Naina's breath felt like it had stopped, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of Ishan's words. Who does he think he is, and why is he so arrogant? she thought, her eyes locked on his. His gaze was terrifying, filled with a mixture of rage and something darker that sent chills down her spine. It was as if his eyes were dripping with fury, ready to consume anyone who dared to defy him.

Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the silence. Naina froze, fear tightening her chest. Ishan released her wrist gently, his expression unreadable, and without saying another word, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there in shock.

For a few moments, Naina remained rooted to the spot, her mind blank. Then, as if pulled by an invisible force, she shifted her focus. Her gaze fell on something innocent and pure-a little boy, no more than two or three years old, wobbling around on his tiny feet. His laughter was soft and sweet as he toddled from one spot to another, completely unaware of the world around him.

Naina quickly looked around, searching for someone who might be his mother, but there was no one in sight. Concerned, she slowly approached the child, crouching down beside him. "Hey, baby," she said softly, her voice tender. The boy stopped and looked at her with wide, curious eyes.

She smiled gently and picked him up, holding him close. "What's your name, sweetheart?" she asked, her voice warm and soothing.

This was the first time in so many days that Naina had smiled genuinely while talking to someone. Her smile was something no one had seen in ages-not since she had arrived here, months ago. She had looked more like a living ghost, her face void of life, her eyes heavy with grief. She spent her days avoiding eye contact, her head bowed low, speaking to no one.

Shalini and Karan had tried everything they could to bring even a flicker of happiness to her face, but their efforts had always been in vain. No matter what they did, Naina's sorrow seemed unshakable.

But today, for the first time, an innocent little child-someone who didn't even know her-had managed to bring out her true smile. It wasn't forced; it wasn't fleeting. It was real, raw, and heartwarming, even if no one else witnessed it. That little boy, with his giggles and wide-eyed innocence, had unknowingly touched a part of Naina's heart that had long been buried under layers of pain.

The little boy didn't say anything-he was too young to speak-but he started playing with Naina's dupatta, as if it were the most precious thing in the world. His tiny hands tugged and twirled the soft fabric, making her chuckle softly.

Holding him close, Naina carried him outside. The party was in full swing, with a sea of people mingling, chatting, and laughing. Slowly, the crowd's attention began to shift towards Naina. She could feel their gazes on her, some curious, some surprised.

She hated being the center of attention. She had never wanted to come to this gathering in the first place, but Shalini had insisted, almost begged her to accompany her. After all, it was an important occasion-Shalini couldn't imagine celebrating without her dear friend present.

Reluctantly, Naina had given in, knowing how much it meant to Shalini. Savitri and Shalini shared a strong bond, and Shalini wanted Naina to experience even a moment of joy amidst her sorrow. Yet, here Naina stood, clutching the little boy, feeling more out of place than ever, despite the soft smile still lingering on her lips.

Naina, as always, found a quiet corner and sat on a chair away from everyone, clutching the little boy close to her. It was her habit to distance herself from the crowd, to avoid unnecessary interactions. She kept her eyes on the boy, letting him play with her dupatta, while the world around her seemed to blur away.

Shalini and Savitri, standing together, noticed her. Both women paused their conversation, their eyes softening as they took in the rare sight of Naina's smile. Ria, who was standing with them, suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, that's my son! I've been looking everywhere for him. And look at how attached he is to your daughter Shalini -like he's found an angel."

Shalini glanced at Ria with a thoughtful smile and said, "Do you mind if he stays with her a little longer? It's been ages since I've seen this much happiness on her face."

Ria nodded warmly. "Of course, She's like a daughter to me, too. But..." Ria hesitated before lowering her voice, "Does she know?"

Shalini's hand tightened slightly around her wine glass. Her expression turned serious, a faint trace of worry flickering across her face. She didn't need to ask what Ria meant-she knew exactly what the question was about. With a small shake of her head, Shalini whispered, "No. And I don't want her to know... not yet."

Ria noticed the tension in Shalini's voice and decided not to press further. She gave a reassuring pat on her friend's shoulder as Shalini raised her wine glass and took a long sip, her mind clearly elsewhere.



"Vansh... Vansh..." That name kept echoing in my mind. Her eyes-those beautiful eyes-held a tension I couldn't ignore. How much does she care about him? Why does he matter so much to her? The thought made my blood boil. My grip on her wrist had tightened earlier, and yet, I don't know why I let it go and walked away. Maybe because I couldn't bear to see her like that-worried for someone else.

I stepped out, joining the crowd outside, but my mind was far away. I pulled out my phone and dialed Faris. The moment he picked up, I asked, "Have you got the information yet?"

Faris's voice was steady. "Yes, sir. His name is Vansh. He works for a corporate company and is also a distant relative of your mom. We've arranged all the details and photos in files. Would you like to see them, or should I send you a PDF?"

Hearing that name again made my anger flare up, but before I could say anything, my gaze shifted. There she was. Naina. Her delicate arms were holding a little child. Something inside me softened unexpectedly. My eyes lingered on her face, radiant with a smile. That smile...

A whisper escaped my lips without me realizing it: "Uff..."

Without responding to Faris, I hung up the call abruptly. Words? What words could I find in this moment? How could I even think about anyone else when someone so stunning, so pure, stood right there?

I placed my hand on a nearby chair, gripping it tightly to steady myself. My legs felt weak, as if I couldn't even stand properly. What kind of spell has she cast on me? My mind kept racing with one thought: She's driving me crazy.

Just then, Rajveer approached me, interrupting my thoughts. "Sir, there are a few files that need your signature. If you're free..."

Still entranced by her, I took the pen from him without breaking my gaze. My eyes were fixed on her as I blindly glanced at the papers, scribbled my signature, and handed them back. Rajveer walked away, but I stayed, frozen, my heart and mind utterly captivated by her.

She sat on a chair at the far corner, just like the first time I saw her-away from everyone, in her own isolated world. Maybe that's where she feels the most at ease. The little child clung to her dupatta, his tiny fingers gripping it like it was his most treasured possession.

A pang of pain shot through my chest. Why?

It should've been me there, not him. It should've been my hand holding her dupatta, pulling her closer to me, wrapped securely in my arms.

I stood there, realizing how long I had been lost in my thoughts, watching her from afar. Without a second glance, I turned and walked away, heading straight to the balcony. The cool breeze hit my face as I pulled out a cigarette from my pocket and placed it between my lips.

Just as I reached for my lighter, a hand appeared in front of me, holding one. I turned my gaze and saw her-Rysa.

Without acknowledging her offer, I took out my own lighter, lit the cigarette, and took a slow drag. She stepped closer, standing right in front of me, her presence demanding my attention.

"After a long time, Ishan," she said, her voice carrying a hint of mockery. "Seems like you've completely forgotten me."

I exhaled the smoke and glanced at her briefly. "Right. It's been a while," I replied curtly, shifting my focus back to the open view ahead.

Leaning my arm on the balcony railing, cigarette in hand, I flicked the ash, watching as the tiny embers danced in the wind. They disappeared into the darkness below, either swallowed by the vast emptiness or dissolving into thin air-just like many things in life.

Rysa spoke softly, her voice laced with nostalgia. "Do you remember when we used to play in that garden as kids? You would always try to catch me, and I'd run like crazy just to annoy you," she said, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she looked at me.

Her words stirred memories I had buried long ago-moments I had locked away, along with the innocence of my childhood. She smiled, but I couldn't bring myself to fully embrace those memories. They felt distant, like a story belonging to someone else.

For a moment, I looked at her, realizing that Rysa was one of the few people who could talk to me without hesitation. Maybe she was the only one who didn't treat me like a shadow of my titles and responsibilities. She had always been a fragment of something pure, something that felt like a sanctuary from the chaos.

But tonight, even her words couldn't fully pull me out of the storm within. I just smiled faintly, not saying much. She was waiting for a reply, hoping for some shared laughter or connection. Instead, I took another drag of the cigarette, letting the silence answer her.

The memory rushed back with intensity, and my mind became a battlefield of thoughts and emotions.

In the past -

The loud sound echoed in my ears-the sound that made my soul tremble with fear. I turned to look at the house, and my gaze landed on the very balcony where I had seen my father's hand grip a gun, and where my grandfather had fallen to the ground. It was a moment that had scarred me, a scene I couldn't erase, no matter how much I tried. The image of my father standing there, the gun in his hand, still haunted me.

I rushed up, my heart pounding, as if my feet were being pulled by the weight of that memory. Rysa followed closely behind, her footsteps soft but steady. When I reached the balcony, everything went dark in front of my eyes-someone had covered them. I felt the warmth of a familiar presence lean close to my ear, and a soft voice whispered, "No."

It was my mother's voice.

She didn't want me to see the truth, didn't want me to know what my father had done. Maybe she wanted to protect me from the horror, from the betrayal that lay in the very foundation of our home. But that truth had already marked me, had already shaped who I had become.

Present -

I turned to face Rysa, my eyes cold, but the words escaped my mouth before I could stop them: "Maybe you only remember us playing together?"

She froze, knowing too well what I was capable of when anger overtook me. Rysa knew the truth-knew that I wasn't just some regular man; I was tied to the underworld, a mafia boss with no tolerance for weakness or betrayal.

Her voice faltered as she responded, "No, I remember everything. But why would I want to remind you of that time?"

I met her gaze, my anger seeping through every word. "But you did remind me."

The guilt in her eyes was clear. She placed a hand on my shoulder, her touch light, almost hesitant, as she said, "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to make you remember."

It was a rare moment of vulnerability from her. She hadn't meant to hurt me, but the damage was already done, and in this world, apologies didn't always fix the scars we carried.

As Rysa's gaze shifted towards the garden, her tone curious yet somewhat puzzled, she asked, "Who is that?"

I slowly turned my head, following her line of sight, and saw her-Naina-standing by the garden, her hands holding the edges of her lehenga, surrounded by Shalini aunty and Karan uncle. It seemed like she was leaving. A strange feeling washed over me. Every time I see her, there's this fleeting moment, and then she's gone. Why does she do this? Why does she always slip away That thought echoed in my mind. It was strange, almost frustrating.

Rysa asked again, "Who is she?" Her voice had a hint of curiosity mixed with confusion. She was clearly wondering why my attention had shifted so suddenly, noticing the change in my demeanor.

"Naina". I said with a smile

Rysa said, "You even remember her name? I didn't know the great Ishan keeps track of girls' names." By then, Naina had already gotten into the car and was driving away. I kept watching her until she disappeared, unaware that someone was looking at her with such intense longing. I turned to Rysa and said,

"Not everyone, just hers."

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