Water dripped in a slow rhythm from the broken pipe and each drop broke the silence. The air smelled rusty and damp.
Krishav's fingers tightened around the metal as he pulled back the hammer of the gun. There was a sharp click as he pointed the gun towards Veeransh. In front of him stood Veeransh, his eyes blazing with fury and betrayal. The gun in his hands was raised, steady and aimed at Krishav.
Krishav took a step forward, the sound of his shoe scraping against the wet floor. "Why did you lie to me?" he asked in a rough voice. "How could you lie to me, Veer—"
"SERIOUSLY?!" He was abruptly interrupted by Veeransh. "You're asking me that after everything you have done? After you took away the only family I had?"
"I DID NOT KILL ANYONE!" Krishav replied back furiously. "But, you lied to me. YOU LIED TO ME!!" Krishav took a step forward. And with a desperation and pain in his voice, Krishav spoke, "Veer...why did you do that...?"
Veeransh stepped forward this time, closing the distance just enough to make the tension unbearable. "And what if I did?" he shot back, his voice trembling now, not with fear but with something far more fragile. "What difference does it make? They are dead. My family is gone. Because of you."
"I did not kill anyone!" Krishav's voice broke through the room. "You think I could ever do that to you? To them? I didn't kill anyone!" Krishav lunged, a half-step closer, the gun wavering. "We were all at peace... Tell me the truth—did you ever mean those nights? Or was it all a game to destroy me?"
Veeransh's eyes softened for a fleeting second, but he did not waver, "Truth? The truth is you ruined me. I wanted forever with you, but blood demands blood." His voice dropped, "Do you even feel this pain tearing me apart?"
Krishav's breath hitched, love and hate colliding. "Every damn day. Don't do this. We can—"
Suddenly, Veeransh pulled the trigger. The gun thundered and the sound of the bullet tearing flesh echoed. Krishav staggered back and his hand flew to his chest.
* * *
*14months earlier, January 2026, Singhania Villa*
Golden morning light spilled across the horizon like molten honey and the villa rose majestic amid the city, its white marble laced with peach-hued accents that caught the rays. The Singhanias were not merely wealthy. They were a name people lowered their voices for. Seventeen companies across India and five abroad. Their power ran in their bloodline as naturally as breath.
Precisely at 9:30 a.m., footsteps echoed and a young man strolled in wearing jeans and a black hoodie zipped halfway. "Shit, forgot to trim this beard," he rubbed his jawline.
"Veeransh!"
The voice from behind made the man turn around. His face was sharp and structured jawline. His black hair fell carelessly over his forehead. His stubble beard around his chin made him look even more handsome. The guy who called him closed his eyes, "Gosh, do you wanna become the next sun or what?" Rehaan joked. "Why are you glowing like that, bro?"
Veeransh let out a quiet scoff. "You came all the way here just to insult me?"
"Excuse me," Rehaan shot back, "You don't look that excited to marry into the literal Singhanias'," he straightened his black shirt.
Veeransh rolled his eyes, "A lawyer who talks too much. It's good to have a friend like you." He said that with sarcasm.
"Hahaha, that's rich coming from you," Rehaan said with a laugh as he pulled Veeransh into a hug. Veeransh hugged him back warmly. They had been best friends for the past five years, just as their fathers had been before them.
"I still can't believe how well you've handled yourself after Pawan uncle and my Papa passed away. They both loved you so much, Veer. Sometimes I think my Papa saw you more as his son than me. Totally not jealous, by the way." Rehaan smiled.
Veeransh giggled. "Please, you should be jealous. Bhuwan Uncle absolutely adored me, okay."
They both sat on the couch. Rehaan held Veeransh's hands gently and asked, "Why are you marrying him?"
Veeransh looked at him for a moment before replying, "You know how it is. Kairav started loving me… and maybe I started liking him too. He's warm, kind, generous. And honestly, he's the most handsome gentleman I've ever met."
"Of course you'd say that, Veer. But…"
"But what?"
"How did Ayesha deal with all this? I mean, she and her sister were supposed to marry the K brothers, right? Krishav with Jhanvi and Kairav with Ayesha?"
"Haan." Veeransh nodded slowly. "But that day…"
* * *
*three days ago, Singhania Villa*
The crystal vase slipped from Ayesha's hands and crashed against the marble floor. Shards scattered across the hall as the sharp sound echoed through the mansion. Within seconds, the entire family was there. Ayesha stood in the middle of the room. Her eyes burned with betrayal and fury.
"Fuck you!" she pointed a shaking finger at Veeransh, who was standing beside Kairav. "You cheap whore! You were supposed to arrange this wedding, not steal my fiancé! But look at you now, standing there and seducing my Kaira—"
"Enough, Ayesha!" Kairav's voice thundered. "You do not get to speak to Veer like that."
Ayesha let out a bitter laugh. "Oh, wow. So now you're defending this cheap gu—" The rest of her words died in her throat as a sharp slap struck across her face.
The entire hall fell silent.
Ayesha stumbled back in shock, clutching her cheek as she stared at Kairav with wide eyes. Kairav stood rigid, rage blazing inside him. "Do not say another word about my Veer," he said coldly. "I love him. And I won't let anyone insult him in front of me."
Sonia immediately rushed toward her daughter, holding her while staring at Lalita in disbelief. "Lalita, what is all this? What is your son saying?"
Lalita, confused, turned towards Kairav, "Beta… how could you do this? You loved Ayesha, didn't you?"
Kairav exhaled. "No, Maa," he admitted. "I agreed to marry her because she was close to you. But I never loved her. I never could."
Ayesha's face paled.
Kairav continued, "She doesn't love me either. She only wants my money. But Veer… Veer never cared about any of that."
Everyone's gaze slowly shifted toward Veeransh.
"He never chased my wealth. He never tried to impress me. He simply loved me for who I am." Kairav's voice softened as he looked at the man beside him. "Maa, I can't marry someone I don't love. Please understand."
Lalita stood frozen between heartbreak and disbelief. Slowly, she turned toward Veeransh.
He lowered his eyes instinctively. After all, this was not just Kairav's home. It was the house where his father had worked for years. The place where he himself had always entered with humility, never imagining he would one day stand here like this.
Lalita stepped closer, "Veeransh," and she asked softly, "do you truly want this shaadi?"
Veeransh looked at Kairav for a brief moment before meeting her eyes again and replied with a nod.
"And… do you love my son?"
A faint blush crossed Veeransh's face. Then, slowly and silently, he nodded.
"Fine then. After four days, that is on January 29, Kairav and Veeransh will get married. And after that, Krishav and Jhanvi on the 30th." She said with a firm voice, even silencing Sonia and Ayesha.
* * *
*back to present, January 28*
"Woah…" Rehaan blinked at him for a second, still trying to process the news. "So it's actually happening? Tomorrow?"
Veeransh let out a small laugh and nodded. "Yeah. Tomorrow. I'm marrying Kairav."
"Damn. My best friend is becoming a married man. Should I start calling you 'Mr. Singhania' now?"
"Yuh...I'll be soon."
Rehaan looked at him for a moment before smiling. "Seriously though… congratulations, Veer."
"Thanks," Veeransh replied quietly.
There was a brief silence before Rehaan nudged him with his shoulder. "So… you actually love him?"
Veeransh looked down at his hands, smiling to himself. "Yeah. I think I do."
"I think?" Rehaan raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound very convincing for someone getting married in less than twenty-four hours."
Veeransh laughed. "No, idiot. I mean… I do love him. It just happened so unexpectedly."
"Huh." Rehaan studied his face carefully. "You look different when you talk about him."
"Different how?"
"Softer," Rehaan said. "Less angry at the—"
"Rehaan!" Veeransh said his name to stop him.
"Hmm." Rehaan nodded. "Well, let's say he's down bad for you too. I mean who would just break their marriage with a girl they were destined to marry for you."
"What do you mean by me? You are saying I am bad?" Veeransh retaliated.
"Absolutely not."
"Whatever."
"Okay, okay sorry," Rehaan said between laughs. "But honestly? I'm happy for you."
Veeransh's expression softened again. "Thanks, Rehaan. That means a lot."
Rehaan bumped his shoulder gently. "Just don't forget me after becoming rich and married."
"No promises."
"Traitor."
After a few more minutes of banter, Rehaan finally checked the time, "Alright, I should leave before my schedule starts."
Veeransh chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Go finish your very important work."
Rehaan pointed a finger at him. "And you—try not to have another life-changing revelation before tomorrow."
"No promises," Veeransh replied.
The two shared a quick hug before Rehaan walked out of the villa to his car. Veeransh stood there for a moment, watching him leave. Then he turned and stepped back inside the quiet hall.
But the moment he entered, something felt… strange. A quiet uneasiness settled in his chest. His brows furrowed slightly as he slowly looked up.
Someone was standing on the open balcony above.
A figure, still and silent.
Eyes fixed directly on him.
It was Krishav — his soon-to-be brother-in-law.
And judging by the intensity in his gaze, he had probably been watching Veeransh from the very beginning.
Krishav's eyes were unusual. Sharp and there was something unsettling about the way they rested on Veeransh, as if he were quietly studying him.
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Guide:
Haan - yes
Maa - mother
shaadi - marriage