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Dedication:

For all the girls who've ever wondered "why would someone love me?"

For the ones who hide their chaos behind laughter, who carry their scars like secrets, and still question their worth.

And for the men who walk in quietly, yet change everything — the ones who prove that loving her is not a task, not a choice, but as natural and necessary as breathing.

This is for Aradhya and Dhruv- and for every story where love finds its way, even when you least believe it will.

Prologue:

"We should get ice cream" she says like it's the simplest solution to everything.

He raises an eyebrow, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Do I look like the type of guy who goes on cute little ice cream outings?"

"No" she sighs. I guess you don't.

They walk in silence, the good kind- the kind that settles gently between two people who don't need to fill every second with words. Silence that feels peaceful.

"So.....what flavour are you getting." he asked

She slips her fingers into his, like it's the most natural thing in the world, he looks down at their hands, then at her-eyes bright with a soft smile on her face and in that moment it felt like they both found their home.

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"Kya main villain thi, Vedant?" Her voice softened.

His grip on the steering tightened, just slightly.

"Arrey pagli," he replied instantly, "Tu toh main character hai. Villain toh system hai. Or maybe Abhay's ego."

She turned to him, one eyebrow raised.

He chuckled. "Okay, listen. Main tujhe kabhi one-sided version sun ke judge karne waalon mein se nahi hoon. But I was there, Aru. I saw you bending over backwards, Studies and ward duties ke beech mein uska birthday plan karna, then cancelling your own plans because uska mood kharaab tha."

________________________

Aradhya sighed. "Abhay messaged me. After six and a half months. Started with 'you looked hot last night.' Then got all sentimental. Said he needed space back then. That it was getting too much. That we could've survived if I wasn't so dramatic."

Mihika looked up from her coffee. "Just because someone came back doesn't mean they deserve a place again. Him reaching out now says more about his guilt and timing than your worth."

Aradhya stayed quiet.

Mihika continued, gentler this time, "Tu uss time bhi thik thi. You were hurt, confused, shattered......but thik thi. You got up. You showed up. You didn't pause your life. He did."