Page 9
Story: When Love Trespassed
Divorce?
“I wasn’t—” she stuttered. “I mean… I was just wondering why he even bought a house here in Serene Meadows. He doesn’texactly seem like the kind of man who’d enjoy quiet suburban life.”
Aunty hummed knowingly. “Meera, one of his staff members mentioned that he works twenty hours a day. Never smiles. And if the gossip is true, he bought this villa just to spite his ex-wife. She wanted to settle down here after the divorce, so he bought it before she could.”
Nandini blinked.Spite.
That explained some of the darkness she’d glimpsed in his expression. Though, it didn’t quite explain why he was working out half-naked in the afternoon, in weather cold enough to freeze Delhi’s fountains.
“He wasn’t always like this,” Lakshmi Aunty continued. “When he first bought the place, he was... polite. Distant, but polite. Then, when he started noticing the leaves and fruits falling into his pool, he spoke to your daadu, asking him to cut down the tree...”
“And?” Nandini prompted.
“And that’s when your daadu went into a full-blown verbal war with him.”
Nandini knew how much this tree meant to her grandpa, so it was obvious that if anyone suggested cutting it down, he wouldn’t tolerate it.
Lakshmi Aunty went on, “Then came the legal notices. The complaints started becoming petty—more about ego than the actual issue. It was as if they both had to prove something.”
She absorbed this, her protective instincts kicking in. Her grandfather had his flaws, his stubbornness chief among them. But he didn’t deserve to spend his retirement fighting ridiculous property battles.
And yet, here they were.
She set her jaw.
From now on, she wouldn’t let Shaurya bully her grandpa.
Even if it meant going to war with a man who looked like he’d been carved from granite and cursed with the kind of beauty that commanded boardrooms… and tempted sin.
Even if it meant ignoring the way her pulse jumped every single time those stormy-dark eyes turned her way.
Some things were worth fighting for.
Even if the enemy was unfairly gorgeous.
**************
The next morning, Nandini made her way to the Serene Meadows Clubhouse, a charmingly vintage yet well-maintained community space where residents gathered for events. Sunlight poured through the large windows, illuminating the long wooden table where a group of women and a few younger residents sat, deep in discussion. They had all assembled here to discuss the preparations for the much-awaited New Year’s Eve party.
As soon as she stepped inside, Priya Mehra, her childhood friend and Mrs. Mehra’s daughter, rushed toward her with an excited squeal.
“Nandini! Finally, you’re back! And just in time for the best event of the year.”
Priya hugged her tightly before dragging her toward the group.
Mrs. Mehra, the unofficial queen of event planning in Serene Meadows, beamed at her. “Nandini beta! It’s so good to see you! We’ve been missing a creative mind for planning this event, and now that you’re back, we have just what we need. We’re a little short on helping hands to arrange everything and make this year’s party even more happening than the last.”
“I figured,” Nandini said with a smile. “So, what’s the plan? How extravagant are we going this time?”
Mrs. Mehra clapped her hands together. “This year, we’re keeping it private, elegant, and cosy. The party will be in theclubhouse garden—fairy lights all around, live music, a warm, cosy bonfire, and of course, games followed by gift exchange for the kids. And at midnight, we’re adding a wish lantern release.”
“Oh, and don’t forget the dance floor!” Priya chimed in excitedly. “We’re getting a DJ this time.”
Nandini nodded, impressed. “Sounds perfect! Who’s handling the food?”
“The caterers are already booked,” Mrs. Bhalla from Villa 3 replied. “Now, we just need to finalise the guest list, seating arrangements, and contributions from each villa.”
Nandini scanned the table. At least one person from every villa in the community was here. Almost.Only one was missing.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9 (Reading here)
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 126
- Page 127
- Page 128
- Page 129
- Page 130
- Page 131
- Page 132
- Page 133
- Page 134
- Page 135
- Page 136
- Page 137
- Page 138
- Page 139
- Page 140
- Page 141
- Page 142
- Page 143
- Page 144
- Page 145
- Page 146
- Page 147
- Page 148
- Page 149
- Page 150
- Page 151
- Page 152
- Page 153
- Page 154
- Page 155
- Page 156