Three Months Earlier — Karl's Secret
Kavira had always wondered why Karl drove differently whenever she was with him.
He never stopped at certain traffic lights.
Not once.
At first, she had assumed it was his usual arrogance—the kind that came with being Karl Casanova, a man who believed the world would move aside for him.
But the truth was completely different.
Three months earlier, Karl had been sitting alone in his study.
The diary he had accidentally discovered among Kavira's childhood belongings was open in front of him.
He had read the entry again.
And again.
It wasn't about money.
It wasn't about luxury.
It wasn't even about him.
It was about traffic lights.
Kavira had written about how uncomfortable she felt whenever her car stopped at a red light because men on the streets would stare at her.
She had written about feeling as though strangers were looking at her like she wasn't a person.
Karl's jaw had tightened when he read it.
He closed the diary.
Karl: "You hate stopping at traffic lights?"
He stared at the closed diary.
Karl: "Fine."
His voice became quiet.
Karl: "Then you won't have to."
From that day onward, Karl developed a ridiculous habit.
Whenever Kavira was in his car, he tried to avoid stopping at traffic lights whenever he could.
Of course, that habit came with consequences.
Traffic violations.
Fines.
A lot of them.
Over the following three months, Karl had accumulated approximately ₹5 lakh worth of traffic fines—around €5,000.
His accountant had nearly lost his mind.
Accountant: "Sir, these are traffic fines."
Karl didn't even look up from his documents.
Karl: "Pay them."
Accountant: "Sir, with respect, you could probably buy another car for this amount."
Karl finally looked up.
Karl: "Then buy another car."
The accountant stared at him.
Accountant: "That's not the point."
Karl returned to his work.
Karl: "I know."
Because for Karl, it had never been about the money.
It was about one sentence written years ago by a girl who had no idea someone would one day read it and take it seriously.
---
Present Day — India
The airport was crowded.
Suitcases rolled across the floor.
Announcements echoed through the terminal.
And Divyanka was crying.
Again.
Aaron stood beside her, watching her wipe away another tear.
He sighed softly and stepped closer.
Aaron: "Babydoll."
Divyanka looked at him.
Aaron gently kissed her forehead.
Aaron: "I'm here with you. Just relax, okay? Look at me."
Divyanka sniffed.
Divyanka: "But I'm going to miss them."
She glanced back toward her parents.
Divyanka: "I don't know when we'll be back here and... and..."
Her voice broke again.
Aaron smiled softly.
Aaron: "Shhh."
He gently took her hand.
Aaron: "This is your home. You don't need anyone's permission to come back here, my babydoll."
Divyanka looked at him.
Aaron: "And if we reach Italy and two hours later you tell me you want to come back here, I'll bring you back."
She laughed through her tears.
Aaron: "I'll literally book another flight."
Divyanka smiled.
Aaron: "So stop crying."
He paused dramatically.
Aaron: "Or..."
He pointed toward her parents.
Aaron: "Do you want me to bring them back with us?"
Divyanka punched his arm lightly.
Divyanka: "I hate you!"
Aaron laughed.
Aaron: "I love you too, babydoll."
She shook her head, smiling.
---
Several Hours Later — Germany
The flight from India to Germany had taken roughly eight to ten hours, depending on their exact route and connections.
By the time they landed, it was already evening.
And waiting outside the airport were three familiar faces.
Karl.
Kavira.
And Arshia.
Or, more accurately...
Emilia Falkenberg.
But to Kavira and Divyanka, she was still simply Arshia.
At least for the moment.
---
A Few Hours Earlier
Kavira had called Arshia.
Kavira: "Heyyyyy, Arshia! It's been so long!"
Arshia: "I know! I was literally thinking about calling you."
Kavira: "Do you know what today is?"
Arshia: "What?"
Kavira: "Divyanka and Aaron are coming back!"
Arshia immediately smiled.
Arshia: "Ohhh, yes! Of course!"
Kavira: "We're going to pick them up. Come with us. After that, we'll have dinner somewhere."
There was a tiny pause.
Arshia: "Yes. Of course."
Her voice suddenly became more serious.
Arshia: "But I actually want to tell you guys something."
Kavira: "What?"
Arshia: "Something really important."
Kavira: "Arshia..."
Arshia: "I'll tell you when we're all together."
Kavira narrowed her eyes even though Arshia couldn't see her.
Kavira: "That sounds suspicious."
Arshia laughed nervously.
Arshia: "Just trust me."
Kavira: "Fine. But if you've secretly committed a crime, I'm leaving you there."
Arshia: "Deal."
Neither of them knew how enormous the secret actually was.
---
Present — Airport
The moment Divyanka stepped out, Kavira ran toward her.
They hugged.
Hard.
Neither of them wanted to let go.
Kavira: "Oh my God!"
Divyanka: "I missed you so much!"
Kavira: "Do you remember how we used to hug like this back in school?"
Divyanka laughed.
Divyanka: "If you don't remember, we can hug like this all day and every day until you remember."
Kavira: "Yes, babyyyy!"
They hugged again.
Aaron watched them.
He waited.
Five seconds.
Ten seconds.
Fifteen.
Finally, he cleared his throat.
Aaron: "Ummm... excuse me?"
Neither girl moved.
Aaron: "she is mine "
Kavira slowly looked at him.
Aaron crossed his arms.
Aaron: "It's been an entire flight. I haven't hugged my wife once."
Divyanka blushed and lightly hit his arm.
Divyanka: "Aaron!"
Kavira gave him the sweetest smile imaginable.
The kind of smile that secretly said:
Try interrupting us again and see what happens.
Karl immediately stepped forward and placed an arm around Kavira.
Karl: "Enough drama, guys."
Arshia rolled her eyes.
Arshia: "Can everyone just shut up for five minutes?"
Everyone looked at her.
Arshia: "It's almost nine."
She pointed toward the parking area.
Arshia: "Let's go to the restaurant. I have something important to tell you."
Kavira immediately became suspicious again.
Kavira: "There she goes again..."
---
The Drive
Karl drove.
Aaron sat in the passenger seat.
The three girls occupied the back.
Soon, the car was filled with Hindi music playing through Bluetooth.
Kavira, Divyanka and Arshia started singing along loudly.
Very loudly.
Their voices completely drowned out the music.
Aaron slowly turned his head.
Aaron: "Oh, gosh."
Karl glanced at the rear-view mirror.
Karl: "Do you girls even understand what you're singing?"
The three girls stopped.
They looked at each other.
Then simultaneously shouted:
Kavira, Divyanka & Arshia: "OF COURSE WE DO!"
Arshia laughed.
Arshia: "We're from India, stupid!"
Kavira raised her hand.
Kavira: "Exactly!"
Divyanka high-fived her.
Arshia joined.
The three girls burst into laughter.
Aaron looked at Karl.
Aaron: "They're impossible."
Karl sighed.
Karl: "Absolutely."
From the back came another round of laughter.
---
Arshia's POV
The restaurant finally appeared ahead.
My stomach twisted.
Not because of the restaurant.
Because of what I was about to say.
I looked at Kavira through the rear-view mirror.
Then at Divyanka.
My two best friends.
They had no idea.
None of them knew who I really was.
None of them knew that Arshia wasn't my real name.
None of them knew that I was Emilia Falkenberg.
And none of them knew the biggest part.
I was in love with Friedrich Casanova.
The same Friedrich Casanova who belonged to the Casanova family.
The same family that connected me to Karl and Aaron.
My secret wasn't just a name anymore.
It was a whole life.
A hidden identity.
A hidden love.
And a relationship that could change everything.
I swallowed nervously as Karl parked the car.
Kavira: "Arshia? You okay?"
I forced a smile.
Arshia: "Yeah."
Divyanka: "You look nervous."
Arshia: "I'm not nervous."
Kavira raised an eyebrow.
Kavira: "You're definitely nervous."
I laughed quietly.
Arshia: "Okay... maybe a little."
We stepped out of the car.
The restaurant lights illuminated the entrance.
I stood there for a second, taking a deep breath.
Tonight, I was going to tell them.
My real name.
My real identity.
And the truth about Friedrich.
I looked at my two best friends.
Please don't hate me.
Then I walked inside with them
None of them knew that by the end of dinner...
everything was going to change.
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