Aisha wiped the last traces of her tears and let out a breath, forcing herself to focus on Rishi's warm presence rather than the ache in her heart. He had a way of making the world feel lighter, even in the heaviest moments.
"You really think this dress suits me?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, still seeking the validation she had been craving all along.
Rishi leaned back against the couch, arms crossed, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. "Of course. But you know, this isn't the first time you've dressed like this."
Aisha frowned, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "What do you mean?"
His smirk softened into a genuine smile. "You don't remember, do you? When we were kids, you once insisted on dressing like a princess for my birthday party."
Her brows furrowed as she tried to recall the memory. And then....it hit her.
"Oh my god," she gasped, a small laugh escaping her lips. "I had worn that ridiculous pink gown with glitter everywhere, didn't I?"
Rishi chuckled. "Ridiculous? You were convinced you looked like a real-life princess. You even made me call you 'Princess Aisha' the entire day."
Aisha covered her face in embarrassment. "I was so dramatic."
"You still are," he teased, and she playfully swatted his arm, laughing.
As the laughter settled, silence filled the space between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence that carried years of memories, of moments that had built the bond they shared.
Years Ago…Aisha had first met the Malhotra brothers when she was just six years old. Her family had moved into the same elite neighborhood, and on the very first day, she had wandered into their garden, chasing after a butterfly.
"Who are you?" a young Ranvir had demanded, standing with his arms crossed, looking unimpressed.
Before Aisha could answer, a slightly older boy had stepped in front of her, offering a hand instead. "I'm Rishi. And you are?"
She had stared at his outstretched hand before grinning widely and shaking it. "Aisha! I'm your new neighbor."
That was the beginning of everything.
From that day on, Aisha had become a part of their world. The three of them had spent endless summers racing bicycles, climbing trees, and sneaking into the kitchen to steal sweets. But while Ranvir had always been reckless, pulling pranks and running ahead, Rishi had been different.
He had always been watching over her.
Like the time she had scraped her knee falling off a swing, and while Ranvir had laughed, Rishi had rushed to her side, gently dabbing her wound with a tissue. Or the time she had gotten lost in the huge Malhotra estate, and Rishi had found her before anyone else, taking her tiny hand in his and saying, "You're never alone, Aisha."
As they grew older, things changed, but Rishi remained the steady force in Aisha's life. In high school, both of them had been popular in their own way. Aisha was effortlessly beautiful, the girl who turned heads wherever she went. Boys wanted her attention, but she was never interested in their empty words. Rishi, on the other hand, was the golden boy....smart, confident, and incredibly handsome. Girls were mad about him, but he never entertained them the way Ranvir did.
And yet, the one girl he truly wanted never saw him that way.
When Aisha had her first heartbreak....an insignificant crush who had ignored her at a party....it had been Rishi who sat beside her on the terrace, sharing a tub of ice cream and distracting her with stories about his ridiculous school debates.
During school trips, while Ranvir flirted with different girls, Rishi had always been the one making sure Aisha was comfortable, ensuring she got the window seat she loved and carrying an extra jacket in case she got cold.
But she never noticed it as love.
Every time Ranvir forgot her birthday....which, unfortunately, happened more than once....Aisha would try to brush it off, pretending it didn't matter. But Rishi noticed the sadness in her eyes, the way she tried to hide her disappointment. So, every year, without fail, an anonymous gift would show up at her doorstep....the exact thing she had been wanting, wrapped beautifully, with a bouquet of her favorite flowers. She had always assumed it was Ranvir making up for his forgetfulness. Little did she know, it was Rishi.
And it wasn't just birthdays. Every time Ranvir hurt her, every time she felt low, flowers would arrive, a silent gesture reminding her that she was cherished, even if she never knew by whom.
When they went to college, things became even more complicated. Aisha, with her beauty and charm, remained the center of attention. She was one of the brightest students, excelling in business and entrepreneurship, destined to take over her family's company. Many men tried to win her over, but she had eyes only for Ranvir.
Rishi, too, had admirers, but he never let anyone get too close. His heart had already chosen, even if she would never know.
Aisha and Ranvir became the golden couple everyone admired. But only Rishi knew the truth.
He had been there every time Ranvir hurt her....every time he forgot her birthday, every time he flirted with someone else, every time he made her question her worth. And every time, Rishi had picked up the pieces, only for her to run back to his younger brother again.
After college, the real world awaited. Aisha and Rishi both stepped into their roles as leaders. Aisha took over her family's empire, proving herself to be a strong, independent CEO. She was admired, respected, and had everything she had ever worked for.
And yet, Ranvir had made her insecure.
Despite being one of the most beautiful and powerful women in the business world, she constantly felt the need to prove her worth to him. She questioned if she was enough, if she needed to be better, prettier, more perfect....just to earn the love she had always given so freely.
Rishi had watched it all happen. And it broke him.
Present Day : Aisha glanced at Rishi, her heart warming at the nostalgia. "You were always the responsible one, weren't you?"
He shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "Someone had to keep you and Ranvir out of trouble."
She stared at him for a moment, truly seeing him....his steady presence, the quiet strength he carried, the way he had always been there for her. "Thank you," she said softly.
Rishi raised a brow. "For what?"
"For always looking out for me."
His expression remained unreadable for a second before he gave her a small, lopsided smile. "Always."
And just like that, the moment passed, but the unspoken words lingered between them.
Rishi had loved her for as long as he could remember. And maybe he always would. But she never knew.