Kumkum Bhagya: Rishton Ki Ankahi Kahani - Chapter 108 updt on pg 22

Book cover by Prii @SweetButSpicy.

Thanks a million Prii for this wonderful book cover.

Introduction:

This story revolves around the intertwining lives of college students, family feuds, and hidden pasts. At the heart of it are two sisters, Prachi and Rhea, who are unaware of their true bond but locked in an intense rivalry. Their differences come to the forefront when they decide to compete in the college's Fashion Show Extravaganza, each determined to outshine the other.

Adding to the chaos is Ranbir, a charming yet mischievous guy who constantly clashes with Prachi but finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her. Meanwhile, his best friend Aryan and Prachi's cousin Shahana start on a bitter note, setting the stage for a love-hate dynamic of their own.

While the younger generation battles their emotions and egos, darker forces lurk in the background. Priyanka, obsessed with Rishi, plots revenge against Pragya, blaming her for keeping them apart. Elsewhere, Rhea struggles with her conflicted emotions towards Pragya, feeling an inexplicable connection to the woman she is supposed to despise.

But the past holds even more secrets. Sunny, Purab and Disha's estranged son, harbors deep hatred for his father and Aryan, plotting his own path of revenge. Kiara, lost to her family years ago, remains a mystery yet to be uncovered. Sanju, a small-time troublemaker, lurks in the shadows, always ready to stir up drama in Prachi's life whenever he gets the chance. And finally, there's Mishri, Ranbir's sister, who silently harbors feelings for Aryan, even though his heart lies elsewhere.

As love, rivalry, and revenge collide, will the truth about the past heal old wounds, or will it deepen the divides? Will the past repeat itself, or will the new generation rewrite their Kumkum Bhagya?

Character Sketches Of The Main Characters

Some of my readers are having confusions with respect to my characters, so I'm introducing this chapter before episode 1 which has clear details of the all the characters and their cast. The cast for the all the characters are the same as the original series. However the cast of Sunny and Kiara was introduced by me as they have not yet made their entry in the original series. The character sketch of each and every character with respect to my plot is given in detail in this chapter. So, all of you, please go through them and give in your views if you have any.

This Romance Fanfiction is essentionally centered around the YOUNGER GENERATION characters of the famous KKB (Kumkum Bhagya) series; Therefore, the main characters of the series are :

Anupriya Kapoor as Rakhi Nikhil Sood aka Kiara Abhishek Mehra

Biological eldest daughter of Abhi and Pragya and adoptive daughter of Nikhil and Tanu. Inherited singing talent from her father and bad eyesight from her mother, thus has to wear a goggled spectacles. She is cheerful, bubbly, positive and strong except when she is in front of her adoptive parents. Had to go through a HORRIBLE TRAGIC INCIDENT which lands her in the city of DELHI where her REAL PARENTS live. Even though her voice and music ressembles Abhi, her attiude towards life ressembles Pragya.

Manish Goplani as Sunil Sharma aka Sunny Purab Khanna

Purab's first son from Disha. Professionally a fasion designer, which his proved through his own costumes. Introvertive in life with a lot of secrets hidden within himself. He holds a grudge against his dad whom he holds reponsible for being orphaned during childhood, as a result of which he has a very deep hatred for his younger half-brother Aryan whom he feels got everything on which he had a right on. Is a personal aid of Priyanka but does allow her plan to hurt any innocent or his dear ones especially, his CHUCKS Abhi & his family. He always see to the fact that his revenge on his dad and his brother does not affect any one else.

Zeeshan Khan as Aryan Purab Khanna

Purab's second son from Aliyah. Is a happy go lucky personality who leads a very carefree life unaware of the indifferences which exists between his parents and unaware that he as an elder half-brother who has planed a BIG REVENGE against him. He is Ranbir's best-friend and helps him a lot in his love life, which eventually leads himself to fall in love with Shahana.

Aparna Mishra as Shahana Arora

Daljeet Beeji's granddaughter and Pragya's adoptive daughter. She is a chirpy and fun-loving girl. She loves to pull Prachi's legs with Ranbir, which also eventually helps Prachi to realise her love. On the other hand, She too falls love for Aryan through their small constant petty fights and his helping attitude.

Mugdha Chaphekar as Prachi Pragya Arora

Pragya and Abhi's second daughter, Kiara's younger sister and Rhea's elder twin. She was separated from Abhi soon after birth when Pragya and Abhi separted. She has a deep dislike towards her father as she feels her father disowned herself and her mother during her childhood. She is intelligent and hard working. She at first forms a wrong impression on Ranbir due to his flirtatious attitude but later his sweet and caring nature hidden behind his "BAD BOY" image makes her to fall for him.

Naina Singh as Rhea Abhishek Mehra

Pragya and Abhi's youngest daughter. Kiara's youngest sister and Prachi's younger twin. Being an aspiring supermodel, she is arrogant, bossy and stubborn in nature. Separated from Pragya soon after her birth, she was deeply influenced by Aliyah which instills a deep hatred inside her for her mother. However, unbeknownst to the fact, that Pragya is infact her mother, she develops a strong bond of love and respect for Pragya which also brings a positive transformation in her character.

Ranbir Vikram Kohli

Vikram and Pallavi's elder child. His attitude and singing talent ressembles Abhi a lot. Being a good singer and a great football player, he is a college hearthrob of all the women in his college except for Prachi, which often leads into a fight between the two. He always misunderstood that he loves Rhea who just like him is a heathrob of all the men in his college, but later on with the help of Aryan and Abhi, he realizes his true feelings are only for Prachi.

Gautam Nain as Rishi Dhaval

Sarita Behen's daughter, Anuradha's son. He is a very timid person, who doesn't opens up easily about himself to anybody. He shifts into Sarita behen's house after becoming Poorab's employee and befriends Prachi and Shahana. However, his past relationship with Priyanka often lands him in trouble which aggravates with the latter misunderstanding Shahana to be his fiancée. After Shahana's gutsy encounters with Priyanka where everytime, Shahana tackles Priyanka in a tough manner, makes him to develop feelings for her unbeknownst to the fact that Shahana loves Aryan.

Kajal Chauhan as Priyanka Rane

She is one of Abhishek's late friend's daughter. She is just a month older to Rhea but have always been like her twin sister. She is very arrogant in her personality. Unbeknownst to hers and Abhi's family, she has a deep PSYCHOTIC OBSSESION towards Rishi which tends her to hurt or kill anyone who comes in between herself and Rishi.

Pooja Singh as Mishti Vikram Kohli

Vikram and Pallavi's younger child and Ranbir's younger sister. She is a shy girl but also a very naughty prank maker in front of her brother. She thinks that Ranbir loves Rhea and often tries to impress her thinking her to be her "FUTURE BHABHI". She falls for Aryan when the latter saves her from Sanju's molestation during the Diwali fire accident, unbeknownst that Aryan considers her like his own sister.

Manmohan Tiwari as Rohit Gill aka Sanju

A complete jerk in personality from Hoshiarpur. He comes to Delhi to win Prachi, and at first becomes Rhea's aid in her plottings against Prachi. Later, when Rhea has a character reformation, he is called back by Priyanka through Sunny and from that time, he starts spending more time with Sunny, developing a bond of brotherly friendship towards him. He often plays a comic role in ruining the evil ploys of Priyanka.

Chapter 1

New Beginnings, Old Rivalries At the College

The First Clash of Ranbir-Prachi

Prachi hurried across the college corridor, balancing a stack of books in her hands. She was running late for class, thanks to Shahana's endless chatter about the latest Bollywood gossip. As she turned a corner, she collided head-on with someone.

Thud!

Her books tumbled to the ground. She stumbled but quickly steadied herself, only to find a tall, smug-looking guy standing before her, dusting off his jacket as if she had just committed a crime.

"Are you blind or what?" Ranbir snapped, irritation evident in his voice.

Prachi scowled. "Excuse me? You bumped into me!"

Ranbir folded his arms. "Well, maybe if you weren't carrying half a library around, you would've seen where you were going."

Prachi huffed. "Unlike you, some of us actually come to college to study."

Ranbir smirked. "And some of us come to enjoy life. Ever heard of balance, Miss Chikchiki?"

Prachi's eyes narrowed. "What did you just call me?"

"Chikchiki," Ranbir repeated with a teasing grin. "It suits you—always serious and ready to argue."

Prachi crossed her arms. "Well, I have a name, and it's Prachi. Not Chikchiki!"

Ranbir chuckled. "Sure, sure, whatever you say, Chikchiki." He winked and walked off, leaving Prachi fuming.

"Ugh, arrogant jerk!" she thought, collecting her books.

Shahana and Aryan's rocky Start

In the college canteen, Shahana stood in line, her eyes fixed on the last plate of samosas. Just as she reached for it, another hand grabbed it at the same time.

"Hey! That's mine!" she snapped, turning to face a smirking Aryan.

"Says who? I touched it first," Aryan shot back.

Shahana scowled. "No way! I was reaching for it before you barged in like some hungry gorilla!"

Aryan chuckled. "Wow, gorilla? That's original. But sorry, sweetheart, survival of the fittest. And I'm not giving up my samosas."

Shahana narrowed her eyes. "Neither am I."

Before Aryan could react, she swiftly snatched the plate and stuck her tongue out at him.

Aryan blinked. "Did you just—?"

Shahana grinned. "Better luck next time, loser."

Aryan folded his arms, watching her walk away triumphantly. Feisty. This is going to be interesting.

Elsewhere –Mishri's feelings

Mishri sat alone in the library, flipping through a book without actually reading it. Her thoughts were on one person—Aryan.

She had known him forever, growing up alongside him, feeling things she never dared to say.

But Aryan was oblivious. To him, she was just a childhood friend.

Priyanka's Obsession for Rishi and hatred for Pragya

Priyanka sat in her room, scrolling through her phone, stopping at a picture of Rishi. She traced his face on the screen, a bitter smile playing on her lips.

"You were mine, Rishi. You still are."

Her mind swirled with memories—his love, his betrayal, and Pragya's interference.

Priyanka had always been the kind of person who got what she wanted. And what she had wanted most was Rishi.

They had been in a relationship, or at least that's what Priyanka had believed. She had convinced herself that Rishi loved her, that he would always be hers. But Rishi had never felt the same way. To him, Priyanka was obsessive, controlling, and suffocating.

When he finally gathered the courage to end things, Priyanka had refused to accept it. She had tried everything—manipulation, emotional blackmail, even threats. But Rishi had stood firm. He had left her, choosing to distance himself from her toxic love.

And just when she thought she could still find a way to bring him back, Pragya entered the picture.

Pragya had sheltered Rishi when he had nowhere to go, giving him protection and support. Under her guidance, he had found a way to move on, to rebuild his life. Pragya became the shield that Priyanka could not break through.

To Priyanka, Pragya wasn't just a woman who had helped Rishi—she was the woman who had stolen him from her.

Her hatred festered. She blamed Pragya for everything. If Pragya had not interfered, Rishi would have come back to her. If Pragya had not taken him under her wing, he wouldn't have been so confident in rejecting her.

And so, she swore revenge—not just on Rishi, but on Pragya and everyone she loved.

Priyanka knew that attacking Pragya directly wasn't easy. Pragya was strong, wise, and surrounded by people who cared about her. But there was one weakness she had—her daughters.

That's when Priyanka turned her attention to Rhea.

Rhea was the perfect tool—angry, impulsive, and filled with hatred for Prachi. But what made it even better was that Rhea didn't even know the truth which she had known—that Pragya was her mother and Prachi was her sister.

Priyanka played her cards well. She fed Rhea's insecurities, constantly reminding her how Prachi was trying to steal everything from her—her father's attention, her reputation. She made sure Rhea's hatred for Prachi only deepened, knowing that the more Rhea attacked Prachi, the more it would hurt Pragya.

Her ultimate goal?

To destroy both of Pragya's daughters—starting with Prachi.

And the best part?

Rhea would be doing it for her.

"Pragya turned you against me, Rishi. She took you away."

Her fingers curled into a fist. But I won't let her win. I won't let you forget me, Rishi.

Her lips twisted into a smirk. If I can't have you... no one can.

Meanwhile, Rishi was unaware of the storm brewing. He had moved on, finding solace in his friendship with Shahana. He liked her company—she was real, unlike Priyanka, who was all about control.

Rhea's Conflicted Heart

Rhea absentmindedly scrolled through her phone, trying to focus on her friends' conversations about shopping. But her mind was elsewhere.

Prachi. Pragya.

Two names she had spent so much time resenting.

Prachi, for always getting in her way. Pragya, for choosing Prachi over her.

And yet, something didn't make sense. Every time she looked at Pragya, she felt... warmth. A connection.

"Why do I feel attached to her?"

She shook her head. No. Prachi is my enemy. And if Pragya chooses her, then she's against me too.

Still, the unease refused to fade.

The Fashion Show Rivalry Begins

Later that afternoon, the college principal made an announcement.

"This year's Fashion Show Extravaganza will be one of the biggest events of our institution! The competition will be fierce, with India's top fashion designers and Bollywood's fashion icons as judges. I hope all participants are ready to showcase their talent!"

The excitement in the room was palpable. Students started chattering, eager to take part. But in the midst of it all, two girls exchanged challenging glances.

Rhea smirked. "So, Miss Middle-Class, I suppose this isn't your scene?"

Prachi lifted her chin. "Why? Afraid I'll beat you at your own game?"

Rhea scoffed. "Please. This competition is for real fashionistas, not girls who shop at street markets."

Prachi crossed her arms. "Fashion isn't about brands, Rhea. It's about creativity and confidence. And trust me, I have plenty of both."

Rhea's smirk faded slightly, but she quickly masked it. "Fine, if you think you can handle it, let's see who wins."

Prachi met her gaze with equal determination. "Challenge accepted."

Nearby, Shahana groaned. "Oh great. Now we're in a warzone."

Aryan, who had overheard, chuckled. "This is going to be fun."

Ranbir, leaning against a pillar, watched Prachi with interest. He had meant to tease her earlier, but something about her confidence now intrigued him.

"Maybe Miss Chikchiki is more interesting than I thought."

The tension between Prachi and Rhea didn't start in a single moment—it had been brewing from the very first day of college.

Rhea Mehra was the undisputed queen of the campus. Popular, stylish, and confident, she had everything—friends who followed her every word, a lavish lifestyle, and the admiration of almost everyone around her. She was used to being the center of attention, the one people admired and envied in equal measure.

Then came Prachi Arora, the new girl. Simple, principled, and determined, she had no interest in impressing anyone. She was here to study and make something of herself, not to get caught up in meaningless drama. But the moment she stepped into the college, things took a different turn.

The first clash happened over something trivial—a spilled coffee.

Rhea had been walking with her group when Prachi, hurrying to class, accidentally bumped into her, causing Rhea's coffee to spill on her expensive designer dress.

"What the hell?" Rhea snapped, looking down at the stain.

Prachi quickly apologized. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking—"

"Obviously!" Rhea scoffed, flipping her hair. "You're new here, right? Let me give you some advice—watch where you're going. And maybe... dress a little better. You look like you stepped out of a 90s TV show."

Prachi, taken aback, frowned. "I said I was sorry. And for your information, my clothes don't define me."

Rhea smirked. "Of course not. But they do tell us what kind of person you are—boring and basic."

Prachi clenched her fists. "At least I don't judge people based on their clothes. Maybe if you spent less time obsessing over fashion and more on actual studies, you wouldn't be such a shallow person."

Gasps filled the air. No one spoke to Rhea like that.

Rhea's eyes darkened. "You've got some nerve, Prachi."

Prachi held her ground. "And you have too much arrogance."

From that day forward, Rhea saw Prachi as a threat—not just to her social status, but to her very identity. For the first time, someone wasn't afraid of her, wasn't trying to please her. And it infuriated her.

For Prachi, Rhea was everything she stood against—entitled, spoiled, and superficial.

The competition between them only grew worse when teachers started noticing Prachi's academic excellence, sometimes even praising her in front of Rhea. Rhea hated being compared to Prachi. It made her feel as if Prachi was trying to take her place, and she wasn't about to let that happen.

Then came the Fashion Show Announcement.

Rhea, determined to prove she was the best, saw it as the perfect way to humiliate Prachi.

And just like that, their rivalry escalated—not just in academics but now in social prestige too.

Neither knew the truth—that they weren't just rivals.

They were sisters.

-------

To be continued.

Originally posted by: Aleyamma47

KKB "KUMKUM BHAGYA" is a mixture of so many characters, Younger Generation and Older Generation .

Abhigya and Pulbul were the hearthrobs of this show which gave it a hit ranking among the hindi television series.

With the current next generation track being really confusing, this ff will gives a warm surprise to all kkb/kkm fans with a small journey into the lives of Sunny and Kiara who were separated form their respective families very young. Then, how their bhagya brings them together as Kiarsu.

Next Aryan Sunny's younger half-brother is hardly ever shown in the series, here you can also see his life and journey as a good brother and his love to become Arhana.

Finally Pranbir who are supposed to be central figures of the present KKM series also have their love lives shown in this ff.

Nice nice

We would never know what happened to them.

Chapter 2

At the Mehra Mansion

Priyanka paced restlessly in her room, her mind consumed by the conversation she had with Rhea. She muttered to herself, "I hope Rhea agrees to my plan. I need to destroy Pragya by ruining both of her daughters' lives, starting with Prachi." She clenched her fists, recalling Rhea's words.

"I may be a bad girl, but I'm not evil."

Priyanka scoffed. Neither am I, she told herself. I'm not evil—I'm just doing what needs to be done because of Pragya. This is all her fault. Determined, she whispered, "I have to act before Rishi marries that Shahana."

At Abhi's Office

Abhi leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. Turning to Purab, he mused, "I wonder what my elder daughter is like. She must be exactly like my Fuggy—a true embodiment of honesty and kindness."

Purab smiled. "I wanted to ask Pragya di about her, but Aliya kept calling me, and I never got the chance. But I believe she must have taken after Pragya di."

Abhi chuckled. "And what about you? Don't you ever think about your elder son?" His expression softened. "Even though Aliya gave birth to Aryan, in every way that matters, he's your son. He's just, kind, and would never intentionally hurt anyone."

Tears welled in Purab's eyes. "I'm grateful Aryan takes after me, but I know nothing about Sunny. I still remember the day Disha left with him—he clung to my hands, crying, 'Papa, don't let us go.' And yet, I let him slip away. I wonder where he is now..."

Shanti Niketan Ashram, Asola Village, Fatehpur Beri, Delhi

A young man sat in a dimly lit room, gripping a photograph of Purab Khanna. His fingers curled tightly around the edges as his voice seethed with resentment.

"Mr. Purab Khanna—I hate that man."

His jaw clenched as memories of the past flooded his mind. "That day, if he had just held onto my hand, I wouldn't have ended up here. He denied my mother and me as his family. Now, I have no one—no loved ones, no one to call my own. I may be Purab Khanna's son, but I have neither his name nor his family. I am all alone in this vast, unforgiving world." His eyes darkened.

"But not for long. I know exactly what to do. I will make him pay."

A slow, menacing smirk spread across his face. "I will take away the family and love he chose over me. I will make his precious son suffer until he knows what it means to be truly alone. Aryan Khanna, your big brother is coming for you."

Ranbir's Room, Kohli House

Aryan lounged on the couch, grinning. "You know, London is the best place to spot hot girls. Absolute paradise."

Ranbir, lost in thought, barely registered Aryan's words. His mind drifted back to his last encounter with Prachi, the way his heart had suddenly raced at the mere sight of her.

"Hey, Aryan," he said suddenly. "Do you know any reason why someone's heart would start beating really fast out of nowhere?"

Aryan frowned. "What?"

"This morning, it happened to me, and my dad said it was probably because of some beautiful girl," Ranbir admitted. "But that doesn't make sense. The only girl in my life is Rhea."

Aryan smirked. "Was Rhea there when it happened?"

"No."

"Was any other girl there?"

Ranbir hesitated, his mind flashing to Prachi. No... wait... "No," he lied.

Aryan shrugged. "I don't know much about this heart logic, but my dad says when your true love is near, your heart beats fast to tell you she's the one."

Ranbir's eyes widened. True love? Prachi? He shook his head. What am I thinking?

Next Day at College

The principal stood before the gathered students. "This year's fashion show is going to be one of the biggest events in our institution's history. Our judges include India's top fashion designer, Mr. X, Bollywood's fashion diva, Ms./Mrs. Y, and many more. The competition will be tougher than ever, so I hope all participants are well-prepared."

Prachi turned to Shahana in a panic. "Oh no! Even after all my shopping, I still couldn't find exactly what I needed. What do I do now?"

Aryan noticed her distress and immediately informed Ranbir.

Ranbir and Aryan Approach Prachi and Shahana

Ranbir smirked. "What's wrong, Miss Chikchiki? Why do you look so defeated?"

Prachi shot him an irritated glare. "I don't want to talk to you. Just leave."

Shahana sighed. "Even after all our shopping, Prachi couldn't find what she really wanted."

Ranbir shrugged. "Then why don't you just make it yourself?"

Prachi scoffed. "I'm studying to be a teacher, not a fashion designer!"

Ranbir grinned. "See, new trends don't come from supermodels or designers. They start with ordinary people who try something unique for their own comfort. That's how fashion is born! Like me—I'm a trendsetter in this college!"

Prachi rolled her eyes. "Stop talking nonsense."

Shahana, however, looked thoughtful. "Wait, Prachi. He has a point. We already have all the materials—dresses, accessories, cosmetics, footwear. We could put everything together the way you want."

Ranbir snapped his fingers. "Exactly! She gets it!"

Prachi hesitated, then sighed. "But we don't have much time. How can just the two of us handle everything?"

Ranbir grinned mischievously. "Easy—we'll help. Me and Aryan are in."

Aryan's eyes widened. He leaned over to Ranbir and whispered, "Dude, I know nothing about women's fashion."

Ranbir smirked. "Relax, I've got this."

He turned back to Prachi and Shahana. "So, let's do this, guys!"

The four of them placed their hands together in a pact, ready to create the perfect fashion show look.

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To be continued.

Chapter 3:

The Warehouse in Vasant Vihar

Ranbir and Aryan led Prachi and Shahana to a secluded warehouse in Vasant Vihar. As they stepped inside, the dimly lit space smelled of old wood and a faint trace of something musty. Prachi frowned, looking around.

"What kind of place is this?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

Ranbir smirked, folding his arms. "Welcome to our very own Ran's Island."

Prachi arched a brow. "Ran's Island?"

"Yup! Back in our teenage years, Aryan and I used to sneak out here to try smoking cigarettes and have our first sips of beer," Ranbir admitted with a nostalgic grin. "Since our names have the letters 'R,' 'A,' and 'N' in common, we named it Ran's Island."

Shahana chuckled. "You guys are seriously lame."

Ranbir feigned an offended look before adding, "Or maybe we should call it 'Rat's Island' instead. Better watch out for the rats!"

"Rats?!" Prachi, Shahana, and even Aryan shrieked in unison.

Shahana turned to Aryan with wide eyes. "You're a guy, and you're scared of rats?"

Aryan huffed. "Do we really need to be a man or a woman to fear rats? Just focus on shooing them away so we can start working!"

Outside the warehouse, Sunny stood in the shadows, watching them closely. His gaze narrowed as he spotted Aryan.

"What is my little brother doing here?" he muttered to himself, his curiosity piqued.

Disha's Painful Past – A Mother's Sacrifice

At Disha's house, she sat alone in her room, feeling an ache deep in her chest. The slap she had given Hritik earlier that day replayed in her mind, making her sigh.

"I shouldn't have hit him so hard. It was just a prank."

As she tried to push the guilt away, Pragya's words echoed in her mind:

"Do you want to stay alone all your life?"

Disha clenched her fists. "I'm not alone, Di. There's someone waiting for me."

She walked to her cupboard, pulled out an old photograph, and gently traced her fingers over it. It was a picture of Sunny, her son—the same man who had been watching Aryan from the shadows.

Her heart ached as memories came rushing back.

(Flashback)

Disha stood outside Shanti Niketan Ashram, gripping her young son's hand tightly.

"Mamma, I don't want to stay here!" Sunny protested, his small fingers clutching hers.

Disha forced a smile, kneeling to his level. "Don't worry, my son. You'll make so many friends here. And Mamma will come twice a week to meet you."

Tears burned in her eyes as she signed the legal documents, the ink smudging slightly where a teardrop had fallen. As she turned to leave, Sunny ran after her, his voice breaking.

"Mamma, don't leave me! Please, Mamma! Mamma!"

Disha paused, her entire body trembling. She wanted to turn back, to scoop him into her arms and run away, but she forced herself to keep walking.

(Flashback ends)

Tears streamed down her face as she whispered, "I had to do it for your own good, my son."

Disha thought of the harsh reality she had faced—a single mother with no means, no support, disowned by her father and separated from her husband. Society would have never let her son live in peace.

"I didn't want you to grow up hearing hateful whispers, being labeled a 'b*s**rd.' It was better for you to be an orphan than to suffer those cruel taunts."

Her expression hardened. "But no more. I've built my own identity. I've made a name for myself. And soon, Sunny, you will complete your fashion studies and shine. Then, no one will question us. We will be together again."

Back at the Warehouse

Ranbir finally managed to shoo away all the rats. Puffing out his chest, he announced, "When Ranbir is here, there is nothing to fear!"

Prachi crossed her arms. "Shahana, I think we should leave. We shouldn't have trusted Ranbir and come here."

Ranbir groaned. "Come on, Miss Lecturey, don't ruin the mood over a few silly rats."

Shahana intervened, placing a hand on Prachi's shoulder. "Prachi, we don't have much time to prepare for the fashion show. We really need help, so I think we should stay and work together."

Prachi glanced at Shahana, then at Ranbir, before sighing. "Fine. Let's work together."

Ranbir's face lit up. "Good choice, Miss Lecturey! Now, what exactly do you have in mind for the costumes?"

Prachi's eyes gleamed with passion. "I've always loved traditional Indian attire. I want to redefine cotton sarees. People see them as old-fashioned, but they have cultural significance. Instead of heavy designer sarees, I'll add intricate borders and embroidered pallus to bring back their charm."

She continued, "As for salwar kameez, many women avoid wearing dupattas nowadays. But our ancestors included them for a reason. If we design them creatively—maybe with fabric paints, embroidery, or mirror work—women might embrace them again as both comfortable and stylish."

Ranbir raised his brows in admiration. "Not bad, Miss Lecturey. Your fashion sense isn't as boring as I thought!"

Prachi rolled her eyes.

Shahana clapped her hands. "Alright, so how do we start?"

Prachi handed over the materials. "Shahana, you stitch the saree borders, and I'll work on the dupatta and salwar kameez."

Ranbir grinned. "Aryan will help you!"

Aryan's jaw dropped. "Dude, why are you teaming me with her? She nearly ripped my head off last time!"

Ranbir laughed. "Come on, man. That was ages ago. Besides, she'll teach you."

Shahana smirked. "Sure, Ranbir. Come on, MONKEY, let's get to work."

Aryan groaned. "Could you, at least, call me by my name?"

As Shahana demonstrated stitching, Aryan fumbled, pricking his finger hard enough to draw blood.

"Ouch!" he yelped.

Shahana sighed, grabbing his hand. "Can't you be careful? You hurt yourself badly." She instinctively put his finger in her mouth to ease the sting.

Aryan felt his heartbeat quicken. His mind flashed to Ranbir's teasing words from the previous day. "No way... This is just her being dramatic... Right?"

Meanwhile, Ranbir draped different dupattas over Prachi, evaluating them.

"Pink? Too bright. Navy blue? Too dark. Green? Looks like leaves on cow dung."

Prachi shot him a death glare.

Finally, he picked a beige one and unknowingly draped it around her head. As he looked at her, he was momentarily stunned. "Beautiful," he murmured.

Prachi's eyes widened in surprise. Their gazes locked, the air suddenly thick with an unspoken emotion.

Realizing what had just happened, they quickly looked away, both feeling the heat rise in their cheeks.

Ranbir cleared his throat. "Let's finalize this one. It'll go great with a black salwar kameez."

Prachi nodded wordlessly.

As they continued working, none of them noticed the time slipping by.

When Prachi finally checked her watch, she gasped. "Oh no! I'm late! I need to get to the office!"

Ranbir smirked. "Relax. I'll drop you off. And don't worry, I won't overspeed."

Prachi hesitated before sighing. "Thanks."

Ranbir's eyes widened. "Miss Lecturey just thanked me?"

Prachi rolled her eyes. "Yes. Without you, this wouldn't have been possible."

Ranbir's heart did a little flip, but he masked it with his usual grin.

Little did they know, Sunny had witnessed everything from the shadows, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Aryan doesn't realize what's happening to him... but I do. And now, I have my first weapon against him."

At Mehra Mansion

Rhea sat in her room, sobbing uncontrollably as Abhi's angry face flashed before her eyes. The way he had raised his hand against her shattered her heart, and Aliya's words about "middle-class women" echoed painfully in her mind. Her thoughts drifted to Ranbir and Prachi, fueling her worries. But then, another realization struck her— Not all middle-class women are the same.

She wiped her tears as she recalled how Pragya Aunty had stood by her today, understanding her pain and offering comfort—something her own mother should have done. A fresh wave of emotions engulfed her as she whispered, "I wish she had been my mother."

However, Priyanka's warning replayed in her mind like a sinister reminder. Clenching her fists, she resolved, "I can't afford to take Prachi lightly. I will never let her come between me and Ranbir."

Just then, Aryan and Shahana walked into the mansion. Rhea quickly wiped her tears and turned to them.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone sharp.

Aryan started to explain, "Oh, Ranbir and I were just helping Prachi and Shahana—"

Before he could finish, Shahana subtly stepped on his foot. A jolt of electricity ran through Aryan's body, his heart thudding in his chest. He looked at her in confusion, but she discreetly gestured for him to stay quiet.

Clearing his throat, Aryan continued, "Actually, Ranbir had to pick up some files from Prachi's house. While coming back, he decided to drop her at the office and asked me to take Shahana to college. That's all."

Rhea eyed them suspiciously but nodded. "Alright," she said and walked off, a smirk creeping onto her face. "Ranbir is playing along perfectly. Priyanka's warning was unnecessary. There's no need for her stupid plan."

As soon as she was gone, Aryan turned to Shahana with an exasperated look. "Now that Rhea is out of sight, can you please get your foot off mine?"

Shahana blinked, realizing what she had done. "Oh, sorry."

Aryan sighed. "Just wait here while I change." As he walked to his room, he frowned, "Why do I keep feeling this strange rush every time Shahana gets close to me?"

In the Living Room

Shahana sat on the sofa, flipping through a magazine when Priyanka emerged from her room. Her eyes instantly darkened upon seeing her.

The memory of Rishi holding Shahana in his arms flashed in her mind, fueling her jealousy. She recalled how Daljit had proudly declared Shahana as Rishi's fiancée. The very thought made Priyanka's blood boil.

Clenching her fists, she stormed to the dining table, her eyes locking onto a knife. Without a second thought, she picked it up and started towards Shahana.

Just as she was about to reach her, Aryan's voice broke the tension.

"Priyanka, don't you have office today?"

Priyanka froze. Quickly, she slipped the knife behind her back and forced a smile.

"Oh, I took a few days off."

Aryan nodded absentmindedly and turned to Shahana. "Wait outside; I'll just grab a bottle of water."

Shahana shrugged and walked towards the door. As she stepped outside, there was a knock.

Priyanka turned, her expression shifting when she saw the visitor. It was Sunny. She subtly gestured for him to enter.

As Sunny stepped inside, a flood of emotions washed over him. Memories of the day he had left Mehra Mansion resurfaced—the pain, the heartbreak, the betrayal. His gaze roamed around the house, lingering on the place he once called home.

Priyanka, sensing his turmoil, broke the silence. "Aryan, how do you know that girl?"

Aryan, still distracted, replied, "Oh, we study at the same college. Why?"

Priyanka smirked. "Because she is engaged to our employee, Rishi. In short, she's his would-be wife."

Aryan froze. A sharp pang shot through his chest as the words sank in. His mind reeled, trying to process what he had just heard.

Sunny, standing beside them, smirked maliciously, watching Aryan's reaction unfold like a script he had written himself.

_________

To be continued.

Guys I've introduced Sunny already who is a negative character right now but will turn positive later, Kiara will be introduced after some time. Even though the other characters are already been represented by some actors, the character of Sunny and Kiara are not yet donned by anyone. While writing this story, I felt Manish Gopalani would essay the role well after seeing his antagonist role in AKAJ. While for Kiara being Prachi-Rhea's elder sister, I think Anupriya from "Tere Liye" would fit into that role well. If you think of some other names, please do suggest in the comments.

Chapter 4:

Guys in the previous chapter we saw how Ranbir and Aryan help Prachi and Shahana to get the costumes for Prachi's fashion event ready, while Sunny was spying over Aryan in order to avenge him. Rhea was distressed after being scolded by her dad but gets happy knowing Ranbir is still working with her plan. Priyanka is furious after seeing Shahana in her house and reveals to Aryan that she is Rishi's fiancée, who is shocked to hear that, meanwhile Sunny who is also present there is glad seeing his brother's reactions. This episode continues after that

At Mehra Mansion

Aryan stood frozen, his mind racing as he tried to process Priyanka's revelation. His voice came out barely above a whisper.

"How do you know that?"

Priyanka smirked, enjoying his reaction. "Rishi's Nani told me. And I've seen it with my own eyes—she came to our office once. I caught her in Rishi's arms."

A strange chill ran down Aryan's spine. His heart clenched at the thought, but he had no words left to say. He turned away and walked toward the exit, his steps slow and heavy, as if carrying an invisible weight.

Watching him leave, Sunny's lips curled into a malicious smile.

Then, turning back to Priyanka, he spoke in a professional tone. "Ma'am, I was called by Miss Priyanka regarding the costume designing for the band members and singers for the upcoming INTERNATIONAL CONCERT organized by Fusion Beats."

Priyanka crossed her arms. "I am Priyanka. And for the record, Fusion Beats is Mr. Purab Khanna's company."

Sunny's eyes darkened with determination. That's exactly why I want to join it.

Interrupting his thoughts, Priyanka asked, "By the way, what's your name?"

For a moment, Sunny's expression faltered. His true name—his real identity—had been stolen from him long ago. But masking his emotions, he responded, "Sunil Sharma."

Priyanka raised an eyebrow. "I heard you're a fresher in this field. Let me check your profile."

She flipped through the documents and let out an impressed hum. "Hmm... Topper from NIFT Delhi—the best fashion institute in India."

Sunny smiled confidently. "Yes, Ma'am. Just give me a chance. I desperately want to join Fusion Beats. I promise I can show you what I'm capable of."

Priyanka's expression turned indifferent. "It's impossible."

Sunny's confidence wavered. "But why, Ma'am?"

Priyanka sighed. "Look, I know you're academically brilliant. But you have zero experience. Our company has a reputation to uphold—we can't take a risk by hiring a fresher like you."

Sunny clenched his fists. "Please, Ma'am. Just one chance."

Priyanka turned away dismissively. "I'm sorry."

But Sunny wasn't ready to give up. His mind raced. No, I can't let this go. I have to get into Fusion Beats.

"Ma'am, name anything. I'll do any kind of job at Fusion Beats."

Priyanka halted her steps, smirking. Turning back to him, she said, "Okay. I'll talk to Chucks. You are now the designer for the International Concert."

Sunny's eyes widened in surprise. "But Ma'am, I thought you didn't want to hire me because I'm a fresher?"

Priyanka's smirk deepened. "Yes, but you'll have to do something for me in return."

Curious, Sunny asked, "What do you need me to do?"

Priyanka's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Did you see the girl who walked out just as you arrived?"

Sunny's jaw tightened. Of course, I know her.

"Yes, Ma'am."

Priyanka continued, "In our office, there's an employee named Rishi. He's engaged to that girl. I want you to keep a close watch on the two of them and report everything to me."

Sunny let out a smirk. "I would have done that even if you hadn't asked."

"Consider it done, Ma'am."

Priyanka nodded approvingly. "Then be at Fusion Beats tomorrow at 8:00 A.M. sharp. You'll be meeting Mr. Abhishek Mehra."

Sunny's lips curled into a satisfied smirk. "Thank you, Ma'am."

As he walked away, his thoughts burned with determination. Now, no one can stop me.

Meanwhile, Priyanka whispered to herself, "I know you're no longer working at Fusion Beats, Rishi. But I'll make sure you return. And even if you're not near me... I'll have my spy watching your every move." A sinister smile spread across her lips.

On the Road – Aryan and Shahana

Aryan rode his bike in silence, Priyanka's words echoing in his mind. His grip on the handlebars tightened as frustration clouded his thoughts.

Beside him, Shahana noticed his distracted state and suddenly spotted a deep pit in front of them.

"Watch out, Aryan!!!"

But it was too late. The bike skidded violently, and both of them were thrown off balance. They crashed onto the road with a harsh thud.

Aryan groaned, his elbow and knee scraping against the rough asphalt. Shahana winced, clutching her ankle, her hands stinging from the fall.

Despite his pain, Aryan quickly got up and rushed to Shahana. "I'm so sorry, Shahana! I... I didn't see the pit."

Before Shahana could respond, a small crowd gathered around them.

Through the crowd, Sarita Behen and Rishi pushed their way forward, their faces filled with concern.

Rishi's eyes widened in shock. "Shahana! What happened?"

Shahana blinked, surprised. "Rishi? What are you doing here?"

Rishi waved off her question. "Forget about me! I came to help Nani with the deliveries. What happened to you?"

Shahana forced a weak smile. "It's just a small accident. The bike skidded."

Sarita Behen's concern quickly turned into anger. She turned to Aryan and scolded, "Young boys like you have no respect for your own life—or anyone else's!"

Shahana winced. "Sarita Auntie, don't scold him. I'm fine."

But Rishi wasn't convinced. "Fine? Look at yourself! You're bleeding! You can't even stand properly!"

His gaze shifted toward Aryan, and a protective instinct flared within him. "Who is he?"

Shahana sighed. "He's Mr. Mehra's nephew—Aryan Khanna."

Sarita Behen's frustration only grew. "Now I understand! Rich, spoiled kids like you think nothing matters—because your parents will always take care of everything. But what about Shahana? She doesn't have rich parents like you!"

Aryan clenched his jaw but said nothing.

Feeling bad, Shahana tried to diffuse the tension. "Sarita Auntie, even he is hurt badly. Let's just go to the hospital."

Sarita Behen huffed. "Come, let's go." She then turned to Aryan. "For you, an ambulance with doctors would be here in no time. But for her, we have to take an auto. And more than three people can't fit in an auto."

She turned to Rishi. "Pick her up."

Without hesitation, Rishi lifted Shahana into his arms.

Aryan stood frozen, his heart twisting at the sight. His fists clenched as he watched them disappear into the distance.

Shahana, still in Rishi's arms, turned back one last time, her gaze lingering on Aryan—until he was no longer in sight.

At Pragya's House

Pragya sat in her room, lost in thought. Rhea's words echoed in her ears—the pain in her voice, the tears in her eyes.

"I hate my mother."

A deep sadness settled in Pragya's heart. My younger daughter is also away from me. Does she hate me too? Does she think I abandoned her?

Her eyes brimmed with tears.

"I wish I could just see her once... tell her the truth—that I never left happily. That I was helpless. That every single day after that, I wept for her."

"Prachi was with me, but my heart always worried about you—what you eat, how you dress, how you've grown up."

"I wish I could hold you in my arms, kiss you, and tell you how sorry I am... how much I love you."

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she whispered, "I'm waiting for that day, my child..."

--------

To be continued

Chapter 5:

Fusion Beats – Sunny's Painful Memories

Standing in front of Fusion Beats, Sunny is lost in memories of the past. He recalls the first time he entered the fashion company with Purab.

Flashback

A younger Sunny walks alongside his father inside the company. Eyes filled with excitement, he tugs at Purab's hand and asks,
"Pappa, when I grow up, will I work for your company?"

Purab smiles at his son's curiosity. "That depends on you and your passion. Do you like managing business deals and handling clients?"

Sunny pouts, shaking his head. "No, it's too boring!"

Purab chuckles. "Then what does my little boy like?"

After a moment of deep thought, Sunny's eyes light up. "I love picking out cool clothes! Pappa, you always wear boring suits. Look at Abhi Chachu—his outfits are so stylish! When I grow up, I'll design even cooler clothes for you and Abhi Chachu!"

Purab laughs, ruffling his son's hair. "Well then, we don't need to look for a costume designer. My Junior Khanna is ready to take charge!"

The father and son share a heartfelt laugh as the scene fades back to the present.

Present

A sad smile plays on Sunny's lips. "I did it, Pappa. I became a costume designer at Fusion Beats... but not as Junior Khanna, not as your son, but as someone else."

Just then, his thoughts are interrupted as Purab steps out of the office, talking on his phone. For a fleeting second, all of Sunny's anger and hatred dissolve. His heart races, and before he knows it, he opens his mouth to call out—

"Pappa—"

But at that exact moment, another voice rings out from behind.

"Dad!"

Purab turns around, his face instantly filled with worry. Aryan stands there, slightly injured, supported by a stranger.

Purab rushes toward him. "Aryan! What happened? How did you get hurt?"

Aryan waves off his concern. "Relax, Dad! It's just a scratch on my elbow and knee."

Purab scolds him, his voice laced with worry. "Just a scratch?! You're bleeding! Tell me what happened!"

Aryan sighs. "I was on my way to basketball practice. I didn't see a pit, skidded my bike, and fell."

Purab shakes his head in frustration. "Aryan, you need to be more careful! Come, sit down and have some water. Why didn't you go to a hospital first?"

Aryan shrugs. "Your office was closer, so I asked this guy to drop me here."

Purab frowns. "What nonsense! Aryan, you are Mr. Junior Khanna. You don't need your dad—anyone in this city would be glad to help you!"

Hearing those words, Sunny's heart shatters. Tears well up in his eyes.

Purab continues fussing over Aryan. "Come, I'll take you to the hospital. Did you inform your mom?"

Aryan shakes his head. "No, Dad. She's already stressed. I didn't want to worry her."

Purab nods. "That's right. Just tell her something else when she asks about your injuries."

Aryan sighs. "Fine, Dad."

As Purab and Aryan leave, Sunny remains frozen in place, his heart filled with agony and rage.

"Wow, Pappa. You're a proud and caring father... but only for one son. Do you even remember you have another? Now, I will show you the pain of being a father. I will make Aryan fall so low in your eyes that you will regret every single day of your life for choosing him over me."

His eyes darken. "And I know exactly what I have to do."

Abhi's Office – A New Friendship?

Ranbir enters the office with a smirk. "All set! I spoke to Dad—you don't need to work overtime anymore. Go home, rest, and prepare for the fashion event. I'll handle your work or pass it on to someone else."

As he turns to leave, Prachi calls out. "Coffee?"

Ranbir halts, raising an eyebrow. "What?"

He spins around dramatically. "The same girl who pushed me away when I offered coffee yesterday is now inviting me herself? Are you serious?"

Prachi sighs. "Look, I felt bad for the way I behaved. You were planning Gulaal's birthday, and then we got locked in the office together... I realized you're not really the flirt I thought you were."

Ranbir smirks. "Oh? So what am I, then?"

Prachi hesitates before admitting, "A good person."

Ranbir blinks, pleasantly surprised. His teasing expression softens. "Wow... I actually like the sound of that."

Prachi rolls her eyes. "Also, after seeing Rhea here with you last night, I understood one thing—you have no interest in girls like me."

Ranbir dramatically sniffs the air. "Oh ho! I can smell something... it's called jealousy!"

Prachi shakes her head. "You're impossible! Didn't we agree yesterday to be friends? At least to annoy each other?"

Ranbir chuckles. "True. So does my new friend want to have coffee?"

Prachi nods. "Of course."

As she walks ahead, Ranbir lingers for a moment, watching her with a small smile before following.

Pragya's House – Shadows of the Past

Sitting in her room, Pragya's mind is consumed with thoughts of Rhea. "I need to talk to Mr. Mehra. He must know about her emotional state—he needs to take care of her."

Her thoughts drift to last night's encounter with Abhi. The way he looked at her, the emotions in his eyes... a soft smile appears on her lips as "Allah Waariyan" plays in the background.

Her moment of reminiscence is broken when the door bursts open. Sarita Behen and Rishi enter, helping an injured Shahana.

Pragya rushes forward. "Shahana! What happened? How did you get hurt?"

Sarita Behen frowns. "It's all because of that rich, spoiled brat!"

Pragya frowns. "Who?"

Shahana interrupts. "It's nothing, Maasi! It wasn't his fault."

Sarita Behen huffs. "Not his fault?! These rich people think they can do whatever they want!"

Hearing this, Rishi and Pragya exchange glances, both reminded of Priyanka's manipulative nature.

Pragya's face darkens with worry. "I have already lost two daughters... I can't let anything happen to you or Prachi!"

Everyone is stunned. Sarita Behen's eyes widen. "Two daughters?"

Realizing her slip, Pragya quickly corrects herself. "I meant... I have already lived through the fear of losing them. I can't go through it again."

As the conversation ends, Pragya retreats to her room, where a silent tear escapes her eye. She whispers, "Kiara, Mamma misses you so much..."

Mussoorie – A Hidden Truth

Miles away, in the serene town of Mussoorie, a young woman walks along the streets, a bag of books slung over her shoulder. She pauses to play with schoolchildren, blowing soap bubbles into the air before entering a small house.

"Mamma!" she calls out.

From inside, Tanu appears with a smirk. "Years ago, you lost your daughter, Pragya. And that very day... I became her mother."

She steps forward, placing a possessive hand on the young woman's shoulder.

"She is not Kiara anymore. She is my Rakhi."

She smirks, as the screen fades to black.

---------

To be continued.

Chapter 5:

Fusion Beats – Sunny's Painful Memories

Standing in front of Fusion Beats, Sunny is lost in memories of the past. He recalls the first time he entered the fashion company with Purab.

Flashback

A younger Sunny walks alongside his father inside the company. Eyes filled with excitement, he tugs at Purab's hand and asks,
"Pappa, when I grow up, will I work for your company?"

Purab smiles at his son's curiosity. "That depends on you and your passion. Do you like managing business deals and handling clients?"

Sunny pouts, shaking his head. "No, it's too boring!"

Purab chuckles. "Then what does my little boy like?"

After a moment of deep thought, Sunny's eyes light up. "I love picking out cool clothes! Pappa, you always wear boring suits. Look at Abhi Chachu—his outfits are so stylish! When I grow up, I'll design even cooler clothes for you and Abhi Chachu!"

Purab laughs, ruffling his son's hair. "Well then, we don't need to look for a costume designer. My Junior Khanna is ready to take charge!"

The father and son share a heartfelt laugh as the scene fades back to the present.

Present

A sad smile plays on Sunny's lips. "I did it, Pappa. I became a costume designer at Fusion Beats... but not as Junior Khanna, not as your son, but as someone else."

Just then, his thoughts are interrupted as Purab steps out of the office, talking on his phone. For a fleeting second, all of Sunny's anger and hatred dissolve. His heart races, and before he knows it, he opens his mouth to call out—

"Pappa—"

But at that exact moment, another voice rings out from behind.

"Dad!"

Purab turns around, his face instantly filled with worry. Aryan stands there, slightly injured, supported by a stranger.

Purab rushes toward him. "Aryan! What happened? How did you get hurt?"

Aryan waves off his concern. "Relax, Dad! It's just a scratch on my elbow and knee."

Purab scolds him, his voice laced with worry. "Just a scratch?! You're bleeding! Tell me what happened!"

Aryan sighs. "I was on my way to basketball practice. I didn't see a pit, skidded my bike, and fell."

Purab shakes his head in frustration. "Aryan, you need to be more careful! Come, sit down and have some water. Why didn't you go to a hospital first?"

Aryan shrugs. "Your office was closer, so I asked this guy to drop me here."

Purab frowns. "What nonsense! Aryan, you are Mr. Junior Khanna. You don't need your dad—anyone in this city would be glad to help you!"

Hearing those words, Sunny's heart shatters. Tears well up in his eyes.

Purab continues fussing over Aryan. "Come, I'll take you to the hospital. Did you inform your mom?"

Aryan shakes his head. "No, Dad. She's already stressed. I didn't want to worry her."

Purab nods. "That's right. Just tell her something else when she asks about your injuries."

Aryan sighs. "Fine, Dad."

As Purab and Aryan leave, Sunny remains frozen in place, his heart filled with agony and rage.

"Wow, Pappa. You're a proud and caring father... but only for one son. Do you even remember you have another? Now, I will show you the pain of being a father. I will make Aryan fall so low in your eyes that you will regret every single day of your life for choosing him over me."

His eyes darken. "And I know exactly what I have to do."

Abhi's Office – A New Friendship?

Ranbir enters the office with a smirk. "All set! I spoke to Dad—you don't need to work overtime anymore. Go home, rest, and prepare for the fashion event. I'll handle your work or pass it on to someone else."

As he turns to leave, Prachi calls out. "Coffee?"

Ranbir halts, raising an eyebrow. "What?"

He spins around dramatically. "The same girl who pushed me away when I offered coffee yesterday is now inviting me herself? Are you serious?"

Prachi sighs. "Look, I felt bad for the way I behaved. You were planning Gulaal's birthday, and then we got locked in the office together... I realized you're not really the flirt I thought you were."

Ranbir smirks. "Oh? So what am I, then?"

Prachi hesitates before admitting, "A good person."

Ranbir blinks, pleasantly surprised. His teasing expression softens. "Wow... I actually like the sound of that."

Prachi rolls her eyes. "Also, after seeing Rhea here with you last night, I understood one thing—you have no interest in girls like me."

Ranbir dramatically sniffs the air. "Oh ho! I can smell something... it's called jealousy!"

Prachi shakes her head. "You're impossible! Didn't we agree yesterday to be friends? At least to annoy each other?"

Ranbir chuckles. "True. So does my new friend want to have coffee?"

Prachi nods. "Of course."

As she walks ahead, Ranbir lingers for a moment, watching her with a small smile before following.

Pragya's House – Shadows of the Past

Sitting in her room, Pragya's mind is consumed with thoughts of Rhea. "I need to talk to Mr. Mehra. He must know about her emotional state—he needs to take care of her."

Her thoughts drift to last night's encounter with Abhi. The way he looked at her, the emotions in his eyes... a soft smile appears on her lips as "Allah Waariyan" plays in the background.

Her moment of reminiscence is broken when the door bursts open. Sarita Behen and Rishi enter, helping an injured Shahana.

Pragya rushes forward. "Shahana! What happened? How did you get hurt?"

Sarita Behen frowns. "It's all because of that rich, spoiled brat!"

Pragya frowns. "Who?"

Shahana interrupts. "It's nothing, Maasi! It wasn't his fault."

Sarita Behen huffs. "Not his fault?! These rich people think they can do whatever they want!"

Hearing this, Rishi and Pragya exchange glances, both reminded of Priyanka's manipulative nature.

Pragya's face darkens with worry. "I have already lost two daughters... I can't let anything happen to you or Prachi!"

Everyone is stunned. Sarita Behen's eyes widen. "Two daughters?"

Realizing her slip, Pragya quickly corrects herself. "I meant... I have already lived through the fear of losing them. I can't go through it again."

As the conversation ends, Pragya retreats to her room, where a silent tear escapes her eye. She whispers, "Kiara, Mamma misses you so much..."

Mussoorie – A Hidden Truth

Miles away, in the serene town of Mussoorie, a young woman walks along the streets, a bag of books slung over her shoulder. She pauses to play with schoolchildren, blowing soap bubbles into the air before entering a small house.

"Mamma!" she calls out.

From inside, Tanu appears with a smirk. "Years ago, you lost your daughter, Pragya. And that very day... I became her mother."

She steps forward, placing a possessive hand on the young woman's shoulder.

"She is not Kiara anymore. She is my Rakhi."

She smirks, as the screen fades to black.

---------

To be continued.

Chapter 6:

In the last chapter, we were introduced to Kiara, who has been raised as Rakhi by Tanu in Mussoorie. Now a grown woman, it's time to uncover what happened in her past and how her life has turned out.

Mussoorie – Tanu's House

Rakhi (actually Kiara, renamed by Tanu) excitedly calls out:

"Mamma! Mamma! Where are you? Look what I want to show you!"

Tanu steps out, irritated. "What is it, Rakhi? Why are you screaming at the top of your voice?"

Beaming with pride, Rakhi rushes to her, holding a trophy and a certificate in her hands.

"Mamma, look! I won first place in the state-level music competition! The judge was so impressed with my singing that he even asked me to sing for his next album!"

Tanu takes the trophy and certificate, examines them for a moment, and suddenly yanks her hand back, twisting Rakhi's wrist harshly.

Rakhi cries out in pain. "Mamma, Mamma, leave my hand! It hurts!"

Tanu's eyes narrow. "When did you participate in this competition without my knowledge?"

Through her tears, Rakhi explains, "Mamma, my friends encouraged me. They said if I participated, my talent would be recognized, and it would make you proud!"

Tanu shoves her to the ground, grabs her by the hair, and hisses, "But don't you know how much I hate your singing? Then why did you sing? WHY?"

Rakhi, still sobbing, pleads, "Mamma, I just wanted to make you happy! And I thought the prize money would be a great help for our family."

Tanu freezes. "Prize money?"

Rakhi nods, "Yes, Mamma! As the first-prize winner, I received a cash prize of ₹1 lakh!"

Tanu's rage instantly melts into a smirk. "Well, this time, I'll forgive you. But don't you ever dare let the outside world hear your voice again—no matter the reason. Otherwise, I'll have to let your 'father' handle you!"

Rakhi's eyes widen in terror. Trembling, she scrambles to her feet and runs out of the house, tears streaming down her face.

At the Church

Still crying, Rakhi runs through the streets, clutching her dupatta over her head. She reaches a church, steps inside, and kneels before a statue of Mother Mary.

Through her sobs, she prays,

"Dear Mother, they say you sacrificed your child for the world, and in return, he made you the mother of all. Every child sees a reflection of you in their mother. Then why is my mother nothing like you?"

Tanu's House – Her Darkest Secrets

Back at home, Tanu smirks to herself, her voice dripping with venom.

"I am NOT your mother, Rakhi. I am your punisher. And I am making you suffer for the sins your real mother committed against me."

Her mind drifts back to the past.

"Pragya, you should have never taken my place in Abhi's life. I wanted to punish you by killing you and your twin daughters, but fate had something better planned for me. Fate gave me your firstborn—the daughter who brought you and Abhi together, the one who stole Abhi from me!"

She remembers that day—when Nikhil took Kiara to the cliff's edge.

Abhi and Pragya were pleading for their daughter's life, while Tanu, disguised in sunglasses and a headscarf, whispered under her breath:

"Come on, Nikhil. Jump! Jump!"

Nikhil jumped with Kiara, but instead of plummeting to her death, they landed safely onto a hidden net below.

Kiara tried to scream, "Mamma! Mamma!" But before she could, Nikhil pressed a chloroform-soaked handkerchief over her face, making her unconscious.

By the time Abhi, Pragya, and the others rushed to the cliff's edge, Kiara was already gone.

Flashback Ends.

Tanu laughs maniacally.

"Fortunately, my plan worked! Not only did I take Kiara away from Pragya, but it also tore Abhi and Pragya apart! But I wasn't satisfied with just that—I erased every memory Kiara had of them. She doesn't know who she is or where she came from. All she knows is the story I fed her.

She believes that I am her mother... and Nikhil is her father.

And poor Kiara—she loves me blindly, just like she loved her real mother. She tries so hard to impress me. But I? I take every chance I get to break her, to make her suffer just as I wanted Pragya to suffer!"

At the Church – Rakhi's Pain

Standing before the crucifix, Rakhi clutches her heart.

"My voice is a blessing from God. Then why does Mamma hate it? Why doesn't she want me to sing? Why does she want my voice to remain unheard?"

Tanu's House – The Darkest Truth

Tanu's smirk deepens.

"Of course, Rakhi is the daughter of the famous Rockstar—Abhishek Mehra. She has his blood... his voice... his talent. But I will never let the world hear it. I will make sure her voice becomes a curse that suffocates her to death!"

Her eyes gleam with sadistic pleasure as she whispers,

"And that's not all, Pragya. Your daughter's sufferings don't end there."

She shudders in twisted delight as she recalls another horrifying truth.

"Nikhil could never satisfy his desires with me, no matter how long we stayed together. But then Kiara... she started growing up. She became a young woman. And soon, she caught Nikhil's lustful gaze."

A wicked smile spreads across Tanu's lips.

"The hunger he couldn't satisfy with me, he wanted to satisfy with Rakhi. Slowly, night after night, he crept into her room. But your daughter, Pragya, she is just like you—bold and intelligent. She fought back, she resisted. She even came to me for help. And do you know what I did? I blamed HER. I made her feel guilty for 'accusing' her father! While in reality... she was the true victim of his filthy desires!"

She chuckles.

"Nikhil's mother, Mrs. Saroja Sood, and his younger brother, Sunil, tried to stop him... but they failed. Even today, Nikhil continues to torment her. And that is why she fears the word 'father' so much."

Tanu lets out a cold, cruel laugh.

"Look at your daughter now, Pragya. The precious Kiara who was once the apple of your and Abhi's eyes... is now rotting in HELL."

At the Church – A Cry for Help

Overcome with pain, Rakhi collapses at the foot of the crucifix, whispering:

"Mamma... Pappa..."

At Abhi & Pragya's Homes – A Sudden Connection

At that very moment, Abhi and Pragya feel a strange ache in their hearts.

Abhi rushes to check on Rhea, while Pragya checks on Prachi—both are sound asleep.

Still unsettled, they gaze at the moon, wondering,

"Who called me?"

---------

To be continued

Author's Note

This chapter was solely dedicated to Kiara. No other characters were highlighted as this was meant to introduce her tragic story.

What do you think about Kiara's fate? Leave your thoughts in the comments!