Lying on her bed, Veronica listened to Kahani's voice over the phone.
"Veronica, you have to come to my place for dinner tonight," Kahani insisted. "My parents invited you. And Malang will be there too, of course. They just want a meal with my friends and, well… my boyfriend."
Veronica smirked, twirling a lock of her hair between her fingers. "Sounds fun. I'll be there."
After hanging up, she glanced at the time. There was still plenty of time to get ready, and as always, she wouldn’t step out without looking flawless.
By evening, she had transformed herself into pure elegance—a vision of beauty, grace, and unmatched confidence. Her soft waves cascaded down her back, and her outfit was a perfect blend of luxury and sophistication.
Satisfied with her reflection, she stepped out and made her way to Kahani's mansion.
First Impressions & Silent Judgments
The Malhotra estate was a display of wealth—grand pillars, sparkling chandeliers, and a lavishly decorated interior.
As she entered, her eyes immediately fell on Malang.
He was sitting with Kahani’s parents, his posture stiff, his expression distant. He looked uncomfortable.
The moment she stepped into the room, all eyes turned toward her.
Mr. and Mrs. Malhotra exchanged quick glances. They could tell at first sight that Veronica was not an ordinary girl.
Her poise, grace, and the way she carried herself spoke volumes about her status.
Their smiles widened, their voices turning sweeter.
"Veronica, dear, welcome!" Mrs. Malhotra beamed.
"Ah, what a lovely young woman," Mr. Malhotra added.
Veronica returned their pleasantries with a polite smile. "Thank you for having me."
With that, they all moved to the dining hall, where an extravagant dinner was laid out.
A Conversation That Left Veronica Unsettled
The atmosphere seemed pleasant—at least on the surface.
But then, Kahani's father decided to speak his mind.
"Malang, son… you should stop that little startup of yours," he said casually, sipping his wine. "It’s pointless, anyway. Once you and Kahani get married, you’ll have to take over my business. That’s where your real duty lies."
Veronica’s fork paused mid-air.
"You should always remember," he continued, his tone sharp yet indifferent, "it’s because of Kahani that you’re here. If not for her, well… who knows what might have happened to you?"
A tense silence fell over the table.
Veronica glanced at Malang.
He said nothing. Not a single word.
But his fingers gripped his fork tightly, his knuckles turning white.
Something in Veronica twisted.
She had never asked about Malang’s past—she never needed to. But this… this was different.
"Why would someone say something like that?" she thought.
For the first time, she saw something in Malang’s eyes that she had never seen before—defeat.
Not anger. Not frustration.
Just exhaustion.
As soon as dinner ended, Malang excused himself and walked straight out into the garden.
A Quiet Moment Under the Night Sky
Veronica followed him.
She found him sitting on a bench, his head down, shoulders slumped.
She didn’t speak right away.
Instead, she sat beside him and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Don’t take their words to heart," she said softly. "You’re more than just someone’s convenience."
Malang let out a bitter chuckle, still staring at the ground. "Easy for you to say."
Veronica tilted her head. "No. It’s the truth."
She paused before adding, "You’re an incredible guy, Malang. You should follow your own dreams."
For a moment, he just sat there, absorbing her words.
Then, for the first time that night, his tense expression softened.
And in that moment, Malang realized—there was finally someone who genuinely cared for him.
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