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Author's POV
On the other side,
Raghuvanshi Palace,
The garden area behind the house was warm with the soft noon sun. The long wooden patio had three big sofas arranged in a circle around a small marble table.
On one sofa sat Shivansh's parents.
On the left side sofa sat his aunt and uncle.
On the right side sofa sat his grandparents, sitting close, both holding their noon tea.
All of them looked tired, heavy-hearted, still processing everything from last night. No one had really slept.
The silence broke when Shivansh's aunt exhaled deeply.
Shivansh's Aunt said softly, "Kal raat jo hua... honestly, mujhe abhi tak yakeen nahi ho raha. Everything changed in just a few hours."
Shivansh's mother nodded, "Haan... par at least, Isha ne finally 'yes' bola. She chose the man she loves... jo usse todkar nahi jaayega."
Shivansh's grandfather said softly with heavy heart "She said yes with so much hope in her eyes. Bohot time baad usme woh light dekhi maine..."
They all fell silent again.
There was pain. There was relief. There was fear.
Everything mixed together.
Shivansh's father leaned back, looking up at the sky.
Shivansh's father, "You know... I didn't think Isha would ever be ready again. But Luka... uska pyaar sachcha hai. Woh Isha ke liye kuch bhi karega."
His aunt smiled slightly, "Luka really loves her. Aise log bohot kam hote hain. Jo bina condition ke pyaar karte hain."
His uncle added, "Arav toh gaya... whatever happened is gone. Hum sabne decide kiya ki kuch cheezein bhool jaani chahiye. Jo nahi bacha, usse pakadkar kya fayda?"
Shivansh's grandmother hummed in agreement and said, "Haan, bilkul. Whatever happened, let it go."
They all nodded.
The entire family was trying to settle their hearts.
Shivansh's father slowly said, " Vese did you also feel about Meher, isn't she felt.. I mean... she's Isha's sister-in-law now, but... something about her feels..."
Grandmother, completing his sentence, "...familiar. Bohot familiar."
Everyone looked at each other.
Because they had ALL felt it.
Shivansh's mother leaned forward, whispering almost, "Mujhe lagta hai... she is... like... one of us."
His aunt agreed instantly, "She blends with us so naturally. Uska nature, uska tareeka, uska tone... everything feels like she belongs with us."
His uncle whisper softly like he is whispering some secrets, "Even her name... Meher. Humari daughter ka bhi yehi naam tha."
And suddenly the air went still.
Everyone became quiet.
Grandmother's voice cracked, "Don't say that..."
Her hands started trembling, she put her cup down.
Grandfather held her hand, "Calm down..."
But she wasn't calming.
Lowering her voice, she whispered:
Grand mother shaken, "No... she can't be our daughter. Meinay dekha tha usko... she died. She died right in front of me. Hum sab the. She was gone."
Tears filled her eyes instantly.
Shivansh's mother, "Maa... we're not saying she is our Meher. Bas... she reminds us of her."
Grandmother, shaking her head, "No... I held her in my arms. I saw her body. I saw her being taken away... humne khud uski body ko jalte hue dekha tha. "
Her voice broke completely.
His Grand mother said, "Kaise koi uski tarah ho sakta hai... Indian... same name... same age... everything same..."
Her husband squeezed her shoulder.
Shivansh's father, softly, "Maybe some people are born with the same soul... Maa.
Maybe she just feels like our daughter."
His Aunt, "First Luka... now Meher... it feels like everything is going so differently, so strangely, but also... right."
His Uncle, "Haan. Bahut saal baad, lag raha hai... jaise humari family phir se complete ho rahi ho."
The grandmother wiped her tears slowly. And said "Mujhe sirf ek baat ka darr hai...
We lost one daughter.
I don't want to lose another."
They all sat together in silence.
Thinking.
Remembering.
Connecting dots they never wanted to connect.
But deep inside...
every single one of them felt it:
Meher didn't feel like an outsider.
Meher felt like she belonged to them.
Like she was always a part of their family.
Shivansh's father shook his head firmly. "No. No, this is impossible."
His grandmotherwhispered, "But what if-"
"No."
His grand father's voice cracked sharply.
"It has been thirty two years, thirty two. She cannot be alive."
His grand father's eyes filled instantly. "I saw her... dying. I saw her slipping away in my arms that night. But still... something in me says-"
Shivansh's mother moved closer. "Maa you need to breathe."
But his grandmother was shaking, truly shaking now.
"She looks like her," she whispered frantically. "She behaves like her. She even holds her cup like her. Yesterday when she said 'Are you cold?' and put the shawl on your lap- that is exactly what Meher used to do."
His grand father grabbed her hands tightly.
"Stop. Please. Don't do this to yourself again."
"But I can't help it!" his grand mother cried softly. "It felt like I was looking at my grand daughter again."
Shivansh's father whispered, "Even if - even if it is possible... how would she end up in Italy? How would she remember nothing? Why didn't she come back to us?"
His uncle added, "And even if she remembers... why would she hide?"
His grand father's voice broke.
"Because she is not her. We... performed the rituals. We cremated her. It cannot be her after thirty two years."
Silence.
Painful, suffocating silence.
Then his grand mother whispered a line that froze everyone:
"What if we believed a lie? What if someone else died that night... and our grand daughter was taken?"
Everyone looked up sharply.
His grand father's face paled.
"Why would anyone take our daughter?! She was just a child!"
His mother's sobbed.
"Because she was our child, and maybe rathore did that."
There was a sudden movement near the entrance of the garden.
Shivansh, Aviyansh, and Ranveer entered.
Shivansh frowned, "Why are you all sitting like this? What's going on?"
Aviyansh's eyes narrowed. "You all look worried. Did something happen?"
His aunt muttered, "We were just... talking."
Ranveer crossed his arms. "Talking about what?"
His grand mother wiped her tears. "About Meher."
Shivansh raised a brow. "Meher? Luka sister in law, What about her?"
His father inhaled sharply. "They think... she feels like our Meher."
Shivansh froze.
Ranveer's face drained of color.
"Wh-what? Who said that?"
His aunt whispered, "All of us felt it."
Ranveer swallowed hard.
"No. No way. That's impossible."
Shivansh sat down immediately, gripping the sofa.
"I saw her body. I was there. I was ten but I remember- I remember her hand slipping out of mine."
Aviyansh whispered, "It can't be her. It just can't be."
His grand father said quietly:
"We know. We also believe it can't be true. But... something in our hearts refuses to stay silent."
Aviyansh rubbed his face. "So what do you want to do?"
His grand father exhaled.
"We need clarity. If she is married - fine. If not - fine. But before anything else..."
He looked at Shivansh.
"...I want an investigation."
Everyone froze.
"You want to investigate Meher?" aviyansh asked.
"Yes," his grand father said. "We need to know who she is. Where she came from. Who her family truly is. How she reached Italy. Everything."
Shivansh whispered, "You really think-"
"No," his aunt said softly. "I do not think she is our daughter."
His mother squeezed his hand.
"But I feel... she might be."
His father clenched his jaw.
"But we cannot live on feelings. We need truth."
He turned to his son.
"Call the private investigator."
Shivansh nodded slowly. "I will."
His grand mother closed her eyes.
"Because if she is our daughter...
then a truth we buried thirty two years ago...
is not just painful - it's a lie."
Ranveer's phone vibrated on his pocket.
He glanced at the screen once and his whole expression changed.
"Dhruv?"
Shivansh looked up immediately.
Ranveer picked the call, "Haan bolo- bolo what happened?"
And Dhruv's voice came from the other side, low, controlled but something was definitely wrong.
"Come outside. I need to talk. Right now."
Ranveer frowned, stood, and walked toward the door.
Shivansh and Aviyansh followed automatically, because they knew Dhruv never called like this.
When they stepped outside, Dhruv was literally leaning against his car, arms crossed, jaw clenched.
He didn't even wait for anyone.
"Sit. All of you."
They exchanged looks but sat inside the car.
Dhruv didn't speak until he started driving.
It was silent... the kind of silence that makes your heartbeat louder.
After almost ten minutes, when they were halfway to his penthouse, Dhruv finally spoke.
His voice cracked once- just once -before turning ice-cold.
"I got to know something from Isha."
Shivansh straightened immediately, "What happened to her? She's okay? Why-"
Dhruv cut him, "She was never marrying Luka really."
The car dropped into dead silence.
Even the engine sound felt muted.
Shivansh blinked, "What?"
Dhruv inhaled sharply, "It was a plan. A freaking plan. Her plan."
Ranveer actually turned in his seat, "Wait- what plan? What are you saying?"
Dhruv's grip tightened on the steering wheel.
"She was... taking revenge."
Shivansh's entire body froze.
Aviyansh actually whispered, "Fuck..."
Dhruv didn't stop.
He didn't even soften anything.
He said everything exactly how Isha told him.
"She said she can't forget what happened five years ago. She said she came here only to tell everyone she's alive. And after that she wanted to go back to Italy. She thought she doesn't fit here anymore."
Shivansh's throat burned. His eyes stung, but he didn't blink.
Dhruv kept going, "Then she made that plan- the marriage plan. She wanted to take revenge on you. Make you feel the same pain. And she thought if everyone believed she's married, they won't question her anymore when she goes back."
Ranveer rubbed his face, "I always knew something was off between them but- THIS? She really planned all this?"
Dhruv nodded, "She told me she never wanted to marry. Not in real. She wanted everything to look real so she could leave silently."
Shivansh closed his eyes. One single second.
But he opened them again- full rage, full heartbreak.
"So she wants a fake marriage... fine."
His voice lowered, sharper, deeper.
"Whatever she wants fake... we'll make it real."
Aviyansh turned instantly, "bhai s-"
But he continued.
"If she thinks she will run away again- she won't."
"If she thinks she can leave after this- she won't."
"If she thinks she can hurt and disappear like before- she won't."
Ranveer exhaled, "So what's your plan?"
Shivansh smirked.
Not cold.
Not evil.
Just... determined.
"I have a plan. And this time, she will not even get a chance to say no."
He explained his plan.
And none of them argued.
They only nodded.
Because they all knew-
whatever Shivansh was planning now...
was going to change everything.
Isha was sitting in the living area, laptop open but she wasn't really working.
Her mind was everywhere.
The staff entered quietly with a glass of water for Meher, who had just come back from outside looking exhausted.
Meher sat down heavily on the sofa.
The staff left after taking the empty glass.
Isha hesitated for a second.
Then-
"Meher bhabhi... I want to talk to you about something."
Meher looked up, "Yeah? Tell me."
Isha's throat tightened.
But she said it anyway.
"When are you going to tell everyone... that you are their daughter?"
Meher froze.
Literally froze.
Her fingers stopped moving. Her breath almost stopped.
She looked down.
Didn't speak.
Isha continued softly, "You can't hide it forever, bhabhi..."
Meher finally whispered, "I don't want to break them."
Her voice trembled.
"I don't want to walk in their life after so long and say- 'I'm your daughter.' They moved forward, Isha. They survived without me. They built a life. They healed. And now suddenly if I enter, they will have a million questions."
She swallowed hard, eyes turning red.
"I saw them yesterday... laughing... smiling... living. I don't want to break that again."
Isha moved closer, held her hand.
"Meher bhabhi... they deserve to know. And you deserve to be loved by them."
Meher shook her head, "No... not now. Let your marriage happen first. Let everything settle. You deserve your happiness before another storm comes. After your wedding... I will tell them."
Isha didn't know what to say.
Meher looked at her with a soft smile that broke something inside.
"You also hid your truth, Isha. For years. We both carry scars. But your time is here now. You will marry the man you love. You will get your happiness."
A tear slipped from Isha's eye.
Meher whispered, "Let me tell them later. After your wedding. After everything. I promise."
And Isha nodded slowly.
Because Meher wasn't wrong.
Some truths...
needed time.
Isha was sleeping but not really asleep anymore.
Her body was warm, too warm, the kind of warmth that didn't come from a blanket but from a dream that felt way too real. She was breathing heavily, her lips parted, her fingers clutching the bedsheet like she was holding on to something-or someone.
Because in her dream...
He was kissing her.
Not softly.
Not innocently.
His lips were moving down her neck, slow but hungry, the kind of touch that made her toes curl inside the blanket. His hands were on her waist, pushing her back against something soft. She could feel breath against her ear, feel the way his fingers slid along her skin like he owned every inch of her.
And she whispered something in her sleep.
She didn't even know what.
Maybe "stop."
Maybe "don't stop."
Her body didn't understand the difference anymore.
And the dream shifted-his lips lower, hotter, the pressure of his body weight over hers, the air around her turning electric like she was burning, wanting, trembling-
Until she felt something else.
A movement.
A real one.
Not dream.
Someone was touching her shoulder.
Someone was near her face.
And then a voice.
Low.
Mischievous.
Way too familiar.
"Wake up, Jaana..."
Isha's eyes fluttered.
Her whole body jerked.
No.
No no no.
That voice.
That voice wasn't from her dream.
She forced her eyes open, blinking hard because her lashes were still wet with dream tears-and the first thing she saw was blue.
Blue eyes inches from her face.
Staring right into her soul like they never stopped belonging there.
Her stomach dropped.
Her breath vanished.
Her scream burst out-
-but only half of it made it out.
Because a hand came over her mouth instantly.
Her pulse shot up so fast she felt dizzy.
She knew that hand.
She knew that touch.
"Shh," he whispered, "It's me."
Those stupid blue eyes were still hidden under the shadow of a dark hoodie... but she would recognise them even in the dark, even blindfolded.
Shivansh.
Of course it was him.
Her heart dropped to her stomach.
She shoved him hard with both hands.
Her mind exploded with panic, embarrassment, shock, anger-all at the same time. She pushed him with all her strength, her heart racing so fast she could hear it in her ears.
He moved but not enough-
He stayed on the bed, leaning on one arm like he owned the fucking place.
"What the- WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" she whispered-screamed, her voice shaking, her body still confused between dream pleasure and real fear.
He slowly removed his hood, only his eyes visible in the shadows.
He smirked.
Like he knew everything.
Like he had heard everything.
Like he had seen her dream on her face.
"Well..." he leaned back slightly, eyes dropping to her lips, "I didn't know you were dreaming about me."
Isha's entire body froze.
Shame hit her like a slap.
He wasn't supposed to know.
He wasn't supposed to see her like this.
But Shivansh kept talking, slowly, deliberately, enjoying every second of her panic.
"And the way you were moaning... damn, I thought I walked into something I shouldn't. But then-" he tilted his head, "it kinda turned me on, actually."
Her cheeks burned.
"SHUT UP!" she hissed. "Don't you dare talk like that!"
He raised a brow.
Eyes trailing down her exposed thighs, then slowly back to her face.
She grabbing the blanket and covering her legs, because her nighty-God-her red silky nighty had ridden up to her waist
"Why not? You were dreaming about me crawling all over you... weren't you?"
"I WAS NOT!" she snapped, which only made his smirk bigger.
"Mhm. Your legs say otherwise, sweetheart."
"GET. OUT." she pushed his chest again, but he didn't move an inch.
"Will you stop coming into my room in the middle of the night?!" she whisper-yelled. "I LOCKED MY DOOR!"
He chuckled.
"You locked your room door."
He pointed behind her.
"But you forgot to lock the balcony door."
Her mouth fell open.
"Oh my god," she covered her face for a second, "why didn't I lock the balcony-"
"Maybe because," he leaned closer, lips brushing her ear, voice sinful, "you wanted me to come."
"Shut up!" she shoved him hard again. "I don't want you here! I don't want you anywhere around me! Just move-go back-go to your room-you psycho!"
He didn't even budge.
Instead he slowly laid down beside her.
Like he owned the bed.
Like he owned her.
"What the fuck are you doing? Stand up! GET DOWN FROM MY BED!!" she tried pushing him again, but he didn't.
"Hmm... no."
He laid down on her bed again, hands behind his head.
Like it was his bed.
Like she wasn't almost half-naked.
Like he wasn't making her heart go crazy.
"GET. UP." she snapped.
"No," he repeated calmly.
That was it.
She lunged forward to push him off-
But he moved faster.
He grabbed both her wrists, pinned them down above her head, and hovered above her-
His face inches from hers.
His breath is hitting her lips.
Her breath got stuck.
She didn't even blink.
"Let go of me," she whispered, voice trembling in anger... and something else she refused to name.
He leaned closer.
"Why?"
His voice dropped.
"You didn't want me to stop in your dream."
Her heart exploded in her chest.
"I- shut up- LET GO BEFORE-"
Her breath caught.
She still went.
Too still.
He leaned over her, his body just inches above hers, trapping her between his arms, his breath warming her cheek.
"You know what's funny?" he whispered.
"You keep pushing me away... but your eyes? They look at me exactly like they used to."
Her heart punched her chest.
"Stop... stop this, Shivansh..." she whispered, but her voice betrayed her, shaking.
"Oh sweetheart," he whispered back, "you should've thought of that before dreaming about me like that."
Her chest rose in a shaky inhale.
"I wasn't dreaming about you."
"Yes, you were."
"No."
"Yes."
"I swear to god-"
"Say it," he leaned closer, nose brushing hers, "say you weren't dreaming of me kissing you all over."
"I-"
But before she could finish, they heard it.
A knock.
Hard.
Urgent.
And Luka's voice.
"Alina? Alina opened the door! I heard something-are you okay? I heard you scream!"
Isha froze.
Shivansh froze.
She tried to call out-
But before a single sound left her mouth-
He pressed his palm over her lips again.
Her whole body stiffened.
Luka knocked again, louder this time.
"Alina! Are you okay?! OPEN THE DOOR!"
She tried to shake her head, to move, anything-
But Shivansh didn't budge.
Maybe Luka also went back after trying.
His eyes locked onto hers.
Calm.
Possessive.
Unblinking.
Her breaths were quick, fast, panicked-
His hand warm against her mouth-
His body above hers-
Luka right outside-
Her dream still echoing in her mind-
She blinked once.
Twice.
But before she could even breathe properly, before she could call out, before Luka could knock again-
Shivansh leaned down to her ear and whispered:
"Don't say a word."
And then he kissed her cheek.
Not soft.
Not gentle.
Possessive.
Her breath stopped.
Her whole body went still.
Because his lips...
were actually on her cheek.
Warm. Soft. Familiar.
Her eyes were still closed, but she could feel everything-
his breath near her ear,
his hair brushing her jaw,
his thumb resting lightly on her waist.
She didn't move.
She couldn't.
Her mind was screaming but her body wouldn't listen.
And then-
His voice.
Low. Deep. That exact tone she had spent years trying to erase.
"Don't say a word, jaana,"
Her stomach dropped.
Her fingers curled into the bedsheet.
Her throat tightened painfully.
"No," she tried to whisper, but no sound came out.
His nose brushed her jawline.
Slow.
Intentionally slow.
Like he was tracing memories back onto her skin.
"I missed this..." he murmured.
A shiver ran down her spine.
Her heartbeat went crazy, thumping so hard it almost hurt.
His hand slid from her waist to her stomach,
holding her gently-
but with that same old possession
she once belonged to.
"Shivansh... don't..." she breathed out, barely audible.
But he heard.
Of course he heard.
He always heard her smallest sound.
He smiled against her skin.
She felt it.
She actually felt the curve of his lips on her cheek.
"Don't what?" he whispered, his lips brushing dangerously close to the corner of her mouth.
"Don't touch you? Don't remind you? Or don't wake you up from what you were dreaming?"
Her breath stopped again.
Her dream.
Shit.
She remembered it.
His hands. His mouth. His breath.
Everything.
She pulled away a little, or at least tried to, but he didn't let her move.
His fingers slid up, catching her chin gently, turning her face toward him.
"Still running from me?" he asked, soft but sharp.
She finally forced her eyes open-
And-
She froze.
His eyes were right there.
Close.
Too close.
Blue.
Intense.
Burning like the first time he ever looked at her.
He leaned even closer, whispering against her lips-
"You really thought I wouldn't come back for you?"
Her heart stopped.
Literally stopped.
"Shivansh..." she breathed, half-plea, half-warning.
His thumb brushed her lower lip.
"I heard your heartbeat," he said, voice low.
"Even in your sleep."
She felt her whole body go hot, trembling under the sheets.
This felt too real.
Too real.
"Don't..." she whispered again.
But he just smiled.
Lifted her chin.
Whispered-
"Then stop dreaming about me, jaana."
And with that...
He leaned in.
His lips touched hers.
Soft.
Slow.
Like he owned the moment.
Like he always did.
Her breath caught in her throat-
her mind went blank-
her fingers clutched his shirt-
And then-
Everything shattered.
Literally shattered.
Like a glass breaking somewhere.
Her eyes snapped open-
He whispered against her ear, "Don't... say a word."
His breath was warm on her skin.
His lips brushed hers-soft, slow, unexpected.
A kiss that shouldn't have happened.
A kiss that broke five years of distance in one second.
And that was it.
Something snapped inside her.
Isha suddenly pushed him-hard.
He lost balance and fell onto the other side of the bed.
She sat up instantly.
Then she stood up beside her bed, breathing harsh, chest rising and falling fast...
because of the kiss,
because of the shock,
because of the anger boiling in her veins.
Her face was red.
Her eyes were sharp.
She looked furious.
Furious enough to burn him alive.
Shivansh stood too, slowly, cautiously, but before he could say even one word-
Isha's hand is connected with his cheek.
A loud, sharp slap.
His face turned to the side from the force.
And her voice broke out-shaking, angry, hurt.
"You used me.
You fucking USED me five years ago-
and now you're doing it again?!
Just because you think I'm fragile?
Because you think you can show up whenever you want,
stand in front of me with your power,
and do whatever you wish?!"
Her voice cracked, but she didn't stop.
"You ruined me then.
And today-when I'm finally happy,
when I'm finally getting married-
you come again.
You come AGAIN just to destroy that happiness?!"
Shivansh didn't move.
He didn't argue.
He just stood there, jaw tight, guilt in his eyes.
He knew the slap was deserved.
He knew the kiss was wrong.
But he also knew she didn't know the whole truth.
He exhaled shakily.
"...yes. I did wrong. By kissing you without permission."
His voice was low, soft, sincere.
"I'm sorry, Isha. I didn't plan it. I swear.
It just happened.
You were so close... after years...
I lost myself for a second."
He paused.
"But don't say I used you.
I never used you for pleasure.
I never-"
"I don't care about your truth," she cut him, voice cold like steel.
"I don't want it.
I don't NEED it.
I am marrying Luka.
In seven days.
Right in front of your eyes."
She stepped closer.
Her eyes stabbed into his.
"You will see me marrying someone who loves me.
Someone who won't ruin me.
Someone who is not YOU."
Shivansh's jaw tightened.
His hands curled into fists.
He whispered-dark, dangerous-
"How will you marry him...
if I kill him before the wedding?"
Her eyes widened.
"What the-Shivansh what the hell is wrong with you?!"
He stepped closer now, matching her anger.
"You're talking as if it's yours and Luka's wedding.
It's not."
Her voice rose again.
"I WILL marry him-
in front of your family,
my family,
In Front of you,-
I will marry him, Shivansh!"
He stared at her.
Silent.
Breathing hard.
Then-
He moved.
Fast.
Before she even realised-
he grabbed her by her waist,
pulled her against him,
his other hand sliding behind her neck-
and he kissed her.
A real kiss.
A deep, desperate, hungry kiss.
A kiss that landed heavy, hot, claiming her mouth,
tasting her anger,
breaking her guard.
Isha gasped-
her hands pushed at his chest-
but he didn't stop.
He kissed her like he waited five years for this.
Like he was dying for this.
Like she was the only breath he ever needed.
His lips moved against hers, slow for a second...
then rough...
then soft again...
like he couldn't decide if he wanted to worship her or devour her.
Her knees went weak.
Her breath hitched.
Her heart raced so badly she felt it in her fingertips.
Minutes passed.
Long, slow, burning minutes.
Finally-
he pulled back just enough to breathe.
He didn't touch her now.
He stepped back,
stood in front of her, chest heaving,
waiting for her slap.
And he got it.
Another slap.
Sharp.
Loud.
He didn't flinch.
He just whispered, voice raw-
"I knew you would slap me.
But now... I will also see...
how the hell you marry Luka."
Her lips trembled in rage.
"You can't decide my life-"
"I already did," he cut her.
"You were mine.
You are mine.
You will be mine.
Past.
Present.
Future."
Before she could shout-
he leaned in again.
He kissed her.
This time slower.
Softer.
A kiss that tasted like heartbreak,
like memories,
like all the pain they never said out loud.
And this time...
she didn't slap him.
She couldn't.
Her throat was tight.
Her hands were shaking.
She was too overwhelmed, too confused, too broken to move.
When he pulled back, she whispered-
"Just... get out.
Let me sleep."
He nodded.
He walked backward toward the balcony door.
Then he smirked lightly, breathless,
"And lock the balcony door properly.
Or else I might think you're inviting me again."
Before she could throw something at him-
he disappeared into the night.
She locked the balcony door with trembling hands.
Then she got into bed, still shaking,
still breathless,
still feeling his kiss on her lips.
She lay down.
And within a minute-
she fell asleep.
A peaceful sleep.
The first one in five years.
The moonlight touched her face.
Her blanket shifted a little, like someone had tucked it around her...
...but she slept too deeply to notice.
And maybe to peaceful after years of struggle.
The next morning, Isha woke up slowly, the kind of half-awake state where dreams still cling to the edges of reality. For a moment, she genuinely believed everything from last night had only been her imagination. Her cheeks were warm, her heartbeat uneven-like she had woken up from something too intense, too personal to be real.
She rubbed her eyes, sat up, and whispered to herself,
"It must've been a dream... right?"
But then something caught her attention.
A small white note was placed on the side table-one she was sure hadn't been there before. The handwriting was sharp, clean, far too familiar.
Her fingers trembled as she opened it.
"Nothing was a dream.
Everything was true.
And don't forget-you will dream about me.
You are mine, Isha.
You will be mine in the future too.
So be ready to marry me.
Be ready to be mine... again."
Her breath hitched.
Her dream hadn't been a dream at all.
She pressed the note tight in her hand, her mind spinning, her heart doing that strange stupid thing where it beat too fast and too loud-every single time his name even crossed her thoughts.
She got up, tried to steady herself, and went downstairs.
Everyone was already gathered in the dining area, the table filled, breakfast served, soft conversations floating in the air. She walked quietly to her seat and sat down, still clutching the note inside her fist.
Meher looked at her with a smile.
"Well, Alina, we were thinking. Why not have your wedding in Udaipur? We've already checked everything. If you're okay with it, we'll do it there. And if you want to marry here, then we'll arrange everything here. Whatever you decide."
Isha blinked, still distracted, still replaying last night.
But ishika continued, "Engagement was here, as you wanted. Now the wedding-if you want it in Udaipur, in a palace or anywhere... we are ready."
Lucas nodded.
"I'm okay with anything that Alina is comfortable with. Whatever you decide, we'll do."
She took a small breath, turned to her mother, and said softly,
"Okay then, we will do are wedding in Udaipur and mummy why don't you call the raghuvanshi to invite? Tell them we are leaving this evening. From tomorrow, we have arrangements... and from the day after tomorrow, the functions will start. So they should be ready for four or five days."
Her mother nodded.
"Yes, yes. I'll call everyone after breakfast. They should start packing too."
Then her mother turned to meher
"So... we are leaving this evening, right?"
Meher smiled proudly.
"Yes. Everything there is already prepared. I told them that if both families agree, we would come today."
Isha nodded slowly.
"Then it's settled."
Breakfast continued with light conversation, everyone busy, excited, planning.
But all through it-
Isha could feel the note burning quietly in her hand.
Every word of it echoes in her mind.
And in that entire busy, noisy dining hall...
Only she knew the truth:
Last night wasn't just real.
It changed everything.
The house, which had been quiet just an hour ago, now looked like a storm had passed through it.
Open suitcases.
Clothes thrown everywhere.
Jewelry boxes half-open.
Someone shouting from one room, someone else searching for something they lost two minutes ago.
Everyone was packing for Udaipur-and everyone was in a hurry.
Isha stood in the middle of her room, staring at the mountain of outfits piled on her bed. Half of them were folded. Half of them were definitely not.
Her voice came out slightly panicked.
"Prisha! Where did you keep my mehendi outfit? The green one-NOT the forest green, the pastel green!"
Prisha shouted from the other room:
"How many greens do you even own?! Wait-I'm coming!"
She rushed in, hair messy, a clutch under one arm.
"Here! I found it. It was under the coffee table for some reason."
Isha blinked.
"Why was my mehendi outfit under the coffee table?"
Prisha shrugged.
"Ask yourself, you're the one who flung everything yesterday in tiredn6."
Isha groaned.
Meanwhile, Ishika burst into the room holding two pairs of heels.
"Isha! Which shoes are for Haldi? Yellow or gold? Quickly! We have five minutes before your mom comes and scolds all three of us."
Before Isha could answer, her brother shouted from downstairs:
"WHO KEPT A DUPATTA ON MY HEAD?! I ALMOST DIED!"
Everyone ignored him. It was normal.
Arav walked in holding a jewelry pouch.
"Is this yours or Ma's? I swear everything is sparkling today, I'm going blind."
Isha grabbed it.
"Mine! Don't mix it with Mom's, she will murder me if I lose her wedding pieces."
The boys exchanged looks.
"Girls are scary during weddings," Arav whispered dramatically.
"Girls are always scary," Arjun corrected, dragging two giant suitcases behind him.
From the corridor came the sound of Isha's mom yelling:
"IF YOUR PACKING IS NOT DONE IN TEN MINUTES, I'M LEAVING YOU ALL HERE!"
Everyone froze.
Even the birds outside probably froze.
Then chaos exploded again.
Prisha started stuffing clothes into Isha's suitcase.
Ishika began rolling the heels into bubble wrap.
Arjun unzipped and rezipped every bag like he was solving a puzzle.
Isha was running between the dresser and the cupboard, mumbling:
"Ganesh Puja outfit... Haldi outfit... Mehendi outfit... Sangeet... Wedding... Reception... WHY DO WE HAVE SO MANY FUNCTIONS!?"
Ishika replied while tying her hair into a messy bun:
"Because you're rich now. Royal wedding, babe. No shortcut."
Isha threw a pillow at her.
It missed.
Obviously.
Suitcases lay open.
Clothes were flying from one bed to another.
Voices echoed across the long hallway of the guest rooms.
"Mummy! Mera yellow dupatta kahan gaya?!"
"I told you to keep your accessories in one pouch!"
"Who took my charger?!"
"Are we taking matching outfits or random ones?"
"Where is the jewelry box?!"
"ARJUN! This is MY t-shirt, why are you packing it?!"
"I thought it was mine!"
"HOW?! Mine is XS, yours is L!"
Maids tried to help but everyone were moving faster than them.
Downstairs, dhruv was calling out:
"We have three cars packed. Last call-if anyone leaves something behind, don't expect me to drive back!"
Her father added calmly:
"Everyone, check your essential documents. Udaipur palace has already prepared your rooms. Once we reach, functions will start the day after tomorrow, so keep everything ready."
At this point, Isha zipped her suitcase, sat on it because it refused to close, and yelled:
"CAN SOMEONE HELP ME?! THIS ZIP IS NOT MOVING!"
Luca walked by the room at that exact moment, stopped, stared at her sitting on the suitcase like it was an animal she was trying to tame.
He didn't speak.
He just raised one eyebrow.
Isha glared.
"Don't say a word."
He smirked and pushed the suitcase down with one hand.
The zip closed immediately.
Isha's jaw dropped.
Prisha whispered to Ishika:
"Why is he so effortlessly scary?"
Ishika whispered back:
"And hot. Do not forget it's hot."
Isha shot both of them a look.
Everyone finally grabbed their bags. The house looked empty again-only the echoes of yelling and laughter floating in the air.
Mom stood at the door, arms crossed.
"Are we ready?"
Everyone yelled at once:
"YES!"
Isha took a deep breath, looked at her packed bags, her friends, her chaotic family, and whispered to herself:
"Udaipur... here we come."
By early noon, the raghuvanshi palace was quiet-but only on the outside.
Inside the living area, Shivansh's entire family was gathered, sipping tea and chatting softly while half of the staff carried trays back and forth.
Shivansh was sitting on the end of the long sofa, one elbow resting lazily on the armrest, hair still slightly messy from having run his hand through it a hundred times that morning.
He looked... different.
Relaxed.
Content.
Suspiciously happy.
And the reason was simple-
last night.
The memory of her soft breath, the warmth of her skin, the way she whispered half-asleep-
it was replaying in his head like a private movie.
He didn't even notice when his grandmother, Dadi sa, walked past him twice.
"Shiv...?" she narrowed her eyes at him, "Are you even present in this world today?"
He didn't answer.
He just smirked-quiet, subtle, dangerous.
That smirk told her everything.
Dadi sa shook her head.
"Bas, yeh toh gaya," she muttered under her breath. "Completely gone in her thoughts."
Before anyone could tease him, Dadi's phone started ringing, its shrill sound breaking the calm of the room.
"Arre, Isha ki mummy ka call hai," she said, adjusting her glasses.
Everyone's attention shifted.
Except Shivansh.
He was staring at a flower vase like it had the answers to the universe.
Dadi sa picked up the call.
"Haan, Namaste Devika ji! Boliyega... haan haan, sab yahan hi hain..."
Her expression slowly changed from casual to alert.
"Oh! Achha... aaj? Matlab issi shaam? Theek hai, theek hai, hum taiyaar ho jaayenge."
She cut the call and looked at the family.
A dramatic pause.
Then-
"Sab sun lo-humein Udaipur jaana hai. Aaj shaam."
Instant chaos.
"What?"
"Abhi?"
"Bag kaun sa pack kiya tha?!"
"Mera outfit toh pressing mein diya tha!"
"Hotel booking ho gayi?"
"Staff kaun lekar jayega?"
Even Shivansh snapped out of his dreamland.
Dadi sa continued firmly, raising her voice above the noise.
"Isha chahti hai ke uski shaadi Udaipur mein ho-destination wedding. Tum sabke outfits already wahan aa hayenge Kal tak. Bas bags pack karke niklna hai. Aur haan-functions parson se shuru."
Shivansh blinked.
"Functions? Itni jaldi?"
Dadi sa glared. "Haan, aur tum toh sabse zyada ready hona chahiye. Agar Isha wapis chaiye tog!"
But Dadi sa ignored everyone and clapped her hands.
"CHALO! Move it! Sabko packing karni hai! Abhi!"
The palace, known for its royal calm, now looked like a battlefield of clothes, suitcases, and panic.
In the middle of the hallway, Avi was shouting-
"WHO PACKED SNACKS IN MY BAG?! Yeh shaadi hai, school trip nahi!"
Shivansh walked past them all, silent, with a faint smirk still on his lips.
He didn't care about packing.
He didn't care about the shouting.
All he cared about was the small white note he had left on Isha's bedside table.
Nothing was a dream.
Everything was real.
And you will dream about me again.
Because you are mine-
and you will be mine always.
Be ready to marry me, Isha.
Be ready to be mine again.
Even the thought of her reading it made his chest feel warm.
Dadi sa saw his expression and poked him with her stick lightly.
"Stop smiling like a villain. Go pack."
He nodded-still smiling.
"Yes, Dadi sa."
They all decided to go Udaipur together and decided to meet at the cafe for lunch.
And elder already went to Udaipur destination with Meher and Alessandro with Riyan to look after the arrangements, now only younger are here.
The late Jaipur sun spilled through the tall glass windows of Maison Café, lighting up the whole place like a warm afternoon painting. Tables were stacked with plates of food no one was really eating. Everyone was too busy pretending things were normal.
Isha sat quietly beside Prisha, chewing slowly, trying not to look at a certain someone.
Shivansh.
He sat exactly opposite her, arms folded, smirk planted on his lips like he had already won something.
Luka, sitting beside Isha, glanced between the two of them a little too knowingly... as if he could read the storm on both sides.
Dhruv, Ranveer and Aviyansh shared secret looks - the kind boys exchange when they are plotting something big... and stupidly romantic.
When the plates were cleared, Dhruv clapped once.
"Okay! Cars divided! Let's move before it gets late!"
Isha was about to walk toward Luka's car - the safe car - when Ranveer caught Luka by the shoulder.
"Bro, sit with us. We need to discuss the... uh... groom duties."
Luka raised a brow. "duties."
"Yes. Groom duties are urgent duties," Avyansh added innocently.
Luka understood. He sighed... but smiled.
"Fine. Take care of her," he whispered to Isha before moving away.
Isha narrowed her eyes.
Prisha and Ishika suddenly blocked her path like two bodyguards.
"What?" Isha snapped.
"You're not going with Luka," Ishika said with fake sweetness.
"Then with who?" Isha scowled.
Before she could finish, a strong hand wrapped around her wrist.
Shivansh's voice brushed against her ear, low and victorious:
"With me."
Her breathing hitched. "Leave my hand."
He didn't.
Instead, he leaned just a bit closer - enough to make every heartbeat in her chest go crazy.
"Remember last night?" he whispered with a smirk.
"You were moaning my name..."
Her entire face flushed crimson.
"I- That- YOU- That was a nightmare!" she hissed.
"Hmm..." he pretended to think,
"So nightmares make you whisper my name like that?
Interesting."
She tried to pull back - he only tightened his grip one second more before letting go, guiding her ahead of him with a palm lightly on her lower back.
"I am NOT going with you," Isha declared to everyone.
All she got in return were supportive smiles like this was a festival parade.
Ishika waved from her car.
"Go babe! You two must talk!"
Betrayed. By literally everyone.
"I hate all of you!" she mumbled under her breath as Shivansh opened the car door for her.
"I love this energy," he teased.
"Keep hating me, sweetheart. Anger looks sexy on you."
She shot him a murderous glare and finally sat - but as far to the window as physically possible.
Shivansh slid into the driver's seat, shutting the door.
The car felt too small.
Too private.
Too dangerous.
He started the engine, and without looking at her he said:
"I missed this."
His voice was soft.
Too soft.
She stared out the window.
"You shouldn't."
He chuckled lightly.
"Too late. I already ruined myself for you."
Her breath paused.
Her heart did that painful flip.
She hated that he still had the power to make her feel like this.
"Just drive," she muttered.
He glanced sideways - his eyes sharp with desire and mischief.
"So bossy.
Just like last night."
Isha whipped her head toward him.
"One more word about that dream and I will jump out of this moving car."
He leaned closer, voice deep:
"Sweetheart, I'm the reason you dream like that.
Jump all you want.
You'll always fall back into me."
She swallowed.
Hard.
The road stretched ahead toward Udaipur - and toward a wedding that everyone knew might not end the way it was planned.
Because in this car...
between anger and desire...
between love and betrayal...
A fire was burning again.
And this time -
neither of them was willing to put it out.
Isha crossed her arms and stared out the window, ignoring the way her heartbeat refused to stay calm. Shivansh had been quiet for the first few minutes-too quiet. She knew that silence. It was the dangerous kind. The kind that meant he was thinking.
And when he thought, she suffered.
Finally, he spoke, voice low and annoyingly smug,
"So... dreamland treated you well last night?"
She didn't move. Didn't blink.
"Shut. Up."
He chuckled. "You were saying my name like you missed me. Actually-" he leaned closer while driving, whispering near her ear, "you were moaning."
Her entire soul combusted.
"SHIVANSH! That was not a dream! It was a NIGHTMARE!"
"Oh, that's interesting," he smirked, "because you didn't sound scared at all."
She tried hitting his arm. He caught her wrist effortlessly with one hand-never losing control of the car.
"Careful, Princess. If you distract me like that, I might think you want me to pull over and continue the dream properly."
Her cheeks burned red.
"I hate you," she muttered.
"I love you too," he replied instantly, without hesitation.
That shut her up.
She looked away again, but Shivansh wasn't done.
He leaned in closer, eyes flicking to her lips just once-enough to make her breath hitch.
"You still think last night was a dream?" he asked quietly.
Isha swallowed.
Because she did think that... until she found his note this morning.
He lifted her chin with one finger, forcing her to meet his eyes.
"It wasn't a dream, Isha."
His voice was soft... dangerous... true.
Before she could speak, the car slowed to a stop along a quiet road lined with trees. Still holding her chin, he turned fully toward her.
"I told you..." His breath brushed her lips. "...you will dream about me. And you will remember me."
Her heartbeat hammered. Her chest rose and fell too fast.
And then-
He kissed her.
Not gently. Not cautiously.
A kiss that carried every emotion he had buried.
hungrily, smiling against her lips, desperate, claiming, full of the love he refused to lose again.
His hand slid to the back of her neck, holding her close as if he feared she'd disappear again. She clutched his shirt, trying - failing - to push him away. Her lips trembled under his, responding despite every stubborn thought screaming no.
He kissed her again - slower this time - teasing, like he was memorizing every second.
When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested on hers.
"I will win you back," he whispered.
"You are mine, Isha. You always were."
She was breathless, furious, and trembling-exactly how he loved seeing her.
She shoved him lightly.
"You can't just- just- kiss me whenever you want!"
He grinned. "Technically, you kissed me back."
"I DID NOT!"
"Your lips say no," he whispered, eyes locked on hers,
"...but your heartbeat is screaming yes."
Her pulse betrayed her.
And the worst part?
He was right.
The car started again.
They continued toward Udaipur.
And Isha stared hard at the window...
...pretending she didn't still feel his kiss burning on her lips.
The cars rolled through the magnificent white-marble arches of Taj Lake Palace, floating on the shimmering lake like a dream carved into reality. The sun was dipping, scattering gold across the water. Staff rushed forward, greeting them with garlands and chilled rose-shebert.
Isha stepped out first.
Her hair is a little messy from travel, eyes tired... still breathtaking.
And behind her-Shivansh.
Looking like sin in the form of a prince.
The moment everyone saw them together, arriving in the same car...
a chain-reaction of smirks, dropped jaws, and exchanged looks happened:
Dhruv elbowed Ranveer.
Aviyansh grinned like he already won a bet.
Ishika & Prisha literally squealed silently.
Ishika nudged Aarav with a "See? We TOLD you" look.
Even the every family members looked secretly hopeful... pretending not to.
His grand father whispered to his grand mother
"Maybe destiny knows what it's doing."
And Meher tried to smile. SheI tried very, very hard.
The manager announced cheerfully,
"The entire palace is booked for the wedding celebrations! Guests may rest now. Tomorrow evening we will begin with Ganesh Puja!"
Everyone clapped and cheered, excitement sparking.
Plans were discussed, groups forming...
But Isha?
She ignored Shivansh completely.
Went straight to Luka, talking, smiling... as if someone wasn't standing a few steps behind her burning holes into her spine.
Shivansh's jaw ticked.
His fingers curled into fists.
He was seconds from exploding.
Then Dhruv was deliberately called out,
"Shivansh, drop Isha to her room na? She looks tired."
Prisha and Ishika joined instantly,
"Yes yes! She shouldn't walk alone like that!"
Isha spun around, eyes wide.
"NO- I can go myself or with luk-"
Aviyansh cut in,
"Accha fine. If you faint on the way, we will inform Luka that you rejected help."
Isha's face? Storm.
Boys? Victory smirks.
She reluctantly nodded, fuming:
"Fine. Let's go."
Shivansh didn't hide his smile.
The corridor was silent. Too silent.
Soft lamps glowed against the white marble walls, reflecting in the water outside the jharokha, but Isha didn't get the chance to admire any of it-because the moment she took a step toward her room...
A strong hand slid around her wrist.
Before she could react, Shivansh had already pulled her into a dim corner hidden behind a carved pillar, his chest pressed too close, his breath too warm against her cheek.
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
"Shivansh-" she hissed, trying to free her hand.
But he wasn't listening.
He was looking at her.
Jaw tight.
Eyes dark.
Possessive jealousy dripping from every inch of him.
"You think you can just walk past me?"
His voice - low, rough - brushed against her skin more intimately than fingers.
Isha swallowed hard. "I don't want to talk to you-"
"Good," he murmured.
"Then don't talk."
His fingers slid up the back of her neck, tilting her face up-
and his lips crashed onto hers.
Not gentle.
Not questioning.
Hungry. Angry. Claiming.
Her back hit the wall softly as his body caged her in-one hand gripping her waist, pulling her closer and closer until no space was left between them. His mouth moved like he knew her... like he remembered every gasp she ever made.
Isha tried to push him away-
but her fingers only ended up clutching his shirt, pulling him closer instead.
He smirked against her lips.
"See?" he whispered between kisses,
"You still want me."
đ
She hated that truth.
Hated how her knees weakened when he deepened the kiss, slow and sinful, his thumb brushing the corner of her lips like he owned them.
When she finally forced herself to break away, she was breathless - furious.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" she snapped, wiping her lips though they still burned from his touch.
He lowered his head to her ear, voiced a possessive rumble:
"Reminding you who makes you lose control."
Her heartbeat stuttered-
not from fear... but the exact opposite.
She pushed him away harder this time. "Don't do that again."
"Oh, I will," he said simply, licking the taste of her from his lower lip, "Every time you forget that you're mine."
when breath became impossible he pulled back, noses touching, his voice a low sinful whisper:
"Ignore me again... and I'll kiss you harder."
Isha's eyes were wide, furious... and ruined.
"Don't you dare do that again..."
He chuckled softly, thumb brushing her lower lip:
"Then stop giving me reasons."
She shoved him away, heartbeat chaos, and stormed toward her room-
But she didn't see Luka around the corner.
Shivansh did.
Their eyes locked.
Luka's gaze wasn't angry.
It was sad.
Resigned.
Shivansh walked to him, slow, confident.
Luka exhaled,
"You kissed her without asking."
Shivansh's voice was ice and fire both:
"She's mine.
She was always mine.
And she will be mine again."
Luka clenched his jaw,
"We'll see about that."
Shivansh leaned closer, voice deadly soft - words only Luka could hear:
â€
Luka's expression changed.
Shock.
Realization.
Fear? Or maybe... acceptance.
Shivansh finished coldly:
"Back off. That's your last warning."
He walked away...
a victorious predator.
Luka stayed still for a long moment, whispering to himself:
"If she chooses you again...
I'll walk away."
----------------------------------------------------------------
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