9. Engaged

"Time of death-" Tripti paused, her voice cracking, "-6:47 PM."

The words hung in the air, heavy with finality. The monitors around her patient emitted a single flatline, the sharp sound piercing her ears even though she'd heard it countless times before. The team of doctors and nurses stood silent, exchanging solemn glances before dispersing.

Tripti removed her gloves mechanically, her hands trembling as she placed them in the biohazard bin. She stared at the lifeless body before her, the face that had been so full of hope just hours ago. No matter how many patients she lost, it never got easier.

She pressed her back against the cold wall of the hospital corridor, trying to steady her breathing. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, a reminder of the dinner she was supposed to attend with her family. She glanced at the clock-it was already past 8 PM. Her feet felt like lead as she trudged toward the staff locker room thinking why did she even chose this profession if she has fear of deaths.

---

At Home

Tripti reached her house an hour later, emotionally drained. Her grandmother, Dadi, greeted her at the door, a wide smile on her face.

"Tripti beta! Tumhe surprise hai!" Dadi exclaimed, pulling her inside with surprising strength for someone her age.

"Dadi, not tonight, please," Tripti muttered, slipping off her shoes and dragging her bag to the couch. Her head throbbed, and her heart ached from the events of the day.

Dadi ignored her protests. "Kya not tonight? You're already 26! It's high time you got married. I've called a pandit ji, and we've shortlisted a few rishtas for you. Tumhare mummy-papa bhi maan gaye hain!"

Tripti groaned, her voice rising in frustration. "Dadi, can we not do this right now? I've had a long day at work-"

Before she could finish, she spotted someone in the living room. Leaning casually against the wall with his arms crossed, a smug expression plastered across his face, was Vihaan Singhan Rajput.

Her stomach dropped.

"You," she hissed, pointing an accusatory finger at him.

Vihaan smirked. "Miss Tripti Singh oops- soon to be- Mrs Tripti Vihaan Singh Rajput, nice to see you too."

Tripti's blood boiled. Vihaan had been her classmate in school till 10th grade and now her friend's husband's close friend whose wedding she just attended, was the one person who could rile her up in seconds. He had a knack for pushing all her buttons with his annoying charm and sarcastic remarks. Their history wasn't hostile enough to be true enemies, but it was far from friendly.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, glancing at her parents and Dadi for an explanation.

Her mother cleared her throat, clearly uncomfortable. "Beta, woh... um... Vihaan ke parivaar ka rishta aaya tha tumhare liye. Pandit ji ne kundali milayi aur-"

Tripti's eyes widened in horror. "What?! You're joking, right?"

Dadi beamed. "Of course not! Kundali milan is perfect-37 out of 36 gun! Yeh toh Bhagwan ka ashirwad hai."

"Kya ashirwad, Dadi?! I'm not marrying him!" Tripti's voice grew louder. "Did anyone bother to ask me what I want?"

Vihaan's smirk grew. "Relax, Tripti. It's not like I wanted this either. But, you know, family pressure..." He trailed off, shrugging nonchalantly.

Tripti glared at him. "If you don't want this either, then let's both say no and end this ridiculousness right now."

But before Vihaan could respond, Dadi clapped her hands, signaling the start of something Tripti couldn't stop.

"Shaadi ki baat khatam mujhe to Sameer betwa ki shaadi me hi Vihaan ji pasand aagye the, ab sagai ki tayyari shuru! Pandit ji bola hai, aaj auspicious mahurat hai!"

Tripti's jaw dropped. "Sagai? Tonight?! Dadi, have you completely lost it?!"

Her father, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. "Beta, I know this is sudden, but Vihaan is a good match. His family is well-respected, and you two have known each other for years. At least consider it."

"Consider it? Papa, I don't even like him!"

Vihaan raised an eyebrow. "Trust me, Tripti, the feeling is mutual."

Dadi cut them off before the argument could escalate. "Bas, bas! No more fights. It's decided. Tripti, go freshen up. Tumhare liye nayi saree ready hai."

By 11 PM, Tripti found herself standing in her living room, wearing a peach-colored saree and glaring daggers at Vihaan, who looked far too relaxed in his sherwani. Her parents and Dadi beamed with pride as the small ceremony began.

The pandit ji chanted mantras, and Tripti mechanically extended her hand for Vihaan to slip the ring on her finger. As their hands touched, Vihaan leaned closer and whispered, "Guess we're stuck together now, Miss Tripti Singh oops- soon-to-be Mrs Tripti Vihaan Singh Rajput"

Tripti gritted her teeth, her voice low enough for only him to hear. "I'm only doing this to avoid Dadi's emotional blackmail. Don't get too comfortable, Mr. Vihaan Rajput."

He chuckled, clearly enjoying her discomfort. "Oh, don't worry. I wouldn't dare."

The room erupted in cheers as the ceremony concluded. Tripti's mother hugged her tightly, and Dadi wiped tears from her eyes, muttering something about how she could now die in peace.

But Tripti's mind was racing. How had she gone from grieving a patient to being engaged to her school frenemy in the span of a few hours.

But one thing was certain- life with Vihaan would be anything but boring.

At a prestigious business event, Veda, dressed elegantly in a deep emerald green gown, stepped onto the stage to accept the coveted Trader of the Year award. The room buzzed with applause as she approached the microphone, her eyes shimmering with emotion.

Taking a deep breath, she began, her voice steady but laden with gratitude. "This award isn't just mine. It belongs to everyone who stood by me through the highs and lows of this incredibly risky career. My parents, my mentors, my friends-thank you for believing in me when I doubted myself."

The audience listened intently, sensing a heartfelt moment. Then, pausing briefly, Veda continued, her voice softer but more emotional. "And... there's one more person I owe so much to. Aadvik Malhotra. You were there from the very beginning, pushing me to dream bigger, to take risks, and to believe in myself. I wouldn't have made it here without you."

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. The name landed like a bombshell in the room. Aadvik Malhotra, one of India's most successful business magnates, had never been publicly linked to Veda--until now. Cameras flashed wildly as the media scrambled to piece together this unexpected revelation.

Veda, unfazed by the murmurs, continued. "Even though life took us on different paths, your support meant the world to me, and it always will. Thank you for everything."

She ended her speech with a smile, leaving the room in stunned silence before erupting into applause. The whispers and speculations had already begun, spreading like wildfire through the media and the business world.

By the time Veda stepped off the stage, she knew her personal life would be the talk of the country. But for the first time, she felt no fear about it. Her truth was out, and she was ready to face whatever came next.

On the other hand, in a sleek glass-walled boardroom in Mumbai, Aadvik Malhotra sat at the head of a long conference table, surrounded by his senior executives. They were deep in discussion about a high-stakes merger, the air thick with tension. Aadvik, known for his unshakable composure, was listening intently when his personal assistant, Meera, burst into the room, clearly flustered.

"Sir, I'm so sorry to interrupt," she began, catching her breath, "but there's something urgent. The media is swarming the office. Headlines are exploding about... you and Veda."

Aadvik's brows furrowed. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice sharp but controlled.

Meera hesitated before placing her tablet on the table, displaying the breaking news. Photos of Aadvik and Veda from years ago, during their private moments-casual dinners, shared laughs, stolen glances-were plastered across the screen. The bold headline read: Trader of the Year Veda Roy thanks Aadvik Malhotra- Reveals Past Relationship!

Aadvik's breath caught, his usually stoic expression faltering. "She... mentioned me?" he asked, almost to himself.

"Yes, sir," Meera confirmed. "During her award speech. It's all over the news. The media is speculating about your relationship."

Aadvik's mind raced, a mix of emotions swirling-shock, pride, and a pang of something deeper. Veda had always been fiercely private. For her to name him so openly... it meant something. Without another thought, he stood abruptly, loosening his tie. "Cancel the rest of my meetings," he ordered. "Get the car ready."

"Sir?" Meera asked, confused.

"I'm going to Delhi," he said firmly, already walking toward the door.

The drive from the Mumbai office to the airport felt interminable, but Aadvik barely noticed, his thoughts consumed by Veda. Memories of their time together flooded back-her determination, her laughter, the way she had always challenged him to be better. They had parted ways amicably, but the connection had never truly faded.

Hours later, his car sped through Delhi's bustling streets toward the event venue. The media frenzy was still in full swing, with reporters swarming the entrance. Aadvik pushed past them, his presence commanding as always, but his eyes searched for one person.

"She left, sir," a staff member informed him regretfully. "Just a little while ago."

Disappointment flashed across Aadvik's face, but it was fleeting. He knew Veda. She wasn't the type to linger at events; she'd prefer the quiet of her home. Without hesitation, he stepped back into his car and directed his driver. "Take me to her house."

This time, there was no hesitation, no second-guessing. If Veda had opened the door to their past, Aadvik wasn't going to let it close without speaking to her.

-

Your fav moments??

Byeee!

And yall I was listening "Dil To Baccha Hai" by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and I thought Aadvik would've definitely felt the line "dil sa koi kamina nahi" 😭😭