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A/N- I’ve seen the comments about Amrit and Akshat’s situation, and I understand why some people feel Amrit is being blamed more. But I also noticed that many readers are interpreting this as a gender bias issue, thinking that Amrit is being targeted just because she is a woman.

But that’s not true. The main reason why Amrit is receiving more backlash is that, from everyone's perspective in the story, she is married to Nikhil. If a person is believed to be married, they are expected to be loyal to their spouse, which is why people are reacting strongly to her actions. It's not about her being a woman; it's about the assumption that she is betraying her supposed husband.

Akshat is also being blamed, it’s not like he’s getting a free pass. But naturally, since people think Amrit is in an extra-marital affair, they are more focused on her actions. If the situation were reversed , if Akshat was believed to be married to someone else and was having an affair with Amrit, then people would be blaming him more instead.

So, this isn't about "women always getting blamed" it's about the perception of who is breaking a commitment. The misunderstanding in the story is leading to these strong reactions, but once the truth comes out, things will change. There’s nothing to be offended by as a woman because the judgment is based on the circumstances, not gender. I know in reality women are blamed more unnecessary even for men's actions, but here, that's not the case.

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Amrit stood in the middle of their room, frustration evident on her face as she stared at the mess of clothes scattered across the bed. Her entire wardrobe was laid out in front of her, yet she still couldn't find a single outfit she liked for Akshat's birthday party at his house. She huffed dramatically, arms crossed, and let out an exaggerated groan.

"Ugh! I don't have anything to wear!" she whined, turning towards Akshat, who had been silently observing the chaos from a safe distance, his hands tucked into his pockets.

He blinked at her in confusion. "Huh? Toh kya karun?" he asked, genuinely unsure how to help in this crisis.

Amrit turned to him with narrowed eyes, pointing an accusing finger. "Help me na!" she demanded, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Akshat shrugged, looking at the mountain of clothes on the bed. "Sare toh reject kar chuki ho, madam," he stated matter-of-factly, trying to suppress a smirk at how adorable she looked in her frustration.

"Mujhe nahi jana," she suddenly announced, turning her back to him and folding her arms stubbornly.

"Accha," he responded absentmindedly, unsure of what to say. But the moment the word left his mouth, Amrit turned around sharply, her glare intense enough to make him take an involuntary step back.

"Kya accha?!" she repeated, her voice laced with irritation. "Aap yahi chahte hain na ki mai na aaun? Taaki uss Akriti se mil sakein?" she accused, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.

Akshat frowned in confusion. "Kon??" he asked, genuinely lost. But then, realization struck, and he nonchalantly corrected her, "Ohh… uska naam Akriti nahi, Arpita hai."

The moment he said it, he knew he had made a huge mistake.

Amrit’s mouth fell open in shock. Her eyes widened, and within seconds, her expression morphed from disbelief to betrayal. "Ohh… toh naam bhi yaad hai?" she asked slowly, her voice dangerously calm, which, in Akshat’s experience, was never a good sign.

He gulped, mentally kicking himself for walking straight into this trap. "Uh… woh… mera matlab tha—"

"Nahi nahi, mujhe sab samajh aa raha hai!" Amrit interrupted, stepping closer, her hands on her hips. "Aapko sab yaad hai! Naam bhi, shayad birthday bhi yaad hoga?" she taunted, her eyebrows raised.

Akshat opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off again, her voice getting louder, "Aur kya kya yaad hai Akshat? Uska favorite color? Uska favorite food? Kya uski chappal ka size bhi yaad hai?"

"Amrit, what?" Akshat asked, completely baffled by the direction this was going.

She scoffed, throwing her hands in the air. "Bas bas, ab mujhe aur kuch nahi sunna. Aap toh party enjoy karna apni Arpita ke saath, mai nahi aa rahi!" she declared, dramatically turning away from him.

As Amrit turned away, huffing in irritation, Akshat quickly reached out, his fingers wrapping around her wrist before she could storm off. With a gentle tug, he pulled her backward, making her collide softly against his chest. His arms came around her, holding her in a firm but comforting embrace from behind.

"Accha, I am sorry," he murmured, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder. "Abse khud ka naam bhi yaad nahi rakhunga," he added, his voice laced with playful regret.

Amrit tried her best to maintain a straight face, but the warmth of his arms around her and the way his breath tickled her skin made it incredibly difficult. She pressed her lips together, determined to stay mad, but Akshat knew her too well.

He tightened his grip just slightly, swaying her from side to side in an attempt to pacify her. "Dekho, ye sab nahi pasand toh mat pehno," he said, his voice soft and coaxing. "I will buy a new dress for you."

At that, Amrit’s resolve cracked. Her lips twitched, and she turned her head slightly, looking at him from the corner of her eye. "Sach?" she asked, her voice still holding a hint of attitude but betraying the excitement bubbling inside her.

Akshat nodded against her shoulder. "Haan, bilkul."

A slow grin spread across her face. "Saree laiyega?" she asked sweetly.

He let out a chuckle, knowing exactly why she was asking. He turned her around in his hold, his arms still looped around her waist. "Tum nahi chalogi?" he asked, tilting his head.

"Mai bhi aaun?" she repeated, pretending to be surprised.

Akshat rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his amused smirk. "Aur kya? Mujhe thodi pehni hai," he teased.

Amrit burst out laughing, resting her hands on his chest. "Aap pehn bhi sakte hain, dekhna chahti hoon," she quipped mischievously.

"Very funny," Akshat deadpanned, shaking his head before pulling her closer, pressing a quick, playful kiss on her nose. "Chalo, ab jaldi tayyar ho jao. Nahi toh jo bhi pehno, wahi lekar chalte hain," he warned.

The shopkeeper, an elderly man with a jovial face, beamed as he showed a few sarees to Amrit. She was standing in front of the mirror, draping each saree over her shoulder to get a sense of how it looked. Akshat stood a little farther behind, observing with a furrowed brow, his eyes fixed on her every movement. He tried to focus on the shopping but couldn’t ignore the words of praise coming from the shopkeeper, and his annoyance grew with every compliment.

The shopkeeper picked up a deep red saree and handed it to Amrit. "Arre madam! Is red mein toh apne aap ko patakha lag rahe ho! Bilkul ek dam zordaar!" he said, his voice filled with excitement as he looked her up and down.

“Bhaiya, wo bagal wali bhi patakha hi lag rahi thi,” Amrit said, chuckling as she noticed the shopkeeper praising another saree on display.

“Arre madam, wo to bolne ko bol diya par aap sach mein sundar hain, ekdum mast,” the shopkeeper replied, beaming at her.

Amrit laughed at the compliment, feeling flattered, but Akshat’s expression shifted. His jaw clenched, and a small sigh escaped his lips, clearly irritated by the attention Amrit was getting.

The shopkeeper, completely oblivious to Akshat’s growing irritation, continued, “Aur madam, is green mein kya baat hai! Aap toh bilkul ek shehzaadi lag rahi ho, jaise bas yahin ruki ho.” He gestured toward Amrit, pointing out all the intricate details of the saree, seemingly lost in his praise.

Akshat’s patience was running thin. He took a step forward, his face tight with annoyance. “Bhaiya, aap chup chap dikhao na,” he said, his voice edged with irritation.

The shopkeeper paused for a moment, startled by Akshat’s tone but quickly recovered. “Bhaiya, aapko nahi pehnani hai toh mujhe kaam karne dijiye. Aap bas dekhna,” he responded, now a little more focused on the task at hand.

Meanwhile, the shopkeeper held up a bright yellow saree, his voice full of excitement. “Aur madam, is yellow mein toh aap ki khoobsurti ka koi hisaab nahi! Ekdum heroin lag rahi ho! Matlab, yeh saree aap par hi jaise banayi gayi hai!”

Amrit chuckled, feeling embarrassed yet pleased by the flattery, but Akshat’s irritation had reached its peak. He crossed his arms, clearly unhappy with the entire situation. “Bas karo bhai pati samne hi khada hai,” he muttered under his breath, his possessive instincts taking over. He shot a pointed look at Amrit, silently telling her that he wasn’t thrilled with all the attention.

Amrit smiled brightly at the praises, twirling slightly to see the fabric flow. But as she looked at the mirror, her gaze drifted to Akshat, whose hands were now clenched into fists by his sides. He was trying his best to stay calm, but it was evident that the more the shopkeeper complimented Amrit, the more uncomfortable Akshat became.

The shopkeeper wasn’t done yet. He held up a lavender saree, draping it lightly over Amrit’s shoulders. "Arre madam, iss lavender mein toh aap bilkul ek phool ki tarah lag rahe ho, bilkul jaise khushboo se mehka hua! Aap toh khud hi ek bahut hi khoobsurat phool ban gayi ho!" He grinned, clearly proud of his choice of words.

Akshat’s jaw tightened as the shopkeeper showered Amrit with one flattering remark after another. "Bhaiya, jada tareef nikal rahi hai," Akshat said, his eyes narrowing at the shopkeeper. His voice was laced with irritation. "Main hoon na sath mein pasand karvane ke liye aur ye batane ke liye ki meri biwi patakha lag rahi hai phool lag rahi hai ya heroine lag rahi hai….aapSaree dikhaiye bas ye chikni-chupdi baatein karne ki jarurat nahi hai!"

The shopkeeper, now noticing the shift in Akshat’s tone, stopped talking for a second, sensing the tension in the air. He quickly cleared his throat, smiling awkwardly at Akshat. "Haan, haan, bilkul. Saree hi dikhate hain," he said, now focused on the saree collection and ignoring the compliments. He reached for another set of sarees, trying to regain his composure.

Amrit, on the other hand, didn’t miss the irritation in Akshat's voice. She turned to him, a small smile playing on her lips as she tried to make light of the situation. "Akshat, aapko kyun itna gussa aa raha hai? Yeh toh bas inka tareeka hai.” she teased him, twirling in front of him, making sure he could see how the saree looked. She was enjoying his reaction, finding it amusing.

Akshat tried to maintain his composure, but the jealousy was evident in his clenched fists and his sharp gaze. He didn’t want to admit it, but seeing the shopkeeper fawn over Amrit made him feel possessive. "Kaise bole pada tha woh matlab ek pati ke samne patni ko patakha phool, so irritating, aur tumne ghar pe bola tha ki tum meri choice ki saree logi." he said, his voice tight,

Amrit laughed softly, amused by his possessiveness.

She placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "Aapki pasand ki hi pehnungi" she said softly, her eyes twinkling.

“What do you think of this one?” Amrit asked, holding up the saree to her body, looking at herself in the mirror.

Akshat raised an eyebrow but didn’t immediately answer. Instead, he studied her face, his gaze softening. “It’s nice, but I think you’ll look even better in something a little lighter. Haan bhaiya light blue saree dikhaiye…tum sundar lagti ho uspe,” he suggested.

Amrit looked at him, slightly puzzled. “Light blue?” she repeated. She had always thought of blue as more of a casual color, not really suitable for a formal event.

“Trust me,” Akshat added with a smile. “Tum par acha lagta hai.”

Amrit’s expression softened as she surveyed the blue saree. “Okay, fine, I’ll try it,” she said with a playful roll of her eyes. She was about to call the shopkeeper when Akshat stepped forward.

“Bhaiya,” he called out to the shopkeeper, “Kuch aise dikhaiye jo light blue mein ho, lekin zara alag ho. Kuch jisme meri Amru sabse pyaari dikhe mera birthday hai to uss hisaab se kuch.”

The shopkeeper nodded and walked away, and Amrit looked at Akshat with a faint blush on her cheeks. “Akshat yahan aise baat mat kariye mujhe sharam aati hai,” she said softly.

Nandini, who had just entered the boutique with Kavya, froze when she noticed Akshat and Amrit standing together, clearly engaged in a conversation about sarees.

“Yeh dono saath mein kya kar rahe hain?” Kavya whispered, leaning over towards Nandini, her eyes wide with confusion.

The warmth between them was undeniable, and Nandini couldn’t help but furrowed her brow in confusion. "Aur ye Amrit Akshat bhaiya se saree kyun pasand karva rahi hai," she whispered back.

“Pata nahi yaar,” Kavya murmured, her eyes narrowing. “Aur yeh Akshat bhaiya ki shakl dekho... Kaise dekh rahe hain Amrit ko. Professor aur student ya phir dosti se zyada lag raha hai.?”

Nandini glanced at Kavya, her gaze still fixed on the pair as they continued talking. Akshat was now suggesting a specific shade of blue, his tone serious but gentle, while Amrit seemed to be taking it all in, her expression softening. She was clearly enjoying the attention.

As the two of them chatted, the shopkeeper returned with a saree in a soft, pastel blue that shimmered faintly under the boutique’s lighting.

Amrit’s eyes brightened when she saw it. “Ummm acha to hai par!” she exclaimed, picking it up immediately. “Bhaiya, mere inke pasand ka dikhaiye na kuch.”

Kavya and Nandini exchanged a stunned glance, their jaws nearly dropping. Amrit, so casually, had just referred to Akshat as "inke," implying a deeper connection than they had ever realized.

“Mere inke?,” Nandini whispered, her voice barely audible. She couldn’t process what she had just heard. Amrit had called Akshat “inke” in a way that seemed to suggest a much closer bond than mere friends or even teacher-student.

Kavya was equally speechless. “Akshat bhaiya aur Amrit ke beech kuch chal raha hai, aur yeh humne bilkul nahi dekha tha!” she muttered under her breath, her eyes never leaving the pair.

They huddled behind a pillar, trying to stay out of sight, their hearts racing with confusion and surprise. They watched as Akshat and Amrit shared a quiet laugh, with Akshat gently guiding her to try on the saree.

“I’m telling you, this blue saree is going to look amazing on you,” Akshat said, his voice warm and encouraging. He watched as Amrit took the saree from his hands, but he didn’t just let go of it; he gently touched her hand, his fingers grazing hers for a brief moment.

Amrit’s eyes met his, and for a split second, they both seemed to forget the world around them. “Aap ki pasand hamesha perfect hoti hai,” she murmured, her voice low and soft.

“Ofcourse kyunki tum bhi mere hi pasnd ho.” Akshat said winking at her making her shy.

Nandini’s heart skipped a beat as she watched the exchange. “Did you hear that?” she whispered to Kavya, her eyes wide. “Akashat bhaiya ki pasand…yaar They are acting like a couple...”

Kavya, still in shock, could only nod, her mouth slightly agape. “I can’t believe it. This is... this is something else. I thought Akshat bhaiya was always so formal and professional with everyone. But look at them Amrit’s looking at him like he’s the only one in the room!”

Meanwhile, Amrit was taking her time with the saree, trying it on and adjusting the pleats in the mirror. Akshat stood at a slight distance, his gaze following her every movement with a tenderness that was unmistakable.

“You look beautiful,” Akshat said, his words almost a whisper. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, as if he were unsure of whether to say more, but then added, “This is the one. I knew it.”

Amrit turned to him, her eyes twinkling with a mix of affection and amusement. “Agar ready hone ke baad nahi achhi lagegi to.” she teased playfully.

Akshat’s lips curled into a soft smile. “I will take full responsibility,” he replied, his voice filled with affection and a hint of laughter. “But I know you will look pretty.”

Nandini’s eyes were glued to the scene, unable to tear her gaze away. “Kavya, I can’t take this anymore. Ye sab kya dekhna pad raha haj.”

Kavya, who was still recovering from the shock, leaned forward slightly, her hand resting on the pillar for support. “Yeh bilkul galat ho raha hai. Akshat bhaiya toh hamesha itne mature the. And now, he’s acting like... like someone who’s in love!”

Amrit looked at herself in the mirror one last time and adjusted the saree slightly, her fingers brushing against the fabric. “I’m not sure, Akshat. What if it’s too much? It feels a little heavy, don’t you think?”

Akshat walked closer, his eyes never leaving her. “No, it’s perfect. You make anything look good. You should see yourself, this saree was made for you.”

Amrit’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she smiled at him, her eyes twinkling with a mix of affection and teasing. “Aap bahut zyada tareef karte hain jabardasti ka” she said, her voice soft and playful.

Akshat shrugged, a grin on his face. “Kyunki aap deserve karti hain. I’ve never seen anyone who looks as good in a saree as you do.”

Before Akshat could respond, Amrit walked closer to him and, without thinking, lightly pinched his cheek. “Thank you for always being there for me. ,” she added.

Kavya and Nandini were absolutely stunned. “Mujhse to dekha bhi nahi jaa raha hai!” Kavya whispered in disbelief, her voice filled with shock. “And did you hear that? She said... whatever we are? What is that supposed to mean?”

Nandini’s heart raced as she struggled to process everything she had just witnessed. “Kavya, clearly pata chal raha hai. This... this isn’t just friendly anymore. They have crossed a line.”

Kavya nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yaar bhaiya aise kaise kar sakte hain.”

But as they prepared to leave their hiding spot, the shopkeeper walked over to them with a polite smile. “Bhaiya, didi, aapko kuch aur chahiye?”

Kavya quickly composed herself, giving him a small smile. “Nahi, bas dekh rahe the,” she said before subtly motioning for Nandini to move away.

As they stepped out of the boutique, Nandini glanced over at Kavya, her mind racing. “We can’t let this go. We have to find out everything about them. I don’t know what’s going on, but there’s definitely something between them.”

Kavya, still reeling from what they had just seen, nodded slowly. “Kuch jaroorat hi nahi hai we can clearly see.”

And as they walked away, both Nandini and Kavya couldn’t shake the images of Amrit and Akshat, standing so close to each other, sharing smiles, teasing remarks, and a bond that seemed to be far more than just friendship. Something had definitely changed between them, and the two girls knew that they had to uncover the truth.

“This is too much,” Kavya murmured. “Humein yeh kabhi nahi socha tha.”

Nandini nodded slowly, still in shock. “Akshat bhaiya ek shadishuda ladki ke sath cheee yaar ?”

Kavya looked at Nandini tenses “Aur Amrit? She is not a kid jo kisi behkave me aa jayegi ya infatuation ho jayega….this is an extra marital affair”

“Bhaiya khud uss phase se guzar chuke hain still he is giving same pain to bechara Nikhil” Nandini whispered, her voice filled with uncertainty.

Kavya let out a deep breath. “We should stay quiet for now. We can’t jump to conclusions. But something’s definitely going on."

Nandini raised an eyebrow, deep in thought. "Kahin Nikhil aur kritika ke bhai to nahi... Akshat bhaiya ke saath kritika ne jo kiya tha, wohi Nikhil ke saath ho raha ho...kahin badla lene ke liye to unhone Amrit ko phasaya."

Kavya rolled her eyes and was irritated. "Behan, TV serial nahi chal raha hai tera! Yeh jo ho raha hai, usmein sab clearly dikh raha hai. Akshat bhaiya aur Amrit ka affair hai, aur Nikhil ko kuch bhi pata nahi chal raha because aaj maine jab Nikhil se pucha ki Amrit kahan hai to usne kaha ki college gayi hogi aur kahan hi jayegi.”

Nandini was quiet for a moment, trying to process this new realization. "Toh... Nikhil ko kuch nahi pata? Aur Akshat bhaiya aur Amrit ke beech... yeh sab...I still can't believe?" Her voice was full of disbelief.

Kavya frowned. "Bilkul Nikhil ko sach mein kuch nahi pata, Amrit cheat kar rahi hai.”

"Yeh toh bahut ajeeb ho gaya," Nandini muttered, shaking her head. "Matlab, uska aur bhaiya ka kabse chal raha hoga?"

Kavya raised an eyebrow. "Nikhil ke aane se pehle se hi obviously dono ko sath itna comfortable dekh ke samjh aa gaya sab .”

As they watched the two of them disappear into the fitting room, both Kavya and Nandini knew one thing for sure, they had just uncovered a side of Akshat and Amrit’s relationship that was completely unexpected. What they would do with this newfound knowledge, they weren’t sure yet, but one thing was certain: this wasn’t just a simple friendship. And now, they had to figure out why.

The Singhania mansion was glowing with golden fairy lights, and the grand hall was filled with guests, music, and the aroma of delicious food. The atmosphere was lively as people danced, chatted, and celebrated Akshat’s birthday with full enthusiasm.

In one corner of the hall, a group of young schemers, Krishiv, Preeti, Vikram, Anika, and Vihaan stood huddled together, whispering among themselves. They had a mission: to prove that something was going on between Akshat and Amrit and to bring Vishakha in as their witness.

"Suno sab," Preeti said in a hushed but firm tone, looking at each of them with determination. "Hume unn dono pe nazar rakhni hai. Jaise hi Amrit aur Akshat paas aayenge ya koi aisi harkat karenge jo suspicious lage, hum Vishakha didi ko dikha denge!"

Krishiv rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Haan, lekin agar hum sab ek sath rahenge toh log shak karenge. Alag alag bikhar jao, taaki koi bhi humari planning na samajh sake!"

Vihaan rolled his eyes. "Aur agar kuch bhi nahi mila toh? Phir kya?"

Vikram smirked. "Matlab mil jayega kuch toh, bas dhyaan dena padega!"

Anika sighed. "Bas make sure ki kisi ko shak na ho!"

Everyone nodded and dispersed in different directions, blending into the party while keeping a sharp eye on their targets.

Krishiv pretended to casually stroll around the party, keeping his focus on Akshat and Amrit. He spotted them standing near a corner, engaged in conversation. Amrit laughed at something Akshat said, and suddenly, Akshat reached out and gently held her hand.

Krishiv’s eyes widened in excitement. "Yahi toh dikhana hai Vishakha aunty ko!" he thought and immediately turned to look for her.

He found Vishakha near the cake table, speaking with some relatives. Without wasting a second, he rushed towards her.

"Aunty! Jaldi peeche dekhiye!" he said in an urgent whisper, tugging at her arm.

Vishakha frowned at his sudden excitement but turned around quickly. "Kya dekhun?" she asked, looking around.

Krishiv turned back to point at Akshat and Amrit, only to find Amrit missing!

Now, Akshat was standing alone, talking casually with one of his friends. There was no trace of any hand-holding or intimate gestures.

Krishiv’s mouth opened and closed as he fumbled for words. He quickly thought of an excuse. "Wo... wo... Akshat kitna khush lag raha hai na?" he said, forcing a smile.

Vishakha raised an eyebrow, then looked back at Akshat and smiled. "Haan, wo toh hai. Bahot din baad usse itna khush dekh rahi hun birthday par!" she said before turning back to her conversation.

Krishiv sighed in frustration, slapping his forehead lightly. "Bach gaya tu Akshat, par ab agla mauka nahi chhorunga!" he muttered.

A few minutes later, Krishiv was walking towards the washroom when his eyes landed on a sight that made him freeze.

Amrit was standing close to Akshat, her hand gently wiping some cake off the corner of his lips. Akshat smirked at her and, without warning, caught her wrist and pulled her by the waist, making her stumble slightly.

Krishiv’s eyes widened. "Bas! Isse better chance nahi milega! Iss baar pakdva ke rahunga" he thought, immediately sprinting towards Vishakha.

"Aunty Chalo, jaldi!" Krishiv grabbed Vishakha’s hand without any warning, practically dragging her along with him.

"Arre! Kahan le ja raha hai ?" Vishakha asked, frowning at his sudden urgency.

"Aap bas chalo! Aapko kuch dikhana hai, fatafat!" Krishiv said, pulling her forward despite her protests.

"Krishiv! Dheere chal, sare guests dekh rahe hain!" she scolded, trying to match his pace.

Krishiv ignored her protests and finally pulled her to the same spot where he had seen Akshat and Amrit. He gestured excitedly towards the room. "Dekhiye! Ye dekhiye!"

Vishakha stepped forward, peering into the room. There was nothing.

No Amrit. No Akshat. Just an empty, half-decorated space with a few unused decorations lying on the floor.

She slowly turned to Krishiv, narrowing her eyes. "Kya?" she asked, crossing her arms.

Krishiv blinked, looking into the room again, completely dumbfounded. "Arre... ye toh yahin the!" he mumbled. He frantically looked left and right, hoping to spot them, but they had vanished.

Vishakha tapped her foot impatiently. "Krishiv, mujhe laga kuch important dikhana hai tumhe!"

Krishiv scratched the back of his head nervously. "Wo... wo... yahi toh... ye room decorate nahi hua hai!" he blurted out in a desperate attempt to cover up.

Vishakha narrowed her eyes. "Haan, aur iska koi kaam nahi tha isliye!" she said sarcastically. "Aur tu mujhe sirf ye dekhane ke liye yahan kheench laaya?"

Krishiv gulped, forcing a weak smile. "H...haan."

Vishakha huffed, shaking her head in disbelief. "Ajeeb hai!" she muttered before turning and walking away.

As soon as she was gone, Krishiv let out a sigh, placing his hands on his knees. "Yaar, ye dono bhoot ban gaye kya? Kahan gaayab ho gaye?" he muttered before deciding to head back to the party.

The game wasn’t over yet. They still had a chance to catch Akshat and Amrit together.

Vihaan wandered around the party, trying to act casual, but his eyes were trained on Akshat and Amrit. There was something in the air between them that Vihaan couldn't quite place. He had been keeping an eye on them since they first exchanged glances from across the room, and he was starting to suspect that there was more going on than met the eye. His gut told him there was something between Akshat and Amrit, something that wasn’t just friendly banter.

As he continued to observe, he saw them stand together near the drinks counter. Amrit leaned in slightly to say something, and in that moment, Akshat placed his hand on her back, just for a second, but to Vihaan, it looked like a clear romantic gesture. His heart raced, and his eyes widened in shock.

Without wasting a moment, he sprinted towards Vishakha, who was leisurely enjoying some snacks by the buffet table. She raised an eyebrow when she saw him running toward her, looking unusually flustered.

“Maa! Jaldi chaliye! Aapko kuch dikhana hai!” he said urgently, tugging at her arm like a little child, his voice filled with excitement.

Vishakha, slightly annoyed but mostly confused, frowned and narrowed her eyes at him. “Ab kya? Pichli baar Krishiv ne mujhe bina wajah kheench liya tha, aur ab tum bhi?"

Vihaan quickly shook his head, desperate to make his point. “Nahi nahi, is baar sach mein kuch hai!” he insisted.

Vishakha sighed, realizing that her son wasn't going to let this go easily. "Fine, but this better be good," she said, putting down her plate and following him, albeit reluctantly.

Vihaan led her to the drinks counter, his excitement building. "Bol kya hai!" Vishakha said, her arms crossed and a skeptical look on her face.

Vihaan pointed towards Akshat, who was standing there with his friends, laughing and joking around. But to his surprise, Amrit was nowhere in sight. His eyes darted around the crowd, his heart sinking. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing or rather, what he wasn't seeing.

“Arre! Yahin toh the!” Vihaan muttered under his breath, his jaw dropping. He looked frantically from person to person, trying to find any sign of her. He even checked around the corner, his head swiveling with urgency.

Vishakha raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with the situation. “Dimag office me chhor kar aa gaye kya tum sab?” she said with a tinge of sarcasm.

Vihaan's face flushed with embarrassment. He opened his mouth to respond but then froze. “Woh… woh… actually… aapne drinks try kiya? Bahut achi hai!” he blurted out in a panic, quickly grabbing a glass of drink from the counter and handing it to her in a desperate attempt to distract her.

Vishakha stared at him for a long moment, as if she could see right through his little act. She took the glass from his hand but gave him a long, suspicious look before sighing deeply. "Tum log sach mein pagal ho gaye ho bas itni si baat ke liye aise kheech ke lete aaye," she muttered, shaking her head before turning to walk away.

Vihaan groaned, rubbing his forehead in frustration. “Kahan gaayab ho jate hain har baar!” he muttered, irritated by how Akshat and Amrit seemed to vanish at the most inconvenient moments.

Determined to succeed where Vihaan and Krishiv had failed, Preeti was on a mission. She knew that if anyone could figure out what was really going on between Akshat and Amrit, it was her. She had been observing them for a while, looking for any sign, any clue that could give her the ammunition she needed to prove something was going on between the two of them.

A few minutes later, her moment arrived. She spotted them near the dance floor, Amrit laughing at something Akshat had just said. There was a lightness to the way she held herself around him, and the way Akshat looked at her, it was different from the casual gestures he shared with everyone else. Without any warning, Akshat reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of Amrit's hair behind her ear. It was a simple, seemingly innocent move, but to Preeti, it was all the confirmation she needed.

“This is the right time!” she whispered to herself with a victorious grin, her eyes lighting up. She didn’t waste a second and dashed toward Vishakha, who was at the snack table, chatting with some guests.

"Didi! Aap yahan kya kar rahi hain? Aapko ek cheez dikhani hai!" Preeti said excitedly, grabbing Vishakha’s arm and pulling her toward the dance floor.

Vishakha, already starting to get a sense of where this was going, sighed dramatically. "Phir se? Preeti, tum bhi?" Her tone was a mix of amusement and exasperation, as she had a feeling this wasn’t going to be as simple as Preeti thought.

"Nahi nahi! Is baar sach mein kuch hai!" Preeti insisted, her voice urgent as she tugged Vishakha faster, her excitement palpable.

Vishakha shook her head, amused but not entirely convinced. "Theek hai, dikhao mujhe!" she said, folding her arms with a skeptical expression.

Preeti turned eagerly to point at Akshat and Amrit only to find that Amrit had moved away from him, leaving Akshat standing alone, staring absently at the crowd. Her heart sank. She had been so sure, and now, it felt like she had missed her chance.

Preeti’s eyes widened in panic. "Arre yaar! Aise kaise ho sakta hai?" she muttered under her breath, her confidence quickly crumbling. She glanced at Vishakha, who was already tapping her foot impatiently.

Vishakha, sensing her sister's frustration, tapped her foot with increasing irritation. "Mujhe ab tak kuch bhi dekhne ko nahi mila hai. Koi bhi mujhe bina matlab kheench raha hai!" she said, her tone a little sharper now, clearly unimpressed with Preeti’s evidence.

Preeti felt the heat of embarrassment rising in her cheeks. She didn’t want to admit defeat just yet. "Woh... didi, aap dance karengi? Music accha hai na?" she asked, trying to change the topic and steer the focus away from her failed observation.

Vishakha rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically, clearly done with the situation. "Tum sab mujhse majak kar rahe ho kya! Koi prank karna chahte ho kya?" she muttered, shaking her head before turning to walk off, leaving Preeti standing there, feeling deflated.

Preeti watched helplessly as Vishakha disappeared into the crowd, and then smacked her forehead in frustration. "Ye Akshat aur Amrit koi jaadoo jaante hain kya?" she muttered under her breath, bewildered by how they seemed to vanish whenever she was on the verge of proving something.

Anika wasn’t the type to back down easily, and she had made up her mind that she wouldn’t stop until she got to the bottom of what was going on between Akshat and Amrit. She had already spent far too long observing them, but this time, she was convinced she was getting close to finding the truth.

She had been scanning the room again, keeping a watchful eye out for any signs. After a while, she spotted them once more Amrit and Akshat, standing near a corner of the room. Akshat was holding a piece of cake in his hand, offering it to Amrit with a smile. She took it from him with a soft laugh and bit into it, her eyes sparkling with warmth. For a brief moment, as she raised the piece to her lips, their hands brushed against each other. It wasn’t a casual touch; there was something intimate about the way their fingers met.

Anika’s heart skipped a beat. Her suspicions were now confirmed. "Ab to ye mauka nahi jane dungi!" she whispered under her breath, her eyes wide with realization. She couldn’t wait any longer. This was the moment she had been waiting for.

Without wasting a second, Anika turned on her heels and rushed towards Vishakha, who was chatting with a few other guests near the bar. She grabbed her arm with urgency, almost pulling her off her feet in her haste.

"Maa! Maa! Chaliye!" Anika said, breathless with excitement. Her eyes were alight with triumph, knowing she finally had the proof she needed.

Vishakha groaned, clearly annoyed. "Anika, ab tum bhi? Phir se le jaoge puchoge ki Maa aapne ye khaya wo khaya!" she grumbled, rolling her eyes.

"Maa, ek last time! Bas ek minute, chaliye please!" Anika pleaded, her voice practically begging. She wasn’t about to let this slip by.

Vishakha sighed deeply, giving her daughter an exasperated look. She had no choice but to indulge her for a moment. "Theek hai, chalo!" she finally said, her tone reluctant but resigned.

Anika didn’t waste any time. She grabbed her mother’s hand and led her toward the dance floor, excitement practically radiating from her. She was so sure of what she had just seen, and she was certain that Vishakha would see it too.

But as they reached the spot where Amrit and Akshat had been just moments ago, Anika froze. There was no sign of Amrit. In fact, Akshat was now standing alone, chatting with someone, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. Amrit had disappeared, vanishing into the crowd as if she had never been there.

Anika’s jaw dropped. "Ye kaise ho gaya? Abhi toh yahin thi!" she muttered, disbelief creeping into her voice. She quickly scanned the area, her heart sinking as she realized she had missed her chance once again.

Vishakha, who had been following her with a bemused expression, rolled her eyes dramatically. "Bas! Ab mujhe aur koi nahi bulayega!" she declared, her voice sharp with frustration.

Anika groaned, frustration and embarrassment welling up inside her. She ran a hand through her hair, letting out a long sigh. "Uff! Ye log har baar jaane kahan chhup jate hain!" she muttered under her breath, the mystery of Akshat and Amrit’s disappearing act leaving her feeling exasperated.

She stood there for a moment, watching Akshat and one of his staff members talk, completely unaware of her growing frustration. Anika was at her wit’s end. She had thought she was so close this time. But once again, Akshat and Amrit had outsmarted her, slipping through her fingers just when she thought she had them.

As Vishakha turned to walk away, shaking her head and muttering something about being tired of all the drama, Anika stood there, torn between laughing at her own foolishness and feeling defeated. She couldn’t understand how they managed to slip away so easily, but she was determined to figure it out.

Vikram had spent the entire evening watching Amrit and Akshat from the corner of his eye. Unlike the others, who had rushed into action without a second thought, Vikram decided to take a more calculated approach. He knew that if he was going to expose whatever was happening between them, he had to wait for the right moment. Patience, he believed, was key.

As the party went on, Vikram's eyes found Amrit and Akshat again. This time, they were standing near the garden area, their heads close together as they whispered something to each other. Their body language spoke volumes. Amrit laughed softly, and Akshat leaned in a little too close, his hand casually resting on the back of her chair. Vikram’s eyes narrowed with certainty. There it was. He had finally witnessed something that confirmed his suspicions.

"Ab nahi bachenge didi ki nazron se ye dono!" Vikram muttered to himself with a victorious smirk, feeling like he had finally caught them in the act. This was the moment he’d been waiting for. No more doubts, no more second-guessing. He knew exactly what was going on, and he was going to expose it.

With a sense of triumph, Vikram turned on his heels and walked over to Vishakha, who was standing with a glass of wine near the buffet table, chatting with some of the other guests. He tapped her shoulder, startling her slightly.

"Didi, ek minute," Vikram said in a tone that was unusually serious for him. "Aapko kuch important dikhana hai!"

Vishakha turned to face him, her eyebrows raised in a mixture of surprise and annoyance. She had no idea what was coming, but her patience was wearing thin. "Vikram, ab kya?" she sighed, her tone dripping with exasperation. "Preeti to abhi bhi aisi hi hai par Tum bhi bachon ki tarah mazak karne lage.”

Vikram flashed her a reassuring smile, though it was clear he was feeling more confident than ever. "Nahi, Bhabhi, is baar sach mein kuch hai. Aapko dekhna hoga!"

Vishakha, though not thrilled by the sudden turn of events, nodded. "Theek hai, dikhaiye," she said, folding her arms in a no-nonsense manner, clearly ready for whatever Vikram was about to show her.

Vikram led her to the garden area, his steps quickening with anticipation. He was almost there. His eyes scanned the area, expecting to find Amrit and Akshat exactly where he had seen them moments ago. But as they reached the spot, his smile faltered. Amrit and Akshat were gone.

He froze. His heart skipped a beat. Where had they gone? He had just seen them, and now they were nowhere to be found. He scanned the garden frantically, his eyes darting across every corner, but there was no sign of them.

Vishakha, who had been following him in silence, crossed her arms and gave him an unimpressed look. "Ab kya hogaya?" she asked, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "Mujhe yeh koi comedy show lag raha hai! Tum log ek ek karke mujhe bewakoof bana rahe ho kya?"

Vikram’s confidence began to waver. His mind raced, trying to come up with an excuse. He had promised Vishakha something, and now, it seemed like everything was falling apart. He scratched his head, panic beginning to set in. "Wo..Rakshit na yaha cigrette pee raha tha shayd par mujhe galatfahmi ho gayi abhi just dekha wo to fries kha raha tha sorry!" he blurted out, grasping at the first thing that came to mind.

Vishakha let out a deep, exasperated sigh. "Tum sab pagal ho gaye ho!" she snapped, shaking her head. "Dobara mujhe koi bhi bulayega toh dekh lena!" With that, she turned on her heels and stormed off, clearly done with the entire situation.

Vikram stood there, feeling defeated. His shoulders slumped in frustration. "Inn dono ki kismat dekho…itne maheene se chal raha hai sab kuch par abhi tak pakde nahi gaye the aur ab jab ham sabko pata chal gaya hai to Vishakha didi se bach jaa rahe" he muttered to himself, rubbing his forehead in disbelief.

He glanced around once more, his hopes of proving his suspicions dashed. It felt like Akshat and Amrit had mastered the art of disappearing at the most inconvenient times. With a deep sigh, he turned to go back inside, feeling like he had just lost the battle.

The gang stood at the drinks counter, their shoulders slumped in defeat, each of them nursing their own sense of frustration. Despite their best efforts, they had failed time and time again to catch Akshat and Amrit in the act. They had carefully plotted, observed, and even dragged Vishakha into their schemes, but the elusive pair seemed to have mastered the art of disappearing at the exact wrong moment.

"Ek bhi baar nahi pakad paaye!" Vihaan exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air. His voice was laced with disbelief. It was as if the universe was conspiring against them. He had been so sure he’d seen something, but when it came down to the moment of truth, Akshat and Amrit always managed to slip away like shadows.

"Har baar jaane kahan chhup jaate hain!" Preeti groaned, her frustration palpable. She had been the first one to spot Amrit and Akshat earlier, and yet, in the blink of an eye, they had vanished.

"Inhe kahin pata to nahi chal gaya ki hame inke bare me pata ho gaya sab!" Vedant muttered, running a hand through his hair. He had always been the skeptical one, but even he was beginning to entertain the possibility that something otherworldly was going on. It was the only logical explanation for how Akshat and Amrit could disappear so seamlessly every time.

The group exchanged glances, their collective sense of frustration growing stronger with each passing second. They were supposed to be a team strategizing, planning, and executing their mission together. But at this moment, it felt like they were getting nowhere. Every time they thought they had their prey cornered, they were left empty-handed.

"Ab kya karein?" Anika asked, breaking the silence. Her voice was tinged with defeat, but there was still a flicker of hope in her eyes. She was determined not to give up, even though it felt like they had exhausted every option.

Vikram took a deep breath. He knew they couldn’t let this go so easily. This was not just about catching Akshat and Amrit; it was about proving that they were right all along. They couldn’t back down now, not when they were so close. "I don't think pata hoga kyunki hota to Akshat ham me se jaroor kisi se baat karta ya jhooth bolta aa kar ki jaisa ham samjh rahe vaisa nahi hai," Vikram said, his voice steady and full of resolve.

The others looked at him, their expressions shifting from disappointment to renewed determination.

"Yeh party me na sahi kabhi to pakadvayenge inhe" Vihaan said with a mischievous grin, his previous frustration now replaced with a renewed sense of focus.

"Bilkul," Preeti added, her voice firm..

And so, the group dispersed, each of them scanning the party with fresh eyes, alert and ready for any sign that might lead them to their ultimate goal of catching Akshat and Amrit and proving they were right all along. The night was far from over, and they were not about to give up just yet.

Nandini walked towards her apartment, her steps unsteady as a wave of nausea washed over her. She pressed a hand to her forehead, trying to shake off the dizziness, but her body felt weak, her vision slightly blurred. She had been feeling uneasy for a while, but she had ignored it, determined to get ready for Akshat’s birthday party. Now, as she fumbled with the keys, her breathing turned shallow, and a sudden lightheadedness made her lose balance.

The keys slipped from her fingers, clattering against the floor as her vision darkened at the edges. She barely registered the sensation of falling, her body giving in to exhaustion. But before she could hit the ground, strong arms wrapped around her, catching her just in time.

A familiar scent of antiseptic and something subtly masculine surrounded her. Even in her hazy state, she recognized it. White coat. Familiar warmth. A deep, steady voice filled with concern.

"Nandini?" The voice was firm yet laced with worry. A hand gently patted her cheek. "Nandini, open your eyes.”

Not wasting another second, he adjusted his grip and swiftly lifted her into his arms. Her head lolled against his chest, her breathing shallow, and for a moment, a strange tightness settled in his chest. He had seen many patients in critical conditions before, but something about seeing her like this made it different. He pushed the feeling aside and carried her inside her apartment, kicking the door shut behind him.

Reaching her bedroom, he carefully laid her down on the bed, making sure her head rested comfortably on the pillow. He crouched down, removing her sandals one by one before adjusting her legs so she was lying properly. His fingers hesitated for a second before he pulled the blanket over her, tucking it around her to keep her warm.

His gaze flickered back to her face—pale, weak, unlike the fiery Nandini he knew. The one who never hesitated to challenge him, to argue back, to push him past his limits. Seeing her like this...it didn’t sit right with him.

Taking a deep breath, he switched into doctor mode. He checked her pulse first—weak but steady. Then he placed the back of his hand against her cheek, confirming how hot she was burning. He grabbed his phone, making a quick call to a nurse from his hospital.

"I need a fever medicine pack sent to my apartment immediately," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for delay.

Hanging up, he exhaled sharply. But she needed medicine now, and he didn’t have time to wait. Without another thought, he rushed out of her apartment, moving to his own just a few doors away. He grabbed his medical kit, nearly knocking over a chair in his haste, before running back.

Sitting beside her, he quickly opened the kit, pulling out the necessary medicines and a thermometer. He placed it under her tongue, waiting for the reading. 102.8°F. Too high. He had to bring it down.

"Nandini, tumhe dawa leni hogi," he muttered, patting her cheek lightly, trying to wake her. But she barely stirred, her brows twitching slightly before her breathing evened out again. His frustration grew. She wasn’t waking up.

He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling. Medicine on an empty stomach wasn’t a good idea. But she wouldn’t wake up to eat either.

Opening the cabinets, he scanned the shelves, searching for anything he could use. Rice. Lentils. A half-used packet of spices. His fingers hovered over them before he grabbed the essentials.

He had never cooked before, but how hard could making khichdi be?

As he turned on the stove, he struggled with figuring out the proportions, but he wasn’t about to back down. He poured the lentils and rice into a pot, added water, and turned up the flame. The spices confused him, so he just tossed in a pinch of salt and hoped for the best. As the mixture started boiling, he stirred it, watching as it thickened. It didn’t smell bad, at least.

Fifteen minutes later, he stared at the dish. It looked... edible. Maybe.

Taking a deep breath, he turned back toward the bedroom, carrying the bowl carefully. But as he reached the door, he stopped.

He knew Nandini. The moment she woke up, she wouldn’t like seeing him here.

Vedant leaned against the wall outside Nandini’s apartment, his fingers tightening around his phone as he dialed a number. The tension in his shoulders didn’t ease, even when the familiar voice of Mrs. Kshatija answered on the other end.

"Hello, Mrs. Kshatija? Is your daughter Sonali at home?" he asked, keeping his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.

A brief pause. Then a response.

"Ohh… then can you please send her to Nandini’s apartment? Actually… she has a high fever, and I can’t leave her alone," he explained, his eyes flickering toward the closed bedroom door where Nandini lay unconscious.

Mrs. Kshatija readily agreed. After all, Sonali and Nandini were close friends. That eased some of his tension—at least Nandini wouldn’t be alone.

Ending the call, he stepped back into the room, his gaze falling on her pale, sleeping face. She looked so… fragile, a stark contrast to the fiery woman who always stood her ground, who never hesitated to challenge him. His fingers twitched as he reached out instinctively to check her temperature again—but just as his hand hovered inches from her skin, he froze.

He had already crossed too many boundaries. He had already done more than she would ever want from him.

His hand stopped mid-air, hanging between them. He let it linger, just close enough to feel the warmth of her skin without actually touching her. He hadn’t realized how much he missed her—missed her presence, missed the way she used to roll her eyes at him, missed the way she challenged him without hesitation. He missed her smile, her laugh, he missed everything about her even her anger.

The doorbell rang, snapping him out of his thoughts. He inhaled sharply before turning away, walking to the door.

As he opened it, Sonali stood there, looking slightly confused but concerned.

"Sonali," he said, stepping aside to let her in. "Tum usse utha ke khichdi khila dena. Maine banai hai. Uske baad table pe rakhi medicines de dena." His voice was calm, but his gaze kept drifting back toward the bedroom.

Sonali’s brows furrowed as she glanced toward the room. "She won’t wake up easily, right?"

Vedant shook his head. "Nahi, fever high hai. Pani chhidakna padega uske face pe. Agar phir bhi nahi jage toh uska haath pakad ke zara zor se bulana," he instructed, his tone slipping into the firm authority of a doctor.

Sonali gave him a reassuring nod. "Don’t worry, bhaiya. Mai wait kar lungi jab tak wo uthti nahi."

Vedant exhaled softly. "Good," he murmured, before turning toward the door, ready to leave. But just as he reached for the handle, Sonali’s voice stopped him.

"And please… don’t tell her I was here," he said without looking back.

She blinked. "Kyun?"

For a moment, he hesitated. Then, forcing a small, almost amused smile, he shrugged.

"Wo… you know na ham kitna ladte hain? Pata chala toh aake mujhe taane maaregi," he said, forcing a chuckle, trying to mask the weight in his chest.

Sonali chuckled too, shaking her head. "Haan, wo toh hai."

He nodded, offering her one last look before stepping outside, closing the door behind him.

Vedant stood outside Nandini’s apartment, pacing restlessly. His hands were tucked into his pockets, but his fingers curled and uncurled anxiously. His mind was stuck in an endless loop of questions. Was she awake? Was she feeling better? Had she eaten properly? He couldn’t stop himself from worrying, even though he knew he shouldn’t be here anymore.

Pulling out his phone, he quickly typed a message to Sonali.

"She woke up?"

A few seconds later, his screen lit up with a reply.

"Haan, bhaiya. Abhi khichdi kha rahi hai."

Vedant let out a breath of relief, leaning against the wall. His tense shoulders finally relaxed a little, but the worry in his chest still lingered. He didn’t move from his spot, just stood there, staring at the door as if willing it to open, as if he could see through it and know for sure that she was okay.

Ten minutes passed. His restlessness took over again, and he typed another message.

"Medicine di?"

Sonali’s reply came instantly.

"Haan, de di."

Vedant exhaled deeply, rubbing his forehead. His fingers instinctively moved to his temples, massaging them as he stood there. The exhaustion of the day was settling in, but his mind refused to rest. He kept rolling his shoulders, pressing his fingers into the back of his neck, but the tension wouldn’t leave him.

His legs were starting to feel weak, a dull ache creeping into his calves from standing too long. Slowly, he let himself slide down against the wall, settling on the floor outside her apartment. He stretched his legs out in front of him, leaning his head back, his tired eyes fluttering shut.

He hadn’t meant to fall asleep.

But exhaustion weighed down on him, and before he realized it, his body gave in to the overwhelming fatigue, pulling him into unconsciousness.

Inside, Nandini stirred as her sleep broke naturally. Her body still felt a little weak, but she was much better than before. She blinked, adjusting to the dim glow of her bedside lamp before her eyes flickered toward the clock.

11:30 PM.

Her brows knitted together as she sat up. She didn’t remember falling asleep again.

As she pushed her blanket aside and got up, her eyes wandered around the room and she instantly felt suffocated.

Her apartment was never this messy. The crumpled tissue papers, the polythene bag from the medicine, and the utensils on the side table it all made her frown. She hated an untidy space. Even if she was sick, she couldn’t stand seeing things scattered around like this.

With slow steps, she picked up the polythene bag and a few tissues, sighing as she walked toward the door.

She unlocked it, pulling it open and then froze.

Her gaze landed on Vedant, who was curled up against the wall, fast asleep on the floor right outside her apartment.

"Vedant?" she called, her voice firm yet slightly hoarse from sleep.

His eyes fluttered open at the sound of her voice, blinking a few times before he registered where he was. The moment he saw her standing there—fully awake, staring at him with a sharp gaze—his entire body tensed. His eyes widened in alarm, and in a hurried movement, he pushed himself off the floor and stood up straight.

His first instinct was to wipe any trace of exhaustion from his face, but the stiffness in his legs made it clear that he had been sitting there for far too long.

"What are you doing here?" Nandini asked, her voice laced with irritation as she folded her arms across her chest.

Vedant's mouth opened, then closed, as if struggling to form an answer.

"I… I mean… I was just sitting here…" he stuttered, his voice unusually hesitant.

Nandini's eyes narrowed. Something wasn't adding up. She wasn’t an idiot. She could see the exhaustion in his stance, the way his eyes looked a little dazed as if he had been standing guard here for a while.

Then suddenly, like a switch flipping in her mind, memories came rushing back.

"Tum hi mujhe ghar le gaye the, na?" she asked, her voice slow, calculating.

Vedant stiffened at the accusation.

His gaze flickered away for a moment before he let out a quiet sigh. He knew there was no point in lying.

"Actually… tum behosh ho gayi thi toh…" he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"And you were the one who brought the medicines?" she asked, her tone sharp, demanding an answer.

Vedant merely nodded, his lips pressed into a firm line.

A bitter laugh escaped Nandini’s lips as she shook her head. "Of course," she muttered, stepping forward. Her eyes gleamed with accusation as she looked at him, her voice growing harsher. "What is this, Vedant? Another one of your tricks?"

Vedant frowned slightly, but he didn’t interrupt her.

"How much more do you want to prove yourself, huh?" she spat, her words laced with anger. "How long will you keep this pathetic act going? Bringing me home, getting me medicines, sitting outside my door all night what are you trying to do? Show me your so-called love again?" She scoffed, crossing her arms. "Let me guess, you think just because you helped me once, I’ll suddenly forget everything? That I’ll believe you’ve changed?"

Her words were knives, sharp and relentless, each one digging deeper. But Vedant remained still, his expression unreadable.

Nandini wasn’t done yet. "Is this another one of your manipulative tactics, Vedant?" she hissed, stepping even closer. "Trying to play the CARING man so I’ll start thinking differently about you? So that you can twist my emotions again, make me question myself, make me…" she exhaled sharply, her hands balling into fists. "I know you too well, Vedant. This won’t work on me. Not anymore."

Vedant finally spoke, his voice calm, measured, yet firm. "You should rest, not stress yourself out," he said simply. "Your body needs to recover. And as a doctor, it’s my duty to make sure you’re okay. That’s all."

Nandini let out a bitter chuckle, tilting her head. "Oh, of course, Doctor Vedant Mathur is just fulfilling his duty, right?" she mocked. "Don’t try to fool me, Vedant. I know you. I know exactly how you work. You do these little things, make me lower my guard, and then.." she exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "I won’t fall for it again. You can play this game with someone else, but not me."

Vedant didn't react. He didn’t try to defend himself, didn’t argue, didn’t get angry. He just stood there, listening.

Nandini’s jaw clenched at his silence, frustration bubbling inside her. "I’m warning you, Vedant," she said, her voice low but firm. "This is the last time. Stay out of my life. I don’t need your help. I don’t need your fake concern. And I definitely don’t need you."

Vedant simply nodded, his face remaining impassive. "Take care, Nandini," he said quietly before turning around to leave.

The night had settled into a comforting silence, the echoes of the party fading into the background as everyone retired to their rooms. The soft hum of the air conditioner and the distant chirping of crickets outside added to the peaceful atmosphere.

Akshat stepped out of the washroom, dressed in a loose T-shirt and track pants, running a towel through his damp hair. His gaze instinctively went to the bed, where Amrit was lying on her side, phone in hand, her fingers scrolling lazily across the screen.

A small smile tugged at his lips as he walked towards the bed and settled beside her. He turned slightly, waiting—expecting her to turn toward him, to snuggle into his warmth like she usually did. But minutes passed, and she remained exactly where she was, her attention fixed on the screen.

Akshat frowned.

He cleared his throat, hoping to grab her attention. Nothing.

He sighed. “Ahem…” He tried again, this time a little louder. Still, no reaction.

His eyes narrowed. Mujhe ignore kar rahi hai?

Shaking his head, he decided he had had enough. Without warning, his hand slipped beneath the blanket, fingers finding her waist, and before she could react, he pulled her toward him in one swift motion.

A gasp escaped her lips as she was flipped around, her phone slipping from her hand onto the bed. Her body pressed flush against his chest, her hands instinctively landing on his shoulders.

“Akshat!” she gasped, her eyes wide as she tried to process what had just happened. “Kya tha ye?!”

Akshat smirked, his arms tightening around her waist as he looked down at her. “Kya kya tha?” he repeated, his voice laced with amusement. “You were ignoring me.”

She blinked, then scoffed. “Arre? Kab?”

“Abhi abhi,” he said matter-of-factly, his fingers lightly grazing her waist.

Amrit rolled her eyes. “Main pictures dekh rahi thi aaj ki,” she defended, playfully pushing his shoulder.

Wrapped in each other’s warmth, Amrit lifted her head slightly, her gaze softening as she looked at Akshat. A teasing smile played on her lips as she leaned forward, intending to press a gentle kiss on his cheek.

But just as her lips were about to touch his skin, Akshat turned his face at the last second, his smirk barely visible before their lips met.

Her eyes widened in surprise, but before she could react, his hand moved swiftly, fingers tangling into her hair, cradling the back of her head to keep her close. His lips moved against hers slow, gentle, savoring the moment.

A shiver ran down her spine as his grip tightened ever so slightly, tilting her head to deepen the kiss. His lips, warm and firm, molded perfectly against hers, coaxing, teasing, drawing her in. A soft sigh escaped her, and that was all the invitation Akshat needed.

His tongue flicked against her lower lip, testing, seeking entry. She gasped slightly, and he took advantage, slipping his tongue inside, exploring, tasting her like he had all the time in the world. The kiss grew more intense, his tongue stroking against hers in a slow, tantalizing rhythm, his hand sliding down to cup her jaw as he angled himself for better access.

Amrit felt herself melting, her fingers instinctively gripping his T-shirt as she tried to steady herself. Her mind screamed at her to break away, to scold him for his mischief, but her body betrayed her—responding to him, leaning into him, getting lost in the heated embrace.

Minutes passed before Akshat finally pulled away, his breath mingling with hers, his lips glistening from the kiss. His brown eyes held a glint of mischief as he looked at her flushed face.

Amrit, still dazed, stared at him in shock. Then, realizing what had just happened, she gasped and hit his chest.

“Besharam ho aap!” she scolded, though the pink dusting her cheeks betrayed her words.

Akshat feigned innocence, his brows raising as he looked at her with wide eyes. “Maine kya kiya?” he asked, the corner of his lips twitching.

“Haan haan, aap kahan kuch karte hain,” she huffed, narrowing her eyes at him.

But the way she immediately looked away, her lips twitching with the hint of a smile, didn’t go unnoticed by him. And neither did the blush that painted her cheeks.

Lying in each other’s arms, wrapped in the warmth of their shared space, Akshat lazily ran his fingers along Amrit’s arm. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow from the bedside lamp casting shadows on the walls. He let out a contented sigh before asking,

“Neend aa rahi hai?” His voice was deep, slightly husky with drowsiness, though his eyes still held a relaxed warmth.

“Nahi… aapko?” Amrit asked, tilting her head to look at him.

He shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Nahi. Abhi toh aur time bitana hai tumhare saath.”

A playful glint flashed in Amrit’s eyes. “Toh phir… movie dekhen?” she suggested excitedly. “Kal college bhi hai, late tak jaag sakte hain!”

Akshat chuckled at her enthusiasm. “Theek hai, par movie dekhte hue bhookh lagegi. Main kuch banata hoon.”

Amrit grinned, her excitement bubbling over. She quickly pushed the blanket aside and jumped off the bed, eager to get to the kitchen. But as she crossed over him, she suddenly froze, her eyes widening in horror.

Before Akshat could even ask what happened, she scrambled back onto the bed, climbing over him again to return to her original position.

Now, he was utterly confused. “Kya hua?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at her strange behavior.

She looked at him seriously, as if it were a matter of life and death. “Arre, aapko paar karke gayi thi na,” she explained.

“Toh?” he asked, blinking at her, still clueless.

Amrit gasped as if he had just committed a major sin. “Arre! Aapki height ruk jayegi!” she said, getting down from the bed again this time properly, making sure to step off the side and not cross over him.

For a moment, there was complete silence. Then, Akshat burst into laughter, shaking his head in utter disbelief.

Kavya’s apartment was filled with the usual morning rush zippers being pulled, shoes being adjusted, and Bulbul’s tiny voice chirping through the space as she hurried to get ready. She was stuffing her books inside her little school bag, her face scrunched up in concentration.

"Mumma, jaldi karo!" she urged, hopping on her feet impatiently.

"Haan baba, ho raha hai," Kavya replied, shaking her head at her daughter’s impatience.

Just as Bulbul grabbed her bag, she ran to the door to check if it was locked properly before leaving. As soon as she opened it, she found herself face-to-face with Krishiv, who had been about to ring the doorbell. He grinned at her.

"Hii chhota packet!" he greeted playfully.

Bulbul, however, remained quiet, simply staring at him with her usual straight face.

Krishiv raised an eyebrow, placing a hand over his heart dramatically. "Arey yaar, ye kya baat hui? Subah-subah itna serious mood?"

Before Bulbul could reply (which she probably wouldn't have anyway), Kavya’s voice came from inside.

"Bulbul, ye bottle toh rakh lo," she said, placing a water bottle inside her daughter’s bag. As she walked toward the door, she noticed Krishiv standing there.

"Good morning, sir," she greeted politely.

Krishiv turned his attention to her with his usual charming smile. "Good morning. Ready for school?" he asked, looking down at Bulbul, who simply adjusted her bag straps. He then turned back to Kavya. "Chalo, main drop karne aaya hoon."

Kavya frowned slightly. "No, sir. We will go in my car," she said, glancing at him before adjusting Bulbul’s uniform collar.

Krishiv made a face. "Arre, kyun? Hamesha toh jaate ho tum log apni car se, main kabhi-kabhi toh aa pata hoon," he said, his voice lighthearted. "Mujhe bhi toh driver banne do kabhi."

"Bulbul, tell your mumma na," he tried again, a hopeful smile on his face as he crouched slightly, trying to meet her eyes.

Bulbul, however, remained firm. "I will not say anything," she stated, her tiny hands clutching the straps of her school bag.

Krishiv frowned. "Kyun?" he asked, tilting his head in confusion.

Bulbul gave him a look as if he should already know the answer. "She is my mumma na, she knows what is better for me. So she should decide," she said, then turned to Kavya and grabbed her hand. "Chalo, Mumma," she added, tugging lightly.

Krishiv felt something heavy settle in his chest. He wasn’t sure why, but that response stung a little. He quickly sat down on his knees in front of Bulbul, blocking her way gently.

"Gussa ho mujhse?" he asked softly, his playful tone now replaced with genuine concern.

Bulbul blinked at him, then shook her head. "Nahi," she replied simply.

Krishiv let out a breath. "Toh phir aise alag kyun behave kar rahi ho?" He searched her tiny face for an answer, but she looked away, as if not wanting to speak.

He glanced up at Kavya, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Mumma ne kuch kaha?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

Kavya’s eyes widened, clearly taken aback. "Mai kyun kahungi!" she defended herself, looking at Bulbul for confirmation.

Bulbul, however, remained quiet, avoiding eye contact. "Kuch nahi kaha... Mujhe late ho raha hai," she muttered, adjusting her bag again.

Krishiv crossed his arms, still watching Bulbul as she walked toward the stairs, her tiny frame bouncing slightly with each step. Something was definitely off, but she was being her usual cheeky self, making it hard for him to pinpoint the issue.

"Accha, phir shaam ko ice cream khane chalen?" he asked, his usual grin back on his face as he looked at her expectantly.

Bulbul turned slightly, flashing a bright smile—not at him, but at Kavya. "Nahi, I had ice cream yesterday with Mumma," she said sweetly.

Krishiv’s jaw dropped in exaggerated shock. "Waah bacchu! Mujhe akela chhod diya na?" he asked dramatically, clutching his heart as if he was deeply betrayed.

Bulbul giggled, nodding proudly. "Haan, it was Mumma and my time na," she said, her voice full of certainty.

Krishiv squinted at her, placing his hands on his hips. "Accha ji? Matlab Maa beti ek side and I am the outsider?" he asked, bending down slightly and playfully pinching her cheek.

Bulbul nodded again, her smile widening. "Haan... Mumma and me are always on one side," she said happily, looking up at Kavya with admiration.

Kavya let out a small chuckle, her gaze softening as she looked at her daughter. There was a certain warmth in her eyes—one that only a mother could have when her child cherished her so deeply. She brushed a strand of Bulbul’s hair away from her face and patted her back gently, urging her toward the stairs.

"Chalo beta, warna late ho jaogi," Kavya reminded her.

Bulbul gave Krishiv one last cheeky glance before making her way downstairs, humming a little tune under her breath.

Krishiv, however, stayed put, his smile fading slightly as he turned to Kavya. His eyes held a flicker of curiosity, a knowing look settling in them.

"Kuch hua hai kya?" he asked, his voice calmer, more serious now.

Kavya stiffened for a fraction of a second, but quickly composed herself. "Nahi sir," she answered, avoiding his gaze.

Krishiv raised an eyebrow. "Arre kaise nahi? Aap Bulbul ko ice cream khilane le gayi, that means she was upset about something," he pointed out, his sharp observation making Kavya glance at him in surprise.

"Sir, aisa kuch nahi hai," she said, shaking her head, her voice firm but still holding a slight hesitation.

Kavya exhaled and glanced toward the stairs, ensuring Bulbul was out of earshot. Then, straightening her posture, she shook her head once more. "Bulbul will be late, sir. Hume chalna chahiye," she said, effectively ending the conversation before turning around and following her daughter.

Krishiv watched her go, rubbing the back of his neck, feeling slightly frustrated. Something had definitely happened. And Kavya was hiding it.

Bulbul tugged at Kavya’s hand as they walked down the stairs, her tiny brows furrowed in concern. "Mumma, is he sad?" she asked softly, glancing up at her mother with worried eyes.

Kavya inhaled deeply, forcing a reassuring smile onto her face as she bent down slightly to meet her daughter's gaze. She cupped Bulbul’s small face gently. "Don’t worry, sab thik hoga," she said, pulling Bulbul into a warm embrace.

Bulbul rested her head against Kavya’s shoulder, nodding slightly as if believing her mother's words would make everything alright.

But Kavya knew better. Some things weren’t in her control.

Later that afternoon, Kavya hurried down the sleek, polished floors of Malhotra Industries, adjusting her handbag over her shoulder. She was on her way to pick up Bulbul from school, and she had no time to waste.

As she stepped outside, engrossed in checking the time on her phone, she suddenly collided with someone rushing in the opposite direction.

"Aah—"

"I’m sorry!" a hurried yet cheerful voice said.

Kavya quickly steadied herself, blinking in surprise as she looked up. The woman in front of her was Alya—her bright eyes filled with excitement, a giddy smile stretched across her face. She bent down to pick up her phone from the floor.

"No, no, it was my fault," Kavya said politely, stepping back.

Alya waved a hand dismissively. "Actually, I’m so excited, toh dhyan hi nahi raha!" she gushed, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. Then, lowering her voice slightly, she leaned in. "You know, Krishiv ne mujhe date pe bulaya hai!"

Kavya's fingers unconsciously tightened around her purse strap.

Her heart stilled for a moment, but her face remained composed. She forced a small, polite smile. "Oh, really?" she said, her voice carefully neutral.

Alya nodded eagerly. "Haan! I still can't believe it. I mean, Krishiv Malhotra personally asked me out! Mujhe pakka lagta hai, he’s going to propose!" she added, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

For a split second, Kavya felt the air leave her lungs.

A dull ache spread through her chest.one she had no right to feel.

Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and forced a smile. "That’s... great, Alya. Congratulations in advance," she said lightly, even though the words felt foreign on her tongue.

Alya beamed. "Thank you! Chalo, I should leave now. Bye, Kavya!" she said, waving before turning to walk away.

Alya entered the restaurant, scanning the area until her eyes landed on Krishiv, who was already seated at a table near the window. A soft smile played on his lips as he looked up at her.

“Baitho,” he said, gesturing to the chair in front of him.

She smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear before taking a seat. There was an excited gleam in her eyes, as if she already knew what was coming.

Krishiv exhaled and leaned forward slightly. “Alya, actually, I wanted to say that—”

Before he could finish, she cut him off, grinning. “I know what you want to say… but let’s order something first!” she said excitedly and quickly called for the waiter.

Krishiv sighed, running a hand through his hair. He wasn’t sure if she truly knew what he was about to say, but he let her place the order anyway.

As soon as the waiter left, he tried again. “Accha, ab suno na… uss din tumne jo kaha, I thought a lot about it. But seriously, I think—”

Before he could complete his sentence, his phone vibrated on the table. He glanced down at the screen.

Akshat.

Frowning, he picked it up. “Hello?”

“Krishiv… Bulbul ka accident ho gaya hai,” Akshat’s urgent voice came through the line.

For a moment, everything around Krishiv blurred.

His breath hitched. His fingers trembled slightly as he gripped the phone tighter.

His heartbeat roared in his ears as he struggled to find his voice. “Wh… what?? How… how is she? Kahan hai?” he asked, already standing up, his chair screeching against the floor.

Akshat quickly told him the hospital’s name, where Vedant was already attending to her.

Krishiv didn’t waste another second. “Alright, mai aa raha hoon,” he said, his voice firm despite the panic coursing through his veins.

He ended the call and turned to leave in a hurry.

“Krishiv? Kahan ja rahe ho?” Alya asked, confused by his sudden change in demeanor.

He barely spared her a glance. “Bulbul ka accident ho gaya hai, Alya,” he said breathlessly, already moving towards the exit.

“But… hamari date?” she asked, standing up as well, but Krishiv was already pushing open the restaurant door.

He didn’t care.

The hospital corridor was cold and sterile, but Kavya barely felt anything except the overwhelming fear clawing at her heart. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sat on the bench, her hands trembling in her lap. The bandage wrapped around her own wound was already stained with blood, but she didn’t care. Nothing mattered except Bulbul.

Amrit and Nandini sat beside her, trying their best to console her, but her sobs refused to subside.

“Didi, aap bhi injured ho… please treatment kara lo,” Amrit pleaded gently, worry etched all over her face.

Kavya shook her head violently. “I don’t care… mujhe koi parvaah nahi… I—” She hiccupped, struggling to speak through her tears. “I don’t know what to do… what if… what if something happened to her?” Her voice cracked, and fresh tears rolled down. “She’s all I have.”

“Kuch nahi hoga!!” Nandini assured her, pulling her into a tight hug. “Bulbul ko kuch nahi hoga, Kavya.”

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway, and before anyone could react, Krishiv appeared, breathless. His eyes were wild with panic as he searched the faces before him.

“Aa gaya tu!” Akshat said, stepping forward.

She stood up instantly, instinctively moving toward him—wanting to run into his arms, to hold onto him, to seek comfort. But just as she took a step forward, her eyes fell on Alya, who had followed closely behind him.

And just like that, the moment shattered.

She stopped in her tracks, fists clenching at her sides.

Krishiv, however, didn’t care about anything else right now. “Where is she?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

“Inside,” Akshat replied.

Without another word, Krishiv turned to Kavya and closed the distance between them in two quick strides.

His face contorted with anger. “JAB MAINE KAHA THA KI INFORM ME IF SOMETHING HAPPENED THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU INFORM ME??” he yelled, his voice filled with frustration and helplessness.

Kavya flinched.

“I KNEW something was going to happen! I KNEW he would do something! That’s why I wanted to drop you both!” His hands gripped her shoulders tightly, shaking her slightly. “But aap log ko meri sunni kahan hai? How can you be so careless?? Why did you—”

Before he could finish, Kavya shoved him away with all her strength.

Her eyes burned with unshed tears, and the weight of everything was suffocating her.

“WHY should I tell you, haan?!” she suddenly burst out, her voice echoing through the hospital corridor. “Ho kaun aap mere?! What right do you have to question me?”

Krishiv stood still, his jaw tightening, but he didn’t say a word.

Kavya scoffed bitterly, her anger bubbling over. “What the hell do you think of yourself?! HAMESHA har cheez mein interfere karte rehte ho! Kabhi mujhe aur Bulbul ko aaram se jeene doge ya nahi?! Pareshan kar diya hai humein!”

Before he could respond, a nurse walked up to them, looking annoyed. “Please, yeh hospital hai. Aap log chillaiye mat. Patients disturb ho rahe hain,” she said, giving them a sharp look before walking away.

The tension was thick, but before Kavya could speak again, Krishiv’s eyes suddenly fell on her shoulder. His breath hitched as he noticed the deep wound staining her kurti with blood.

His face paled.

"You are injured…” His voice came out in shock, barely above a whisper. “Itna bada wound hai... treatment kyun nahi karaya?” His concern was evident in his tone. His gaze darted around the group, seeking answers.

“Ham sab keh rahe the, but she wasn’t allowing us to,” Preeti spoke up hesitantly.

Krishiv’s expression hardened as he turned back to Kavya. Without another word, he grabbed her wrist firmly.

“Aap chaliye mere saath,” he ordered, his grip gentle yet unrelenting.

Kavya immediately yanked her arm back, her glare intensifying. “Leave my hand! Mujhe kahin nahi jaana!” she snapped, her stubbornness refusing to waver.

Krishiv clenched his jaw. His patience was running thin. “I am not asking you, Kavya. Chaliye.” His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

“I said LEAVE my hand!” she repeated furiously, struggling to free herself.

Krishiv let out a frustrated sigh, his grip tightening slightly. “Chalengi ya main utha ke lekar jaun?” His voice dropped a notch, his eyes locking onto hers with a mix of frustration and worry.

Kavya’s eyes widened in shock. “Aap…” she gasped, unable to believe his audacity.

But before she could protest further, Krishiv pulled her along, his grip unrelenting as he led her toward the treatment room, ignoring her struggling.

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