Vansh's pov :

Finally, Riddhima was back. I had an important meeting in Bangalore, one I couldn't avoid. Yet, I postponed it by a day because I wanted to be here to welcome her home. I spent the entire day with her and my family, cherishing every moment. When it was time to leave, she came with me to the airport to see me off

The plan was to stay in Bangalore for ten days, but I worked tirelessly to complete everything in just seven. Every minute away from her felt like an eternity, and all I could think about was returning to her. Finally, I'm heading home, where I can hold her in my arms, lose myself in her embrace, and forget the world as I fall asleep in her arms. She's not just my love—she's my home.

When I reached home, it was quite late at night, and I didn't want to disturb anyone, so I quietly went to my room and lay down to sleep. I was supposed to arrive five hours earlier, but my plane was delayed by three fucking hours. Tomorrow, I'll surprise everyone properly.
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.
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I opened my eyes and glanced at the clock. It was almost afternoon. Exhaustion had caught up with me, and I'd slept far longer than I intended. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I sat up, and instinctively, the first thing I did was glance toward her room's window.

And there she was.

The sight of her took my breath away. Dressed in a soft pink saree, she looked radiant, almost otherworldly. The sunlight streaming in through her window only added to her glow. My heart skipped a beat as I watched her move about, seemingly in a hurry.

She quickly gathered something and headed downstairs, leaving me momentarily stunned. She looked like a goddess, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from her even after she was gone.

But my mind kept wondering why was she wearing a saree? Today wasn't a special occasion, at least not that I could recall. I suddenly felt something was off, and it wasn't a good feeling. My instincts were screaming at me that something bad was about to happen.

Just then, I saw a car pull up in front of her house. Curious and eager to see her up close and figure out what was going on, I decided it was time to get up and find out.

I anxiously waited for a few minutes before entering her house through the internal gate that connects both of our homes. I waited, giving them time to settle in, hoping I could learn the truth without raising suspicion.

My chest tightened as unease crept in. Cold sweat formed on my forehead. I tried to think positively, but a part of me wouldn't let go of the nagging feeling that something was off. My instincts screamed at me that something bad was about to happen.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the lounge area, which was close to the kitchen. My parents Papa, Baba, and Maa were sitting with three unfamiliar guests. The moment they saw me, their expressions shifted. Shock flickered in their eyes, as if they'd been caught red-handed. But they quickly masked their emotions, and Baba introduced me to the guests.

"He's my son, Vansh," Baba said with a forced smile.

I didn't respond. Instead, I silently took a seat beside Baba, keeping my emotions in check. My fists clenched as I tried to appear calm, though my blood was already boiling.

Seated across from me was a young man, likely in his late 30s, accompanied by an elderly couple who I assumed were his parents. My eyes immediately locked on him, and recognition hit me like a punch.

I had seen him before at the wedding. He had been creepily staring at Riddhima that day. I had barely contained myself then, resisting the urge to rip his eyes out of their sockets. The only thing that stopped me was Riddhima's gaze, which had been fixed only on me.

Now, here he was, sitting in her house.

The elderly woman with him wouldn't stop talking, her constant chatter grating on my nerves within minutes. Meanwhile, the old man barely spoke, limiting himself to one- or two-word answers. And I noticed young mans eyes kept darting around the room, as if searching for someone.

The soft sound of anklets (payal) broke my thoughts, snapping my attention toward the kitchen.

And there she was, Riddhima.

She looked as stunning as ever, dressed in a light pink saree. My breath hitched, but the moment I saw her she was looking down, my heart dropped.

Riddhima walked in with Mumma, carrying a tray in her hands. And that's when it hit me like a ton of bricks.

Now I knew exactly what was happening.

These people—they were here to see her as a potential bride.

The realization felt like a dagger to my chest. Anger and sadness washed over me, making it hard to breathe. My vision blurred for a moment, but I refused to let a single tear fall.

I felt betrayed by my parents, by her parents, by her, by everyone I loved. How could they do this?

It was like déjà vu. I had seen this in my nightmares before—Riddhima marrying someone else, her parents giving her away to another man while I stood helplessly, watching my world fall apart.

And now, it was happening right in front of me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, my fists tightening as I tried to calm the storm brewing inside me. I felt frozen—unable to move, unable to speak—still struggling to process what I was seeing. My eyes were glued to her, following her every move.

She first approached the old lady, then the young man, and finally the older man. My gaze never left her, but she kept her eyes downcast the entire time.

And then, she turned around.

The moment her eyes met mine, she froze. Shock washed over her face no, more than shock. She looked devastated. Her eyes clouded as if she was fighting back tears.

I forced a fake smile, reaching out to take a cup from the tray she was holding. She lingered in front of me, unable to move. For a brief moment, we held eye contact, Mumma came over and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, pulling her away.

"Riddhima, you sit. I'll serve," Mumma said softly, taking the tray from her trembling hands and placing it on the table.

I watched helplessly as she led Riddhima away, but before they could move far, the old hag interrupted.

"Ajao beta, come sit beside me," she said, patting the couch next to her, right between herself and her son.

Mumma hesitated but then gave a fake tight-lipped smile and gently nudged Riddhima toward them. With visible reluctance, Riddhima sat beside the old hag.

Once seated, the woman set her cup down and turned her full attention to Riddhima. She reached out, caressing her face as if inspecting her.

"Bohot hi pyaari bacchi hai apki" she said, her voice dripping with approval. "I was so happy when my son said he liked her. I didn't want to waste any time and immediately sent this rishta."

That was it.

I couldn't take it anymore.

My grip on the cup tightened until I heard a sharp crack. The cup shattered in my hand, spilling tea and leaving shards digging into my palm.

But the sting in my hand was nothing compared to the ache in my chest the kind of ache that tightens your throat and leaves your heart pounding painfully against your ribs. It wasn't just pain; it was betrayal, helplessness, and anger all rolled into one suffocating weight

The ache spread, clawing at my insides, making it hard to breathe. My mind raced with questions I didn't have answers to. Was this her choice? Had she agreed to this? Or was she just as trapped as I felt?

I wanted to scream, to demand answers, to drag her out of this farce and hold her close, promising her she was mine and always would be. But instead, I stood there, frozen in place, forced to watch her being presented to someone else like she wasn't already my entire world.

It felt like my heart was being ripped apart piece by piece, and no amount of physical pain could ever compare to that.

Riddhima immediately stood up, panic written all over her face, and began walking toward me. I quickly got up before she could reach me. The sudden movement made her freeze mid-step, her eyes searching mine for answers.

The guests looked stunned by the abrupt commotion, their curious gazes darting between us.

Even though I was burning inside, I forced a smile, pretending nothing had happened. "The cup just slipped from my hand," I said casually, brushing off the tension in the room.

They didn't seem entirely convinced but chose to let it go.

I straightened my shoulders, pretending to check my watch. "I have an important meeting, so I'll take my leave now."

But just as I turned to go, I stopped and glanced back at her. My voice dropped, but the mockery in my tone was unmistakable.

"By the way," I said, looking at her, "Riddhima is good at everything—and her cooking? Absolutely delicious."

Then, shifting my gaze toward the guy, I added, "I think you two will look great together. I'm rooting for you." I finished with a wink.

The old lady beamed, clearly pleased, while the guy blushed hard, clearly flattered.

Idiots.

They didn't even notice the bitterness dripping from my words.

Riddhima, on the other hand, looked like she was on the verge of breaking down. Her hands trembled, and I saw her biting her lip to stop herself from crying.I held her gaze for one last, painful moment before walking away, leaving behind the shattered pieces of my heart and hers

I stole one last glance at Riddhima. She looked completely shattered her eyes filled with confusion, hurt, and desperation.

It broke me to see her like that, but I turned around and left without another word.

And as I walked out of the house, my heart felt heavier than ever.

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

May this year be filled with new beginnings, exciting adventures, and achievements that make you proud. May you have the strength to overcome obstacles, the courage to chase your dreams, and the wisdom to cherish every moment along the way.

For those in love, may your bond grow stronger, your trust deepen, and your shared dreams continue to blossom. May you find new reasons to fall in love with each other every single day

For those still searching for that special someone, may this year surprise you with beautiful encounters, meaningful connections, and a love story that feels like it was written just for you.

And for those focused on self-love, may 2025 be a year of personal growth, healing, and embracing the beautiful person you are—because loving yourself is the foundation for all other love to thrive.

Let this be a year of laughter, stolen glances, and unforgettable moments with the ones who make your heart skip a beat. Wishing you all a year filled with love, happiness, and endless possibilities.

Let's make 2025 a year of positivity, kindness, and growth—both personally and together as a community. Here's to health, happiness, and prosperity for all of us!

Happy New Year!
With heartfelt gratitude,
Stories_by_R

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