Destined to Be Yours

Shourya stood at the threshold of Adithya's modest home, his heart pounding as he knocked on the worn wooden door. The neighborhood was quiet, save for the occasional bark of a distant dog.

A moment later, the door creaked open, and Adithya appeared. His face was a mix of surprise and guardedness, but he quickly masked it with his usual air of confidence.

"Shourya Verma," Adithya said, leaning against the doorframe, his tone almost mocking. "To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"

Shourya clenched his fists, swallowing his pride as he stepped inside. The room was small and humble, a stark contrast to the opulence Shourya was used to. He turned to face Adithya, his expression tense.

"I'm here to talk about Saanvi," Shourya began, his voice firm but edged with desperation.

Adithya crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing. "What about her?"

Shourya's jaw tightened, his emotions threatening to spill over. "She loves you. She believes in you. And… she's carrying your child."

Adithya's expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes—guilt, perhaps, or regret.

"I want you to marry her," Shourya continued, his voice breaking slightly. "It's the right thing to do. For her, for the child, for all of us."

Adithya was silent for a moment, his gaze unwavering. Then, he let out a dry laugh, his tone dripping with arrogance. "You think it's that simple, Shourya? That I'll just fall in line because you demand it?"

"I'm not demanding," Shourya said, his tone pleading now. "I'm asking. As her brother."

Adithya stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Fine. I'll marry Saanvi—but only if you agree to my condition."

Shourya froze, his breath catching in his throat. "What condition?"

Adithya's smirk returned, but he didn't elaborate. "Think about it," he said, walking past Shourya and opening the door. "The choice is yours."

Helpless and defeated, Shourya left the house, his steps heavy and his heart heavier. Once he was outside, the enormity of the situation hit him like a tidal wave. He leaned against his car, his chest heaving as sobs wracked his body.

His father's voice echoed in his mind, the memory of that fateful promise haunting him. "Take care of Saanvi. Always give her what she wants."

And then came Meera's voice, her laughter, her love. The dreams they had shared. How could he protect one promise without shattering the other?

Days passed, but Shourya found no peace. The weight of his decision consumed him, robbing him of sleep and joy. Finally, he found himself at the gates of the Malhotra mansion.

The grandeur of the estate felt suffocating as he stepped inside, his heart pounding with every step. Meera descended the grand staircase, her face lighting up as she saw him. She rushed toward him, wrapping her arms around him tightly.

"Shourya," she said softly, her voice filled with warmth. "I missed you."

But Shourya didn't return her embrace. He gently pulled away, his eyes avoiding hers.

"Meera," he began, his voice trembling. "I… I can't marry you."

The words fell like a thunderclap in the silent room. Meera froze, her smile fading as shock and confusion took over. "What?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Vikram Malhotra, standing nearby, stepped forward, his face a mixture of anger and disbelief. "What are you saying, Shourya?"

Meera took a step back, shaking her head as though trying to dispel a bad dream. "Shourya, stop it," she said, forcing a laugh that didn't reach her eyes. "This isn't funny. Are you pranking me?"

Shourya's throat tightened, but his expression remained solemn. "No, Meera," he said, his voice cracking under the weight of his words. "I mean it. I can't marry you."

Her face crumpled as disbelief turned to anguish. "Why? What happened? What changed, Shourya?" she cried, clutching his arm. "Tell me it's a lie. Please, tell me it's not true."

But he couldn't. He couldn't tell her about Saanvi, about Adithya's condition, about the impossible choices weighing him down. All he could do was look at her, his heart breaking as her tears fell.

Vikram's voice thundered through the room. "What nonsense is this, Shourya? Have you lost your mind?"

Shourya didn't answer. Instead, he turned and walked away, his steps heavy with grief. Meera called after him, her sobs echoing in the grand hall, but he didn't look back.

As he stepped out into the cold night, his own tears finally fell, each one a testament to the unbearable pain of losing the one person he had promised never to leave.