DESIDERIUM

Barkat Jaiswal was born seven minutes before her twin sister.

Seven minutes were enough to make her the "elder daughter," the one expected to understand, adjust, compromise, and stay quiet. Yet while Shanaya was everything their family admired-slim, fair, graceful, effortless-Barkat grew up learning how to laugh at the jokes before they could hurt.

Until one night, they did.

A cruel high-school humiliation, a sister who knew more than she admitted, and a family that chose convenience over her pain send seventeen-year-old Barkat away from everything she once called her own.

Five years later, she returns.

Not for forgiveness. Not for reconciliation. And definitely not to become the obedient daughter they suddenly remember needing.

She has a degree to finish, a career to build, questions about money that should have always belonged to her, and absolutely no intention of being married off for the sake of family reputation.

Then she meets Iraah Goel-sixteen, dramatic, painfully honest, and determined to adopt Barkat as the older sister she never had.

Unfortunately, Iraah comes with Krishivansh Goel.

Her overprotective elder brother.

And somewhere between late-night conversations, college deadlines, family secrets, revenge plans, period emergencies, old wounds, and people who refuse to leave...

Barkat begins to realise that missing what you lost does not always mean you want it back.

Some things are meant to be mourned.

Others are meant to be chosen.