Just as Radhika heard a gentle knock on her bedroom door...
...thousands of miles away, another knock echoed through the quiet corridor of the Malhotra estate.
Krishnaveer stood outside his father's private residence.
The evening breeze brushed against his face as he adjusted the cuff of his sleeve before raising his hand.
Knock... Knock...
No response.
A few seconds later, the door slowly opened.
An elderly servant stood there and immediately bowed respectfully.
"Good evening, Young Master."
Krish acknowledged him with a slight nod.
"I have an appointment with Father."
"Yes, sir. Please come inside."
The servant stepped aside, allowing him to enter.
The house carried the same elegance as the rest of the estate, but unlike Krish's residence, this place felt... warmer.
Photographs decorated the walls.
Fresh flowers rested on the center table.
Soft instrumental music played quietly in the background.
As Krish walked further inside, his footsteps came to an abrupt halt.
A graceful woman had just stepped out of the dining room.
The moment she saw him, surprise flickered across her face before melting into a gentle smile.
"Krish..."
"It has been a while."
Her voice was warm, almost relieved.
For a brief moment, it seemed as though she wanted to walk toward him.
But Krish's expression remained calm.
His eyes met hers for barely a second before shifting away.
Without returning the greeting, he turned toward the servant.
"Where is Father?"
The servant hesitated.
His eyes instinctively moved toward the lady before looking back at Krish, clearly unsure whose question he should answer.
Understanding the servant's discomfort, the lady spoke first.
"He's in his study."
Her tone remained gentle.
"He finished dinner a little while ago."
Krish gave a small nod.
"Thank you."
Nothing more.
No conversation.
No eye contact.
He walked past her without another glance.
She watched him disappear down the hallway, her smile fading almost instantly.
There was no anger in her expression.
Only quiet disappointment.
The servant looked at her apologetically.
"Madam..."
She stopped him with a faint smile.
"It's alright."
"I've learned not to expect too much."
Taking a slow breath, she looked toward the corridor where Krish had disappeared.
"Some distances aren't created by walls..."
"They're created by pain."
Meanwhile...
Krish stood before the large wooden door at the end of the hallway.
He knocked twice.
"Come in."
His father's familiar voice came from inside.
Krish opened the door.
His father looked up from a stack of documents resting on the desk.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You actually came on time."
Krish closed the door behind him.
"You asked me to make an appointment."
"So I did."
His father gestured toward the chair opposite him.
"Sit."
Krish took the seat without wasting another moment.
"I won't take much of your time."
"There is something I need to know."
His father removed his reading glasses and looked at him attentively.
"What is it?"
Krish placed the property file on the desk between them.
"It's about the villa in India."
His father's expression changed almost imperceptibly.
Krish noticed it.
But continued anyway.
"Ananya's friend is facing difficulties arranging accommodation for her wedding."
"They may need a place to stay."
"I came to ask whether the villa is suitable..."
He paused briefly before adding,
"...and why it has remained closed for the last twenty years."
The room fell silent.
His father's fingers slowly rested on the file.
His eyes remained fixed on it for several long seconds.
The calm expression on his face hadn't disappeared...
But something much older...
and much heavier...
had quietly returned to his eyes.