All Chapters of - Familiar Stranger: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

44 Chapters

Chapter 21 Fire and Snow

Sanjana POV The next few days passed in recording, editing, and my playful banter with Liam and Kabir. We had grown quite close. Kabir is like the best friend I had always longed for—steady, funny, and kind. As for Liam, I can’t name the feelings I have for him.That day, I had opened my heart to him. He hadn’t acknowledged it, but neither had he denied anything. In the beginning, he kept his distance and spoke only, when it was necessary, but within two to three days, he had thrown his caution out of the window. Now, he was comfortable with me.You know, today I’m on cloud nine. After yesterday’s session, Liam announced that there would be no recording the next day. It will be a holiday. And then he asked me to show him around.Last night, it had snowed heavily, and I was afraid I would miss my chance. But now, the sun shone brightly, and the morning air was crisp and cool. I didn’t want to waste the day. I wanted to wander through the streets of Kashmir with Liam by my side. The fr

Chapter 22 Where Fire met Snow

Sanjana POV Liam’s phone felt surprisingly heavy in my palm, so warm that it almost pulsed against my skin. I lifted my gaze to him, feeling utterly helpless as the flickering light from the small window caught the contours of his face—an ever-present blend of calm and concern that somehow steadied my racing heart. “I… I don’t remember his number,” I murmured again, my voice barely a whisper. How could I forget something so important? What kind of person forgets such important information at a time like this? The words tasted bitter on my tongue, like failure. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and lines of worry etched across my forehead like cracks forming in glass. If I could just think clearly… if I could just stop shaking… maybe I could fix this. With a sudden thump, I sank onto the floor near the window. The wooden boards were cold beneath me, their chill seeping through the thin fabric of my clothes. Snowflakes slipped in through the slight opening of the window,

Chapter 23 The morning after

Sanjana POV As the first light of dawn peeked through the cottage windows, everything lit up in a soft golden glow. I was sitting there, wrapped in Liam’s coat, listening to the birds chirpingoutside. Outside, everything looked calm and untouched, almost innocent, but inside me, everything felt different. I had lost my innocence. How will I face mama? I gave into the demand of my body but didn’t think of the consequences. Inspite of his numerous warning I did what he feared most. My logical reasoning was thrown away by the physical needs. My eyes started to sting but I blinked them. My thoughts were disrupted when I saw Liam stirring beside me, breaking the peaceful silence we had shared all night. He blinked a few times, adjusting to the light, and then smiled at me, that sleepy, charming smile that made my heart race. “Morning,” he said, his voice still thick with sleep. “Morning,” I replied quietly, trying to smile back even though my heart was pounding. He studied my face, c

Chapter 24 Echoes of the Storm

Sanjana Pov Liam stretched out his hand, and I took it. He pulled me up, and together we started toward the road. What had seemed so distant and lost in the night was, in truth, quite near. In no time, we reached our rental car . The drive back to the house was painfully silent. The storm had cleared, leaving behind a world washed and clean, every tree, every slope, everything, till where your eyes can see, is shining under the pale winter sun. But inside me, the storm hadn’t ended yet. Liam kept his eyes on the road, his jaw clenched, his knuckle turned white from gripping the steering wheel tightly. I could sense he was rehearsing what to say when we reached home, but the words wouldn’t come that easily. Not after a night that had changed everything. The moment we stepped into the courtyard, the door flew open. Kabir stood there, his face pale, bags under his eyes from sleepless night, worry etched on his face, eyes blazing with anger. My uncle was not far away . His express

Chapter 25 The lines one cannot cross

Liam Pov I followed Uncle into a dimly lit room with faded walls and a dusty window. It was small and plain, but clean. A few neatly folded clothes lay on a metal chair and a taped charger beside them. The bed sagged a little in the middle, but was covered with a thin, carefully spread sheet. From the way everything was arranged, I could tell this must be his room.He gestured for me to sit on the bed, but I remained standing.“Without any other chit-chat, I’ll come directly to the point,” He said, his voice a notch higher. “Do you even understand the consequences of what you’ve done? This is India, not New York. Here, this is a taboo. A man and a woman who are not related, spending a whole night together—people will tear her reputation apart.” He paused to take a breath, chest heaving and breathe rugged.“Can I get you some water?” I asked softly, concerned. I moved from my place to help him to sit but he showed me his palm and I stood still. “No need.” His voice snapped. “Tell me

Chapter 26 When worry took over

Liam POVSensing someone’s presence at the doorway, I asked Sanjana to keep talking while I tiptoed toward the door. The moment I opened it, I was surprised to see Kabir standing there. My gaze lingered on him, searching for any hint that he had been eavesdropping.“I came to remind you that we live in a rental,” Kabir said casually, hands tucked in his pockets. “We were supposed to pay the rent the day before yesterday. The landlord called to ask whether we’re continuing or dissolving the agreement.”His tone was calm—too calm. I tried reading his face for clues, but he looked relaxed and expressionless. Perhaps he was only here for the rent. I pushed my doubts aside.“Give me a second. I’m coming,” I said, turning back—only to find Sanjana behind me. Before I opened my mouth, she beat me up and spoke up.“I heard everything,” she said, tucking a loose strand behind her ear, a nervous habit I had memorised by now. “You should go with Kabir. I’m fine now.” She held the door as if urgi

Chapter 27 Broken Silence

Liam POV“What do you mean?” I grabbed his collar, my fingers curling tightly into the fabric.“There is a word called privacy. Have you heard of it? Do you even know its meaning?” My voice cracked despite my attempt to sound firm. “And here I was thinking you were my best friend—someone I could always trust.”My hands slipped from his collar and fell limply to my sides. Tears of betrayal burned my eyes, blurring my vision. My exhausted body gave in as I sank to the floor, resting my head on my folded knees. It felt as if my soul had momentarily left my body, leaving behind an empty shell.“Liam, listen,” Kabir said urgently. “It wasn’t deliberate. I would never do that—never. I came to call you and I heard everything.”He crouched down to my level, placing a hand gently on my shoulder.I was still in shock. Slowly, carefully, I removed his hand. Using the wall for support, I pushed myself up, my legs trembling beneath me.Before either of us could speak again, a sudden sound

Chapter 28 When World' s collide

Liam POVOh my God. She is their friend?How could she be in India? She was in New York the last time I checked.The tall, elegant woman standing there—her brunette hair tied neatly in a bun, draped in an emerald gown with delicate thread work at the hem—commanded the room without trying. Her blue eyes glistened like sapphires, the same eyes I had inherited from her. She stood tall with effortless confidence—an icon to many, a business tycoon, my mentor.The most beautiful woman in the world. My mother.But the real question wasn’t why she was here—it was how.How did she know these people?What was her connection with Music World?As far as I remembered, she hated music. That very reason was why she never wanted me to start a music company.I was so lost in decoding everything that I didn’t realise Mr. Parker—the owner of Music World—had extended his hand for a handshake. Kabir nudged me with his elbow, pulling me back to reality. Embarrassed, I quickly accepted the handshak

Chapter 29 For Now

Liam POVHer next words hit me like a bomb.“We need to talk.”Her voice was authoritative, her posture calm. A flicker of emotion crossed her eyes—too brief for me to decipher. Her reaction was unexpected. The calmness unnerved me; it felt like the calm before a storm. A bad feeling settled deep in my chest. Something in me whispered that the path ahead would not be as easy as I believed.I turned to look at Sanjana.She had let go of my hand and now stood as if she had shrunk within moments. Her head was bent low, her arms hanging before she folded them over herself. Nervously, she scraped the sole of her slipper with her thumb.I reached for her again, gently holding her hand, and followed my mother.We walked toward the back of the hall where a small café was situated. The café was modest yet aesthetically decorated. The atmosphere was calm and serene. In one corner stood a small bookshelf, filled with books—each one neatly marked, as though they had been read and reread wi

Chapter 30 Before the glass shattered

Liam POVA huge grin spread across my face when I saw Sanjana walking out of the café—but it was short-lived. My happiness faded when I realised my mother wasn’t with her.“Bro, you’re done for,” Kabir muttered from behind me. “Your mother isn’t with her. That means she hasn’t given her approval.”“Do you want me to die young?” I snapped under my breath. “If not, stop saying such things. Come, let’s ask San.”We walked toward her.“What happened?” Kabir blurted out. “Did Mrs. Turner disapprove of you?”I glared at him. He immediately held his ears, mouthing sorry.Before I could say anything, Sanjana spoke.“Liam… are you cheating on me with Rose?”The question hit me hard, but I composed myself instantly.“What? Why would I do that?” I said firmly. “Yes, I’m committed to Rose—but that’s purely for business. I don’t love her. There’s only one person I love, and that’s you.”I took her palm in mine and squeezed gently.“I don’t know whom to believe.” She whispered. Her voice trembled.

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