Chapter 1: The Wedding That Changed Everything.
"Don't mess up the mehendi plate, Aman!"
"Okay, okay! I'm not touching it, Rosh!"
The wedding house was in chaos — the best kind. Laughter bounced off the walls, the scent of marigolds filled the air, and every corner of the venue glowed with golden fairy lights. Priya and Rahul's big day had finally arrived, and their friends — now scattered across different cities and lives — were back together after years.
Kiara stepped out of the car, adjusting her golden dupatta, her heels clicking softly against the stone path. It felt surreal — returning to this circle of friends, this chaos, after so long.
Roshni squealed, rushing forward. "Kiara! My drama queen is finally here!"
Kiara laughed as they embraced. "You're still dramatic as ever."
"And you're still glowing," Roshni teased, her voice dropping into a whisper. "Is it nerves... or him?"
Kiara stiffened slightly. "I'm here for Priya," she said, smoothly. "Let's not go there."
---
Inside, Aryan adjusted the cuff of his sherwani, standing with Rahul and Rehan at the mandap. He was calm — on the outside. But his eyes kept scanning the entrance.
"Looking for someone?" Rehan smirked.
Rahul nudged him. "He's been zoning out since morning."
Aryan gave a small, tight smile. "Just tired."
But tired wasn't the right word.
It was restless.
Because somewhere, deep down, he knew — she was coming.
---
Kiara walked into the decorated hall, and for a moment, everything stopped.
Her eyes found his instantly.
Aryan Kapoor.
The man she'd once imagined a future with.
The same man she'd left behind without a goodbye.
And now... he stood just steps away.
He didn't smile. He didn't speak.
But his gaze said everything.
---
"Kiaraaa!" Priya's voice broke the tension. The bride-to-be rushed forward in a flurry of red and gold, wrapping her in a hug.
"You look like sunshine," Kiara said warmly.
"And you look like a storm," Priya whispered playfully, glancing behind her at Aryan.
Kiara turned away. "Don't start."
---
The friends gathered for a group selfie, laughing, teasing, like old times — almost.
Shayri, the feisty lawyer, raised her eyebrows. "Okay, we're all settled, except for you two," she said, pointing at Aryan and Kiara. "Still no hello?"
Aryan shrugged. "I wasn't sure I'd get one."
Kiara looked away, forcing a smile. "We're adults. Let's not ruin the wedding."
---
Later, by the poolside, the girls sat with their feet in the water.
"So… confession time," Roshni grinned. "Let's talk old crushes."
Kiara raised a brow. "This again?"
"Of course," Shayri smirked. "Since one of them is literally sitting at the bar looking like heartbreak."
Kiara stayed quiet.
Priya reached over and squeezed her hand. "You never told us what really happened, Kiara. Why you left."
Kiara's voice dropped. "Some goodbyes don't come with explanations."
Roshni opened her mouth to say something — but the music changed. And so did the moment.
---
On the other side, the boys were having their own chat.
"I swear I saw your soul leave your body when Kiara walked in," Rehan teased.
Aryan smirked but didn't deny it.
"She looks different," Rahul added softly.
"She's always been different," Aryan said quietly. "I just didn't realize how much I missed her until now."
Aman gave him a long look. "You sure you're ready to see her every day? Because if this project goes as planned—"
Aryan cut him off with a look. "I am."
---
As the sangeet began, couples danced, laughter roared, and dhols echoed into the night. Kiara stayed by the corner, nursing a drink. She felt eyes on her — his eyes. But neither moved.
Finally, she whispered to Roshni, "I have a meeting tomorrow morning. I should leave."
"You'll disappear again?"
Kiara sighed. "It's easier that way."
But as she walked out under the golden lights, her heart felt heavier than it had in years.
---
The next day
"Kiara, you sure about handling this project personally?" her father asked from the driver's seat.
"It's a dream project," she said. "And the layout's close to what I'd planned during college. I want to see it through."
She hadn't paid much attention to the client list — deadlines had piled up, and she just needed to get started.
But when she stepped into the glass-walled meeting room…
She froze.
Aryan Kapoor stood at the head of the table, discussing the very blueprints she once dreamed of bringing to life.
Their eyes met.
He didn't look surprised.
She did.
Her father smiled. "He's the lead consultant on this project. You two will be working closely."
Kiara's throat dried. She sat down quietly.
She wanted to ask how this was happening.
But something told her… it wasn't an accident.
She looked down, trying to gather her breath. The weight of years pressed on her chest. Everything around her blurred — the murmurs, the tapping of pens, the slide projections — it all faded beneath the storm of emotions inside her.
Aryan, meanwhile, sat calmly across the table, flipping through the blueprints with practiced ease. But his eyes… they flickered to her, every now and then, like he was silently checking if she was real — or a memory come to life.
Kiara gripped her pen tightly. "Let's begin," she said, her voice steadier than she felt.
Her father smiled, oblivious. "Good. Aryan is one of the best we could've partnered with."
She nodded, stealing another glance at him. Nice to meet you again, Miss Bose. That voice, deep and smooth, still echoed in her ears.
As the meeting progressed, Sanjana whispered beside her, "He's kinda hot. Strict type, right? Like those silent heroes in K-dramas."
Kiara forced a small laugh. "Don't let him hear that."
"I hope he does," Sanjana smirked.
Aryan caught their whisper and looked up — just for a second. Their eyes met. The room faded again.
No words. Just the kind of silence that screams everything unsaid.
She straightened her back, hiding the storm within.
And in that moment, Kiara knew — this wasn't a professional project.
It was fate's unfinished business.
---
To be continued...
---
~ Every word in this story holds a piece of my heart.
If Kiara and Aryan's silent love made you feel even a little — please don't forget to tap the ⭐, leave a review, or simply share your thoughts.
Your support means everything to me.
— With love,
AnAswrittings (Anjali) 💙