Riya stared at the two people in front of her.
Vihan.
Ananya.
Their lips still too close.
His shirt slightly messed.
Her lipstick smudged.
All three froze.
Ananya was the first to react.
She smiled—
actually SMILED—
like she was relieved.
"Oh. You saw."
Vihan's eyes widened in panic.
"Riya—listen—this is not—this isn't how it looks—"
But Riya shook her head.
Her throat tight.
Her voice gone.
He took a step.
She took one back.
"You don't need to explain," she whispered. "You… moved on. It's okay."
It wasn't.
Vihan's chest tightened.
"Riya—please—"
But she turned away.
Because the second she looked at him again, she knew she would break.
She walked taunting herself
I was wrong
Was wrong
Was wrong
She walked back toward the main hall—
where Arav stood, leaning against a pillar, drunk and adorably confused.
The moment he saw her, his brows lowered.
"You cried?"
"No," she lied.
"You look like someone stole your pani puri."
Her stupid heart softened.
She dranks 3 shots of alchol suddenly ,arav jaw dropped suddenly thinking the girl is totally unpredictable
This alcohol didn't even relaxed her so she went onto the stage and broke the stage like hell
She was dancing ,crying ,yelling
No one knows
Arav went ti asked and held her hand tight
Before she could say anything, his knees gave out—
and so did hers.
She didn't know if she fainted, tripped, or the ground simply attacked her.
Everything went black.
Riya woke up with a heartbeat that wasn't hers.
A warm breath brushed against her forehead. For a second she froze, eyes wide, palms sweating.
She wasn't in her room.
She wasn't even on a bed.
She was half–lying on a giant couch, wrapped in a fluffy blanket, and—
"Good morning, girlfriend."
Arav's voice came from dangerously close.
Riya shot up like someone stabbed her with a metal ruler.
She punched him on the face very tightly
"Ouch" he yelled
"WHY are you here? WHY am I here? WHAT happened? Did you—did I—did we—"
Arav rubbed his temples dramatically.
"I swear, the way you assume things…
Yes ,yes we ....it shouln't be but ."
But what
"You were drunk and also me ....so"
"Ssssss..so what ..dont say that dont say that please i may die ...
I can't bear more problem
Oh my god what happend ...do you have poison or something ..i just wanted to doe for short period of time or may be forever but who will look over dad then "
Then a huge laugh like bear heared
" Relax. You fainted.noting happened ,i just laid in your bed . I carried you. You hit me twice in the face while unconscious. Then you threatened to sue me in your sleep."
Riya covered her face in horror. "Oh god…are you stupid is this the time to joke"
Arav smirked. "That part was actually cute."
"SHUT UP!"
He leaned back.
"You're loud for someone who stole my blanket all night."
"I DID NOT—"
"You also called me 'udhaar ka boyfriend' and then cried because I wasn't charging GST."
Riya hid her entire soul in the blanket.
"Can I die peacefully?"
Before Arav could tease more, his phone rang.
He picked up… and instantly sobered.
"Dad?"
He listened silently.
His jaw tightened.
Riya noticed instantly.
"What happened?"
He gave a half-smile that wasn't a smile at all.
"Dad wants you to come for breakfast today."
"What? Why ME?"
"Media loved last night's party. He wants to use it."
He added bitterly, "He finally found a reason to be proud of me."
Riya's heart softened a little, but her throat tightened too.
Because suddenly—
"Riya?"
She turned.
Vihan stood at the door,
Her chest clenched.she didn't expect him.
They both froze.
" i didn't expect you to be here riya"
"Same to you "-riya said angrily.
Before silence could turn into a conversation, Arav stepped between them, protective.
"What do you want, Vihan?"
Vihan swallowed, voice softer than yesterday.
"I… came to check if she's okay."
Riya gave a small smile.
"I'm fine. You look… happy. I mean, with Ananya."
A lie.
A big, breaking lie.
He opened his mouth to say something, but Arav's voice cut in.
"Oh so you both finally met ,i can assume that you both know each other .dad is eagerly excited to meet his son's and daighters soulmate and isn't it great he 'll meet both of them together, you need to leave ...mmm i mean you may be in hurry to be ready for the breakfast ,right?."
Vihan nodded, but his eyes stayed on Riya until the last second.
The door clicked shut.
But riya stopped and went forward to talk
" congrates you meet someone or i should say you moved on"
Yeah.he replied
I thought there was something between us but mmm..
But you have more something between with arav right? He taunted
Riya could have explained his situation but many string attached to her make her stop all she was thinking was wrong .she was blaming and cursing herself all day and feeling pity for him.he didn't even tried to talk anf clear with me something and on the same day he hooked up with ananya .i think there was never something i thought about.
She moved on fast very fast.
Riya turned away, blinking fast.
Arav watched her silently… too silently… until he stepped forward and gently touched her wrist.
"Hey… you okay?"
She nodded, but her voice cracked.
"I'm completely fine."
Arav's frown deepened.
"You look like an abandoned puppy."
"You look like a mosquito with attitude, shut up," she snapped.
He grinned. "There she is. Back to normal."
She rolled her eyes. "Shut up before I actually cry."
His smile faded. He stepped closer, careful.
"You don't have to pretend with me, Riya."
Her heart did a weird somersault.
But she quickly stepped back.
"STOP being all… nice. You're my boss!"
"Fake boyfriend," he corrected. "It includes emotional maintenance."
"You're impossible."
"And you're becoming my responsibility," he murmured without thinking.
She stiffened.
He quickly looked away, clearing his throat.
"Get ready. We have a royal breakfast to attend."
"Royal?" she repeated.
"I'm literally wearing yesterday's dress—"
"Then wear something from my sister's wardrobe," Arav suggested.
"I'd rather die."
"Good. You'll fit perfectly with my family's vibe."
The dining hall was too quiet for a house so big.
Only the clicking of cutlery and the occasional uncomfortable cough filled the air.
Arav sat stiffly, jaw tight.
Riya sat beside him, trying her best to look calm.
Vihan and Ananya sat opposite, holding hands a little too tightly—like they were clinging to a secret.
And then there was Arav's father at the head of the table…
watching everyone like a proud king at his court.
---
Arav's Dad:
"So," he said, leaning back with a wide smile, "I'm glad you all came. It's time I officially meet the people who've brought so much… fame."
Arav's eyes darkened.
He hated when his father used that word—fame.
Like everything in life was a publicity stunt.
---
Dad (with a smirk):
"Arav, introduce your… companion?"
Riya nearly choked on air.
Arav:
"She's Riya. A friend."
He emphasized the word like it was fragile.
Riya (forcing a polite smile):
"Good morning, sir."
Dad:
"Friend? The media seems to think otherwise. , long drives, school gossip—very useful for attention."
He lifted his teacup.
"Well done."
Riya froze.
Arav's grip on his spoon tightened.
Arav:
"It wasn't for attention."
Dad:
"Intentions don't matter, son. Results do."
Riya lowered her eyes, feeling the sting of being treated like a pawn.
---
Dad (turning to the other side):
"And this must be… the new couple?"
Ananya's face brightened unnaturally.
Ananya:
"Yes, daddy. Vihan and I decided to take this step."
Vihan (nervously clearing his throat):
"Yeah… we're happy."
Arav raised an eyebrow.
He could see Vihan's hand trembling under the table.
Dad:
"Excellent.Perfect for social presence. The photos will go viral."
Ananya's smile faltered.
Ananya:
" we're doing it because we love each other, not—"
Dad (interrupting):
"Love is fine. Fame is better."
A thick silence dropped.
---
Riya looked at Ananya and Vihan.
For the first time, she saw fear in their eyes—not love.
---
Riya (softly but strongly):
"Sir, relationships aren't business deals. They're… emotions."
Dad (mocking smile):
"Emotions? Those are luxuries, my dear. All of you are young—you should use whatever you have to build your image."
Arav's chair scraped loudly as he pushed back a bit.
Arav:
"Dad, stop. This isn't a PR briefing."
Dad:
"Then what is it? Everybody here seems to be pairing up—why not capitalize on it?"
Arav's jaw clenched.
---
Ananya leaned forward, sharp tone slipping out.
Ananya:
"dad, with all due respect… not everything is about publicity. We just want peace."
Dad:
"Peace doesn't trend, dear."
Vihan exhaled hard, finally speaking up.
Vihan:
"Sir, maybe not everything needs to trend. Maybe… maybe we just want normal lives."
Dad:
"Normal?"
He laughed.
"If you wanted normal, you wouldn't be here."
---
Riya felt Arav tense beside her.
She gently nudged his foot under the table.
A silent message: Don't explode. Not now.
---
Dad (changing tone, almost proudly):
"But I must say—seeing you all like this… it brings attention. Good attention.
Arav with Riya.
Vihan with Ananya.
Perfect alignment."
He raised his glass like he was toasting.
Dad:
"To young connections… bringing the right kind of spotlight."
---
Riya's eyes met Arav's—
a long, worried, irritated, slightly sad look.
He whispered under the table, voice low.
Arav (to Riya):
"I'm sorry you have to sit through this."
Riya (whispering back):
"I can handle him.
I'm more worried about you."
Their eyes locked just a moment too long.
Ananya noticed.
Vihan noticed.
And Arav's father noticed more than anyone—
and smiled like he had just discovered his next move.
His phone buzzed again.
This time, his face changed in shock.
"Riya… it's about your dad."
His voice trembled a bit.
"Your neighbour called. His condition has… worsened."
Riya felt the world tilt.
Her breath hitched.
Her heart dropped.
Arav immediately stepped forward, holding her shoulders.
"Riya. Hey. Look at me. We're going right now."
Her vision blurred with panic.
He cupped her cheek gently.
"I won't let anything happen. You're not alone. Not anymore."
Her tears fell… silently… painfully.
And Arav, for the first time, didn't tease.
He didn't joke.
He didn't act cool.
He just held her.