Chapter 1



I woke up gasping for air, my hand on my chest rubbing violently trying to cool myself as I felt a pang of pain striking me down. I looked around and it was all blurry due to my tears. I couldn't even see my hands itself, my breathing growing heavy, I tried to focus on myself.

I brought my hand to my mouth, biting it hard enough to leave a mark. I saw that dream again and everything that I wanted to forget flashed in front of my eyes.

Blood.Blood.Blood.

Gunshot rang through my ears.

But I still could not remember anything. I had no memories of that day yet everything haunted me. Everything made me suffocate, made my chest heavy in pain, my eyes blur in a net of tears, everything was messed up.

I stood up trembling softly, I walked to the bathroom splashing cold water on my face, I saw myself in the mirror. All I could see was a girl pretending to be fine. A girl who was done with everything around yet still living in hope of nothing.

Everyone says it wasn't my fault. Everyone says I was just a child. Then why does the guilt sit so heavy inside me, like it belongs there? I don't remember the truth, only the pain it left behind. Maybe that's the punishment - to forget the reason, but carry the weight forever.

I took a fresh cold shower getting ready. I went downstairs with a smile like I just didn't wake up an hour ago gasping for my life with tears flowing, hands trembling and chest heavy with pain.

I walked down seeing my grandfather. I smiled softly, no one loves me the way this man does.

"Good morning dadu" I smiled walking to him, immediately getting back that smile he opened his arms hugging me softly.

"Good morning sweetheart," He said smiling.

After greeting everyone, right now I sat back at the dining table, everyone was there but my father was still not here, his absence haunts everything. But still his presence hurted more than his absence.

Just then a hand tapped me from behind making me groan "good morning chipkali..." Reyansh spoke grinning like a small child making me roll my eyes.

"Good morning mendak!" I said, giving him a grumpy smile as he sat beside me. Ayushmaan jumped on the seat on my other side doing the same.

"Bua see they are troubling me again!" I whined looking at Kritika Bua, she turned giving both of them a stun look making them groan and me smile immediately.

My grandfather sat at the head of the table, Adhvik Uncle beside him and the other side next to him empty, indicating the absence of my father. The table was noisy, happy, everyone having their time but I still felt an emptiness in my heart.

Just to get me more, my father entered the room. His aura undefined, his quite presence, head up not bothering to give a fuck about anyone else around. He was a kind of person whose presence was enough to make people crumble.

His face was cold as always, unbothered, "no shit around me" kind of character.

But he wasn't like this always. Once he loved me more than his life and now all I get is his silence.

"Good morning Papa" I said , looking at him with the same hopeful eyes that had been begging for his attention for the last 20 years. His eyes didn't even turn to look at me, he was silent as always.

Everyone fell silent at the table looking at the empty silence, Reyansh jumped in talking again to break the silence. Everyone got back to their talks, I sighed softly keeping a soft smile on my face not wanting to ruin anyone's mood.

Papa greeted everyone silently except me, eating his breakfast silently.

Later Ayushmaan dropped me off at the boutique I work at. I got out of the car as he opened the door for me.

"Call me as soon as you are done, okay?" Ayushmaan said in a serious tone, making me smile. I wonder who is the elder one here.

"Yes sir!" I said, smiling ruffling his hair, making him groan. I laughed softly running to the gate "bye!"

"Bye di!" Ayushmaan said, waving. He waited until I got inside.

It's a daily thing, either Reyansh or Ayushmaan comes to drop me, not even one day since they got their license have I come alone. They are too protective for me. Sometimes it feels like I am their baby sister and not older to them.

He drove off as I got inside, I smiled at my colleagues greeting everyone. I walked to my cabin. I am the management director here, also the co-founder of Anokhi Fashion Hub.

Anokhi-my mother's name before marriage.

This brand has been my comfort ever since I started it, it feels like my mother is still near me, supporting me with each step. My brand is quite recognised now, we have celebrity and famous billionaires contracted with us and also we do modelling shows.

"Hii" Meera called me softly and I returned her smile. She is my partner and also the co-founder. She has been my friend since college. We started this together.

The day went off good, running over work here and there. We have a fashion show running next week so it is quite hectic now, making the dresses, getting models.

In the rush of work, I forgot to check my phone. During the lunch break, I was walking to my cabin when a hand wrapped around my eyes.

"Guess who?" A female voice giggled in my ears making me smile.

"The birthday girl!" I said, removing her hands, turning back to look at her.

It was Dia Rai Singhania.

She immediately got me in her arms, squeezing me excitedly, she was such a baby.

"You didn't even come to meet me!" She pouted dramatically, making me laugh.

"I was going to meet you in the evening anyways" I said. It's her birthday today and I have to attend the party tonight.

"Whatever!" Dia rolled her eyes. She sat for some time, she is getting ready to be a model, and i totally trust her, she'll be great at her work. So I got her to work with me already, she is a part of the fashion show next week.

We talked about work, more about gossiping though. Later after some time Dia left. And so did I after wrapping my work. Reyansh was already there to pick me up.

When we got home, Reyansh had some work so he left after dropping me off. As I got inside our big mansion everyone was in their rooms getting ready for the party. But I saw my father in the living room working, flipping through his work papers.

I walked to him, even though he did obviously notice me he didn't lift his head to look at me. I walked, getting the pillow on the other side of the couch and keeping it behind his back, knowing his back hurts sometimes even if he doesn't say it out loud.

"Are you coming with us tonight papa?" I asked softly, looking at him, he didn't reply. I knew he won't reply but just standing here beside him and talking to him knowing he'll listen was enough for me.

Later, I was getting ready. I wore a black bodycon dress, perfectly hugging every curve of my body, snatched waist, flat stomach. Hairs open in soft curls flowing down my shoulders. I gave myself a last look before heading downstairs.

Everyone was there except my father.

"Bua, papa is not coming?" I asked Kritika Bua.

"He already left," she said, sighing softly.

He doesn't talk to me at all but he just exchanges a few words with the other family members or rather just responds if asked anything.

Later then everyone left to get there at the Rai Singhania's Farmhouse, where every family function is hosted there. I don't know why that place always feels something different to me.

The main thing that is running in my mind is I have to meet him.

Viransh.

That man is not something usual. How could someone possibly be this hard rock! Not even a single word from his own side since the last 20 years, the only time I think we talk is for business and that too in exchange of a few silent words.

I was right now in the car lost in my own thoughts looking out of the window.

"A lost stupid wanderer!" Reyansh broke my peaceful silence, making me scoff.

"Can't you shut up?" I said folding my hands.

"No!" Ayushmaan spoke as both of them started giggling like idiots. We three were going in the same car, Reyansh was driving, Ayushmaan beside him and I was in the back seat.

"Idiots!" I rolled my eyes, "I am not coming with you both while returning" I said scoffing.

"You are absolutely coming just with us okay?"Reyansh spoke, all seriously, protective.

"I am not a little baby," I said, rolling my eyes.

"ya ya sure, that doesn't mean you'll go alone di," Ayushmaan spoke, turning back looking at me.

"U both just irritate me" I groaned as both of them giggled.

We reached the venue, getting down it was all lit up, decorated. Many people were around, business partners, reporters, and families.

This place always manages to make me feel uneasy, I don't know why. I walked with my brothers, soon getting inside. All I could see was famous businessmen, their wives, and big celebrities around.

But my eyes searched for him. That one person I am least expected to search for. Viransh. Even if I deny, at every party or event, my mind always ends up thinking about him and eyes searching for him in the crowd of people.

He was not here I guess, I sighed internally. I don't know why I search for a person who hasn't talked a word to me in so long. I was standing by the bar side. Reyansh wasn't with me as papa took him aside to meet some business partners.

My father talking calmly with a smile on his face, his hand on my brother's shoulder, that stings somewhere in my heart.

"Look who's all grown up !" I heard a voice which made me turn back. I saw Mahendra Reddy, he was one of my father's business rivals. He was somehow related to the Singhania's. "I saw you when you were a little girl." He said, smirking wide.

I smiled plainly , no expressions, "Obviously grown up, I can't stay little forever" my words made his smirk flatter but he managed to keep it.

"Manav never speaks about you" He said, taking a sip of his drink.

"Because I am not a business topic, Mr.Reddy" my words were making his confidence flatten. "My father speaks business and not bullshit"

"He-" Before he would continue both of us were startled by a voice coming from behind.

"Mr.Reddy"

I turned back to see him.

Viransh.

Standing behind me just two steps away, I could still feel his heat here. Making my breath hitch, my eyes scanning his face, his eyes met mine. My heart stopped working for a second. His eyes flickered over me and then turned back to Reddy.

"Mr. Reddy," Viransh repeated, his tone polite enough to pass as respect-but cold enough to make the air shift.

Mahendra turned, his smirk returning when he recognised him.

"I heard you speaking to my... acquaintance," he said, stepping closer. "And I thought I should interrupt. You tend to forget your limits when no one reminds you."

Reddy chuckled. "Limits? I was merely having a conversation. With Manav's daughter."

Viransh's eyes hardened, sharp and unblinking.

"Exactly," he said quietly. "Manav Malhotra's daughter." The room suddenly felt smaller.

"You see," Viransh continued, swirling the drink in his hand without looking at it, "people who speak about her so casually usually forget one thing."

Reddy raised a brow. "And what's that?"

"That she doesn't need to be discussed. And those who try... rarely benefit from it."

Silence.

I could feel my heartbeat pounding, not from fear-from the way he stood there like he owned the ground beneath us.

"You're a man whose biggest achievement is being tolerated in rooms you don't belong in. So maybe next time-think twice before speaking to someone who could buy your entire legacy and still not find it worth keeping.". Viransh spoke in a calm, yet powerful voice.

Reddy's face was drained of colour.

His gaze flickered to me for half a second-so fast no one else would notice.

But I did.

"And Mr. Reddy," he added smoothly, "next time you feel like speaking about someone's childhood-make sure they've invited you into their present."

Reddy's jaw tightened. He muttered something under his breath, nodding stiffly before walking away.

The moment he left, the noise of the party returned-but something between us stayed suspended.

Viransh didn't look at me immediately.

"You handled him well," he said, voice neutral. Distant. As if he hadn't just shut a man twice his age.

I swallowed. "You didn't have to step in."

He finally turned."I know," he replied

Our eyes met again-too long, too intense. Then just like that, he took a step back.

Before I could respond or say anything further, he turned and walked away. Leaving me stunned and confused.

He walked away.

Just like that.

No glance back. No explanation. No space for questions that crowded my mind all at once. His presence faded into the crowd, swallowed by laughter and clinking glasses, as if he hadn't just stood beside me like a shield moments ago.

My fingers curled slowly at my sides, nails digging into my palms, trying to ground myself. My heart was still racing, confused by the sudden emptiness where his warmth had been seconds ago. It felt unfair-how he could step in, protect me with words sharp enough to cut, and then leave me alone with the aftermath.

Why did he care?

I exhaled softly, taking deep breaths, forcing my shoulders to relax, getting my face back into calm. People were watching. They always were. And I had learned long ago how to survive under their gaze.

The party continued as if nothing had happened.

Music flowed, laughter echoed, glasses clinked, and Dia shines at the centre of it all-smiling, glowing, surrounded by people who adored her. I stayed close, responding when spoken to, smiling when required, playing my role perfectly.

Calm. Composed. Unaffected.

At least on the outside.

Viransh didn't look at me again.Not once.

Even when he stood only a few steps away, speaking to investors, accepting wishes for Dia, moving through the room like he owned it-his gaze never flickered in my direction. It was as if I didn't exist. As if that moment earlier had been nothing more than my imagination.

And that hurt more than his words ever could.

I told myself it didn't matter. I had survived his absence for years; I could survive this silence too. I kept my chin up, my smile soft, my back straight.

The cake was cut. Applause filled the hall. Dia hugged everyone, her happiness infectious. I hugged her too, whispering a soft wish into her ear, meaning every word of it.

But he remained distant. Untouchable. Cold.

Until, I turned absentmindedly, reaching for a glass of water-and my eyes collided with his.

This time, he didn't look away.

The world seemed to pause.

The noise faded into something distant, muffled, unimportant. His gaze held mine-dark, unreadable, intense enough to make my heartbeat stumble. There was no anger there. No softness either. Just something heavy... something unresolved.

It felt so different, something I couldn't address.

My breath hitched, but I didn't move. Didn't blink. Didn't break away.

Neither did he.

For a moment that stretched far too long, it was just us-years of silence, memories, guilt, and questions packed into a single look.

Then, just as quietly, he looked away.

And the party resumed.But something had shifted.

I knew it.

He knew it.

And whatever stood between us-it had just become impossible to ignore.

----⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ♡ ･:*ೃ࿔⋆----

The first chapter of the book!!

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