Meera's POV

Mumbai airport buzzed with chaos, but inside me there was only silence. After five years abroad, I had promised myself- no looking back, no broken memories. but destiny.... uski apni zidd hoti hain.

As i wheeled my suitcase out, a familiar voice stopped me cold.

Aarav: ''Well, well.... look who finally decided to come back. Meera Kapoor. still as gorgeous as the last time I ruined your life.''

My heart skipped. same arrogant smirk. same deep voice. Aarav Rathore - the man i had sworn never to face again.

Meera: ''Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho Aarav?''

Aarav ( leaning closer, teasing): "waiting for you. who else ? or did you think i'd let my favorite heartbreak walk around freely in my city?"

Before i could reply, another voice cut sharply.

Kabir: "stay away from her, Aarav."

I turned. Kabir. My anchor, my best friend, the only one who stood by me when the world crumbled. His eyes burned into Aarav's with pure warning.

Aarav ( chuckling) :"Ah, the knight in shining armor. Kabir, tum abhi tak bore nahi hue is role se ?"

Kabir (stepping forward) : "I'II play this role a thousand times if it keeps you away from her."

For a second, the air between them crackled, like a storm waiting to explode. people walked around us, unware that this small corner of the airport had turned into a battle field.

And I... I felt trapped between two worlds - Aarav's dangerous pull and Kabir's steady shield.

But destiny played its own cruel game. My phone buzzed . A message flashed on the screen.

Unknown number : "Welcome back, Meera. This time, you won't escape.

My breath froze. Who...?

I looked up, and Aarav's smirk had faded into something darker. Kabir's jaw clenched, his hand brushing against mine protectively.

Something told me... this was just the beginning of a war.