Third person's pov!

A couple of days passed by. Dhruv now stood in front of Mithran's apartment door, his chest tight with anxiety. For years, he had known of his half sister Chaahat's existence—a silent shadow in the periphery of his life. However, he had never gathered courage to enter her world. Never wanted to. Today, the weight of what remained unsaid felt crushing.

His palm gripped at his side, forcing him to take a deep breath. 'What exactly am I expecting here? Forgiveness? 'A bond?' He shook his head at the ridiculousness of the situation. His stomach turned as he remembered his previous frigid indifference to her. The thought of seeing her, witnessing the pain he had caused in her eyes, almost made him turn back.

Before he could think any more, the door opened. Mithran stood there with a pleasant but unreadable gaze.

"Come in, Dhruv," Mithran said, stepping aside.

Dhruv nodded stiffly, his heart hammering as he entered the warm, well-lit flat.

"Please sit," Mithran said, motioning to the couch. Dhruv slipped into it, feeling out of place and vulnerable. Mithran took a seat across from him, the atmosphere between them benign but attentive.

"How is business? Did the soft launch deliver the desired results?" Mithran inquired nonchalantly, leaning back slightly.

"Good. It's been hectic as we expand into new markets." Dhruv cleared his throat, thankful for the short conversation.

"We're in the same boat. The resorts are doing well, but there is always room for growth. Chaahat has also been creating fresh designs for your wedding collection." Mithran spoke.

"She's talented," Dhruv said, surprising himself with the genuine admiration in his voice. "I've seen her work. It's... impressive."

"She'll appreciate that." A brief smile tugged at Mithran's lips.

They exchanged a few more remarks about their work, their tone polite and restrained. But as the conversation came to a close, they fell into an unpleasant quiet, weighty and expectant.

"Dhruv, if you hurt Chaahat anymore, then you're done for." Mithran finally broke it, his tone stern and protective.

Dhruv blinked, then let a faint smile spread across his face. Mithran's protectiveness was undeniable, and for the first time, Dhruv felt a sigh of relief. 'At least she has someone who genuinely cares about her,' he thought.

"I won't, Mithran," he replied firmly. "I just want to make amends."

Mithran watched him for a long time before nodding.

"I'll call her."

Dhruv's heart raced as Mithran disappeared into the bedroom. He tried to hear their talk but only heard muted sounds. His mind raced with doubts. 'What if she does not want to see me? What if I am too late?'

Inside the bedroom, Chaahat paced back and forth like a caged animal. Her heart was racing, and her palms felt clammy. She turned to Mithran, her voice trembling. "He's out there."

"He is," Mithran replied softly. "He wants to talk. To fix things."

"Fix things? "After all these years?" Chaahat gave a harsh laugh.

"Chaahat, I know it's not easy. But haven't you always wanted this? A family? This is your chance." Mithran stepped closer, his tone calm but firm.

"But what if—" She hesitated, her voice soft.

"No what-ifs," Mithran interrupted.

"I don't know.." Chaahat mumbled uncertainly.

"He won't hurt you again. If you want, go full ice princess on him. Freeze him out if he steps out of line." Mithran teased.

Chaahat shot an icy look at him.

"There. This is what I meant.." Mithran chuckled.

"You are impossible." Despite herself, Chaahat rolled her eyes.

"That's why you keep me around," Mithran teased, then took her hand. "Come on."

He led her out to the living room, where Dhruv stood the moment she appeared. His anxious expression softened slightly as he saw her, but his shoulders remained tense.

"Chaahat," Dhruv began, his voice low. "I—" He paused, searching for the right words. "I am sorry. For everything. For how I treated you the last time we met. I—" He swallowed. "I was wrong."

Chaahat's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly masked her emotions. Before she could respond, Mithran clapped his hands together. "I'll get something to drink. You two talk."

He disappeared into the kitchen, leaving them alone.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Dhruv cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably.

"I know I don't deserve your forgiveness. But I would like a chance to—to make things right. If you'll let me."

"And why now? Why after all these years?" Chaahat crossed her arms, her voice icy.

Dhruv met her gaze, his voice tinged with vulnerability.

"My excuses aren't reason enough, Chaahat. I let the poison my grandfather fed me rule me. I grew up believing that our father abandoned us for you and your mother. I let my own anger and insecurities keep me away. But I see now how wrong I was. I don't want to make excuses. I just... I want to try. To be the brother you want."

"It's not that simple." Her lips tightened, and she looked away, her emotions warring within her.

"I know," Dhruv said softly. "But I am willing to take it slow. To earn your trust, step by step."

"I have always wanted a family. But I am not sure I can just forget everything." Chaahat's eyes flicked back to his, her icy demeanour faltering.

"I am not asking you to," Dhruv replied. "I am just asking for a chance."

The room fell into another silence, this one less tense but still charged with unspoken feelings. Mithran returned with two cups of coffee, breaking the moment.

"Here you go," he said, setting them down. "How's it going?"

"We are... talking." Chaahat said, glancing at Dhruv, then back at Mithran.

"That's a start." Mithran grinned.

"You say you want to try. But what does that even mean?" She asked, her voice quieter now, more contemplative.

"Honestly, I don't have a perfect plan. But I want to be here—for you, for us. If it means showing up and proving myself a little at a time, I'll do it."

"And if I say I don't believe you?" Chaahat's words were like a blow.

A/N

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SF❤️