Samruddhi's POV:

After reaching home, I went straight to my room and sat down on the bed. My mind couldn't focus on anything besides him. How many times do I have to remind myself that I shouldn't feel anything for him? He's a monster, so cruel. He doesn't care about me anymore. As I thought about all this, a lone tear slipped from my eye. I closed my eyes, trying to compose myself. After some time, I went downstairs to distract myself and help mom in the kitchen.

Mom and I planned to cook Bhaya's favorite dish today since it's his birthday tomorrow, and we won't be able to have a family dinner because of the party. Just the thought of the party brought his thoughts back into my mind. I have to face him tomorrow. Just when I was lost in my thoughts, someone put their hand on my shoulder. I shouted loudly and turned back to see who it was.

It was Isha and Naina, laughing at my scared face. I grabbed the first thing I reached and threw it in their direction, but they dodged it. "What was that? Do you both want to kill me?" I exclaimed angrily. They laughed and Isha said, "No, Didi, we don't want to kill you. We just wanted to record your scared reaction."

"What!? You both recorded me?" I asked, disbelievingly. "Yes, Samu," said Naina. I looked at her with displeasure on my face. Just as I was about to say something, Chachi came and said, "You both, stop troubling my baby." I laughed at them at that and said in sugar-coated words, "See, Chachi, they always trouble me."

They both glanced at me and I laughed harder. But Mom came from nowhere and said, "Radha, why are you being angry with my girls?"

Chacha, coming towards us, said, "They are troubling my daughter, that's why." After listening to him, Mom and Chachi laughed, and I gave Chacha my best smile and stuck my tongue out at Isha and Naina, who were looking at their father in disbelief. After some more talk, Mom asked us to freshen up and come for dinner.

Later, at the dining table, as dinner was being served, Anirudh bhaya asked with happiness, "Wow, Mom, all my favourite dishes today?"

"Yes, Bhaya, Samu Di and Chachi specially cooked for you today," said Isha, serving herself kheer in two bowls, which I made and said while laughing, "Isha, I made a plenty lot of kheer for everyone to eat, you can eat slowly also give others little bit or you want finish it alone? "

Isha laughed and said, "Come on, Samu Di, chahe main khau ya meri family, dono ka ek hi hai." After hearing her statement, I just shook my head in disapproval, and others laughed, knowing how much she loves the kheer made by me. We finished our dinner with lots of talks and jokes. It felt really good to have a family dinner like this, where everyone is present.

I'm sitting in my balcony, waiting for midnight so I can wish Bhaya first at 12. I craved ice cream, so I went downstairs to grab some from the freezer. I came back to my place, enjoying my ice cream and looking outside. Just then, a notification sound came from my phone. I opened it and saw an unknown number saying, "You are mine, Love"

My heart skipped a beat. I read the message again and again, the words almost echoing in my mind. I knew exactly who it was, yet a strange emptiness filled me. The familiarity of the words, the possessiveness they carried, should've stirred something in me, but instead, I just... felt nothing. I couldn't decide whether I was hurt, confused, or numb. I stared at the message for a while, but the emotions didn't come. So, with a heavy heart, I put the phone aside, letting the silence of the night take over, and got lost in thoughts of someone else—someone who I am never supposed to think about.

Just before 12, all the family members gathered outside Bhaya's room to wish him. When the clock hit 12, we all rushed into his room and wished him a happy birthday. After wishing and cutting the birthday cake, we went to our rooms.

In the morning, everyone was busy preparing for Bhaya's birthday party, which was scheduled for the evening. I was helping Isha and Naina with the arrangements, while Chacha Ji and Papa were busy rechecking the guest list. Meanwhile, Mom and Chachi were focused on food preparation, discussing the idea that Bhaya should get married now that he turned 27 today. I chuckled at their conversation and thought about talking to Anisha about whether she planned to confess her feelings to my brother or if she was waiting for him to marry someone else.

Lost in thought I noticed Anisha and Vanya walking towards me with their big smiles.

Just as they is near me Anisha asked in her desperate voice looking here and there around hall, "Samu, where is your brother?"

I rolled my eyes at her question and replied, "Why, planning to wish my brother with a kiss this year?"

She blushed at that and quickly denied it, saying, "No, no! I just wanted to know."

"So, you're not planning to wish him this year either?" Vanya asked.

"No, it's not like that. I want to, but you guys know na he is so... umm.. he is just.. " she stuttered not able to define what to say.

We laughed and shook our heads at her. I was certain she loved my brother, but she seemed afraid of his rejection. Sometimes, I felt like my brother was interested in her too, but like her, he was afraid she might use him and then cheat on him, like his ex did. But it was high time to move on; that was five years ago. Not every girl is the same, right?

My thoughts were interrupted by Anisha asking, "What are you thinking?"

"About Bhaya. I don't know, Anisha, if he can love you like you do. He just doesn't trust anyone anymore. He's not the same after her," I said sadly.

"It's okay, Samu. I can live without his love for me, but I can't live without him. And I will do everything to gain his trust," she replied with a mixture of sadness and determination.

Our conversation was interrupted by Bhaya's voice calling out, "Samu, can you help me select a shirt for tonight?" But when he saw me with Anisha, his expression hardened. They both exchanged a look for a moment, and sensing the atmosphere changing, I cleared my throat to bring them back to reality and said, "Bhaya, I've already bought you a dress for tonight, lets go I will give it to you"

After handing over the dress to Bhaya, he went to his room, to work maybe think, and I went downstairs to continue my tasks. Anisha and Vanya helped me, and after everything was done, it was already 5 in the evening. So, everyone went to get ready as the party was starting at 7.

I wore a silver glittering saree with a sleeveless blouse. I left my long black hair open and wore silver Jhumka's gifted by Papa. I did minimal makeup and applied bold red lipstick, admiring myself in the mirror. I indeed looked beautiful.

Anisha was also ready in a black saree with a sleeveless blouse, her hair left open, and a diamond earring. Like me, she did minimal makeup and applied red lipstick. Just then, Vanya walked into the room, dressed in a stunning red saree that hugged her curves perfectly. Her long hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, and her makeup was subtle yet striking, enhancing her natural beauty. We looked like sisters for sure. I went towards Anisha and joked, "Are you planning to kill my brother with your hotness?" She blushed at that, but suddenly her mood shifted to sadness, and she said, "I'm sure your brother will not even glance at me."

"Stop overthinking, Anisha. I'm sure he can't resist you today. You are looking so sexy, babes," Vanya reassured her. She just hummed at that and asked, "Mr. Rajwansh and their family are also coming for the party?"

"Yes, they are. They are the king and queen of Rajasthan, and Uncle is Papa's best friend. They surely will come."

"That means Mr. Siddharth Rajwansh will also come." Suddenly, a shiver ran through my body upon hearing his name, and I changed the topic, saying, "We should get going; it's already 7:30, and we are late." She understood my dilemma but kept quiet, and we checked ourselves one last time in the mirror before heading downstairs.

While coming downstairs, I saw everyone was already present, and lots of guests had also arrived. But suddenly, I felt someone's heated gaze on me. I looked in that direction and saw Siddharth looking at me without blinking. I felt a sudden blush creep onto my cheeks unknowingly due to his constant stare, 'he shouldn't affect me' I reminded myself and looked away and went towards Bhaya.

Bhaya looked at me and said, "You are looking so beautiful, Princess," and kissed my forehead. Even Chacha and Papa said I was looking so pretty. All this time, I could feel someone's gaze on me, but I pretended to ignore it and continued our conversation.

After some time, Mr. Rajwansh came towards us with Mrs. Rajwansh and Siddharth. Siddharth was looking at me only, unknowingly I checked him out; he was wearing a black suit dress and a silver tie that matched my saree. How did he know I was going to wear a silver saree? Or maybe it's just a coincidence; I am overthinking.

Suddenly, Mr. Rajwansh said, bringing me out of my thoughts, "Our princess is all grown up now. You are looking so beautiful, Samruddhi." I thanked him with a smile and told Papa, "I will go to Isha and Naina, I have some work with them." Papa just nodded, and Uncle gave me a smile and went to find Isha and Naina.

I just wanted to leave from there; his stare was making me feel nervous. I came out of my thoughts when my phone lit up with a message.

I opened it and saw it was from yesterday night's number, saying, "Looking so sexy, love, and those red lips. I so want to eat them." I gasped after reading and looked around to see if he was near, but I didn't find him anywhere. I breathed a sigh of relief and went towards Anisha, who was standing alone.