Prologue
Riddhima felt her brain short out as her eyes tried to make sense of what she was seeing. She felt her head swim for a moment and looked down at the suspiciously bitter mango juice she had been handed by her husband, wondering briefly whether he had spiked the beverage.
Feeling herself sway into Vansh, she mentally slapped herself and tried to pull herself together. How could she though? What she was seeing was refusing to make sense to her. She was currently surrounded by the Raisinghanias, her family, dressed in her party best, greeting Ishani’s boyfriend. Ishani, the prickly one of Vansh’s sisters had announced some days ago that her boyfriend was returning after a year in Malaysia. He was invited to lockdown and isolate with the Raisinghania family, and Ishani had insisted on a grand celebration to welcome him back. Even though, due to COVID, no one else could attend the celebration, the family decided to dress up for the occasion.
Vansh was very verbal in his disapproval of this arrangement, however assented to Ishani’s demands, setting strict boundaries for the boyfriend to follow, including occupying a separate bedroom and keeping his hands to himself as much as possible.
It had been endearing to watch Vansh, the protective older brother, fret over his sister’s choices. She clearly held no fear of consequence and repercussion because she threatened to move in with the boyfriend if he wasn’t welcomed in VR Mansion. Neither sibling backed down from their stance resulting in a Cold War that lasted hours. Eventually it was Vansh, to her surprise, that ended the war by setting down his boundaries and allowing Ishani to have her way.
For the first time since Riddhima had met her, Ishani seemed genuinely happy. She had transformed into a different person, and for once had laid off the biting comments, snooping, and questioning, giving Riddhima a chance to breathe.
Riddhima was pulled out of her thoughts when Ishani and the boyfriend stopped in front of her and Vansh. “You must be the brother Ishu talks so much about.”, he greeted jovially. “I’m Kanav and I’m glad to finally meet you.”
Vansh met the other man’s gaze coldly. ‘If looks could kill’, Riddhima thought to herself. “Mr. Vansh Raisinghania” was the response Kanav received to his greeting. Vansh then slid an arm around her waist and roughly pulled her body flush into his side. “Mrs. Vansh Raisingania” Vansh added, emphasizing their relationship to the other man.
Riddhima however felt feint as she looked up at the boyfriend Kanav, his hand entwined with Ishani, simpering smile on his face, fearlessly meeting Vansh’s stare. She was certain that the man who stood in front of her was Kabir. Her Kabir.
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