VEILS OF ROSE

CHAPTER 1️⃣7️⃣

            Author’s POV

Ishaan woke up to noises coming from the other side of the main door. The sound stirred a very sleepy Ahaan and Armaan, who jolted awake, taking in their surroundings. Armaan, realizing they had spent the night at the girls’ apartment, glared at the culprit who dared to wake him on a weekend. Ahaan, still rubbing sleep from his eyes, blinked around in confusion until he too remembered where they were.

“What happened, Ishaan?” Ahaan asked groggily.

“I think someone’s at the door,” Ishaan replied. “But they’re not coming in. Just… whispering.”

That made all of them alert.

They got up, fixed the sofa back into place, put away the spare sheets and pillows, and headed to the door.

---

Outside the door...

A group of residents was whispering among themselves, led by Mrs. Dhillon. A debate had broken out — who would knock?

“I think Mrs. Dhillon should go,” said Mrs. Ghosh, a younger woman. “She’s the senior among us.”

Mrs. Dhillon’s eyes widened at the suggestion. Still bitter over Sara’s previous insult, she flatly refused. “Don’t drag me into this! I’m just here for moral support,” she said.

But before the argument could continue, the door swung open.

And there they were — three handsome young men.

The crowd froze. The ladies stared a little too long while the men looked on with envy.

Inside, the trio was equally stunned to see a mini mob standing outside the girls’ apartment. But the moment passed, and the questions began.

“What are you doing here at the girls’ apartment so early?” Mr. Saurabh, Mrs. Dhillon’s husband demanded.

Before anyone could answer, someone else piped up, pointing at Ishaan, “Aren’t you the guy Asmaara was holding hands with yesterday?”

Ishaan glared.

Mrs. Dhillon’s face went pale. She remembered Sara’s words — He’s Asmaara’s fiancé.

---

Then Came the Thunderstorm: Sara

“Care to tell me what’s happening here?” Sara’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.

Everyone turned, scared stiff.

“Oh! Sara! How are you? We just came to check on your well-being... and we were just leaving,” Mrs. Dhillon stammered.

Ahaan and Armaan were barely holding back their laughter. Ishaan, amused, watched Mrs. Dhillon backtrack in real time — just at the sound of Sara's voice.

“So, you’re telling me,” Sara said sarcastically, “that you brought half the building to ask about my well-being? Do I look like a fool to you, Mrs. Dhillon?”

Just then, Asma rushed to Ishaan’s side and held his hand as he continued to glare.

The earlier voice rang out again, “See? No shame at all. Holding hands in front of everyone!”

Asma flushed red — anger or embarrassment, no one could tell. Ishaan looked ready to snap, and Sara’s face turned stone cold. Their friends all mirrored their fury.

---

Enter: The Savage Grandma

Before Sara could speak, a furious voice thundered from behind.