Today was different. Both Ishaani and Rivaan woke up to a rare sense of peace-one they hadn't felt in years. It was as if the storm in their hearts had momentarily calmed, leaving behind a quiet they were unfamiliar with. But little did they know, this was just the beginning of something far greater than peace-something that would shake the very foundation of their lives.
As the soft rays of the morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of her bedroom, Ishaani stirred under the warmth of her thick, lavender-hued blanket. The cold air-conditioned room made her reluctant to leave the comfort of her bed, but the blaring alarm forced her awake. With a sigh, she pushed aside the blanket and sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
( Her room , Closet , Balcony , Bathroom )
She walked over to her wardrobe and pulled out pink kurti with Denims The fabric felt light against her skin as she changed, the color highlighting her warm brown eyes. Tying her long, wavy hair into a high ponytail, she applied a hint of kohl to her eyes and dabbed a soft pink lip tint before slipping on a pair of silver jhumkas. Grabbing her beige handbag, she made her way downstairs for breakfast.
In the dining room, her mother, Meera Malhotra, sat at the head of the table, scrolling through her phone with her usual indifferent expression. Across from her, Arjun, her younger brother, focused on his breakfast while tapping away on his tablet. The smell of freshly made aloo paratha filled the air as a house help placed a plate in front of Ishaani.
( Dining hall , kitchen , staircase , corridor )
I casually said " Good morning "
"Morning, beta," Mom replied, passing me a plate. "Aanya's wedding is next weekend. Have you decided what you're wearing?"
Arjun smirked. "Let me guess. You'll wear something last minute because you're too busy being a workaholic?"
I rolled my eyes. "Excuse me for having a job, Mr. Laid-back."
Mom chuckled, shaking her head. "Ishaani, I hope you take some time to enjoy yourself at the wedding. It's your best friend's big day."
Arjun Nodded, grinning. "Yeah, don't just show up, eat, and run back to work. Actually socialize. Who knows, maybe you'll find someone special there?"
I gave him a blank look. "Oh yes, because weddings are secretly matchmaking events."
He smirked. "They kind of are. "
Mom sighed. "Enough teasing your sister, Arjun Let her eat in peace."
The conversation moved on, but Ishaani felt the same emptiness settle in her heart. They only talked about events, never about each other. The bond they once had had long faded, replaced by hollow conversations and distant co-existence.
After finishing breakfast, she grabbed her car keys and drove to work. Dressed in a formal grey blazer over her salwar, she stepped into the office with her usual poised grace. The workday was monotonous, filled with endless files and meetings, but as the sun set, she found solace in her best friends' group chat.
I huffed, shaking my head as I focused on my breakfast. Their conversations were always about others-never about us. It was easier that way.
After breakfast, I grabbed my handbag and headed to work. The day passed in a blur of meetings, emails, and deadlines. By evening, I was drained, but there was one thing that always recharged me-my best friends.
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Best Friends' Group Chat ( Angoor Khatte Hain 😜 )
Aanya: Guys, wedding stress is real. How do people do this?!?
Samar: By hiring planners. But since you love chaos, here we are.
Neha: Samar, be useful for once and help her.
Samar: I am helping! Emotional support is a real thing, okay?
Ishaani: Somehow, I feel like your 'support' is more stressful than her wedding.
Aanya: Ishaani, please save me from these lunatics!
Samar: Rude. I am a blessing.
Neha: A blessing we didn't ask for but tolerate.
Aanya: If one more vendor cancels on me, I swear, I'm running away.
Samar: I support this. I'll be the getaway driver.
Ishaani: Great. We'll all be in jail before the wedding even happens.
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I smiled at the screen, their banter making me forget the exhaustion of the day. After chatting for a while, I bid them goodnight and headed home.
Later that night, I found Arjun sitting in the garden, scrolling through his phone. I plopped down beside him. "What's up?"
He raised a brow. "You voluntarily spending time with me? Should I be worried?"
I smacked his arm playfully. "Idiot. Just wanted to chill."
He leaned back, stretching his legs out. "So, how's life? Any New boyfriend ?"
I stiffened for a fraction of a second before scoffing. "Yeah, totally. We're eloping tomorrow."
Arjun snorted. "Good. I'll take all your books once you leave."
"Over my dead body."
We sat there in comfortable silence, the cool breeze rustling the leaves. "Did you ever think life would be this different?" I mused.
Arjun glanced at me. "Sometimes. But then I remember we don't have time to dwell on 'what ifs.' We survive. That's what we do."
I nodded, knowing he was right. But for the first time in years, I felt like maybe-just maybe-I didn't want to just survive anymore. I wanted more.
.
After breakfast, Rivaan changed into a crisp black suit and headed to his office. The moment he sat in his chair, he pulled out the pendant he had found at the beach and handed it to his manager. "Find out everything about the owner. I want all the details by evening."
By late afternoon, a file was placed before him. As he flipped through the pages, his eyes locked onto her name-Ishaani Malhotra. A small smile played on his lips as he read about her. He leaned back in his chair, determination settling deep in his heart. No matter what, I will marry her. And I will do it the right way.
That evening, Rivaan returned home, where his family and friends had gathered. The moment he stepped inside, his younger sister Rhea's eyes widened. "Maa, do something! I think Bhai is possessed! He's smiling again!"
His Dada , sipping tea, narrowed his eyes. "An imposter. That's not my grandson."
His cousin Kartik whispered to Aayansh, "Is he okay? Or did he hit his head?"
His Chachi nearly dropped his tea. "First smiling, now coming home early? Who are you, and what have you done to Rivaan?"
His best friend Zayan, lounging on the sofa, froze mid-sip. "Okay, who drugged him?"
Rivaan rolled his eyes. "Can I not have a peaceful evening with out you all acting like I committed a crime?"
His Dada smirked. "If you wanted peace, you should have been born into another family."
He regretted the decision of coming home early
Ignoring the chaos, Rivaan took a deep breath and announced, "I want to get married."
Dead silence.
Then-
Kartik, who had been coming down the stairs, missed a step and tumbled halfway down. His friends, who had been comfortably sprawled on the sofa, fell off in shock. His Chachu choked on his tea, and his dadu nearly dropped his cup, jar from his dadi's hand slipped . Even his usually composed father looked stunned.
Zayan coughed violently. "Wait-what?! You? Marriage?! Are we in some alternate universe?!"
Aayansh gasped dramatically. "Bhai, blink twice if you're being blackmailed."
His mother, Anjali, shook her head in disbelief. "You're serious, aren't you?"
Rivaan nodded. "Very. Day after tomorrow, we're going to see the girl for the proposal."
The chaos erupted again.
"WHAT?!"
Rhea looked personally offended. "Bhai, at least introduce us before dropping bombshells like this!"
His dadu sighed, rubbing his temples. "I need stronger tea. Maybe whiskey."
His father with a smirk on his face said " We all thought you were gay that is why you were avoiding marriage "
All the youngsters laughed like madman
His dadi, however, smiled softly. "Who is she?"
He tells them about Ishaani
Later that night, his mother, grandmother, and grandfather visited him in his room, their expressions softer. His mother sat beside him. "You've never shown interest in marriage before. Why now?"
He looked out at the city lights from his balcony. "Because this time, it's different. She's different. And I can't lose her."
They all were shocked as this was the first time he was showing emotions and instead of gaining her as a possession he is afraid to lose her
His grandmother placed a gentle hand on his. "Then, we will support you. But only if you're sure."
He turned to them, eyes filled with determination. "I am. No matter what, I will marry Ishaani."
His mother with some tears in her eyes " Zaroor, kuch toh jaadu hain us ladki mein warna Mera beta jisne itne salo mein kabhi pyaar ka naam nhi liya Aaj uski ankhon mein pyar jhalak rha hai "
(" Surely, there is some magic in that girl, otherwise my son, who has never said the name of love in so many years, today love is visible in his eyes. ")
As he lay in bed that night, he closed his eyes, knowing that his journey to win her heart had only just begun
________________________________________________________________________________
That night, Ishaani drifted off to sleep, oblivious to the storm about to hit her life. She had no idea that in the coming days, everything she believed in would be challenged.
And Rivaan? He lay in bed, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips, knowing one thing for sure-he was going to make Ishaani Malhotra his, no matter what. The game had just begun.
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