The moment Tulip entered her room, all traces of dignity immediately left her body.

She was sprawled across her bed, hugging a pillow to her chest while staring dreamily at the photograph resting in her hands. Sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow across her room, but Tulip barely noticed.

Her entire world currently revolved around one person.

Dhruv Khanna.

A soft smile curved across her lips as her fingertips gently traced the outline of his face in the photograph. The memory of yesterday's meeting replayed inside her mind for what was probably the hundredth time.

The collision.

The station.

The way she had been confidently scolding a complete stranger only to look up and discover it was him.

The way her soul had practically left her body.

And then...

The way he had looked at her.

Her heart fluttered.

She buried her face into her pillow before letting out a muffled squeal.

"Haye Kanha..." she whispered dramatically.

The memory refused to leave her alone.

Especially the one where her hair had become tangled in the button of his uniform.

The way he had leaned closer.

The way his fingers had carefully untangled the stubborn strand.

The way his voice had softened when he spoke to her.

Tulip kicked her legs against the mattress like a lovestruck teenager.

Which she absolutely was.

Her cheeks turned pink as she stared at the photograph once again.

Then, because she clearly had no plans of behaving normally today, she pressed a kiss against it.

Then another.

And another.

And another.

"Yahii se chummiyan lete reh, or udhar wo Rashmi asli mein chum-"

(Keep kissing him from here, and there that Rashmi will ki-)

Before Trisha could complete her sentence, a pillow came flying across the room and smacked her directly in the face.

THUD.

"Aaaah! Attempted murder!" Trisha gasped dramatically, stumbling backward.

Tulip immediately stood up on the bed.

"Aisa bolna bhii NAHIIIIII!! Uss Rashmi...wo pagal hai kya? Uske bhaiya lagenge Dhruv!" Tulip shouted while pointing an accusing finger at her best friend.

(Don't say that! That Rashmi... is she insane? Dhruv will be her brother!)

The horror on Tulip's face was so genuine that Trisha nearly fell over laughing.

"Sach hii bol rahi hu! Wo Rashmi humare ghar pahunch gayii lekin tu abhi tak nahii aayi."

(I'm saying the truth only! That Rashmi came to our house first but you still haven't arrived.)

Tulip immediately looked offended.

Deeply offended.

Personally attacked.

"Mai wait kar rahii thii kii meri muh-boli bhabhi kah ayegi mere bhaiya ke sath romance kregi, lekin tu to alag hii pagla rahii hai!" Trisha scolded while marching toward her.

(I was waiting for my maybe-sister-in-law to come and romance my brother, but you're busy going crazy here!)

"Hattt! Mujhe sharam aa rahii hai!" Tulip protested, covering her face.

(I'm feeling shy!)

Her cheeks were now bright red.

The kind of red that made lying completely impossible.

Unfortunately, Trisha wasn't planning to spare her.

"Tu idhar sharam karti reh or woh chudail bhaiya ko chura le jayegi!"

(You keep being shy and that witch will steal my brother!)

Tulip instantly lowered her hands.

"Areee tu usse baar baar kyu bich mein laa rahii hai? Chal mere sasural, abhi usse bataungi!"

(Why do you keep bringing her up? Come on, let's go to my in-laws' house. I'll deal with her right now!)

Trisha's eyes immediately sparkled.

"THAT'S THE SPIRIT!"

She quickly linked her arm with Tulip's before dragging her toward the door.

The two girls rushed downstairs like they were preparing for war.

Halfway down the stairs, Tulip suddenly stopped.

"Aree! In kapdon mein jaun kya? Change karne de!"

(Wait! Am I going like this? Let me change!)

Only then did she look down at her shorts and oversized T-shirt.

Definitely not the outfit she wanted Dhruv seeing.

At least not today.

Trisha immediately grinned.

"Jaa tu change kar, tab tak mein apni muh-boli sasu-maa se mil ke aati hu!"

(You go change. Till then I'll go meet my maybe-mother-in-law!)

Tulip burst into laughter before gently pushing her friend away.

"Pagal."

The girls separated, each heading in opposite directions.

Tulip returned upstairs.

Trisha continued toward the living room.

And fate, as usual, decided to create problems.

The moment Trisha turned the corner, she walked straight into Shayan.

He was leaning casually against the wall, arms folded across his chest.

"Kaha chali?"

(Where are you going?)

A mischievous grin appeared on his face.

Trisha froze.

Just for a second.

Then she smiled.

"Apki mummy se milne."

(To meet your mother.)

And before he could say anything else, she quickly walked away.

Leaving behind one very confused Shayan Sharma.

For a moment, he simply stood there.

Then blinked.

Then blinked again.

Did she just say she was going to meet his mother?

His mother.

Not Kavya aunty.

Not Kavya Sharma.

His mother.

A strange warmth settled somewhere inside his chest before he could stop it. The words replayed in his head far longer than they should have. Shayan wasn't stupid. He had noticed things over the years.

The way Trisha's face brightened whenever he arrived.

The way she remembered tiny details about him that nobody else did.

The way she laughed a little harder at his jokes.

The way her eyes always searched for him in a crowded room.

He had noticed.

He just never allowed himself to think too deeply about it.

But now...

For some reason, hearing her say those words felt different.

Dangerously different.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Then he immediately shook his head.

"Nope."

Absolutely not.

He wasn't opening that emotional file today.

Especially when his best friend had just returned after four years.

Still...

The smile refused to leave.

Meanwhile, after changing into a pretty pastel suit, Tulip finally came downstairs.

The sight that greeted her immediately softened her expression.

Trisha and Kavya were sitting together, laughing over something.

The scene looked strangely natural.

Comfortable.

Almost as though Trisha had always belonged there.

Tulip smiled.

Then folded her arms dramatically.

"Ek baar meri Dhruv se shadi ho jaye fir iski bhii shadi gadhe se karwa dungi," she murmured to herself.

(Once I get married to Dhruv, I'll make sure this donkey gets married too.)

Unfortunately for her-

Kavya heard absolutely everything.

"Aree phool? Tu Dhruv se milne jaa rahii hai? Uske liye kaju kii katli bana ke le jaa, usse pasand hai na."

(Tulip? You're going to meet Dhruv, right? Take some kaju katli for him. He likes it.)

Both Tulip and Trisha froze.

Then slowly looked at each other.

The same thought entered both their minds.

Operation Impress Dhruv.

Immediately.

Trisha flashed a giant thumbs-up.

Tulip nodded back.

Mission accepted.

Just as Tulip arrived at the Khanna Residence, her steps slowed near the entrance. The familiar house looked even livelier today.

Laughter echoed from inside, relatives moved around carrying trays of snacks, and the entire atmosphere felt warm and welcoming.

A smile was already forming on her lips when it suddenly vanished.

Her eyes narrowed immediately as she spotted Rashmi standing near Dhruv with a bright grin plastered across her face.

Rashmi was one of Dhruv's cousin sisters, but everyone knew she had always been unusually obsessed with becoming a Khanna bahu.

It wasn't even about Dhruv. She simply loved the prestige, influence, and affection associated with the Khanna family and was willing to go to ridiculous lengths to become a permanent part of it.

"Dhruv, mai kaisi lag rahii hu?" Rashmi asked, twirling slightly in front of him.

(Dhruv, how do I look?)

Tulip's eye twitched.

Dhruv, however, didn't even bother looking up from his phone.

Not a glance. Not even half a glance. It was almost impressive how thoroughly he ignored her existence.

Across the room, Sanvi noticed the entire interaction and immediately frowned.

"Rashmi!" she called out, a little louder than intended.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Several heads turned toward her.

Even Rashmi looked startled.

Realizing she might have sounded too harsh, Sanvi quickly cleared her throat and forced a smile.

"Rashmi, ye kaam mein help kar dena," she said, though her tone remained noticeably curt.

(Rashmi, come help me with this work.)

Rashmi pouted dramatically but obediently moved toward the kitchen.

Before leaving, however, she stole one last glance at Dhruv.

Tulip clenched her jaw.

She knew she technically had no right to be jealous.

No relationship.

No engagement.

No confession.

Nothing.

And yet...

Seeing another girl hover around him made something inside her grumble angrily.

Before she could continue glaring, Sanvi's eyes landed on her standing near the entrance with Trisha.

Instantly, her expression softened.

"Aree, phool beta? Waha kyu khadi ho? Tumhara hii ghar hai, aa jao beta," Sanvi said warmly as she walked toward her.

(Tulip dear, why are you standing there? Come inside. This is your own home.)

Tulip's heart melted.

Every.

Single.

Time.

No matter how many times Sanvi said things like that, it always made her feel special.

A bright smile immediately spread across her face.

And unfortunately for one Army officer sitting across the room...

The moment he heard her name, his head snapped up.

Dhruv looke

d toward the entrance.

And froze.

For a second, he simply stared.

The soft pastel outfit.

The silver jhumkas.

The smile that somehow managed to light up her entire face.

His lips twitched.

Then dimples appeared.

Quickly lowering his gaze, he tried to hide the smile threatening to expose him.

Unfortunately, Sanvi noticed.

Because mothers notice everything.

"Hayeee, kitni pyari lag rahii hai. Hai na dhruv?" she asked while affectionately caressing Tulip's hair.

(She's looking so beautiful, isn't she, Dhruv?)

A dangerous glint appeared in Sanvi's eyes.

Dhruv immediately understood.

His mother was setting a trap.

And naturally...

He walked straight into it.

"Mummy, ye tulip to sach mein bahutt sundar hai," he said thoughtfully while looking at the tulip flowers placed in a decorative vase beside him.

(Mom, this tulip really is very beautiful.)

For a moment there was complete silence.

Then Tulip's entire face turned pink.

Trisha nearly choked.

Sanvi looked ready to laugh.

And Dhruv continued staring at the flowers as if he were discussing botany.

"Waise, kuch kaha kya mummy?" he asked innocently a second later.

(By the way, did you say something, Mom?)

Tulip immediately looked away, trying, and failing, to hide her smile.

Meanwhile, Sanvi simply shook her head and walked away.

Because her son might be an Army officer.

But apparently he was also a shameless flirt.

And standing near the kitchen doorway, Rashmi watched the entire interaction with narrowed eyes.

If looks could burn holes through walls...

Tulip would've been reduced to ashes already.

The kitchen of the Khanna Residence was filled with warmth, chatter, and the delicious aroma of freshly prepared food.

Relatives moved in and out while Sanvi supervised everything like a general commanding an army.

In the middle of all the chaos stood Tulip.

Holding a steel container, and trying very hard not to look suspicious.

Unfortunately...

She looked extremely suspicious.

The container held homemade kaju katli.

Kaju katli she had spent nearly an hour making.

Kaju katli she absolutely had not made because Dhruv liked it.

Absolutely not, Not at all.

Definitely not.

Taking a deep breath, she walked toward Sanvi.

"Aunty..." she called softly.

Sanvi turned around immediately.

"Haan beta?"

(Yes, dear?)

Tulip awkwardly held out the container. "Bas... waise hii banaya tha."

(I just made it casually.)

The moment Sanvi opened the lid, her eyebrows shot upward.

Perfect diamond-shaped kaju katlis rested neatly inside.

The fragrance alone was enough to make anyone hungry.

"Aree wah!" Sanvi exclaimed.

Tulip immediately looked down.

Trying not to smile, Trying and failing.

"Acchi bani hai kya?"

(Did they turn out okay?)

Sanvi picked up a piece and tasted it.

The moment it melted in her mouth, her eyes widened, Then widened again, Then widened some more.

"Phool!"

Tulip straightened. Panicked.

Had she accidentally poisoned someone?

"Kya hua?"

(What happened?)

"Bahutt acchi bani hai!"

(They're absolutely delicious!)

Tulip's face immediately brightened, like someone had switched on a bulb.

Sanvi smiled affectionately before closing the container. "Ye Dhruv ko de aao."

(Take these to Dhruv.)

The smile instantly vanished from Tulip's face. "What?"

Her voice cracked, Slightly, Very slightly. "Main?"

(Me?)

"Haan tum."

(Yes, you.)

Tulip immediately shook her head.

"Nahii aunty..."

(No, aunty...)

Sanvi folded her arms.

"Tum."

(You)

Tulip pointed toward herself, Again.

"Mai? Tulip? Tulip sharma?"

(Me?)

Sanvi nodded, Again.

"Haan."

Tulip looked ready to pass away.

"Aunty... shayad unhe pasand na aaye."

(Aunty... maybe he won't like them.)

Sanvi raised an eyebrow.

"Kyuu?"

(Why?)

Tulip nervously twisted her fingers together. "Unhe to sirf aapke haath ki kaju katli pasand hai na."

(He only likes the kaju katli made by you.)

The words made Sanvi smile knowingly.

A very dangerous smile, the kind mothers get when they know something.

Something everyone else doesn't.

"Aree pagal ladki."

(Silly girl.)

She gently pinched Tulip's cheek.

"Mera beta hai. Main jaanti hu usse."

(He's my son. I know him.)

Then she pushed the container into Tulip's hands. "Jao."

(Go.)

Tulip looked ready to file a complaint against fate.

Unfortunately...

Before she could protest again,

Another voice interrupted.

"Main de deti hu."

(I'll take it.)

Everyone turned.

Rashmi.

Of course.

Rashmi stood there with a smile that looked more forced than natural.

Sanvi's expression immediately cooled.

"No."

The single word was enough.

Rashmi blinked.

"Masi, main-"

(Aunt, I-)

"Phool le jayegi."

(Tulip will take it.)

The tone left absolutely no room for discussion.

Tulip froze.

Rashmi glared.

Sanvi smiled sweetly.

The battle was over.

And Rashmi had lost, again.

With trembling hands and a rapidly b

eating heart, Tulip finally accepted the container and left the kitchen.

The second she disappeared around the corner, Sanvi's smile vanished.

Completely.

She slowly turned toward Rashmi.

For the first time all day, there was no softness in her expression.

No affection, no patience. Nothing

Only warning.

"Rashmi."

The girl straightened immediately.

"Ji?"

(Yes?)

Sanvi looked directly into her eyes.

"Ek baat yaad rakhna."

(Remember one thing.)

Rashmi's stomach dropped.

"Dhruv ki patni Tulip hii banegi."

(Tulip will be Dhruv's wife.)

The kitchen fell silent.

Even the nearby relatives suddenly found their work very interesting, nobody dared interrupt.

Sanvi took a step closer.

"Isliye zyada hoshiyari karne ki koshish mat karna."

(So don't try to act too smart.)

Without waiting for a response, she simply walked away,

Leaving Rashmi standing there.

Humiliated, Furious.

And silently plotting something inside her mind.

Meanwhile, Tulip was dying.

Absolutely dying.

Every step toward Dhruv's room felt like walking toward her execution.

Her heart refused to behave.

Her palms had become sweaty.

And she had already practiced her opening line seventeen times.

Unfortunately every version sounded stupid.

"Hi Dhruv."

No.

Too simple.

"Ye kaju katli."

No.

Too robotic.

"Main bas waise hii..."

Absolutely not.

Hopeless.

She was hopeless.

Finally reaching his room, she stopped outside the door.

Took a deep breath, Then another.

Then another.

Then knocked.

"Come in."

Dhruv's voice immediately made her forget every prepared sentence.

Great. Perfect. Wonderful.

Tulip pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Dhruv was sitting at his desk.

The moment he looked up and saw her,

His expression softened.

Just a little. Just enough.

"Tulip?"

Her heart performed gymnastics.

She quickly held out the container.

"Ye..."

(This...)

Brilliant.

Excellent start.

Very articulate.

Dhruv stood and accepted it.

"Kya hai?"

"Kaju katli."

Dhruv opened the container.

His eyes immediately widened.

The sight alone seemed to surprise him.

Without hesitation, he picked up a piece.

Then another.

Then tasted it.

The reaction was instant.

His eyebrows shot upward.

The surprise on his face was so genuine that Tulip nearly burst with happiness.

"Ye tumne banayi hai?"

(You made these?)

Tulip nodded proudly.

"Kitchen jalaye bina."

(Without destroying the kitchen.)

For a moment, Dhruv simply stared at her.

Then laughed.

A real laugh.

Warm.

Soft.

Beautiful.

The kind that immediately brought dimples to his cheeks.

Tulip almost fainted.

Again.

Taking another piece, Dhruv shook his head.

"Tumhe pata hai?"

(Do you know?)

Tulip blinked.

"Kya?"

(What?)

"Mummy ke baad pehli baar kisi aur ki kaju katli mujhe pasand aayi hai."

(For the first time after my mother's, I've liked someone else's kaju katli.)

Silence.

Complete silence.

Tulip's brain stopped functioning.

Dhruv meanwhile continued eating another piece.

Completely unaware that he had just given the girl enough happiness to survive the next ten years.

And judging by the giant smile spreading across her face...

Tulip Sharma was never going to stop thinking about this moment.

While Tulip remained busy trying not to embarrass herself in front of Dhruv, Trisha had quietly escaped toward the kitchen.

Not because anyone had asked her to help.

But because watching Tulip and Dhruv stare at each other every thirty seconds was becoming physically painful.

Some people suffered from heartbreak.

Trisha suffered from third-wheeling.

The kitchen was buzzing with activity. Sanvi with others were discussing dinner preparations while a few relatives moved around carrying bowls and trays.

Trisha immediately joined in, helping arrange snacks and drinks.

"Aree beta, zara ye tray drawing room mein rakh dena," Sanvi said.

(Beta, take this tray to the drawing room.)

Trisha nodded and carefully lifted the tray.

The problem was,

The tray was ridiculously full.

Several glasses, bowls, and plates balanced on it in a way that should honestly have been illegal.

Still, determined to prove herself useful, she carefully walked toward the living room.

Unfortunately...

She was also looking toward the staircase.

Because a certain someone had just started walking downstairs.

Shayan.

Fresh after changing his clothes, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, looking annoyingly handsome without even trying.

Trisha immediately looked away.

Then looked back.

Then looked away again.

And because life hated her,

Her foot caught the edge of a carpet.

Everything happened in slow motion.

The tray tilted.

The glasses shifted.

Trisha lost her balance.

And her heart nearly stopped.

She was absolutely going to fall.

Except she never reached the floor.

A firm hand suddenly wrapped around her wrist.

Another steadied her shoulder.

The tray wobbled dangerously before becoming stable again.

For a moment, Trisha simply blinked.

Confused.

Then she slowly looked up.

Straight into Shayan's eyes.

Her brain immediately resigned from service.

"Dhyan kaha rehta hai tumhara?" Shayan asked, raising an eyebrow.

(Where is your attention?)

The question sounded simple.

Normal.

Harmless.

Yet Trisha somehow managed to turn red.

Because he was standing way too close. again.

Why did this man keep appearing inside her personal space?

Was he conducting research?

Testing her blood pressure?

Trying to kill her?

"I-I... main dekh rahi thi..." she started before completely forgetting what excuse she was planning to make.

(I-i...was looking...)

Shayan looked unconvinced.

"Clearly."

The corner of his lips twitched.

He was laughing at her.

Actually laughing.

Trisha wanted the floor to open and swallow her.

Carefully taking the tray from her hands, Shayan placed it on a nearby table.

Only then did he notice something.

His gaze dropped.

Straight toward her fingers.

His expression immediately changed.

A small burn mark rested near the side of her hand.

It wasn't serious.

Just a tiny kitchen burn.

But it was enough.

"Ye kab hua?"

(When did this happen?)

Before Trisha could answer, he had already taken her hand.

Just like that.

Casually.

Naturally.

As if it was the most normal thing in the world.

Trisha's soul left her body.

Her heart performed three backflips.

And somewhere in the distance wedding music started playing inside her imagination.

"Main... woh..." she stammered.

(I-i actually...)

"Aaj subah."

(This morning.)

Shayan frowned.

The burn wasn't large.

But the skin around it had turned slightly red.

Without saying another word, he walked toward the kitchen.

Still holding her hand.

Still.

Holding.

Her.

Hand.

Trisha wasn't even sure her feet were touching the floor anymore.

She simply followed him like a confused ghost.

Sanvi exchanged looks with Ranjeet the moment they saw them.

Then immediately looked away.

Because both valued their lives.

Shayan grabbed a small bowl of ice and gently pressed it against her finger.

"Tumhe har kaam mein jaldi hoti hai."

(You rush through everything.)

His voice wasn't angry.

It was concerned.

Which somehow felt worse.

Because concern from Shayan was dangerous.

Very dangerous.

Trisha stared at him.

Six years.

Six entire years.

Six years of stolen glances.

Secret smiles.

Hidden feelings.

And this idiot still had no idea what he was doing to her heart.

Meanwhile, Shayan remained completely unaware of the emotional disaster unfolding in front of him.

He simply focused on the burn.

"Ab dard ho raha hai?"

(Does it hurt now?)

Trisha looked at him.

Then at the ice.

Then at him again.

"No."

The answer came out much softer than intended.

Because honestly?

The burn had stopped hurting the second he held her hand.

For a brief moment neither spoke.

Neither moved.

And for the first time all day, the noise of the house seemed distant.

Just before the silence could become awkward, Dhruv's voice echoed from the living room.

"Shayan!"

Both immediately stepped back.

As though someone had caught them doing something illegal.

"Saved by the Army," Trisha muttered under her breath.

"What?"

Shayan asked.

"Nothing."

Absolutely nothing.

Just her heart.

Dying quietly.

____________________________________

End of chapter 4.

Did you liked it?

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Also, the updates maybe both late and early as I'm currently at my maternal grandparents house.

Also, enjoy these almost-everyday updates as much as you can. Because after 20th June, the updates will get slow as after that my schools will be opened.

Also, 20th June is my birthday🎀

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