𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑.4

A a r u s h

Mom's nagging words echoed in my ears as I trudged out to the patio, the weight of her constant pressure about marriage heavy on my shoulders. Rehaan was already there, a welcoming figure in the fading light.

"What was the discussion with your mom about?" he asked, his tone casual, yet laced with a hint of knowing.

I sank onto the couch, my voice laced with frustration. "As usual, about getting married." Rehaan's smile was understanding but tinged with amusement.

"Why can't you just surrender to her wishes? Find a girl, get married, and make her happy." I scoffed, the annoyance bubbling to the surface.

"You know me, Rehaan. I've never been interested in girls. Not even a date. I've seen how they treat relationships—all about the benefits, the money, the luxury, the good family name. They'll do anything to get what they want."

Rehaan's smile faltered slightly, "But Aarush, not all women are the same. There are those who value their self-respect and choices over material gain." His words resonated, stirring a memory deep within me. The incident at Hotel Star Fine, a hazy but vivid image of a girl with a fierce spirit, a woman who held her own, who refused to be treated as an object.

Perhaps Rehaan was right. Maybe, just maybe, there were women out there who didn't fit the mold I had created in my head. The image of that girl sparked a flickering hope, a faint possibility that maybe, just maybe, I hadn't been seeing the whole picture.

"Aarush…Are you listening to me?" Rehaan's voice pulled me from the swirling thoughts that had ensnared my mind.

I blinked, startled, and shook my head, "What did you ask?" I mumbled, still grappling with the mental images.

"Where are you lost?" Rehaan inquired, amusement dancing in his eyes.

I cleared my throat, "I was thinking about the incident that happened at Hotel Star Fine."

Rehaan's curiosity was piqued, "What happened there?" Just as I was about to recount the happenings, a familiar voice cut through our conversation. "Hey guys, are you sitting here? I searched the whole house for you two. Anyways, I found you. Please move aside," Ranveer declared, his presence as unexpected as a sudden downpour on a sunny day.

Rehaan and I stared at him, aghast. Our jaws dropped in unison. The last we'd heard from him, he'd been out of the city, unable to meet up. "How did you get here so suddenly? You were out of the city, right?" Rehaan asked, bewilderment coating his voice.

Ranveer simply grinned, "I was lying."

"Why?" I questioned, my brow furrowed in confusion.

He shrugged, a playful twinkle in his eyes, "Just for fun, yaar. Pass me the drink." I shook my head, a tired smile playing on my lips. Ranveer was always like this, a master of pranks and mischief. He was also a notorious playboy, a serial flirt. It always baffled me how he managed to juggle his numerous girlfriends with such nonchalance.

"What happened in Hotel Star Fine?" Rehaan asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

Ranveer, ever the eager participant, chimed in, "You guys are talking about something, right? Let's continue it."

I took a deep breath, "Yeah... when I went to the hotel, I saw two women sitting at a table behind me. They were discussing a deal with Mr. Pratap Shankar. One of them was quiet and composed, seemingly unfazed by the situation. The other, well, she was a female version of Lucifer - fiery, sharp, and utterly captivating."