Shanaya’s eyes involuntarily darted to the staircase Suhala was descending. She looked back at Ahail, unsure of how to comprehend his words. She waited for him to say something, all the while trying to figure out how to avoid another unwanted conversation. In a surprising moment, he cupped her cheek. “I understand how hard all of this is for you,” he said, his voice filled with pity. Shanaya wondered how much her brother had truly heard of the conversation she had with her grandmother. Ahail continued, “Seeing them so often. I can hardly imagine how you get through all that. The Kapoors ruined us and here you are, required to pretend to be excited about all of this. I don’t understand why Dadi would have you look after the arrangements. I’m sure Neil would do good on his own.”“I’m doing it all for Neil,” she defended herself. “Neil needs my… our help. He deserves his shot at happiness.”Something flickered across Ahail’s eyes. His hand slipped from her cheek.Shanaya felt her hear
Shanaya's frustration grew as she finished reading the article, her eyes narrowing in disbelief. With great effort, she managed to suppress the urge to let out an expletive-laden outburst. Instead, she flung her phone onto the desk and ran her fingers through her hair, tugging at the strands in frustration. How on earth had the media discovered their secret orphanage visit?A sudden realization hit her like a bolt of lightning. "Prakash, that bastard!" she shrieked, her voice filled with anger as she thought of the orphanage's manager. There was no doubt in her mind that he was the culprit behind the leaked information. He had been the only one present when Dhruv affectionately called her 'darling'.In the days that followed, Shanaya had witnessed the media frenzy surrounding her and Dhruv, with countless articles speculating on their relationship. However, this particular article felt like a violation. The visits to the Little Angels Orphanage had been a sacred and well-guarded part
Shanaya impatiently brushed her hair for what felt like the hundredth time, frustration etched on her face. The morning had already proven to be a series of regrets, as she realized her mistake of not booking a salon appointment for such a special occasion. With an exasperated sigh, she gathered her unruly curls into a messy bun, hoping it would at least pass as effortlessly chic. Securing the bun with a few jeweled pins, she braced herself to face the mirror once more."Fuck!" she exclaimed, her frustration boiling over as she threw her hairbrush against the wall in a burst of emotion. "I hate this."Her eyes briefly flicked to the clock hanging on the wall, widening in panic as she noticed the time slipping away. "We're late," she whispered to herself, a sense of urgency flooding her movements. Hastily, she gathered her dupatta, draping it elegantly on one side to complete her traditional ensemble.The sound of footsteps echoing through the hallway caught her attention, followed by
Dhruv remained seated on the edge of the bed, a gentle smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You go ahead," he replied, his voice carrying a mixture of anticipation and a touch of mystery. "I'll catch up with you in a moment."Intrigued, Shanaya retraced her steps and walked back to where Dhruv was seated. Her patience wearing thin, she couldn't help but ask, "What is it?"Dhruv's hands delicately retrieved a long red velvet box from the pockets of his baby pink kurta, his breath audibly hitching in his chest. Locking his intense gaze with hers, he quietly murmured, "I got something for you."As the suspense built up, Shanaya resumed her position beside him, her curiosity mounting. The box remained closed until she was seated next to Dhruv once again. He finally opened the box, revealing a pair of stunning golden anklets that shimmered under the gentle light.The sight of the intricately designed anklets left Shanaya momentarily speechless, her breath hitching in her throat. Thei
The front yard of the Kapoor's Villa underwent a breathtaking transformation, becoming a mesmerizing setting for the joyous engagement ceremony. The creative vision of Kirti and Shanaya, with a little assistance from the guys, brought this enchanting venue to life.As guests arrived, their eyes were immediately drawn to a captivating sight. A sloping rooftop, elegantly supported by sturdy white pillars positioned at the corners, stood as a focal point of the space. The pillars, adorned with shimmery curtains, added a touch of sophistication, while delicate pink roses entwined around them, infusing the air with a sweet floral fragrance. Cascading from the slanting rooftop were graceful strands of purple wisteria, their blossoms swaying lazily in the gentle breeze, adding a whimsical charm to the ambiance.Positioned atop a raised platform, three circular structures adorned with an abundance of resplendent roses awaited the couple. Nestled beneath these floral arrangements was a charmin
As Suhala gracefully slipped away into the crowd, Kabir seamlessly took her place beside Shanaya once again. When she turned to meet his eyes, she noticed the same bewilderment mirrored in his expression that resonated within her own thoughts."What on earth just happened?" he whispered urgently, echoing Shanaya's own confusion. "I'm at a loss here. That was Anjali Bhatt, daughter of the famous actor Kartik Bhatt. She recently made her Bollywood debut. What is Dhruv doing with her?"Anjali exuded a captivating beauty that was hard to ignore. Her flowing black hair cascaded down her backless blouse, and her hazel eyes shimmered in the dimly lit venue. Clad in a sea green saree adorned with diamonds, her pallu gracefully draped along her arm, she captivated the attention of many.Shanaya discreetly stole a glance at the budding actress, briefly taking in her stunning features, before refocusing her attention on Kabir. She needed a diversion from the tumultuous thoughts surrounding Dhruv
Shanaya only needed to glance at him once before concluding how bad of an idea this was. “No,” she whispered, lifting a finger at him to stop him from moving any closer. “This is risky.”She saw confusion flicker across his eyes, the smirk on his face fading. But before Dhruv could respond, she stepped out of the corner into clear vision of the crowd. To her relief, he did not follow her, nor did he call out her name. The tiny bells in her anklets jingled as she paced across the venue to the other end where Harish stood with his back to her. To her relief, Dhruv didn't follow her, nor did he call out her name in protest. The delicate jingle of her anklets filled the air as she briskly paced across the venue, her destination set on reaching Harish, who stood with his back turned to her. The rapid pounding of her heart matched the rhythm of her hurried footsteps, fueled by the realization of the mistake she had narrowly averted. The presence of paparazzi loomed in every corner of the e
Dhruv hadn’t seen that coming. But he should have expected it. After all, what would he and Shanaya do alone in a dark room where he has her pressed against a wall? For a moment his whole body tensed the moment her lips touched his — as if it was a new sensation all together. Like they hadn’t been doing that for the last few days. Recovering soon enough, he kissed her back, throwing out all concern of what would happen if anyone opened the door he had just slammed shut. Her touch on his body was deliberate. She knew just how to turn him on.But something was different about the way Shanaya was kissing him. Almost as if she was angry at him. Her nails dug into his back as she deepened the kiss, pulling him close enough to cover all the distance between them. A moan left his lips when she grabbed his arm, and turned him around. Dhruv realized that now he was the one against the wall. When he opened his eyes, he could barely see anything but he sensed Shanaya glaring at him. “Were yo
Epilogue *A year later* “I need two more minutes, Shan,” Dhruv said through trembling lips. He let out a loud exhale. “Today’s an important day. I’ve never felt this way before any of my business meetings.” Shanaya placed her hand over his in a reassuring manner, passing him a genuine smile. “Hey, silly. This is a lot more difficult than any business meeting you’ll ever have.” Leaning forward, she reached out her hand to touch his cheek. “I’m glad I’m 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.” He nodded. “Of course, babe. I know that.” He wetted his lips before letting out another sigh. “Wow, I’m so ready to do this with you. Just give me one minute.” 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 couldn’t get any words out of her mouth as she watched Dhruv easily knock against the door to her grandmother’s 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 Kirti’s face, she found amusement on it—not confusion like she had expected. “Is this really happening right now, Kirti? Please pinch me!” she said hurriedly, her voice filled with panic. Kirti laughed in response, instead urging her, “Go inside. I bet he needs you by his side.” “He’s not just about to do what he said he was going to,” Shanaya mumbled more to herself than to Kirti, gently patting her chest that stirred in anticipation. “Please, tell me.” His sister inched closer, a look of understanding crossing her eyes. “Dhruv hasn’t 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.” “But why would she do that?” “She… 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 adventure—even 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 Noor’s 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 mind—that had been bothering him for days—urged him to stay put. He had to do this. He had to do it for Shanaya. And for himself. “Hey,” he managed to say, his voice coming out thick despite clearing his throat seconds before. When he he
The conversation with Nazir swirled inside Shanaya’s 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 would’ve 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 Dhruv’s 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, she’ll 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 Kabir’s 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. Kabir’s eyes were wide as saucers. “She really asked you that?” “Yes,” Shanaya said, chewing on her bottom lip. “Future husband.” Kabir shook his head, sighing in disbelief. “Are you sure you didn’t just hallucinate that?” he emphasized, placing his elbows on the table. “Kabir, come on. She has… changed. I think she believes she doesn’t have enough time to hold grudges anymore.” “I think,” her best friend began. “She realizes that he makes you happy. And that’s what she wants for you. She has seen you struggle, Shanaya. No one else has been an active observer.” Shanaya shrugged. “So, that’s a good thing, right? It means she approves.” 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. ‘Everything is fine,’ she told herself. ‘I’m happy.’ But that was the way to jinx it—admitting 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. “Alright, one more step… Ah, that’s great. You’re doing good,” Raunak claimed, helping Suhala get back to her wheelchair. “You’ve made a lot of progress, Mrs. Arora. It won’t be long before you’re sprinting up and down these stairs.” 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 Raunak’s 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 would’ve 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. Shanaya’s 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 air—something 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. “Uncle,” 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. “Shanaya,” he said. That was all he said. “Tell me what has happened,” 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. “Oh, my child. You’re here finally.” “Dadi,” she mumbled, facing her momentarily before she gazed at Harish again. She