Paakhi entered the room.

Siya stirred and slowly woke up. Aarav was already there.

“Didi,” Paakhi said gently, “first get fresh. Your breakfast is coming.”

Siya nodded without a word.

She went into the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror.

The girl staring back at her felt unfamiliar.

She was no longer the cheerful Siya—no laughter, no spark. Just a broken girl carrying a pain too heavy for her heart.

She splashed cold water on her face. As the water ran down, tears mixed with it, and memories echoed in her mind.

She came out of the bathroom and sat quietly on the bed.

Kavita brought food and placed it in front of her. Siya didn’t want to eat, but after insistence, she took a few bites—only enough to stop the concern in their eyes.

siya looked up

“Aunty,” siya said softly, her voice steady but hollow,

“I want to go to my palace.”

Kavita hesitated. “But, daughter—”

“Please, aunty,” Siya said softly. “Let me go.”

Seeing the pain in her eyes, Kavita finally nodded. She turned to Aarav. “Aarav, take her to the palace. But bring her back before lunch.”

Aarav nodded and stood up. Siya rose too. Without another word, they walked out together.

They reached the car. Siya sat silently while Aarav took the driver’s seat and started driving. He kept glancing at her, but she remained quiet—too quiet. The air between them felt heavy, suffocating.

Soon, they arrived at her palace.

Aarav stepped out and opened the door for her. Siya got down and froze as her eyes fell on the palace—her home. Her throat tightened, and her eyes filled with tears.

She walked inside slowly, her gaze roaming over everything she once loved. Each corner held memories. Her steps carried her toward the corridor, Aarav following behind, silent.

She stopped outside Veer’s room.

Memories flooded her mind.

She saw Veer running toward her, smiling.

“Siya, why are you standing there? Come,” he said happily.

He turned and walked into his room… and suddenly disappeared.

“Bhai!” she cried and ran inside.

The room was empty.

Veer was nowhere.

Her strength gave up, and tears streamed down her face. Aarav stood behind her, helpless, watching her break.

Siya wiped her tears with trembling hands and walked out of the room—quiet, shattered, and carrying a pain no one could ease.

Siya reached to her father’s study. Her fingers traced over the objects he once used—papers, pens, the chair he always sat in. Each touch felt like a whisper from the past.

Flashback_

Rajveer was sitting at his desk when Siya appeared. “Papa, I’m alone… what should I do?” she asked, her small face frowning.

“You’re ill, daughter. Go and rest,” Rajveer said kindly.

“I’m not really sick, papa,” she admitted, pouting. “I just pretended because I didn’t want to go to school… but now I’m bored. Veer bhai also went.”

“Siya, you lied,” Rajveer said, feigning disappointment.

She nodded, eyes wide. “Sorry, papa.”

“Never lie again, okay?” Rajveer said with a smile.

She smiled back. Then he patted the chair beside him. “Come, sit beside me.”

She nodded and climbed onto the chair .little siya pause and said. “Papa… mom left us, but you never will, right?”

“I won’t go. I’ll never leave you,” he promised.

“Promise?” she asked, her small voice full of hope.

“Promise,” he said, and Siya’s smile lit up the room.

Flashback End_

Siya’s lips trembled. “Papa…” she whispered, voice breaking. “You didn’t keep your promise. You left me…”

Aarav stood silently beside her. “Don’t cry, Siya,” he said gently.

She didn’t answer, just nodded.

“We should go now,” Aarav said.

She followed him, her hand brushing the walls as if trying to hold onto the echoes of laughter—her father’s and her brother’s—before they faded.

Outside, she climbed into the car. Aarav started driving. She leaned back, lost in memories, silent and heavy.

they reached the Goenka mansion. Siya stepped inside, carrying the weight of the past with every careful step.

After lunch, Siya went to the balcony, gazing outside. Her eyes fell on the sprawling Goenka mansion garden—lush, beautiful, yet silent in a way that made her chest ache.

After a while, Kavita quietly joined her and wrapped her in a gentle hug. Siya rested her head on Kavita’s chest, saying nothing, holding herself together as best as she could, fighting the tears she didn’t want to show.

In evening, Siya sat in her room with Paakhi, while Aarav, Kavita, and his father were in the living room.

Siya turned to Paakhi. “Bring me some water,” she said quietly.

Paakhi nodded and left, leaving Siya alone.

Kavita looked at Aarav. “Aarav…” she began.

“What, mom?” he asked.

“You and Siya,” she said softly.

“I don’t care,” he replied, voice firm. “But I will protect her. No matter what I will always stand with her .”

Kavita shook her head. “It’s a marriage, not a game. I’ll talk to her myself… when she’s ready.”

Aarav fell silent.

A few moments later, Siya appeared. Everyone looked at her as she moved past the threshold.

“Daughter, where are you going?” Kavita asked.

“To the garden,” Siya replied.

“Should I come with you?”

“No need, aunty,” Siya said softly.

“Fine,” Kavita said, and Siya stepped out of the mansion.

After some time, Paakhi came looking for her. “Mom, where’s Didi?”

“She’s outside. Go to her,” Kavita said.

Paakhi went the garden, but it was empty. She checked every corner—bench, fountain, flower beds—but Siya was nowhere to be seen.

Panicked, she ran back to the living room. “Mom! Didi isn’t in the garden!”

Aarav immediately stood up. Kavita frowned. “She must be around…”

Paakhi shook her head worried

Aarav ran outside, asking the watchman.

“Sir… ma’am left in your car. I let her go,” the watchman said nervously.

Aarav exhaled heavily, tension weighing on him. He knew Siya had gone somewhere, and the uncertainty gnawed at him.