Hope you enjoy this chapter ❤️

Gauri’s POV~

"DIDI, START THE MOVIE!"

I smiled at the children's excitement and played The Batman for them. As they settled in, I took a seat on the last bench, pulling out my phone to upload a video of my dance performance and the achievements from yesterday’s competition.

Not even a minute had passed, and the likes had already started pouring in.

This app has always been my biggest motivation. Even on the days I felt like giving up, choosing a stable job over my passion, these people encouraged me to keep going.

A notification popped up, showing a significant increase in my followers.

I frowned in confusion and checked the new names—wait, what?

Rajveer Kapoor started following you.

My fingers hesitated before tapping on his profile. His story was at the top, and as I opened it, realization hit me.

He had posted a picture from yesterday’s competition. But it wasn’t just any picture—it was my solo shot, captured at the perfect moment when my arms were spread wide, just before a spin. The elegance of the dance was perfectly frozen in time.

And his caption read:

"Mesmerizing dance by Gauri Studio, the winner of the dance competition."

I wasn’t sure whether I should feel happy about his appreciation or sad about everything that had happened between us.

We used to be friends—then, I developed feelings for him. Now, we were nothing more than strangers.

Rajveer had been in my heart ever since the first time I saw him in the library. Through Mary, I got to know him, and soon, we became friends. We even exchanged numbers. But when he rejected me, I just couldn’t bring myself to face him anymore.

Especially after that incident during Arjun’s birthday. Even now, the memory made me cringe.

"Wanna dance, pretty lady?" Sourav asked Chandni, making her roll her eyes.

I thought she would refuse, but to my surprise, she took his hand and walked towards the stage.

Please don’t leave.

I stole a glance at Rajveer from the corner of my eye. Only one chair separated us.

Arjun had pulled Mary aside to talk, and with Chandni and Sourav dancing, it was just the two of us.

I took a sip of my orange juice, forcing myself to keep my emotions in check. I would not cry in front of him.

So what if he was my first love? I still had some self-respect.

So what if I cried for two hours straight after his rejection? That was normal.

He has a girlfriend now. I wasn’t about to let myself become "the other woman."

I just wanted this night to end. I shouldn’t have come in the first place.

"I don’t think Chandni likes him," Rajveer chuckled, bringing me back to the present. I followed his gaze.

Chandni looked annoyed while Sourav was talking to her.

"Yeah, maybe," I replied, keeping my voice indifferent.

"I’m sorry about before… I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings too much."

You did.

I forced my eyes to stay dry. I wasn’t going to act like a schoolgirl.

"You don’t have to worry. I’m fine."

But the moment the words left my mouth, I realized just how fine I was.

I turned my head away, trying to distract myself. That’s when I noticed a girl at the bar, downing shots of tequila. She looked miserable.

Does that actually work?

Like in the movies? Should I try?

"No. Don’t think about it."

Rajveer’s voice startled me. I turned to find him watching me closely.

I frowned. Who the hell are you to decide for me?

Maintaining eye contact, I turned to the bartender.

"One shot of tequila, please."

I heard Rajveer sigh.

"Gauri, you shouldn’t drink this—" His words cut off when I downed the shot in one go.

Ignoring him completely, I focused on the burning taste of the drink.

I felt dizzy. Maybe it’s working.

I reached for another shot, but a strong, veined hand grabbed my wrist, stopping me.

Hot.

Unsurprisingly, it was Rajveer. He had moved to sit beside me, his worried eyes searching my face.

"What are you—"

"Are you my boyfriend?" I asked, looking straight into his eyes.

His grip on my wrist loosened. Translation: who are you to question me?

I took another shot.

But this boy—he literally snatched my drink and downed it himself.

"You can share it with your friend, right?" He flashed his sweetest smile.

I wasn’t falling for it.

"We aren’t friends anymore," I muttered, holding my head as dizziness took over.

I barely heard him instruct the bartender to stop serving me drinks before everything started spinning.

The next thing I knew, I had collapsed into something warm and solid.

When I forced my eyes open, I found myself in his arms.

Ughhh. Stupid. Stupid.

The next morning, I woke up with a pounding headache, wishing I could disappear.

After that night, we ran into each other a few more times, but he never showed any special interest in me. And I never tried to clear the air either.

What was the point of trying when I knew he would never be mine?

But when I saw him again after four years…

That familiar, magnetic pull returned.

What is it about him that makes him my first love?

What is it about him that feels so comforting to my soul?

What is it about him that I’m still in lov—

"Gauri."

Neeti’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

One of the caretakers at the orphanage, she was about my age.

I followed her outside, noticing her bright smile.

"Hmm, let me guess. Someone’s here to donate money?" I teased, already knowing the answer.

Neeti’s expressions always spoke louder than her words.

"Yes! But listen, he is the most handsome man I have ever seen in my life. And he’s the first person to contribute this much! Oh, and guess what? He’s a friend of Abhi Sir!"

The orphanage had been founded by Devendra Sharma, and after him, his son Abhi took over.

"You should go inside. Abhi Sir wants to see you," she said, sneaking a glance toward the office before walking away.

I smiled at her excitement. Sometimes, she acted like a teenager.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door before entering.

Abhi greeted me with a warm smile.

A man sat across from him, looking through some papers. His back was turned, so I couldn’t see his face.

"Gauri, long time no see," Abhi said, walking toward me.

"Well, someone has a business to run," I teased.

His smile grew. "Yeah, sorry. I haven’t visited in months. I was out of the city."

"It’s fine," I said casually.

"By the way, meet my friend," he said, gesturing toward the man in the chair.

"Gauri, this is Rajveer Kapoor, CEO of ElectraSphere and my old friend."

Oh, great.

Rajveer stood up and turned to face me.

"We don’t need an introduction, Abhi," he said.

Of course.

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