The first thing Kabir felt upon waking was warmth. A soft, delicate weight rested against his chest, her even breaths fanning lightly over his skin. His arm was wrapped around her waist, holding her close as if even in sleep, he was afraid to let go.

As his eyes adjusted to the morning light filtering through the curtains, he finally saw her—Shanaya, in her most natural form. No makeup, no carefully chosen outfit, no guarded expressions—just her. Her long lashes cast gentle shadows on her cheeks, her lips slightly parted, hair tousled from sleep. And yet, she looked breathtaking.

He had always thought she was stunning, but this—this was different. She wasn't just beautiful. She was ethereal, untamed, his sweet sunshine glowing in the golden morning light.

A lazy smile tugged at his lips as he watched her, his fingers tracing small circles on her back. She stirred slightly but didn't wake. He knew she must be exhausted from the night before—drunk, emotional, drained. She would need something warm to ease her into the day.

Carefully, he slipped out of bed, making sure not to wake her. He padded silently to her kitchen, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt as he glanced around. He had never cooked for anyone before, but for her, he wanted to try.

Pulling open the fridge, he gathered what he needed—eggs, bread, butter, and some fresh fruits. His movements were precise, practiced, though this was an entirely unfamiliar act. The coffee brewed in the corner, filling the space with its rich aroma as he plated up two servings of French toast, adding a drizzle of honey and some berries for good measure.

As he turned to pour her coffee into a mug, he heard soft footsteps behind him.

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"Am I still dreaming, or is the ruthless Kabir Singhania actually cooking in my kitchen?"

He turned to see Shanaya standing in the doorway, wrapped in her duvet, her eyes wide with surprise. Her hair was messier than before, her lips curling into an amused smirk, but there was something softer beneath her teasing gaze—something vulnerable, something tender.

Kabir chuckled, setting the coffee down on the counter. "You're awake sooner than I expected."

"Well, the smell of coffee and toast was enough to bring me back from the dead." She stepped forward, her hands clutching the blanket tighter around herself as she took in the sight before her. "I must say, this is a sight I never thought I'd see."

He smirked, handing her the coffee. "I aim to surprise, sweetheart."

She took a sip, humming in approval. "I could get used to this."

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You want me to cook for you every morning?"

"Maybe." She grinned. "But first, let's see if it's actually edible."

She settled onto the barstool as he placed a plate in front of her, watching as she took her first bite. Her eyes widened slightly before she nodded. "Okay, I'll admit, this is really good."

He feigned offense. "You doubted my skills?"

She laughed, shaking her head as they continued their breakfast, the morning unfolding in a way that felt so easy, so natural—like they had been doing this forever.

After they finished, Shanaya stretched, standing up. "I should get ready."

He nodded, watching as she disappeared into her room before he headed toward the guest bathroom to freshen up. When he emerged, dressed in the same clothes from last night, she was waiting by the door, her eyes flickering over him with something unreadable.

"Ready?" he asked, grabbing his keys.

She nodded, following him outside. As they slid into the car, a comfortable silence settled between them until she turned to him with a playful glint in her eyes.

"You do realize I still haven't forgiven you yet."

He glanced at her, smirking. "Oh? And what must I do to earn your forgiveness, my lady?"

She tapped her chin, pretending to think. "Hmm, I'll have to get back to you on that."

Kabir chuckled, shaking his head. "Whatever my highness wants, she gets."

Shanaya rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips.

When they reached her college, she turned to him. "Thanks for last night... and this morning."

He gave her a small nod, something warm settling in his chest as he watched her step out. The moment she disappeared through the gates, he exhaled, running a hand through his hair before driving off.

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When Kabir walked into his office, the shift in energy was almost palpable. His employees exchanged glances, whispering among themselves as they watched him move with an ease they hadn't seen in years.

Gone was the tense, sharp-edged man who barked orders without a second thought. Today, there was something lighter about him, something... softer. He didn't snap when a junior employee stumbled with paperwork, nor did he glare when someone greeted him with a hesitant smile. Instead, he nodded in acknowledgment, shocking them all.

Word spread quickly—something had changed. And for the first time in a long time, people were happy for him.

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AT THE UNIVERSITY :

Later in the day, just as Shanaya's lunch break began, a delivery arrived at her table. A bouquet of white lilies and chocolate-dipped strawberries with a small note attached.

NOTE : For my highness, who still hasn't forgiven me. Consider this my first step towards redemption.

P.S. I'm picking you up again today. No arguments.

----

She stared at the note, rereading it twice before a wide smile stretched across her face.

Shaking her head, she pulled out her phone and quickly typed a message.

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Shanaya: You are impossible.

Kabir: And yet, you're still smiling.

She bit her lip, her cheeks warm as she typed back.

Shanaya: Thank you, Mr. Singhania.

Kabir: Always , my lady .

As she placed her phone down, her heart fluttered in a way it never had before. Maybe, just maybe, she had finally met someone who would prove to her that love didn't always have to hurt and she really could move on.

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Shanaya sat in her college cafeteria, twirling her fork in her pasta absently as laughter and chatter buzzed around her. But her mind was elsewhere—stuck in a loop of memories she had buried deep.

The flowers, the sweet note, the way Kabir had been treating her—it all felt surreal. Like a dream she was scared to wake up from. Because last time, when she had let herself believe in something, in someone, she had been left shattered and broken into peices.

A familiar ache settled in her chest as her mind pulled her back to the past.

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FLASHBACK STARTS : ( THREE YEARS AGO )

Shanaya sat on the cold steps outside her school auditorium, biting her lip as she stared at her phone. Rohan still hadn't called. He hadn't texted.

Her fingers trembled as she typed.

Shanaya: "Hey, where are you? Everyone's gone. I'm still waiting."

No response.

She clenched her jaw, hugging her knees. He had promised. He had told her he would come, that he would be there when she stepped off the stage after her speech competition. She had looked for him in the audience, scanning every face, hoping to see the one she wanted the most. But he wasn't there.

The minutes dragged on. The sky darkened. The school gates were about to close. And then, finally, her phone buzzed.

Rohan: "Sorry. Got busy. Talk later."

That was it. No explanation. No apology that meant anything. Just three empty words that did nothing to mend the hollow space inside her.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, standing up and dusting off her skirt. She had spent days preparing for this moment, hoping he would be proud of her. That he would see her the way she saw him. But she was alone. As always.

That night, she cried herself to sleep, wondering if she was asking for too much. Wondering if she had misread everything between them.

---

"Why are you mad?" Rohan asked, leaning against his locker with that lazy smirk of his, like this was just another normal day.

Shanaya's hands clenched around her books. "You really don't know?"

"Shan, come on," he sighed, reaching for her wrist, but she stepped back. "I told you I was busy."

"You're always busy, Rohan! But never too busy for your stupid parties or your friends or—" she exhaled sharply, blinking back tears. "I needed you. Just once. I wanted you to be there. And you weren't."

His expression faltered for a second, guilt flashing in his eyes, but then he shrugged. "I never asked you to wait for me."

The words stung more than they should have.

Something cracked inside her in that moment. The realization that no matter how much she tried, no matter how much she wanted him to care the way she did, she would always be second in his life.

FLASHBACK ENDS 

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PRESENT DAY :

Shanaya blinked back to the present, staring at the dessert Kabir had sent her.A small smile tugged at her lips, warmth blooming in her chest. This felt different.

With Rohan, she had spent so much time proving her worth, waiting for him to choose her. But with Kabir... she didn't have to ask. He was there. In the little things, in the grand gestures, in ways that she never had to question.

Maybe that's why this scared her more than anything. Because this time, she knew if she got abandoned she wouldn't survive.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE :

This chapter was an emotional deep dive into Shanaya's past, unraveling the pain and lessons she carried from her time with Rohan. Memories have a way of shaping us, sometimes making us wary of love, sometimes making us crave it even more. But what truly stands out is how different love can feel when it's with the right person.

Kabir's presence in her life isn't just about romance; it's about healing, about rewriting the past with something better, something real.

I hope you felt the emotions in this chapter as deeply as Shanaya did. Let me know your thoughts—I'd love to hear all about it!!!

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