Falling Destiny

Episode 29: "Between Shadows and Smiles"

(Third person POV)

It had been a week since Neha started working at the Roy mansion. The opulence of the place still overwhelmed her, but she had adjusted to the rhythm — teaching dance to Ruhani in the morning and managing her shift at the bakery in the evening. The routines kept her mind occupied — away from the pain of Sanchit’s disappearance and Disha’s hidden sorrow.

Neha had never shared anything personal with Veer or Ruhani. They didn’t know about Sanchit. They didn’t know about Disha. She had learned to smile politely and keep her world protected behind glass walls.

Each morning, the same black Mercedes would arrive at exactly 10:30 to pick her up. The guards would greet her silently, the maids would nod respectfully, and Veer would often be waiting near the entrance, sometimes with a polite smile, other times with unreadable eyes. The mansion had secrets, she could feel them in the walls. But amidst it all, Ruhani’s cheerful presence made things easier. They had started enjoying the lessons — even laughing together during difficult routines.

Still, Neha noticed it — Veer’s gaze. It lingered. Watched. Studied. Every time she danced or laughed, it felt like he was watching something fragile — something he didn’t know if he wanted to protect or shatter.

---

That evening, as she tied her apron behind the bakery counter, the familiar chime of the door pulled her from her thoughts. She looked up — and smiled.

“Rohit!”

He stood there, casual in his hoodie and cap, the way he always dressed when he visited. It helped him blend in, stay unnoticed — because if anyone in the area knew he was Rohit Mehra, the CEO of Mehra Holdings, it would raise questions Neha didn’t want to answer.

“Hey you,” he grinned, walking to the counter. “Still making the best chocolate muffins in the city?”

Neha chuckled. “Still pretending you don’t come here just for them?”

He shrugged dramatically. “Maybe I come here for the baker too.”

Neha rolled her eyes but felt a warmth creep up her cheeks. Rohit had a way of making things easy. He never asked too much. Never pushed boundaries. Even though he’d met Disha a few times, he never probed about her past or why she always seemed to carry grief like a shadow.

Today, he sat at his usual corner seat, sipping coffee while she packed up closing orders. They didn’t talk much — and they didn’t need to. But what Neha didn’t know was that Rohit had started looking forward to these small silences more than anything else in his day.

---

Back at the mansion, Veer sat in his study, watching something on his screen. It was the CCTV footage from the bakery. He saw the way Neha smiled when that man entered. Saw her eyes light up — something he hadn't managed to draw from her in a week.

The smile that touched Veer’s lips wasn’t kind.

So that’s the guy, huh?

He leaned back, a small storm brewing in his chest. For the last week, he’d done everything right — made her comfortable, offered luxuries, given her the illusion of freedom. And yet her smile for him was always measured. Controlled.

But for that man… it was real.

Still, he reminded himself why she was here. Why he had brought her into his world. He needed to stay close to her. Know everything. She was the thread that could lead him to the truth — and to the revenge he had promised Sanchit, silently, as he lay in that hospital bed that no one but Veer knew about.

Neha had to pay. But why did the thought of hurting her now feel so… unclean?

---

The next day was gentle, as gentle as heartbreak could be.

Neha returned to the mansion in the morning. Ruhani greeted her with a hug — something she hadn’t done before.

“You know,” Ruhani said while warming up, “I like you. You don’t talk like the others. You don’t try too hard.”

Neha laughed. “Maybe I’m just too tired to try.”

“Still,” Ruhani glanced toward the door. “My brother… he watches you a lot.”

Neha blinked. “He’s just being a good host.”

“Maybe.” Ruhani didn’t say more.

Later, after their dance session ended, Veer walked in with a drink.

“Thought you’d be tired,” he said, handing it to her. “Fresh mango juice.”

She accepted it hesitantly. “You didn’t have to…”

“I wanted to.”

There was a moment of silence. His eyes met hers, softer today. Less threatening. Almost... apologetic?

“How’s your… friend?” he asked, carefully avoiding names.

“Better,” Neha said vaguely. She didn’t want to mention Disha or anything that could reveal her truth. “Just adjusting.”

His jaw clenched subtly. “You were close to her?”

Neha nodded slowly. “More than you’d think.”

---

Meanwhile, Rohit stood in front of Neha and Disha’s house, holding a small bouquet of lilies. He had come to drop off a care package but wasn’t sure if he should knock. Something about the house always felt like it was hiding secrets.

But he wanted to see her smile again.

---

Back at the mansion, Veer watched from his study window as Neha laughed at something Ruhani said. He caught the way her hand brushed her cheek when she smiled. The small twirl of her fingers when she thought no one was watching.

“She doesn’t know anything,” Ruhani said, suddenly appearing beside him.

Veer didn’t flinch. “She might.”

“You don’t want to hurt her,” she said softly. “But I do.”

Veer’s face was unreadable. “Then let me remind you… why we started this.”

“I haven’t forgotten.” Her voice turned cold. “The day I saw Sanchit in that car with her, I promised myself — if he dies, she bleeds. Every. Damn. Day.”

Veer looked away. “Then let’s wait.”

Ruhani narrowed her eyes. “You’re changing.”

“No,” Veer said. “I’m playing the long game.”

---

Later that night, Neha returned home and found Disha humming softly while folding baby clothes. They had bought a few essentials — just in case. Disha’s belly had just started to show, and with every passing day, her eyes held more peace than fear.

“You’re glowing,” Neha teased.

“Maybe I’m just… hopeful.” Disha smiled. “I want to believe he will come back soon.”

“He is,” Neha said firmly. “We’ll find him.”

But in the depths of her own heart, a question lingered — between Veer’s careful charm and Rohit’s quiet affection, where did her truth lie?

And would she be able to bear it if it was neither?