Chapter 2

The reflection of the woman in the mirror made her breath hitch. Draped in a beautiful saree, a red saree. Bangles clinking softly as she adjusted a fold near her shoulder. The burst of color from her wrists with colorful glass bangles. The faint, earthy smell of henna rising from her palms. Almost forcing her to revisit an old memory.

She touched her ears and saw how light played with those delicate designs that swayed gently with her movement. A thin glint from the nosepin added to the glow.

Then her gaze settled on her ring. A princess-cut diamond, was sitting perfectly on her finger. As if on impulse, her gaze went to the thin black and gold beads of the mangalsutra peeking beneath her pallu.

She touched the pendent, her once-cherished dream to wear this.

Five years.

To the day.

That day had rewritten everything. And some days, it still echoed louder than others.

“You look beautiful.” a voice whispered near her ear.

Khushi nearly got startled. But then smiled faintly, grounding herself back into the present.

“Thank you.” she replied, turning to meet his eyes. “You’re not looking bad either.”

He laughed heartily. A dimple appeared on his cheek.

That dimple. It had been the first thing she noticed when she met him. Always appearing without warning. He never held it back.

She turned away to open a drawer and reached for her purse.

“By the way you didn’t tell me, where are we going?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder.

“A special day needs a special place, Madam!” he said, eyes twinkling. “You’ll see.”

She almost rolled her eyes seeing his excitement. And then gave her radiant smile and nodded.

And like always his eyes refused to move from her face, her smile. Heck, they were always glued on her as if on autopilot.

Because she was the most special. The woman who had caught his eye the moment he saw her. The woman he had pursued with any and every trick. Patience, charm, even lies, he had used everything in his hand. Until she said yes. Until she became his.

Five years to that day.

If he could, he would pull down every star in the sky. Lay them at her feet. Just to mark the day he got what he wanted most.

His biggest achievement.

“By the way, happy anniversary, Khushi.” he said, softly and held out his hand.

She looked at it for a moment, then at his face. And then put her hand in his, instantly letting him hold it in a tight hold.

“Happy anniversary, Dhruv ji.” she said, her voice barely steady.

--*--

Arnav stormed out of the party and walked straight to the terrace.

He needed air. And space.

The cold breeze hit his face, but it did nothing to cool the fire raging inside him. His fists were clenched, and his jaw became tight. The echo of Anjali’s words still rang in his ears.

‘Khushi is married now. She has moved on.’

He reached the edge of the terrace and leaned on the railing, staring out into the night. The city lights flickered in the distance.

A soft rustle below caught his attention, and he narrowed his eyes.

There, just outside the gate, behind the hedges he saw a flicker of movement. A camera lens. Perhaps more than one.

He scoffed under his breath. F*cking paparazzi. Lurking like vultures. Ready to pounce on any scrap of his life they could twist and sell. They had always circled like this. Every time he bled, they swarmed closer. Smelling his pain.

His grip on the railing tightened.

But he won't give them anything. They had gotten enough from his pain 5 years ago, that was enough.

He looked skywards, endless sky stretching blank and ...well, endless.

And just like that, she was there again. Not in front of him. But in every breath he took. Every heartbeat that still beat out her name when no one was watching.

Khushi.

He hated that she still had this hold on him. Even after everything. Even after the betrayal. Even after her marriage.

And yet, here he was. Still trying to keep himself from falling apart. Desperately. Every day.

A movement behind him pulled him back.

“Tum mere peeche kyun aayi ho Lavanya?” he asked without turning back.

She took a place next to him, mirroring his pose. “I know you are strong, ASR. But it’s alright to let someone stand by you sometimes. I’m just trying to be with you.”

He gave a short, dark laugh. “And what’s in it for you? The prize to tell the world how you made Arnav Singh Raizada share his sorrows with you?”

She gasped. “ASR!”

He shook his head in denial. He didn’t want to deal with this dilemma of whether he should consider finding a companion in Lavanya yet or not.

“Leave me alone, Lavanya. I have nothing to give you.”

His words of denial barely made her move. After all it was not the first time he said this. And like always, she said with honesty, “I only want your happiness, Arnav.”

Something in her tone made him turn his head slightly. She was standing close, her hand resting on the cold railing beside his. He looked at her face, her eyes were full of emotions he didn’t want to name, then at her hand. Would it help if he reached out? Could he even trust her anymore?

He looked away for a second. When he turned back, she was closer. Too close. So close their breaths mingled. The air shifted, and he found his hand reaching out to touch hers.

And then, a bright flash.

A camera.

It snapped him out of the haze like a bucket of cold water.

He stepped back at once. As if he saw a ghost! ‘Damn it’! he swore.

“Sorry.” he muttered, and walked past her into the house.

Lavanya stood frozen for a moment, fighting the sting in her eyes.

“I promise you, Arnav.” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I’ll bring you out of this darkness. I’ll make you my ASR again. The man who once kissed me without hesitation. My ASR before Khushi came into your life. You left me for her, and she broke you. But I won’t let her break you again, ASR. I promise.”

--*--

Their car stopped in front of Awadh Darbar, one of the finest restaurants in Lucknow. Known for its authentic Awadhi cuisine, it had always been her favorite.

The moment she saw where they were, her face lit up with pure joy. A wide smile broke across her lips, and Dhruv felt something warm spread inside him.

He rolled down his window, handed the keys to the valet, and stepped out. Walking around the car, he opened the door for her like he always did.

Once again, her hand slipped into his. Soft, precious, delicate.

“Thank you, Dhruv ji. This is the best surprise.” she said, her eyes sparkling.

“You are welcome, Mrs. Malik.” he replied, smiling into her eyes.

This evening was going to be perfect. Just him and his Khushi.

A waiter greeted them at the entrance and led them through the softly lit dining area. The fragrance of saffron and slow-cooked spices filled the air, adding to their hunger.

He pulled a chair for her, and she sat down carefully, holding her pallu in place.

They were seated near the window. The restaurant was not too crowded, much to his happiness. Or perhaps, it had to do with something he had requested the manager to not let more than a couple of tables be occupied. So, she doesn’t suspect he has booked entire restaurant, nor is it too crowded.

The waiter returned with menus and glasses of water and then gestured to the TV on the wall, asking if they wanted to change the channel. Neither of them was watching, so they shook their heads.

They then continue to chat quietly while looking at the options. She pointed out a few dishes she remembered loving. He nodded, agreeing with her.

He didn’t need anything else in his life. His aim was to ensure she had everything she desired, everything she likes.

He watched her eyes dance as she spoke about something he didn’t even care to follow. Her hand rested on the table, close to his, and for a second, he felt the urge to reach for it again.

But just as he moved, she pulled back, saying she needed water.

He sighed and nodded.

And just as she reached for her glass, something on the TV caught her eye.

Her hand stopped mid-air.

She turned her head slowly, eyes locking onto the screen.

There, in bold red letters, the news banner screamed:

Business tycoon Arnav Singh Raizada caught on camera with rumored girlfriend Lavanya Kashyap.

A grainy image filled the screen. A close-up of Arnav and Lavanya. Too close. Their faces only inches apart. Her hand almost touching his.

The moment was frozen in time.

Khushi’s breath caught in her throat. The color drained from her face.

Dhruv noticed the shift instantly. He turned to follow her gaze.

And then he saw it.

The screen. The headline. The image.

Arnav.

His jaw tightened. The muscle in his face ticked as anger surged in his chest.

Of course. Of course it had to be him. Arnav always found a way to invade his peace. Even tonight. Even after all these years.

The smile from moments ago disappeared from Dhruv’s face.

Dhruv felt a hollow in his chest return. That same fear. That same rage.

His hands curled into fists under the table.

Arnav Singh Raizada.

His brother.

No, his stepbrother.

And once again, he had ruined everything.

--*--

A/N - Updated a day earlier than plan. Next chapter will be after Diwali. Please keep your reviews coming. And wish you all a very Happy Diwali! 🪔