Chapter 3

Chapter 3:Shadows of the Past

The days that followed were awhirlwind of whispered secrets and stolen moments. Siddhant and Roli movedthrough the Verma mansion like conspirators, their shared mission bringing themcloser than ever before.

Every night, after the householdsettled, they met in the attic or the garden, piecing together fragments of astory long buried. The mystery of Rani Singh — the woman in the photo and thelocket — grew deeper with every discovery.

One afternoon, Siddhant returned froma meeting with a new piece of the puzzle: a crumpled, old newspaper clippinghidden inside a dusty book in the library.

Roli carefully smoothed it out. Theheadline read: “Tragic Love Story Haunts Verma Family Legacy.”

The article recounted the tale of RaniSingh, a young woman from a rival family who vanished mysteriously decades ago.Rumors had whispered of a forbidden love and a betrayal that fractured the twofamilies forever.

Roli looked up, her eyes searchingSiddhant’s. “This… this must be why your family erased her existence.”

Siddhant clenched his jaw. “But why?What happened to her?”

Their search for answers soon tookthem to the oldest servant in the mansion — Dadi Ma, whose memory held themansion’s deepest secrets.

In the dim light of the evening, theyfound her sitting by the fireplace, knitting quietly.

“Dadi Ma,” Siddhant began gently,“we’ve found something… about Rani Singh.”

Her knitting faltered, and a shadowcrossed her face. “Rani… she was like a daughter to me. But the truth isdangerous.”

Roli leaned forward, heart pounding.“Please, tell us. We need to know.”

Dadi Ma’s eyes misted as she spoke.“Rani and your grandfather were deeply in love. But their families hated eachother. One night, Rani disappeared. Some say she ran away; others believe…something worse.”

Siddhant’s fists clenched. “Wassomeone responsible?”

Dadi Ma nodded slowly. “There wereenemies inside the house… jealous and afraid of their union. I warned yourgrandfather, but he was blinded by love.”

Roli reached out, squeezing Siddhant’shand. “We’ll uncover the truth, together.”

That night, under the same moonlit skywhere their journey began, Siddhant and Roli sat close, the weight of the pastheavy but the promise of the future bright.

“Siddhant,” Roli whispered, “it’s okayto be scared. But don’t shut me out. I’m here.”

He looked at her, the darkness in hiseyes softening. “I’m scared… of what we might find. But I’m more scared oflosing you.”

She smiled, brushing a stray lock ofhair from his forehead. “Then don’t lose me.”

Their lips met in a tender kiss, aquiet promise amid the storm. The garden seemed to hold its breath, the jasminescent swirling around them as if blessing their union.

But even as their hearts opened, theshadow of danger loomed.

The next morning, an anonymous noteslid under Roli’s door shattered the fragile peace.

“Stop digging orface the consequences.”

Fear flashed in Roli’s eyes as sheshowed Siddhant the note.

“We’re getting close,” Siddhant saidgrimly. “Someone doesn’t want the past uncovered.”

Roli nodded, her resolve hardening.“Then we have to be smarter.”

Together, they planned their next move— a visit to the old village where Rani Singh grew up, hoping to find clueshidden in the past.

As they prepared to leave, Siddhantpulled Roli close. “No matter what happens, I’m with you.”

She smiled, heart swelling. “Always.”

The road ahead was uncertain, tangledwith secrets and danger. But Siddhant and Roli faced it together — their love abeacon in the dark, their trust unbreakable.

And somewhere in the shadows, eyeswatched, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.