Sometimes an unspoken encounter... sometimes a silence lingering in the eyes...<br /> <br /> Sometimes a relationship that doesn't ask for a name... and sometimes a name that changes your whole life.<br /> <br /> "Stories from the Heart" — is a short... Sometimes an unspoken encounter... sometimes a silence lingering in the eyes...<br /> <br /> Sometimes a relationship that doesn't ask for a name... and sometimes a name that changes your whole life.<br /> <br /> "Stories from the Heart" — is a short story series that will introduce you to every color of love.<br /> Here you will find small but profound stories, which will sometimes be sweet confusions before marriage, and sometimes unspoken feelings after marriage.<br /> <br /> Every story will be heart-touching —<br /> That first meeting, that language of glances, that fear before confession, and then the light of love amidst the shadows that come into relationships after marriage.<br /> <br /> This series is for those who want to feel the tenderness, simplicity, and warmth of emotions in relationships.<br /> Every story will make you think — is this love?<br /> <br /> If you like emotional, romantic, and heart-touching stories, then this journey is for you.<br /> <br /> Read, feel... and connect with those stories of love that come from the heart — and will reach straight to your heart.<br />
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As the light turned red at the signal, Shekhar stopped his car. He was waiting for the signal to turn green when his gaze suddenly fell on the rear-view mirror. He felt that the girl in the car behind might be her. Then he reassured himself, "No, it must be someone else."
He had just tried to get a closer look when the signal turned green. He had to move his car forward. In fact, the office where Shekhar worked had a branch in this city as well. After a promotion, he had been transferred here. Today was his first day at this office, so he had to reach quickly. He had been made the overall in-charge of the entire office, and he was quite vigilant about this responsibility. He shook the thought of the girl from his mind and proceeded towards the office.
There was a buzz throughout the office about the new in-charge. Everyone was thinking, "What will the new boss be like? I heard he is very strict." It was being said that he had been sent here specifically to curb negligence in work. For this reason, everyone in the office was focused on their work today. No one was late.
Shekhar also reached the office on time. As soon as he arrived, he asked for the files from the accounts department. These files were with Shikha.
"Shikha, Sir is asking for the new project file, take it quickly," Rahul said.
"Why should I go? You take it. Is it necessary that I always go?" Shikha expressed her displeasure.
"This is your job. You used to go before too."
"It was different before; I was friends with Deepti then, so I would go. But today, I am not going."
"This is wrong. It is your duty, you have to go."
"Alright, I'll take it." Shikha reluctantly picked up the file and headed towards Shekhar's cabin.
---
Shikha knocked on the door.
"May I come in, Sir?"
"Yes, come in," Shekhar said.
As soon as Shikha entered, he recognized her at first glance. But he pretended as if he didn't know her.
"Sir, I have brought the file you asked for," she said, placing the file on the table.
Just as Shekhar was about to say something after seeing her, Shikha immediately said, "Sir, may I leave now? I have given you the files you asked for."
Her behavior made Shekhar ponder, "Did she really not recognize me? So many years have passed... maybe she forgot." He touched his face. "In college days, I had long hair, and I didn't keep a beard. Now my hair is short, and I have a light beard. Maybe that's why... but Shikha hasn't changed at all. Still thin and frail... only her way of dressing has changed a bit."
---
Shikha returned to her seat. Seeing Shekhar after so many years stirred her emotions. Although she pretended not to recognize him, he was now working in the same office where she worked. She placed her hand on her forehead in distress.
It was also Shekhar's first day at the office. He didn't have time for idle talk. He got to work, and Shikha also tried to busy herself with her work.
In the evening, Shikha left the office before Shekhar.
---
Shikha reached home. Her mother opened the door.
"You're back, dear? I'll bring tea," she said, and went into the kitchen.
Shikha went to her room. After a while, her mother came with tea.
"Dear, now you should get married. Why don't you listen to me? Your father's and my responsibility will also be fulfilled."
"So, am I a burden on you?" Shikha said angrily.
"No, dear, not a burden, but a responsibility. Your own home, children... that's my wish."
"Don't you have your daughter's children... don't they suffice that you keep pressuring me to get married?" Shikha said in exasperation.
Her mother walked out of the room in anger. Shikha followed her.
"Mom, why are you angry? Okay, it's fine... I'll get married."
"Really? You're not just saying that to appease me?"
"No Mom, I'm saying it for real."
Hearing this, her mother became happy.
---
Shekhar's Evening
Meanwhile, Shekhar reached his flat. He had just moved here. His parents did not live in the same city. As soon as he reached home, his mother called.
"Yes, dear, today was your first day at the office. How was it?"
"It was okay, Mom, but I'm very tired."
"Did you eat?"
"Yes, Mom, I ate at a hotel on the way. I need to arrange for a cook. I'll see if I can find someone."
"Dear, now you should get married. If you have a wife, she will take care of you. I won't have to worry."
"Mom, you're starting again! Talk about something else besides marriage."
His mother angrily hung up the phone. Shekhar called again.
"Mom, why did you hang up? Okay, I'll get married."
"Are you telling the truth? You're not just saying that to appease me?"
"No Mom, I'm telling the truth."
---
"...Mom, this is completely wrong... Why do you hang up the phone? Alright, I will get married."
"...Are you telling the truth? You're not just fooling me, are you...?"
"...No Mom, I'm telling the truth."
After talking to his mother, Shekhar came into his room and started changing clothes. But Shikha was constantly on his mind. The days of college flashed before his eyes—when Shikha was his junior.
---
College Memories
Shekhar was sitting in the canteen with his friends. Everyone was in a playful mood and talking about the college girls.
Arvind said, "...Whichever girl enters through the gate first today, Shekhar will impress her."
Shekhar smiled, "...Impressing any girl is child's play for me."
Anil challenged, "...Then fine, whoever enters through the gate first, you go to her."
Just then, a scooter was seen entering through the gate. The girl on the scooter took off her helmet and shook her hair. It was Shikha.
Ramesh immediately said, "...Look, your destiny has arrived. This is the girl."
Shekhar said with a slight smile, "...But who is she?"
Arvind said, "...Her name is Shikha. She studies in B.Com final year."
"...Shikha... The name matches mine. Now I have to impress her somehow."
Anil said, "...She won't be impressed so easily. I know about her family. She's a simple girl."
"...No problem. If not today, then tomorrow, she will be my friend." Shekhar stood up, laughing, and headed towards the parking lot.
---
First Meeting
Shekhar deliberately bumped his shoulder into Shikha in the parking lot.
"...Sorry, I didn't see you. I was looking behind. Are you hurt?"
Shikha gave a slight smile, "...It's okay."
"...Excuse me..." Shekhar said.
Shikha looked towards him.
"...Perhaps this is your handkerchief that fell," Shekhar said, picking up a handkerchief from the ground.
"...No, it's not mine," Shikha said and walked away.
Shekhar returned to the canteen.
Arvind teased, "...What happened? Didn't it work out?"
Shekhar said confidently, "...We've only met so far. We will talk too. It doesn't happen that Shekhar proposes to a girl and she refuses."
Ramesh said, laughing, "...Let's see. By the way, our class is about to start."
---
Shikha's Profile
Shekhar and his friends were MBA final year students. They were bright in studies, but also knew how to have fun. Shekhar's personality was unique. Smart, stylish, and confident—many girls were smitten with him.
Shikha's nature was completely different. She was in B.Com final year, good at studies, and of a quiet disposition. She didn't socialize much with boys.
---
The next day, when Shikha arrived at college, Shekhar was standing at the gate. He waved at Shikha. Shikha ignored him and headed straight towards the parking lot.
Later, when she was studying in the library, Shekhar sat on the chair next to her.
"...How are you?" Shekhar asked, smiling.
Shikha looked up from her book and glanced at him, then started reading without replying.
"...You probably don't recognize me. We met in the parking lot yesterday."
Shikha nodded "yes".
"...Which class are you in?"
"...B.Com final," Shikha replied briefly and then got back to her studies.
Gradually, Shekhar started approaching Shikha with various excuses. In the canteen, library, on the stairs—wherever he found an opportunity, he would be there. All this was deliberately planned, but Shikha thought these meetings were happening naturally.
--
One day, Shekhar came to the library and said,
"...If you need any help with your studies, I'm here. I'm in MBA final year."
Shikha closed her book and said, "...Actually, I do need some help."
She opened her account book in front of him.
Shekhar was good at studies, so he started helping her. Within a few days, they became friends. The exams were approaching, and Shekhar had decided that he would propose to Shikha before the exams.
Gradually, Shikha also started liking Shekhar. Subtle feelings began to stir in her heart.
---
Shekhar was good at studies. There was no doubt about that. He had started helping Shikha a little. Only a few days were left before the exams started. He wanted to propose to Shikha before the exams began. Gradually, Shikha had also started liking Shekhar. Shikha had started developing feelings for him. Whenever Shekhar was around, Shikha enjoyed his company.
Only a few days were left for the exams to begin. Students had stopped going to college. They were only going to go on the day of the exams. Shekhar's entire group was sitting in a hotel. Arvind started saying to Shekhar,
"...You haven't proposed to Shikha... You lost the bet..."
"...College hasn't ended yet... So I haven't lost the bet yet..."
"...Still, who knows if we'll be able to meet on the exam day... Like if her paper is in the evening... your exam is in the morning... So you've lost the bet..."
"...Okay then, I'll propose to her right now..."
Shekhar sent a WhatsApp message to Shikha.
"...I want to meet you right now... and he wrote the name of the hotel..."
Within a minute, a reply came to the message.
"...That I'm coming..."
He showed the messages to his friends.
"...Look, she said it... she's coming to meet me here... I'm going to propose to her now..."
Actually, Shikha was already sitting in that hotel with her friend. She had seen Shekhar coming inside. When Shekhar messaged her, that's why she readily agreed to meet him at that time. Seeing him, she started walking towards the table. Meanwhile, Shekhar was telling his friends,
"...Watch, today I will propose to her... and she will accept my proposal... So it's impossible... that I propose to a girl... and she refuses me..."
He was leaning on his friends.
His friends were laughing. Suddenly, all of them stopped laughing and turned to look behind Shekhar.
"...What happened... why did you all become so serious..."
As Shekhar said this to them, he looked behind him. Shikha was standing there.
"...Oh Shikha, you here..."
Shekhar said upon seeing her.
"...That's why when you were saying... that you would propose to me... and I would accept your proposal... I considered you a good friend... I didn't know you had these thoughts... Somewhere I had started liking you too... You turned out to be so small-minded... I didn't expect this... You should never meet me in my life..."
As Shikha started to leave, Shekhar began to follow her.
"...Please... leave me alone..."
Shikha looked at him with bulging eyes. She left from there in anger. Shekhar even tried to message Shikha, but Shikha had blocked him. Then, their exam times were different. Nor did Shekhar have the courage to talk to Shikha. Both their exams got over.
After a few days, Shekhar saw Shikha at a signal. It wasn't that no girl came into Shekhar's life after that. After finishing his studies, he started his job. During that time, he also made friends with many girls. But no relationship reached marriage. Nor did he have any feelings in his heart that would lead him to extend the relationship. Today, seeing Shikha at the signal, his heart started fluttering. Then, when he saw her in the office, his heart became happy.
Shikha was a sweet and beautiful girl. No one had ever come into her life. Many boys had tried to propose to her in college, but she always kept her distance from boys. When Shekhar befriended her in college, she had also started liking Shekhar. Her heart began to be drawn towards Shekhar. But when she found out the truth about Shekhar at the hotel, she was shocked to hear it. How Shekhar was going to propose to her to win a bet with his friends. Her heart was so broken that she could never trust anyone again.
After finishing her studies, she also got a job. But no one came into her life. Her mom also tried to get her married, but no conversation progressed. Today, when she saw Shekhar in the office, she was reminded of the same Shekhar from college. She still harbored the same hatred for him in her heart.
Lying on his bed at night, Shekhar was thinking about Shikha.
"...Even after so many years, you are still as beautiful... but if your anger towards me remains the same... then it will become very difficult..."
Because Shekhar knew that Shikha had heard with her own ears what Shekhar had said.
"...Well, it doesn't matter, now you are in my office... if not today, then tomorrow I will definitely tell you what's on my mind... then we'll see what happens..."
He was thinking.
Shikha's eyes were sleepless. She was sitting on a chair on her balcony. Shekhar was swirling in her mind. She had not forgotten that incident at all. She started thinking,
"...I hate only one person in the world... and I have to work with him... He is my boss... I can't even say anything to him..."
Shikha was getting very angry. Thinking about Shekhar, she sat on the balcony for a long time.
The next morning, she had to go to the office, and she didn't want to be late. So she got up and went to sleep.
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Shekhar was good at studies; there was no doubt about it. He had started helping Shikha a bit. There were only a few days left for the exams to start. He wanted to propose to her before the exams began. Slowly, he had also started liking Shikha. Feelings had started rising in Shikha's mind for him. Whenever Shekhar was around, Shikha enjoyed his company.
The exams were about to start in a few days. Students had stopped going to college; they would only attend on exam days. Shekhar's entire group was sitting in a hotel. Arvind started saying to Shekhar,
"...You didn't propose to Shikha... You lost the bet..."
"...The college hasn't ended yet... So, I haven't lost the bet yet..."
"...But still, it's unlikely we'll meet on exam days... Like her paper is in the evening... Your exam is in the morning... So, you've already lost the bet..."
"...Alright, I'll propose to her now..."
Shekhar sent a WhatsApp message to Shikha.
"...I want to meet you now..."
He wrote the hotel's name. The message was replied to in a minute,
"...I'm coming..."
He showed the message to his friends,
"...See, she said she'd meet me here... I'm going to propose to her now..."
Actually, Shikha was already sitting in that hotel with her friend. She had seen Shekhar entering. When Shekhar messaged her, she agreed to meet him immediately. She came towards the table, looking at him. Shekhar was telling his friends,
"...Watch, I'll propose to her today... And she'll accept my proposal... It can't be that the girl I propose to... And she refuses me..."
He was engrossed with his friends.
His friends were laughing. Suddenly, they all stopped laughing and looked behind Shekhar.
"...What's wrong... Why did you all become so serious..."
He looked back. Shikha was standing behind him.
"...Oh Shikha, you're here..."
Shekhar said, seeing her.
"...That's when you were saying... That you'd propose to me... And I'd accept your proposal... I thought you were my good friend... I didn't know you had these feelings... Somewhere, I had started liking you... You're so short-minded... I didn't think you'd do something like this to me in life..."
Shikha started walking away. Shekhar followed her.
"...Please... Drop it..."
Shikha looked at him with angry eyes. She left, furious. Shekhar tried to message Shikha but blocked him. Their exam timings were different. Shekhar didn't have the courage to talk to Shikha. Both of their exams took place.
A few days later, Shekhar saw Shikha on the signal. It wasn't that no girl had come into Shekhar's life after that. He started his job after completing his studies. During that time, he befriended many girls, but no relationship reached marriage. He didn't have feelings to prolong any relationship. Seeing Shikha on the signal sparked something in him. When he saw her in the office, his heart was happy.
Shikha was a lovely and beautiful girl. No one had come into her life. Many boys had tried to propose to her in college, but she always kept her distance. Shekhar befriended her in college, and she started liking him. But when she learned the truth in the hotel, she was shocked. Shekhar was going to propose to her just to win a bet with his friends. Her heart broke so much that she couldn't trust anyone again.
After completing her studies, she got a job. But no one came into her life. Her mom tried to arrange her marriage, but nothing worked out. Today, she saw Shekhar in the office and remembered the college Shekhar. She still had the same hatred for him.
Lying on his bed at night, Shekhar was thinking about Shikha.
"...Even after so many years, you're just as beautiful... But if you still have that anger in your heart for me... It will be very difficult..."
Because Shekhar knew Shikha had heard what he said.
"...No matter, you're in my office now... Today or tomorrow, I'll tell you what's in my heart... Then we'll see what happens..."
He was thinking.
Shikha couldn't sleep. She was sitting on a chair on her balcony. Shekhar was on her mind. She hadn't forgotten the incident yet. She thought,
"...I hate only one person in the world... And I have to work with him... He's my boss... I can't say anything to him..."
Shikha was very angry. She sat on the balcony for a long time, thinking about Shekhar.
The next morning, she had to go to the office, and she didn't want to be late. So, she went to sleep.
Shikha had to go to the office in the morning and didn't want to be late. So she got up and went back to sleep.
The next morning, Shikha left for the office early because she didn't want to be late.
"Oh wow! You've arrived the earliest today," Preeti said as soon as she saw her.
"I get it... why you came early..."
"Oh really, why do you think I'm here? I thought I came to work in the office," Shikha replied.
"I know you've fallen for him too... the new in-charge... he's the talk of all the girls in the office... and the inside scoop is that he's not married... he's still single," Preeti said excitedly.
Seeing Preeti so happy, Shikha smiled.
"Then it's fine, Preeti... you marry him," Shikha said.
"I really want to... I fell for him at first sight... he's so handsome... but I don't know if he'll like me," Preeti said sadly.
"You should try, though... who knows, you might succeed," Shikha added.
"Anyway, I think... we come to the office to work, Preeti... go to your seat and let me work too..." The office time was about to start. Almost the entire office had arrived. Just then, Shekhar also came in. He went straight to his office. As soon as he left, the girls started talking, "He looks so handsome... he hasn't even looked up once... at anyone..." The girls whispered to each other. Seeing all those girls, Shikha started thinking, "Just wait a few days... this one will do nothing but look at girls..."
During lunchtime, Preeti told Shikha again, "Shikha, let's go to the canteen. We'll eat something there..."
"No, I don't feel like it... I've brought lunch with me, but I'm not hungry," Shikha said.
"Still, come with me... please..." At Preeti's insistence, Shikha went with her.
"Look! He's sitting in the canteen too... that's why I brought you here..."
Shikha saw Shekhar sitting opposite. Some office employees were also sitting with him.
"Please, you all start your lunch..."
"Sir, but you haven't brought lunch... your kitchen might not be set up yet... so maybe your wife hasn't made lunch for you," said Ravi, an employee.
"I'm not married yet... so I don't have a wife to cook for me... my cook hasn't been arranged yet... so I have to eat from outside," Shekhar said with a smile.
"Sir, we had our lunch before you arrived... otherwise, you could have eaten our lunch..." Actually, Shekhar had come to the canteen later. The office staff had already started their lunch.
"It's okay... please finish your lunch, everyone... lunch time is almost over," he said, sipping his tea. He was eating something with his tea.
"Sir, Shikha hasn't had lunch today... you can eat her lunch... Shikha's mom makes very tasty food," Preeti said, coming forcefully near him.
Before Shikha could say anything, Shekhar stood up and extended his hand, "Give it here, Shikha ji. If you're not having your lunch... I'll eat your mom's cooking today." Shikha had to give her lunchbox to Shekhar, much against her will.
After giving her lunchbox to Shekhar, Shikha moved towards another table.
"You can join us... Shikha ji and Preeti ji..."
"No, we'll sit there," Shikha said.
"We'll sit with them, won't we?" Preeti said softly. Shikha glared at Preeti. Against her will, Preeti went with her to another table. Shekhar also understood Shikha's expression. He realized Shikha was in a bad mood. After finishing his food, he returned Shikha's lunchbox, "Shikha ji, your mom really makes very good food..."
"Sir, if you want to eat home-cooked food... I can bring your lunch daily... my mom also cooks very well," Preeti said to Shekhar.
"No, no, Preeti ji... it doesn't feel good every day... my cook will be here today. However, if... on days Shikha ji doesn't have her lunch... I can definitely eat her lunch then..." Hearing Shekhar's words, all the employees looked at Shikha.
"Office time is about to start," Shikha said, standing up.
"Come on Preeti, let's go," Shikha said again because Preeti wasn't moving from her seat.
Shikha and Preeti left. Shekhar and the other employees also started heading towards their places.
"If you need any help, you can tell me... I'm in your colony too... if you need to arrange for a maid... or a cook..." Piyush Verma said, as he had seen Shekhar leaving his flat in the morning.
"Oh, so you live in my building too?"
"Yes sir, I saw you when you shifted into this flat..."
"Okay... that's good... I'll let you know if I need any help..."
"Shikha also lives in the same building... her flat is also there," he informed Shekhar.
Hearing Piyush Verma's words, Shekhar became happy. But he didn't let any emotion show on his face.
"Which floor do you live on, Piyush?"
"My home is on the third floor... but Shikha ji lives on the top, fourth floor... you also live on the same floor, don't you..."
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"...Okay... So you live in my building too...?" "...Yes sir, I've seen... when you shifted into that flat... But I didn't know you were our boss..." "...Alright... that's good... If you need any help, I'll let you know." "...Shikha also lives in the same building... Her flat is also there..." he told Shekhar.
Lunchtime ended. Everyone got back to their work. Shikha was doing her work, but her mind was racing. She could see that Shekhar was not going to back down. He would surely mess with her, and she was also very angry with Preeti. What was the need to give her lunchbox to her?
Preeti was Shikha's best friend in the office. She was a simple girl who wanted to get married at all costs. She dreamt of marriage looking at every boy, but no one was ready to marry her. Preeti lived in the building next to Shikha's. Both their homes were close.
Meanwhile, Shekhar's mom was calling him. He was trying to refuse his mom about something.
"...Mom, you know aunt's place, right? Wherever I go, she has a friend there... and you know very well what kind of friends they are... I'm not going... to her friend's place..."
"...Son, your aunt will feel bad... Go meet her once... Besides, she is in your building... That's what I don't like... Mom..."
"...Look Mom, you don't listen to anyone these days... If your aunt has told you to go and meet her, then go and meet her. I don't want to hear anything... Your aunt will scold me a lot, saying that I don't let you listen to her..."
"...Okay Mom... Anyway, I'm leaving office early... I'll go to their place first... tell aunt to send me their address..." Shekhar hung up the phone in anger because he knew his aunt's nature.
After office hours, Shikha had to pick up her suit from her tailor. So, she went towards her tailor. It got a little late for her to return home from there. She had informed her mom by phone that she would be a bit late. When she reached home, it was already dark. When she reached her home and rang the bell, no one opened the door. She rang the bell again, this time in anger. Then the door to her flat opened. She was about to speak angrily to her mom when she saw Shekhar opening the door.
She rubbed her eyes, seeing Shekhar instead of her mom. Then she checked her flat number from outside her flat. Had she come to the wrong flat? Seeing her do this, Shekhar said, "...It is your house, Shikha ji... Please come inside..." She went inside the house, staring at him with wide eyes.
"...It's good you're here, son... I've been waiting for you..." her mom said as soon as she saw her. "...You meet him... This is Shekhar... Shekhar Kapoor, my college friend's nephew... He has just shifted into this building... Poor guy hasn't found a maid or a cook yet... He's eating from hotels... I told him, until he finds a cook, you'll eat with us morning and evening... Come on now... Help me a little with cooking..." Hearing her mom, Shikha got so angry. She felt like picking up the vase on the table and hitting Shekhar on the head. Firstly, she was so tired, and secondly, she would have to cook for Shekhar with her mom. Shikha didn't understand what to do.
"...Actually, Aunty ji, Shikha works in the same office where I work... I didn't know she was your daughter..." Hearing Shekhar, her mom started laughing. "...Oh, that's very good... So now that you both work in the same office, I won't have to worry about her when you are around... Her father will be here soon too... You sit wherever you want, and we'll serve the food. Don't leave until after dinner..." "...Aunty, why don't you serve the food... My flat is right next door... I'll change my clothes in 2 minutes and come back. Uncle will also arrive by then..." "...Okay, son... but come back soon, or the food will get cold."
Shekhar smiled at Shikha and walked towards the exit. Shikha soon realized that Shekhar knew this was Shikha's house because their family photo, which included Shikha, was displayed in the lobby. She was thinking to herself, "...What a clever guy... He can even fool Mom... not me... If only I could put poison in him, how nice it would be..." Shekhar returned a short while later. He came back after bathing, wearing a lower and a t-shirt. He looked quite fresh.
Shekhar started eating. Shikha's mom and dad also started eating with him. But Shikha did not come out. Before Shekhar arrived, she had already served all the food on the table and left. "...Aunty ji, won't Shikha eat?... " "...No, son... she'll eat a little later... she said she's not hungry right now... she ate something outside..."
Shekhar finished his meal and left. Shikha's mom had told him that he would eat with them for both meals. So Shekhar said, "...Aunty, I'll definitely come for dinner, but not for lunch... I have a lot of work..." Meanwhile, Shikha deliberately did not come out. After Shekhar left, she directly went and sat on her balcony after eating. This balcony was her favorite spot where she would talk to the moon and stars along with the cool breeze. No matter how bad her mood was, sitting there would make her feel better. She closed her eyes and sat with her legs on the table. It had only been a short while since she sat down when she heard someone's voice, "...Shikha ji, it seems... we've become neighbors..." She opened her eyes and saw Shekhar standing on the balcony of the next flat, which was right next to hers.
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It hadn't been long since she sat down when she heard a voice.
“Shikha ji… it seems we’ve become neighbors…”
She opened her eyes to see Shekhar standing on the balcony of the adjacent flat, which was right next to hers. Shikha stared at him, her eyes wide.
“…What’s the matter, Shikha ji… you’re not saying anything… look, my flat is right next to yours…” Shekhar was saying.
Shikha pinched her arm to see if it was real or a dream.
“…What are you doing here?” Shikha said.
“…As I said… this is my room… you’ve really decorated your balcony beautifully… look, my room’s balcony is so bare… really, it’s women who make a house a home…” Shekhar was saying.
Shikha’s balcony had plants. There was also a swing, and a table with two chairs. In fact, in every flat of this building, one room’s balcony was larger, and this was Shikha’s favorite spot.
Shikha got up to go inside.
“…Oh, Shikha ji, you’re leaving… I wanted to talk to you…”
“…No, I’m very sleepy… I’m going to sleep…” saying this, Shikha came inside and closed the door.
She fell onto the bed. “…Oh God! This man has reached my home… I don’t think I’ll be able to get rid of him… wasn’t his presence in the office enough… eating at my house, and now living next to my house…”
Shikha was very upset. She was banging her head. “…Oh God! What do I do now…”
Meanwhile, Shekhar also went into his room. He was very happy. He had seen Shikha in the signal bar. Ever since then, she had been on his mind. First at the office, then when he came home from his aunt and friend’s house, it was Shikha’s house, and now his room was next to Shikha’s, so he was very happy.
In the morning, Shikha’s mom came to wake her with tea. Shikha had a habit of always drinking her tea while sitting on her balcony. As always, she picked up her cup and sat on the swing on the balcony. She started drinking her tea there.
“…Good morning Shikha ji…” Hearing Shekhar’s voice, she quickly looked up. Then she remembered last night’s incident.
“…Good morning Shikha ji… I’m calling you…” When Shikha didn’t respond, Shekhar spoke again.
“…Good morning sir…”
“…Don’t call me sir… you can take my name… where I’m your boss a little…”
Shikha got up to go inside.
“…Oh, Shikha ji, you’re leaving…”
“…Yes, I have some work…” she said and left.
“…Now it seems my room is no longer mine… I can’t even sit on the balcony now…” Shikha sat in her room, holding her head.
But he was getting ready, humming. Talking to himself, he said, “…I’m thinking of getting married now… I’ve lived alone for too long… I don’t feel like living alone anymore… now I have to wake up and go to the balcony to see her… if her face appears in my arms first thing in the morning…”
Many thoughts were running through his mind. Then he thought, “…What if she remembers the college incident… no problem, I’ll convince her now… she’s not the Shikha she used to be… and I’m not the Shekhar I used to be…”
He got ready in a very fresh mood. He had decided that he would settle down now, and that too with Shikha.
Shikha got ready with resentment. Going to the office was a compulsion for her, otherwise, she wouldn’t have gone to the office either. As she was about to sit on her scooter to go to the office, Shekhar also arrived there in his car.
“…Oh, Shikha ji, come with me in the car… why are you going on your scooter…”
“…No, I like going on my scooter… I have my father’s car, but I like this one better…” she said and left.
During lunch break, she told Preeti everything. Upon hearing her, Preeti first cried, then laughed. Seeing her condition, Shikha said to Preeti, “…Shekhar has become a headache for me… he’s eating at my house… his room is next to mine… why are you crying… I should be crying… and why are you laughing then… I should be laughing at myself…” Shikha was very angry.
“…I’m crying because I liked Shekhar… I’m laughing because he liked you… I’m your friend… I’m very happy for you…”
“…Look Preeti, he liked me… am I some object that someone just liked… don’t mess with my head… I’m already very upset… I know him from college…”
“…Really?” Preeti said in surprise.
“…Of course… he was after me there too…”
“…Really Shikha! How good a pair you two would make… even your names are similar… Shekhar and Shikha…”
“…I’m telling you my problem… and you’re talking about some other world…” Shikha got angry at her.
“…Please Shikha! He’s so handsome and you’re so beautiful too… how good you two would look together… listen to me… you both get married…”
“…I don’t even like to see that person, and you’re telling me to marry him… anyway, he’s not one of those people who get married… he only knows how to use girls, not build a home through marriage… understood…”
“…Then okay, as you wish…” Preeti folded her hands in front of her.
"...Please Shikha, he's so handsome... and you are so beautiful too... you both will look so good together... listen to me... you both should get married..."
"...I don't even like looking at that person... and you're telling me to marry him... anyway, he's not the type of person... who gets married... he only knows how to use girls... not settle down by getting married... understood..."
"...Fine then, as you wish..." Preeti folded her hands in front of her.
Days started passing like this. The whole office understood that Shekhar liked Shikha. But no one dared to speak to Shikha. Shekhar had managed the entire office very well. For this, he had worked day and night. Shekhar was highly respected in the entire office. Everyone liked him as a boss. But Shikha never felt good about it.
"...You used to say that... Shekhar has affairs with girls... but it's been a month... he hasn't even looked at any girl in the office... he's only crazy about you..." Preeti, who had come to her house on Sunday, started saying this to her.
"...You be quiet, Preeti... you are my friend... you know Shekhar's life..."
"...I am your friend... but I want to make him my brother-in-law..." Preeti said.
Shikha got up and started hitting her with a pillow. Preeti ran to the balcony to escape Shikha. Shikha came to the balcony after her. The two friends were running back and forth. Tired, they both sat on the swing. Just then, their attention went to Shekhar, who was standing in his balcony watching them both.
"...I didn't know you two were so childish..." Shekhar said with a smile seeing them.
"...Sir, how are you..." Preeti said seeing Shekhar.
"...I'm fine, Miss Preeti... you tell me... you two friends are enjoying quite a lot..." He glanced at Shikha. She was wearing a long skirt and a top. Her hair was open, she looked very good to Shekhar. Seeing Shekhar looking at Shikha, Preeti said, "...By the way, can I ask you something, Sir..."
"...Yes, absolutely, ask..."
At Preeti's question, Shikha started looking at Preeti. Preeti said to Shikha, "...Shikha, I'm thirsty... can I have a glass of water..." Shikha went
The next day when Shikha went to the office, she found out that Shekhar wouldn't be coming for two to three days. He had taken leave. Shikha breathed a sigh of relief.
"...Well, for just two to three days... at least I'm rid of him... Now I can sit peacefully on my balcony in the mornings and evenings... Ever since Shekhar arrived... my life has become a living hell..." Shikha was thinking.
When Shikha returned home from the office in the evening, the house was buzzing with activity. Her elder sister and brother-in-law had arrived. Their two children were with them too. She ran and hugged her sister.
"...What a big surprise, Didi... We spoke yesterday... You didn't tell me you were coming..."
"...You only hug your sister... Go hug your brother-in-law too..."
Shikha went to Ravi and hugged him.
"...You aren't just my brother-in-law... You are my elder brother... What problem do I have hugging you..."
"...That's right, you're like a younger sister to me..." Ravi started laughing.
"...Didi, this time please stay for a few days... It's been a long time since you visited... You don't even have the excuse that Jijju will have trouble with food..."
"...That's absolutely true, Salhi Sahiba... But it depends on you... how long you keep us... or send us away quickly..."
"...How so...?" Shikha asked.
"...The reason we've come here... if you agree to that reason... then we'll leave only after completing the work... otherwise, we'll leave early..."
"...What is this work, Didi... that involves me...?"
Shikha looked towards her Mom and Dad. They were eating quietly.
"...Mom, why are you all so quiet? What happened...?"
"...If I speak, will you agree anyway...?" Mom said with displeasure.
"...What have you said that I wouldn't agree to... that you're upset with me...?" Shikha couldn't understand what was happening.
"...Look Shikha, many proposals have come for you so far... which you've rejected without seeing... Now we've brought one proposal... please, I want you to think about it calmly..." Shikha's elder sister Piya said.
"...That's right, Salhi Sahiba... We won't do anything bad for you... we'll only do what's good for you... Shikha, please listen to us carefully just once..." Jijju said.
Because before this, whenever a marriage proposal was discussed for Shikha, she would immediately respond that she didn't want to get married yet. But now the entire family wanted Shikha to settle down. Her age was also suitable for marriage. Hearing her family, Shikha became quiet and continued eating silently. After finishing her meal, she smiled and said,
"...Okay... Whatever you all like, I have no problem... Jijju, I've left the whole matter to you... Whatever you do, I'll do the same... I don't just call you my elder brother... I also consider you one..."
Everyone became happy. Shikha's brother-in-law, Ravi, got up from his chair and came to Shikha. He placed his hand on Shikha's head and said,
"...Shikha, whatever is good for you... I will do that... You can trust me..."
"...Show Shikha the picture of the boy on your phone..." Piya said.
Ravi opened his phone and offered it to Shikha. But Shikha pushed the phone aside.
"...Jijju, I don't want to see the boy... I have complete faith in you... If you like the proposal, then I like it... You proceed with the talks..."
Ravi was surprised by Shikha's words.
"...Truly, you won't regret it, Shikha... marrying this boy... this boy will keep you very happy..."
The entire family was happy with Shikha's 'yes'.
That night, Shikha sat on her room's balcony and started thinking about Shekhar.
"...When Shekhar comes and finds out about my marriage... his face will be worth seeing... He'll get a shock like a 440-volt current... He thinks he can marry me... Why am I thinking about him now... Forget him, Shekhar..." she said to herself.
Then she started thinking about the boy whose photo she hadn't seen.
"...Jijju will do what's good for me... If the whole family likes him, then I have no problem either..." she said to herself.
"...Jijju was saying he has a very good job in some multinational corporation... and his nature is also very good... Well, the day I meet him... I'll see his face then... I need a little suspense too..." she was talking to herself.
Just then, someone knocked on her room door. She got up and opened the door. Her sister and brother-in-law were standing there. They came inside and sat on the swing in the balcony.
"...Come sit, Shikha, we need to talk to you..." Shikha also sat on a chair nearby.
"...Look Shikha, these matters are not a joke... You should know about the boy once... After that, we want to invite the boy's family to meet you..."
"...You can invite them... I have no problem... If you, both of you, like him a lot... then it will be good for me... I've told you... I won't go back on my word... no matter what..."
"...Are you sure, Shikha...?"
"...Yes Jijju... I'm sure..."
"...See Piya, didn't I tell you... Shikha won't go back on her word... You were worrying unnecessarily... She knows her elder brother will never do wrong by her..."
"...Alright Shikha, now you go to sleep... The boy's family and the boy are coming to meet you tomorrow afternoon..."
"...Tomorrow...? You didn't tell me earlier... I'll have to take leave from the office..."
"...You do this, take half-day leave... go to the office once..." Didi said.
"...Didi, okay... I'll come after half-day tomorrow... You call them only in the afternoon..."
"...Tomorrow...you didn't tell me earlier...I'll have to take leave from the office..." "...You do this...take half a day leave...go to the office once..." Di said.
"...Alright...tomorrow I'll come after half a day...you call those people only after noon..."
The next day, Shikha reached the office. Upon reaching the office, she found out that Shekhar had also come to the office. "...I heard that day...Shekhar has taken two-three days leave...he has already come back..." she was thinking to herself. Just then, she learned that there was an urgent meeting in the office.
Rahul had informed the entire office that sir had to leave for some important work after noon. He had come only for the meeting because today's meeting was very important. Shikha was grateful that the meeting was in the morning. If it were after noon, it would have been difficult for her. She had told Rahul that she needed half a day leave today, she had to go for some important work.
Ever since Shekhar had arrived, he had been engrossed in work.
"...Rahul, quickly call everyone to the meeting hall..." Shekhar told Rahul. Everyone quickly reached the meeting hall.
Everyone sat in their respective places. Shekhar started talking to everyone about the purpose of the meeting. He was standing and talking to everyone. While talking, whenever his eyes met Shikha's, he would smile and look at Shikha. Shikha did not like him smiling like that. Meanwhile, Preeti, who was sitting in the meeting, gestured to her a couple of times that Shekhar was smiling at her. But Shikha glared at her.
"...You sit quietly...and listen to what sir is saying..."
After the meeting ended, Shekhar left the office in a hurry. Shikha also left immediately after the meeting ended. She was in a hurry to get home, and Di had also called several times saying that they had arrived.
Shikha took a taxi and reached home. Shekhar and Shikha entered the same building. Shekhar was also running towards the elevator. Both got into the elevator at the same time.
"...How are you Shikha...you also came early...what's the matter..."
"...Nothing, I had some work at home...some guests are coming..." Shikha said. Shikha showed no interest in continuing the conversation.
Their floors arrived, so they both got out of the elevator. Shekhar went towards his flat. Shikha rang her doorbell. Di opened the door. The people who had come to see Shikha were sitting in the drawing room.
"...Hurry up Shikha...get ready...the boy's family is waiting for you..." Di took Shikha by the hand and led her into the room.
The saree for her had already been taken out.
"...Wear this saree..." Di said. In ten minutes, she was ready. Shikha looked very beautiful in a pink saree and light makeup. Di fixed her hair.
"...You look very beautiful with your hair open, Shikha...don't tie it up..." Di started saying.
Now Di took Shikha to those people. At Mom's signal, Shikha stepped forward and touched the feet of the woman who had come to see her.
"...No child, there's no need for this..." the lady made her sit next to her. Shikha noticed, "...There was no boy there at all."
"...Shikha, these are the boy's parents...Neha ji...the boy will be here soon...he had some important work...that's why he got delayed..." Neha ji started asking Shikha many questions. Shikha quietly kept answering.
"...If both the children like each other...then I really like Shikha very much..." Neha ji said.
"...Sister, the children will surely like each other...I also like your son very much..." Shikha's mom said.
"...My only wish is...that Shikha gets married soon..." Just as the conversation was going on, the doorbell rang. Ravi got up and went to open the door. After a while, Ravi returned, and Shekhar was with him.
Seeing Shekhar, Shikha thought to herself, "...He had to come now too...there's a time for everything...when a person should be at their own home...it's not like you just go to other people's houses all the time...maybe he's come for lunch because...his cook hasn't come today..." Shikha did not like Shekhar's arrival at this time at all.
Shekhar came to Neha ji and said, "...Sorry Mom...I'm late...I had an important meeting today..." He sat down on the sofa with them. Shikha was surprised when Shekhar called the woman Mom. She understood that the boy they were waiting for was none other than Shekhar. She hit her head because she had said yes to marrying Jijoo. How would she go back on her word now?
As soon as Shekhar sat down, Jijoo started the conversation.
"...Look Shekhar, Shikha has agreed to get married...she has left the entire matter to me...if you want to marry Shikha...then remember, my eyes will be on you...you cannot trouble my younger sister..."
"...Don't worry at all, Jijoo...I will keep Shikha very happy..."
After that, Jijoo, looking at Shikha, said, "...Do you know, Shikha, Shekhar is my younger brother's friend...they worked together for a few years...one day, he casually mentioned...that he likes you..."
After that, Jijju looked at Shikha and said, "...Do you know Shikha... Shekhar is my younger brother's friend... These two worked together for a few years... One day, while talking, he mentioned... that he likes you..."
Jijju was talking about Shekhar. But Shikha was burning inside. She was jealous seeing Shekhar. She didn't know that the boy would be Shekhar. Otherwise, she would never have agreed to the marriage. Shekhar had tried to enter her life once before during college. But at that time, Shekhar's reality had come before her. Shekhar was trying to get into her life once again.
She glanced up at Shekhar. Shekhar was looking at Shikha with a glazed look in his eyes. A faint smile was on his face. "...I think Shekhar and Shikha should talk alone... Although both of them know each other... but it was different before... Go Shikha, show Shekhar your room..." Di said to Shikha.
Hearing Di's words, Shikha got very angry. But she knew it was her own fault. Jijju had started showing her the boy's photo, but she had replied. She was most angry with herself. "...What was the need... to agree to marriage without seeing him..." Shikha thought to herself.
"...Go on Shikha..." Di said again. Shikha came out of her thoughts. She stood up. Shekhar also started going with her. As soon as they entered the room, Shikha closed the door.
"...Why are you closing the door already... there will be time for that too..." Shekhar said to her mischievously.
"...You refuse the marriage..."
"...What..." Shekhar looked at her in surprise. "...If you want to refuse... then you do it... I like you very much... And anyway, I had asked you before going for the marriage... You were the one who said yes... you will marry the boy your family likes... so I got your family's approval..."
"...Now how was I supposed to know... that day before yesterday you would ask me for marriage... and the very next day you would come with your proposal 😥..." Shikha said angrily.
"...Then there's no point in asking, is there 😬... I wasn't just passing time with you... I thought you liked me, that's why we were meeting..." Shekhar said.
"...I agreed to marry you without seeing your photo... Now how was I supposed to know who you were... Now I can't refuse..."
"...So why would I refuse... to marry you... Do you know how much effort I put in... to send the proposal through your Di and Jijju... Look, if you don't want to, say so,... I'm not going to say no... I like you very much..." Shekhar stated clearly.
Shikha looked at him angrily. "...Look, you've started looking like wives already..." Shekhar said, seeing her mood.
Shekhar's Mom and Dad had also fixed the engagement date. They said that they would get them engaged next Sunday. Shikha's Mom and Dad had no problem. Shikha's Di also said that next week would be fine. Shikha sat quietly, listening to them. Shekhar also kept watching her mood.
Shekhar was thinking, "...Somehow let the engagement and marriage happen... I'll win Shikha over..." Shekhar knew... that Shikha's anger from college days hadn't subsided yet..." Shekhar had also taken a few days of leave from the office. He didn't want to face Shikha before the engagement. "...He was afraid 😜 of Shikha... that she might refuse the engagement just by seeing him..." Therefore, he thought it best to stay away from Shikha.
Di and Jijju stayed until the engagement. Now Shikha couldn't tell anyone that she didn't like Shekhar. All day long, city gossip filled the house. Shikha's Mom praised Shekhar a lot. They liked Shekhar very much. Her father was also happy. Seeing his Mom and Dad, she sometimes thought, "...If Mom and Dad like Shekhar, then he must be good..." Then, in the next moment, it occurred to her that they didn't know his true self... they liked him because of this..."
Then, when Preeti found out about her engagement, Preeti came to congratulate her. After closing the room, Shikha grabbed Preeti's neck, "...This is all because of you... You opened your mouth that day... saying that we should get married... I said yes jokingly that day... This whole mess is because of you... so I won't let you go today..." Preeti barely managed to free her neck from Shikha. "...He's such a good boy... What else do you want... If he asked me to marry him, I would have agreed in a minute..." Preeti started telling her.
"...So what we'll do is... I'll run away at the time of the wedding... you sit in my place at the wedding altar... this will be good..." Preeti said happily. Shikha started hitting Preeti with puppies. "...What kind of friend are you... my enemies would be better than you..."
The engagement day also arrived. A hall was booked for the engagement. Shikha looked very beautiful in her blue lehenga. There was definitely anger on her face. Didi asked her once or twice, "...Why do you have such a face... today is your engagement..." "...Didi, it's nothing... I'm just a little nervous..." she said, brushing it off.
Everyone at home was very happy. Shekhar also looked very smart at the engagement. He was wearing a sherwani. His gaze was on Shikha. As soon as he saw Shikha, he blinked his eyes 😉 and then slowly whispered in Shikha's ear, "...You look so beautiful today... I feel like... I want to marry you and take you away today..." At this, Shikha glared at him. "...The way you look at me with those big eyes... I'll drown in them... Don't look at me like that..." Shekhar said to Shikha.
As soon as he saw Shikha, Shekhar blinked and then quietly whispered in her ear, "...You look so beautiful today... I feel like... I want to marry you and take you away today..." Hearing this, Shikha gave him a wide-eyed look. "...You look at me with such big eyes... I'm going to drown in them... Don't look at me like that..." Shekhar said to Shikha.
Throughout the entire program, Shekhar kept talking. Shikha listened silently. She didn't say anything on any matter because she knew it was her own fault. Firstly, she had told Shekhar that she would marry wherever her family, her mother, father, sister, and brother-in-law said. Secondly, she had agreed to the marriage without seeing the photos. Now, how could she blame anyone else? Therefore, she thought it best to remain silent.
During the engagement program, she just listened to Shekhar's chatter. Her ears were tired. "...Oh God! I can't get through today with this man... How will I get through my whole life..." Shikha was thinking.
Everyone was very tired during the engagement. In the evening, everyone returned home and started to rest. "...I'm going to my room..." Shikha said. "...Okay Shikha, you rest..." Her sister told Shikha. She had sent Shikha to the bedroom. The rest of the family had also gone to rest. As soon as she reached her room, Shekhar's message arrived. She checked it and found some engagement photographs. In some photos, Shikha was alone, and in some, they were both together.
Looking at the photos, she felt regretful about herself. She should have thought carefully before agreeing. If she had used her mind even a little, today's situation would not have arisen. Shekhar's message arrived again. "...Please Shikha, come to the balcony..."
Shikha sent a message back. "...I am very tired... so I want to sleep... I cannot come out..." Saying this, she switched off her phone and tried to sleep.
When she woke up in the morning and turned on her phone, there were many messages from Shekhar. "...Does this man have no work... other than sending messages..." She angrily went to the bathroom.
Shikha had taken leave from the office. So, she calmly went and sat in the lobby. She saw that her sister and brother-in-law were already ready before she woke up. Her brother-in-law came and sat beside her. "...Shikha, we are leaving today... but you were supposed to stay for a few more days... you said so yourself..." Shikha said to them. "...Yes Shikha, but I have very important work at my office... I have to go out of the country for an office trip... for office work... The program was postponed earlier... but now it has been expedited... so we are leaving today..." Just then, her sister also came and sat beside her. "...Shikha, we can never forget the respect you gave us... Our own children wouldn't agree to marry someone like this just by our saying so... and you agreed without even seeing the boy..." Her sister and brother-in-law were showering her with affection.
Shikha was regretting it in her heart. "...One should never do this... always agree to marriage after seeing them..." But she just smiled at them silently. Her sister and brother-in-law left in a hurry. Shikha quietly turned on the TV in the lobby and started watching it. Her mother came and sat beside her. "...What is it, dear... why are you silent... I've been noticing since yesterday... you've been a bit quiet..." "...It's nothing, Mom, just like that... since sister has left... will I also leave you... will you be left alone..."
"...Where will you go? Shekhar lives here... your flat is here... after marriage, you both should shift in with us..." Just then, her father got up and came over. "...No, don't say that... let the children live separately... they are with us... meet them whenever you feel like it... let them live their lives too..." Her father was saying to her mother.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Shikha started to get up. "...No, I'll go..." Saying this, her father stood up. Her father hadn't even reached the door when he suddenly collapsed. Shikha and her mother quickly rushed to him. He had fainted. "...Shikha, quickly call Shekhar... your father needs to be taken to the hospital..." Her mother said nervously.
Shikha quickly called Shekhar. Shekhar answered the phone on the first ring. Before Shikha could say anything, Shekhar said, "...I am standing at your door... open it..." Shikha ran and opened the door. "...Father has fainted... he needs to go to the hospital..." Shikha said.
Shekhar quickly rushed inside and picked up her father to carry him. He quickly took out his car. In a short while, they reached the hospital. Shekhar kept reassuring her mother on the way. "...Mom, don't worry... nothing will happen to Dad... we will reach the hospital soon..."
At the hospital, it was revealed that her father had a heart attack. He was quite serious. Shikha and her mother were very worried. Shekhar handled them well. He brought all the necessary medicine for her father. He also paid the hospital fees. Shikha stayed with her mother the whole time, as they were also afraid of her mother's condition worsening.
Shekhar came back after meeting the doctor. He came to her mother and Shikha and said, "...Now don't worry... the doctor said... Dad will regain consciousness in a little while..." "...We should call Sister and Brother-in-law..." Shikha said. "...I think... we shouldn't call them right now... they were going out of the country anyway... and Sister will be alone with the children... after Dad goes home... then we will call them... to take care of Dad..." Shekhar said. Her mother also agreed with Shekhar. "...Shekhar, you are right... let's not call them now... they have gone where they were going after so many days..."
"...I think... we shouldn't call them right now... anyway, they have to go out of the country... and Mom will be alone with the children... when Dad goes home... then we'll call them... where we are to take care of Dad..." Shekhar said. Mom also agreed with Shekhar.
"...Shekhar, you're right... let's not call them now... how many days has it been since they went from where..." Mom said.
A little later, Dad regained consciousness. The doctor said that he would have to be kept in the hospital for a few days, but he was out of immediate danger. Shekhar had taken full responsibility for the hospital. Shekhar told Mom, "...Mom, you go home at night... Shikha and I will stay where we are..."
"...That's right, Mom, you'll get sick..." Shikha also said. Shekhar forcefully sent Mom home.
Dad was in the ICU. Shekhar and Shikha were sitting on the sofas placed outside. It occurred to Shikha that she was alone with Shekhar. Although there were other patients there, and their accompanying people were also there. Still, Shikha felt a little scared of Shekhar. She felt that seeing her alone, he would surely play a prank on her. As Shikha was thinking, Shekhar called her, "...Shikha... coffee..."
Shikha took the coffee from his hand. Shekhar had brought coffee for her and himself. He sat there and started drinking. Shikha remained seated, still holding the coffee. "...Please Shikha... the coffee will get cold... Don't worry... Dad is out of danger now... tomorrow they will shift him to a room... they've just kept him in the ICU at night for a little caution..."
The entire night passed like this, with their eyes open. They both slept only for a little while while sitting there. Anyway, there were other people there, their patients were also in the ICU. Everyone was sitting there with tension. Shekhar took good care of Shikha at night. The next day, Dad was shifted to a room. Mom also arrived soon. She brought tea and breakfast for them. After drinking the tea, Shekhar said to Mom, "...I'll come in the evening... I'm going to the office... If you need me, please call me..."
"...Shekhar, you do this... take Shikha with you too... I'll rest a bit at home... otherwise, she'll also get sick..." Despite Shikha's refusal, Mom forcefully sent her home. She came along with Shekhar. Seeing Shikha quiet, Shekhar said, "...Shikha, Dad is fine... don't worry... he will recover soon... you shouldn't worry... instead, you should be a support for Mom... this is not a time to worry..." Shekhar went to the office after dropping Shikha home.
Since Shikha had been awake all day and night, she fell asleep as soon as she got home. She was still asleep when her phone started ringing in the afternoon. Seeing the number, she picked up the phone. Before Shikha could speak, Shekhar said, "...I'm about to reach home... I'll go and change... you also get ready... we'll go to the hospital..."
After about 20 minutes, the doorbell rang. Shikha opened the door. Shekhar was standing there. He had changed his clothes and was wearing a lower and t-shirt and sports shoes on his feet. "...Let's go to the hospital, Shikha..." She came with him. While getting into the car, Shikha said, "...You were supposed to come in the evening..." "...Yes, I had an important meeting in the evening... but it was canceled... so I thought I should be with Mom... that's why I came..." Although Shikha didn't show any emotion on her face, she liked his concern for Dad and Mom. She listened to him quietly.
Dad stayed in the hospital for about three to four days. Shekhar had taken complete care of him. He would go to the office during the day, but at night he would stay at the hospital with Shikha. He maintained an equal distance from Shikha. He neither joked with Shikha nor tried to come close to her. Instead, he had become her support. Shikha felt that this was not the Shekhar she knew. This was a responsible person who knew his responsibilities. He had completely won Shikha's heart, but Shikha had not yet revealed her feelings for him.
When Dad was discharged and went home, Mom informed Shikha's elder sister. As soon as she found out, she came to meet Dad. Upon arrival, she started getting angry at Mom and Shikha. "...You people could have at least told me... how difficult it must have been for you alone at the hospital..." "...No, Di, we weren't alone... Shekhar was with us... Since Jiju is not here, it would have been difficult to come alone with your children... so we didn't tell you..."
As soon as everyone came to know, they started coming to inquire about Dad's health. One day, Shekhar's family also came to meet them. Shikha took good care of them. She specially cooked food for them, but Shekhar was not at home that day. He had gone out of the office for work, so his family left without meeting him.
When Shekhar returned home, he called his Mom, "...Mom, it would have been so good if you had stayed tonight... I had to go out of necessity... I don't feel good... that you left without meeting me..." "...It's okay... son, we met Shikha... so it's all the same... she took good care of us... you've found a very good girl..." His Mom praised Shikha a lot. Shekhar was also surprised to hear this. He didn't expect Shikha to treat his family so well. Then his mother started saying, "...Now, son, quickly bring Shikha home after marriage... I worry about you when you are alone... if Shikha comes, I won't worry about you..." "...It's okay, Mom, I'll soon give you the good news of the wedding..." Shekhar hung up the phone. Just then, the doorbell rang at his house.
As soon as Shekhar returned home, he called his mom. "Mom, how nice it would have been if you had stayed tonight... I had to go urgently... I don't feel good... that I left without meeting..."
"...It's okay, son, we met Shikha... so it's all the same... She took great care of us... You've found a very good girl..." His mom praised Shikha a lot. Shekhar was also surprised to hear this. He hadn't expected Shikha to treat his family so well. Then his mother started saying, "...Now, son, quickly marry Shikha and bring her home... I worry about you living alone... Once Shikha comes, I won't have to worry about you..."
"...It's okay, Mom, I'll soon give you the good news of the wedding..." Shekhar hung up the phone. Just then, the doorbell rang.
Shekhar opened the door to find Shikha standing there. He was surprised to see her so late at night.
"...What's the matter? Is Dad okay...?"
"...First, let me come inside... Are we going to have this conversation at the door?" Shikha said angrily.
Shekhar moved aside. Shikha came inside. She was holding something in her hand.
"...Dad is perfectly fine... Mom has sent food for you..." she said, placing the plate on the table.
"...I had told Mom on the phone... that I would come after eating..."
"...No, not food... Mom made gajar ka halwa today... She asked me to give it to you... That's why I came to give it to you... Okay, now I'm going..." saying this, she started to leave.
Shekhar grabbed her hand from behind. She suddenly looked at Shekhar. He let go of her hand.
"...Sorry... I was just asking you to stay... You're here for the first time today... You should also have something sweet..." Shekhar put a spoonful of halwa from the plate she had brought into her mouth. Shikha ate it silently.
Shekhar was quite surprised. She had quietly agreed to Shekhar's request.
"...Okay... Now I'm going..."
"...Oh, wait... At least look at the house... How do you like it? You have to come here after marriage in a few days."
"...What is there to see? I understood it at first glance... I'll have to change the entire setting of the house... What have you done to the house?" Shikha said.
"...One thing is true, women make a house a home... When you come into this house... only then will it feel like home to me... Shikha, can I ask you something...?" Shekhar said, eating the halwa.
"...As if I would say no... so you won't ask... Ask..."
"...Don't you like me at all...?" At his words, Shikha looked up at him.
"...Why do you think so...?" she asked, lowering her gaze.
"...From the way you switched off your phone on the engagement night... I'm understanding a lot, Shikha... I love you very much... Come into my world once, I swear, I will keep you very happy..." Hearing him, Shikha started to smile.
"...Why are you smiling? Don't you believe me...?"
"...If I didn't believe you, I wouldn't have come here so late at night... Did I come here just because Mom asked? If I didn't want to... I would never have come here..." Hearing Shikha's words, a smile appeared on Shekhar's face.
"...So, do you like me? Do you have any problem with marrying me...?"
"...No..." Shikha said softly, blushing. She stepped forward and hugged Shekhar.
"...Let me go... I don't like this... I just said yes a little bit, and you've completely clung to me..."
"...Now I'm not letting you go... You've come into my hands with great difficulty..." He held Shikha's face with both hands and started to lean towards her face. When he got very close to her face, Shikha pushed him away.
"...All this after marriage... First, marry me quickly..." As she said this and started to leave, Shekhar grabbed her hand and pulled her back.
"...What are you talking about leaving...?"
"...Mom must be waiting for me... Think about what she'll think... I've been here for so long..."
"...No... Mom won't think anything... We have permission from Mom... That's why she sent you here..." He hugged Shikha with a smile.
"...No Shekhar, I'm going now..." Shikha freed herself from Shekhar's arms and went outside. She was very happy. She had really enjoyed Shekhar's closeness today. She hadn't thought Shekhar's closeness would appeal to her heart so much. A smile wouldn't leave her face. When she reached home, her mom asked, "...What's the matter? Smiling all by yourself...?"
"...Nothing, Mom, just like that... Dad has come home, that's why..."
"...Today your mother-in-law was saying... that we should fix the wedding date soon... What do you say, is that okay...?"
"...Yes, Mom, whenever you feel it's good... You decide... What do I know..." Shikha shyly went into her room.
Her mom was also very surprised by Shikha's shyness because this girl had never been shy before. As soon as Shikha entered the room, she closed her door and went to sit on the balcony. She knew Shekhar would definitely come to his balcony. Just then, Shekhar also came to the balcony.
"...What's the matter? I think someone has come here to meet us..." Shekhar teased her.
"...Why would I come to meet anyone? I'm just sitting on my room's balcony..." Shikha said with a smile.
"...Then it's fine... I'll come to meet someone..." Shekhar climbed over the balcony and came into Shikha's balcony.
"...What are you doing? Someone will see..."
"...If they see, let them see... What am I afraid of? Isn't it good that the wedding that was supposed to happen after a few days... will happen today... I think we should show Mom and Dad today..." Saying this, he sat with her on the swing.
"...Now Shekhar, go from here..."
"...I'll go only on one condition..."
"...What is it, Shikha...?" She looked at him, surprised.
"...First, I want a kiss..." Shekhar.
"...Say shut up or say something else... I'm not going without a kiss..." Saying this, Shekhar leaned towards Shikha's face. Shikha's eyes closed automatically. He leaned towards her face.
Finished
See you in the next episode with a new story.
We were not unfaithful, ever.
It was very difficult to forget her. After all, she was his first love, no matter what she was like. For her, he had defied his parents. He had married her in a temple against his parents' wishes and had told them that if they accepted his wife, he would stay with them; otherwise, he would leave home. His parents had accepted her for his sake. But what had she done to him?
Often, at midnight, Ravi Khanna would wake up, and all these thoughts would swirl in his mind. It had been several years since this happened. Almost five years had passed. But he couldn't forget it. He loved Ria as much as he hated her now. He was swinging between hatred and love. He couldn't entirely hate her. So, whenever he met her, he would always be upset. What was in his mind? He had never told anyone. Now, after so many years, he was ready to move on. His parents had arranged a girl for him, and his engagement had taken place. His wedding was scheduled for a few months later.
While having breakfast, Ravi told his father,
"...Dad, I'm going to Chandigarh for a few days..."
"...So, have you bought that Chandigarh company...?"
"...Yes, Dad, I bought that company... I need to manage its office once... After that, I'll assign someone's duty there... It might take me a month..."
"...Alright, son... But take care of your personal life too... Don't make work too big... It will be difficult for you to manage..."
"...No problem, Dad, I like to work..."
"...Don't scold my son; let him work..." His mother said, coming from the kitchen. Ravi left for the airport. He had a flight to Chandigarh. He had bought a company in Chandigarh. The owner had sold the company running at a loss. Ravi's habit was to buy companies running at a loss and increase their business. He knew how to turn a loss into a profit.
He had already rented a penthouse for himself before reaching Chandigarh. A friend of his lived there, and he had chosen a penthouse for Ravi in his own building. His friend told him,
"...I've rented a penthouse for you once... If you like it, you can buy it... Because its owner wants to sell it..."
"...Alright, I'll come and see... If I like it, I'll buy it... Because now I'll be traveling to Chandigarh frequently..."
Ravi headed straight to the office instead of his penthouse. He had already sent a message to the entire office that he was coming. Before he arrived, the whole office had gathered in the meeting hall. He wanted to have a meeting with his staff first.
Ravi started his meeting in the meeting hall. He began to say,
"...I don't know how you all worked with the previous owner... But I don't like carelessness in work at all... You have a month... Those who work responsibly... Will stay here... Those who are not responsible for their work... Will be fired... I like people who work hard... And I'll be watching everyone... Don't think I'm not seeing anyone..." He was speaking when his eyes fell on the girl sitting in the back row. She was Ria. He hadn't expected to meet her here after so many years.
He quickly composed himself. He shifted his attention from Ria and started telling his office people. After the meeting, everyone went to their respective seats. The office was quite large. Ravi sat in his office, trying to focus on his work. But Ria was on his mind. Then someone knocked on the office door,
"...May I come in, sir...?" A voice said. He looked and saw Ria standing in front of him.
"...Yes, come in..." Ria entered, holding a file.
"...Sir, the project that's going on... This was its file..." She kept the file and was about to leave.
"...How are you, Ria...?" Ravi asked. On Ravi's words, Ria turned back to him,
"...I'm fine, sir..."
"...How's your family life? Husband, children, everything okay...?"
"...You know me well, sir... I don't like to be bound... I'm a free bird... I'm divorced from my husband... Yes, I have a child... My parents have it... I'm fine..." She said and left.
When Ria said she didn't like to be bound, the scene from that day flashed before Ravi. Ravi was very happy because Ria's ultrasound showed that she was going to give birth to twins. It was her third month. Ria was in her room. He was sitting in the hall. Suddenly, his phone beeped with a message. He opened his phone to check the message and saw Ria's photo with her friend. They were sitting together. He was surprised. Then many more messages arrived. He saw many pictures of Ria and her friend Raj on his phone. Some showed them sitting together, while others showed them with their arms around each other's necks. There were many close-up pictures of them.
hum bewafa hargiz Na
The next story
Suddenly, his phone buzzed with a message alert. He opened his phone to check the message; it was a photo of Riya with her friend. In the picture, they were both sitting together. He was shocked to see this. Then, suddenly, many messages started pouring in. Many pictures of Riya and her friend Raj arrived on his phone. In some, they were sitting together, in others, their arms were around each other's shoulders; there were many intimate pictures of them together.
He called out to Riya angrily from where he was sitting. Riya couldn't hear his voice in the room; he started walking towards the stairs, calling out to Riya loudly. Hearing his voice, her parents came out of the room, and Riya also came out.
Riya and her parents quickly came to him.
"What happened? Why are you calling me like this?" Riya asked.
"I didn't know you would turn out like this. What was lacking in my love?" he said angrily. Riya didn't understand anything.
"What are you talking about? I don't understand. What happened?"
He was getting angry at Riya when Riya's parents also arrived.
"...How are you talking to my daughter?" Riya's father asked Ravi.
"...You see your daughter's misdeeds... you see them yourself..." He placed Riya's pictures in front of her father.
Riya's father, Mr. Khanna, looked at Riya after seeing the picture.
"Daughter, what is this?"
"This is all a lie! I don't have an affair with Raj. The pictures are fake!" Saying this, Riya started crying.
"...Take your daughter out of here... before we throw her out of here..." Ravi's mother said. She was very angry.
"We will take our daughter from here... but before that, it's very important to clarify this... that the pictures are fake..."
"...How can you say... these pictures are fake..." Ravi's mother, Mallika ji, said to Mr. Khanna.
"...Who sent these pictures? Where did they come from? We should find out..."
"...We don't need to find anything out... whatever is true... is true... take your daughter away from here quickly..." Mallika ji said angrily.
Just then, Ravi's dad, Mr. Ranjeet, came to Mr. Khanna and said, "...Once you take Riya, we will try to find out... who sent them... where the pictures came from... and whether they are fake or real... Ravi is very angry right now... it's not right for Riya to be here in this situation..." Riya's parents quietly started to take her away. Before leaving, Riya cried a lot in front of Ravi.
"These pictures are fake! Ravi, why don't you understand? I'm not going from here!"
"You get out of here! I don't even want to see your face!" Ravi said angrily.
"But at least listen to me once..." Riya pleaded with him. Ravi slammed his phone on the floor and said, "...I don't want to see your face in my life! You can leave from here..."
"...Ravi, but our children..." Riya said.
"...You get them aborted... and it's not even known... whether these children are even Ravi's..." Before Ravi could speak, Ravi's mother, Mallika ji, said.
"Mom, what are you saying?" Riya said to Mallika ji.
"...I'm saying the right thing... if you people have any shame... why don't you take your daughter and leave from here..." Mallika ji kept talking. Ravi sat silently on the sofa, angry.
"Come on, daughter, let's go..." Riya's mother said. She was crying continuously.
"Come on, daughter, let's go..." Riya's father took her hand and started to lead her away. Riya went to Ravi once again.
"Please Ravi, say whatever you want to say to me... but don't make such a big accusation against my children..."
"...Riya, you leave from here... I don't want to see your face..." Ravi said this and got up and went into his room.
"...Now you must have understood, right... Ravi also admits that these children are not his... take your daughter away from here forever... her belongings will reach your house... along with the divorce papers..." Saying this, his mother started climbing the stairs. Ravi's dad, Ranjeet, came to Riya and said, "...Daughter, once you leave... then his anger will cool down... he will come to pick you up himself... you know how much he loves you... it's not right for you to be here at this time..." He said the same to Mr. Khanna, "...Please, take Riya once... when Ravi's anger subsides... everything will be fine..."
Riya returned home with her mother and father. Riya's condition was very bad. She was crying continuously. After going home, her mother started explaining to her, "...Look, daughter, someone has played a prank... by sending such pictures of yours to Ravi... her father is right... let his anger cool down once... then everything will be alright..." Her mother and father kept explaining to Riya, but Riya's condition was not good. Riya even tried to talk to Ravi on the phone. Riya called Ravi several times, but Ravi didn't pick up her calls. Then, when Riya didn't stop calling and started messaging Ravi, Ravi switched off his phone.
We were never unfaithful
Next Story
Her parents tried to convince Ria, but she wasn't in a good state. Ria tried to talk to Ravi on the phone. She called Ravi multiple times, but he didn't pick up. When she didn't stop calling and started sending messages, Ravi turned off his phone.
Ravi was very upset. Ria was the girl he loved in college. Their love didn't end even after college. He kept moving like this. Ravi's parents didn't agree to marry Ria because she was a middle-class girl, and Ravi's family was very rich. His father had his own business. Ravi tried very hard to convince his parents, but his mother didn't agree. His father might have agreed somewhere, but because of his mother's refusal, he also didn't say yes to the marriage. Ria's parents also said,
"...If Ravi's parents agree to the marriage...then we will also say yes...otherwise, Ria should forget Ravi..."
They got married in a court. Neither Ravi's nor Ria's parents could do anything about it. It had been a year since their marriage. During this one year, they were very happy together. But Ravi's world was destroyed when he saw those pictures. At night, Ravi lay down after drinking, unable to bear the pain of Ria's infidelity.
The next morning, Ravi woke up late. Due to drinking the night before, he had a severe headache. As soon as he woke up, he remembered the previous day. He thought to himself that he should talk to Ria once. Thinking this, he picked up his phone. There were many missed calls from Ria. He was about to call her. Before that, he started checking the messages on his phone.
Ria had sent many messages. When he opened WhatsApp, the first message was from his mother. So, he started by reading that. His mother wrote,
"...Ria got an abortion..."
Along with it was a picture of Ria being treated by a lady doctor in the hospital. Ravi got up and came out of his room, and his mother was sitting in the hall.
"...Mom, did you go to the hospital at night...?"
"Yes, my child...actually, I followed Ria to her house...I was very worried about you...I wanted to talk to Ria once...but when I reached their house, they were going somewhere...so I followed them...they went to the hospital...and there, Ria told them that she wanted to abort the children...her parents were also with her...so at night, Ria got an abortion...I took this picture as evidence...I thought maybe you wouldn't believe me...I know you still love Ria very much...if you want...I can arrange for you to talk to that lady doctor..."
He put his head on his mother's lap and started crying loudly.
"...Mom, why did Ria do this...Ria shouldn't have gotten an abortion..."
"Son, those children were in the way of her luxury...that's why she got an abortion...take care of yourself...we are leaving for Australia today...your father will be here soon...we will leave from there today..."
His mother took the phone from Ravi's hand.
As she held the phone, she said,
"...I am blocking Ria's number...what kind of girl would abandon her children...what kind of girl would be good for you...?"
Ravi didn't say anything to his mother.
"...We will leave for Australia in the evening..."
Then slowly, Ravi composed himself. His parents returned, but Ravi started looking into the work they had to do in Australia. Slowly, Ravi started taking care of his father's entire business. He never forgot Ria from his mind, but he never mentioned her to his parents. He was completely immersed in work. Then his parents liked Divya, so his engagement with Divya happened. His marriage to Divya was going to happen in a few months. Meanwhile, he came to live in Chandigarh for work, where he saw Ria in the office.
Ria looked the same, thin and pale, as she used to be. In college, she always wore a suit-salwar, and today she was also wearing a suit. She had tied her hair instead of leaving it open. Otherwise, in college, she always kept her hair open.
When Ria came to her seat after talking to him, she was very disturbed. He watched her on the CCTV camera. She sat for a long time, covering her face with both hands. Then, checking the time, she started working.
Ravi was very upset. Then he tried to normalize himself because he was divorced from Ria. Ria herself had sent him the signed papers.
"...I shouldn't be upset seeing Ria now..."
He was telling himself. When the office time ended, he came out of his cabin. He saw Ria quickly going ahead of him. He was moving towards his car. He saw Ria start her scooter and leave. Ravi also walked towards his penthouse.
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No response from Groq.
"...You know how much work pressure there is right now... And you want to take leave at this time?... Sir, I have some personal work... I needed two-three days leave for that..."
"...Look, Riya, you can get at most one day leave..." saying this, he sent Riya back.
Riya returned to her seat. She was very upset. She came back to her seat, rested her head on the back of her chair, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. Ravi could see her on the CCTV camera. Ravi felt that she was very upset. Maybe he should have granted her leave. After a little while, he returned to his work.
In the evening, after getting off from the office, Riya was standing near her scooter, talking on the phone.
"...No, I can't go... I didn't get leave... You have to go... Why don't you understand... I will come in between one day... You prepare to leave tomorrow morning... I will come at this time tonight... You guys leave in the morning... I will leave after office in the evening... to come to you... but I will return by evening the next day... Please don't worry about me... Mom... I told you... Look, I have to go now... I am getting late... You know I can't afford to be late... Please, both of you prepare to leave in the morning..."
Riya hung up the phone and took a deep breath. She put the phone in her purse, started her scooter, and left. Ravi couldn't understand anything from her words about what the girl was doing. She was very upset, though.
"...Why does she need leave so badly... He had thought... that I would give her two-three days leave... Maybe there could be some problem in her family..."
He approved Riya's leave. Riya did not come to work for the next three days. Nor did he see Riya coming into the building. Tonight, he had to go to a birthday party for his friend's son. He lived on the same floor as Ravi's penthouse. His penthouse was also with him. He bought a gift for his son and prepared to go there. When he arrived, the party for the two children had already started. Ravi felt very happy seeing the children playing like that.
He was thinking that if everything in his life was fine, he too would have children.
"...Maybe he has two sons... or two daughters... whatever it might be... who would call him father..." He was happy seeing the children. Just then, a child came running and bumped into him.
"...What's the matter, son...?"
"...Uncle, hide me behind you... otherwise Raveena will catch me..." The child hid behind him.
"...Uncle, where is the devil who was here just now...?"
"...Which devil are you talking about?... There is no devil here..."
"...Everyone here is an angel..." Ravi said, laughing.
"...It's okay, Uncle... I will find her... wherever she is hiding..." The girl said, putting her hands on her waist.
"...Can I sit with you on the sofa...?" she asked Ravi.
"...Yes, yes, child... you sit..." She sat next to him.
"...Uncle, you also live in this building...?" she asked Ravi.
"...Yes, I live here..."
"...I have seen you once or twice here..."
"...I have just arrived..."
"...So you must have children too... Introduce us to them, I want to play with them... They must be better than my devil brother..."
"...No, child, I don't have any children..."
"...Uncle, I feel like I have seen you somewhere..."
"...I feel the same..." The child who was hiding came out and said.
"...I also feel like this... I have seen Uncle somewhere... Uncle, you were saying you just arrived here..." the child was saying.
"...I didn't know this place was hidden..." Ravi lied. The child took Raveena's hand and led her aside.
"...First, listen to me..." the child said. Both children turned towards Ravi while talking. Just then, his friend, at whose house the birthday party was, arrived.
"...Ravi, what are you doing here?... Come inside... There are only children here... We are drinking..."
"...No, I was just talking to these children..." Ravi started laughing.
"...Yes, these two are very lovely children... They live in this building... Both siblings are twins..."
"...Yes, they were fighting with each other just now, and now they are friends..." Ravi went inside with Mahesh while talking.
Ravi went inside with Mahesh. Mahesh started introducing him to his family. Mahesh's mom said to Ravi,
"...Ravi, son, you should also get married now... Look how lovely children are... How lively the house is today because of the children..."
"...He likes children a lot anyway... Outside, he met Raveena and Ranveer... He was talking to them while sitting there..."
"...That's true, both of them are very lovely children... but unfortunately, they are unlucky... Don't know what kind of father they had... and what grandparents... who estranged them..." Hearing Mahesh's mom's words, he looked at them.
"...So, with whom do these children live here...?" Ravi asked.
"...They live with their mother and maternal grandparents... They have a flat in this building... Now their maternal grandfather has retired... so their mom works day and night for them... First, she goes to the office... and in the evening, she teaches at some coaching class..."
"...lives with his mother and grandparents... their flat is in this building... now her father has retired... so his mom works day and night for them... first she goes to the office... in the evening she teaches at some coaching class..." Mahesh's mom said.
"...This is a very wrong thing... she shouldn't have had to go through that... and who could abandon such lovely children..." Ravi said, thinking about the children. "...By the way, the children's mom doesn't talk about any of this... she doesn't talk about her past life at all... the children's grandmother is the mother's friend... because of her, they know these things... otherwise, very few people in the building know about this..." Mahesh's wife, Rekha, started telling about the children.
They were still talking when Raveena came to them.
"...Okay Auntie... we're going now..."
"...So soon? Stay a little longer..." Rekha said.
"...See what happened... Mom must be coming soon... and you know Mom doesn't like us staying up late at all... so we'll both go now..."
"...Alright children, your uncle will drop you off..."
"...We are not such small children anymore to be dropped off... we only have to go one floor down... we'll take the lift... Mom says we should be strong... so we are not afraid of anyone..."
Ravi was surprised to hear her talk like a little child.
"...That's good, dear... your mother has instilled good habits in you... young children should sleep early... you have a lot to do when you grow up..."
"...Absolutely, my mom also tells me the same thing... then when I grow up... I have to do a lot of work... then I won't let Mom work so much..." Ravi smiled on hearing the child's words.
Despite Raveena's refusal, Mahesh went to drop the two children off. Ravi, while talking, started looking out of the drawing-room window. He saw Riya entering the building at the same time. She was on a scooter and had something tied to the back of her scooter. She stopped her scooter there and started untying the things tied at the back with the help of the building's security guard.
Ravi was watching her from upstairs. When he untied the things tied at the back, he saw they were two small children's bicycles. They were the size that three or four-year-old children ride bicycles. One bicycle was blue and the other was pink. She unloaded both bicycles from the scooter there. She herself went to park the scooter. Then she came and picked up one bicycle herself, and the other one was picked up by the building's security guard.
They were both going inside the building with the bicycles. Just then, Raveena and Ravi came running and hugged Riya. Ravi was surprised to see this. He couldn't hear anything from upstairs, but both children were very happy. Riya knelt. Both children hugged her, and both kissed Riya's cheeks one after another. Then both children went towards their respective bicycles. Ravi could see the happiness on both children's faces from above, and Riya's face was also beaming with joy.
She was very happy seeing the children happy. On closer inspection, he realized it was Riya's father with their children. How could he forget him? For a moment, the entire incident flashed in Ravi's mind. "...These two children are twins... their father and grandparents abandoned them..." Ravi was thinking these words.
Ravi felt an urgency to leave from there.
"...Okay Mahesh, I'm leaving... So soon? Stay for dinner..." Mahesh said to Ravi.
"...No Mahesh, I have very important work... I just got a call... so I have to go..." He gave the gift to Mahesh's son and returned to his penthouse. As soon as he entered his home, he made a phone call. After making the call, Ravi said to him, "...I am sending you someone's information... I need all the details about her... so I need to know every detail of her life in the last five years... and do not tell me anything wrong... tell me only the truth... and when you are telling me about anyone... even if it is someone close to me... do not hesitate..."
Today's Ravi was not the same Ravi as five years ago. Today he was a successful businessman and could easily find out about whom he wanted to know. Ravi sent Riya's picture and all the information about her.
As soon as Ravi entered his house, he sat on the sofa, holding his head. It didn't take him long to understand that those were his children. "...This means Riya didn't have an abortion... she raised both those children alone..." His mind was going haywire... but his mom had said that Riya had an abortion... so what was the meaning of her words?... Riya had sent him divorce papers... and said that she did not want any relationship with him... his mom had told him this too..." And then he had left the country and gone to Australia. Riya had tried to contact him, but he had not spoken to Riya. Now he was filled with regret. "...He should have spoken to Riya once... he shouldn't have ignored Riya like that..." he was thinking.
