"Masquerade of Hearts: Where Love Wears Many Faces"

**Chapter 5: Midnight Departure**

So, hello lovelies ♡

Here's th he first chapter of my book shower your love
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Happy reading peeps ❤️
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Maya stood on the terrace, watching the first light of dawn break over the horizon. The magic of the night had left her feeling both elated and hollow. Her heart was still racing from the dance with the mysterious stranger, and his words echoed in her mind. She couldn't shake the feeling that their connection was something extraordinary, something destined.

As she walked back into the ballroom, now almost empty, she spotted Riya waiting for her by the entrance. The twinkle in Riya’s eyes suggested she had been watching Maya’s every move.

"Toh, kaisa tha?" Riya asked, a teasing smile on her face.

( Soo how was it?)

Maya sighed, her thoughts still lingering on the mysterious stranger. "Woh... ek sapna jaisa tha," she replied, her voice tinged with both awe and uncertainty. "Main abhi tak uske baare mein soch rahi hoon."

(It was... like a dream)
(I'm still thinking about it.)

Riya’s smile softened into a look of genuine curiosity. "Kya usne apna naam bataya?"

(Did he tell his name?)

Maya shook her head, a small frown creasing her brow. "Nahi, kuch bhi nahi bataya. Sab kuch ek raaz hi tha."

(raaz hee tha.

No, did not tell anything. Everything was a secret.)

Riya placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Kabhi-kabhi kuch raaz zindagi ko aur bhi khoobsurat bana dete hain. Par mujhe lagta hai, tumhe uske baare mein jaldi hi sab kuch pata chal jayega."

(Sometimes some secrets make life more beautiful.But I think you will  know about it
Soon)

They walked out of the ballroom together, the night air cool against their skin. Maya couldn't help but feel a sense of loss. The stranger had left such a profound impact on her, and she didn’t even know his name.

---

The next day, Maya was back in her usual routine, working at the law firm. She tried to focus on her cases, but her mind kept drifting back to the previous night. As she sat at her desk, flipping through a case file, she couldn’t help but replay the shayari he had recited. His words had touched her deeply, and the memory of his voice sent shivers down her spine.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed, breaking her reverie. It was Riya.

"Hello, Maya! Kaise ho?" Riya's cheerful voice filled the line.

(How are you)

"I'm good, Riya. Bas kaam mein thodi busy thi," Maya replied, trying to sound composed.

(Was just busy in work)

"Mujhe pata hai kal raat ke baad tumhara mann nahi lag raha hoga," Riya teased. "Lekin tumhe bata du, maine tumhare liye ek surprise plan kiya hai."

(I know I won't be feeling like you after last night)
(But let me tell you, I have planned a surprise for you.)

Maya's curiosity was piqued. "Kya surprise?"

( What surprise?)

"Bas tum evening tak free rehna. Aur haan, thoda sa ready ho kar aana," Riya said mysteriously before hanging up.

( Just be free till evening and yes get a little ready and come )

---

By evening, Maya found herself being driven to an unknown location. When the car finally stopped, she realized they were at a quaint little café by the lake. It was one of her favorite spots in the city, a place where she often came to think and relax.

Riya was waiting for her outside, grinning from ear to ear. "Surprise!" she exclaimed. "Mujhe laga tumhe thoda time chahiye hoga apne aap ke saath."

(I thought you might need some time with yourself.)

Maya hugged her best friend. "Thank you, Riya. Tumhe pata hai yeh jagah meri kitni favorite hai."

(You know how favorite this place is of mine.)

They found a cozy corner inside the café, and as they sipped their chai, Riya tried to distract Maya from her thoughts. They talked about everything from work to family, and for a while, Maya managed to forget about the stranger with the peacock feather mask.

But deep down, she knew that he was still there, in the back of her mind. The sense of longing didn’t fade; if anything, it grew stronger. She was determined to find him, to unravel the mystery that had begun on that magical night.

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Later that night, as Maya lay in bed, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret for not asking more questions, for not holding onto him a little longer. Her thoughts wandered back to his words, his touch, and the unspoken promise in his eyes.

"Yeh sab kuch ek sapna jaisa hi lagta hai," she whispered to herself, closing her eyes and allowing the memories to wash over her.

( All this feels like a dream only)

She didn’t know what the future held, but she was ready to face it head-on. With a newfound determination, she resolved to uncover the truth behind the masquerade ball, the stranger, and the feelings he had stirred within her.

As she drifted off to sleep, Maya knew that this was only the beginning of her journey. The night had left her with a profound sense of longing, but it had also given her a purpose. And with Riya by her side, she felt ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.

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Author
Passionpen_🎀