Subah ke 5 baj rahe the, aur main hospital se ghar drive kar rahi thi. Aaj ek badi surgery thi, isliye main late ho gayi. Ghar pohchte hi main apne room mein gayi, fresh ho kar vaapis neeche aa gayi

As you know, I can't cook—I only know how to eat. Honestly, I feel cooking is harder than my medical degree. Right now, I'm eating my Buldak Ramen. Of course, I won't just eat; I'm watching a Pakistani drama "DEKH ZARA PYAAR SE"  And, bro, I'm obsessed with these dramas—not just Pakistani ones, but also Turkish, Korean, Chinese, and even Filipino dramas. I know it sounds like a lot, but what can I do? In real life, no one feels right for me, so I live through books and dramas.

While enjoying the episode, I didn't even realize how time passed—it was already 6:30. I went back to my room, and as always, I collapsed on my bed like a dead body. Then, I drifted away into my fictional world.

Everywhere, fire was burning, and he was leaving me. I cried, screamed, and begged him not to go, but he kept walking away. I kept repeating, 'Don't go, please don't leave me, stay with me,' but he left. Suddenly, my eyes opened. I was struggling to breathe, so I started taking deep breaths. When I looked at the clock, it was already 8 o'clock. I quickly went to the bathroom, freshened up, and came downstairs.

In the living room, my chacha  was sitting on the sofa, reading the newspaper. I went to him and rested my head on his lap. He asked me when I had come back from the hospital, and I told him it was at 5 in the morning

My brother came but didn't even ask how I was, instead he questioned why I ate noodles after coming back from the hospital in the morning.

From the kitchen, my sister-in-law came and said, 'Aarav, those aren't noodles, they're ramen. And what's the big deal? If she ate it, treat it like food, not like something sacred.' My chacha chuckled, and I couldn't help but laugh too. Even my brother smirked, pretending to be serious. The whole living room suddenly felt lighter, filled with teasing and laughter."

Phir hum sab dining table par breakfast ke liye baith gaye. Main gayi aur Bhabhi ko tight hug kiya kyunki unhone mera favourite aloo paratha aur cheese sandwich banaya tha. Main bohot badi foodie hoon, par mera pet chhota hai isliye zyada nahi kha pati. Bhai mujhe dekh kar bola, 'Meri biwi se door raho!' Mujhe pata hai ki bhai ki shaadi ko sirf ek saal hua hai, par vo Bhabhi ke liye bohot possessive hai. Maine mazaak mein unko jeeb dikhayi aur khana khane baith gayi.

Meri chachi looked at me with a serious face and asked, 'Packing kar li hai ya not yet?' For a moment, I froze because honestly, I hadn't even started. I gave a guilty smile and said softly, 'Not yet, Chachi.' She sighed, half annoyed and half caring, jaise unhe pehle se pata tha ki main last moment tak wait karungi. Everyone around the table laughed, and I felt a mix of embarrassment and warmth—unki daant mein bhi care chhupi thi.

Breakfast ke baad main apne room gayi, and just then my phone started ringing. It was a call from my besties—Vanya and Ishita. The moment I picked up, dono ne ek saath mujh par chillana start kar diya. 'Sab packing and shopping kar chuke hai, aur tum abhi tak kuch bhi ready nahi ho!' Ishita almost screamed. I tried to explain, 'Guys, mujhe hospital se leave hi nahi mil rahi.' Vanya immediately shouted, 'But it's my wedding with Vihaan! How can you miss all this?' Their voices were full of excitement, frustration, and love. Listening to them, I felt guilty, helpless, but also emotional—because even in their anger, I could hear how much they wanted me there.

Vanya explained softly, 'Mostly relatives will come on their own, but for the close ones, a luxury bus is booked. You know na, Vihaan ke friends ke family members are the most important. Because Vihaan's parents are no longer alive, his friends' families treated him like their own child. In fact, Rishta bhi unhone hi laya tha.' Hearing this, I felt a sudden heaviness mixed with warmth. It wasn't just about a wedding—it was about love, care, and how people can become true family even when life takes away your own.

Vanya continued excitedly, 'Hum sab youngers alag bus mein jaaenge, so that we can be more comfortable. In that bus it will be me, Ishita, Vihaan, Arjun, Reyansh, Karan, Riya, and Vikram. That's why we were telling you to come along with us. But we know, teri surgery hai... so koi baat nahi, you can join later. Just drive karke aa jaana.' Hearing her, I smiled softly. The thought of all of us together in one bus, laughing and enjoying, made me feel warm inside—even though I knew I'd be missing those first moments.

I said firmly, 'Haan haan, I will come with you guys only... bas thoda late aaungi. Two days baad nikalna hai hum sabko mai thodi der late niklungi. Tum log apna dhyaan rakh, and don't stress. I'll join later after my surgery. Abhi ke liye, I'll talk to you both later.' Vanya and Ishita finally calmed down, their voices softer now. I could feel their care behind all the shouting, and it made me smile. Even though I was missing the initial fun, I knew the bond between us was strong enough to handle any delay.

Ishita suddenly teased me, 'Kaam karne ja rahi hai ya apne fictional man ke paas ja rahi hai? Kabhi to fiction se bahar aa, real logon ko dekh! But no... tumhe to wahi pasand hai jo exist hi nahi karte.' Her words were sharp but full of mischief. I rolled my eyes and laughed, 'Oh please, Ishita! Tumhe lagta hai main sirf fiction mein hi jeeti hoon?' Vanya giggled in the background, enjoying the drama. For a moment, the call felt less like a serious wedding discussion and more like our old-school banter—full of teasing, laughter, and friendship vibes.

I laughed and said, 'Sahi hai, tease karo mujhe! But tell me, what's my fault if I'm in love and obsessed with a man who doesn't even exist?' Ishita immediately burst out laughing, while Vanya shook her head in disbelief. 'You're impossible,' Ishita teased again. I smiled, feeling both embarrassed and proud of my silly obsession. For a moment, the call turned into pure fun—our friendship was shining through every joke, every laugh, and even in the way they pulled my leg.

Call cut karne ke baad, I did exactly what they were teasing me about. I opened Wattpad and started reading a book. As the words pulled me in, I smiled to myself—maybe Ishita was right, I really do escape into fiction too much. But for me, those stories weren't just imagination; they were comfort, a world where I could forget the stress of hospital duties and upcoming wedding chaos. Page by page, I felt myself drifting into that fictional universe, where love and drama always found a way to make sense.

In a dark room, Reyansh was sitting calmly on a chair. In front of him, a man sat broken, covered in wounds—it was clear he had been tortured badly. Reyansh's eyes were cold, his presence heavy, and the silence in the room felt suffocating. He asked in his deep, commanding voice, 'Aakash... did he open his mouth?'

Aakash, his loyal assistant, lowered his head and replied, 'No, boss. He was about to share important information about the project, but before he could, our men caught him. He's refusing to tell the name.'

Reyansh leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper, 'Then make him understand... no one walks out of here without speaking.' The man shivered, realizing that silence might cost him more than pain.

After the interrogation, Reyansh walked out of the warehouse, his footsteps echoing in the silence. The air outside was heavy, but his expression remained calm and unreadable. He slid into the backseat of his sleek black car. The driver glanced at him nervously and asked, 'Boss, where to?'

Reyansh leaned back, his voice deep and commanding, yet chillingly quiet: 'Home.'

That single word carried enough weight to silence the entire car. The driver nodded instantly, started the engine, and the vehicle rolled into the night—Reyansh's presence filling the space like a shadow that refused to fade.

The car finally stopped in front of the grand haveli. Reyansh stepped out, his tall figure cutting through the night air with quiet authority. The heavy iron gates opened, and he walked inside with measured steps. As he entered the living room, the atmosphere shifted—everyone was already present, waiting. His friends Vihaan and Arjun were seated there too, their eyes immediately turning toward him.

The room was filled with hushed conversations, but the moment Reyansh appeared, silence spread like a wave. His presence was enough to command attention, and even among friends, his aura felt dominant—like the leader who always carried the weight of decisions.

Maa: Reyansh, tumne packing kar li hai na? Vihaan ki shaadi hai 2 din baad, hume nikalna hai.

Reyansh: Maa, aapko lagta hai main bhool jaunga? Main sab dekh chuka hoon... kapde, gifts, sab ready hai. Aap bas tension mat lijiye. Shaadi meri family ki hai, aur main apni family ko bina taiyaari ke kabhi nikalne nahi deta. Everything will be perfect.

Karan: Bhaiya, thodi apni hasi bhi leke chalo. Sabko darane nahi jaana, shaadi ke liye jaana hai.

Reyansh (calm): Karan... I don't need to fake a smile. If it comes, it comes. Shaadi ke liye main ready hoon, bas.

Arjun (teasing): Reyansh, thoda light ho jaa, warna sab tumse distance banayenge.

Reyansh (firm tone): I'm not here for them. I'm here for Vihaan. That's enough.

Riya: Waise hum sabhi younger alag bus mein jaenge. Toh hum bhabhi ke sath aur unke dosto ke sath bhi comfortable ho jaenge.

Reyansh: Fine. Just stay together. I don't want anyone acting careless.

Karan: Bhaiya, ab bus mein bhi rules?

Reyansh: Rules keep things in order. You'll thank me later.

vikram : Shaadi hai, chill karenge.

Reyansh: Chill, but don't cross limits. That's all.

Vihaan: Haan, hum sab sath jaenge. But uski ek dost hamare sath nahi aaegi.

Reyansh: Doesn't matter. Whoever comes . Main bas yeh chahta hoon ki sab safe aur together rahe. Shaadi enjoy karni hai, distractions nahi.

Karan: Bhaiya, tum har baat mein rule bana dete ho.

Reyansh: Rules keep us strong. Simple.

Riya: Kyun? Unki dost kyun nahi aaegi... aur kaunsi?

Vihaan:  Aroohi Malhotra nahi aaegi kyunki uski ek important surgery hai.

Riya: Aroohi Malhotra... ohh, that's the one? Strange... I thought she would definitely come.

Karan: Surgery? That's serious. I didn't expect this.

(Reyansh sunte hi thoda rukta hai. Uska chehra calm hai, par andar kuch ajeeb sa feel karta hai. Woh samajh nahi paata ki kyun Aroohi ka naam uske andar ek alag si halchal laata hai. Usne kabhi apne emotions ko openly express nahi kiya, aur ab bhi woh bas chup rehta hai, bas ek short line bolta hai.)

Reyansh: If she can't come, then fine. We move ahead.

Papa: Aroohi... Aarav Malhotra ki behan hai. Inke sath to humne projects kiye hain, aur abhi current project bhi inke sath chal raha hai. But iske baare mein kabhi pata hi nahi chala. Na to vo kabhi business party mein aati hai.

(Riya aur Karan ek dusre ki taraf curious nazar se dekhte hain, thoda surprised hote hain.)

Reyansh: If she stays away, she must have her reasons. That's fine.

Dadu: Acha chalo, ab khana khate hain. Kal jaldi uthna bhi hai.

(Everyone slowly settles down at the dining table. The chatter about Aroohi fades into the background, but in Reyansh's mind her name still lingers. He doesn't show it, he just quietly takes his seat. The rest of the family is busy with light talk about the wedding preparations, while Reyansh stays composed, giving only short replies when someone asks him something.)

Reyansh: Let's finish dinner. Tomorrow will be a long day.

After dinner, everyone quietly heads to their rooms. Reyansh enters his own, changes into fresh clothes, and lies down on the bed. The silence of the night surrounds him, but his mind doesn't rest immediately.

Aroohi's name echoes in his thoughts — unexpected, unsettling. He feels something strange inside, a pull he can't define. For a moment, he lingers on the thought, almost trying to understand it.

Then, with a sharp jerk of his mind, he pushes it away. Not now. Not important. He closes his eyes, forcing himself into calmness, and soon drifts into sleep.

(After two days )

The elders have already boarded their own bus. Their atmosphere is calm and dignified — they're seated together, discussing wedding arrangements, rituals, and the upcoming schedule. Some are sharing light jokes, others are talking about responsibilities for the next day. It feels organized, steady, and very different from the younger bus

The younger bus is buzzing with energy. Reyansh, Vihaan, Arjun, Riya, Karan, and Vikram settle into their seats and soon meet Vaanya and Ishita. Introductions flow casually, laughter mixes with the hum of the engine.

Arjun's eyes linger a little longer on Ishita — a quiet, unspoken gaze that stretches beyond normal courtesy. He quickly looks away, trying to mask it. The others are busy chatting, teasing, and comparing seats, so no one points it out.

Reyansh, sitting a bit apart, notices the dynamics around him. His presence is steady, commanding, but he doesn't comment. He simply observes, keeping his replies short whenever someone drags him into the conversation.

As everyone starts tossing ideas for how to pass the time, different games are suggested. Some mention cards, others talk about truth-or-dare. Finally, Riya, with her usual enthusiasm, decides firmly:

Riya: "Let's play Antakshari! It's perfect for a bus ride."

The group agrees, smiles spreading across faces. Arjun, still distracted by his earlier glance at Ishita, nods quietly. Ishita and Vaanya exchange amused looks, ready to join in. Reyansh, though not much into games, stays composed, watching the excitement build. He doesn't protest — just gives a short line to keep things steady:

Reyansh: "Fine. Keep it fun, not noisy."

(The bus fills with anticipation, everyone waiting for the first song to begin.)

Karan: "Riya, you better sing first. You're the one who forced us into this."

Riya grins and jumps right in with a Bollywood classic, her voice filling the bus. The others cheer, some joining in, some laughing at the off-key notes.

Arjun, still distracted by Ishita, sings half-heartedly when his turn comes, sneaking another glance before quickly looking away. Ishita notices but pretends not to, focusing on the game.

Reyansh sits back, arms folded, watching the chaos. He doesn't sing, but his presence is steady. When the noise gets too loud, he cuts in with a short, firm line:

Reyansh: "Keep it balanced. Don't disturb the driver."

The game continues, voices rising and falling, teasing and laughter echoing through the bus. The journey feels lighter, full of youthful energy, while Reyansh remains the quiet observer — calm outside, but with that lingering confusion inside whenever Aroohi's name crosses his mind.

stay tuned for next chapter

bye

lots of love from your

author ikku ❤️