Everything felt peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Like the calm before a storm.
Anaya was in the living room.
Smiling.
Talking with Kabir's sister.
Her laughter filled the house.
Warm.
Soft.
Alive.
Kabir stood at the entrance.
Watching her quietly.
His eyes softened.
"This… is my home now."
But suddenly—
The main door opened.
A woman walked in.
Confident.
Elegant.
Familiar.
Her heels echoed in the silent hall.
Anaya turned.
And froze.
The woman's eyes landed on Kabir.
And she smiled.
"Still the same, Kabir."
Kabir's expression changed instantly.
Cold.
Serious.
"…Riya."
Anaya's heart skipped.
Riya…?
The woman walked closer.
As if she belonged there.
"It's been a long time," Riya said.
Kabir didn't respond.
Anaya felt something strange.
Uncomfortable.
"Who is she?" Anaya asked softly.
Riya turned towards her.
Her eyes sharp.
Observing.
Judging.
"And who is this?" she asked, looking back at Kabir.
Silence.
Kabir's jaw tightened.
"Anaya," he said shortly.
Riya smiled slightly.
But it wasn't warm.
"Oh…" she said.
"So this is the girl."
Anaya's heart felt uneasy.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
Riya stepped closer.
Her voice calm.
But her words…
Heavy.
"He never told you?"
Kabir's voice turned sharp.
"Riya. Enough."
But she didn't stop.
"He was engaged once," she said, looking straight into Anaya's eyes.
Everything went silent.
Anaya's breath stopped.
"Engaged…?" she whispered.
Her eyes slowly moved towards Kabir.
He didn't deny it.
And that silence…
Broke her.
Riya crossed her arms.
"Looks like he forgot to mention me."
Kabir's voice was low.
Cold.
"It's over."
Riya laughed softly.
"Is it?"
She stepped closer to him.
Too close.
"You don't forget someone like me so easily, Kabir."
Anaya's chest tightened.
Something painful started growing inside her.
Jealousy.
Fear.
Doubt.
"Why are you here?" Kabir asked.
Riya's expression changed slightly.
Serious now.
"Because your enemies are back again."
Kabir's eyes darkened.
"And this time…" she said, glancing at Anaya,
"They'll use her."
Anaya felt a chill run through her body.
Kabir immediately stepped in front of her.
Protective.
"No one touches her."
Riya watched this carefully.
Then smiled again.
"Looks like you really fell this time…"
Kabir didn't respond.
Anaya stayed silent.
But her heart…
Was loud.
Later that night—
Anaya stood alone in her room.
Her mind full of questions.
"He was engaged…"
"Why didn't he tell me?"
"Does he still… feel something for her?"
Tears filled her eyes again.
"I trusted him…" she whispered.
Suddenly—
The door opened.
Kabir walked in.
"Anaya…"
But she stepped back.
"Don't," she said softly.
Kabir froze.
"Why didn't you tell me?" her voice broke.
Kabir looked down.
"I didn't think it mattered."
Anaya shook her head.
"It matters to me."
Silence.
"Do you still love her?" she asked.
Kabir looked up immediately.
"No."
His answer was instant.
Clear.
But Anaya's heart was still restless.
"Then why do I feel like I'm going to lose you again…?" she whispered.
Kabir walked closer.
Slowly.
"You won't," he said.
But this time…
His words didn't fully calm her.
Because love had started growing deeper.
And with love…
Came fear.
❤️