“Hurry up. We don’t have the whole day to waste.” While conversing with my friend, I dictated to my secretary to cancel my scheduled meetings. Apparently dad had some important business with one of our family friends and I had to be home by 5p.m anyhow. Not that I would have agreed if the meetings were important. 

“Are you even paying attention to what I’m saying right now, you brat.” There was a bark from the other side.

“Ishaan you are seriously sucking up my brain.” I continued the call after connecting my phone to the airpods, and locked the door before checking the vault of our company. Just like every other company ours had a vault as well. The only difference was that I preferred to check the lock system before leaving rather than asking any other trusted worker. 

“I’ll disconnect the call now. Dad called me home today to have dinner with the Ahujas.” 

“Is it for your marriage with that Diya ?” Before he spoke further, I disconnected the call. 

Diya Ahuja. The only name I will never get tired of hearing. But again, the only name I would never prefer to have any connection with. We have known each other since our childhood and everyone including our mutual friends had expected us to get together in future. But then again the future is never what we want or expect right ? 

It’s been more than three years since I last saw her at the Diwali party hosted by the Jadejas, that’s Ishaan’s family, a well known and influential group. Unlike us or the Jadejas who were old money, Ahujas were new money. Their company was founded by Diya’s grandfather, which is not many years back. But our families have been friends since our grandfathers’ time. They were batchmates. So were dad and Mr.Ahuja. And so are Diya and Reyansh. My younger brother, Reyansh, loves her as his elder sister and no matter how much me and my friends despise her, Reyansh has never once let our hatred get in his way. Poori duniya ek taraf Reyansh aur Diya ek taraf.
(Whole world on one side, Reyansh and Diya on one side)

Diya too treats him as her younger brother because she can’t do the same with her elder brother who is nearly 6 years older than her. I am jealous of the bond Diya shares with Reyansh, not because me and Reyansh don’t share a good relation, but because he’s always ready to fight me for her. His own blood brother for an outsider. May God knock some senses in him.
Pulling the car in our garage I glanced at my wrist which reminded me I was half an hour late. Dad would kill me. Before moving inside, the same violet Jaguar came in my view and I instantly knew whom it belonged to.
Which meant the Ahujas had arrived already. Crap. 

I was welcomed by a fit of laughter from the hall. There they sat. My dad threw me a glare before resuming his conversation. I greeted everyone briefly before excusing myself to get changed into something comfortable. While climbing up the stairs, I glanced everywhere, including the kitchen but she was nowhere in sight. Ignoring the gloomy feeling erupting in my heart I moved towards my room. 

Entering my room, I directly went to my walk-in closet and chose my outfit before getting freshen up. As I walked out of my bathroom, I bumped into something small and soft. But when I knew what it was, it was quite late. My hands were already draped around her waist. Diya Ahuja. 

I stared at her like a creep. She had changed so much. Her cheeks which were once chubby and round were now slim showing her jawline clearly. However those doe eyes which stared right into mine were pretty much the same. Her hands were resting on my naked chest, since I had planned to wear my t-shirt after coming out. Glad I had worn my trousers beforehand, or else it would have been a disaster. 

“GET AWAY FROM MY SISTER YOU PERVERT !” And that's it, my grip loosened on her due to the sudden yell, and she fell on the floor with a thud. Thanks to my stupid brother. Glad, her elder brother didn't see us in this position. I would have been dead by now if he did. 

“Fuck.” My head snapped towards the merry voice which just uttered a curse. She had learned to curse ! Never in my life had I imagined this day would come. The girl who once got angry if someone cursed, was now the one who herself cursed. 

I forwarded my hand and so did Raag. She glared at mine and accepted his. Irony. 

“She fell because of you. At least apologise.” Raag gave me a stern look, making me scoff.

“If she hadn't entered my room, she wouldn't have fallen. Not my fault.” I shrugged and wore my t-shirt. 

“Not like I had a choice Mr.Singhania. Aunty told me to get your recipe book from this room since she had to cook some dishes from them. I just wanted to help her.”

Her voice was not soft for me like before. Her eyes didn't hold that warmth for me anymore.

“Let's go Raag. I got the book. Some people will never learn to apologise cause they think everything they see is the truth. Glad I wear glasses and so do you.” And with that she left. I knew whom she meant to say those words to. Her words spitted venom and so did her eyes. She really changed a lot. 

A single incident and everything went downhill. 

“I wish you could see what I can do.” Raag mumbled.

“And I wish the same, Raag.” 

We parted our ways as he moved down and I went to receive a phone call. Maybe I was blaming Diya for the distances between me and Raag, but deep in there I knew it was never her fault.