Siya descended the staircase with a heavy heart, her mind a whirlpool of emotions. The laughter and chatter from her family and Aryan's filled the air, creating a stark contrast to the turmoil within her. She plastered a smile on her face, determined to fulfill her duty, but inside, she felt like a porcelain doll, fragile and ready to shatter.

As she entered the living room, her eyes instinctively sought Aryan. He stood with his back to her, speaking animatedly with Viraj, his best friend. The sunlight caught the angles of his jaw, casting a halo around him that made her heart ache even more. She forced herself to look away, focusing on her mother, who was happily chatting with Varsha Malhotra.