Hii Pearls.....

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♡♡♡♡♡



The dining hall was quiet except for the soft clinking of cutlery. A 24-year-old boy sat across from his grandfather, tension clouding his sharp black eyes. He placed his fork down slowly, shoulders stiff with worry.

"Dadu zaruri hai kya professor Nitin ka class mein hi lun...i understand woh apne wife ka dhayn rakhne keliye break pr jarahe nd he said he is taking 2 years break and according to you I have to teach for 2 years but fir how can I?! Mujhe apne aur papa ne office bhi join krne bola hai."

("Dadu is it really necessary that I take Professor Nitin's class...i understand he's going on leave to take care of his wife and said he'll be gone for 2 years, and according to you, I have to teach for 2 years... but then how can I?! Papa and you both asked me to join the office too.")

His voice was deep, calm, but edged with frustration; the frustration of someone who had responsibilities piling up faster than he could breathe.

Across the table, the elderly man smiled softly, completely unfazed by the panic in his grandson's tone.

"Kiyu nahi, Rishit... dekho beta, classes kal se hain toh appointing a professor within today isn't possible. Though we use all our powers, interviewing them in one day isn't possible and also we need to appoint the best one. So for the time, if you could... then new professor aate hi you can back out."

("Why not, Rishit... look son, classes start tomorrow, so appointing a professor today isn't possible. Even if we use our full influence, interviewing someone so quickly isn't doable and we need the best. So if you can manage for now, the moment the new professor arrives, you can step back.")

The boy exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening but only for a moment. Respect overshadowed irritation, as it always did with him.

"Okay, dadu."

His reply was calm, obedient-and accepting. Because the boy sitting there wasn't just any 24-year-old. He was Rishit Suryavanshi. A name that carried weight long before he ever stepped into a boardroom.

As he sat at the dining table, already dressed in a crisp black office suit, he looked like a figure carved for control-broad shoulders, lean athletic build, and that striking aura of someone who could own any room he walked into. His stormy black eyes cold, unreadable held the kind of depth that made people forget how to breathe. His jet-black hair fell slightly over his forehead, giving him an effortlessly dangerous charm. Even at 24, power clung to him like a second skin. The world didn't know what he truly was yet. A future king in the making. A man born with an empire waiting at his feet. A presence no one could ignore. And though he was still young, that unmistakable Suryavanshi dominance already lived in his voice... his walk... his silence. The boy who just said "okay" wasn't surrendering. He was preparing. Because Rishit Suryavanshi didn't run from responsibilities, he ruled them.

"Beta, aaj tu ek kaam kar. Office se chuti le aur college dekhle, kalse jayega toh usliye.." (Son, do one thing today. Take a leave from office and go see the college since you'll start going from tomorrow..) Ayushmaan Suryavanshi ji suggested while looking at him thoughtfully.

Rishit looked up from his plate and gave a small smile.

"Uski zarurat nahi hai chachu, me kal hi jaunga... aaj office chala jata hun." (There's no need for that, chachu. I'll go tomorrow itself... today I'll just go to office.) he replied calmly. There was no arrogance in his tone just the habit of prioritizing work before himself.

"Isiliye bss isliye mein bolrahi thi ki isko office join krne matt do." (That's exactly why I was saying not to let him join the office.) Meera Anshumaan Suryavanshi ji said dramatically while placing her teacup down. Her eyes carried the concern only a mother could have.

"Maa, ab aap aise bhi nhi bol sakti jaise bhai aapke bhage hue kaidi hain." (Mom, you can't talk like brother is some escaped prisoner of yours.) Advay Suryavanshi replied teasingly, earning amused smiles from everyone.

"Shut up Adi."

Both Rishit and Meera ji spoke at the exact same moment, making the entire dining table burst into laughter instantly.

Even Rishit shook his head lightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips, a rare sight that softened his otherwise intimidating aura.

"Sahime badi maa." (Seriously big mom.) Ivaan Suryavanshi added while laughing loudly.

"Mein bataun kya sahi kya galat." (Should I tell what's right and what's wrong?) Kavya Ayushmaan Suryavanshi spoke from the other side of the table, narrowing her eyes at Ivaan suspiciously. "Arey Mother India, aap toh mujhe serious lene lage." (Oh Mother India, now you've started taking me seriously.) Ivaan replied dramatically once again, making a few chuckles echo around the table.

"Ivaan tu bichme bolta kiyu hai? Bezat hona adat hogaya hai kya?" (Ivaan, why do you interfere in everything? Has getting insulted become your habit now?) Trisha Suryavanshi said while laughing, clearly enjoying pulling his leg.

"Ab please tum dono shuru matt hona." (Now please don't both of you start again.) Arhaan Suryavanshi spoke calmly, already done with their everyday arguments before they could even properly begin.

"Ap aur Rishit bhaiya dono hi ek jaise ho." (You and Rishit bhaiya are exactly the same.) Trisha pouted dramatically before continuing her breakfast, making everyone smile at her childish annoyance.

Meanwhile, Rishit simply sat there quietly, observing his loud yet loving family with calm eyes.

"But haan bhai, yeh chiz hai ki mein aur Ivaan aapke bhai behn hain, yeh chiz aap college me kisiko nahi bataoge." (But yes bhai, one thing is there you won't tell anyone in college that me and Ivaan are your siblings.) Trisha said suddenly, her brows furrowing slightly as if she had been thinking about this for a long time.

Rishit looked up at her properly this time, curiosity flashing in his sharp eyes. "Aur aisa kiyuu??" (And why is that??) he asked calmly.

"Kiyuki hum dono nahi chahate ki kisiko pta chalein hum Suryavanshis hain." (Because neither of us wants anyone to know that we are Suryavanshis.) Ivaan replied, unusually serious for once.

The playful atmosphere around the dining table faded slightly at his words. Everyone's attention shifted towards the two younger siblings.

"Lekin kiyuu beta?" (But why, child?) Anshumaan ji asked softly, genuinely wanting to understand what was going on in their minds.

"kiyuki papa, chahein hum kitne bhi talented kiyu na ho, ager hum kisi bade family se belong krte toh log hame judge kr dete hain..." (Because papa, no matter how talented we are, if people know we belong to a big family, they start judging us...) Trisha replied quietly this time, her usual dramatic tone replaced with honesty.

For a moment, silence settled over the table.

Rishit leaned back slightly in his chair, his expression calm yet thoughtful.

"Logon ke judge krne se farak nahi padna chahiye bacha, kiyuki age jis field mein tum ja rahe ho usme ager praise milegi toh negativity bhi milegi." (You shouldn't let people's judgment affect you, child, because in the field you're entering, if you receive praise, you'll also receive negativity.) he explained patiently, his deep voice carrying maturity beyond his years.

His words weren't harsh, they were realistic. Like someone who had already experienced the ugly side of the world and learned how to stand above it.

"Woh toh hume pta hai bhaiya, but the point is hume mehnat krke sab kamana hai na ki hum Suryavanshis hain isliye hume miljayein... maann jaiye na please..." (We know that bhaiya, but the point is we want to earn everything through our hard work, not because we are Suryavanshis... please agree na...) Ivaan said sincerely, determination clear in his eyes.

The elders exchanged glances filled with pride. Despite growing up surrounded by luxury, power, and influence, the younger generation still wanted to build their own identity and that alone said enough about the values of the Suryavanshi family.

"Thik hai, but dono apna dhyn rakhna nd kuch bhi pareshani ho gharme pehle batana..."(Alright, but both of you take care of yourselves and if there's any problem, tell the family first.) Rajshree ji said lovingly, her voice carrying warmth only a grandmother could have.

"Love youuu dadiii!" (Love you dadi!) both Ivaan and Trisha shouted dramatically at the same time.

"Sirf dadi ko hi love you?! Karun cancel yeh sab??" (Only dadi gets an 'I love you'?! Should I cancel all this then??) Rajveer ji said in fake anger, crossing his arms like an offended child.

"Areyyy dadu, aap toh baatein dil pr lelete ho... we love you toooo..." (Oh dadu, you take everything to heart... we love you too...) both of them replied instantly in unison, grinning widely after successfully getting permission.

The whole table burst into laughter once again.

"Chalo hum sare bacha party shopping chalte. Hum kalse clg shuru krrahe toh..." (Come on, all of us from the kids party should go shopping. We're starting college from tomorrow after all...) Trisha said innocently, putting on an overly sweet expression while looking directly at Arhaan and Rishit.

The sudden sweetness in her tone immediately made the brothers suspicious.

"Apni masumiyat ka dhong krke fasa rahi hai dono ko." (She's trapping both of you by pretending to be innocent.) Advay whispered dramatically to Ivaan.

The next second, both boys burst out laughing loudly.

"Dantt dikhana band karo dono!!" (Stop showing your teeth, both of you!!) Trisha snapped instantly, glaring at them.

The elders couldn't help but laugh seeing the chaos unfold in front of them. No matter how powerful or feared the Suryavanshi name was outside these walls, inside this house they were nothing more than a chaotic family bound together by love, teasing, and unspoken loyalty.

"Shamko office se jaldi ajaunga, chalte hain fir..." (I'll come back early from office in the evening, then we'll go.) Rishit said calmly, his deep voice carrying the same composed assurance that instantly settled everyone down.

Unlike the others who often argued or teased before agreeing to anything, Rishit simply gave his word and everyone knew he would keep it.

He stood up from his chair gracefully, adjusting the sleeves of his black coat before getting ready to leave for office. Even something as simple as standing up carried authority in him. One by one, he walked towards the elders and bent respectfully to touch their feet, receiving blessings in return. Rajshree ji lovingly placed her hand over his head while Rajveer ji looked at him with silent pride. Before leaving, Rishit moved towards Trisha and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, making her grin instantly like a victorious child who had successfully completed a mission.

And then, without sparing even a single glance at the other three brothers he casually walked out of the dining hall.

For a few seconds, Advay, Arhaan, and Ivaan sat there completely dumbstruck, staring at his retreating figure in disbelief. The realization hit them together. Their dear brother had very clearly ignored all three of them.

Meanwhile, Trisha looked at their offended expressions and burst out laughing loudly. The three brothers immediately turned towards her with betrayed faces while the elders once again chuckled at their everyday drama.

IN EVENING:-

The entire Suryavanshi mansion echoed with impatience, irritation, and loud voices as everyone waited for one particular person. Meanwhile, the reason behind all the chaos was completely unbothered upstairs.

"Trishu, kitna time lagega? Aur bhai office se aakr ready bhi hogaye hain!" (Trishu, how much time will you take? Even bhai has come back from office and gotten ready!) Advay shouted from the hall area, clearly losing the last bits of his patience.

"Aayiii aayiii, bss 5 min!" (Cominggg, just 5 minutes!) Trisha shouted back dramatically from her room.

Arhaan let out a tired sigh and leaned back against the sofa.

"Pichle 45 mins se yeh wohi bolrahi hai..." (She has been saying the same thing for the last 45 minutes...) he muttered irritably.

"Iske gaon mein 5 min ka 45 mins hota hai kya?!" (In her village, does 5 minutes mean 45 minutes?!) Ivaan complained dramatically, his frustration visible all over his face.

"Ivaan bache, idhar aao... mein bataun uske gaaon ka." (Ivaan dear, come here... let me tell you about her village.) Meera ji spoke from the sofa, narrowing her eyes at him threateningly.

The moment she spoke, Ivaan's confidence disappeared instantly.

"Maafi, badi maa." (Sorry, big mom.) he said innocently before quickly bending down and kissing Meera ji's cheeks to escape further scolding.

The elders watching the scene couldn't help but smile. In this house, peace never lasted for more than five minutes whenever the younger generation gathered together.

After another painful fifteen minutes of waiting, footsteps were finally heard from the stairs. Trisha finally came downstairs. But the moment the brothers looked at her, all three froze in disbelief. She was dressed casually. Very casually. Simple top. Casual jeans. Barely any effort visible. The brothers stared at her like they had been personally betrayed.

"Bandariya, tu toh taiyar hui hai aise bhooton jaise... fir yeh ek ghante se kya karrahi thi?!" (Monkey, you got ready looking like this... then what were you doing for one whole hour?!) Ivaan asked with a completely confused expression.

Trisha gasped dramatically at the insult.

"Areyy woh mujhe kisika matching shoes mil nhi raha tha, toh kisika matching tops... so isliye late hogaya." (Actually I couldn't find someone's matching shoes, then someone's matching tops... that's why I got late.) she explained with the most innocent expression possible, as though her reasoning made perfect sense.

For a second, complete silence fell.

Then Arhaan closed his eyes in frustration while Advay looked ready to lose his mind. Only Rishit stood there calmly, already used to this madness.

Dressed in a black shirt with sleeves folded till his forearms and grey trousers, he looked effortlessly intimidating even in casual wear. His sharp features remained unreadable, but the faint amusement hidden in his black eyes betrayed that he was enjoying the chaos internally.

"Maa, hum dinner bahar krke ayeinge... chalo ab sare." (Mom, we'll have dinner outside and come back... now let's go everyone.) Rishit said, the first part directed respectfully towards his mother while the second was aimed at the chaotic gang standing before him.

"Let's gooo!"

Trisha and Ivaan shouted excitedly together before immediately racing outside like little children finally set free. The elders laughed softly while the remaining brothers shook their heads helplessly and followed behind them.

THEIR OUTFITS:-

AT THE MALL:-

The underground parking area of the mall buzzed with noise as the four siblings walked towards the elevators together. Trisha, however, had already switched into full shopping mode, excitement practically radiating from her face.

"Mein pehle hi batadeti hun, koi kehin nahi jayega... sab milkr shopping kareinge and specially Rishi bhaiya aap because your choices are always best." (I'm telling everyone beforehand, nobody is going anywhere separately... we'll all shop together and especially Rishi bhaiya, you too because your choices are always the best.) Trisha announced seriously while walking towards the lift dramatically like she was setting official rules.

"Okay."

Rishit replied with just a single word.

And that was enough for everyone to notice something was off.

Normally, even if he spoke less, there was still a calm ease in his tone. But right now, his voice sounded distant... distracted.

When he had left for office in the morning, he was perfectly fine. But now, there was visible exhaustion behind his sharp grey eyes, his expressions quieter than usual.

The brothers exchanged brief glances.

Work pressure.

That was the only explanation they could think of.

No one questioned him directly though. They all knew one thing about Rishit Suryavanshi, he never liked discussing his burdens openly.

Instead, everyone silently decided to lighten his mood throughout the evening.

Soon, they entered the huge Zara outlet store inside the mall. The bright lights, neatly arranged collections, and buzzing crowd instantly brought excitement back to Trisha's face.

"Trishu, Zara kiyu? Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Prada, Chanel inmeinse kehin se le na..." (Trishu, why Zara? Buy from somewhere like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Prada, Chanel...) Arhaan asked in confusion because usually Trisha preferred luxury brands without a second thought.

"Woh kya hena bhai, actually maine socha college mein we wont be Suryavanshis toh wearing those expensive dresses might be suspicious... isliye Zara..." (Actually bhai, I thought in college we won't be 'Suryavanshis,' so wearing those expensive dresses might become suspicious... that's why Zara.) Trisha explained thoughtfully.

For a second, the boys genuinely considered her logic.

"Zara bhi expensive brands mein atta hai na?!" (Zara also comes under expensive brands, right?!) Advay questioned with complete confusion.

"Yess it is, but it isn't like the ones Arhaan bhai said, buddhu." (Yes it is, but it's not like the ones Arhaan bhai mentioned, idiot.) Trisha replied irritably before immediately dragging Rishit towards the girls' section.

Rishit followed her quietly, hands tucked casually inside his pockets, his intimidating aura making people unconsciously move aside for him wherever he walked. Even in a crowded mall, he stood out effortlessly.

Meanwhile, Ivaan looked at Arhaan and Advay dramatically.

"Come na Arhaan bhai and Adi bhai, help me out."

The two brothers instantly refused, leading to another round of endless arguments right there in the middle of the store.

After several complaints, insults, and dramatic emotional blackmail from Ivaan, both brothers finally gave up.

Groaning in defeat, they followed him towards the boys' section while muttering about how exhausting shopping with siblings was.

And somewhere between all the chaos, Rishit remained unusually silent, his face calm but his mind far from peaceful. Because today in office, he had found out something that could shake the very foundation of Suryavanshi Industries someone from within the company itself was targeting them. An insider. Someone trusted. And that was what bothered him the most. Being new in the company, he couldn't afford to make reckless moves. He couldn't just doubt anyone randomly. Every step needed precision, patience, and a perfectly planned investigation. On one side, there was the responsibility of stepping into the business world. On the other, starting lectureship in college from the next day. And in between all of that, this hidden threat. For the first time in a long while, Rishit Suryavanshi felt... slightly overwhelmed. But nothing of it reflected on his face. Because men like him didn't show storms. They controlled them.

Pushing those thoughts aside for the moment, he walked towards the women's section with Trisha.

"Bhaiya, chalo mujhe dresses select karao pehle." (Bhaiya, come on, help me select dresses first.) Trisha said, already busy scanning through the racks.

Rishit gave a small nod and stepped beside her. The moment he entered the section, it was as if the air subtly shifted. People noticed. They always did. His tall frame, broad shoulders, and the effortless authority in his stance made him stand out even in a crowded mall. His stormy grey eyes held a depth that was hard to ignore, and the calm seriousness on his face only added to his charm. Salesgirls paused mid-work. Customers stole glances. Whispers floated quietly in the air. But Rishit? He ignored it all like it didn't exist.

His focus remained on the dresses in front of him as he casually started picking options for Trisha, his choices reflecting a refined taste that came naturally to him.

And then, everything changed in a second.

"Mahi, yeh kya laga rakha hai... jitne bhi dikha rahi sab reject kr rahi!!" (Mahi, what is this... you're rejecting everything I'm showing!!) A soft, melodious, almost musical voice floated from somewhere nearby.

Rishit's hand stilled mid-air. The fabric he was about to pick remained untouched as his senses unknowingly tuned into that voice.

"Ishu yaar, tujhe pata hai I get confused. Tu bas bata main kaunsa lun, I will go try that. Apart from that don't tell me to choose because you know na I mess up." (Ishu yaar, you know I get confused. You just tell me which one to take, I'll try that. Apart from that don't ask me to choose because you know I mess it up.) another girl replied helplessly. Then came a soft laugh, light, sweet and effortless.

"Achaa baba, rukk." (Okay fine, wait.)

That same voice again.

And this time... it did something to him.

Rishit, who hadn't spared a second glance at any girl since his college days, felt something unfamiliar stir within him. Almost unconsciously, his eyes lifted. And for the first time... He looked. Not fully. Just a side profile. But that was enough. The girl stood a little distance away, her soft features glowing under the store lights. Her silky hair framed her face perfectly, and there was something ethereal about her presence something calm, something pure. Her voice matched her completely gentle, warm and comforting. Rishit's heartbeat... shifted. For a fraction of a second, the world around him blurred. The dress he was holding slipped from his hand, falling silently onto the floor. The sound was enough to break Trisha's focus. She turned instantly, only to freeze in shock. Because standing there was her brother.

Rishit Suryavanshi. The man who never looked twice at anyone... was looking at a girl with something like so much focus and calmness in his face.

"Bhaiya, ab kya aap yahin khade hokr shadi karloge sapne mein?!" (Bhaiya, are you planning to get married right here in your dreams?) Trisha whispered near his ear, her voice just enough to pull him out of whatever world he had drifted into. Rishit blinked once, reality settling back in.

"Kuch bhi." (Nonsense.) he muttered, his tone composed as always, as if nothing had happened. But something had happened. And he knew it. He turned back to the rack, picking dresses again yet his focus wasn't really there anymore. A part of him... stayed behind with her. Soon, the two girls walked closer towards their section.

The moment Trisha noticed them, she lightly bumped her shoulder into Rishit's, barely controlling her excitement.

"Bhaiya dekho woh agayi... dekho agayi..." (Bhaiya look, she's here... she's here...) she whispered eagerly. Rishit shot her a look.

"Trishu, tu sure hai na tu ladki hai? I mean tujhe itna kiyu excitement ho raha hai unhein dekhkar?!" (Trishu, are you sure you're a girl? I mean why are you getting so excited seeing them?!) he whispered back, slightly annoyed but mostly trying to hide something else.

"Haww bhaiya... 'UNHEINNNNN'... not bad not bad." (Oh wow bhaiya... them... not bad, not bad.) Trisha teased, stretching the word unhein with a mischievous grin.

"Trishu, are you for real? Maine tera mazak udaya aur tune bas woh ek word suna?" (Trishu, are you serious? I was teasing you and you only heard that one word?) Rishit asked, genuinely shocked at her priorities. Trisha flipped her hair dramatically. "Main sirf meri kaam ki baat sunti... baaki jo bolo aap mujhe kya?" (I only listen to what's useful for me... whatever else you say doesn't matter to me.) And just like that, she dismissed him.

Meanwhile, the two girls had reached near them.

"Mahii, inmeinse dekhte hain... koi agar isse bhi nahi hua toh..." (Mahi, let's check from these... if nothing works even here then...)

"Toh kya tu ghar chali jayegi? Itni jaldi irritated ho gayi kya tu... tujhe pata hai na main thodi confused si hun... tu aise kaise bol sakti?!" (So what, you'll go home? Got irritated so quickly? You know I get confused... how can you say that?!) the second girl started ranting non-stop, not even letting her complete.

"MEHER SOLANKI, stop... yahan se choose nahi hua toh kehin aur chaleinge, main yeh bol rahi thi, buddhu." (MEHER SOLANKI, stop... if we don't find anything here, we'll go somewhere else, that's what I was saying, idiot.)

Rishit's gaze shifted fully to her this time. And for a moment... everything else faded again. From his eyes, she wasn't just beautiful...she was calm...like a pause in chaos.

Her presence didn't demand attention loudly, yet it pulled it effortlessly. There was something about the way she stood out of everyone, soft, patient, composed; like she carried her own quiet world within her.

Her dark brown eyes didn't just look they felt; warm, gentle, almost like they could understand things without being told. Her face held that rare kind of beauty that didn't try to impress... yet stayed with you. And her voice...it wasn't just sweet, it was the kind that settled somewhere deep, like a melody you didn't realise you had been waiting to hear. Rishit found himself... watching her. Not staring openly. But enough to notice the little things: the patience in her tone, the softness in her expressions, the way she handled her friend without irritation. And that... was rare. Very rare. Behind him, unnoticed, Trisha had already started recording everything to show it to the family, her brother being, completely lost in someone. She looked like she had just discovered the biggest secret of the century.

Unable to control herself, she walked up to them.

"Hieeee!"

Both girls turned towards her, slightly confused, then glanced at each other.

"To us??" (To us??) the sweet-voiced girl, Ishanvi, asked softly.

"Yaahhhh!" Trisha replied with an overly cheerful smile.

"Umm... hiee." Both of them responded awkwardly.

"Dont get awkward actually I found you very beautiful and cute so just came to talk hehe... btw myself Trisha." (Don't get awkward, I just found you very pretty and cute so came to talk... hehe... by the way, I'm Trisha.) she said sweetly. Of course, that wasn't the only reason. She was there on a mission.

"OHH it's okayy no issues... nd u r too cute tbh... nd myself Meher Solanki nd her Ishanvi." (Oh it's okay, no issues... and you're too cute to be honest... I'm Meher Solanki and she's Ishanvi.)

Trisha smiled wider.

{So guessed right pearls, the two girls were Ishanvi Roy and Meher Solanki, who have came there for shopping. Isahanvi and Meher are childhood best friends who joined the same college and same course}

' Ishanvi ' The name suited her more than it should have.

Soon, the three girls got busy talking, discussing dresses, suggesting options, laughing softly in between.

Rishit stood a little away from them, silent as ever but his eyes... kept drifting back. Every now and then...Unintentionally...Uncontrollably.

Trisha, of course, didn't miss a single thing. She kept throwing side glances at him, trying her best not to laugh and definitely not introducing him. On the side, Rishit stood checking his mails on his phone, his expression back to being calm, unreadable, composed. As if nothing had affected him. As if nothing had changed. But somewhere beneath that calm surface...A voice, a name, and a face...Had already stayed.

After a while, the girls finalized their choices; Ishanvi picked two dresses, Meher chose four, and Trisha selected two as well. In the middle of their light conversations and laughter, they realized they were of the same age, which made things even more comfortable between them. Smiles came easier, words flowed naturally. Before leaving, they exchanged their Instagram IDs, promising nothing but unknowingly leaving behind something. Then, with one last polite smile... they parted ways.

And just like that, the moment ended. Or at least... it should have. Because some moments don't end where they seem to. They stay quietly, unnoticed and waiting to mean something later.

After completing their shopping, the Suryavanshi gang headed out for dinner as planned. The evening passed in laughter, teasing, and endless chaos, something that always defined them.

By the time they returned home, it was quite late. But as expected, Meera ji and Kavya ji were still waiting in the hall, sitting together and talking softly. The moment the kids entered, both women looked up, their expressions instantly softening. After a few minutes of light conversation, mild scolding for being late, and affectionate goodnights, everyone finally dispersed to their rooms.

In Rishit's Room:

The room was silent and calm. A complete contrast to the chaos he had just walked out of. Rishit loosened his shirt cuffs, changed into something comfortable, and sat down to complete a few pending tasks. His laptop screen reflected in his sharp grey eyes as he went through files, mails, and notes for the next day. Everything was in order. Everything was under control. Just like always. He closed the laptop after a while, arranged a few documents neatly for the morning, and finally lay down on his bed. His eyes closed slowly.

And then; She appeared...that same soft smile...that calm face...those warm eyes...Ishanvi.

Rishit's brows faintly furrowed, as if trying to understand why his mind had gone there again.

But it didn't stop.

Her voice echoed soft, melodious, almost like it still lingered in the air around him. The way she handled her friend with patience. The way her presence felt... different...not loud...not demanding.Just... there...and yet impossible to ignore.

He exhaled slowly, staring at the ceiling now, as if replaying every little detail he hadn't even realized he noticed before. How could someone so simple... feel so rare? A faint, almost invisible smile touched his lips. And before he could stop himself...

Words formed in form of a whisper or a thought or maybe a feeling he didn't even plan.

"Ajeeb si baat hai... apko dekha aaj pehli baar,

par nazar wapas aana hi bhool gayi...

Na shor tha apkii baaton mein,

na koi zidd thi khud ko dikhane ki,

phir bhi apki har baat... seedha dil tak chali gayi...

Woh halki si muskaan...

aur gaalon par bante woh chhote se gaddhe,

pata nahi kyun...

par baar baar yaad aa rahe hain...

Bheed mein bhi aap alag thi,

jaise thandi si hawa garam din mein ruk jaaye...

Aap sitaron jaisi nahi ho...

shayad isliye kyunki aap aasman mein nahi,

kisi ki soch mein jagah bana leti ho..."

(There's something strange... I saw you for the first time today,

yet my gaze forgot how to return...

There was no noise in your voice,

no effort to stand out,

yet everything you said reached straight to the heart...

That soft smile...

and those little dimples on your cheeks,

I don't know why...

but they keep coming back to my mind...

Even in a crowd, you were different,

like a cool breeze stopping on a hot day...

You're not like the stars...

maybe because you don't belong in the sky,

you find a place in someone's thoughts instead...)

He closed his eyes again, the words settling deep within him.

And unknowingly...A name formed;

He softly whispered, ' Sitara '.

♡♡♡♡♡

Waiting for your pyaare pyaare comments, pearls♡

Don't forget to vote and share your thoughts!!

Also, I want to tell you something important...

As you all know, NEET 2026 got cancelled and my re-exam is on 21st June. This is my 3rd drop, so things are a bit overwhelming right now.

I updated today because I was feeling low and honestly...your comments make me feel so much better.

I won't be able to give regular updates till my exam, but whenever I get some time between studies, I'll try my best to update for you all♡

Also pearls, please support me on Instagram too, my id:- @author_shikha_

I've been inactive there because of studies and lost some followers, so it would really mean a lot if you stay and support me there as well♡

Chalo, enough rant for today:)

I hope you enjoyed the chapter!!

See you in the next one...

Till then, take care♡

Byeeee Byeee my pearls♡