Maurya Mansion

Miransh came downstairs and walked straight toward the dining area.

Ivana and Palki were already having breakfast.

Ivana was taking a bite of her toast when her gaze fell on Miransh.

Her eyes widened.

The toast remained in her mouth.

For a few seconds, she simply stared.

Meanwhile, Palki hadn’t noticed him yet and continued eating peacefully.

Just then, Tia entered the dining area holding a few tissues.

She was about to place them on the table when she saw Miransh.

She stopped.

A look of surprise crossed her face.

Ivana slowly turned toward Palki.

“Bestie…”

Palki looked at her.

“Hmm?”

Ivana pointed toward Miransh.

“Are we dreaming?”

Palki frowned.

“What do you mean?”

Ivana gestured for her to turn around.

Palki looked behind her.

The moment she saw Miransh, a smile appeared on her face.

He was wearing the outfit she had chosen for him.

The butter-yellow shirt.

The beige trousers.

For once, there was no black or white.

Tia finally placed the tissues on the table and looked at Miransh suspiciously.

“Miransh.”

He looked at her.

“Is there something special today?”

Miransh immediately understood what she meant.

He glanced at his clothes before calmly pulling out a chair.

“No.”

Then he sat down and started eating his breakfast.

As if nothing was unusual.

Ivana took another bite of her toast.

“I think he’s going on a date.”

Miransh slowly turned toward her.

Ivana instantly realized her mistake.

“I mean…”

She quickly corrected herself.

“Bhai, you look amazing today.”

A grin spread across her face.

“I didn’t know you had such a great fashion sense.”

Miransh gave her a look.

Then his gaze shifted toward Palki.

Palki immediately pushed her hair behind her shoulder and lifted her chin proudly.

The expression on her face clearly said —

Of course he looks good. I selected it.

Miransh sighed.

A deep, tired sigh.

Then he quietly resumed eating his breakfast.

Tia looked between the two of them.

Then a mischievous smile appeared on her face.

Kiaan’s Apartment

Kiaan stood in the kitchen, preparing himself a cup of coffee.

The aroma had barely filled the apartment when the doorbell rang.

He sighed.

“Definitely Miransh.”

Picking up his coffee mug, he walked toward the door and opened it.

As expected, Miransh stood outside.

Kiaan looked him up and down.

Then looked again.

And again.

Finally, he said,

“When the bell rang, I thought it was my friend Miransh.”

He pointed at him.

“But who are you, bro?”

Miransh immediately understood what he meant.

His gaze dropped to the butter-yellow shirt.

He pressed his fingers against his temples.

“Why did I wear this outfit?” he muttered under his breath.

Kiaan took a sip of coffee.

“Did you say something, Mr. Sunflower?”

Miransh shot him a cold look.

Kiaan grinned.

“Can we talk about work?” Miransh said flatly and walked inside.

Kiaan closed the door behind him.

Before either of them could sit down—

Ding Dong.

The doorbell rang again.

Both frowned.

“Now who is it?” Kiaan muttered.

He pulled out his phone and checked the camera feed outside.

His eyes widened.

Miransh leaned closer.

Then his own eyes narrowed.

Outside stood Palki and Nayab.

“What are they doing here?” Kiaan asked.

Miransh looked equally confused.

“Ask them.”

The bell rang again.

Miransh immediately turned toward the room.

“Open the door. I’m hiding in your room.”

Saying this, Miransh was already walking away.

A second later, the bedroom door closed.

The bell rang once more.

Kiaan hurried toward the entrance and opened it.

His expression instantly transformed into fake surprise.

“Wow.”

He smiled.

“What a pleasant surprise.”

Palki narrowed her eyes.

Nayab looked unconvinced.

“Why are you here?” Kiaan asked.

Palki exchanged a look with Nayab.

Then calmly said, “Can we sit and talk first?”

Kiaan’s smile faltered.

That sounded dangerous.

“Of course.”

He stepped aside.

“Come in.”

The two girls entered.

Kiaan guided them toward the couch.

After they sat down, he settled into the chair opposite them.

Then he folded his arms.

“Now tell me.”

His eyes moved between them.

“You definitely didn’t come here just to sit with me.”

Palki took a deep breath.

“Kiaan, you’re a lawyer.”

Kiaan nodded thoughtfully.

“Thank you for reminding me.”

Palki rolled her eyes.

“I mean it. You have an advantage.”

Kiaan leaned back.

“What advantage?”

“My mother was a secret agent.”

Kiaan nodded slowly.

“And you’re a lawyer.”

Another nod.

“Police and lawyers have connections.”

Kiaan blinked.

“So?”

Palki looked at him seriously.

“So you can help us find information about the mission my mother was working on.”

Inside the bedroom, Miransh listened carefully.

His expression slowly became interested.

Palki continued, “That mission sounds important. If it has been going on for years, then there must be records, officers, reports… something.”

She leaned forward.

“If we find a clue about the mission, we might either reach mumma or that mafia. And if we reach mumma, we might reach that mafia too”

Her eyes hardened with determination.

“Or we can reach the mafia first, then we might reach my mumma too. In both cases, there is a benefit.”

Inside the room, a small smirk appeared on Miransh’s face.

Why didn’t this idea come to me?

Outside, Kiaan scratched his head.

“I understand what you’re saying.”

“But how exactly am I supposed to help?”

Palki immediately answered.

“You have access to courts.”

“You know lawyers.”

“You know police officers.”

“There must be someone who knows something.”

She paused.

“My mother wasn’t the only officer involved in that mission.”

“Maybe someone else worked with her.”

“Maybe someone knows what happened.”

For a moment, silence filled the apartment.

Inside the room, Miransh was genuinely impressed.

The plan wasn’t perfect.

But it was smart.

Very smart.

Kiaan sighed.

“Palki.”

She looked at him hopefully.

“Your plan is actually good.”

A smile appeared on her face.

Then Kiaan continued.

“But it’s not that simple.”

The smile disappeared.

“Those kinds of files are confidential.”

“Only authorized people can access them.”

He shook his head.

“I can’t just walk into a police station and ask for classified information.”

Inside the room, Miransh rolled his eyes.

Palki’s shoulders slumped slightly.

“But can you at least try?”

Her voice softened.

“Maybe talk to someone.”

“A senior.”

“A colleague.”

“Anyone.”

“Maybe you’ll find a clue.”

Kiaan looked genuinely apologetic.

“Palki, if I start asking questions about a classified operation, people will become suspicious.”

“My license could be at risk.”

“I can’t take that chance.”

The hope in Palki’s eyes dimmed.

She lowered her gaze.

For the second time in a few days, another possibility had slipped away from her.

Kiaan immediately felt guilty.

“Hey.”

His voice softened.

“Don’t lose hope.”

“We’ll figure something else out.”

Palki forced a small smile.

Then nodded.

Before anyone could say anything further, Nayab checked the time.

Her eyes widened.

“Palki. We need to leave.”

Palki looked at her.

“You’re getting late for the music studio.”

“Oh.” 

Palki immediately stood.

Nayab got up as well.

As they prepared to leave, Palki’s gaze unintentionally drifted toward the closed bedroom door. 

Something about it felt strange.

Very strange.

For a second, she frowned.

But before she could think more about it—

“Let’s go,” Nayab said.

Palki nodded.

“Bye, Kiaan.”

“Bye.”

The two girls left.

A moment later, the apartment door closed.

Kiaan immediately locked it.

Then turned around.

The bedroom door opened.

Miransh stepped out.

“They’ve gone,” Kiaan said.

Miransh sat down casually.

Kiaan stared. 

“Now tell me the plan.” 

A dangerous smile appeared on Miransh’s face.

“Now your actual job starts.”

Kiaan suddenly didn’t like that smile.

“What are you talking about?”

Miransh leaned back.

“You’re going to do exactly what Eyelid suggested.”

Kiaan’s jaw dropped.

“What?!”

“No.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Do you know how risky that is?”

Miransh immediately grabbed his hand.

Then, to Kiaan’s horror. He made puppy eyes.

“Can’t you take a little risk for your best friend?”

Kiaan stared at him.

Speechless.

Miransh blinked twice.

The puppy eyes became even worse.

Kiaan opened his mouth.

“Listen—”

“Thank you so much, Kiaan.”

Before he could protest further, Miransh patted his shoulder.

Then pinched one of his cheeks.

“You’re the best.”

Miransh turned and walked toward the door.

Kiaan stood frozen.

Completely defeated.

As Miransh opened the door—

He stopped.

His expression stiffened.

Standing right outside was Palki.

Arms folded.

A victorious smile on her face.

Behind her stood Nayab, trying very hard not to laugh.

Silence.

A very awkward silence.

Palki slowly raised an eyebrow.

Miransh took a deep breath.

For the first time that day—

He realized he might actually be in trouble.

Ivana’s College

The college garden was buzzing with students.

Some were chatting with friends, some were rushing toward their next lecture, while others were simply enjoying the pleasant weather.

Meanwhile, Ivana was busy doing something she considered far more important.

Taking pictures.

Lots and lots of pictures.

She stood near a flower-covered pathway, wearing a beautiful blue flowy dress paired with delicate accessories.

The sunlight perfectly complemented her look.

And she knew it.

Click.

Another pose.

Click.

Another angle.

Click.

Another smile.

Nearby, her friend Sachi sat on a bench, watching the entire photoshoot with increasing boredom.

Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore.

“Oh, come on, Ivana.”

She threw her hands up dramatically.

“How many pictures are you planning to take?”

Without even looking at her, Ivana adjusted her hair and struck another pose.

“Uff, Sachi.”

Click.

“Let me take my pictures.”

Click.

“My followers deserve updates.”

Sachi rolled her eyes.

“Your followers get more updates than news channels.”

Ivana ignored her completely.

She was checking the latest picture when something unexpected caught her attention.

A man had accidentally appeared in the background.

Ivana paused.

Her fingers stopped moving.

The man stood a short distance away, typing on the phone.

He wasn’t doing anything extraordinary.

Just standing there.

Yet somehow…

Her eyes remained fixed on him.

For a moment, everything else faded into the background.

The garden.

The students.

Even Sachi’s endless complaints.

Without realizing it, a small smile appeared on her lips.

And before she could think twice—

Click.

She captured his picture.

A second later, the man ended his call and walked away.

Disappearing from the frame.

Ivana blinked.

Then quickly looked up.

Her gaze searched the garden.

Left.

Right.

Behind the trees.

Nothing.

He was gone.

A strange disappointment settled inside her.

“Where did he go?”

Sachi looked up from her phone.

“Who?”

Ivana immediately showed her the picture.

Sachi took one look.

Then smiled knowingly.

“Oh.”

She nodded.

“Sanidhya.”

Ivana frowned.

“Sanidhya?”

“Yep.”

Sachi looked at the picture again.

“That’s him.”

Ivana glanced back at the screen.

“So you know him?”

Sachi laughed.

“Know him?”

She pointed around the campus.

“The whole college knows him.”

Ivana looked confused.

Sachi continued.

“He just joined our college.”

“What?”

Ivana’s eyes widened.

Sachi nodded.

“Yesterday he attended all the lectures.”

Then she gave her a pointed look.

“The same lectures you missed.”

Ivana cleared her throat.

“That’s not important.”

“It is.”

“It isn’t.”

“It is.”

Ivana ignored her.

“How did he get admission in the middle of the session?”

Sachi shrugged.

“His father is a billionaire.”

Ivana blinked.

“And his mother is a celebrity.”

Another blink.

“For people like them, getting admission into the city’s most popular college isn’t exactly difficult.”

Ivana hummed thoughtfully.

Then suddenly frowned.

“How do you know so much about him?”

Sachi stared at her.

“Seriously?”

She unlocked her phone.

“Because everyone is talking about him.”

A few seconds later, she turned the screen toward Ivana.

“Especially the girls.”

Ivana looked at the display.

Then her eyes widened.

There was an entire group dedicated to discussing Sanidhya.

Photos.

Rumors.

Theories.

Fan edits.

Everything.

“What?!”

Sachi nodded proudly.

“The group has been active since yesterday.”

Ivana looked horrified.

Then she noticed something.

A very important detail.

“Wait.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“Why are you in this group?”

Sachi smiled shamelessly.

“I like gossip.”

Ivana looked at her in disbelief.

Then looked back at the screen.

Then at the screen again.

Her expression slowly changed.

Suspicion.

Disbelief.

Then pure determination.

“I am the most popular person in this college.”

Sachi nodded.

“True.”

“I have millions of followers.”

“Also true.”

Ivana pointed dramatically at Sanidhya’s picture.

“And yet everyone is talking about him.”

Sachi immediately understood where this was going.

“Oh no.”

Ivana stood up.

“No.”

She pointed at herself.

“I am the number one attraction of this college.”

Then she pointed at the picture.

“This man has been here for one day.”

Another pause.

“And he’s already stealing my spotlight.”

Sachi slowly stood up.

Concern visible on her face.

“Ivana…”

A dangerous smile appeared on Ivana’s lips.

“No.”

She folded her arms.

“This cannot continue.”

Sachi took a cautious step back.

“What exactly are you planning to do?”

Ivana didn’t answer.

She simply looked at Sanidhya’s picture.

Then smiled.

The kind of smile that always meant trouble.

And Sachi suddenly felt very sorry for the new student. 

***

Sitara’s Notes

Sometimes life doesn’t change because of a big event.

Sometimes it changes because of a small idea.

A question asked at the right time.

A conversation overheard by accident.

A person who appears for only a few seconds.

Or a door that wasn’t supposed to be opened.

This chapter is full of such moments.

While writing it, I kept thinking about how fate works. We spend years searching for answers, believing we’re lost, while destiny quietly moves people and pieces into place behind the scenes.

Palki believes she’s chasing clues.

Miransh believes he’s protecting everyone.

Kiaan believes he’s being dragged into trouble.

Ivana believes she’s protecting her spotlight.

But sometimes the paths we choose are only a tiny part of a much bigger story.

And the most interesting thing?

None of them know yet that their lives are slowly moving toward the same destination.

Thank you for reading and walking this journey with me.

With love,

— Sitara Chandria