Udaariyaan: Entangled Hearts

Chapter 3

Love me or not?

After a quick shower, Nehmat stood before the mirror, towel-drying her hair and mumbling under her breath, "I don't know how I ended up sleeping so late today... Rama Mom must be furious."

As she ran a comb through her damp hair, her mind drifted to her very first day at the Kapoor Mansion. She vividly remembered Rama's stern words: "You may have married into the Kapoor family, but you'll become my daughter-in-law in the truest sense only when you find a place in Advait's heart."

Nehmat's hand stilled. Last night's memories came rushing in—Advait's unexpected confession of love, the way he kissed her, the way they had come together as two souls letting go of the past, if only for a night.

Unconsciously, a soft smile curved Nehmat's lips. She blinked at her reflection in surprise, almost as if seeing herself for the first time. Why am I smiling? she wondered, startled by the warmth spreading in her chest. What is happening to me?

I've only ever loved Ekam, she reminded herself. For years, it was always him. I dreamt of hearing those words from his lips, of a life with him. But last night, when Advait had said those very words, she hadn't felt guilt or regret. Instead, there was something unfamiliar—something dangerously close to happiness.

"Could it be?" she whispered. "Is it possible... I'm falling for Advait?"

Shaking her head quickly, Nehmat stepped away from the mirror as though physically trying to escape her thoughts. "No. No, this can't be happening," she muttered. "I can't love anyone other than Ekam. Especially not someone who was in love with my best friend..."

Her mind pushed back—but her heart brought forth more memories.

Flashback:
She remembered the early days of their marriage—how forced and bitter they had been. Advait had resented her, blamed her for turning his life upside down. He had been distant, angry, cold.

And yet, somewhere along the way, something shifted.

When she was shattered after learning about her biological parents' deaths, it was Advait who stood by her, who took her hand and said gently, "You're not alone, Nehmat. My family is your family too."

It was he who guided her through the expectations of his household, who helped her win the hearts of every member of the Kapoor family.

It was Advait who uncovered the truth behind Shamsher's crimes—confessing not only his father's involvement in the Fatejo murder case but also his own. And in the end, it was Advait who defied everything, stood against his own father, and sent him to prison—all for her.

Flashback ends.

Nehmat returned to the present, her expression thoughtful, almost dazed.

He used to despise me. And yet... why did his behavior change so drastically? Why did he go to such lengths for me?

Her hand loosened, and the comb slipped from her grasp, clattering to the floor.

She stood still, eyes wide, mouth slightly open.

Could his feelings truly have changed? Just like mine are beginning to...? Was his confession last night real? Did he really mean it?

A sudden urgency filled her chest. I need to talk to Advait.

She quickly glanced around the room and realized she hadn't seen him since waking up. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Where's Advait?" she whispered, a hint of panic in her voice.

Kapoor House – Office Room

Advait paced restlessly across the length of the room, his brows knitted in turmoil. His thoughts were scattered, a war raging inside him as he struggled to come to terms with the night before. His fists clenched and unclenched by his sides, as if trying to release emotions too heavy for words.

Outside, Naaz happened to pass by and halted abruptly. Her eyes narrowed as she caught sight of Advait through the slightly open door, pacing like a man on the edge. Something's off, she thought suspiciously. Advait never looks this rattled.

Curious—and driven by her ever-burning jealousy—Naaz crept closer, hiding just outside the doorway, careful not to make a sound. From her vantage point, she could see him, but he had no idea she was there.

Inside, Advait ran a hand through his hair in frustration. Guilt and confusion gnawed at him. His mind flashed back to the night before...

Flashback:
He recalled stumbling into their room, half-drunk, half-broken, pouring his heart out in front of Nehmat. The way he'd confessed his love... the desperation in his voice... the moment their lips met, and how one kiss spiraled into something neither of them had expected—something intimate, raw, and undeniably real.
Flashback ends.

With a surge of emotion, Advait slammed his fists down on the desk. The sharp bang startled Naaz, who instinctively backed away slightly, but remained hidden.

"I shouldn't have..." he muttered under his breath, his voice thick with self-reproach.

Naaz strained to hear. Shouldn't have what?

"I shouldn't have... gotten intimate with Nehmat," he finally said aloud, his voice breaking.

Naaz's eyes widened in shock. What?! Nehmat and Advait... got intimate? But how? They don't even love each other... or do they?

Panic bloomed inside her. Her thoughts began to spiral. Does this mean Nehmat will now carry the next heir to the Kapoor legacy?

Flashback:
Naaz had always harbored a secret bitterness. It was Advait—not her husband Nikhil—who was the chosen heir to the Kapoor Empire. And when Nikhil had stepped away from politics, that resentment only deepened. To punish him, she had refused intimacy, making it conditional on him fulfilling her endless demands. No matter how hard Nikhil tried, she remained dissatisfied. Their relationship had been slowly disintegrating—and she didn't even realize how far it had drifted.
Flashback ends.

Her expression twisted into one of cold fury. No. I can't let this happen. I won't allow Nehmat to give birth to the next Kapoor heir. That position—that power—was meant for me, through my child. I have to stop this... now.

Without a second thought, Naaz stormed away from the door, her mind already hatching plans. She didn't bother to stay and hear the rest.

Back inside, Advait remained rooted to the spot, battling his emotions.

How am I going to face her now? he thought. What must she think of me?

Then, a sudden realization struck him. Wait... I was the one who was drunk. But Nehmat—she was completely in her senses. So why didn't she stop me?

His hand instinctively went to his chest, now sore from the punches she'd landed during his impulsive kiss. He winced, murmuring, "Ouch..."

She did try at first, he recalled. But when I wouldn't stop... she surrendered.

The ache in his chest was now matched by a new ache in his heart. Does that mean she feels something for me too? Or was it just a moment of weakness?

Torn and restless, he resumed pacing before finally coming to a decision. "I need answers," he said aloud. "I have to talk to her. I need to know what Nehmat truly feels."

Without wasting another moment, he headed toward their room.

Kapoor House – Nehmat and Advait's Room

Nehmat scanned the room for the hundredth time. The bed was empty, the bathroom door wide open, and there was no sign of Advait.

Where has he gone? I need to talk to him, she thought anxiously. Her heart pounded with anticipation, confusion, and a strange hope she didn't yet know how to name.

Just then, a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Her heart leapt.

She rushed to the door, expecting to see Advait. But her face fell in disappointment when she found Nikhil standing there, his expression grim.

"Nikhil?" she said, puzzled. "You...?"

Nikhil's voice was low and serious. "Bhabs, we need to talk."

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To be continued.