The morning sun streamed through the grand windows of the Rathod estate as Abhi sat in his study, staring at the engagement invitation lying before him. His parents had wasted no time. The date was set, the guests were invited, and there was no turning back.
A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Ishika stepped in, her gaze scanning the room before settling on him. "So, it's happening," she said, nodding toward the invitation.
Abhi exhaled. "Looks like it."
She took a seat across from him. "And how do you feel about it?"
Abhi leaned back, rubbing his temples. "Relieved, maybe? I don't know. After everything, I just want something real. No lies, no manipulation."
Ishika smiled faintly. "Well, at least with me, what you see is what you get."
He chuckled. "I'll hold you to that."
The air between them felt lighter than before, the walls of forced formality slowly crumbling. They had both been thrown into this engagement for the sake of their families, but somewhere along the way, it no longer felt like an obligation. It felt... possible.
Ishika stood up. "Come on. We have a million things to do before the engagement ceremony. And I'm not letting you sulk your way through it."
Abhi smirked. "Bossy, aren't you?"
She raised an eyebrow. "You have no idea."
For the first time in weeks, Abhi felt a sense of calm settle over him. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn't the end of something-but the beginning.
---
Meanwhile, Ruhi stood outside the Rathod estate, watching from a distance. Her eyes burned with unshed tears, her fists clenched.
Abhi was slipping away, and she wasn't ready to let him go.
Not yet.
....to be continued...