✿Happy Reading✿

New York shimmered beneath him.

From the twenty-second floor of his glass apartment, the city looked small. Manageable.

Dev Ranawat preferred it that way.

He stood near the window, sleeves rolled up, jaw set, sharp eyes scanning the skyline like it was just another board he could conquer. The moonlight cut across his features, making him look almost carved from stone.

His phone was pressed to his ear.

On the other end, panic.

On his side, calmness.

“If they can’t meet our acquisition terms,” Dev said finally, voice low and steady, “then we don’t negotiate.”

A nervous reply came through the speaker, something about reputation, long-term partnerships.

Dev didn’t blink.

“We crush their valuation.”

Silence.

“Lower the offer. Gradually. Make it look like the market is doubting them. I want every major investor pulling back by the end of the week.”

He walked toward the table, picking up his black coffee .

“Highlight their weak quarters. Push their declining numbers into focus. And if there’s dirt in their books…” His tone hardened slightly. “Expose it.”

Dev’s voice turned glacial.

“By the time we’re finished, they won’t have options. They’ll have one door left. Ours.”

He ended the call before the man could respond.

Silence settled in the apartment again.

Dev walked back to the window.

That was how he operated.

No shouting. No emotional decisions.

Just calculated dismantling.

He didn’t destroy companies. He made them surrender then use it as his pawn.

His phone vibrated again. He glanced at the screen.

Shivraj. His elder brother.

For the first time that morning, something unreadable flickered in his eyes.

He let it ring once.Twice.

Then answered.

“Bhaiya…”

“When are you coming back, Dev?”

No greeting. No warmth.

Dev exhaled slowly. “Bhai, wo… I’ve been busy.”

“Dev.” Shivraj’s tone sharpened instantly. “It’s been three damn years. Not once did I force you to come back to India. But this is Nia’s wedding. You’ll be here tomorrow.”

His jaw tightened.

“Bhai, I just didn’t get the time…”

“Don’t.” Shivraj cut him off. “You’re flying country to country closing international deals. Don’t tell me you don’t have one day for your sister.”

Silence.

“Cancel your London flight.” Dev’s grip on the phone stilled.

Yes. He was flying to London. Not for business.

For escape. From a wedding. Or perhaps… from one person.

And it's useless to ask the SSR, how he knew.

“The jet is ready,” Shivraj continued. “You’re leaving for India. And that’s an order.”

The line went dead.

Dev lowered the phone slowly. For a man who controlled markets, investors, and empires… He had just been given an order by his brother.

Three years.

Three years since he stepped foot in India.  Once it was home. Now the thought of it burned.

Time was supposed to heal.

Instead, it had sharpened everything, the anger, the regret… and something darker. Something dangerous.

He closed his eyes briefly. Boardrooms were simple. Emotions were not.

Dev picked up his coat.

There was no escaping when Shivraj commanded.

And this time…

He wasn’t flying toward a deal. He was flying toward his past.

Early morning sunlight filtered through the grand resort as Dev stepped out of his room. After freshening up, he had chosen a simple off-white kurta, appropriate for Nia’s haldi ceremony.

He paused at the top of the staircase.

The sounds of laughter. The soft dhol beats. The scent of turmeric and marigolds. For a second, his steps felt heavy.Then he descended. And stopped.

There she was. His baby sister.

Nia sat in the center, glowing in yellow, cheeks already smeared with haldi, laughter dancing in her eyes. She looked so happy. So alive.

As if sensing him, she looked up. Her face lit up instantly.

“Dev Bhai!” she squealed, jumping up without caring about the ritual, and ran straight into him.

Dev barely had time to react before she wrapped her arms tightly around him.

“When did you come?” she asked, pulling back just enough to look at his face.

He hugged her back, a little tighter than usual.

“Bas… aa gaya,” he murmured softly.

Just one more day. After that, she would leave this house. Leave them.

His gaze lifted. Shivraj stood a little distance away, hands tucked in his pockets, expression as unreadable as ever. Calm and Observing.

Nia followed Dev’s line of sight and immediately ran toward Shivraj next.

“You can never see me sad?” she said with a teary chuckle, hugging him tightly.

Shivraj’s stern features softened almost instantly. He placed his hand on her head.

“You deserve all the happiness, my doll,” he said quietly, pulling her into his chest.

Dev stood there. Unsure. Three years. Three years of distance. Silence. Avoidance.  He didn’t know what to say. Didn’t know how to bridge it.

Then Shivraj slowly extended his hand toward him.

That was it. That was the last thread holding Dev back.

In long strides, he walked forward and pulled his brother into a tight embrace. His face buried against Shivraj’s shoulder,  just like he used to when he was younger.

For a moment, Dev braced himself for. Anger, Coldness, Silence. But none came.

Instead, Shivraj’s hand moved to his hair, ruffling it gently, the same way he had done since Dev’s childhood.

That silent gesture broke something inside him.

Not weakness. Not regret. Just… home.

And for the first time in these years, Dev felt it again.

The next day was the sangeet. Dev told himself he was relieved. Relieved that he hadn’t seen her yet.

Relieved that maybe she wasn’t attending. But beneath that relief… there was something else. An ache.

Was she avoiding the wedding because of him?

The thought disturbed him more than he liked.

He brushed it away immediately. Dev Ranawat didn’t dwell on emotions. He buried them.

______

It was just another ordinary day in Janisha’s hostel, at least that’s what it was supposed to be. She was studying away from her house and lived in a comfy hostel room with two single beds.

She sat by the window, knees drawn close, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the curtain as she gazed outside. The campus buzzed with life, laughter, footsteps, distant chatter, yet her world felt strangely silent.

The door swung open.

“Janu, jaldi uth! Nikalna bhi hai na tujhe!” Achint (her roommate and best friend) walked in, her phone glued to her ear, voice half-annoyed, half-caring.

Janisha only hummed in response, not bothering to turn around.

(Janu come on, get up, you have to leave also!)

Achint ended the call and dropped beside her on the bed. “Janu… it’s okay. It’s been years. Itna mat soch uske baare mein. Sab theek hoga.” Her voice softened.

Janisha’s lashes fluttered, but she stayed quiet.

“Aur kya pata wo bhool gaya hoga… maybe girlfriend bhi ban gayi hogi,” Achint continued casually, trying to sound practical. “So stop overthinking and get ready.”

( Maybe he forgot about you or maybe now he has a girlfriend also!)

A faint smile appeared on Janisha’s lips, the kind that doesn’t reach the eyes.

Girlfriend.

The word didn’t just sting. It sliced through her. The thought of him standing beside someone else… laughing with someone else… looking at someone else the way he once looked at her, it tightened something inside her chest.

She blinked away the heaviness, refusing to let the tears win again.

Slowly, she stood up. Quiet, Composed and Pretending.

Walking toward her bag, she picked it up, as if moving forward was that simple.

But some memories don’t stay in the past. They sit by the window with you.

Night had wrapped the hostel in a quiet calm when Janisha stepped outside with Achint.

Near the gate, Abhishek (her bestfriend) leaned against the cab, hands tucked into his pockets. The streetlight above cast a soft glow on his face, but his eyes weren’t on the road.

They were on her. He straightened the moment he saw her approaching.

“Yaar, Achint… tu bhi chal na!” Abhishek called out, half hopeful.

(Achint, come with us, please)

Achint crossed her arms. “Main nahi ja sakti abhi. You know that.” Her tone was firm, but her eyes softened when they met Janisha’s.

(I can't go)

Janisha forced a small smile. “It’s okay. We’ll manage.”

Abhishek sighed dramatically while Janisha let out a quiet breath ,both wishing she could come along.

They settled into the cab, the door shutting with a soft thud. Through the window, Janisha lifted her hand and waved. Achint waved back, watching until the car disappeared down the dimly lit road.

The city lights blurred past as silence settled between them.

Later that night, under the glow of airport lights and the distant hum of announcements, they boarded their flight.

Destination: Veeranshu and Nia’s wedding. A celebration of love.

It was early morning when their flight finally landed in Suryagarh. The golden hue of dawn stretched across the sky, painting the city in warmth.

(A/n : Suryagarh is just a City of my imagination. I haven't added it from real world. You can guess it as a mix of Jaipur and Mumbai)

Janisha checked into the hotel quietly. She wanted to surprise Nia at the sangeet. Only her mother knew about her arrival and she had strictly told her to keep it a secret.

After quickly freshening up, she tied her hair into a loose ponytail and marched straight to Abhishek’s room.

She knocked. No response.

She knocked again, louder this time.

After a few moments, the door creaked open. Abhishek stood there, hair messy, eyes half-closed, clearly dragged out of sleep.

“Janu… subah ke...”

Before he could even finish his sentence, she grabbed the collar of his t-shirt from behind and started dragging him inside.

“Practice karni hai! Sangeet hai aaj!” she declared with full authority.

(We need to practice for Sangeet)

“Arre yaar…” he whined, stumbling along, still barely awake. “Thak ke aaye hain… sone de thoda!”

( I'm already tired, let me sleep)

But Janisha was adamant. There was no escaping her determination.

Within minutes, music blasted through the room. Sleep forgotten. Energy restored, at least for her.

The entire day slipped away between dance steps, missed beats, laughter, arguments over choreography, and Janisha’s dramatic threats whenever Abhishek messed up a move.

By evening, they were exhausted but ready. Because tonight wasn’t just any function. It was the Sangeet ceremony.

And Janisha was going to make sure it was unforgettable.

She wore a deep green sharara that flowed gracefully with every step she took. Her long hair, reaching almost to her hips, was tied into a sleek, stylish ponytail that highlighted her delicate features. A hint of kajal, soft blush, and gloss, nothing extravagant, yet she looked ethereal… like she had stepped straight out of a dream.

Abhishek stood beside her in a matching kurta set, the coordination intentional. After all, they were performing together tonight. As Janisha stepped into the venue, the lights shimmered across the décor, music echoing softly in the background. Laughter filled the air. It was vibrant. Festive. But her heartbeat wasn’t. It was erratic.

Her fingers felt cold despite the warm evening, a faint tremble betraying the calm expression she tried to maintain.

Abhishek noticed instantly.

Without saying a word, he gently intertwined his fingers with hers and gave a small, reassuring squeeze.

“I’m here yaar,” his gesture said.

Janisha looked at him and offered a soft smile, grateful and comforted.

But inside… she was still shaken.

Because somewhere in this crowd, among these lights and celebrations… was someone she wasn’t ready to face.

And she wasn’t sure if her heart was strong enough this time.

Sangeet Evening

Dev wore an emerald kurta paired with a classic salwar, simple, elegant, controlled. The color suited him. Dark, Regal and Dangerous.

But he didn’t feel any of it.

Once upon a time, Dev would have owned the dance floor. He would have laughed, teased his sister, pulled his sister in laws into steps, and turned the night electric.

That Dev was gone.

Now, he sat in a quiet corner, posture straight, expression unreadable. He didn’t want to dampen Nia’s happiness by leaving , but he had no interest in celebrating either.

The music played. Laughter echoed. Lights shimmered.

Then suddenly,

The lights dimmed. A hush spread across the venue. One spotlight flickered on at the center of the stage. And there a girl stood. Emerald sharara. Back facing everyone. Long hair cascading down to her hips, swaying gently.

The room held its breath. So did he.

The music burst through the silence. She turned. Dev’s breath caught.

For a second, he forgot how to blink.

Janisha.

Standing there like sunshine wrapped in green silk.

She moved with effortless grace, confidence radiating from every step. Her expressions were alive, her smile dazzling, her presence commanding.

She had changed.

The last time he had seen her, she was fragile. Short hair. Soft laughter. Eyes full of unguarded innocence.

But this, This was different.

She was fiercer, Stronger and More confident. Not a girl anymore. A woman.

And devastatingly beautiful.

His eyes didn’t move from her.

They couldn’t.

Then, A boy stepped beside her.

Dev’s jaw tightened instantly.

The boy matched her rhythm, dancing close. Too close. His hand hovered near her wrist. Her shoulder. Her waist. Something dark snapped inside Dev.

He didn’t know this boy. Who was he? Why was he touching her like that?

His fingers curled into fists. The music continued. The crowd cheered.

But Dev heard nothing except the rush of blood in his ears. That boy leaned closer during a spin. Dev’s nerve twitched. An irrational urge surged through him , to walk up there, drag him away, slam his face into the nearest pillar and remind him, Remind everyone,

Who she belonged to.

His breathing turned uneven.

He grabbed a water bottle from the table and emptied it in one go, trying to drown the fire rising in his chest.

Janisha laughed mid-step. That laugh. It burned more. She looked happy. Too comfortable. Too close to someone else. Maybe he was just a cousin. A friend. A dance partner. But logic wasn’t winning. Possessiveness was.

Dev stood abruptly. If he stayed one second longer, he wouldn’t remain controlled. And Dev Ranawat do not lost control.

He walked out of the venue, long strides cutting through the corridor, jaw clenched, eyes dark. Because if he watched her with someone else for even a moment more, He would do something reckless.

And this wedding… Was not the place for war.

.

.

.

.

The next entire day, he avoided the crowd. Or maybe he avoided her. With the wedding arrangements dividing the groom’s family and the bride’s family into separate sections, it wasn’t difficult. Distance became convenient. Necessary.

As night settled, the rituals continued under golden lights and chanting voices. He stood a little apart, watching his baby sister, the one he once carried in his arms, now sitting as a bride. His chest tightened. His eyes glistened, but he refused to let the tears fall.

He stepped outside for air. And then he saw her. Janisha.

She was seated among her cousins and friends, laughter spilling freely from her lips. The deep pink sharara shimmered under the wedding lights, delicate embroidery catching every glow. Her hair was styled half up, soft waves flowing down her back. She looked radiant, Composed, Graceful and

Untouchable.

Abhishek leaned close and whispered something in her ear. She burst into laughter, not a polite smile, not a forced chuckle. Real. Open. Unfiltered.

Dev stopped mid-step. For a fraction of a second, the sight of her struck him harder than he was prepared for. Three years had passed, yet she looked even more breathtaking. There was maturity in her face now. Calm confidence. Strength. And then she laughed again. At him. For him.

Something sharp twisted inside Dev’s chest. It wasn’t loud or dramatic. It was quiet. Controlled. A silent sting that spread slowly. His jaw tightened. His shoulders went rigid. The warmth drained from his face.

Without a second glance, he turned and walked away.

Janisha saw him. Her laughter died instantly. The sound faded from her lips as if someone had pressed pause on her world. Her eyes followed his retreating figure, broad shoulders, heavier build, the way he carried himself now with a colder edge.

He looked stronger, Sharper,but distant.

Her chest burned. She excused herself softly and slipped away from the group. Abhi noticed immediately. Of course he did. He always did.

He followed her quietly and found her near a corner balcony, facing the moonlit sky. The noise of the wedding felt muffled there, distant.

She blinked rapidly, wiping the corner of her eyes before the tears could properly fall.

“Running away?” Abhi asked gently, leaning beside her.

“I can’t bear it,” she whispered, her voice betraying her strength.

He sighed. “It’s not your fault. Stop running like you’re the one who did something wrong.”

“But my heart is the one that broke,” she said softly. The truth carried years of weight.

Abhi looked at her, then wiped the tear she failed to hide.

“Stop crying,” he muttered lightly. “You’ll look like a chudail.”

She smacked his arm. “Shut up!”

He laughed loudly, exaggerated, dramatic, just to pull her out of that spiral. A few heads turned toward them.

But one didn’t look away. Dev.

He stood at a distance, watching. He couldn’t hear their words. All he saw was Abhi wiping her tears. All he saw was her hitting him playfully. All he saw was her stepping into Abhi’s open arms.

“Come here,” Abhi said softly.

Janisha didn’t hesitate.

She side-hugged him, not passionately, not romantically, but with familiarity. With comfort. With gratitude. He had been there from her first day of college. Through every breakdown. Every silent night. Every achievement.

He never let her feel alone.

“Thank you, yaar,” she whispered.

“Keep your nonsense  civic sense to yourself,” he replied lightly, holding her steady. She chuckled faintly against his shoulder.

From where Dev stood, it looked complete. It looked like she had moved on. His heartbeat grew uneven. The air felt thick. Suffocating. A hollow space opened inside his chest, not anger this time. Just loss.

He had stayed away for three years believing time would protect him. He hadn’t considered that it would teach her how to live without him. His face lost its color. His throat tightened painfully, but he swallowed it down like he always did.

Without another glance, Dev turned and walked away.

As Janisha stepped back from Abhi’s arms, her eyes searched instinctively. She saw him. Walking out of the venue.

Her breath caught. For a second, her feet almost moved. But then the wedding chants grew louder, calling her back to reality.

She exhaled slowly. And turned back toward the rituals.

.

It was almost midnight. The wedding rituals had been completed, and most of the guests had been given time to rest before the vidai ceremony.

But what caught everyone’s attention was Dev.

He was nowhere to be seen. Maya asked Daksh. They didn’t know. Shankar tried calling him again and again, but the calls went unanswered. A quiet wave of tension spread through the family.

They couldn’t start Nia’s vidai without her brother.

Janisha stood at a distance, watching the rising panic. Her heart tightened painfully. She had a sinking feeling she knew where he might be.

Just then, Kashaan, Dev’s best friend, who just arrived. He had come for the wedding but hadn’t even managed to meet Dev yet.

He walked up to Shankar.

“Uncle, where’s Dev?”

Shankar sighed heavily. “We don’t know. He’s not picking up his phone.”

Kashaan’s jaw tightened. “Don’t worry, Uncle. I’ll find him.”

He stepped aside and tried calling Dev repeatedly.

Unanswered.

Janisha’s thoughts spiraled.

And then it hit her. Could he have gone there?

She hesitated for a moment before walking toward Agam.

“Hi… I’m Janisha,” she said carefully. “I think I can help you find him.”

Kashaan’s expression changed instantly.

“Oh… so you’re the Janisha.” His tone carried a faint taunt.

She felt it. The judgment. The blame.

“Right now isn’t the time to argue,” she replied firmly. “Let’s find Dev ji first. I know a place where he might be.”

“And why should I take your help?” he asked bluntly. Her patience snapped.

“Fine. Go to hell.” She turned to leave, determined to go alone. But she heard his footsteps behind her.

She stopped and looked back with a stern gaze.

Kashaan exhaled. “Fine. Let’s find him first. Come on.”

Without another word, they walked out and got into a car.

Janisha gave him the location. They checked one place first, he wasn’t there. Then the car stopped in front of a bar. They exchanged a brief look before stepping inside.

The place was crowded, music loud, dim lights flashing.

“Check that side,” Kashaan said and moved to the other side.

She nodded and moved ahead. And then she saw him.

Half-leaning against a table. A glass in his hand.

She took a deep breath and walked toward him. As she came closer, she realized, he was completely drunk.

“What are you doing here?” she said firmly. “Your sister’s wedding is happening there.” Dev slowly looked up at her.

A lazy smile curved on his lips.

“You came here too?” he slurred. “When will you stop following me?” He turned back toward his drink.

She immediately snatched the glass from his hand. “Let’s go.”

Before she could react further, Dev stood up, towering over her.

Her heart leaped to her throat. She instinctively sat back on the stool, swallowing nervously.

He leaned closer. Too close.

His breath brushed against her neck.

For a split second, his lips grazed her skin, then his teeth sank in her skin. She hissed slightly. Her fingers tightened around his kurta in shock. His hands braced her waist, his lips still grazing her neck.

But he suddenly pulled back slightly.

His eyes scanned her face, her closed eyes, the same innocence. Something painful flickered across his expression.

For a brief second, a thought crossed his mind.

What if she had still been mine? But then reality hit him. His hands tightened over her waist. Still watching her.

He leaned near her ear, his voice low.

“Lift your hips, Jaanu.”

Her eyes flew open instantly.

“What the..?”

He placed a finger over her lips to silence her.

“Shh...Relax. You’re not that lucky,” he muttered dryly. “You’re sitting on my car keys.”

She froze. Then her face flushed , this time with pure anger. She stood up immediately, pushed him back, grabbed the keys from under her, and threw them at him.

“Bloody Jerk!”

"Why are you angry? Because I came close to you? Or I said you weren't lucky that I would do something with you?" He said with a smirk.

Her face burnt in anger and embarrassment.

Right then, Kashaan reached them.

He looked between the two, her fuming and Dev smirking faintly despite his drunken state.

Kashaan picked up the keys. “Dev. We’re leaving.”

Dev’s eyes remained fixed on Janisha. She looked away first and walked out.

Dev tried to follow but staggered slightly.

“You’ve drunk way too much, idiot,” Kashaan muttered, grabbing his arm to steady him.

After considerable effort, Kashaan managed to get him into the backseat of the car.

Janisha and Kashaan sat in the front. The entire drive back was silent. When they reached the venue, they stepped out and turned around.

Dev was already asleep.

“It’s not appropriate to take him inside like this,” Janisha said quietly.

Kashaan nodded. “Yeah.”

“Take him to my room. No one will come there.”

Kashaan hesitated for a moment but they had no better option.

With difficulty, they carried him to her room and laid him down on the bed. He didn’t stir.

Janisha stepped back.

“You stay with him,” she said to Kashaan. And without waiting for a response, she walked out.

The corridor lights flickered softly as she closed the door behind her, her heartbeat still unsettled.

"This man is totally insane!" She hissed.

_____

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