After some check-ups, Innya's voice finally came back—soft at first, a trembling whisper that felt like a miracle after months of silence.
The nurse smiled, but Ved froze mid-step, eyes wide, heart stumbling.

Innya looked up at him, lips parting again, her voice fragile yet alive.
"Ved..."

He turned fully, disbelief melting into something tender.
"Say that again," he breathed.
She did—his name, like a prayer that found its echo at last.

Ved and Innya

When the doctors left and the machines quieted, she tugged at Ved's sleeve, eyes weak but bright. She traced something on his palm:
"Ice cream."

Ved blinked. "Ice cream? In this weather?"
She nodded quickly, stubborn as ever.
He sighed, laughing softly. "Fine. Ice cream it is."

Hours later, after her discharge papers were signed, they stepped out into the cool evening. The scent of rain mixed with road dust—the kind of air that feels like freedom.

At a small shop down the street, neon lights flickering, Innya chose vanilla. Ved chose chocolate. Simple, safe. Yet the way she smiled at her first bite—it could have melted glaciers.

When the wind tangled her hair, Ved muttered, "It's cold."
She only laughed silently, pointing at the clouds drifting low across the sky.

They drove home through the silver quiet of night. The gates of Rathoure Mansion opened slowly, the house standing tall and still, waiting. The silence between them wasn't empty anymore. It was full of everything they didn't need to say.

The Rathoure Family

Inside, the mansion breathed again—the faint ticking of the hall clock, the rustle of curtains in the night breeze.
On the couch, Kabir sat impatient, while Advik leaned back, quiet and unreadable.

The moment Innya stepped in, Kabir jumped to his feet.
"Innya! You're okay!" he shouted, voice echoing off the marble.

Advik didn't move. His gaze flicked toward Ved, then away. Cold. Distant.

Innya, fragile but smiling, reached into a paper bag and pulled out two small cups of ice cream.
Ved murmured, "Yes, she had them packed."

Kabir's face lit up. "You brought this for us? You're the best!"
He started eating immediately, laughing.

Advik looked at the second cup, then turned without a word, walking upstairs. The sound of his footsteps faded, followed by the soft click of a door.

Kabir kept talking to fill the silence. Innya smiled faintly, her spoon still. Ved's eyes lingered on the staircase a moment longer.

Advik

Upstairs, shadows pooled along the corridor. Advik pushed open his door and sat down in the dim golden glow of a single lamp. The room smelled faintly of cologne and old paper.

He sat still, elbows on his knees, staring at the floor.
The scene replayed—Innya's soft smile, her outstretched hand, the ice cream he ignored.

His jaw tightened.
Then broke.
"Why did I do that?" he whispered.

The faint laughter from below drifted up—Kabir's bright, Innya's softer—and it made his chest ache.
He lay back, arm over his face.
"I'm sorry, Innya..." he breathed.

Outside, the wind brushed the windows. Quiet. Forgiving.

Innya

In her room, the air smelled of lilies. The sheets were cool, her heartbeat restless.
Advik's silence replayed in her mind, and for a moment, it hurt.

But then she smiled to herself.
"Tomorrow... I'm going to meet them after four months," she whispered.

The moonlight caught the spark in her eyes as she drifted to sleep.

Morning – Ved and Innya

At dawn, Advik meditated in his room, the mansion still half-asleep. He dressed in black, calm and silent.
Across the hall, Innya stood before her mirror, wearing a black outfit too—simple, strong, elegant. Her reflection smiled back.

Downstairs, Ved was already at the table when she entered beside him.

"Good morning, everyone!" Ved said easily.
"Good morning!" Innya echoed—her voice steady, clear.

The Family at Breakfast

Every head turned.
Kabir nearly spilled his tea. "Whoa, someone's glowing today!"
Zayan raised an eyebrow. "What's the secret? You look too happy."
Rudra smirked. "She probably has a reason. Look at Ved—he's smiling way too much."

Innya laughed silently, shaking her head. Even Advik looked up once—his gaze softening for a moment before he looked away again.

The room felt lighter than it had in weeks.

Ved and Innya

After breakfast, peace settled until Innya's phone buzzed.
She looked down, her eyes widening.

A message from Carl, her assistant:
"Ma'am, they've arrived at your mansion."

She turned to Ved, whispering, "Ved... they're here."
His lips curved knowingly. "Finally."

They rose quietly, sunlight glinting off the marble floor as they walked out together.

Kabir

As they disappeared down the hall, Kabir gasped.
"Oh no! I forgot to tell her about our trip tomorrow!"

He rushed upstairs and burst into Ved's room—only to freeze.

Ved stood beside Innya, holding a syringe.
Kabir's jaw dropped. "Oh nooo! What are you doing!?"

"Relax," Ved said, calm as ever. "Part of her vacation treatment."
Innya rolled her eyes. "Vacation approved."

Kabir blinked. "Vacation? With injections?"
Ved smirked. "All under control."

Kabir groaned and muttered something about Rajasthan and weddings before stumbling back downstairs, still confused.

Ved glanced at Innya, voice low. "Ready?"
She rolled up her sleeve. "Always... doctor."

The needle glinted in the morning light. She didn't flinch. Ved's touch was steady.
When it was over, she smiled triumphantly. "See? Nothing to it."
He laughed softly. "You're impossible. But I like it."

Departure

At the bottom of the stairs, Myra looked up from her papers.
"Be careful," she said gently. "And call me when you reach."

Innya nodded, smiling. Ved gave a respectful bow.

Outside, the car gleamed beneath the morning sun. Ved opened the door; she slipped inside. The air buzzed with something new—something secret.

At Innya's Mansion

The car slowed before tall white gates, sunlight pooling on the stone.
Carl stepped forward. "They're waiting inside, ma'am."

Ved nodded once. "Where?"
Carl gestured toward a secluded wing. "This way."

Innya's pulse quickened. Her steps turned into a run.

The Reunion

The gravel crunched beneath her feet, and then she saw them—
the people she had waited four long months to meet.

She ran faster, tears slipping free, laughter chasing the air.
Her arms opened wide. The mansion seemed to hold its breath.

When she reached them, she threw herself into their arms, voice breaking with joy.
"You're really here..." she whispered, trembling.

And in that moment, all her waiting, all her silence, all her ache—melted.

Oiiii readers!! 💫I'm super excited to tell you that I'm starting a new story! 🎉This one's going to be just as special—and yes, it'll continue ahead too, so stay tuned 👀✨Your support means everything, so don't forget to read, vote, and drop your thoughts!Let's make this journey amazing together 💖