Silver-Topaz

Back in her hotel room, Anjali stood by the window, staring at the dazzling lights of the city below. The conversation with Anuj kept replaying in her mind. His smile. The way he had listened to her. Most of all, the way she had felt when she was with him. She glanced at her phone. For several minutes she simply held it in her hand. Then, before she could overthink it, she dialed his number. They had exchanged numbers in between the dinner. "Hello?" Anuj answered almost immediately. "Are you busy?" Anjali asked softly. "Not at all. Tell me..." A smile spread across her face. "I was thinking... since we have tomorrow free and you mentioned your flight is after midnight, would you like to explore Dubai with me? I mean if you don't have any other appoinment?" Anuj sat up instantly. "Are you asking me out, Ms. Raizada?" Anjali rolled her eyes even though he couldn't see her. "I'm asking if you want to go sightseein...

Khushi adjusted the dupatta over her shoulder as she stepped out of the elevator onto the top floor of AR Designs. Classes had ended early that day, and since it was Saturday evening, she and Arnav had planned to leave together for the Gupta house. A small smile touched Khushi's lips. Life had become peaceful lately. For the first time in months, she felt as though she and Arnav were finally finding their way back to each other. She walked toward Arnav's cabin. Just as she was about to knock, she heard laughter from inside the adjoining conference room. The door was slightly open. Khushi wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but a familiar voice made her pause. Lisa. "I still don't understand you, ASR." Khushi glanced inside. Lisa was sitting casually on the edge of the conference table while Arnav stood across from her reviewing some documents. Without looking up, Arnav replied, "Good thing I don't need you to understand me." Lisa rolled her eyes. "Y...

Anjali barely had time to smile before Khushi hugged her tightly. “We missed you so much.” Anjali laughed softly, caressing her hair. “Khushi… I went from here only yesterday.” “Haan toh ek din bhi bahut hota hai,” Khushi replied dramatically, making everyone chuckle. Nani walked forward with teary eyes and performed a small nazar utarna ritual for Anjali. “Shaadi ke baad aur bhi sundar lag rahi hai meri bacchi.” Manorama instantly added, “Hello hi bye bye, sasural ka glow hai!” Anjali blushed.  The house quickly filled with noise again. NK started his exaggerated stories about the wedding chaos. “Nanav was looking so grumpy during pheras as if someone forced him to marry,” NK announced loudly. “NK!” Arnav warned. “But then he kept staring at Khushi ji every two minutes,” NK added mischievously. Khushi nearly dropped the tray she was holding while everyone burst into laughter. Anjali’s eyes instinctively shifted toward Arnav and Khushi. And she noticed it immediately. The comfort b...

The atmosphere shifts the second the heavy oak door clicks shut, sealing the rest of the world—the noise, the family, the shadows of their past—on the other side. In the sudden silence of the hotel suite, the air feels thick, almost pressurized. Arnav doesn't wait. He pins Khushi against the door, his hands framing her face with a desperation that borders on hunger. For months, they had moved around each other like celestial bodies—constantly pulling, constantly resisting. Now, the gravity has finally won. "Arnav ji..." she gasps, her breath hitching as his forehead rests against hers. Her hands are lost in the fabric of his shirt, bunching the expensive silk as if she’s afraid he might vanish if she lets go. "No more talking, Khushi," he rasps, his voice a low, jagged growl. "No more running. Just us." He kisses her then—not the tentative, questioning kisses of their early days, but something deep, demanding, and certain. It tastes of relief and a lon...