The words hung in the air like a thunderclap, and Naina was in complete shock. She couldn't process what she had just heard. Slowly, her gaze shifted towards Ishaan, her eyes wide with disbelief, her mind racing to comprehend the situation. Ishaan, noticing the shock on her face, shifted his focus from the relatives to Naina, his gaze softening as he observed the mix of surprise and fear on her face. To him, it was almost an unexpected yet satisfying sight-his words clearly had an impact. He looked back at the relatives and, without skipping a beat, asked, "Shall we go now?"

Naina's gaze flickered back to her relatives, still processing Ishaan's words. It was like everything around her had suddenly fallen into place. Her mind caught up, and she realized that time was running out-they had to leave. Her aunt, noticing the shift, spoke up, "Why so soon? She just got here. She hasn't even seen her Naani yet."

Naina blinked and, in a daze, muttered, "Where is Naani?"

Her aunt responded, "She's inside. Come on, don't stand there."

Naina's heart sank. She hadn't even realized that her Naani was missing from the gathering. As she prepared to move inside, she caught sight of Ishaan's stiff posture. He was clearly agitated, unable to tolerate her being distracted by the others for much longer. There was an edge of worry in his expression; he couldn't shake the fear that someone-anyone-might try to take her away from him. But he also knew that no one, not even her relatives, could take Naina away from him. He was the only one who held that power, and he'd make sure she stayed close.

"Let's go inside," Ishaan said, his voice firm but gentle.

Naina looked at him, a mix of confusion and surprise crossing her face. She wasn't sure if he was truly asking her to go inside with him or if he was just saying it out of politeness. Despite the internal turmoil, a small glimmer of happiness flickered inside her. She didn't show it on her face, but she felt a strange sense of relief. She followed her relatives, who were heading towards the door, still unsure about what was going on.

As they neared the entrance, Naina turned back, only to see that Ishaan hadn't moved.

"Go ahead...." he said, his voice calm yet with an underlying hint of impatience.

Naina continued to follow her relatives inside. As she stepped through the door, she felt the weight of her emotions press down on her. This was all happening so fast. But one thing was clear-no matter where she went, Ishaan was always there, lurking in the background, and that realization left her both uneasy and oddly comforted

As Naina stepped inside the familiar house, memories began flooding back-memories of her childhood, of the time before the tragic accident that had torn everything apart. The house -nani's house- felt like a distant echo of the past, filled with the lingering traces of lost time. It wasn't just a house-it was a vault of memories, some painful and others filled with warmth. But it had been so long, and after the accident, everything had seemed to blur together in a haze. The trauma had made her forget so much, but now, as she stood there, everything started to resurface, piece by piece.

There weren't many relatives at her Nani's house -just an uncle, an aunt, their small children And her Nani. The rest of the family that was gathered outside, were her other uncles who lived nearby. They are like a joint family, living in separate homes but still closely tied together.

Naina slowly walked through the corridor, the familiarity of the place settling over her, but it wasn't a comfort. It was overwhelming. She passed the rooms, each one holding a fragment of the person she used to be, until she reached the door to her Naani's room. With a trembling hand, she opened it softly.

Inside, her Naani was asleep, lying on the bed. Naina's heart clenched at the sight of her. She quietly approached the bed, careful not to wake her, and sat down by her side. The weight of emotions crashed over her, and before she could stop herself, tears began to fall. She hadn't expected it-hadn't anticipated that seeing her Nani after all this time would open such a floodgate of grief.

Her sobs were soft at first, barely a whisper, but they grew as she allowed herself to feel the loss and pain that had been locked away for so long. Her Naani's eyes fluttered open, and she slowly turned her head, squinting in confusion as if trying to make sense of what she was seeing. Naina's face was blurry to her, but there was something familiar about her presence.

"Who... who are you?" her Naani asked groggily, her voice weak with sleep.

Naina's heart broke as she heard the words. She hadn't realized how much time had passed until now, how much distance had grown between her and the people she had once held dear.

With a shaky breath, Naina whispered, "Naani..." Her voice cracked, and before she could say more, her naani's hand froze midair as it reached for her glasses on the table.

Her naani's voice was filled with disbelief as she finally recognized her. "My Naina?"

At that moment, the floodgates of Naina's heart opened completely. She collapsed into her naani's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. It was as if all the pain, the confusion, the isolation from all these months had finally found a place to go. Naina held onto her tightly, feeling the warmth of her embrace seep into her soul. She cried, letting go of the weight she had carried for so long, finding solace in the presence of the one person who still felt like home.

After a few moments of Naina crying in her naani's arms, a knock on the door broke the silence. Both Naina and her Nani turned toward the sound, their eyes meeting the familiar yet unfamiliar figure standing at the threshold. It was Ishaan, standing there, watching them. His presence filled the room with a strange tension, as though something important was about to unfold. Naina's naani, adjusting her glasses, squinted at him. "Who is he?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

Ishaan stepped forward, offering a polite smile as he greeted them. "I'm Ishaan Mehra," he said, his tone respectful and calm.

Naina's naani tilted her head slightly and asked, "You've come with my Naina, haven't you?"

Ishaan nodded with a small smile, his eyes softening as he glanced at Naina. "Yes."

Nani looked at Naina with an emotional look, "I thought she would never return."

Naina's heart tightened at the weight of her words, and she didn't immediately respond. Instead, her naani gently took her hand in hers, the warmth of the touch both grounding and comforting. "Why didn't you come all this time, Naina?" her Nani asked softly.

Naina's mind raced for a moment, and her heart clenched at the thought of explaining everything-everything she had buried so deep inside herself. She lowered her gaze, her voice barely a whisper as she struggled to find the right words. "I... I couldn't," she finally murmured, the weight of her emotions overwhelming her.

Ishaan, who had been quietly observing, saw the way Naina's hands trembled slightly as she held her naani's. He watched the small details-the way her thumb gently traced the lines of her Nani's hand, the way her hair fell softly over her face as she avoided his gaze. She seemed so fragile in that moment, His gaze softened as he studied her. She looked breathtakingly beautiful, even in this vulnerable state. The way her eyes held the story of so much pain, yet still sparkled with a light that was impossible to ignore-it made her seem more ethereal than he had ever imagined. He found himself lost in the delicate way her hair framed her face, and how her every movement seemed to speak volumes.

Ishaan cleared his throat softly, almost absentmindedly, and looked away for a moment, forcing himself to focus on something else. He couldn't let himself get distracted by how stunning Naina looked right then, especially when she was so immersed in this painful moment.

Naina, still unsure of how to articulate the reasons for her absence, shared the truth with her nani. Her voice cracked as she spoke, but she forced herself to continue. "I couldn't face it, Nani....After everything that happened... after I lost everyone, I just couldn't come here. I didn't think I belonged here anymore. I couldn't find myself again."

Ishaan stood quietly by, his presence somehow both grounding and distant as Naina spoke. He wasn't sure whether he should intervene or let her speak for herself. But in this moment, he knew one thing for certain-he wanted to be there for her, no matter how long it took for her to heal.

Naina's grandmother gently ran her hand over Naina's head and spoke in a comforting tone, "It's alright, beta... You came now, and that's all that matters." Naina remained silent, her gaze fixed on the floor, trying to suppress the turmoil swirling inside her.

Ishaan, standing by the doorway, was about to leave to give them some personal space. But Naina's naani called out to him, "Beta, come here." He hesitated for a moment but then walked toward them.

"Sit," her Nani insisted, shifting slightly to make room for him on the bed.

Ishaan was never one to feel awkward or out of place, but this was different. For the first time, he found himself tongue-tied, unsure of what to say or how to act. He quietly sat down beside Naina, his usual confident demeanor replaced by a rare stillness.

Nani's curious eyes observed the two before she spoke. "How do you know my Naina?" she asked.

Ishaan's gaze flickered from Nani to Naina, who was sitting quietly, looking unusually innocent. He spoke, his voice steady but reserved. "It's been a while now..."

Nani raised an eyebrow and asked bluntly, "Do you like her?"

The question hung in the air like a loaded bomb. Naina's eyes widened in shock as she turned to look at her naani, disbelief written all over her face. Ishaan, however, kept his eyes on Naina, studying her subtle reactions. Without breaking his gaze, he answered with a firm yet gentle voice, "Hmm... a lot."

The words struck Naina like a blow. Her heart raced as conflicting emotions washed over her-shock, confusion, and a pang of fear. She couldn't believe how easily Ishaan had confessed something so significant in front of her naani. Her Nani's expression softened, and she turned to Naina. "And you? Do you like him too?"

Naina was at a loss for words. How could she possibly answer that question? How could she tell her naani the truth-that the man sitting beside her was someone she was trying to escape from? That he was the very storm she was running from, even though destiny kept pulling them back together? Her voice failed her, and the weight of the situation pressed heavily on her chest.

She couldn't burden her naani with the chaos of her life. She couldn't risk endangering her family by revealing the dark truth about Ishaan. Her only option was to play along, to protect those she loved. So, fighting back her tears, she glanced at Ishaan briefly, then looked back at her naani and nodded silently.

Ishaan's sharp eyes caught the hesitation and fear behind that nod. He knew Naina too well by now-her gestures, her silences, even the lies she tried to mask. He understood that she wasn't agreeing out of love but out of fear. And that truth didn't sit well with him.

Nani, oblivious to the tension, smiled warmly. "You two look good together," she said, her voice filled with genuine happiness.

Naina kept her eyes on her naani, refusing to look at Ishaan. She couldn't face him-not after that nod that had betrayed her true feelings. Ishaan, however, continued to watch her closely, his gaze unwavering. He knew that despite her outward submission, Naina's heart was still defiant. She might have nodded, but he could see through the façade.

And deep down, Naina knew she hated that about him-the way he saw through her, the way he always managed to uncover her secrets. Because the truth was bitter-she didn't love him. In fact, she hated him for what he represented, for the chaos he had brought into her life. And yet, in that moment, she was forced to wear the mask of acceptance, all to protect her family.

🥀

After some time, Naina and Ishaan were back in the car. Naina had said her goodbyes to her relatives,and Naani..and Ishaan had spent that time in the car, engrossed in a business meeting. Now, silence filled the space between them as the car moved steadily down the road. Naina couldn't help but glance at Ishaan. Her mind was racing, replaying his earlier words. What did he mean by calling himself her soon to be husband..Why did he say that? She studied his calm demeanor, trying to make sense of it all.

Ishaan, still busy on his tablet, broke the silence, his voice nonchalant yet playful. without looking up he said, "I know I'm handsome."

He turned to look at her, but the sight before him made him pause. Naina, sitting by the window, looked effortlessly captivating. The soft breeze from the open window played with her hair, causing loose strands to frame her face. The sunlight from his back hit her skin in just the right way, making her features glow. Her beauty wasn't loud or forced; it was natural, serene, and utterly mesmerizing.

Ishaan swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. She's... breathtaking. He had always known Naina was beautiful, but seeing her like this, so unguarded, left him momentarily speechless. He clenched his jaw, his hand tightening around his tablet as he fought to regain control over his thoughts. His gaze lingered on her longer than he intended. The way her eyes seemed lost in thought, her delicate features framed by those unruly strands of hair-it was enough to make his chest tighten. He looked away briefly, trying to refocus, but his eyes betrayed him, drifting back to her. She was unaware of the effect she was having on him, lost in her own world. Ishaan's mind was at war. Focus, Ishaan. Stop staring. But the more he tried to pull himself together, the harder it became to look away.

Ishaan glanced at Naina, noticing her nervous silence. "What's wrong?" he asked, his tone calm but curious.

Naina hesitated for a moment before speaking in a soft, trembling voice. "Why did you say that...that you're my future husband?"

Ishaan leaned closer, his intense gaze fixed on her. "And what part of it was a lie?" he asked, his voice low but filled with certainty.

Naina could only stare at him, her heart racing wildly. Her breath grew unsteady, and she found herself unable to respond. Fear crept into her chest as the realization dawned on her-he wasn't joking. He was serious, and the thought terrified her.

Ishaan's eyes darkened as he watched her panic. His voice dropped an octave as he leaned even closer, his presence suffocating yet magnetic. "I want to make you mine, Naina. In every way possible."

Naina froze, her body rigid with fear, and for a moment, her lips trembled. A single word escaped her mouth in a barely audible whisper. "No..."

Ishaan's expression shifted instantly. His calm demeanor melted away, replaced by the dangerous, possessive side of him she had seen before. He tilted his head slightly, his jaw clenching as he said, "No?" His voice was sharp, almost mocking. "Did I ask for your permission, love?"

The air in the car grew heavy as his gaze bore into hers. Ishaan's voice, low and deadly, sent chills down her spine. "The moment we go back, we're getting married. Do you understand me?"

Naina's eyes widened in shock, and she instinctively leaned back, shaking her head. "No, Ishaan... I can't-"

Before she could finish, Ishaan voice rose, laced with authority and barely restrained fury. " Don't test my patience. If you say one more word, I'll drag you to a court right now and marry you there."

Naina's heart pounded as she stared at him, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. The car seemed to shrink around her, trapping her in the storm that was Ishaan. Silence filled the car as Naina struggled to process Ishaan's words. Her breathing was uneven, her hands trembling in her lap. The man sitting next to her was no longer the calm, composed Ishaan who had accompanied her to meet her family. He was a storm - unpredictable, fierce, and overwhelming.

"Ishaan," she whispered, her voice barely steady, "You can't force me into this."

He didn't flinch, his eyes still dark with intensity. "Can't I?" he challenged, his voice sharp. "Do you really think anyone can stop me if I decide something?"

Naina's heart raced as fear clawed at her chest. She couldn't believe how far things had spiraled. "This isn't right," she managed to say, her voice cracking. "Marriage is about love, about consent."

Ishaan's expression softened just a fraction, but his voice remained firm. "You think I'm doing this for fun?" His words hung in the air, heavy with frustration.

Naina's lips quivered as she struggled to find her voice. "Love isn't about control," she whispered. "It's not about forcing someone into something they're not ready for."

Ishaan's gaze softened, but only slightly. He let out a slow breath, leaning back in his seat. "You have no idea what you do to me," he admitted, his voice raw. "Every time I see you, I lose control. I can't think straight. And the thought of losing you? It's unbearable."

Naina's chest tightened at his confession, but fear still gripped her. "Ishan...." she said shakily. Tears welled up in Naina's eyes as she shook her head. she pleaded. "You're suffocating me."

He looked at her, truly looked at her, and saw the pain in her eyes. The storm inside him quieted, replaced by a sudden wave of fear grip -the fear of losing Naina. His mind raced as he realized that she wasn't going to agree willingly. Her resistance was firm, and for the first time, he saw the possibility of her slipping away from him. There was only one way to keep her-forcing her into marriage.

He gently tucked her hair behind her ear, leaning in closer. In a low, dangerous whisper, he said, "This is just the beginning."His jaw clenched, If she wouldn't come to him willingly, then he would leave her no choice. He wouldn't let her walk out of his life. Never.

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