Sejal was busy with her shift at the store. Without looking up properly, she said sharply to Dean—
> "Please, Dean, I'm really busy right now. You need to leave."
But Dean didn't move.
He stepped outside the store and stood quietly, waiting.
> "If I just get the chance to look into her eyes once...
Maybe I'll understand what her heart still holds,"
he thought silently.
Just then, Herry, Sejal's elder brother, arrived at the store.
His eyes immediately caught Dean waiting outside, and his face hardened.
Walking straight up to him, Herry said in a stern voice—
> "What are you doing here, Dean?"
Dean turned toward him, keeping his voice calm and respectful.
> "Herry, I know I'm older than you.
But I still want to be honest with you.
Sejal and I... we've loved each other for years.
She confessed her feelings when she was young, and I waited—for her to grow up.
But now, suddenly she's engaged to Ken, and I can tell... she's not happy."
Hearing this, a flicker of concern passed across Herry's face.
His tone softened just a little as he replied—
> "I know there were tensions between your family and ours.
But if Sejal truly isn't happy... then yes, I have something to say about that too."
Dean looked into Herry's eyes and said with quiet sincerity—
> "You're not like Denny. That's why I came to you.
I just hope... you'll try to understand what we share."
Herry furrowed his brows, thinking for a moment. Then he nodded slightly.
> "Alright. First let me talk to Sejal about all this.
Only then we'll know what to do next."
Dean quickly said—
> "Let's sit and talk over coffee at the place across the road?"
But Herry shook his head.
> "No. Let's go to my place.
Sejal's almost done with her shift.
It'll be easier to talk properly at home."
And right then, Sejal walked out of the store, only to find Dean and Herry sitting together with coffee, deep in conversation.
Her heart jumped into her throat.
Panic rose inside her chest.
> "What is Dean doing with my brother?!
Did he say something?! What if Herry tells Ken?! Oh no..."
She rushed over and pulled Herry aside, whispering anxiously—
> "Dada, please! Don't say anything at home about Dean.
Especially not to Ken… please, no one should know anything."
Herry looked at her gently and gave her a reassuring smile.
> "Relax. I won't say a word to anyone—not even to Ken.
Let's not talk about this here. We'll go home and discuss everything calmly."
Sejal let out a small breath of relief.
But her heart was still pounding.
Dean had returned.
And today, he had spoken her name aloud—professing his love, to her brother.
That changed everything.
---
To be continued...