SOVRANO

The garden shimmered beneath fairy lights, humming with laughter, music, and clinking glasses. But Kanika’s eyes lit up only at the sight of a familiar group of girls laughing near the refreshment stall. A grin spread across her face — the unfiltered kind that only old friends could bring out of her.

While Anakveer remained outside, still caught up on a phone call, Kanika slipped through the crowd and ran toward them.

The moment she reached, the girl who had shouted her name moments ago stood abruptly and pulled her into a tight embrace, laughter bubbling up between them as the years melted away. They exchanged rapid greetings, the conversation tumbling over itself in excitement and nostalgia.

Kanika dropped onto the bench beside her and arched a teasing brow, her voice full of mischief.“Oh my god, Ridhima, look at yourself! You're literally glowing. Is it love, or is it Dove?”

Before Ridhima could respond, another girl chimed in playfully,“Actually, madam is getting married this very month. And yes, it’s love.”

Kanika gasped, her mouth falling open in exaggerated shock. “Girl, did you forget I exist? You didn’t even tell me!”

Ridhima immediately shook her head, eyes wide in protest.“I swear I was dying to contact you! But I lost my phone three years ago, right six months after our graduation. All my contacts were gone. Later, I came to know you went to BHU for your postgrad. I even tried searching you on social media, but you were nowhere to be found.”

She exhaled, her tone softening.“But I knew I’d meet you again—either at the wedding or at my in-laws’ place.”

Kanika frowned, confused. “Your in-laws? What do you mean?”

Ridhima gave her a mock-annoyed look.“Now don’t tell me your dangerous bodyguard didn’t inform you about his elder cousin’s wedding. He knows me from college too. I’m not new to him. I’m marrying his brother.”

Something clicked in Kanika’s memory like a final puzzle piece snapping into place.Randhir weds Ridhima.Of course.

She exhaled a laugh, shaking her head. “So… you’re marrying Randhir? That’s wild. Now it all makes sense.”

Ridhima nodded, her cheeks flushed with shy joy.

Kanika leaned closer, grinning. “So, spill. Is this love, or are we talking pure family matchmaking?”

Ridhima made a dramatic face.“Do you really think my father would allow a love marriage? Obviously, it’s arranged.”

Just then, her gaze flickered toward the main gate — and her expression froze.

Anakveer had just entered. His expression unreadable, his posture stiff. Though he said nothing, his presence shifted the atmosphere. People moved out of his path without even realizing they were doing it.

Ridhima quickly shoved her phone into Kanika’s hands, whispering hurriedly,“Here, give me your number before your bodyguard gets here. He already hates me, God knows why — just because you talk to me. Quickly! I’ll call you and come personally to give you the card and catch up properly.”

And like clockwork, his voice rang out from a distance — deep, cold, and commanding.“Kanika. Come.”

He didn’t come closer. Didn’t greet anyone. He just stood there, waiting like a silent warning.

Kanika shook her head with a sigh, lips twitching in amused resignation. The others around her burst into laughter, clearly entertained by the possessive drama playing out like an old film.

She rose, murmured something to Ridhima, and began walking toward him — but before she could reach, the mic crackled overhead with an announcement.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Let’s spice up this reunion with some games! Head to your left — we’ve got poker, pool, cards, and even rifle shooting!”

Her steps faltered.

Rifle shooting. Her Achilles’ heel. Her obsession.

Without a word, her hand slid back and clasped Anakveer’s wrist. She tugged him with her through the crowd, not even checking if he resisted. He followed anyway.

They reached the small shooting booth, where a few balloons were strung across a soft board. Behind the counter stood Rahul — a college classmate she hadn’t seen in years.

Kanika smirked. “Rahul. One rifle for me.”

Rahul raised a brow, grinning as he handed her the rifle.“I hope you remember the rules, my queen. For every missed shot, you take a vodka shot.”

Kanika blinked, caught off guard — but quickly recovered with a cocky shrug. She took the rifle and cocked it, leveling it with the target.

“Don’t worry. I never miss. Not today either. And even if I do, I already have Anakveer to drop me home in case I get wasted from your vodka shots.”

Pop. Pop. Pop.

Every balloon burst with sharp precision. Her focus was lethal, unwavering. A cheer rose from the small crowd, followed by a few impressed whistles.

Behind her, Anakveer stood still, hands in his pockets, a slow smirk curling at his lips. His eyes didn’t leave her once — the pride in them unmistakable.

She lowered the rifle and looked at him, victorious.

He glanced at his watch, voice low. “It’s past nine. We should leave.”

Kanika lifted a finger without looking. “Two minutes. Washroom.”

_________________________________

The dull hum of chatter echoed off the marbled walls as Kanika adjusted her outfit in front of the large mirror, smoothing the soft pleats of her saree with practiced ease. Her eyes,sparkling faintly from the laughter she’d shared outside, were focused on her reflection—until the clatter of heels and a burst of artificial giggles signaled new company.

A group of girls swept into the washroom, their eyes instantly locking onto her. Their smiles were too sharp, too quick—veneer-thin masks failing to hide the curling envy that simmered beneath. It wasn’t hard to guess the reason. Anakveer Rajput, the name that drew sighs and stirred fantasies in half the college, hadn’t spared them so much as a glance. But Kanika Gahlot? He looked at her like she was spun from stardust and fire, like the earth owed her its gravity.

And that drove them mad.

Still, they didn’t dare confront her outright. They knew better. Anakveer wasn’t just her friend—he was her protector, her storm, her shadow. They’d seen it in his eyes. The kind of devotion that bordered on obsession. So instead, they picked poison. And laced it with sugar.

“Hey Kanika… you're radiating today, girl.” One of them finally spoke, her voice sweet but eyes anything but.

Kanika glanced at her through the mirror, offering a polite smile. “You’re looking lovely too, sweetheart.”

The girl’s smile sharpened. “ I Must say you are so good to be true. Still so… innocent in a world like this. Crime everywhere, and yet here you are, trusting your best friend like he’s some kind of saint.”

Kanika’s brow arched, her hand stilled on her saree pin.

The girl leaned in a little, her tone laced with faux concern. “I mean, you were ready to get wasted tonight, weren’t you? Ready to Take shots, to the point of loosing your senses... And yet you believing him to take you home? Alone? You’re beautiful, Kanika. Don’t you think—just for a moment—that he might’ve taken advantage? He’s still a guy, after all. Touch wood though... may your ‘friendship’ never catch an evil eye.”

The words hit like ice water, sharp and sudden. But Kanika didn’t flinch. Her blood simmered under her skin, twisting through her veins like molten metal. Her lips curled into a smile—a cold, immaculate smile that never reached her eyes.

She turned slowly, facing the girl, her voice calm and razor-edged.

“I trust Anakveer... blindly.” Her gaze bored into hers, unwavering. “I trust him more than I trust myself. And if the two of us were locked in a room and I had to change clothes—I wouldn’t even ask him to turn around. I’d simply tell him to close his eyes. And he would. Because I know—” she stepped closer, “—he wouldn’t look until I told him to. That’s the kind of trust I have in him. That’s the kind of man he is.”

A tense silence settled. And then, just as quickly, Kanika’s expression shifted into mock sweetness.

“But thank you for your concern. By the way, that lipstick of yours though—it's bleeding at the corners. Next time, maybe skip the four cheap ones and buy just one expensive one that’s worth the mirror…. Just like I have. After all, when your makeup fails, so does your image.”

Then, grabbing her purse with practiced flair, she leaned in slightly, her tone lower, deadlier.

“And for the record... I wasn’t talking about the lipstick.”

Her heels echoed as she walked past them, head high, eyes blazing, her exit punctuated by a cool, cutting smile that said everything without saying another word.

Outside, under the soft blue sky . Anakveer stood leaning against his car, arms crossed, eyes dark with something unreadable. But the slight upward tilt of his lips gave him away.

He’d heard every word.

Hidden within the rudraksha pendant dangling around her wrist as a bracelet have a tiny mic—one he’d placed himself, not out of suspicion, but to keep her close in moments he couldn’t be near.

And right now, he’d never felt closer.

—----------------------------------------------------

His phone rang again.

The same name flashed across the screen—SOVRANO.

Without hesitation, Anakveer picked it up.

From the other end, a voice rumbled—thick, masculine, steeped in power and something far darker than mere command.

"It's time for the sacrifice."

He exhaled slowly, a breath that held weight far beyond air.

A low, guttural “Hmm,” slipped from his throat—an agreement soaked in something unspoken.

"Are you ready?"

His reply came from a depth where emotions didn't just reside, they festered.

Voice gravelly, low, almost inhumanly steady—

“Yes. Just give me one week.”

A pause.

Then only one final word echoed before the line went dead—

“Hmm.”

Anakveer’s expression darkened, transforming into something unreadable, lethal.

He shoved the phone back into his pocket as if even the device had scorched him with what it carried.

Moments later, Kanika emerged from the resort, a light contrast to the storm brewing around him.

Together, they walked towards the car. Silence hung, but it wasn’t peaceful.

As she reached the gate of her house, she turned slightly, offering a casual, “Bye, and drive safe.”

But just as she was about to shut the door, his voice cut through the space between them.

“Ani, don’t go out. No matter what. If you need anything—groceries, essentials—just tell me. There’s no need for you to step outside. Got it?”

Kanika arched a brow, her lips curling in mock annoyance.

“Okay, Papa!” she replied sarcastically, arms folded.

“Anak, I have everything already. And for your kind information, my parents will be back in a week. Now go, it's already late.”

But he didn’t move.

“You go inside first. Lock the door. Only then I’ll leave.”

Her eyes narrowed in theatrical frustration.

“Fine!”

She stomped inside with exaggerated steps, slammed the door shut, and turned the key in the lock.

From the window of her room, she watched.

Watched as Anakveer slid into his car, the engine humming low.

He drove off—but she didn't knew is.

He’d return.

Park a little farther, just out of visible range but close enough to feel her breath in the air.

And then he’d watch. All night.

His drone hovering above the house like a silent guardian, eyes in the sky.

---

Days passed.

Anakveer kept coming—dropping off necessities, checking in, ignoring her protests like they were background noise.

And then came the day. The day her family returned.

The living room buzzed with laughter and conversation.

Her grandfather.

Her uncle and aunt.

Their noisy, sugar-hyped kids.

Everyone was there for a small get-together. It was her mother’s nice’s wedding on the maternal side, so sagun had to be given. Formalities and rituals buzzed in the air.

Gifts were unwrapped.

Snacks passed around.

The room was warm with the sound of shared memories.

Kanika sat amidst it all—present, yet detached.

A listener.

Not a participant.

And then her aunt, never missing a moment to bare her claws, looked at her with a saccharine smile that barely hid the venom.

“Toh Kanika, iss baar exam clear karegi ya seedha kisi ameer ghar mein shaadi just like your elder sister?

---

Kanika’s POV:

*Oh wow.*

There she goes again—talking with her mouth full of rasgullas and poison.

In her mind, Kanika was already smashing her aunt’s head onto the same table she was picking sweets from.

*Aunty, tu mujhe akeli mil.*

*Main tujhe aise thokungi ki tere sare venom nikal jaayein.*

"Main job bhi karungi, shaadi bhi karungi, aur haan—ekdum filthy rich insaan se karungi. Aur uska paisa uski chhati pe baith ke udaungi. Tujhe kya problem hai, Naagin!"

But before she could give voice to her rising fury, her phone rang.

The screen lit up—Anak.

The lava in her blood cooled instantly.

She excused herself, clutching the phone like it was oxygen, and rushed into her room, locking the door behind her.

“Thank God, Anak. You have no idea what perfect timing you have. That witch of an aunt is here, and guess what she said—”

Her rant had barely taken off when a deep, detached voice interrupted.

“Kanika, I’m going to Italy.”

Her words hit a wall.

Silence fell.

“You what?” she blinked, stunned.

“I’m going. Today. To Italy.”

Her brows shot up, eyes wide.

“You’re telling me now? And that too over a call?”

“It’s urgent.”

That was it.

That simple sentence set her off like a firecracker.

“Urgent? What’s there in Italy that pulls you every damn time? You went there three years ago—for two whole years—and now again? For how long this time?”

“Few weeks. I’ll be back in a couple of week. It’s important.”

Her voice cracked. Anger and abandonment clawing through her words.

“And why exactly do you keep going there, huh? You always leave me behind. Every single time.”

But his reply came cold, emotionless.

“You went to UP too. For two years. Meanwhile.”

There was no argument in his tone, only finality.

“I leave in an hour. My phone will be unreachable for some time. I’ll contact you once I return. Take care.”

The blood in her veins boiled.

“I didn’t go there to *explore*,

okay? I went to *study*. That too after *you* left me first! And don’t talk to me like I’m just some option in your life! And whatever you wish to do.”

He said nothing.

Only a simple, cold “Okay.”

Click.

The call ended.

And with it, her patience.

---