Author's POV

And the moment her body collapsed mid-air, it didn't even take a full second for Yuvraj to catch her.

"Ruhanika!"
His voice cracked.

Everything after that was a blur.
He didn't care who stood where, who watched.
In one swift motion, he lifted her fragile body into his arms. Like she weighed nothing. Like she was everything.

"Move! MOVE!"
He barked, his voice trembling, broken.

Everyone parted.

Veer and Vikram looked as if someone had taken the air out of their lungs.
Yug fists clenched. His mouth opened, but words refused to come.
Rudransh had fallen still-guilt written all over his face, and for the first time, he looked... ashamed.
Kabir looked down. Eyes red. Shaking.
Even Ruhan stood frozen-staring at the girl who once called him her twin flame.

Yuvraj placed her gently on the white velvet sofa, kneeling beside her like a shattered protector.

"Ruhi... Butterfly... wake up, baby, wake up..."
He cupped her cheek, his thumb stroking her face over and over.

And just then-

"Oh please," Aarohi's voice cut through the heavy silence like a jagged blade.
"She's clearly acting. This girl lives for attention. Always did. Drama queen."

"Say one more word," he whispered.
"Say one more goddamn word and I'll forget every relation I've ever respected."

His jaw was clenched. His eyes-wild.

Yuvraj returned his gaze to Ruhanika. He noticed how pale she looked, how shallow her breathing had become.

Without hesitation, he gently unbuttoned the top of her shirt-just enough so she could breathe better.
There was nothing inappropriate in his touch-just pure fear. Pure love.

Kabir suddenly dropped to his knees beside him.
"I-I know what to do," he said, his hands trembling.

He checked her pulse.
Monitored her breath.
Eyes flickering with regret that was too late to change anything.

"She fainted due to extreme emotional stress. She hasn't eaten properly. Her BP's low. She needs rest and glucose-fast."

That's when Dadu and Dadi entered, their faces shocked by the chaos. The shattered girl, the boy kneeling beside her, and the tension gripping the air.

Yuvraj didn't even look at them.

He was too focused on her face. On the way her lashes didn't flutter. On the way her hand refused to move.

"The moment she gains consciousness," he said coldly, still holding her hand,
"I'm taking her with me."

"No one-no family, no blood, no 'well-wisher'-has the right to keep her in this house anymore."

"And if anyone tries-
they'll have to go through me."

Silence.

That's when Kabir stepped forward, said
"And who the hell are you to decide that?"

Yuvraj didn't even look up.

Kabir continued, "You think just because she fainted in your arms, you get to play the hero? She's our sister. You can't just walk in and take her like she's your property!"

Now Yuvraj's eyes flicked to him.
"You remember she's your sister now?"
His words were venom.

Kabir's jaw clenched.

Ruhan stepped in, trying to stay calm. "Yuvraj, this isn't your call. She belongs to this family-"

"She doesn't belong to anyone." Yuvraj stood up slowly, towering now.
"You lost that right the day you stayed silent when she was falling apart."

"She called you her twin, Ruhan."
"And you stood and watched her break."

Yug, the youngest, looked guilty but spoke anyway, "You can't just take her away like this. We were wrong, yes, but-"

"But you still want to keep her under the same roof where she was treated like nothing?"
Yuvraj growled. "Not happening."

Rudransh stepped forward. "Yuvraj-"

But Yuvraj walked ahead, face to face now, chest rising and falling with pure, raw emotion.
"She. Is. Mine."
"Not your sister. Not your guilt. Not your responsibility anymore."

"She's mine. To protect. To heal. To love. And if you try to stop me-"
His voice dropped, low and brutal,
"I swear I'll show you just how much I'm capable of when it comes to her."

Dead silence.

Even Dadu, standing in the corner, had no words.
Dadi looked shaken.

An hour passed.

And then-

A small sound.
A flicker of movement.

"Yu... Yuvraj?"

His head snapped to her instantly. "Ruhi-baby-"
He was by her side in seconds, kneeling.

Her fingers trembled as they reached for him. "You... you didn't leave?"

"Never," he whispered, holding her hand against his heart. "I'm not going anywhere."

Tears spilled down her face. She looked around the room-saw her brothers standing awkwardly at a distance.

And then she looked toward Dadu and Dadi.

"I'm not staying here anymore," she said softly, brokenly.

Dadi stepped forward, tears in her eyes, "Beta, we didn't know-"

She smiled through the tears, hugging them tightly. "I forgive you. But I'm done trying to fit into a place that never saw me."

And before anyone could react, Yuvraj gently slipped his arms beneath her knees and back.

She didn't stop him.
She didn't fight it.

Her head rested on his chest like it belonged there.

And with her in his arms-he turned.

No goodbyes.
No words.

Brother POV

The silence in the living room was loud.
Not one of us moved for a while after she left.
After he took her.

And this time... no one stopped him.
Because none of us had the right to.

Rudransh was the first to break it.
He stood up, his jaw tight, his voice low.
But it wasn't anger anymore. It was something worse.
"Do you know what's the most painful part?"

Kabir looked up, his eyes bloodshot. "That she didn't look back."

Rudransh nodded slowly. "Because she didn't expect us to follow. She stopped expecting anything from us a long time ago."

Yug sat with his head down, hands locked between his knees.
Rohan stood against the wall, silent said
"Veer and Vikram... they're just cousin brothers. And yet they stood beside her like they were born for her protection," muttered bitterly.
"You saw them, didn't you?"
"The way they panicked when she fainted?"

Yug's voice cracked. "Veer couldn't even breathe seeing her like that."

"And Vikram..." Ruhan finally spoke, staring at nothing. "He was holding her like she was glass."

"When did we lose her like this?" Kabir's voice broke.
"When did we become strangers to our own sister?"

Rudransh fists clenched.
"It wasn't just the cousins," he whispered.
"Yuvraj... he... he treats her like she's the only thing in his entire world."

Kabir scoffed slightly, but it was weak.
"Yeah. He didn't even let us touch her. He didn't even let us come close."

Yug frowned. "But can you blame him?"

Everyone turned to look at him.

Yug's voice was low, honest. "She ran to us for years, and we never opened the door. Now someone else built her a whole damn house of love. And we're shocked that she chose to stay there?"

The silence after that was painful.

"Do you think he'll ever let her come back to us?" Rohan asked quietly.
"I mean... even emotionally?"

Rudransh looked around at all of us.
And this time, there was something dangerous in his eyes.
"He doesn't have to."
"We're going to earn that back. Every broken piece of trust. Every tear she shed. Every second we weren't there-we'll fix it."

Kabir looked up. "Even if it takes forever?"

Rudransh nodded. "Even if it means standing behind Yuvraj and swallowing every ounce of pride. If that man can protect her better than we ever did-then we'll protect her by protecting him too."

Yug blinked. "Wait-you're saying we stand with him?"

Sridharan's voice was firm.

"We do whatever it takes to make her feel complete."
"Even if it means following Yuvraj's lead."

A moment of silence passed.

Then Kabir spoke, softly.
"We lost our right to guide her the moment we let Aarohi play with her life. But now... we'll be the shield she never had."

Rohan nodded. "From the back, from the side... whatever it takes. She'll never feel alone again."

Yug looked up, a faint tear slipping down.
"This time... no one will have to carry her out of this house."
"Because she'll walk out, smiling."

Rudransh looked toward the door where she had disappeared not long ago.

And whispered under his breath-
"We're coming for you, Ruhi."
"Not to pull you back... but to walk with you ahead."

Ruhanika's POV

After we left the Khanna Mansion, there was a suffocating silence inside the car.
Yuvraj didn't say a word.
Neither did I.

I was too tired to speak, too drained to cry, too numb to feel.
And he-he was gripping the steering wheel like it had wronged me. His jaw clenched, his eyes burning with something between rage and helplessness.

When the car finally pulled in front of Twinkle Mansion, I didn't even have the strength to look at him. I just got out.

As soon as we stepped inside, I heard rushed footsteps, followed by two familiar voices.

"Ruhi!" Shraddha di reached me first and pulled me into a tight hug.

"Are you okay? What happened?" Twinkle's voice was sharper, more urgent.

"I'm okay," I whispered, barely meeting their eyes.

But Twinkle wasn't satisfied. "You were supposed to come tomorrow morning. What are you doing here now? What happened in the Khanna Mansion, Ruhi?" Her tone was no longer curious-it was protective, possessive, worried.

I stayed silent.

She stepped closer. "Ruhi, talk to me. What the hell happened?"

But before I could even open my mouth, Yuvraj spoke.

"She passed out. Her mother crossed all limits.they hurt her. Words that were never meant to be spoken... they said it all. She couldn't take it."

And the moment those words left his lips, I saw Twinkle's eyes flame with pure fury.

"What the f*ck?" Her voice cracked. "They made her pass out? Ruhi? My Ruhi? After all these years... after everything?"

She turned to me, held my face between her palms like I was breakable glass.

"You've been fighting alone since you were a kid, and now... now they hurt you again? I swear Ruhi, if I had been there-" she choked back her tears.

"Twinkle, it's okay-"

"No, it's not!" she snapped. "You're my best friend, damn it. I grew up with you, Ruhi. I held your hand when you cried about them for the first time. I was there when you wrote those letters and waited for replies that never came. You're not alone now. You're never alone again."

Before I could even react, I saw Arjun and Nakul rushing into the hall.

Their eyes landed on me, and for a second, they just... stared.

Then they both ran to me and wrapped me in their arms.

"You were never cursed, Ruhanika," Nakul whispered fiercely.

"You were always a blessing," Arjun said, holding me tighter. "To us. To everyone. We always loved you, even when you didn't see it."

Tears finally slipped down my cheeks, but I didn't care.

I felt safe.

I felt... home.

But then, I slowly turned my head.

My eyes locked with Yuvraj's.

He was standing a little away, watching, his fists clenched at his sides, as if he couldn't decide whether to hold me or destroy the world for me.

I wiped my tears.

"I want a moment with you," I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded.

And without another word, we both turned and walked out of the room.

As soon as we entered the room, I closed the door behind us and turned to him.

And I broke.

I didn't say anything-I just ran into his arms and hugged him.
Tight.

As if I could melt every pain, every scar, just by holding him close.

"I'm sorry," I whispered against his chest, my voice trembling. "I shouldn't have gone there.

But he didn't respond.
Not a word.
Just silence.

I pulled back slightly and looked up at him, my throat tightening with every second he refused to meet my eyes.

"Please... talk to me," I whispered again, desperate.

And finally, he looked at me.
His eyes weren't cold or angry.
They were shattered.

"I'm not angry with you," he said slowly, his voice low and thick with emotion. "I'm angry with myself. That I couldn't protect you. That I let you walk into that house and fall apart all over again. I should've stopped you. I should've fought for you harder."

"No..." I placed my hand gently on his chest. "Don't say that. You didn't do anything wrong."
"It was nothing like that. It's not your fault. None of this is."

But he didn't move. His hand stayed there, trembling against my hair, and I felt something crack between us-not in a way that broke us-but in a way that finally let the pain breathe.

I looked into his eyes again.

And this time, I said it.

"I get it now," I said softly. "I finally understand. I was never wanted by them. Not really. Maybe I was born in that family... but I was never part of it."

His eyes welled up.

"I kept trying," I continued, my voice barely holding together, "kept hoping they'd see me, love me, want me. But now I see it for what it is. I don't owe them anything."

I took a shaky breath.

"Never. Ever again."

And as those words left my lips, I saw something shift in him.

Like my pain had finally spoken.

Like we were no longer carrying this burden alone.

He pulled me into his chest again and held me tighter than ever.

Author's POV

The morning sun had kissed Twinkle Mansion with a kind warmth that didn't burn-it healed.

Inside the dining hall, though, things were far from peaceful.

Twinkle was barking orders in the kitchen like she was running a five-star restaurant. "Nakul, step away from the paratha. You flipping it is a danger to national security."

"Bro, I'm literally just standing here," Nakul replied with a spoon in hand and betrayal in his tone.

"Exactly. And you're still messing things up," Arjun said, passing the bowls like he worked at Domino'sduring a Diwali sale.

That's when di walked in with a confused expression. "Are we feeding her or planning her swadisht funeral?"

"Both," Arjun and Twinkle said in sync.

And just then-

The door opened.

Ruhi entered with Yuvraj by her side, Shraddha following behind like a calm shadow. The moment they stepped in, the air changed.

"So... you two had your emotional movie scene?" twinkle asked with a teasing smirk.

Yuvraj raised an eyebrow. "Jealous you weren't the hero?"

"I'd rather be the mysterious side character who gets better screen time," Twinkle shrugged.

"Oh please," Nakul said. "Your only screen time is when you accidentally open your front camera."

Everyone laughed.

Even Ruhi.

Even Yuvraj.

And then-

"We're with you, Ruhi," Arjun said, leaning forward with real sincerity. "Always."

Nakul nodded. "And from now on, you're not allowed to carry their weight. You don't owe them anything. You never did."

Ruhi smiled.

Not the sad smile she had mastered.

A real one.

"Yeah..." she said softly.
"I don't owe them anything anymore."

The breakfast table looked like a battlefield-plates half-eaten, crumbs everywhere, and laughter echoing louder than the walls could hold.

Shraddha sat in a corner, giggling softly at the chaos while Arjun dramatically wiped his mouth with a napkin like he was on the set of MasterChef India.

"Yuvraj," Nakul called out, raising a brow. "How does it feel to sit beside your full-time headache and part-time soulmate?"

Yuvraj shot him a look. "I wake up every day with ringing ears and heart eyes. It's confusing."

Ruhi raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

He leaned in with a grin.
"I said heart eyes."

"Uh-huh. Say that again when I pour daal on your shirt," she threatened, sweetly.

Twinkle clapped once like she was wrapping up the teasing session. "Enough, lovebirds. Now listen up-today is our day out. No drama, no sadness. Just pure, chaotic happiness."

"Where are we going?" Shraddha asked.

Twinkle listed off with her fingers, "Ice cream at Phoenix Mall. Bowling. Lunch at that rooftop cafe with zero taste but 10/10 vibes. And then-"

Ding-Dong.

The sound of the main gate's bell sliced through the laughter.

Everyone paused.

Nakul peeked out of the window like a nosy neighbour. and said"Delivery guy. With a fancy white box..

"Who ordered something?" Twinkle asked, eyes shifting from one person to another.

No one replied.

Until the delivery guy stepped in and said, "Parcel for Ruhanika."

Everyone turned to look at her.

"Did you order something?" Shraddha whispered.

Ruhi shook her head slowly. "No..."

As Ruhanika gently opened the box, a hush fell over the room.

Inside, laid carefully like a memory wrapped in time, were tulips-soft pink, fragile, and yet strong in meaning.

The room went still.

Everyone just... stared.

Twinkle blinked. "Tulips? Wait. Did you send them?" she turned to Yuvraj.

"But-" Twinkle turned to Ruhi. "As far as I remember, you didn't even like tulips."

Ruhi didn't answer.

Not immediately.

Ruhi's fingers brushed gently over the petals.

Her voice came out like a whisper meant more for herself than the room.
"Rudransh..."

Everyone turned.

"What?" Shraddha blinked.

Ruhi looked up, almost startled, as if she hadn't realized she spoke out loud.

Shraddha stepped forward. "Rudransh? How do you know? There's no name here. No card. No message..."

Ruhi's lips parted slowly, and for a moment, her eyes shimmered with something soft and lost.
"Because..." she said.
"When I was a child... he used to gift me tulips."

The room stayed quiet.

Ruhi looked at the flowers again, smiling with a mix of ache and warmth.

"Everyone forgot I liked them. Heck, I forgot I liked them. But not him. Tulips were always his way of saying sorry. Always."

She paused, her fingers still on the petals.
"Only Rudransh knows this."

As if on cue, the delivery boy who was about to leave turned back, holding something.

"Ma'am, there was a small card stuck underneath. I missed it. Sorry."

He handed it to her-a simple white card, folded.

Ruhi unfolded it slowly, the familiar handwriting instantly pulling her into another timeline.

She read it aloud, barely above a whisper.

"I'm sorry I couldn't stand up for you when you needed me the most.
But I remember your silence.
And I'll win back your trust-petal by petal. Like I used to.
- Rudransh"

Silence again.

But this time, it was heavier

After that pin-drop silence, the room slowly came back to life.

As if someone had unpaused reality.

Nakul cleared his throat first. "Okay, but can we talk about how dramatic that letter was? I mean-petal by petal? Bro, this isn't Shakespeare."

Kabir snorted. "I low-key liked it. Kinda poetic. Very 'I'm-a-guilty-brother-but-also-still-a-man' energy."

Twinkle rolled her eyes. "Focus, boys. We're not rating apology letters today. We're planning a day out. Ruhi, what's the plan?"

Shraddha chimed in, "I vote for beach café vibes. Wind in our hair. Cold coffee. Gossip."

"I'm in for bowling!" Nakul added, already halfway to planning an outfit in his head. "I need to humiliate Kabir today."

"Excuse me? I literally beat you last time." Kabir shot back.

Twinkle threw her hands up. "Girls, are you listening? It's our day. No boys, no tears, no memories. Just us."

Ruhanika stood still.

Tulips in hand.
Her gaze lowered for just a second more.
A flicker in her eyes. Maybe softness. Maybe ache.

Then she exhaled.

And in one quiet move, she stepped toward the dustbin-
-and dropped the tulips inside.

They fell in slow motion.

Landing on top of a crumpled paper, like something discarded... and done.

She looked up at everyone.

Her voice didn't shake. Not this time.
"I don't owe them anything anymore."

No one said anything.

But they heard it. Every syllable. Every unsaid word behind it.

Her eyes were sharp now. Bold.
Commanding the room again.
"Now get ready in thirty minutes."

She turned toward the door.
"We're meeting there. No delays."

Everyone scrambled, nodding, already heading off to their rooms to change.

All except Yuvraj.

He stood by the table, watching her.

His voice was low, careful.
"Are you... okay now?"
He hesitated. "I mean, the tulips..."

Ruhanika looked over her shoulder, then back at the bin.

Then at him.

Her lips curved in a faint smirk.

"I'm fine."
"Go get ready."

Yuvraj nodded once, his eyes lingering a second longer than needed, before he stepped out.

Leaving her behind.

Alone in the quiet again.

She didn't move.

Her gaze drifted back to the bin.

Back to the tulips.

To the ghost of a memory.

To the boy who once used to steal flowers just to say sorry after every stupid fight.

Back when she thought sorry meant something.

Now?

It meant nothing.

They were just petals.

Falling from people who never caught her when she broke.

She took a deep breath.

And walked away.

Ruhanika's POV

I was finally going out.
Finally.
After breakdowns, fallouts, silence, and scars.
After Juhu beach, nothing had felt normal anymore. But today, we were trying.
I was trying.

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the small curl falling over my cheek. The soft dress I wore hugged me in all the right ways-nothing too much, but nothing too plain either.

(Her)

A little bold.
A little brave.

Just like I was trying to be again.

But as I looked at myself-really looked-my mind slipped.
To tulips.
To the past.
To him.

Rudraansh.

No.

Used to be Rudraansh.

I blinked.

Looked away.

"You're not going there," I whispered to myself. "Not today."

I turned toward the door to walk out-
But then-

He came.

Yuvraj

Leaning against the doorway like he owned the moment. His shirt slightly unbuttoned, hair perfectly messy, and that usual devil-may-care smirk dancing on his lips.

"You're gonna make the sun feel insecure showing up like that." he said

I blinked at him, almost choking on my own breath.

"What-?" I narrowed my eyes, laughing under my breath.

He didn't break eye contact. Took one slow step forward and continued
"No, seriously. I knew you'd look good. But this?"
"This is illegal. Arrest-worthy. I should be calling someone."

I rolled my eyes, a small smile escaping before I could stop it.

He came closer, dangerously close now.
"How is someone supposed to focus on the outing when you walk in like that?"

"You're insane," I muttered, trying to pass by him.

But he didn't move.
"I'm not insane."
"I'm obsessed."

My breath caught.

His voice dropped lower-more intimate now.
"Do you even know what you're doing to me, Ruhi?"

I looked away. My cheeks heating.

His fingers brushed a strand of my hair back behind my ear.
Gentle. Slow.
"If I stare a second longer, I'm gonna forget the plan and steal you away. Just me and you. Somewhere far."

My lips parted. But no words came.

Because part of me wanted that too.
Part of me wanted to fall in his arms and never leave.

But instead, I gave him a smirk. Light. Just enough.

"Go get your car keys, Mr. Dramatic," I teased, pushing past him with a quick wink. "You'll make us late."

He chuckled.

"You know you just killed me and walked away, right?" he said from behind, in that husky voice that always had too much effect on me.

I turned slightly, folding my arms. "Oh? You dying again?"

He smirked, stepping closer, dangerously close.
"Every time you look that beautiful, yeah. Death by beauty. But I'd happily die if you're the last thing I see."

My heart skipped.

God, this boy.

I bit my lip, trying not to smile, but he saw through it. He always did.

He leaned in, whispering near my ear, "But if you keep biting your lip like that, I swear Ruhi, I'll cancel this whole outing and-"

"Okay! Romeo! Move!"
Nakul's voice boomed behind us, and we both jumped apart like we were caught committing a crime.

I turned around to see Nakul and Arjun bhai walking in with their typical smirks.

"Wow wow wow," Arjun grinned. "Are we witnessing a private trailer of a romantic movie or can we get a ticket too?"

"Public place, bhai," Nakul said dramatically. "Thoda sharam, thoda haya."

Yuvraj rolled his eyes, annoyed. "You guys have the worst timing."

"Aww, were we interrupting your intense 'Ruhi-you're-my-sunshine' moment?" Arjun teased, putting a hand on Yuvraj's shoulder. "Come, loverboy. Let her breathe."

"No, I'm not coming with you guys. You go," Yuvraj resisted like a stubborn kid. "I'm not done talking to her."

"Bro, you'll have all your life for that. Let's go, shopping ke time pe bhi na, Yuvraj ka pyaar pyaar karta hai," Nakul dragged him by the arm.

Yuvraj glared at them both. "Yeh dosti na, dushmani se bhi zyada dangerous hai."

I tried to hold my laugh but failed.

"Ruhanika," he turned back, even while being dragged, "I'll be in your car, okay? Don't go without me!"

"Sure, majnu," I said, rolling my eyes as he finally gave in.

Twinkle came out next, excited as always. "Let's go let's go! Girls in one car, boys in another. Kabir is driving ours. Ruhi, sit with me!"

Everyone was already bubbling with energy.

Shraddha di joined us.Kabir with his sarcastic playlist jokes, and Arjun arguing over music volume before we even got in the car.

Yuvraj, of course, still sulking a little, sat in the boys' car next to Nakul and Rohan, glaring at the mirror like someone stole his moment.

Phoenix Mall.
Our destination.
A simple outing.
A break

As soon as we stepped inside Phoenix Mall, it felt like the city forgot to breathe for a second.

The AC hit us like a blessing, the lights shimmered over every polished floor, and the buzz of people moving, laughing, trying, buying-it was all around us.

And us? We were chaos, walking.

"Ruhi!" Twinkle almost screamed, grabbing Shraddha's hand. "Come with us! Traditional section, now! I swear I'll kill someone if I don't get a new suit today."

Shraddha nodded dramatically. "We're going desi today, okay? Let's show these people how pretty girls look in kurta sets."

I chuckled. "You both are acting like this is your roka ceremony."

Twinkle grinned. "Same vibe only, Ruhi. You'll see."

And just like that, they dragged me toward the traditional collection-colors everywhere, sequins, tassels, zari borders. Heaven for them, chaos for me.

That's when I felt someone tap my shoulder from behind.

I turned.

Nakul Bhai and Arjun Bhai.

"Lo," Arjun said, doing a fake sigh. "Shopping with girls. What a great way to test our patience."

Yuvraj leaned in with that mischievous glint.
"What do you wanna buy, butterfly?"

I raised a brow. "Anything.

He smirked. "I have a surprise for you."

My eyes narrowed. "What surprise?"

He just smiled wider.
"Butterfly... surprise surprise. That's why it's called a surprise."

I rolled my eyes so hard, I think they touched my soul.
"God, you're annoying."

"Yet irresistible." He winked. "For that, I want you to look like my queen today. So... let's go there. I found a dress section that screams you."

I crossed my arms. "First tell me what the surprise is."

He just grabbed my hand, pulling me gently. "Nope. Come. Now."

-
Trial Room Scene
We landed in front of this gorgeous collection-pastels, satins, lace, and elegance oozing out of every rack. He picked one dark green gown and said, "This. Try this."

I gave him a skeptical look. "Seriously?"

"Trust me." he saud

I sighed, took the dress, and went inside the trial room.

The moment I stepped out after wearing it, his eyes widened like someone hit him with lightning.

He whistled.
"Queen. Confirmed. Certified. Patented."

I glared. "Say one more word and I'll go back inside."

He smirked, walking in a half circle around me. "Sorry, sorry. But... if I had a camera right now, you'd be my wallpaper for life."

I tried to hold a straight face but my cheeks betrayed me.

From behind, I heard Nakul bhai yell, "Bhai! Stop drooling! Trial room hai, mandap nahi!"

Arjun joined in, laughing, "Ruhi! Please don't say yes to anything here, warna yeh yahin pe ghutno pe baith jaayega!"

"Shut up, both of you!" I yelled, throwing a hanger at them.

"You both have no fashion sense anyway," I added while walking back in.

"But I have a love sense," Yuvraj muttered just loud enough, making me blush again.

I swear, trial rooms should come with a "no flirting zone" rule. Because this boy?
Was not letting me breathe today.

After nearly an hour of roaming, trying on dresses, clicking mirror selfies, and forcing Nakul bhai to carry everyone's shopping bags like a true gentleman-slave, we all finally regrouped near the central lobby.

I was holding three bags - one Western gown, two traditional dresses - and a subtle headache.

Twinkle flopped down on the bench like a wounded soldier. "I swear to God, if I don't get food in the next five minutes, I will pass out dramatically and haunt all of you."

I laughed. "Me too. My soul is halfway in the food court already."

So we moved.

Everyone started ordering - paninis, cold coffee, momos, that overloaded burger Yuvraj had been eyeing since morning. nakul bhai and Shraddha di were still arguing over sushi vs. pasta. Twinkle was threatening to eat someone's fries.

Me?
I stood behind Yuvraj, watching the buzz, the chaos.
And just as I turned to grab a water bottle

"Guys, I'll be right back. Washroom."

Yuvraj gave me a nod .

Just a quick break. A second to breathe.

I walked toward the washroom corridor - that long, quieter stretch tucked between the escalators and the bookstore. The walls were sleek marble, mirrors everywhere, voices distant.

And I was fine.
Until I wasn't.

Because as I exited the washroom and turned towards the glass doors...
She appeared.

Aarohi.

Not this. Not again.

She stepped forward, her expression dipped in fake concern and real poison.
"Shopping?"
Her eyes ran over my bags. "With his money?"

I didn't blink. "Excuse me?"

Aarohi tilted her head. "You know, I admire your guts. Wasting Yuvraj's money like you're his wife. As if you actually deserve any of it."

I stared at her.

"And what are you wearing?" she sneered. "Trying to look expensive doesn't make you classy."

I smiled. Calmly said
"And trying to insult me doesn't make you relevant."

She stepped closer. "I'm just saying facts. He deserves someone real. Not some designer-dressed charity case with emotional issues."

I tucked my hair behind my ear and stepped right back at her and said
"And I'm just saying - no one with confidence ever starts a conversation by trying to tear someone down."

"I'm not tearing you down-" she said

"Yes, you are. And it's pathetic."
My voice stayed low.

"You act like you care about Yuvraj. But real love doesn't stalk, doesn't insult, and doesn't show up in washroom lanes like a villain who missed her exit."

She blinked. Tightened her jaw. "You're not even from his world."

"Maybe not."
I smiled.
"But at least I'm not desperate to force my way into it."

I walked away.

I returned to the food court. Everyone was seated, half done with their orders.

Yuvraj looked up. "You okay? You took time."

I hesitated. Swallowed the weight that still clung to my ribs.
"Yeah... just ran into someone."

Twinkle narrowed her eyes. "Who?"

I sat down. Let out a slow breath.
"Aarohi."

Everyone froze for a beat.

"WHAT-"
Twinkle stood up. "I swear to god, if she said anything-"

I raised a hand. "Twinkle. No."

Her jaw was clenched

"Seriously, it's okay. Let's not spoil the mood." I said

They all looked at me like I'd just passed up a murder opportunity.

I smiled a little.

Yuvraj's POV

I swear I saw her smiling just seconds ago.

But the moment she came back from the washroom, her eyes were off... lips tight, mood completely switched. She didn't even need to say anything-her silence said it all. And I didn't have to guess much either.

Aarohi.

Just the thought of her name makes my jaw clench. God, I hate her. The way she walks around like she still has some claim over people, like she still holds some twisted right over Rohanika or... me. It disgusts me.

But right now, more than hate, I felt protective. Possessive. That girl had ruined enough. And today was ours. I wasn't going to let anyone steal it.

So, I stood up from the chair, dusting off my jeans. Everyone looked at me.

"Guys," I said casually, but with that weight in my voice that made them pause, "you all go ahead to the amusement park. We'll meet you in an hour."

Nakul narrowed his eyes, smirking, "Where you going, bro?"

I turned slightly, my eyes not leaving her face, and answered while still looking at my butterfly, "A surprise for her."

And I reached out, catching her hand.

The moment my fingers closed around hers, her eyes flicked up to me-confused, questioning, still carrying the heaviness Aarohi left behind.

"Come on," I said, tugging her gently. "Trust me."

Twinkle raised an eyebrow. "Be back fast. We're saving you a seat in the haunted house."

"Sure, save it for her. I'm not coming in." I grinned and led Rohanika away.

As soon as we turned the corner, she asked, "Yuvraj, what are you doing? What's the surprise?"

I didn't answer immediately. I liked seeing that hint of curiosity returning in her voice, that little sparkle in her tone. I just walked with her silently, fingers laced, the soft drizzle starting to fall from above.

And then she gasped.

"Yuvraj, it's raining. Where are you taking me?"

I smiled, eyes locked on the underground parking lot just ahead. The smell of monsoon on warm pavement made it perfect.

I turned to her and pulled her close, flipping the keys in my hand and pointing behind me.

There it was. My bike.

Shining black body, sleek as hell. And ready.

Her eyes widened. "You brought your bike?"

"For you," I said, brushing a wet strand of hair from her face. "And me."

"But everyone will see us..." she whispered. "Yuvraj, if we go at night, maybe..."

I chuckled, stepping closer. "I didn't ask you to come with me to hide. I'm not taking you to the backstreets, baby. I'm taking you to the world. Let them see."

Her breath caught.

"Let's go get changed," I said, voice softer now. "You're not riding in that pretty gown. And I... I want you to ride looking like my queen."

And she blinked, half-laughing, half-melting, still trying to process if I was serious.

I just grinned wider, already heading toward the wardrobe bags we packed in the car.

Because this ride?

Wasn't just a surprise.

It was a statement.

And it started now

After she wore that damn black top and those jeans that made her look like fire wrapped in thunder. After I tossed on my jacket and fixed the helmet strap for her with a smirk. After she blushed, even though she tried not to show it.

The rain hadn't stopped. It wasn't pouring, but the drizzle was steady. The roads shimmered under the faint lights. People were rushing for shelter...
And there we were-riding through it all like we were made for the mess.

The engine growled beneath us as I kicked the bike into motion. Her arms slowly wrapped around me, hesitant at first, then holding tight.
And just like that... everything faded.

No noise.
No Aarohi.
No malls.
No people.
Just wind. Just her. Just me.

I took the longer road on purpose. One that curved near the lake behind the mall, where the city lights blurred on the water and the trees arched overhead. Her hair whipped behind her in the wind, and once or twice, I felt her chin brush my shoulder as she leaned forward to speak.

"It's cold," she mumbled.

I didn't slow down.

"It's worth it," I said instead.

She didn't respond, but her hold tightened a little. And that was enough.

We weren't talking much.
We didn't need to.

Sometimes her fingers would tap lightly on my stomach in sync with the music playing in the back of my mind-our music.
Sometimes I'd glance in the mirror just to see her eyes half closed, as if she was trying to feel everything instead of just seeing it.

The traffic lights came and went.
The world moved in slow motion.

And for once, I wasn't rushing.

Because this-
This was the kind of ride that didn't need speed to feel wild.

This was the kind of ride you remembered when everything else fell apart.

And even if she didn't say it out loud...
I knew she needed this escape.

Just like I did.

As soon as the bike halted near that quiet stretch, she jumped off, her laughter echoing like wind chimes in the stillness. Her hair was messy, eyes brighter than I'd ever seen, and her cheeks were flushed from the ride-and maybe from happiness.

She turned to me, still giggling, and said,
"That was the best thing that's ever happened to me."

I just watched her.

She didn't need filters.
Didn't need lights or makeup or some perfect angle.
She was art, exactly like this-breathtaking, chaotic, real.

She walked closer, her eyes holding mine.
"Thank you... for coming into my life, Yuvraj," she whispered.

And I swear-
That one sentence hit deeper than any I love you ever could.

I reached into my jacket pocket, took out my phone, and said, "Stay like that."

Before she could protest, click.
One candid shot.
Her eyes shining. That smile. That damn smile.

I posted it instantly on my story, tagging her with just one caption:
"My peace in chaos."

She looked at her phone and rolled her eyes, but then she laughed. "Great. My so-called brother follows you.

I shrugged casually. "Let him be."

"Seriously?" she said, her brows raised, amused.

"Yeah," I smirked, stepping closer, brushing a strand off her face.
"Let him watch you smile with me. Let him see everything he'll never get back."

She blinked, processing that for a second.
Then that fire in her eyes softened.
She held my hand and said, "Let's go to the amusement park before everyone thinks you kidnapped me."

I grinned. "Sure, darling."

And just like that,
Hand in hand, we walked back toward the noise and lights-
But somehow, the world around us still felt silent.

Because in that moment,
Nothing else mattered except her.

The pic

Author's POV
Khanna Mansion - Early Evening

The grandeur of Khanna Mansion stood tall and proud, but inside, the air was tight.
Not tense.
Just... silent.

Until-
Aarohi barged in.

Clutching her phone like a piece of breaking news, she stormed into the main hall where Rudraansh sat skimming a file and Kabir was busy instructing the house staff.

"Did you see Yuvraj's story?" Aarohi snapped, her tone sharp, her face flushed with irritation.

Rudraansh looked up lazily, not even blinking. "Why?"

Aarohi marched forward and turned her phone toward them.
On the screen was a recently posted Instagram story.
Yuvraj and Ruhanika.
Soaked in rain.
On a bike.
Laughing like the world was theirs.

Her jaw tightened. "You see what she's doing?"

"I saw her today," Aarohi continued bitterly, pacing, her voice growing louder.
"At Phinox Mall. With that best friend of hers-Twinkle-and two random boys and a girl. Laughing. Shopping. And now this picture?! What sort of reputation does she even want to create? What is she trying to prove?"

Before Rudraansh could reply, Kabir snapped the file shut.
"And what's your problem exactly?" he asked coolly.
"Yuvraj posted that picture himself. Publicly declared she's going to be his fiancée. You missed that part, didn't you?"

Aarohi rolled her eyes. But before she could open her mouth, her mother stepped in from the inner hallway.
"Declaring doesn't mean engaging, Kabir," she said firmly.
"Anyone can say anything in excitement. But how long do you think Yuvraj will handle a girl like her? One day he'll get tired. And he'll leave."

Before Kabir could snap back, Dadu's voice boomed across the room.

"Enough!"
The entire hall fell silent.

Dadi stood up too, eyes burning with quiet fire.
"You talk about tolerance like she's a burden. Have you forgotten how much he loves her? How he stood against us all, protected her from the world-and you think he'll get tired of her?"

Aarohi muttered under her breath, "People change, Dadi."

Rudraansh dropped the files with a thud. "Maybe. But he hasn't. Not once. Don't twist his love story into your little fantasies."

Aarohi tried to protest, but Kabir cut in, "You're obsessed with the idea of replacing her. You're not concerned about Yuvraj-you're concerned about you."

At that moment, Ruhanika's bua spoke from the back, her voice cold and sharp.
"They aren't engaged yet. We don't even know how serious this relationship is. How long they've been together. Did they even get... physical? We know nothing."

Ruhanika's father nodded slightly. "I think she is right. This is moving too fast."

Ruhanima bua added
"And I just want to say, if you think Ruhanika will let you do business with Yuvraj, then forget it. He dances on her little finger. He'll abandon everything for her."

But then-
Like thunder dropping in a quiet storm-
Ruhanika's mother entered.

Dressed in elegance, but with pride burning in her eyes, she stood before the entire room and declared-
"Ruhanika will not marry Yuvraj."
Gasps.
"What?"
"She won't?"

And then came the shock that split the hall like a knife.

"Aarohi will marry Yuvraj," she said, lips curling with determination.
"And we'll make sure of it."

Silence didn't return.
It shattered.

Kabir rose instantly, voice laced with fury.
"Excuse me? And who the hell told your mom that Yuvraj would marry Aarohi?"
"Do you not see how obsessed Yuvraj is with Ruhanika?

Aarohi, always quick to play victim, stepped in like a rehearsed scene.
"Bhai... I know you want Ruhanika back in this house, in this family... but be honest-do you really think Yuvraj will ever let her come near us again?"
She sniffed.
"He's taken her from us. He's the reason she doesn't value us anymore. So we have to do something to separate them... for her own good."

Kabir shot her a look of pure disbelief said
"Are you listening to yourself? Ruhanika only has Yuvraj. Only he made her feel loved. You people made her feel like a burden!"

But Ruhanika's mother snapped back.
"Exactly. That's the point. Because she has him, she doesn't value us. Once he's out of the picture, she'll come crawling back."

"And Aarohi..." she added with a smug smile.
"...she's perfect. Beautiful. Traditional. Yuvraj will surely like her. Eventually."
We'll get Aarohi married to Yuvraj.

The words hadn't even settled in the air when-

SMACK.

Ruhanika's Dadi raised her hand and slapped her hard across the face.

The sound echoed in the dead silence like a gunshot.

Everyone froze.

"You disgust me," Dadi growled. "You dare say this under our roof? You want to swap her out like she's some object? You want to ruin the only person who's already been torn apart by this family again? You want to kill her again, just because your ego couldn't stand how she rose without us?"

She stepped back, shaking with fury.
"You don't deserve to be called a mother."

Dadu added, his voice cracking with disappointment, "We made mistakes with Ruhanika. But at least she found someone who stood by her. And now you want to tear that away too?"

No one dared to speak.

Finally, aarohi tried to salvage the storm, said "Bhai, I was only saying this for the good of the family. Think about it. We want her back, don't we?"

Kabir looked at him with disbelief said
"And you think forcing Yuvraj away from her will bring her back?"

"I'm just saying- aarohi protested

"NO," Rudraansh and Kabir said in unison.

"Dad," Kabir said, voice trembling, "We are done. We're out of this. If any alliance will go, it'll be of Yuvraj and Ruhanika. Not Aarohi. Not anyone else."

Aarohi, still holding her cheek from the slap, stepped forward. "But Bhai... don't you hate him? You always did. You know Yuvraj is pulling her away from us. Can't you see it? He's brainwashing her. She doesn't even look at us anymore."

Her voice became a calculated whisper.
"If we separate them, maybe we'll get her back."

The atmosphere inside Khanna Mansion had shifted - from eerie silence to a whirlwind of whispers, plotting, and power games.

After the heated exchange, Rudraansh and Kabir left the hall, their faces stiff with disappointment. Dadu and Dadi followed them quietly, but not without throwing a cold glare at everyone who dared speak against Ruhanika and Yuvraj.

And then...

Aarohi's voice broke the silence, laced with sweetness so fake, it could rot the air.
"So... I found a few things about Yuvraj," she said, crossing her legs and smiling faintly. "His parents... died in a car accident years ago. Right now, he only has an elder sister - and guess what? She's in Twinkle mamsiom

Everyone glanced at her, uncertain of where this was going.

Aarohi didn't stop.
"That means..." she tilted her head slightly, "...there's no strong family to back him up. If we try to send a rishta to him through twinkle mansion , there's a chance he might say no - maybe out of pity for Ruhanika. Or out of some emotional trap she's laid for him."

She chuckled softly, darkly.
"So here's what I suggest... Call Yuvraj here. Alone. No Ruhanika. No distractions. Let us handle it."

Ruhanika's father, quiet until now, nodded slowly. "You're right. That's actually a good plan. If we keep the business deal on the table and mix it with the proposal, he won't even notice what we're doing."

"And emotionally," her mother added with a hopeful glint, "he will feel like a part of our family. Finally... Ruhanika will come back to us."

And then came the smirk.

Aarohi leaned back into the couch, proud of her own brilliance.

"I'll get you downed, Ruhanika," she whispered under her breath, eyes sparkling with jealousy and cold intention. "This time, I'll take what you were never meant to have."

While one side of the world was busy planting knives behind smiles, the other side was soaking in sunshine, candy floss, and harmless stupidity.

Because today? Ruhanika, Yuvraj, Twinkle, Shraddha, Nakul, and Arjun were at an amusement park.

And they were being... absolutely insane.

Ruhanika had been dying to visit for weeks, and Yuvraj finally gave in, booking the entire park section for them. The moment they entered, Nakul ran straight to the ice cream stall and yelled, "Bhaiya! 4 choco chips, ek vanilla, aur ek... heartbreak flavor ho toh woh bhi de do."
To which shraddha, with her iconic sass, replied,
"Tere liye toh 'single since birth' flavour banaana chahiye."

Yuvraj burst into laughter, wiping his eyes, while Arjun added,
"Aur topping mein uska ego daalna mat bhoolna, bhaiya."

They tried almost every ride - from roller coasters to bumper cars.
Twinkle, who had the calmest face, screamed the loudest during the ride and then confidently said,
"Main toh acting kar rahi thi."
Ruhanika didn't even blink.
"Accha? Phir acting school join kar le, yaha log samjhe tujhe asli mein heart attack aa gaya."

Then came the haunted house.

Yuvraj, who claimed he wasn't scared of anything, ended up jumping behind Ruhanika during a jump scare.
She turned around, arms crossed,
"Yuvraj Khurana, protector of my soul, ya meri pallu pakadne wala chudail?"

Even the couple rides turned into a mess. On the Ferris wheel, Yuvraj tried to romanticize the view, but Nakul shouted from the seat behind,
"Oye pyaar ke pehelwan! Camera upar karo, insta story ke liye angle chahiye!"

At one point, they all sat with ice creams in hand - tired, sticky, and happy.
Nakul's cone slipped and fell flat on the floor.
"Yeh toh meri love life jaise gir gaya," he sighed dramatically.
Ruhanika gave him a side-eye and said,
"Bas farak itna hai - ice cream thodi meethi thi."

Then came the story.
Ruhanika posted with yuvraj with caption

"He's mine. Not just in pictures, not just in moments - but in ways words can't touch.💋🖤 Don't mistake our silence for distance. What we have, not everyone's meant to understand."

With Sharradha and Twinkle

"In a world full of noise, they're my peace.
Twinkle and Shraddha - not just friends, but my calm, my constants, my safe space.💛
#MyGirls #SupportSystem #GratefulHeart"

With nakul amd arjun

Arjun and Nakul - not by blood, but always by heart.
In a world full of maybe's and almosts...
You two are my always.
Brothers, protectors, best friends - all in one.
Thank you for being home when I didn't have one.💙
#ByHeartBrothers #UnbreakableBond #MySafePlace"

With all

"Some people are just... meant to be yours.
Not because of blood, not because of destiny - but because they choose to stay.
I don't say it much... but I'm grateful for this chaos called 'us.'
#ChosenFamily #LoveInAllForms #MyPeopleMyPeace"

Author's Note
Hey lovelies 💌
I know I couldn't find the perfect pictures for all of them... I really tried 😭
Some faces were showing, some weren't matching the vibe, and well... it's fiction so I told myself - "chhod na, focus on the feels!"

But if you're reading this, if you're the one who's waiting for that chaos when Yuraj finds out who he's gonna be "engaged" to - that planning-plotting snake 🐍,
Then please... drop a vote 💕
It literally means everything to me.
Even one vote feels like a hug saying "Yes, girl. We're with you."

The longest chapter 😃

So yeah. I love you. Keep reading. Drama's just begun 😈💥
- your author 💋