Author's POV

It was early morning soft sunlight spilled across the Rathore mansion’s porch, painting everything gold. The car stood ready near the gate, luggage neatly packed. Saaisha was standing with her hands folded in front, a faint smile on her lips, watching her Chote Papa and Choti Maa prepare to leave for Lucknow.

She had decided to stay.

Her revenge wasn’t complete two names were still left unmarked, and a storm within her still demanded answers. She had promised herself she would uncover who they were… and make them pay.

“Take care of yourself, beta,” her Choti Maa said softly, touching her cheek with trembling fingers. Saaisha smiled gently and nodded, “You too, Choti Maa. Have a safe journey.”

Her Chote Papa was quieter, unusually lost in thought. His eyes shifted from Saaisha to where Rajveer and Meera stood, a few steps behind her, watching warmly as any proud guardians would. There was a flicker of confusion in his gaze, as though something about them felt familiar, unsettlingly so.

His brows furrowed slightly.

“I don’t know…” he murmured under his breath, “but I feel like I’ve seen them somewhere.”

Choti Maa frowned, whispering,
“Kya hua?”
(What happened?)

He nodded subtly towards Rajveer and Meera. “Them… the CM’s parents. I swear I’ve seen them before.”

Choti Maa quickly dismissed the thought, her voice barely audible. “You must’ve seen them on television or in the news. Everyone knows them.”

He nodded, but the uneasy feeling lingered a faint echo from the past he couldn’t quite place.

Rajveer offered them a polite smile, and Meera folded her hands with a graceful namaste,

Before leaving, Chote Papa hesitated. He looked at Saaisha once more, his niece who had once been broken because of their choices, yet still stood before them with grace and forgiveness in her eyes. His throat tightened.

When Saaisha stepped forward and hugged them, they froze for a moment  startled by the sincerity of her warmth. Slowly, hesitantly, they wrapped their arms around her too.

“Take care, beta,” her Choti Maa whispered, her voice shaking slightly. “And… forgive us, if you can.”

Saaisha smiled faintly, her voice calm, “You already did what you could, Choti Maa."

As they stepped into the car, Ryan stood a few steps away, his expression sharp, almost predatory. His presence alone was enough of a warning.

They knew what he had said the night before:

“Speak once out of line… and your next destination won’t be Lucknow.”

They didn’t dare meet his gaze again.

The car rolled out through the gates, disappearing into the morning light. Saaisha stood there, watching until it faded from sight

.

.

.

A boy and a girl sat cross-legged in the garden, the evening breeze playing with their hair, rustling through the flowers around them. The boy was unusually quiet today. The girl, who was twirling a small red rose between her fingers, tilted her head and asked softly,

“What happened? You’re too quiet today.”

It was always the opposite, he talked, and she listened. But today, silence clung to him like a shadow, and for the first time, she was the one to break it.

The boy looked at her with downcast eyes. “Today I saw my best friend crying,” he murmured, “and I couldn’t do anything to stop him.”

The girl frowned, her voice small but curious. “Veer was crying?”

He nodded.

She was quiet for a moment, thinking. Then she asked gently, “Did you hug him, Shaurya?”

He nodded.

“Did you wipe his tears?”

Another nod.

“Did you sit beside him until he calmed down?”

He nodded again.

“Then you did what a friend is supposed to do,” she said softly, her tone gentle but certain. “We don’t cry in front of everyone, Shaurya. We only cry in front of the ones who truly listen. We don’t expect them to fix everything… just to stay beside us. That’s what trust really means.”

Shaurya stayed quiet, watching her with curious, thoughtful eyes like he was hearing something wiser than their age.

She smiled, the corners of her lips curving.

“You’re a good friend, Shaurya. The kind of friend who feels sad just because someone else cried. That’s rare… and that’s what makes you special.”

A faint smile touched his face — small, pure, and honest. The kind that belonged only to her.

After a long pause, she looked down at her little fingers twisting together and said softly, “I know I talked too much today… not like other days.”

Then, glancing up with hesitant eyes, she added, “Thank you, Shaurya… for coming every day. Even when I didn't talk to you properly. Even when I never told you my name… you still came.”

“I’m going, Shaurya.”

“Where?” he asked, his smile fading.

“I don’t know… Mumma and Papa said we’re going somewhere.”

“When will you come back?”

She looked down at her shoes, her voice small and uncertain.

“I don’t know.”

Shaurya swallowed, then asked softly, “Will you not tell me your name even today?”

She looked away, guilt flickering across her little face. Bound by her mother’s promise, she whispered, “Sorry…”

Shaurya just shook his head and gave her a gentle smile. “It’s okay, little one.”

Then she looked up, and her eyes  soft, brown, and glimmering with the last light of dusk  met his. She’d never let anyone come close, never shared her stories, but this boy… this boy always sat beside her, told her about his day, made her laugh when she didn’t want to. He felt like home in a world that was already changing.

Taking a hesitant step closer, she asked quietly,

“Will you wait for me?”

Shaurya’s lips curved into a bright, innocent smile.

“Of course, little one. You’re my friend.”

Her face lit up with a smile, the kind that leaves a mark on memory.

“Okay then… I’ll wait for you too. And when I reach the new place, I’ll call you. You’ll be my only friend, Shaurya.”

He nodded eagerly, scribbled his landline number on a small piece of paper, and handed it to her.

She waved goodbye, skipping toward her parents.

Shaurya stood there, watching her go  until she disappeared behind the car door.

But curiosity tugged at him, so he followed her quietly to the gate.

That’s when he heard it for the first time  her name.

“Aisha! What are you doing there? Come fast!” a woman called.

Shaurya froze for a second, then whispered the name under his breath, as if afraid to lose it.

“Aisha…”

The car drove away, taking with it his friend.

It’s been twelve years.

The phone still hasn’t rung.

No one ever came, calling him their only friend  Shaurya.

Yet every night, he opens that same old diary…

and writes what he did, what he achieved,

and how many times he missed her.

He still hopes that one day, she’ll return
and he’ll open this diary before her,
read every word,
and tell her everything he gained… and everything he lost.

Shaurya closed the diary gently,

his fingers tracing the name that never faded.

Aisha.

A knock echoed on the door, pulling him back to the present.

He looked up… unaware that fate was finally knocking back.

Veer, Siya, and Ryan entered the room and dropped onto the couch opposite Shaurya.

Shaurya looked up from the file in his hand, one brow arching in question.

“Come here, My best friend,” Veer said with that disarming smile, the one that always meant trouble disguised as charm.

Shaurya sighed and leaned back, suspicion clear on his face. “What happened now?”

“Who is Aisha?” Veer asked casually, though the glint in his eyes betrayed curiosity.

“His friend,” Ryan answered before Shaurya could speak, smirking as if he already knew where this was headed.

Shaurya nodded simply, neither denying nor explaining.

Veer narrowed his eyes, leaning forward.

“Maine kya kaami kardi thi dosti main haan, saale! thode din dur tha sirf tujhse aur aisa kya hai aisha ki dosti main joh toh 12 saal se wait kar raha hai?” 

(What did I lack in our friendship, huh,  I was just away for a few days, and what’s so special about Aisha’s friendship that you’ve been waiting for her for 12 years?

Ryan chuckled and said, “puri baat mai sirf ek baat sahi boli hai.. Woh hai saale!.” 

Siya broke into giggles, while both Veer and Shaurya turned and glared at Ryan. Ryan just shrugged his shoulders. 

Then again veer looked at Shaurya, Shaurya exhaled slowly, his voice quieter now.

“Because she promised she’d come back. She said I’d always be her only friend. And back then… she was the only one who listened, when I didn’t even know how to talk about what was going on inside.”

His gaze dropped to the floor. “So yes, I’m still waiting.”

For a moment, silence filled the room.

Then after a beat, Veer again glared at him and said, “Toh maine kab kaha tha you're not my only friend haan?” 

Shaurya ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head. “Veer, why are we even having this conversation?”

Veer blinked innocently. “Bas, thoda jazbaat mein beh gaya tha.”

Then, leaning forward he asked, “Actually, we want to know how she looks? Because no one has seen her except you, so tell us.”

Shaurya frowned, his brows knitting together. In all these twelve years, neither of them had ever questioned him about Aisha. Veer would tease him sometimes, act possessive like a jealous best friend, but he never asked. Because back then, his mother wasn’t well, and Ryan hadn’t even entered their lives.

He exhaled slowly. “We were kids, Veer. How am I supposed to know what she looks like now?”

Veer leaned back, unimpressed. “Still… there must be something you remember?”

Shaurya thought for a moment before replying quietly, “Her eyes. They were brown.”

Ryan snorted. “Bhai, keh toh aise raha hai jaise brown nahi laal ho.”

(You're saying as if it's not brown but red)

Veer joined in, shaking his head. “Seriously, bro.. who are you even waiting for? Even if she stood right in front of you, how would you recognize her?”

Shaurya didn’t answer immediately. He stared at the cup in his hand, his expression unreadable. Then, in a low, certain voice, he said, “I’ll know. By her name… and she know me too.”

For a second, no one spoke. The room went quiet not because they believed him, but because they knew when Shaurya spoke like that, he meant it.

Then Ryan sighed dramatically, breaking the silence. “Sorry to say, boss, but what you’re saying is baseless… and illogical. For god’s sake - move on.”

Veer nodded in agreement, “Exactly. Bro, it’s been twelve years, not twelve days.”

Shaurya just smiled faintly, a wistful shadow in his eyes. “Some people don’t need years to remember… they just never forget.”

Then came a voice, 

Woh dekhne mai kaisi seedhi seedha lagti
bolti hai ke woh toh kuch nahi samjhti
Andaar se bilkul teez hai…

Everyone turned toward the door.

And there she was ..  Saaisha.

Standing in all her effortless grace, sunlight spilling behind her, a smile bright enough to lighten the room.

“Ohh, you all are here,” she said, walking in as if she’d been gone for years, not hours.

Everyone spoke at once, voices overlapping,

“Where have you been since morning?”

Saaisha widened her eyes dramatically.

 “I knew it, Mai ek aafat hoon islea thodi der ke liye dur kya thi.. Iss ghar ki khamushi ne bata dediya aplog ko.” 

(I knew it… I’m a troublemaker. I stayed away just for a little while, and the silence in this house already told me how much you all missed me.)

Shaurya’s hand stilled mid–motion.

That word - aafat.

Something in his chest tightened as a memory flickered.

"Dekhne mein kitni bholi aur masoom lagti hai... Par asal mein poori aafat hai, aafat!"

He shook his head quickly, brushing the thought away before it could take shape.

Siya chuckled. “No, you’re not an aafat. You’re sukoon, Ishu.”

Saaisha giggled and said, “Thoda filmy nahi hogaya di!” 

Shaurya whispered to himself, “What's with everyone today? Aisha? Aafat? Now sukoon?” 

Then his eyes found hers, and before he could stop himself, he said quietly,

“You’re lotus.”

Saaisha looked at him and rolled her eyes and said, “Seriously CM sahab? I don't even think you've put any effort into giving me a nickname.” 

Ryan and veer both look at each other and smirked remembering the chaos they made over a name.  

Then saaisha continued, “Just because you’re a politician doesn’t mean you can start giving people national–flower nicknames.”

Everyone pressed their lips together, struggling not to laugh. Shaurya, who had been silently watching Saaisha, finally gave in a small chuckle escaping as he shook his head.

Saaisha’s eyes twinkled with mischief as she turned toward Ryan.

“Ryan bhai,” she began sweetly,

“prem gali mein ramesh halwaii wale ke samne wali gali mai ek dance class hai.. Ussi dance class ke neeche hi ghar hai.” 

Ryan frowned, looking confused. “Kiska ghar?”

(Whose house?)

Saaisha walked closer, whispering something in Siya’s ear. Siya’s face instantly lit up with a grin.

“Oh, I know that step!” she said, unlocking her phone and playing a song.

Haye Gori Haye Gori Aaj To Bata De
Panwadi Ke Piche Wali Patli
Gali Mein Hai Tumhare
Sajan Ki Kothari
Panwadi Ke Piche Wali Patli
Gali Mein Hai Tumhare
Sajan Ki Kothari

The moment the music played, Veer and Shaurya both burst out laughing, instantly understanding what she meant.

Ryan, however, looked utterly lost.

He elbowed Veer. “Bhai, kiska ghar?”
(Bro, whose house?)

Veer groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “Uska, jisne apne dupaate se teri izaat bachayi thi!” he said with a teasing smirk.

(The one who had saved your dignity by her dupaata)

The room echoed with laughter. Even Shaurya couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking his head at the madness.

Ryan glared at all of them, his voice rising a little. “And you” he pointed at Saaisha,

“why did you even go to her house? What was the need to meet her?”

Saaisha raised her brows, pretending to look innocent. “Excuse me, I didn’t go to her house. We just bumped into each other, and she happened to show us where she lives.”

“Us?” they all asked in unison.

“Me and Meera Aunty,” Saaisha replied casually.

“We went shopping together, and I saw her in Prem Gali.”

Everyone nodded except Ryan, who was still glaring suspiciously.

He asked tightly, “And what did you tell Meera Aunty about her?”

Saaisha smirked, folding her arms with playful defiance. “Oh, nothing much… I just said she’s a friend. I was about to introduce her as bhab..”

She froze as Ryan’s glare sharpened.

Her eyes widened innocently. “Okay fine! Not bhabhi! Relax, Ryan bhai.”

She laughed nervously, backing away. “Anyway, I’m going. Meera Aunty and I are trying a new recipe. Byeee!”

She darted out before he could reply, her laughter echoing down the hall.

Siya, still giggling, followed her. “Wait, I’m coming too!”

Veer leaned back, laughing under his breath. “This girl’s got courage, I’ll give her that.”

Shaurya’s phone buzzed, a political call. He glanced at the screen, then he walked out of the doorway.

.

.

The room was dim only one light flickered weakly in the corner, throwing long, trembling shadows across the walls.

In that cold, suffocating space, a woman sat curled up, her bare feet chained to the rusted floor. The faint clink of metal echoed each time she moved.

The door creaked open. Heavy footsteps entered.

A man stepped inside, his presence alone made the air heavier.
He walked to her slowly, almost lazily, like a predator enjoying the fear in his prey. Crouching down, he gripped her chin and forced her to look up.

Her eyes - deep brown, tired yet blazing with fury met his. There was no fear, only disgust.
The corner of his lips curved into a cold smile.

“Uff…” he whispered, tracing the line of her jaw with mock admiration.

“These brown eyes of yours, they still burn. How do you do that, even after all this?”

She jerked her face away, breaking his hold as if his touch scorched her skin.

He chuckled lowly. “Why so angry, hmm? I gave you everything. Food, shelter… luxury.” His voice dipped, taunting, venomous. “Even men to satisfy your desires.”

Her body went rigid, every word slithering over her skin like poison. She clenched her fists until her nails dug into her palms, fighting the tremor in her breathing.

He leaned closer, his shadow swallowing her whole.
“Still waiting for him?” he murmured. “You really think he’ll come to save you?”

Silence.
But he didn’t need an answer, he never did.
He just wanted to watch the flicker of hope in her eyes die a little more.

Satisfied, he straightened, smirking as he walked toward the door. The sound of his footsteps faded, and the lock clicked shut again.

For a moment, the room was utterly still.

Then, from the corner, came the faintest whisper trembling, breaking, almost lost to the darkness.

“I don’t even know… who to blame anymore.”

A single tear slipped down her cheek, glistening briefly in the dying light  before it vanished into the shadows.

.

.

Now, only Ryan and Veer remained in the room.

Ryan turned toward Veer, his gaze sharp, unreadable.

Veer frowned. “What?”

Ryan’s voice was calm, too calm. “Why?”

Veer blinked, confused. “Why what?”

Ryan stepped closer. “Why did you ask about Aisha today? Tell me the real reason behind it.”

Veer hesitated. His throat felt dry. “I don’t know… it just.. just a thought crossed my mind and I..” he stopped mid-sentence, uncertain whether to say it out loud.

Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “What thought, Veer?”

Veer took a deep breath, his voice dropping to a whisper, as if even the walls couldn’t be trusted.

“What if… Aisha is Saaisha?”

The words hung in the air like thunder before a storm.

For a moment, Ryan just stared at him. The color drained from his face. Then, without a word, he grabbed Veer’s wrist and pulled him toward the door.

“Ryan..” Veer started, but Ryan didn’t stop.

He walked straight out of Rathore Mansion, his steps hard, fast, angry.

Outside, he let go of Veer’s hand.
“Sit in the car.”

Veer obeyed silently. Ryan slid into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and drove  neither of them spoke until they reached a deserted road, far from the noise of the city.

The car came to a halt. Ryan turned to face him, eyes burning.

“What the hell was that, Veer? What nonsense were you saying back there?”

Veer’s voice was quiet, steady. “It’s not nonsense, Ryan. I meant what I said.”

Ryan clenched his jaw. “Are you sure?”

Veer exhaled. “No.”

Ryan leaned back in frustration, running a hand through his hair.

 “You know what aisha means to him, don't you?.. You know him more than anyone, don't you?.. He has been fucking waiting for her for 12 goddamn years - writing dairy on her name and keeping the old landline beside him, just so he didn't miss a ring which had never rang in 12 years..”

Veer’s throat tightened. He had no words  because every word Ryan said was true. He had seen Shaurya break. He had seen him rebuild. He had seen him lose faith in the world, but never in her.

Ryan pressed his head on the car seat and closed his eyes and said, “Pray Veer.. Pray that she isn't aisha..”

Veer exhaled shakily, his shoulders slumped and said, “Woh toot jayega…”

Ryan let out a humorless chuckle at his words and turned his face slightly towards him, “Tootega nahi.. Barbaad hojayega.” 

Then looking vacant corner he said,

“If He can make a whole empire for one lady.. Then If What you're saying is true... He will destroy whole fucking world for her… Woh sab kuch barbaad kardega, apne apko bhi.”

___________________________________________

‼️ Important ‼️

My exam dates have been announced they’re in December.
I only have one month left to prepare, so I’ll be taking a short break until January. The next chapter will hopefully be out on 3rd January.
I hope you all understand and can wait patiently. Please remember me in your prayers!
(Bass pass hojao yaar..)