slide."

Rivaan scowled, crossing his arms. "She could've just said something! Why does she always do this?"

Manvi rolled her eyes, throwing her hands in the air. "Oh, so madam is out having fun, leaving us to slog here? Classic!"

Neha and Radhika, exchanging amused yet annoyed glances, chimed in together, "Kam chor."

Ayush slumped onto the couch, groaning dramatically. "This is so unfair! Why didn't they take me? At least I'd have some fun instead of this boring cleaning festival."

Kavya sighed, hands on her hips, trying to bring order. "Stop complaining and get back to work. And when they're back, they'll face the consequences. Especially her. Today, she's getting punished—by me."

Arjun raised a brow, smirking slightly. "Kavya? Punishing someone? Now that's a twist."

Before anyone could comment further, Saad's voice cut through, sharper than usual. "Neha, pack up most of her clothes and things from her room. There's no need for her to keep anything here anymore. Tomorrow, she's moving to the mansion."

The room fell silent again as Saad stormed out, leaving everyone stunned. Only Neha and Veer exchanged knowing looks, neither saying a word. 

✨

Aisha leaned back against the car, stretching her arms above her head as she sighed, "Wow, what a day."

Divyansh, sitting on the hood beside her, nodded in agreement, brushing the dust off his jeans. "I know, right? But tomorrow..." He glanced at her sideways, smirking. "They're going to murder us. We left them to do all the work while we went out and had the time of our lives."

Aisha groaned, burying her face in her hands dramatically. "Ugh, don't remind me, Divu. We're doomed."

Divyansh chuckled, nudging her shoulder. "Chill, Aish. Besides, don't you miss this? Before everyone moved back to Mumbai, it was just you and me against the world. No crowd, no drama."

Her pout deepened as she nodded. "I do. I miss our random escapades, Divu. Now, it's like... too many people, too many opinions."

He smiled softly, ruffling her hair. "I miss it too. But hey, we've still got this moment, don't we?"

Aisha tilted her head, her face lighting up with mischief. "You know what would make this moment better?"

Divyansh raised an eyebrow, already dreading her answer. "What now?"

"Dark chocolate pastry," she declared, her eyes twinkling with glee.

Divyansh laughed, shaking his head. "Of course, food. Jo hukum mere akka. But," he added, pointing a finger at her, "it's almost midnight. Only one shop is open, and you know it's always packed."

Her grin turned devilish. "Exactly. That's why I have you, Divu. Use your charms! Flash that smile, toss your hair, and make it happen."

His eyes widened in mock horror. "No way, Aisha. Absolutely not."

"Oh, come on, Divu!" She tugged at his arm, her voice taking on a whiny tone. "You're my hero, my knight in shining armor. Are you really going to let me down over a pastry?"

He groaned, rubbing his face. "Aish, you're impossible." But as he looked at her wide, pleading eyes and the way she batted her lashes dramatically, he sighed in defeat. "Fine. But just this once."

Aisha clapped her hands, her smile so wide it made his heart swell. "Yay! You're the best, Divu!"

He grumbled under his breath, hopping off the car. "Yeah, yeah. Best at being manipulated by you."

As he adjusted his cap and mask, Aisha leaned in, her tone teasing. "Remember, no cap or mask in the shop. Let the girls see that charming face of yours. They'll clear the line for you in seconds."

Rolling his eyes, Divyansh muttered, "You're the worst."

"And don't you forget it," she replied, sticking out her tongue.

As he walked toward the shop, he could still hear her laughter, a sound that made every effort worthwhile. 

"Anything for you, Aish," he muttered under his breath, a fond smile creeping onto his face despite himself.

Meanwhile, Aisha gazed around, her eyes landed on a familiar figure walking briskly past. Her heart skipped a beat as recognition dawned, and an uncontrollable smile lit up her face. 

Without thinking, she cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, "BEAUTIFUL!"

The woman stopped abruptly, turning to find the source of the voice. Aisha, bubbling with excitement, sprinted towards her, her smile wide and infectious. 

The woman's face softened into a warm smile as she recognized Aisha, but just as Aisha was about to reach her, her foot caught on her loose shoelace.

"Aah!" Aisha yelped, bracing for impact, but the woman's arms caught her just in time. In the brief moment of collision, their arms wrapped around each other, turning the stumble into an unintentional hug.

Aisha froze, her breath hitching at the unexpected closeness. She felt a wave of comfort and warmth radiating from the embrace, something she couldn't explain. Slowly, she relaxed, leaning into the woman's hold as her eyes misted. Her thoughts raced. Why does this always happen with her? This warmth... it's like a mother's. She dismissed the feeling quickly, attributing it to missing her Kaki lately.

The woman noticed Aisha leaning into her and smiled, brushing Aisha's long hair gently. "Careful there, bacha," she said softly, her voice like a soothing melody.

Realizing how long they had been hugging, Aisha pulled back quickly, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Sorry," she said with a sheepish smile.

The woman chuckled, shaking her head. She gently tapped Aisha on the forehead. "You should be more careful! What if I hadn't been here? You could've gotten hurt."

Aisha grinned mischievously. "But see, my beautiful was there to save me."

The woman laughed, her amusement clear. "I still can't believe you recognize me so easily. And again with the name beautiful. Why?"

Aisha shrugged, her grin widening. "Who could forget this dil ki dhadkan badhane wala face? And obviously, such a beautiful lady deserves this name."

The woman's heart melted at Aisha's words. A wave of déjà vu hit her as if she had heard similar words before, spoken in a different voice, by someone long ago. She shook off the thought, cupping Aisha's face with both hands. 

She kissed her forehead tenderly and asked, "What are you doing out so late, bacha? It's not safe at this hour. Come, I'll drop you home."

Aisha waved her hands dismissively. "Oh no, no. I'm not alone. My brother's here! He just went to grab my pastry."

The word brother made the woman tense momentarily. "Brother?" she asked cautiously.

Aisha nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, not by blood, but he's more than that to me."

Before the woman could process, a voice called from behind Aisha. "Aisha!"

It was Divyansh, his focus on balancing the pastry box rather than looking around. The woman stiffened, her gaze locked on him as he approached. Her eyes filled with emotion. Quickly, she shifted her gaze back to Aisha, her features softening again.

"I have to go urgently," the woman said hastily, placing a quick kiss on Aisha's forehead. "Take care, bacha. Bye." Without waiting for a response, she turned and disappeared into the night, leaving Aisha perplexed.

Divyansh finally reached her, huffing slightly. "Why are you standing here? I've been calling you!"

Aisha opened her mouth to explain, but before she could utter a word, Divyansh shoved a piece of the pastry into her mouth. She scowled, mumbling incoherently as he smirked.

"That's what you get," he teased. "Sending me into a beehive of girls while you hang out here stress-free!"

Aisha rolled her eyes, chewing the pastry as her thoughts wandered back to the woman. Who was she really? And why did her presence always leave me feeling... safe?

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