Devil's Bride

A Ray of Sunshine

Maya’s heart yearned for a glimpse of Ayaan. The city of Mumbai, with its towering skyscrapers and never-ending crowds, felt overwhelming yet held the promise of him. Every day, she told herself she’d find a way to meet him—just once.

Her lectures, library hours, and late-night studies became a blur. But no matter how much she tried, the city seemed too vast, too indifferent. Each day passed with unanswered questions and an ache in her heart.

She had heard whispers of his name in the business world, rumors of his influence and power. Yet, every attempt to find a lead to him fell flat. She once even stood outside a grand building she thought he might own, only to feel out of place and retreat, her courage wavering.

Maya began to wonder if she was chasing a ghost, a memory of someone who had touched her life so deeply but might have already moved on.

Amid her struggle, life at the medical college slowly began to find a rhythm. It was during an anatomy lab session that Maya first met Keerthi—a bubbly, cheerful girl who seemed to radiate warmth.

“Hey, you’re Maya, right? That was a stunning dance performance at the inauguration,” Keerthi said, offering a wide grin.

Maya blushed, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “Thank you. I’m glad you liked it.”

From that moment on, Keerthi became a constant in Maya’s life.

Keerthi was outgoing, confident, and full of stories about her large family and their chaotic dinners. She loved to laugh and made it her mission to ensure Maya did too.

One evening, as they sat on the hostel terrace overlooking the city, Keerthi nudged Maya playfully. “You’re always lost in thought. What’s going on in that dreamy head of yours?”

Maya hesitated, but something about Keerthi’s genuine curiosity made her speak. “There’s someone... Someone I can’t stop thinking about,” she admitted softly.

Keerthi’s eyes lit up with mischief. “A crush? A boyfriend?”

Maya shook her head, a shy smile playing on her lips. “Not exactly. It’s complicated i promise I will tell you, but not now”

Ayaan’s private jet soared through the clouds, its sleek interior a stark contrast to the storm raging in his mind. The hum of the engines did little to soothe him as he stared out of the window, his sharp features set in a mask of indifference.

The business trip was supposed to be routine—meetings, deals, and dinners with powerful men who sought his favor. But nothing felt routine anymore. His empire ran smoothly, his every command executed flawlessly, yet he felt a gnawing void.

Every city he landed in reminded him of Maya. The streets, the people, even the air seemed to carry fragments of her—her laughter, her innocence, her radiance. It had been months since he had last seen her, yet her presence lingered like a haunting melody he couldn’t escape.

He couldn’t focus during meetings. His sharp mind, once his greatest weapon, now betrayed him as it wandered to thoughts of her. The way she had looked during her performance at the college—the grace, the confidence, and the sheer beauty that had left him breathless.

At night, alone in his luxurious hotel suites, Ayaan found himself drowning in memories. The taste of Chennai’s coastal breeze, the quiet moments in his grandfather’s garden, and Maya’s shy smiles—all replayed in his mind.

He had walked away once, telling himself it was for her good. But now, the very decision he had made to protect her felt like a mistake.

Ayaan clenched his fists, the leather of his chair creaking under the pressure. “Why does she have this hold over me?” he muttered, his voice tinged with frustration.

During a formal dinner with business magnates, Ayaan’s mind once again betrayed him. One of the guests, a sophisticated woman draped in jewels, leaned closer, her laughter grating on his ears.

“You seem distracted, Mr. Khan,” she purred.

Ayaan’s gaze flicked to her, cold and sharp. “Business requires my focus,” he replied curtly, his tone shutting down any further advances.

He excused himself early, retreating to the solitude of his suite. The thought of another woman touching him, flirting with him, or even standing close felt wrong—unbearable.

Standing by the window of his suite, overlooking the bustling city below, Ayaan allowed himself a rare moment of vulnerability. He closed his eyes, his mind conjuring her image as if she were standing right in front of him.

He missed her laughter, the way she would shyly tuck her hair behind her ear, and her wide-eyed wonder when she talked about her dreams. The emptiness in his chest deepened with every passing moment.

As the trip neared its end, Ayaan stood on the tarmac, watching his jet being prepared for takeoff. His jaw tightened as a new resolve took root.

“Enough,” he whispered, his voice carrying the weight of his determination.

This business trip had been a test—a test of how long he could live without her. And now, Ayaan knew the answer. He couldn’t.