As Jay side-eyed her and glanced at Reva, who was now a little distance away playing with Falak, a flicker of sadness crossed his face. His gaze dropped to the floor, his usual playful demeanor replaced with an unusual solemnity.

Jhanvi noticed the shift. She followed his gaze to Reva, then back to Jay, understanding what was on his mind. Gently, she placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"You know, love is hard," she said softly. 

"Show her that you love her. She thinks you pity her—that's why you proposed to her. If you really want her, Jay, then prove it. Show her how much she means to you."

Jay looked up at her, her words striking a chord. A small, grateful smile tugged at his lips, and he nodded.

 "Thanks, Jhanvi. I needed to hear that."

Jhanvi gave his shoulder a light squeeze before letting go. "Go get her, Romeo," she teased, her tone playful to lighten the mood.

Jay chuckled softly, his usual spark returning to his eyes. 

"I will," he said with determination before turning his attention back to Reva, already planning his next move.

Meanwhile, at the Hotel

Aahan paced back and forth in his hotel room, his mind racing with thoughts. The events of the day played on a loop in his head—Jhanvi's face, her denial, her sharp words that cut like a knife.He hadn't told anyone about what happened yet. 

Not Arushi, not anyone. He needed to confirm it himself first, to be absolutely sure before bringing this storm into their lives.

His phone buzzed on the bedside table, pulling him from his thoughts. It was Arushi. He hesitated for a moment before picking it up.

"Hello?"

"Aahan, where are you? You've been gone all day!" Arushi's voice was tinged with concern.

"I'm fine," he replied, his tone distant. "Just handling something important."

"Important? What's going on? You sound... off," she pressed.

Aahan ran a hand through his hair, debating whether to tell her. 

"It's nothing you need to worry about right now. I'll explain everything later, okay?"

"Aahan..." she started, but he cut her off.

"Trust me, Arushi. I'll handle it. I just need some time."

Before she could argue, he ended the call, his chest tightening with the weight of the secret he was keeping.

He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at his hands. His mind drifted back to Jhanvi's face, the way her eyes flickered with something unspoken despite her denial.

"She's lying," he muttered to himself. "She has to be."

Determined, Aahan stood up and grabbed his jacket. If she wouldn't tell him the truth, he'd find another way to uncover it.

At the Bisht's House

Jhanvi pushed open the door to her home, her shoulders sagging under the weight of the day. She stepped inside, the familiar warmth of the house greeting her, but tonight, even that couldn't lift her spirits.

Her mother, Mrs. Bisht, was in the kitchen, humming softly as she stirred something on the stove. Hearing the door, she turned around and smiled. 

"Jhanvi, beta, you're back. You look so tired. Come, sit down."

"Ma, I'm fine," Jhanvi said, though her voice lacked its usual energy.

Her father, Mr. Bisht, walked in from the living room, adjusting his reading glasses. 

"You call this fine? Look at your face! Sit down, and let your mother bring you something to eat."

Jhanvi sighed but didn't argue. She knew better than to resist their care. She sank onto the couch, her bag slipping from her shoulder to the floor.

"Rough day?" her father asked, sitting beside her.

"You could say that," Jhanvi replied, forcing a small smile.

Her mother appeared with a plate of hot parathas and a bowl of curd. 

"Eat this. You'll feel better," she said, placing the food in front of her.

"Ma, I'm not that hungry," Jhanvi started, but her mother shot her a look.

"Don't argue. You barely eat these days."

Jhanvi picked up a piece of paratha and took a bite, the familiar taste bringing a small measure of comfort. Her parents sat with her, chatting about mundane things, the neighbor's new dog, and a cousin's upcoming wedding.

For a while, the normalcy of their conversation helped her forget the chaos in her mind. But as the meal ended and her parents retreated to their room, the weight of the day returned.

Later That Night

Jhanvi lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling. The house was quiet now, the only sounds the faint ticking of the clock and the occasional rustle of leaves outside her window.

She turned onto her side, clutching the blanket tightly. Her mind wouldn't stop replaying the events of the day.

The little girl's voice echoed in her head. "Mumma."

Jhanvi closed her eyes, but the image of the girl's innocent face wouldn't leave her. That single word had stirred something deep inside her, something she couldn't name but couldn't ignore.

And then there was that man. His voice calling her "Bhabhi" rang in her ears, making her chest tighten.

"Why?" she whispered into the darkness. "Why does this bother me so much?"

Her head ached, a dull throb that seemed to intensify with every thought. She pressed her fingers to her temples, willing the pain to go away, but it was no use.

Memories from her past surfaced—fragments of moments she had tried to bury. The little girl's voice, that man's words, and the weight of her own emotions collided in her mind, leaving her frustrated and overwhelmed.

She groaned softly, burying her face in the pillow. "Maybe I'm just overthinking," she told herself, though she didn't believe it.

But as much as she tried to push the thoughts away, they clung to her, refusing to let go.

Sleep came in fits and starts, her dreams filled with fleeting images of the little girl and Jay. When she finally drifted off, her heart felt heavy, and her mind was far from at peace.

Next Morning

The morning sun bathed the house in a warm glow as Jhanvi stood by the mirror, tying her hair into a loose ponytail. She glanced at the vibrant packets of gulal in her bag and smiled faintly.

Her mother peeked into her room. "Where are you going so early, Jhanvi? It's Holi today!"

"I'm heading to Reva's house, Ma," Jhanvi replied, zipping up her bag. 

"She's alone today, and I thought I'd celebrate with her."

Her father entered the room, holding a plate of gujiyas.

 "That's thoughtful of you, beta. But have some breakfast before you leave."

Jhanvi chuckled, taking a gujiya from the plate. 

"Papa, you'll spoil me with all this food."

"That's what fathers are for," he said with a grin.

After a quick breakfast, Jhanvi grabbed her bag and headed to the door. Her mother called after her, 

"Don't forget to bring Reva home sometime! We'd love to meet her."

"I will, Ma. Happy Holi!" Jhanvi waved and stepped out, her heart lighter at the thought of bringing some cheer to Reva's day.

As the door closed behind her, the Bisht household settled into its usual rhythm. Mrs. Bisht went back to the kitchen, humming a tune, while Mr. Bisht sat down with his newspaper.

The tranquility was interrupted by a knock on the gate.

"Who could that be so early?" Mr. Bisht muttered, folding his newspaper and heading to the door.

When he opened it, he found a man standing there, his expression serious yet composed.

"Yes? What can I help you with?" Mr. Bisht asked, his brows furrowing slightly as he studied the stranger.

The man didn't immediately reply, his eyes scanning the house briefly before returning to Mr. Bisht.