Moksh's P.O.V
I expect my mornings to be calm and quiet, but today is certainly not that day. I wake up to the sound of numerous people pacing through the entire house.
What is going on?
I walk down the stairs to witness Kira and Naveen talking in the main hall. He seems thoroughly delighted today. From a few workers standing aside chatting in excitement, I discover the news. She is getting married next week. So all this commotion is for the wedding preparations.
I spend the whole day watching people run here and there, decorating the house with endless flowers and arrangements. Kira has been home all day, but she ignores me as if I don't even exist. Naveen has been managing the decorations, looking far more excited than Kira herself.
Watching her with Naveen, chatting and acting like a couple, wounds me deeper than I care to admit. When I finally see her walk into her room alone, I follow her immediately. I haven't had a single chance to talk to her all day, and she didn't bother looking for me either. I am not going to miss this rare opportunity.
"What are you doing here?" she snaps, startled and visibly annoyed as she unfastens her heavy jacket.
"Are you seriously getting married?" I ask, my tone dripping with bitter disbelief.
She scoffs at my intrusion. "So what do you think is happening?"
"All of a sudden?" I ask, stepping closer.
"It's not sudden. We've been engaged for a long time."
I nod slowly, stepping directly into her path. "So, do you love him?"
"What kind of question is that? He is my fiancé and soon to be my husband. Of course I care about him!" Annoyance clouds her voice, making it sharp and defensive.
"Fiancé? Don't make me laugh," I say quietly, my voice bitter yet composed. "I overheard the two of you talking earlier. Fighting, to be exact. Today, when you thought you were alone, I heard him complaining. He was upset because you won't let him get close to you. You push him away every time he tries."
Her eyes darken with cold fury, but I continue. "Yet with me, you act completely different. Does he know? Is he aware of how intense things get between us when we're alone? Can he understand you the way I do?"
I step right up to her, holding her gaze. Her jaw clenches tightly.
"And what does that make you?" she growls. "You are just someone living under my roof because I paid for your freedom! He—he is my fiancé."
"Fiancé?" I take her hand, placing her palm against my chest so she can feel my rapid heartbeat. "People say you show your true self to the person you actually feel something for. Tell me you don't feel anything for me! Tell me you're not rushing this marriage just to escape what's happening between us! Or are you just trying to fulfill a promise to your late father?"
Before I can finish, she shoves me back against the wall, her hand gripping my collar tightly. "What are you trying to pull, huh?"
I let out a low chuckle at her frustration, looking straight into her eyes. "Am I wrong? Do you not feel the pull between us right now? Does my presence not affect you?"
Moving slightly closer, I whisper, "Admit it. Every part of you is aware of me, yet you're trying so hard to deny it."
I lean in and press my lips gently against hers. For a split second, she doesn't pull away—her grip on my collar tightens, a brief flash of genuine passion breaking through her facade before she yanks my head back.
"What are you trying to do?" she demands, her breathing uneven.
"Nothing. I just want you to accept what you feel," I say softly. "You want me around, yet you're fighting it with everything you have."
Suddenly, she lets out a cold laugh and steps back, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Do you actually think I have feelings for you?" she mockingly asks.
"Are you really that blind?" I reply firmly, refusing to back down. "I've swallowed my pride for you. How can a smart businesswoman be so oblivious to what's right in front of her?"
My remarks push her over the edge, her jaw clenching in anger. "You will get nothing out of this in the end," she scoffs bitterly. "I brought you here, and you will remain dependent on my terms. I will marry Naveen right in front of you, and then you'll realize how wrong you were."
"Go ahead and try," I challenge quietly. "Marry him, if you really can."
Kira's P.O.V
His words echo continuously in my mind. Naveen is elated by my decision and is staying at the house until we get married and move into his estate. But he is still unsettled about our argument earlier today.
I had no idea Moksh was listening when Naveen and I argued in the evening. Now, Naveen sits across from me on the couch, playing with his phone, clearly bothered.
I cannot let Moksh be right. I get up and walk over to Naveen.
"I'm sorry... about earlier," I say softly. "You're right. You're my fiancé, but you have to understand that my mind has been very restless lately."
His sullen expression softens, replaced by concern and warmth. "Because of your family's memory?"
I sit beside him, taking his hand gently. "You are the one I'm marrying. The one I want to build a life with. Just give me your trust and a little time—I promise to make things right."
He cups my face gently and presses a soft kiss to my forehead. "I trust you, Kira. And I'll give you all the time you need. All I want is you, so I'm willing to wait."
I know deep down that my feelings for Naveen aren't as strong as they should be, but I cannot abandon him. He has been loyal to me through thick and thin.
"I have to go make a few arrangements," Naveen says, standing up. "Rahul's sister is visiting us for the wedding."
"Okay," I reply. "And you're coming with us for the wedding attire fitting tomorrow, right? Or are you still upset?"
He chuckles softly. "Of course I'm coming. Who else is going to help pick out my suit? You're not that generous with fashion!"
The next day, Naveen is upbeat, practically dragging me into the high-end bridal boutique. "This is the place my father recommended. It has an incredible reputation!" he mentions as I follow him inside.
The boutique is located on the upper level of an grand shopping plaza. Marble tiles and chandelier lighting illuminate display after display of exquisite gowns.
The staff helps me carry the heavily embroidered gown into the fitting room. As the tailors adjust the intricate fabric around my waist, my phone rings. It's Rahul.
"We're at the bridal shop," I inform him.
I didn't expect Rahul to be thrilled about the wedding, considering he was originally against my sudden decision. When he asked me what I felt for Moksh, I couldn't give him a clear answer. He urged me to think twice, but here I am anyway, pushing forward with the plan.
Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hits me. I feel restless and sick to my stomach as I stare at my reflection.
"Hey!" Rahul's voice booms as he walks over, snapping me back to reality. "Wow! You look incredible!" He quickly notices my pale face. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," I reply, forcing a smile in the mirror.
"By the way... Moksh came with us," Rahul mentions casually.
"Why?" I ask, surprised. Since when did they become close enough to go out together?
"He needed proper attire for the wedding too, and no one was home to stay with him. So we brought him along with my sister."
"Whatever. Let's just get this over with," I say, sliding my arm through Rahul's as we walk out into the main showroom.
I walk toward where Naveen is waiting, only to find Moksh sitting with Rahul's sister, Riya. They are both laughing at something. Naveen immediately stands up and showers me with compliments, but Moksh's eyes don't even wander toward me.
I don't know why, but I secretly expected a strong reaction from Moksh when he saw me in the gown. Instead, he seems completely engrossed in his conversation with Riya. They are sitting together on the couch, laughing and sharing inside jokes as if they've known each other forever.
This dynamic lasts throughout the entire outing. He doesn't look at me even once. Even at the restaurant afterward, where I expected them to sit separately, they remain side by side, completely unbothered by my presence.