THE RAJHANS SISTERS

THE PAST

As Nishi entered the cozy apartment, she was enveloped in the warm embrace of her sister's hug. The familiar scent of home and the comforting touch of Nitya's arms wrapped around her instantly eased the fatigue of her journey from Australia.

"It feels so good to be back," Nishi sighed contentedly, returning her sister's hug with equal enthusiasm.

Nitya's grin widened as she pulled back, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I've missed you so much, Nishi. It's been too long since we last saw each other."

Nishi chuckled, her heart swelling with affection for her sister. "I know, Di. But I'm here now, and I promise I won't leave again anytime soon."

As they settled into the cozy living room, Nitya began listing out various items they needed to purchase for the upcoming wedding preparations. However, Nishi couldn't help but notice the underlying tension in her sister's voice, the forced cheerfulness masking deeper emotions.

"Di, what's wrong? What's bothering you, Di?" Nishi inquired gently, furrowing her brows with concern.

Nitya's attempt to deflect the question didn't go unnoticed by Nishi, who could see right through her sister's facade. She reached out and took Nitya's hand, guiding her to sit down on the bed.

"Come on, Di, you know what I'm talking about. You know very well. Please don't lie," Nishi implored, her voice soft but firm as she looked into her sister's eyes.

Nitya hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering with uncertainty before finally meeting Nishi's unwavering stare. With a heavy sigh, she relented, allowing her true emotions to surface.

"Nishi, I brought the perfume you asked for..." Nitya attempted to change the subject, but Nishi wasn't about to let her off the hook so easily. She gently squeezed her sister's hand, silently urging her to open up.

"Di, what's going on? And don't lie, please, Di..." Nitya's eyes welled up with tears as she struggled to find the words to express the turmoil within her heart. The memory of the earlier incident weighed heavily on her mind, threatening to overwhelm her with its intensity. She closed her eyes remembering the incident from the past.

Nitya took a deep breath, steadying her nerves as she glanced once more at her reflection in the mirror. The wine-red dress clung to her curves, accentuating her figure in a way that made her cheeks flush with warmth. The delicate beading sparkled under the soft glow of the lights, adding an ethereal quality to her appearance.

As she carefully fastened the sleek diamond necklace around her neck, her fingers lingered on the precious gift from Aniket. The necklace held sentimental value, a tangible reminder of his affection and thoughtfulness. A shy smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she recalled the tender moments they had shared.

However, the plunging neckline of the dress gave her pause, a reminder of a previous mishap at Aarushi's party. The memory of feeling exposed and uncomfortable still lingered in her mind, casting a shadow over her excitement for the evening ahead.

With a sigh, Nitya reassured herself aloud, her voice barely above a whisper. "Nitya, you look fine," she murmured, summoning the courage to face her fears. Wrapping a stole around her shoulders, she sought solace in the comforting embrace of the fabric, shielding herself from prying eyes and unwanted attention.

As Nitya stepped out of the cab, the cool evening air brushed against her skin, sending a shiver of anticipation down her spine. She handed the fare to the cabbie with a grateful smile before turning her attention to the imposing façade of the Satkaar Group of Hotels Office. The building stood tall and imposing, a symbol of Aniket's professional prowess and ambition.