AUTHOR'S POV :-
Chauhan's mansion;
It was a peaceful Sunday morning at the Chauhan residence, and like every weekend, the family had gathered around the long dining table for breakfast. The air was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed chai, hot parathas, and laughter — though a certain quietness lingered, thanks to one noticeable absence.
Aadvik Chauhan.
The eldest son. The heir to the family empire. A man admired for his achievements but feared for his icy, no-nonsense demeanor. His absence wasn't unusual — Aadvik was often away on work, and even when he was home, his presence didn't necessarily make the room any warmer. Still, the missing seat didn't go unnoticed.
As the family chatted over their morning meal, the front door creaked open, and a bright, familiar voice cut through the conversation.
"Good morning, everyone!"
Heads turned as Saanvi Malhotra walked in, her warm smile lighting up her face. Dressed in a light floral suit, she looked as radiant as ever. The daughter of the Chauhans' long-time family friends and business partners, Saanvi was a known face in the house...practically family.
"Good morning, beta! How are you?" Pawan and Reena, Aadvik's uncle and aunt, greeted her enthusiastically, immediately getting up to hug her.
"I'm doing well, uncle, aunty. How about you both?" she asked politely, returning their hugs with a soft smile.
"We're good too, beta. Come, sit down. Join us for breakfast," Reena offered, guiding her to the table as Saanvi exchanged greetings with Isha and Arnav, Aadvik's younger cousins.
Pawan looked up and asked, "So, how's everything at home?"
"Everything's good, uncle. Actually, mom and dad are out of town for some work, so I thought I'd drop by. Hope I'm not intruding," she said sweetly, sliding into a chair.
Reena smiled warmly. "Oh come on, Saanvi. Don't be silly. This is your home too — you're always welcome here."
Saanvi nodded appreciatively, scanning the table as Reena began to serve her a plate. Her gaze flickered once more across the room before she asked, "Isn't Aadvik home? I didn't see him, so I wondered..."
Pawan shook his head. "No, beta. He had some work early this morning."
"Ohh, okay," she said, trying to sound casual, though the slight fidgeting with her fingers gave her away. She scratched the back of her neck and glanced around one more time, clearly hoping to catch a glimpse of him.
A few moments later, she stood up. "Excuse me, may I use the restroom?"
"Of course, beta. Isha, why don't you go with her, just in case she needs anything," Reena suggested.
Isha nodded and followed Saanvi down the hall. The moment they were alone, Isha's voice cut through the silence like a dagger laced with amusement.
"So... still obsessed with bhai, huh?"
Saanvi, caught off guard, coughed mid-sip. "Excuse me?! What are you talking about?"
"Come on, Saanvi. Don't act clueless. You came here hoping to see him, didn't you?" Isha smirked knowingly. "Too bad he's not home."
Saanvi rolled her eyes. "Maybe you should worry more about your own collapsing career instead of playing detective in other people's lives," she said with a sharp laugh.
Isha raised an eyebrow. "Relax. I was just trying to help."
"Help? With what exactly?" Saanvi crossed her arms, clearly irritated.
"Maybe with understanding bhai a little better," Isha replied coolly.
"Because, truth be told, he's never looked your way. Not even once. You get what I'm saying, right?" she added with a teasing wink.
Saanvi's jaw tensed. "He will. One day he'll realize how much I love him."
That made Isha laugh — an amused, almost pitying laugh which only made Saanvi's expression harden.
"Oh sweetheart," Isha said, still chuckling, "let's be real here. What you feel for bhai isn't love. It's an obsession. Or maybe just your pride acting up because you're not used to being ignored."
Saanvi's face turned a shade redder. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides.
"You don't have to get all worked up," Isha added, her tone still mockingly soft. "But you might want to prepare yourself, because bhai's heart? It already belongs to Dhriti, and he'll nev—"
Before Isha could finish, Saanvi snapped, her voice sharp and defiant.
"I'm Saanvi Malhotra. I get what I want — and you'll see that for yourself."
She turned on her heel and stormed off, leaving Isha standing there with a triumphant smirk playing on her lips.
"Well," Isha muttered to herself as she walked back toward the dining room, "the flames have been lit... now let's see who ends up burned."
AADVIK'S POV :-
I left early the morning, not bothering to tell anyone where I was going. It wasn't out of secrecy—just a quiet decision to keep this one thing to myself.
About an hour into the drive, Meeru called. I picked up, casually telling her I was out on some work. She didn't push, and I was grateful for that.
Some journeys don't need explanations—they just need to be taken.
When I finally reached, I parked the car and sat still for a second, my hands gripping the steering wheel as I took in the view. Everything looked the same—but somehow, nothing felt the same. The air carried a strange heaviness, like the past was waiting at the door.
I stepped out, reached into my pocket for the keys, and unlocked the penthouse. As soon as I walked in, it hit me—the weight of it all. A rush of memories flooded in, tugging at something deep inside me.
The place hadn't changed a bit, not in the year's since I'd last been here. And yet, it felt like stepping into a time capsule—one filled with laughter, love, and everything we used to be.
Every corner of this place, every worn-in piece of furniture, every quiet space whispered her name. Her energy lingered like a shadow. The way she'd laugh at her own terrible jokes. The way she'd cry during sad movies. The way her scent clung to the cushions and curtains. She was everywhere—and nowhere.
This was the life we built together. A life that was supposed to stretch into forever.
But "forever" turned out to be a lot shorter than we imagined. And now, all that remained were echoes. Bits and pieces of a story that didn't get the ending it deserved.
I poured myself a drink—something strong. She hated when I drank. She used to wrinkle her nose and threaten to toss the bottle if she caught me. But now... now it was just me and the burn sliding down my throat, nowhere close to the fire she once ignited in me.
I wandered aimlessly through the apartment, letting the memories guide me. The couch where we used to curl up on rainy evenings, bingeing movies and dreaming up our future.
The dining table that had seen everything from birthday cakes to silly arguments over takeout. And the bedroom—the one place where time would slow down and the world would fall away when she was in my arms.
Every step I took felt like walking through a memory. I could still picture her—smiling at me from across the room, her honey-brown eyes lighting up as sunlight poured through the windows.
I remembered the way she'd whisper my name like it was a promise, the way her touch could quiet every chaos inside me.
I stopped for a moment and took a deep breath, trying to slow my racing heart. A tear welled up before I could stop it, but I wiped it away quickly, refusing to let it fall. And then I found myself in front of the photo wall—the one she'd been so obsessed with.
She loved taking pictures. More than anything. Every milestone, every small moment—she captured it all.
Our first date. Our first clumsy hug. That trip to the hills where we got lost but laughed the whole way through. Every photo held a memory. Every memory reminded me of what we had… and what I lost when she walked away.
My eyes stopped at the last photo—the final one we took together. We were laughing, holding onto each other like we had all the time in the world.
We didn't.
And yet, somehow, she still lives here—in the spaces, in the silence, in me.
Flashback
" No more pictures , RITII . " , Aadvik said with a done expressions
" Shut up Aadi and just pose for me . C'mon " , dhriti said with a pout
" You should be a photographer rather than a doctor, RITII . ", Aadvik said as he pulled her towards him
" Ahh , I should but only if I loved clicking pictures of everything. But my love, I just love clicking pictures of us and you only . You know how much I love you , right . " , Dhriti said wrapping her arms around his neck
" Ofcourse I know , but don't you think you should eventually reward me with something . " , Aadvik said playfully
" Haww , Aadi isn't I'm enough as a reward for you . You broke my heart . " , Dhriti pouted when Aadvik gave a peck on her pout making dhriti giggle
" Let me set the timer . We'll capture this moment . " , Dhriti said as she set the timer and came back to Aadvik .
*Click *
" Look Aadi , how beautiful it is . Isn't it the prettiest? " , dhriti said looking at the picture
" Indeed , it is the prettiest , MI VIDÀ. " , Aadvik said looking at her & kissing her crown .
*Flashback ends
" I miss you , RITII. I fucking miss you so much . " , these words slipped off my tongue.
I felt the familiar sting of tears , but I refused to let them fall. I'd crued enough over the years . Instead I let the memories wash over me , a bittersweet reminder of what we'd , what could have been .
I again took a Deep breath letting the silence of penthouse evolve me . It was just me now , alone with my thoughts, Alone with our memories. But in this moment I knew , I wasn't ready to let go . Not yet , not ever.
I wandered over to the guitar, running my fingers over the strings. She'd loved it when I played for her . Loved it' when I sang to her. Loved it when....
I stopped , my fingers hovering oer the strings. I couldn't do this . Not yet , maybe not ever .
I turned away . My eyes scanning the room for something anything to distract me from the memories. That's when I saw it .. A small , forgotten box in the drawer . I opened it , revealing a diamond ring , I was about to propose her with . A Tangled mess of her earings , Her faded passport size picture I'd from school times and a ....
A note .
My heart skipped a beat as I unfold the paper, her handwriting dancing across the page .
" I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU , AADI ". ,it read ," NO MATTER WHERE LIFE TAKES US ."
As I gently run my fingers over the tattoo on my chest, penned in her own distinctive handwriting, a flood of memories comes rushing back, reminding me of the surprise I had meticulously planned for her, only to be shocked by her sudden and unexplained departure, which left me feeling utterly shattered and abandoned.
The tears flow unchecked now, as I'm consumed by a tidal wave of emotions, still yearning deeply for her return and craving answers to the questions that still haunts me.
What was it that I did wrong, what misstep did I take, that ultimately led to her leaving?
Was my unwavering love and devotion simply not enough to keep her by my side ? My heart remains anchored to the past, patiently waiting for her to come back and offer some explanation, some reason, for why she walked away, leaving only silence and uncertainty in her wake.