When Hearts Collide

|•Chapter 13•|

**Naina’s POV**

The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying last night’s conversation with Ekansh in my mind. There was a strange mix of emotions swirling inside me—relief, anxiety, and maybe even a hint of excitement. For the first time in years, I had let my guard down with him. And despite my fears, it felt… right.

But the reality of what that meant was slowly sinking in. We had decided to give this a chance, to see where things could go between us. And while that was a relief, it also meant there were new challenges ahead—mainly, our families.

The Sharma and Singhania families were practically woven into each other’s lives. We’d grown up together, our families shared celebrations, business ties, and friendships. But this new dynamic between Ekansh and me? That was bound to complicate things.

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock on my door. “Naina, get up!” My mother’s voice rang from the other side, impatient as always. “We need to be at the Singhania house by noon for lunch!”

*Lunch at the Singhania house.* I had completely forgotten about that. Today wasn’t just any ordinary lunch—it was a business meeting between our families, discussing some new venture they wanted to collaborate on. I had a sinking feeling this was going to be a lot more complicated than any of us had anticipated.

“Coming!” I called back, quickly throwing off the covers and rushing to get ready. I glanced at my phone, wondering if I should text Ekansh. Would things be awkward between us today? Or were we really ready to face this new reality?

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By the time we arrived at the Singhania mansion, the butterflies in my stomach were in full flight. The sprawling white house, surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens, was as intimidating as ever. It always felt like walking into a palace, and today, it felt like stepping into a battlefield.

As we entered the living room, Ekansh’s parents, Mr. Vikram Singhania and Mrs. Kavita Singhania, greeted us warmly. They were a power couple in every sense—his father, a sharp businessman with years of experience under his belt, and his mother, a graceful yet commanding presence who ran their social circle with ease. Their smiles were genuine, but I could sense the weight of their expectations.

“Ah, Naina, you look lovely as always,” Mrs. Singhania said, giving me a light hug. Her eyes lingered on me for a moment, as if searching for something. “How have you been, beta?”

I smiled politely. “I’m doing well, aunty. How are you?”

“Busy, as usual,” she replied with a small laugh. “You know how it is in our families. Always something to keep us on our toes.”

Before I could respond, Ekansh entered the room, his eyes immediately finding mine. For a brief moment, everything else faded away, and it was just the two of us. There was a softness in his gaze, a silent acknowledgment of what had transpired between us the night before.