In a room covered in soft hues of baby pink and white, fairy lights shimmered in soft lighting. A bed in the center was covered with plush cushions surrounded by a canopy of white net flowing drapery.

A study table placed in one corner, an open book and a framed family photograph placed on it. Beside which a bookshelf overflowed with her favorite novels, while the adjoining balcony with a pleasant set up, a cozy swing, a coffee table, and her beloved plants.

On the bed lay a girl in a dark pink skirt and white blouse. The sunrays of early morning filtering through the curtains fall on her fair skin. The golden nose pin she wore glinted under the sun's soft rays.

"I love you!" she whispered her voice laced with tenderness. "I love you too!" came the reply from the other end of the call. A smile tucked on her lips. Hugging the phone to her chest she turned closing her eyes, her long curly locks spilling across the bedsheet.

In the stillness of the dawn the faded chirpings of the birds added to the pleasantry as she imagined his presence, his touch lingering on her skin, but the reality crept in he wasn't there. He was hundreds of kilometers away, and this phone was her only lifeline to him.

As her thoughts drifted deeper a knock at the door broke the silence. Hastily wiping away her tears, she grabbed her dupatta kept beside and moved toward the door. "Parthvi teri aankh... tu soi nahi na sahi se?" her mother's voice was soft as she took in her puffy eyes.

(Parthvi your eyes... you didn't sleep well, did you?)

Before Parthvi could respond, Sumitra's gaze fell on the open books kept on her study table. "Kitni baar kaha hai tujhse ki samay se so jaya kar, par tu meri kabhi nahi sunti..."

(How many times have I told you to sleep on time, but you never listen...)

"Shh, maa, shant ho jaiye. It's just six in the morning aur hum so gae the samay par!" Parthvi cut her worries in between.

(Shh, Maa, calm down. It's only six in the morning, and I did sleep on time.)

With a soft affection she patted her cheek when a forgotten though hit in "Hey bhagwan! Tere chakkar mein hum to bhul hi gaye Nakul bhaisaab aur unka parivaar kuch dino ke liye aa rahe hain!"

(Oh God! Because of you, I completely forgot, Nakul bhaisaab and his family are coming to stay for a few days!)

"Nakul uncle?" Parthvi's expression shifted as memories and a specific familiar face resurfaced her memory lanes and all she could wonder was "Itne saal baad achanak kyu?"

(Nakul uncle? Why all of a sudden after so many years?)

"Kuch zameen ka mamla hai, isiliye vo or unke bete aarahe the phir Sangeeta aur Rashmi ne bhi jid ki sabse milne ki."

(There's a land dispute, so he and his son were to come but them Sangeeta and Rashmi insisted on meeting everyone.)

Her mother's words faded into the background as Parthvi's thoughts as she zoned out her attention fixed on a certain sentence "Unke bete aarahe."

(His son was to come.)

" Are you listening? Hurry up and get ready, there's a lot of work!" her mother's louder tone pulled her back into the present.

Humming softly to herself, Parthvi locked the door behind as Sumitra left in a hurry while Parthvi sat on the bed with an uncertain feeling crawling her back.

PARTHVI’S POV:

Time feels like a fleeting whisper, ten years have passed as if in the blink of an eye. In all these years, I didn't have a pinch of idea about his whereabouts, I never tried to know, it never mattered.

We weren't friends, nor were we enemies. Somewhere, we existed in between, just strangers. But now, with his sudden mention and the fact that he will be here in some hours, I can't help but wonder—how much has he changed? How does he look now? Is he still the same?

Shaking my head, I dismissed the thoughts and made my way to the bathroom to get ready.

Settling on a white skirt adorned with red embroidery, a matching blouse and a vibrant red dupatta. I stood before the mirror, impressed at how the skirt hugged my waist and how the heart-shaped neckline was just right.

I was not an hourglass figure, but my curves were on point, and I loved myself like this. Applying a thin kajal I placed a small black bindi on my forehead, followed by my favorite earrings and pinning the dupatta.

I picked up my nude lip gloss as my gaze fell on the small mole on my lips barely visible unless someone was close enough to see it. I always covered it with lip gloss or lipstick, cherishing it as something private, something meant only for him as I love exclusivity in my relationship.

Fixing my long curls on place and looked in the mirror. Once satisfied, I clicked a picture, sent it to him, and walked down the stairs.

"Beta, tujhe maddad karne ke liye bulaya tha, tu to khud mehmano ke samay pe aari hai!"  Maa grumbled under her breath but as she turned towards me a smile appeared on her face

(I called you to help, but you're arriving just as the guests are about to come!)

Giggling, I walked towards Dadi to greet her who in return stroked my hairs. "Bohot pyaari lag rahi hai!"

("You look so beautiful!")

"Are you going somewhere?" Bhai asked, his voice as usual cold and distanced, his presence filling the hall with a sense of authority. "No, Bhai, just the guests. I replied softly.

Me and bhai were the closest during our childhood but after a certain age he drew his line pulling up his walls. Maybe the responsibilities and a feeling of keeping his family safe and protected did this to him.

"Haa bhai, ye to roz hi aese taiyaar hoti hai, bas aaj inke chehre pe alag hi noor hai. Koi khaas aa raha hai kya?"  came Vedanshi, I rolled my eyes in annoyance running towards Papa.

(Yes, Bhai, she always dresses like this. But today, there's a special glow on her face. Is someone special coming?)

"Papa, hum kaise lag rahe hain?" see beamed standing in front of him with a big grin.

(Papa, how do I look?)

"Hamesha ki tarah, bohot pyaari!" Veer smiled warmly at her, his voice filled with affection, before turning to his wife. "Sab taiyaari ho gayi hai na? Vo log bas pahuchne wale hain."

(As always, very beautiful! / Is everything ready? They're about to arrive.)

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"We've all been waiting for you for so long!" Nakul's booming voice broke through the stillness as he called out as the footsteps pulled their attention.

He stood in all his glory in a crisp white shirt and denims, right wrist covered with sacred threads while in left shined a Rolex. The two opened buttons and rolled up sleeves put his muscles on show while his abs peeping from the thin fabric. In Gelled up hairs and light stubble his face glowed with a charm, his existence the true definition of perfection.

"And I've been waiting for all of you in the car for just as long!" Randheer retorted, walking into the house, clearly annoyed.

"Did you even tell anyone?" Sangeeta asked and shook her head at him in disbelief. "I told this little princess of yours’s, but she's too busy eating and sleeping to care!" he hit Rashmi's head lightly who merely rolled her eyes in response.

"Randheer, why do you always trouble her?" Sangeeta tired with their banter's scolded him. "it's a four-hour long ride, let's go now!" Nakul interjected.

The drive was silent as Randheer took the wheel, Nakul sitting on the passenger seat, with Sangeeta and Rashmi seated in the back.

RANDHEER’S POV:

An uneasy feeling took on me as I recalled the conversation I'd had with Papa. I hadn't wanted to come in the first place, and the idea of staying at her house didn't fit well with me. We could've stayed elsewhere, but my father is too insisted on maintaining his family ties.

I groaned inwardly annoyed as my thoughts kept drifting back to my gulla over and over again. She was always sweet and chubby and I'd loved teasing her. But is she still the same? Still My Gulla?

A smile tugged at my lips as I remembered how easily she would get annoyed by that nickname. But it doesn't matter. Nothing ever did between us. We are still just strangers, aren't we? Maybe because we never tried to be anything else and break the ice.

'Because you were always mean to her!' my conscience came pushing it away I brought my attention back on the road, navigating through the thin lanes of the village as we reached our destination.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the rear-view mirror, running a hand through my hair in an attempt to look more presentable.

"Bhai, no one is going to see you!" came the irritating voice of my dear little sister I shot her a playful glare before stepping out of the car.

As I stood there on the gate, my heart began to race, a sensation foreign to me. Could it be because of her?

 Could it be that I, The Randheer Thakur is actually, nervous?

The soft tinkling sound of anklets floated through the air, jolting me from my thoughts. My eyes instinctively searched for her, but a pang of fear gripped me, would I even recognize her after all these years?

-----------✽✽---------------✽✽-----------

Parthvi stood on her balcony her gaze impatiently waiting fixed on the roads. A knot of nervousness twisted in her stomach, her mind restless and unsettled.

"Why am I so anxious?" she murmured to herself moving inside closing the balcony behind as the car horns covered the background.

Startled, she walked toward the door but halfway there, she stopped and turned back glancing herself at the mirror, in a delicate hand movement she smoother her hairs and hurried downstairs as the tinkling of her anklets announcing her presence, with each step her anticipation increasing.

Veer and Nakul embraced each other in a strong, masculine hug, while Sumitra rotated a few cloves around their heads throwing them away.

As Randheer and Rashmi bent to touch Veer and Sumitra's feet, Veer stopping him midway by holding his shoulders and pulled him into a hug, patting his shoulder warmly while Sumitra lovingly cupped Rashmi's cheek.

Aadarsh and Vedashni came forward greeting them as the family exchanged pleasantries. "Vedanshi kitni choti si thi tum!" Sangeeta's eyes shinned with nostalgia. 

(Vedanshi, you were so little!) 

"Aap sabka bohot swagat hai!" Veer's deep voice echoed as he welcomed them into the house. 

(You all are very warmly welcomed!) 

"Parthvi bitiyaan kahaan hai?" Nakul asked, and Randheer's heart skipped a beat. His body tensed subtly, which didn't go unnoticed by Aadarsh walking beside him. 

(Where is Parthvi daughter?) 

"I am right here, Uncle!" she replied cheerfully, stepping forward with a tray of sweets, while Raju carried a tray of water behind her.

Placing the tray on the table she moved to touch Nakul and Sangeeta's feet, but Nakul affectionately patted her head while Sangeeta pulled her into a warm embrace. 

"Parthvi diiii!!" Rashmi chirped, running to hug her tightly leaving Randheer in a state of shock while Parthvi, too, was taken aback. Since when had she and Rashmi become so close? They'd barely spoken.

In the midst of it all, her gaze yearned to have a chance to look at someone else, but can she just openly stare at him? She excused herself into the kitchen, the large window attaching it to the hall allowed her to steal subtle glances.

PARTHVI’S POV:

"Didi, kahaan kho gayi ho?" Reena's playful nudge broke my thoughts. 

(Sister, where are you lost?) 

"Nahi...kahi nahi...main bahar jaa rahi hoon, aap ye lekar aao," I replied hastily, masking the flustered look putting it on the heat in the kitchen. 

(No... nowhere... I'm just heading out, you bring this.) 

As I stepped out of the kitchen Vedanshi appeared, dragging me towards the seating in the backyard with the youngsters sitting together.

I settled beside Rashmi as we engaged in a casual chit chat while Bhai and he talked about business but soon Bhai excused himself to attend a call while Vedanshi took Rashmi to use the washroom, I found myself sitting alone with him in front of me.

With Rashmi, it had been easy, but with him, should I initiate a conversation?

But what if he ignores me?

I nervously picked up my phone, more out of a desire to distract myself than anything else and my thoughts drifted to Saransh; he would've adored the picture I sent earlier is what I thoughts opening the inbox, but my smile quickly faded as I saw the 'Seen.'

He hadn't responded again. He's been doing that to almost every message I send but is quite normal on the calls. I just hope it gets fine and he is just busy nothing else. With a soft sigh I kept my phone back.

Randheer was still there but no longer engrossed in his phone rather his gaze fixated directly on me, wait no, his gaze directly glaring at me. a shiver ran down my spine with the intensity in his eyes as I looked away instinctively.  

Why did her smile fade so suddenly? And why does that even concern me? I pushed the thought aside, but before I knew it, I found myself shifting beside her "Ghar aaye mehmaan ki khatirdaari karte hain!" I scoffed lightly.

(We should at least show some hospitality to our guests.) 

She turned toward me, and I took her face closely after years. I didn't have to worry about getting caught stealing glances at her.

I couldn't figure out why I was doing this but perhaps it's because despite knowing her for so long, I don't really know her. She's like a puzzle, a mystery that I can't help but yearn to solve. 

"Kya kami reh gayi aapki khatirdaari mein?" she quipped back; her tone sharp. 

(What was lacking in your hospitality?) 

"You didn't come to greet us at the door!" I teased though I was aware I was uttering nonsense. "Why? Are you some king that everyone must show up just for you?" she retorted with a roll of her eyes.

That roll of her eyes did something to me. I couldn't help but imagine how beautiful she would look doing that while caught between my arms in bed.  

Ram! Ram!

What am I thinking? I face-palmed internally, trying to shake off the unholy rather, ahem, naughty thoughts.

"Accha gulla..." I began, teasingly, but stopped as her eyes shot daggers at me, offended. 

(Alright, gulla...) 

"Okay, so I can't call you that anymore?"  I asked, growing up she had lost so much weight. She was always perfect and enchanting. She shook her head firmly. "Arey yaar, now you're making me work to come up with a new nickname!" I groaned dramatically.

(Oh, come on, now you're making me come up with a new nickname!) 

"I was chubby when I was a kid, and you used to bully me with that name. But if you say it again, I swear..." she stood up, her cheeks flushed.

"You will?" I raised an eyebrow, challenging her to complete, stepping closer.  "I'll call you whatever I want. What will you do, huh?" I smirked taking a step forward reducing the distance between us clearly enjoying.

While my eyes traced her sharp features, small nose, her big, expressive eyes, and that glittering nose pin. 'Control yourself, Randheer' I reminded myself taking a step back and she ran inside.

Later that night I lay in bed, scrolling through my phone, only to see it again: Seen 14 hours ago. My eyes then caught another message—'Hey, want to talk to you about something. Call me.'

It was from his friend. It was unusual, because he never messaged me unless it was something about Saransh. An ominous feeling settled in my chest.

I dialed the number with slightly trembling fingers. He picked up the call after 2 rings, my delusional world with Saransh came down crashing with each word.

Though his voice was gentle each word was like a sharp blade, cutting through me. Saransh couldn't even tell me himself that it was over. There was another alliance for him, and his family was fond of the girl. I had been left out, discarded. Hugging my knees to my chest, I sobbed quietly into the night.

I had been ready to sacrifice everything for him—my family, their respect, my father's pride, only for him to abandon me so easily. Was everything he told a lie? Was the love I thought we shared nothing more than a mere illusion he created?

The silver ring on my finger caught the light, the one he had gifted me on my birthday less than a month ago. Now, it felt like a weight of betrayal. Slowly, with shaking hands, I removed it, staring at it in disbelief but I didn't have the courage to throw it away.

My hands shivered badly, chest collapsing as I gasped for air. Folding my legs in padmasan, I closed my eyes and began chanting softly, my voice breaking between sobs:

"Karpur Gauram Karunavataram, Sansara Saram Bhujagendra Haram, Sadavasantam Hridyaaravinde, Bhavam Bhavani Sahitam Namami..."

Inhaling deeply, I allowed the calming mantra to wash over me, passing the night in broken meditation.

RANDHEER’S POV:

Even after a long, exhausting drive, rest abandoned me. My body was weary, yet restlessness gripped me. Stripping off my shirt, I pulled on a simple tee and made my way to the balcony.

The moonlit night was quiet, serene even, but my thoughts were far from still. My gaze shifted toward her balcony; her room bathed in soft light.

Was she awake too?

To Be Continued....