Hello everyone so Finally my book is started I hope you'll support me in my journey 💘.. so before you go further I want to share with you.. as I'm a new author i kindly request all of my lovely readers please do not brings others book characters in my books or my books characters to others because it's too demotivating for a writer and don't compare anyone's book to others or mine to any other please 🥺.. so I hope you understand me well ❤️‍🩹 ..

Kuch jyada bol gayi to maf karna .. hehe .. bye 🪷.. happy reading...

★*★*★*

•|| Present ||•

Milan, Italy

It was a typical weekday, and the office was buzzing with the frantic energy of employees lost in their tasks. Suddenly, a sleek black car pulled up to the curb. Naksh Rajvanshi stepped out, every movement sharp and deliberate. He adjusted his watch, his navy blue suit clinging perfectly to his tall figure and broad shoulders.

As he walked through the lobby, everyone greeted him with practiced respect. He pushed through the glass doors of his private cabin and sank into his chair, the soft hum of the AC filling the silence. His desk was piled with land deeds for his upcoming hotels; seeing the positive feedback from guests regarding his hospitality gave him a rare sense of satisfaction.

With a soft click, a man in his early twenties stepped in. This was Kaizer Romano, Naksh’s PA. Naksh hadn't hired him out of pity or a simple need for staff; he had seen a raw potential in Kaizer that he knew he could mold.

"Good morning, sir," Kaizer greeted.

"Good morning."

"Sir, here are the land reports you requested for the upcoming hotel projects. I’ve finalized the best locations, and you have a meeting in one hour," Kaizer said, handing over a thick file.

Naksh observed every detail—locations in London, Spain, and across Europe. Yet, a persistent thought flashed in his mind: India. His motherland. He wanted to expand there, but the memory of the risk to his family made him drop the thought immediately. He couldn't go back. Not yet.

"Anything else, Kai?" Naksh asked, looking at him fully.

Kaizer’s face fell into an expression of regret. "Sir, we are trying every possible way to find Ma'am. Even the spy we sent to that house... she said they don’t even mention her name."

"Do whatever it takes, Kaizer," Naksh said, his voice hard with determination. "This year, no matter the cost, I will find her."

Just then, the doors swung open. A man in a crisp light blue shirt and off-white jeans stepped in, walking as if he owned the entire building. This was Veer, Naksh’s best friend and brother in every way that mattered.

Naksh rolled his eyes and returned to his work while Kaizer continued explaining the deals.

"Oo hello, main hu yaha pe, bhoot nahi hun jo dikhai na dun," Veer announced.

("Oh hello, I am right here. I’m not a ghost that you can’t see me.")

"Veer, stop the drama and tell me why you're here," Naksh sighed.

"Ab tere office me bhi na aau mein?" Veer mocked. "Dekh rahe ho Kesar, tumhara boss kitna akdu aur khadus hai, huh?"

("Can I not even come to your office now? Do you see, Kaizer? Your boss is so arrogant and grumpy, huh?")

"Sir, my name is Kaizer, not Saffron," Kaizer corrected with a sigh.

"Whatever, man," Veer dismissed him,

then turned back to Naksh

Kuch pata chala he said " with a look of genuine worry. He knew how desperate Naksh was. He had seen his best friend yearning for a woman who was only a memory for twelve long years. Naksh stood strong for his family, but his past still hunted him.

"Abhi tak toh nahi," Naksh said quietly.

("Nothing yet.")

"I have an idea," Veer suggested with a mischievous grin.

"What? Threaten them until they speak the truth?" Naksh asked without looking up. He knew Veer’s antics all too well.

"Wow, look at your IQ level! Bravo!" Veer laughed.

"I know exactly where the minds of you two go," Naksh said, pointing at Veer and Kaizer.

"Sir, we haven't done anything to them... yet," Kaizer added.

"As if you won't in the future," Naksh smirked.

The office phone rang. Kaizer picked it up. "Sir, Ms. Stankovic is here to see you."

Veer slapped his palm to his forehead. "God, this woman... she’s so frustrating!"

She was the daughter of a business partner from when Naksh first started in the hotel industry.

"Tell her I’m not in the office. Tell her I went to an urgent meeting," Naksh said, focused on his screen. Kaizer hung up after delivering the message.

"Waise ek baat kahu, Naksh? Tujhe dekh ke na ek movie yaad aati hai mujhe," Veer said.

("Actually, can I say one thing, Naksh? Looking at you reminds me of a movie.")

"Which one, sir?" Kaizer asked curiously. Naksh raised an eyebrow, and Kaizer quickly shut his mouth.

"Devdas," Veer chuckled. "She is crazy for you, and you are crazy for someone else. A perfect love triangle."

"Be quiet and go back to your own office," Naksh snapped.

Suddenly, the cabin door opened. A tall woman walked in, her hair flowing and her heels clicking sharply against the floor. Naksh closed his eyes for a moment, letting out a tired sigh.

"Hello, Mr. Naksh. How are you?" she purred, sitting in the chair across from him. She leaned forward, her deep neckline a clear attempt to seduce him. Naksh immediately looked away.

"If you have important work, tell Kaizer. Otherwise, leave," he stated coldly.

"Oh, Mr. Naksh, I’m just here to invite you to a party," she said in a sugary voice.

"Let me tell you one thing, Ms. Stankovic. I only attend business parties for the sake of the name. I don't attend social gatherings. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting."

Naksh stood up and walked straight to the boardroom, leaving her frozen. No one rejected her like he did—every single time.

The disappointment clearly shown on her face .

★*†★*†★*†

Delhi, india

Rathore Villa

It was a warm afternoon. A girl in her early twenties sat on the couch with her legs crossed, cheering for her football team. Her entire family watched her in amused silence.

"Yes! He scored again! Yes, yes, yes!" she jumped up in excitement.

Then, she caught her mother, father, grandparents, and brother Aryan staring at her, waiting for her to join them for lunch.

"Oops! Sorry, guys," she giggled. "Let's go, I’m hungry!"

"Dekh rahi maa, abhi tak uchal rahi thi aapki ladli aur ab bhuk lagi hai isko," Garima, her mother, teased.

( "See, Mom? Your darling was jumping around just a second ago, and now she says she's hungry.")

"Oh, leave her be. Come, my laado (dear), come to the table," her grandmother said, leading her away.

The dining table was a feast of aromas and colors.

"So, college starts again tomorrow?" Ravindra, her father, asked.

"Yes, Papa. I’ll have to wake up early again. I was enjoying my sleep and my jewelry design work. I don’t know how I’ll manage now, and top of that the attendance is compulsory because it's last year".she pouted, scrunching her nose.

"You’ll do great, Princess. Don't worry," Aryan encouraged.

Later that day, Neha sat on the floor as Garima massaged her head with oil. Neha loved this. Garima remembered how, years ago, Neha used to be terrified if anyone came near her, but time had healed those wounds.Neha sat up and put her head in her lap as patted her head like always do ..

"Aaj kal toh koi Papa ki taraf dekhta bhi nahi," Ravindra joked, feeling left out of the mother-daughter moment.

("These days, nobody even looks toward Papa.")

Garima narrowed her eyes at him playfully. "Tu soja, inki baaton par dhyan mat de,aur kalse jaldi ghar aayegi bhi nahi college ki vajah se."she told Neha.

( "You go to sleep, don't pay attention to his words.")

Arey bhalai ka to jamana hi nahi Raha he said ..

("There’s no appreciation in this house anymore)

Ravindra shook his head. "I just want my daughter’s attention."

"I want it too!" Garima fired back.

"Oh god, you two are starting again!" Neha laughed, sitting up. "Papa, Mumma, be quiet! Dadu, Dadi, please say something to your son and daughter-in-law!"

"What can we say between a husband and wife?" her grandfather joked.

"You guys are acting like children! Now, say sorry to each other!" Neha commanded.

They both apologized to each other, and finally, the family sat comfortably in the hall, their happy chatter filling the house.

Later that night, Neha was in her room, quietly arranging her books on the bookshelf. After she finished, she stepped onto the balcony to get some fresh air. As she stood there, the cool night breeze hit her softly, making her hair strands blow across her face.

Down in the garden, she spotted her brother, Aryan, taking a night walk. He was on the phone, likely talking to his girlfriend, blushing as he spoke. Neha smiled at the sight; she felt so lucky to have come this far with her family.

But then, her smile faded as she thought about the blurry dream she’d had the night before. The soft giggling of children echoed in the back of her mind, making her restless. She didn't understand why that specific moment was coming back to her now, but it left her with a deep, uneasy feeling—the kind that had followed her for years.

Suddenly, a warm hand rested on her shoulder. She turned to see her Dadi.

"Kya hua ladoo ?" she asked softly.

( "What happened, doll?")

"Nothing, Dadi," Neha replied, trying to shake it off.

"Dar lag raha hai phir se?

( "Are you feeling scared again?")

Neha sighed and told her about the dream and the strange restlessness. "Dadi, I don't know what it was. This isn't a panic attack... it’s just—"

"Shant, shant laado. Kuch nai hua, bas sapna samajh ke bhul jana, haa?" Dadi said, pulling her close.

("Calm down, calm down, my dear. Nothing happened. Just think of it as a dream and forget it, okay?")

Dadi knew the truth. She knew these were fragments of the childhood Neha had lost after the coma. But she also knew that if she told Neha the truth, the girl would start overthinking, and the agonizing headaches would return. It was better to keep that away from her .

"Acha ye sab chod, mujhe dance karke kab dikhayegi?" Dadi asked, changing the subject with a wink.

("Anyway, leave all that. When are you going to show me your dance?")

"Tomorrow for sure, after I get back from college!" Neha chimed, her mood instantly lifting.

"Achha chalo, ab so jao varna late hojaogi, han," Dadi patted her cheek gently.

("Okay, now go to sleep or you'll be late, right.")

"Yes, my baddie!" Neha laughed.

"Good night, meri laado."

("Good night, my dear.")

"Good night, Dadi."

.....Two worlds apart, spinning on different axes. In the cold marble halls of Milan, one heart was yearning....But in the warm sunlight of Delhi, another heart was healed –but past still lingers

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So this was the chapter I hope you'll like it ... ☺️.. the next chapter will be updated soon for the spoilers follow me on instagram... 🫣💖.. bye 🪷