9 years later...

The sound of heels clicking was discerned as she walked through the glass doors, her head held high, eyes fixated ahead in a fierce gaze and her body oozing of confidence.

The workers here nodded their heads with a Good Morning at her to which she nodded back.

This morning was anything but good for her as she again had a dream about those times.

Those cruel one.

The betrayal period.

"That my best friend, she a real bad bitch..."

A familiar voice reached her ears making a known smile appear on her lips, all ill thoughts vanishing away from her brain now that she'd finally reunited with him.

By now she'd entered her office, with him following her right behind.

"Got her own money, she 'on't need no'..."

"On the dance floor, she had two, three drinks..." Came his teasing voice as she twirled happily, dancing on his so-called beat making a chuckle escape his mouth.

"Now she twerkin', she throw it out and come back in..."

And with that he started twerking like crazy making a full blown laugh escape Kaeya's mouth.

This was what she needed.

A time she let everything free.

A time she could be herself.

A time she could laugh like no one was looking at her.

"I missed you." She mumbled in his chest as she engulfed him in a tight hug.

"I wish I could say the same." Tanishq responded in a muffled voice as his face was buried in her hair.

"One time. Literally one time I was expecting you to be affectionate towards me." Kaeya grumbled as she separated from him from their hug.

"Why would I? I was literally the one who had to clean up the mess you made after drinking like crazy in the club last night." Tanishq stated with a scrunched up face making Kaeya roll her eyes.

"And I was the one who took you back home in the first place." Tanishq continued as she placed her bag on the desk.

He was unexpectedly someone who sticked to her these 9 years.

They'd gotten so much close past these years now that they'd opened a company together from the scratch. Though it wasn't like the two were billionaires, it was going very well and they earned amazing profits. There was no place for any complaints. The finance which Kaeya's parents left helped them a lot, with now Kaeya being 51% owner while Tanishq was 49%.

He was a blessing in disguise.

And their friendship was something she now cherished because experience had made her learn thay anything can happen at any point of time.

Love?

She doesn't even know what that is anymore.

Friendship?

She thought she would never get to experience again but Tanishq proved her wrong.

These two were strongest than ever.

"Dude, we literally went to a club after so long. Of course I was excited as hell. And you're forgetting that I was the one who paid for us so caring for me after that is the least you could do." Kaeya scoffed dramatically.

Her appearance was not at all like in her teenage. Gone was the petite girl who would always have a big grin on her face, her shoulder length hair flowing every direction, always wearing a crop top and a pair of shorts.

Now she was someone who wore a blank face with those prim and proper clothes. Her hair are used to being tied in a sleek ponytail that reaches the mid of her waist, not a single hair sticking out.

Opposite.

In every sense.

And she nowhere regretted that as Tanishq engulfed her in a hug, making her inhale his familiar scent.

(Who all ship Kaeya and Tanishq?👀)

//////////

Her fingers were busy furiously typing on her laptop kept on the mahogany table in front of her when the door to her office swined open as someone directly barged in.

No professionalism.

"Goodness Kaeya, I am so done with this. I have done most of the work and now I definitely require your help with these contracts. " Tanishq huffed dramatically making Kaeya roll her eyes.

"Is it about the upcoming project? Tanishq, you are the head of this one. I already have another going on." Kaeya reasoned, pushing the chair away from the table quite a bit and now crossing her legs.

"Just help me in finalizing one out of these three." He reasoned back, taking a seat on one of the chair that were kept in front of her.

"Fine." She sighed.

"First one is by Mr. Ajay Arora. The benefits are too good to be true but, this will take up our finance more than planned. And his company is someone who has a 50/50 chance of profits so, we can't be sure about it." Tanishq stated glancing at the file in his hand.

Kaeya leaned back in her chair, listening to him attentively.

This project was surely important to them and if this works out nicely like planned, their company would definitely gain a good position in the market.

"Okay. What about the second one?" She asked.

"Uhh- it's some Aman Kapoor. Their company has been in the market since ages, but these years it seems they have been going through some losses. He's the 49% shareholder of his firm while-"

And there was an abrupt silence in between Tanishq's explanation. No words came out of his mouth, his hand clutching the paper in his hands as if he'd turned frozen.

"While?" Kaeya urged him.

"God, I don't know if you'll be able to deal with this or not." Tanishq muttered making a frown appear on Kaeya's forehead.

"It would be nothing compared to my past. Come on, say it." Kaeya shrugged it off.

"His company's 51% shareholder is his wife, Miesha Kapoor." He breathed out and the pen in Kaeya's hand fell down with a loud 'clink'.

Her eyes had turned wide, sudden shock flowing through her self as if what all was going on around her was a dream.

Miesha.

She was the biggest betrayer.

That bitch who made Kaeya and Yuvaan fall apart.

No matter it was Yuvaan who she was disappointed with in this whole matter, everything happened because of Miesha. Maybe she just couldn't bear their closeness? Or maybe she was jealous?

Because one thing Kaeya clearly knew was Miesha didn't have any feelings for Yuvaan. She didn't love him.

It was evident in her eyes. They wouldn't shine like when someone talks about the person they love. She used to be very casual whenever it was any matter related to Yuvaan and it almost felt as if she was bearing the time they used to spend together.

Kaeya observed every single thing.

No matter how much she tried not to get closer to these two, her eyes kept wandering to them and she noticed everything that Yuvaan did not.

"I- I-"

She couldn't help but to stutter.

"There's no chance we are picking this one. Not because of Miesha. But, this company is going through some serious losses and they're already in a big debt. It's nowhere beneficial." Tanishq stated calmly.

"Put their name to the blacklist." Kaeya's stern voice came after moments of complete silence.

"Kaeya-"

"Just do it Tanishq." Kaeya urged in the same tone.

Tanishq sighed, shaking his head in defeat, yet with a small smirk hanging on his lips.

He knew when Kaeya is in mode, she can take any decision not caring what could be the circumstances. An angry Kaeya is extremely dangerous.

"You know we have to release the blacklist too. And what'll be the reason-"

"Exactly why I am putting it in the blacklist. And don't worry about the reason, it'll be my responsibility. Because if she plays dirty, I play dirtier." Kaeya gritted out with a determined look.

And that small smirk on Tanishq's lips increased. He was no one to stop Kaeya and for her satisfaction, he would let her do whatever she wants. He had seen her condition those days and it was nothing forgettable or forgivable.

"You've become one heartless woman, Kaeya Aggarwal. " Tanishq shook his head with a mischievous grin.

"I did become that 9 years ago." Kaeya corrected, getting nowhere affected by him calling her heartless.

Maybe that she is now.

"Oh damnmit. This one will definitely give you a heart attack." Tanishq muttered, his eyes turning wide.

"What?" Kaeya asked with a confused look.

"The third one is from Yu-"

And suddenly it was a loud ringtone blaring in the medium sized office making Kaeya groan. She quickly glanced at the small device and upon looking at the caller ID, she rolled her eyes, a sigh escaping her lips.

"Hello?" Kaeya muttered picking up the phone and placing it on her ear.

"Kaeya, how are you?" Her Aunt, Aishwarya's voice reached her ears.

In between, Kaeya gave Tanishq the known look to which he shook his head with a small laugh. From the things Kaeya had told him about her so called family, all he wanted to do was knock some sense into them. But as always, Kaeya would stop him saying that those people doesn't really matter to her which was absolutely true.

"Fine. What's the matter?" She directly came to the topic, without talking unnecessarily.

There was basically nothing to talk.

"Uhh- you're already 27 and I think it's high time you marry. We've even found a man for you and we think he'll be perfect. What do you say?" She asked from the other end.

"It's a yes from me." Kaeya simply replied without any hesitation.

Tanishq raised his eyebrows at her response. He surely didn't know to what it was but there was basically nothing Kaeya would agree to when Aishwarya would ask something.

"What? Did you hear what I just said-" Her Aunt stuttered from the other side, not believing Kaeya's response.

"I did. And again, my response is the same." Kaeya said in an emotionless manner.

"What? Really? Then I'll proceed with everything. We soon need to go for your shopping because we won't choose a date much later from now. Also, don't forget to transfer some amount to my account because there are also so many other preparations-" Her Aunt, Aishwarya started to ramble when Kaeya decided to butted in.

"Aunty, you know how busy I am for all this. I am okay with a temple marriage too. And if you don't agree to this, then you can do all the preparations you want. I have no interest. And about the expenses, I'll cover those." Kaeya tried to explain as calmly as possible.

She just couldn't say directly that she has absolute no interest in the marriage. She was only doing this so she could get away from her Uncle and Aunt because her marriage was their last responsibility towards her and something that was still binding her with them that she badly wanted to cut.

"I understand. But how about I plan a date for you to meet him-"

Aishwarya was again cut off.

"No Aunty. That's not needed. Decide and plan everything yourself and I'll only be coming two days prior. I have a really busy schedule." Kaeya said in a crisp tone.

"Kaeya it's your wedding-"

"I don't care if it is. I'll call you later, I have a really important meeting to attend." Muttering this, Kaeya hung up immediately.

Her hands then proceeded to rub her temples with a sigh.

Not to lie, this was something she was waiting for them to bring up.

The reason?

She'll finally be able to cut all ties with them, even the legal ones.

Life had been amazing for her these years and she was glad this happened with her otherwise there was no chance she would've been able to experience such heights.

She was contented in her life.

Contented with her decisions.

And most importantly, contented that she didn't speak to Yuvaan after that nor she confessed about her feelings.

Who knew he would make fun of that as well and toss those feelings like he did with herself?

"What was this phone call about?" Tanishq questioned raising his eyebrows, the interest evident.

"I am getting married." Kaeya stated and Tanishq just simply bursted out laughing in response.

Kaeya gave him a deadpanned look making him slowly recover from his laughter session.

"I am. No kidding." Kaeya said in an absolute serious mode.

"What the hell Kaeya? When did this happen? And why is this happening in the first place?" Tanishq gritted out.

"Because I want to get over with my so called Uncle and Aunt?" Kaeya responded or more like questioned.

"This still doesn't justifies. Marriage is not a game. And most importantly, who is the guy?" Tanishq asked almost losing his calm.

The atmosphere now was oozing of seriousness. This duo could change their conversation in a flash, and talk about whatever needed in the most mature manner.

"I would've told you if I knew myself." Kaeya muttered with a small laugh but seeing Tanishq's serious look, she instantly recovered.

Why does he has to take everything so seriously?

"Tanishq, I can't continue living my life like this. Sooner or later I had to marry even when I know I would not be able to give my input in it. I don't care about the relationship factor anymore. My marriage will not be anything related to love or that shit because I have realized that in a world like this, love isn't real." Kaeya mumbled, looking distantly, this time not able to meet his eyes.

"Fine, I agree. But then on what basis are you really marrying? What if the guy isn't good?" Tanishq exasperated dramatically.

Kaeya shook her head at his constant questions. She thought it would be easy that she'd simply said yes? But guess, she was wrong.

"I don't care about how he is. What is even there to think about Tanishq? The only thing I want is his name with mine so that I will have no connection left with Uncle and Aunt. Only I know how I have to deal with these legal issues and all." Kaeya reasoned.

"You won't care even if he's abusive?" Tanishq gritted out.

"How can you even say when you don't know a single thing about him and neither do I. And first of tell me where did this come from." Kaeya asked try to mask her disappointment.

"K-Kaeya, you know how much I care about you. Specially after w-what happened. I don't want you to go through some bullshit again." Tanishq explained.

"I won't Tanishq. I am not the Kaeya anymore who will cry over the betrayers of my life. They've destroyed my life enough and now I won't let them or anyone else for that matter affect my life and me." Kaeya stated.

Her eyes were trying their best to show the emotions she was feeling from inside. It was hard, no doubt. But those experiences made her learn many things and she knows she won't go through bullshit again.

What worse could her so called husband would do?

Because now she can go through anything now that she's the strongest.

She felt Tanishq's pad of thumb wiping something below and her eyes. A tear.

She doesn't even know when that fell from her pretty brown eyes because she controlled like anything. But this man in front of her would dig every emotion, no matter how much she would try to bury.

All of a sudden the door to her office bursted open, with a person huffing this dramatically making Tanishq almost fall from his seat.

Somewhere deep down she was waiting for them to arrive.

"Papa-" Screaming this happily, a little girl ran towards Tanishq with her small feet.

A big smile reached up his face as he picked his daughter, twirling her around who happily giggled, burying her face in her father's neck.

And right at the spot, Kaeya was engulfed in a bone crashing hug, making a whine come out of her mouth yet she hugged that person with a big smile.

"I don't even know whether I should be angry at you or cry that we are meeting after such a long time." That person grumbled unhappily.

Anay Sharma.

Anay and Tanishq were a couple, happily married and happily gay. Their love was something Kaeya cherished, noticing every single day since 7 years back when they first met in college.

(Note: Whosoever were shipping Kaeya and Tanishq together should kindly shed some tears. This man is already taken🤡🤡)

Tanishq trying to make weird advances would irk Kaeya a lot and then one day when she just snapped at him regarding this, he confessed that he needed to make sure about his identity. And that's when Kaeya made him understand about himself which he is forever glad of.

These two were unbreakable since then. This was the point Kaeya realized the importance of him in her life.

And Anay was someone who accepted Kaeya whole heartedly and vice versa. She loved to spend some amazing time with these people because they were the ones who made her feel home. They were basically crazy like her.

And then it was their 4 year daughter, Trisha Sharma-Gupta, a girl child that this couple had adopted 3 years ago with open arms.

There wasn't a single day that these two men didn't spoil her. She was the apple of their eyes.

"I went there myself on your boyfriend's persistence. And you took Trisha on an outing without him, so it was a fair thing okay?" Kaeya grumbled kissing his cheeks which he gladly returned.

"Kaeyu buzi." Trisha screamed happily, launching her arms towards Kaeya who happily took her with the biggest of smiles, both of them giggling.

This was what she needed.

Time spent with these three.

Something that would make a smile reach up her face, unbeknownst to the emotions flowing in her body.

These four were spending quality time together as always when Tanishq and Kaeya again began to discuss about their project.

"What about the last one?" Kaeya questioned, urging him to speak which he wasn't.

He was frozen at his place not knowing how to respond to her question.

"I- I have no idea how we got t-this one." Tanishq mumbled, still not meeting Kaeya's eyes.

"Because our project has potential? Now tell me who is it?" Kaeya responded, gesturing for him to start.

"It's Y-Yuvaan. I m-mean his firm. We have gotten one from his firm as well." Tanishq responded in a low voice, peeking at Kaeya with one eye who he noticed turning stiff.

And the very next moment she stormed off the office, leaving everyone behind and all Tanishq could do was shake his head at her bestfriend's life.

(NOTE: Y'all wanna witness Kaeya taunting Yuvaan so much that he would basically start crying soon, then wait for the next update😌 You'll love that Kaeya who won't take Yuvaan's shit cuz now the roles will be reversed.)