Sitting on the open rooftop stairs, Ira gazed blankly at the twinkling stars and the shining moon. She wrapped her arms tightly around her hooded body, trying to ward off the chilly night air, but unable to shake off the icy grip of her thoughts.

New year… what's new? Same sky, same earth, same torture, same life, sa— no. Maybe it's worse. More toxic air, more tainted water, more corruption, more commotion, more depression. Yeah, that's the only difference.

She drew in a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill her lungs. Her thoughts continued to whirl, a tangled mess of emotions and anxieties, as she sank deeper into her introspective haze.

"Ira!"

Nakul's voice pierced the surfacing stillness, forcing her lips to press into a thin line.

"Ira! Where are you? Come downstairs. Fast!" he yelled again, his voice growing louder, bouncing off the concrete walls of the stairs.

Ira's lips remained sealed, but her eyebrows knitted at the sound of his approaching footsteps.

Is he stupid? I've got ears. If I'm not responding, it means I want some space!

"Blacky buffalo!" Nakul bellowed angrily as he huffed and puffed his way up the stairs. "Can't you hear me the first time, idiot?!"

He collapsed onto the steps two levels below Ira, dumping a black plastic bag beside him with a soft thud. "I'm sweating bullets in this freezing cold, all thanks to you!" he shot her a withering glare.

"Then why don't you try some yoga instead of blaming me, you cheap hulk?" Ira shot back, sarcastically. "You’re turning into a bloated football!"

Nakul wrapped his arms around his waist, grasping the hem of his hoodie. Pulling it over his head, he let out a contented sigh as he settled into a more comfortable position.

With a lazy flick of his wrist, he tossed the hoodie into Ira's lap, then stretched his arms overhead, arching his back in a languid yawn. "Looks like something's wrong," he said, a teasing smirk playing on his lips.

Ira tossed the hoodie onto the railing with a sharp, jerky motion. The fabric settled against the rough concrete wall. "Nothing's wrong," she spat, her voice low and tight.

Nakul climbed two steps higher, settling comfortably behind her. His eyes sparkled with mischief, and with a quick, playful swipe, he slapped the back of her head.

Ira retaliated with a swift slap on his knee. "Can't you just leave me alone for once?" she snapped, eyes flashing with irritation. "Just give me some peace, okay?"

Nakul gently tugged her hair, tilting her face toward the sky, and nodded several times with a cheeky smile. "Tell me, and I'll leave. Simple," he shrugged.

Ira jerked her head away, teeth gritted, knocking his hand off her hair. "Fine, stay then," she spat. "Just shut up and don't say another word."

Clamping his hands down on her shoulders, he suddenly yanked her forward, making her stumble near the edge of the stair. Ira's eyes flew wide, her arms flailing for balance, before he steadied her – a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

Her body remained rigid, mind racing to process the sudden jolt. Then, in one swift motion, she sprang to her feet and spun around. "What the hell?!"

"Scaredy cat!" Nakul taunted, his grin widening, showing off his perfectly aligned teeth.

Ira unleashed a flurry of wild punches at him, while he laughed even harder, raising his arms to block her blows. "Sorry, sorry!" he choked out between coughs.

He tried to compose himself, but his giggles kept bubbling up, only fueling Ira's growing anger. He attempted to grab hold of her, but his fingers kept slipping off her arms, weakened by laughter.

"Ira! Ira! Let's forget about fighting for now, okay? Eat first, then we can duke it out."

Ira's hand halted mid-air. Taking a moment to calm herself, she sank back onto the step in silence. A minute or two passed before she reached for the snack bag.

Nakul’s face softened into a gentle, knowing smile, as she tore open a packet of the snack for herself and handed the other to him.

The aroma of spicy and sour flavors wafted up, making her mouth water – a medley of chickpeas, potatoes, crunchy fryings, and garnishes of coriander, pomegranate seeds, and sev, all bound together by a drizzle of tangy tamarind water and a dollop of cool curd.

As the first bite touched her tongue, Ira's eyes drifted shut in pure bliss. "Delicious..." she breathed, her voice filled with satisfaction.

Nakul looked up from his own plate. "Is it?" he asked, his mouth full as he continued to savor his snack.

Ira nodded enthusiastically, eyes still closed in appreciation. She turned her face slightly toward him. "Mummy Papa?"

"They're eating downstairs. Don't worry," Nakul replied, still munching.

Ira nodded and dived back into her snack, the burst of flavors and textures once again commanding her full attention.

"By the way," Nakul said, his eyebrows furrowing as he gazed at the back of her head, "you still haven't told me what happened."

"Nothing," she replied, nonchalantly.

Just as Nakul was about to press her further, the air filled with the sharp crackle of fireworks, signaling the arrival of the new year. Ira's face lit up with delight, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the vibrant lights dancing across the sky. Nakul, however, merely shrugged, his focus returning to his snack – priorities clearly in order.

💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

"Happy New Year!"

The disco's confetti cannons exploded, showering the dance floor with glittering fragments. Cheers, screams, and whistles pierced the air as the crowd surged forward, their faces aglow with strobing lights.

The DJ'S pulsating beat throbbed through the speakers, making the floor vibrate beneath their feet. Couples clung to each other, lips locked, sealing fake promises; friends exchanged hugs, shouting hollow resolutions they would hardly ever fulfill.

"Sanam…"

At the sound of Rudraksh's whisper, Karan and Siddharth's heads swiveled in unison, their gazes drawn to his voice like magnets to iron.

Rudraksh's grip on the Sprite cans tightened, his knuckles turning white as his fingers constricted. His face, a mask of indifference, betrayed nothing, yet his eyes held a storm of emotions. They locked onto the girl who once used to say:

I can’t live without you, love. If you are the fire, I’m the water. We need each other.

A bitter laugh clawed its way up his throat, dying on his lips as a dry, mirthless chuckle.

Water kills the fire.

Karan's anger, etched on his face just moments before, began to fade, replaced by a softening of his features. Meanwhile, Siddharth's chest rose and fell with slow, deliberate breaths. The only sound he was aware of was his own heartbeat – a rhythmic reminder of the tension hanging in the air.

With deliberate slowness, Rudraksh handed one can to Karan, then spun his chair, turning his back on the crowd's laughter and chatter. The sounds didn't recede, but grew distant, muffled by the thrumming of his heart and mind. He raised the can to his lips, the liquid cool against them, and sipped with quiet, precise elegance.

Karan's face twisted, his eyes searching for answers as he turned to Siddharth, whose expression revealed the same anguish.

"Rudrak—"

"She's happy, Karan," Rudraksh whispered. The corners of his mouth twitched, pulled downward by an invisible thread. His eyes flickered toward his friends for a second before he exhaled a long, suppressed breath.

He leaned back in his chair, gaze drifted upward to the vibrant ceiling as tears pricked the corners of his eyes. His smile faltered, and he bit the corner of his lower lip.

With measured steps, he stood, the chair creaking beneath him, and shrugged into the jacket draped over its back. Before he could take another step, a firm hand clamped around his wrist, holding him in place.

"Where are you going?" Karan's voice was low and stern, his eyes narrowing as he rose from his seat.

Siddharth followed, his expression etched with concern, eyes locked onto Rudraksh's face.

"Home." Rudraksh's gaze drifted away, his tone neutral. "I promised I'd be back by eight. It's already twelve." He gently loosened Karan's grip, avoiding eye contact. "I need to go."

Before Karan could respond, Siddharth stepped forward, grasping Rudraksh's arms and holding his gaze. "Rudraksh…" His voice softened, steady yet persuasive. "I've never pushed you to confront your demons. But this is the moment. Face it. Ask the questions that have haunted you for the past seven months. Only then will you find peace."

Rudraksh's eyes dropped to the shiny floor before meeting Siddharth's again. A faint smile touched his lips. "Let it be, Siddharth. I don't want to."

Siddharth mirrored his smile, his tone firm but kind. "You know, Rudraksh… sometimes, a deer thinks that if it closes its eyes, the hunter won't see it." He paused, letting the words sink in. "But closing your eyes doesn't make the darkness go away. You have to face your fears, look them straight in the eye, if you ever want to overcome them."

Before any more words could pass between the two friends—

"How dare you push me, you rascal!"

Rudraksh's eyes widened. He instantly recoiled at the sound of the familiar voice slicing through the air like a knife.

Siddharth, meanwhile, let out a deep, exasperated sigh; his gaze settled on the culprit with a look of stern disappointment, like a parent at their wit's end with a misbehaving child.

The music screeched to a halt, and the spotlight swooped down, bathing the indignant girl in its harsh glow as she threw daggers with her glare. The sudden silence was oppressive, filled only by the collective gasps and held breaths of the stunned crowd, along with the faint hum of the disco's idle machinery.

"Push? People like you should be buried alive, Sanam Grover."

Sanam's eyelids snapped open. She jerked her face upward, her gaze locking onto the figure looming above her.

The dim light danced across his features, highlighting the oval lines of his jaw and the piercing intensity of his stare. A flutter stirred in her chest as she whispered, "Karan?"

Karan's lips curled into a wry smile as he crossed his arms tightly over his chest. His eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief, though his tone carried a quiet undercurrent of bitterness. "Yes, Karan. Glad the great sorceress still recognizes me."

Sanam struggled to rise, her fingers brushing against the soft, dusty fabric of her crimson off-shoulder gown. The loose folds rustled softly as she moved. Her jaw clenched, and she shot Karan an unflinching glare, still struggling to stand.

Her high heel skidded on the polished marble floor. She felt herself losing balance, arms flailing wildly before she fell again, this time gently. Her face burned with humiliation as the crowd's stifled snickers reached her ears.

Karan sneered. "Oho! You're trying so hard, but you've already fallen from everyone’s eyes long ago."

The crowd erupted into a chorus of snickers and applause, their mocking gazes piercing Sanam like a thousand needles. She turned her face away, twisting it in shame.

A tall figure emerged from the crowd, his muscular frame and tanned skin drawing admiring glances from a group of women. With urgency, he rushed toward Sanam. "Are you okay, baby" he exclaimed in his raspy voice, his hands enveloping hers in a warm, possessive grasp.

Karan rolled his eyes heavenward, his lips curling into a scornful smile as he mouthed the word "baby" with exaggerated slowness.

Forcing a weak smile onto her lips, she murmured, "I'm fine, Kabir."

Kabir's large hand came to rest on her belly with a gentle touch. His other arm wrapped around her shoulders, his thumb tracing soothing circles on her skin.

"And—"

"It's fine too," she assured softly.

With Kabir's support, she rose slowly to her feet, her movements stiff and cautious.

"You're… pregnant?" Karan asked, his tone sharp with disbelief.

The disco fell utterly silent. Dozens of eyes fixed on Sanam's belly – a mix of shock, pity, and quiet judgment swirling in the air.

"That's none of you—"

"Congratulations!"

The deep, husky voice – turned raspy from earlier outburst – now dripped with sarcasm. The slow, deliberate claps that followed were a cruel taunt in the sudden silence. All eyes turned toward him – his mesmerizing features illuminated by the flashing disco lights, his gaze fixed intently on Sanam.

"Rudraksh…" The name slipped from Sanam's lips like a blooming flower, her throat bobbing as she swallowed.

"Congratulations." Rudraksh's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he repeated the word. A half-smile trembled on his lips as he stretched out a hand that wavered somewhere between warmth and accusation.

He leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers. The question escaped in a fragile, aching tone: "You didn't invite me to your wedding?" His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, the lump in his throat visible even under the disco lights.

Sanam's glassy gaze locked onto Rudraksh's, her eyes searching for the emotions he hid behind that sarcastic smile. She hesitated for a moment, then reached out, her hand brushing against his in a tentative handshake.

"Thank y—"

"We're not married yet."

A collective gasp rippled through the room – mouths hung open, eyebrows shot up.

Sanam felt herself sink under the weight of the crowd's judging glances and stifled murmurs. She turned to Kabir, disbelief etched across her face. The pulsating lights seemed to strobe in sync with the crowd's collective heartbeat.

Rudraksh's hand withdrew, his fingers curling into a fist as he shot Kabir a searing glare. With a low growl, he warned, "You didn't need to say it that loud."

"Do not talk to my man like that, Rudraksh!" Sanam snapped, stepping forward to shield her boyfriend. Her eyes flashed with fierce protectiveness as she jabbed a finger at Rudraksh.

Rudraksh's eyes narrowed, the pain of her betrayal flickering across his face. "I'm trying to save you," he said, his tone thick with disbelief, as if he couldn't fathom her audacity.

"You don't need to," she spat, each word sharp with conviction. "And he didn't say anything wrong. We're not married. And I'm not ashamed of anything." Her hands instinctively cradled her belly.

Rudraksh's eyebrows twitched in stunned disbelief, his fists clenching as he struggled to contain himself. "Have you lost your mind?" he gritted out. "Get out of this mindset, Sanam."

Her face twisted, fury burning through the tears welling in her eyes. "Don't tell me what to do!" she cried, storming toward him, her fists clenched by her sides.

"Six years." Her voice trembled, her chest heaving with ragged breaths."Six years of our relationship…" She stopped, eyes blazing. "What did you do, huh? What did you do?!"

She slammed her palms into his chest, sending him stumbling backward.

Rudraksh's eyes widened as he struggled to regain balance on the slippery floor before steadying himself. In a swift motion, he grasped Sanam's right arm, fingers wrapping tightly around her left wrist, forcing it upward.

"What did I do?" His almond eyes narrowed, his jaw tense. "It was you who left me without a reason."

Sanam's face twisted in pain as his grip tightened. Tears spilled freely down her cheeks. Gritting her teeth, she yanked her arm free and seized his collar.

"Reasons?!" she spat. "What reason do you want, huh? What do you think of me? Am I your mother?!"

She shoved his shoulders, alternating her palms with each push, her tone dripping with mockery.

"Baby Rudraksh is sad – make him happy! Baby Rudraksh is crying – cheer him up! Oh, poor baby Rudraksh is shy-shy – give him an eternity to get comfortable, or he'll pass out! Huh?!"

Each shove sent Rudraksh a step backward, his feet sliding mechanically, offering no resistance.

The crowd erupted into laughter, faces twisted in amusement as they switched sides like politicians, reveling in the drama.

Karan's hand shot out, gripping the collar of a laughing man. He yanked him forward, the sudden jerk cutting off the laughter mid-guffaw.

"What are you laughing at, you f***er? Is there a circus going on here?" Karan's voice was low, dangerous.

The man stared at him, eyes defiant, a smirk spreading across his lips. "Yes. And you're all the clowns."

Karan's fair face reddened, his jaw tightening. He bit down on his lip and shook the man violently. "Watch your mouth, or I'll make sure you regret it."

Sanam's amused chuckle cut through the chaos – low, husky, and cruel. "You stupidly believed I'd wait for you forever? Rubbish." With a flick of her wrist, she tossed her hair over her shoulder.

Rudraksh's hands hung limp by his sides. His gaze, holding a thousand emotions, remained fixed on her lifelessly. His chest rose and fell in slow, deliberate breaths, like the calm before a deadly storm.

"Are you even a man, Rudraksh?" she mocked, putting emphasis on his name. Straightening her posture, she began pacing around him in a slow, circular motion.

The crowd watched with bated breath, eyes wide with anticipation.

"First of all," she sneered, "who gave you that name – Rudraksh? It doesn't suit you." Her lips curled as she continued, "Powerful, fierce, intense, dominant… nah."

She reached out, grasping his chin and caressing it mockingly. "You're just a baby, one who still needs his mother's lap to sleep."

The crowd burst into cheers, whistles, and applause.

Karan's face darkened, his eyes blazing as he stomped forward, shoving people out of his way. "I won't leave this bitch today," he snarled, shooting his hand out—

His face contorted mid-motion, eyebrows furrowing as a strong grip clamped around the back of his neck. Gritting his teeth, he curled his fingers around the firm hand, ducked, and spun on his heel, coming face to face with his captor.

Kabir's hand clamped around Karan's nape, holding him in place. "What's happening here?!" he demanded in his hoarse voice. "Why are you all after my girlfriend?!"

Karan's eyes flicked between Kabir's clenched fist and his bulging eyes. Jaw tightening, he kicked Kabir's calf.

Kabir stumbled, his massive frame wavering for a moment.

Karan seized the opportunity and shoved him backward. "Ask your bloody girlfriend!" he spat with loathing, resuming his strides.

Kabir sprang to his feet, clutching his knee. Twisting his lips, he lunged forward, aiming for Karan's retreating figure—but was suddenly yanked backward, his feet scraping against the floor as he struggled to regain balance.

"What's your problem, man?" Siddharth asked calmly, wrapping Kabir in a firm side hug, his other hand tucked casually in his pant pocket. "Am I interrupting them?" He glanced briefly at the trio before looking back at Kabir. "Let them settle their business first. Then we'll talk, okay?" With a gentle smile, he patted Kabir's back.

Kabir squirmed and twisted, trying to break free from Siddharth's grip, but the other man held him easily. "Who are you, now?!"

Siddharth's smile deepened, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Oh, buddy," he drawled, "don't try too hard, or I'll have to break your neck." His lips curled into a sly, teasing grin. "Trust me."

"You bi*ch!" Karan lunged toward Sanam, his hand outstretched to grasp her delicate neck. But just as his fingers were about to close around her skin, a firm hand clamped down on his wrist, halting him mid-motion.

"Leave me, Rudraksh!" Karan spat. "This girl has crossed every limit. I won't leave her today!"

Rudraksh's eyes locked onto Sanam's as he approached her with slow, deliberate steps, his footsteps echoing through the silent disco.

The crowd parted, their faces a mix of fascination and apprehension.

Sanam's eyes widened as Rudraksh drew closer, her gaze fixed on his face. She took a step back, her hands falling to her sides, fingers splayed and trembling slightly. Her chest rose and fell in quick, shallow breaths, her shoulders tensing as she fought to stay composed.

Rudraksh extended a hand toward her cheek, but stopped when his gaze fell to her belly. A dry chuckle escaped his lips. He withdrew his hand, sliding it into his jacket pocket, and leaned forward until he was at her eye level.

In a low, weary voice that carried the weight of his exhaustion, he whispered:

𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞;
𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝,
𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐣𝐨𝐲, 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞;
𝐆𝐨𝐝'𝐬 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠;
𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐚ç𝐚𝐝𝐞,
𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞.

Blinking away unshed tears, he turned on his heel and walked away.

Karan raked a hand through his sweaty hair, his jaw clenched tight, while his other hand rested on his waist. His eyes darted wildly, like those of a drug addict deprived of his next dose.

His nose scrunched up as he spun toward Sanam, jabbing a finger at her. "If you weren't pregnant…" His tall frame loomed over her, their faces mere inches apart, his hot breath washing over her. "I'd have shown you what it costs to mess with my people."

Sanam's throat constricted as she swallowed hard, trying to moisten her dry mouth. Her feet trembled, eyes fixed on Karan's furious features, her palms growing clammy.

Then, a sly smirk curved her lips. Folding her arms across her chest, she clicked her tongue. "Why so angry, Karan?" she taunted, her tone dripping with mock sweetness.

Her gaze flicked between Karan's enraged expression and Rudraksh's confused one, a calm defiance radiating from her.

"Are you... still not over my rejection?" she teased, a glint of triumph flickering in her eyes as she watched the spark she had just ignited.

A/N: Hello, everyone!

Sanam darling is here – with all her drama.

So, what are your thoughts on the situation unfolding in this part?