Roohi's POV “Why are you doing this to yourself?” Gauravi demanded. “Doing what?” I asked defensively.“Letting him stomp all over your heart with his stupid, oblivious charm!”"What are you talking about, I am not!" Gauravi cornered me, “I know you have a crush on him. He doesn't feel the same way. Why do you do this to yourself, Roohi?” she asked, her voice a mix of exasperation and concern. I didn’t have an answer. How could I explain that loving him wasn’t something I chose? It was as natural to me as breathing, as vital as my heartbeat. Even when it hurt. Even when it broke me. It was simply a part of who I was." For God's sake, say something. " She shook me. “What am I supposed to do?” I snapped. “I can’t help liking him, no matter how hard I try.”Gauravi sighed. “Well, then you need to either tell him how you feel or get over him. This pining thing? It’s not cute anymore. You deserve better than being a silent spectator in his life.”But I couldn’t tell him. Because wha
Roohi's POV Next week, One of the seniors threw a party to celebrate finishing finals, and Vihan insisted we all go.“Come on, Roohi. Live a little,” he said, dragging me away from my textbooks.The party was loud and chaotic, and Vihan immediately disappeared into the crowd. I found Mihir, who was having a mojito and rolling his eyes.“Let me guess—he’s flirting with someone,” Mihir said, nodding toward Vihan, who was chatting with a girl in a red dress.I tried to act indifferent. “He’s just being friendly.”“Friendly? He’s practically reciting poetry to her,” Mihir deadpanned.I watched as Vihan leaned closer to the girl, laughing at something she said. My stomach churned, but I forced a smile.“You okay?” Mihir asked, his voice softer.“Yeah,” I lied.When Vihan finally returned, I pretended I hadn’t noticed his absence.“Having fun?” he asked, handing me a drink.“Loads,” I said sarcastically.“Good,” he said, tracing a quick circle on my shoulder. “I wouldn’t want my favorite g
Roohi's POV Now and then, his protectiveness over me flared up, blurring the lines between friendship and something more—or so I let myself believe. There was a boy in our anatomy class—Aaditya. He wasn’t particularly half as charming or handsome as Vihan, but he had a crush on me, which was apparently a crime in Vihan’s eyes. But I could empathize with him as I was in the same situation. Aaditya liked me but I liked ... Loved Vihan. One day Aditya asked me if I would like to be his lab partner, I didn't want to break his heart but I wanted to have Vihan, or at least Mihir or Gauravi as my partner. I just said that I would like to be partners with one of my 3 friends. He nodded with a faint smile and went away. I was feeling very guilty as I knew how he must have felt. But I was a slave of my heart too. " What was he asking you?" Vihan asked. “Aditya asked me to be his lab partner,” I told Vihan.“What? No! Absolutely not,” he declared immediately. “Why not?”“Because he’s a cre
Roohi's POV Valentine’s Day in medical college was chaotic. The campus buzzed with couples exchanging gifts and shy students mustering the courage to confess their feelings.I had no expectations from Vihan—after all, Vihan never saw me that way. I braced myself for another year of watching Vihan charm every girl in sight.And I also knew if that guy in our batch gave me something today, Vihan would get to know, and he would get annoyed with that guy. I was scared that he would punch the poor guy, but I was surprised that no one approached me; I was relaxed as well as upset. Though a few guys kept ogling at me, no one approached me, while Gauravi got gifts and flowers. But then a small box appeared on my desk miraculously. My heart raced as I opened it, finding a single rose and a note: To the sweetest and the prettiest girl I know. Happy Valentine’s Day.Oh my God!! It was Vihan's handwriting. For a moment, I dared to hope that he...Just then Vihan leaned over with a casual grin.
Roohi's POV Present time. Next morning. Mihir's wedding day. The sunlight poured gently through the sheer curtains, illuminating the little corner of my room where I sat with my knees hugged to my chest, making me realize that I had spent the whole night thinking about him. It was one morning when I had no time to breathe, but instead of getting ready, I was thinking about him as my heart was in turmoil. I sat up in bed, running a hand through my hair as the weight of these memories settled over me. Each memory was a thread in the tapestry of my love for him.But what did it matter? To Vihan, I would always be Roohi, his best friend, and nothing more.Still, a part of me wasn’t ready to let go. Not yet.But then I recalled a time that was particularly very tough on me; I was trying my level best to keep myself from breaking. Flashback...It was one of those rare evenings when we all managed to escape the chaos of medical rotations and just be ourselves. Vihan, Mihir, Gaurvi, an
Roohi's POV The Next DayFlashback...The library was bathed in golden light from the setting sun, casting warm shadows on the wooden tables where we sat. The textbooks were open but largely ignored, the soft rustle of pages and distant whispers the only sounds. Vihan, as always, was effortlessly charming, scrolling through his phone with a lazy grin. Mihir and Gaurvi whispered to each other nearby, leaving me alone with my thoughts.“Vihan,” I called, hoping to snap him out of his latest distraction. “You’re not paying attention again.”He looked up, flashing that devastating smile. “Just texting. Nothing major.”“Another date?” I teased, forcing my voice to sound light.He shrugged, the grin widening. “You know me. Can’t help it if I’m popular.”And that was the problem—I did know him. Every little detail, every quirk. And still, I wasn’t the one he saw. And yet, I played my role perfectly.I tried to laugh, but it came out hollow. How could he not see it? I wasn’t just his friend
Roohi's POV Our friendship was the most important thing in my life, and confessing my feelings could destroy it. Vihan was the center of my world, and I couldn’t imagine a life without him in it.So I stayed silent, caught between my desire for more and my fear of losing everything.******The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across my room. I woke up with a quiet resolve, determined to be strong and to stop letting Vihan’s love life dictate my own. It was time to stop pretending I wasn’t a mess inside. I was going to move on, or at least try. I couldn’t keep doing this to myself—waiting for something that would never come.But as I walked into the hospital, my heart betrayed me.There he was.Vihan.Standing by the coffee machine like it was an ordinary day, looking like a damn dream. His dark hair was tousled in that effortlessly perfect way, and his shirt—just slightly wrinkled—somehow made him look even more handsome. And that smile. That grin was
Roohi's POV By the time my shift ended, I was exhausted, but not from the work. The weight of everything had drained me. I just wanted to go home, to collapse into my bed, to forget about the pain for a little while. But when I walked through the door, my phone buzzed.A message from Vihan.*' Hey, Roohi. Are you free tonight? Thought we could grab dinner, just the two of us'My heart skipped, then dropped. Just the two of us?I stared at the screen, feeling my breath catch in my throat. For a fleeting moment, I let myself hope. Maybe this was it. Maybe tonight would be different. Maybe he finally saw me, finally realized that I was the one he wanted.But then reality hit, cold and sharp. This wasn’t some grand romantic gesture. His date probably stood him up, and now he was offering me the leftovers. This was just Vihan being Vihan—casual, friendly, and completely unaware of the storm he was causing inside me.I should have said no. I should have told him I wasn’t interested in bein
Vihan's POV She threw her arms around me, ignoring the crowd as she kissed my cheek. “Of course, darling. Since you said you were busy, I thought of coming here. But why didn't you tell me you were coming here?”"My... meeting... got canceled." Yes! Of course! I caught Roohi’s confused glance, her brows furrowing as Natasha clung to his arm. Perfect.Krish, meanwhile, looked mildly irritated but kept his composure. For now.Just then another figure appeared. This time, it was the upcoming model I’d gone on exactly two dates with before realizing she was more interested in my wallet than my wit. I knew she was an attention seeker She wasted no time sliding up next to him, effectively sandwiching him between her and Natasha. The two women exchanged polite but icy smiles, clearly sizing each other. Roohi’s eyes widened slightly as realization began to dawn on her. She looked at Krish, then at the women surrounding him, her expression one of polite disbelief. "Krish, you are certainl
Vihan's POV For now, I did what I could: I pulled out my phone and snapped his picture, my thumb hovering over the screen for a second longer than necessary. I didn’t trust him, and I needed to know everything about him... who he was, where he came from, what his intentions were with Roohi—I’d uncover it all.If he thought he could waltz into Roohi’s life and make her blush with a few pretty words, he was in for a rude awakening. So I silently vowed to find out everything about him. For now, I stayed in the shadows, watching their interaction like a hawk. My protective instincts screamed at me to intervene, but I held back. She didn’t need me charging in like some overbearing fool. Not yet. And she was safe as her brothers were there. When he finally backed off—temporarily, I knew—I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. But my relief was short-lived because, not ten minutes later, Krish was back, asking her to dinner.“Dinner? Why?” Roohi asked, genuinely confused.Kris
Vihan's POV His polished confidence that screamed experience. He stepped closer to her, holding a glass of whiskey, his demeanor relaxed but calculated. He stopped in front of her and greeted her with a familiarity that made my skin crawl. “Roohi, it’s been years, hasn’t it? And yet, somehow, you’ve only grown more beautiful.”“Thank you, Krish,” Roohi replied, her tone polite but distant. “I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”“Oh, I wouldn’t miss an event like this,” he said smoothly. “Especially not if it meant running into you. Tell me, how have you been? Still breaking hearts without even realizing it?”Okay, that was it. This guy was laying it on thicker than butter on toast.Roohi gave a soft laugh, brushing off his comment like the classy woman she was. But Krish wasn’t done. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough to make my fists itch. “You’ve always been the star of every room you walk into. Any man here would be lucky just to get a moment of your time.”
Vihan's POV I had been restless the entire day. Something about Roohi’s sudden agreement to an arranged marriage didn’t sit right with me. She had always been headstrong and always made her own choices, and suddenly, she was letting her family dictate such a huge decision. It wasn’t like her. My mom called me, asking if I was free for the day. " Yes, mom. Why? " I asked. " A friend of mine wants to come home to meet you. Her daughter is... " She was saying Oh, please no! No more drama! " No, Mom, not today. I am going to meet my friends. Mihir needs me at the moment. As it is, I am not ready to get married as of now. Bye, got to go." I said and disconnected the call. The evening weighed heavy on my mind. By the evening, my resolve had crystallized—I needed to talk to Roohi. Whatever was going on, it wasn’t like her. I needed answers, clarity, or at the very least, a glimpse of her thoughts. Our earlier argument still grated on me, each word a thorn that dug deeper the longer I
Roohi's POV Present time... I was really happy as I could see the difference on the very first day. He was so concerned about my changed behavior. And he was shocked when I started talking about other men, like the way he had been talking to me about other girls, all those years, intentionally or unintentionally, especially when I showed interest in Siddh and Parshav. I loved to see that look on his face, which I saw only discreetly, through hooded eyes as I was pretending that I couldn't take my eyes off them. Then Garv came to talk to me and... Oh, it felt so good to see him getting all worked up. He was not paying heed to any of the girls present at the wedding or the wedding of our best friends. He was ogling at me all night... And glaring at all men, I showed interest in and vice versa as usual. The next day had been nothing short of bizarre; when I reached the hospital, I saw some deliveries of flowers, cards, and even a gift box from a mysterious admirer, leaving me both
Roohi's POV Vihan was a heartbreaker, and I was determined not to be another one of his passing fancies.Bhai sighed again, muttering something under his breath. Then, to my surprise, he smiled—a small, almost reluctant smile. “Alright, I’ll help you. But only because I promised. And because I can see how much this means to you.”Liar!! It was because Bhabhi forced him to do it. Bhabhi smiled and winked at me. I hugged her. " Wow!! You want help from me and giving hugs to her? That's not fair." He said with a frown. "You are my best brother," I said hugging him. " I know that. But stop Buttering. Or I might change my mind." he said, glaring at me. “But if we’re going to do this, you’re doing it my way. You have to follow everything I say, and you can’t back out. Got it?”I smiled, my heart soaring with hope. “Got it.”“Roohi, think before you say anything. You’re going to regret this,” he muttered, shaking his head. “I can’t believe I’m doing this. What are you even going to tel
Roohi's POV "Then you need to convince them, and if anyone forces me to marry anyone but him, I will shoot myself. ” I said and burst into tears. He was shocked to hear that. He hugged me and patted my back. “Shh!! Don't say or even think of doing any such thing or I will kill him. I swear, I will kill him. I will shoot him even before you touch the gun." " Who will shoot whom?? " Mahi Bhabhi came in. " Mahi, can you please leave us alone for a while? " He said. " No!! I will not. I heard a few words and now I want the full version of this story. " Mahi Bhabhi said, looking into his eyes. Finally, he told everything to her in brief. She was also shocked to hear everything. " I thought you were just good friends," Bhabhi said. " Please help me, Bhai. Who else can I ask for help you know how everyone is. Raj Bhai, Sujal bhai, and Ruhan will not help me because of his reputation. Even the famous playboys, Viren Bhai and Sahaj, will oppose i,t, though they are just like hi
Roohi's POV The words stuck in my throat. How was I supposed to explain years of unspoken feelings, of longing and heartbreak? “It’s Vihan,” I blurted out before I could second-guess myself.The pause that followed was long and heavy, but his response was quicker than I expected. “Vihan? As in Vihan Singh Rathore? The same Vihan who thinks flirting is a sport?”I nodded, my resolve hardening. “Yes. Him.”“Vihan?” His face went from concern to confusion in two seconds flat. “What about him? Did he flirt with you? I will beat him.”" No, Bhai!! " " No? Then what is the problem?" I could feel my cheeks heating up. This was going to be harder than I thought. “I want him to stop treating me like his best friend and start seeing me as… well… a girl.”Ron blinked at me, “Roohi, you’ve always been a girl. What are you talking about?” he smiled. Why was he doing it to me? He was smart enough to understand what I mean. I groaned, throwing a pillow at him. “You know what I mean! He flirts wi
Roohi's POV He put his phone away, giving me his full attention. “Alright, what’s going on?”“What’s the matter, Roohi? You look like you’ve just lost a battle,” he asked. I tried to smile, but my heart was pounding. “It’s not a battle I’m worried about, Bhai. It’s a war.”Ron raised an eyebrow. “War? Against whom? Oh, our family? Because they want you to settle down? Yes, it would be quite a war. ” he laughed. " Bhai!! Please be serious. I need your help." I said making a long face. “Yeah, kiddo?” His eyes flickered up, brow raised. I hated it when he called me that. I was 26 now, not the little girl he used to boss around. “About what? You’re not getting into any trouble, are you?”I sighed, plopping onto the edge of his bed. “No, I’m not in trouble. I just… need your help.”That got his attention. He put down the files and gave me his full focus, the concerned big-brother mode kicking in. “Help with what? Is someone bothering you? I can...”“No, no,” I interrupted quickly bef