Prologue
Ten years ago
The Thakur Estate remained lively with guests, even two hours after the marriage anniversary ceremony had concluded. The enticing aroma of rich dishes still hung in the air, a reminder of the festivities that had just taken place.
While the majority of guests made their way toward the exit, the important relatives of the Thakur family gathered in the grand hallway, adorned with twinkling fairy lights. Soft music played in the background, barely audible over the murmur of departing well-wishers.
The hosts of the day, the Thakur couple, were deep in conversation with their neighbors and business partners, the Bajaj couple. Over the past twenty years, the bonds between the two families had strengthened, evolving into a close friendship. As the two couples made their rounds, bidding farewell to relatives, something unusual caught everyone’s attention, though few dared to react.
Amid the hustle and bustle, two fourteen-year-olds appeared completely absorbed in their own world. Reyansh Thakur spoke animatedly, his excitement spilling over, while Amyra Bajaj leaned back, laughter bubbling up freely from her lips.
They seemed oblivious to the crowd around them, fully engaged in the depths of their conversation, which was precisely what drew the interest of those nearby.
Having been best friends for as long as they could remember, Reyansh and Amyra were practically inseparable. Thanks to their proximity as neighbors and the many shared family outings, they found countless opportunities to spend time together, forging a bond that seemed unbreakable. That day, the whole world noticed their closeness, and many questions arose in their minds, but none voiced out until a young woman in her thirties, who happened to be Thakur’s close relative, walked towards the young couple in an attempt to gain their attention while the whole estate was waiting to witness the next happenings, including the Thakur and Bajaj couples.
“Reyansh and Amyra! Why don't you join others instead of sitting here alone?” She smilingly suggested to the teenagers who exchanged confused glances with each other.
“We are perfectly fine with each other,” Reyansh answered on behalf of both.
“You both always joined at the hip. Tell me, will you stay like this, forever?” She asked with a gentle smile.
Amyra bit back a shy smile while Reyansh shrugged casually, but they simultaneously nodded to her.
“Is it? Then will you both get married in the future?” the lady chirped in a playful tone while collective gasps were heard inside the Estate, with everyone's gaze widening at the unexpected and audacious question. The Thakur and the Bajaj couples exchanged perplexed glances with a worried expression etching their faces as they knew the teenagers were too young to beasked such questions. Before they even intervened, Reyansh’s voice arose.
“You mean marriage?” He uttered innocently, genuinely curious about that word, while the relative just nodded. Amyra was shocked at his question and was about to shake it off, so she tried to nudge her best friend’s arm, but he didn't pay attention to her.
Reyansh quickly remembered how their parents were a married couple and lived together under the same roof, which made him understand things differently without knowing the weight of his next words.
“If that makes me stay with my best friend forever, then yes, I will definitely marry Ames one day.” His face exploded into a wide, proud smile, unaware of the impact of his words, while Amyra was too stunned beside him to react, as she didn't expect that statement from her best friend.
She knew bits and pieces about the holy knot of marriage, so she was instantly panicked at his impetuous statement, but she was also unable to hide a pleasant feeling spreading through her chest, wondering how they could be together in life. The rest of the audience were just visually elated as happiness clouded their faces, especially the relative who started this game, and soon, everyone left the scene with a satisfied smile.
Back in the hallway, there was a mini celebration going on with Thakurs’ and Bajaj’s exchanging grins and shaking each other's hands as if their long-time desire had finally been fulfilled. The joy of their friendship turning into a relationship in the future felt thrilling, and Reyansh's words were engraved on their minds forever.
Beneath the hushed murmurs and blissful chaos, an unspoken vow was etched into the legacy of the Thakurs and Bajajs, a promise that seemed destined to shape the future of both families. Yet, who could have imagined that ten years later, those best friends would drift apart, one would hold on to every word said on this day as if it were destiny, while the other would bury it deep, forgetting as though none had ever been said.
Would destiny give them a chance to turn that vow into forever, or would one of them be sidelined, left to bear the ache of the forgotten promise alone?
Chapter 1
Amyra
Present
“Why can't I find the college heartthrob?” I mutter to myself, my eyes glancing all over the campus, which is extravagantly decorated for today's convocation ceremony.
I head toward the MBA block, scanning the crowd in hope of spotting him, but my eyes drift, and the past two years wash over me in a wave of nostalgia. I didn’t know many people here, yet this post-grad journey was a stepping stone, one I’ll always remember because it prepared me for the day I eventually step into our company, B&T Corp.
The ceremony is about to begin, and still, no sign of my best friend. He’s probably tucked away somewhere, waiting to jump out just to rattle me. He always has that uncanny knack for springing surprises and savoring the look of shock on my face.
Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder what sparks inside his mind when his playful side takes over.
Nevertheless, I enjoy every second of being with him.
“Hey, Amy!” I found my other best friend Sanchi Arora, hopping towards me hurriedly and stopping before me, panting with her hands on her knees.
I still remember the first time I met Sanchi at her father’s company’s anniversary celebration, where Dad had taken me to accompany him. From that moment on, the bonding flourished, and there was no turning back. Being the same age worked in our favor, and we instantly clicked. What began as a simple conversation stretched into hours, weaving a connection so deep that we came to know almost everything about each other.
