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Erheer’ s POV~

As we touched down in Mumbai, Dikshita and I headed to my penthouse. After freshening up, I inspected the runway preparations, overseen by my team.

Upon entering the hall, I surveyed the bustling activity. Half the setup was complete, with employees scurrying about. Sanjay, one of my staff, approached us, explaining the event layout. As we strolled toward the park, a faint apology caught my attention: "Sorry, ma'am."

The voice was familiar. I turned sideways, and my eyes locked onto Miheer. "Miheer?" I whispered, surprised. His face lit up with a radiant smile, and, true to his dramatic nature, he burst into enthusiastic jumping. "Erheer! Oh my god—”

Miheer's infectious energy was still unmistakable, but he composed himself, aware of the watching eyes. "Lemme introduce you to someone," he whispered-yelled, his excitement barely contained.

I shook my head, amused by his antics. Some things never changed. Following Miheer and Sophia, I trailed behind, curious about the surprise.

"Wait here," Miheer instructed, halting before a door.
He opened it, exchanged a brief word with someone inside, and then pulled me into the room.

My eyes widened as I took in the familiar faces: Saanvi, Kashvi, and Harnoor. Shock threatened to overwhelm me, but I swiftly masked my emotions, adopting a neutral expression.

Kashvi's face twisted in anger, her lips parting to speak, but Saanvi's sudden coughing fit intervened.
"M-mother..." Saanvi stuttered, her eyes pleading.
Harnoor's gaze bore into mine, hurt and longing etched on his face.

Saanvi's coughing fit worsened, blood trickling from her mouth. Kashvi and Miheer rushed to support her, while Harnoor frantically dialed a number.

I instinctively stepped forward, concern etched on my face, but Kashvi's venomous words halted me:
"DON'T EVEN DARE TO COME NEAR US."

Miheer's confused expression suggested he didn't understand the animosity. I inhaled sharply, pain stabbing my chest. Just then, a familiar figure burst into the room – Dhruv, dressed in medical attire.

"Vocal bleeding," he muttered, frustration etched on his face as he rapidly assessed Saanvi's condition.
With swift efficiency, Dhruv helped load Saanvi into an ambulance. "Let's move," he barked, his eyes locking onto mine for a fleeting moment.

I trailed behind the ambulance in a separate car, lost in thought. Sophia sat beside me, her silence a comforting presence.

My heart racing, memories flooded my mind like a tidal wave. I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles white. Sophia broke the silence, her voice soft. "Ma'am, no one ever dares to shout at you like that. How could she?"

I chuckled wryly, a hint of nostalgia in my voice. "She is... she was my friend, Sophia. Friends have the right to shout at you.”

As I entered the hospital, my footsteps echoed through the silent corridors. I approached the operation theatre, where Kashvi, Harnoor, and Miheer sat anxiously outside.

Sensing my presence, they turned, their eyes locking onto mine. Harnoor sighed and walked away, while Miheer's gaze pierced me, seeking answers to unspoken questions.

I shifted my focus to Kashvi, her fists clenched. "Wasn't eight years of destruction enough?" she asked, her voice firm but trembling.

"Leave us, Erheer. We can't bear another heartbreak." Her anger struggled to break free.

I whispered to myself, "I'm here to mend us, not break us." Just then, Dhruv emerged from the operation theatre, his eyes narrowing as they met mine. "YOU!" he thundered. "She's suffering because of you! Leave now, or I'll throw you out!.”

"I—" I began, but Dhruv cut me off, his voice rising.
"Leave, Erheer! You destroyed her mentally with your words and actions. When I thought she was finally healing, you show up again. What do you want? Money? Name your price, but leave my sisters alone! For God's sake!" Dhruv's frustration boiled over, his hands clasped together.

Just then, a nurse rushed out, "Sir, the patient is calling for Erheer repeatedly." Dhruv's expression twisted, he rubbed his face and strode back into the room, "Come in."

I stepped inside, halting at the door. Saanvi lay on the bed, an oxygen mask covering her face, Kashvi holding her hand. Miheer and Sophia flanked me, their presence a silent support.

Saanvi's gaze shifted to mine, her voice barely audible, "Ab kyu aayi ho?" (Why have you come now?)

A coughing fit racked her body. Dhruv firmly intervened, "Don't speak, Saanvi. Your vocals will suffer." Kashvi's eyes blazed, "LEAVE. NOW." I remained silent, but Miheer stepped forward, "Why are you treating her like this? What's going on?"

"Ask her, Miheer," Harnoor said, reentering the room, her eyes avoiding mine as she rushed to Saanvi's side.

Miheer turned to me, seeking answers, but I remained silent. "Tum toh kya hi bataugi nahi? Apne muh se bhala kon apni galti batata hai," Dhruv scoffed. ("You won't confess, will you? Nobody admits their mistakes willingly.")

He explained the situation to Miheer, whose expression transformed from curiosity to disappointment.

"Tell me, why have you come back now? Everything was fine without you. Did they call you? No! You've caused chaos in Saanvi, Kashvi, and Harnoor's lives. I never thought you were heartless, but you proved me wrong. You were supposed to protect them, not destroy them."

His words cut deep, but Sophia jumped to my defense. "Are you finished? Don't speak without knowing the whole story!”

I raised a hand, silencing Sophia. "About which family are you talking about?" I asked, my voice echoing through the tense room.

A chuckle escaped my lips as memories flooded back.
Glancing at Saanvi, I said, "Take care. Good luck with your runway." With that, I turned and walked away, leaving the tumultuous emotions behind.

I returned to the penthouse, my emotions raw and exposed. Ignoring Dikshita's concerned gaze, I swiftly entered my room and locked the door behind me.

The moment I was alone, the facade crumbled. I slid to the floor, my body wracked with sobs. Tears streamed down my face, a release of the pain and anguish I'd held back.

The silence of the room enveloped me, a stark contrast to the turmoil within. My shoulders shook, my breath catching in ragged gasps. I let the tears flow, a cathartic purge of the emotions that had been building for so long.

As I wept, memories flooded my mind. Saanvi's frail form, Kashvi's accusing eyes, and Harnoor's silent disdain. The weight of their pain and anger crushed me. "Why did I come back?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

I thought I'd made peace with my past, but the encounter had ripped open old wounds. My mind raced with questions: What had I hoped to achieve by returning? Forgiveness? Redemption?

The tears slowed, replaced by a hollow ache. I stood, my legs unsteady, and approached the mirror. Reflections of a shattered person stared back – a person I thought I'd left behind.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

• Aesthetics •