Welcome to a brand new chapter, lovely readers!!!
Let’s dive right back into the drama! ✨
>> AGARWAL HOUSE <<
The cozy bedroom had fallen completely quiet once again. The only sounds breaking the silence were the soft, rhythmic flipping of pages and the occasional scratch of a pen against a notebook. Warm evening sunlight spilled through the open balcony doors, stretching across the floor in long, beautiful golden patterns.
The curtains swayed gently with the cool breeze, carrying inside the faint, happy sounds of children playing in the street below and the distant rumble of city traffic.
Kiara stared blankly at her notebook for exactly five more seconds before dramatically dropping her pen onto the desk.
"I can't do this anymore," she groaned, tossing her head back.
Aadhira didn't look up from her notes right away. "You have said that four times already."
"And I meant it with all my heart every single time," Kiara complained, slumping back into her chair.
Aadhira smiled faintly, her hand steady as she neatly underlined a key definition in her textbook.
Kiara’s restless attention drifted toward the balcony. Outside, the evening sky was beginning to soften, blending into beautiful shades of warm orange and pale gold. The harsh afternoon heat had finally passed, leaving behind a perfectly pleasant evening.
Instantly, Kiara’s eyes lit up. She stood up abruptly and marched toward the balcony doors. "Aadhira."
"Hm?"
"We are going out. Right now."
Aadhira finally paused her pen and looked up.
Kiara turned around dramatically, pointing a finger toward the open sky like a general who had just discovered freedom. "Just look at the weather," she insisted. "There is absolutely no way we are wasting this beautiful evening trapped inside this room."
Aadhira blinked once. For a moment, she didn’t answer. It wasn’t because she wanted to stay inside. In fact, she wanted to go out- very much so. But that sudden, strong desire made a familiar hesitation rise quietly inside her chest.
Her fingers tightened slightly around her pen. After a brief pause, she spoke softly, her voice filled with a quiet uncertainty. "It will get late..."
Kiara narrowed her eyes instantly. "That is not a real excuse, and you know it."
Aadhira lowered her gaze back to her textbook, trying to find her footing. "We still have a lot of revision left to do."
"We have been studying for hours!" Kiara countered dramatically.
"We have tests on Monday," Aadhira answered, deliberately avoiding her best friend's intense gaze.
"We also have lives, Aadhira!" Kiara snapped back quickly.
Aadhira pressed her lips together, trying her absolute best not to smile. She tried. She really did. But she failed slightly, the corner of her mouth twitching upward.
Kiara noticed it instantly and gasped out loud. "Aha! You want to go!"
Before Aadhira could formulate a proper reply, a soft, polite knock sounded on the half-open bedroom door.
Asha entered carefully, carrying a heavy tray filled with evening tea and snacks. The rich, comforting aroma of hot masala chai instantly filled the room. Along with the steaming cups, Asha had carefully arranged a plate of neatly cut sandwiches, a few biscuits, and a small bowl of savory namkeen.
Aadhira immediately pushed her chair back and stood up. "Maa... you should have just called out to me. I would have come downstairs to fetch it."
Asha smiled gently, her eyes full of warmth. "It’s alright, beta. You both were studying so hard."
Kiara rushed forward too, helping place the tray on the study table. "Seriously, Aunty, you shouldn't have troubled yourself."
"Is that so?" Asha said, her voice dripping with amused, motherly affection. "And what should I have done instead? Let my two daughters starve over their books?"
Kiara grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck.
Asha set the tray down safely and looked between the two girls, sensing the energetic atmosphere. "What were you both debating so seriously before I walked in?"
Before Aadhira could speak up and smooth things over, Kiara jumped at the opportunity. "Aunty, please explain her that we actually need fresh air to survive!"
Aadhira shot her a warning look.
Kiara ignored it completely, turning back to Asha with a look of exaggerated, sorrowful sadness. "I was just begging her to go out for a short break. We haven't gone anywhere together in such a long time." Beneath the dramatic tone, there was a flash of genuine hope in Kiara’s eyes.
Asha noticed it. Mothers noticed everything.
She turned her gaze toward her daughter, looking at Aadhira’s tense posture. "Then go," Asha said softly.
Aadhira blinked in surprise. "Maa--"
"Go out with Kiara," Asha repeated, her tone gentle but firm. "You both do nothing but study all the time anyway."
Kiara’s entire face brightened in a flash of pure joy. But Aadhira still hesitated, an unconscious worry lingering in her mind. Asha understood her daughter’s unspoken fear before a single word could leave her lips.
"Don't worry," Asha added quietly, her voice a reassuring balm. "Your father explicitly said he will be very late returning home tonight."
Those few words instantly settled the storm inside Aadhira. The heavy tension that always tightly held her shoulders eased ever so slightly.
Kiara noticed the shift too. "Oh, thank God," she muttered dramatically, wasting no time as she grabbed Aadhira’s hand. "Done! It’s final. We are going."
Aadhira shook her head, trying her best to look thoughtful and firm. "Hm... hold on, I still need to decide."
Kiara stared at her in utter disbelief. "Aadhira...."
"What?"
"You are seriously testing my patience right now," Kiara said, leaning in close to catch any shift in her face.
That was the breaking point. A soft, genuine laugh escaped Aadhira's lips- light, real, and entirely unburdened.
"Okay," Aadhira finally yielded, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "We will go."
"FINALLY!" Kiara screamed, throwing her hands in the air before dropping back dramatically onto the bed in absolute relief.
Asha chuckled quietly to herself, watching the two girls share a happy moment. She picked up the empty tray and left the room, closing the door behind her with a soft, quiet click.
Suddenly, Aadhira paused, a thought striking her. She turned to look at Kiara. "Wait, can't you stay over for dinner tonight?"
Kiara’s bright expression fell instantly into a pout. "God, I wish I could."
"Then just stay."
"My hostel rules would literally hunt me down and destroy me," Kiara sighed heavily. "If I don't cross that main gate before the curfew clock strikes, the warden starts behaving like a lead officer from a crime show. She will interrogate me for hours."
Aadhira’s lips curved into a teasing smile. "You are exaggerating."
"I am absolutely not! Last time I was barely five minutes late, she stared at me like I had committed high-profile tax fraud."
Aadhira laughed softly, shaking her head. "Fine, fine. Another day, then."
"Pakka," Kiara promised with a wide grin.
After finishing their hot tea, both girls freshened up quickly. When they walked downstairs, Kiara had her backpack slung securely over one shoulder since she would have to head directly back to her hostel after their outing.
The ground floor of the house felt incredibly calm. The soft evening light filtered beautifully through the curtains, painting the living room hall in warm, peaceful shades.
Samar was sprawled across the sofa with a notebook open in front of him. His tongue was peeking out slightly in intense concentration as he wrote something down with utmost seriousness.
Kiara sneaked up behind him quietly, peeking over his shoulder. "Ohooo... look at that. Are we looking at a future scientist?"
Samar jumped, looking up instantly. "Kiara Didi!"
Kiara gasped dramatically, pointing at the page. "Samar, this handwriting is an absolute crime."
"It's good!" he defended himself immediately, trying to cover the page with his hands.
"Beta, even professional doctors write more clearly than this," Kiara teased, squinting as she tried to decipher a single word.
Aadhira stood a few feet behind them, shaking her head helplessly at their banter.
Suddenly, Kiara unzipped her bag. "Anyway, I brought something special for you." Samar’s eyes widened with instant excitement as she pulled out a large bar of chocolate.
"For me?!"
"No, for the sofa," Kiara replied with a perfectly straight face.
Samar snatched the chocolate bar from her hand with a huge grin before she could change her mind. "Thank you so much!"
Kiara reached out and fondly ruffled his hair. "See? At least someone in this household truly values my presence."
"I value you too," Aadhira chimed in calmly, adjusting the elegant folds of her dupatta.
Kiara squinted her eyes suspiciously. "Liar."
Aadhira simply rolled her eyes playfully in response.
From the kitchen, Asha walked out, wiping her hands on the edge of her cotton saree. "Are you leaving already, Kiara?" she asked gently.
Kiara stood up straight. "Yes, Aunty. The hostel timings are very strict, so I have to be careful."
Asha let out a soft, maternal sigh. "You should really come and stay with us properly for a whole weekend sometime."
"I definitely will," Kiara promised warmly, hugging her side. "But next time, for sure."
Asha nodded affectionately before turning her sharp eyes toward her daughter. "Aadhira, be back early."
Aadhira nodded obediently. "Yes, Maa."
As the girls walked toward the front door, Asha called out one last time, her voice laced with a mother's natural worry. "Come back on time. And please, drive very carefully."
Aadhira buckled her helmet securely, giving her mother a reassuring nod. "We will be safe, Maa."
Kiara threw up a dramatic military salute. "Yes, Aunty! Rest assured, your precious daughter is in highly safe hands."
Asha laughed lightly at her antics. "To be honest, Kiara, I am more worried about you causing trouble than her."
"Wow, absolute betrayal," Kiara muttered under her breath, making Samar snicker loudly from the couch.
A few moments later, the scooty started up with a familiar hum and rolled out of the front gate.
The cool evening air wrapped around them instantly. It felt incredibly free, light, and refreshing after spending the long, suffocating day indoors. The streetlights along the roads were just beginning to glow softly, while the vast sky above them still carried the beautiful, fading shades of gold and pink.
Kiara stretched her arms out wide from the backseat, letting the rushing wind hit her face. "This," she declared loudly over the sound of the engine, "is literal therapy."
Aadhira smiled, keeping her eyes focused intently on the road ahead. "Sit properly before your 'therapy' throws you right off the back of the scooty."
Kiara ignored the warning completely, basking in the breeze.
As they crossed into a busy, bustling lane, the vibrant music blasting from nearby shops mixed with the rhythmic honking of traffic and the distant laughter echoing from roadside cafés. The city felt beautifully alive.
After a few minutes, Kiara suddenly shouted from behind, her voice tinged with a sudden wave of emotion. "Aadhira! One day we are going to become serious, boring adults and we are going to miss this so much!"
Aadhira laughed softly, navigating a turn. "You? Serious and adult-like?"
"Excuse me!" Kiara huffed dramatically. "I can be incredibly mature when I want to be."
Aadhira glanced at her briefly through the rearview mirror. "Kiara, last week you got into a full-blown heated argument with a five-year-old child over a chocolate."
Kiara pointed a finger defensively. "Because that little monster pushed me first!"
"He was a literal child."
"He was highly aggressive!"
Aadhira shook her head, a bright laugh escaping her. "You almost complained to his mother."
"Because actions need to have consequences," Kiara replied with absolute, deadpan seriousness.
Aadhira just shook her head, unable to stop the wide smile on her face. "You are completely unbelievable."
Kiara lifted her chin up proudly into the wind. "And yet, I am deeply, deeply lovable."
Their shared laughter disappeared into the evening wind. For the first time in many stressful days, Aadhira felt completely light. She wasn't overthinking the future. She wasn't worrying about the heavy shadows of her home. She was just existing in the present moment.
By the time they arrived at the local food street, the area was glowing beautifully under a canopy of warm lights. Tiny food stalls lined both sides of the road, with bright fairy lights hanging overhead. The air was thick and mouth-watering, filled with the rich aromas of roasting spices, melting butter, hot coffee, and fresh street food.
The street was crowded with people. Friends were laughing in groups, young children were running around playfully, and popular music played faintly from a nearby store.
Kiara looked around, her eyes sparkling. "I belong here. This is my true home."
"You belong anywhere food exists," Aadhira replied calmly, parking the scooty.
"Exactly. You understand me so well."
They walked over and stopped right in front of a popular pani puri stall. "Bhaiya," Kiara said to the vendor with absolute confidence, "make it extra spicy."
The vendor nodded knowingly, already crushing a crisp puri.
Aadhira shook her head slightly, raised a hand, and corrected, "Medium spicy for me, please."
Kiara turned her head slowly, looking at Aadhira with deep, exaggerated disappointment. "Medium? Seriously?"
"I prefer to keep breathing, Kiara."
"You disappoint me sometimes, Aadhira."
"And yet, you never leave my side."
"Because I am an incredibly kind-hearted friend," Kiara claimed, taking her first fiery piece.
Aadhira laughed quietly, accepting her own plate. They stood together under the glowing fairy lights, eating quickly while Kiara predictably whined and gasped dramatically every single time the intense spice hit her throat.
After finishing every last bit, they tossed the empty paper plates into a nearby bin. A small, playful argument broke out over who would pay the vendor, but Kiara quickly handed over the cash before Aadhira could stop her.
For a brief moment, a quiet calm settled between them. Aadhira lightly brushed a few stray crumbs from her kurti sleeve, absentmindedly adjusting the edge of her dupatta. Beside her, Kiara was still fanning her mouth, trying to recover from the spicy water.
Kiara paused, watching Aadhira’s serene face for a second. Then, her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
Aadhira noticed the look immediately. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Without saying a single word, Kiara slowly raised her hand and pointed directly toward a brightly lit ice-cream counter just a few feet away.
Aadhira stared at her, deadpan. "You are absolute trouble."
"And yet lovable," Kiara countered proudly, repeating her favorite line.
Aadhira shook her head, a fond smile breaking across her face despite her best efforts to look strict. A few minutes later, both girls were walking down the street with ice-cream cones in hand- Kiara happily devouring a double-scoop chocolate overload, while Aadhira enjoyed her classic, comforting butterscotch.
They wandered slowly toward the quieter, less crowded side of the street. The evening sky above them looked breathtakingly beautiful now. The soft pink hue was slowly blending into a deep, velvety orange. Fluffy clouds stretched lazily across the horizon, and a cool, refreshing wind brushed gently past them.
Aadhira looked up instinctively. Her footsteps slowed down. She took a slow, deep breath, simply admiring the vast beauty above her. It felt so incredibly peaceful.
Kiara noticed her friend's sudden silence. She reached out and mischievously nudged Aadhira’s shoulder with her elbow. "So..."
Aadhira didn't take her eyes off the sky. "So what?"
"Are you looking at the beautiful sky and making emotional, secret wishes," Kiara teased in a singsong voice, "or are you secretly thinking about someone special?"
Aadhira snapped her head around, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Shut up, Kiara."
Kiara burst into a loud, triumphant fit of laughter. "I am totally serious!"
"You are never serious in your entire life."
Aadhira turned her gaze back toward the fading horizon, her expression softening into something gentle. "I just really like evenings," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "They feel... safe. And calm."
Kiara glanced upward too, taking in the serene view. For once, the jokes died down, and she didn't reply with a witty comeback. "Hm," she agreed softly, her tone remarkably genuine. "They really do."
For the next few moments, they simply walked together in comfortable silence. Afterward, they fell back into easy conversation, talking about random, everyday things- college lectures, upcoming assignments, juicy hostel gossip, and vague future plans that they weren't fully sure about yet. They were simple, ordinary conversations, but they were deeply comforting.
Later that evening, the scooty hummed to a stop outside the main gates of Kiara's hostel. Groups of girls were walking in and out near the entrance, while the security guards lazily checked wristwatches from the gatehouse.
Kiara adjusted the strap of her bag before hopping off the backseat. She turned around to face Aadhira. "Text me the exact second you reach home safely, okay?"
"I will."
"And promise me you won't go straight back to your room and start studying again tonight."
Aadhira flashed an innocent, sweet smile. "No promises."
Kiara narrowed her eyes into a strict glare. "See? This is exactly why I constantly worry about your mental health."
Aadhira laughed softly, the sound bright in the dim streetlights.
Then, Kiara stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Aadhira in a brief, warm hug. "Today was really, really nice," she admitted quietly near her ear.
Aadhira’s eyes softened instantly, a wave of gratitude washing over her. "Yeah," she replied softly, hugging her back tightly. "It really was."
Kiara pulled away quickly, clearing her throat dramatically before any real emotions could linger for too long. "Okay, bye! I need to run before the warden locks me outside, ruins my academic future, and tells my parents."
Aadhira shook her head, smiling fondly as she watched Kiara hurry through the gates. Once her friend vanished inside, Aadhira started the scooty’s engine once again and began the solitary drive back home.
She drove through the cooling night, completely unaware that somewhere else in this very same massive city, a completely different kind of night was just beginning.
>> MALHOTRA MANSION <<
The grand Malhotra mansion stood illuminated beneath the dark night sky, looking like a towering fortress of absolute wealth. Its massive iron gates opened into a long, winding driveway lined with perfectly aligned, warm golden floor lights.
The polished marble exterior of the mansion reflected the light softly, while the massive glass walls shimmered with quiet, untouchable elegance. Everything about the estate radiated control, wealth, and fierce discipline- even the absolute silence hanging over the property felt incredibly expensive.
Outside the front gates, a sleek, jet-black luxury car sat idling. Dhruv sat comfortably in the driver's seat, one hand lazily resting on the steering wheel while soft, low music played from the car's premium speakers.
He tapped his fingers against the wheel, checking the digital clock on the dashboard dramatically before muttering to himself in disbelief, "Write this down in history. It is a literal miracle. Rajveer Malhotra is only three minutes late."
Almost exactly on cue, the heavy front doors of the mansion swung open.
Rajveer stepped out, carrying the exact same intense, composed presence that the house itself possessed. He looked calm, sharp, and entirely untouchable. He was dressed in a crisp, perfectly tailored black shirt.
The sleeves were folded with mathematical neatness up to his forearms, and a luxury watch caught the dim golden light faintly as he walked down the marble steps. His facial expression remained entirely unreadable- controlled to a point where it felt like even basic human emotions had to ask for permission before showing up around him.
One of the private security guards straightened his posture immediately as Rajveer approached. "Sir, should we keep the backup security car ready ?"
Rajveer paused briefly, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve with absolute calmness. "No. I won't be late tonight."
Dhruv, watching through the car window, nearly burst into a loud fit of laughter. The phrase 'Rajveer and won't be late' rarely belonged in the same universe.
The passenger door clicked open, and Rajveer settled inside the leather seat with quiet grace.
Dhruv turned his head, surveying his friend's immaculate appearance before shaking his head dramatically. "You genuinely look like you are going to launch a hostile corporate takeover of the party, rather than actually attend it to have fun."
"Drive the car, Dhruv," Rajveer replied flatly, his voice void of any humor.
Dhruv grinned wildly and stepped on the gas, smoothly pulling the powerful car out onto the main road.
The busy roads of Mumbai glowed brightly all around them as they cut through the heart of the city. Saturday night life had fully settled in now. Popular restaurants were buzzing with high-society crowds, traffic lights blurred into beautiful streaks of neon red and gold, and lively music spilled faintly from crowded cafés lining the posh streets.
Inside the quiet vacuum of the car, Dhruv continued to talk almost nonstop, completely unbothered by Rajveer’s silence. "You have no idea what madness happened at my site today," he said, dramatically loosening the tight knot of his tie with one hand.
Rajveer glanced at him briefly before turning his sharp gaze back out the side window. "What happened."
"One of my highly paid lead architects literally rejected an entire finalized blueprint because he claimed the main staircase didn't feel 'emotionally welcoming' enough."
Absolute silence filled the car.
Dhruv placed his hand flat over his heart, looking wounded. "Emotionally welcoming, Rajveer! Can you believe that?"
Rajveer’s expression didn't shift even a fraction of an inch.
Dhruv continued anyway, waving a hand. "And then, another designer stepped up and confidently said the main lobby required 'more emotional airflow.' Emotional airflow!" Dhruv let out a frustrated sigh. "What does that ridiculous phrase even mean?"
Rajveer answered calmly, his baritone voice steady. "It means they are trying desperately to sound intelligent to justify their high fees."
Dhruv pointed a finger at him instantly in total agreement. "Exactly! Thank you! Finally, someone understands the sheer suffering I go through every day."
"You own the entire company, Dhruv."
"And yet, I suffer immensely."
Rajveer looked completely unimpressed.
Dhruv sighed dramatically, leaning his head back against the plush leather seat. "I swear to you, if one more modern designer looks at me and says 'minimalism tells a deep story,' I am going to officially resign from my own firm."
"That would significantly improve your company's overall productivity," Rajveer remarked dryly.
Dhruv turned his head toward him in utter disbelief. "Do you genuinely derive joy from insulting people who care about you?"
"Yes."
"Well, that honestly explains your entire tragic personality."
Rajveer’s gaze remained fixed on the passing city lights outside, calm and steady as ever. "It is efficient," he replied simply.
Dhruv shook his head in mock disappointment before a smirk crept back onto his face. "You know, I should really get a medal or corporate credit for successfully dragging you out of your dark cave tonight."
Rajveer’s tone didn't shift. "I only agreed to come because I completely missed Arjun’s official engagement ceremony."
That much was entirely true. Rajveer had been stationed outside India handling a massive international merger during the engagement. Now that he had finally returned to the country, Arjun had personally called him multiple times, begging him to attend the pre-wedding bachelor party. There had been no reasonable corporate excuse left to refuse.
Dhruv leaned back smugly against the seat. "Look at that. Deep down, you possess emotional attachment. Truly beautiful."
"Focus on the driving, Dhruv."
The Velvet Room
About twenty minutes later, the luxury car slowed to a smooth stop outside the grand entrance of the Velvet Room, one of the city’s most elite, hyper-exclusive luxury lounges. The entire high-end venue had been privately booked for the grand celebration.
A long line of expensive sports cars and luxury sedans lined the valet entrance, while heavy security personnel stood near the velvet ropes, meticulously checking the exclusive guest list. The exterior of the building looked incredibly extravagant, decorated beautifully in an elegant black-and-gold theme, with warm ambient lights glowing sharply against the sleek glass walls. Tall, beautiful floral arrangements framed the main doorway, and right near the entrance, a glowing custom neon sign read:
ARJUN'S LAST DAYS OF FREEDOM
Dhruv’s eyes lit up, and he immediately pulled out his phone to snap a high-quality picture. "This" he announced proudly with a wicked grin, "is premium future blackmail material."
Rajveer stepped out of the car, walking straight ahead without giving the sign a single glance.
The exact moment they stepped through the heavy glass doors, the atmosphere shifted completely. Deep, pulsing bass from the music vibrated heavily through the massive lounge, while sharp, colorful moving lights swept rhythmically across the packed dance floor. Loud laughter echoed from every single direction, blending seamlessly with the sharp clinking of crystal glasses and high-volume conversations.
Groups of wealthy young socialites were scattered everywhere. Some were gathered tightly near the marble bar with colorful drinks in hand, some were dancing recklessly in the center of the room, while others were literally shouting over the loud music as if volume alone could help them win an argument. Girls in glittering, expensive designer dresses moved confidently through the crowd, while the guys tried their absolute best to act far cooler than they actually were.
The entire place carried a frantic, chaotic energy. It was carefree, incredibly loud, and entirely uncontrolled.
And right in the dead center of all that chaos, Rajveer Malhotra looked painfully out of place.
He was far too composed for the wild environment around him. He was far too calm for the deafening noise. He looked exactly like a top-tier billionaire who had been violently plucked out of an international, high-stakes boardroom meeting and dropped into a wild bachelor party completely against his will.
Dhruv glanced at his friend's rigid posture and let out a quiet chuckle under his breath. "Relax, big guy," he said, patting Rajveer’s shoulder lightly. "No one is going to force you to jump onto the dance floor."
Rajveer’s cold gaze moved slowly across the messy crowd before he replied in his signature flat tone. "That is highly reassuring."
Dhruv grinned widely, leading the way further into the crowd. "Come on. Let’s go find the groom before he gets drunk enough to confess his eternal love to a random pillar."
As they navigated through the thick of the lounge, quite a few heads turned instinctively toward them. Or, more specifically, toward Rajveer. It wasn’t because he was trying to draw attention to himself, he was actively trying to avoid it. But some people simply carried a powerful, magnetic presence that naturally demanded a room's attention.
And Rajveer Malhotra carried far too much of it.
As Dhruv and Rajveer pushed deeper into the heart of the luxury lounge, the crowd thickened significantly around them. Loud laughter, heavy music, and voices overlapped endlessly in a wave of sound.
Before they could properly scan the VIP tables—
"FINALLY!" a loud, booming voice cut straight through the sonic chaos.
Arjun appeared suddenly from the thick of the crowd. He looked half-exhausted from hosting and half-overexcited. He was dressed in a crisp white designer shirt, though the top two buttons had already been left open, and his sleeves were rolled up carelessly to his forearms. The fitted fabric clearly highlighted his broad, athletic frame, while the slight mess of his hair and the glittering, expensive watch on his wrist gave him the effortless charm of someone who was trying and failing, to look less like the absolute center of attention at his own bachelor party.
The pure, unmistakable 'groom-to-be' energy radiated off him. He walked straight toward his two friends.
Dhruv barely had a split second to react before Arjun stepped in and pulled him into a dramatic, heavy hug. "You absolute idiot," Arjun laughed loudly, clapping his back. "You are incredibly late."
"You should be profoundly grateful that I even showed up looking this incredibly handsome," Dhruv replied proudly, fixing his jacket.
Arjun rolled his eyes with affection before turning his body fully toward Rajveer. For a brief second, his wide grin softened into something deeper and more genuine. "It is really good to see you back in the country, Rajveer."
Rajveer extended his hand calmly, his movement precise. Arjun grabbed it and shook it firmly. There was no heavy hug. The people who were genuinely close to Rajveer knew far better than to invade his strict personal space too casually. And Rajveer heavily preferred it that way.
Arjun studied Rajveer's stoic face for a moment before smirking lightly. "So, India still exists on your map after all."
Dhruv burst into a loud laugh immediately. Rajveer’s expression remained completely neutral. "I never claimed it didn't."
"You spent months entirely outside the country," Arjun continued dramatically, teasing him. "No appearance at my engagement. No phone calls. Absolute silence."
"I was working," Rajveer answered calmly, as if that explained everything.
"Of course you were," Arjun muttered with a knowing, tired smile.
Dhruv placed a hand dramatically over his heart, looking at Arjun. "See? This is exactly why I am his only real, true friend. I am the only human being on earth who tolerates this terrible, cold personality."
Rajveer ignored Dhruv’s existence completely, keeping his eyes on Arjun.
Arjun laughed quietly, waving his hand to lead them away. He guided them toward a reserved VIP table located slightly away from the loudest, most chaotic part of the main dance floor. The lighting in this private corner was much dimmer, cooler, and far more relaxed.
For a while, the conversation between the three men shifted naturally toward the world of high business. They discussed international markets, global expansion charts, and real estate investments. It was mostly Arjun and Dhruv doing the passionate speaking, while Rajveer listened intently, answering only when it was absolutely necessary.
"My dad still constantly talks about that massive Singapore restructuring deal you handled single-handedly," Arjun admitted at one point, looking at Rajveer with genuine professional respect.
Rajveer picked up his glass, taking a calm, slow sip of plain water. "It was bleeding capital. It simply needed proper, logical restructuring."
Dhruv looked personally offended across the table. "You say things like multinesian corporate takeovers as if you are just going down the street for routine grocery shopping."
Before Rajveer could form an answer- a lively group of high-society girls suddenly approached their VIP table loudly.
"Arjuuuun!"
Arjun let out a dramatic, playful sigh. "And just like that, my peace is officially over."
One of the girls hugged him instantly from behind, while another pulled firmly on his arm. "Come meet everyone properly!"
"You are the groom, stop hiding away in the dark corners."
Arjun looked helplessly over his shoulder at Rajveer and Dhruv as he was violently pulled away. Within a matter of seconds, the groom completely disappeared back into the sea of people on the dance floor.
Two girls from the group, however, decided to stay behind at the table. Naina and Divya. Both of them immediately recognized Dhruv’s famous face.
"Oh my God, Dhruv?" Naina laughed, sliding into a seat. "You literally still look exactly the same."
"That is simply because I am naturally, biologically attractive," he replied with absolute, unshakable confidence.
Divya rolled her eyes playfully. "And clearly, you are still completely dramatic too."
"Thank you, I take that as a high compliment."
Meanwhile, Rajveer sat right beside them, completely and entirely detached from the social interaction. He pulled out his phone, calmly scrolling. He didn't even look up to acknowledge them properly. It wasn't intended to be intentionally rude or insulting, he was just... entirely uninterested.
The two girls exchanged a quick, knowing glance. Divya decided to try her luck anyway, leaning slightly toward him. "So, Rajveer... it has been a really long time, hasn't it?"
Rajveer gave a single, small nod of his head, his eyes never leaving his phone screen. "Hm." That was the entirety of his answer.
Naina blinked slowly, stunned by the cold wall. "Wow. He talks even less now than he used to."
Dhruv burst into a loud, booming laugh, trying to ease the sudden tension. "Trust me, girls, this is actually him being incredibly social and polite."
Rajveer remained deeply focused on his phone, acting as if the casual conversation happening mere inches away from him barely existed in his universe. After a few more minutes of trying to make casual chatter and playful teasing, the girls eventually grew bored of the cold atmosphere and drifted back toward the bright lights of the dance floor.
A VIP waiter approached their table, carrying a silver tray filled with premium, strong alcoholic drinks. "Sir?"
Dhruv reached out immediately, picking up a dark glass. Rajveer glanced briefly at the tray before reaching past the alcohol and taking a simple glass of fresh juice instead.
Dhruv shook his head dramatically, taking his drink before walking off toward another lively group of friends who were loudly calling his name from across the lounge.
Soon, the party grew significantly louder as midnight approached. The deep bass of the music vibrated heavily through the floorboards, while strobe lights flashed rhythmically across the massive crowd. People danced with total abandon. Someone, somewhere near the back, was screaming song lyrics completely off-beat. A few boys near the main bar were already behaving incredibly emotionally after having two drinks too many.
Dhruv fit into the loud chaos effortlessly. He was laughing, talking animatedly, and moving smoothly from one social circle to another like he knew every single soul in the room.
Rajveer sat quietly through all of it, a solitary figure in the dark booth.
Observing. Always observing.
His sharp, icy gaze moved calmly across the crowded lounge- he wasn't judging them, exactly; he was just completely detached from it all. A man behind a fortress.
But from the exact opposite side of the crowded room... Someone else was quietly observing him, too. And Rajveer was completely unaware.
✨ Thank you so much ✨
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