Love demands more than just words-it asks for surrender, for healing... for courage to begin again.

-×-

Gupta House - Veranda - That Night

The rain had quieted. Khushi and Arnav sat across from each other on the jhoola, wrapped in silence, the only sound being droplets sliding off the roof.

Khushi looked at the rose he'd given her-its crimson petals now kissed with rainwater.

Khushi (softly):

"Pehle tum ne mujhe majboor kiya... fir saza di... phir galti maani. Ab... phir se shuru karna chahte ho?"

(First, you forced me... then punished me... then admitted your mistake. And now... you want to start again?)

Arnav (nodding):

"Aur is baar, bina jhooth ke. Bina majboori ke. Sirf tumhare marzi se."

(And this time, without lies. Without force. Only with your choice.)

She looked into his eyes-haunted but honest. Broken, but real.

Khushi:

"Hum dono hi toote hain, Arnav ji."

(We're both broken, Arnav ji.)

Arnav (gently):

"Toh shuruwaat bhi tootey hue logon ke liye hi hoti hai."

(Then maybe new beginnings are meant exactly for the broken.)

She blinked away a tear.

-×-

Next Morning - Shantivan

The aftermath of the storm had left silence in the Raizada household. Shyam was gone-sent away with legal warning by Arnav and a firm decision from Anjali.

Anjali had locked herself in her room since.

Nani (to Arnav):

"Chhote, Anjali ko samjhaane ka waqt aa gaya hai. Tumhaare siwa koi nahi hai jo use is dard se nikaal sake."

(It's time someone speaks to Anjali. No one but you can pull her out of this pain.)

-×-

Anjali's Room

Arnav entered quietly.

She sat by the window, staring at her mehendi-darkened hands.

Anjali (without looking):

"Shyam ka sach jaan liya. Ab kya bacha hai?"

(Now that I know Shyam's truth, what's left?)

Arnav (sitting beside her):

"Tum, Di. Tum bachi ho. Tumhara bachcha bacha hai."

(You, Di. You are left. Your child is left.)

Anjali (breaking down):

"Maine sab kuch kho diya, Chhote..."

Arnav (holding her hand):

"Nahi, Di. Tumne ek jhootha rishta khoya hai. Par khud ko nahi. Tum ab bhi meri sabse badi taaqat ho."

(No, Di. You lost a false relationship. Not yourself. You are still my greatest strength.)

Anjali (tearfully smiling):

"Khushi ko wapas le aayega na, Chhote?"

Arnav looked down... and nodded.

-×-

Gupta House - Later That Day

Khushi walked into the living room to find Buaji waiting with someone-Nani.

Nani (smiling kindly):

"Khushi bitiya, humein aapse kuch zaruri baat karni hai."

Khushi's brows furrowed.

Nani:

"Jhoot aur dard ne tumhaare rishte ko jise bandhan banaya, ab wohi rishte ko ek naya roop dena chahiye. Shuddh, sachcha, aur aapki marzi se."

(The lies and pain that bound your relationship... now it's time to give it a new form. Pure, truthful, and by your choice.)

Khushi blinked.

Was she ready?

Nani:

"Arnav chhote aapse phir se shaadi karna chahte hain... is baar bina shart ke. Sirf pyar ke saath."

The words sat in the air like a delicate offering.

-×-

Poolside - That Evening

Khushi found herself standing where it had all begun.

Arnav was waiting there-wearing a simple kurta, barefoot, no grandeur.

Just him.

Arnav (nervously):

"Mujhe pata hai ke maafi maangna kaafi nahi hoga... lekin ek naya rista shuru karne ka haqdaar ban sakta hoon, agar tum chaaho to."

(I know saying sorry isn't enough... but maybe I can earn the right to start a new relationship, if you'll let me.)

He opened a small box-inside was a mangalsutra, simple and beautiful.

Arnav:

"Will you marry me again, Khushi? Is baar tumhaari marzi se... tumhaare sapnon ke saath?"

(Will you marry me again, Khushi? This time, by your choice... with your dreams.)

She stared at him, tears brimming-then took the box gently, closing it between their hands.

Khushi (smiling faintly):

"Is baar, ek nayi Khushi tumhare saath chalegi, Arnav ji."

(This time, a new Khushi will walk beside you, Arnav ji.)

And for the first time in a long while... they smiled, together.

-×-

To be continued...

Next up: Chapter 15: Nayi Shuruaat

By

Muskan Tarway

Like / vote, comment and follow for more part