KAVERI

I looked around as I examined the place and the people present there.

Elaborate floral arrangements Luxurious fabrics and drapes Ornate lighting fixtures Intricately designed centerpieces High-end furniture and decor

There was a sophisticated and opulent atmosphere.

Did Kiara get a promotion or what. But his dad always boasted about how he will marry her daughter off in a expensive and luxurious arrangements and stuff. Anyways.

"Dii do you know who is kiara getting married to ?" Rajveer asked me and I was least interested to know that.

"He is-" "rajveer let's check what food they have. I am very hungry. " I looked at him in innocence.

" when are you not." He replied with a smile "you can go I will be there in a while." and I headed towards the food area but I noticed a middle-aged woman, in a room, clutching her foot in pain. She had apparently slipped and fallen.

Without hesitation, I rushed to her side. "Ma'am, are you okay? Can I help you up? I am a doctor." I asked, offering my hand.

She looked up at me gratefully. "Oh, thank you, beta I think I might have sprained my ankle."

I gently examined her ankle, checking for any signs of serious injury. "It doesn't seem too bad, but we should get you to a hospital just in case."

She hesitated. "Oh, no, doctor, it's not necessary. I'm fine, really."

I smiled reassuringly. "I'm not on duty, but I'd be happy to take a look at it more closely. Let's get you cleaned up and make sure everything is okay."

She slowly got to her feet, wincing slightly as she put weight on her ankle. I carefully cleaned and bandaged the minor abrasions on her feet.

I asked, "How did you fall? "

"it was slippery. I'm just a bit clumsy, I suppose."

I smiled. "Well, let's just say you're not alone. We've all been there at some point. Just being in the right place at the right time, ma'am. But do take care of that ankle, and maybe consider some ice packs if the swelling gets worse."

"Don't call me ma'am, aunty will be fine" she said smiling. "By the way what is your relation with the bride to be ?"

"I'm her cousin sister actually." I said nervously

"I'm her soon to be mother in law. "

"Ohh. Namaste aunty ji. I really didn't know that."

"It's ok beta" she says.

I helped her to walk out of the room when Kiara stood at a distance watching us. she wore a black organza lengha with floral prints. Matching jwellery and light makeup. I gazed at my cousin sister with a mix of disdain and fascination. She was beaming with happiness, her eyes shining like diamonds in the bright lights. Her smile seemed to falter for a moment as she caught my eye.

I couldn't help but notice the way she was glowing, her happiness almost palpable. It was as if she had somehow managed to bottle up her good fortune and was radiating it outwards, infecting everyone around her with her joy. I felt a pang of resentment towards her, my mind flashing back to all the times she had wronged me, all the ways she had hurt me.

As I watched her, I couldn't help but think about the irony of it all. She was getting married, surrounded by people who cared about her, while I stood on the periphery, a spectator in my own family's drama. She walked towards us

Kiara accused, "You're always pretending to be so humble, but it's just an act. You're fake, Kaveri." Her voice low but venomous.

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so now you're a humility expert? That's cute. Meanwhile, you're over here projecting your own insecurities onto me."

Kiara's eyes narrowed. "You're just trying to get attention with your fake modesty."

My smile grew wider. "Fake modesty? That's rich coming from someone who's been fishing for compliments since puberty. You're like a one-person echo chamber, constantly seeking validation for your fragile ego."

Kiara's face reddened, but I delivered the final blow. "You know, Kiara, it's interesting that you accuse me of being fake when you're the one who's been wearing a mask of superiority for years. Maybe it's time to take a look in the mirror." With that kiara stormed out of the scene while her mother in law stood there watching us.

She just came here to accuse me. Not for once she asked how was her mother in law or How did she injure herself when she clearly saw her bandaged ankle.

I couldn't help but think about how this moment was just another chapter in our complicated history together. I wondered what the future held for us, whether we would ever be able to move past our differences and find some semblance of peace. For now, I would just have to pretend to be happy for her, even if it felt like a lie.

I made the lady sit on a chair outside and a man came running towards her. Other people gathered too.

The man lowered himself. His back facing towards me. Is he her son?

"Maa, how did you get hurt? You always hurt yourself. Can you for once take proper care of yourself?" He took her feet in his hands carefully.

" maasi maa, Neil is right you should have taken care." The other man says in a concerning tone.

"Areey, I'm fine now this young lady right here helped me alot and because of her I'm a lot better now."

Everybody turned to face me.

I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on the man. It couldn't be. It just couldn't be.

But as I gazed into his eyes, memories began to flood my mind. It was him.

The man turned to face me and stood up before me, his hazel eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. His gaze was warm, yet piercing, as if he could see right through to my soul. His broad shoulders and chiseled physique. The flecks of gold and green in his eyes seemed to dance in the light, adding a depth and complexity to their color. Hell couldn't be more alluring.

I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. How could this be happening?

"You" we both said together. Annoyed.

"What are you doing here?"

"I should ask you the same question."

The woman who was injured asked him "Neil, beta do you both know each other?"

"of course, how could I forget him, he ruined the dream of my hospital in no time by buying that land to build his so called company even when he knew that all the formalities and paper work has been completed. Even then, he used his money and power and stepped on my dream." I said as my eyes blazed with anger.

The music and laughter around us seemed to fade into the background as Neil and I locked eyes, the tension between us palpable. I knew I was crossing a line, but I couldn't help it. The wounds Neil had inflicted on me still hurt, and seeing him happy and triumphant was like salt in the wound.

"I don't care about that hospital or whatever it is. If it was such a big dream of yours new could just have buyed another piece of land. don't blame me for this." His words laced with venom

"People like you are just-" and before I could finish my sentence, sanjay uncle interrupted us "enough of your bullshit Kaveri. You can't talk like this to our guests. And do you even know who you are talking to he is the CEO of-"

This time I cut him off. "I don't care whoever or whatever the fuck he is. for me he is the killer of my dreams." I glared at him

"Watch your words miss doctor, you should learn to respect others" he glared at me back with his ice cold emotionless face. Looking dead into my eyes.

I walked closer to him until my face was inches away from his." Respect is earned mr CEO" with that I turned around and started leaving, but my saree's beaded boder got stuck in his watch. I was in no mood of romance. NOT with Neil khanna. So before he could remove it from his watch I pulled my saree harshly ripping the beaded embroidery off my saree.

The pearls danced on the floor.

Least caring about my favourite saree I walked away from the scene.

I was done for today. I reached my car.

"Dii" rajveer shouted as he ran towards me.

"Dii, Neil is not like that he's a great man it's just that land was very close to the factory and we couldn't miss it. I-"

"Shutup Raj. You know I'm not mad because that miss showoff is marrying that guy. Not because I crossed path with the guy who shattered my dream years ago. It's because you who is so close to me you..." my eyes flooded with tears as I continued

"you knew he was the one who did this to me still you chose to join his company. It was very easy for him to get that land because he had money. But I worked my ass of to earn that much money and i couldn't get any land at that price." my words of felicitation feeling hollow and insincere even to my own ears.

He hugged me " dii it's not like that at all. I love you the most. Personal issues shouldn't be brought at work. You taught me this."as the anger dissipated,  reality set in, I realised what I had said to him. My heart rate slowed, breathing became normal, my mind cleared and I was hit by a wave of remorse.

He was right after all he is my brother. he shouldn't hamper his career over my issues that's the last thing I would want.

I just hugged him tightly and cried.

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