The clock ticked, a relentless metronome to Reyansh's growing unease. Fifteen minutes to a preordained disaster. He wasn't nervous, exactly, but trapped. Trapped in a tuxedo that felt more like a straightjacket and a life his father envisioned, not him.
Sure, he looked the part of a billionaire's son on a date. The crisp white shirt hugged his broad shoulders, the black bowtie a stark contrast. The tailored tuxedo, a recent shopping spree "courtesy" of his enthusiastic Mom, fit perfectly. Yet, it felt like a costume.
His fingers, accustomed to the smooth caress of guitar strings, felt alien around the stiff collar. The cologne his Dad insisted on reeked of old money, suffocating the rockstar wannabe simmering beneath the surface.
Six more grueling months of internship and he'd finally be a doctor, the coveted MBBS a badge of honor. Then, the real dream - Cardiac Surgery. But his father, in his infinite business-oriented wisdom, seemed obsessed with him inheriting the empire.
A blind date with his business partner's daughter? The irony was delicious. His heart, the very organ he aspired to heal, belonged to someone else entirely. Shila. His best friend, confidante, the fiery singer to his melody. They were a band, a hidden gem - Shila, Ken the golden-voiced frontman, and Reyansh, the invisible composer pulling the strings.
A knock shattered his introspection. It was Mom, her eyes sparkling with misplaced hope. Avi, his one-year-old niece, the apple of their eye, gurgled in her arms.
"Ready, handsome?" Mom asked, her voice laced with a hope that tugged at him.
"Mom," he sighed, burying his face in Avi's soft hair, "is this really necessary?"
She chuckled. "It's a date, honey. A chance to meet someone special. Your father's pulling out all the stops, swanky rooftop reservation and all."
"But Mom, I'm not looking for someone special," he mumbled, the lie a bitter taste on his tongue. Special was Shila.
"Just be a good boy, meet Kiara, have a decent conversation," she nudged him playfully. "You don't have to marry her tonight, do you?"
Kiara. Another foreign name in this charade.
"Fine," he conceded with a playful sigh, "but don't expect fireworks."
Mom winked. "Just have fun, Rey. Relax. Who knows, maybe this Kiara will surprise you."
Fun. The word felt like a bad joke. This wasn't a date, it was an obligation.
••••
Across the crowded restaurant, Kiara awaited him, her beauty breathtaking in person.
"Hi," she chirped, a dazzling smile lighting up her face.
He managed a return smile, a strange mix of guilt and relief bubbling inside. Kiara was stunning, no doubt, but his heart belonged to Shila. Just as he opened his mouth to confess, his phone buzzed, the familiar ringtone a jarring intrusion.
"Excuse me," he mumbled, fumbling for the device.
Kiara's smile never faltered. "Go ahead," she chirped.
A voice, laced with panic, crackled through the receiver. The world tilted. His breath hitched, the carefully constructed facade crumbling in an instant. The vibrant restaurant faded into a blurry mess. All he could see was the fear etched on his mother's voice, the image of his family fractured and broken.
"I'll be right there," he choked out, the phone clattering against the table as he bolted for the exit.
Kiara watched him go, a puzzled frown creasing her perfect brow.
••••
The screech of burning rubber echoed through the rain-slicked street as Reyansh flung the car into park. He leaped out, the icy downpour a welcome counterpoint to the inferno raging in his gut. The hospital entrance was a chaotic tableau of flashing cameras, frantic reporters, and worried faces. Reyansh pushed through the throng, a single-minded purpose driving him forward.
The sterile scent of disinfectant assaulted his senses, a cold counterpoint to the raw terror clawing at his throat. He spotted a doctor in blue scrubs and barked, "My family! Can I see them? Where are they?"
The doctor's response was a body blow. "I'm terribly sorry, sir. There were no survivors. We were only able to save one – your niece, Avi.”
•••••
Three months. Three hazy months shrouded in suffocating grief. The funerals were a blur, the final goodbyes echoing hollowly in the cavernous space of his heart. Avi, his niece, the sole survivor, remained in the hospital. Guilt gnawed at Reyansh's insides. Lost in his personal abyss, he'd neglected everything else.
No calls, no visitors. The media frenzy, a fleeting storm, had vanished. Had everyone simply moved on, leaving him adrift in his ocean of sorrow?
The phone's shrill ring shattered the silence. Hospital. Avi. Recovered, ready to come home. Relief, a fragile spark, flickered in the darkness.
"Thank you," Reyansh rasped, his voice rusty from disuse. "I'll be there."
As he hung up, a disquieting thought surfaced. Shila, his confidante, his muse... Ken, his closest friend... where were they? Not a single message, not a visit. Had they too abandoned him in his grief?
Leaving the counter, a disquieting fog settled around him. Why hadn't anyone contacted him about the bills? Where had the money vanished? These questions loomed large as he walked out, Avi safe in his arms, but a new worry blooming in his heart.
•••••
Placing a sleeping Avi on the familiar bed, Reyansh felt a fresh wave of guilt. He should have been there for her. Picking up his phone, he dialed the familiar number for the household manager, Mr. Kapoor. The usually steady voice that answered held a tremor of worry.
"Mr. Kapoor," Reyansh began, his voice rough, "it's Reyansh. I'm back with Avi. Is everything alright?"
A long pause stretched, punctuated by a hesitant cough. "Mr. Reyansh," Mr. Kapoor finally spoke, "there's something you need to know. The Malhotra business…"
"Difficulties?" Reyansh interjected, dread creeping in.
"Bankruptcy, Mr. Reyansh. The company has filed."
The word slammed into Reyansh. "Bankruptcy? But… the money, the house…?"
"Unfortunately, sir," Mr. Kapoor apologized, "the mansion is part of company assets. You'll need to vacate soon."
The phone slipped from Reyansh's numb fingers, clattering onto the marble floor. He stared at the silent mansion, a symbol of a life that had shattered. Now, not only did he grieve his family, but their legacy crumbled around him. He was adrift, holding a sleeping child and a future as uncertain as the empty rooms around him.
Sunlight sliced through the window, rousing Reyansh from a restless sleep. Beside him, Avi stirred, her brow furrowed in worry. "Mamma? Dadda?" she mumbled, searching for the familiar comfort of her parents.A pang of heartache shot through Reyansh. Taking a deep breath, he forced a smile. "Hey there, sleepyhead! Time for our morning adventure!" He scooped her up, twirling her playfully. "Bath time first, then we're off to see my friends and maybe even grab some ice cream!"Avi's face lit up at the mention of ice cream. Though barely managing the word, she let out a happy squeal, "Ith-cream!""That's right, ice cream!" Reyansh echoed, his voice tinged with a newfound cheer. "Let's get ready, little princess. Are you ready to be a brave girl today?"Avi, momentarily distracted, puffed out her chest and declared, "Yep! Leady!"A chuckle escaped Reyansh's lips. "That's my girl," he whispered, a surge of gratitude washing over him. Despite the overwhelming challenges, Avi's innocent joy w
As the heavy oak door slammed shut behind Reyansh, Shila let out a shaky breath, the anger momentarily draining from her face."Wow," she murmured, sinking back onto the plush bed. "That was… intense."Ken scoffed, running a hand through his mussed hair. "The nerve of him, showing up here like that. Did you see the look on his face when he saw us?" A cruel smile played on his lips.Shila shivered, a flicker of unease crossing her features. "It was… satisfying, in a way. But also a little scary. What if he…""Don't worry, darling," Ken interrupted, pulling her close. "He's nothing. A broke has-been with a screaming kid. We've got nothing to fear from him.""But what about the music?" Shila whispered, her voice laced with a hint of concern. "He'll know… he'll recognize his own work."Ken chuckled, a low, humorless sound. "So? We'll just keep feeding him scraps, enough to keep him quiet. Besides, who cares about a ghostwriter, right? The world only sees the star on stage."Shila remained
Instinct took over. Thankfully, Avi slept soundly in her carrier. With a hurried apology to the waiter, Reyansh placed the carrier on a nearby table. A concerned waitress assured him she'd keep an eye on it.Pushing his way through the throng, Reyansh reached the man. His medical training kicked in immediately. A quick check confirmed his worst fears - a heart attack. Adrenaline surged through him, replacing his helplessness with a fierce determination."Call an ambulance!" he barked at the manager, who fumbled for his phone. Every second counted. Knowing time was of the essence, Reyansh began CPR, his movements practiced and efficient.The ambulance screeched to a halt outside the familiar entrance of City General, the very hospital where Reyansh toiled as an intern. Relief washed over him."This man needs a cardiologist now!" Reyansh pleaded with the nurse, urgency lacing his voice. But her apologetic reply shattered his hope. "There's no available cardiologist right now, sir. We ca
His classmates, surprised by the initial aggression, stumbled back a step. But the one holding Avi held his ground, a cruel glint in his eyes. "Not until you entertain us a bit, Malhotra," he taunted.Avi's cries grew louder, her tiny body trembling. Reyansh knew he couldn't take another moment. He lunged again, this time with a speed and precision that surprised everyone. Years of hidden training in martial arts kicked in, his movements fluid and powerful.The classmate holding Avi barely had time to react before Reyansh's elbow connected with his solar plexus, the impact knocking the wind out of him. With a gasp, he doubled over, releasing his grip on Avi.Instinctively, Reyansh scooped her up before she hit the floor, cradling her close. The other classmates, momentarily stunned, finally reacted. They lunged towards him, a pack of wolves attacking a lone wolf pup.But Reyansh was a whirlwind of controlled fury. He met their attacks with practiced ease, his movements a blur of block
Reyansh knew Dr. Sudha wasn't naive. Maybe she'd seen the news, or maybe his family history was an open book to someone of her stature. Regardless, her offer was a lifeline, and he grasped it with both hands.Following the driver, Reyansh embarked on a new chapter, a flicker of hope rekindled in his chest. He reached the farmhouse, exhaustion finally claiming him. The driver unloaded their belongings, and Reyansh collapsed onto the bed, the weight of the day finally pressing down. He managed to settle Avi before succumbing to sleep himself.•••••Sunlight, a welcome change from the sterile white walls of his intern's quarters, streamed through the farmhouse curtains. A gentle pattering on his cheek brought a smile to Reyansh's face – it was Avi!"Very good morning, sleepyhead!" he said, his voice thick with sleep but warm with affection.Avi giggled and patted him back, her tiny hand surprisingly strong."Whoa there, little one," Reyansh chuckled. "You're beating up your Dad!"At the
A genuine smile lit up Saarayu's face. "Wow, that's amazing! All the very best, Reyansh," she said, her voice filled with warmth. Reyansh felt a flutter in his chest at the sound of his name."Thank you, Saarayu," he replied, surprised by the unexpected connection he felt despite their brief encounter.Suddenly, a flicker of surprise crossed her face. "Oh, I apologize, Reyansh sir," she stammered, her voice dropping slightly. "I'm actually a third-year M.B.B.S student myself."Reyansh stopped walking abruptly, a wave of emotions washing over him. He'd been about to ask her to be friends, the ghosts of his past threatening to pull him back. Taking a deep breath, he forced a smile. "Nothing really," he said, his voice strained. "Just lost in thought for a moment.""This must be the principal's office," Saarayu said, halting in front of the large oak door. Glancing around at the festive decorations and excited chatter, Reyansh noticed the college was buzzing. "Wow, is there a special eve
"Back off," Reyansh growled, anger boiling in his gut. "You have no idea who you're messing with."Ken raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Who is this hot chick?" he drawled, his gaze flicking between Saarayu and Reyansh."I said back off," Reyansh repeated, his voice a low growl. "Don't tempt me."Ken scoffed. "What are you gonna do? You're such a loser."A fierce determination surged through Reyansh. "Consider this a challenge, Ken," he declared. "You won't be the only rockstar around here for much longer. I'll show the world my talent. Your little rockstar facade, your inflated ego – I'll snatch it all from you. Just wait and see."A flicker of uncertainty crossed Ken's eyes, a hint that maybe, just maybe, Reyansh's words held more weight than he cared to admit.With a final glare, Ken stormed off, leaving them amidst the curious stares of the remaining festival-goers."Saarayu, what was that?" Reyansh blurted, still reeling from the slap. "You slapped him!"Her expres
"Yeh!" she declared, her bright eyes sparkling with delight."Such a good girl you are, aren't you, baby?" Reyansh cooed, his heart overflowing with love.Avi, nestled comfortably in his arms, simply grinned and bounced a happy, "Yess!"The warmth of the reunion with Avi lingered as Reyansh scanned the living room. Everything was neat and tidy, a testament to the nanny's attentiveness."Thank you for taking such good care of everything," he said with a genuine smile.The nanny beamed. "Of course, sir. Is there anything you'd like me to prepare for dinner?"Reyansh shook his head. "Thank you, but tonight I'll handle it.Her eyes crinkled at the corners. "Certainly, sir. Enjoy your evening sir"With a grateful nod, Reyansh saw the nanny out the door. Now it was just him and Avi."Ice cream!" Avi squealed, pointing at her face with a mischievous glint in her eyes. He knew that look all too well - it meant she'd been plotting sweet, sticky mayhem.Completely forgotten. He'd promised choco