Siya was deeply troubled by her family problems.Her mother had been gripped by a severe case of asthma, making the cost of her medication a heavy burden. Her father had retired and now relied solely on a small pension. Siya's job wasn't easy either—office politics, a toxic work environment, and financial instability had made life difficult. But amidst all this, she held onto one hope—that Raghav would return one day and make everything better again.
The next morning...
Siya got ready quickly for work. As she stepped out of her modest home, she saw Radha sitting inside a luxurious car, heading to her in-laws' place. A strange feeling tugged at Siya's heart. "One day," she thought, "even I will step out of Raghav's car just like this—with pride. I'll have my own bungalow, a life of ease and grace."
She glanced at the big bungalow next door and imagined herself as its queen—attended by servants, admired by all. Her lips curled into a smile, lost in a world of dreamy possibilities...
Suddenly, the sound of Radha honking her car horn jolted her back to reality.
Radha smiled and said, "Going to office, Siya? Want me to drop you?"
Siya hesitated. She was running late anyway, so reluctantly she got in. As the car moved, Radha asked slyly, "Remember Anurag Chauhan?"
Siya looked at her in surprise. The name hit her like a wave. Yes... Anurag—with his deep black eyes that had once made butterflies flutter in her stomach.
She looked away coldly and said, "So what if I remember?"
Radha grinned as she drove. "I heard he's back in Rishikesh."
Again, Siya turned to her in disbelief.
Radha continued, "Don't give me that look. My husband told me. Anurag's returned from the city after completing his studies—he's here to handle his family business. Raghav's return is unpredictable... so why not try with Anurag? Maybe he's the prince who can make you a queen. He used to like you back in school, didn't he?"
Siya snapped, "Just shut up! You manipulative witch! You trapped a rich guy, now you want to teach me the same trick? I'm not that kind of girl who sells herself for money!"
But Radha remained calm, almost amused. "Oh come on, Siya. It's common these days. What—do you plan to spend your life dragging your sandals in this heat? Getting squashed in buses? Getting screamed at by your boss? And how long can you keep paying for your parents' medication? You haven't bought new clothes in two years... still using that five-year-old bag..."
"Just think, if Anurag came into your life—you'd be living in heaven. Designer clothes, expensive cars, servants at your feet... you do know how rich he is, right? He'd treat you like royalty."
Siya glanced at her worn-out clothes and old bag, her lips trembling. But she whispered firmly, "I can't betray Raghav. My mom fixed our alliance. And he will return... I don't need another prince."
Just then, they reached her office.
Radha smiled, "Okay, as you wish. Good luck."Siya stepped out and walked inside, her heart torn between emotions.Should she reach out to Anurag? Or keep waiting for Raghav?
Still lost in her thoughts, she reached the elevator—and there she saw her boss, Vihaan, in a compromising position with a girl from the office.
She turned away disgusted."Oh... so that's how Riya got promoted," she muttered to herself. "Now it makes sense why this lazy girl became head of department... While I work myself to exhaustion, these women sell themselves and rise through the ranks."
Riya, the girl in the lift, had joined just six months ago. And yet, she had been promoted twice. While Siya, despite working for two whole years, remained stuck in the same position.
Siya climbed the stairs. Suddenly, Vihaan appeared and blocked her way.
"Come to my cabin. Right now," he ordered.
Without protest, Siya threw her bag onto her desk and followed. She knocked at the door.
"May I come in, sir?"
Vihaan smiled. "Yes, Siya. I've been waiting just for you."
She stood before him. He looked her up and down and said, "You're looking gorgeous, Siya."
Annoyed, Siya replied, "If there's some work, please tell me. Otherwise, I'll leave."
Vihaan leaned in, trying to touch her cheek. Siya immediately stepped back.
"Don't be afraid," he said, chuckling. "Just give me a—"
Before he could finish the sentence, Siya slapped him hard.
"Don't you dare say that again," she hissed. "I'm not Riya Mehra who sells herself for money and position. I'm Siya Prajapati—the same girl who once protected her dignity by walking away from everything... and now, I won't go underground—I'll make you eat dirt! Save this nonsense for your precious Riya. Try this again, and I swear I'll kill you."
And with that, she stormed out.
Vihaan stood there, holding his cheek, stunned.
Back at her desk, Siya picked up a resignation letter and began writing.
Just then, a peon arrived. "Ma'am, sir has called you again."
Siya walked back in, letter in hand.
"Well, Miss Siya Prajapati," Vihaan sneered, "You're fired. For negligence and misconduct."
His eyes sparkled with victory.
But Siya smiled, sat down across from him and said, "No need for that, sir."
Vihaan raised an eyebrow. "So you finally gave in?"
Siya slid the letter across the desk. "Why don't you read for yourself?"
He opened it—and his face turned red with rage.
"You dare?!"
Siya toyed with the paperweight on the table. "What else could I do? You were going to fire me anyway. I just made it easier for you. Oh—and do transfer my final salary. Please, sirrrrrr."
Dragging out the last word mockingly, she walked out. Just then, Riya walked in.
"What did she say?" Riya asked.
"Nothing, baby," Vihaan lied. "I fired her anyway."
Riya scowled. "Why? If she found out today, someone else will find out tomorrow! How long will you keep hiding our relationship? And how many people will you keep firing? We're getting married anyway—why not just tell the office?"
Vihaan pulled her onto his lap.
"You're too innocent, my love. If people found out we're together, they'd assume your promotions are because of me. Is that what you want?"
Riya shook her head and buried her face into his chest.Meanwhile, Vihaan's eyes kept glaring at Siya's resignation letter.
Siya left the office, bag slung over her shoulder.
"What have I done?" she muttered to herself. "I quit in a rush of anger. What now? Where will I go? If I go home, I'll be bombarded with questions. Maybe I should just stay at the park nearby for a while."
She sat quietly, watching kids play. Later, she wandered toward the banks of Rishikesh and stayed until evening. As night approached, she began walking home slowly—so that her family wouldn't suspect anything.
As she walked the dimly lit road, a car suddenly screeched to a halt—barely inches away from her.
Siya's breath stopped.She steadied herself and knocked on the car's window."Hey! Open it!"But the car sped away.
Siya scowled, "Just because you own a car, doesn't mean you own the road! Bloody arrogant jerks..."
A few meters ahead, the car came to a halt.A man stepped out—wearing a crisp black suit and tie, his deep dark eyes glinting in the night. He loosened his tie and breathed heavily.
After five long years… he had finally seen his moon again.When Siya placed her hand on the car window, he had frozen—his breath stopped, his heart forgotten how to beat, and he couldn't even blink.
He touched the spot where she had placed her hand, as if to feel her presence, to make sure she was real.