Nikansh's POV
She insisted.
Of course she did.
"I can go on my own," she said, like always—stubborn, pretending she had everything under control even when she clearly didn't.
I didn't argue much.
Not because I agreed.
Because I didn't feel like explaining something simple—I brought you here, I'll drop you back. That's it. No emotions. No drama. Just responsibility.
"Sit," I said shortly.
She didn't protest this time.
Good.
She sat in the passenger seat, quiet for once, looking out the window as the city lights passed by. The rain had slowed down, leaving behind that damp, reflective glow on the roads.
And for some reason…
It felt too quiet.
I don't like quiet.
So I spoke.
"Aadhya… where are your parents?"
The question came out more direct than I intended.
I added quickly, "I mean… are they the reason you're staying at Reyansh's place?"
Not suspicious.
Just… curious.
That's all.
She froze.
Not visibly dramatic like she usually is.
Just… still.
I glanced at her.
Her eyes were still on the window, but they weren't seeing anything anymore.
Thinking.
Avoiding.
Choosing.
Then—
"No… that's not the actual reason," she said softly.
That was it.
No explanation.
Just a quiet answer.
I didn't ask further.
Didn't need to.
Some things… you don't push.
And she clearly didn't want to go there.
So I drove in silence again.
This time heavier.
I stopped the car outside her place.
She got out.
I was about to leave—engine still running, hand already on the gear—
When suddenly—
Knock knock.
I turned.
She was at the window again.
Of course.
I rolled it down slightly.
She leaned in a little, strands of her hair falling forward, that same annoying… childish energy back on her face.
"Thank you… and sorry for the trouble," she said.
Trouble?
I almost scoffed.
Then she added—
"Actually… you aren't that bad like you always act."
…
What?
Before I could say anything—
"Bye! Get home safe!"
She smiled.
Waved.
And just like that—
Gone.
Walking inside like nothing happened.
Like she didn't just casually drop that line and leave.
I stared ahead for a second.
Then drove off.
The roads were clearer now.
But my head wasn't.
Her voice.
Her words.
That stupid smile.
It kept replaying.
You aren't that bad like you always act.
Act?
I don't act.
This is who I am.
Isn't it?
I didn't even realize when I reached home.
The car stopped.
Engine off.
Silence.
And then—
It hit again.
Her voice.
Clear this time.
"You aren't that bad…"
I leaned back slightly, staring at nothing.
For some reason…
That bothered me more than it should have.
Vivaan's POV —
The penthouse was louder—voices overlapping, laughter rough, glasses hitting the table like they were sealing deals instead of drinking.
I stood near the glass wall. Staring outside. All 'Section E' gathered for urgent meeting except two Avi and Dheeraj. They have been intentionally left out.
"Let's stop circling around," Samar said, leaning forward, eyes sharp. "How exactly are you planning to make her fall?"
A slow smirk formed on my lips.
Fall.
They all loved that word.
Bhavik scoffed, stretching lazily. "She is an easy target. Give her flowers or an expensive gift."
Mahi let out a dry laugh. "Yeah, just give her a little attention and she'll start thinking it means something."
Devit shook his head slightly, but there was no sympathy in it. "Or give something or do something special for her ,girls fall easily that way."
Veer leaned back, crossing his arms. "Or maybe use your charm or cash...."
Kabir suggested. "Make her feel special… then sexual intimacy that...create that tension..."
Laughter.
Low. Dark.
I turned slightly, my gaze sweeping across all of them.
"She's not easy," I said calmly.
Silence dropped instantly.
Good.
"You don't rush someone like her," I continued, voice steady, controlled. "You make her believe.I m not just going to date her. I'm going to make her obsessed. I'll become a perfect guy. I'll become the guy she sneaks out for, the guy she gives everything to. I'll make love to her , make her feel like she is the centre of universe then, then when she becomes completely dependent on me I'll drop her like she meant nothing." I smirked.
They were listening now.
Not laughing.
Not interrupting.
Exactly how it should be.
Samar tilted his head. "So you're going to act?"
I looked at him.
Cold.
"I don't act."
A pause.
"I make it real enough that they forget to question it."
That shut them up. I have to be careful with my plan.
Then—
Bhavik clapped once, grinning. "Alright, I'm in. Let's make this interesting."
Neel immediately pulled out his phone. "Finally."
"Bets," Samar said simply.
And just like that—it turned into a game.
"Two thousand," Neel started. "Two weeks. She's done."
"Three," Bhavik countered. "She resists a little. Three weeks."
"Five thousand," Veer smirked. "She falls hard. Not just attraction—attachment."
"Six" Kabir added lazily. "She confesses first."
Mahi chuckled. "Seven. She'll start choosing him over everyone else."
Devit looked at the table, then said quietly, "Ill just go with one thousand. She'll trust him completely."
" I'll go with Mahi same. Seven thousand. I feel like shooting a 'breakup' vedio for her reaction when she realises that she was just a pawn in our game " Maddy joked.
" I'll bet eight then she isn't tough target you know " Romy said lazily.
A brief silence.
Then Krish leaned forward, eyes glinting.
"Hmm I bet 10."
That got everyone's attention.
"She won't just fall," he said slowly. "She'll break when it ends."
A few of them laughed.
Others just smirked.
The air felt heavier now.
Darker.
More real.
Their eyes shifted to me.
"Your bet?" Bhavik asked.
I looked at him.
Unbothered.
"I don't bet on something I control."
Silence.
Then Veer let out a low whistle. "Still the same."
Always.
My gaze shifted—
Nikansh.
Sitting slightly away.
Silent.
Watching everything.
Not a single word.
"Nothing to add?" I asked him.
His eyes met mine.
Steady.
There was something there.
Something he didn't say.
But in the end—
"No."
Short.
I turned back.
"Step one," I said.
They straightened instantly.
"Distance."
Confusion flickered across a few faces.
"Push her away first," I continued. "Don't give her what she expects."
I paused.
"Then slowly become the only one who stays."
Now they understood.
Samar smirked. "Classic."
"Effective," I corrected.
Mahi leaned forward. "And when she starts trusting you?"
My eyes darkened slightly.
"You make sure she depends on it."
Silence again.
Heavier this time.
Samar's lips curled. "And then?"
I held his gaze.
Cold. Unmoving.
"And then it ends."
No explanation.
No hesitation.
Just truth.
Bhavik chuckled under his breath. "You're messed up."
Maybe.
Didn't matter.
Neel raised his glass. "To the game."
"To the game," the others echoed.
Glasses clinked.
Money sealed.
Egos satisfied.
My jaw tightened as Reyansh's face crossed my mind, that arrogance, that constant interference.
A slow smirk formed. "What will you do now, Reyansh…" I muttered under my breath. "I'll make Aadhya fall for me… completely." My eyes hardened. "And then I'll break her… and when she breaks, so will you." A pause. Cold. Final. "And when you're done… I'll take back what'smine. Yuvika....
Nikansh pov
She was there.
In my house.
Like she had always belonged there.
Standing in the kitchen… wearing a saree, soft fabric falling perfectly around her, an apron tied over it like it was the most natural thing in the world. Her hair was open, slightly messy, strands brushing against her face as she moved.
Cooking.
For me.
I stood there… just watching.
For a moment, everything felt… right.
Calm.
Like the chaos in my head had finally gone silent.
She turned.
Looked at me.
And smiled.
That same smile.
Soft. Warm. Familiar.
My Yuvika.
For a second… I almost believed it.
Almost.
Then reality hit.
Hard.
She isn't yours.
Not anymore.
She chose someone else.
She chose him.
Vivaan Oberoi Windsor
The thought twisted something inside me.
That calm feeling? Gone.
Replaced.
With something colder.
I straightened, my expression turning blank.
"You need to leave," I said, my voice firm. Controlled.
Her smile… fell.
Just like that.
"Why do you keep pushing away the people who love you?" she asked, her voice breaking slightly.
Love.
That word again.
Always thrown around like it means something.
I clenched my jaw.
"Don't," I muttered.
But she just stood there, eyes glistening, like she was waiting… for something.
For me to stop her.
For me to say something different.
For me to… choose her.
I didn't.
I couldn't.
Because she already made her choice.
And I don't take leftovers.
The silence stretched.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Then—
Everything shattered.
My eyes snapped open.
Dark room.
Ceiling.
Reality.
A dream.
Again.
I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair, sitting up.
"Damn it…"
Not again.
Not this.
I thought I was past this.
I know I moved on.
I don't care anymore.
I shouldn't.
Then why…
Why does she still show up like this?
Why does my mind keep dragging me back?
I leaned back against the headboard, staring into the darkness.
Annoyed.
At her.
At myself.
At whatever this was.
"I've moved on," I muttered under my breath.
And yet…
The dream felt too real.
Too familiar.
Too… close.
I shut my eyes again, forcing it away.