Samaira woke up with a determined smile. The morning sun streamed through the large windows of her room, and as she glanced at Advait, still fast asleep beside her, she felt an inexplicable wave of emotion. Their bond had been growing, slowly but surely, and she wanted to do something special—something meaningful.

Slipping out of bed, careful not to wake him, she made her way to the kitchen where she found Ritu, Pramita, and Vikram chatting over morning tea. Their laughter echoed softly through the spacious house, a warmth Samaira had come to cherish in recent days.

“Good morning!” Samaira greeted, her voice cheerful.

Ritu raised an eyebrow, her usual teasing glint evident. “You seem unusually chipper this morning. What’s the occasion?”

Samaira bit her lip, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. “Actually… I need your help. Tomorrow is a very special day for me—and for Advait. It’s the day we first met. I want to surprise him with something memorable. Could we plan a party together?”

Pramita’s face lit up with delight. “Oh, Samaira! That’s such a wonderful idea. Of course, we’ll help. Right, Vikram?”

Vikram nodded enthusiastically. “Absolutely. Advait doesn’t strike me as the type who enjoys surprises, but for you, I’m sure he’ll make an exception.”

Just then, Anuja and Kartik walked in, their playful banter preceding them. Anuja looked at the group, curious. “What’s going on here? Some secret meeting?”

Kartik added with a grin, “Don’t tell me you’re planning something without us! That’s practically a crime.”

Samaira laughed. “Fine, you’re in. But only if you promise to behave!”

The group burst into laughter, and soon, the house was buzzing with excitement as everyone began brainstorming ideas for the party. They decided on an elegant yet intimate gathering in the main hall, adorned with fairy lights and floral arrangements.

By the next evening, everything was in place. The hall looked breathtaking, draped in soft golden lights and white lilies. A table in the center held a three-tiered cake, surrounded by candles. Samaira, dressed in a stunning crimson saree with intricate embroidery, looked ethereal. Her hair was styled in loose waves, and her jewelry sparkled subtly, complementing her natural elegance.

She glanced at the clock. It was almost time. Turning to Aryan and Kartik, who were lounging nearby, she said, “Alright, you two. Go bring Advait. But remember—he has to be blindfolded.”

Aryan smirked. “You’re really making us do this?”

Samaira crossed her arms, mock-stern. “Yes, now go!”

Kartik laughed, grabbing a blindfold. “Come on, Aryan. Let’s not keep the lady waiting.”

Advait frowned as Aryan and Kartik led him into the hall, his eyes covered. “What is going on? You two are acting ridiculous.”

“Just trust us, bhai,” Aryan said, his tone amused.

Kartik added, “It’s not every day we get to boss you around. Now, no peeking.”

As they reached the center of the hall, Samaira signaled for them to stop. “Alright, you can remove the blindfold now.”

Advait blinked as his eyes adjusted to the light. His usually composed expression faltered for a moment, replaced by surprise. The hall was transformed, a vision of warmth and celebration. His gaze swept over the decorations, the smiling faces of his family, and then paused—on Samaira.

She stood a few steps away, radiant in her crimson saree, her eyes shimmering with excitement and a hint of nervousness. Advait felt his breath hitch. He had seen her in countless attires, but tonight, she was something else.

Samaira stepped forward, a shy smile gracing her lips. “Happy anniversary, dear.”

For a moment, he didn’t respond, his emotions carefully masked. Then, he gave her a small, almost imperceptible smile. “You did all this?”

She nodded, her heart pounding. “I wanted to make today special. For us.”

The family gathered around them, cheering as the couple moved to the cake. Samaira picked up the knife, her hand trembling slightly. She had planned this moment so carefully, hoping it would bring them closer.

As they cut the cake together, the family clapped, and Samaira took a piece, holding it up to Advait. He leaned forward, his lips brushing against her fingers as he took a bite. His dark eyes glinted with something unreadable, and then, with a smirk, he said, “I have something for you too.”

Samaira’s heart soared. A gift? She hadn’t expected this.

Advait turned to one of the servants. “Bring it here.”

A moment later, a neatly wrapped box was placed in Samaira’s hands. She smiled, her excitement bubbling over. “What is it?”

“Open it,” Advait said simply, his tone calm.

As she unwrapped the box, the room fell silent, all eyes on her. Inside was a stack of papers. Confused, she pulled them out, her gaze scanning the first page.

Anuja, ever the joker, chuckled. “Don’t tell me you’re giving her all your property, bhai. That’s quite the romantic gesture.”

Samaira laughed nervously, but as her eyes moved over the text, her smile faded. The color drained from her face as the words sank in.

Divorce Agreement.

The room seemed to tilt, the cheerful atmosphere shattering like glass. She looked up at Advait, her hands trembling. “What… What is this?”

Advait’s smirk didn’t waver. “It’s exactly what it looks like.”

Tears pricked her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “You planned this? On today of all days?”

The family erupted in confusion, their voices a blur around her. Ritu and Pramita looked horrified, while Aryan stepped forward, demanding an explanation.

But Samaira didn’t hear any of it. Her focus was solely on Advait, his face unreadable, his eyes colder than she had seen in weeks.

“Why?” she whispered, her voice breaking.

He stepped closer, his voice low but cutting. “You thought one party would erase everything, Samaira? That we could just… move on?”

She stared at him, her heart shattering into pieces.

The room grew still, the weight of his words suffocating. Samaira felt the ground beneath her give way, but she straightened, refusing to let him see her crumble.