Epilogue

Epilogue

Khushi sat poised in the front row of the auditorium, her gaze fixed on her husband, standing tall and composed behind the podium. His voice, smooth as silk, carried effortlessly through the room, weaving eloquent thoughts on the significance of the day’s occasion. She had watched him in moments like this before—commanding the attention of hundreds without a tremor, without the slightest hesitation. It was a quality she found irresistibly attractive.

But it wasn’t just his poise that captivated her. Beneath that confident exterior was a heart full of tenderness, a mind sharpened with brilliance. He was not only her partner but a man she had come to admire deeply. Khushi longed for that same strength, that same ease with which Arnav moved through the world. As the serving chairperson of the managing board at SSR Memorial School, Khushi needed that air of confidence, that clarity of thought to run the ever-growing school of boisterous children. Thus, as she watched him, the flicker of admiration was accompanied by a quiet determination—she would learn to be more like him. Oneday, she promised herself, she would master the grace and composure he seemed to exude effortlessly.

As Arnav spoke of the school’s future—the new facilities, the scholarship programs—his gaze drifted toward her, locking onto her face with a fleeting glance. In that brief moment, she saw pride reflected in his eyes. He was happy, content, standing before this audience as he honoured his father’s memory by inaugurating the new school. The joy radiating from him was palpable, utter satisfaction etched into his expression. And Khushi, watching him from her place below, felt not only inspired but profoundly connected to the man who stood above her, a vision of the person she aspired to become.

After the sudden loss of his father, followed swiftly by the passing of his beloved Nani, Arnav had been left hollowed out, his spirit dulled by grief. It was a pain that seeped into the very core of him, making it difficult to find any sense of peace. Yet, in those dark moments, it was the quiet presence of his wife, the unwavering support of his brother, Doctor Kumar's gentle guidance, and even the steady hand of Khushi’s father, that helped him weather the storm of loss. Khushi admired him deeply for the resilience he had shown in those harrowing times. It was not an easy feat to keep standing when his world crumbled around him.

Last year, Arnav had made the announcement: he would build another school in Lucknow, this one in honour of his father. He had already given generously to the hospital in Delhi that had cared for his Nani in her final days, dedicating an entire wing in her name. It was his way of making peace with the sorrow that still lingered in the corners of his life, a gesture to turn pain into something lasting and meaningful. Khushi had stood by him through it all, encouraging him, assuring him that she was with him every step of the way.

This new school, the second in just two years, was no small achievement. Watching Arnav manage both, the expanding school and his dual businesses—one rooted in Lucknow, the other in Delhi—filled her with awe. His schedule was relentless, marked by weekly flights between the two cities. After Nani’s death, they had spent three long months in Delhi, where the familiar walls of Shantivan had seemed strangely hollow to him. With Devyani Raizada gone, the house no longer felt like a home to Arnav.

"Without Nani, this place is not my home," he had told her one evening, his voice low but resolute. "She was the one who brought me in, raised me, loved me. Everyone else here... they are different now. No one needs me, least of all, Mami."

Khushi understood the unspoken hurt in his words. Though Mami had softened somewhat toward Arnav after he had supported Lavanya and Akash's marriage, the undercurrent of estrangement remained. Arnav had no desire to linger in a place where love felt conditional, where the air carried the weight of too many unspoken expectations.

“With you by my side, I’ll be happier in Lucknow,” Arnav had said, and his words had filled Khushi’s heart with warmth.

“Akash, Shashi Uncle, Doctor Kumar—they’re my more family than anyone here.”

Khushi couldn’t have been more in agreement. And so, they had returned to Lucknow, moving back the following month. It took time for Arnav to reconfigure his work life—promoting staff, hiring new talent—but he had ensured his Delhi business would run smoothly in his absence. Their return had been perfectly timed with the inauguration of SSR Memorial School, and Khushi had eagerly embraced her new responsibilities there. Though the adjustment had its challenges, she found herself growing into the role, feeling a sense of purpose she hadn’t known before.

Her thoughts drifted to Akash and Lavanya, seated just two chairs away. The couple had come a long way, their love surviving Lavanya’s six-month course in Sydney. Though Akash had wanted to follow her, the family business had kept him tied to Delhi. After Lavanya returned, the two had married, and they had recently celebrated their one-year anniversary—a milestone that still filled Khushi with joy for the couple.

As Arnav concluded his speech, the hall erupted in applause. Khushi glanced towards Doctor Kumar, whose face radiated pride and joy. Arnav had recently asked him to serve as chairperson of the managing board for the new school, but Doctor Kumar had politely declined, preferring to devote his time entirely to his hospital work. Arnav had accepted the decision with grace and found someone else to take up the mantle.

Arnav descended the stage, his eyes finding hers once more. There, in the brief exchange of glances, was a shared moment of pride and affection. Khushi smiled, her heart swelling with admiration. She was proud of her husband, not just for the man he was today, but for the way he had risen from the depths of grief and built something lasting—something beautiful out of the fragments of his loss.

~~**~~

Akash and Lavanya made their way back to Sheesh Mahal in their own car, the evening settling into a comfortable silence between them. Akash’s face still held traces of the quiet contentment he had felt throughout the day, and Lavanya found herself smiling just watching him. Their first year of marriage had been blissful, a harmony of two contrasting yet complementing souls. Akash, with his calm, thoughtful demeanor, was everything Lavanya wasn’t, and that was precisely what made their life together so dynamic, so endlessly interesting.

"Ma has been asking me to visit," Lavanya ventured, knowing the subject would cause a shift in Akash’s mood, if only slightly. She had been putting off this conversation for too long, and though she could laugh about it now, the truth was no one—including Lavanya herself—particularly liked her mother.

"For any particular reason?" Akash asked, casting her a sideways glance, already anticipating the direction of this conversation.

"Not really," she shrugged. "She just says it’s been too long."

"Do you want to go?" Akash asked, ever pragmatic.

Lavanya sighed, a soft laugh escaping her. "No, but I’ve run out of excuses." She made a face, knowing full well that no amount of creativity could placate her mother’s persistent demands.

"Then tell her you don’t feel like going," Akash suggested, the humor creeping into his voice."Maybe she'll understand."

They exchanged glances, both dissolving into shared laughter. The very thought of Manorama accepting such a straightforward refusal was absurd. Lavanya shook her head, still grinning.

"Keep brainstorming," Akash teased. "You might come up with something that works." Then, after a pause, he added, “Bhai looked really happy today, didn’t he?”

Lavanya nodded, her smile softening.

"Yes, he did. And so did you. This school has been your dream too, Akash. You've put in just as much effort to make it happen." She reached out, letting her hand trail over his shoulder, a touch that spoke of her pride in him.

Akash gave a modest nod, but Lavanya wasn’t convinced. She knew him too well. “What else is on your mind?” she asked, her voice coaxing him gently.

He shook his head, attempting to deflect, but Lavanya wasn’t easily fooled. She gave him a playful nudge.

"Come on, you're terrible at keeping secrets from me," she crooned, teasing him as a reminder of the time she had figured out his surprise honeymoon plans long before he had intended her to.

Akash smiled, knowing she was right.

"That was one time," he conceded, though he knew he would spill his thoughts eventually. There was no hiding from Lavanya, not for long.

Taking a deep breath, he began to speak. "A few years ago, I never would have imagined this day. It all feels like a dream."

Lavanya turned her head to look at him, intrigued. "Which part?"

"All of it," he said, his tone softened by a quiet sense of disbelief.

"Bhai living here with us in Lucknow, him inaugurating a school for Baba. Khushi and Bhai getting married. And us… us meeting, falling in love, getting married. Everything! It’s all surreal. I keep wondering how I got so lucky. Every person I love is here, and they are happy. Doesn’t it ever feel like it is too good to be true? Like… a dream?"

As they drove through the huge gates of Sheesh Mahal, Lavanya looked at him with the warmth of understanding. “Yes, when you put it like that, it does sound like a dream,” she replied thoughtfully. “But, Akash, all of this did not just happen. You, Arnav, Khushi—you’ve all worked so hard to get here. Everything you see today, it’s earned, not just given.”

Her words reminded Akash of the difficult path they had walked—of the years of tension between Arnav and their father, Birendra Singh Malik, and the struggle to mend those wounds before it was too late. Those days had left their marks on all of them, shaping the present moment into something far more valuable.

Akash nodded as the car rolled to a stop in the grand foyer of Sheesh Mahal. Climbing out, he reached for Lavanya’s hand, intertwining his fingers with hers as they walked toward the entrance of the house. In the golden light spilling from the doorways, there was a quiet moment of intimacy between them.

“I don’t know what I ever did to deserve you,” Akash said, his voice low, sincere. “But I’m the luckiest man in the world.”

Lavanya smiled at him, her heart swelling with affection. "Maybe you earned me too," she replied softly, her voice filled with the same warmth that had carried them through their first year of marriage. Together, they stepped into the house, side by side, knowing that the life they had built was not just a dream, but a reality shaped by their love and hard-won happiness.

~~**~~

That night, Arnav lay beside Khushi as she chatted with her father on the phone.

"You do not have to pack anything right now, Babuji. I will come tomorrow after school and help you," she said, shaking her head, her voice filled with fond exasperation. Arnav watched her intently, a soft smile tugging at his lips. He loved moments like these—watching her expressions, the way she spoke to her father, always so earnest, so caring. Every now and then, he would reach out and gently adjust her hair, which kept falling across her face, his fingers lingering just a little longer than necessary.

"Yes, Doctor Uncle finished his packing today. I helped him too," Khushi continued, speaking about the trip her father and Doctor Kumar were planning to the Jagannath Puri temple. Her father had long expressed a desire to visit, and Khushi had immediately suggested that Doctor Kumar accompany him. She knew her father would appreciate the company, and more importantly, she would feel better knowing he would not be traveling alone. At first, Doctor Kumar had refused, reluctant to impose, but Khushi had found her solution in Arnav. She knew that when Arnav asked, Doctor Kumar could never say no.

The tickets had been booked, the itinerary finalized, and now the duo was set to leave in just three days. Khushi, as always, was overseeing the preparations with meticulous care, which Arnav found both amusing and endearing. She treated the two elderly men as if they were completely helpless, managing every detail with the efficiency of a seasoned planner.

"Okay, Babuji. I will see you tomorrow. Good night!" Khushi said before disconnecting the call. As she placed her phone on the bedside table, Arnav inched closer to her, his arm sliding across her waist.

“All sorted?” he asked, his voice laced with amusement.

“You know Babuji! He insists on doing everything himself,” she said, exhaling a long, tired sigh.

“I don’t think that is wro—"Arnav began, but quickly changed course when he saw the narrowing of Khushi’s eyes. “Yeah, okay, it’s wrong. He definitely needs help,” he said, laughing softly as he pulled her closer.

“When are they leaving again?” he asked, casually stroking her arm.

“Today is the 26th, they leave on the 29th, and then they come back on—” Khushi’s words abruptly stopped. Her eyes widened in alarm.

“What?” Arnav asked, watching as panic flickered across her face.

“Today is the 26th?” she exclaimed, sitting up in bed, her hand flying to her mouth.

“Yes, it is the 26th. Why? What is wrong with the 26th?” Arnav asked, now fully alert and sitting up as well.

“I cannot believe I did not realize it’s the 26th already,” Khushi mumbled, before jumping out of bed and rushing into the bathroom.

“Khushi!” Arnav called after her, his concern growing. What was happening? He got up and followed her, standing just outside the locked bathroom door. “Khushi? What are you doing in there?”

When there was no response, his worry deepened. He knocked again, louder this time. “Khushi, you’re freaking me out!”

Still, no answer.

Just as Arnav was considering breaking down the door, it creaked open. Khushi stood in the doorway, her face pale, her eyes wide with shock. In her hand, she held something small—something Arnav quickly recognized.

“What?” Arnav asked, his heart racing as he closed the space between them.

“I... I missed my period,” Khushi whispered, barely audible, her eyes brimming with disbelief. She held up the pregnancy test.

Arnav took the test from her hand, staring at the two pink lines that confirmed the news. His breath caught in his throat, and for a moment, he was speechless. But then, slowly, a smile broke across his face, wide and dazzling.

“Two lines,” he said, his voice filled with amazement. “Khushi, you’re pregnant.”

Khushi’s lips parted as she tried to speak, but no words came out. Instead, she stood there, overwhelmed, her hand covering her mouth as she processed the enormity of it all.

Arnav placed the test on the counter and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him. “I can’t believe it. You’re pregnant,” he repeated, his voice full of awe. “Oh my god! We are having a baby!”

Khushi, still reeling from the shock, took a few more moments to respond, but when she did, her arms tightened around Arnav’s waist. She buried her face in his chest, her heart pounding with both joy and disbelief.

When she finally looked up at him, her eyes were lined with tears. “I am so happy you are happy,” she whispered.

Arnav cupped her face in his hands, wiping away her tears with his thumbs. “Why wouldn’t I be happy? This is the best news!”

Khushi blinked, trying to wrap her mind around it. “But we were not even trying.”

Arnav chuckled softly. “True, but we weren’t avoiding it either. Honestly, I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I wanted to bring it up. I’ve wanted this, Khushi. Didn’t you?”

She nodded, her head dipping into his chest. “I did... but it’s so sudden.”

“Yes, it is. But it’s the best surprise I’ve ever had. We’re going to be parents, Khushi. Parents!” Arnav’s face lit up like the sun, his excitement palpable. He lifted her into his arms, carrying her to the bed and laying her down gently.

Khushi gazed up at him, tears spilling from her eyes again, but this time they were tears of relief, of happiness. She had been so afraid he might be overwhelmed by the news—especially with how busy both their lives had become. But seeing the sheer joy on his face, she knew he was ready, and if he was ready, so was she.

“We’re going to be parents,” he whispered again, his lips brushing against her forehead. He kissed her cheeks, her nose, and then finally her lips, pouring all his love into that kiss.

Khushi clung to him, her heart swelling with happiness as more tears fell, tears that Arnav wiped away with tender fingers. This was the beginning of a new chapter, and she knew, with Arnav by her side, they would face it together.

~~**~~

Doctor Kumar stood in the quiet room on the third floor of Sheesh Mahal, surrounded by memories. The room had once belonged to Birendra Singh Malik, but it had never truly been theirs—Doctor Kumar and Malik had spent the better part of their lives keeping their love a secret. Even though they had known each other for over fifty years, the moments they had shared as a couple were few, stolen from time, overshadowed by fear of discovery. Now, two years since Malik’s passing, those fleeting moments weighed heavily on Doctor Kumar’s mind.

He often came to this room, not torelive the memories, but to find solace in the quiet. In the aftermath ofMalik’s death, this room had haunted him. But since Arnav and Khushi had moved to Lucknow, Sheesh Mahal had transformed. Its once desolate halls were filledwith life, and it seemed as though the oppressive grief that lingered in everycorner had slowly begun to lift.

Doctor Kumar still missed Malik deeply, but he found some peace knowing that Malik's legacy lived on through Arnav. The young man had been Malik’s pride, and since moving to Lucknow, Arnav had made a concerted effort to spend time with Doctor Kumar, often asking about his father’s life. Their bond, though initially grounded in shared loss, had evolved into something deeper, something more familial. And while Akash had been in Doctor Kumar’s life for longer, it was Arnav he felt an inexplicable connection with—a connection that had grown stronger in these two years.

Today,after the inauguration of the memorial school in Malik’s name, Doctor Kumar felt Malik’s presence more than usual. He stood by the windows, staring out at the Aamra Kunj, lost in thought when he heard footsteps behind him.

“Arnav?” he called, without turning around. It was always Arnav who found him here. Akash, for reasons of his own, still avoided this room.

“Thinking of Baba again?” Arnav asked, his voice gentle as he came closer.

Doctor Kumar sighed softly, his gaze still fixed on the view outside. “Today warrants his memory more than other days,” he replied, alluding to the school’s inauguration earlier that day.

Arnav nodded, understanding the significance. “You are right. Today is an important day,” he said, moving to stand beside Doctor Kumar. The older man glanced at Arnav, noticing the glimmer of pride and a soft smile on his face.

“You did well today,” Doctor Kumar remarked, his voice warm with affection. “That speech you gave about your father—it was beautiful. If Malik had been here, he would have cried with happiness. I know I almost did.”

Arnav smiled at the older man, but he could not help noticing how much Doctor Kumar had aged in the last two years. There was a weariness in his movements, a slowness that had not been there before. Doctor Kumar moved away from the windows and toward the wooden couch, his eyes scanning the room, as if looking for pieces of the past that were no longer there.

Arnav took a deep breath, ready to share the news he had been carrying with him. “There is something else Baba would’ve loved to hear today,” he said softly.

Doctor Kumar turned his gaze to Arnav, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “What is it?” he asked, noticing the glimmer in Arnav’s eyes return.

“That his grandchild is on the way,”Arnav said, his voice filled with quiet joy. “Khushi is pregnant.”

Doctor Kumar blinked, his mind registering the words. His eyes widened slightly, and then, for the first time in a long while, his face broke into an expression of pure, unfiltered happiness. “Grandchild... Khushi is pregnant? We are getting another Malik?That is—” he paused, struggling to find the right words, his emotions overwhelming him.

Arnav chuckled at the sight of the usually composed Doctor Kumar at a loss for words. “It is amazing, isn’t it? We just found out, and I couldn’t wait to tell you.”

Doctor Kumar nodded, his head bobbing up and down as he processed the news. “Yes, amazing! I—thank you for sharing this with me. We have to make sure Khushi gets the best care. The first three months are very important. I will put together a diet plan and we will need to schedule routine check-ups. There are tests that need to be done early on, just to make sure everything is on track, and—”

“Doctor Uncle,” Arnav interrupted gently, a fond smile playing on his lips, “that is not why I’m telling you this first. Yes, you are a doctor, but I wanted to share this with you because...after Baba and Nani, you are the closest thing I have to a parent. You are a very important part of this Mahal, of my life, and of Khushi’s life too. You will be this baby’s grandfather, and that’s why I wanted you to be the first to know.”

Doctor Kumar’s face softened, and Arnav saw the moisture begin to gather in the old man’s eyes. The words struck deep, leaving Doctor Kumar speechless once more, this time from the sheer weight of emotion.

Before Doctor Kumar could say more, Arnav stepped forward and wrapped his arms around him, pulling him into a hug. It was a gesture that transcended words, one that conveyed everything Arnav could not fully express.

“Thank you, Arnav,” Doctor Kumar murmured, his voice barely audible, thick with emotion.

Arnav did not respond verbally. He did not trust his voice at that moment. He simply nodded, holding the man who had been nothing short of a father to him in the last two years, and together, they stood in the silence of the room, both of them feeling the presence of the man they had both loved and lost, knowing that his legacy would live on in ways neither of them had ever imagined.

~~**~~

“You do realize that when you tell the news to your Babuji, he is not going to go ahead with this trip, right?” Arnav said to Khushi as they drove to Khushi’s house from the hospital.

The next day, Doctor Kumar had insisted that the couple accompany him to the hospital and get an ultrasound done. Doctor Kumar had advised that it was necessary to confirm the news and to see if things were heading in the right direction. Arnav and Khushi had willingly complied. Khushi had decided to share the news with her Babuji after her test and help him pack for his upcoming trip to Puri.

“Why not? The baby is not going to be here for at least another seven months, according to Doctor Uncle. He can take tens of trips in that period of time” Khushi replied and looked at Arnav. He was giving her a look that said ‘you know I am right’ and Khushi shook her head.

“I am not going to tell him today, then. Let’s tell him after he is back from the trip”, Khushi interposed but Arnav smirked at her.

“Fine! I know I will not be able to keep this information from Babuji for that long. But, he has to go on this trip! I cannot remember when was the last time he went on a vacation” Khushi said and then her face turned more thoughtful, bordering to stressed.

“What are you thinking now?” Arnav asked.

“How am I going to tell Babuji? What am I going to say? This is so embarrassing. He would know that you and I…that we..” Khushi seemed horrified at the prospect and Arnav had to hold his laughter in.

“We have been married for two years, Khushi. I think that is a given. I mean it would be more problematic if he thinks you and I have not done it yet!” Arnav replied, tongue in cheek. Khushi’s eyes widened more upon hearing Arnav’s reply and she gently smacked his arm.

“What nonsense! Why would Babuji think about any of that. You are gross!” She answered.

“Exactly my point! He is not going to think about any of this. You are overthinking this! As far as I know him, he is simply going to be beyond happy and offer to cook your favourite food for you!” Arnav answered, his voice turning gentle and soft as he finished his sentence and Khushi had to nod. What Arnav was saying sounded more likely to happen. So, she gathered her wits and watched as her husband looked for space to park his SUV somewhere along the road and the two of them headed to Gupta house.

~~**~~

That night, as Khushi lay in her bed, she replayed the conversation with her Babuji in her head. The whole interaction had progressed exactly how Arnav had predicted t will. The only difference being that it was Arnav who had broken the news of Khushi’s pregnancy in front of Shashi Gupta. The old man had first nodded his head and then blessed the couple. After that, he had declared that there will be no trip and Khushi cannot leave without having lunch. Much to Khushi’s chagrin, Arnav had not backed her up. He had sided with her father all along as the two men had immediately started preparation for cooking an extensive lunch thanks to which Khushi still felt full. She had barely eaten any dinner after that.

She turned her eyes to look at Arnav but found him looking at her already, his eyes full of quiet happiness. She raised her eyebrows at him to ask what was he thinking now and he mouthed ‘I love you’ making Khushi smile with love. She snuggled closer to him and kissed his cheek. In response, Arnav rolled her body on top of him and cupped her face in his hands, staring deeply into her eyes.

“Bepanaah aur behisaab tha, par mera ishq benaam tha

tune jo thaama haath, ishq ye muqammal ho gaya

tujhe paaya aur, mai adhoore se poora ho gaya”

[My love was boundless and beyond measure,

But it was nameless before, without treasure.

When you held my hand, love became complete,

In finding you, I became whole, no longer incomplete]

The words settled in Khushi’s heart and it swelled with emotion. She kissed him with all her love and he kissed her back, both of them promising each other a life full of love and happiness.

________________________

Find my new story here: Lost and Found