Episode 3: The Night That Changed Everything

Episode 3: The Night That Changed Everything 🖤

Word Count: ~540

The music played loud in the background as colorful lights danced across the big wedding hall. Shruti was sitting with Mehak and Zoya near the poolside, laughing softly at a joke Ishaan cracked. But her smile faded as soon as she felt those eyes again—watching her.

She looked up slowly, and just like she feared, he was there—Baran.

He stood near the bar counter in a dark shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing off his tattooed forearm. His jaw was sharp, his lips set in a serious line, and his dark eyes were focused only on her—like no one else existed in the world.

Shruti quickly looked away.

“Zoya, that guy is still staring,” she whispered.

Zoya turned her head. “That’s him. The same guy from earlier?”

“Yes.”

“Honestly,” Mehak said, twirling her hair, “he’s kinda hot. Rich vibes, mysterious face, Turkish mafia look... total villain type.”

“Exactly!” Shruti replied. “He looks like a gangster. Stay away from such people.”

But her heart was beating fast.

Later that evening, while everyone was dancing, Shruti walked away from the crowd to breathe. She stood near a quiet corner of the garden, staring at the sky. It was calm, peaceful. But that peace didn’t last long.

She heard footsteps behind her.

And when she turned, he was there.

Baran.

They stood face-to-face for the first time.

For a few seconds, no one said a word. Only the wind moved between them.

“What do you want?” Shruti asked, trying to sound strong.

Baran didn’t smile. His voice was deep and smooth. “You’re not from here.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Neither are you.”

He stepped closer. “I saw you at the airport.”

Shruti felt nervous. “So you’ve been following me?”

“No. Watching,” he corrected her. “There’s a difference.”

“Creepy either way,” she muttered.

Baran leaned slightly forward, his eyes not leaving hers. “You’re different.”

Shruti looked away. “That’s what every random guy says before he tries to flirt.”

“I don’t flirt,” Baran said. “I don’t waste time.”

Shruti rolled her eyes. “Good for you.”

He gave a short smirk—barely there. “Your name?”

“Shruti. And I’m not giving my number.”

He chuckled softly. “I didn’t ask.”

Before she could say anything more, Mehak’s voice called out, “Shrutiii! Where are you?”

Shruti looked toward the house and then back—but Baran was already gone. Like smoke.

“Was he even real?” she whispered to herself.

Later that night in her room, Shruti couldn’t sleep. Her mind kept going back to his eyes. The way he looked at her—as if he saw through her soul.

Who was this man?

She didn’t know his name.

She didn’t know his world.

But he had entered hers—without permission.

And something told her... he wasn’t going to leave anytime soon.

To be continued very soon

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