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Isha's POV
The morning had been different.
When Aarav had asked me if I loved Shivansh, I had denied it instantly. Without thinking, without hesitating—just a firm "no."
Because how could I? How could I love a man who had only ever warned me not to fall for him?
But as the day passed, the memories started creeping in. The moments I had ignored, the feelings I had buried beneath frustration and pride.
Shivansh had told me not to fall for him.
But wasn't it already too late?
I could still remember the engagement day—the way we had almost kissed. The air between us had been charged, pulling us in like gravity. For that fleeting moment, I had forgotten everything—our fights, his arrogance, my stubbornness. It had just been us, standing in a space where nothing else mattered.
And then there was everything else.
The way he had held my hand just a little too tightly when he thought no one was watching. The rare softness in his eyes when he looked at me, even when his words were cold. The way his presence settled something inside me, making the world feel just a little less overwhelming.
I had spent the whole evening thinking about him. About us.
And by the time we were at the amusement park, I knew the answer.
I think i feel for him.
No no no
Yes yes yes
I love him
I have to tell him this.
I loved him.
I really, really loved him.
The realization hit me like a wave, crashing into me with a force I couldn't ignore. My heart wasn't confused anymore—it was certain. And the certainty filled me with something warm, something light.
Aarav and I had wandered near the Ferris wheel when he turned to me again, his gaze curious.
"You know," he started, smirking. "I asked you something this morning."
I swallowed, already knowing what was coming.
"Isha," he said more seriously, "do you love him?"
This time, I didn't run from the question.
This time, I let it go.
I met his gaze, my lips parting as a soft, almost breathless answer slipped out.
"Yes," I whispered.
Aarav's eyebrows lifted slightly, but there was no surprise in his expression. Maybe he had known before I did. Maybe it had been obvious to everyone but me.
"Well, damn," he muttered, shaking his head with a grin. "You're really gone for him, huh? Don't forget to tell him this before it is too late."
I was.
And for the first time, I wasn't scared to admit it.
I smiled, feeling a strange kind of happiness settle in my chest. A happiness that belonged to him.
"I'll tell him tomorrow," I said, a quiet promise to myself.
Because this time, I wasn't going to let fear hold me back.
I woke up with a start, my heart pounding against my ribs. The room was quiet, the curtains swaying slightly from the morning breeze.
But my mind was loud.
Did I love him?
No.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
The thoughts circled in my head like a storm, refusing to settle.
I hated him.
I happily hated him.
But if that was true, why did my heart ache every time he walked away? Why did my breath hitch every time he looked at me?
I ran my fingers through my hair, frustrated.
Then it hit me.
I did love him.
The realization was so sudden, so overwhelming, that tears pricked my eyes. I loved Shivansh. Not because I had to, not because we were engaged—but because he had become a part of me.
And I had to tell him.
Before it was too late.
I arrived at his office, my stomach a mess of nerves. The receptionist had already informed me that Shivansh was in a meeting, and I had no choice but to wait.
Minutes felt like hours.
I sat in the waiting area, biting my lips—a habit I couldn't seem to break whenever I was anxious.
What if he rejected me?
What if he laughed at me?
What if… he didn't feel the same?
I shook my head. No. I couldn't let my fears stop me. Not this time.
I stared at the door to his office, my heart hammering so hard it hurt.
This was it. Today, I was going to confess.
Ever since last night, the realization had hit me like a freight train—I was in love with Shivansh. Not because of this arrangement, not because of any family pressure. But because of him. The man who challenged me, infuriated me, yet made my heart race in ways I never thought possible.
And I needed him to know.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside.
The office was empty, so I walked over to his chair, the place that belonged to him, and sat down for a moment. Just to calm myself.
My fingers traced the wooden desk. His scent lingered in the air—musk, spice, and something undeniably him. It made my stomach flip.
And then, suddenly, I felt him.
I shot up, spinning around just as Shivansh entered, his sharp gaze immediately locking onto mine.
I sat in his chair, my fingers curling over the armrests, trying to steady myself. His office smelled like him—woody cologne, leather, and something undeniably Shivansh.
But I wasn't here to get lost in him.
I was here for the truth.
He walked in, his sharp eyes locking onto me. For a brief moment, something flickered in them—something soft, something warm.
But then, just as quickly as it came, it was gone.
For a second, we just stared at each other.
Then, his expression hardened. "Isha."
I swallowed. My heart was already betraying me, my fingers trembling slightly as I reached into my bag and pulled out the gift.
I extended it toward him. "An engagement gift… for you."
His brows furrowed in confusion, but he took it. When he opened the box, his lips parted slightly.
I saw it—the small flicker of surprise, of something deeper, something unspoken.
"You got this for me?" His voice was softer now.
I nodded. "I wanted to give it to you that day, but… things didn't go the way I expected."
He didn't say anything for a long time. Then, slowly, he took out the silver mor pankh brooch and put it on his coat after removing the first one.
A quiet gasp left my lips.
I wasn't expecting him to wear it.
"You're wearing it?" I whispered.
"You bought this for me," he said simply. "So I'm keeping it."
My heart melted.
For a second, hope bloomed in my chest. Maybe… maybe he felt the same?
But then, his expression shifted. The warmth disappeared, replaced by something cold.
"Now tell me, Isha," he said, leaning back. "Why are you really here?"
I froze.
Shivansh stepped out, his expression serious, his presence commanding as always.
Our eyes met.
And suddenly, every doubt, every fear, every hesitation vanished.
It was now or never.
"What happened? Why are you here? If something was wrong, you could have just called me," he said, his voice measured.
I swallowed, trying to find my words. My hands felt cold, and I clenched them into fists on my lap.
"I know what you said on our engagement day," I started, my voice barely above a whisper. "But it's too late now, Shivansh… because I realized—I really, really love you."
His body stiffened.
"I know I agreed to this arranged marriage at first without love, but now I do. I love you, Shivansh. And I want us to give this relationship a real chance."
I held my breath, waiting, hoping—praying he would say something, anything.
And for a moment, I thought he would.
His eyes softened. His lips parted like he wanted to speak.
But then—
Something changed.
His gaze turned cold, distant. A bitter smile tugged at his lips.
"How well you're playing your game, Isha."
I felt my stomach drop.
"What?" My voice came out small, confused.
"So, let me guess. Just because your little plan to call off the wedding didn't work, now you've switched to a new one?"
I blinked at him, completely lost. "Shivansh, what are you even saying?"
Without answering, he pulled out his phone.
And then, he pressed play.
The video started.
A café. A conversation.
Me.
And then—
"I love you,too Aarav."
I stopped breathing.
The world blurred around me, his office fading into the background.
This couldn't be real.
I had never said this in that —
"Shivansh… when was this recorded?!" My voice was panicked now, desperate.
He tilted his head, eyes narrowing. "You tell me. I should be the one asking—are you secretly recording our conversations now?"
I stared at him, horror creeping up my spine. "You think I did this?"
He said nothing.
Silence was worse than words.
It crushed me.
Then he ask me the reason.
And i tell him why I said yes but what I feel is also real.
A slow, mocking clap broke the tension.
I turned, my heart racing as I saw her.
Juhi.
Her smirk was victorious, like she had already won.
"Oops, sorry. Did I interrupt?"
My blood boiled.
I shot up from my seat, storming toward her. "You did this, didn't you?!"
Juhi simply tilted her head, her smirk deepening. "Oh, darling, I have no idea what you're talking about."
"How could you?!" My voice shook with rage. "How could you manipulate everything like this?! How could you record something so personal and twist it?!"
She shrugged. "Maybe you should ask yourself why you said those words in the first place."
I turned to Shivansh, my breath shaky.
"You seriously believe her over me?"
His gaze didn't waver.
He didn't defend me.
He didn't even hesitate.
He just looked away.
My heart shattered.
Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall—not here, not in front of them.
I turned, walking out of his office, forcing myself not to look back.
I had come here hoping for love.
Instead, I had walked straight into betrayal.
Tears blurred my vision as I stormed into my house, slamming the door behind me. My chest ached from holding back the sobs that threatened to break free.
How could he?
How could he think so low of me?
I collapsed onto the couch, covering my face with my hands. The pain was unbearable, twisting in my heart like a dagger.
I had given him everything.
And he had crushed it in an instant.
The sound of the doorbell barely registered in my mind, but before I could react, Ishika, Prisha, and the others barged in.
"What happened?!" Ishika demanded, rushing to me. "Why are you crying?"
Prisha sat beside me, her eyes wide with concern. "Isha, talk to us!"
I opened my mouth, but the words stuck in my throat.
Arav knelt in front of me, his gaze sharp. "Did he do something?"
A fresh wave of tears spilled down my cheeks.
Ishika's eyes narrowed. "Tell me he didn't break your heart."
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to speak. "I told him I love him." My voice cracked. "And he—he threw it in my face. He accused me of playing a game. He—he doesn't trust me."
Silence filled the room.
Then, Ishika stood up abruptly. "That's it. We're going to his place."
Prisha nodded, determination flashing in her eyes. "Oh, we are so not letting him get away with this."
Arav rolled his shoulders. "You say the word, and we'll make sure he regrets it."
I let out a shaky breath. "Guys… I don't want to go to his place—"
"No," Ishika cut me off. But I cut her again " Please leave me alone." And they after but for only sometime.
After what happened with Shivansh today, I had sworn to lock myself in my room and cry into my pillow for the rest of my life. But my friends had other plans.
"Enough crying, Isha!" Prisha had said, yanking me off the couch. "We're going out."
"Yeah, let's have some fun and forget that jerk exists," Ishika added.
Arav smirked. "And we're getting you drunk."
I had protested. A lot. But in the end, I found myself in a dimly lit club, surrounded by loud music, flashing lights, and the smell of alcohol.
At first, I had simply sat there, watching them drink, cracking jokes about the novel which I read recently, and making fun of some of my dramatic scenes.
"Isha, I swear, if you read another brooding male lead who pushes the girl away for no reason, I'm going to smack you," Ishika teased.
"But that's literally Shivansh," Prisha pointed out, making everyone burst into laughter—except me.
But as the night went on, my resolve weakened. One drink became two. Two became five.
And before I knew it, I was gone.
Lost in the Music
I had never been drunk before.
It was strange, this weightlessness, like I was floating in my own little world. The music thumped through my veins, my body moving before my mind could catch up.
I was dancing.
Not thinking. Not hurting. Just dancing.
The club spun around me, lights blurring into streaks of color. Ishika and Prisha cheered me on, laughing as I twirled and swayed to the music.
Dhruv and Avi had also shown up, both slightly tipsy but definitely more in control than I was.
"Isha, you are so drunk," Dhruv chuckled, watching me in amusement.
"Nooo, I'm totally fine!" I slurred, giggling.
I wasn't fine.
Not even a little.
I feel someone was watching me. There are watchful Eyes
What I didn't know was that someone else was watching me.
Author's POV
The bass of the music throbbed through the club, neon lights flickering against bodies swaying to the beat. It was a night of indulgence, of losing oneself in the moment, but Isha had no intention of being here.
The club was alive with deafening music, flashing neon lights, and the intoxicating scent of alcohol and sweat. Bodies moved in sync with the rhythm, the air heavy with reckless abandon. Tonight, Isha was one of them.
It was her first time drinking, and it showed. Her usual sharp mind was clouded, her movements loose and carefree. She had lost count of how much she drank, but she didn't care. She was dancing, laughing, feeling lighter than ever—until he stepped out.
She had only come because her friends forced her.
After the chaos in Shivansh's office, after the confrontation, the emotions, the weight of everything—she needed an escape. She wasn't here to party. She just wanted to breathe, to forget.
Little did she know… he was here too.
Shivansh walked into the private section of the club with a purpose. A meeting with the mafia mans. It was business, nothing more. He never expected to see her here.
And Isha? She didn't even know he had arrived.
Meanwhile, on the dance floor, Dhruv stood at the bar, watching.
Avi was dancing with Ishika.
Prisha and Arav were swaying to the music, lost in their own world.
But Dhruv? He was simply observing—until something caught his attention.
A figure. A presence.
Shivansh Raghuvanshi.
Dhruv's brows lifted in amusement. This was about to get interesting. He pushed off the bar and made his way toward him.
"What a surprise, shiv. Didn't think I'd see you here." Dhruv smirked, raising his glass.
Shivansh barely spared him a glance. "Meeting." His tone was clipped, business-like.
But Dhruv? He wasn't buying it. Not when he noticed who else was here.
His smirk widened. "Well, well... You might want to take a look at the dance floor."
His sharp gaze scanning the dance floor as he came to stand beside Dhruv. The moment his eyes landed on Aarav and Prisha, he frowned. Something was off.
"What the hell are they doing?" Dhruv muttered, crossing his arms.
Before Shivansh could reply, Aarav's voice cut through the music, loud enough for both of them to hear.
Dhruv, and Shivansh stood frozen, watching the scene in front of them.
Aarav and Prisha.
They were dancing—close, too close—Prisha's arms wrapped around Aarav's neck, his hands holding her waist. Their gazes were locked, filled with something undeniably real.
Then it happened.
"My girlfriend is a devil," Aarav chuckled, pressing a kiss to Prisha's forehead.
"And my boyfriend is an idiot," Prisha teased, pulling him even closer.
A sharp inhale.
Shivansh's world tilted.
"What the hell did he just say?" His voice was low, deadly.
Dhruv's head snapped toward him. Shock flickered across his face.
"Wait… what?"
Isha was speechless.
Dhruv turned to Aarav. "Bro, what the fuck?! Yesterday, you said 'I love you' to Isha. Now, you're calling Prisha your girlfriend? The hell is going on?"
Aarav frowned, confused. "What? Isha is like a sister to me. Prisha is my girlfriend."
Shivansh's breath hitched.
Everything around him blurred—except for Isha.
He turned to her, who was dancing and for the first time since morning, he saw her.
Regret slammed into his chest like a freight train.
Before they could react, their attention was stolen by another sight.
A few steps away, Avi and Ishika were dancing, completely lost in each other. They weren't just dancing—they were moving as if they were one. Avi's hands rested firmly on Ishika's waist, and she leaned into him, their foreheads almost touching.
Shivansh let out a long exhale, shaking his head.
"I swear, I leave them alone for one night—"
"And the whole friend group turns into a goddamn romance novel," Dhruv finished for him.
Both of them stood there, watching in utter disbelief as their friends unknowingly turned the night into a declaration of love.
Then Shivansh followed Dhruv's gaze.
And there she was.
Isha.
Laughing. Dancing. Completely unaware of his presence.
But Shivansh wasn't looking at her smile.
He was looking at the man moving toward her.
A stranger. A mistake waiting to happen.
His hand was reaching out—toward her waist, toward skin that wasn't meant for him to touch.
But before he could even get close, Shivansh moved.
Swift. Deadly.
In a blink, he was there, his fingers snatching the man's wrist midair.
The music didn't stop. The world didn't notice.
But the man did.
Because his bones cracked under Shivansh's grip.
Isha, still drunk, still lost in the music, felt an arm wrap around her waist. A firm, familiar grip.
She turned— blinking up at him.
"Huh...? ANSH?" Her voice was slow, dazed.
He didn't answer.
His gaze was still locked on the man who had dared to try.
A death glare. A silent warning.
And then—the man disappeared.
No one saw it happen.
No one dared to ask.
But Shivansh? He simply pulled Isha closer, his jaw tight.
"You really can't stay out of trouble, can you?" he muttered.
Isha? She just grinned up at him.
"You found me... again."
And then—she kept dancing.
Then shivansh gets a call from his maa sa, he goes outside to attend the call, stepped out of the club to attend a call, a stranger saw an opportunity.
A hand—unwanted, disgusting—slid towards her.
But before it could touch her, something inside Isha snapped.
With shocking precision, she grabbed the nearest wine bottle and smashed it against the man's head. A loud, sickening crack echoed through the club as he collapsed, blood pooling beneath him. The entire club fell into stunned silence.
And that's how Shivansh found her when he returned.
Standing there—dazed, drunk, but still fierce—holding the broken bottle in one hand and looking up at him with wide, innocent puppy eyes.
"I— I handled it, see?" she slurred, blinking up at him like she expected praise.
His jaw clenched, his gaze flickering between her and the unconscious man bleeding at her feet.
The club was still in shock. Shivansh was in shock.
But before he could react, Isha grinned.
"I think… I won."
Dragging a completely wasted Isha out of the club was turning into a disaster.
She was not cooperating.
"Let's go home. Now." His voice was sharp, authoritative—expecting obedience.
Isha? She laughed.
"Nooo! I wanna dance!" she whined, stumbling back as she tried to escape his grip.
Shivansh's patience was wearing thin. He tightened his hold around her wrist, his face like carved ice.
She gasped dramatically, looking around as if searching for help.
And then—she screamed.
"CHHODO MUJHE, PAGAL AADMI!!"
The whole club turned to stare.
Shivansh closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. He was the cold, ruthless king of the underworld. No one dared to defy him. No one.
Except her.
Isha suddenly broke free, taking off like a drunk tornado.
Shivansh exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face.
God help him.
She twirled, she swayed, she completely lost herself in the music.
And then, a hand reached for her.
Just before it could touch her skin—another hand shot out, gripping the man's wrist with bone-crushing force.
Shivansh's grip was like steel, his jaw tightening as he slowly turned to face the man.
The air shifted.
The temperature dropped.
The club froze.
Everyone knew him. Everyone knew what this meant.
Before anyone could process what was happening, Shivansh pulled Isha against him—his arm snaking around her waist, his grip possessive, dangerous.
She, oblivious to the silent war happening, simply giggled and started dancing against him.
Shivansh? He never took his eyes off the man.
A single, lethal death glare.
The man never got the chance to beg for his life.
Because the moment he tried to touch what belonged to Shivansh Raghuvanshi, he was already dead.
The club was still pulsing with music, but the storm had already passed. The two men who had made the mistake of crossing Shivansh Rathore were now nothing more than a problem to be dealt with.
Shivansh turned to Dhruv, his voice calm, too calm.
"I want both of them in the warehouse."
Dhruv smirked, already knowing what that meant. He gave a quick nod.
"Consider it done."
Isha, still swaying slightly, blinked up at Shivansh.
"Warehouse? What warehouse?" she murmured.
Shivansh gave her a look but didn't answer.
Dhruv chuckled, patting Isha's head.
"Don't worry, bachha. Just some business. You focus on standing straight."
She pouted.
"I am standing straight."
Dhruv raised a brow.
"Sure, if 'straight' means leaning on Shivansh like he's your personal wall."
Isha huffed, pushing away—only to stumble again. Shivansh caught her without a word.
Dhruv smirked, then turned serious.
"I hope everyone knows they're at the club. I mean, I hope the isha family doesn't freak out."
Shivansh exhaled sharply.
"Do one thing tell isha family that she and everyone is going to stay at the palace and also call maa sa to tell her that we are going to stay today at our penthouse and also tell her to say this to the isha family also. so, they don't stay up late."
Dhruv gave him a knowing look.
"Okay, I will tell maa sa, then she will handle everything."
Shivansh's jaw tightened, but he didn't object.
Dhruv grinned.
"Okay, okay. My baby, I'll take care of them. Don't worry."
Shivansh shot him a glare.
"Stop calling me that."
Dhruv laughed, then gestured for everyone to follow.
"Let's go. We're crashing at our place."
He led them out, his penthouse conveniently right beside Shivansh's.
And just like that, the night wasn't over yet.
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