Arakshi SS: Chance By Kismat - Part 13 Updated (Page 3) - Page 3

Part 9:

Sakshi’s House:

It’s been a month. Sakshi is getting better everyday. She is catching up with people and having a conversation with them. She is long way on opening up to people. They are trying to keep her occupied and active. She was getting ready to go out while Arjun is talking to Mr. and Mrs. Anand.

Arjun – Kal Rajeev ko arrest kar liya hai. My friends brother is in department. Main ne usse baat kiya hai. He re-worked on case. Unko naye evidence mile hai.

Mr. Anand –Hum phir police aur court ki wajah se Sakshi ko takleef nahi de sakte. Woh abhi abhi better hui hai.

Arjun –Uncle iss baar koi problem nahi hoga. Sakshi ko involve karne ke bhi zaroorat nahi hai. Karan, new lawyer, he said he can manage without Sakshi.

Mrs. Anand– Par..

Arjun –Aunty aap tension matt lijiye.

Mr. Anand – Par phir se ye shuru karne se pehle ek baar poochna chahiye tha.

Arjun – I know uncle. But bina wajah hope dena sahi nahi laga.

Mr. Anand and Mrs. Anand nodded understanding. Mrs. Anand got up going to turn off the stove.

Mrs. Anand– Sakshi taiyar ho?

Sakshi – Ha mamma.

She came and stood behind her in kitchen.

Mrs. Anand– Aisha pahonch jayegi 10min main. Tum nashta karlo.

Sakshi nodded.

Mrs. Anand– Sakshi tum sure ho? Main aau tumhari saath.

This is her first time going out with her friends after so many years.

Sakshi – Nahi maa. Main teekh hoon. Aisha and Liza dono honge mere saath. Main jaldi aajaungi.

Sakshi answered. However, thought of going out is stirring storm inside her. She already postponed it twice. First postponement decision is backed by her doctor saying its too soon to force her into new things. Second time when she cancelled, everyone accommodated. But she wanted to give it a try. She took small steps towards door.

As she stopped in her way, she stopped before stepping out.

“How dare you step out without telling me? Kiss se milne jaa rahi ho? Apne naye aashiq se?” She could hear Rajeev’s words from past ringing in her ears.

She closed her eyes clasping her handbag. Arjun broke her trance.

Arjun – Sakshi.

Sakshi opened her eyes to see Arjun standing before her.

Arjun – Chale?

Sakshi hesitated. He extended hand and sighed to come. Sakshi took his hand and took a step forward crossing door. They walked to car, Arjun opened door for her.

***

Inside Car:

Arjun – Yaad hai pehle college jaat te bike pe.

Sakshi – Ha. Aur tum hamesha late aate te.

Arjun – College toh time pe pahonch jaate tena. Phir bhi complaint.

Sakshi – Complaint thodi hai. Fact hai.

Arjun – Tu na yesaan faramosh ho.

Sakshi – Acha yesaan tha. Aise socho toh tum abroad mere wajah se gaye.

Arjun – Ye kaunsa brahm hai?

Sakshi – Main na padati, tumhara assignments na karti, tu ussi college main pada rehta.

Arjun – Teekhe madam maan gaye.

They started catching up. It was relief for Sakshi to re-live those happy moments.

***

Mall:

Arjun remembered he had some shopping to do. He stayed back in mall but decided to shop separately. Aisha, Sakshi and Liza moved from one shop to other trying couple of dresses. Aisha and Sameer’s anniversary is in few days. Sakshi and Liza are helping her finalise dresses, sarees and jewellery.

Aisha wore a red cocktail dress and walked out of trail room.

Aisha – Ye kaisa lag raha hai?

Sakshi – You are looking very pretty.

Liza – Ek beti ki maa lagti he nahi ho.

Aisha – Itna bhi matt chado.

Sakshi – Arey nahi. Sach main bahot young aur sundar dikh rahi ho.

Aisha – teekhe.. teekhe.. Ek aur dress hai…rukho pehne ke aati hoon.

Aisha rushed inside. Sakshi's phone buzzed in hand. Its Sakshi’s mother.

Sakshi – Helloo… Maa…

She couldn’t hear anything.

Sakshi – Hello..

Liza – Lagta hai signal nahi hai.

Sakshi checked her phone.

Sakshi – Main baat kar ke aati hoon.

She went outside. She leaned on railing, spoke to her mother assuring she is fine, and will be back home in sometime. She disconnected the call and turned when 3 people surrounded her.

Person 1 – Kaha jaa rahe ho madam??

Sakshi looked at them in shock. She couldn’t move, but her body shivered. Person 2 pushing her hair back which made her jerk.

Person 2 – Itne saal baad mile. Hi toh bolo.

She stood silent with tears in her eyes. Pastcame and stood before her. She clasped her hands together growing stiff. Shefelt the watch given by Arjun. She kept tapping continuously.

Person 3 – Shayad bhool gaye humain.

Person 1 – Koi problem nahi, yaad diladete hai.

They kept growing close when Arjun came running. Watching him near come, those 3 hoodlums ran from there. Arjun tried to follow but stopped seeing Sakshi fall on her knees. He went and kneeled before her.

Arjun – Sakshi, I am here.

Sakshi sobbed and trembled in fear with shut eyes.

Arjun – Sakshi look at me. I am here.

As Liza and Aisha exited the shop they saw Sakshi wailing in Arjun’s arms. Aisha ran to her. Liza went and got a water bottle.

Arjun cupped her face.

Arjun – Sakshi listen to my voice. I am here.You are safe.

She slowly opened her eyes. She hugged him tight trembling in his arms. He slowly patted her back to let her calm down. Sakshi broke the hug realising eyes around. Aisha helped her drink water and lift her up on feet.

Liza – I think we should take her home.

Sakshi nodded no in fear.

Arjun – Okay we will not.

Aisha – I think we should take her home Arjun.Iss halath main kaha leke jayenge?

Sakshi shuddered. Arjun seeing her..

Arjun – No. We are not going home.

Arjun looked at Aisha sighing to trust him.

***

Ek baat batao, Aisha, Arjun, Sakshi, Rajeev, Sameer are ALL college mates? Aisha is Arjun's Didi, right?

Aisha and Sameer are not in college with rest of the gang. Arjun is only centre of pull for whole gang. They meet through him and hangout outside college. Rajeev is Sakshi's fiance whom she met through arranged marriage set up and then introduced him to her friends.

Part 10:

Sakshi laid back in front seat. Arjun convinced Aisha and Liza to go ahead with their day. He swiftly diverted from bustling roads to highway. Sakshi sat silent looking down at her sweaty palms. Arjun looked at her sliding into her silent zone. Once they moved past traffic he slowly rolled down the window, letting soft breeze touch her skin. She lookedout and took a deep breathe. She glued her eyes to passing road, trees andvehicles. Arjun let her sit in silent. She slowly drifted to sleep leaning back to rest.

After few hours, Sakshi woke up in halted car.She found herself alone in. She looked around and found Arjun sitting on theedge of wooden bridge listening to songs. She went and sat beside him with herfeet falling just above water.

They always came down to whenever things got difficult down to this place. This is there secret nest in nature where they spoke about things no one knew and healed wounds no one saw. They could always find peace here.

Arjun – Utt gaye?

Sakshi nodded.

Arjun – Remember this place. Itne saal main kuch nahi badla yaha.

Sakshi – Phir bhi, kitna kuch badal gaya.

Arjun – Kabhi kabhi waqt ka badal na ache ke liye hota hai.

Sakshi – Meri yaadon main toh waqt ka badalna kabhi ache ke liye nahi hua.

Arjun looked at her.

Arjun – Tumhe humare college ke din yaad hai?

Sakshi remembered all those happy days when life was simple and peaceful. All they had to worry about was assignments,classes and job opportunities.

Sakshi – But things changed with time.

Arjun – And now things are changing again.

Sakshi looked at him.

Arjun – Waqt toh apni waqt ke hisaab se badal rahi hai. Par tum wahi kho gayi ho. Waqt ke saath haath pakad kar aage chalna chahiye Sakshi.

Sakshi – Jab aise lage, waqt chal kar wapass aaraha hai toh phir kya kare?

Arjun – Aisa kuch nahi hoga. Rajeev ek purana yaad hai. Tum usse aaj main carry mat karo.

Sakshi grew silent for a moment. In her muffled tone she said,

Sakshi – Woh aaj jo hua… (she took deepbreathe) woh Rajeev ke aadmi hai.

Arjun looked perplexed.

Arjun (Blurted) – Rajeev toh jail main hai

Sakshi – Kya???

Arjun – Tumhe kaise pata woh uske aadmi hai?

Sakshi – Rajeev jail main kaise?

Arjun – Tumhe kaise pata woh Rajeev ke aadmi hai?

He reiterated.

Sakshi – Woh court hearing ke baad main jab ghar jaa rahi thi…

A lump formed in her throat remembering her past. Arjun placed his palm on hers.

Sakshi – Mujhe beech raste main rokh ke unn logon ne badtameezi ki thi.

Sakshi explained how she was humiliated and assaulted on road. She struggled to fight them off, but they were 3 against her. She couldn’t call anyone for help and strangers around didn’t step in. She was left on road with hands of her kurta torn.

She melted in tears and Arjun was fuming in anger.

Sakshi – Usse koi kuch nahi kar sakta Arjun.

Arjun – Woh jail main hai Sakshi. Woh abb bahar nahi aane wala hai.

Sakshi – Usko aane ki kya zaroorat hai Arjun.Kuch nahi badlega. Aaj jaisa he hoga.

Arjun cupping her face.

Arjun – Abb main hoon.

Sakshi surrendered into his warmth and trust.

Arjun – Kal ek nayi subha hogi. Sab kuch ache ke liye badlega. Trust me.

***

Sakshi’s Room:

Sunrays spread across her room brightening every corner. As Sakshi came out washroom, her eyes fell on sticking noteflapping on the mirror.

‘Ek Nayi Subah’

Smile spread on her face.

Sakshi – Arjun.

Sakshi could hear giggling and laughter from outside. She wore her duppata and went outside. Arjun and Liza were in livingroom chatting with Mr. Anand.

Mr. Anand – Ye lo Sakshi bhi aagayi.

Sakshi – Tum dono achanak?

Liza – Hey! Bahar jana hai. Chalo.

Arjun looked at her smiling. Sakshi looked confused at them. There was no plan that day.

Sakshi – Actually mujhe kahi aur….Doctor ke pass...

Arjun – Mujhe pata hai. Hum tumhe drop kar denge ,. Abb chale.

Sakshi looked at her father, who asked her togo.

***

Jail:

Sakshi – Hum yaha kyun aaye hai?

Arjun – Bata tha hoon, chalo?

Chotu was already present inside in civilian clothes along with other police officers. Liza and Sakshi followed them. Sakshi is growing anxious with every step taken. She remembered Arjun telling her Rajeev was in jail. Is she going to meet him?

As they stood outside bars, she saw those 3 assaulters inside.

Sakshi (Shocked) – Yeh log?

Chotu – Arjun ne mujhe sabb bataya Sakshi. We could identify them through CCTV.

Police Officer – Aap inka identification confirm kar sakte ho?

Liza held her. Sakshi looked at Arjun. Arjun sighed. She took a deep breathe and turned to police officer. She nodded.

Sakshi – Ha.

Police officer and Chotu discussed further as Liza, Sakshi and Arjun proceeded out.

***

Outside:

Liza – Arjun, mujhe chotu se kuch baat karna hai. 2 min.

She rushed inside.

Arjun and Sakshi walked in silence. He expected relief in her, knowing they were finally arrested—but she said nothing. Nearthe car, before he could speak, she suddenly threw herself into his chest. Theforce made him stumble, but he caught her, arms tightening around her trembling body. She didn’t speak. She didn’t need to. He felt her tears soak into his shirt, her breath shaky against him. Her fingers clutched his shirt like letting go would break her. And in that moment, she wasn’t pretending to be strong—just letting go. He held her close until she finally exhaled.

Arjun (Whispered) – Sakshi..

She slowly stepped back, eyes meeting his. Hesearched her face—quiet, intense—and she let him see her. For a moment. Thenshe turned away. They walked to the car in silence, sat side by side, waiting for Liza. But this silence… didn’t feel lonely anymore.

Before Arjun could initiate a conversation, Liza got into car.

Arjun – Kya hua?

Liza – Woh hum bank statements sabb dekh rahe te na. Hum last time ke transactions main bhi kuch anomalies dikhe. We havematched transfer of amount from last time with this time, Rajeev will be sentenced for every evil thing he did.

Arjun – Wow Liza. Karan se baat kiya?

Liza – Don’t worry. Chotu main karan aur Sreemil rahe hai sham ko.

Sakshi – Main bhi aa sakti hoon??

Arjun and Liza looked surprised at her. They thought she was not ready for this.

Arjun – Sakshi…

Sakhi – Main teekh hoon. Tum ho na…

***

Part 11:

Flashback: College: Second hour:

Liza andSakshi sat in 4th bench for the class. Its’ been 15min their final lecture started.

Sakshi – Ye Arjun aur Shree abhi tak nahi aaye.

Liza – Arjun ka toh pata nahi. Shree nahi aane wala. Woh unke parents ke saath trip pe gaya hai. 2 din nahi aane wala.

Sakshi – Par Arjun ne…

She remembered him saying that he will come with Shree to college in second hour.

Sakshi (toherself) – Kya usse bracelet ke baat se bura laga hoga?

Liza – Kya hua?

Sakshi – Kuch nahi..

***

Canteen:

Arjun with earphones in drowned himself in his phone. He jerked as, Sakshi tapped on his shoulder.

Sakshi – Tum class nahi aaye?

Arjun – Woh kuch kaam tha.

Sakshi – Kya kaam?

Arjun – Woh…

His phone buzzed.

Arjun – Main aata hoon. Kuch kaam hai.

He walked with phone in his hand.

Arjun (To himself) – Mujhe itna ajeeb kyun lag raha hai. Kya badal gaya? Woh Sakshi hai.Main usse jhoot bol ke avoid kyun kar raha hoon?

***

Next Day: Parking lot:

Arjun climbed on bike inserted key when Sakshi stood before him with folded hands. She stared angrily as he fiddled with helmet.

Sakshi – Baat kare?

Arjun – Woh…

Sakshi – Kaam hai?

Arjun – Ha woh kal assignment submit karna hai.

Sakshi – Kal college ki chutti hai.

He fumbled.

Sakshi – Aur aise kaunsa assignment hai jiske baare main mujhe nahi pata? And final exams se pehle kiss professor ne assignment diya?

Arjun stayed silent.

Sakshi – Kya problem hai Arjun. Tum mujhe avoid kyun kar rahe ho?

Arjun – Aisakuch nahi hai Sakshi. (To himself) – Mujhe kud samajh nahi aaraha hai main kya feel kar raha hoon. Tumhe kya samjhau?

Sakshi (Withtearful eyes) – Abhi se door kar diya?

Arjun got down bike and went to her. He hesitated to hug, it felt new. He caressed her head.

Arjun – Tum kyun ro rahe ho Sakshi? Abhi kya hua? Main kuch… Actually kuch nahi tha. Tum kyun tension le rahe ho?

Sakshi – 2 din main engagement hai aur final exams hote he shaadi. Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aaraha hai. Sab kuch itna jaldi jaldi ho raha hai.

Arjun was taken aback. Even he didn’t realize things with Rajeev will be accelerated.

Sakshi – Abb kya karoon? Woh bura nahi hai. Mamma papa ko bhi pasand hai.

Arjun took a deep breathe.

Arjun – Tum kyun zyada soch rahe ho? Sab teekh chal raha hai na. Sab teekh he hoga.

Sakshi – Par shaadi ke baad sab badal jayega na Arjun.

Arjun – Sab kuch badal sakta hai, par humara dosti nahi.

He smiled reassuring her.

Flashback Ends

***

Outside Hospital:

Sakshi –Arjun tum gaye nahi?

Arjun – Main ne socha, sham ko waise bhi sabse milna hai. Toh saath main chalenge.

Sakshi – Par tum 2 gante se yahi pe ho. Main aajati.

Arjun – Sakshi, calm down. Main office walon se baat kar raha tha. Abhi free hua. Abb chale?

Sakshi nodded and they moved towards car.

Sakshi –Thank you.

Arjun – Thank you?

Sakshi –Dosti nibane ke liye.

Arjun – Main har rishta bahot imandari se nibhata hoon.

Sakshi – Main jaanti hoon tumhare baare main. Mujhe kyun samjha rahe ho ajnabiyo ki tarah?

Arjun – Tumne ajanabi ki tarah treat jo kiya.

Sakshi – Ek than kyou ke liye itne badi baat.

Arjun – Thank you ke liye nahi.

Sakshi –Phir?

They reached near car. He opened door for her.

Sakshi – Bolo…

Arjun – Baeto…

Sakshi –Arjun…

Arjun –Sakshi..

She sat incar silently. Arjun got into driving seat.

Sakshi – Sorry…

Arjun silently clipped his seat belt.

Arjun – Abb yeh kis liye?

Sakshi – Kyunki tumhe lagta hai main ne tumhe pehle nahi bataya, isi liye.

She knew yesterday's conversation with him would have made him feel like a stranger as she didn't contact him after that.

Sakshi - But I have tried Arjun. But I couldn’t. Main milne bhi aayi thi….

Arjun – Kya??

Arjun applied sudden breaks. Sakshi realized she’d let something slip by accident.

Sakshi –Arjun kuch nahi. Main ne socha main sambhalungi. Aakhir tak ladi par…

Arjun – Tu mujhe milne aayi?

Sakshi realized he didn’t buzz from previous revelation.

Arjun – Bolo..

Sakshi’s silence weaved a web. Before he could pursue her further. Sakshi’s phone buzzed. It was Sakshi’s mother. She answered and prolonged the conversation.Even though Arjun waited for her to end the call, they were getting late. Everyone is waiting for them. Sakshi took sigh of relief when he started driving.

***

Café:

Car halted before café. Arjun gave her a side look.

Arjun – Abhi katam hua phone call?

Sakshi made a guilty face. Gesturing him to give her 2 min. He got down and left from there to join others in café. She concluded conversation with her mother and disconnected the call.

Sakshi (toherself) – Mamma ne call kar ke bacha liya. Woh badi baat nahi hai Arjun. Bahot choti si baat hai, par mujhe pata hai. Jaan ke tumhe bahot bura lagega. Kal ke conversation jaan ke tumhe itna bura laga ki maine Rajeev aur assault ke baare main baate ke, help nahi liya tumse.. toh London ke baat jaan ke aur bura lagega.

She got down car and shut the door, when she heard a voice which ran chills down her spine. Her body grew stiff and sweat beads shone on her body. In few seconds she drenched in sweat.

Rajeev –Pichli baar mujhse takrayi toh aaj yaha khade ho. Iss baar takrane se kahi kanahi rahoge.

Sakshi –Rajeev..

She slowly turned around with eyes down. She recognise those shoes, which kicked her in stomach that day, on the final day of their marriage. She recognised his palms,which left brutal marks on her arms and face. Her body shuddered watching him.

Rajeev – Itne saalon baad bhi nahi bhuli? (Wicked smile) Heh…Bhool bhi nahi paoge…

Sakshi stood silent with crease lines on her forehead. Her breathing laboured she stepped back.

Rajeev –Peechle baar ki seekh bhoolgayi??!!

He took astep forward. All nightmarish experiences wrapped her mind. Mental and physicalviolence at home, humiliation in court, her suffering, lost respect stoodbefore her.

Rajeev – Iss baar ki case bhi main he jeetunga. Pichle baar se battar hoga…

He held her arm tight, she pressed her eyes tight as Rajeev’s presence towered her. She touched her watch which resulted in Arjun’s watch vibration. Within few seconds her watch vibrated too. It felt like someone pushed a dose of strength in herbody. She pushed Rajeev away and slapped him.

***

Part 12:

Rajeev hadn’t expected her to respond. Her words hit him like a wave, calm but firm, echoing the woman she used to be. For a moment, it was as if time rewound. Sakshi, the strong and independent woman he had first married, stood before him once again. He remembered how long it had taken to dim that fire, to wear down her spirit.And now, there it was rekindling. The realization stunned him. Anger surged, bruised pride boiling over. Without thinking, he raised his hand to slap her. But before it could land, Arjun stepped in. With steady eyes and a clenched jaw, he grabbed Rajeev’s wrist mid-air.

Arjun - Not this time.

And with a sharp push, he shoved Rajeev back putting himself between Sakshi and the man who had broken her once.

Rajeev – Wahi soch rahi thi iska parr wapas kaise aagaye. Aashiq jo waapas aaya.

Arjun held his collar when Shree, Karan, Chotu and Liza interrupted separating them. They built a wall between Arjun, Sakshi and Rajeev. Sakshi held on to Arjun’s Shirts sleeve.

Rajeev – Jitne log bhi beech main aaye, iss baar bhi tumhe bacha nahi payenge.

Karan – Sakshi ke baare main chodke kud ke baare main thoda soch le. Jo abhi tu ne kiyana, iss ke wajah se jaise bail main bahar aaya wasie wapas jaayega.

Rajeev – Jo cheese mere mutti main hai uske baare main kya sochna.

Karan smiled and slapped court order on him.

Rajeev – Ye kya hai?

Karan – Restraining order. Sakshi se minimum 100 meter door rehna hai. Aur tum?

Karan looked at him from top to bottom.

Liza – 20 kadam? Ye toh direct court order break kiya.

Rajeev – Police mere isharon pe hai. Koi kya karega?

Chotu snapped as his team entered.

Chotu – Har koi tumhare kutton jaise nahi hote.

He instructed.

Chotu –Arrest him.

Shree – Aur wapass jaldi aane wale nahi ho. Waha ka CCTV aur tumhara phone GPS corrupt karne ka bhi sochna matt. Already humare pass evidence hai.

Shree showed him tab.

Rajeev realized he was cornered—trapped with no way out.

He fought back, resisting arrest with all the rage he could summon, but it was no use.The grip of justice was stronger this time. His angry, piercing eyes locked onto Sakshi, hoping to shake her. But she didn’t flinch. She held his gaze—calm,unwavering, unafraid. That silence between them spoke louder than any scream. She was no longer the woman he could break. Rajeev was dragged away, still struggling, but powerless. As the scene settled, the room filled with the sound of everyone exhaling—the tension finally lifting. A collective breath. Along-overdue sigh of relief.

***

Outside Sakshi’s Home:

Car came tohalt infront of Sakshi’s home. Engine hummed softly in the silent night.

Arjun –Pahonch gaye.

Sakshi –Hmmm..

She sat inthe car. There was a pause.

Arjun – Kya hua?

Sakshi –Remember you told me.

Arjun – Kya?

Sakshi –That, things are changing.

Arjun nodded.

Sakshi –Rajeev pehle bhi arrest hua. Rajeev ke aadmi mujhe pehle bhi pareshan kiye.Police aur lawyers pehle bhi te. Par iss baar sabb alag tha. You are right.Things are changing.

Arjun beamed.

Sakshi – Aaj mujhe phir se meri takat ka ehsaas hua Arjun. I know mujhe thoda time lagega iss sabse bahar aane main. Par mujhe pata hai, main kar sakti hoon.

Arjun – I am happy to see my Sakshi back.

Sakshi smiled.

Sakshi –Andar aaoge?

Arjun – Abhi nahi. Mujhe kaam hai. Kal milenge.

Sakshi nodded.

***

Night:

Sakshi leaned back on her bed, eyes open, heart still. It had been so long since she’d felt this kind of sleeplessness—not from pain or restlessness, but from peace. For months, sleep had been her escape—a heavy, numb oversleep on some days, or a torturous battle with insomnia on others. But tonight was different. Tonight,the silence wasn’t heavy. It was warm. Safe. Her room felt lighter. Her home,once soaked in tension, now whispered calm. She could hear her parents breathing peacefully in the next room—a rhythm she hadn’t heard in years. It made her eyes well up… not from sadness, but from a quiet gratitude. This night didn't demand sleep. It offered stillness. And for the first time in a longtime… she accepted it.

She reached for her phone, still lying by her side. The screen lit up, pulling her out of her thoughts. Her fingers hovered over his chat—the last few messages still there, like an unfinished conversation waiting to breathe again. She lingered… A thousand drafts floated in her mind, but none felt enough. She hesitated. Just as she was about to lock the screen again, her phone buzzed. A soft vibration that felt louder in the quiet of the night. It was him.

Arjun - Soya nahi ab tak?

Her lips curled into a soft smile—one she didn’t notice at first. Sometimes, the right people just know. Even from miles away.

Sakshi –Nahi!

Arjun – Toh terrace pe aajao.

Sakshi blinked at the message, surprised.

Her eyes widened slightly, reading it again to be sure. Was he really here? Now? Without wasting a second, she threw on a light shawl, her heartbeat quickening—not out of panic this time, but something warm… something she hadn't felt in a long time. She tiptoed out of her room, careful not to wake her parents.

***

Part 13:

Terrace:

Sakshi stepped ontothe terrace, the night breeze brushing gently against her hair. The moon hung low, casting a silvery glow across the quiet rooftop. There, in the corner,Arjun sat cross-legged on the floor, a soft mat beneath him, two chai cups inhis hands and a familiar flask beside him. Next to it—a small paper packet ofher favorite crunchy, curled snacks. He looked up at her, eyes twinkling, andraised the cups slightly in a silent toast.

Arjun - Aaja na…late-night chai aur gupshup—just like old days.

Sakshi couldn’t help but smile. That playful tone, the comfort in his presence, the simple yet thoughtful gesture—it was all so him. She slowly walked over, her heart softening with every step. As she sat down beside him, the familiar clink ofthe chai cups brought back a flood of memories—of laughter, comfort, and unspoken closeness.

Sakshi - You remembered the snacks?

Arjun grinned.

Arjun – I remembered your non stop complaints. I didn’t want to go through that again.

He teased. And just like that, the silence between them turned into laughter wrapped in warmth, the kind only two hearts who’ve seen both storms and stillness together can share.

***

Flashback:

They sat side by side on the terrace floor, sipping tea and munching on the curled, crunchy snacks that had become their signature. The night sky stretched above them like a quiet witness to their ritual. Arjun nudged her lightly with his elbow.

Arjun - Tu aise hi ro rahi thi shaam ko… drama queen.

He teased, a half-smile tugging at his lips.

Arjun - Kya badla ab?Kal teri engagement hai. Phir bhi, har baar ki tarah—main, tum, chai aur chaand.

Sakshi smiled, but itdidn’t reach her eyes. There was warmth in her glance, but also something distant… something heavy. Like a memory trying to hold its breath. She looked up at the moon, letting the silence settle for a second too long.

Sakshi - Shayad bas chaand badla nahi…

Arjun turned to look at her, his smile fading, reading between the lines like he always did. Some moments feel like endings. Others, like a goodbye wrapped in routine.

Arjun – Please tum phir sad matt hona. Kyun ki tea katam hogaya hai aur main abb aur nahi la sakta.

Sakshi smacked and laughed, but she slowly drifted into web of thoughts.

Arjun - Ab phir kya soch rahi ho?

Sakshi - Ab tak toh kuch nahi badla, par kal ke baad bahut kuch badal jayega.

Arjun listened silently, his eyes filled with compassion.

Sakshi - Yeh bachpan ka ghar, mera ghar nahi rahega. Naya ghar hoga, naye log honge… unki alag soch. Darr lag raha hai, kahin naye rishte nibhaate nibhaate, purane rishte chhoot na jaayein.

Arjun looked ather—her face clouded with fear, dreading the change ahead.

Sakshi - Waqt badal raha hai, Arjun. Engagement ke baad na jaane kab aise baith paayenge. Phir exams, shaadi… aur shaadi ke baad toh mera ghar bhi badal jayega. Pata nahi,phir kab hum aise baith kar baat karenge?

Arjun - I understand,Sakshi. Sab kuch itni tezi se ho raha hai… kuch bhi constant nahi lag raha, na?Koi anchor nahi mil raha.

He gently took her hand,placed it over his heart.

Arjun - Main hoon tumhara constant. I promise, Sakshi — humara ye rishta, ye space, ye dosti… aur hum — Waqt chahe jitna bhi badal jaaye, hum constant rahenge.

They looked into eachother’s eyes — Sakshi found strength, warmth, and the silent promise of unwavering support. She leaned in, resting her head on Arjun’s shoulder, as if anchoring herself to the one place that still felt like home. The world outside was changing, but in that moment, nothing else mattered. They talked through the night — about college, uncertain tomorrows, and everything in between.

Flashback Ends

***

Sakshi woke up as sharp sunrays poked through her eyelids, warming her skin. Her body stirred,feeling the lingering ache in her neck as she slowly lifted her head. She rubbed her eyes and turned to her side. Arjun was still asleep, undisturbed by the sunlight streaming over him. Even with the brightness nudging at his rest, he lay there peacefully, his breath steady and calm. Sakshi looked at him and smiled softly.

A sudden thought struck her—morning had long arrived, and her parents were probably already awake. She gently nudged Arjun.

Sakshi – Arjun utto.

Arjun – Sone do na Sakshi.

Sakshi – Arjun subhahogaya hai. Maa aur papa bhi utt gaye honge.

Irritated by the disturbance, Arjun opened his eyes, his expression still heavy with sleep. But the moment he looked at her, something shifted. Sakshi looked radiant—there wasa soft peace in her face, a happiness he hadn’t noticed before.

Arjun – Good morning.

Sakshi – Morning..Morning…. Jaooo Abhi.

Arjun – Subha subha bina chai nashta ke mujhe bahar phek rahe ho.

Sakshi – Bina drama kiye jao.

Arjun got up and left biding her bye. Sakshi smiled saying bye.

***