********************

Vihaan had finally reached Mumbai. The city lights glittered against the night sky as his car pulled up outside the luxury hotel. Without wasting a moment, he picked up his phone and dialed Aryan’s number. The call connected after a couple of rings.

“Hello, bhai… will you be able to come?” Vihaan asked with a hopeful tone, his voice carrying both excitement and a trace of nervousness.

Aryan chuckled softly from the other side. “Of course, brother. You’re about to receive such a huge award, how could I not come?”

Vihaan smiled knowingly. “I knew it. So, when should I expect you?”

Aryan sighed, glancing at the ongoing function he was stuck in. “As soon as this function here ends, I’ll head straight to you.”

“Okay, take care, bye,” Vihaan said warmly before disconnecting the call. He leaned back in his seat for a moment, letting the anticipation of the evening settle in.

*******************

Elsewhere in massoori…

Backstage at a grand college auditorium, Aashvi’s friend hurried towards her, whispering nervously. “Aashvi, your name is about to be announced. What should we do now?”

Aashvi’s eyes gleamed with determination. “I’ll perform today no matter what. Even if anything happens, I’ll stay on that stage.”

*************************

Scene shift

Meanwhile, Vihaan made another call, this time to Abhayash. “Brother, I’m inviting you, Shavni, and your family to my function. You have to come.”

On the other side of the line, Abhayash’s tone grew tense. “Vihaan, you know Aryan has never accepted me. He hates me, and honestly, I can’t even tolerate being in his presence. Your brother has always seen me as an outsider.”

Vihaan closed his eyes for a moment, trying to keep his patience. “Abhayash, bro… Aryan is my brother. He has stood by me since childhood. Yes, he may act differently, sometimes even harshly, but at the end of the day, he’s still my blood. Don’t you think for my sake both of you can at least try to stand under one roof for a few hours?”

Abhayash’s voice cracked. “Vihaan, you don’t understand—”

But Vihaan interrupted, his frustration slipping through. “Please, bro… I love you all. I want to see everyone together tonight. But if you still choose not to come, then it’s your decision. At least don’t refuse to acknowledge me.” His voice trembled at the end before he abruptly disconnected the call.

Tossing the phone aside, he muttered under his breath, “Uff… I’m stuck between both of them. Why do I always have to be the one managing their drama?”

*******************

Backstage with Aashvi

Nervousness had overtaken her. She walked up to her guru ji, her mentor, with worry written all over her face. “Guru ji, I’m so scared… I don’t know what’s going to happen. Will I even win today?”

Her mentor looked at her with calm eyes. “Are… child, you’re already doubting yourself? Confidence is the real need here. Without it, even the strongest falter. Remember, your heart must believe before the world does.”

She tried to smile but her voice betrayed her. “I’ve practiced so much, but still my condition is worsening. I can’t seem to calm myself.”

Her friend slipped beside her. “That’s only because you’re holding your breath too tightly. If you keep panicking, your performance will suffer.”

Aashvi frowned. “Why am I getting this strange fear today?”

Her friend teased gently. “Maybe because you still remember that guy who troubled you on the road last night.”

Aashvi’s eyes hardened. “Yes, and I’ll settle scores with him today.”

Her friend chuckled, then whispered again. “But as fate would have it, guess who’s the chief guest of our competition today? Aryan, your enemy himself. Not just as a guest—he’s going to judge you.”

Aashvi’s heart skipped a beat. “What? Shiv ji… so now I have to face him too? He’s the same guy who called me ‘chipda… lachar… weak.’ And now, if he says the same things in front of everyone, how will I even perform?”

Her friend shrugged, mischief glinting in her eyes. “Chipda… lachar… and whatever else he said. Let him repeat it, who cares? You should just shut him up with your performance.”

Aashvi’s jaw tightened. “No, it’s not just about winning anymore. This performance is necessary for me. It’s my only chance to prove myself, and he cannot stop me from winning. But… how do I gather the strength to perform in front of him?”

Her lips trembled as she whispered, “Shiv ji, please give me some idea…”

And just then, her name echoed through the auditorium speakers, announcing her entry onto the stage. The lights dimmed, the curtains began to part, and her heart pounded as if it might leap out of her chest.

*******************

Meanwhile…

Vihaan was still brooding when suddenly a soft, trembling voice called out near him. “Help me…”

He turned swiftly to find a young woman, Tanvi, rushing toward him. Fear painted her face as she begged, “Please help me… some ill-mannered boys have been following me. They won’t leave me alone.”

Vihaan’s brows furrowed. “What? Who are these fools?”

“Gadhe… real idiots,” Tanvi muttered, trembling.

Before he could say more, a group of boys appeared from behind, smirking menacingly. “Abbe chal chal! Let’s get out of here. That’s Vihaan Kohli. If we touch her in front of him, his bodyguards will beat the life out of us.”

Cursing under their breath, they ran off quickly.

Vihaan turned back to Tanvi, shaking his head with an amused smile. “So that’s it? But madam, you called those boys gadhe… does that mean all boys are idiots?”

Tanvi gave him a shy smile, finally feeling safe. “Right… not all. Just the ones who trouble others.”

And for the first time that evening, Vihaan laughed heartily, shaking off the weight of everything else on his mind.

*******************

The stage lights dimmed, a soft instrumental melody filled the hall, and Aashvi stepped onto the wooden platform draped in a delicate veil that hid her face. She wanted no one to see her trembling eyes, especially not Aryan. But once the music began, she let her soul take over. Every move of hers carried the weight of her fears, her pain, her determination to prove herself. The audience sat spellbound, unable to take their eyes off her.

And among them, Aryan, who had once dismissed her as fragile and weak, felt an unfamiliar pull. His gaze was locked on her silhouette, on the fluidity of her movements. “When I found a woman, it was just like her…” he murmured under his breath, lost in the trance of her dance, unaware of how deeply he was falling for the very girl he had mocked.

But fate decided to play its cruel part. Because of the limited vision from under the veil, Aashvi’s foot slipped at the edge of the stage. A collective gasp rose from the audience as she stumbled forward. Just when it seemed she would hit the ground, strong arms caught her mid-fall.

It was Aryan.

The world froze for a heartbeat as she lay in his lap, her veil fluttering with the sudden rush of air. And then, as if the universe wanted to expose their truth, the veil blew away completely. Aashvi’s face came into full view, her wide frightened eyes meeting Aryan’s stunned ones.

“You?!” Aryan’s voice cracked with disbelief. “Tum toh wahi…”

Aashvi quickly pushed herself up, fumbling with her words. “Hey Shiv ji… what have you done… hello, are you okay?” she asked, trying to brush it off with forced politeness though her heart raced in panic.

The Principal stepped forward, frowning at the awkward tension. “Miss Aashvi, do you know him?”

Aryan stood tall, his voice steady. “Of course. We know each other very well, right, Miss Sharma?”

Aashvi’s lips curved into a sarcastic laugh. “Know each other? We don’t. I only met him once… on the road.”

Aryan smirked, unwilling to let her words go. “Oh really, Miss Sharma? I thought you knew me very well—after all, you described my character so perfectly. Almost as if you’ve studied me.”

The Principal raised his brows, unimpressed. “Miss Aashvi, is this how you speak with Mr. Kohli?”

Aashvi stiffened, guilt clouding her eyes. “No, sir… it isn’t like that. I’m sorry… I think I should leave.”

Aryan leaned closer, his voice sharp with mockery. “Of course, you really should go from here…”

Anger blazed in her eyes, but she didn’t waste words on him. She simply glared, turned on her heel, and stormed away, leaving Aryan with an expression he couldn’t quite define—part satisfaction, part something else entirely.

*******************

Meanwhile, in another corner of the hall in Mumbai…

Tanvi stood chatting with Vihaan. There was a playful spark in her eyes as she declared boldly, “Yes, all boys are idiots. I mean… except you. The rest of them are all gadhe.”

Vihaan raised an amused brow. “Then what am I, Miss?”

She laughed nervously. “You’re different. You’re the Vihaan Kohli… the great author. Who doesn’t know you?”

Vihaan tilted his head, a teasing smile curving on his lips. “So you know me?”

“Of course I do!” Tanvi gushed, excitement bubbling in her words. “I’m your biggest fan. I’ve read all your novels. The way you write, the way you bring emotions alive—it’s mesmerizing. And… forgive me if I say this, but I’m sure if you ever fall in love in real life, you’ll be just as romantic as your stories.”

Her cheeks flushed crimson at her own boldness, and she quickly added, “Oops, I’m sorry… I talk too much. I hope you don’t mind.”

Vihaan only chuckled softly, arms folded as he admired her innocence. “Not at all. In fact, I find it… refreshing.”

Tanvi exhaled in relief, hiding her smile.

“By the way, what’s your name, Miss?” Vihaan asked gently.

“Tanvi. Tanvi Ahuja,” she said quickly. “And actually, I’m here for work. I’m a reporter, assigned to record your presence at this event. It’s my duty.”

“Ahh, Miss Tanvi Ahuja. Nice to meet you.” He extended a polite nod. But before the conversation could go any further, someone from across the hall called out, “Mr. Vihaan…”

Vihaan sighed. “I have to go now. Please, record properly, okay?”

Tanvi nodded eagerly. “Yes, of course.”

***********************

Back to the stage…

The Principal walked up with an envelope in his hand. The entire hall held its breath as the announcement drew near. “And the winner of this competition is…” he paused dramatically, “Mrinal Mishra.”

The audience erupted into polite applause. But backstage, Aashvi’s world shattered. Her mentor’s shoulders slumped in disappointment, and she herself stood frozen in disbelief. Her throat tightened, tears welling up.

“I told you,” she whispered brokenly. “Didn’t I say? That man would never let me win. He made sure I lost. He defeated me… without even lifting a finger.” Her voice cracked as sobs escaped her, her fragile body trembling under the weight of rejection.

Guru ji placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Don’t cry, child. Winning and losing are both part of the game. Don’t take it to heart.”

But Aashvi shook her head, her tears falling freely. “You don’t understand, Guru ji. I know how important this competition was for me. And still, I failed you. I couldn’t give you the happiness you deserved.”

Her sobs echoed softly against the empty corridor backstage, a sound that pierced deeper than any defeat on stage ever could.

The auditorium was buzzing with whispers, the audience restless as the winners of the competition were being announced. The principal stood on stage, his voice filled with a bit of hesitation, “Yes, yes… I am really sorry for that little confusion…” He adjusted his glasses nervously, clearly embarrassed about the mistake that had just taken place.

Aryan, dressed in his sharp formal attire, took the mic from him. His voice carried both authority and composure, but deep inside he was struggling to balance the fine line between fairness and his own emotions. “So sorry, actually, principal sir got a little confused about the winner announcement. Yes, Mrinal did well, but the heart of this competition, the one who truly stole the audience’s attention, is none other than Miss Aashvi Sharma. Miss Sharma, please come on stage—we are waiting for you.”

In the audience, Aashvi froze. Her friend nudged her shoulder excitedly, whispering, “Aashvi, your name has been announced… go on, get up on stage!”

Aashvi shook her head in disbelief. “But how can that be? I lost, didn’t I? Then why are they announcing my name?”

Her friend grabbed her hand with insistence. “Stop overthinking. Your name was called, and everyone is waiting. Mrinal has already accepted it, so just go. Otherwise, people will think you are crying out of jealousy.”

Guru ji, sitting beside her, smiled knowingly. “Now the real test begins, child. Will you have the courage to face the stage or not?”

Taking a shaky breath, Aashvi finally rose. Her feet felt heavy, yet every step toward the stage felt like destiny pulling her forward. As she climbed the steps, she whispered a soft greeting into the microphone, “Hello… hello, everyone.” Her voice trembled, but her eyes glimmered with both pride and disbelief.

The principal quickly added with an apologetic smile, “So sorry, Aashvi beta, there was a small confusion, but Mr. Kohli has corrected it.”

Aashvi nodded humbly. “It’s okay, sir…”

Aryan stepped closer, his eyes softening just slightly as he handed her the trophy and envelope. “Congratulations, Miss Sharma,” he said, his voice low but clear.

Aashvi accepted it with folded hands, “Thank you…” Her words were simple, but her heart was racing.

The function slowly came to an end, the audience dispersing. One by one, students left, until the hall started echoing with silence. Aryan remained at the side, collecting his papers and getting ready to leave.

Aashvi stood there, her trophy pressed close to her chest, and thought silently, So even this ‘Hitler’ has a soft corner… I thought he hated me enough to ruin me, but today, instead of pulling me down, he made sure I didn’t lose. I guess a thank you is the least I owe him.

Her lips parted as she called softly, “Ruko…” (Stop.)

Aryan turned back, surprised. “What?”

She took a hesitant step closer, her voice quiet yet filled with sincerity. “I wanted to… thank you. I really thought you would never help me, that maybe you even hated me enough to make me lose yesterday. But today you proved me wrong.”

Aryan crossed his arms casually, masking the slight tug of warmth in his chest. “Miss Sharma, first of all, I keep my personal and professional matters separate. Secondly, I don’t carry grudges in competitions. Whatever happened yesterday, I made sure today was fair.”

Aashvi blinked, her heart softening. “Still… if you wanted, you could’ve punished me. You could’ve humiliated me further. But you didn’t.”

Aryan leaned a little closer, his voice turning unexpectedly calm, almost teasing. “And what if I tell you… that I already did punish you?”

Her brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

He smirked faintly. “Do you remember when you tripped yesterday? You didn’t realize, but in that fall… you broke my most expensive watch.”

Her eyes widened instantly. “What…? When…?”

Aryan shrugged casually. “It doesn’t matter. That watch was from years ago, but still, it was valuable. If I wanted, I could’ve demanded you pay me back immediately. But I didn’t.”

Aashvi, feeling both guilt and relief, whispered earnestly, “Don’t worry… if it’s about the watch, I’ll replace it. Just tell me how much.”

He chuckled softly, raising an eyebrow. “You’d really replace it?”

“Yes,” she replied firmly. “If it broke because of me, then I’ll take responsibility. I’ll get it for you.”

“Alright then,” Aryan said smoothly, testing her. “It’s only ten lakh rupees. Do you still stand by your words?”

Her jaw dropped. “Ten… lakh?! Are you insane? Who even buys such an expensive watch?”

Aryan gave a half-smile, enjoying her reaction. “That’s the price of carelessness, Miss Sharma. Sometimes, words aren’t enough—you must back them up with action.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line, yet she didn’t back down. “Fine. The day I get a stable job, I’ll return your money along with interest. Until then, you’ll just have to write it down as a loan in your diary.”

For the first time that evening, Aryan’s lips curved into an unguarded smile. “Great… then I’ll wait.”

But before the moment could stretch further, his phone buzzed. He picked it up, hearing the familiar, affectionate voice of his grandmother. “Hello, dadi…”

“Aruu beta,” her voice crackled warmly, “when will you come home? I’ve been waiting.”

Aryan softened immediately, his tone gentler than Aashvi had ever heard. “I’m just leaving now. Ten more minutes, and I’ll be there. Don’t worry, I’ll reach before the function ends.”

As he hung up, he gave Aashvi one last look, as if silently telling her this conversation wasn’t over. And with that, he walked away, leaving her holding the trophy… and a storm of questions in her heart.

The call with his grandmother had barely ended when Aryan’s phone buzzed again. He sighed, pressing it against his ear. “Dadi, yes, tell me…”

On the other side, his grandmother’s concerned yet firm voice filled the air. “Aru, listen to me carefully. Your engagement date has been fixed. It’s happening soon. Come back quickly, there’s a lot of work to do. Saranya is already managing so much, and now it’s your turn. Don’t delay anymore. Once you’re here, we’ll talk properly. This isn’t something to brush aside.”

Aryan’s jaw tightened, his eyes momentarily flicking to Aashvi who stood a few feet away, clutching her trophy like a fragile shield. He inhaled deeply before answering, “Dadi, please… not right now. Let’s talk about this later. I’ll come home and handle everything, but for now, trust me.”

She wasn’t convinced. “No excuses, Aryan. Until you return, I won’t discuss this further. Come quickly.”

His tone softened with reluctant respect. “Ji, dadi… bye. Take care.” He ended the call, slipping his phone into his pocket, but his thoughts were far from calm. Engagement. The word rang in his ears like a warning bell.

Before the silence between them could stretch too long, Aashvi cleared her throat, her voice carrying determination. “Tum na ek kaam karo, Aryan ji. Calculate the cost of that watch and give me the figure. I’ll repay you. Aashvi Sharma never breaks her promise.”

Aryan raised a brow, his lips curling slightly. “Shut up. I don’t want hollow promises. I want my money back, and I want it soon. If you need a job, I can give you one right away. Become my wedding planner.”

The words hit her like cold water. “Wedding… planner?” she repeated, eyes wide in disbelief. “With you? Are you out of your mind? I’d rather go bankrupt than plan your wedding.”

His smirk deepened at her outrage. “And how do I trust that you’ll actually return my money? What if you run away? At least working for me guarantees repayment.”

Aashvi glared at him, her hands curling into fists. “I don’t run from my responsibilities. You can test me if you want, but I swear, I’ll repay every rupee. I don’t need your job to prove my honesty.”

Aryan’s eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing into hers. “That’s exactly why I offered, Miss Sharma. When someone stays in front of my eyes, I know they won’t dare cheat me. Refuse this, and don’t blame me later when I say you never paid me back.”

Aashvi’s frustration burned hot in her chest. “Fine! If that’s the only way to shut you up, then I’ll do it. I’ll work as your planner, but remember this, Aryan—once your money is returned, I’ll walk away without looking back. This isn’t about you. It’s about my word.”

“Good,” Aryan replied coolly. “We’ll see how long you last. For now, let’s leave. I have no time to waste.”

She rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, “Arrogant Hitler…” But then she stopped suddenly, her expression softening. “Wait. I can’t just disappear. I need to talk to Guru ji first. He deserves to know where I’m going.”

Aryan checked his watch impatiently. “Fine, twenty minutes. Not a second more. Hurry up, Miss Sharma.”

Aashvi nodded, then rushed back inside to where her Guru ji sat in quiet contemplation. With trembling words, she explained everything—about Aryan, about the job, about her promise. Guru ji listened silently, his wise eyes calm but knowing. Finally, he placed his hand on her head. “Go, child. Sometimes the path chosen by fate is the one that frightens us the most. But don’t run from it. Learn from it.”

Moments later, with her Guru ji’s blessing, Aashvi walked toward Aryan once again. He was already waiting near his car, leaning against it with practiced indifference. She tightened her grip on her bag, inhaled sharply, and climbed inside.

That was how Aashvi Sharma, with reluctant steps but a burning fire in her heart, found herself heading toward Mumbai—toward Aryan’s world, a place that promised both answers and chaos.

To be continued-

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