The dining hall remained filled with warmth, laughter, and conversations that had been waiting ten long years to happen.

Every member of the Rathore family seemed eager to hear about Veeransh's life abroad.

Rajendra Rathore proudly asked about his business achievements.

Savitri Rathore couldn't stop filling his plate with food, insisting that he had become far too thin.

Vikram Rathore teased him about finally returning home after forgetting his family.

Even little Anika kept asking endless questions about foreign countries, making everyone laugh.

The atmosphere was cheerful.

Comfortable.

Exactly as a family reunion should be.

Yet...

Veeransh barely heard any of it.

His eyes wandered toward the kitchen entrance almost every few seconds.

Without realizing it, he kept hoping she would walk back into the dining hall.

Just once.

Just so he could see her again.

His fingers absentmindedly moved the food around his plate, but he hadn't taken more than a few bites.

Across the table...

Devyani Rathore quietly observed her son.

She had watched him since the moment he entered the mansion.

She had seen the way his eyes searched every corner before greeting anyone.

She had noticed the sudden brightness in his face when Tulasi appeared beside him to serve dinner.

And she had also seen the disappointment in his eyes the moment Tulasi walked away without even looking at him.

Now...

He wasn't eating either.

A mother rarely failed to understand what her child refused to say.

She smiled faintly.

Poor boy...

Some things never changed.

"Veeransh."

Her gentle voice broke his thoughts.

He immediately looked at her.

"Yes, Maa?"

She glanced at his almost untouched plate.

"Why aren't you eating? Didn't you like the food?"

Everyone around the table looked toward him.

Veeransh quickly forced a small smile.

"No, Maa... the food is perfect."

"Then why have you hardly eaten anything?"

For a brief second...

His eyes unconsciously drifted toward the kitchen once again.

Before anyone could notice, he looked back at his mother.

"I had a very long flight," he replied calmly.

"I suppose I'm just tired. I don't have much of an appetite."

His grandfather nodded knowingly.

"Travelling for so many hours does exhaust a person."

"Exactly," Vikram added. "Let him rest tonight."

Savitri sighed dramatically.

"Still... you should eat more. You've become so lean."

That made everyone laugh.

Even Veeransh smiled politely.

"I promise I'll eat properly tomorrow, Dadi."

She finally nodded with satisfaction.

"Good."

The conversation slowly shifted toward business matters.

Mahendra began discussing the company's recent projects.

Vikram joined him enthusiastically.

But Veeransh wasn't listening.

Not anymore.

His thoughts remained elsewhere.

Why didn't she even look at me?

Did she truly not recognize me...

Or was she avoiding me?

The little Tulasi he remembered had never stayed silent.

She used to chatter endlessly.

She would run after him through the gardens.

She would proudly show him every little drawing she made.

Whenever she got frightened during thunderstorms...

She would hide behind him without hesitation.

That little girl had disappeared.

The young woman standing in her place felt like a stranger.

The distance in her eyes hurt far more than he expected.

After a few more minutes, Veeransh gently placed his spoon down.

"If you'll excuse me..."

Everyone looked at him.

"I'll wash my hands."

Mahendra nodded.

"Go ahead."

Without another word...

Veeransh stood up and walked out of the dining hall.

The moment he stepped into the quiet corridor, the noise behind him faded.

He took a slow breath.

His feet moved almost automatically toward the kitchen.

He didn't even realize that he wasn't choosing the shortest route to the wash basin.

Deep inside...

He already knew why he was going there.

...

Inside the spacious kitchen...

Several servants were busy cleaning after dinner.

Utensils clinked softly.

The aroma of freshly cooked food still lingered in the air.

Near one of the counters...

Tulasi quietly arranged the remaining dishes.

Just like always...

She worked silently.

Her movements were calm and practiced.

She didn't speak unless someone asked her something.

The other servants occasionally exchanged whispers.

She never joined them.

Ever since dinner ended...

She had been trying her hardest to steady her heart.

Seeing him after ten years...

Had shaken something she believed she had buried long ago.

She had spent years convincing herself that he belonged to a world she could never reach.

He was the heir of the Rathore family.

She...

Was only an orphan raised under their roof.

A servant.

Nothing more.

No matter what memories they once shared...

Those days were over.

She had accepted that long ago.

Or at least...

She kept telling herself she had.

She carefully picked up another stack of plates.

Just then...

A familiar fragrance reached her.

Fresh.

Masculine.

One she couldn't explain...

Yet somehow recognized instantly.

Before she could understand why...

She felt someone's warm breath gently brush against the side of her neck.

Her entire body stiffened.

The plates in her hands almost slipped.

Her heartbeat skipped violently.

She turned around so quickly that she took two frightened steps backward.

Her wide eyes met his.

Veeransh.

Standing barely a step away.

For a brief moment...

Neither of them spoke.

The sounds of the kitchen faded into the background.

It felt as though time itself had stopped.

Only their eyes remained locked on each other.

For a brief moment...

Neither of them spoke.

The sounds of utensils, running water, and distant conversations faded into nothingness.

It was as though the entire world had paused.

Veeransh looked at her quietly.

Ten years.

Ten long years.

He had imagined this moment countless times.

He had imagined her smiling the moment she saw him.

He had imagined her calling out his name just like she used to.

He had imagined endless conversations, laughter, and questions.

Instead...

She stood before him with frightened eyes and an expression that revealed nothing.

Tulasi quickly lowered her gaze.

She took another step back, carefully maintaining a respectful distance between them.

Her fingers tightened around the plate she was holding.

"What... do you need, sir?" she asked softly.

"If you need anything, I'll bring it."

The word echoed in Veeransh's ears.

Sir.

It sounded so unfamiliar.

So distant.

So cold.

He frowned slightly.

"Sir?"

Tulasi nodded without raising her head.

"Yes, sir."

Veeransh couldn't believe what he was hearing.

A faint smile appeared on his lips—not because he found it amusing, but because he simply refused to accept it.

"What happened to you?"

His voice was calm.

Gentle.

Yet filled with confusion.

Tulasi remained silent.

"I asked you something."

She finally answered without meeting his eyes.

"I don't understand, sir."

"You don't?"

He took a slow step closer.

"You used to call me Veeransh."

Another step.

"You used to fight with me whenever I refused to play with you."

Another step.

"You used to steal chocolates from my room and blame the gardener."

A tiny smile unknowingly appeared on his face as those memories returned.

"And now..."

He stopped only a short distance away.

"You've started calling me 'sir'?"

Tulasi's heartbeat grew louder with every step he took.

She wished he would stop.

Not because she feared him.

But because every step he took towards her made it harder to hide her own emotions.

She tightened her grip on the plate.

"Things have changed."

Her answer was barely above a whisper.

Veeransh stared at her.

"What changed?"

Silence.

"Tulasi..."

"What changed?"

She finally looked up.

Only for a second.

Just enough for him to see the sadness hidden inside her eyes before she lowered them again.

"You are the young master of this house."

Her voice remained respectful.

"And I work here."

"There should be a difference."

Those words struck him harder than he expected.

"A difference?"

"Yes, sir."

"You think that's who we are now?"

She didn't answer.

Instead, she spoke with the same professional tone.

"Do you need anything else, sir?"

"I can bring it for you."

Veeransh almost laughed in disbelief.

"Stop calling me 'sir.'"

She remained silent.

"I'm serious."

No response.

"Tulasi."

"I've known you since we were children."

"You've never called me 'sir.'"

"So don't start now."

She swallowed slowly.

"I can't do that."

"Why not?"

"Because it wouldn't be appropriate."

"Appropriate?"

He repeated the word as though it made no sense.

She nodded.

"You are the heir of the Rathore family."

"I am only a servant."

The word lingered heavily in the air.

Servant.

Veeransh immediately shook his head.

"No."

Tulasi looked at him in confusion.

"No?"

"You are not 'only a servant.'"

She forced a faint smile.

"It doesn't matter what you think, sir."

"It matters what the world sees."

"And the world sees exactly that."

Before he could reply...

One of the older servants entered the kitchen carrying a tray.

The moment he noticed Veeransh standing there, he immediately bowed.

"Young Master... is there anything you require?"

Veeransh stepped aside.

"No."

The servant smiled politely before walking away.

Tulasi took that opportunity.

"If you'll excuse me, sir..."

She picked up the remaining dishes and turned to leave.

But before she could take more than two steps...

A firm yet gentle voice stopped her.

"Tulasi."

She froze.

Without turning around.

Without saying a word.

Veeransh slowly walked until he stood beside her.

"I came back after ten years."

His voice had become quieter.

"I searched for you the moment I entered this house."

"I waited all evening just to speak to you."

"And all you've said to me is..."

He paused.

"'What do you need, sir?'"

There was hurt in his voice now.

Real hurt.

Tulasi closed her eyes for a brief second.

Every word pierced her heart.

She wanted to tell him that she had waited too.

That she had counted the years.

That not a single festival had passed without wondering whether he was happy.

But she couldn't.

She had spent years building walls around her heart.

She couldn't let them collapse now.

Slowly...

She turned toward him.

This time, she looked into his eyes.

Her own eyes glistened, though she refused to let a single tear fall.

"I'm sorry, sir."

Her voice was steady.

"If I've made a mistake, please forgive me."

"But..."

"I know my place."

"And I don't wish to cross it."

Veeransh felt as though someone had tightened a grip around his chest.

The cheerful little girl he remembered...

Would never have spoken those words.

Someone...

Or something...

Had taught her to believe she belonged beneath everyone else.

And he hated that thought.

Before he could say another word...

A familiar voice echoed from the dining hall.

"Veeransh!"

It was Devyani.

"What is taking you so long? Everyone is waiting."

Tulasi immediately stepped back.

"Ma'am is calling you, sir."

"You should go."

She lowered her head once again.

"I still have work to finish."

Without waiting for his reply...

She quietly walked away.

Veeransh stood exactly where he was.

Watching her disappear into the other side of the kitchen.

For the second time that night...

She had walked away from him.

And for the second time...

He could do nothing except watch.

He remained there for several moments, his thoughts in turmoil.

The girl he had carried in his heart for ten years was still here...

Yet somehow...

She felt farther away than ever.