Siddharth's pov!

'You don't, Mr Raichand. You just said you don't care what people say about you. Because of that attitude of yours, you clearly know what your reputation is. A playboy. A rich playboy, who changes girlfriends like changing tee shirts. If my name is associated with you in any way, do you have any idea what that would do to a middle class family like ours? People would start believing that I am an immoral girl, shameless enough to get involved in relationships with a man like you. So, I request you, please don't ruin my reputation and my family's respect.'

As I sat in the passenger seat of Parth's car, Nidhi's words echoed in my mind like a relentless drumbeat. Her voice, full of conviction and pain, cut through me with every repetition.

For the first time in my life, I felt the weight of my actions, the true impact of the careless playboy lifestyle I had led.

The superficial relationships, the headlines branding me as a reckless, rich playboy- it all seemed so hollow now. My sister, time and again, had warned me that this lifestyle would catch up with me, that one day I would regret the choices I made. I had always brushed off her concerns with a scoff. But now, sitting here, I realised she had been right all along.

I wished I had met Nidhi years ago. Maybe then, I wouldn't have made such a mess of my reputation. I wished I had believed in the possibility of falling in love, believing that one day, someone like Nidhi would walk into my life. If I had known, maybe I would have waited for that one special girl. But instead, I had thrown myself into a life of indulgence, never considering the consequences.

"Parth, drop me at the farmhouse," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. My brother glanced at me, concern etched on his face, but he didn't press me for details. He simply nodded and drove on, the silence between us thick with unspoken words.

As we approached the farmhouse on the outskirts of Mumbai, I felt a deep sense of remorse settle over me. I had always prided myself on being immune to public opinion, believing that what others thought of me didn't matter. But Nidhi had shattered that illusion. She made me see how my actions affected not just me, but everyone around me, especially those I cared about.

Stepping out of the car, I looked at the farmhouse, a place that had always been my sanctuary. But tonight, it felt more like a prison of my own making. I thanked Parth and sent him on his way, needing to be alone with my thoughts.

Inside, I poured myself a drink and stared out at the sprawling fields, my mind replaying every moment with Nidhi. Her strength, her integrity, her unwavering commitment to her family's values- they all stood in stark contrast to my own life.

She deserves someone better, someone who hadn't spent years tarnishing their own name.

I wished I could go back and change everything, rewrite my past so that I could be worthy of her. But I knew that wasn't possible.

All I could do now was try to change, to become the man she deserved.

For the first time, I understood that redemption wasn't just a word - it was a journey, one that I needed to embark on if I ever hoped to win Nidhi's trust and respect.

With a heavy heart, I made a silent vow to myself. I would change, not just for Nidhi, but for me. I would become someone I could be proud of, someone who cared about what others thought, not because I needed their approval, but because it meant living a life of integrity and respect.

I wished I had believed in love sooner. I wished I had waited for Nidhi.

But now, all I could do was hope that it wasn't too late to become the man she could love.

Third person's pov!

In the dimly lit back room of an upscale bar, Viraj Parikh and Sandeep Datta sat across from each other at a small table. The air was thick with the smell of expensive cigars and alcohol. They had a lot riding on their next move, and failure was not an option.

Viraj took a slow drag of his cigar, exhaling a thin stream of smoke as he leaned back in his chair.

"We need to rethink our approach with Nidhi," he said, his voice measured but firm.

"So, your proposal to her family didn't work out?" Sandeep, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand, looked at Viraj with a raised eyebrow.

"No, it didn't. Her family turned me down flat. They are more protective of her than I anticipated." Viraj's jaw tightened at the reminder.

Sandeep chuckled, a low, dark sound that filled the room.

"Well, that's a setback. But it's not the end. We have other ways, don't we?" He asked with a smirk.

"Maybe making Nidhi fall in love with me would be a better trick." Viraj's eyes gleamed with a new idea, a smirk playing on his lips.

Sandeep leaned forward, his interest piqued.

"Ah! The same old trick!" he said, a cruel glint in his eyes. "It always works, doesn't it? So, what's the plan?"

Viraj set his cigar down in an ashtray and leaned forward, his expression calculating.

"Nidhi is a romantic at heart. I have seen it in the way she talks about her dreams and all to her sister. If I can present myself as the man of her dreams, she will be putty in my hands."

Sandeep nodded slowly, taking a sip of his whiskey.

"And once she is hooked, it'll be easier to isolate her from her family. She will see you as the knight in shining armour, and she will trust you completely."

"Exactly," Viraj replied, his smirk widening and Sandeep's eyes sparkled with malicious amusement.

"And how do you plan to ensure she falls for you?" Sandeep asked.

Viraj chuckled.

"I will stage a few scenarios where I come to her rescue. Women always love heroes. She will start seeing me as her protector, someone she can rely on. From there, it's only a matter of time before she starts developing feelings."

"And Priya?" Sandeep asked, a touch of curiosity in his voice.

"Priya can wait," Viraj replied dismissively. "One target at a time. Once Nidhi is under control, we can shift our focus to Priya. For now, all our efforts should go into making Nidhi fall for me."

"To the age-old tricks that never fail. Here is to your success, Viraj." Sandeep grinned, raising his glass in a mock toast.

Viraj clinked his glass against Sandeep's, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"To success," he echoed, taking a sip of his drink.

"When do we start?" Sandeep asked..

"Why delay? Let's have the first attempt this evening itself." Viraj said with a smirk.

A/N

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