The sky above Delhi stretched pale and pink, kissed by the early morning sun. The chill of dawn still lingered in the air as Sanjana Bose stood near her balcony, coffee in hand. The city below buzzed with its usual chaos — honking vehicles, street vendors setting up their stalls, and hurried footsteps echoing through narrow lanes — yet inside her small third-floor apartment, everything felt still.
A half-packed suitcase lay open on her bed, neatly folded clothes beside a simple envelope.
Her flight ticket.
She took another sip of her lukewarm coffee, eyes slowly drifting to the mirror. Pinned to the frame was a photograph — slightly faded at the corners. It was of her and Sonakshi, arms slung around each other, laughing at some forgotten college fest, faces glowing with innocence and dreams.
A soft smile tugged at her lips.
"Back to the chaos," she whispered to herself, not knowing how deeply true that would become.
Her phone buzzed.
Sonakshi (Incoming Call)
"Are you on your way to the airport yet, or should I drag you by your hair?"
Sanjana chuckled, answering, "Packing! You know I always pack last minute."
"You've had a week!" Sonakshi groaned. "And Shiv's already practicing his 'Delhi Devil' speech."
Sanjana sighed, "Some things never change."
"And some things do," Sonakshi replied quietly, but didn't explain.
---
Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometers away in the heart of Mumbai, the grand Rathod Mansion stood tall and pristine — a silent witness to a legacy of power and reputation. Polished black gates opened to a manicured driveway, fountains bubbling in elegant rhythm.
Inside, Siddharth Rathod stood in front of a mirror in his expansive bedroom, adjusting the cuffs of his crisp grey suit. Sharp, commanding, and always composed — he was every bit the formidable businessman the world knew. But beneath the ironed lines of his expression, there was stillness. One that came not from peace, but from practiced detachment.
His assistant read out schedules. Siddharth nodded at intervals, mind half elsewhere.
"Shiv hasn't left for the airport yet?" he asked suddenly, breaking the monotony.
"No, sir," the butler replied. "He and Sonakshi are picking up… someone special."
Siddharth didn't respond immediately. A flicker passed through his eyes — so brief it almost didn't exist.
"Let them handle the welcomes. I'll see them in the evening," he said, voice as unreadable as ever.
But when he turned to leave the room, he paused by the bookshelf. Tucked between legal files was a thin, old photo frame. He didn't pick it up. He never did.
---
At Mumbai Airport, Shiv held up a large cardboard sign that read: "Welcome, Delhi Devil!" in dramatic red marker, a devil horn sketch included.
Sonakshi laughed. "You're ridiculous. You know that, right?"
"She expects it," Shiv grinned. "Besides, drama is the only way she'll know she's loved."
Just then, Sanjana appeared from the crowd — dragging a dull grey suitcase, wearing a maroon kurti, hair half tied, face a little tired from the flight but still glowing from within.
The moment her eyes met theirs, her pace quickened.
"About time!" Shiv opened his arms.
"You look older," Sanjana teased as she hugged him.
"You look more dramatic," she added, nodding at the sign.
"And you look like you need sleep," Sonakshi jumped in, hugging her.
"Rude," Sanjana pouted. "I missed this."
The three laughed, drawing a few amused glances. There was something comforting in how nothing had changed between them — and yet, everything had.
---
Back at Rathod Mansion, preparations were in full swing. Decorators shouted instructions, fairy lights blinked along the railings, and caterers moved in a choreographed mess.
In a spacious room upstairs, Shivani twirled in front of the mirror in a pastel lehenga.
"She's coming?" she asked their father while adjusting her bangles.
"Yes," he said with a nod. "Treat her like family, beta. She always was."
Minutes later, the front doors opened.
Sanjana stepped in with Shiv and Sonakshi. She hadn't expected her chest to tighten — not like this.
But it was home. At least, once upon a time.
"Sanjana!" Shivani squealed and ran to hug her.
"My fashion icon is back! This engagement will officially be trending!"
"You still talk in hashtags?" Sanjana teased, brushing her hair back.
"You still talk like a Delhi auntie," Shivani shot back.
Their laughter echoed across the hallway.
---
Upstairs, Siddharth walked into his room, returning from a meeting. He loosened his tie and stared at his reflection. He didn't know she had arrived. Not yet.
"We'll be late," Shiv called from outside.
"I'm coming," Siddharth replied, fixing his cufflink.
He didn't rush.
---
As the evening descended, the Rathod Mansion transformed into a glowing dream.
Strings of golden fairy lights wrapped around pillars, soft instrumental music floated in the air, and laughter rose like confetti.
Sonakshi emerged in a pale green saree with delicate embroidery. Beside her, Sanjana descended the staircase in a dusky rose gown — minimal, elegant, breathtaking. Her earrings shimmered against her skin, her steps measured, graceful.
And then it happened.
Halfway down the stairs, her eyes met his.
Siddharth stood at the foot of the stairs, dressed in a tailored black sherwani, hair combed back, face unreadable.
He hadn't seen her in years — but there she was.
And for a heartbeat, everything stopped.
Sanjana's breath caught.
Her mind flooded with images — of rain-drenched hostel corridors, whispered laughter in canteens, and that last college festival… the one she never got to say goodbye at.
Siddharth didn't flinch. He didn't move. But his eyes…
They softened. Just for a second.
She blinked. Stepped down.
"Didn't expect to see you here," she said, voice softer than she intended.
"Likewise," he replied, his tone steady. But the storm inside him had begun.
"You two know each other?" Shivani asked curiously.
"College batchmates," Sanjana answered quickly, eyes not leaving his.
And just like that — the moment folded into celebration.
---
The ring ceremony began.
Guests clapped as Shiv slipped the ring onto Sonakshi's finger. Camera flashes lit the hall. Shivani danced with cousins, someone pulled Sanjana for a photo, and yet…
Siddharth watched her.
She laughed with a guest. Tilted her head just like she used to. He noticed everything — as if no time had passed.
And Sanjana felt his gaze.
She didn't look, but she knew.
This wasn't their beginning.
It was a return.
And returns… hurt more than goodbyes.
---
To be continued...