THREE

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HER POV

After returning from college, she headed straight to her room, too exhausted to even think. The first thing she did was freshen up-splashing cold water on her face, letting out a tired sigh as the weight of the day slowly faded.

She changed into something more comfortable-that felt like home against her skin. For a while, she stayed in her room, letting herself breathe. Maybe scrolling through her phone, maybe just lying on the bed staring at the ceiling-whatever it was, she needed that moment of stillness.

Eventually, the smell of food wafted in, warm and tempting, reminding her it was dinner time. She made her way downstairs, quiet steps echoing softly in the calm of the house.

She sat down at the dining table, ready to eat, when suddenly-her father cleared his throat, sharp and deliberate. The kind of sound that demanded attention without saying a single word.

She looked up instinctively, sensing the shift in energy. Something was coming.

"The Rathore family is coming tomorrow," he said, looking directly at Mom. "Make sure everything is perfect. I don't want any last-minute issues. They're visiting after a long time."

There was a quiet seriousness in his tone, the kind that left no room for questions or casual replies. Mom nodded silently, already running a checklist in her mind.

Then, he turned his gaze toward me.

"And you," he added, eyes steady, "Don't go to college tomorrow. They're coming specially to meet you."

I blinked, a beat too slow to respond.

Wait... What?

The calm around the table suddenly didn't feel so calm anymore.

I just nodded and said "hmm" in response-nothing more. After all, I didn't even know them properly.

Not really.

We finished our dinner quietly, the atmosphere still carrying the weight of unspoken thoughts. After exchanging a few polite words, everyone slowly dispersed. I excused myself and made my way to the room that had been assigned to me.

As I stepped inside, I gently closed the door behind me and leaned against it for a moment, exhaling deeply. The silence of the room wrapped around me like a blanket, offering a strange sense of comfort. I walked slowly to the window, pulling the curtains aside and staring at the moonlit sky outside.

My mind was crowded with questions—most of them about the Rathores. Who were they really? What kind of people were they? There was so much I didn’t know, and that uncertainty made me uneasy. Their name kept circling in my head.

I lay on my bed, lost in thought—thinking about the Rathores, because honestly, I didn’t know anything about them.

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NEXT MORNING....

HER POV

I got ready quickly, not wanting to keep anyone waiting. I slipped into a beautiful Anarkali suit-simple yet graceful, the kind that made me feel effortlessly put together. A hint of light makeup, just enough to freshen up my look, and I was good to go.

With one last glance in the mirror, I took a deep breath and made my way downstairs, the soft rustle of my outfit following me with every step.

I came downstairs and was instantly greeted by the comforting aroma of something delicious cooking. As I walked toward the kitchen, a small smile tugged at my lips at the sight before me-Mom and Dad were both in the kitchen, working side by side.

Dad was actually helping her, chopping vegetables while she stirred something on the stove, both laughing over some inside joke.

It was one of those rare, quiet family moments that made everything feel lighter.

Meanwhile, Dadu was sitting in the living room with his usual morning cup of tea, completely immersed in the newspaper. His glasses were slightly tilted, and his brows furrowed in concentration like always whenever he read the headlines aloud to himself.

The whole scene felt warm, lived-in, and beautifully normal.

And for a moment, I just stood there, soaking it all in.

Just then, the sound of car tires crunching lightly against the driveway reached our ears. The low hum of the engine, the sudden quiet-something about it made everything pause for a second.

"Maybe they are here," Dad said, glancing toward the main gate with a hint of recognition in his voice.

Without waiting for a response, he started walking toward the entrance. And naturally, the rest of us followed-curious, a little unsure, and for reasons I didn't fully understand... slightly nervous.

*The doorbell rang*

Dad opened the main door, and there they were — their entire family standing outside.

I blinked.

I can't even count them.

It was like a lineup of overexcited smiles, loud greetings, and hands full of boxes and bags.

They carried themselves with quiet elegance, dressed immaculately, their posture straight, and expressions calm yet composed. There was a certain aura around them-royal, refined, and unmistakably authoritative. The kind of presence that made you straighten your back without even realizing it.

Each of them wore a small, polite smile, the kind that didn't reveal too much but was enough to keep things warm and civil. It wasn't over-the-top, just graceful-like they were used to being in control of rooms, of situations... of people's attention.

" Arey andar aaiye" Dad said

and they come inside and greet him with a polite smile.

{"Oh, please come in!"}

Dad stepped forward with a wide smile and pulled his friend into a warm hug-the kind that spoke of years of friendship and genuine affection. There was a brief moment of laughter between them, a quiet exchange of familiarity that made the atmosphere instantly more comfortable.

After that, he slowly moved to greet each member of the family, one by one-polite, respectful, and genuinely welcoming. Handshakes, small nods, a few kind words-it was all done with the grace that only years of warmth between two families can bring.

Mom walked up to them with her ever-graceful smile, the kind that could melt anyone’s tiredness from travel. Her warm greeting was met with cheerful responses and hugs, but the moment was short-lived.

Because suddenly — just like that every single pair of eyes turned to me.

I froze for a second, holding my breath as if I'd just walked onto a stage without knowing my lines.

“Arey, aap log jisse itne dino se milne ke liye keh rahe the na… ye rahi meri beti, Isha,” Dad said with pride in his voice, his hand gently guiding their attention toward me.

{“Oh, the one you all have been asking to meet for so long… here is my daughter, Isha.”}

I smiled politely, stepping forward with the practiced grace I'd learned over years of such introductions. I bent down, touching the elders’ feet, murmuring respectful greetings, and then gave a small, folded-hand 'namaste' to the younger ones.

“Bohot pyaari beti hai aapki, bhaisahab,” said a lady draped in a heavily embroidered saree, her arms shimmering with bangles and jewelry. Her smile was genuine, warm, the kind that made you feel instantly welcomed.

{"You have a very lovely daughter, bhaisahab."}

I returned her smile with a soft “Thank you aunty”

“Arey, humari beti jo hai,” said the man beside her — probably her husband, most likely my uncle, though I wasn’t entirely sure how we were related yet.

{“Oh, she’s our daughter after all!”}

“Arey aap log abhi tak khade hai, baithiye na!” Mom chimed in cheerfully, motioning them all into the living room. We moved into the hall, and everyone began settling down on the couches, some already starting casual conversations.

{“Oh, you’re all still standing? Please have a seat!”}

Then Dad looked around, his eyes scanning the group.

“Arey, Veer nahi aaya?” he asked, frowning slightly as he realized someone important was missing.

{“Oh, Veer didn’t come?”}

And just like that… my heartbeat decided to pick up speed.

Who's veer

Is he boy or girl?

Ohh God shut up isha jo bhi ho tujhe kya,

" Wo uski ek zruri call aagyi thi isiliye wo baat kar rha hai abhi aata hi hoga" uncle said

{"He got an important call, so he’s talking right now. He should be here any moment."}

“Arey! Aap to humse pehli baar mil rahi ho na,right? Let me introduce myself,” a young boy said cheerfully, stepping forward with a bright smile.

{“Oh! You're meeting me for the first time, right? Let me introduce myself.”}

“I’m Reyaan Singh Rathore—Veer bhaiya’s younger brother,” he added proudly.

I smiled back politely, mirroring his friendly energy.

Then the girl standing beside him chimed in with a grin, “Hello! I’m Ruhi—Veer bhaiya and this dumbo’s little sister.”She nudged Reyaan playfully.

I laughed lightly and said, “Hello.”

Oh my god… her dimples. She’s adorable!

Just then, a graceful woman draped in a rich purple saree stepped forward and said warmly,“I’m Riddhima—Veer’s chachi.”

Veer again? Oh god, who even is

Veer!?

Nobody was telling me anything and it was seriously starting to get on my nerves.

Then a gentleman standing beside her added a kind smile,“Beta, I’m Rishi Singh Rathore. And this is my wife,” he said, gesturing towards Riddhima aunty.

I nodded with a smile and greeted them both respectfully.

Next, a woman with kind eyes pulled me into a warm hug and said softly,

“I’m Shivanya Singh Rathore—Veer’s mother.”

What is happening?!

Who is Veer?!

Why is everyone introducing themselves in relation to this mysterious man?

Is he a celebrity in this house or something?

Before I could gather my thoughts, the man beside her spoke up, his tone gentle,

“I’m Shivanya’s husband and Veer’s father—Kairav Singh Rathore.”

He smiled warmly, and I returned it, still hiding my inner confusion.

Then, breaking the Rathore chain, my Dadu’s best friend walked up with a wide grin and said,“I know you already know me! Rajesh talks about me all the time.”

I laughed, the tension breaking for a moment.“Of course! Dadu always tells me about you—I know you quite well.”

He pulled me into a soft hug, full of warmth and familiarity.

And then…

We all heard it.

A sound.

Something that made the room fall into a strange, sudden silence.

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The sound of heavy footsteps approaching-measured, steady, almost echoing against the stillness of the moment.

I don't know why, but the second those footsteps hit my ears, something shifted inside me. My heart skipped a beat-then another-and suddenly, it was pounding in my chest like I was in the middle of some slow-motion film scene.

I haven't even seen him yet, but I felt it. That strange pull. That tension in the air. Like something was about to change... and somehow, I knew it had everything to do with him.

" Shayad veer aagya " papa said with a small smile.

{"Maybe Veer has arrived."}

My eyes drifted toward the gate, unintentionally, almost like they had a mind of their own. I didn't even realize I was searching for him.....

There was this strange curiosity bubbling inside me-restless, quiet, but persistent. No matter how hard I tried to focus elsewhere, it was like something in me needed to see him.

Who was he, really?

My gaze hovered restlessly, heart beating a little faster than it should've.

I just... wanted to see him.

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