Song - Next to me - Arman Malik.

Sometimes we become so selfish, that to get happiness we fill others with sorrow.

××××××××××××××××××××××

Their POV

Anaya parked her car near the café and walked in. Being a weekend, the place was buzzing with chatter and clinking cups. Her eyes scanned the crowd until she found Aashi waving at her from their regular corner. A man sat beside Aashi with his back to her.

She made her way over quickly.

"Sorry, I'm late... you know the traffic..."
She avoided mentioning her unexpected meeting with Arjun. That name still stirred something inside her—too sharp, too unresolved.

The man turned toward her. Handsome, confident, charming. She glanced at Aashi.

"It's fine, we were just talking. Anyway... Anaya, this is Vivan." Aashi gestured to him.

Vivan stood, offering a hand with a smile that could charm a glacier.

"Hey, Vivan Rathod... Aashi's boyfriend. And I must say, you are indeed beautiful—just like she described."

Anaya flushed slightly.

Charmer...

Vivan pulled out a chair for her.

Hmm...gentleman!

"These flowers are for you..." Anaya handed him the bouquet.
"I'm sorry... I didn't know what else to bring."

"Hey, it's OK. I love flowers... they remind me of Aashi's beautiful smile." He looked at Aashi, his eyes soft with adoration, then at Anaya with genuine warmth.

He handed her an expensive box of chocolates, one he had picked out specially. They soon ordered brunch.

After the meal, Anaya was sure—Vivan was a genuinely good man. Despite being a billionaire, he was humble and warm. She now fully understood why Aashi was head over heels. He cared for her in ways that weren't loud but consistent and deep.

But between them stood one colossal wall: Arjun Rajvansh.

Anaya knew she had to soften that wall. According to Aashi, only Arjun could influence their father and grandfather to approve the relationship. But Arjun wouldn't just disapprove—he would destroy Vivan, burn the idea to ash, and smile while doing it. His idea of love came wrapped in rules, pride, and the suffocating weight of family honor.

But for Aashi's happiness, Anaya was ready to take that risk. And maybe... just maybe... she could help Arjun too. Help him feel. Help him live.

Or was she just losing herself in the process?

She sighed and drove home.

Rajvansh Residency

Vedika sat in the living room, munching on cookies and lost in thought. Krish was resting after returning from his trip.

Sid suddenly dropped beside her, stealing a cookie like a seasoned thief. Vedika glared daggers at him. He ignored her entirely.

Before she could scold him, Arjun stormed in, speaking sharply on the phone—more barking than talking. Vedika's eyes sparkled with mischief.

She turned sweetly to Sid and said, in a voice just loud enough to reach Arjun's ears:

"Sid... I think you should ask Anaya out..."

Arjun halted mid-step. His entire body stiffened like a wolf catching scent.

Vedika smirked.

"Yes... she's smart, intelligent, beautiful... and humble. Any man would be lucky to have her. Don't delay or someone else might take her..."

Arjun's jaw ticked. His fists clenched.
Someone else? Over my dead body.

She was... his. Whether she knew it or not. Whether he understood it or not.

She's too soft... too kind. Too easy to hurt. Too easy to be taken by some fucker who doesn't deserve to breathe her air.

He would not let her be taken. Not again. Not ever.

Vedika smiled knowingly. Sid looked at her like she had grown horns.

"But Bhabhi, she sees me as a younger brother... everyone says I'm—"

"I know you're young," she cut him off quickly. "But love doesn't see age. You better act soon or someone will steal her..."

Arjun didn't wait for more. He stormed to his room, teeth gritted, Vedika's words burning in his head like a brand.

Under his protection. Under his fucking shadow. That's where she'll be now. No one else touches her.

Meanwhile, Sid blinked, confused.

"You're right, Bhabhi. I should ask her—"

"Shut up. Concentrate on your studies, idiot."

Sid muttered under his breath. But you said... oh forget it.

Krish watched the scene unfold in silence. He didn't like Vedika's plan. Playing with people's lives like chess pieces had consequences. But Vedika wouldn't back down. Her loyalty to Arjun was fierce. For him, she would fight fate itself. And Krish... well, when it came to Arjun and Aashi, he would follow her anywhere.

But they had forgotten one thing.

Anaya was not a pawn.

Next Day

Anaya was finishing her last patient when her phone rang. Unknown number. She ignored it.

It rang again. Same number. Probably spam.

She was packing when a message popped up:

"Come out. I'm waiting. You made a deal with me. Forgotten so easily?"

Her heart raced.

How the hell did he get my number?

She called back instantly. Before she could speak, a voice cut in, sharp and deadly:

"So, no courtesy to take a call? No apology for breaking your word? Do you know what one minute of mine is worth? One. Million."

She couldn't speak. Couldn't breathe.

Then she whispered:

"I'm sorry... it wasn't intentional... I was busy... please don't be mad..."

He paused.

That soft voice. That apology. That trembling hint of guilt.

He exhaled slowly, controlling the fire inside.

"Come out," he said, voice still rough, but restrained.

Anaya quickly packed up and rushed out.

And there he was.

Arjun Rajvansh.

Towering. Brooding. Deadly in a tailored suit. Women stared at him like he was a god made flesh. But his eyes were locked only on her.

A male doctor passed her, smiling. She smiled back politely and waved.

Arjun's jaw locked.

Fucker. Smiling at her like she belongs to him.

Vedika was right. Someone could take her. She's too fucking unguarded.

She reached him. Without a word, he took her hand and began walking out.

"Stop."

He did.

"Are we going in a metro?"

"What? No. I have a car."

"Then why are you dragging me like I stole your wallet?"

He stared at her. What could he say?

That her smile at another man nearly broke him?

"Look, I've been standing here for a while... and now I'm pissed. So will you come?"

She saw the tension in his jaw.

"I'm sorry... I swear it wasn't on purpose... I forgot because of work. Please don't be mad..."

Her voice was gentle. Regretful. Sincere.

Why does she sound like she cares?

He stayed silent. Let her feel the weight of his silence.

"I'll make it up to you."

He arched a brow. Challenge accepted.

"Ok... How about I take you to my favorite place? Trust me, only my special friends go there."

Special friends.

Was that what he was? Special?

Then why did that hurt so damn much?

He saw her glance at the man in a black suit by the car.

"My bodyguard. Follows me everywhere."

"Everywhere? What are you, five? Does he babysit you?"

She laughed.

He blinked. God, that laugh. Like sunlight through concrete.

"No, but I follow protocol. I'm a billionaire, after all. PR team, image, all that."

She rolled her eyes.

"Alright, Mr. Richie Rich. Let's not flex your net worth."

She didn't care. Not impressed. No greed in her eyes.

No wonder he couldn't get her out of his head.

He smiled. Actually smiled.

"Come on then. And tell your bodyguard not to worry—I'll protect you."

She giggled.

He asked Ron to take the car home.

In Anaya's car, she talked—stories, laughter, memories. He just... listened. Memorizing the sound of her voice like a man dying of thirst.

She took him to her favorite food street. Ice cream. Fast food. Laughter. Noise.

He hesitated.

"You sure? This place looks... ordinary."

She smiled, eyes gleaming.

"I know you prefer five-star places. But this place? This one's close to my heart."

How could he say no?

He rolled up his sleeves, took her hand, and followed.

She made him try food he'd never tasted. His taste buds were confused. But his soul? It was... at peace.

He watched her eat ice cream, moaning with delight.

Those soft moans...fuck.

He was drowning.

She was licking her cone when he stopped suddenly.

"What?"

He didn't speak. Just wiped a smudge of ice cream from her lips with his thumb.

Their eyes met.

"Thank you. Or I would've looked like a clumsy girl."

"You are. You're a clumsy girl."

She gasped.

"That's rude, Mr. Rajvansh."

"It's true, Miss Gill."

She pouted.

He smiled.

Just like that, teasing and laughter echoing around them, they walked side by side.

Neither of them realizing...

It was the beginning of something neither could control.

And the end of everything they thought they knew.

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

Hey lovely people,

Thank you all for your votes and comments.

The journey will now take a drastic turn so stay with the story.

Thank you.

Do Vote.