Chapter 1
“Ugh. Why didn't you let us take the car? I'm exhausted, Aarohi.”
Aarohi laughed softly as she adjusted the shopping bags against her wrists.
“Because you were the one who said we only needed a few things, Riya.”
“And we did.”
Aarohi lifted the bags in both hands and stared at them.
“Technically.”
Aarohi shook her head, unable to hide her smile.
The two young women walked side by side along the busy street, walking through the evening crowd as the warm breeze swept past them.
Unlike Riya, who had dressed in a pair of fitted blue jeans and a pretty cream-colored top, Aarohi wore a simple peach kurti paired with loose palazzo pants that moved softly around her ankles, a light dupatta rested over one shoulder..
Her silky black hair fell freely down her back, a few strands escaping around her face whenever the wind picked up.
Her warm honey brown eyes held a quiet softness, framed by naturally thick lashes and small gold earrings caught the fading sunlight whenever she turned her head.
Riya glanced at Aarohi's shopping bags and groaned dramatically.
“Next time, we're taking the car.”
“Taking public transport isn't as terrible as you made it seem, Riya.” Aarohi smiled.
“Ugh. No, thank you. I'm never doing that again.” Riya shuddered, adjusting the shopping bags in her hands. “Did you see that sweaty man practically rubbing himself against me? Hell, no!”
Aarohi couldn't suppress a soft chuckle.
“He was just resting, Riya. The poor man looked completely exhausted, he barely rested his head.”
Riya rolled her eyes, scoffing in disbelief.
“He was drooling, Aarohi! Drooling! No thanks, I am officially traumatized.”
Aarohi let out a quiet laugh, trying, and failing...to cover her mouth. Riya threw her a glare, though the corner of her lips twitched.
“It’s not funny.” Riya huffed, turning her nose up.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Aarohi whispered, holding back another giggle..
“Clearly, you aren't.”
Aarohi only smiled.
Riya shook her head, then seemed to remember something. Her expression turned thoughtful as she glanced at Aarohi.
“By the way... why did you turn down that guy earlier? The one asking for your number?”
Aarohi's smile gradually faded.
“He seemed sweet.” Riya continued. “And judging by his clothes and that expensive watch, he certainly wasn't struggling financially.”
“Riya…”
“What? I'm just saying.”
Aarohi turned her gaze towards the road ahead, her fingers tightening slightly around the shopping bag.
“You know I can't have a man.”
Riya's expression fell.
For a moment, she said nothing. Then she released a frustrated sigh.
“You don't have to listen to what my parents say, Aarohi. You're old enough to make your own decisions. You don't need their permission to have a life, or because of my sister insecure ass, stop you.”
There was a hint of anger in her voice, but beneath it was something else. Sadness, perhaps.
The kind that came from watching someone she cared about quietly accept things she never deserved.
Aarohi glanced at her before offering a small smile. She gently nudged Riya's shoulder with hers.
“I know.”
“Then why do you keep acting as though they get to decide everything for you?”
“It's not that simple.”
“It could be, if you stopped making excuses for them.”
Aarohi chuckled softly, though there wasn't much humour in it.
“Look, I have my flower shop. I have my little routine, and I have you..” She gave Riya a reassuring smile. “It's peaceful. I'm happy with what I have.”
Riya stared at her for a few seconds before letting out another sigh.
“You always say that.”
“Because it's true.”
“Or because you've convinced yourself it is.”
Aarohi didn't answer.
She simply continued walking, her long hair swaying gently behind her..
Riya looked at her from the corner of her eye, but decided not to push the subject any further.
She only moved closer and slipped her free arm through Aarohi's.
“Fine. But when you finally decide to find yourself a man, make sure he's rich enough to buy you a car, no way I'm taking a bus with you to anywhere.”
Aarohi giggled as she shook her head.
“It’s just not fair though..” Riya grumbled, looking over at her.
Aarohi only gave her a soft smile in return, Riya couldn't stay mad, her frustrated look quickly turning into a smile of her own.
Before they could walk any further, the screech of tires cut through the street. A sports car pulled up to the curb, stopping right beside them.
Neither girl turned at first, reckless drivers were nothing new. But then a voice called out..
“Aarohi!”
Riya’s smile died instantly, her face turning cold. Aarohi halted then she just closed her eyes for a brief second, taking a tired breath before turning around.
A young guy stepped out of the driver's seat, slamming the car door behind him.
Ronav Talwar..
He was handsome in a rich, stylish way, grey-tinted blonde hair, expensive clothes, but the wild, desperate look in his eyes ruined it completely.
He hurried over, breathing heavily, staring at Aarohi..he stopped way too close to her.
“Why aren't you picking up my calls?” he demanded.
Aarohi immediately took a step back, putting distance between them. She didn't like how close he was getting, but her face stayed completely calm.
“And why should she?” Riya stepped in, glaring right at him.
“I wasn't talking to you, Riya.”
“Too bad, because I’m talking to you.” Riya snapped back. “Stop obsessing over her, Ronav. She has rejected you so many times. Have some self-respect and walk away.”
Ronav clenched his jaw, swallowing hard as he kept his eyes on Aarohi.
“Aarohi... please. Why aren't you answering me? I called you so many times today.”
“Excuse me..” she said quietly.
She tried to walk past him, but Ronav gritted his teeth and stepped right in front of her, blocking her path.
“Stop ignoring me, Aarohi..” he rasped..
Aarohi looked straight into his eyes, her tone steady and completely devoid of emotion.
“I’ve rejected you, Ronav. Multiple times..” she said, “I don’t owe you anything. I don’t have to pick up your calls, and I don't owe you my attention. You are nobody to me.”
Ronav swallowed hard, the color draining slightly from his face. Standing beside them, Riya couldn't hide her smirk.
“I don’t like you, and I never will..” Aarohi added calmly as she stepped around him. “So please... leave me alone.”
She walked past him without a second glance.
Riya let out a soft giggle, pausing just long enough to throw him a mocking look.
“Daddy’s money can’t buy you everything, can it?”
She stuck her tongue out at him, flipped him off behind her back, and mumbled..
“Dumbass..” under her breath before quickening her pace to catch up with Aarohi, a satisfied grin on her face.
Ronav stood frozen, watching her walk away as his jaw clenched so hard the muscles twitched. He took a step to go right after her, but the loud ring of his phone halted him.
He pulled it out and saw his father’s name flashing on the screen. He glanced back at Aarohi, then reluctantly answered.
“Where the hell are you?!” his father’s voice yelled through the speaker before Ronav could even open his mouth.
“I just needed to–”
“You better not be making trouble out there! Get your ass back here right now!” his father snapped.
Ronav hung up without another word.
He stared down the street where Aarohi had vanished, his fists trembling at his sides.
Swallowing down his frustration, he turned and got back into his sports car, slammed the door, and drove off.
On the other side of the city, a car glided through the gated entrance of a quiet estate, moving smoothly down the long driveway before coming to a stop.
A guard waiting outside immediately stepped forward and opened the door.
A man stepped out into the evening air.. Tall, striking, and dressed in a perfectly tailored dark Tom Ford suit, he walked toward the mansion entrance.
“Welcome, sir..” the guards said quickly, bowing their heads in respect.
He didn't respond, but flicked his fingers..walking past them.
He pushed through the front doors, stepping into a short, wide hallway that opened straight up into a luxurious living room.
He had barely taken three steps into the living room when a soft familiar voice cut through the silence.
“Oh, there is my boy...”
He paused, turning his head slowly. Walking toward him with a soft, genuine smile was a beautiful older woman in her early fifties.
“Mausi-ji, what are you doing here?” his voice was deep, a quiet baritone.
She smiled warmly, stopping right in front of him. “Do I need your permission to visit my own nephew?”
He let out a quiet sigh, his cold expression softening just a bit.
“You know I didn't mean it like that.”
“Whatever..” she teased, waving a dismissive hand with a fond smile. “Come on. I have something to show you.”
She grabbed his wrist, gently pulling him toward the couch. But as soon as he got closer and noticed the dozens of photograph cards scattered across the glass table, his face hardened.
“Mausi-ji... please tell me you aren't doing this again..” he said, his tone turning flat as he sat down.
She didn't back down, offering him a stubborn grin.
“Kairav, you are thirty years old. It is high time you start your own family.” Her voice softened, gesturing to the table. “Look at these girls. They’re all from good families, beautiful and well-mannered. Just pick one.”
Kairav looked down at the pictures spread out before him. A flash of disgust crossed his features before he pulled his wrist back and stood up straight.
“I’m not interested, Mausi-ji.” he said, turning his face away.
His aunt let out an aggravated huff, crossing her arms over her chest.
“You are a billionaire, Kairav! You're on the verge of breaking trillionaire records, and for what? All you do is work, work, and work. You have no life outside your office. Do you really want to end up alone? You need a family, Kairav.”
Kairav clenched his fist at his side, his jaw tightening.
“I’m fine, Mausi-ji..” he said, trying to keep his voice steady. “I don’t need any of this... okay? I'm still young.”
She just stared back at him, her eyes narrowing in a firm, unrelenting glare.
“Young, my foot..” Mausi-ji scoffed, rolling her eyes. “You said the exact same thing five years ago! Look at you, you’re thirty now. In five years, you’ll be thirty-five, then forty. Time doesn't wait for anyone, Kairav. I don't want you sitting in this big, empty house, regretting your life and dying all alone.”
“I’d rather die alone..” Kairav replied flatly. “I’m perfectly fine on my own.”
Mausi-ji looked at him, her eyes softening with a quiet sadness.
“Is it because of the scar?”
Kairav didn't answer. His hands balled into tight fists at his sides, his jaw clenching so hard a muscle twitched near his cheek.
He turned his face away, staring silently into the distance.
She let out a quiet sigh, taking a step toward him.
“Kairav... you don’t have to–”
“I don’t want anyone, Mausi-ji.” he cut her off coldly..“And that is final.”
For a second, there was total silence. Then, Mausi-ji’s face crumpled, and tears welled up in her eyes.
“You are so heartless..” she wept, dabbing at her eyes dramatically with the corner of her saree. “I sit here worrying about you every single day! What, do you think I won’t make a good grandmother? How can you be so cruel to me?”
Kairav pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache building.
“Mausi-ji, please...”
“Ahan-nn!” she let out a loud, sobbing wail turning her back on him completely.
Kairav closed his eyes and let out a defeated breath. He knew she was playing him, but he couldn't stand seeing her upset.
“Fine..” he muttered. “Okay.”
Instantly, the fake sobbing stopped. Mausi-ji spun back around, her face lighting up as if she hadn't just been crying a second ago.
“Really? Oh, wonderful! I’ve already looked at a few girls who–”
“I said I’ll agree to it..” Kairav interrupted, “But only on my conditions.”
Mausi-ji blinked, her excitement pausing.
“...What conditions?”
Kairav looked straight at her..
“I am not marrying for love..” he said, laying out the words coldly. “I want a woman who will give me children. That is all. She should expect no love, no affection, and no real marriage from me. Once she gives me heirs... I will give her whatever settlement she wants and end it. If you can find a woman who agrees to those terms, I will marry her.”
Mausi-ji stood frozen, stunned into silence.
Without waiting for another word, Kairav turned and walked away.
“What kind of crazy condition is that?” Mausi-ji whispered, blinking in complete shock.
She lett out a defeated sigh and looked back down at the scattered photos on the glass table, slowly shuffling through them until one girl caught her eye.
a polished girl with a graceful, perfect smile.
“She’s beautiful..” Mausi-ji mumbled softly to herself, a tiny glint of hope returning to her eyes. “Maybe... maybe she could change his mind.”
Upstairs, Kairav pushed open the door to his bedroom, shutting it behind him..
He shrugged off his suit, tossing it casually onto a chair, before reaching up to loosen his dark tie. He began walking toward his closet, but as he passed the tall mirror in the corner, he froze.
Slowly, he turned to face his reflection.
There was no denying the rest of his features..a sharp regal jawline, deep dark eyes, and broad shoulders that made him look imposing.
But his eyes drifted to the left side of his face. His hand slowly rose, his fingers hovering over the severe burn scar that covered his cheek, rough and dark against his skin.
“Who could ever want a man with a face like this?” he gritted out with an humorless chuckle.
His hand balled into a tight fist at his side, his knuckles turning pale as he stared bitterly at his reflection.
“I don’t need anyone..” he muttered. “I’m fine on my own. Just kids to carry my name... and no woman in my life.”
