Next Day:

VR MANSION:

Rehansh's Room:
9:15 AM

Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Rehansh stood before the mirror, adjusting the collar of his crisp white shirt, humming a cheerful tune.

A knock interrupted his melody.

"Come in!" he called out, still focused on his reflection.

Vansh entered, raising an eyebrow.

"Someone's in a good mood. Big plans today?" he teased.

Rehansh turned, a grin spreading across his face. "Just meeting Arya. Thought I'd dress the part."

Vansh chuckled, but his eyes held concern. "You look good, Rehan. But are you sure about this? You've known her for just two days."

Rehansh shrugged, his smile unwavering. "There's something about her, Ansh. She makes me want to be better."

Vansh sighed, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Just be careful, okay?"

Rehansh nodded, grabbing his keys. "Always. Now, I have to go pick her up. Wish me luck!"

As I watched Rehansh walk out the door, something twisted inside me.

He never skips work. Not even when he’s burning with fever. And today, he just walked out—cancelled meetings, rescheduled calls—all for her.

I should be annoyed. I should pull him back and remind him that our world doesn’t allow for distractions. But instead, I just stood there… watching my little brother smile like a boy who’d finally found peace after a storm.

He looked… happy.

And God, it scared me.

Because happiness like that doesn’t come easy. Not to us. Not in our world of secrets, scars, and bloodshed.

What if she hurts him?
What if she’s not who he thinks she is?

What if this is all temporary—another fleeting moment he’ll carry like a scar?
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly.

Please don’t fall too hard, Rehan. Because if you break… I don’t know how I’ll fix you again.

Vansh's POV ends

As Vansh descended the staircase, Radhika appeared, blocking his path, holding a bowl of kheer.

"Ansh," she said sweetly.

"It's Vansh. How many times do I have to tell you?" he replied, irritation evident.

"Daadi said you have an important deal today, so I made this kheer for you," she offered, extending the spoon towards him.

Vansh stepped back, his expression hardening. "Stop this act, Radhika. It's not going to work."

He brushed past her, leaving her fuming. In frustration, she threw the bowl, the kheer splattering across the floor.

Siya, witnessing the scene, smirked. "Plan failed, huh?"

"Shut up, Siya!" Radhika snapped, storming off.

Radhika Suresh Maheshwari:

Siya Ajay Raisinghania:

Sarvodaya Apartments:
10:22AM

Rehansh parked his car, glancing at his watch. Realizing he didn't have Arya's number, he made a mental note to ask for it today.

Moments later, Arya emerged, her presence radiant. The morning sun highlighted her features, and her smile was infectious.

"Good morning! I'm not late, am I?" she asked, approaching the car.

"Just five minutes. Good morning to you too, Sunshine!" he replied, opening the door for her.

"Sunshine? Nicknames already?" she teased.

“Well, you do light up the morning," he grinned.

Arya chuckled, settling into the seat. "Flatterer."

As they drove, the city buzzed around them, but inside the car, a comfortable silence enveloped them.

"You know," Arya began, "you're different from most guys I've met."

Rehansh glanced at her, curiosity piqued. "Different good or different bad?"

"Different good," she smiled. "Most guys don't notice the little things. Like how you opened the door for me."

He shrugged, a modest smile on his lips. "It's the little things that count."

Her outfit:

_______________Time Skip______________

Evening – 6:00 PM

As promised, Rehansh waited outside the hospital. Arya exited, waving enthusiastically.
Before she could reach him, a voice called out. "Hey! Ignoring me now?"

A man approached, grinning. "Jaydeep Mandavkar," Arya introduced. "And this is Rehansh Raisinghania."

The two men shook hands, exchanging pleasantries.

"So, you're the famous Rehansh," Jaydeep smirked. "Arya's been talking about you."

Rehansh raised an eyebrow, glancing at Arya, who blushed. "Has she now?"

"Don't listen to him," she laughed. "He's just teasing."

Their banter was interrupted by another voice. "Arya! You didn't tell us about your boyfriend!"

Srikant joined them, feigning shock. "We're your friends, and you kept this a secret?"

Arya groaned, covering her face. "They're impossible."

Rehansh chuckled, enjoying the camaraderie. "It's nice to see you have such lively friends."

"They keep life interesting," she smiled, glancing at him.

Jaydeep Mandavkar (JD):

"Well I wanted to know if you're free this evening, we can check out the Market nearby, what do you say sunshine?" Rehansh asked as they walked to his car

"Why not! Let's go Rehan!" Arya readily agreed

The sun had dipped just enough to bathe the street in golden warmth. Strings of fairy lights blinked above the narrow lanes, strung between small shops selling everything from handicrafts to snacks. The smell of roasted corn and freshly fried samosas hung in the air, mixing with laughter and the faint sound of a flute from a distant corner.

Rehansh walked beside Arya, his hands tucked into the pockets of his hoodie, stealing glances at her while pretending to admire the stalls. She looked excited yet composed, the way her eyes sparkled as she stopped to look at things and then held herself back—like she wasn’t used to wanting, or maybe wasn't used to receiving.

At one of the stalls, her steps paused. Her eyes landed on a pair of silver jhumkas, delicately carved with tiny blue stones that shimmered under the lights. She didn't say a word. Instead, she looked away almost instantly, picking up a soft cotton kurta in sky blue—one that would go perfectly with those jhumkas—and pretended she hadn’t even noticed the earrings.

Rehansh saw everything.

Her eyes, the pause, the soft flick of her fingers brushing the jhumkas like a whisper.

But she didn’t ask.

She bought the kurta and turned back toward him, flashing a small smile as she walked ahead like nothing had happened. But he didn’t follow. He stayed behind, casually leaning forward to the vendor and quietly pointing to the jhumkas. And then, as he was about to leave, his eyes fell on a pair of sandals with tiny silver buckles and sky-blue straps.

They were perfect.

For her.

For that kurta.

"For my arya who never asked for anything, but deserved the world." He told himself and smiled keeping a hand over his heart, swooning for her.

Back at the car, Arya was humming softly to herself, folding her kurta as Rehansh handed her a small paper packet.

She looked confused. “What’s this?”

“Open it,” he said casually, leaning against the bonnet, eyes twinkling with mischief.

Inside, the jhumkas nestled on a velvet pad, gleaming under the streetlight.

Her breath hitched.

“You…” Her voice faded into surprise, lips parting as her fingers brushed over the earrings.

“And this too.” He handed her a matching packet with the sandals. “You forgot to pick these up.”

“I didn’t even see them!” she exclaimed.

“I did,” he said simply, his voice soft.

There was a pause—a moment suspended in warm silence. Then he held out his hand, slowly taking the jhumkas from her fingers.

“May I?” He asked.

She blinked. A part of her hesitated, caught off guard by the quiet intimacy. But then… she nodded.

She tucked her hair behind her ears as he stepped closer. Rehansh's fingers were careful, delicate even, as he clipped the earrings on, his knuckles brushing lightly against her skin. Her breath held. She could feel the steadiness in his touch, the gentleness… like she was precious. Like he meant every second of this closeness.

His gaze never left her face.

“All done,” he said softly.Arya looked up at him, a teasing smile breaking through her surprise.

“Oh? So if I say I want to wear the sandals too… will you kneel down and make me wear them?”

The words left her mouth before her brain could stop them.

Her eyes widened, and she immediately covered her mouth, horrified. “I-I didn’t mean—”

But he was smiling.

That half-smirk that always made her heart beat a little faster.

He didn’t say anything. Just tilted his head slightly, the glint in his eyes playful.

She laughed nervously, eyes darting away. Maybe he didn’t hear it.

But as he turned to unlock the car, hands in his pockets again, he thought to himself—

If she ever asked me to kneel, I would. A thousand times over. For her, I have no shame.

As they resumed walking through the bazaar, Arya clutched the kurta and sandal packets while still occasionally glancing at her earrings in the reflection of shop windows, trying not to smile too wide.

That’s when her steps came to a sudden halt.