Delhi – Late Evening

Saanvi locked the door behind her and stood still.For a moment, the silence of her apartment felt wrong — not peaceful, but hollow.

She turned off the main lights and moved toward the balcony, sipping water, trying to convince herself she wasn’t imagining things.

For the third day in a row, she had this strange feeling — like eyes on her, like her movements weren’t just her own.But each time she looked?Nothing. No shadows. No proof.Just… a hum in her nerves.

She sighed and stared out at the streetlights below.

Tomorrow, she was leaving for Udaipur. Her cousin's wedding. Color, music, distraction.Maybe that would help.

She didn’t see the man standing three buildings away on another rooftop.

Didn’t know he had watched her for hours.

Didn’t hear the shutter click of the camera that captured her silhouette under the night sky.

---

A Day Later – Udaipur Palace Resort

The palace grounds bloomed with marigolds and song. Saanvi stepped out of the car, adjusting her soft teal lehenga and brushing her hair off her shoulder.

The air was warmer here. The colors brighter. Her family already surrounded her — her mother calling her over, her brother teasing her about working too much.

For a few hours, she let herself smile.Let herself feel normal.Until something in her turned cold again.She was walking toward the central courtyard, when her steps slowed.Her stomach tightened, inexplicably.She wasn’t alone.

She looked around — nothing unusual. Guests, cousins, music, lights.But then her gaze landed on him.A man in black. Not dancing. Not speaking. Just watching.Watching her.

His eyes didn’t move. His body still as stone.She quickly looked away, pretending to fix her earring.

That gaze. It felt… familiar?But no name came. No moment. Just discomfort.

She decided not to go back through the main courtyard.She turned around.And nearly ran into him.

---

He moved silently. Too close. Too calm.Saanvi startled but didn’t show it. She lifted her chin slightly.

“Sorry,” she said, voice polite.

“No need,” he replied, voice deep, steady.

She frowned a little. His tone was smooth. Controlled. But his eyes…They made her uneasy. Like he already knew too much.

“Have we met?” she asked, almost to herself.

He tilted his head.

“Not properly.”

Something about the way he said it made her step back half an inch.

He noticed. And smiled.

“I’m Veer,” he said simply. “Friend of the groom’s side.”

“Ah,” she replied, unsure why her throat felt dry.

“You’re the bride’s cousin,” he said, before she could offer it.

She blinked.

“How do you—”

He cut her off softly. “I overheard. Earlier.”

She nodded slowly, unconvinced.

A beat of silence.

“You’re a doctor,” he added.

Now her eyes narrowed. “Did you overhear that too?”

Veer smiled, subtle and sharp. “People talk.”

“I suppose they do,” she murmured, stepping sideways to create distance.

“I’m sure we’ll see each other again,” he said. Not a question. A fact.

She didn’t respond.Didn’t say goodbye.She just walked away.But she felt it again — that gaze. Like a hand pressing lightly at the base of her neck.

---

Later That Night – Saanvi’s Room

She sat by the window of the palace guest suite, arms wrapped around herself.The wedding noise echoed distantly. Laughter, dhol, fireworks.But all she could think about was that man.

Veer.

Something in her told her she’d seen him before. But where? When?She closed her eyes.A heartbeat. A breath. A surgical table?No. That couldn’t be right.

__

Elsewhere – Veer’s Private Suite

He stood shirtless in front of the mirror, pouring himself a drink, eyes calm.

On the table beside him, a leather-bound folder lay open.Inside: photos of her, from her balcony, her hospital, the cafe.On the last page: a new photo — from just two hours ago.

Saanvi. Standing alone at the wedding, surrounded by marigolds, eyes searching the crowd.

Veer traced the corner of the image with a finger. “You still don’t remember,” he murmured.His voice held no anger.Only patience. “But you will.”