The warm afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows across the garden. Reet Malhotra twirled gracefully, lost in the rhythm of her own dance. Dressed in a yellow kurti that fluttered with each movement, she looked like a vision of joy and beauty. Her mother, Tara Malhotra, stepped out of the house and paused to admire her daughter, captivated by the sight.

"Reet..." Tara called out softly, not wanting to break the spell.

Reet stopped mid-step, turning to face her mother. She adjusted her dress and bowed slightly in respect. "Ji, Ma?"

[Yes, mom?]

Tara smiled, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "You've been dancing a lot lately. Is there something special going on?"

A spark of excitement lit up Reet's face. "Actually, there's a dance competition coming up, Mom. It's going to be at the national level! I've been practicing really hard. I'm so excited!"

"That's wonderful!" Tara beamed with pride. "By the way, Shu called just a minute ago. He was asking when you'd be coming. Are you planning to go somewhere?"

"Oh yes, today's his basketball match. I promised I'd be there to cheer for him. I should get going; he's probably waiting for me." Reet's tone was filled with eagerness as she hurriedly went inside to change.

Tara watched her daughter disappear into the house, a fond smile playing on her lips. "She cares for him so much," Tara murmured to herself. "I hope she wins his love soon."

***********************************

The college basketball court was alive with energy as students gathered to watch the game. Cheers erupted from the crowd, especially from the girls, as the college's heartthrob and notorious bad boy, Shu Kurenai, dominated the match. When the final whistle blew, signaling their victory, the applause was deafening.

Reet made her way to the court as the team celebrated. Shu spotted her and walked over, a satisfied grin on his face.

"Congratulations, Shu!" Reet said, her voice filled with genuine happiness for him.

"Thanks, Reet!" Shu responded, his smile widening. "It's all because of you. You're my lucky charm."

Reet blushed slightly, shaking her head. "Aisa kuch nahi hai."

[It's nothing like that.]

Shu's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Mere saath coffee piyogi? Chota sa celebration meri jeet ke liye?"

["Do you want to grab a coffee with me? A little celebration?"]

Reet hesitated, surprised by the invitation. "R-Really? I-I mean, you can go with your friends instead."

Shu chuckled, leaning in a bit closer. "C'mon, you're my friend too, and before any of them! I want to go with you."

Reet felt a flutter in her chest. "Umm..."

"No excuses," Shu cut her off with a playful smile. "I've already decided."

Before she could protest, he took her hand and led her out of the court.

They found a cozy café nearby, where they laughed and talked over their coffee. Reet couldn't help but steal glances at Shu, her heart racing. At one point, Shu reached across the table, gently wiping the corner of her mouth with a tissue.

"There was some ketchup on your face," he said casually, not noticing the way Reet's cheeks turned pink.

"O-Oh... thanks," Reet stammered, her mind racing as she tried to focus on the conversation.

As they continued talking, Shu leaned back in his chair, a more serious expression crossing his face. "I heard a boy proposed to you recently."

Reet nodded. "Oh, yeah... He did. It was the third time he's asked."

Shu's eyes narrowed slightly. "So... what's your answer?"

Reet bit her lip, uncertainty clouding her expression. "I don't know. I'm confused. Maybe yes... He's tried so many times, and he's a good person... What do you think?"

Shu's response was immediate and firm. "Just say no. He doesn't deserve you."

"But—" Reet began, only for Shu to interrupt her.

"No ifs and buts," he insisted, his tone unyielding. "Agar wo acha hai bhi toi bhi nahi, uske koe jyada dost nahi hai, jab dekho bas kitaabi kida ban kar khitaab mei ghusa rehta hai. You're the most popular girl in our college. You don't need to be with an average boy. You deserve the best... someone perfect, like me."

[Even if he's a good person, he doesn't have many friends, and he's always buried in his books like a bookworm.]

Reet blinked, a shy smile forming on her lips. "Okay, okay... I'll say no to him, then."

Shu nodded in satisfaction, while Reet's heart swelled with affection for him. She couldn't help but smile at his protective nature.

"You don't need to get that angry," Reet said softly, noticing the intensity in his eyes.

Shu let out a small sigh. "Yeah... You know I get angry easily."

" Bahot acche se..." Reet murmured, her heart warmed by his concern.

[Very well...]

*******************************************

Shu stormed into the room, his anger palpable as he confronted his parents. His voice boomed with fury, his frustration reaching a boiling point. "Who do you think you are to make decisions about my life?!"

"Shu, behave yourself!" Anjali Kurenai, his mother, interjected sharply, her eyes flashing with a mix of concern and authority. "He is your father!"

Shu scoffed, his expression hardening. "Yeah, a father who never tries to understand me."

Ayush Kurenai, his father's face lined with a mixture of regret and resolve, stepped forward. "I'm doing this for your own good, son. You can't keep living like this forever. I'm concerned about your future, which is why I've decided that you should go abroad to handle this project."

"Yes, Shu," Anjali added, her tone softer but no less firm. "You need a job, a purpose. We're asking you to join your father's company because we want to see you succeed. You can't remain aimless for the rest of your life."

Shu's eyes blazed with defiance as he spat out his words. "If Dad is so concerned about my future, why doesn't he just give the company to his so-called sister's son? He's always been more important to him than I am—his own son!"

Ayush winced at the accusation, a flash of guilt crossing his face. "It's not like that, Shu. I know I've made mistakes in the past, but—"

"Enough!" Shu cut him off, his voice seething with bitterness. "I don't want to hear the same lies again and again!"

Anjali, seeing the widening rift between father and son, stepped closer to Shu, her voice trembling with emotion. "Shu... please... You love your mom, right? Then, at least for my sake, listen to your dad this time."

Shu clenched his fists, the inner turmoil clear in his eyes. After a moment of tense silence, he finally relented, though his voice was cold and distant. "Fine. I'll go and help with this project... but only for you, Mom. Don't expect anything more from me."

Anjali let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, relief mingled with sadness in her gaze as she watched her son walk away.

******************************************

At the Airport, Reet stood at the departure gate, her heart heavy with the thought of Shu leaving. "So... you're really going to leave for a whole week or more?" she asked, her voice tinged with sadness and uncertainty.

Shu sighed deeply, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "Yeah... You know how my dad is. But don't worry, Reet, I'll be back before you know it."

Reet took a deep breath, summoning the courage to say what had been weighing on her heart. "But today... I wanted to tell you something important."

Shu's interest piqued, and he turned to face her fully. "Say it now, Reet."

Reet's heart pounded in her chest as she looked up at him, the words teetering on the tip of her tongue. But in the end, her courage faltered. "Umm... Actually... I-I lov—N-Nothing! I-I will miss you!"

A small, knowing smile played on Shu's lips as he reached out to touch her arm gently. "I'll miss you too, Reet. Take care while I'm gone, okay?"

Reet nodded, forcing a smile as she watched him walk away, his figure slowly disappearing into the crowd. As she stood there alone, a wave of regret washed over her. She always wanted to confess, but always lost her courage.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/n : This book will different from my other books. It's an Shu x OC Indian version. This is actually an adaptation of my book 'Silent Vows'. It's on my second account- @Kaoriwritess Do check out it if you want early updates.

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