VEILS OF ROSE

CHAPTER 1️⃣2️⃣

             🌟Author's POV🌟

The sky was painted in hues of soft orange as the sun dipped below the horizon. The city was winding down, people heading home after a long day. Sara and Roshni pulled into their building’s parking lot—Sara carefully parking her scooty—before they both headed toward the elevator, chatting quietly.

Meanwhile, Asma stepped out of her cab, paid the fare, and headed into the building. She unlocked the apartment door and entered, just as Sara and Roshni joined her. The trio dropped onto the couch, utterly drained from the day’s chaos.

What Asma didn’t know was that a storm was brewing… and its name was Noorie.

---

Meanwhile…

Noorie, still at the office, was rushing out as if her life depended on it. She definitely didn’t want to face Ishaan.

Reaching the parking lot, she spotted Armaan leaning against his car. Without wasting a second, she bolted toward him and yanked the passenger door open.

“Drive! Please, drive fast. Ishaan sir is searching for me!” she begged, breathless.

Armaan raised an amused brow. “What on earth did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything. He wanted me to accompany him to my friends’ apartment. I escaped before he could trap me.”

Armaan couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking his head as he started the car. “This is going to be fun.”

And fun it was… because despite her dramatic escape, Ishaan wasn’t far behind.

---

Fate being its usual mischievous self, all three of them—Armaan, Noorie, and Ishaan—arrived at the apartment at the same time.

Noorie and Armaan got to the elevator first, barely dodging Ishaan’s gaze. Reaching the apartment, they rang the bell just as Sara and Roshni were settling down.

Roshni opened the door and scrunched her nose, eyeing Noorie. “You again? Why don’t you just move in already?”

“Stop interrogating me at the door and let me in. Besides, I brought company.” Noorie stepped aside to reveal Armaan.

“Hey, sunshine,” Armaan grinned.

Roshni rolled her eyes. “I was better before you arrived.”

“Oh come on, admit it. You missed me.”

“In my nightmares, maybe.”

Noorie, meanwhile, peeked nervously down the corridor. “Guys, please, can we go inside? He’s coming.”

“Who’s coming? What did you do this time?” Roshni asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Nothing! Just let me in already!” Noorie shoved past.

Moments later, Ishaan reached the door. Seeing Armaan there too, he raised a brow. “You here?”

“I ran into Noorie and offered her a lift,” Armaan replied, omitting the part where she had commandeered his car.

Inside, Asma was already looking at Noorie with suspicion. “Twice in one day? Are you planning to settle here?”

“Why is everyone after me today?” Noorie huffed dramatically.

Roshni, Armaan, and Ishaan followed her inside. Asma glanced between them, especially surprised to see Ishaan. “Shaan, you too?”

“And you, Armaan?” she asked, confused.