She still looks the same and yet somehow she doesn't. There is something different now, something that makes it harder to breath when I look at her.

She is more beautiful than I can imagine not just in the way her face still holds that familiar softness, but in how time had shaped her sharper eyes, fuller lips, a grace in the way she stands even in silence, she command attentions.

She's ravishing now, not the innocent kind of beauty she once carried. This is something deeper, bolder and dangerous.

She's tempting, every movement feels like an invitation I'm trying not to take. Every glance, every breath she takes feels likes it is testing the restraint i'm barely holding onto.

She still looks like her, but now she feels like sin wrapped in silk. And god help me, I'm not sure if I want to hold her, kiss her or....ruin her.

But there is one thing I know for sure that she is mine. Doesn't matter if she is married, or whose name she is carrying now. She was always meant for me, from the very begining she belongs to me, her every glance, her stolen moments, and every silent promise between us belongs to me.

And no piece of paper, magalsutra, person or any vows can change that. She might try to run, or deny it but I'll remind her. I'll break every wall she built and pull her back to where she belongs ....with me.

I swear it, even if i have to tear the whole world apart, she will be mine. But she is not someone who's gonna bend easily.

As soon as she stepped out, the fury I had been holding back exploded like a storm. I lost it. I hurled everything within reach, curtains ripped from the rods, bedsheets torn off in a frenzy, artifacts smashed against the walls, and mirrors shattered into thousands glinting shards. The chaos echoed off the walls, but still nothing brought me peace.

My chest heaved with ragged breaths, hands trembling with rage, hear screaming for her. I need her, right here, in this room, in front of me, and she will be here. Panting heavily, I yelled, " Get Nandini here, Now!?

Moments later, a maid came running, eyes wide frozen at the threshold as she took a look at the wrong, the destruction and madness I caused.

"Call Nandini," I ordered, voice tight and strained, "She needs to fix and arrange everything."

"But...s...ir.."

I snapped my voice thundered through the room, "Now!"

She flinched, nodded quickly with fear in her eyes, "ye..s sir," she stammered before scrambling away, almost tripping in a hurry.

My Place is like a whole palace, and i have dedicated floor having everything- gym, pool, theater, kitchen, library and so on.

But right now, it feels like a cage, untill sje comes back. Nothing in this place mattered.

Within ten minutes, the door burst open. The maid stumbles in first, panting, followed closely by nandini- her face flushed breath coming in shallow gasps, eyes wide with confusion and fear.

The moment Nandini saw the room, she froze her gaze swept across the shattered mirrors, the torn curtains, the broken fragments of what was once a pristine space. Panic flickered in her eyes, but she kept quite-barely able to hide her nervousness.

I stepped towards her slowly,my voice low but cold enough to cut glass, "Fix it up, rearrange everything."

She opened her mouth to speak, but the maid jumped in before she could, "Of course sir, I'll help her..."

"No" my voice was calm but laced with steel. I didn't even glance at the maid. My eyes were locked on Nandini. "She will do it, alone. You can leave."

The maid hesitated, confused, 'but, sir...."

"I said leave!" I shouted,my voice echoing through the broken room like thunder.

They both flinched. Tension hung in the air, thick and suffocating. The maid bowed her head quickly, stumbling backward as she rushed out of the room, not daring to speak again.

Nandini stood there froze, her hands trembling slightly still staring at the mess, then at me. This wasn't just about cleaninh a room. This was a storm and she was in the eye of it.

She stepped into the room slowly, almost cautiously like she was walking on shattered glass, afraid of one wrong move and the storm will ignite again.

Her eyes didn't meet mine, not once. She just quietly moved towards the chaos and began her work-picking up torn fabrics, collecting broken shards, straightening what little remained untouched.

Each movement was careful, precise with trembling and tension.

Something inside me shifted by just watching her here, right in front of me. The storm inside me, which had been raging like wildfire, began to calm.

Her presence alone was enough. My chest once tight with rage, felt lighter. My fist clenched in fury moments ago loosened.

She is here and just like that my anger melted into silence. And peace found its way back to me.

A few minutes passed and for the first time in days, maybe weeks, I felt something close to peace. Just by watching her, my little bird, silently putting the pieces back together.

She is righ here with me. But the silence didn't last long. The door slammed open as my sister barged in, her voice sharpe, "Bhaii, everyone's waiting for you...." She stopped dead in her track, her eyes widening at the wrecked state of the room. For a moment, pyre shock painted jer face. But then - rage, hot and sudden. Without warning, she stormed towards Nandini and yanked her by the arms.

"What the hell are you doing here?" She shouted her tone harsh, "didn't you remember? You're supposed to be in Dadi's section, serving her!"

Nandini flinched, clearly startled, but before she could utter a word, I was already there. I grabbed Riya's wrist, pulling her away from Nandini with a cold stare.

"Riya, whats gotten into you? You never treated Nandini like this before? What's really going on?" I asked my voice low but firm.

Her eyes darted just for a second, and that was enough. Her expression shifted ever so subtly. Guilt and tension flickered there, a little too late.

If I hadn't know her well, I would'v missed it. But I saw and felt it. She scrambled for an excuse, "No bhai, actually it's not what you are thinking. Dadi... Yes, dadi, she was asking for Nandini. After you left, nandini started helping her with everything. I just thought maybe she ignored her duties and came here, that's all..."

I stared at her, as she lied so effortlessly.

"Enough," I cut in sharply, my voice laced with finality. She froze. I had already began to suspect that Riya played a role in Nandini's so-called marriage. The timing, the silence, the sudden changes, it all pointed back to her. And now I was sure.

But she didn't know that I was already digging the truth, and very soon i will uncover the truth.

"I asked her to come here, she's here to fix my room and she will be serving me, not anyone else." I replied coldly stepping between them. Then turned to Nandini with a look that left no room for protest.

"No, lets go others must be waiting." And just like that, I order riya to join leaving Nandini.

But my mind was burning.

🍁

In the Dining Room

The atmosphere was calm on the surface but thick underneath. We all sat along the long, elegant table quietly having lunch.

Dadi sat at the head, as always draped in tradition and pride. Beside her my father Mr. Harish Malhotra, was focused on his plate and next to him, my mother Mrs. Janvi Malhotra, as always composed but silently observing everything.

Riya and I were seated on the opposite side, directly across the distance wasn't just physical, but it felt symbolic.

"We have to leave for Delhi today," my father saif, breaking the silence, his tone practical, as a matter of fact, "tomorrow Mr Raichand will officially announce Abhimanyu as the new CEO of their empire. We need to be there."

Dadi's eye lip up at the mention, her voice followed with warmth and enthusiasm, "ohh yes, I remember! We must attend. The Raichand's are our family. And once they announce Abhimanyu's Success, we'll also need to start preparing for a grand celebration. Raghav's returns must be honoured in full glory. Our investors are eager to meet him. Everyone's talking about how well Raghav's overseas empire is growing under him."

She looked at me with pride. But I felt the weight behind her words. There was something more. Something unspoken cooking in her mind. I could see it in her eyes, the way they sparkled not just with affection, but with plans.

But none of it mattered to me now. Let them plan their empires, let them bathe in power, parties and legacy. But I didn't return for any titles ,thrones or crowns. But I returned for her, for my Nandini.

I already have everything I ever needed-my self made empire in Europe. Built from scratch, blood, swear and countless, sleepless nights. Which I didn'f inherited bute armed it, and I'm damn proud of it. So they can keep their legacy, their CEOs titles, celebration to them.

The only thing I want is to get her back. I put my spoon down and looked up, voice firm and unshaken, "I won't be going. I have work to finish."

The air shifted instantly. Tension crackles like static across the table. My father paused mid-bite, frowning, "How can you miss such an important event? Abhimanyu is your closest friend. You have to be there, there will be media, dignitaries-your absence will only spark unwanted gossip."

I leaned back in my chair, unbothered, meeting his gaze without blinking, "I don't care, I have more important things to deal with than entertaining your so called inportant people." I replied coldly.

He tried again, his tone gentler this time more measured, "Raghav listen, this isn't just about You and me. It's about our name, reputation and most importantly our relation with them, it matters."

I didn't flinch, and replied flatly"it doesn't matter to me," Then, without missing a beat, I added, "And yes Riya wom't be going either."

The words hit like a slap. Riya's head snapped towards me, startled. "what? Bhai... But why? I have to go, I....want to go."

I turned to her, gaze firm, "No, you're staying."

"But why, bhai?" She asked again, her voice cracking under the weight of confusion and desperation.

I exhaled slowly, staring right at her, "It's your punishment and you know exactly why you're getting it."

Anger and tear welled up in her eyes, "I'm not a kid to get punished,"

"For me you are still a child, if you think you are grown up then fine Go, but remember, abhi is my friend first before anything to you." I challenged her.

"Please, bhaii...it's Abhimanyu's big day. I want to be there for her. Please....." Her voice broke and for a momwnt just a moment my heart did too.

I hated seeing her like this, she is my baby sister, my shadow who grew up with me. The one who tied Rakhi to my wrists with her tiny hands and called me her hero.

But then I saw Nandini's face flash in my mind. The pain, the fear, the betrayal she must have felt. And I hardened my mind. I had to be fair. Even it if hurts. Riya should face the consequences for staying silent about that waste of a wedding, and also for how she treated Nandini today.

I turned my eyes away from her, forcing myself not to break, I said, voice low and final, "Stay back,"

She dropped her gaze, her shoulder trembling, silent

tears fell onto her plate

And I.....I cleaned my fist beneath the table swallowing the ache in my chest.

___________________________