Mumbai Airport!!

Arohi's pov *

The moment the wheels of the plane kissed the Mumbai runway, a strange restlessness settled in my chest.

After two years in Italy, I was back in India-but not for homecoming hugs or emotional reunions. This wasn't that kind of return. It was a sudden, unplanned rush.

As I stepped out of the airport, the humid Mumbai air slapped me straight in the face. I tightened my grip on my luggage handle, my other hand instinctively flicking up to glance at the sleek, expensive mini-watch wrapped around my wrist-a gift from Dad on my last birthday. Time hadn't stopped. Neither had the betrayal.

It had only been two years since I left India to build my career in Italy, and now, even the heat of Indian streets felt unbearable.

I took a deep breath, adjusting the snug denim jacket over my crop top. My soft brown waves brushed against my cheeks as I pulled out my phone. One glance at the blank screen, and my temper flared.

"Where the hell is this driver?" I muttered under my breath, voice sharp with irritation.

Standing under the harsh sun was getting impossible to bear. On top of that, the way random people on the street stared at me-it was maddening. They looked at me as if I were their long-lost neighbor, and yet none of them knew me.

I really did miss India-despite everything. No matter how beautiful or elegant a foreign country is, it can never match the soul of your own land. I missed the food, the festivals, my family, my home, my best friend...

But there's one thing about India I absolutely hate-people just stare way too much.

Right on cue, a black Mercedes rolled to a halt in front of me. I didn't need to see the crest to know-it was from the Rajput Mansion.

The driver rolled down the window, offering a sheepish smile. "Aarohi, Baby Ji!"

I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "What took you so long?"

He scrambled out, hands fumbling with my luggage. "Apologies, Baby Ji. I had to drop Ahuti Baby Ji at college. That delayed me."

Of course. I rolled my eyes but brushed it off. "Fine. Let's go."

The car door shut with a satisfying thud behind me as I sank into the backseat. The silence inside felt suffocating, but compared to the scorching heat outside, the cool air conditioning was almost a blessing. I could finally breathe again.

But I was already bored. I tapped open my contacts and called the one person I needed to talk to.

"Did you tell Ahuti about my arrival?" I asked, voice calm but cold.

He shook his head. "No, Baby Ji. Saheb Ji strictly instructed me not to."

Good. A smirk tugged at my lips.

I didn't want my little sister to know that I was back in India yet. I wasn't going home, and I knew she must be dying to see me, to hug me.

After I went abroad, there wasn't a single day when I didn't receive her calls or messages. She is my soul, no doubt about that.

As the call connected, my voice softened-for him. "Hello, Dad! Finally!"

His voice crackled with longing. "Just come home soon, Beta... It's been two years. My eyes ache to see you."

But I couldn't lie. Not even to him.

"No, Dad. I'm not coming home."

Silence.

"What do you mean, you're not coming home?"

I sighed, my tone firm. "You already know where I want to go first."

His chuckle was tired and resigned. "Yes, Beta. I do. And I have no objections. But at least come home first."

"No, Dad!" My voice cracked, the dam of pent-up emotions finally breaking. "Do you know how I found out? Not from you. Not from them. Adi told me. Adi! How could they hide something so big from me? Did they think I wouldn't find out?"

I clenched the phone tighter. My pulse was pounding.

"They should be punished. And trust me... they will be."

A pause. Then his gentle voice again. "Maybe you're right. This might be the last chance. Just... do what you need to do."

A small, satisfied smile curved my lips. "Thank you, Dad. Love you."

"Dad loves you too, Beta."

As I hung up, I stared out the window, watching the streets of Mumbai blur past.

The truth is, I returned to India in just one night-arranged my visa, booked the flight-only for them.

My selfish best friends.

Of course, they are selfish. They didn't tell me. They hid it from me. That Aradhya-my best friend-is getting married to her long-time love.

Their love story is honestly beautiful-almost ethereal. They've been together for what? Five years?

I've always adored them. Especially her fiancé-he's a good man. The right guy for her. And I'm happy for them, truly.

But she's marrying her soulmate... without telling me?

Obviously, I'm hurt. I'm her best friend, for God's sake.

Thank God her younger brother told me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have even known.

Maybe she did it intentionally... to protect me, or something. But I don't want that.

And she, along with the other one, will definitely have to face my wrath.

I leaned back in the seat, eyes narrowing as the city flew past outside.

"You really thought you could keep something th

is big from me?" I whispered.

"Not a chance. I'm coming. Be ready... for your punishment."

Raichand villa, Udaipur

Kritika's pov*

She looked like a vision-the kind only fairytales dared to describe.

Aradhya sat quietly in front of the mirror, her mehendi-stained hands resting delicately on her lap. Her pista green lehenga shimmered under the golden sunlight streaming in through the curtains. But her eyes... they were lost elsewhere. She kept gazing absentmindedly at the deep hue of henna on her palms-it looked ethereal, no doubt.

It was her haldi ceremony today, but it was only around 9 AM. There was still time before the rituals would begin.

I walked into the room, arms full of jewelry boxes, ready to tease her into a smile. But the moment I caught her reflection in the mirror, my words stopped in my throat.

I couldn't help it-I walked over and wrapped my arms around her from behind. "Hmm... Looks like your mehendi turned out beautifully, hasn't it?"

She met my eyes in the mirror, her smile soft but sincere.

"I'm jealous of you, yaar!" I said, trying to tease her further. I knew she was a little sad-it was natural. She was about to leave everything behind... us, these moments, this home. Of course, she'd miss it all.

"For what, Kritu?" she asked casually.

"Because you have Hriday jiju! You're the luckiest, aren't you? I mean, just look at your mehendi! It's so dark! Do you know what that means?" I blurted without pausing.

"What?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. "Say it properly, yaar. You know I can't digest half-finished statements!"

"I know, I know, sorry!" I grinned. "It means jiju's love for you is growing stronger day by day. He's falling more in love with you, just like this..." I said, spreading my arms dramatically to emphasize.

And she... she just smiled shyly.

Sometimes, her calmness still surprised me. She wasn't cold-no, not at all-but life had made her this way. She never had the luxury of love from her parents. She was raised entirely by her bua, Devika Aunty. She had matured faster than most. She was, after all, not just a daughter but an elder sister too.

Flopping down onto the bed, I sighed dramatically. "Aradhya... I miss her. If that Lady Don had been here, she would've set this whole villa on fire with her drama!"

Aradhya's laugh was soft and fleeting. "You think I don't miss her? But... I didn't want to disturb her."

I frowned. "We should've told her. She's going to explode."

Aradhya's gaze dropped. "After losing Sarita Aunty, she shattered. It took everything in her to rise again. I couldn't just pull her back into this, all of a sudden."

I nodded, understanding more than I cared to admit. "Her dreams are bigger than this wedding."

"Exactly."

Trying to shift the mood, I picked up a necklace and hooked it gently around her neck. "Devika Aunty sent these. Aren't they stunning?"

"They're perfect," she smiled. "You picked them, after all."

"Okay, but first choose one to wear for the haldi. I think this one matches your outfit!" I said, lifting a delicate floral set-yellow flowers entwined with pearls. It looked tailor-made for a bride's haldi look.

"Yes, this one's so lovely," she said with a smile.

Just then, Devika Aunty entered the room. "You look stunning, my child. May no evil eye ever fall upon you."

I grinned. "I helped with the jewelry."

She chuckled warmly. "If you picked it, Kritika beta, it has to be perfect."

Soon, Aradhya was led to the temple in the courtyard for her blessings. I stood quietly beside her, hands folded, heart full.

Hey, Ambe Maa... please bless my best friend. She's more than a friend. She's family.

______________________________________________________________

Back inside, as she changed into her haldi outfit, I couldn't stop myself from teasing her again. "Wow! If Hriday ji saw you right now, he'd be floored."

"Stop it, yaar," she muttered, swatting at me playfully.

But truly-she looked breathtaking.

She wore a yellow and white lehenga with delicate mirror work that sparkled as it caught the light. Her blouse was minimal yet elegant, with threadwork that danced across the fabric like sunlight on ripples. Her hair was braided into a thick, intricate plait woven with jasmine and marigold flowers, and her forehead was adorned with a dainty maang-tikka made of matching floral patterns. The floral jewelry on her ears, wrists, and neck brought a soft vibrancy to her bridal glow-she looked like the sun itself had chosen to drape her in its gentlest light.

But even in this beauty, emotion lingered beneath the surface.

"We're really going to miss you after tomorrow," I whispered.

"Why? I'm not leaving the planet."

"You say that now... but marriage changes everything."

"Not for us," she said firmly. "You two will always be my priority."

We slipped into old memories-college days, silly vows, the times we'd sworn never to marry unless it was for love... and on our own terms.

"I still say love marriage isn't for me," I said with a smirk.

"And you think it's within her reach?" Aradhya laughed.

"She's short-tempered... vengeful... never thought twice before saying anything," she added, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she recalled her chaos.

"And punishes those who keep secrets from her..."

The voice that cut through our laughter wasn't ours.

It was low, sharp, and unmistakably familiar.

We froze.

Our eyes met-and then turned to the doorway.

There she stood.

The Lady Boss of our group.

Aarohi...

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