chapter 37

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Jeevika stood still, her heart pounding as Jiya approached with a wide smile, completely unaware of the storm she was stirring inside her.

“Jeevika, it’s been so long!” Jiya exclaimed, wrapping her arms around her as though they were old friends. Jeevika stiffened at the touch, forcing a polite smile. Her mind raced, recalling the past life that only she seemed to know about.

“Tum yahaan kaise?” Jeevika finally asked, her voice strained as she pulled back from the hug.

Jiya chuckled lightly. “Arre, tumhe pata nahi? Main Abhiman ke bua ki dost ki beti hoon. Main aur meri maa shaadi ki tayariyon mein lage hue the… Tumhe dekh ke surprise ho gayi. Kitne din ho gaye!”

Jeevika forced a smile, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach. “Haan, bohot time ho gaya...” she replied, trying to keep her voice light.

Jiya stepped closer, her smile seeming calculated. “Tumne meri call kyun nahi uthayi?” she asked casually, though her eyes glinted with a hint of something more.

Jeevika blinked, trying to remember when Jiya might have called. “Main busy thi...” she said carefully. “Shaadi ke baad sab kuch itna jaldi ho gaya, time hi nahi mila kisi se baat karne ka.”

Jiya’s eyes narrowed slightly, only for a moment, before her smile widened again. “Waise, Abhiman ke saath busy rehne ka reason banta hai,” she teased, though her words carried an edge that made Jeevika uncomfortable.

Before the conversation could go any deeper, Abhiman walked over, wrapping his arm around Jeevika’s waist with a warm smile. “Chalo Jeevika, tumhe mere cousins se milwana hai,” he said, pulling her closer.

Jiya’s eyes lingered on Abhiman with a bold, unashamed stare. Jeevika didn’t miss the way Jiya’s gaze roved over him—something she couldn’t ignore.

“Waise,” Jiya added, her voice light but pointed, “acha hai tum dono ki shaadi ho gayi. Kuch logon ke liye kuch achhi cheezein hamesha reserved hoti hain, haina?”

Jeevika’s chest tightened, but before she could respond, Abhiman gently led her away. As they walked, Jeevika glanced back, noticing Jiya’s intense gaze still fixed on him. The shamelessness of her stare unsettled her, filling Jeevika with a growing sense of unease.

As they met his cousins, Jeevika tried to shake off the discomfort. But Jiya’s presence clung to her thoughts like a shadow—an unwelcome reminder that some things, no matter how well hidden, couldn’t stay buried forever.

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