Authors pov:

The living room buzzed with soft laughter as Aleesha, Arekha, and Vanisha chatted animatedly with Arvi, who sat cross legged on the floor, chin resting on her palm.

"I love when the sky turns that deep orange before sunset," Aleesha said dreamily, twirling a strand of her hair.

"Same!" Arekha nodded. "But I absolutely hate mornings. Especially Monday ones."

Vanisha chimed in, "And I can't stand people who chew loudly. Instant ick."

Arvi chuckled, "You girls have very specific dislikes."

Before Vanisha could reply, Sulekha Aunty's phone rang from the coridor. She picked it up, smiling slightly at the number flashing on the screen.

"Hello?" she said, and then, her face lit up like someone had turned on fairy lights inside her.

"Ray," Her voice shot up in joy. "You're coming home?"

The girls immediately went still, their eyes wide. Then almost on cue Aleesha, Arekha, and Vanisha jumped to their feet.

"Our brother's coming back?" Aleesha grinned.

"Finally!" Vanisha added, her hands clasped.

Arekha was already texting someone: Guess who's back?

Arvi stood up too, but more slowly, her curiosity piqued. She turned toward the hallway, where two of the house staff were passing by with fresh towels.

"Rayaan Oberoi is coming?" one whispered. "Ugh, he's so rude. Always giving orders."

"He doesn't even greet properly," the other agreed. "Just cold eyes and commands."

Arvi's eyebrows knit together.

Rayaan Oberio hearing this name she felt something but why?

A name she have heard before... but clearly, it held more weight in this house more she thinks

And now he was returning.

The storm in the silence.

Arvi's pov:

Ever since Sulekha Aunty hung up the phone, excitement buzzed in the air like static. Aleesha, Arekha, and Vanisha were practically glowing with energy as they hurried to fluff cushions, adjust curtains, and straighten their already-immaculate outfits.

Arvi sat on the edge of the couch, watching them with a confused frown.

"Okay... can someone tell me what's going on?" she asked, finally.

Arekha paused, turning with a raised brow. "You heard the call, didn't you?"

"Yes, but... who exactly is Rayaan?" Arvi asked, folding her arms. "You all just turned into human tornadoes the moment you heard his name."

The girls exchanged glances half amusement, half hesitation.

"He's our older brother," Vanisha said.

"Rayaan Oberoi," Aleesha added, as if the name should explain itself.

Arvi blinked. "Okay... and?"

Aleesha chuckled. "And he's basically the Oberoi household's king."

"Dictator," Arekha muttered under her breath, earning a smirk from Vanisha.

"He's very-" Vanisha paused, searching for the right word. "Commanding."

"Rude," Arekha offered. "Most of the staff tiptoe around him."

"He hates small talk," Aleesha said. "And he hates being questioned. Always so... serious."

Arvi's eyes widened a little. "You're making him sound terrifying."

"He kind of is, honestly," Vanisha admitted. "But only because he doesn't waste time. He's... intense. You'll see."

Arvi's brows knit together. "And he's coming here?"

"Any moment now," Aleesha said with a little bounce. "It's been almost 6 months but he came but then headed back again "

"I don't think I'm ready for someone like that," Arvi said with a nervous laugh. "What if he thinks I'm intruding or something?"

Arekha walked over and placed a comforting hand on Arvi's shoulder.

"Hey," she said gently. "He might be hard to read, but he's not heartless."

Vanisha added, "And once he knows you're staying here with us, he'll be surprised, yes but not angry."

Aleesha leaned in with a wink. "Honestly? He might just be happy to see someone new... someone not afraid of him."

Arvi gave a hesitant smile, but inside her chest, her heart thudded a little louder.

Rayaan Oberoi.

Still a name.

Still a mystery.

But not for long.

Rayaan's pov:

The road stretched ahead, familiar as muscle memory. Trees lined the sides, their shadows flickering across the car windows as the sun dipped low in the sky.

I leaned against the backseat, watching them blur by. The silence in the car was welcome not awkward, just... calm. Like the air before a soft rain.

The Oberoi mansion.

My home.

Not perfect. Not quiet. But mine.

I never said much on calls. I was never one for long texts or heart emojis. But every corner of that house every balcony, every hallway held pieces of who I was. Who we were.

The car slowed as the gates came into view. The driver glanced up, maybe expecting something from me. A comment. A sigh. I gave none. Just watched the iron gates slide open, smooth and slow.

This wasn't pressure.

This wasn't duty.

This was homecoming.

My phone buzzed.

Vanisha:

"Don't be late. Everyone's waiting."

A corner of my mouth lifted barely a smile, but real.

I adjusted the cuffs of my shirt. Fixed my collar. Not for the world just for them. They'd say I looked the same, maybe tease me about my hair or my silence.

They'd talk.

I'd listen.

That was how we worked.

I leaned slightly forward as the mansion came into full view, sunlight dancing off its windows.

Everything was exactly where it had always been.

And yet, something felt different.

A shift.

Like... something, or someone, new.

But I didn't let my thoughts wander too far.

Not yet.

I sat back, exhaled slowly, and murmured to myself....

"I'm home."

Rayaan stepped out, the hem of his coat catching in the wind as he glanced up at the grand Oberoi mansion bathed in soft evening gold, its warmth spilling out through the open doors.

And standing in the doorway... his family.

"Rayu!" Sulekha aunty's voice cracked through the quiet.

She rushed forward, draping her arms around him like she never wanted to let go. He stiffened for a second then relaxed into the hug, pressing a quiet kiss to her head.

"Mom," he said softly. That one word held everything he couldn't say.

Behind her came Mukesh, his father, with a proud but subtle smile. He nodded, clapped a firm hand on Rayaan's shoulder-no dramatic words, just understanding.

Then Shankar uncle and Jaya aunty, welcoming him with soft laughter, and half a dozen voices colliding all at once-

"Finally!"

"You didn't forget us, huh?"

Aleesha, Arekha, Vanisha, and Vivaan all crowded around him, throwing chaos and affection like confetti. Vivaan hugged him like a younger brother starved for that presence; the girls all talked over each other, fighting for his attention.

Rayaan just... stood there. Let it in.

Let himself feel it.

Then suddenly sulekha said "Oh and there's someone you haven't met yet."

She motioned toward a figure just stepping around the corner.

Rayaan turned.

And time stopped.

Her.

The girl

From the restaurant.

Sulekha called her

"Arvi beta, come here."

She stepped out slowly, her dupatta clutched a little tighter than necessary. Her head was bowed for a second then she looked up.

And Rayaan's world. Just. Froze.

That face.

Those eyes.

The trembling lip he remembered.

A spilled drink.

His angry voice-loud, sharp, cold.

Her wide, tearful eyes.

The way she'd whispered, "I'm sorry," again and again, even as her hands trembled and her breath broke.

"This is Arvi," Sulekha smiled, unaware of the storm brewing. "She's staying with us for a while."

Arvi's pov:

Sulekha aunty's voice rang down the corridor, light and warm like always. Arvi wiped her palms on her kurti and walked out, soft footsteps echoing on the marble. She had no idea who will be rayaan oberio

She turned the corner, adjusting her dupatta.

And froze.

Her breath caught. Her throat closed.

Standing in the middle of the doorway, surrounded by people, was him.

Rayaan Oberoi.

Her stomach twisted.

She couldn't breathe.

The world didn't just stop it collapsed under her feet.

That face.

That voice.

Those words that had been burned into her memory, no matter how much she'd tried to forget.

"Are you fucking stupid? You idiot!"

"Look what you've done you fool!"

She hadn't been thinking. She was just nervous. Her hands had slipped, the drink had spilled, and in a blink, everything had shattered.

She'd apologized. Again and again.

But he hadn't stopped.

Not once.

He humiliated her in front of everyone.

Because of him she was in this condition

She remembered how she cried in the middle of the road

How she met with these cheap boys

How her hands wouldn't stop shaking even in bed that night.

And now... this man. This storm who had ruined everything in a single moment

He stood in front of her.

In the Oberoi mansion.

The same house she had begun to feel safe in.

Sulekha aunty turned to her, smiling proudly.

"This is Arvi. She's staying with us now."

Arvi didn't speak for a second.

And when she did, it wasn't her voice it was his,

"I'm Rayaan. Rayaan Oberoi." "Nice to meet you" he extended his hand for hand shake

Her heart pounded.

She didn't want to touch him.

Every cell in her body screamed no.

But the room was full. Everyone was watching. Smiling.

She couldn't say no. So she raised her hand.

And the moment their palms met, she felt it.

His grip. Firm at first. Then tighter. Too tighter.

Her fingers instinctively twitched, trying to pull away.

But he didn't let go immediately.

His eyes met hers, unwavering.

She knew that look.

It wasn't kindness.

It wasn't anger either.

It was control.

Like he wanted her to feel the discomfort without a word. A silent reminder of who he was. Of what she'd done.

She looked down quickly, her breath shaky.

But she didn't snatch her hand away.

She didn't react.

Because she wouldn't give him that satisfaction.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally let go.

"I.. I'm Arvi", she said.

"Good to see you" he said taking a pause then whispers " again".