Epilogue

Shyam was the happiest that day. Patience bears fruit he had known, even told his wife and her family that, but to experience it was something else. At one point even his patience had started to dwindle. But perhaps miracles arrive only after hope has been tested long enough.

And today, after months of waiting, and years of treatment, Anjali had given birth to a healthy baby boy. Their son, Ansh. Shyam held the baby with shaky hands and misty eyes as she sat on the bed, exhausted yet glowing.

“I can’t believe he is here, Shyam ji. It feels like dream coming true.” She said, emotionally.

And Shyam couldn’t agree more. It had been more than a decade of their marriage and more than 5 years since they started taking fertility treatment. But there was no positive result. In between, they saw their friends having kids, the couples in their own family having kids and although they celebrated with others, somewhere they both felt an ache of missing out on that joy. More so for Anjali. She had prayed for this day with all her heart.

And today, her prayer had been answered.

“Is everyone outside?” she asked, referring to her family and his parents.

He nodded, focused on the baby.

She then asked tentatively, “Has Chote- erm, Arnav come?”

Shyam’s hand, which had been gently caressing the baby’s head, stilled for a second, though he hid it quickly.

“I have informed him, rani saheba. But you know that he is on an important business trip.”

Anjali sighed and nodded. Even though she knew he wouldn’t be here, she had still hoped her brother would be a part of this special moment. But it seemed it would take him some more time to fully forgive her for manipulating his life years earlier…

It had been 5 years to that day. The day when too many lives changed in their family. The day when too many truths were brought to surface, without giving anyone any time to prepare for them. The truth about Arnav’s parentage, the truth about Lavanya’s hand in keeping Arnav away from khushi, the truth about Khushi’s pregnancy and mainly the truth about Dhruv’s suppressed emotions of resentment for them, especially for Arnav.

In the days that followed, they saw Khushi and Dhruv legally separate. Dhruv had been miserable to put it mildly. It was as if the boy they had watched grow up smiling through everything had somehow forgotten how to smile at all. And apart from his separation from khushi, he was also buried under a mountain of guilt for spewing venom against the family and people that gave him shelter, fed him, raised him.

Especially Nani.

Everyone knew how deeply Dhruv respected and loved her. He had cared for Anjali too, though somewhere she lost her place, mainly after he and Khushi left for Lucknow. But Nani had never truly turned her back on him, and Dhruv had never forgotten that grace.

He had begged forgiveness from Nani, and from the rest of the family as well. And in time, they had given him another chance to prove himself.

And now, five years after that storm, Dhruv was a key part of the Raizada family. He looked after Nani devotedly and had stood beside Anjali through every difficult step of her treatment and pregnancy. Anjali knew that at this very moment, he would be waiting right outside the door, eager for a glimpse of her child.

.

.

Khushi woke up earlier than her usual time that day. She had too many dreams last night and thus woke up shortly around dawn. And out of habit, the first thing she did was check work emails on her phone and more importantly, the meetings lined up for the day. Her first one was at 8 am, so she decided not to chase sleep again. Instead, she would get ready and have a proper breakfast for once instead of her usual cereal.

It was hard to believe it had been 5 years to the day her life changed. Or perhaps, one can say, the day her life as someone’s ex-fiancé, someone’s wife, someone’s mother and daughter had ended and her search for her own identity had begun.

What followed later was her decision to stay back in Delhi and spend time doing nothing for a while. Well, not exactly nothing. She continued working for her fashion brand, ‘Kahaani’, the one she and Dhruv had built together. Luckily, he had stopped paying attention to it.

That work became a blessing as it kept her mind from wandering towards self-loathing, regret, or the habit of questioning every turn life had taken.

Then one day, while strolling through articles on her phone, she came across one about life coaching and emotional resilience.

The difference between a life coach and a counsellor was that counselling focused on healing past wounds and emotional struggles through therapy sessions, while life coaching was more about future. It was about helping people set goals, build habits, and move ahead with positive intent.

However, her parents, especially her Amma, was still against it. She said “Naam kuch bhi ho, hai toh dimagh ke doctors (the name can be anything, they are ultimately psychiatrists), and you don’t need them”.

But Khushi remained firm and began consulting a fairly well-known life coach.

A few months later, she could see the changes within herself. She felt more confident in her decisions, more certain of who she was, and no longer looked at her past as something from which she needed sympathy.

And that helped tremendously during and after her divorce from Dhruv. Because whether she loved him or not, she was still his wife for 5 long years, had built a house with him, had shared dreams with him, had thought of living her life with him… so no matter what, it was bound to hurt. And it did.

But she was able to handle it better.

And today, at 34-years-old Khushi could look back at the last decade of her life and feel nothing but pride. She had first come to Delhi more than ten years ago as a wide-eyed young girl, carrying dreams bigger than her suitcase. There, she had known first love, first heartbreak, and the first harsh lessons of growing up. Life had twisted and turned in ways she could never have imagined. And then, when she was 29, it had changed once more. But this time, it did not break her. It reshaped her into a stronger woman.

Her life past divorce hadn’t been simple. Not just her family, but her relatives and friends also hinted at she should get remarried as soon as possible. And not all of them meant bad. She knew most of them cared about her and their views were based on their understanding of society.

But she chose not to appease others and build a life to satisfy other people’s expectations.

Since Dhruv had voluntarily chosen to leave “Kahaani” and return to AR Designs, she became solely responsible for the company. And she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to it. It was hardly a surprise that over the past 5 years, her commitment had paid off. Her brand grew along with her confidence. Even her Amma, in time, understood Khushi’s need for space and stopped pressing her about marriage.

Work took Khushi across India and often beyond it. And eventually, she bought a second home in Mumbai to make travel easier.

And that was where she met him.

Six months ago. It was completely unplanned, and not even entirely by choice. Her friend-cum-PA, Sheetal, had arranged a blind date for her and practically pushed her into going.

And then, that evening, she met him.

One thing had led to another, and now he had already asked her to marry him.

But Khushi had given no answer.

Because somewhere in that moment, the past she had carefully buried and painfully overcome had risen again, and she had chickened out.

Still, she knew she could not keep avoiding it forever.

--*--

Dhruv felt someone place a hand on his shoulder and turned around. And his tearful eyes met with a pair of equally filled eyes, which had been synonymous to kindness, shelter, and love for him.

Devyani Raizada, his nani!

He wasn’t her biological grandson, didn’t share her blood. But she had fulfilled every duty of a loving grandparent and in turn, had been the most important person in his life.

In the past 5 years, as he learnt to handle heartbreak, face shame, and confront the darkness within himself, but she had never withdrawn her support. She had neither turned her face away from him nor looked at him with suspicion when he had begged forgiveness. Instead, she had given him a chance to become better.

And he had tried with all his heart to prove worthy of it. This time, not out of gratitude alone, but because he had realized that this was truly his family where his loyalties lay.

Eventually, the others had forgiven him too. Anjali Di, Shyam, even Arnav.

Well, Arnav had been harder.

But this time, he didn’t impose himself on Arnav like he did in their childhood. He had given them space, given both their wounds time, and slowly a bond formed between them. Perhaps not as that of brothers, but enough to work together at AR, enough to acknowledge that they lived under the same roof, called the same people family, had the same father, and once loved the same woman they had both lost…

Love… that was another avenue that Dhruv learnt to think in a different way. He had learnt that it was not about whether the person you loved stayed in your life forever, but whether your feelings for them were honest, whether there was genuine respect and honesty in that bond. It was about not manipulating someone into choosing you but about learning to be at peace with their choices, even when those choices did not include you.

And just as importantly, it was about not abandoning your own life because one chapter had ended.

Thus, almost a year after his divorce from Khushi, he had told Nani and Anjali that he was ready to marry again. They had smiled without judging and asked whether someone was already in his heart or whether they should begin searching. And this time, he chose the traditional route.

What followed were a few meetings with different people, some rejections, some refusals. And then he finally met her. Nidhi. She herself was a divorcee, had survived a short-lived marriage but was hopeful for another chance. And that helped them bond.

They had a small wedding a couple of years ago and had welcomed a baby girl few months ago. With that, the family he had once chased in desperation had finally come to him in peace.

But nothing matched the happiness he was feeling today, of becoming a mama (maternal uncle) to his Di’s child. It felt less like a title and more like a prayer answered.

Now, if only Arnav came soon too. He had called Dhruv earlier in the morning and said he was on his way and wanted to surprise Anjali. The thought made Dhruv smile. There had been a time when being around each other made it awkward for them both. But now, it brought only warmth. After all, some wounds fade away when given time, patience, and the grace to heal.

--*--

The plane landed at the domestic terminal of Delhi airport and most passengers who were taking a nap due to early morning flight woke up.

But Arnav was fully awake, in fact, had been working through the entire 2-hour flight.

Well, not on AR files but something far more personal. He was writing a journal. A habit he developed a few years ago and held on to it. Perhaps life had shown him too many shades too quickly, perhaps certain losses had matured him more than success ever could or maybe just people he had loved and lost. But one fine morning, just before heading to AR, he had found himself overcome with thoughts. And the first thing he did after reaching office was write them down.

And it became a routine since then. In a way, his journal became his companion, one that never interrupted, never judged. It reminded him that seasons changed, that pain softened, and that not everything lost was meant to be chased forever.

Probably that is why he had become slightly detached from his family. He still loved them of course, which was why had rushed to Delhi the minute Shyam told him about Di delivering the baby. But he no longer looked to them for comfort or approval the way he once had.

In some ways, he was grateful that Dhruv had become the opposite of him. Because while Arnav kept moving from city to city, country to country and project to project, Dhruv had rooted himself at home, becoming support for Nani, Di, and even Mama and Mami after Akash and Payal relocated to Mumbai to oversee AR’s expanding southern operations.

Arnav, meanwhile, chose journeys. He found a strange peace in airports, hotel rooms, unfamiliar roads, and brief stays that asked nothing of him. And now, nearing forty, he had become almost too practiced at living alone.

Yes, there was a time when he had dreamt of being married. When he proposed khushi nearly a decade ago, with full conviction in his heart. Then years later, there was a time when he agreed to marry Lavanya, less from love and more from a sense of duty, as if marriage was another box to be checked.

But after that fateful day of revelations, Lavanya’s betrayal, Di’s manipulations, Khushi and Dhruv’s separation, and the many truths that had shaken them all, he had closed the part of himself that still longed for marriage. Or so he thought.

In the last 5 years, many times his Mama ji and Akash tried to talk to him about marriage. Though Di and Nani never did, probably because they had been cautious to not upset him. Mama ji tried to tell him that marriage was necessary to have his own family while Akash tried friendlier approach of convincing him to date. But he didn’t feel any urge to give in. It was not that he was trapped in the past or still waiting for Khushi. That chapter had ended long ago. It was just that he no longer believed he had it in him to love with that same fierce abandon again. After all, some flames, once spent, do not return in the same form.

There were still days when thoughts of Khushi visited him unexpectedly, along with memories of everything they had been through. And every time, they brought a faint smile to his lips. Not just of regret alone or sorrow but of something precious he had experienced.

He often wondered how Dhruv had managed to move on… Because Arnav never truly forgot her. Not in the years when he had hated her, nor in the years when he could only wish her well from afar.

But regardless, he had no plans for marriage now. He was just content with his work, his solitude, and the memories that no longer wounded him. And he didn't think anything would change this now.

.

Until a few months ago…

He was in Mumbai that week, staying with Akash-Payal. And Payal convinced him to give a dating app a chance. To be precise, she created his profile herself, ignored his protests, and even fixed a dinner date before he could object.

Arnav gave in thinking she would stop pestering him after this. Or perhaps, if he were honest, there had been curiosity too. About going on a date after so many years.

However, when he reached that place, he was shocked to his core. Because the woman waiting for him was the one who never really left his mind. Khushi!

He hadn’t seen her in so long and felt a surge of surprise, disbelief, a strange joy, and an old ache he thought was buried. In all those years, he had never tried to reach out to her, though he easily could have. After all, Khushi had now become a known name in fashion circles, and their paths had crossed at a few public events from afar. But he didn’t muster courage to go and meet her and neither did she approach him.

Then what was this? Did she plan this? Did she want to meet him?

With a heart beating far too loudly in his chest, he walked towards the table. And the stunned expression on her face told him immediately that she too had no idea who she was meeting. Apparently, one of her friends had arranged the blind date.

The first few minutes were filled with awkward short sentences and polite smiles. And just when Arnav was sure this was going awry, Khushi unexpectedly asked about a recent article he had written for a business magazine.

And that broke the ice. Before they knew it, they were chatting about fashion trends, business, changing markets, travel, and the ways the world had evolved around them. Soon, it felt less like two people who had shared (unfinished) past and more like two strangers meeting for the first time.

As if life, after everything, had offered them a blank page.

.

It took him a week to send a hesitant text to her. Half preparing for no reply. But she did.

Then they talked on a call. Just about normal topics like work, travel, everyday routines and so on. Neither did she ask about his family nor did he mention anyone.

Post that, they met only a handful of times, as both of them were holding key roles in their own work and traveling most of the time. Yet, somehow, they stayed in touch. But there was one truth they both understood without needing to say it. That whatever happened this time, there would be no bitterness, no accusations, no shattered endings. They would meet it with grace and let life move as it wished.

.

And then he proposed marriage. Honestly, he himself was surprised when he first thought of it, but it felt natural rather than impulsive.

Of course, it was not romantic like the first time he proposed to her 10 years ago. It was more realistic if anything. He talked about companionship, of mutual understanding, of how he valued the steadiness she brought into his life and told her he believed they could make a good team.

Khushi, although looked surprised, did share her hesitations too. Like children, that she might not be ready for them, and given their ages, it might not happen at all. And he replied that he was not particularly seeking that future either.

They discussed cities next. Where would they live, with both their careers demanding so much movement. And when she suggested Mumbai, he agreed. It made sense from business perspective (and perhaps, a little distance from families might help them figure out whatever this was in peace).

In the end, she asked for time and he agreed to wait. Strangely though, neither of them had said I love you and hadn't felt the need.

.

With those thoughts, he deboarded the plane, collected his bags, and hailed a cab.

And just as the cab pulled onto the main road, his phone rang. With her name.

“Hey.” he greeted. She knew he was flying to Delhi, and why. Though they rarely spoke of family, especially his, he had once mentioned Anjali’s pregnancy by accident, and Khushi had sounded genuinely happy.

“Did you reach?” she asked.

He smiled. “Yes, reached Delhi. But not the hospital yet. I’m on my way.”

“Oh. Okay.” She replied.

He wondered why she had called. It was not like her to call and ask if he had landed safely or how the flight was. Not anymore.

“Are you leaving for work?” he asked when the silence stretched.

“Hmm… I don’t know.” She sounded lost.

“Khushi? Everything ok?” he asked, genuinely worried.

“Yeah-erm…all ok.”

He could hear the hesitation in her voice, but did not want to push. “Alright. I’ll call you once I reach the hospital. And if you’d like, I can give the phone to Di so you can congratulate her.”

“No.” she replied quickly and then corrected herself, “I mean… I’m not sure.”

He sighed. “It’s okay. We’ll talk later?” he asked, about to hang up.

“Arnav, wait.” She sounded panicked.

He frowned. “Haan, bolo.”

He heard her take a deep breath before she said, “Do you think Di would like me to meet her baby–”

Arnav felt relief, assuming that was what had troubled her and didn’t let her complete her sentence, “Of course. We can do a video call...”

“ –as his mami.” she finished, cutting him off this time.

For a second, he didn’t believe his ears. He almost thought he imagined it. “Wait. What did you just say?”

She smiled, which he sensed from her voice. “I thought about it a lot, Arnav.” she murmured. “And I think I’m ready to marry you. I didn’t want to wait till you came back to Mumbai to tell you my decision, so I called.”

A boyish smile spread across his face. “I like your decision.”

She laughed and to him, it sounded like something lost finding its way home.

“I’ll talk to you later then?” he asked, as his cab pulled outside the hospital.

“Yes, later. Take care.”

And the call ended. Just like that. As if they hadn’t just agreed to start a new journey together. Without grand declarations, or ‘I love you’s.

Or maybe this was how it was supposed to be. Simple, rational, without losing themselves for the other. They were now two people choosing each other with clear minds and willing hearts. And maybe, after everything, that was the purest form of samarpan (devotion).

--*--

A/N – and that my friends, is the curtains close! Their journey ends here…or perhaps starts. I really hope it made sense, especially for all the 3 characters as individuals than as any pair. This story was result of one rainy evening and a song about an incomplete love story (the scene in the prologue). The second inspiration was a thought that what if Arnav was an illegitimate child? From there, everything unfolded. I know this was a heavy read. But I had complete literary joy writing it, and I truly hope you felt something meaningful while reading it.

Finally, the note would be incomplete without token of gratitude. To begin with, thanks to every one of you who stayed with this story over the past few months, read each chapter, hit likes, and showed love and support.

And major shoutout to my star reviewers. My dearest Prachi ji- thank you for being so, so invested in this journey. The thought-provoking discussions we had throughout will remain some of my fondest memories from writing this story. Chinnulu- your detailed analyses always have my heart. Thank you for well-articulated reviews. Bollybabe- thanks for your stimulating reviews. I appreciate the way you brought Dhruv’s side to the table. Coderlady- I am always amazed by your insightful reviews, thanks for taking time to leave them. Black_Queen - your excitement for the chapters and your love for the story was so encouraging. Thanks for sharing it generously. Anushruthi- knowing you always made time to catch up and leave reviews meant a lot. And to everyone else I may have missed, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You all made this journey of Samarpan truly special and successful.