Destined to Be Yours

The Verma mansion was a picture of luxury and serenity that morning. Sunlight poured through the large French windows, illuminating the spacious living room where Saanvi Verma sat curled up on the plush sofa, scrolling through her phone. Her carefree demeanor and radiant beauty made her a striking contrast to her brother's stern and disciplined nature.

Saanvi was dressed in a casual yet elegant outfit—a pale blue top paired with white jeans. Her long hair was tied in a loose braid, and a hint of mischief sparkled in her eyes as she typed furiously on her phone.

"What's keeping you so busy?" Shourya's commanding voice broke her concentration.

She quickly locked her phone and looked up, masking her surprise with a bright smile. "Nothing, just browsing some art pieces online."

Shourya stood at the doorway, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "You've been glued to that phone all morning. Don't you have anything more productive to do?"

"Like what?" she teased, leaning back with mock nonchalance. "Sit through hours of endless meetings with you?"

Shourya crossed his arms, his presence as imposing as ever. "Saanvi, you can't keep floating through life like this. Not everything is about fun and games."

Saanvi pouted, her tone turning playful. "I'm not floating, and I'm not playing games. You just don't see the serious side of me."

He sighed, clearly unconvinced. "Lately, you seem... distracted. Is there something you're not telling me?"

She froze for a fraction of a second before bursting into a nervous laugh. "Distracted? Me? Come on, you're imagining things. Maybe you're the one who needs to relax!"

Shourya wasn't laughing. His intense gaze lingered on her, making her squirm slightly. "You've been sneaking out more often than usual. I'm not saying you can't have a life, Saanvi, but remember—our family name carries weight. Be mindful of the company you keep."

"I know," she said softly, averting her gaze.

After a moment, Shourya seemed to let it go. "Just be careful." With that, he turned and walked away, his phone ringing as he left to take a call.

The moment he was gone, Saanvi let out a breath of relief. She glanced down at her phone, unlocking it to read the message she had sent minutes before:

"My brother has starting to suspect something. Let's be more careful. Call me when you're free."

Almost instantly, the reply appeared: "Relax, princess. I've got everything under control."

A soft smile touched her lips. Adithya had a way of making her feel invincible, even under the ever-watchful eye of her older brother. Saanvi knew she was walking a dangerous line, but for him, she was willing to risk it all.

As the message disappeared from her screen, her smile faltered. A new thought gnawed at the edges of her mind, one she hadn't dared to share even with Adithya. She grabbed the small calendar on the coffee table and flipped through its pages, her heart sinking as the realization dawned on her—she had missed her period. The possibility of what it could mean left her both terrified and exhilarated.

Saanvi's fingers hovered over her phone, debating whether to tell him, but she hesitated. Not yet, she decided, placing the phone aside. She needed to confirm it first. Until then, this was her secret to bear.