Viren's POV

Her laughter faltered mid-sentence.

Her face got drained of color.

For a fraction of a second, her guard slipped — and I saw... Fear, shock, guilt.

“Viren? Viren??” Shaurya’s voice broke through the noise. He was walking toward me, talking, but I couldn’t hear a thing.

I stood frozen, a glass of lime soda halfway to my mouth. I must’ve looked like a fool, gaping across the marble-floored courtyard while the rest of the guests mingled and smiled.

"You spotted someone? You look like you just saw a ghost."

"Maybe I did," I muttered, my voice raspier than I liked.

Or maybe just an old sin wearing a hotter dress. I was lost again and Shaurya snapped his fingers in front of my face and nudged me. I looked at him, and he was looking at me with amusement.

“What the hell’s gotten into you?” he asked, following my gaze.

But she looked tense and I was sure she was planning to vanish again. Just like five years ago—in and out of my life with the precision of a thief. Was she playing hide and seek with me?

“Did you see her?” I asked, voice low.

Shaurya blinked. “Who?"

“Just there—peach lehenga, waist like a damn hourglass—”

Shaurya scanned the crowd. “Too many girls, bro.”

“No. She’s not just any girl.”

Shaurya followed my gaze, puzzled.

“ What?? Damn! Do you even know what you just said? You were looking at that girl as if… Who is she?” he asked. I pointed in the direction she was going.

"You know her?" I asked him pointing towards her, my voice was a little too sharp. But she turned sharply.

Shaurya followed my gaze but shrugged.

"I can't see her face, click her picture, when you see her, I will find out, . " He said.

“No. I will do it!” My reply came fast. Too fast. “Keep away from her. She’s mine.” I said before I could think, even I was shocked at the words.

Raw. Unfiltered. Honest. Direct.

Even I flinched at the rawness in my voice. Possessive. Final.

Shaurya went quiet, brows raised. He didn’t argue. Maybe he saw it in my eyes—this wasn’t a game.

" Ok, fine! Calm down!"

That glimpse had been enough to ignite something reckless under my skin — the same madness I thought I’d buried years ago.

"I’ll catch you later," I said, handing him my half-empty glass.

"Where are you going?" he called after me.

"Treasure hunting."

I didn’t look back.

Before I could cross the distance between us, I disappeared into the crowd.

I didn’t hesitate and stalked after her, weaving through the laughing guests.

I wasn’t going to let her run this time.

Not without answers.

Not without paying for what she did.

This woman could wreck me.

Scratch that — she already had.

I caught sight of a backless peach blouse vanishing around a corner.

A tinkle of anklets.

The softest hint of jasmine.

I picked up my pace, weaving through groups of guests.

But when I turned the corner —

She was gone.

I bit back a growl of frustration.

Well played, mystery girl.

Again.

I wasn’t expecting her.

Hell, I hadn’t even believed she was real until five minutes ago.

You don’t vanish for five years after turning my world upside down, and then show up at a family engagement looking like a damn fantasy come to life.

And run.

I followed her.

Down the back corridor of the haveli. Past old arches and carved pillars. The marble echoed every click of her heels, every impatient step of mine.

“Wait!!” I said again, louder this time.

She turned a corner. I turned faster.

And then I caught her wrist.

She gasped.

Not the cute kind.

The kind that said she was terrified I was real. That I’d found her again.

"Running away again?"

Her body stilled against the wall, back pressed to the sandstone, chest heaving. My hand was still on her wrist. Warm. Delicate. Tense.

God, she was even more beautiful than I remembered.

The curve of her hips, the flush on her cheeks, that infuriating mouth.

Matured. Shaped. Ripened like forbidden fruit.

And the way her lehenga clung to her like it knew I’d be watching—

"You are talking to me?" She asked.

" Oh really?"

"Do we know each other? "

" Don't we?"

" Listen, I don't remember ever meeting you, I think, you are mistaken."

" No, I don't make a mistake in remembering a pretty face, especially if she had kissed me."

"What the hell!! I don't know what you are talking about."

" Don't you? Let me_" I was saying when I heard a familiar voice.

"Hey, what are you doing here? I have been dying to see you. It has been such a long time." I turned to look and saw Vihan coming towards us with open arms and he hugged her. She smiled and hugged him back.

What the hell?? Who was he to her? And why was he holding her in his arms, when he was getting engaged to Roohi?

"Viren?? What are you doing here?" He looked at me with questions in his eyes.

" I can ask you the same question: What are you doing here?" I glared at him.

"This is my house and I can be wherever I want, but your presence in the inner corridors of my haveli is weird." He still had his arms around her shoulder. Why??

" Since it is a beautiful haveli, I was looking around. " I replied.

"Okay, I will give you a tour of all of it after the engagement day after tomorrow. Now go back to the party." He said ushering me back towards the party.

"And you sweetheart, where have you been?"

" Been busy with life, but see I am here for your engagement."

"I am so happy, we have so much to catch up, but I would like you to meet my Roohi first." He went back to the party with her, his arm around her shoulder. She was smiling at him.

What the hell was going on??