35. Deadline.
I woke up early because Bhai told me last night that he wanted to take me somewhere. Even though it wasn’t really early — it was 8 a.m. but for someone like me? That was practically sunrise torture.
I’m not a morning person. On top of that, I barely slept last night. I don’t even know why but that ring on Miss Anabella’s finger kept flashing in front of my eyes again and again like some annoying advertisement I couldn’t skip.
I shook my head hard convincing myself, I don’t care.
As I stood in front of the mirror, blow-drying my hair, my eyes landed on a long velvet box resting on the vanity.
It wasn’t mine and I definitely didn’t place it there.
Maybe Bhai left it here as my birthday gift.
A small smile formed on my lips as I picked it up and opened it.
Inside lay a delicate pendant.
The locket held a honey-brown stone, almost like a drop of melted sunlight trapped inside glass. When I brought it closer, my breath hitched.
It looked exactly like my eyes.
Not just brown but that exact warm, deep honey shade.
The gold frame around it was thin and elegant, carved with tiny floral patterns so fine they looked hand-done. It wasn’t flashy but elegantly designed.
“Wow…” I whispered to myself. How can something look so perfect?
My smile widened as I unclasped it and placed it around my neck. The chain settled gently against my skin, cool at first, then warm.
It wasn’t big. It rested perfectly at the center, subtle, intimate, beautiful.
I was wearing a deep-neck brown dress with sunflower prints. The pendant sat right between the soft curves of my cleavage, catching light every time I moved.
It looked like it belonged there.
It had to be Bhai. Only he ever noticed details like this. Only he would think of something so meaningful instead of something expensive just for show.
I secured the clasp, then put on my small golden studs.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
Hair smooth. Dress flowing. Pendant glowing.
Wow.
I actually looked pretty.
Looking at myself one last time in the mirror, I walked out of my room and headed downstairs.
I expected the hall to be quiet. Usually, everyone comes for breakfast by 8:30 or 9. But today, the dining area was unusually crowded.
Too many voices. Too much movement.
My eyes searched for Bhai, and I found him standing a little aside, talking on the phone. I walked closer and stood behind him waiting for a few minutes, hoping he would notice me.
He didn’t because he didn't turn. God, I am so impatient.
I took a step back, planning to return upstairs instead of standing there awkwardly and that’s when I collided with someone. I didn’t even need to look up. His cologne already told me who it was.
Still intoxicating. Still powerful enough to mess with my senses.
Yugant.
His arm wrapped around my waist instantly, not that I was actually falling, but he held me anyway as if wanted to touch just enough.
Our eyes met and I couldn’t look away.
I felt it — my stupid heart racing like it had been waiting for this moment. It had never felt this loud before. Or maybe it had… and I just never paid attention.
I felt it last night too, when we were—I shut my eyes briefly, forcing those memories back where they belonged.
“Are you alright?” he asked quietly.
His gaze dropped from my eyes to my lips… and then lower.
My breath hitched.
I suddenly regretted wearing a deep neckline and instinctively placed my hand over my cleavage before stepping back, creating distance between us.
“I… I’m fine,” I said, trying to steady my voice.
He nodded slowly.
“Dhwani… what happened?” Bhai’s voice came from beside me, his presence warm and immediate.
“Umm… nothing. I was just about to slip. Mr. Raizaada helped,” I said, forcing the words out evenly.
Bhai’s eyes shifted to Yugant for a brief second, assessing — before returning to me.
“You didn’t get hurt anywhere, did you?” he asked, his tone softer now.
I shook my head.
He has always been like this. Protective.
“Okay. Let’s have breakfast first.”
“I’m not feeling like eating,” I replied quietly.
He opened his mouth to insist, I could already see it coming but his phone rang at that exact moment. He glanced at the screen and stepped slightly aside to answer it.
And in that small window of distraction—Yugant walked past me. Close enough that I could feel the faint warmth of him again.
He leaned slightly toward my ear.
“Beautiful,” he murmured, his voice low, almost lazy.
The word barely touched the air — but it hit me like a spark.
Before I could react, he straightened and continued walking as if nothing had happened.
“Beautiful what?” I muttered under my breath, not understanding what he meant.
Bhai returned after ending his call. “If you’re not feeling like eating, then let’s go.”
“But you haven’t had breakfast either,” I protested as he grabbed my wrist gently.
“We’ll eat outside.”
“No. That’s not healthy. You’ve already lost a lot of weight. Let’s eat first,” I insisted, wrapping my hand around his arm and dragging him toward the dining table.
This time, he didn’t argue.
As we approached, I noticed almost every chair was occupied.
“Dhwani… sit here. I’m going to check on Pihu,” Adhvait’s wife said softly, getting up.
“Bhai, you sit. I’ll eat later,” I told him.
“But Dhwani—”
“Bhai. Sit.”
He sighed and took the seat.
I remained standing awkwardly until Ishaan’s voice came, “I’m full. You can sit here.”
He stood up from his chair which happened to be right beside Yugant.
Not again.
I couldn’t refuse without creating a scene, so I moved and sat down quietly, serving myself some poha.
Miss Anabella — no, Olivia was sitting directly opposite me.
Her eyes were sharp.
Judging.
Scanning.
I’ll admit — she was beautiful. Tall, poised, long hair falling perfectly over her shoulders.
Maybe that’s why Yugant chose her.
But did I care? Absolutely not.
I focused on my plate.
“Wait… where did you get that pendant?” Olivia suddenly asked, pointing directly at my neck.
Every head turned toward me.
Including Yugant and my Bhai.
I looked down at the pendant resting against my chest.
“It’s my birthday gift,” I replied calmly, even though my fingers tightened around the spoon.
“Who gave you that gift?” she pressed, her tone too curious. Why the interrogation?
“ Olivia, that's none of your business.” Yugant said roughly.
“My brother gave it to me,” I answered, jaw tightening. Now all eyes shifted to Samarth while Yugant sighed beside me.
“Where did you steal it from, Mr. Rathore?” Olivia chuckled lightly.
“Olivia. Shut up,” Yugant snapped immediately.
But my blood was already boiling. I pushed my chair back and stood up.
“How dare you say that?” I shot back.
She hesitated. “I mean…”
“Olivia said that because that piece isn’t ordinary,” Adhvait interrupted smoothly, though his tone carried poison.
“It’s one of the exclusive pieces designed alongside the Gala collection — part of the limited heritage line.
Only three were crafted. And they weren’t even publicly available.
” He looked at Bhai pointedly. “There’s no way your brother could afford that. ”
The insult was clear.
Samarth bhai stepped forward instantly, standing beside me.
“Aukaat par mat jaiye, Mr. Adhvait Raizaada,” he said coldly. “Khareed toh hum aapko bhi sakte hain. Bas khareedna nahi chahte, kyuki humare paiso se khareede jao yeh aukaat nahi hai aapki.”
(Don’t question our worth, Mr. Adhvait Raizaada. We could buy you too. We simply choose not to because you don’t even have the worth to be bought with our money.”
The table fell silent.)
Rathores — 1. Raizaadas — 0.
“Look who’s talking about status,” Adhvait sneered. “The one who just returned from jail—”
“Enough!” Yugant’s voice thundered as his palm slammed against the table.
“Yugant, calm down,” Daadi intervened sharply. “They’re not wrong to question. The real question is—how did Samarth get that pendant?”
“I didn’t get anything,” Bhai replied coldly. “If I wanted to give my sister something, I’d choose glass before I chose jewellery from the Raizaadas empire.”
“Then why did Dhwani say you gifted it to her?” Daadi pressed.
Now every eye was on me, again. Like I had committed a crime.
“Dhwani beta, aapko kahan se mila yeh pendent?” Nandini Aunty asked gently.
[ Dhwani dear, where did you get this pendent? ]
I swallowed. “It was in my room. On my vanity. I thought Bhai left it there.”
“Wah! Ek aur jhooth?” Adhvait clapped mockingly.
[ Another lie?]
My eyes burned.
I didn’t know how to defend myself.
I looked at Yugant. He was typing on his phone. He didn’t even look up.
“ If our daughter said she found it in her room, that means she is not lying, and we trust her.” Rajvardhan Uncle said, stepping beside me.
My throat tightened. At least someone trusted me.
“A thief never admits stealing,” Mr. Kingsley muttered coldly.
“ Stop it Mr. Kingsley ... .Stop asking questions, I gave this pendant to Dhwani." Yugant finally said, looking at everyone as if warning them.
Now he talks? After so much drama? Before I could think twice, I unclasped the pendant and placed it firmly on the table.
“I don’t keep things which are not mine.”
“What’s happening?” Dhrithika’s voice came from behind us.
We all turned.
She stood near the staircase, eyes shifting from the pendant to my face.
“Dhwani… why did you remove it? You didn’t like it?” she asked, walking closer.
“It’s not mine.”
“It is yours. I gifted it to you,” she said, picking it up.
“Dhrithika? You? Yugant said he gifted.” Dadu asked, confused.
“Ohh yes! I took it from Bhaiya last night telling him it was for Dhwani and left it in her room because she fell asleep. Why is everyone making such a big issue out of it?”
“But it’s extremely expensive,” Olivia muttered.
“So is Dhwani,” Dhrithika snapped back. “And I gifted it to my friend. Why do you have a problem?”
The silence turned awkward.
“Dhrithika, thank you. But I don’t need it anymore,” I said quietly.
“But Dhwani—”
“I said I don’t want it.” I pressed and turned to Bhai. “I think it’s time we leave. Can we?”
“Yes,” he answered immediately. “We’re leaving.”
“Samarth, it was just a misunderstanding,” Dadu said urgently. “Don’t leave like this.”
“We don’t have time for this,” Bhai replied coldly. “Your family has already reminded us of our ‘status.’ That’s enough. Let’s go, Mom. Dad.”
Rajvardhan Uncle and Nandini Aunty nodded.
Bhai held my hand and started walking toward the exit.
“Samarth, we didn’t even get to talk. Stay at least for today,” Daadi pleaded.
He didn’t slow down.
“At least let Dhwani pack her belongings,” Ishaan stepped in front of us.
“Burn her belongings,” Bhai said without hesitation. “I’m capable of buying everything new for my sister.”
He pushed past him. Dhrithika tried to stop us. Ishaan tried again. Daadi, Daadu. Everyone.
Except for one person. Yugant.
I went to her room last night.
I had the pendant in my hand. I wanted to give it to her myself. Not leave it like some secret delivery.
But it was too late. She was already asleep. I stood there for a minute, just watching her.
Her face looked calm. Serene. For a second, I almost woke her up, whispering her name.
But as I realised I stepped back instead. I didn’t want to disturb her sleep. Or maybe… I didn’t want to see rejection in her eyes again.
So I left the box on her vanity and walked out.
I never thought she would assume it was from Samarth. It’s not like I was jealous.
I wasn’t.
I was just…Disappointed.
She didn’t even consider that I could be the one who gave her something like that. And when she found out? She removed it. Placed it on the table.
She walked away, and didn't look back. Didn’t say goodbye and now I’m sitting in her room.
Looking at the empty space she left behind.
Her scarf still on the chair. A few strands in her comb. The faint scent of her perfume still lingering in the air.
So she’s finally gone. She said she would leave and she did.
She was right when she said, she always does what she said and she did.
“Bhaiya…”
Dhrithika’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
I turned and found her closing the door behind her before walking toward me.
“I just came to return this,” she said, holding the pendant out.
“Keep it,” I said flatly, turning away.
“I can’t,” Dhrithika replied softly, stepping in front of me.
“It belongs to my bhabhi. It was her gift. I can’t keep it.”
She took my hand and placed the pendant in my palm.
Her words stung more than they should have.
My bhabhi.
If only things were that simple.
If only she had chosen me.
She isn’t your bhabhi,” I meant to say it softly but it came out harsh.
“She will be,” she said after a second. “One day.” Now she looked at me and the certainty in her eyes unsettled me. “I trust you, Bhaiya.”
With that, she walked out, closing the door quietly behind her. The room felt even emptier. I looked down at the pendant resting in my palm.
I had messaged Dhrithika and told her to tell everyone that she left this pendent in Dhwani’s room when she was asleep, because I don't want anyone to question her or me why I gave her this and I wouldn't be able to answer that.
?
I was in my study when the door creaked open. Adhvait and Mr. Kingsley entered inside.
I rubbed my forehead slowly, already feeling the weight of what was about to be discussed.
They took the seats in front of me without waiting to be invited.
“We came to discuss our contract,” Mr. Kingsley began calmly, folding his hands over his cane.
I leaned back in my chair. “I already fulfilled my part. I made my relationship with Olivia public. What more do you want?”
Adhvait leaned forward slightly, irritation visible. “You didn’t do us a favor, Yugant. You did what was agreed. You promised to marry Olivia. That promise is still incomplete.”
My jaw tightened.
“I also said I need time,” I replied evenly. “I’ve already announced the engagement publicly. If you think you can force me to marry her immediately, that’s not going to happen.”
Kingsley studied me quietly.
“If not now,” he asked, voice neutral, “then when? Days? Months? Or do you require years?”
I exhaled slowly. The truth? I didn’t have an answer. And my silence gave it away.
He nodded once, as if confirming something.
“Very well,” Kingsley said, standing up. “You need time. I will give you six months.”
Adhvait looked at him but didn’t interrupt.
“Exactly six months from today,” Kingsley continued, adjusting his coat. “You and Olivia will be married. First, according to your traditions. Then, in America—according to ours.”
Six months.
A deadline.
A countdown.
They left without another word.
I remained seated in my chair long after the door closed.
I have six months to fix my head.
Six months to bury whatever is left of Dhwani inside me. Six months to convince myself that this marriage is the right move. At least now—I have time or maybe just the illusion of it.
I ran a hand over my face. I just hope… in six months nothing gets more complicated.
No more emotional mess.
No more unfinished conversations.
But knowing my life? Complications don’t wait six months.
They arrive uninvited.
???