Siya had reached home. The first day, new people, a new place... yet there was a strange sense of peace in her heart.
Her mother had already served dinner, and her father was expected to return from the office soon. She placed her phone aside and leaned back on the sofa.
"Aaj Ansh naam ka ladka mila... ajeeb sa tha... par bura nahi laga."
She had no idea that her name was already echoing in a completely different world.
✦ SURYAVANSHI MANSION ✦
~ 11:30 PM
The entire mansion was silent. Only a faint light was coming from the study room.
Inside, Aarav stood near the window. Dressed in a black shirt, hands tucked inside his pockets, his eyes remained fixed on the darkness outside.
Dada Ji sat across the room at the study table.
A heavy silence existed between them.
Finally, Dada Ji broke it.
"8 saal baad wapas aaya hai tu Aarav. Aur aate hi poora sheher hil gaya. Lagta hai abhi bhi wahi aag zinda hai jo tu yahan se jaate waqt le gaya tha."
Aarav slowly turned around.
There was neither anger nor pain in his eyes.
Only coldness.
"Aag bujhti nahi Dada Ji... bas kabhi kabhi chhup jaati hai. Jab tak uska waqt na aa jaye."
Dada Ji slowly lifted his coffee cup.
"Ranvijay se nafrat karta hai tu. Theek hai. Par dhyan rakh, iss nafrat me tu khud na jal jaye. Baap hai vo tera. Jo hua usme uski koi galati nahi."
Aarav smiled faintly.
"Main nahi jalunga Dada Ji... jalane wala main hoon."
Dada Ji's eyes narrowed.
"Aur dushman? Bata... kiske khilaf hai ye saari planning? Kiske khilaf ye saari power?"
Aarav slowly walked toward the table and leaned forward.
"Jiska naam aap bhi lene se darte hain Dada Ji... Vikram Randhawa."
For a brief moment, Dada Ji's expression hardened.
Vikram Randhawa.
The most feared underworld king of the city.
Eight years ago, he had launched a war against the Suryavanshi family.
Aarav believed that the biggest reason behind his mother's death was none other than him.
Dada Ji spoke carefully.
"Tu badla lena chahta hai. Main samajh sakta hoon. Par ye raasta bahut khatarnaak hai beta. Vikram koi aam dushman nahi hai."
Aarav straightened himself.
His voice was calm, yet every word carried the weight of stone.
"Main jaanta hoon Dada Ji. Isiliye wapas aaya hoon. Aath saal maine sirf ek cheez seekhi hai... dushman ko marne se pehle uski duniya tod do. Uske log, uska business, uska bharosa... sab."
Dada Ji took a deep breath.
"Aur agar is chakkar me koi masoom phans gaya toh?"
For a second, Aarav's eyes paused.
Then he answered quietly.
"Koi masoom nahi phansega Dada Ji. Meri duniya me ab sirf do hi log hain... apne aur dushman."
Dada Ji wanted to say something more.
But Aarav had already turned away.
As he opened the door and stepped outside, he said only one thing—
"Raat zyada ho gayi hai Dada Ji. Soya jaiye. Kal se khel aur tez hoga."
The room once again fell into silence.
Only the sound of the wind remained.
Dada Ji had no idea that Aarav's list of "apne" was still completely empty.
Siya's name was nowhere near it.
For him, she was still just a stranger.
But fate had already written a different story.
---
✦ NEXT DAY – A.S. COLLEGE ✦
---
It was the second day of college.
The awkwardness of the first day had faded a little.
Siya, Avni, Mahi, and Taniya were sitting at their usual corner table in the canteen. Most of their breakfast was already finished.
Taniya stared at Siya suspiciously.
"Sach bata Siya... tu kal se thodi lost lag rahi hai. Kahi Ansh ka soch ke toh nahi?"
Siya quickly stuffed a piece of paratha into her mouth.
"Hayee, tu bhi na Taniya! Kuch nahi soch rahi main."
Avni winked.
"Haan haan... par gate par jo do minute tak usne tujhe dekha tha na, uska kya?"
Siya looked at them in shock.
"Tum sabko kaise pata chala ki kal college ke baad vo fir se mila tha mujhe?"
Taniya smirked.
"Kyuki hamne sab dekh liya tha ki kaise tum blush kar rahi thi."
Mahi laughed.
"Chhod na yaar. Ladka decent laga. Kam se kam baki chichore ladko jaisa toh nahi hai."
Taniya rolled her eyes.
"Decent? Dekhna, yehi decent ladke sabse zyada headache dete hain."
Siya simply smiled.
A small flutter of excitement existed somewhere inside her heart.
Yet she kept convincing herself that it was nothing.
Just a normal conversation.
Suddenly, a voice came from behind.
"Siya!"
All four girls turned around.
Ansh was standing there with a folder in his hand.
Vivan stood behind him, trying hard not to laugh.
Ansh walked straight toward Siya.
"Ye notes... kal ham dono takra gaye the na, toh exchange ho gaye the."
Siya shyly accepted them.
"Ohh thank you... sach me maine poora ghar chhaan dala tha. Mujhe laga tha shayad exchange ho gaye honge."
Taniya leaned toward Avni.
"Dekh... ladka khud notes dene aaya hai. Ye normal nahi hai baby."
Avni nodded dramatically.
"Haan yaar... poore college ki ladkiyan marti hain ispar, aur ye Siya ko notes dene aaya hai."
Mahi interrupted.
"Toh tum bhi bol do na ki notes chahiye."
Taniya glared at her.
"Chup Mahi! Hum koi bheekh nahi maang rahe."
Ansh noticed all of their reactions.
With a small smile he looked at Siya.
"Class ka time ho raha hai. Check kar lena... sahi me tumhare hi notes hain na."
Siya nodded.
"Haan sure... thank you again."
While leaving, Ansh shot a glare at Vivan.
"Chal gadhe. Lecture miss karega."
Vivan waved at Taniya.
"Bye Taniya! Jalna mat... dosti pyaari cheez hoti hai."
Without hesitation, Taniya threw a book at him.
"Ja yahan se gadhe ki punch!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Avni placed a hand on Siya's shoulder.
"Tu bach ke rehna. Ye Ansh wala scene dangerous lag raha hai."
Siya smiled softly.
"Aisa kuch nahi hai yaar. Bas ek dost bana hai college me. Isme kya?"
Taniya sighed.
"Dost hi toh sabse zyada khatarnak hote hain... kab dil le jaaye pata bhi nahi chalta."
The laughter continued.
Mahi pointed toward the burger.
"Chalo ye love-story discussion band karo aur burger bachao. Nahi toh Avni akeli finish kar degi."
Avni immediately pulled the plate toward herself.
"Meri hai! Tum log apna dekho."
Siya looked at all of them.
New people.
New friendships.
New laughter.
For the first time since moving away from home, she felt that maybe this place wasn't so bad after all.
After lunch, everyone left for their respective classes.
---
✦ FD CLASSROOM ✦
---
All the students were seated when the professor entered the classroom.
Everyone greeted him together.
"Good Afternoon Sir."
Professor smiled.
"So students, today's task is simple. You have to draw a dress design of your choice. Add proper detailing and creativity. Let's see your imagination."
Everyone immediately started working.
The professor moved from desk to desk, observing each student's sketch.
When he reached Siya's desk, he paused.
Her design instantly caught his attention.
One by one, all students submitted their sketches.
As the class came to an end, the professor announced—
"So students, I will evaluate all the sketches and soon announce who has done the best work."
Classes ended shortly after.
As everyone walked out, Mahi looked up at the sky.
"Aree... aaj climate kuch theek nahi lag raha. Accha hai waise, par main chalti hoon. Barish hone se pehle ghar pahunchna hai. Kal milte hain. Bye!"
Everyone waved goodbye.
Soon, the others also started heading home.
---
Siya believed her life would continue just like this—
With friends, laughter, and simple happiness.
And today she truly felt happy.
But she had no idea...
That before this day ended, her entire life was about to change.
Because in the next chapter...
Siya and Aarav would meet for the very first time.
And fate would finally begin its game.
---
So guys, are you excited? 💖
Because in the next part, Siya and Aarav's first meeting is finally going to happen.
Don't forget to read it!
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