AUTHOR'S POV

Akshara's car slowed as the narrow road opened into a quiet property surrounded by tall trees.

The small villa stood peacefully in the center - warm lights glowing through its windows, looking like the only place in the world that didn't demand anything from her.

She parked her car, stepped out, and took a deep breath.

Silence.

Finally.

But the moment she pushed open the door-

"EXCUSE ME??"

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT, AKSHARA!?"

Two figures stormed toward her at full speed.

Aarohi Sharma and Tanishka Rathi.

Her lifelines.

Her sanity.

Her chaos.

And right now?

They were furious.

Aarohi threw her arms in the air dramatically.

"OH, YOU CAME?" she snapped.

"Princess Maheshwari Mansion finally done showing attitude to the world?"

Akshara blinked, taken aback.

"Aaru-"

"No! Don't 'Aaru' me!"

Aarohi stomped toward her like a raging kitten.

"You LEFT us on read!

You didn't call!

You didn't text!

You didn't even send a bloody emoji!"

Akshara opened her mouth but-

Tanishka cut in, eyes blazing.

"And you went to THAT mansion alone?

Without telling us?

Are you out of your mind or is it hereditary?"

Akshara frowned. "Tanu-"

"No. Don't even try," Tanu shot back.

"We saw your live location disappear.

Aarohi almost had a panic attack.

I bit into a spoon. A STEEL SPOON."

Aaru held up the slightly bent spoon like it was evidence.

"Look at this! She did this for YOU!"

Akshara rubbed her temples.

"I needed space-"

"SPACE?" Aarohi screeched.

"From US?"

Tanishka crossed her arms.

"That's illegal in our friendship, thank you very much."

They Approach Her, Angry but Loving

The two stormed closer, glaring up at her.

Aarohi poked her arm sharply.

"You don't get to be sad alone."

Tanishka poked the other arm.

"You don't get to run away alone."

Aarohi poked her shoulder.

"You don't get to face those Maheshwari idiots alone."

Tanishka poked her forehead.

"And you definitely don't get to drive while crying alone."

Akshara went still.

"How did-"

"We know," they said together.

A deep breath escaped her -

the kind she only allowed in front of them.

"I didn't want you both to worry."

"We ALWAYS worry," Aarohi snapped.

"That's our job."

"And we're damn good at it," Tanishka added proudly.

"Very good," Aarohi said.

"We even practiced your future husband-chopping skills while waiting."

Akshara blinked.

"What?"

Tanishka waved it off.

"Doesn't matter. What matters is-"

She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Akshara's waist tightly.

Aarohi followed, hugging her from the side.

Their fury melted into fierce protectiveness.

"You're not alone," Aarohi whispered.

"Not now. Not ever."

Tanishka hugged her tighter.

"Next time you feel even a LITTLE upset, you call us. Understood?"

Akshara finally nodded, her throat tightening.

"Good," Tanishka said, pulling back.

"Now come in before I break the door."

"You already tried," Aarohi muttered.

"And I'll try again."

Aarohi and Tanishka grabbed her hands and dragged her into the cozy living room, mumbling curses at the Maheshwari family under their breath.

Akshara's chest finally loosened.

Her friends weren't just waiting.

They were ready.

Ready to burn the world with her.

Or for her.

Whichever she needed.

The tension that had clung to Akshara like a shadow since she entered the Maheshwari mansion finally melted the moment she stepped into her living room.

Aarohi and Tanishka plopped onto the couch dramatically, pulling her down between them.

"Okay, now talk," Aarohi commanded.

"Everything. Spill. Now."

Akshara rolled her eyes.

"I already told you-"

"You told us NOTHING," Tanishka cut in, pointing accusingly.

"You gave us a summary. I want full HD, 4K, Director's Cut version."

Akshara finally laughed-

an honest, unrestrained laugh that rarely escaped her in the outside world.

Her friends grinned.

This was their Akshara.

The one only they saw.

Not the composed businesswoman.

Not the silent thunder.

Not the guarded girl.

Just... Akshu.

"So, did anyone faint after seeing your face?" Aarohi wiggled her eyebrows.

"That mansion isn't ready for your beauty."

"Shut up," Akshara muttered.

Tanishka gasped.

"She blushed. Aarohi, she BLUSHED!"

Akshara threw a cushion at them.

They screamed, jumped over the table, and another cushion war erupted.

Within minutes, the living room looked like a tornado had passed.

Breathless, sprawled across the sofa, Aarohi suddenly clapped her hands.

"GUYS! We got into the same college. THE BEST college in Udaipur. WE NEED A PARTY."

Tanishka shot up instantly.

"Yes! A big party! Pool party! Music! Drinks! Food! Everything!"

Akshara shook her head.

"You two are insane."

"Takes one to know one," Tanishka replied smoothly.

Aarohi nudged her shoulder.

"No excuses. We're celebrating tonight. You're coming."

Akshara sighed, defeated but smiling.

"Fine."

Both girls squealed and high-fived.

This-

this was home.

Suddenly, Akshara's smile faded.

Her posture straightened.

Her eyes sharpened.

Aarohi and Tanishka exchanged a look - they knew this shift too well.

Akshara wasn't just a normal girl anymore.

This was the CEO speaking.

"Okay," she said quietly.

"Let's get serious."

Both the girls sobered immediately.

Akshara leaned forward, elbows on her knees.

"Did you finish the work I gave?"

Aarohi nodded first.

"Yes."

Tanishka added, "More than you asked, honestly."

They exchanged a proud glance.

Aarohi continued,

"We have successfully bought more than 42% shares of Maheshwari Groups available in market."

Tanishka smirked.

"And all under different identity names. Dummy accounts. Fake investors.

No one in that family has a clue it belongs to you."

Akshara's eyes glinted with cold satisfaction.

Aarohi stretched her arms.

"Just give us a few more days... and you'll become the largest shareholder of the Maheshwari Empire."

Tanishka winked.

"Meaning-

Tere ek decision pe unka poora business chalega.

Their every move will depend on you."

Akshara leaned back slowly, eyes darkening with a quiet, lethal calm.

"Good."

Aarohi and Tanishka watched her, the room falling into a charged silence.

Akshara's voice dropped to a low, steady whisper:

"Let them realise...

they made the biggest mistake of their lives

by trusting Riyanshi Maheshwari over their own daughter."

She looked toward the window, the darkness outside reflecting in her eyes.

"Now they'll face the consequences.

Not through pain.

Not through revenge.

But through truth.

Their own truth."

Tanishka smirked.

Aarohi exhaled a slow, proud breath.

This wasn't the broken girl who walked out of the Maheshwari mansion.

This was the girl the world feared.

The genius behind AV Groups.

The unseen storm.

The voice they worshipped as AK.

And now?

The future owner of the empire that once abandoned her.

Akshara stood up suddenly, dusting off her clothes as if brushing away the tension she had just released.

"I should go now."

Both Aarohi and Tanishka snapped their heads toward her like offended cats.

"EXCUSE ME?"

Aarohi nearly yelled.

"Go WHERE?" Tanishka demanded, standing up too.

"Our party!" Aarohi reminded dramatically.

"THE celebration! Did you forget already?!"

Akshara blinked.

"When did I even agree?"

Both girls froze.

Then-

"YOU DID!" they screamed in unison.

Akshara crossed her arms.

"I said nothing. You two decided on your own."

Aarohi gasped, clutching her chest.

"Are you breaking our hearts ON PURPOSE?"

Tanishka held her forehead dramatically.

"Waah... emotional damage."

Akshara rolled her eyes, but her tone softened.

"Girls... I really have to go."

Aarohi frowned.

"Why? You hated being there. You don't owe them anything."

Akshara's jaw tightened slightly.

"I'm living with the Maheshwaris now," she said quietly but firmly.

"So I need to maintain composure."

Her eyes hardened, the weight of the evening flashing through her mind.

"I won't give anyone there a chance to taunt Ma because of me."

The room fell silent.

Aarohi's lips parted.

Tanishka slowly uncrossed her arms.

They understood.

Akshara wasn't going back for the family.

For acceptance.

For them.

She was going back because of Apoorva.

Tanishka finally exhaled.

"Fine... you win."

Aarohi sighed dramatically.

"Queen of ruining plans."

Akshara gave a tiny smile.

"And you two," she added, shifting into her CEO tone,

"complete the formalities of our admission. All the documents."

Tanishka saluted.

"Yes ma'am."

Aarohi followed with a mock salute.

"We'll handle it."

Akshara grabbed her keys.

"I'll message you when I reach.

And call if anything urgent happens."

Tanishka smirked.

"Just go. We'll be here... plotting your revenge, planning your outfits, and judging the Maheshwaris."

Aarohi grinned.

"Drive safe. And remember - if someone annoys you, call us. We'll kidnap you."

Akshara laughed under her breath.

As she stepped out of the farmhouse, the night air met her again -

calm, cool, familiar.

The mansion awaited.

The chaos awaited.

But so did her mother.

And she wasn't letting anyone break Apoorva's heart.

Not even herself.

MEANWHILE AT MAHESHWARI MANSION...

The mansion was louder than before.

Not with anger.

With crying.

Riyanshi's crying.

She sat dramatically on the couch in the living room, her hair perfectly falling around her face, tears rolling down her cheeks in slow, practiced drops.

Her fake crying echoed through the living room, her face buried in Apoorva's shoulder.

"Why does this always happen with me?" she wailed.

"Everyone gets selected... except ME!"

The brothers stood around her like loyal guards.

Shourya rubbed her back.

"We'll find a way, Riya."

Ekansh clicked his tongue.

"Don't stress yourself."

Samarth sighed.

"Maybe the system is just unfair."

Kartik frowned.

"We'll talk to someone... do something..."

The daughters-in-law exchanged helpless looks.

They knew the truth -

Riyanshi didn't study.

She never did.

But saying that out loud?

Impossible.

Apoorva hugged her daughter.

"Beta, don't cry. We will figure it out."

Riya sniffled dramatically.

"I'll be stuck another year... I'll be seen with juniors... I'm in the SAME CLASS as Akshara now... this is embarrassing..."

The brothers looked heartbroken for her.

Nobody corrected her.

Nobody told her it was her fault.

Nobody even hinted at responsibility.

Then-

Akshara walked in.

Calm.

Composed.

Unreadable.

Riyanshi saw her...

and instantly straightened, wiping her tears.

Perfect moment.

Perfect target.

Maybe Akshara also didn't get selected.

Maybe she could embarrass her.

She plastered a sweet smile.

"Oh, Aksharaaa..." she cooed.

"Which college are you taking admission in?"

The family's attention snapped towards Akshara, curious.

Akshara didn't flinch.

"Imperium Institute of Business & Management, Udaipur."

The room froze.

It was the top college -

the one even the Maheshwaris respected,

the one Riyanshi had never cracked.

Riyanshi's smile dropped.

Shailaja blinked.

"Oh... that's... prestigious."

Pakhi smiled softly.

"That's wonderful, Akshara."

Bhavika nodded proudly.

"Congratulations."

Gauri looked genuinely impressed.

"That's not an easy college to get into."

Riyanshi's face turned pale.

"You... got into THAT college?" she asked, her voice shrinking.

Akshara nodded once.

"Yes."

"But... but that's the top college-" Riya choked.

"Yes," Akshara replied smoothly.

"But you got in the first try?" Riya whispered, humiliated.

Akshara met her eyes calmly.

"I get in wherever I apply, Riyanshi.

Because I prepare."

Riyanshi felt slapped.

The brothers shifted awkwardly -

they knew Akshara wasn't bragging.

It was a simple, undeniable truth.

Riya stuttered,

"So... you're in my class?"

Akshara's brow lifted.

"YES.

But... I'm not repeating a year.

I'm not taking a drop.

I'm in the batch I belong to."

Riyanshi swallowed hard.

Everyone suddenly understood the contrast.

Riyanshi - two-year drop, no selection.

Akshara - first try, top college.

Akshara added calmly but firmly:

"I'm not here to compete with you, Riyanshi.

I have my own goals."

Riyanshi couldn't even speak.

Akshara then turned to Apoorva.

"Ma, I'll go freshen up."

Apoorva smiled proudly.

"Yes beta, go."

Akshara walked away with quiet grace,

leaving behind a room full of stunned silence...

and one burning, jealous, heartbroken princess.

The lights in Riyanshi's bedroom were dim, the room smelling of jasmine and her favorite vanilla candles. She sat curled in the center of her huge bed, her face buried in a pillow as she sobbed dramatically.

Her four brothers-

Shourya, Ekansh, Samarth, and Kartik-

stood around her like anxious bodyguards, not knowing how to calm their princess down.

Shourya sat on the edge of the bed first.

"Riyu, stop crying, princess..." his voice soft, helpless.

Ekansh placed a hand on her back.

"Baccha, look at us. Please?"

Samarth crouched beside her.

"We'll fix everything. Don't cry."

Kartik leaned against the headboard at first, then slowly moved closer when he realized she wasn't going to stop.

Riyanshi lifted her head, face perfectly wet with tears-but not a trace of genuine pain in her eyes.

"Why don't I get admission anywhere?" she sobbed loudly.

The brothers' hearts clenched immediately.

But Kartik...

Kartik couldn't help himself.

He sighed.

"Because you don't study..."

The room went silent.

Shourya whipped his head toward Kartik.

Ekansh glared daggers.

Samarth's eyes widened threateningly.

Kartik instantly regretted being honest.

"...I mean-" he tried to correct quickly.

But Riyanshi cut him off with an even louder sob.

"SEE! Even YOU think I'm dumb!"

Fresh (fake) tears spilled.

Shourya glared at Kartik again.

"What is wrong with you?"

Kartik opened his mouth, then closed it, silently surrendering.

Riyanshi sniffled loudly, wiping her cheeks.

"Can't I get admission by... by giving money?"

She looked up at them with trembling lips.

The four elder brothers exchanged uneasy glances.

"Baccha... that's not right," Samarth said carefully.

Ekansh gently added,

"Riya, we shouldn't go about it that way-"

But she didn't let them finish.

"But I want to study too!

I want a college life!

Everyone gets fun, everyone gets friends...

AND I GET NOTHING!

NOTHING!"

Her screaming cracked her voice-it was convincing enough to melt every brother's resistance.

Shourya grabbed her hand.

"Please don't cry like that..."

Riyanshi sobbed harder.

"You all hate me...

You want me to be a loser forever..."

"Riya, no-" Ekansh panicked.

"You don't care if people laugh at me..."

Samarth shook his head violently.

"That's not true!"

"You won't help me because I'm not good enough..."

"Riya!" Shourya's voice broke.

"Please stop saying that!"

Kartik sighed, defeated.

"Princess... it's not that we don't want to help..."

Riyanshi's sobbing grew louder, more dramatic.

The brothers finally cracked.

Shourya exchanged a helpless look with Ekansh...

Ekansh looked at Samarth...

Samarth looked at Kartik...

And slowly... they nodded.

Shourya took her hands gently.

"Okay.

If you want admission...

We will get it done."

Riyanshi's sobs instantly softened.

Her breathing steadied.

Her tears slowed perfectly.

Almost like magic.

She looked up with teary eyes.

"Really...?"

Ekansh stroked her hair.

"Yes, princess. We will talk to the management."

Samarth added,

"And if money is required... we'll handle it."

Kartik said quietly,

"Just... don't cry like this again."

Riyanshi sniffled sweetly...

And inside, a victorious smile curled within her.

She won.

Again.

The brothers stayed with her until she fell asleep-

or pretended to.

They left her room quietly.

And the moment the door shut-

Riyanshi's smile widened in the darkness.

To be Continued...