They were childhood best friends, inseparable until fate tore them apart.
Years later, Avneet returns-hoping, longing-for even a flicker of recognition in Siddharth's eyes.
But he looks at her like a stranger.
Every memory... gone.
Every promise...
The same accident. The same jolting fear. I woke up with a gasp, heart pounding in my chest like a warning I couldn’t decipher.
But instead of lying in bed and letting it drown me, I decided to run. Maybe, just maybe, I could outrun the chaos in my mind.
I glanced outside. The sky was a murky gray, and the air still smelled like yesterday’s rain. Chilly. I threw on a jacket over my T-shirt, slipped into my track pants and shoes, and headed out.
Two hours later, drenched in sweat and still breathless, I returned home. But something was off.
Mom and Di were sitting on the floor, surrounded by a rainbow of sarees, discussing jewelry and hairstyles like there was a wedding today.
Confused, I made my way to my older brother.
“Dada, what’s going on?” I asked.
Abhishek chuckled and patted my shoulder. “Your girlfriend invited the whole family to her house today, Romeo.”
I blinked. “She did?”
How did everyone know except me?
Still, I nodded. After all, she was my girlfriend. I couldn’t exactly ditch the plan just because I felt out of the loop. Although, something about it felt… strange. I couldn’t put my finger on it.
I brushed off the uneasiness and took a shower. Then I changed into a navy blue kurta with crisp white pants. Simple. Sharp.
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Meanwhile, Vaishnavi was busy helping Abhishek get ready, though a heavy feeling tugged at her chest. She tried to brush it off, but eventually gave in.
“Abhi,” she said, watching him fix his hair in the mirror.
He hummed in response.
“Why do you think Ashi’s mom suddenly invited all of us over?”
Abhishek didn’t look too bothered. “Probably just a casual family meet. Nothing big.”
Vaishnavi nodded slowly, though her gut still whispered otherwise. She reached for a necklace, noticing how bare her neck looked without it, but fumbled with the clasp.
Abhishek turned, chuckled softly, and helped her without a word. She smiled, grateful—and just as she was about to thank him, he placed a gentle kiss on her neck.
Her eyes widened, and her cheeks bloomed with pink. He smirked. She rolled her eyes, laughing softly.
Moments later, they walked downstairs together.
Vibha looked up and her face lit up the moment she saw Vaishnavi. “My daughter looks like a goddess today. Nazar na lage.”
Vaishnavi blushed again, cheeks still warm from earlier.
