(Author’s POV)
It had been a week since Kirti started working at the NGO.
She had never imagined that in such a short time, she would grow so close to the children there. Their laughter, their innocence—it slowly began to heal parts of her she didn’t even realize were broken. For the first time in a long while, her days didn’t feel heavy.
And it wasn’t just the children.
She had found a friend too.
Naina.
Naina had been a part of the NGO since childhood. She had officially started working there last year, but even before that, she had been living with people connected to the organization. There was something effortlessly warm about her—her kindness, her simplicity—it all felt real. And for the first time in her life, Kirti felt like she had someone she could truly call a friend.
Then there were the dogs.
Playful, affectionate, and pure—being around them made Kirti forget everything else. Sometimes, she felt like never leaving that place.
If it were up to me… I would just stay there forever, she often thought.
But today was different.
Today was Miya’s engagement.
And the strangest part? Kirti didn’t even know who Miya was getting engaged to.
Not that she really wanted to go.
Still, somewhere deep inside, there was an uneasy feeling… a quiet hope that everything would turn out fine.
Her father and Rashmi had already made things clear—she wasn’t exactly welcome there.
So, without saying a word, Kirti finished all the household chores early in the morning and was about to leave for work—
“Kirti?”
She turned.
Miya was walking toward her, holding a sandwich and a bottle of milk.
“What is this?” Miya said, slightly frowning. “You make breakfast for everyone every day, but you never eat anything yourself. I’ve noticed… ever since you started your job.”
Kirti stayed silent.
“Just look at yourself. You’ve become so thin. Eat properly, okay? And don’t take so much stress.”
Those simple words hit harder than anything else.
Kirti’s eyes welled up slightly.
In this house… Miya was probably the only one who spoke to her like this.
“Thank you…” she said softly, managing a small smile.
Miya handed her the sandwich.
“And yes… today is my engagement. You should come.”
Kirti looked at her carefully.
But something felt… off.
There was no excitement on Miya’s face.
No happiness.
No glow that usually comes with being a bride.
Just silence.
A strange, unreadable silence.
Before Kirti could ask anything—
“Miya!” Rashmi’s sharp voice echoed from inside.
Miya glanced at Kirti one last time… and walked away without another word.
Kirti stood there, frozen.
The sandwich still in her hand.
Rashmi’s voice echoed sharply through the house.
“Miya, why are you even talking to her and ruining your mood? If she wants to eat, she will. Otherwise, just leave it. Today is your engagement—focus on that instead of all this.”
Miya sighed, clearly irritated.
“Okay, Mumma. I know it’s my engagement. You don’t have to remind me again and again.”
There was a slight edge in her tone before she turned and walked away.
Kirti stood there quietly, not saying a word.
---
By the time she reached the NGO, the heaviness in her chest had eased a little.
As soon as she entered, the familiar sound of children laughing surrounded her. It was like stepping into a completely different world—one where she could breathe.
She spent her time teaching the kids, helping them with their studies, and managing small tasks around the place. Hours passed, and for once, she didn’t think about home.
Then suddenly—
A loud noise came from the garden.
Confused, Kirti stepped outside to see what was happening.
Her eyes widened slightly.
There were bags filled with new clothes for all the children. The kids were excited, running around, laughing, holding up outfits to each other.
Kirti walked up to the manager.
“Rakesh sir, what’s all this?”
Rakesh smiled.
“The grandson of the NGO’s owner is getting engaged today. So, they’ve sent these clothes for all the children… and invited all of us to the function in the evening.”
Kirti was taken aback.
People like this still exist? she thought.
Who invites an entire NGO to their personal function?
A small, genuine smile appeared on her face.
Beside her, Naina was practically glowing with excitement.
“Yaarrr, I’m so excited!” she said, grabbing Kirti’s arm. “After so long, we’ll actually get ready and go somewhere! We’ll get ready together, okay? And we’ll help the kids get ready too—it’ll be so much fun!”
Kirti looked at her, a faint smile forming.
Naina’s excitement was contagious.
Just then, Rakesh turned to Kirti again.
“If you want to go home for now, you can. Just come back in the evening, ready for the function.”
For a moment, Kirti thought about it.
Going back home meant more work… more tension… and facing people she didn’t want to.
And Miya would definitely insist she attend the engagement.
Her smile faded slightly.
“No, sir,” she said softly. “I’ll stay here.”
Because here… she felt lighter.
And today, she finally had a reason.
At least now, I have an excuse, she thought.
She could simply say she had work.
Miya wouldn’t be upset.
And as for her father and Rashmi—
It didn’t really matter to them anyway.
Kirti took a deep breath, looking around at the children.
For the first time that day…
She felt a little at peace.
Just like that, half the day slipped away—between the laughter of the children and Naina’s nonstop chatter.
By evening, the entire NGO felt different.
Excitement filled the air.
Kirti and Naina helped all the children get ready. Tiny hands struggled with buttons, little faces lit up with joy as they wore their new clothes. Some twirled around happily, while others kept asking how they looked.
Seeing them like this… so carefree, so happy—
Kirti felt something warm settle in her heart.
Maybe happiness really is this simple, she thought.
After getting all the children ready, Naina clapped her hands lightly.
“Okay! Now our turn. Let’s go get ready!”
Before Kirti could respond, Rakesh’s voice came from behind, urging them to hurry.
“Girls, jaldi karo! We’re already getting late.”
Kirti shook her head slightly and said,
“I’m already ready. What more do I need to do? It’s not like it’s my engagement.”
There was a faint sarcasm hidden in her tone.
“And anyway… I’m not going home. You know why.”
She looked at Naina softly.
“Trust me, you’re already looking really pretty.”
Naina froze for a second… and then dramatically gasped.
“Haww! You’re seriously planning to go like this?” she said, eyeing Kirti’s simple suit. “In such a plain outfit? And that too when I’m here?”
Kirti couldn’t help but smile faintly.
“Relax,” Naina said, grabbing her hand. “I’ve got something perfect for you. Come with me.”
Before Kirti could argue, Naina pulled her along.
A few minutes later—
Naina handed her a beautiful black sharara.
“Wear this,” she said excitedly. “Trust me, you’ll look stunning.”
Kirti hesitated for a moment… but then nodded.
Soon, both of them were getting ready together.
Kirti wore the black sharara, paired with delicate golden jhumkas. The outfit suited her perfectly, enhancing her natural elegance without trying too hard.
Kirti outfit 😜
Naina chose a white sharara with golden jhumkas, equally graceful yet vibrant—just like her personality.
Naina outfit
They kept their makeup minimal—just enough to highlight their features.
Simple. Elegant. Effortless.
When they were finally done, Naina looked at Kirti and smiled proudly.
“See? I told you.”
Kirti glanced at herself once… and for a moment, she didn’t recognize the girl staring back.
It felt… different.
Before they could say anything more, Rakesh called out again.
“Let’s go! We’re getting late!”
Quickly, they gathered all the children.
Holding tiny hands, adjusting dupattas, fixing collars—they made sure everyone was ready.
And then—
Together, they left for the engagement
.
As soon as they reached the venue, Kirti paused.
This wasn’t a hall.
It was someone’s house.
And not just any house—
It was huge. Grand. Beautifully decorated with lights, flowers, and elegance that spoke of power and wealth.
The children gasped in excitement, their eyes sparkling as they looked around. Naina was no different—she was practically glowing.
“Yaar… this is so pretty!” she whispered excitedly.
Seeing them all so happy, even Kirti felt a small spark of excitement inside her.
But as they stepped inside—
Something felt… off.
There were barely any guests.
Kirti looked around, confused.
Naina frowned slightly and whispered,
“Seriously? Rakesh sir was rushing us saying we’re getting late… and look at this. There’s hardly anyone here. Why did he bring us so early?”
Before Kirti could respond, their attention shifted.
Standing at the entrance—
Vikram Oberoi.
And beside him, his daughter-in-law, Nisha Oberoi.
They were welcoming everyone personally.
Rakesh stepped forward with a polite smile, greeting them, and the children followed.
Vikram’s gaze moved across the group… and then stopped at Kirti.
For a moment, he observed her carefully.
He already knew Naina.
But Kirti—
She was new.
He turned slightly toward Rakesh.
“Who is she?” he asked in a calm, measured tone.
Rakesh replied respectfully,
“She recently joined the NGO, sir. A very sincere girl. Handles everything really well.”
Vikram nodded slowly, still looking at Kirti with a hint of curiosity.
Meanwhile, Naina stepped forward cheerfully.
“Namaste, sir!”
Kirti followed politely, greeting both Vikram and Nisha with a soft,
“Namaste.”
Nisha acknowledged them with a composed smile.
“Please, come inside,” she said.
They all moved in.
Kirti and Naina sat down with the children, making sure everyone was comfortable.
Naina, as usual, couldn’t stop talking—pointing at decorations, whispering random things, getting excited over the smallest details.
Kirti simply watched.
Absorbing everything quietly.
After a while, Vikram came toward the children again.
“Come, let me show you something,” he said warmly.
The children immediately got up, following him happily.
Naina stood up too.
“I’ll just come,” she said to Kirti. “I saw Riya there—I’ll go meet her.”
Kirti nodded.
Naina already seemed familiar with everyone here.
And within moments—
Kirti was left alone.
Sitting quietly.
In a place that felt strangely unfamiliar…
Yet oddly connected.
Something about this evening—
Didn’t feel normal.
And she couldn’t explain why.
After sitting alone for a while, Kirti finally got up and walked toward Naina.
Naina was already talking to a girl—Riya.
“Kirti, come!” Naina waved her over excitedly. “This is Riya.”
Kirti smiled softly. “Hi.”
Riya’s face instantly lit up.
“Hi! I’ve heard about you,” she said warmly. “Naina keeps talking a lot.”
All three of them laughed lightly.
Within minutes, Kirti felt comfortable around her. Riya was sweet, kind, and easy to talk to—nothing like the people Kirti was used to at home.
After a while, Kirti excused herself.
“I’ll just grab some juice,” she said.
Naina nodded, already busy chatting again.
Kirti walked toward the drinks counter, trying to relax.
But the moment her eyes drifted toward the entrance—
She froze.
Her heart skipped a beat.
At the gate…
Her father.
Rashmi.
And Miya.
Walking inside.
Kirti’s breath hitched.
“No…” she whispered under her breath.
Without wasting a second, she quickly turned around and rushed away, her steps hurried and uneven. She spotted a nearby room and slipped inside, closing the door behind her.
Leaning against it, she held her breath.
“Yaar… kaha fas gayi main…” she muttered, panicking. “Agar papa ya Rashmi maa ne dekh liya na… toh sach mein zinda nahi chhodenge.”
Her mind raced.
Kaise niklu yahan se…?
---
On the other side—
Reyansh had just come downstairs.
He adjusted his cufflinks, his expression calm yet unreadable.
As he walked forward to greet Miya’s parents—
His phone rang.
An important call.
Without a second thought, he turned away.
“I’ll be back,” he muttered, taking Aarav along with him.
They entered the same room Kirti was hiding in.
The moment Kirti heard footsteps—
Her heart started pounding.
She quickly rushed into the washroom and locked the door from inside.
Outside—
Reyansh answered the call.
“Yes.”
“Sir… we found out. Apart from Rohan… there were others involved in the betrayal.”
Reyansh’s jaw tightened.
“Kill them,” he said coldly. “And make sure they suffer. I don’t want their bodies to be found.”
He cut the call.
Silence filled the room for a second.
Aarav looked at him.
“Reyansh… think once. Don’t you want to deal with them yourself? Because of them… we lost twelve men.”
Reyansh’s eyes darkened.
“I do,” he said slowly. “But not today.”
A pause.
“Today is my engagement. I don’t want to do anything that would upset Dada or Mom.”
Aarav sighed.
“Fine. Let’s go then, it’s getting late.”
“You go,” Reyansh said. “I’ll just use the washroom and come.”
Aarav nodded and left.
Inside the washroom—
Kirti stood frozen.
Every single word… she had heard.
Her hands trembled.
Her breath uneven.
Yeh… kaise log hain…?
Fear crawled through her veins.
Suddenly—
The door handle moved.
Reyansh tried to open it.
It didn’t budge.
He frowned.
“Who’s inside?” his voice came out sharp.
Kirti panicked.
She tightened her grip on the lock.
Reyansh tried again.
This time harder.
“Open the door.”
Kirti’s heart felt like it would burst out of her chest.
Her hands shook as she tried to hold the lock in place.
But then—
Suddenly—
The pressure stopped.
Before she could understand—
The door jerked open.
And in the next second—
Kirti stumbled forward—
Straight into Reyansh.
She lost her balance—
And fell against him.
For a moment—
Everything froze.
.
.
“Thank you so much for reading! 🤍
I hope you’re enjoying the story so far. If you like it, please don’t forget to like, comment, and follow—it really motivates me to write more.
Also, do share your thoughts! Tell me how you’re liking the characters and feel free to give your ideas—I’d love to include them 💫
What do you think Reyansh will do next? Will he just let it go? 👀
And I’m also thinking of starting a love story for Aarav and Naina—what do you guys think?
You can follow my Instagram
@_authorsiya.writes for spoilers and updates ✨
And yes… don’t forget to like 💕”
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