I just landed in Mumbai and I'm trying to find Ananya. She said she would come to pick me up, but I couldn't see her, so I decided to call her. She picked up after a few rings.

"Aaj aajayegi mujhe lene?" I asked her sarcastically.

(Will you come today to pick me up?)

"Haan haan, aagayi hu, piche dhek," she replied.

(Yeah, yeah, I am here, turn around.)

I turned around, and Ananya was standing with a mask on her face. The media doesn't even let actors live peacefully.

"Yay! I missed you so much!" I said while hugging her

"I missed you too! Come, let's go to the car. I don't want any media to see us together." She said.

"Yeah," I said as we quickly entered the car.

"So, what's the plan?" She asked.

"I need to attend a dinner tonight with Mom, Dad, and her," I said.

"Tell me your plan?" I asked her.

"I barely get holidays nowadays; filming keeps me really busy." She said sadly.

"You should change your company; they are making you work too much," I suggested.

"I know, but what if it doesn't work out and I lose this fame?" she said, scared.

"You'll be changing the company, not yourself," I said, reassuring her.

"I will talk about this with my assistant." She said.

"Anyways, where to now?" She asked.

"I think I should meet Bhai," I said with a smile on my face.

"Okay, madam, as you say," she said and drove off.

☆

I entered the Singhania Law Firm, and everyone stared at me as if I were some sort of octopus. Why can't people mind their own business? 

I escaped their stares, entered the lift, and pressed the button for the 25th floor, which is dedicated to the board of directors and chiefs. The lift dinged when I reached the 25th floor.

I made my way to Advait Bhai's cabin, which had a beautifully designed golden nameplate with his name on it. I knocked once and heard a "come in" from inside.

I pushed the door open and entered his cabin. He looked up from his files, and a genuine smile appeared on his face.

I knew he and Ananya were the only two people in my life who were happy that I was back in India. Everyone else seemed to care only about their own interests.

"Hi, Bhai," I said as I walked toward him.

"Kiara," he said, standing up from his seat and engulfing me in a hug.

"I missed you," he said, smiling.

"I missed you too, Bhai," I replied, hugging him back.

"Tu sidhe yahi aagayi?" he asked.

(You came here straight?)

"Han, mujhe uss ghar nahi jana," I said with a sad smile.

(Yeah, I don't want to go to that house.)

"You need to be strong, Kiara. Otherwise, you know they will eat you up." He said.

"I know," I replied.

"And always remember, I am always here for you whenever you need me." He said.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Why is everyone talking so seriously?" I asked, trying to act confused.

"Leave all of this. Are you coming for tonight's dinner?" I asked him, knowing very well he wouldn't.

"Sorry Kiara, I have a lot of work. I can't come," he said, guilt evident in his eyes.

"It's okay, Bhai. No worries. We can have dinner together some other day," I said, forcing a smile.

"Kiara, I think you should head back. Mom must be waiting for you," he said as he returned to his seat.

"Yeah, I should go. Bye," I said with a sad smile.

"Bye, Kiara. I will have my driver drop you at our house. Go safely," he said, concern etched on his face. I exited his cabin without looking back.

By the time I reached the ground floor, his driver was waiting for me with a polite smile. I got into the car, and we drove off to Singhania Mansion.

☆

I stood in front of the Singhania mansion. Eight years ago, I left this place filled with sadness, but that phase of my life made me stronger.

Every difficult period I experienced, I chose to view it as a phase of character development.

Everything I have been through has only made me stronger, and I hope this part of my life continues in the same way.

I pushed my thoughts aside and entered the mansion. Nothing had changed in these eight years; the architecture remained the same, and everything was perfectly in place.

Of course, she would be coming home tonight, so it all needed to be perfect.

I looked around and found no one. Mom and Dad must be in their respective places.

Advait Bhai's words echoed in my mind. "Kiara, I think you should go back. Mom must be waiting for you."

But I knew she probably wasn't waiting for me—not that it mattered anyway; I had lost my love for my parents a long time ago. I only respect them because they are my parents.

⋆. 𐙚 ˚

Heyy✨️✨️

So Kiara is back in India after eight years.

What do you think? Who is the 'she' Kiara is talking about??

What do you think Kiara doesn't love her parents??

I know the chapters might be boring right now because the story is just starting, which is also the reason why the chapters are short, but I promise from the next chapter, you all will be getting long chapters.

Tell me did you liked this chapter in the comments.

Please do vote if you liked this chapter🫶

You can follow me on Instagram at author_wine for spoilers😉🎀

♡