Hope you enjoy this chapter ❤️

Rajveer's POV~

"WE DON'T NEED AN INTRODUCTION, ABHI."

Abhi looked at me, confused. "Sorry?"

"We studied at the same college," I clarified. He turned to Gauri, raising an eyebrow. "Friends?"

She shook her head and was about to say something, but I spoke before she could.

"Yeah, we’re friends."

Her brows knitted together as she met my gaze, but I simply shrugged.

It’s not like I was stalking her. I was just here to help my friend.

Oh, after seven years, you suddenly remember you have a friend?

I brushed the thought away.

I knew Abhi through his family. Our parents were close friends, and we had met multiple times over the years.

"Let me get something for you two," Gauri said, clearly trying to escape the situation.

"It’s fine. I’m already done with the paperwork," I replied.

"Okay, then she’ll give you a tour of the orphanage. I have to leave now," Abhi said, gathering his files.

He passed us a quick smile before walking out. "See you guys."

Why was he in such a hurry?

Once he left, I turned to Gauri. She was dressed in a soft Anarkali with delicate prints, jhumka dangling from her ears. My gaze drifted to her collarbones, barely concealed by her dupatta.

I really wished I could see them completely.

The dress looked beautiful on her, but I couldn’t help but wonder—how would she look without any—

"Shall we leave?"

Her sweet voice pulled me from my thoughts.

What the hell am I thinking?

I nodded and followed her like a lost puppy.

As we walked, I took in the surroundings. The orphanage had an inviting atmosphere—lush greenery, soft-colored walls, and murals painted by the children. It felt like home.

"This is the playground for the little kids," she said, pointing at the swings and slides.

I nodded, and we continued walking.

"This is the common room, and this is where all the creative activities take place," she explained, smiling warmly at the children inside.

A dull ache settled in my chest. Of course, she loved this place.

She had been one of them.

I couldn’t even imagine a life without my parents, no matter how difficult they could be. But her? She had never even known that kind of love.

She showed me more rooms—the dining hall, the playroom, the dormitories, and the study area.

"That’s it," she said, turning toward me.

I noticed the sadness in her eyes, a quiet emptiness lurking beneath her smile.

"By the way, thanks for the appreciation," she added.

I frowned. "What appreciation?"

She gave me a knowing look. "I saw your story."

Oh. That.

I hadn’t been able to stop myself from posting it.

"Umm, so… you lived here?" I asked, watching the kids running around.

"Hmm. It used to be my home."

"Where’s your grandmother? I heard you were really close to her."

The moment I finished speaking, I noticed the moisture in her eyes.

"She’s no more," she whispered.

Shit. I shouldn’t have asked.

"She left me alone," she added, wiping away a tear before it could fully fall.

A sudden urge hit me—to pull her close, to protect her, to make sure she never felt alone again.

Without thinking, I cupped her cheek. Her eyes widened in surprise, but she didn’t move away.

And then, I kissed her forehead.

She closed her eyes, and I felt her body relax in my hold.

When she opened them again, there was something unspoken in them, something I couldn’t quite understand.

"I’m sorry about your grandmother," I murmured, my thumb brushing her cheek. "But I just want you to know—you are not alone."

"Leave my Didi!"

I pulled back at the sound of a small yet stern voice.

"Nidhi," Gauri called, and I turned to see a little girl with a pink flower in her hair, holding a single rose in her tiny hand.

"How dare you touch my Didi’s cheek? And who are you? Why are you here?"

She bombarded me with questions, her big, determined eyes glaring up at me.

I glanced at Gauri, and for a moment, we just stared at each other.

Then, I sighed, and she chuckled.

I knelt down to the little devil’s level. "I’m her friend."

"Really?" Her eyes widened.

I nodded.

She blinked twice before breaking into a bright smile.

"Then where’s my chocolate?"

I blinked, confused. "What?"

"Didi’s friends always bring me chocolate. You didn’t bring any?"

I looked at Gauri, who only raised an eyebrow at me, waiting for my response.

"I don’t have any chocolate right now," I admitted, "but I promise I’ll bring some tomorrow. Okay?"

Nidhi crossed her arms, pretending to think about it.

"Promise?"

"Promise, little angel."

She grinned, throwing her tiny arms around my neck in a quick hug before running back to Gauri.

"Didi, this uncle is so nice!"

Uncle??

Gauri burst into laughter.

I stood there, too stunned by the word uncle to process anything else.

By the time I recovered, Nidhi had already run off toward the common room.

I turned to Gauri, who was still laughing.

I narrowed my eyes at her. She immediately tried to stifle her laughter but failed miserably.

"I think the Most Handsome Bachelor is getting old," she teased between giggles.

I stepped closer, leaning near her ear.

"Some things only get smoother, stronger, and more experienced with time. Care to find out?" I whispered.

Her cheeks instantly turned red.

Smart girl.

"Flirting doesn’t suit a committed man," she said, looking away.

"And who said I’m committed?"

The words left my mouth before I even processed them.

She snapped her head toward me.

"I’m sorry, but I have a girlfriend," she repeated my own words from years ago.

Right. I had said that.

But that was four years ago.

"It’s been four years, Gauri. People change," I said, hoping she’d understand.

She just kept staring at me.

"I have no interest in your personal life," she said coolly before walking away.

I followed her.

"I would have believed that if you hadn’t confessed to me back in college," I said, making her stop in her tracks.

"That was all in the past—"

"And in the present, can we be friends again?" I finally asked.

Her silence stretched between us.

And for the first time in years, I realized how much I wanted her to say yes.

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