The moment Vikram Rathore's car disappeared through the gates, Lavanya released the breath she had been holding.

Then she waited.

One minute.

Two minutes.

Five minutes.

Just to be safe.

When the car didn't return, she threw herself onto the sofa dramatically.

"I survived."

Sunita Aunty glanced at her.

"You met a family friend, beta."

"No."

Lavanya immediately sat up.

"I met Vikram Rathore."

As if that explained everything.

Honestly, it did.

Sunita shook her head and returned to the kitchen.

Lavanya, meanwhile, grabbed her notebook.

The notebook.

Her masterpiece.

Her greatest achievement since arriving in this ridiculous novel.

Opening it carefully, she stared at the words written across the top.

OPERATION AVOID THE RATHORES

A proud smile appeared on her face.

Step 1: Politely refuse Vikram Rathore.

She immediately drew a large checkmark beside it.

✓ COMPLETED

Beautiful.

Absolutely beautiful.

She admired it for nearly thirty seconds.

Maybe longer.

Nobody could judge her.

She had just successfully told one of the most powerful men in the country no.

And somehow she was still alive.

That deserved celebration.

"See?"

She pointed at the notebook.

"I told you."

The notebook offered no response.

Rude.

"I don't need Rathore Mansion."

Still nothing.

"Exactly."

Lavanya nodded.

The notebook clearly agreed with her.

Satisfied, she closed it.

For the first time since waking up in Vanya's body, she felt hopeful.

Maybe she could actually do this.

Maybe she could avoid the original plot.

Maybe-

No.

She immediately stopped herself.

That kind of thinking was dangerous.

Every time a protagonist thought everything was going well, disaster followed.

Usually within the next chapter.

Sometimes sooner.

---

The next morning...

Sun rays filtered through the curtains of Vanya's room.

Lavanya slowly opened her eyes.

For a few seconds, she forgot where she was.

Then reality returned.

Novel world.

Vanya Singh.

Dead parents.

Possessive Rathores.

She stared at the ceiling.

Then sighed dramatically.

"Shivane..."

(Ah, Lord Shiva...)

A pause.

"Nanage eradane jeevana kottiddakke thanks."

(Thank you for giving me a second life.)

[🙏 I forgot to tell that lavanya knows kannada,Hindi,Marathi,slightly Telugu and English .Benifits of being born in Bidar.And she is big devotee of Shivji and calls him by different names ✨]

Another pause.

"Adre swalpa bega kalisbahudittu alva?"

(But you could have sent me a little earlier, right?)

She rolled onto her side.

"Aidu dina modalu kalisidre, Vanya appa-ammana ulisbahudittu."

(If you had sent me five days earlier, I could have saved Vanya's parents.)

(Shivji🌹:- Greedy ungrateful human being.)

The room remained silent.

Lavanya immediately sat up.

"Ayyo."

(Oh no.)

She folded her hands.

"Kshamisi Shivane."

(Forgive me, Lord Shiva.)

"Naanu swalpa greedy aagbitte."

(I became a little greedy.)

After all...

She had been given a second chance.

A new life.

A healthy body.

A comfortable home.

And she was still complaining.

A few moments later, another thought entered her mind.

Her eyes widened.

"WAIT!"

She pointed dramatically at the ceiling.

"Tumba dhanyavadagalu!"

(Thank you very much!)

The room remained silent.

Lavanya ignored it.

"Nannannu Vanya Rathore Mansion ge hodmele kalisiddre?"

(What if you had sent me after Vanya reached Rathore Mansion?)

A shiver ran through her body.

"Ayyo beda!"

(Oh God, no!)

"Adanna yochisidre nanage bayavagutte."

(Just thinking about it scares me.)

The original Vanya had already started obsessing over Rudra by then.

The misunderstandings had already begun.

The plot was already moving.

That sounded terrifying.

At least now she had a chance to escape everything.

Maybe.

Hopefully.

Probably.

She folded her hands again.

"Dhanyavadagalu Mahadeva."

(Thank you, Mahadev.)

"Nimma timing swalpa strange ide, adre sari."

(Your timing is a little strange, but it's okay.)

Satisfied with her morning conversation with God, she climbed out of bed.

Just then-

Knock Knock.

"Beta."

Sunita Aunty's voice came from outside.

"Breakfast ready hai."

"Coming Aunty!"

Lavanya replied.

She got off the bed and walked toward the bathroom.

After freshening up, she came out feeling refreshed.

Then opened the wardrobe.

Immediately she frowned.

"So many clothes."

Rich people had too many clothes.

It was honestly unnecessary.

After searching for several minutes, she finally found something comfortable.

An oversized blue t-shirt.

Loose black pants.

Perfect.

Comfortable.

Most importantly-

Not villainess-looking.

She quickly got dressed.

Brushed her hair.

Then looked at herself in the mirror.

For a moment, she still wasn't used to seeing Vanya's face.

Every morning felt like opening somebody else's front camera.

"Weird."

She muttered.

Very weird.

Still...

She had to admit.

Vanya was beautiful.

The original novel hadn't exaggerated.

Satisfied, she left the room.

Her mood was surprisingly good today.

Very good.

After all...

Vikram Rathore had gone back to Mumbai.

She was still in Bangalore.

Everything was perfect.

So perfect that she started humming a song while walking downstairs.

"Aaj main upar..."

A smile appeared.

"Aasmaan neeche..."

Another step.

"Aaj main aage..."

She reached the last staircase.

"...Zamana hai peeche."

The words died.

Her soul left her body.

Then slowly returned.

Because sitting comfortably on the sofa...

Drinking tea...

Looking completely relaxed...

Was Vikram Rathore.

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Lavanya stood frozen on the stairs.

The smile disappeared.

Her happiness disappeared.

Her future disappeared.

Everything disappeared.

Sunita Aunty suddenly became very interested in the flowers near the window.

Traitor.

Absolute traitor.

Meanwhile...

Vikram calmly placed his teacup down.

Then looked at her.

"Good morning."

Lavanya stared.

"No."

A brief silence followed.

"What?"

"You are not supposed to be here."

For some reason, a faint smile appeared on Vikram's face.

Which was offensive.

Very offensive.

She was suffering.

Nobody should smile during her suffering.

"Interesting greeting."

He commented.

"I had a different plan for my morning."

"And what was that?"

"Not this."

The smile became slightly bigger.

Lavanya narrowed her eyes.

Danger.

This was definitely danger.

Slowly she walked toward the dining table.

Then sat as far away from him as possible.

Vikram noticed.

Of course he noticed.

People like him noticed everything.

Unfortunately.

Sunita placed breakfast on the table.

Lavanya immediately focused on eating.

Maybe if she acted busy enough, the conversation would disappear.

It did not.

"Did you sleep well?"

Vikram asked.

"Yes."

"Good."

Silence.

A peaceful silence.

Then-

"Why are you here?"

There it was.

The important question.

Vikram calmly took another sip of tea.

"To meet you."

"No."

Another pause.

"What do you mean no?"

"I refuse that answer."

"You can't refuse answers."

"I just did."

For some reason-

Vikram laughed.

Actually laughed.

A short laugh.

But still.

A laugh.

Lavanya stared.

Nobody told her this man laughed.

The novel completely skipped that part.

False advertising.

Then she noticed something.

A black file resting beside him.

Immediately every alarm in her head started ringing.

Danger.

Extreme danger.

Nothing good ever came from black files.

Especially files carried by businessmen.

"What's that?"

She pointed suspiciously.

Vikram glanced at the file.

Then at her.

"Important."

That was not an answer.

At all.

"What is inside?"

"Paper."

"..."

"..."

Technically correct.

Again.

She hated when he did that.

"Why are you carrying papers?"

"Because carrying buildings is difficult."

Lavanya nearly choked on her breakfast.

Was he making jokes?

Since when?

Nobody warned her about this version of Vikram Rathore.

Slowly.

Very slowly.

Vikram pushed the file toward her.

"Read."

Immediately her survival instincts activated.

"No."

"Read."

"No."

"Vanya."

"No."

"Vanya."

"Fine."

Reluctantly, she opened the file.

The first page looked normal.

The second page looked normal.

The third page-

Wait.

Her eyes widened.

"What?"

She flipped another page.

Then another.

Then another.

"WHAT?"

The room became silent.

Because years ago...

Long before the accident.

Long before their deaths.

Raghav Singh had legally named Vikram Rathore as Vanya's guardian.

Everything was official.

Everything was signed.

Everything was legal.

Everything was a disaster.

And for the first time since waking up inside the novel...

Lavanya felt that maybe...

Just maybe...

She had celebrated her victory too early.

Lavanya stared at the file in her hands.

The living room was silent.

Painfully silent.

For the last several minutes, she had been reading every page carefully.

Very carefully.

Because if there was one thing Lavanya believed in, it was this-

Never trust anything too easily.

Especially after waking up inside a novel.

And definitely not when the person sitting across from you was Vikram Rathore.

Slowly, she turned another page.

Then another.

Then another.

Everything looked official.

Too official.

Which immediately made her suspicious.

Finally, she closed the file.

The sound echoed through the room.

Then she looked directly at Vikram.

"Yeh fake bhi ho sakta hai."

(This could be fake too.)

The room fell silent.

For the first time since entering the Singh house, Vikram Rathore froze.

Only for a second.

A very small second.

Then his expression returned to normal.

Unfortunately for him...

Lavanya noticed.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Because she was right.

The documents were fake.

The letter inside the file was fake.

Everything inside that folder had been created last night.

Last Night.

Bangalore.

A luxury hotel suite.

Vikram stood near the window.

The city lights reflected against the glass.

A knock sounded.

"Come in."

One of his trusted men entered carrying a black file.

"Sir."

Vikram accepted it.

Then opened it.

Freshly prepared guardianship documents.

Exactly as requested.

His man hesitated.

Then spoke carefully.

"Sir... these documents never existed."

"I know."

The answer came immediately.

The man fell silent.

Because when Vikram Rathore made a decision-

Nobody argued.

Several moments later, the room became quiet again.

Vikram opened another file.

One that actually belonged to Raghav Singh.

Old business contracts.

Old agreements.

Old signatures.

His eyes settled on Raghav's handwriting.

For several moments, he remained silent.

Then slowly-

He picked up a pen.

And copied it.

Every curve.

Every stroke.

Every detail.

Perfectly.

Because Raghav never expected to die.

Not like this.

Not so suddenly.

And because Vikram knew something else.

Vanya Singh was exactly like her father.

Unreasonably stubborn.

Logic wouldn't work.

Arguments wouldn't work.

Which meant-

The papers alone wouldn't be enough.

Several minutes later, he placed the pen down.

Then looked at the completed documents.

A long silence followed.

Finally-

"Not enough."

The words escaped quietly.

Because he already knew what would happen.

Vanya would argue.

Fight.

Refuse.

Question everything.

Exactly like Raghav.

Slowly, Vikram pulled another sheet of paper toward himself.

Then began writing.

Word by word.

Line by line.

In Raghav's handwriting.

A letter.

One final request from a father to his daughter.

By the time he finished, midnight had already passed.

Vikram looked at the letter.

Then folded it carefully.

Tomorrow.

Everything would happen tomorrow.

Present Time.

Lavanya was still staring suspiciously at him.

"Uncle?"

No response.

Vikram's gaze remained fixed on the file.

Lost in thought.

"Uncle?"

Still nothing.

Now Lavanya was certain.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

"Why are you looking at the papers like that?"

Vikram blinked.

The distant look vanished immediately.

"Nothing."

The answer came too quickly.

Much too quickly.

Liar.

Absolute liar.

Lavanya didn't know why.

But her instincts were screaming.

Something about this entire situation felt suspicious.

Unfortunately...

She had absolutely no proof.

Yet.

As she opened the file again, something slipped out.

A folded letter.

Lavanya frowned.

"Yeh kya hai?"

(What's this?)

For the first time-

Vikram looked slightly uncomfortable.

Only slightly.

But it was there.

Slowly, Lavanya unfolded the paper.

Then froze.

The handwriting.

She knew this handwriting.

Vanya knew this handwriting.

Because it belonged to Raghav Singh.

Her father.

The room disappeared.

Everything else disappeared.

Only the letter remained.

And slowly-

She began reading.

_________________________________

Dear Vanya,

If you're reading this letter, then it means life didn't go the way I hoped it would.

And knowing you...

You're probably being stubborn right now.

A small smile appeared on Lavanya's face.

That sounded exactly like him.

The letter continued.

Beta,

If there is one thing I regret, it is leaving you alone.

Not because you're weak.

You were never weak.

But because you always try carrying everything by yourself.

You smile when you're hurt.

You stay silent when you're lonely.

And you pretend you're fine when you're not.

That was always your biggest weakness.

If Vikram comes for you, listen to him.

Not because he is always right.

Trust me, he isn't.

A small snort escaped Lavanya before she could stop it.

For some reason, she could almost hear Raghav saying those words.

The letter continued.

But because he is one of the few people I trust completely.

I know him.

And I know he will protect you.

Trust him once.

Just once.

And Vanya...

No matter what happens.

No matter where life takes you.

You will always be my daughter.

Love,

Papa

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

The room became silent.

Very silent.

Lavanya lowered the letter.

Then read it again.

And again.

A strange ache spread through her chest.

Not hers.

Vanya's.

The grief.

The loneliness.

The longing.

Everything remained.

Even after death.

A memory surfaced.

Raghav teaching a younger Vanya how to ride a bicycle.

Another memory.

Maya helping her with a school project.

Another.

Family movie nights.

Birthday celebrations.

Laughter.

Love.

Home.

For the first time since arriving in this world...

Lavanya understood something.

Vanya wasn't born difficult.

She wasn't born selfish.

She wasn't born a villain.

She became one after losing everything.

Slowly, she folded the letter.

The room remained quiet.

Nobody interrupted.

Nobody rushed her.

Finally-

She looked up.

Then directly at Vikram.

For several moments, neither of them spoke.

Then-

"Main Mumbai chalungi."

(I'll go to Mumbai.)

Sunita gasped.

Relief immediately filled her face.

Across from her, Vikram remained calm.

Far too calm.

As if he had expected that answer all along.

Which was honestly annoying.

Very annoying.

But before anyone could celebrate-

Lavanya raised a finger.

"Lekin."

(But.)

There it was.

The famous "but."

For the first time, Vikram looked tired.

As if he had suddenly aged ten years.

"Meri conditions hain."

(I have conditions.)

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Of course you do."

"Hain."

(I do.)

"Batao."

(Tell me.)

Lavanya crossed her arms.

"Pehli baat."

(First thing.)

She pointed directly at him.

"Respect do, respect lo."

(Give respect, take respect.)

"Main sabko respect dungi."

(I'll respect everyone.)

"Lekin mujhe bhi respect chahiye."

(But I want respect too.)

A brief silence followed.

Then Vikram nodded.

"Fair."

Satisfied, Lavanya continued.

"Dusri baat."

(Second thing.)

She pointed at herself.

"Meri life. Mere rules."

(My life. My rules.)

The faint smile immediately disappeared.

Victory.

A small victory.

But still a victory.

"Main ghar ke rules follow karungi."

(I'll follow the house rules.)

"Main padhungi."

(I'll study.)

"Main behave bhi karungi."

(I'll behave too.)

A pause.

"Mostly."

Sunita immediately coughed.

Very loudly.

Lavanya ignored her.

"Lekin meri puri life koi control nahi karega."

(But nobody is going to control my entire life.)

Several seconds passed.

Then Vikram spoke.

"As long as your rules don't put you in danger."

Lavanya considered it.

Then nodded.

"Theek hai."

(Fine.)

"Teesri baat."

(Third thing.)

Now her eyes brightened.

Dangerously.

"Mujhe kuch classes join karni hain."

(I want to join some classes.)

Vikram raised an eyebrow.

"Kaunsi classes?"

(Which classes?)

"Main baad mein bataungi."

(I'll tell you later.)

"Tumhe pata hi nahi?"

(You don't even know?)

"Pata hai."

(I know.)

"Toh batao."

(Then tell me.)

"Nahi."

(No.)

"Kyun?"

(Why?)

"Mann nahi hai."

(I don't feel like it.)

Truthfully...

Lavanya hadn't decided yet.

In her previous life, she never got the chance to learn things simply because she wanted to.

There was always something more important.

School.

Exams.

College.

Assignments.

Responsibilities.

Growing up in a middle-class family with four siblings meant dreams often came after necessities.

She never complained.

But sometimes...

She had wanted to learn painting.

Sometimes music.

Sometimes dance.

Sometimes a new language.

Then life would get busy again.

And those wishes would quietly disappear.

Now she had a second chance.

This time, she wanted to learn things because they made her happy.

"Aur bhi conditions hain."

(I have more conditions.)

Vikram looked at her.

"Kitni?"

(How many?)

"Bahut saari."

(A lot.)

"Toh batao."

(Then tell me.)

Lavanya opened her mouth.

Then paused.

A few seconds passed.

Then a few more.

"Abhi yaad nahi aa rahi."

(I can't remember them right now.)

Silence.

"Kya?"

(What?)

"Abhi yaad nahi aa rahi."

(I can't remember them right now.)

"Lekin hain."

(But they exist.)

"Main baad mein bataungi."

(I'll tell you later.)

Sunita immediately turned away.

Her shoulders shaking suspiciously.

"Aap hans rahi hain?"

(Are you laughing?)

"Nahi beta."

(No, dear.)

"Aap hans rahi hain."

(You're laughing.)

"Nahi."

(No.)

"Hans rahi hain."

(You are.)

For the first time that afternoon-

Vikram looked genuinely amused.

"Fine."

He finally said.

"Jo conditions yaad aayengi, baad mein bata dena."

(Whatever conditions you remember later, tell me then.)

Lavanya immediately brightened.

Victory.

Another victory.

Then-

Vikram stood.

"Achha."

(Alright.)

"Hum aaj shaam nikal rahe hain."

(We're leaving this evening.)

"KYA?!"

(What?)

The entire room echoed with her voice.

"KYA?!"

(What?)

The entire house echoed with Lavanya's voice.

She stared at Vikram Rathore as if he had personally offended her ancestors.

"Aaj shaam?"

(This evening?)

Vikram nodded calmly.

"Yes."

"No."

The answer came immediately.

A beat passed.

Then-

"No?"

Vikram repeated.

"No."

Lavanya repeated.

"Why?"

"Because no."

"That's not a reason."

"It is for me."

Sunita immediately turned away.

A clear sign she was trying very hard not to laugh.

Lavanya ignored her.

"Main aaj shaam nahi ja rahi."

(I'm not leaving this evening.)

"And why not?"

Lavanya looked personally offended.

"Because I need time."

"For what?"

"My books."

"My clothes."

"My room."

"My plants."

"My house."

"My memories."

The last words came out quieter.

The atmosphere shifted.

Immediately.

Because suddenly this wasn't about luggage.

This was the last place connected to Raghav and Maya.

For several moments, nobody spoke.

Finally-

"Theek hai."

(Fine.)

Lavanya blinked.

That was suspiciously easy.

"Really?"

"Really."

Relief flooded her chest.

Then Vikram added-

"Kal subah. 9 baje."

(Tomorrow morning. 9 o'clock.)

The relief disappeared instantly.

"That's still too early."

"It's not."

"It is."

"It's not."

"It is."

Sunita closed her eyes.

The argument continued for another five minutes.

Eventually-

Lavanya lost.

A tragic moment.

A heartbreaking moment.

A completely unfair moment.

Before leaving, Vikram stopped near the door.

"Anything else?"

Lavanya frowned.

Then thought.

Then thought some more.

Nothing.

"No."

"You're sure?"

"I think so."

"You think so?"

"...Eighty percent sure."

Vikram sighed.

Tomorrow couldn't arrive fast enough.

The moment he left-

Chaos began.

Mission:

Pack Everything.

One hour later.

Sunita entered Lavanya's room.

Then froze.

Completely froze.

Suitcases covered the floor.

Books covered the bed.

Clothes covered the chair.

More clothes covered another chair.

And somehow-

There were still more clothes.

"Beta..."

"Ji?"

(Yes?)

Sunita looked around the room.

Then looked at Lavanya.

Then looked around again.

"Beta, tum Rathore Mansion ja rahi ho."

(Dear, you're going to Rathore Mansion.)

"Haan."

(Yes.)

"Rathore Mansion tumhare paas nahi aa raha."

(Rathore Mansion is not coming to you.)

Lavanya gasped.

"You don't understand."

"Clearly."

"What if I need these?"

She pointed at a pile of clothes.

Sunita stared.

There had to be at least forty outfits.

"What emergency requires forty outfits?"

"Fashion emergency."

Sunita immediately gave up.

By evening-

The situation became worse.

Much worse.

Lavanya packed:

Twenty-three books.

Seven notebooks.

Three photo frames.

A collection of bookmarks.

Her favorite blanket.

A stuffed toy she absolutely refused to explain.

And enough clothes to survive several lifetimes.

That night, after dinner, the house became quiet.

For the first time all day-

Lavanya stopped packing.

Slowly, she walked outside.

The cool evening breeze touched her face.

The garden looked exactly the same.

The roses.

The flowers.

The small plants lining the pathway.

Some had been planted by Maya.

Some by Vanya.

Some by Raghav.

A strange ache settled inside her chest.

Tomorrow she would leave.

The thought still felt unreal.

She sat on the garden bench.

Then looked up at the stars.

For several moments, she remained silent.

Then-

"Mahadeva..."

A sigh escaped her.

"Mahadeva, nanage idu sariyada idea anisuttila."

(Mahadev, I don't think this is a good idea.)

The breeze continued blowing.

Very unhelpful.

"Avaru ella tumba suspicious agiddare."

(Those people are very suspicious.)

Still no response.

"Especially aa Vikram Rathore."

(Especially that Vikram Rathore.)

Lavanya folded her arms.

"He definitely did something."

"Nanage proof illa."

(I don't have proof.)

"Adre avaru suspicious."

(But he is suspicious.)

She spent the next ten minutes complaining.

About Vikram.

About Mumbai.

About fate.

About novels.

About life.

By the end of it-

She felt slightly better.

"Beta?"

Sunita's voice interrupted her thoughts.

Lavanya looked up.

"Ji?"

(Yes?)

For a moment, she looked around the garden.

Then quietly asked-

"Aap kuch plants apne ghar le jaa sakti hain?"

(Can you take some plants to your house?)

Sunita looked surprised.

"Kyun?"

(Why?)

Lavanya looked down.

"Baaki garden mein rehne do."

(Let the others stay in the garden.)

"Bas..."

(Just...)

"Unka khayal rakhiyega."

(Please take care of them.)

Silence.

For several moments, Sunita said nothing.

Because she understood.

Lavanya wasn't talking only about plants.

She was talking about memories.

About home.

About everything she was leaving behind.

Slowly, Sunita touched her head.

"Main wada karti hoon."

(I promise.)

"Main inka bhi khayal rakhungi."

(I'll take care of them too.)

"Aur ghar ka bhi."

(And the house too.)

For a brief moment-

Lavanya thought she might cry.

So she immediately stood up.

A survival technique.

The next morning arrived far too quickly.

"Beta."

Silence.

"Beta."

More silence.

"Beta."

A pillow hit her face.

Lavanya groaned.

"Flight cancel ho gayi?"

(Did the flight get cancelled?)

"Nahi."

(No.)

"Vikram uncle ka mood change ho gaya?"

(Did Vikram Uncle change his mind?)

"Nahi."

(No.)

"Tragic."

Exactly at nine o'clock-

A black luxury car stopped outside.

Lavanya checked the clock.

Then looked outside.

Then checked the clock again.

"Aap clock ke saath paida hue the kya?"

(Were you born with a clock?)

Vikram ignored her.

Then he saw the luggage.

Silence.

Very long silence.

Three suitcases.

One backpack.

One large box of books.

"What is all this?"

Lavanya looked confused.

"Essentials."

For the first time in years-

Vikram Rathore questioned reality.

A few minutes later, everything was loaded into the car.

The time had finally come.

Sunita pulled Lavanya into a hug.

A tight hug.

The kind that felt like home.

"Take care of yourself."

"I will."

"Call me."

"I will."

"Eat properly."

"I will."

"Don't argue too much."

"...I'll try."

That answer made Sunita laugh through her tears.

Soon, the car pulled away.

Lavanya sat quietly beside the window.

Watching.

The house became smaller.

The garden.

The gate.

The balcony.

Everything.

Smaller.

And smaller.

Until finally-

It disappeared.

For the first time since waking up as Vanya Singh-

She truly felt like she was leaving home.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

A sad smile.

A hopeful smile.

"Bye, Mom."

"Bye, Dad."

The road stretched ahead.

Toward Mumbai.

Toward the Rathores.

Toward a future she had never planned for.

For several minutes, silence filled the car.

Lavanya stared out the window.

Trees passed by.

Buildings passed by.

Life continued moving forward.

Meanwhile-

Her brain decided to create problems.

Suddenly, she remembered something.

Actually-

Several things.

Her eyes narrowed.

Because she had read enough novels to know exactly how rich families worked.

At least fictional rich families.

And fictional rich families were terrifying.

Business alliances.

Political alliances.

Marriage alliances.

Family pressure.

Emotional blackmail.

Manipulation.

Secret engagements.

Forced introductions.

The list continued.

Lavanya immediately sat straighter.

Absolutely not.

Not happening.

Not in this lifetime.

Not in the next lifetime.

And definitely not after getting reincarnated.

Her eyes widened.

"Oh."

Vikram immediately became suspicious.

"What?"

"I remembered."

His eyes closed briefly.

Of course she did.

"Remembered what?"

"My conditions."

Of course.

"Tell me."

Lavanya pointed dramatically.

"Pehli condition."

(First condition.)

"Mere liye koi business marriage proposal nahi."

(No business marriage proposals for me.)

Silence.

Complete silence.

Vikram slowly turned toward her.

"Tum sirf pandrah saal ki ho."

(You're only fifteen years old.)

"Future planning."

The silence somehow became worse.

After several moments, Vikram finally spoke.

"No one is arranging your marriage."

"Good."

Lavanya nodded.

"Dusri condition."

(Second condition.)

She narrowed her eyes.

"Emotional blackmailing allowed nahi hai."

(Emotional blackmailing is not allowed.)

This time Vikram actually looked confused.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"That's a very specific condition."

"It is."

"And why exactly do you need it?"

Lavanya crossed her arms.

"Because emotional blackmail is unfair."

"That's your explanation?"

"Yes."

Several seconds passed.

Then-

"Fine."

Lavanya blinked.

"Fine?"

"Fine."

That was suspiciously easy.

But before she could investigate further-

Vikram returned his attention to his phone.

The discussion was apparently over.

Lavanya stared at him.

Then narrowed her eyes.

Definitely suspicious.

Very suspicious.

For several moments-

Nobody spoke.

Then Vikram looked out the window.

Because if he looked at her any longer.

He might actually start laughing.

To Be Continued...