The car door clicked open, and Nandini stepped out, adjusting her outfit as her eyes scanned the grand venue. The air buzzed with celebration, laughter echoing from every corner—but her gaze wasn’t searching for the crowd.
It was searching for them.
And then—she found them.
A small smile curved on her lips as she spotted Shristi and Sidhi standing together amidst the chaos, looking exactly where they belonged—right in the center of it.
Without a second thought, she walked toward them, her steps steady yet light.
“Finally decided to show up?” Sidhi teased the moment she noticed her.
Nandini rolled her eyes slightly but couldn’t hide the faint smile. “Traffic. Not everyone flies in private jets.”
Shristi glanced at her, her usual composed expression softening just a little. “You’re late.”
“And you’re still bossing everyone around,” Nandini shot back calmly.
Nandini stepped closer, pulling both of them into a quick hug.
“Hi,” she said softly.
Simple. Familiar.
Like no time had passed at all.
Just as the moment settled into something soft and familiar—
“Aaaaaaa—!”
A loud, sudden scream exploded right behind them.
All three of them jolted violently, hearts practically jumping out of their chests.
“RUDRIMAAAA!” they shouted in unison, spinning around in pure horror.
And there she was—standing a few steps behind them, hands on her hips, a wide, absolutely shameless grin spread across her face.
“Missed me?” she said, completely unfazed.
Sidhi clutched her chest dramatically. “Pagal hai kya tu?! Heart attack aa jaata!”
(Are you mad?! We could've got a heart attack)
Nandini shot her a deadly glare. “Ek din sach mein maar khaayegi mere haath se.”
(One day you will surely get a beating from me)
Shristi, on the other hand, just closed her eyes for a second, exhaling slowly—trying to regain her composure.
Rudrima, however, looked utterly proud of herself.
“Arre yaar, reaction toh mast tha,” she said, laughing.
(Oh please, but the reaction was worth it)
The chaos had officially arrived.
Rudrima didn’t waste a second—she bounced forward and wrapped one arm around Sidhi and the other around Shristi in a side hug, as if she owned the moment.
“Missed me, meri pyari aunties?” she grinned, earning herself immediate eye-rolls but equally warm smiles—the kind reserved for someone who was more like family than just a friend.
(My lovely aunties)
Pulling away, she plopped herself right beside Sidhi, crossing her legs comfortably like she had no sense of personal space or timing.
Then, turning to Shristi with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she asked,
“Didi, aapki woh dulhan rani kahan sadd rahi hai?”
(Sister, where is your bride queen rotting?)
Smack.
“Badtameez,” Nandini muttered, glaring at her.
(ill- mannered)
Shristi, however, let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. “Woh apne room mein hai.”
(She is in her room)
Rudrima nodded thoughtfully, as if processing something extremely important—before immediately turning to Sidhi.
“Didi, aapki khadoos choti behen kahan apni teekhi nazaron ko dauda rahi hai?”
(Sister, where is your arrogant younger sister running her sharp eyes ?)
Smack.
This time harder.
“Bas kar,” Nandini warned.
(Stop it)
Sidhi, on the other hand, just smiled, clearly used to this. “Woh bhi Misthi ke saath hai.”
(She is also with Misthi)
Rudrima hummed, leaning back slightly, her expression unreadable for a split second—before her usual playful smirk returned.
“Interesting…” she muttered softly.
And just like that—another thread quietly connected in the chaos unfolding around them.
Rudrima suddenly sprang to her feet, energy crackling through her like she’d just remembered something extremely important.
“Room kidhar hai?” she asked quickly, already half-turned to leave.
(Where is the room?)
Shristi pointed toward the corridor. “Left wing, second floor, last room.”
“Got it!”
And before anyone could say another word, she was already off—almost skipping, almost running—her excitement completely unfiltered as she headed straight toward Misthi’s room.
Sidhi shook her head with a fond smile. “Yeh ladki kabhi nahi badlegi.”
(This girl will never change)
Nandini didn’t reply.
She just stood there, watching her sister disappear into the crowd—so full of life, so effortlessly loud, so… happy.
For a brief moment, her expression softened in a way no one really noticed.
God… always keep you this happy, Rudrima.
The thought came silently, almost like a prayer she didn’t say out loud.
And then, just like that, she composed herself again—mask back in place, emotions tucked away where they belonged.
Inside Misthi’s room, the air was heavy—too still, too quiet for a place meant to hold celebration.
Rudranshi stood near the window, one hand resting lazily in her pocket while the other held a lit cigar. The faint glow at its tip flickered in the dim light as she exhaled slowly, smoke curling into the air like a silent warning.
The sound of running water from the bathroom echoed faintly.
She wasn’t in a hurry.
Her gaze moved around the room—taking in every detail, every corner—before settling into a calm, calculating stillness.
Then, without a shift in expression, she pulled out her phone and typed a message.
Rudranshi: Everything in place?
A reply came almost instantly.
Unknown: Yes. All set. Waiting for your signal.
Her lips curved slightly.
Rudranshi: Good. No mistakes.
A pause.
Unknown: Never.
She locked her phone, slipping it back with effortless ease as she took another slow drag of the cigar.
4 Hours Later
The room that once held laughter and bridal excitement now stood heavy with silence.
Misthi sat there, her eyes red, tears slipping down quietly; no sobs, no noise… just silent heartbreak that filled the space more loudly than any scream could.
Beside her, Rudranshi stood unfazed.
Her attention remained fixed on her phone, fingers scrolling through company reports, emails, numbers as if nothing around her held any significance. As if the girl breaking down right next to her was just… background noise.
Cold. Detached. Untouched.
The door creaked open.
Rudrima stepped in.
Her eyes immediately landed on Rudranshi.
For a moment, nothing was said.
Then slowly,
A smirk formed on Rudrima’s lips.
It wasn’t playful.
It wasn’t mischievous.
It was something else entirely.
Gone was the loud, cheerful, chaotic girl from before.
Right now
Her presence carried something darker. Sharper. Dangerous.
The air shifted.
Rudranshi finally lifted her gaze, meeting Rudrima’s eyes.
No words.
Just understanding.
Because whatever had just happened in these four hours...... wasn’t accidental.
And whatever came next,
would be far worse.
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