Nayra stepped into her room, closing the door behind her.

For a moment… she just stood there.

Still. Silent.

As if everything inside her had frozen.

Her eyes slowly drifted toward the side table—where a photo frame rested.

Vivan’s picture.

Her steps felt heavy, yet she walked toward it, almost unconsciously. Picking it up with trembling hands, she stared at his face… the same eyes that once held warmth for her, now filled with distance.

“I’m sorry…” she whispered.

Her voice was barely audible.

Pulling the frame closer, she hugged it tightly—like it was the only piece of him she had left.

Like if she let go… she might lose him completely.

Tears slipped down quietly as memories began to flood her mind.

And just like that…

She was no longer in the present.

---

The night of their first meeting…

The Raichand mansion was glowing with lights, decorated grandly for Kirti’s engagement with Veer Raichand.

Laughter, music, and chatter filled every corner.

Nayra came running into the room, dressed casually in her shorts, her hair slightly messy yet her face glowing with excitement. She rushed straight to Kirti and wrapped her arms around her tightly.

“Didu! I’m so happy!” she said, almost jumping in excitement.

Kirti laughed softly, hugging her back and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“Where were you last night?” she asked, pulling back slightly. “Itni der se kyun aayi thi? Do you even know how worried everyone was?”

Nayra giggled, scratching her head playfully. “Sorry didu… woh Tanvi ne rok liya tha.”

Kirti sighed but smiled, shaking her head. “Tu kab sudhregi?”

Both sisters sat on the bed, talking and laughing like nothing else mattered.

After a few moments, a few servants entered the room carrying a beautifully packed lehenga.

“Kirti madam, badi malkin ne bola hai aapko ready hone ko,” one of them said politely.

Kirti nodded. “Theek hai.”

Nayra’s eyes immediately lit up as she jumped off the bed. “Wow didu! Aaj toh aap bilkul princess lagogi!”

Kirti smiled, while Nayra excitedly started opening the lehenga, admiring every detail like it was her own big day.

Little did she know…

That night wasn’t just special for Kirti.

It was going to change Nayra’s life forever.

Because somewhere in that same mansion…

Vivan was about to walk into her story.

The entire mansion shimmered under golden lights and fresh flowers. Every corner was decorated with elegance, every detail speaking of grandeur—because today was Veer Raichand and Kirti Rathore’s engagement.

Upstairs, Kirti sat in front of the mirror, fully ready.

She looked breathtaking.

Her beauty wasn’t just in her appearance—it reflected in the soft smile on her lips, in the glow of love in her eyes. Her phone rested in her hands, and on the screen… was Veer’s photo.

Her soon-to-be husband.

A gentle smile spread across her face as she traced his picture lightly.

She had loved him since her college days.

Every time she heard his name, her face would light up… and today—she was finally going to be his.

The door creaked open.

Kirti looked up.

Seema, her mother, walked in… followed by Nayra.

Kirti’s gaze immediately shifted to her younger sister—and her smile faded slightly.

“Nayu baby…” she said softly, standing up. “Why are you wearing this? It’s so simple… where’s the lehenga I gifted you for this function?”

Nayra’s eyes dropped instantly.

Her fingers nervously clutched the edge of her dupatta.

She remembered everything—how Seema had scolded her… how she wasn’t allowed to wear that beautiful lehenga… and how she ended up wearing a simple South Indian outfit instead.

“Humm vo di—” Nayra tried to speak.

“That lehenga was too heavy for her,” Seema interrupted smoothly. “So Nayra refused to wear it.”

Kirti’s eyes moved between the two of them.

Something felt… off.

She was about to say something—to question her mother, to defend Nayra—

But before she could, Nayra quickly stepped forward and hugged her tightly.

“Aap bohot pyaari lag rahi ho, diduuu…” she said with a bright smile, hiding everything behind it.

Kirti paused… then smiled back, wrapping her arms around her.

“Tu bhi meri Nayu…” she replied softly.

And just like that, the moment passed.

A truth… left unspoken.

A feeling… quietly buried.

Within a few minutes, the two sisters walked hand in hand toward the grand hall—where lights sparkled, guests gathered, and destiny silently waited to unfold.

The grand hall was filled with guests—relatives, family friends, and people from high society. Soft music played in the background as everyone waited for the ceremony to begin.

Kirti was seated gracefully on the stage, glowing under the lights.

But not everything was as perfect as it looked.

Whispers floated through the crowd.

“Raichand family ka bada beta abhi tak unmarried hai…”

“Phir chhote ki engagement pehle kaise ho rahi hai?”

The gossip was low… but sharp enough to reach ears.

As Nayra helped Kirti settle into her seat, Seema’s eyes fell on her—cold, warning.

Nayra understood.

Without a word.

She stepped back quietly, adjusting her dupatta, making sure no one noticed her leaving. Slowly, she slipped out of the hall.

Away from the lights.

Away from the noise.

Away from everything.

---

The garden outside was calm, almost peaceful in contrast.

Fairy lights hung on the trees, the night breeze soft against her skin. Nayra walked ahead and sat near the fountain, her anklets softly chiming with every step, her bangles adding a delicate rhythm—like she carried her own music with her.

But her eyes… held tears.

She wiped them quickly, forcing a small smile as she took out her phone.

“Bas… ek video,” she muttered to herself.

She opened the camera, played a soft song, and started recording—showing her outfit, pretending everything was fine.

She twirled once.

Then again.

And just when she turned—

Her back collided with something.

No…

Someone.

Her breath hitched.

The phone almost slipped from her hand as she stumbled slightly, quickly turning around.

And then—

She froze.

A man stood there.

Tall. Composed. Unmoving.

The soft lights of the garden fell on his face, making his sharp features even more striking. His eyes—dark, intense—were already fixed on her.

Nayra instinctively stepped back.

Her heartbeat raced.

The man took a slow step forward.

And that’s when she saw him clearly.

Vivan.

He didn’t say a word.

He just kept walking toward her… each step measured, each glance heavy—like this wasn’t just a coincidence.

Like this moment…

Was meant to happen.

He looked at her—from head to toe.

The intensity in his gaze made Nayra uneasy.

She instinctively stepped back.

He wasn’t just a stranger… there was something in the way he looked at her that made her heart race—for all the wrong reasons.

But Vivan stepped forward.

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

Step by step, he closed the distance… until Nayra felt the rough bark of a tree against her back.

She was trapped.

Before she could react, he pulled her into his arms—holding her firmly.

Her breath hitched.

“Chhodiye mujhe! Kaun hain aap?” she stammered, panic clear in her voice.

But he didn’t answer.

Instead, his grip tightened slightly.

“Not at all…” he said softly, his voice low yet filled with authority. “If Vivan Raichand holds someone… he doesn’t let them go.”

His eyes softened as he looked at her—as if he was seeing something he didn’t want to lose.

But Nayra…

She couldn’t even meet his gaze.

Summoning whatever courage she had, she pushed against his chest.

“Hum aapko jaante tak nahi! Kaun hain aap?” she said, her voice trembling but sharp. “Aur aise kaise pakad liya aapne ek ladki ko? Thode se bhi manners nahi hain aapme!”

Her words cut through the moment.

Vivan loosened his hold.

And that was enough.

Without wasting a second, Nayra turned and ran—straight back into the mansion.

---

Inside, the atmosphere was completely different.

Claps echoed through the hall as Kirti and Veer stood together, smiling, surrounded by happiness.

Nayra paused for a moment.

A soft smile appeared on her face as she watched her sister.

But fate wasn’t done with her yet.

As she turned—

Her lehenga got tangled in her feet.

And the next second—

Thud!

She collided with a waiter.

The tray slipped.

Glasses shattered.

Orange juice spilled everywhere—

On the floor…

And on someone.

Nayra’s breath got stuck.

Slowly… she looked up.

And her heart dropped.

It was him.

The same man.

Vivan.

“Oh no…” she whispered under her breath.

Before she could react, two girls rushed toward him.

“Bhai, what happened?” one of them asked.

Their eyes fell on his shirt—now completely stained with orange juice.

“Oh no… this is bhai’s favorite shirt…” the other whispered. “He’s definitely going to punish that girl…”

Nayra heard every word.

Her fingers tightened.

Her heartbeat quickened.

Because now…

She wasn’t just embarrassed.

She was in trouble.

“Sorry… sorry…” Nayra said quickly, her voice filled with panic.

But Vivan—

He didn’t react the way she expected.

No anger.

No irritation.

He just looked at her… calmly.

Then, in a steady voice, he said, “Miss… can you show me the washroom?”

For a second, everyone around froze.

Kira and Ishani exchanged shocked glances.

Their brother—who couldn’t tolerate the smallest mistake—was standing there, completely composed?

Nayra blinked, confused… but nodded quickly.

“Ji… aaiye,” she said softly.

She led him upstairs, her heart still racing.

---

They reached her room.

Vivan’s eyes briefly scanned the space.

It was simple… yet warm.

The walls were decorated in shades of blue, and several photo frames hung neatly—most of them filled with memories of Nayra and Kirti.

There was something peaceful about it.

Something… real.

“Woh… washroom,” Nayra pointed.

Vivan nodded and walked in.

After a few minutes, he came out, his sleeves slightly rolled, his presence still as composed as before.

His gaze fell on Nayra.

She was standing in front of the mirror, quietly combing her hair—trying to steady herself, pretending nothing had happened.

Vivan coughed lightly.

“Should we go now?” he said.

Nayra nodded and turned to leave.

But just as she took a step—

He grabbed her hand.

Before she could react, he pulled her into his arms.

Nayra froze.

Her eyes widened as she looked up at him.

Before she could say anything, Vivan cupped her face gently with his hands.

“Shhh…”

His warm breath brushed against her ear.

For a second, everything went still.

But then—

Reality hit her.

She pushed him away immediately.

“How dare you! Aapne mujhe phir se—”

Before she could complete her sentence—

Vivan raised a finger silently… pointing toward the door.

Nayra frowned slightly… then followed his gaze.

And the moment she saw it—

A black lizard clinging to the wall.

“Aaaah!” she screamed.

Without thinking, she rushed forward and hugged Vivan tightly, her fingers clutching his shirt.

“Please… chhodiyega nahi… please…” she said, her voice trembling.

Vivan couldn’t help but smile.

Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her—this time, softer.

Gentler.

“Vada karta hoon…” he said quietly, his voice near her ear, “poori zindagi saath nahi chhodunga aapka.”

Nayra froze in his arms.

Her fear slowly fading…

But something else is replacing it.

Something she didn’t understand yet.

Something that had just begun.

Nayra slowly loosened her hold on his shirt, her fingers slipping away as her breathing steadied.

But Vivan didn’t let go.

Instead, his grip tightened—firm, protective… almost as if she was something precious he wasn’t ready to lose.

Before she could understand what was happening, he lifted her slightly into his arms and walked toward the door. In one swift motion, he opened it and stepped outside.

Only then did he gently place her back on her feet.

Nayra looked at him—confused, overwhelmed—but he had already turned away.

---

They returned to the engagement hall.

And instantly—

All eyes were on them.

Nayra felt her heartbeat spike under the weight of so many gazes.

“Nayra!” Kirti’s voice broke through the moment. “Kahan reh gayi thi tu?”

“Sorry didu…” Nayra said quickly, walking toward her.

Kirti gave her a small look but didn’t press further. “Aaja, photo click karte hain.”

Nayra nodded and stood beside her.

But just as she settled—

She felt it.

A presence.

Right behind her.

She didn’t even need to turn.

She knew.

It was him.

Vivan.

Standing close… silent… watching.

Her fingers curled slightly, her heartbeat once again losing its rhythm.

---

The function finally came to an end.

Guests began leaving, conversations fading into the night.

The Raichand and Rathore families gathered together, exchanging formal smiles and farewells.

T

hat’s when Veer’s mother’s gaze fell on Nayra.

“Yeh kaun hai?” she asked, pointing slightly toward her.

For a second, silence lingered.

Kirti opened her mouth to speak—

But before she could, Seema stepped in smoothly.

“Yeh meri relative ki beti hai,” she said casually.

Everyone nodded.

Just like that.

As if her identity could be reduced to a single line.

Nayra stood there quietly.

Unnoticed.

Unclaimed.

Her eyes lowered slightly… but not before they flickered, just for a second—

Toward Vivan.

👉🏼👈🏼💓