Epilogue *A year later* âI need two more minutes, Shan,â Dhruv said through trembling lips. He let out a loud exhale. âTodayâs an important day. Iâve never felt this way before any of my business meetings.â Shanaya placed her hand over his in a reassuring manner, passing him a genuine smile. âHey, silly. This is a lot more difficult than any business meeting youâll ever have.â Leaning forward, she reached out her hand to touch his cheek. âIâm glad Iâm doing this with you. When we see her, everything will feel great. All this nervousness is going to fade into joy which will last a lifetime.â He nodded. âOf course, babe. I know that.â He wetted his lips before letting out another sigh. âWow, Iâm so ready to do this with you. Just give me one minute.â Shanaya agreed, nodding. She had never seen him so nervous. It was surprising and amusing at the same time. The air carried with it the scent of petrichor, greeting her senses as stepped out of her car. It was still warm despite the re
Shanaya couldnât get any words out of her mouth as she watched Dhruv easily knock against the door to her grandmotherâs room before he walked inside with a smile. How could he do that so casually? What was Shanaya missing? When she turned around to see Kirtiâs face, she found amusement on itânot confusion like she had expected. âIs this really happening right now, Kirti? Please pinch me!â she said hurriedly, her voice filled with panic. Kirti laughed in response, instead urging her, âGo inside. I bet he needs you by his side.â âHeâs not just about to do what he said he was going to,â Shanaya mumbled more to herself than to Kirti, gently patting her chest that stirred in anticipation. âPlease, tell me.â His sister inched closer, a look of understanding crossing her eyes. âDhruv hasnât mentioned it to you, but he has been secretly visiting Dadi ever since she got sick. Actually, she was the one who requested him to meet her.â âBut why would she do that?â âShe⊠she felt sorry an
Ahail cleared his throat, adjusting the tie around his neck before he persuaded himself to press the doorbell. The moment was exhilarating. He felt as though he was going on an adventureâeven though confronting someone did not count as one. But that night, he was determined to set things right. He had delayed far too long already. The door opened with a jerk and Noorâs face fell as she spotted him. The curious look faded away into a frown before she quickly replaced it with a difficult smile. He knew her enough to see right through it. Right then, as the moment stood silent, he debated with himself. He could walk away, ending the conversation before it started. Noor was already uncomfortable, he could see that. But the annoying voice inside his mindâthat had been bothering him for daysâurged him to stay put. He had to do this. He had to do it for Shanaya. And for himself. âHey,â he managed to say, his voice coming out thick despite clearing his throat seconds before. When he he
The conversation with Nazir swirled inside Shanayaâs mind long after he left with Shaheer. All through the day as she sat through meetings and walked around her office, she pictured how things wouldâve been had Nazir found the courage to confess his love for her grandmother, Suhala. If fate had favoured him, Shanaya would not exist. And if Suhala had indeed rejected him, it would have likely ruined their friendship. Shanaya was more baffled than sorry for the old man. Not once had she sensed even the hint of unrequited love from Nazir despite seeing her grandmother with him for several years. He did a great job hiding his feelings, and she could only imagine how heavy it weighed on him. She realised how lucky she was to get a second chance with Dhruv. Where would she be had he not stormed back into her life? Everything was better with him. And she had missed that feeling for all these years never knowing she had been craving it. She sighed, an audible cue for when she was do
As the morning sun bathed her white cabin in warm hues, Shanaya sat at her desk, engrossed in her work. She had things to take care of that day and with Priya back to work, she was glad to have someone to rely on. After the previous night had ended, Shanaya was reluctant to leave Dhruvâs side. She wanted to continue being in his arms, his touch bringing her the comfort that she craved. But then when Dhruv told her that at the end of the day, sheâll be back in his arms, she smirked at her and laughed it off. She teased him, making him look like a lovesick person. Once more, the world was abuzz with discussions about them. The rumors surrounding their relationship intensified, particularly when Anjali confidently appeared in public with her high school sweetheart and declared their engagement. Speculations arose regarding the nature of the bond between Anjali and Dhruv, yet neither of them contributed to the gossip mill. Dhruv reassured Shanaya that if she wasn't bothered by people's
Hours later Shanaya was in Kabirâs clinic, staring at the pictures hung up on the walls with other posters that gave out important information about hygiene as she recited the incident to him. Kabirâs eyes were wide as saucers. âShe really asked you that?â âYes,â Shanaya said, chewing on her bottom lip. âFuture husband.â Kabir shook his head, sighing in disbelief. âAre you sure you didnât just hallucinate that?â he emphasized, placing his elbows on the table. âKabir, come on. She has⊠changed. I think she believes she doesnât have enough time to hold grudges anymore.â âI think,â her best friend began. âShe realizes that he makes you happy. And thatâs what she wants for you. She has seen you struggle, Shanaya. No one else has been an active observer.â Shanaya shrugged. âSo, thatâs a good thing, right? It means she approves.â Kabir checked his wristwatch, his eyebrows narrowing. He stood up and took off his whit coat. He tried to sound nonchalant but Shanaya sensed the curiosity
The sun was shining outside, casting a bright and warm glow into the room through the pushed-back curtains. After a continuous spell of rain that had almost got Shanaya worried, the sky had cleared. âEverything is fine,â she told herself. âIâm happy.â But that was the way to jinx itâadmitting that things were good. And then her brain did all it could to dampen her mood. This time, however, Raunak was there to distract her. âAlright, one more step⊠Ah, thatâs great. Youâre doing good,â Raunak claimed, helping Suhala get back to her wheelchair. âYouâve made a lot of progress, Mrs. Arora. It wonât be long before youâre sprinting up and down these stairs.â Suhala laughed it off, the sound of her croaky laughter echoing in the room. She sat down with a sigh, leaning her head back. If the venture had exhausted her, that was the sign. However, Shanaya could see nothing on her face that implied any pain. Shanaya smiled to herself, acknowledging that Raunakâs words were an exaggeration
When the next morning dawned, Shanaya was eager to leave. She had begun regretting her decision of coming to her family house. She was sure nothing wouldâve changed had her uncle revealed the truth to her on the phone call. But even then, a part of her knew she would not resist being away knowing her brother had been injured in a fight. Shanayaâs puffy eyes were noticed by everyone at the table during breakfast. Ahail was of course absent, so Suhala had sent breakfast over to his room. The old woman had let her go but not before giving her an emotional lecture, pleading at the end to find Ahail a job in their family business. Shanaya had no choice but to agree despite all the questions that had rushed past her mind. Did Ahail even want to work for the company? Suhala seemed not to care. Her only concern was to see him being busy yet again but everyone knew perfectly well what happened when he had nothing to do. Shanaya drove to her office that foggy morning after making sure
When Shanaya entered through the door of her family mansion, her doubt was confirmed. Something was definitely amiss. Harish, her uncle, sat with his hand holding his head. His face was covered with a worried expression. She could breathe the discomfort in the airâsomething grave had happened. Suhala was sleeping in her wheelchair. Well, at least her eyes were closed as her she leaned back, her head resting against the edge of the backrest. âUncle,â Shanaya greeted, carefully treading forward. Harish jumped in his seat, startled by her approach. He held a hand against a chest before he stood up and nodded. âShanaya,â he said. That was all he said. âTell me what has happened,â she demanded, her voice unwavering. Suhala was awakened by their loud conversation. Her wearing eyes looked around the room in search of someone, before they finally landed on Shanaya. âOh, my child. Youâre here finally.â âDadi,â she mumbled, facing her momentarily before she gazed at Harish again. She