Author’s POV

The ring was on her finger. The promise was made. Everyone was clapping, laughing, celebrating…

Everyone except the Khanna family.

Their smiles were tight, their eyes held storms, and their pride had taken a silent blow.
But Rohanika… she looked at peace. Finally.

In that sea of chaos, Rudransh found her — standing alone, her fingers gently brushing over her ring, like she still couldn’t believe it was real.

He hesitated. Then walked up to her.
“Hi,” he said.

Rohanika turned, her face blank for a moment, before offering a polite smile.
“Hi.”

“Congratulations,” he finally said.

“Thank you,” Rohanika replied gently.

There was a pause.

Then Rudransh’s voice cracked just a little. “I’m sorry.”

She blinked, a little taken aback. “What?”

“I’m sorry for not believing you. Sorry for every doubt I ever carried in my heart,” he whispered.
“Sorry… for becoming a stranger. A little dog chasing pride instead of protecting my sister.”

And then, a tear slipped from his eye before he could stop it. Just one. But it said more than any word could.

Before she could respond, he turned away… and walked off.

Leaving Ruhanika there, standing still with emotions twisting silently inside her chest.

A moment later, she took a deep breath and walked toward the corner of the hall… where her Dada and Dadi were sitting, watching her with eyes full of love and concern.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about this,” she whispered as she knelt down beside them, her head lowered in guilt.

Her Dadi smiled softly and cupped her cheek.
“It’s okay, beta. We are always with you. Always.”

Her Dadaji gently nodded and pulled her into a hug. She wrapped her arms around both of them tightly, as if she was hugging every bit of love they had ever given her.

After a few moments, her Dadaji said in his calm, firm voice:

“There is something I need to tell you.”

Her Dadaji looked at her for a long moment… and then took her hand into his wrinkled, warm one.

“Rohanika… we own a law college.”
His voice was soft.
“And we want you to study there.just live here, at home. Stay with us. Let us take care of you.”

She blinked, surprised.

Before she could say anything, Dadi joined in.
“We aren’t saying this because we don’t trust you.”
“We’re saying this because… you’ve done everything alone, for too long.”
“Let us try to give you the peace and protection you never asked for, but always deserved.”

The words wrapped around her heart like a slow hug. But her silence didn’t mean agreement.

Rohanika gave a soft, patient smile — the kind of smile that hides years of self-dependence and quiet rebellion.
“Dadu, Dadi… I love you.”
“But I can’t come back to the mansion.”

“Beta—”

She gently interrupted, her voice still respectful but clear.
“I have built my world outside those walls.”
“I have cried alone, healed alone… and now I want to live on my terms.”
“Your love means everything to me. But your protection can’t become my cage again.”

Dadu looked at her, pain flickering in his eyes. Dadi’s fingers curled tighter around her wrist.
“We are not caging you, Rohanika. We’re just… scared. We’re old. We want to see you every morning. We want to know you're okay, before we sleep.”

She nodded slowly, her eyes moist.
“Then trust me… and don’t make me feel guilty for standing on my own.”

The silence between them was deep, loving… torn.

They wanted to keep her close.

Her Dadu looked at her with pleading eyes. And then came the words that broke her already tired heart.
“Consider it as my last wish, Ruhanika.”
“Just… tomorrow morning, come back to the mansion.”

Her heart dropped.

She walked out, heart heavy. Breathing hurt.
Why did love always come with guilt?
Why did protection feel like pressure in disguise?

She was lost in thought, standing by herself in the garden area… when Twinkle found her.

“Kya hua?” she asked softly.

And for the first time, Rohanika didn’t pretend.
“They want me to come back home.”
“To live there. Study in their law college. Just like that… everything.”

Twinkle’s face stiffened.

But before she could say anything loud, Rohanika shook her head.
“Don’t tell anyone. Please.”

Twinkle nodded, pulling her into a side hug.
“You’re not alone. No matter what you decide.”

After some time inside, the music was louder. Happier.

Nakul, Arjun, Shraddha, Veer, Vikram — all had pulled each other into a mad, chaotic dance circle.
Even Twinkle got pulled in, and soon, she brought Rohanika and Yuvraaj with her.

For a moment — just a fleeting moment — everything felt normal again.
Laughs. Twirls. Hands in the air. Eyes full of love.

Yuvraj had wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
“What did your brother say?” he asked, while swaying.

Rohanika smiled faintly.
“Nothing… just a sorry.”

That was all. But it meant the world.

And she was just about to let go of the thoughts when—

“STOP!”

The entire music screeched to silence.

Everyone froze.

And her heart — her fragile, bruised heart — almost stopped too.

Because that voice…

That commanding, sharp, furious voice…

Was her father.

Standing at the door.

Ruhanika’s POV

As we all were dancing… laughing… finally feeling alive…

Of course.

My father had to break the moment.
Had to kill the one breath of peace I had stolen.

"STOP!"

His voice thundered.
And just like that, the music died.
The joy cracked.
Eyes turned.

Everyone froze — as if the air itself had paused to witness his next move.

Vikram Bhaiya was the first to react.
He went up to him, voice steady but confused.
"Tauji… what happened?"

But my father didn’t even glance at him.

He was walking straight toward me.
And I already knew what was coming.

He stopped barely a foot away, his eyes scanning me — not like a father…
But like a judge.
Cold. Calculating.

“What are you doing, Rohanika?”
“You can’t just do this without our permission.”
“You’re a Khanna. This family deserves respect. There are protocols—"

Oh, the usual AI-generated speech.
The one I’ve heard since I was a child.

Rules. Respect. Reputation.

Blah blah blah.

I looked him dead in the eye.

No fear. No tears.

Just fire.
“You are not my family.”

His lips parted slightly in shock.

I didn’t stop.
“And I don’t need your permission for anything.”
“I took Dadu and Dadi’s blessings. That’s enough for me.”

I said every word slow. Sharp. Cutting.
Like a slap made of truth.

His expression shifted.
From shock…
To anger.

That same anger he once used to silence me.
To control me.
To make me feel like I was the disappointment of the century.

But not anymore.

“Ruhanika!” he snapped, his voice louder now, maybe hoping volume would make his words matter.
“You’re still my daughter—”

“No,” I interrupted, my voice cold, calm, clear.

“I was your daughter.”
“Until you made me feel like a burden in your house.”
“Until you decided reputation was bigger than my dreams.”

The words left my mouth like shrapnel. And this time… I didn’t care how deep they cut.

He took a step forward, but Veer and Vikram instantly blocked his way.

“Enough, Tauji.”
“This is not the place. And she’s not alone anymore.” — Vikram said, standing between us like a wall.

My father looked around.

Eyes watching him.

People whispering.

He wasn’t used to this — being questioned, being defied.

He turned to Dadu and Dadi, maybe expecting them to scold me, to side with him.

But Dadu stood tall, his hands behind his back, eyes filled with quiet pride.
“She’s right.”
“She took our blessings.”
“She’s free to live her life.”

Dadi nodded slowly.
“We taught her to fight for what’s right.”
“And today, she finally did.”

My father looked betrayed.

But the truth is…

He betrayed me first.

For years.

And now that I had found my voice… my love… my people…

There was no going back.

I stepped beside Yuvraaj, slipping my fingers into his.
His grip tightened, warm and steady, like a promise.

“This is my home now.”
“This is my family now.

I took a deep breath…
Then turned to the photographer and smiled.
“Let’s take a family photo.”

He looked a little confused — maybe he didn’t know who to gather.

But I did.

I knew exactly who my family was.

I called out warmly, “Veer Bhaiya, Vikram Bhaiya!”
They turned with surprise, but a smile broke on their faces.
Then I waved to Shraddha D, to Twinkle, to Arjun and Nakul Bhaiya.
And finally, to Dadu and Dadi.
They all stood with me.
And me and Yuvraj stood at the center.

And as the camera clicked—

I felt it.

Not just the flash.

But peace.

For once in my life…

I chose the people who chose me back.

After the photo, I looked at the guests and said it loud and clear, voice steady:

“This is my family.”
“My only family.”

I saw heads turn.

Whispers passing like wildfire.

I didn’t care.

Because finally, the photo in the frame… matched the one in my heart.

Suddenly, Yug stepped closer, pulling me slightly to the side.

He leaned in and asked quietly, “Who are they?”

His eyes had followed the crowd’s gaze to Nakul and Arjun bhaiya, who were chatting and laughing like nothing else mattered.

I looked at them…
And then looked at him.

“They’re my brothers,” I said, softly.

There was a pause.
He didn’t say anything for a second.

Then he murmured, almost in a whisper…
“But… we were…”

I turned to him fully.
My voice was quiet, but my words were sharp.

“You are not my brother.
“You lost me.
“I lost you.”
“We lost each other.”

His face fell.
Eyes searching mine… hoping for a loophole. A chance. A rewind.

But this time…
There was none.

Yuvraj POV

The engagement had ended.
The music faded.
The lights dimmed.

Everyone had returned to the mansion, laughing, talking, reliving moments that would soon become memories.
But I…
I slipped away.

Up to the terrace.
Where it was just me and the night sky.
I stood there silently, my hands resting on the cold railing, eyes fixed on the stars above.

And just like that…
I missed them.
More than anything.
More than I thought I would tonight.
My mother. My father.
If they were here…
They would’ve been so proud.
So happy.

Papa would’ve been teary-eyed seeing Rohanika, whispering something poetic like he always did when he got emotional.

And Maa…
She would’ve held Ruhanika’s face in her palms and said, “Tu toh meri pari lag rahi hai.”

I could almost hear her voice.
Almost feel them standing behind me, watching with warm smiles.
But it was just the wind.
And the silence.
My throat tightened. My eyes burned.

I had lost them too early.
A stupid car accident took away everything I never thought I’d lose.

And today, when I got engaged…

They weren’t here to see it.
I closed my eyes.
And just stood there.

That’s when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

I didn’t turn.
I didn’t need to.

I knew it was her.
My elder sister.

Her presence was always quiet… but grounding. Like home.
She stood beside me and said, softly,

“You’re missing Maa and Papa, aren’t you?”

My eyes remained on the stars.
But my heart collapsed.
“Yeah,” I whispered.
“So much, Didi. So damn much.”

She didn’t say anything at first. Just stood with me in silence.

And that silence healed more than words.
After a few minutes, she said,

“They were watchingm They always are. They saw Rohanika today. They saw you. And I know… they were smiling.”

A single tear slipped down my cheek.
“Do you think they’d be proud of me?”

She smiled, eyes glossy.
“They’d be proud of the man you’ve become. Of the way you stood by Rohanika. Of how you loved this family even when it hurt.”

I broke.

I turned to her, and hugged her tight.

And then I looked at Di and whispered, “Let’s go downstairs.”

She nodded, and we both walked down—step by step—knowing that too many eyes, too many questions were waiting.

As soon as we entered, the chatter stopped. Every eye turned. Every mouth silenced. I walked towards the center, holding my head high.
My butterfly was already there.

She came closer and softly asked, “Yuv... when will we go to Jaipur? I mean… my studies… and about this engagement?”

I turned to her.
That same innocence in her voice. That same strength in her eyes.

I cupped her face gently “We will go to Jaipur, baby. I promise. But before that, I’ve got something to handle here. Some business work. Some family work. And about this engagement…”

I paused, taking a deep breath.

“I did this… so the world shuts up once and for all. So no one dares to say I used you for timepass… or that we’ll get separated.”

Her lips curled into a smirk, her eyes fierce.
“Let the world fuck itself,” she said. “I don’t care.”

God, she was mine.
And then I turned to everyone.

“My announcement,” I said loud enough for the walls to echo, “is that the Singhania Mansion has been fully renovated. And from next week… we’re shifting there.”

Just when I finished announcing, “We’ll be shifting to the newly renovated Singhania Mansion,” silence followed like a quiet gasp.

Twinkle stepped forward immediately, her voice gentle but firm. “No.”

Everyone turned.

“I’m sorry, Yuvraj,” she said, “but Ruhi will stay here. This is her home. If you want to go, you can. But she’s not leaving.”

I looked at her, surprised. “Twinkle… she’s my fiancée now.”

“And she’s my sister,” Twinkle replied softly, eyes wet. “We’ve seen everything together. We cried together, laughed together. I can’t just let her go.”

“I’m not taking her away,” I said calmly, holding Rohanika’s hand tighter. “I’m building a life with her.”

Twinkle’s eyes moved to our hands, then to butterfly face. “But this is her home too. I know your mansion is ready, but… this mansion has her memories. Her people. She belongs here.”

“No,” I said, stepping forward. “She belongs with me. That’s what family means. A new beginning.”

Twinkle’s voice cracked. “I know that. But can’t she stay a little longer? Please. She just came back to us. Don’t take her away so soon.”

There was no anger. No hatred. Just raw love. Raw fear of letting go.

Rohanika didn’t speak. Her eyes were stuck between us, filled with confusion.

“Twinkle…” I sighed, “I’m not her enemy. I’m not here to pull her away. But I want to start our life together. And I want her to feel that this world—my world—is hers too.”

Twinkle looked at Rohanika again, then stepped back slowly, tears welling up. “Then promise me you won’t take her so far… that she forgets us.”

Rohanika stepped forward and hugged Twinkle tightly, her voice barely a whisper, “Never. You are my first home.”

And just when Twinkle was about to say something more,
my butterfly stepped forward.

"Stop arguing," she said, her voice low but firm.
"I have something to say too."

I looked at her.
Everyone did.

She turned to me slowly and said,
"Dadu has called me to the Khanna Mansion... to live there."

And just like that, silence crashed into the room.

Before I could say anything, Nakul stood up.
“You’re not going,” he snapped.

“No way,” Shraddha followed.

“You’re not leaving,” Arjun said.

And then one by one… they all said it.
All of them.

"You are not going."
But she just stood there, still… holding her ground.

"He says it’s his last wish," she said, looking straight into my eyes.
Her voice cracked a little—but her expression didn’t.

I clenched my jaw.

Walked closer.
"Without any hesitation.
emotionally blackmailing you?"
My voice was sharp. Not to hurt her.
But to remind her—she deserved better than forced guilt.

Arjun stepped forward too.
“There’s no need for this, Rohanika.”

Twinkle’s arms were crossed now, her tone hard.
“You’re not some property he can call back when he wants.”

The room was heating with concern,
with protectiveness,
with love that no mansion could replace.

But she…

She just kept looking at me.

And then…
her phone started ringing.

She glanced at the screen.
It was her brother’s number.

But there was something off.

Her smile faded. Her body stiffened.

She picked the call, slowly. Quietly said, “Hello...”

And then everything changed.

Her face turned pale.

Her eyes widened. Her lips parted, but no words came.
Tears started filling her eyes.
Everyone noticed.

Shraddha di stood up instantly. “Ruhi? What happened?”

Twinkle walked closer. “Why are you crying?”

I didn’t waste a second. I rushed to her, cupped her face gently.

“Ruhanika... look at me. Tell me. What’s wrong? What happened?”
She stared into nothing for a second... and then finally looked at me.

Her voice came out broken. Fragile.
“Yuv... it was Bhaiya...”

A single tear rolled down her cheek.
“Dadu... Dadu got a heart attack.”
“I want to go there. Right now.”

She was shivering.

As if her entire world had just fallen apart.

Twinkle gasped behind me. Arjun froze. No one had words.

I pulled her into my arms instantly.

Tight.

Like nothing else in this world mattered.

“We’ll go. Now. I’m with you, Butterfly. Always.

Ruhanika’s POV,

As soon as I heard Veer Bhaiya’s voice on the phone—
his words,
his breathless panic—
“Dadu got a heart attack…”

…I collapsed.

I don't know how I was even breathing.
I didn’t know what I felt.
Fear? Shock? Guilt?

Maybe Dadu even took my side at times.
Maybe he didn’t.
But he was the only one who laughed with me when the world mocked.
He teased me like a child, pulled my cheeks, fed me sweets secretly.

He was mine.

And now he was fighting for his life?

Me and Yuvraj didn’t wait for another second.
We rushed straight to the hospital.
And the entire way, I didn’t say a word.
I was numb.
Dead inside.

When we reached, I saw my family waiting outside the ICU.
The moment I saw Veer and Vikram Bhaiya, I ran.
I hugged them both so tightly, like I would disappear if I didn’t.

My voice cracked.
“How is Dadu? What happened? Please tell me...”

Vikram Bhaiya placed his hand on my head and said softly,
“Kabir is inside. He’s treating him. He’s stable now... but... it was bad.”

And then…

she came.
Aarohi
The one I didn’t want to see.
The one who was always the reason behind the fights.
The one who still wanted control.

She walked straight to me, faced me like I was a criminal.

And without mercy,
without care,
she said—
“This is all because of you.
You were happy without them, weren’t you?
And now, without their consent, you got engaged.
And now... just look what you've done.”

I wanted to scream.
I wanted to speak.
To defend myself.

But before I could utter a word...

Yuvraj stepped forward.
His eyes were burning. His fists clenched.

“Stop. He’s fighting for his life inside and you… you’re still blaming her?
Still throwing filth when she's breaking down in front of you?
You disgusting piece of—”

I broke.
The tears, the pain, the helplessness...

I turned away and hugged Veer and Vikram Bhaiya again,
tightly this time.

Like they were the only thing keeping me standing.

And all I whispered was—
“I didn’t want this… I didn’t want this.

I was still crying in Veer Bhaiya’s arms when I felt two hands gently touch my shoulders.

It was Rudransh
Rudransh knelt down in front of me, holding my hand as if he was trying to take away all the pain I was carrying.

I didn’t look at anyone.

But my heart…
it was just whispering one name.
Dadu.

I looked up at Rudransh with eyes that refused to stop crying,
and whispered, “Dadu…”

His eyes softened instantly.
“He’s stable now… just inside,” he said gently.

And then I looked around and asked, with a voice that cracked mid-way,
“Where’s Dadi?”

Rudransh gave me a small nod.
“Dadi’s at home… with Maa and Chachi. She couldn’t come here suddenly. She was in shock.”

My head dropped again.
Everything felt so wrong.
So heavy.
So sharp

I pushed him away.
Not out of anger.
Out of… madness.
My heart was suffocating.

I stood up and walked straight to Yuvraj standing beside him like I was trying to find the old parts of me in his silence.

I didn’t say anything.
He didn’t either.
But he didn’t move.
He just let me stay there—because maybe he knew I needed that.

And then, Kabir came out.

We all rushed towards him.

Everyone’s voice overlapped.
“How is Dadu?”
“Is he okay now?”
“Can we see him?”

Kabir looked exhausted, but calm.

He nodded once. “He’s stable now. Out of danger.”

A wave of relief filled the hallway.

Then Aarohi stepped forward, wiping her tears.
“I’m going in. I want to see Dadu.”

Kabir raised his hand.
“Stop.”

Everyone froze.

And then…
he looked straight at me.

“He wants to see Ruhanika.”

I froze.

“Just her, first.”

The world around me fell silent.

Me?
Dadu… wants to see me?

Before I could process anything,
Kabir turned his head slightly and his eyes narrowed at Yuvraj.

“And Yuvraj
“He wants to see both of you. Together.”

My lips parted slightly.
My heart was beating out of rhythm.

The moment I stepped inside that hospital room,
I swear my feet couldn’t carry the weight of my heart.

There he was.
My Dadu.
So fragile.
So unlike the man who once carried me on his shoulders and called me his “little lioness.”

Tears blurred my eyes as I rushed forward.

“Dadu...”
I fell into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

I hugged him so tightly, like I was trying to press his heartbeat back into mine.
“I thought I lost you... I thought—” my voice broke,
“—I’m sorry... I’m so sorry, Dadu.”

His hand gently ran over my hair.
And that one gesture?
It shattered me all over again.

“Shh... beta,” he whispered. “You didn’t lose me. I was waiting for you.”

I closed my eyes, letting myself melt into that one moment.
Because everything outside this room—every scream, every insult, every breakdown—none of it mattered here.

And then he cupped my face with trembling hands.
Looked straight into my soul.

“Please do me a favor, Ruhani.”
I looked up, my eyes still wet.
“Please… complete my last wish.”

Before I could even ask what he meant, I heard Yuvraj voice from behind.
“Dadu don’t do this. This is emotional blackmail!”

I turned slightly, but Dadu’s grip on my hand didn’t loosen.

“I’m not blackmailing her. I just... want her near me. That’s all.”
His voice cracked. “She doesn’t know how broken I was without her... how empty I felt. Please, let me protect her this time. Let me keep her close. I won’t ask for anything else.”

I didn’t blink.

I couldn’t.

Because how could I?
When the only person who ever made me feel like home was begging me to come back?

I swallowed my sob and nodded.
“Okay.”

His eyes widened just slightly. Hope returned to them—like sunshine through broken windows.

“I’ll come to Khanna Mansion, Dadu.”
His eyes teared up.
“And I’ll complete my last year from... Khanna’s Law College.”

Author’s Note

Hey 💌

I know this chapter was super short — sorry for that 😅 but trust me, the real drama is just about to begin!
Things are gonna explode soon... Aarohi’s manipulation? Yeah, it’s finally coming out in front of everyone. And you’ll also get to see a glimpse into Ruhanika’s past — and it’s not as simple as you think 👀

Now I really wanna ask you guys...
How’s the story going so far?
Is it too fast? Too boring? Or are you secretly loving the mess? 😭
Say something yaar! I need to know what’s going on in your heads 😭🫶

Alsoooo — surprise alert!! 🚨
A new pair is entering the town: Shraddha Singhania & Rudransh Khanna 💥
And no — Rudransh is not the typical bad boy or playboy. He was just... lost. Maybe caught in the web of lie. But now? He’s something else entirely. Just wait and see 👀💔

So, that’s it for now — I’ll see you in the next chapter 🤍
And please don’t forget to vote 🌟 and comment 📝
It means more than you know.

With love always,
Your Author, Loving.