Kritika's pov *

Just when Aaradhya and I thought we had a moment of peace, a voice sliced through the air like a whip.

"Hot-tempered... vengeful... and someone who punishes people for keeping secrets!"

I froze. Aaradhya did too.

That voice.

Both of us turned around at the same time, our voices overlapping in pure shock.

"Aarohi!"

There she stood-by the doorway-arms crossed, expression unreadable, yet piercing. My heart skipped a beat.

Aaradhya and I exchanged a glance, completely thrown off by her sudden appearance. I blinked, still unsure if I was dreaming.

"Aise kya ghur rahe ho jaise koi bhoot dekh liya ho!"

["Why are you two staring like you've seen a ghost?"]

she asked, one brow arched, the sarcasm in her voice unmistakable.

Arohi's pov*

I stood there-right at the threshold-watching the two of them freeze as if they'd seen a ghost.

Good. Let them feel a fraction of the shock I felt.

"Hot-tempered... vengeful... and someone who punishes people for keeping secrets!" I announced, arms folded across my chest, voice calm but sharp enough to cut through glass.

The way both their heads snapped toward me... I swear, if it weren't for the ache in my heart, I might've laughed.

"Aarohi!" they gasped in unison, disbelief etched on their faces.

"Why are you staring at me like you've seen a ghost?" I asked, my lips curling in a sarcastic smile.

Before I could say anything more, Kritika dashed across the room and wrapped me in the tightest hug.

"Aarohi! You're really here! I can't even tell you how much I've missed you these past two years. My eyes ached just to see you... Missed you so, so much..."

Her voice cracked, trembling against my shoulder.

And as much as my heart softened hearing her... I couldn't let go so easily.

I patted her back, forcing a scowl.

"Oh really? Then why did you both keep things from me? Wasn't I even worth a message?"

Kritika pulled back slightly, fumbling for words.

"It's not like that, Aarohi... We just-"

"Ruko. Tumhari shaadi hai kya?"

"Wait. Is this your wedding?"

Her reaction gave it away even before she looked at Aaradhya.

Aaradhya looked like a deer caught in headlights. She quickly shook her head, but I wasn't buying it.

I scoffed.

"Then shut up. You're too innocent to argue. You'll probably make that sweet face and I'll end up melting. But not today. Not this time."

I walked past Kritika and looked straight into Aaradhya's eyes.

And it hit me all over again-the betrayal.

She opened her mouth, visibly shaken, and then finally whispered, "I'm sorry, Aarohi."

But I wasn't ready for sorry.

"Sorry?" I snapped, my voice rising with each word. "That's all you have to say? Do you even know how badly this hurt me? I'm furious, Aaradhya! You were getting married-and you didn't tell me?"

My knees buckled under the weight of it all, and I sank onto the bed.

They both rushed to me like magnets.

Aaradhya sat on one side, Kritika on the other-her hand finding mine, warm and trembling.

Aaradhya spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

"It wasn't an easy decision, Aarohi. I wrestled with it for so long before deciding not to tell you. Do you think it didn't kill me too? You and Kritika... you're more than friends. You're my family. Along with Aadi and Bua Ji, you two are my whole world but-"

She paused, biting her lip.

"But what?" I demanded. "If you consider me your family, then why? Why didn't you trust me with this?"

She looked down, her lashes wet with unshed tears.

"Because of you... I care about you too much. I saw how hard you worked for your dreams. You finally got to study in Italy after everything. If I had told you, you would've come running back. Left everything behind. And I couldn't let that happen. I didn't want your sacrifices to go to waste."

I laughed-hollow, bitter.

"So you thought I'd throw everything away just because of your wedding?"

She didn't say anything. Just nodded slowly.

My anger boiled over.

"Well, I'm here now, aren't I? Go on then-send me back. Or better yet, throw me out of your house. Isn't that easier?"

Kritika pulled me into another hug, her voice trembling.

"Don't say that! You know Aaradhya always puts us first. You matter to her-more than anyone!"

I muttered under my breath, crossing my arms.

"Yeah, yeah... but you two still betrayed me. And there has to be punishment for that."

Aaradhya smiled through the mist in her eyes.

"Fine. Punish us all you want. But don't stay mad... or I won't get married."

That old mischievous glint was back, and it cracked something in me.

I narrowed my eyes.

"Don't test me. If Aditya hadn't told me, you'd have gone ahead and gotten married without me, right? Thank God he answered the landline."

Kritika's eyes widened.

"Aditya told you!?"

I nodded, finally letting the weight fall off my shoulders.

“Yeah. After my initial six-month course in Italy, I kept enhancing my skills. Eventually, I got the chance to work with senior designers. Within a year and a half, I received the Youngest Best Fashion Designer award.”

They listened in silence as I poured my heart out.

“But it didn’t feel like a victory. Because I had no one there to celebrate with me. No ‘us’. Just… silence.”

The silence that followed was heavy, but this time, it was healing.

“Once my work wrapped up, I planned to come back and surprise you all. Didn’t even tell Dad. Two days ago, I tried calling you, Kritika, but your phone was off. Aaradhya’s was too. So I called the landline. Aditya answered… and told me everything. I booked the earliest flight and landed this morning.”

Aaradhya reached for my hand and squeezed it.

"I'm sorry. Truly."

I crossed my arms again, pretending to still be annoyed.

"Sorry won't be enough."

Kritika nudged Aaradhya and grinned.

"Will a hug work?"

Before I could respond, they both pulled me into a tight embrace again.

"Forgive us?" Kritika whispered.

"And congratulations!" Aaradhya added, smiling through her tears.

I groaned.

"Ugh, you two. Your innocence always makes it impossible to stay mad. Fine, I forgive you. But promise me-no more secrets. Ever."

"Promise!" they chimed together.

For a moment, it was just like the old days.

No drama. No distance. Just... us.

Aaradhya nudged me with a grin.

"Now go freshen up. We need you at the Haldi ceremony."

Kritika added,

"Yes! I was handling everything alone, but now that you're here, my partner is back!"

And just like that, I smiled.

Because finally, It felt whole again!!

Aradhya's pov*

A quiet veil of guilt still lingers in the corners of my heart. After all, it’s my wedding—one of the most important moments of my life—and I kept it hidden from one of my dearest friends. Aarohi. I know I hurt her… and that knowledge stings deeper than I expected. But what could I have done? Circumstances tied my hands. Emotions clouded my judgment.

Still, what’s done is done.

But now—now that she’s here, now that I’ve finally confessed the truth—I feel like I can breathe again. Like a weight I didn’t even realize I was carrying has been lifted off my chest. With Aarohi by my side again, I feel a strange sense of wholeness… like my wedding is no longer incomplete. Her presence completes this moment, this chapter of my life.

And with both of them here—Aarohi and Kritika—my childhood partners-in-crime, it almost feels like time has rewound for a while. Not that I ever wanted to indulge in their mischiefs, but what can I say? Bad influence, I guess… or maybe just the magic of old bonds. We’ve always been inseparable, reckless in our own innocent way, and being with them again feels like home.

But amidst the laughter and the comfort, a restless rhythm has begun to beat in my chest. A thudding pulse that grows louder with each passing hour. Excitement, yes—but also a sliver of fear. Nervousness. As my wedding day inches closer, my heart whispers of the unknown. A new life awaits, full of dreams and uncertainties.

And yet… I’m ready to step into it. Not alone, but with love, memories, and the people who’ve always stood by me.

Drop heart , comment and share with your friends!!

Your author lipshaaa 🌷