HIS BUTTERFLY
-The start-
The faint sound of ghungroos echoed through the marble corridors of the Sharma mansion. It was past 6 a.m., and yet the rhythmic beats of “ta-thei-tat” had already turned the quiet morning alive
Abhira Sharma, 21, stood in the centre of the hall, wrapped in a soft cotton dupatta, her hair in a messy bun, eyes alive with focus. Each movement was deliberate, graceful, but her mind was somewhere else entirely.
Tomorrow’s performance at the charity gala wasn’t just another stage; it was her chance to prove she could be more than the “sweet Sharma daughter.”
Vandana Sharma (FL's mom)
Beta, breakfast thanda ho raha hai
(her mother, Vandana Sharma, called from the dining area)
Abhira (FL)
(Abhira stopped mid-step, smiling faintly.) Aap log kha lijiye, maa. Bas ek round aur
Her father, Ramesh Sharma, peeked from the newspaper
Ramesh Sharma (FL's dad)
Iss ladki ka toh kuch nahi ho sakta. Shaadi ki umar aa gayi, aur isse bas nachna hai
Her elder brother, Sameer, snorted between bites
Sameer (FL's bro)
Let her be, papa. At least she’s not planning a rebellion like Vicky did.
From behind the couch, their cousin Vicky groaned.
Vicky (FL's czn)
Ek baar galti se bike race jeet gaya toh sab mujhe bad boy bana rahe ho
*pouts*
Laughter filled the hall , the kind that made their home feel alive.
Abhira loved this chaos. Her world was soft, predictable, warm…
By 3 p.m., Jaipur’s sun was merciless.
Abhira hurried across the road near the cultural centre, juggling her dance bag, dupatta, and the phone pressed between her ear and shoulder.
Abhira (FL)
Ha Kavya! I'm on my way just five minutes—
She didn’t see the black car pulling up beside the curb until crash!
The sharp sound of breaking glass sliced through the air. Her heart froze.
Abhira (FL)
Oh no… no no no
The car’s window had a neat spiderweb crack right through the centre. And out stepped a man ~ tall, in a charcoal-grey suit that didn’t belong in Jaipur’s heat.
Dark hair slightly tousled, cold eyes like they’d seen too much of the world, and a silence that felt heavier than anger.
Abhira (FL)
(Abhira’s voice trembled) I— I didn’t mean to— it just— my bag slipped—
Riddhiman (ML)
(He looked at her, the faintest muscle ticking in his jaw) You throw things often at strangers’ cars, Miss…?
Abhira (FL)
Sharma, (she blurted out) Abhira Sharma. And I said sorry
Riddhiman (ML)
(He exhaled slowly, clearly restraining something) You’re lucky I don’t have the time for this
He turned to leave, but his last look stayed with her ~quiet, piercing, unforgettable
That night, the Sharma house buzzed with excitement. Vandana was almost glowing
Vandana Sharma (FL's mom)
Abhira! Get ready, beta. A very respectable family is coming to see you
Abhira (FL)
(Abhira frowned, standing by her dresser in confusion) Rishta? Aaj?
Vandana Sharma (FL's mom)
Bas milne ke liye. The Oberois. Jaipur ke bade log hain.
Abhira (FL)
(Abhira groaned) Maa, I literally broke someone’s car glass today, aur aap shaadi ke mood mein ho?
-Meeting of masks-
Kavya (FL's BFF)
So Abhira Sharma is going to charm the royal family today *teasing her*
Abhira (FL)
Kavya Shut Up!
Abhira is standing infront of the dresser and getting ready
Suddenly the door bell rings
Anxiety starting taking over her
gathering all her courage, she went down
Vicky (FL's czn)
*Chating to someone at door*
Vicky (FL's czn)
Pizza's heree~
Vicky (FL's czn)
Yeah?? *shrugs his shoulders and went away with his pizza*
Abhira (FL)
It’s not even them yet. papa said it’s just for introductions. Why is everyone behaving like it’s a swayamvar?
Kavya (FL's BFF)
Because maybe it is, Miss Kathak Queen *winks*
Abhira rolled her eyes, but her heart wasn’t cooperating. She could handle crowds, lights, stage fear but not ladke wale
Downstairs, the Oberoi crest on the car made everyone straighten up
Reyansh (ML's bro)
Namaste, Mrs. Sharma
Vandana Sharma (FL's mom)
Namaste beta *smiles*
He greeted smoothly, his eyes scanning the hallway until they landed on the staircase…
There she was — Abhira Sharma
Descending the steps in red and gold, her anklets chiming like whispers. For a moment, his practiced charm slipped
Saraswati Oberoi
Reyansh beta? *his mother nudged*
Reyansh (ML's bro)
j-jii maa
Ramesh Sharma (FL's dad)
Arey! Come inside please
Saraswati Oberoi
Namaste… so this is Abhira Sharma?
Ramesh Sharma (FL's dad)
Ji *proudly* Our daughter.
Abhira offered a polite smile
Reyansh (ML's bro)
*Standing still, looking at Abhira's face almost like staring into her soul*
Reyansh (ML's bro)
*looks away*
Sameer (FL's bro)
*touches Saraswati 's feet*
Sameer (FL's bro)
Sameer sharma
Reyansh (ML's bro)
Reyansh oberoi
Both exchange a handshake
Reyansh (ML's bro)
*forwards his hand to Abhira*
Abhira (FL)
Namaste *forced smile*
Reyansh (ML's bro)
*clenchs his fist*
In the corner, Reyansh’s mother observed. She’s graceful. Riddhiman won’t even care… what a waste
The marriage proposal Reyansh 's mother bought is on behalf of Ridhiman
But Reyansh’s eyes had a spark
He had always been the shadow in his brother’s light as the “other Oberoi.”
And now, standing before him was something his brother might get again.
Reyansh (ML's bro)
(Not this time Bade Bhaiya)
Riddhiman Dev Oberoi stood by his hotel balcony, phone in hand, watching Jaipur’s sunset through the news broadcast
Unknown
Sir, the family meeting at the Sharmas went well. Reyansh and Mrs. Oberoi represented you
Riddhiman (ML)
Reyansh did?
Unknown
Yes, sir. He insisted
Riddhiman (ML)
Interesting. Tell mom I'll be back by Sunday
The conversation was flowing... or pretending to
Mrs. Oberoi asked all the predictable questions like education, family, hobbies
But Reyansh kept slipping in compliments that made Abhira’s skin crawl
Reyansh (ML's bro)
You know, you should be on magazine covers, not just stages
Abhira (FL)
Thank you… but I prefer real work over glossy pages
Reyansh (ML's bro)
Hmm *leaned slightly*
Reyansh (ML's bro)
Real work is overrated when you can have both fame and comfort
Abhira (FL)
Depends whose definition of comfort
She replied, voice sharp as her bindi point
Vicky and Kavya almost snorted chai through their noses
After dinner, when everyone moved to the sitting area, Mrs. Sharma whispered to Abhira
Vandana Sharma (FL's mom)
Beta, they seem nice. What do you think?
Abhira hesitated, eyes flicking toward Reyansh, who was smirking at something on his phone
Reyansh looked up, catching her gaze
Reyansh (ML's bro)
Miss Sharma, would you like to see the estate photos? You might find it interesting… where you’ll be living someday
Abhira (FL)
You mean where your brother lives?
A flicker of irritation crossed his face
Reyansh (ML's bro)
Same thing
Meanwhile in the corner Vicky and Kavya trying to control their laughters seeing them bickering
Kavya (FL's BFF)
Bro do you think he can even survive one day with Abhira??
Vicky (FL's czn)
I doubt *munching sweets*
Vicky (FL's czn)
Btw, where's Sameer bhai ?
Kavya (FL's BFF)
I think..
Everyone looks in the direction of where Sameer is sitting
Sameer (FL's bro)
📱I'm sorry na bacha
Sameer (FL's bro)
📱I'll buy you new dresses just listen
Both Kavya and Vicky facepalmed themselves seeing their big bro acting like a teenager
Saraswati Oberoi
We should be going now, Mrs. Sharma
Vandana Sharma (FL's mom)
You can stay here. After all ghar to aapka hi h
Saraswati Oberoi
Arey No No
Saraswati Oberoi
we'll see you soon
Saraswati Oberoi
Take care Abhira beta *smiles*
While the elders were chatting, Reyansh took the opportunity to come closer to Abhira
Reyansh (ML's bro)
You know, Riddhiman doesn’t even attend half these things
Reyansh (ML's bro)
He’s always too busy being perfect. But me? I notice details…
Reyansh (ML's bro)
like how your eyes change shade when you’re annoyed *winks*
Abhira (FL)
And I notice red flags when I see them. Good night, Mr. Oberoi
And with that, she walked away, leaving Reyansh smirking in fascination
Reyansh (ML's bro)
Challenge accepted, Miss Sharma
-The wrong Oberoi-
Vandana Sharma (FL's mom)
Beta, it’s fixed
Mrs. Sharma’s voice echoed through the hallway like temple bells
And Abhira Sharma… stood completely still
Abhira (FL)
Maa, aap seriously keh rahi ho? The marriage is fixed?!
Vandana Sharma (FL's mom)
Yes, beta! The Oberois said yes!
Abhira (FL)
Huh? but I didn't-
Ramesh Sharma (FL's dad)
That's a yes from you too
Ramesh Sharma (FL's dad)
I think.? *glares*
Ramesh Sharma (FL's dad)
Reyansh Oberoi himself choosed you *proudly*
Abhira (FL)
Wasn't the marriage proposal from Riddhiman? *frowns*
Ramesh Sharma (FL's dad)
They’re brothers, what difference does it make?
Abhira (FL)
A huge difference!
Abhira threw her hands up
Abhira (FL)
Reyansh gave me serial killer vibes
Kavya (FL's BFF)
And you’re going to be Mrs. Serial Killer Oberoi now, congrats!
Abhira (FL)
This isn’t funny!
A storm was brewing outside
Lightning flickered through the windowpanes
Reyansh stood in front of the ancestral mirror, the one no one touched after midnight
Reyansh (ML's bro)
So she said yes
He whispered, half-smiling
Reyansh (ML's bro)
Brother dearest will return to ashes when he learns I took what destiny owed me
From the mirror, a shadow stirred faint and whispering
Reyansh froze, pupils dilating
Reyansh (ML's bro)
Who said that?
The whisper came again, this time closer
Shadow
Butterfly doesn’t belong to the dark
Reyansh’s smirk returned, slow and chilling
Reyansh (ML's bro)
Then I’ll teach her to love the dark
Riddhiman Dev Oberoi woke with a start
His hotel room was silent, except for the faint sound of anklets " chhan chhan " echoing through his mind
He sat up, breath uneven. His palm ached an old scar glowing faintly blue, as if reacting to something far away
Unknown
*His assistant, knocked softly*
Unknown
Sir, are you all right?
Riddhiman (ML)
Hmm.... *looking at the blank wall*
Riddhiman (ML)
....just the dream again *sighs*
Unknown
The one about the girl?
Riddhiman (ML)
She was there.... Dancing in the courtyard. But this time, she called my name
Riddhiman (ML)
No. She said… 'Ruhan'
Unknown
But sir, that’s your old name before the coronation rituals
Riddhiman (ML)
hmm... It means something *looking at his palm scar*
Riddhiman (ML)
Every time I hear her… something happens in the ancestral mirror back home. I need to return
Unknown
You think the legend of the ‘Bound Souls’ is true?
Riddhiman (ML)
If it’s not, why does my scar burn every time she’s in trouble?
Reyansh’s mother was pacing
Saraswati Oberoi
Reyansh, your brother is returning tomorrow..We need to explain—
Reyansh (ML's bro)
Explain what, mother?
Reyansh (ML's bro)
That I took his place? That the girl meant for him is now mine?
Reyansh unknowingly snapped
Saraswati Oberoi
You’re playing with fate, Reyansh!
He sneered, turning to the cracked mirror,
Reyansh (ML's bro)
Fate....
Reyansh (ML's bro)
...already played with me first
The crack glowed again faintly red this time
Behind him, his reflection smiled on its own
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