SOBIYA~

The red dress lay on Inaaya’s bed like it belonged to someone else someone bold, confident, and fearless. Definitely not me.

“I still can’t believe I’m doing this,” I whispered to myself, eyes fixed on the fabric. It was stunning.. sleeveless, flowing, and just the right amount of dramatic. A part of me wanted to back out. But a louder part whispered maybe tonight, you can be someone more.

I took a deep breath and carried the dress into the bathroom. The mirror didn’t lie I looked pale, a little tired, still recovering from yesterday’s fever. But there was a strange kind of strength in my eyes too. One that hadn’t been there before.

I slipped into the dress slowly. The material was soft against my skin, fitting like it had been stitched just for me. It hugged my waist, flared at the bottom, and had a neckline that made me hesitate. For a second, I wanted to cover up, go back to something safer. But then I met my own eyes in the mirror and this time, I didn’t look away.

A knock. Inaaya peeked in and froze.

“Wow…” she breathed. “You are looking hot.”

A soft smile tugged at my lips. “Too much?”

She shook her head. “It’s perfect.”

Inaaya helped me with light makeup nothing over the top. Just a shimmer on my lids, mascara, and a deep red on my lips that matched the dress. My hair fell in soft waves, and when I saw myself again, I felt like I was meeting a new version of me. One who wasn’t just surviving but showing up.

The car ride felt longer than it probably was.

I sat stiffly, my hands resting on my lap, fingers nervously twisting the edge of my dress. My heart was thudding a little too loudly in my chest. Every time we stopped at a signal, I considered asking Inaaya to turn the car around.

What was I even thinking? A business party filled with rich, polished people and then there was me. A girl who still couldn’t figure out if her heels were too big or if her confidence was too small.

Inaaya, on the other hand, was practically glowing beside me. Her energy was infectious, the kind of excited chaos that made you want to be happy just watching her.

She was on the phone with Vansh, her voice soft and sweet, switching between laughter and teasing like it came naturally to her.

“No, baby, it’s just traffic, I'm coming,” she giggled. “ Sobi’s coming too, she looks gorgeous, by the way.”

I rolled my eyes and let out a small huff. “Don’t tell him that,” I muttered under my breath.

Inaaya winked at me and continued chatting, completely unbothered.

I stared out of the window, watching the city blur past in streaks of yellow lights and honking cars. My fingers still wouldn’t stop fidgeting. A thousand thoughts ran through my mind what if I embarrassed myself? What if I tripped? What if I didn’t belong?

“Sobi,” Inaaya said, hanging up and turning to me, “you’re overthinking again. I can see it on your face.”

I sighed. “Inaaya, this whole thing is out of my comfort zone. These people… they’re just on a different level.”

She smiled, placing her hand gently on mine. “And you think you’re not? Sobi, you don’t need to be scared. Its just a party.”

I nodded.

The car finally turned onto the driveway of the venue golden lights, luxury cars, and a red carpet stretched ahead of us

My heart skipped a beat.

“Ready?” Inaaya asked, her hand already on the door handle.

“Not even a little,” I whispered.

She grinned. “Perfect. That’s when the best things happen.”

And with that, she stepped out head held high, confidence radiating and I followed her into the unknown, every step echoing louder than the last.

The moment we stepped inside, I stopped.

The place was massive.

Not just big breathtaking.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled like stars overhead. The floors gleamed under golden lights. Every corner screamed luxury and silence and power.

I felt like I’d walked into a dream. Or someone else's life.

People moved around gracefully women in silk gowns, men in sleek suits, laughter echoing like it belonged to a richer world.

Inaaya and I had just settled near a quiet corner, away from the loudest chatter and blinding camera flashes. She was bubbling with excitement, already pointing out people from the fashion industry and whispering gossip in my ear.

I tried to focus, I really did. But my eyes kept drifting subconsciously searching.

And then, I didn’t need to look anymore.

He was walking toward us.

Zavian Veer Malhotra ~

My poor heart ughh.

Every step he took was calm, sure, unhurried. Like he didn’t just own the party, he was the party. The crowd parted for him without him having to say a word.

Inaaya spotted him and immediately straightened. “Here comes the big boss,” she teased under her breath.

My pulse spiked.

Zavian stopped right in front of us, his eyes flicking between the two of us but they landed on me, and stayed.

“Welcome to the party,” he said with a smile. I returned it politely while Inaaya gave him a warm hug. Then his eyes shifted to me.

“How’s your health now?” he asked.

“I’m good, thank you,” I replied, a little nervously.

Inaaya raised a brow and smirked. “Oh, so now my very busy billionaire friend remembers that Sobiya had a fever?”

He chuckled. “Your memory is weak, not mine. I visited your house yesterday and found out then.”

We were still talking when Vansh arrived. Inaaya lit up and rushed to hug him.

“My babe’s here,” he grinned.

“You’re looking so handsome, Vansh,” Inaaya said.

“You too, baby,” he replied, then turned to me. “And yes, Sobiya, you’re looking hot too.”

“Thank you,” I smiled, slightly flustered.

Zavian, who had been standing nearby, looked at Vansh and said, “Come with me.”

“No, Zan, why? Look around we have two beautiful ladies here, and you want me to leave?” Vansh protested dramatically.

“Come. Or I’ll throw you out myself,” Zavian said flatly.

We all burst out laughing, and the two of them started to walk away. Just before leaving, Zavian glanced back and said with a half smile, “Enjoy.”

“Yeah, yeah, we will,” Inaaya replied, waving him off.

"Sobi, let’s go get some cocktails,” Inaaya said excitedly.

I nodded, and we made our way to the bar. Inaaya leaned in and told the bartender, “Two cocktails, please.”

He handed us two sleek glasses filled with a vibrant-colored drink. We clinked them lightly and took a sip. The taste hit my tongue immediately bitter, unfamiliar, and oddly sharp. I tried to mask my reaction, but something about it felt… off.

I had never had a cocktail like this before.

Just then, Vansh appeared. “Inaaya, come. I want you to meet one of my friends,” he said with a grin.

Inaaya glanced at me. “But Sobi’s alone…”

I shook my head with a small smile. “No worries. Go, I’ll wait here.”

“You sure?”

“Go. Just come back soon.”

She hesitated for a moment, then walked away with him, disappearing into the crowd.

And just like that, I was alone.

I looked around. Expensive laughter echoed in the air people in designer suits and glittering gowns, sipping drinks and tossing their heads back in laughter like they had no care in the world.

And me? I was starting to feel… strange.

A light dizziness crept over me, and my skin began to itch a subtle, crawling kind of irritation that made me shift uncomfortably. My breath felt short, like the air wasn’t enough.

Something was wrong.

I tried to walk toward the exit, needing fresh air, space anything. But my legs wobbled beneath me, weak and unsteady. I barely took two steps before everything around me blurred. The lights, the laughter, the music it all began to fade.

And then darkness. Everything went black.

AN

Maybe the shortest chapter, I know

But after so many days, I finally wrote again and now I'm back!

Thankyou for staying with me.

Love you all <3