Shravan stopped the car in the parking lot of the apartment block where Drishti's parents live when they are in Bangalore.He unbuckled the car seat and took out the baby bassinet before they walked into the apartment elevator.The elevator took them directly up to the penthouse suite owned by the Malhotras."Paa, Maa," Drishti called out as she walked into the apartment."Don't scream, Drishti. He will wake up," Shravan said, peeping into the bassinet to make sure that little Dhruv wasn't disturbed by his momma's screams."Uh, sorry. I forgot," Drishti said sheepishly."Drishti, baby. Where's my little one?" Diya came towards them with a sweet smile on her face."He's sleeping," Drishti said, rolling her eyes playfully.She still gets jealous when she doesn't get the attention of her parents like before. Now their priority seems to be little Dhruv.How cruel!"Shravan, it's been so long," Diya said softly."Sorry, Maa. I have been quite busy with the international deal," Shravan said
"Hey, D!" Siddhu waved his hands as he approached where Drishti was waiting with little Dhruv."Finally! You found some time to spend with me," Drishti said, making Siddhu roll his eyes."It is you who is always busy. For the last three times, it was me who came to your home for a visit," Siddhu pointed out."And all you did was mooning over my son. You didn't even talk to me for five minutes," Drishti complained."Now, now! Don't be jealous of your own son, D," Siddhu teased, making Drishti huff."So? What's happening? Did you finally confess? Or are you still in the pre-relationship stage?" Drishti asked.Siddhu grinned and pointed behind him, and Drishti saw a very excited Shreya standing there."Oh em Gee!! You guys are official now?" Drishti squealed, and the other two bobbed their heads in agreement."When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me? You used to tell me everything before. Nowadays I am the last one to know about your life," Drishti complained, still miffed at hearin
"What the hell!" Shravan couldn't believe his eyes. His sister was in the Agnihotri House, making out with Siddhu."Bhai," Shreya gasped, seeing her elder brother there."Shravan bhai, I can explain," Siddhu tried to speak, though he had turned pale as a ghost."Explain? You bastard!" Shravan roared and pounced upon Siddhu, punching him hard on his face."Bhai! No! Please," Shreya begged, trying to hold her brother back.Shravan wasn't having any of it. He punched Siddhu again and again.Siddhu was bleeding by now, and he didn't make any effort to fight back, though he tried to defend himself a couple of times.Shreya was crying out loudly by now.She forced herself in between her brother and her lover and hugged Shravan tightly."Please, bhai. Stop, please. Don't hurt him, bhai. I love him," Shreya pleaded with her brother, and Shravan looked at her in disbelief."Love? Since when?" he asked furiously."Shravan bhai, I understand the way you found out is not right. No brother would l
Shravan was furious; he felt betrayed by both his wife and sister. They had kept something very important a secret from him for five years. When he woke up in the morning, he found himself alone in bed. Drishti hadn't come to their room the previous night, and he had no intention of going after her to convince her otherwise.As he walked out of the bedroom, ready for the day, he discovered Drishti and Shreya engaged in a serious conversation in the living room. Little Dhruv was lying on a rug, playing with his toys. Ignoring the two women, Shravan gathered his son in his arms and dropped an affectionate kiss on his head."Bhai..." Shreya called out softly. Shravan shot her a look and turned away, walking towards the main door. Drishti huffed in annoyance, seeing that Shravan didn't even spare her a single glance. How dare he?"I have never seen him this furious before," Shreya said anxiously."Did you call Siddhu?" Drishti asked."Yes, he is hurt. Bhai punched him hard," Shreya replie
Drishti sighed as she looked around.She had arranged a date night at home, just for the two of them.A couple of hours ago, she had called Chaahat and asked if she could take Shreya and Dhruv for a few hours. Chaahat was more than happy to oblige.Their caretaker, Rajesh kaka, had driven Shreya and Dhruv to Mithran's apartment an hour ago. Drishti had then proceeded to set up their own apartment for the date.She dragged a small table and two chairs to the balcony. Since she was still terrible at cooking, she had ordered a bottle of red wine and Italian food for dinner.As she placed the candle on the candle stand, the doorbell rang."Oh, damn! He's here already. I haven't set the food on the table," Drishti panicked, hurrying towards the door.When she opened the door, a tired-looking Shravan walked in."Are you okay? You look tired," Drishti said sweetly, taking his laptop bag from him.Shravan frowned in confusion. It was unusual for her to approach him after a fight. It was usual
She took Shravan's hand and led him to the balcony where the table was set, bathed in the warm glow of candlelight. The aroma of delicious Italian cuisine filled the air, making Shravan's stomach rumble in anticipation.As they settled into their chairs, Drishti poured them each a glass of red wine. The clinking of their glasses filled the quiet moment between them, and Shravan felt a sense of peace wash over him."I can't believe you went through all this trouble," Shravan confessed, a mix of surprise and gratitude in his voice. "You really know how to make me feel special, don't you?"Drishti smiled, her eyes sparkling with affection. "You deserve it, Shravan. We've been through our ups and downs, but I want us to remember the love that brought us together. Tonight is about cherishing each other and creating beautiful memories."As they savoured the delicious meal, their conversation flowed effortlessly. They reminisce about their early days as a couple, laughing at shared jokes an
Mithran opened the door with a grin. Shravan could already feel his cheeks heating up. This guy leaves no chances to embarrass him.“Why were you late, Shravan?” Mithran asked cheekily, earning a glare in return.“We were talking out our differences and it took time.” Shravan said, biting his teeth.“Talking out? Really?” Mithran teased again.“What the hell is your problem anyways? It’s been six years since I got married. Leave me at least now.” Shravan begged, making Mithran and Drishti laugh.“He will stop teasing when you stop reacting to all his comments, Shravan. Your reactions are only encouraging him.” Drishti said with a chuckle, before walking into the apartment, leaving the two friends together.“It’s high time you stopped it. I am no longer a newly married groom.” Shravan said.Mithran leaned against the doorframe, his grin widening. "Oh, come on, Shravan. Where's the fun in that? Besides, if I stop teasing you, who will keep you on your toes?"Shravan rolled his eyes, try
Siddharth Angihotri sat in front of his serious looking, would be brother in law.“Shravan bhai..” He called out softly and Shravan simply raised his eyebrows in answer.Siddhu shot a look at his best friend and Drishti simply shrugged her shoulders saying that she cannot help him in this matter.“Shravan bhai. I am in love with Shreya. I know the way you found us was wrong, but our love isn’t wrong. Please do understand, bhai.” Siddhu pleaded.“Siddhu, I have known you for years. And yes, I know you are a good guy. But giving our princess to you is out of the question.” Shravan said and Siddhu felt his heart breaking at that moment.“Why, bhai?” Siddhu asked, looking down. He couldn’t look at anybody’s face.Drishti kept throwing glares at Shravan, but he simply ignored it.“As you know, we are a Rajasthani family, Siddhu. Marrying off our daughter into a Kannada family is not possible.” Shravan said.“Why the discrimination now, bhai? You are a Rajasthanian. And yet you are happily
5 years later.Diya draped her saree and was about to wear the sindoor when a hand caught hers, stopping her. Vihaan took the box of vermilion from her with a charming smile."Do I have to remind you every day that this is my haqq biwi?" Vihaan asked as he took the vermilion between his thumb and forefinger and applied it on her partition."I thought you would be busy downstairs with preparations," Diya said, smiling contentedly."I'm never too busy for you, love," Vihaan said as he snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her against his chest."Vihaan, what are you doing?? Someone will come. We have lots of work to do," Diya said, trying to wriggle out of his hold."No one will come, and all works are done. The house is all set for Diwali," Vihaan said before bending down and pecking her on her lips.Vihaan caressed her exposed waist with his fingers, earning a light moan from Diya."Vihaan. It's morning.""So?? Do I have to wait till night to love my wife??"Diya wound her arms ar
Drishti walked to the front door, pausing before making her exit, sweeping them both with another grin, her eyes twinkling like stars. "Happy Diwali," she called out. Then off she went down the hallway singing.As Drishti went out of sight, Vihaan's hands slid around Divyaa, turning her around to face him, making her heart flutter wildly. "Thank you. Thank you for being you, for having my child and giving her to me. But above everything else, thank you for waiting for me, Diya.""Oh Vihaan," Relief gushed through her. The love in his voice was unmistakable. "I'm sorry I gave up on you. I...""No..." He placed a finger on her lips, hushing the stream of regret. "I was wrong. You don't have anything to answer for. God knows I've seen enough, been with you enough to appreciate, in some small measure, how it's been for you. I'm sorry I got so screwed up about being left out.""Well, at least I'm not too young for you anymore."He frowned, pained by the reminder."I don't know that you eve
Tears streamed down Drishti's cheeks, but she seemed unaware of them. She was still staring at Vihaan, her desperate plea for him to make things right for her evident in her gaze. Twisting the hem of her nightshirt, her open hair hung around her face, giving her a bedraggled appearance. She looked like a lost little waif, and Divyanshi wanted to gather her child in her arms and hug her insecurities away. However, it was to Vihaan that her daughter looked for what she needed now, and Divya held herself back. It was up to him to answer his daughter, to answer all the questions now.Yet, Vihaan looked as lost as Drishti, struck by the realisation of all she might have overheard - the role her adoptive parents had played in taking her from Divyanshi, in preventing Vihaan from knowing about his fatherhood, ensuring he didn't reunite with her mother, and keeping the knowledge of her real parentage from her. The world they had known had been torn up, and the pieces couldn't be put togethe
"This is the final round, Drishti," Vihaan warned as he set up the game board again."You're just jealous that I've been winning all the games so far," Drishti crowed proudly."Yeah, by cheating," Vihaan said, and Drishti rolled her eyes as if it wasn't a big deal.They had played three rounds of Snake and Ladder and two rounds of Ludo at Drishti's insistence. Drishti had won all the games, using her sneaky tricks to avoid the snakes and win at Ludo.He looked tired. He had been rather quiet, almost distant, all evening, only responding to Drishti's demands.Divya hoped he wasn't too tired to stay up with her after Drishti went to bed. It had been an active day filled with swimming, windsurfing, drawing rangolis, decorating the house, and setting up the pooja room. Besides, he couldn't have had much sleep last night as he had been up early with Drishti this morning. What would she do if he suggested they retire early?"It's Diwali tomorrow, Vihaan Uncle. I'm too excited to go to bed,"
Not knowing was killing him. He knew that he had unsettled Divya with his brooding. Well, she wouldn't have the slightest idea as to what was eating him up, and he couldn't just blurt it out. If she realised what he was thinking, and if he was wrong, she would think he had lost his marbles, imagining himself to be her one great love. He didn't want to confuse her feelings for him. But... he had to know!He paced the living room, impatient to get a little time to himself so that he could make the much-needed phone call. If anyone would know the critical details of what had happened to him that Diwali season thirteen years ago, Omkara and Aditya had the inside track. They'd been with him from the start to the end of the vacation, and they had told him nothing worth mentioning had happened during the trip. Is there any point in asking them again? What is he going to lose anyway?The sculptures set along the corner Divya had set up to do the pooja caught his eyes, and he stopped, struck b
Vihaan engaged Drishti in conversation while Divya had her breakfast.Observing the two of them together, so similar in more ways than they realised, was heartwarming.Is it wise of her to leave the past in the past?It felt wrong for Vihaan not to know he was Drishti's father.She shouldn't keep such a special flesh and blood bond from him, from either of them. They both had a right to know.Telling him was not going to be easy, especially after she had briefly mentioned the adoption last night.Her reasoning for holding back had seemed right at the time.She didn't want to burden him with a truth he'd find disturbing and painful, considering the part his sister had played in taking responsibility from him, the long-played deceit that had denied him his true relationship with his own child.However, the circumstances are different now.Vihaan felt the same about her as he had all those years before, and Sandhya Rathore was out of the picture.Now she wouldn't be putting any sense of
Diyaa!The name echoed persistently in Vihaan's mind, as if it belonged to this moment, an enchanting magic of their union."Divyanshi," he said aloud, trying to dispel the echo, to overpower it."Yes?" she replied."I could never have dreamt of what we've shared," he murmured, lifting himself from her embrace to tenderly brush his lips against hers, a loving tribute to her generosity. "It transcends dreams."He rolled onto his side, bringing her along, and wrapped an arm around her as she lay on his chest, their legs entwined in intimacy.She felt so right, so perfect, as though she had been created exclusively for him. How could she have loved another man? No other woman had ever been like her for him."It's a miracle," she whispered, her warm breath caressing his skin, making it tingle. "A Diwali miracle." Her voice carried a happy smile.Diwali.Diyaaa.The special name stirred an unease, a sense of wrongness he tried to resist, but it persisted. He remembered the grieving look on
Warning: This work is purely fictional. You might find certain things illogical... Read at your own risk 😂Vihaan gazed at the ceiling, unable to sleep at the moment. He relished the feeling that something extraordinary had entered his life. Divyanshi Trilok seemed to offer him everything he had desired in a woman. The problem was, he couldn't be sure how much his dreams of her were influencing him. Was this strong attraction driven by wishes or was it genuinely real? The emotions she stirred in him were so intense and rapid that he had barely restrained himself from pursuing a deeper connection with her tonight. He used the excuse of Drishti's early rising tomorrow to keep his desires in check. He wanted her. He wanted to hold her, embrace every part of her, but he knew he had to be cautious. Drishti was closely involved in this relationship, and he couldn't make hasty moves.The wisest thing to do was to wait. Divya wasn't going anywhere. He needed to make sure that whatever he did
"Two Irish coffees coming up," Vihaan announced as he came out to the verandah.As soon as she saw him, her hard-won sense of peace shattered, and her heart started galloping again. She tried hard to get herself under control.He set the tray of coffee on the small tea table and took a seat next to her. "This is life. Far from the maddening crowd of the city and pressures of business. Sun, sand, and surf. Nothing could beat it for a wonderful holiday," Vihaan said and took a sip of the coffee.Divyanshi smiled. That hadn't changed for him."It must be very stressful being the CEO and leading a multimillion-dollar empire," Divya said, smiling. She was so proud of him, of what he had become with his own hard work."Well, I have my moments. But it's what I am trained for," Vihaan said."Then it was worth going to Harvard," she said.His head snapped around. "How do you know I went to Harvard?"Divya's heart rate increased in panic. The comment had slipped out, and now she had to answer f