The car horn rang out as the gate opened, revealing a sprawling mansion. Vihaan stepped out of the car, and a voice called, "You're late today as well!"

he replied flatly, "It's nothing." Then, with a sharper tone, "I just got home, and you’re already questioning me? Who do you think you are?

She started why didn’t you attend the concert? You know how important it was to me. Everyone was asking about you."

Coldly, he shot back, "You know I’m busy. I don’t owe you explanations. Now, please, move aside.

The next day, his best friend visited him at the office. It had been four years since they last met. "You got married and didn’t even tell me?" his friend said, half-joking.

"Just leave it. It’s a political marriage. You know about the will my parents left before they…..

He raised an eyebrow. "So, who’s the unlucky girl?"

"She’s the daughter of the Summit Group’s chairman," Vihaan replied.

Just then, a woman walked by—

She was a vision, a golden glow,

Hair like spun gold catching the dawn.

Eyes that reflected a storm-tossed sea,

A face that lingers like a dream.

Her steps, a rhythm, smooth and light,

Long legs dancing in the night.

A whispered breath, a fleeting glance,

She wove the world into her trance.

Timeless beauty, wild yet free,

A melody of mystery.

With every move, with every sigh,

She drew the stars down to earth with her smile.

Her voice, a low hum, resonated through the room.

He gestured toward her. "Oh, I see. Is it her?" "Yes," Vihaan answered.

He studied him. "Hmm... Do you still think about *her*? It’s been five years, man. You should move on. What do you think?"

He paused, his gaze lingering in the distance, before finally saying, "I don’t know." With a low voice. "Some things don’t just... fade away."

his friend replied bluntly. "But hey, if you’re stuck in this, at least try to make the best of it. She seems... interesting."

Vihaan glanced toward the door where the woman had passed by moments ago. "Interesting? She’s the daughter of the Summit Group’s chairman. That’s all there is to it."

Just as the tension hung in the air, his friend’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and stood up. "Well, duty calls. It’s time for my appointment with an important client. Can’t keep them waiting."

As he walked toward the door, he spotted Vihaan’s wife passing by in the hallway. He paused, offering a warm smile.

"Hello, sister-in-law! I’m Arv, Vihaan’s only friend. Sorry for missing the wedding—things got a little hectic on my end."

She turned, her golden blonde hair catching the light, and gave a polite nod. "It’s alright. I understand. It’s nice to finally meet you, Arv."

Arv chuckled, glancing back at Vihaan. "You’ve got quite the catch here, my friend. Don’t mess it up."

Vihaan rolled his eyes but didn’t respond. Arv waved as he headed out. "Take care, you two. And Vihaan—think about what I said."

Once Arv was gone, the room fell silent again. Vihaan’s wife lingered at the door, her expression unreadable. "Your friend seems... interesting," she said softly.

Vihaan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "He’s always been like that. Nosy, but well-meaning."

She hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Do you... talk about me with him?"

Vihaan looked up, meeting her gaze. "Not really. Why do you ask?"

She shrugged, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Just curious. Anyway, I’ll leave you to your work."

As she turned to leave, Vihaan felt a strange tug in his chest—

Guilt's shadow, regret's weight,

A nameless ache, sealed by fate,

Leaving only emptiness to wait.

To be continued……….

As she turned to leave, Vihaan felt a strange pull in his chest—a mix of guilt, regret, and something he couldn’t quite understand. He watched her walk away, her golden hair shining in the light, her presence still lingering in the room.

For a moment, he thought about calling her back, saying something to break the silence. But he couldn’t find the words. Instead, he sat there, staring at the empty doorway, his mind full of questions.

Why had she asked if he talked about her with Arv? Was she just curious, or did she feel something more? And why did it bother him so much that he hadn’t been honest with her?

He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his face. Arv’s words played in his head: "You’re married now. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?"

Did it? He wasn’t sure. What had started as a business arrangement now felt... different. She wasn’t just the daughter of the Summit Group’s chairman. She was a real person—someone with her own thoughts and feelings. And yet, he’d been so caught up in his own problems that he hadn’t even tried to know her.

The guilt weighed on him. He’d been so focused on his past and Pinnacle Industries that he’d treated her like just another part of the deal. But now, watching her walk away, he realized he might have been wrong.

Maybe Arv was right. Maybe it was time to stop thinking about the past and focus on the present.

Taking a deep breath, Vihaan stood up. He didn’t know where this would go, but he knew one thing—he couldn’t keep acting like she didn’t matter.

He walked out of his office, his steps firm. She wasn’t far ahead, her figure glowing in the hallway light.

"Wait," he called out, his voice calm but soft.

She turned, looking surprised. "Yes?"

For a second, he hesitated, feeling unsure. But then he took a step forward, looking straight at her.

"Let’s talk," he said simply.

He hesitated, then said, “I’m… sorry for how I’ve acted.”

She smiled faintly. “It’s alright. I’m used to it.”

The words stung. Used to it? He hated that she expected so little from him. Before she could leave again, he blurted, “Can we… be friends?”

She paused, studying him. “If you’re okay with it,” she said quietly, then turned and left.

Vihaan stood there, staring at the empty doorway. Can I really do this?

he wondered. Being “friends” felt like a small step, but even that scared him. He’d spent so long building walls around himself—first for Pinnacle Industries, then to survive the grief of losing *her*. Letting someone in, even a little, felt dangerous.

But as he walked back to his desk, he noticed something on the floor—a hairpin she’d dropped. He picked it up, the silver glinting in the light. For the first time, he wondered if maybe those walls weren’t protecting him anymore. Maybe they were just keeping him alone.

Outside, the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. Vihaan slipped the hairpin into his pocket, unsure of what came next but oddly… hopeful.

To be continued… 😊 😊

The next morning, Vihaan found himself lingering near the dining room, the hairpin still tucked in his pocket.

She sat at the table, sipping tea and flipping through a book, her golden hair tied up in a loose knot. He noticed a strand had slipped free, curling softly against her neck.

He cleared his throat. “You… dropped this yesterday.” He held out the hairpin.

She looked up, surprised, then smiled. “Thank you. I thought I’d lost it.”

As she reached for it, their fingers brushed lightly. Vihaan froze, the touch sparking a memory of *her*—the one from five years ago, the one he’d loved and lost. He pulled his hand back too quickly, guilt flashing in his eyes.

She noticed but said nothing, tucking the pin into her hair. “Would you like to join me for breakfast?”

He hesitated. Old habits told him to say no, to retreat to the safety of his office. But Arv’s words echoed: *“Life’s too short to live in the past.”*

“Sure,” he said, sitting down awkwardly.

They ate in silence at first, the clink of cutlery loud in the quiet room. Finally, she asked, “Do you always work this early?”

He shrugged. “It’s… easier. Less distractions.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Distractions like me?”

The corner of his mouth twitched, almost a smile. “Maybe.”

She laughed—a soft, warm sound that caught him off guard. For a moment, the weight in his chest eased.

But later, as he walked to his office, his phone buzzed. It was Arv. *“So? Did you talk to her?”*

Vihaan typed, deleted, then finally sent: *“We had breakfast.”*

Arv’s reply was instant: *“Progress. Don’t mess it up.”*

Vihaan stared at the message, then glanced back toward the dining room.

Can I really do this?* he wondered again. But this time, the fear felt smaller.

Two days later, Vihaan stood in front of her mausoleum, a bouquet of white lilies in his hand. Today was her birthday—the woman he’d loved and lost five years ago. The marble stone gleamed under the grey sky, her name etched in letters he could never forget.

He knelt, placing the flowers gently. “I… still miss you,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “But I don’t know how to let go.”

The wind rustled through the trees, carrying his words away like a secret he’d never meant to share. He stayed there for a long time, the cold marble biting into his knees, until his phone buzzed—a reminder for a meeting he’d forgotten.

When he returned home, he found her in the garden, tending to the roses. She glanced up, her hands stilling at the sight of his haunted expression. Without a word, she stood, brushed the dirt from her hands, and walked toward him.

“You don’t have to let go,” she said quietly, catching him off guard. “But you can’t let the past drown the present.”

He stared at her, stunned. “How did you…?”

She smiled sadly. “Grief has a way of leaving shadows on people’s faces. I recognize it.”

For the first time, he noticed the faint sorrow in her own eyes—a story she’d never shared. Before he could ask, she turned back to the roses. “You should eat something. I’ll bring tea to your office.”

To be continued… 😊 😊