PROLOGUE

"Please, Asha... please. Just for today." Arya begged, following her twin around the room like a shadow.

Asha didn't even look back. "No way, Arya. He's your boyfriend. He'll figure out in two seconds that I'm not you. And it'll be so embarrassing!"

"Asha, come on!" Arya groaned. "He won't know. We look the same! The only difference is our eyes. I have dark brown, you have light brown. Just wear the contact lenses and that's it. Please. You just have to go to his house, watch a movie, and come back."

"No," Asha repeated firmly. "No means no."

Arya threw her hands up. "Yaar Asha, please! You know I have to go to Soham's party. And Raj hates him like actually hates him. If I go, he'll lose his mind. But I can't refuse Soham...he's basically my best friend. Please help me."

Asha crossed her arms. "Then tell Raj the truth."

Arya glared. "Are you mad? Raj will break the whole house if he hears the word 'Soham' again."

Asha still refused.

Arya's expression hardened. "Fine. Then I'll just tell Mom and Dad your little secre-"

"Arya!" Asha snapped, shocked.

"Your choice," Arya said sweetly.

And that was the end of the argument.

---

hour later...

Asha stood in front of Raj Thakur's house.

Her stomach twisted. Her palms were cold. Her throat felt tight.

Even the gate looked intimidating massive black iron with his initials carved across like a warning: R.T.

She exhaled shakily. "I can't believe I'm doing this," she whispered to herself. "Just a movie. One movie. Then I go home. That's it. No drama, no trouble."

She walked toward the entrance, her heart hammering.

"Why did I agree to this..." she muttered, pressing the doorbell. "Stupid Arya. And stupid me."

The door unlocked with a soft click.

Asha swallowed.

Asha waited...
but the door didn't open.

After a few seconds of silence, she pushed the heavy door herself. It swung inward with a deep creak, and the moment she stepped inside, her breath caught.

The entire mansion was dark
except for dozens of glowing diyas lining the floor, the staircase, the walls...
and a long trail of red rose petals forming a path like a royal carpet.

Her chest tightened.
This wasn't for her.
This was for Arya.

She hesitated at the entrance. "Should I... even walk in?" she whispered to herself.

But she had no choice.

Taking a shaky breath, she stepped onto the petaled path. The soft crackle of the diyas, the warm golden glow, the sweet smell of roses... it almost distracted her from the panic twisting in her stomach.

"It's beautiful..." she murmured, lost for a moment.

And that was her mistake.

Because the next second, a hand slid over her eyes.

Asha gasped and tried to scream, but a strong arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her backward.

"Shh," he murmured, tightening the cloth over her eyes.

Her heartbeat thundered. "W-wait!"

He didn't wait.

He moved around to face her, his presence so close she could feel the heat of his breath. Before she could step back, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead gentle.

"R-Raj" she whispered, panic rising.

He didn't give her time to finish.

His hands lowered, gripping behind her knees. With one smooth movement, he lifted her and tossed her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing.

Asha yelped. "Put me down!"

A low chuckle rumbled from his chest.

"I didn't even start yet," he said, voice deep and teasing, "and you're already screaming?"

Her heart dropped straight to her stomach.

Because this wasn't Arya's evening anymore.

This was Asha's problem now.