𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟔 ：𝑬𝒌 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒎 𝒌𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒂 ✓

𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘟. 𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦?

Edwards POV;

After a beautiful day with Manjari, I finally return home. Her name lingers in my mind like a sweet melody, just like her presence. If only I could have spent more time with her-though, truthfully, today was more than I could have hoped for. I had the chance to express myself, to be close to her.

I'm pulled from my thoughts as I realize I've reached my house. Stepping inside, the air feels heavier than before, and my steps falter when I see my father seated in a chair right by the entrance-as if he had been waiting for me.

His gaze is sharp, piercing through me with an intensity that makes my stomach tighten. Avoiding his stare, I lower my head and make my way toward my room, hoping to slip away unnoticed.

"Edward," his voice calls out, cold and commanding.

I stop in my tracks, inhaling deeply before slowly turning toward him.

"Yes, Father?" I respond, trying to mask my unease.

His narrowed eyes scan me suspiciously. "Where were you this morning, my son?"

A chill runs down my spine. My palms begin to sweat. Did he know? Had he seen me with Manjari? What if he hurt her because of me? A wave of regret crashes over me-perhaps I shouldn't have taken her with me. What if this was the last time I'd ever see her?

Before I can gather my thoughts, my father's voice cuts through the silence, sharp as a blade.

"Answer me, Ed!" he roars.

I flinch at his tone, my throat tightening. Just as I part my lips to speak, a familiar voice intervenes.

"Saab, he was exploring Calcutta," Yadav answers swiftly. "He asked me to take him, so I did."

My father's eyes flicker with doubt. "Really?" he questions, his voice laced with suspicion.

"Yes, Saab. Trust me, I was with him the entire time. I just parked the car outside," Yadav replies, his words steady and unwavering.

My father stares at him for a long moment before finally nodding.

I release a silent breath, wiping the sweat from my forehead. My gaze meets Yadav's, and I offer him a grateful nod. He returns it subtly before stepping away.

Seizing the opportunity, I quickly retreat to my room before my father can ask anything else.

Once inside, I collapse onto my bed, pulling something from my pocket-her earring. I hold it gently between my fingers, my heart swelling with warmth.

My gaze shifts to the hat she gave me, resting on the chair nearby. A quiet chuckle escapes my lips as I realize I've been staring at the earring for far too long.

Then, as if struck by an unseen force, my smile fades, replaced by a frown. A single thought lingers in my mind.

"Am I in love?"

Manjari's POV;

This was the most beautiful evening of my life. His eyes, his smile-God! I can't get his face out of my mind.

But my dreamy thoughts are abruptly shattered when a strong hand grabs my wrist and yanks me inside the house.

Before I can react, the door slams shut behind me with a loud thud.

I turn in shock to see Gauri standing before me, her eyes blazing with anger.

"Kaha thi tu? Maine bola tha na kisi angrez ke paas mat jaana! Tujhe bataya tha na ke tere jaan ko kitna khatra ho sakta hai? Tu unke baare mein sab jaanne ke baad bhi kaise ja sakti hai?!"