The evening sky burned orange, then faded into a soft violet. Yeshwanth stood alone on the terrace, his hands trembling as he held his phone. Jeevika's voice still echoed through his mind, sharp and final.
"You're sweet, Yeshwanth… but love doesn't buy dreams. Money does."
He stared blankly at the screen — the message thread now silent. Just hours ago, he thought she cared. Now, her laughter with someone else still echoed in his ears, cruel and hollow. His chest tightened; his breath felt heavy.
Rain began to fall softly, like the world was mourning with him.
He pressed his palm over his heart and whispered, "Was I really that easy to fool?"
Flashbacks ran like shattered glass in his mind — the bus rides, shared smiles, and moments that once felt real. Now, every memory carried the sting of lies.
In that moment, Yeshwanth realized he wasn't crying for her. He was crying for the version of himself that believed he was enough.
The sound of footsteps echoed behind him. A familiar voice called out, firm yet gentle.
"So this is what you've become? A fool crying for someone who never saw your worth?"
He turned. It was Nila, standing under her umbrella, eyes full of disappointment and care.
"Nila…" His voice broke. "She—she said I wasn't good enough."
Without another word, Nila dropped the umbrella and walked straight toward him. Her expression was unreadable. Then—
SLAP.
The sound cut through the rain like thunder.
"You idiot!" she shouted, her eyes glistening. "You keep giving your heart to people who only see your scars. When will you learn your value?"
Yeshwanth's eyes widened. The slap didn't hurt — but the emotion behind it did.
"I thought she was special," he whispered.
"She wasn't," Nila replied, tears spilling. "Because she couldn't see the man who's been trying so hard to build a life out of nothing."
She grabbed his shirt collar, trembling. "I saw it. Every time you fell, every time you smiled even when it hurt. I saw the real you, Yeshwanth. That's the man I—"
She stopped. Her lips quivered.
"That's the man I love."
Yeshwanth froze. The rain seemed to stop midair.
"You… love me?" he asked softly.
"Yes," she said, her voice breaking into a whisper. "I love you more than the stars love the night. I was just afraid — afraid that if I said it, I'd lose you forever."
She leaned closer, resting her forehead against his. "But I don't care anymore. Let the world fall apart. I'll stand by you."
Tears welled in his eyes. "Nila…"
Before he could finish, she kissed him — soft, desperate, full of everything she'd been holding back. It wasn't just love. It was a promise.
When they pulled apart, she smiled faintly. "From now on, you're not alone. I'll fight every world, every god, if I have to."
A sudden rumble tore through the air. The sky darkened, thunder swirling like a living storm.
From the clouds descended a glowing figure — tall, silver-haired, eyes blazing like galaxies. The ground cracked beneath the weight of his presence.
"Enough," the voice boomed, shaking the heavens. "Nila, daughter of the Celestial Realms, you have broken divine law."
Yeshwanth instinctively stepped in front of her. "Who are you!?"
The being looked down coldly. "I am her father — the God of Realms. And you, mortal, have stolen what belongs to eternity."
Nila's face turned pale. "Father… please—"
"Silence!" His voice thundered. "You were sent to observe the mortal world, not to fall in love with it."
Yeshwanth clenched his fists. "She's not an object you can own!"
The god's gaze turned to him, eyes like burning stars. "You dare challenge me, human?"
"I dare protect her," Yeshwanth said, stepping forward. "Even if I'm nothing compared to you… I won't let you take her."
Lightning struck the ground beside him. The shockwave threw him back, but he rose again, blood dripping from his lip, defiance burning in his eyes.
"Yeshwanth, stop!" Nila cried, holding him.
He wiped the blood from his mouth and smiled weakly. "You told me not to give up, remember? Not even the gods can make me break that promise."
The God of Realms lifted his staff, energy swirling. "Foolish mortal. You think love can stand against eternity?"
"Maybe not," Yeshwanth said. "But love gives me the strength to try."
He charged forward, his steps trembling but unyielding. A burst of divine energy threw him to the ground again, but he still rose.
Nila screamed, "Stop hurting him!"
The god turned to her. "Then return with me. Forget this mortal."
Her tears shimmered like glass. She looked at Yeshwanth — broken, kneeling, but still smiling up at her.
"No," she whispered. "I won't go."
The god's expression darkened. "You defy me?"
She walked to Yeshwanth, knelt beside him, and took his hand. "Yes. I defy you. Because he's my choice. My love. My partner."
The world seemed to tremble.
"I'll marry him," she declared, her voice echoing through the storm. "And no god will decide my fate."
The God of Realms fell silent. For a moment, even the wind stopped. Then, slowly, he lowered his staff.
"Very well," he said coldly. "If your love is true, let it prove itself."
He turned to Yeshwanth, his voice echoing like thunder.
"Human, you desire to be worthy of my daughter? Then earn it. In one year, you must rise above the world. Become a millionaire — a man powerful enough to stand among gods. And when the year ends, you must enter the Realm of Eternity and face the trials of the divine. Only then shall you claim her hand."
Nila gasped. "Father, that's cruel!"
He looked away. "Love must be built on strength, not sentiment. If he fails — your memories of him will vanish forever."
Lightning flashed again, and with it, the god's form began to fade.
"Your time begins now, Yeshwanth of Earth. One year. One destiny."
The sky cleared suddenly, leaving behind silence.
Nila fell to her knees, clutching her glowing pendant — a remnant of her realm. "Why did he do that…?"
Yeshwanth stood slowly, still trembling from pain but smiling faintly.
"Because he's right," he said softly. "I'm just a normal guy. But if that's what it takes to stand beside you… then I'll do it."
She looked up, eyes wide. "You'll really challenge the gods?"
He nodded. "I don't care about money or titles. But if becoming strong is what it takes to protect you — then I'll become the strongest human alive."
Nila's tears sparkled like tiny stars. She hugged him tightly. "You're insane…"
"Maybe," he said, chuckling weakly. "But I'm your kind of insane."
She smiled through her tears. "Then I'll wait for you, Yeshwanth. No matter how long it takes."
He touched her forehead gently. "One year," he said. "I'll find you again — even if I have to fight heaven itself."
Later that night, Yeshwanth stood on the same terrace where it all began. The rain had stopped; the stars shimmered brighter than ever.
He clenched his fist, feeling the mark the god had left glowing faintly on his wrist — proof of the divine challenge.
He looked up at the sky.
"A millionaire in one year, huh? Then I'll do it. For her. For us."
A soft voice echoed in his heart — Nila's, carried by the night wind.
"I'll be waiting in the next sky, my love."
Yeshwanth smiled, tears falling silently.
The moon shone bright behind the clouds, and the wind carried away the last of his doubts.
From a broken heart, a hero was born.
And somewhere beyond the stars, destiny began to shift.
The battle for love… had begun.