Author pov

Vikrant

He was on his way home, face calm-but the constant smile on his lips gave him away.

Today, he was happy.

Not because he had talked to her.

But because she had initiated the conversation.

Her smile at his foolishness had left him completely speechless.

He parked the car in his house's parking and walked inside, humming some random tune, twirling his keys around his finger.

His mother, descending the stairs, noticed the change immediately.

She stopped midway, eyes narrowing playfully.

"Unn hnn... something happened today."

His head snapped towards her, the smile faltering.

"Mom," he said, mildly annoyed.

"What?" she asked sweetly. "I was just asking."

"You look extra jolly today," she added teasingly. "So I wanted to know the reason behind it."

"It's nothing," he replied-but the smile betrayed him again.

He walked over and hugged her, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

She sensed it.

And she was happy for her son.

She had never seen him like this.

Vikrant was reserved. An introvert. Someone who spoke little and hid emotions even better.

And happiness... it rarely showed on him.

After a few moments, he murmured,

"Mom, main fresh hone ja raha hoon. Aap snacks room mein bhejwa dena."

She hummed in response, her hand resting fondly on his back.

He went to his room, dropped his bag on the sofa near the bed, and fell flat on his back, staring at the ceiling.

In a voice so low it was barely audible, he whispered,

"Ashika."

It was the first time he dared to say her name aloud.

Strangely, it felt natural.

Like a sacred word that belonged in his mouth.

A faint smile curved his lips.

Carefully-almost fearfully, as if saying it louder might break something fragile-he repeated,

"Ashika."

Her name had already become far too dear to him.

With a reluctant sigh, he dragged himself to the bathroom, took a shower, and came out refreshed.

Later, he sat down to finish the leftover work he hadn't been able to complete in the library.

Because of her presence.

Ashika pov

It was already late when I stepped out of the library.

I had plans to meet Pulkit, Aisha, and Rishi at the club tonight.

I went home, changed into my blue dress-perfect for the club-slipped into my heels, grabbed my purse, and was about to leave when the most noisy creature decided to poke her nose into my business.

Ashwani.

"Oh," she drawled mockingly, "so you're going to the club. Does Mom know about it?"

She tilted her head. "Or should I inform her?"

"Mind your own business," I hissed.

She ignored me completely.

"She's out shopping," she continued sweetly. "I think I should call her and tell her."

I was already late, and this bimbo-ugh.

Taking a deep breath, I composed myself.

"What do you want?"

"Oh, now we're talking," she smirked.

"I want the Junior President position in college. Talk to the authorities."

"It's not up to me," I replied. "And why do you even want that position?"

"I know it's not up to you," she said coolly. "But they listen to you. If my name comes from you, they'll consider it seriously."

"And why?" I asked.

"You don't need to know."

"I'll try," I said shortly.

"Better," she replied, stepping aside.

"Now can I leave?" I asked.

She moved away.

I walked to my car, shaking my head.

Is she stupid?

Why would anyone want the Junior President position?

Then again... it was Ashwani.

Agar woh ek baar dhang se bol leti na, toh main waise hi authority ko uska naam de deti. Itna drama kis baat ka?

The engine roared to life, and within twenty minutes, I was at the club.

Inside, my friends were already there.

I joined them, ordered a drink, and headed straight to the dance floor.

This was me-

a drink in my hand, music in my head, and peace coming easily with it.

Louder the music calmer the mind..

I danced to the rhythm, forgetting everything else.

"Ashi, let's take a break," Aisha whispered into my ear. "I'm exhausted."

She dragged me to the lounge, where Pulkit and Rishi were already seated, sipping Coke.

Of course.

If everyone got high, who would drive?

I was drunk-my unsteady legs confirmed that-but not enough to lose consciousness.

I sat beside Pulkit, holding onto his arm.

"Let's leave," I murmured. "I'm done for today."

He nodded and helped Aisha and me into the car, settling us carefully.

The ride home was silent.

It was already 10 p.m., which meant everyone was asleep.

Once home, I went straight to my room, collapsed onto the bed, kicked my heels away, pulled the blanket over myself-

And sleep came easily.

Ashwani pov

When Ashi left for club

She was gone.

Ashi had left for the club-laughing, glowing, careless. Living the kind of life that never asked for permission. The kind of life people made space for.

People adored her.

Bhai. Papa. Everyone.

Papa never said it out loud, but I could see it-in the way his anger softened when it came to her, in how his eyes followed her even when he pretended not to care. From the time she finished high school, he had been begging her to join the company. Director position. Power. Responsibility.

He never asked me once.

Not even casually.

Not even as an option.

According to him, she was perfect for that place. More than Bhai. More than anyone.

He raised his voice at her, yes-but it was the kind of anger that wrapped itself around concern. He watched her silently. Protected her invisibly. Loved her fiercely.

And me?

I was invisible.

He never asked what I wanted. Never asked what I needed. He always said, "You don't need to worry about your future." As if my future would just... arrange itself.

And Bhai-Arjun. The perfect brother.

He didn't even try to hide his devotion to her. Late-night conversations. Shared dreams. Passion. Consoling her when she cried. Standing up for her in every family argument.

He made time for her.

For me, there was silence.

He didn't talk to me every day. Didn't ask how I was. Didn't sit with me just because.

The only person who loved me was Mom.

And even that love felt... conditional.

She didn't love me because she understood me.

She loved me because I was better.

Smarter. Prettier. More controlled.

Because her friends complimented her through me.

She didn't hate Ashi.

She hated the idea of Ashi being careless and still loved.

I was a trophy people admired on a shelf.

Ashi was a stone people carried close to their heart.

I don't hate her.

I just hate that she gets everything I want without ever fighting for it-while I'm called the lucky sister.

Lucky?

I stay up late studying.

I never step out of the house unnecessarily.

I bury myself in books, discipline, perfection-hoping someone will finally notice me.

And still... nothing.

Just like that, she took Arav.

My first love.

He was her classmate. Charming. Kind. Someone I wanted-desperately. When I gathered the courage to ask him, I found out he liked her.

And what did she do?

She rejected him.

As if his feelings meant nothing. As if breaking hearts was easy when you never had to beg for love.

She's heartless. Made of stone.

And the Junior President post?

I knew she had been offered the President position-and like always, she refused. First-year students aren't considered for it anyway. But Junior President?

That was possible.

No one knew me in college. I had no influence. No name. Getting that position would be nearly impossible for me.

For her?

Effortless.

So I did what I do best.

I negotiated.

I kept her secret.

And I asked for what I wanted.

The funny thing?

She didn't even care.

But for me, that position means power. Authority. Visibility. Once you have the system on your side, things become... easier.

This time, I won't settle.

This time, I will take everything I was denied.

Including the love that once chose her.

Vikrant Malhotra.

He's a fresher-just like me. And once I have that position, he won't be able to ignore me the way he does now.

Mom's voice floated up from downstairs, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"She's back?"

Of course, Ashi would be late. She always was.

I went down to the dining table and told Mom that Ashi had already eaten and was asleep. She nodded, trusting me without question.

We ate dinner. I went to my room. I lay down.

It was always like this.

Ashi lived-laughed, danced, existed.

And I simply passed through life quietly, perfectly.

And somehow, that is what made me the ideal daughter.

Really?