Prologue

Rohan inhaled the aroma of sandalwood and ghee as he entered the Puja room. The ladies in the house were chanting rhythmically. As he bowed his head alongside his father and brother, he recited the ancient mantras, the familiar words resonating through him like a practised song. Outside, the Mumbai dawn painted the sky in hues of saffron and rose, mirroring the auspicious colors of the ceremony.

Rohan was the quintessential perfect son. He excelled in academics, supported the family business, and was unfailingly polite and respectful. He was the peacemaker, the level-headed one who smoothed over sibling arguments with gentle humour and understanding. His parents showered him with affection, their gratitude evident in their every glance. Even his elder brother, Anurag, a more boisterous and independent spirit, confided in Rohan, trusting him with secrets he guarded from the rest of the world. Rohan was, by all accounts, the epitome of the ideal Indian man, a shining example of duty, responsibility, and unwavering family loyalty.

After the puja, everyone rushed towards the courtyard below. Guests had started coming over. Dressed in white, ready to colour each other. It was Holi - a festival of colours and his favourite one.

His fingers tightened around the railing. He stood at the balcony. Down below, amongst the colorful throngs, he saw Shaurya. He was talking with Anurag, his dark hair tousled by the breeze, his smile flashing. Shaurya, his best friend, was Rohan's anchor, a steady presence in a world that often felt overwhelming. Around Shaurya, Rohan felt safe, secure, like he had finally found solid ground beneath his feet.

They were business partners now, building a company from the ground up, brick by meticulous brick. But their bond ran deeper than shared spreadsheets and ambitious targets. Shaurya's encouragement was a constant reminder that he was capable, that he was valued. His understanding was a balm to Rohan's anxieties. Shaurya saw him, truly saw him, beneath the carefully constructed layers of self-doubt.

And for Rohan, Shaurya was something more, something he dared not speak aloud. He was the sun, the gravity, the magnetic pull he couldn't resist. He was the unspoken melody that underscored every shared laugh, every late-night brainstorm.

Shaurya was the man Rohan loved.

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