The Singhania living room had never felt so formal.

Two families sat across from each other, polite smiles carefully placed, teacups held delicately, and silence stretching just a little too long.

Everyone was waiting.

For her.

“Ruhi… beta, come,” Mrs. Singhania called softly.

And then—

Footsteps.

Slow.

Steady.

Graceful.

All eyes turned toward the entrance.

Ruhi walked in, dressed simply yet elegantly, her presence calm but confident. There was no nervousness in her posture, no hesitation in her steps.

She didn’t need to try.

She already stood out.

Veer glanced up casually—

And paused.

Just for a second longer than he intended.

Raj noticed instantly.

“Oh ho…” he whispered under his breath, leaning slightly toward Veer. “CEO fell in love at first sight.”

“Shut up,” Veer muttered without looking at him.

But his eyes didn’t move away immediately.

Ruhi met his gaze.

And for a moment—

Silence deepened.

Not awkward.

Not uncomfortable.

Something else.

Something neither of them understood yet.

From the corner—

Sweeta leaned toward Juhi. “3… 2… 1… blast incoming.”

Juhi grabbed imaginary popcorn. “I’m ready.”

Ruhi greeted everyone politely before taking a seat opposite Veer.

Mr. Rudra cleared his throat. “You both can talk privately.”

“No need,” Veer said instantly.

“I agree,” Ruhi added at the same time.

They both paused.

The room froze.

Mrs. Rudra clapped excitedly. “Same thinking already!”

Despite their protest, they were soon sent to the balcony anyway.

The air outside was calmer.

Cool wind brushed past them.

They stood at a distance.

Neither speaking at first.

Then—

“Let’s make this clear,” Ruhi said.

“Good,” Veer replied. “I like clarity.”

“I’m not interested in this marriage.”

“Same.”

Silence.

A brief pause of mutual surprise.

Hidden quickly.

“Then reject it,” she said.

“You reject it.”

“My parents won’t listen.”

“Mine neither.”

“So we agree,” she concluded, “this is a bad idea.”

“Completely.”

And yet—

Neither of them moved.

Neither of them left.

Instead—

They looked at each other again.

This time… more aware.

“You’re a doctor?” Veer asked.

“Yes. You’re a CEO?”

“Unfortunately.”

A small smirk appeared on her lips. “You don’t look like one.”

“You don’t look like someone who scares away proposals.”

Her eyebrow lifted.

“Who said I do that?”

“Your eyeliner almost confessed earlier.”

For a brief moment—

She almost smiled.

But controlled it.

“Don’t worry,” she said calmly. “I’ll make sure you run away too.”

“I don’t run.”

“Everyone does.”

“Not from you.”

Something shifted.

Again.

Subtle.

But undeniable.

Inside the living room—

The tension had turned into curiosity.

“They’re taking so long… good sign,” Mrs. Rudra whispered.

“Bad sign,” Sweeta whispered back. “Di hasn’t attacked yet.”

“Suspicious,” Juhi added.

Moments later, Ruhi and Veer walked back in.

Calm.

Composed.

Unreadable.

“So?” Mr. Singhania asked eagerly.

Both glanced at each other briefly.

“We—”

“We need more time.”

Silence.

Shock.

“MORE TIME?!” Mrs. Singhania exclaimed.

Mrs. Rudra clapped happily. “Progress!”

Raj leaned toward Juhi. “Plot twist.”

“I don’t trust this,” Juhi muttered.

Ruhi herself looked slightly confused.

Why hadn’t he rejected it?

Outside, Veer stood with Raj.

“You didn’t reject her?” Raj asked.

“I was going to.”

“Then?”

Veer’s lips curved slightly.

“She’s interesting.”

Raj blinked. “Ahh… finished. CEO gone.”

“Relax,” Veer said calmly. “It’s just temporary.”

But even he didn’t sound fully convinced.

Inside, Ruhi was immediately surrounded.

“WHY DIDN’T YOU SCARE HIM?!” Sweeta demanded.

“This is not our sister,” Juhi added dramatically.

Ruhi frowned slightly.

“I don’t know…”

She paused.

“He didn’t react like others.”

Juhi’s eyes lit up. “Challenge accepted.”

A small smirk appeared on Ruhi’s face.

By evening, the atmosphere had softened.

Laughter replaced tension.

The dining table was filled with food, voices, and shared memories.

“This food is amazing!” Mrs. Rudra said happily. “I’m already loving my daughter-in-law.”

Ruhi coughed slightly.

Veer looked away, hiding a smile.

“Eat more,” Mrs. Singhania insisted warmly.

Mr. Rudra laughed. “Just like old times, Singhania.”

“Exactly! Remember our kids?”

Veer paused mid-sip.

Mrs. Rudra lit up. “Oh yes! They used to play together!”

Ruhi froze—

Just for a second.

“So quiet,” Mrs. Rudra continued, pointing at Veer.

“And she—” she gestured toward Ruhi, smiling, “—was so clingy!”

Laughter filled the room.

But not between them.

Their eyes met briefly.

Veer spoke calmly, “I don’t remember much.”

“Me neither,” Ruhi replied.

But something in their expressions said otherwise.

A memory flickered—

Soft.

Faded.

But real.

A garden.

A little girl running happily.

“Veer!!”

A young boy sitting, slightly annoyed.

“Why are you following me again?”

She hugged his arm tightly.

“Because you my favowite!”

He sighed.

“Go play somewhere else.”

“Nooo!”

Then, confidently—

“You my husband!”

He froze.

“What?!”

“Papa said I marry good boy… you good boy… so you mine!”

She hugged him tighter.

He awkwardly patted her head.

“Kids are weird…”

The memory faded.

But the feeling didn’t.

Back in the present—

Veer sat quietly, thoughtful.

“Something feels… familiar,” he murmured.

Across the house, Ruhi stood in the kitchen, equally lost.

“You knew him before?!” Sweeta demanded suddenly.

“No.”

“Liar detected,” Juhi said.

“I said no.”

But her eyes betrayed her.

Later that evening—

They walked together.

Side by side.

Not too close.

Not too far.

“Did we meet before?” Veer asked.

“Why?”

“You don’t feel like a stranger.”

She smirked slightly. “Maybe you meet many girls like me.”

“No,” he said firmly. “I would remember.”

The wind brushed past them.

“You really used to scare people away?” he asked.

“Scared?” she teased.

“Not yet.”

“Don’t worry. I haven’t started properly.”

He smirked. “I’m waiting.”

They stopped.

Looked at each other.

This time—

Softer.

Quieter.

Less guarded.

Elsewhere in the garden—

Raj was trying.

And failing.

“So… what do you like?” he asked Juhi.

“Peace.”

“I can give that.”

“Then stop talking.”

He blinked.

Then laughed.

“Tough.”

“Honest.”

“I like that.”

“I didn’t ask.”

But he smiled anyway.

Because somehow—

Even her attitude felt like a beginning.

And somewhere between old memories and new moments—

Something had already begun.

Neither planned it.

Neither accepted it.

But neither ignored it either.

Because sometimes—

The person you were meant to meet…

Was never truly a stranger.

End of Chapter