Flashback_

Siya was sitting beside Veer.

Veer smirked and said,

“Siya, serve me food.”

“Why?” she asked.

“Because I’m older,” he replied proudly.

She glared at him.

“I’m not your servant. And you’re only two seconds older—so I don’t believe you.”

“Oh really?” Veer challenged.

“Yes,” she said firmly.Rajveer listened quietly, smiling to himself as he ate.

The entire mansion felt alive with their laughter.

Siya smirked.

“Then you serve me.”

Veer frowned.

“Why now?”

“Because I’m younger,” she replied sweetly. “So serve me.”

Veer scoffed.

“You don’t believe I’m older, so I won’t serve you.”

She hit him playfully.

Veer laughed and siya too.

Flashback End_

Tears welled up in Siya’s eyes.

Her throat tightened.

Her chest felt heavy.

Paakhi noticed and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Di…”

Aarav looked at her too, worry clear in his eyes.

Siya quickly wiped her tears.

“I’m okay. You all eat.”

Paakhi insisted softly,

“You eat first.”

Siya forced herself to take a few bites.

After a moment, she stood up.

“I’m done. Good night.”

Without looking back, she walked straight to her room.

She was walking toward the stairs when Aarav looked at her. A dull ache settled in his heart—an ache he didn’t fully understand.

Kavita broke the silence.

“It’s not easy to act normal after so much has happened to someone.”

Everyone looked at her.

“It will take time,” she continued softly, “but one day, she’ll smile and laugh again.”

Paakhi nodded in agreement. Aarav remained quiet, eating without tasting the food.

After dinner, he went to his room and closed the door. Siya wasn’t there.

His gaze shifted to the balcony.

Siya stood there, staring at the stars and the moon, silent tears slipping down her face. Her body trembled as memories—their memories—flooded her mind. She wiped her tears and whispered,

“I hope you both are happy… wherever you are.”

Aarav stood behind her, his heart tightening as he realized she was crying.

“Siya,” he said softly.

Her heartbeat quickened—she didn’t know why.

She quickly wiped the remaining tears and turned to face him.

She whispered, “Yes.”

Aarav took a step toward her, but she stepped back. He stopped immediately, realizing.

“Siya… you should—” he paused, then said softly, “take some rest.”

She nodded and went to the bed. Pulling the blanket around herself, she lay down, turning to the side.

His heart ached at the sight.

The girl who always laughed, fought with him, never bent for anyone—now that same girl lay there silently crying. It felt as if she wasn’t Siya anymore, but someone else entirely.

I will always protect you, Siya. No matter what, Aarav promised himself.

Guilt washed over him. He remembered all the times he had argued with her. More than anything, he wanted the old Siya back.

His phone buzzed.

“Mom,” he murmured as he picked up the call.

“Come to my room,” Kavita said.

He looked at Siya once more—she seemed asleep now. After a moment, he turned and left.

Kavita was sitting in her room when he entered.

“Sit, Aarav,” she said.

Then she asked gently, “Siya?”

“She’s sleeping,” he replied.

Kavita said gently, “Today, I talked to her.”

“I heard, Mom,” he replied.

Kavita smiled.

“So?” she asked.

He said quietly, “I’ll wait for her. I want my old Siya back.”

Kavita’s smile softened. “Good, Aarav. I’m proud of you. Siya is lucky.”

He didn’t say anything.

After a pause, Kavita added, “I’m thinking about something… but not now. When she feels better, then we’ll do it.”

He looked at her. “What?”

“Functions,” Kavita said with a small smile. “You’re my only son, and I have many wishes.”

“Fine, Mom,” he agreed.

Kavita smiled. “Go now.”

He left the room.

When he returned, he saw Siya sleeping peacefully. For a long moment, he just stood there, looking at her.

Then he lay down on the couch, and after some time, he drifted into sleep.

Raj Mittal was sitting on his bed. He was injured, but now much better.

Akhil came to him and said, “Bhai, when you killed both of them, what was the need to stay there? You should’ve just left the girl and come back.”

Raj smirked. “You didn’t see her that day. She was looking beautiful in red… but the fire in her eyes was something else. You know, Akhil, she’s beautiful—more than Bua.”

Akhil looked at him.

Raj continued, “I thought of killing her too, but seeing her defiance, I wanted to marry her… and torture her. But then that Goenka came.”

Akhil sighed.

Raj asked, “But Akhil, where is she now?”

“She’s in the Goenka mansion,” Akhil replied. “But I’ve come to know she tried to commit suicide.”

Raj laughed. “Then there’s no need to do anything to her. But yes… the Goenkas.”