Khushi POV
My head feels like someone is hammering my temples from the inside. Every throb is a heartbeat I wish would stop. It’s blinding, pulsing pain—too loud to ignore, too stubborn to sleep through.
I blink, forcing my eyes open. The room swims for a second before settling into focus. My vision is blurry, and the air feels heavier than usual, thick with the faint scent of lavender from the diffuser Aayushi always insists on keeping in my room.
I squint at my phone on the bedside table.9:02 a.m.
Why does it feel like I’ve been run over by a truck? Did someone suck all the energy out of my soul and replace it with cotton and fog?
The ceiling fan spins lazily above me, but there’s no relief in its rhythm. My body feels like it’s been packed in sand—every limb heavy, useless. My mouth is dry. My eyelids sting. A dull nausea brews low in my stomach, rising slowly like mist from damp earth.
Just then, the door creaks open.
“Good morning, sleepyhead!” Aayushi tiptoes in like a sunshine bomb wrapped in pink pajamas. Her voice is too loud, too cheery for the state I’m in.
I groan, covering my eyes with one hand. “How’s my headache? Worse. It’s like my skull’s being kneaded like dough… by angry demons. What… what even happened?”
Aayushi comes to sit on the edge of the bed, her face soft with concern. “Khushi… do you remember anything from yesterday?”
The question echoes in my brain.
Yesterday. I close my eyes.
“I was tired. Exams drained me. I just wanted to sleep. But you three wouldn’t let me. You guys bullied me into wearing that silk wine dress.…” I murmur, images forming like cracked glass.
“We went to the club. You three danced, I didn’t dance. I sat down. You all left to use the restroom. I ordered juice…” I frown.
“And then… nothing.”
I blink rapidly, feeling panic start to crawl up my spine. “Why don’t I remember?”
Before she can answer, the door bursts open like a drama scene from one of those web series we binge.
“Is she awake?” Meher says, rushing in, followed closely by Tanya.
“Thank God,” Tanya sighs, leaning against the desk. “You scared us, idiot.”
“What’s going on?” My voice sounds distant even to me. “Why do you all know about my headache? What happened?”
Tanya tosses a juice box and a snack bar into my lap like they’re weapons. “Eat. Then I’ll give you meds.”
“Wait,” I narrow my eyes. “Why do you have hangover medicine? What is going on?”
She shrugs. “Mr. Luca Volkov told us what to give you.”
The name drops like a thunderclap.
“What?”
Meher nods. “He was there. He’s the one who found you.”
I freeze.
“He was… at the club?” My voice cracks like dry twigs underfoot. Aayushi nods, “First have food and medicine.”
I eat quietly. After the pill, I demand, “Okay, now please—someone tell me exactly what happened yesterday.”
They all exchange glances, the air thick with secrets.
“You were drugged,” Tanya says gently. “Someone slipped alcohol into your juice. We didn’t know at first… but he noticed.”
My skin chills. My breath shortens.
“I was drunk?” I whisper. “Did something—did anyone—?”
Aayushi grabs my hand. “Nothing happened. You’re safe.”
“Because of him,” Meher adds.
I close my eyes. “I don’t even remember…”
Tanya smirks. “Want to know what you looked like?”
“No.”
She ignores me. “Like a koala. Wrapped around him. Arms and legs. Full body clinging. He was holding you close like you were made of glass.”
I groan and bury my face into my hands.
Tanya giggles. “And you were talking to him… or whispering… or maybe planning your wedding night. Who knows?”
“I did not!” I gasp in horror.
“Oh yes, you did,” Meher laughs. “He looked like he wanted to melt and catch fire at the same time.”
I bury my face in my hands. “Please, kill me.”
Tanya pats my shoulder. “Or marry him. Same result.”
I peek through my fingers. “He was angry?”
“At us,” Meher says. “For taking you there. He didn’t shout. But his voice was all cold and dangerous. Like a mafia don in a movie. He even dropped us back.”
I stiffen.
“Oh, you have no idea. He said, ‘Take care of her. In the morning, give her hangover medicine. Something light to eat. She’ll have a headache.’” Aayushi mimics his voice.
Even their impersonation makes my chest ache.
Tanya leans closer. “You should’ve seen the way he looked at you, Khushi. Not like a guy who found a drunk girl. Like a man who found something he couldn’t afford to break. No, more than that—like you were something sacred. I’ve never seen a man look at a woman like that.”
“I think he’s in love with you,” Meher says.
I shake my head, refusing to believe it. “He lied to me,” I whisper. “He didn’t tell me who he was.”
Aayushi gives me a look. “And yet, he still came for you. Still saved you. Still made sure we brought you back safe.”
I don’t know what to say to that. My cheeks burn. Luca Volkov. He saved me… again. He always seems to show up when I’m at my weakest.
Later, when they finally leave. As she exits, Meher gives me one last grin. “Bye, Mrs. Volkov.”
I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling fan as it spins slow stories in the silence. My phone buzzes.
One rejection.
Another.
Three, four… seven rejections from internships and design firms.
I shut my eyes, breathe catching.
Ping.
New mail. Volkov Group. Offer letter.
Of course.
A surge of emotions rises—anger, confusion, longing, hurt. I hit “Reject.” Instantly.
No. I won’t take a handout. Not like this. Not because he feels guilty or generous or… fond.
I throw on a hoodie and walk out of the room.
Campus is quiet this early. The sunlight is soft, golden against the red brick pathways. The hibiscus trees are in bloom—blood red, papery, dramatic.
And then I see him.
Across the courtyard, standing like he belongs to the morning itself.
Black shirt. Rolled sleeves. A sharp line to his jaw. That unreadable look in his eyes.
Luca.
My heart stutters. Is he really here?
I blink rapidly.
I can’t do this. Not right now.
I turn. Fast. I start walking the opposite way, footsteps quick.
A hand grabs my wrist.
I spin around. Lose balance. His arms catch me like gravity doesn’t apply to us.
I crash into his chest.
Familiar warmth. Clean cologne. Steady heartbeat.
For a second, it’s like the universe holds its breath.
His voice is soft. “Running from me?”
“I was just—walking.”
“Uh-huh.” His eyes don’t blink. “Are you okay?”
I nod.
Before he can say more, I blurt, “About yesterday… thank you. For saving me. And for dropping us back.” He smiles faintly. He studies my face. “Do you even remember what happened?”
I shake my head. “No. Only what my friends told me.”
He leans a little closer. “Ah. So you don’t remember climbing me and doing that to me,” he says playfully.
I blink. “What? What did I do to you?”
He chuckles. “You were… very affectionate.”
I look away.
He watches me. “Are you still upset with me?”
I look into his eyes. “Not angry,” I say quietly. “Just… disappointed. You hid who you were.”
He nods. He softens. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you. I just didn’t want things to change. I didn’t want you to look at me like everyone else does.”
“You’re a big person. You don’t owe me anything.”
“But I want to,” he says. “Whatever I am, that’s for the world. With you, I want to be just a man. Not the CEO. Not the Volkov. Nothing else.”
Something skips in my chest. I stare at him.
My heart feels like it’s walking a tightrope.
He breaks the silence. “Why did you reject the offer?”
“Because I wasn’t sure if I deserved it. And because I was upset.”
“You do deserve it. It’s not pity. It’s recognition. You’re talented, Khushi.”
“I’ll think about it.”
He smiles.
“Have you eaten?”
I nod.
His smile widens, as if just standing here is enough for him.
My phone rings.
Aayushi.
“Khushi! Come back to the hostel. I have amazing news to show you!”
“I… I have to go,” I say.
He steps back. “I’ll send you another offer. Accept that one.”
I nod once.
And then I walk away.
Behind me, I can feel his eyes following me like a tether I can’t seem to shake off.
Back at the hostel, I knock on Aayushi’s door.
She opens it and pulls me into a tight hug. “You’re here!”
I laugh. “What happened? What’s the occasion?”
She practically bounces. “I applied to the Volkov Group… and I got selected!”
“Wait—what? That’s amazing!” I say, genuinely smiling.
Just then Tanya bursts in, nearly tripping over her sandals. “Did you get selected, Aayushi?!”
“Yes!” she yells.
Tanya squeals. “Me too! I got selected too!”
Meher walks in, lifting her phone like a trophy. “I have arrived, ladies. The Volkov Group just got its most chaotic intern.”
We scream and jump and laugh.
Then Tanya eyes me. “Khushi?”
“I didn’t apply. But I got an offer. And rejected it.”
Gasps.
“What?!”
Then—my phone buzzes.
New offer.
I grin. “Okay. Fine. I’ll accept.”
Cheers erupt again.
That night, I lie in bed, thinking of him. That voice.
Whatever I am, that’s for the world. With you, I want to be just a man. Not the CEO. Not the Volkov.Nothing else.
I smile, blushing in the dark.
I don’t know what this feeling is. But it’s warm. And it’s new.
Eventually, I fall asleep.
Then—the nightmare.
A void. Everyone’s leaving. My parents and younger brother Kartik fade. My friends vanish. I scream.
“Aayushi! Tanya! Meher! Mom? Dad?! Kartik?!”
No one.
Then—a golden light.
I run. I fall. I wake up.
On the floor.
5:00 a.m.
I sit there, panting.
What is that light?
I don’t know. But I feel like I’ve seen it before.
I shower. Pull on a crisp white shirt with pearly buttons. A rose-beige pencil skirt with a thigh-high slit. Subtle, powerful. Hair curled. Kajal lining my eyes. Nude matte lipstick.
Confidence in fabric.
Downstairs, the girls are dressed just as sharp. Excitement bounces between us like static.
We eat breakfast. Toast, coffee, anxious giggles. We walk toward our new beginning.
To the Volkov Group.
To fate.
To something waiting beyond the hibiscus trees.
Maybe even love.
Maybe something destined.
—
Hey guys hope you like this part. Thank you for reading the story till now. Do like for the chapters and comment your reviews in the comment section.
Stay tuned to read and experience more of sweet and some intense moments between our beloved leads Khushi and Luca😍😘
See you all tomorrow💕❤
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