The Facade ~ A Parnavi SS ~ Chap 7 on pg 1

An emotional family thriller where newlywed Parth Virani is kidnapped and replaced by an imposter who destroys his family and marriage. Ten years later, the real Parth returns to reclaim his identity, heal his broken loved ones, and prove that truth, love, and faith can outlive even the greatest deception.

Chapter 1 (The Challenge)

The Viranis

Morning sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of Shanti Niketan, filling the mansion with warmth and life.

The aroma of freshly prepared breakfast drifted through the corridors as laughter echoed from the dining hall.

It was one of those rare mornings when the entire Virani family was together.

Tulsi emerged from the temple after completing the morning aarti.

She smiled as she watched the younger generation gathered around the dining table.

Nandini lovingly served breakfast.

"No one leaves this table without eating properly," she declared.

Parth laughed.

"Maa, that's exactly what you said yesterday."

"And the day before that."

"And every day since I was five."

Nandini smiled proudly.

"And I'll keep saying it till I'm eighty-five."

Everyone laughed.

Karan folded his newspaper.

"I think your mother secretly believes you're still five."

Parth grinned.

"I don't mind."

He picked up a piece of toast and walked over to Nandini.

"As long as she keeps feeding me."

Nandini affectionately tapped his cheek.

"My son will always remain my little boy."

Tulsi watched them with a content smile.

"This house feels complete when I see all of you together."

Just then...

A familiar voice echoed through the hall.

"Good morning, everyone!"

Reyansh entered carrying a bouquet of flowers.

He bent down and touched Tulsi's feet.

"Bless me, Dadi."

Tulsi smiled warmly.

"May you always stay happy, my child."

Reyansh then hugged Karan.

"Good morning, Dad."

Karan smiled and embraced him.

"You're late."

"I know."

"I got stuck in traffic."

Parth looked at him teasingly.

"Or were you trying to impress someone on the way?"

Reyansh laughed.

"I'll leave that department to you."

The cousins exchanged a playful fist bump.

Watching them together, Mihir smiled.

"Look at these two."

"They argue all day..."

"...but if anyone says a word against one of them, the other is ready to fight."

Karan nodded.

"That's because they're brothers."

Parth immediately corrected him with a smile.

"Not brothers..."

He looked at Reyansh.

"Best brothers."

Reyansh smiled back.

"Always."

Nandini looked at them affectionately.

"My two sons."

She served breakfast onto both their plates.

"No favouritism."

"Equal portions."

Parth looked at Reyansh dramatically.

"See?"

"Even Maa loves you more than me."

Reyansh burst into laughter.

"You've been saying that since childhood."

"Because it's true!"

The entire family laughed.

At that moment...

The main door opened once again.

Vaishnavi walked inside carrying a box of sweets.

"Namaste."

Nandini immediately welcomed her.

"There comes my future daughter-in-law."

Vaishnavi smiled shyly as she greeted everyone.

She bent to touch Tulsi's feet.

Tulsi lovingly blessed her.

"May every happiness find its way to you."

As Vaishnavi stood up...

Her eyes met Parth's.

Neither said a word.

Yet their smiles said everything.

Reyansh quietly noticed the exchange.

A faint smile crossed his face.

"So..."

"I interrupted something?"

Parth looked away awkwardly.

"No."

Vaishnavi blushed.

Mihir laughed.

"I think we should all leave these two alone."

Everyone began teasing the couple.

Embarrassed, Vaishnavi excused herself and walked towards the garden.

Parth quickly followed.

Watching them leave, Tulsi smiled.

"They're made for each other."

Karan nodded in agreement.

"They are."

For a brief moment...

Shanti Niketan was filled with nothing but love, laughter and hope.

None of them knew...

That somewhere in the shadows...

Someone had already begun studying every smile...

Every gesture...

Every relationship...

Because very soon...

One face...

Would become the greatest deception the Virani family had ever known.

The Challenge Begins

Later that afternoon...

The grand banquet hall of Virani Industries was filled with industrialists, journalists, shareholders and employees.

It was the company's Foundation Day celebration.

A giant banner behind the stage proudly displayed:

"50 Years of Trust, Integrity and Excellence."

The Virani family occupied the front row.

Tulsi sat in the centre, flanked by Karan, Nandini, Mihir, Parth, Reyansh and Vaishnavi.

The host walked onto the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen..."

"Please welcome the heart of Virani Industries..."

"Mrs. Tulsi Virani."

Thunderous applause echoed through the hall.

Tulsi gracefully walked to the podium.

She folded her hands.

"Namaste."

The applause slowly faded.

"For fifty years..."

"Virani Industries has never believed that success belongs to one individual."

"It belongs to every employee..."

"Every worker..."

"And every family member who stood beside us."

The audience applauded once again.

Tulsi smiled.

"The next generation is now ready to take this legacy forward."

She looked lovingly at both Parth and Reyansh.

"I'm proud that our children understand one lesson..."

"Relationships are always more valuable than wealth."

Parth and Reyansh exchanged smiles.

After Tulsi's speech...

The master of ceremonies announced a friendly interaction with the younger generation.

Several journalists raised questions.

One reporter smiled.

"Mr. Parth..."

"As the future Managing Director..."

"What is your biggest strength?"

Parth smiled modestly.

"My family."

The audience applauded.

Another journalist turned towards Reyansh.

"And you, Mr. Reyansh?"

"If you had to challenge Parth in business..."

"What would you challenge him with?"

The audience laughed.

Reyansh looked towards Parth before smiling.

"I don't compete with family."

"If Virani Industries wins..."

"We all win."

Karan looked proudly at both young men.

Tulsi's eyes sparkled with happiness.

Just then...

A loud voice interrupted the event.

"How touching."

The hall fell silent.

Every head turned towards the entrance.

A middle-aged shareholder slowly stood up.

He looked directly at Tulsi.

"Mrs. Virani..."

"Everyone knows Virani Industries is built on family values."

"But tell me..."

"What happens when family itself becomes your greatest weakness?"

A murmur spread through the audience.

The man continued.

"You always preach honesty."

"You always preach unity."

"But can your family survive when someone challenges those very ideals?"

Silence filled the hall.

Tulsi remained calm.

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

The shareholder smiled.

"I propose a challenge."

He pointed towards Parth and Reyansh.

"Let's see whether the next generation truly deserves the Virani legacy."

The audience exchanged curious glances.

Karan stood up.

"What kind of challenge?"

The man smiled.

"A challenge of leadership."

"A challenge of character."

"A challenge where only one truth will prevail."

Before Karan could respond...

Tulsi slowly stepped forward.

Her voice remained steady.

"The Viranis have never stepped away from a fair challenge."

She looked towards Parth and Reyansh.

"But remember..."

"A victory achieved without values..."

"...is no victory at all."

Parth nodded respectfully.

"We're ready, Baa."

Reyansh smiled.

"So am I."

The hall erupted into applause.

Far away...

Inside a dark room...

A television silently broadcast the entire event.

A woman dressed in an elegant black saree watched every moment with a cold smile.

Standing beside her...

Was a man whose face remained hidden in the shadows.

The woman switched off the television.

"It has begun."

The man asked quietly,

"Should I meet him now?"

She nodded.

"Yes."

"But remember..."

"He must believe..."

"...he is speaking to Parth Virani."

The man slowly stepped into the light.

His face...

Was almost identical to Parth's.

A sinister smile appeared on his lips.

"The first move..."

"...is mine."

The Secret Meeting

The Foundation Day celebrations came to an end.

Guests slowly began leaving Virani Industries.

Employees congratulated Tulsi, Karan, Parth and Reyansh on another successful event.

Outside...

The Virani family stood together as photographers requested one final family picture.

"Smile!"

The camera flashed.

It was a picture of a family that believed nothing could ever break them.

None of them knew...

That destiny had already taken its first step.

As everyone prepared to leave...

Reyansh's mobile phone vibrated.

He looked at the screen.

Unknown Number.

He answered the call.

"Hello?"

A calm voice replied,

"I need to meet you."

Reyansh frowned.

"Who is this?"

"You'll know when you see me."

The call disconnected.

Reyansh looked around in confusion.

"Everything alright?" Karan asked.

Reyansh nodded.

"Just an office call."

Karan smiled.

"Don't work too much."

"There'll always be time for work."

"The family comes first."

Reyansh smiled.

"I know, Dad."

Karan affectionately patted his shoulder before leaving with the others.

Reyansh looked at the unknown number once again.

Something about the call felt unusual.

Curiosity got the better of him.

He got into his car.

An hour later...

An abandoned dockyard on the outskirts of Mumbai.

The place was deserted.

Only the sound of waves crashing against the old pier could be heard.

Reyansh stepped out of his car.

"Who's there?"

Silence.

Then...

Slow footsteps echoed through the darkness.

A man slowly emerged.

Reyansh's eyes widened.

"...Parth?"

The man smiled faintly.

"You came."

Reyansh looked puzzled.

"What is this?"

"Why did you call me here?"

The man glanced around before speaking.

"Because no one must know we're meeting."

Reyansh frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

The man slowly walked closer.

"I've been thinking..."

"For years we've lived under the same roof."

"But tell me honestly..."

"Have you never wanted something more?"

Reyansh folded his arms.

"I don't understand."

The man smiled.

"I know you."

"I know you've always lived in my shadow."

"Everyone calls me Karan's son..."

"The future of Virani Industries..."

"The heir."

"But what about you?"

Reyansh looked offended.

"I've never been jealous of you."

The man chuckled softly.

"You don't have to pretend."

"I'm offering you something."

"What?"

"A partnership."

Reyansh stared at him.

The man continued.

"In front of everyone..."

"We'll remain brothers."

"We'll remain rivals."

"But secretly..."

"We'll play our own game."

Reyansh's expression hardened.

"What game?"

"The Virani empire."

"The board has already been set."

Reyansh looked at him for a long moment.

Then slowly asked,

"Why are you telling me this now?"

The man smiled.

"Because Baa's challenge today..."

"...changed everything."

"For the first time..."

"The family will be watching our every move."

"And that makes this..."

"...the perfect time to play."

Reyansh remained silent.

He looked directly into the man's eyes.

Everything...

His voice.

His smile.

His mannerisms.

They were all Parth's.

There wasn't the slightest reason to doubt him.

Finally...

Reyansh extended his hand.

"If we're doing this..."

"We do it carefully."

The man shook his hand.

"Agreed."

Reyansh smiled.

"Nobody can ever know."

"Especially Dadi."

The man nodded.

"No one will."

He turned and began walking away.

Reyansh called out,

"Parth."

The man stopped.

Without turning around, he replied,

"Yes?"

Reyansh smiled.

"I hope you know what you're doing."

The man slowly looked back over his shoulder.

His smile had changed.

It was colder.

More sinister.

"I always do."

He disappeared into the darkness.

Reyansh stood there for several moments.

He had absolutely no idea...

That the man he had just shaken hands with...

Had never been Parth Virani.

Not very far away...

The real Parth sat with Vaishnavi at Marine Drive, sharing a kulfi and laughing over childhood memories.

Completely unaware...

That somewhere in Mumbai...

Someone wearing his face...

Had just stolen his future.

The Woman Behind the Game

Marine Drive...

The cool sea breeze brushed against Parth and Vaishnavi as they sat on the promenade.

The city lights shimmered across the Arabian Sea.

Parth smiled.

"I don't think I've laughed this much in weeks."

Vaishnavi looked at him teasingly.

"That's because you lost."

"I did not."

"You most certainly did."

She held up the empty kulfi stick triumphantly.

"You said you'd finish yours first."

Parth laughed.

"You cheated."

Vaishnavi pretended to be offended.

"I did not."

"You distracted me."

"And how exactly?"

"You smiled."

Vaishnavi blushed.

"So now my smile is responsible?"

"It always has been."

She lowered her eyes, unable to stop smiling.

For a few peaceful moments...

The world belonged only to them.

Neither realised...

Someone else had already begun writing their destiny.

Meanwhile...

Several kilometres away...

Inside a secluded colonial bungalow...

The mysterious man entered quietly.

The room was dimly lit.

Maps...

Photographs...

Files...

Covered every wall.

In the centre stood a large portrait of the Virani family.

Every member's face had been carefully marked with handwritten notes.

The man stopped before the portrait.

Slowly...

A woman descended the staircase.

She was elegantly dressed in a black silk saree.

Her face reflected intelligence rather than rage.

She looked at the man.

"Well?"

The man smiled.

"Reyansh believed every word."

She nodded knowingly.

"I expected he would."

"He never doubted I wasn't Parth."

"Good."

She walked towards the portrait.

Her eyes rested on Tulsi.

"For years..."

"People have called her invincible."

"They say no one can defeat Tulsi Virani."

She smiled faintly.

"I don't intend to defeat her."

The man looked at her curiously.

"What do you mean?"

She picked up a framed photograph of the Virani family.

"I intend to make her family destroy itself."

Silence filled the room.

She continued,

"When trust dies..."

"No enemy is required."

The man watched her quietly.

She placed the photograph back on the table.

"Tell me."

"How much have you learnt about Parth?"

The man answered confidently.

"I know how he walks."

"How he speaks."

"How he laughs."

"His handwriting."

"His signature."

"The perfume he wears."

"The watch he prefers."

"The way he greets Tulsi every morning."

"The way he hugs Karan."

"The way he calls Nandini 'Maa.'"

The woman remained expressionless.

"And Vaishnavi?"

The man smiled.

"I've observed them together."

"I know how he looks at her."

"I know he calls her 'Vaishu.'"

"I've memorised everything."

For the first time...

The woman smiled.

"No."

"You've memorised his habits."

"But not yet..."

"...his soul."

The man frowned.

She slowly walked towards him.

"If you truly wish to become Parth Virani..."

"You must make people feel safe when they see you."

"Only then..."

"...will they never question you."

The man nodded thoughtfully.

"I understand."

The woman looked towards the large calendar hanging on the wall.

Several dates had been crossed out.

Only one remained circled in red.

The Wedding Day.

She gently touched the date.

"The wedding must happen."

The man looked surprised.

"You want them to marry?"

She turned towards him.

"Of course."

"The world must witness Parth and Vaishnavi becoming husband and wife."

She paused before adding,

"Only then..."

"...will no one question the man who returns home after the wedding."

The man slowly smiled.

"So the real Parth..."

She completed his sentence.

"...will disappear only after the marriage."

The room fell silent.

Outside...

Thunder rumbled across the night sky.

The woman looked out of the window.

"Enjoy your happiness, Parth Virani."

"Very soon..."

"...your face..."

"...your name..."

"...your family..."

"...and even your wife..."

"...will belong to someone else."

A cold smile spread across her face.

The game had begun.

------

To be continued.

Chapter 2 (Love Finds Its Way)

Wedding Bells

A week had passed since the Foundation Day celebration.

Shanti Niketan had once again become a house of laughter.

The sound of wedding songs echoed through every corridor as decorators busily adorned the mansion with marigolds, jasmine and fairy lights.

The Virani family had finally begun preparing for the wedding everyone had been waiting for—

Parth and Vaishnavi's wedding.

Inside the living room...

Tulsi and Mihir sat together, going through a long guest list.

Mihir adjusted his spectacles and sighed dramatically.

"Tulsi..."

"I think we're inviting half of Mumbai."

Tulsi smiled without looking up.

"We're not inviting guests."

"We're inviting people who have stood with us through every joy and sorrow."

Mihir laughed.

"And by the looks of this list..."

"...we'll need another Shanti Niketan to accommodate them."

Tulsi playfully nudged him.

"We've hosted bigger celebrations before."

Just then...

Nandini entered carrying several wedding catalogues.

"Karan!"

"I still haven't decided between the two sherwanis for Parth."

Karan looked over the catalogues before smiling.

"Our son would look handsome even in a simple kurta."

Nandini shook her head.

"Not on his wedding."

"My son deserves the very best."

Karan looked at his wife lovingly.

"I knew you'd say that."

At that very moment...

Parth walked in with Reyansh.

The two cousins had just returned from the office.

"What's all this?"

Parth asked, looking at the catalogues spread across the table.

Nandini smiled mischievously.

"The groom has arrived."

She held up two sherwanis.

"Choose."

Parth looked from one to the other.

"They both look the same."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Nandini placed a hand on her forehead dramatically.

"See, Karan?"

"This boy knows nothing about weddings."

Reyansh laughed.

"Nandini Maa..."

"Don't ask him."

"He'd probably get married wearing his office suit."

Parth pointed at Reyansh.

"And whose fault would that be?"

"You kept me in meetings all day."

Reyansh folded his arms with a grin.

"Future Managing Director."

"You have responsibilities."

Parth smiled.

"And you're going to help me handle them."

"Always."

The two exchanged a warm smile.

Watching them, Karan's eyes reflected pride.

"My sons..."

Mihir looked at Tulsi and smiled.

"They've grown up so quickly."

Tulsi nodded.

"And yet..."

"They still argue over the smallest things."

Just then...

The main door opened.

Vaishnavi entered carrying a beautifully wrapped gift box.

She smiled warmly.

"Namaste."

Nandini immediately walked over and hugged her.

"My daughter has arrived."

Vaishnavi touched Tulsi's and Mihir's feet before greeting Karan and Nandini.

Finally...

Her eyes met Parth's.

The entire room seemed to disappear.

Parth smiled.

"So..."

"You came."

Vaishnavi raised an eyebrow.

"Were you expecting someone else?"

"No."

"I've been waiting only for you."

She smiled shyly.

Reyansh looked at the couple and laughed.

"I think we should all leave."

Mihir immediately joined in.

"Yes."

"Otherwise these two will forget we're still here."

The family burst into laughter.

Embarrassed...

Vaishnavi gently hit Parth's arm.

"You always do this."

Parth leaned closer and whispered,

"You blush every time."

"I do not."

"You just proved my point."

She shook her head, trying hard not to smile.

Later that evening...

Parth and Vaishnavi walked through the beautifully decorated gardens of Shanti Niketan.

The old banyan tree stood adorned with tiny golden lights.

For a while...

Neither spoke.

Finally...

Parth reached into his pocket.

"I wanted to give you something."

He placed a tiny silver keychain in her hand.

It was shaped like a little house.

Vaishnavi looked at it curiously.

"A house?"

Parth nodded.

"Our dream."

She smiled.

"But we'll live here."

"I know."

He looked towards the glowing mansion.

"Shanti Niketan will always be our home."

"But someday..."

"I want to build a small farmhouse."

"A place where there'll be no meetings..."

"No boardrooms..."

"No business calls..."

"Only you..."

"And me."

Vaishnavi closed her fingers around the little silver house.

"I'll never lose this."

Parth gently held her hand.

"And I'll never let go of yours."

Neither noticed...

That from a distance...

A camera lens had quietly captured the moment.

Click.

Click.

Click.

Hidden behind the trees...

A man lowered the camera.

He looked at the photographs of Parth and Vaishnavi.

Then quietly slipped them into an envelope.

The preparations for the wedding had begun.

So had the preparations...

For the greatest deception the Virani family would ever face.

A Celebration of Hearts

The following evening...

Shanti Niketan sparkled like a palace.

The entire mansion was illuminated with thousands of fairy lights, while fresh flowers adorned every pillar and balcony.

The Viranis had gathered for the ring ceremony, marking the official beginning of Parth and Vaishnavi's wedding celebrations.

Relatives, close friends and business associates filled the grand hall.

The air resonated with music, laughter and heartfelt blessings.

In his room...

Parth stood before the mirror, adjusting the collar of his ivory sherwani.

He looked unusually nervous.

A knock came at the door.

"Come in."

Karan entered with a warm smile.

"So..."

"The groom is finally ready."

Parth smiled sheepishly.

"I don't know why I'm nervous."

Karan laughed.

"I was worse on my engagement day."

"Were you?"

Parth asked curiously.

Karan nodded.

"I must have checked my watch twenty times before your mother arrived."

Parth chuckled.

"And today you're laughing at me."

"That's a father's privilege."

Both shared a laugh.

Karan walked closer and adjusted Parth's stole.

He looked at his son with pride.

"You've grown into a wonderful man, Parth."

"I couldn't ask for a better son."

Parth's eyes softened.

"I only hope I can become the husband Papa has always been to Maa."

Karan smiled and embraced him.

"You'll become an even better one."

Meanwhile...

In another room...

Vaishnavi sat before the mirror as Nandini lovingly adjusted her dupatta.

"My goodness..."

Nandini exclaimed.

"You look absolutely beautiful."

Vaishnavi smiled nervously.

"I'm feeling a little scared."

Nandini sat beside her.

"So was I."

Vaishnavi looked surprised.

"You?"

Nandini nodded.

"I kept wondering..."

"'What if I make a mistake during the ceremony?'"

Both laughed.

Nandini gently held Vaishnavi's hands.

"Marriage isn't about never making mistakes."

"It's about holding each other's hand whenever mistakes happen."

Vaishnavi smiled.

"I'll remember that."

Nandini kissed her forehead.

"And remember one more thing."

"You're not just becoming Parth's wife..."

"You're becoming our daughter."

Vaishnavi's eyes filled with tears.

She hugged Nandini tightly.

"Thank you... Maa."

Nandini smiled through moist eyes.

"I've been waiting a long time to hear that."

Downstairs...

The priest requested the families to gather.

Tulsi and Mihir welcomed everyone.

Reyansh stood beside Parth, teasing him constantly.

"If your hands shake while putting on the ring..."

"I'm taking over."

Parth laughed.

"Keep dreaming."

The guests laughed along with them.

The atmosphere was filled with warmth.

The priest smiled.

"Please bring the bride."

Soft music filled the hall.

Every eye turned towards the staircase.

Vaishnavi slowly descended, dressed in a graceful rose-pink lehenga.

Parth couldn't take his eyes off her.

Mihir quietly nudged him.

"Breathe, Parth."

The family burst into laughter.

Vaishnavi reached the stage.

Their eyes met.

Neither noticed the crowd around them.

It was as though the entire world had faded away.

The priest blessed the couple.

"May this bond be filled with love, trust and companionship."

Parth picked up the engagement ring.

Before sliding it onto Vaishnavi's finger, he whispered softly,

"This is just the beginning."

Vaishnavi smiled.

"Our forever begins today."

She slipped the ring onto his finger.

The hall erupted in applause.

Flower petals showered over the couple.

Tulsi folded her hands before the Lord.

"Keep them together forever."

Mihir stood beside her and smiled.

"Amen to that."

Outside Shanti Niketan...

A black SUV remained parked in the shadows.

Inside sat the mysterious woman.

Beside her...

The mysterious man quietly watched the celebration through binoculars.

He observed every ritual.

Every smile.

Every blessing.

Finally, he lowered the binoculars.

"The first promise has been made."

The woman looked at the brightly lit mansion.

"Good."

She smiled coldly.

"The stronger their bond becomes..."

"...the more devastating its destruction will be."

The lights of Shanti Niketan continued to shine brightly.

Inside...

Everyone celebrated love.

Outside...

Someone patiently waited...

For the perfect moment to steal it.

A Love Worth Fighting For

A few days later...

The joy of the engagement had settled over Shanti Niketan.

Every morning brought a new wedding ritual to plan.

Every evening ended with music, laughter and endless teasing.

The wedding was now only two weeks away.

Inside the Virani living room...

Tulsi sat with Mihir, reviewing the final wedding arrangements.

"The florist has confirmed."

"The caterer has confirmed."

"The decorators have confirmed."

She looked up at Mihir.

"I think everything is finally ready."

Mihir smiled.

"Except the groom."

Tulsi looked surprised.

"What happened now?"

Mihir chuckled.

"He still hasn't learnt a single dance step."

Just then...

Parth walked in.

"I heard that."

Mihir laughed.

"Good."

"Now come here."

"We're teaching you."

Parth looked horrified.

"Bade Papa..."

"I'd rather negotiate a business merger."

The room erupted in laughter.

Nandini shook her head.

"My son can manage a company..."

"But not one dance performance."

Karan smiled proudly.

"He gets that from me."

Nandini immediately looked at him.

"Oh really?"

"I still remember our wedding."

"You stepped on my foot three times."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Even Karan couldn't help smiling.

Meanwhile...

Vaishnavi was helping decorate the courtyard.

She carefully tied jasmine flowers around a pillar.

Parth quietly walked behind her.

Without saying a word...

He gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

She turned around.

"You scared me."

He smiled.

"Good."

"I wanted your attention."

"You already have it."

"For life?"

She looked at him.

"For life."

Parth extended his little finger.

"Promise?"

Vaishnavi smiled and hooked her little finger with his.

"Promise."

At that very moment...

A shower of flower petals fell from the balcony above.

They both looked up.

Reyansh stood there laughing.

"So much romance?"

"You two forgot we're decorating for a wedding."

Parth laughed.

"We are."

"Our wedding."

Reyansh shook his head dramatically.

"I should have known."

Vaishnavi smiled.

"You'll find someone who'll make you just as happy."

Reyansh smiled back.

"I hope so."

His words were sincere.

There wasn't a trace of bitterness in his voice.

Tulsi, who had been watching from the doorway, smiled quietly.

Seeing the harmony between Parth and Reyansh filled her heart with peace.

That night...

Parth and Vaishnavi sat beneath the old banyan tree.

The mansion glowed behind them.

Vaishnavi gently held the tiny silver house-shaped keychain Parth had given her.

"I've been thinking."

Parth looked at her.

"About?"

"What if..."

"Our married life isn't always this perfect?"

Parth smiled softly.

"No marriage is."

"There'll be disagreements."

"There'll be misunderstandings."

"There'll be difficult days."

Vaishnavi listened silently.

"But..."

He gently took her hand.

"No matter how angry I become..."

"I promise I'll never let go of this hand."

Vaishnavi's eyes filled with emotion.

"And I promise..."

"No matter how difficult life becomes..."

"I'll never stop trusting you."

They smiled.

Neither realised...

That fate would soon test that very promise.

Far away...

Inside the secluded bungalow...

The mysterious woman placed several photographs of Parth and Vaishnavi across a large table.

The mysterious man stood opposite her.

She pointed towards one photograph.

"What do you see?"

He answered,

"Love."

She nodded.

"Exactly."

She picked up another photograph.

"What do you see now?"

"Their trust."

A cold smile spread across her face.

"Then remember this."

She slowly tore the photograph into two pieces.

"Love can survive many things."

"But..."

She looked directly into his eyes.

"Once trust dies..."

"Everything else follows."

The mysterious man silently watched the torn photograph fall onto the table.

Outside...

Lightning illuminated the dark sky.

The countdown...

Had begun.

The Blessing Before the Storm

The wedding was now just three days away.

Shanti Niketan had transformed into a magnificent celebration of love.

Colourful drapes adorned every balcony.

Fresh flowers filled every room with their fragrance.

The sound of dhols and laughter echoed throughout the mansion.

Friends and relatives had begun arriving from different parts of the country.

Early that morning...

Tulsi gathered the entire family in the prayer hall.

The silver lamps flickered before the idols as everyone folded their hands.

The priest completed the aarti before smiling at the young couple.

"Before a new journey begins..."

"Seek the blessings of your elders."

Parth and Vaishnavi first bent down to touch Tulsi's and Mihir's feet.

Tulsi lovingly blessed them.

"May your marriage always be built on faith."

Mihir smiled.

"And never forget..."

"Laughter is the strongest foundation of any home."

Both smiled.

Next...

They sought Karan and Nandini's blessings.

Nandini cupped Parth's face lovingly.

"You've always brought happiness into this house."

"Now promise me..."

"You'll spend your life protecting Vaishnavi's happiness too."

Parth looked at Vaishnavi before replying,

"I promise, Maa."

Karan placed a reassuring hand on Parth's shoulder.

"I've never had to teach you how to be a good son."

"I'm certain you'll become an even better husband."

Parth embraced his father.

"Thank you, Papa."

Nandini then turned towards Vaishnavi.

"You are not leaving your family."

"You are becoming a part of another one."

Vaishnavi's eyes grew moist.

"I know, Maa."

Nandini hugged her tightly.

After the prayers...

The younger generation gathered in the courtyard.

The ladies prepared turmeric for the upcoming haldi ceremony while music played in the background.

Reyansh walked over carrying two cups of coffee.

He handed one to Parth.

"For the groom."

Parth smiled.

"Thank you."

Reyansh looked towards Vaishnavi, who was laughing with the women of the family.

"You know..."

"I've never seen her this happy."

Parth followed his gaze.

"Neither have I."

Reyansh smiled warmly.

"Take care of her."

Parth nodded sincerely.

"With my life."

The two cousins shared a quiet moment of understanding.

Neither knew...

That destiny was silently preparing to place them on opposite sides of a tragedy neither had chosen.

That evening...

Vaishnavi stood alone on the balcony, admiring the lights decorating Shanti Niketan.

Parth quietly joined her.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

She smiled.

"I wasn't looking at the lights."

Parth looked at her curiously.

"Then what were you looking at?"

"Our future."

She leaned gently against the railing.

"In a few days..."

"I'll wake up in this house every morning."

Parth smiled.

"And Nandini Maa will insist me to have breakfast before doing anything."

Vaishnavi laughed.

"And Mihir Dadu will tease everyone at the dining table."

"And Tulsi Baa will pretend she's strict..."

"...before secretly spoiling all of us."

Parth nodded.

"And Karan Papa will leave for the office exactly on time."

They both laughed.

For a few moments...

They simply imagined the life that awaited them.

A simple life.

A peaceful life.

A happy life.

Parth looked at her with affection.

"Whatever happens..."

"I'll always come back home to you."

Vaishnavi gently placed her hand in his.

"And I'll always wait."

Far away...

Inside the secluded bungalow...

The mysterious woman listened as one of her men reported,

"Everything is ready."

She nodded.

"The farmhouse?"

"Prepared."

"The vehicle?"

"Prepared."

"The forged documents?"

"Ready."

She looked towards the mysterious man.

"Your final rehearsal begins tomorrow."

He calmly replied,

"I won't make a mistake."

She smiled.

"You cannot afford one."

She walked to a large mirror.

The mysterious man stood before it.

Slowly...

He adjusted his hairstyle exactly like Parth.

He smiled exactly like Parth.

Even his posture mirrored Parth's.

For a fleeting moment...

It was impossible to tell them apart.

The woman looked at his reflection and whispered,

"Three more days..."

"And the world will believe..."

"...that you are Parth Virani."

Outside...

Thunder rolled across the dark sky.

Inside Shanti Niketan...

Wedding songs filled the air.

Two very different celebrations had begun.

One celebrated love.

The other...

Prepared for deception.

The Wedding Begins

At last...

The day everyone had been waiting for had arrived.

Parth and Vaishnavi's wedding day.

Before dawn...

Shanti Niketan was already awake.

The mansion glowed under thousands of golden lights as the sounds of shehnai filled the morning air.

Guests arrived one after another, filling the house with excitement.

Every corner echoed with laughter, blessings and joyful conversations.

Inside the bridal room...

Vaishnavi sat before the mirror, dressed in a magnificent crimson bridal lehenga embroidered with intricate golden zari work.

Her jewellery sparkled softly under the lights.

Yet...

Her hands trembled slightly.

Nandini noticed immediately.

"Nervous?"

Vaishnavi smiled faintly.

"A little."

Nandini sat beside her and lovingly held her hands.

"I was exactly the same on my wedding day."

Vaishnavi looked at her.

"Were you scared?"

Nandini nodded.

"Every bride is."

"But the moment I looked at Karan..."

"...all my fears disappeared."

She gently adjusted Vaishnavi's veil.

"And when you look at Parth today..."

"...everything else will disappear too."

Vaishnavi smiled through moist eyes.

"I know."

Nandini kissed her forehead.

"My daughter looks beautiful."

Meanwhile...

In another room...

Parth stood dressed in an elegant ivory sherwani with a maroon stole draped across his shoulder.

He looked at himself in the mirror.

For perhaps the first time in his life...

He was speechless.

Karan entered.

"So..."

"The groom is finally ready."

Parth smiled.

"How do I look?"

Karan walked around him dramatically.

"Hmm..."

"I suppose you'll do."

Parth laughed.

"Papa..."

Karan smiled before straightening Parth's safa.

"You remind me of myself."

Parth raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

Karan chuckled.

"Except..."

"I was much more handsome."

Parth laughed loudly.

"I'll ask Maa about that."

Both shared a warm embrace.

For a brief moment...

Neither knew how precious this embrace would become.

Outside...

The wedding procession had arrived.

The dhols echoed through the streets.

Friends and relatives danced joyfully.

Reyansh stood beside Parth, encouraging everyone.

"Come on!"

"The groom can't be the only one smiling."

Even Mihir joined the celebrations.

Tulsi laughed as she watched the family dance together.

"Look at them."

Mihir smiled.

"It's been years since Shanti Niketan felt this alive."

Tulsi quietly folded her hands before the Lord.

"May this happiness last forever."

Soon...

The priest announced,

"The auspicious time has arrived."

Everyone gathered around the beautifully decorated mandap.

Parth took his place.

His eyes searched only for one person.

Then...

Soft wedding music filled the air.

Vaishnavi slowly walked towards the mandap beneath a floral canopy held by the women of the family.

Parth looked at her...

And forgot to breathe.

She looked radiant.

Their eyes met.

Neither noticed the hundreds of guests watching them.

For them...

The world had ceased to exist.

The priest smiled.

"Today..."

"Two souls become one."

The wedding rituals began.

The garlands were exchanged amidst loud cheers.

The families showered the couple with flower petals.

Tulsi and Mihir watched with tearful smiles.

Nandini held Karan's hand.

"Our son..."

"He's beginning a new life."

Karan smiled proudly.

"Our family is growing."

Far away...

On a deserted road leading out of Mumbai...

A black SUV waited silently beneath a cluster of trees.

Inside...

The mysterious woman looked at her watch.

She smiled.

"The ceremony has begun."

The mysterious man sat beside her, dressed entirely in black.

He quietly closed his eyes.

The woman looked at him.

"Remember..."

"Not today."

"Not until the wedding is complete."

He opened his eyes and nodded.

"I know."

She smiled coldly.

"Let Parth Virani enjoy every moment of becoming a husband."

Her gaze drifted towards the distant skyline.

"Because before this day ends..."

"...his life will no longer belong to him."

Far away...

The sacred fire burned brightly inside the mandap.

Completely unaware...

The real Parth and Vaishnavi smiled at each other...

As destiny quietly counted down the final hours before everything changed forever.

Seven Sacred Promises

The sacred fire burned brightly beneath the beautifully decorated mandap.

The fragrance of sandalwood and jasmine filled the air.

The priest looked at the bride and groom with a warm smile.

"The most sacred moment has arrived."

He turned towards Parth.

"Please apply sindoor."

Parth's hands trembled ever so slightly as he took a pinch of vermilion.

He looked into Vaishnavi's eyes.

She smiled reassuringly.

Slowly...

He filled the parting of her hair with sindoor.

The entire mandap erupted in applause.

Nandini wiped away tears of joy.

"My daughter..."

Tulsi smiled.

"From today..."

"She is a Virani."

The priest handed Parth the mangalsutra.

"This sacred thread is a symbol of lifelong companionship."

Parth gently tied it around Vaishnavi's neck.

Vaishnavi instinctively held it close to her heart.

Their eyes met once again.

No words were needed.

Everything they wished to say...

Was reflected in that silent glance.

The priest continued,

"Now the bride and groom shall take the seven sacred vows."

Parth and Vaishnavi stood.

Holding each other's hands...

They began walking around the sacred fire.

With every phera...

The priest recited a blessing.

First Phera...

"For nourishment and prosperity."

Second Phera...

"For strength in every difficulty."

Third Phera...

"For faith and devotion."

Fourth Phera...

"For love and mutual respect."

Fifth Phera...

"For happiness through every season of life."

Sixth Phera...

"For health and togetherness."

Seventh Phera...

"For friendship that lasts beyond a lifetime."

As they completed the final round...

The priest smiled.

"From this moment onwards..."

"You are husband and wife."

Thunderous applause echoed throughout the hall.

Flower petals rained down upon the newlyweds.

Parth looked at Vaishnavi.

"So..."

"Mrs. Virani."

Vaishnavi laughed softly.

"That sounds strange."

"You'll get used to it."

"And you?"

"I've been waiting to call you my wife."

She lowered her eyes shyly.

One by one...

The elders blessed the couple.

Tulsi and Mihir embraced them both.

"May your love grow stronger with every passing day."

Karan hugged Parth proudly.

"You've made us proud, son."

Parth smiled.

"I hope I always will."

Nandini lovingly kissed Parth's forehead before embracing Vaishnavi.

"My children..."

"Always stay together."

Reyansh stepped forward with a broad smile.

He hugged Parth tightly.

"Congratulations, brother."

Parth hugged him back.

"Thank you."

Then Reyansh turned towards Vaishnavi.

"Take care of him."

Vaishnavi laughed.

"I'll try."

Everyone burst into laughter.

The atmosphere was filled with warmth.

With hope.

With dreams.

As the celebrations continued...

The mysterious woman watched everything through a live video feed on a tablet.

She calmly switched off the screen.

"The wedding is complete."

She looked towards the mysterious man.

"It's time."

He stood up.

His face was calm.

Without a word...

He picked up a small black bag.

Inside were:

• A duplicate wedding ring.
• A watch identical to Parth's.
• Forged identity documents.
• A mobile phone prepared to mirror Parth's.
• A complete change of clothes matching what Parth would wear after the wedding.

The woman smiled.

"The real Parth Virani has lived his final day as himself."

She looked directly into his eyes.

"From tonight..."

"...your life begins."

The mysterious man quietly walked towards the waiting vehicle.

Its engine started.

Far away...

Inside Shanti Niketan...

Parth and Vaishnavi smiled as family members surrounded them with love.

Neither realised...

That before the night ended...

Fate would separate them...

For the next ten years.

The Disappearance

The wedding celebrations continued late into the evening.

Music echoed throughout Shanti Niketan.

The newly married couple received blessings from every elder and heartfelt wishes from every guest.

For the first time...

Vaishnavi stood beside Parth...

Not as his fiancée.

But as Mrs. Vaishnavi Parth Virani.

As the guests slowly began leaving...

Tulsi smiled at the newlyweds.

"You've both had a long day."

"Go upstairs and rest."

Nandini laughed.

"Not before the bride and groom have some milk."

Everyone laughed.

Parth looked at Vaishnavi.

"I think escaping from this family is impossible."

Vaishnavi smiled.

"I don't think I want to."

The family burst into laughter once again.

An hour later...

The celebrations had almost ended.

Parth quietly stepped out into the garden.

He looked up at the moon.

A soft voice came from behind.

"Running away from your own wedding?"

He turned around.

Vaishnavi stood there, still wearing her bridal attire.

Parth smiled.

"I just wanted a moment with my wife."

She walked towards him.

"I was looking for my husband."

They both smiled.

For a few moments...

Neither spoke.

Parth gently held her hand.

"Vaishu..."

"Hmm?"

"Today..."

"I'm the happiest man in the world."

She rested her head against his shoulder.

"So am I."

Parth took the tiny silver house-shaped keychain from his pocket.

"You still have yours?"

Vaishnavi smiled and showed it to him.

"I told you."

"I'll never lose it."

Parth gently closed her fingers around it.

"No matter what happens..."

"Keep this with you."

"It'll always bring me back to you."

Vaishnavi laughed softly.

"You're talking as if you're going somewhere."

"Just a promise."

She looked into his eyes.

"I'll wait for you..."

"No matter how long it takes."

Parth smiled.

"And I'll always come back."

Neither of them realised...

How prophetic those words would become.

Just then...

Karan called from inside the mansion.

"Parth!"

Parth turned.

"Coming, Papa!"

He looked at Vaishnavi.

"I'll be back in five minutes."

She nodded.

"I'll wait."

Parth gently kissed her forehead before walking towards the house.

Inside...

Karan handed him a file.

"One of our senior trustees has arrived unexpectedly."

"He wants to congratulate you personally."

Parth smiled.

"I'll meet him."

As Parth walked towards the entrance...

A member of the hotel staff approached him.

"Sir..."

"Mrs. Tulsi Virani has asked you to come to the rear parking area."

Parth looked surprised.

"Baa?"

"Yes, sir."

"She said it's urgent."

Without suspecting anything...

Parth walked towards the rear exit.

The parking area was almost deserted.

Only a few vehicles remained.

Parth looked around.

"Baa?"

There was no answer.

Suddenly...

A voice came from behind.

"Congratulations..."

Parth turned.

Standing a few feet away...

Was a man.

His face was hidden beneath the shadow of a black hood.

Parth frowned.

"Who are you?"

The man slowly removed the hood.

Parth's eyes widened.

For a moment...

It felt as though he was looking into a mirror.

The stranger smiled.

"You look surprised."

Parth took an instinctive step back.

"Who are you?"

Instead of answering...

The man smiled.

"Someone who's about to become you."

Before Parth could react...

Several masked men emerged from the darkness.

Parth fought back fiercely.

He punched one man to the ground.

Another stumbled backwards.

But they were too many.

One of them injected something into his arm.

Parth staggered.

His vision blurred.

He tried to stand.

He tried to fight.

His last thought was of Vaishnavi.

"Vaishu..."

He collapsed unconscious.

The mysterious man knelt beside him.

For the first time...

He looked directly at the unconscious Parth.

Then calmly removed his own wedding ring...

And slipped the duplicate ring onto his finger.

He took Parth's watch.

His wallet.

His mobile phone.

Then he quietly whispered,

"Sleep well..."

"Because when you wake up..."

"The world will no longer remember you."

The black SUV sped away into the darkness...

Carrying the real Parth Virani with it.

A few minutes later...

The mysterious man walked back into Shanti Niketan.

No one looked at him twice.

Everyone smiled.

Everyone blessed him.

Everyone believed...

Parth Virani had returned.

No one realised...

The man standing before them...

Was only...

The Facade.

------

To be continued.

Chapter 3 (The Devil Behind the Face)

A Stranger Comes Home

The next morning...

The first rays of sunlight entered Shanti Niketan.

The mansion was still decorated with flowers from the wedding.

For everyone in the Virani family...

It was the beginning of a new chapter.

For one man...

It was the beginning of a stolen life.

Vaishnavi slowly opened her eyes.

For a brief moment, she smiled.

She was finally Mrs. Vaishnavi Parth Virani.

She turned towards Parth.

He was already awake.

Sitting near the window.

Looking outside.

She smiled.

"Good morning."

The man turned around.

A gentle smile appeared on his face.

"Good morning."

His voice...

His smile...

Everything was exactly like Parth.

Yet...

Something felt different.

Vaishnavi dismissed the thought.

Perhaps...

He was simply tired after the wedding.

She walked towards him.

"What are you thinking about?"

He looked at her for a moment before replying,

"Life changes quickly."

She smiled.

"It changed for the better."

He looked away.

"Perhaps."

Vaishnavi frowned slightly.

The answer sounded unlike Parth.

But before she could think further...

There was a knock on the door.

Nandini entered carrying a tray.

"I knew you both would skip breakfast."

She smiled lovingly.

"So I brought breakfast to my newlyweds."

Vaishnavi immediately hugged her.

"Maa..."

Nandini kissed her forehead.

"My daughter."

She then looked at Parth.

"Come here."

The man walked towards her.

Nandini lovingly cupped his face.

"My son."

He smiled politely.

For a fleeting second...

He hesitated before touching her feet.

Nandini didn't notice.

But Vaishnavi did.

Parth had never hesitated before seeking his mother's blessings.

She looked at him curiously.

He smiled at her.

The smile was perfect.

Almost...

Too perfect.

Downstairs...

The entire family had gathered for breakfast.

Mihir laughed.

"So, Mr. Groom..."

"Did you get any sleep?"

Parth smiled calmly.

"Enough."

Karan chuckled.

"I doubt that."

Everyone laughed.

Only Tulsi quietly observed him.

Something about him seemed...

Different.

She couldn't explain what.

But for the first time...

A strange uneasiness settled in her heart.

As breakfast continued...

Reyansh looked at Parth.

"I've scheduled our meeting with the Singapore investors for Monday."

The man nodded immediately.

"Fine."

Reyansh looked surprised.

"No arguments?"

"You usually postpone meetings after family functions."

The man smiled.

"We have responsibilities."

Reyansh laughed.

"Marriage really has changed you overnight."

Everyone smiled.

Only Tulsi remained thoughtful.

Meanwhile...

Far away...

The real Parth slowly regained consciousness.

His head throbbed with pain.

He looked around.

The room was dark.

Cold.

The windows were covered with iron bars.

He struggled to sit up.

"Where..."

"Where am I?"

His voice echoed through the empty room.

He rushed towards the door.

It was locked.

He banged on it repeatedly.

"Who's there?"

"Open the door!"

"Vaishnavi!"

"Maa!"

"Papa!"

No answer came.

Only silence.

Then...

The door slowly opened.

A woman entered.

Dressed in an elegant black saree.

She looked at him with an unreadable expression.

Parth stared at her.

"You?"

She smiled faintly.

"Yes..."

"... it’s me Noina."

Parth clenched his fists.

"What do you want?"

Noina walked calmly around the room.

"I want nothing from you."

She stopped before him.

"But someone else..."

"...has already taken everything."

Parth looked at her in confusion.

"What are you talking about?"

Noina smiled.

"You'll understand soon enough."

She walked towards the door.

Before leaving...

She looked back at him.

"Oh..."

"Congratulations on your wedding."

The heavy iron door slammed shut.

The sound echoed through the lonely room.

Parth stood frozen.

He had no idea...

That at that very moment...

Another man...

Wearing his face...

Was living his life.

The Perfect Performance

The days that followed...

Passed peacefully for the Virani family.

No one suspected...

That the man living under their roof...

Was not Parth Virani.

Every morning...

The imposter observed everyone carefully.

He watched how Tulsi conducted the morning aarti.

He noticed how Mihir never began breakfast before Tulsi sat beside him.

He learnt that Karan preferred reading the business pages before speaking to anyone.

He saw Nandini fussing over everyone, especially Parth.

And he carefully studied Vaishnavi...

Every smile.

Every habit.

Every emotion.

One morning...

Nandini entered Parth and Vaishnavi's room carrying a tray of tea.

"Good morning."

The imposter smiled warmly.

"Good morning, Maa."

He accepted the cup.

Nandini looked at him lovingly.

"You've become so quiet after the wedding."

He smiled.

"Marriage makes people more responsible."

Nandini laughed.

"Or maybe my son is finally growing up."

He smiled politely.

Vaishnavi looked at him.

Again...

Something felt different.

The real Parth would have hugged Nandini before touching the tea.

Instead...

He simply smiled.

It was such a small difference...

Yet it stayed in her mind.

Later...

Virani Industries.

The weekly board meeting was underway.

Karan addressed the directors.

"Our Singapore expansion begins next month."

He turned towards Parth.

"What do you think?"

The imposter answered confidently.

"I think we should move aggressively."

Several directors nodded.

Karan looked impressed.

"So do I."

Reyansh smiled.

"Looks like marriage has made you more focused."

The imposter smiled.

"Perhaps."

Reyansh laughed.

"I wish this version of you had appeared years ago."

The entire boardroom laughed.

Only one person remained silent.

Mihir.

He looked thoughtfully at Parth.

There was nothing obviously wrong...

Yet something felt...

Missing.

That evening...

Vaishnavi found Parth standing alone on the balcony.

"What happened?"

He turned.

"Nothing."

She walked closer.

"You've been saying that a lot lately."

He smiled.

"I'm just thinking about work."

Vaishnavi gently slipped her hand into his.

The imposter hesitated for the briefest moment...

Before holding it.

Again...

It felt different.

Not cold.

Not cruel.

Simply...

Unfamiliar.

She looked at him carefully.

"Parth..."

"Hmm?"

"Are you happy?"

He smiled.

"Of course."

She wasn't convinced.

The real Parth would have answered without hesitation.

Meanwhile...

Miles away...

The real Parth sat on the floor of his prison cell.

A plate of food was pushed inside.

He ignored it.

His thoughts were consumed by only one person.

"Vaishu..."

He remembered her smile during the wedding.

Their seven sacred vows.

The little silver house-shaped keychain.

He clenched his fists.

"I'll come back."

"No matter what it takes..."

"I'll come back."

Outside the cell...

Noina silently listened.

For a brief moment...

A flicker of sympathy crossed her face.

But it vanished instantly.

She turned and walked away.

Late that night...

The imposter stood alone before a mirror inside his room.

He carefully removed his watch.

Practised Parth's smile.

Repeated the way Parth laughed.

Adjusted the way he stood.

Then he looked into his own eyes.

A slow smile spread across his face.

"No one suspects a thing."

A voice came from behind.

"Not yet."

The imposter turned.

Noina stood at the doorway.

She looked pleased.

"You've done well."

The imposter smiled confidently.

"They trust me completely."

Noina's expression became serious.

"Remember our agreement."

"You were only supposed to create misunderstandings."

"Nothing more."

The imposter looked at her.

For the first time...

There was a dangerous gleam in his eyes.

"Plans change."

Noina frowned.

"What does that mean?"

He calmly buttoned his cuff.

"It means..."

"I've lived as Parth Virani for less than a week."

"And already..."

"I'm beginning to like this life."

Noina's face hardened.

"Don't forget who put you here."

The imposter smiled.

"And don't underestimate what I'm capable of."

For the first time...

Noina realised...

The man she had chosen to destroy the Viranis...

Might one day become impossible to control.

Cracks Behind the Smile

Days turned into weeks.

Life at Shanti Niketan appeared as peaceful as ever.

The newlyweds were admired by everyone.

The Virani family believed Parth had become calmer and more mature after marriage.

Only one person...

Felt that something was changing.

Vaishnavi.

One evening...

Vaishnavi entered their room carrying two cups of coffee.

"I made your favourite."

The imposter looked up from his laptop.

"Thank you."

He accepted the cup without even looking at her.

Vaishnavi smiled faintly.

"You didn't even ask how I made it."

He looked confused.

"What do you mean?"

She laughed softly.

"You always ask."

"'Extra sugar or less?'"

"'Did you burn the milk again?'"

He forced a smile.

"I suppose I forgot."

Vaishnavi nodded.

"Maybe."

She didn't say another word.

But a strange uneasiness settled in her heart.

The next morning...

Tulsi conducted the family aarti as usual.

After the prayers...

Parth bent to seek her blessings.

Tulsi lovingly placed her hand on his head.

"May God always guide you."

As he stood up...

Tulsi noticed something.

The warmth in his embrace...

Felt different.

For years...

Parth had hugged her like a grandson who had grown up in her lap.

Today...

It felt rehearsed.

Tulsi dismissed the thought.

"Perhaps marriage has made him more reserved," she told herself.

At Virani Industries...

Karan called Parth and Reyansh into his cabin.

"I've decided to hand over the new infrastructure project to both of you."

Reyansh smiled.

"We won't disappoint you, Dad."

Karan looked proudly at them.

"I know."

The imposter spoke confidently.

"We'll complete it ahead of schedule."

Karan smiled.

"That's the spirit."

As they walked out...

Reyansh placed an arm around Parth's shoulder.

"Looks like we're partners again."

The imposter nodded.

"For a long time."

Reyansh laughed.

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

Watching them from inside his cabin...

Karan smiled.

"My sons..."

Late that night...

Vaishnavi was arranging their wardrobe.

She accidentally found the small silver house-shaped keychain inside a drawer.

She smiled.

"You remember?"

The imposter turned.

"What?"

She held up the keychain.

"Our farmhouse."

He stared blankly at it for a second.

Then recovered.

"Of course."

She looked at him hopefully.

"What did you say the farmhouse would have?"

The imposter remained silent.

His mind raced.

Vaishnavi's smile slowly faded.

"You've forgotten..."

He quickly replied,

"I was just testing you."

She smiled weakly.

"I almost believed you'd forgotten."

She placed the keychain back inside the drawer.

As she turned away...

A shadow crossed her face.

For the first time...

She wondered if marriage had changed Parth...

Or if she simply hadn't known him as well as she thought.

Elsewhere...

The real Parth sat alone in his cell.

He had scratched a small calendar onto the wall with a piece of broken stone.

Every sunrise...

He marked another line.

Every sunset...

He whispered the same words.

"One day closer..."

"One day closer to home."

The iron door opened.

Noina entered carrying fresh food.

"You should eat."

Parth looked at her angrily.

"Why are you doing this?"

"What have I ever done to you?"

Noina remained silent.

"I told you before."

"I don't hate you."

Parth stood up.

"Then let me go."

Noina looked away.

"I can't."

"Not anymore."

Parth frowned.

"What do you mean?"

She hesitated.

Then quietly said,

"The plan has gone too far."

Before Parth could ask another question...

She turned and walked out.

The heavy door slammed shut once again.

Parth stared at it.

He had no idea...

That outside those walls...

The man wearing his face...

Was beginning to enjoy a life that had never belonged to him.

The Beginning of the End

Another month passed.

The Virani family believed life had finally settled into a peaceful rhythm.

Business was flourishing.

The newly married couple seemed happy.

Shanti Niketan echoed with the same warmth it always had.

But beneath that happiness...

A storm had begun to gather.

Inside Virani Industries...

The board meeting had just concluded.

As everyone prepared to leave, Karan addressed Parth.

"Excellent presentation."

"The clients were impressed."

The imposter smiled modestly.

"I only followed what you taught me."

Karan placed a proud hand on his shoulder.

"I've started trusting you with decisions I once made myself."

"One day..."

"Virani Industries will be completely yours."

The imposter's eyes gleamed for a brief second.

A silent greed awakened within him.

"Thank you, Papa."

He lowered his head respectfully.

Karan smiled, unaware of the ambition hidden behind that respectful gesture.

That evening...

The family gathered for dinner.

Laughter filled the dining hall.

Mihir narrated an old childhood incident involving Karan.

"...and then Karan blamed me for breaking the vase."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Even Tulsi couldn't stop smiling.

Nandini looked at Parth.

"Do you remember that story?"

The imposter hesitated for a fraction of a second.

Before he could answer...

Mihir laughed.

"You weren't even born then."

The entire family laughed again.

The imposter smiled in relief.

He had narrowly escaped.

Only Vaishnavi noticed that brief hesitation.

She quietly looked down at her plate.

Another small crack...

Another unanswered question.

Later that night...

Inside their room...

Vaishnavi found Parth staring out of the window.

"You've changed."

He slowly turned around.

"In what way?"

She walked closer.

"You smile less."

"You hardly laugh."

"You've become distant."

The imposter looked into her eyes.

"People change after marriage."

Vaishnavi gently shook her head.

"No."

"Not you."

"You promised..."

"...that no matter how busy life became..."

"...you would always make time for us."

The imposter looked away.

"I've been busy."

Vaishnavi sighed softly.

"I hope that's all it is."

She quietly walked out onto the balcony.

For the first time since their wedding...

A silent distance separated husband and wife.

Meanwhile...

Inside the secluded bungalow...

Noina entered the study.

She found the imposter examining the Virani Industries annual reports.

He barely looked up.

"I've been waiting for you."

Noina frowned.

"What are you doing?"

He smiled.

"Learning."

She closed the file immediately.

"Our agreement was simple."

"Create misunderstandings."

"Break the family's trust in Tulsi."

"Nothing else."

The imposter slowly stood up.

"That was your agreement."

"Noina's expression hardened.

"What do you mean?"

He calmly walked towards the window.

"I've changed my mind."

He looked at the magnificent skyline of Mumbai.

"For the first time in my life..."

"I know what power feels like."

He turned towards her.

"And I like it."

Noina stared at him.

"You've forgotten who you are."

He smiled.

"No."

"I've finally realised who I can become."

She stepped closer.

"You are not Parth Virani."

His smile widened.

"The world disagrees."

Silence filled the room.

Then...

For the first time...

He uttered the words that sent a chill down Noina's spine.

"Soon..."

"I won't be pretending anymore."

"I will become Parth Virani."

Noina looked at him in disbelief.

She had recruited a man to execute her plan.

Instead...

She had created someone whose greed was far greater than her own.

Outside...

Lightning flashed across the night sky.

Far away...

The real Parth sat in his prison cell, clutching the little silver house-shaped keychain that Vaishnavi had secretly slipped into his pocket during the wedding.

He held it tightly against his heart.

"I'll come back, Vaishu."

"I don't know how..."

"But I promise..."

"I'll come back."

The wind howled outside the prison walls.

For the first time...

The imposter had begun writing his own story.

And Noina realised...

She was no longer the one controlling the game.

The First Betrayal

Weeks passed.

The imposter had perfected his role.

To the world...

He was Parth Virani.

The loving son.

The responsible husband.

The ideal heir.

No one questioned him.

No one suspected him.

Except...

Vaishnavi.

One evening...

Vaishnavi entered Parth's study carrying a cup of coffee.

She smiled.

"You've been working since morning."

"You need a break."

The imposter didn't even look up from the file.

"Leave it there."

She quietly placed the cup on the table.

"Parth..."

He looked up impatiently.

"What is it?"

She hesitated.

"I was thinking..."

"We haven't gone anywhere since our wedding."

"You promised we'd visit the farmhouse you wanted to build someday."

The imposter frowned.

"I'm busy."

"It'll have to wait."

Vaishnavi smiled gently.

"One day won't affect the company."

His expression hardened.

"The company comes first."

Vaishnavi stood speechless.

The real Parth had always believed...

Family came before business.

She slowly nodded.

"I'm sorry."

She quietly walked away.

The imposter watched her leave.

Instead of guilt...

A faint smile appeared on his face.

The distance between them was growing.

Exactly as he wanted.

Downstairs...

Tulsi was arranging flowers in the prayer room when Vaishnavi entered.

Tulsi immediately noticed the sadness on her face.

"What happened, beta?"

Vaishnavi forced a smile.

"Nothing, Baa."

Tulsi gently held her hand.

"I've lived long enough to know the difference between silence..."

"...and hidden tears."

Vaishnavi's eyes filled with emotion.

"Baa..."

"Do people really change so much after marriage?"

Tulsi looked thoughtful.

"They change."

"But their values don't."

"What do you mean?"

Tulsi smiled softly.

"A loving heart never forgets how to love."

Vaishnavi remained silent.

Those words lingered in her mind.

Meanwhile...

At Virani Industries...

The imposter sat alone in Karan's cabin.

He slowly opened a confidential file.

Inside were documents related to the Virani family trust...

Their investments...

Their ancestral properties...

And the legal succession plans.

His eyes gleamed.

"So much..."

He whispered.

"And one day..."

"It will all be mine."

He quickly closed the file as footsteps approached.

Karan entered.

"Still working?"

The imposter immediately smiled.

"I wanted to understand everything before taking more responsibility."

Karan looked pleased.

"I'm glad."

"One day all these files will be yours."

The imposter lowered his head respectfully.

"I'll never disappoint you."

Karan smiled proudly.

"I know."

As Karan walked away...

The imposter's smile slowly changed.

Respect disappeared.

Greed remained.

Late that night...

Noina arrived at the secluded bungalow.

She found the imposter sitting comfortably in an expensive armchair, sipping coffee.

"You've become very comfortable."

He smiled.

"I've earned it."

Noina ignored the remark.

"I've arranged the next phase."

"The misunderstandings between Tulsi and the family begin next week."

The imposter calmly shook his head.

"No."

She looked at him.

"What?"

"I've changed the plan."

"You don't change the plan."

"I just did."

Noina's voice became stern.

"I gave you this identity."

"I can take it away."

The imposter slowly stood.

His eyes were colder than ever before.

"You can't."

"Why?"

He stepped closer.

"Because if I fall..."

"So do you."

Silence filled the room.

For the first time...

Noina realised she had become trapped by her own conspiracy.

The imposter smiled.

"From now on..."

"You don't give me orders."

"We work together."

"No..."

She corrected him.

"You work for me."

He laughed.

A calm...

Dangerous laugh.

"We'll see."

He walked past her and stopped at the door.

Without turning around, he said,

"Remember one thing, Noina..."

"You wanted me to wear Parth Virani's face."

"I intend to wear his life."

The door closed behind him.

Noina remained standing alone.

For the first time since her plan had begun...

She was afraid.

Not of Tulsi.

Not of the Viranis.

But of the man...

Who no longer wanted to be an imposter.

He wanted to become...

Parth Virani forever.

The Deal with the Devil

The following evening...

Rain lashed against the windows of an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Mumbai.

The imposter stood alone, waiting.

A black SUV pulled into the compound.

Its headlights went off.

Moments later...

Reyansh stepped out.

He looked around cautiously before walking inside.

The imposter smiled.

"You came."

Reyansh folded his arms.

"You said it was urgent."

"It is."

For a few moments...

Neither spoke.

Finally, Reyansh broke the silence.

"You've changed."

The imposter smiled faintly.

"People change."

"No..."

Reyansh shook his head.

"You've become... ambitious."

The imposter slowly walked towards him.

"Tell me something, Reyanssh."

"For years..."

"You've worked for Virani Industries."

"You've built projects."

"You've sacrificed your personal life."

"But what have you really received?"

Reyansh frowned.

"I've received a family."

The imposter smiled.

"Family..."

"A beautiful word."

"But does family make you equal?"

Reyansh remained silent.

The imposter continued.

"Karan Papa loves us both."

"But when the time comes..."

"Who inherits everything?"

Reyansh looked directly into his eyes.

"You."

The imposter nodded.

"Exactly."

"And doesn't that bother you?"

Reyansh laughed.

"No."

"I've never wanted what belongs to you."

The imposter observed him carefully.

"So you're content..."

"Being second?"

Reyansh's expression hardened.

"I've never measured relationships through property."

The imposter smiled.

"I knew you'd say that."

He slowly placed a file on the table.

"What is this?"

"Look."

Reyansh opened it.

Inside were documents showing future business expansions.

Several new companies.

International projects.

Massive investments.

He looked confused.

"Why are you showing me this?"

The imposter calmly replied,

"Because I don't want to run this empire alone."

Reyansh looked at him.

"What are you suggesting?"

"A partnership."

Reyansh frowned.

"We're already partners."

"No."

The imposter corrected him.

"I mean..."

"A real partnership."

"You and me."

"We control everything."

"No interference."

"No questions."

"No elders."

"Just us."

Silence filled the warehouse.

Rain continued pounding against the roof.

Finally...

Reyansh slowly closed the file.

"I don't understand."

The imposter stepped closer.

"The Viranis built this empire."

"But we're the future."

"Why should we wait?"

Reyansh looked disappointed.

"I thought you called me here because something serious had happened."

"I did."

"What?"

The imposter smiled.

"I've realised..."

"We don't have to live in anyone's shadow."

Reyansh stared at him.

For the first time...

He didn't recognise the man standing before him.

This wasn't the Parth he had grown up with.

He slowly pushed the file back.

"I won't do this."

The imposter's smile disappeared.

"Think carefully."

"I already have."

"My father taught me..."

"Respect is earned."

"It isn't stolen."

The imposter looked at him coldly.

"So that's your final answer."

Reyansh nodded.

"My answer will always be the same."

"No empire..."

"No wealth..."

"Is worth betraying this family."

Without another word...

He turned and walked away.

The imposter watched him leave.

A dangerous smile slowly appeared.

"So..."

"You've chosen them."

He picked up the file.

Then quietly whispered,

"From today..."

"You're no longer my partner."

"You're my obstacle."

Elsewhere...

Noina sat inside her car parked outside the warehouse.

She had heard everything.

Closing her eyes, she whispered,

"I warned you..."

"Greed would destroy everything."

She looked towards the warehouse where the imposter still stood.

Her original plan had been simple.

Frame Tulsi.

Create misunderstandings.

Break the Virani family.

But now...

The imposter wanted far more.

He wanted power.

He wanted the Virani empire.

And he was prepared to destroy anyone...

Even Reyansh...

To get it.

Far away...

Inside Shanti Niketan...

The real Parth's family sat together, laughing over dinner.

They had no idea...

That the greatest danger to their family...

Was no longer Noina.

It was the man...

Living under Parth Virani's face.

The First Sin

A few days later...

The atmosphere inside Shanti Niketan remained cheerful.

The family had gathered for breakfast.

Nandini lovingly served everyone.

"Parth, have another paratha."

The imposter smiled.

"If you keep feeding me like this, Maa, I'll stop fitting into my suits."

Nandini laughed.

"My son will always look handsome."

Everyone smiled.

Only Tulsi quietly observed him.

He looked exactly like Parth.

He spoke exactly like Parth.

Yet...

Something deep within her refused to believe everything was normal.

Later that afternoon...

Virani Industries.

Karan called Parth into his cabin.

"I've decided something."

The imposter looked up.

"What is it, Papa?"

Karan handed him a blue file.

"This contains the documents for the Virani Foundation."

"Our charitable trust."

"I want you to supervise its work from now on."

The imposter opened the file.

Hundreds of crores...

Schools...

Hospitals...

Orphanages...

Scholarships...

He looked impressed.

"So much money..."

Karan smiled.

"And every rupee belongs to those who need it."

The imposter closed the file.

"I'll take good care of it."

Karan nodded proudly.

"I know you will."

As Karan left...

The imposter's smile slowly faded.

He looked at the documents again.

"So much wealth..."

"And none of it belongs to me."

A dangerous thought entered his mind.

That evening...

Noina arrived at the bungalow.

She noticed several legal files spread across the table.

"What are these?"

The imposter didn't look up.

"The Virani Foundation."

Noina frowned.

"I told you before."

"Stick to the plan."

"Our objective is Tulsi."

He smiled calmly.

"My objective has changed."

Noina slammed the file shut.

"You've already disobeyed me enough."

The imposter stood.

"I've spent months studying Parth Virani."

"I've lived his life."

"I've earned his family's trust."

"So why should I walk away with nothing?"

Noina stared at him.

"You've lost your mind."

"No."

"I've found my ambition."

The next morning...

Vaishnavi was arranging the bookshelf in their room.

A folded piece of paper slipped out from one of Parth's business files.

She picked it up.

It was a rough sketch.

Not of a business plan...

But of a farmhouse.

A small lake.

A swing beneath a banyan tree.

Two names were written at the bottom.

Parth ❤️ Vaishu

Vaishnavi smiled through tears.

"So you really meant it..."

She gently folded the sketch and placed it inside her diary.

Just then...

The imposter entered the room.

"What are you looking at?"

Vaishnavi smiled.

"Our dream."

She showed him the sketch.

For a brief moment...

He didn't know what it was.

Then he forced a smile.

"Our farmhouse."

Vaishnavi nodded happily.

"We'll build it someday, won't we?"

The imposter looked at the drawing.

Then at Vaishnavi.

He answered without emotion.

"When the time is right."

Vaishnavi noticed the emptiness in his voice.

The real Parth would have immediately begun talking excitedly about where the swing would go...

Or how they would spend weekends there.

Instead...

He simply walked away.

For the first time...

Vaishnavi's heart whispered a frightening question.

"Why does the man I married feel like a stranger?"

Late that night...

The imposter stood alone in his study.

He looked at his reflection.

Slowly...

He removed the wedding ring from his finger.

He stared at it for several seconds.

Then smiled coldly.

"This ring..."

"This family..."

"This name..."

"They're all mine now."

He slipped the ring back onto his finger.

Behind him...

The mirror reflected the face of Parth Virani.

But the eyes...

Belonged to someone else.

Outside...

Dark clouds gathered over Shanti Niketan.

The first sin had already been committed.

Now...

There was no turning back.

-------

To be continued.

What a thrilling story of Parth - Vaishnavi

Please continue the story

But, I’m not liking this imposter who lived Parth’s life

Will Parth accept Vaishnavi knowing that she’s slept with that imposter since few months?

Originally posted by: Swetha-Sai

What a thrilling story of Parth - Vaishnavi

Please continue the story

But, I’m not liking this imposter who lived Parth’s life

Will Parth accept Vaishnavi knowing that she’s slept with that imposter since few months?

That's the twist which is coming in the future chapters

Chapter 4 (A Mother's Nightmare)

A Marriage Without Love

Six months later...

Winter had arrived in Mumbai.

The wedding decorations had long disappeared from Shanti Niketan.

Life had settled into its usual routine.

Yet...

Something precious had quietly vanished from the mansion.

Happiness.

Every morning...

Vaishnavi woke before sunrise.

She prepared tea for the family.

She helped Nandini in the kitchen.

She accompanied Tulsi during the morning aarti.

To everyone around her...

She looked like the perfect daughter-in-law.

Only she knew...

She was carrying a silent pain.

Her marriage...

Had never truly begun.

Every night...

The man she believed to be Parth found a different excuse.

"I'm tired."

"I have an early meeting."

"I still have office work."

"I'll sleep in the study tonight."

At first...

Vaishnavi had believed him.

Business had indeed become demanding.

Months passed.

Nothing changed.

The distance between them only grew.

She never questioned him.

She simply waited.

Hoping one day...

The Parth she loved would return.

That morning...

Nandini entered Vaishnavi's room carrying freshly folded clothes.

She smiled warmly.

"My daughter is already awake."

Vaishnavi returned a faint smile.

"Good morning, Maa."

Nandini sat beside her.

"I've been watching you."

Vaishnavi looked surprised.

"Watching me?"

Nandini gently brushed a strand of hair away from Vaishnavi's face.

"You smile less these days."

"Is everything alright?"

Vaishnavi immediately lowered her eyes.

"Yes."

Nandini smiled knowingly.

"You're a terrible liar."

Silence filled the room.

Finally...

Vaishnavi spoke in a trembling voice.

"Maa..."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Did Parth..."

"...always throw himself into work like this?"

Nandini laughed softly.

"My son?"

"He used to find excuses to escape work."

"He'd rather spend time with all of us."

Vaishnavi's heart sank.

She hesitated.

Then quietly admitted,

"He hardly spends any time with me."

Nandini's smile slowly faded.

"What do you mean?"

Vaishnavi struggled to find the words.

"He leaves before I wake up."

"He returns late."

"And when he comes home..."

"He's exhausted."

"He sleeps in the study more often than in our room."

Nandini looked thoughtful.

"I'll speak to him."

Vaishnavi quickly held her hand.

"No."

"Please don't."

"I don't want him to feel I'm complaining."

Nandini lovingly embraced her.

"You're not complaining."

"You're my daughter."

"And your happiness matters to me."

Vaishnavi smiled weakly.

"I know, Maa."

Meanwhile...

At Virani Industries...

The imposter had just concluded a successful board meeting.

The directors applauded his presentation.

One of the senior board members smiled.

"Mr. Virani..."

"Under your leadership, the company has reached new heights."

The imposter smiled modestly.

"Thank you."

Karan looked proudly at his son.

"I knew you were ready."

"One day..."

"This empire will completely be yours."

For a brief moment...

The imposter's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

Not because of Karan's praise...

But because those words fed his ambition.

That evening...

Vaishnavi stood alone in the garden.

She gently held the tiny silver house-shaped keychain.

She smiled sadly.

"You promised we'd build our little farmhouse."

"You promised we'd grow old together."

"You promised..."

"...you'd always make time for us."

A tear rolled down her cheek.

She quickly wiped it away.

She didn't notice...

Someone watching her from the balcony above.

The imposter.

His gaze remained fixed on her.

He didn't see a wife.

He saw something else.

Something that belonged to Parth.

Something he had never truly possessed.

His jaw tightened.

Later that night...

Inside the secluded bungalow...

Noina entered the study.

The imposter stood before a large mirror.

Still dressed as Parth.

Still wearing Parth's wedding ring.

Still living Parth's life.

"What are you thinking about?"

Noina asked.

Without turning around...

He replied quietly,

"She still doesn't look at me the way she looked at him."

Noina folded her arms.

"Because you are wearing his face."

"But you'll never become him."

The imposter smiled at his reflection.

"I've become their son."

"Their heir."

"Her husband."

"What more is left?"

Noina answered firmly,

"Her heart."

Silence.

Then...

A cold smile spread across the imposter's face.

"I don't need her heart anymore."

Noina looked at him uneasily.

"What do you want then?"

He slowly removed his wedding ring...

Looked at it for a long moment...

Then slipped it back onto his finger.

"I want her to stop waiting..."

"...for a man who will never return."

Noina stared at him.

Something in his voice frightened her.

This was no longer about completing a mission.

This was no longer about destroying Tulsi.

The obsession had become personal.

Outside...

Dark clouds gathered over Mumbai.

The first crack had appeared in a marriage...

That had never truly begun.

The Monster Within

Days passed.

The silence between Parth and Vaishnavi only deepened.

Though they shared the same room...

They lived like strangers.

The imposter continued sleeping in the study most nights.

Whenever Vaishnavi tried to speak to him...

He buried himself in work.

She kept telling herself...

"Perhaps things will become better."

But they never did.

The Last Warning

One evening...

Tulsi was arranging fresh flowers before the household deity.

The fragrance of jasmine filled the temple.

The evening aarti had just ended.

The temple bells slowly fell silent.

One by one...

The family members left the prayer room.

Only Tulsi and Vaishnavi remained behind.

Tulsi noticed that Vaishnavi had stood before the deity long after everyone else had left.

Her hands were folded.

But her lips never moved.

She wasn't praying.

She was simply staring at the flickering flame.

Tulsi walked towards her.

"Beta..."

Vaishnavi looked up with a faint smile.

"Hmm, Baa?"

Tulsi lovingly held her hand.

"Will you tell me what's troubling you?"

Vaishnavi immediately shook her head.

"Nothing."

Tulsi smiled gently.

"You've forgotten."

"I've watched you grow."

"I know every smile..."

"And every tear."

Vaishnavi lowered her eyes.

Her voice trembled.

"Baa..."

"I don't know what I've done wrong."

Tulsi caressed her cheek.

"You've done nothing."

Vaishnavi struggled to continue.

"He barely speaks to me."

"He avoids me."

"He comes home late..."

"And when he does..."

"He's already asleep."

A tear escaped her eye.

"Sometimes..."

"...I feel like I'm living with a stranger."

Tulsi's heart grew heavy.

She wrapped Vaishnavi in a comforting embrace.

"Don't ever blame yourself."

"If something is wrong..."

"It isn't because of you."

Vaishnavi rested her head on Tulsi's shoulder.

For the first time in months...

She allowed herself to cry.

"I miss him, Baa."

"I miss the Parth I married."

Tulsi gently stroked her hair.

"Sometimes..."

"Life tests love."

"Have faith."

"My grandson may have changed..."

"But somewhere inside..."

"The Parth you love is still there."

Vaishnavi smiled weakly.

"I hope you're right."

Neither of them noticed...

Someone standing just outside the temple.

Hidden behind the carved wooden pillars.

The imposter.

He had heard every word.

Every tear.

Every prayer.

His expression slowly darkened.

"So..."

"You run to Tulsi now."

His fists clenched.

"Very soon..."

"You won't have anyone left."

Without making a sound...

He walked away.

Later that night...

The imposter drove to the secluded bungalow.

Noina was already waiting.

The moment he entered...

She sensed something was different.

"You wanted to see me?"

The imposter nodded.

"I've made a decision."

Noina immediately became cautious.

"What decision?"

"I'm ending this."

She frowned.

"Our plan?"

"No."

He smiled coldly.

"The waiting."

Noina stared at him.

"What are you talking about?"

"For six months..."

"I've lived in another man's house."

"I've worn another man's face."

"I've answered to another man's name."

He slowly walked around the room.

"But one thing..."

"...still isn't mine."

Noina already knew the answer.

"Vaishnavi."

He nodded.

"She still waits for Parth."

"She still dreams about him."

"She still loves him."

Noina looked straight into his eyes.

"And she always will."

The imposter laughed quietly.

"We'll see."

Noina stepped in front of him.

"I warned you."

"Stay away from that girl."

"Our agreement never included her."

He looked at her calmly.

"Our agreement ended..."

"...the day I realised I wanted everything."

"I don't want revenge anymore."

"I want Parth Virani's life."

His family.

His wealth.

His name.

His wife.

Noina's face turned pale.

"You've lost your mind."

"No."

"I've finally found it."

She grabbed his arm.

"Listen to me."

"If you harm Vaishnavi..."

"I'll expose you."

The imposter smiled.

"Expose me?"

He leaned towards her.

"Tell me, Noina..."

"Who will everyone believe?"

"You..."

"The woman who orchestrated this conspiracy..."

"Or Parth Virani?"

Noina stood speechless.

He had trapped her.

There was no evidence.

No witnesses.

Only her word...

Against the man wearing Parth's face.

He slowly walked towards the door.

Before leaving...

He stopped.

Without turning around...

He said quietly,

"Tomorrow night..."

"I'm going to end this distance between us."

Noina's eyes widened.

"What do you mean?"

He looked back over his shoulder.

His expression was terrifyingly calm.

"My wife..."

"...will finally accept that she belongs to me."

Noina rushed towards him.

"You will not touch her!"

The imposter simply smiled.

"You no longer get to tell me what to do."

He walked out.

The door slammed shut.

Noina remained frozen.

For the first time since this conspiracy had begun...

She wasn't afraid of Tulsi.

She wasn't afraid of the Viranis.

She was afraid...

Of the monster she had created.

Without wasting another second...

She grabbed her car keys.

"There is still time."

"I can still stop him."

She hurried towards her car.

The engine roared to life.

Rain lashed against the windshield.

She drove through the deserted streets as fast as she could.

"Hold on, Vaishnavi..."

"Please..."

"Just hold on."

Meanwhile...

The imposter had already reached Shanti Niketan.

Instead of entering through the main gate...

He parked his car a few streets away.

A slow smile spread across his face.

"You really thought..."

"...I wouldn't expect you?"

He unlocked his mobile phone.

A blinking dot moved across the screen.

Noina's car.

Months earlier...

Without her knowledge...

He had hidden a GPS tracker beneath her vehicle.

He had always known...

One day she would try to stop him.

His phone rang.

He smiled.

As expected.

"Noina."

He answered immediately.

On the other end...

Noina shouted,

"Stay away from Vaishnavi!"

"You still have time."

"Walk away."

The imposter leaned back in his seat.

"You're late."

"No."

"I'm only ten minutes away."

He smiled.

"No..."

"You aren't."

At that exact moment...

The warning lights on Noina's dashboard suddenly illuminated.

The engine began sputtering violently.

"No..."

"No!"

Her car slowed to a halt in the middle of the deserted road.

She tried starting it again.

Nothing.

Again.

Nothing.

She stepped out into the pouring rain.

Opening the bonnet...

She froze.

Several ignition wires had been neatly cut.

Her heart sank.

"When..."

"When did you do this?"

The imposter chuckled softly over the phone.

"When I had your car serviced last week."

"I asked the mechanic for one small favour."

"You..."

"You planned this?"

"I plan everything."

Noina's breathing became frantic.

"If you do this..."

"You'll destroy innocent lives."

The imposter's voice remained cold.

"I crossed that line long ago."

The call disconnected.

Noina looked desperately around the empty road.

Not a single vehicle.

Not a single passer-by.

Throwing her shoes aside...

She began running through the rain.

"Vaishnavi..."

"Please..."

"Hold on..."

Far away...

Shanti Niketan stood beneath the stormy sky.

Completely unaware...

That destiny had already chosen its victims.

The Longest Night

Rain lashed relentlessly against the windows of Shanti Niketan.

Thunder rolled across the night sky.

Inside the mansion...

One by one...

The lights went out.

Silence slowly settled over the house.

Vaishnavi quietly entered her bedroom.

She closed the door behind her.

Then...

For the first time...

She locked it.

She leaned against the door and closed her eyes.

Her conversation with Tulsi echoed in her mind.

"The Parth you love is still there..."

A tear slipped down her cheek.

"I hope you're right, Baa."

She walked towards the bedside table.

The tiny silver house-shaped keychain lay where she had kept it.

She gently picked it up.

"Our farmhouse..."

"You promised we'd grow old there."

"No matter how busy life became..."

"You said you'd always come home to me."

She smiled sadly.

"What happened to you, Parth?"

"When did we become strangers?"

Outside the room...

The imposter climbed the staircase.

His footsteps were slow.

Measured.

Confident.

He stopped outside the bedroom.

His eyes fell upon the locked door.

A faint smile crossed his face.

"So..."

"You've locked me out."

He knocked softly.

"Vaishnavi."

Inside...

Vaishnavi froze.

She recognised his voice.

"I'm tired."

"I want to sleep."

His voice remained calm.

"Open the door."

"I don't want to talk tonight."

Silence.

Then...

His tone became firmer.

"I said..."

"Open the door."

Vaishnavi stepped away from the door.

"No."

The imposter's smile disappeared.

With one powerful kick...

The wooden latch splintered.

The door burst open.

Vaishnavi gasped.

"Parth!"

He calmly walked inside.

Then quietly shut the broken door behind him.

The sound of the bolt sliding into place echoed through the room.

The room suddenly felt smaller.

Vaishnavi instinctively stepped backwards.

"What are you doing?"

Instead of answering...

He noticed the silver keychain in her hand.

"You still keep that?"

She nodded.

"It reminds me of happier days."

"Our dreams."

"Our promises."

He looked at her coldly.

"We're still together."

Vaishnavi slowly shook her head.

"No."

"We're only living under the same roof."

His expression hardened.

"You've been avoiding me."

"I've been trying to understand you."

"You've stopped trusting me."

Vaishnavi's eyes filled with tears.

"I've never stopped loving you."

"I just..."

"...don't understand what has happened to you."

For a brief moment...

Silence filled the room.

Then he smiled.

"People change."

She looked at him.

"Not like this."

"You used to laugh."

"You used to make me smile."

"You used to tell me everything."

"The Parth I married..."

"...would never make me afraid."

His pride was wounded.

He slowly walked towards her.

"So..."

"You're afraid of your own husband?"

Vaishnavi instinctively stepped backwards.

"I don't want to fight."

"Neither do I."

"Then please..."

"Leave."

"I need some time."

His voice suddenly became firm.

"You've had enough time."

At that very moment...

Several kilometres away...

Noina ran through the pouring rain.

Her car stood abandoned on the deserted road.

She desperately tried waving down passing vehicles.

None stopped.

She looked at the empty highway.

"No..."

"There has to be someone."

Finally...

An old truck slowed beside her.

The elderly driver rolled down his window.

"What happened?"

"My car broke down."

"I need to get to Shanti Niketan."

"It's an emergency."

Seeing the desperation in her eyes...

The old man nodded.

"Get in."

Noina climbed inside.

"Please..."

"Drive faster."

Back at Shanti Niketan...

Vaishnavi had reached the window.

She kept a careful distance between herself and Parth.

"I know work has changed you."

"I know you're carrying responsibilities."

"But whatever is troubling you..."

"We can face it together."

The imposter looked at her without emotion.

"You still think this is about work?"

"What else could it be?"

"There comes a moment..."

"...when a man grows tired of waiting."

Vaishnavi frowned.

"What do you mean?"

He stopped only a few feet away.

"We've been married for six months."

"You still keep me at a distance."

Vaishnavi looked at him in confusion.

"You were the one who always slept in the study."

"You always said you were tired."

"You never..."

She hesitated.

"You never wanted to come near me."

He interrupted quietly.

"Not anymore."

Something in his voice frightened her.

Not anger.

Not sadness.

Something darker.

Possession.

Her heartbeat quickened.

"Parth..."

His voice was low.

"Tonight..."

"We're going to stop living like strangers."

Fear spread across Vaishnavi's face.

She slowly moved towards the door.

"We'll talk tomorrow."

"Please..."

"You need rest."

She reached for the doorknob.

The imposter moved faster.

He stood between her and the exit.

Vaishnavi's breath caught.

"Please move."

He didn't.

Instead...

He quietly locked the broken door from inside once again.

The metallic click echoed through the room.

Downstairs...

Tulsi finished placing fresh flowers before the household deity.

She folded her hands.

"Protect my children."

As she turned to leave...

The flame of the diya flickered violently.

A sudden gust of wind swept through the temple.

Tulsi stopped.

A strange uneasiness settled deep within her heart.

She looked instinctively towards the staircase.

Something...

Was terribly wrong.

The truck sped through the rain.

Noina looked anxiously through the windshield.

In the distance...

She could already see the lights of the Virani mansion.

Relief washed over her face.

"I'm almost there..."

Just then...

The truck lurched violently.

A loud burst echoed through the night.

Bang!

The driver struggled to control the vehicle.

The truck slowly rolled to a halt.

The driver climbed out.

He looked at the rear wheel.

"Oh no..."

"The tyre has burst."

Noina stared in disbelief.

"No..."

"No!"

She looked towards the distant lights of Shanti Niketan.

They seemed so close...

Yet impossibly far away.

Without another thought...

She jumped out of the truck.

Ignoring the rain...

Ignoring the darkness...

She began running.

"Vaishnavi..."

"Please..."

"Hold on..."

Far ahead...

A terrified voice echoed through the silent corridors of Shanti Niketan.

"Parth..."

"Please..."

Tulsi looked up instantly.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Without another thought...

She hurried towards the staircase.

The longest night...

Had begun.

A Mother's Choice

"Parth..."

"Please move."

Vaishnavi's voice trembled.

The imposter stood silently between her and the door.

His eyes never left her.

For a few moments...

Neither of them spoke.

Only the sound of the rain filled the room.

Finally...

The imposter broke the silence.

"For six months..."

"I respected your wishes."

"I gave you time."

"I waited."

His voice became colder.

"But I'm done waiting."

Vaishnavi slowly backed away.

"You've changed."

"I don't know what's happened to you."

"But this isn't right."

The imposter smiled bitterly.

"A wife refusing her husband?"

"What isn't right?"

Vaishnavi looked at him with tear-filled eyes.

"You've never spoken to me like this."

"You always treated me with respect."

"I thought work had changed you."

"I thought you were under pressure."

She shook her head.

"But tonight..."

"...I don't recognise you."

His jaw tightened.

"You don't need to recognise me."

"You only need to accept me."

Vaishnavi felt a chill run down her spine.

"Parth..."

"Please..."

"You're frightening me."

Outside the bedroom...

Tulsi reached the first floor.

She looked towards the closed door.

Everything had fallen silent.

Her heartbeat quickened.

She walked towards it.

"Parth?"

No answer.

She knocked gently.

"Parth..."

"Open the door."

Inside...

Vaishnavi's eyes lit up with hope.

"Baa..."

The imposter immediately grabbed her wrist.

She winced in pain.

"I said..."

"No one is coming between us."

"Leave me!"

She tried to pull away.

The silver keychain slipped from her fingers.

It struck the marble floor.

The tiny metallic sound echoed through the room.

Both of them looked down.

Vaishnavi quickly bent to pick it up.

The imposter kicked it away.

The little silver house slid beneath the dressing table.

Vaishnavi looked at him in shock.

"You..."

"You knew how much this meant to me."

He replied coldly,

"It belongs to the past."

Outside...

Tulsi heard the sound of something falling.

Her uneasiness grew stronger.

She knocked harder.

"Parth!"

"Open the door."

"What is happening?"

Inside...

The imposter ignored her.

He slowly moved closer.

"You've spent six months mourning a man who no longer exists."

Vaishnavi shook her head.

"My husband is standing in front of me."

"But..."

"My husband would never treat me like this."

"You've become someone I don't know."

His expression darkened.

"I am your husband."

"And you are my wife."

He reached for her.

Vaishnavi stepped away.

"No."

"Please..."

"Don't do this."

The knocking grew louder.

"PARTH!"

Tulsi's voice echoed through the room.

"Open this door immediately!"

The imposter shouted back,

"Leave us alone!"

Tulsi froze.

Never...

Not once in his life...

Had Parth raised his voice at her.

Something was terribly wrong.

She began banging on the door.

"PARTH!"

"OPEN THE DOOR!"

Several rooms away...

Nandini was arranging medicines before going to bed.

Tulsi's desperate cries echoed through the corridor.

She immediately hurried outside.

"Maa?"

"What happened?"

Tulsi looked at her anxiously.

"I can hear Vaishnavi crying."

"Something is wrong."

Nandini rushed to the bedroom door.

"Parth!"

"It's Maa."

"Open the door."

There was no answer.

Instead...

A terrified scream pierced the silence.

"MAA!"

The scream froze both women.

Nandini's face turned pale.

She began pounding on the door.

"Parth!"

"Open the door!"

"Please!"

Inside...

Vaishnavi continued struggling.

She pushed against the imposter with all her strength.

He caught both her wrists.

She desperately tried to free herself.

"Please..."

"Listen to me."

"We'll talk tomorrow."

"I'll do whatever you say."

"Just let me go."

The imposter looked into her frightened eyes.

"No."

"Tonight..."

"You'll finally stop keeping your husband at a distance."

Vaishnavi realised...

He wasn't listening anymore.

He wasn't the gentle man she had married.

Whatever had changed him...

Had completely consumed him.

She fought back with every ounce of strength she had.

Her elbow struck the bedside lamp.

It crashed onto the floor.

Glass shattered across the room.

The loud crash echoed outside.

Tulsi and Nandini exchanged horrified glances.

Without another word...

Both women threw themselves against the damaged door.

Once.

The frame groaned.

Twice.

The hinges cracked.

Inside...

The imposter looked towards the door.

His grip loosened for a fraction of a second.

Vaishnavi seized the opportunity.

She pushed him away and ran towards the entrance.

Before she could reach it...

He caught the end of her dupatta.

She stumbled backwards.

"Leave me!"

She screamed.

"Baa!"

"Maa!"

Outside...

Tulsi and Nandini hurled themselves against the door one final time.

With a deafening crack...

The broken frame gave way.

The door burst open.

The sight before them stole the breath from their lungs.

Vaishnavi stood trapped in a corner of the room.

Her dupatta clutched tightly in the imposter's hand.

Her face was streaked with tears.

She was trembling uncontrollably.

For one horrifying moment...

Neither Tulsi nor Nandini saw Parth.

They saw only a terrified young woman pleading silently for help.

And for Nandini...

The nightmare she had buried years ago...

Came rushing back.

The Final Gunshot

For one horrifying moment...

Neither Tulsi nor Nandini saw Parth.

They saw only a terrified young woman pleading silently for help.

And for Nandini...

The nightmare she had buried years ago...

Came rushing back.

Vaishnavi broke free for a brief second.

She ran towards Tulsi.

"Baa!"

Tears streamed down her face.

Tulsi immediately pulled her behind herself.

"It's alright, beta."

"I'm here."

"No one will touch you."

Vaishnavi clung to Tulsi, trembling uncontrollably.

The imposter stared at Tulsi.

His face was twisted with rage.

"You should never have interfered."

Tulsi stood her ground.

"As long as I am alive..."

"No one will lay a hand on my daughter."

The imposter laughed bitterly.

"Daughter?"

"She is my wife."

Tulsi looked directly into his eyes.

"A wife is not a possession."

"A husband earns her love."

"He never takes it by force."

For a brief second...

The imposter's smile disappeared.

"You've always stood between me and what I wanted."

"Tonight..."

"That ends."

He lunged towards Vaishnavi.

Tulsi immediately stepped in front of her.

The imposter shoved Tulsi with all his strength.

She crashed against the wardrobe and fell to the floor.

"Baa!"

Vaishnavi cried.

She rushed towards Tulsi.

But before she could reach her...

The imposter caught her arm again.

She struggled desperately.

"Leave me!"

"Please!"

"Leave me!"

Nandini finally found her voice.

"PARTH!"

The imposter stopped.

He slowly turned.

For just a moment...

His face softened.

"Maa..."

Nandini took a hesitant step forward.

Tears streamed endlessly down her cheeks.

"My son..."

"This isn't you."

"My Parth would never do this."

"Please..."

"Leave Vaishnavi."

"We'll forget tonight."

"We'll start again."

The imposter smiled coldly.

"There is nothing to start again."

"I've waited long enough."

Nandini folded her hands before him.

"I am begging you."

"Please..."

"Don't destroy your own home."

The imposter looked at her without emotion.

"She is my wife."

"I have every right."

Nandini's voice broke.

"No."

"You have no right to take away someone's dignity."

The imposter tightened his grip on Vaishnavi's wrist.

She cried out in pain.

"Maa..."

"Please..."

"Save me..."

Those words shattered something inside Nandini.

Suddenly...

She wasn't standing inside Shanti Niketan anymore.

She was back in the darkest night of her own life.

A locked room.

A desperate struggle.

A frightened young woman pleading for help.

No one had come to save her.

No one.

But today...

Someone had called out to her.

"Maa..."

She would not fail this time.

Never again.

Her eyes fell upon Karan's licensed revolver.

It lay inside the open bedside drawer.

Earlier that evening...

Karan had placed it there after returning from the police station.

His intention had been to lock it away later.

With trembling hands...

Nandini slowly reached into the drawer.

She picked up the revolver.

Her hands shook so violently...

She could barely hold it.

Tulsi slowly rose to her feet.

"Nandini..."

"No..."

Nandini pointed the revolver towards Parth.

Tears blurred her vision.

"Parth..."

"My son..."

"Please..."

"Leave her."

The imposter looked at the revolver.

Then...

He smiled.

A frightening...

Confident smile.

"You won't shoot."

Nandini sobbed.

"I don't want to."

"Please..."

"Don't make me."

He took another step.

Still holding Vaishnavi.

She struggled violently.

"Leave me!"

"I said leave me!"

The imposter ignored her.

He continued advancing.

Another step.

Then another.

Nandini's hands trembled uncontrollably.

"Stop..."

"I'm begging you..."

"STOP!"

The imposter laughed.

"You love your son too much."

"You'll never pull that trigger."

For one terrible moment...

Nandini lowered the revolver.

The imposter smiled triumphantly.

Then...

Vaishnavi screamed once more.

"MAA!"

That cry tore through Nandini's heart.

She looked at Vaishnavi's terrified face.

And saw herself.

Helpless.

Broken.

Destroyed.

Not again.

Never again.

Nandini closed her eyes.

Her finger tightened around the trigger.

Bang!

The gunshot echoed across Shanti Niketan.

Everything fell silent.

The imposter stood frozen.

His eyes slowly lowered.

A crimson stain spread across his chest.

His grip on Vaishnavi loosened.

She immediately pulled herself free and ran into Tulsi's arms.

The imposter looked towards Nandini.

Disbelief filled his eyes.

He tried to say something.

No words came.

A faint smile crossed his lips.

Almost as if...

He couldn't believe he had been defeated.

Moments later...

He collapsed onto the marble floor.

The revolver slipped from Nandini's trembling hands.

It struck the floor with a dull metallic clang.

Nandini stared at the lifeless body.

Her lips quivered.

Then...

A piercing cry escaped her.

"PARTH!"

"My son..."

"What have I done?"

She fell beside him.

Her trembling hands reached towards his face.

But she couldn't bring herself to touch him.

"I killed my son..."

"I killed my Parth..."

Again...

And again...

She repeated the same words.

Like someone whose mind had begun slipping away.

Tulsi immediately understood.

Nandini wasn't merely grieving.

She was breaking.

Completely.

Tulsi looked towards the bedroom door.

She could already hear hurried footsteps racing upstairs.

The family was coming.

She had only seconds...

To make a decision that would change all their lives forever.

Tulsi's Sacrifice

The hurried footsteps grew louder.

Karan.

Mihir.

The entire Virani family.

They were only moments away.

Nandini remained kneeling beside the lifeless body.

She stared blankly at Parth's face.

"My son..."

"My Parth..."

"I killed my son..."

She repeated the words over and over.

Her voice had become hollow.

As though her soul had left her body.

Vaishnavi knelt beside her.

"Maa..."

"It's over."

"You're safe."

Nandini didn't react.

She simply continued whispering,

"I killed him..."

"I killed my son..."

Tears streamed endlessly down Vaishnavi's face.

She looked helplessly at Tulsi.

"What do we do, Baa?"

Tulsi looked at Nandini.

Then at the revolver lying on the floor.

Then towards the bedroom door.

The footsteps were getting closer.

There wasn't much time.

Without saying a word...

Tulsi bent down.

She picked up the revolver.

She carefully wrapped her fingers around its grip.

Vaishnavi stared at her in disbelief.

"Baa..."

"What are you doing?"

Tulsi looked at her with tear-filled eyes.

"My child..."

"Listen to me carefully."

"No matter what happens now..."

"You will not utter a single word."

Vaishnavi immediately shook her head.

"No."

"No, Baa."

"You can't do this."

Tulsi gently cupped her face.

"Today..."

"God gave me the chance to save two daughters."

"I have already saved you."

"Now let me save Nandini."

Vaishnavi burst into tears.

"But Baa..."

"Maa will never forgive herself."

Tulsi looked lovingly at Nandini.

"She already won't."

"But if the world knows..."

"It will destroy whatever remains of her."

The footsteps stopped outside the room.

Karan's voice echoed through the corridor.

"Parth!"

"Maa!"

"What happened?"

Tulsi quietly placed the revolver in her own hand.

She stood before the body.

Calm.

Composed.

As though she had accepted her fate.

The bedroom door flew open.

Karan entered first.

Mihir followed close behind.

The rest of the family gathered behind them.

Everyone froze.

The room looked as though a storm had torn through it.

Broken furniture.

Shattered glass.

Vaishnavi's torn dupatta.

The broken bedroom door.

Parth lying motionless on the floor.

Nandini collapsed beside him.

And...

Tulsi...

Standing with the revolver.

Silence filled the room.

Karan looked from the revolver...

To his son...

Then back at Tulsi.

His voice trembled.

"Maa..."

"What..."

"What have you done?"

Tulsi slowly closed her eyes.

Then looked at her son.

There wasn't fear in her eyes.

Only immeasurable sorrow.

She spoke quietly.

"I fired the shot."

The words echoed through the room.

"No..."

Karan staggered backwards.

"No..."

"This isn't possible."

Mihir looked at Tulsi in disbelief.

"Tulsi..."

"Tell me this isn't true."

"Tell me you're protecting someone."

Tulsi remained silent.

Mihir stepped closer.

"You raised him."

"You loved him more than anyone."

"Why?"

Tulsi lowered her eyes.

"I did what I thought was right."

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

Karan rushed towards Parth.

He lifted his son's head into his lap.

"Parth..."

"Beta..."

"Please..."

"Open your eyes."

There was no response.

His hands trembled.

His tears fell onto Parth's face.

"My son..."

"My child..."

"This can't be happening..."

The family doctor hurried inside.

He immediately examined Parth.

Everyone watched in complete silence.

After several moments...

He slowly stood.

He removed his stethoscope.

Then looked at Karan.

"I'm sorry."

"He is no more."

The room erupted in grief.

Karan hugged his son's lifeless body.

"My Parth..."

"My son..."

His cries echoed through every corner of Shanti Niketan.

Mihir turned towards Tulsi once more.

His own eyes were filled with tears.

"I trusted you with this family."

"You were its strength."

"So why..."

"Why did you do this?"

Tulsi looked at him.

Every word she wanted to speak...

Remained trapped inside her heart.

Instead...

She simply folded her hands.

"Forgive me."

Mihir stood frozen.

For the first time in his life...

He could not understand his wife.

Nandini suddenly looked towards Tulsi.

For one brief moment...

Their eyes met.

Tulsi gave the slightest shake of her head.

A silent plea.

Don't tell them.

Nandini understood.

She broke down once more.

"My son..."

"My Parth..."

"I lost my son..."

She could say nothing else.

Soon...

Police sirens echoed outside Shanti Niketan.

The Inspector entered the room.

He carefully observed everything.

The broken furniture.

The struggle.

The shattered door.

The body.

Finally...

His eyes rested on Tulsi.

"Mrs. Tulsi Virani..."

"Were you holding the revolver when everyone entered?"

Karan answered before anyone else could speak.

"Yes."

The Inspector nodded.

He turned back to Tulsi.

"Did you shoot Parth Virani?"

Tulsi met his gaze.

Without hesitation...

She replied,

"Yes."

"I shot him."

The Inspector lowered his head.

"I am placing you under arrest for the murder of Mr. Parth Virani."

Two constables stepped forward.

Mihir instinctively moved between them and Tulsi.

"No."

"This can't be happening."

"Tulsi..."

"Please tell me the truth."

Tulsi smiled faintly through her tears.

"One day..."

"You'll understand."

She gently moved Mihir aside.

Then quietly offered her wrists for the handcuffs.

As she walked towards the door...

She stopped one last time.

She turned back.

Karan was still cradling Parth.

Nandini sat motionless beside them.

Vaishnavi stood frozen.

Their eyes met.

Vaishnavi silently folded her hands before Tulsi.

A promise.

She would protect Tulsi's sacrifice...

No matter the cost.

Tulsi gave her the faintest smile.

Then walked away.

Outside...

Camera flashes illuminated the night.

By dawn...

Every newspaper...

Every television channel...

Would carry the same heartbreaking headline:

"Tulsi Virani Arrested for the Murder of Her Grandson, Parth Virani."

And somewhere...

Far away...

In a dark, forgotten room...

The real Parth Virani looked out through the iron bars of his prison.

He had no idea...

That the world had already mourned his death.

------

To be continued.

Chapter 5 (The Price of a Lie)

Ten Years Later...

The grand gates of Shanti Niketan slowly opened.

But the mansion no longer carried the warmth it once had.

The laughter of children...

The sound of family gatherings...

The festive celebrations...

Had all become memories.

The home had become a house.

And every person living inside it...

Carried a wound that time had failed to heal.

A large portrait of Parth Virani adorned the main hall.

Fresh flowers lay beneath it.

A lamp burned before the photograph.

Every morning...

Nandini sat before it.

She smiled at the portrait as though her son were still alive.

"My Parth..."

"You'll be home soon."

"I made your favourite breakfast today."

The servants exchanged helpless glances.

This had become her daily routine.

Some days...

She remembered nothing.

Some days...

She remembered everything.

But every single day...

She waited for Parth to return.

Inside his study...

Karan Virani had changed beyond recognition.

His hair had begun to grey.

The cheerful father had disappeared.

In his place stood a stern businessman.

Virani Industries had expanded across continents.

Success had become his only refuge.

Work...

Was the only place where grief could not reach him.

He picked up the family photograph on his desk.

Parth.

Reyansh.

Nandini.

Vaishnavi.

Himself.

His eyes lingered on Parth.

"I couldn't save you..."

He whispered.

Then...

His gaze shifted towards Tulsi's smiling face in the corner of the photograph.

His expression hardened.

He quietly turned the frame face down.

Elsewhere...

Mihir stood in the temple.

The once cheerful patriarch had become quieter.

Older.

Every morning...

He prayed for the same thing.

"Give me the strength..."

"...to understand why."

He had never stopped loving Tulsi.

But she had never explained herself.

For ten long years...

She had carried the blame.

And he had carried the questions.

In another wing of the mansion...

Vaishnavi carefully arranged books inside the family library.

She had changed too.

The lively young bride...

Had become a reserved, dignified woman.

She smiled for everyone.

But never for herself.

Her smile ended at her lips.

Never reaching her eyes.

Around her wrist...

She still wore the tiny silver house-shaped keychain.

The paint had faded with time.

But she had never taken it off.

One of the younger servants smiled.

"Bhabhi..."

"You still keep that old keychain?"

Vaishnavi gently touched it.

"It reminds me..."

"...of promises."

The servant smiled politely and left.

Vaishnavi looked out of the window.

"What happened to you, Parth?"

"Why did you become that man?"

A tear escaped her eye.

She quickly wiped it away.

For ten years...

She had tried to forget that night.

She never could.

In another room...

A young girl walked in.

"Bhabhi."

Vaishnavi turned.

It was Timsy, Hritik's little daughter.

Now ten years old.

She ran into Vaishnavi's arms.

"Nandini Aunty is crying again."

Vaishnavi smiled sadly.

"I'll go to her."

Timsy looked at the photograph of Parth.

"Maasi..."

"Papa always says Parth Bhaiya was very brave."

Vaishnavi looked at the portrait.

"Yes..."

"He was."

She paused.

"At least..."

"The Parth I knew before..."

Her voice faded.

Timsy innocently asked,

"Do you miss him?"

Vaishnavi looked away.

"Every day."

Far away...

Beyond the outskirts of Mumbai...

An old, abandoned estate stood hidden among dense trees.

Inside a locked room...

A man slowly opened his eyes.

His beard had grown long.

His clothes were worn.

Years of captivity had stolen much from him.

But not his spirit.

The heavy iron door creaked open.

An elderly Noina entered carrying a tray of food.

Time had not spared her either.

Her hair had begun to grey.

The burden of guilt had aged her far beyond her years.

She quietly placed the tray before him.

Parth looked at her.

"How many years?"

Noina didn't answer.

Instead...

She gently placed a folded newspaper beside the tray.

Parth frowned.

"What is this?"

"Read it."

With trembling hands...

He unfolded the old newspaper.

The faded headline stared back at him.

"Tulsi Virani Convicted in the Murder of Grandson Parth Virani."

His eyes widened.

His hands began to shake.

"No..."

His voice cracked.

"No..."

"This isn't possible."

He looked at Noina.

"What have you done?"

Tears rolled down Noina's face.

"I tried to stop him."

"I failed."

Parth continued reading.

Every word felt like a knife.

Tulsi imprisoned.

His family destroyed.

His own death announced to the world.

He looked up again.

"Take me home."

Noina lowered her head.

"I can't."

Parth grabbed the iron bars.

"My grandmother went to prison because of me!"

"My mother thinks she killed her son!"

"My father buried me!"

"My wife..."

He couldn't finish.

Tears streamed down his face.

Noina whispered,

"I've spent ten years trying to find a way."

"I promise you..."

"I'll bring you home."

Parth slowly sank to the floor.

For ten years...

His family had mourned a dead man.

And he had been alive...

Unable to tell them the truth.

Far away...

At that very moment...

A prison gate slowly opened.

A prison officer called out...

"Tulsi Virani."

"You're free."

Tulsi stepped out into the sunlight.

After ten years...

She had finally returned.

But she had no home to return to.

A Home Without Tulsi

The prison gates slowly closed behind Tulsi.

She stood alone.

For the first time in ten years...

There were no prison walls around her.

Yet...

She had never felt so imprisoned.

A small cloth bag rested in her hand.

It contained all she owned.

A few clothes.

A worn copy of the Bhagavad Gita.

And an old family photograph.

She gently looked at it.

The smiling faces stared back at her.

Mihir.

Karan.

Nandini.

Parth.

Vaishnavi.

Reyansh.

A smile touched her lips.

"So much happiness..."

She whispered.

"...and one night changed everything."

Outside the prison...

Mihir stood beside his car.

He had arrived long before sunrise.

Every year...

On this date...

He had come hoping this day would finally arrive.

When Tulsi stepped outside...

His eyes filled with tears.

For a moment...

Neither moved.

Ten years...

Had passed between them.

Mihir slowly walked towards her.

"Tulsi..."

His voice broke.

Tulsi smiled faintly.

"Mihir..."

Without another word...

He embraced her tightly.

Neither of them spoke.

The silence carried ten years of pain.

Finally...

Mihir stepped back.

"I've come to take you home."

Tulsi lowered her eyes.

"No."

Mihir looked at her in surprise.

"What do you mean?"

"I cannot return to Shanti Niketan."

"Not while Karan believes..."

"...I murdered his son."

Mihir sighed deeply.

"You are still thinking about everyone except yourself."

Tulsi smiled sadly.

"A mother never stops."

Meanwhile...

At Shanti Niketan...

Nandini wandered through Parth's old room.

Everything had been preserved exactly as it was.

His books.

His trophies.

His photographs.

His guitar.

She gently dusted his desk.

Then smiled.

"My Parth..."

"You'll scold me if I don't keep your room clean."

She picked up one of his shirts.

Holding it close to her heart...

She closed her eyes.

"I miss you, beta."

A maid quietly wiped away her own tears.

This scene repeated almost every day.

Downstairs...

Karan prepared to leave for the office.

A servant approached nervously.

"Sir..."

"Madam Tulsi has been released today."

Karan stopped.

For several seconds...

He remained silent.

Then...

His expression turned cold.

"I know."

The servant hesitated.

"Sir..."

"Should we prepare her room?"

Karan looked towards the grand staircase.

"No."

The servant stared in disbelief.

"Sir?"

Karan spoke firmly.

"This house has no place..."

"...for my son's killer."

The servant quietly lowered his head.

"Yes, sir."

Elsewhere...

Mihir and Tulsi sat in a small roadside tea stall.

It had once been their favourite stop after temple visits.

The owner recognised them immediately.

His smile faded.

"Maaji..."

"You've come back?"

Tulsi smiled gently.

"Yes."

The old man silently placed two cups of tea before them.

"No charge."

Tulsi looked at him.

"You've always been kind."

The old man shook his head.

"I never believed..."

"...that you could do what people said."

Tulsi smiled.

"Sometimes..."

"The truth takes a long time to reach people."

Mihir looked at her carefully.

"For ten years..."

"I've wanted to ask you one question."

Tulsi already knew what it was.

He spoke softly.

"Did you really shoot Parth?"

Silence.

Tulsi looked out at the road.

Children were laughing nearby.

Life had moved on.

Only theirs had stopped.

Finally...

She answered.

"I confessed."

Mihir frowned.

"That isn't what I asked."

She looked at him.

Her eyes filled with tears.

"If I tell you the truth today..."

"It will destroy someone who has already suffered enough."

Mihir slowly closed his eyes.

For ten years...

That answer had never changed.

He understood.

There was a truth.

But Tulsi had chosen to carry it alone.

Far away...

Inside the abandoned estate...

Noina unlocked Parth's cell once again.

She placed fresh bandages on his bruised hands.

Parth looked at her.

"When?"

She looked up.

"What?"

"When will you stop making promises..."

"...and take me home?"

Noina couldn't meet his eyes.

"I need a little more time."

Parth laughed bitterly.

"I've given you ten years."

His voice cracked.

"My grandmother has lost everything."

"My mother has lost her mind."

"My father believes I'm dead."

"My wife..."

He stopped.

Unable to continue.

Noina quietly wiped away a tear.

"I'll fix it."

Parth looked at her.

"Can you give them back ten years?"

Noina lowered her head.

She had no answer.

Outside...

Unseen by either of them...

A pair of eyes watched the old estate from behind the trees.

Someone had been observing the bungalow for days.

And for the first time in ten years...

Destiny had begun moving towards the truth.

An Unexpected Encounter

The morning sun slowly rose over Mumbai.

For the first time in ten years...

Tulsi was free.

Yet every road reminded her of the family she had lost.

"Where shall we go?"

Mihir asked quietly.

Tulsi smiled faintly.

"I've spent ten years inside four walls."

"Today..."

"I simply want to visit the temple."

Mihir nodded.

"Let's go."

A short while later...

The couple stood inside the ancient temple they had visited for decades.

Tulsi folded her hands before the deity.

She closed her eyes.

"I never asked why You tested me."

"I only prayed that my family remained safe."

A tear escaped her eye.

"If my sacrifice has fulfilled its purpose..."

"Give me the strength to accept whatever comes next."

As she opened her eyes...

She noticed a little boy struggling to light a diya.

The flame kept going out.

Tulsi smiled warmly.

She bent down.

"Like this."

She shielded the flame with her palms.

The diya lit instantly.

The little boy smiled.

"Thank you, Dadi."

Tulsi lovingly stroked his hair.

Before she could ask his name...

His mother called him.

"Come, Aarav!"

The little boy ran away.

Tulsi watched him disappear.

A strange ache filled her heart.

She wondered...

Would Parth and Vaishnavi have had children by now...

If fate had been kinder?

Meanwhile...

Far away...

Inside the abandoned estate...

Parth sat near the small barred window.

For ten years...

That tiny window had been his only glimpse of the outside world.

He looked at the newspaper once again.

Tulsi's photograph.

Her prison sentence.

His hands trembled.

"No..."

He whispered.

"You never deserved this."

Noina quietly entered.

She carried breakfast.

Parth didn't even look at her.

"I don't want food."

"You haven't eaten since yesterday."

"I don't deserve to eat."

"My family has suffered because I'm alive."

Noina placed the tray down.

"I've contacted someone."

Parth slowly looked up.

"What do you mean?"

"There may still be a way."

He stood immediately.

"Who?"

Noina hesitated.

"An old police officer."

"The one who originally investigated your disappearance."

"He retired years ago."

"But..."

"He never believed the case was complete."

Hope flickered in Parth's eyes for the first time in years.

"Can he help?"

"I don't know."

"But I'm going to try."

Elsewhere...

Karan arrived at Virani Industries.

His secretary followed closely behind.

"Sir..."

"There's one more file requiring your signature."

Karan absentmindedly signed it.

Then paused.

The file was marked:

Virani Charitable Trust

For a brief moment...

He remembered Parth.

The day he had proudly handed over responsibility for the trust.

His eyes became moist.

He quietly closed the file.

"I should have been there for you..."

He whispered.

At Shanti Niketan...

Vaishnavi carefully watered the plants in the garden.

The little swing that Parth had installed years ago still stood beneath the banyan tree.

Untouched.

She gently brushed away the dust.

The gardener smiled.

"Madam..."

"Why not replace it?"

"It's become old."

Vaishnavi shook her head.

"No."

"It's the last promise he kept."

The gardener didn't understand.

But he quietly nodded.

Outside the temple...

Tulsi and Mihir prepared to leave.

Just then...

An elderly woman hurried towards Tulsi.

"Excuse me..."

"You are Tulsi Virani, aren't you?"

Tulsi smiled politely.

"Yes."

The woman folded her hands.

"I don't believe what people say about you."

"I saw the way you looked after everyone before..."

"I know you couldn't have murdered your grandson."

Tulsi remained silent.

The woman continued,

"Sometimes..."

"God delays justice."

"But He never denies it."

Tulsi smiled gently.

"I hope you're right."

As the woman walked away...

Mihir noticed something.

For the first time in ten years...

Tulsi's eyes held a tiny spark of hope.

Perhaps...

Somewhere...

The truth was already searching for her.

Far away...

Inside the abandoned estate...

Parth stood by the barred window.

A cool breeze entered through the rusted iron grill.

He closed his eyes.

For reasons he couldn't explain...

He suddenly felt closer to home than he had in ten long years.

Neither he nor Tulsi knew...

That destiny had already begun weaving their paths together once again.

A Mother's Instinct

Three days later...

Tulsi had still not returned to Shanti Niketan.

Instead...

Mihir had rented a small apartment not far from the mansion.

It was simple.

Quiet.

Far removed from the grandeur of the Virani home.

Tulsi never complained.

Home had never been a building.

It had always been the people she loved.

Every morning...

Tulsi woke before sunrise.

She lit a small lamp before the household deity.

She prayed for the same people she had prayed for in prison.

Karan.

Nandini.

Vaishnavi.

Reyansh.

And...

Parth.

She never prayed for herself.

That afternoon...

Mihir entered the apartment carrying groceries.

"Tulsi..."

"I'll be going to the office for a while."

Tulsi smiled.

"Don't work too hard."

Mihir chuckled softly.

"You still worry about me?"

"A wife never stops."

He looked at her for a long moment.

"So does a husband."

He quietly left.

Tulsi watched him go.

Despite everything...

Some relationships remained untouched by time.

Elsewhere...

Noina drove through the outskirts of Mumbai.

She had gone to meet the retired police inspector.

Her meeting had lasted barely twenty minutes.

He had refused to reopen the case.

"There is no evidence."

"No witnesses."

"No body except the one identified as Parth."

"The case ended ten years ago."

Noina walked back to her car.

Every door she knocked on...

Closed in her face.

On her way back...

Dark clouds gathered overhead.

Rain began pouring once again.

Visibility became poor.

Noina slowed her car.

Suddenly...

A young motorcyclist skidded on the wet road.

His bike crashed into the divider.

Noina immediately stopped.

She rushed towards him.

"Are you alright?"

The young man nodded weakly.

"I think..."

"I've hurt my leg."

Together...

A few passers-by lifted him into Noina's car.

"The nearest hospital?"

"Just ten minutes away."

An hour later...

The young man had been treated.

"It was only a fracture."

The doctor smiled.

"He's lucky."

Noina thanked him quietly.

As she stepped out of the hospital...

She froze.

Standing near the entrance...

Distributing food to patients' families...

Was Tulsi.

Noina instinctively stepped back behind a pillar.

Her heart raced.

For ten years...

She had imagined this moment.

She wanted to run to Tulsi.

To confess everything.

To beg for forgiveness.

Instead...

She remained hidden.

She wasn't ready.

Not yet.

Tulsi handed a packet of food to an elderly woman.

"Please eat."

The woman smiled gratefully.

"May God bless you."

Tulsi folded her hands.

"He already has."

She turned to leave.

For just a second...

She stopped.

A strange feeling washed over her.

As though someone familiar was watching her.

She slowly looked around.

The hospital entrance.

The parking area.

The crowded corridor.

No one.

She smiled to herself.

Perhaps...

It was only her imagination.

She walked away.

Hidden behind the pillar...

Noina watched her leave.

Tears rolled silently down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry..."

She whispered.

"I'm so sorry..."

That evening...

Back at the abandoned estate...

Parth noticed Noina's swollen eyes.

"You've been crying."

She avoided his gaze.

"It doesn't matter."

"It does."

She slowly sat down.

"I saw your grandmother today."

Parth stood up so suddenly that the chair behind him fell.

"What?"

"Where?"

"How is she?"

"Did you speak to her?"

Question after question poured out.

Noina lowered her head.

"No."

"I couldn't."

Parth looked at her in disbelief.

"You saw her..."

"...and you said nothing?"

"I wanted to."

"I couldn't."

Parth turned away.

His disappointment was unmistakable.

For ten years...

His family had lived a lie.

And now...

Even when fate had offered a chance...

Fear had won again.

Late that night...

Tulsi sat alone on the balcony of the apartment.

The cool breeze rustled the leaves.

She looked up at the stars.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"I don't know where you are, Parth..."

"But today..."

"For the first time in many years..."

"My heart tells me you're alive."

She closed her eyes.

It wasn't logic.

It wasn't hope.

It was a mother's instinct.

Far away...

In the abandoned estate...

Parth looked at the very same sky through the bars of his window.

Without knowing why...

He whispered,

"Baa..."

At that exact moment...

Tulsi slowly opened her eyes.

A single tear rolled down her cheek.

Destiny had spoken...

Long before the truth was revealed.

A Mother's Calling

The morning sun bathed Mumbai in a golden glow.

Tulsi stood on the small balcony of the apartment.

A cup of tea rested untouched in her hands.

Her thoughts wandered...

As they always did...

To Parth.

She didn't know why.

But ever since her release from prison...

An unexplainable feeling had settled in her heart.

A feeling she could neither understand...

Nor ignore.

Inside...

Mihir folded the morning newspaper.

"Tulsi..."

"You've been standing there for almost an hour."

She smiled faintly.

"I don't know why, Mihir."

"My heart refuses to believe..."

"...that Parth is gone."

Mihir looked at her with sadness.

"After ten years..."

"You still hope?"

Tulsi turned towards him.

"A grandmother never stops hoping."

"If everyone in the world tells her the child is gone..."

"Her heart still waits."

Mihir lowered his eyes.

He wished...

More than anything...

That she was right.

Meanwhile...

Far away...

The real Parth stood near the tiny barred window of his prison.

The morning breeze brushed against his face.

For ten years...

It had been his only connection with the outside world.

He closed his eyes.

Somewhere deep inside...

He felt restless.

As though someone...

Was thinking about him.

Noina entered quietly.

She carried breakfast.

Parth didn't turn around.

"I don't want food."

"You haven't eaten since yesterday."

"I've lost the right to be hungry."

Noina sighed.

"You've done nothing wrong."

Parth laughed bitterly.

"Tell that to my grandmother."

"She spent ten years in prison."

"My mother lost her mind."

"My father buried his son."

"My wife..."

He stopped.

Unable to continue.

Silence filled the room.

Finally...

Noina spoke.

"I've made a decision."

Parth slowly turned.

"What decision?"

"I'm ending this."

He stared at her.

She continued,

"I spent ten years trying to hide the truth."

"I'll spend the rest of my life correcting it."

Parth looked into her eyes.

For the first time...

He believed her.

Elsewhere...

Karan inaugurated a new wing of Virani Charitable Hospital.

The audience applauded.

Photographers clicked pictures.

Reporters surrounded him.

One of them asked,

"Mr. Virani..."

"This hospital is dedicated to your late son, Parth Virani."

"What inspired you?"

Karan looked at the large portrait hanging behind the stage.

"My son believed..."

"That wealth only has meaning when it changes lives."

"I couldn't save his life."

"But perhaps..."

"I can save someone else's."

His voice faltered.

The applause that followed...

Could not drown his grief.

At Shanti Niketan...

Vaishnavi entered Parth's old room.

She hadn't stepped inside for months.

Everything remained exactly as it had been.

His books.

His guitar.

His favourite watch.

His photographs.

Nothing had been moved.

She slowly opened a drawer.

Inside lay an old diary.

She smiled faintly.

"You never let me read this."

Curiosity got the better of her.

She opened it.

The first page made her heart stop.

In Parth's handwriting...

It read:

"For Vaishnavi...

If I ever stop making you smile...

Remind me of the man I used to be."

A tear rolled down her cheek.

She gently closed the diary.

"What happened to you, Parth?"

"I kept reminding you..."

"But you never came back."

She hugged the diary to her chest and quietly left the room.

That evening...

Tulsi and Mihir visited the temple.

After the evening aarti...

Tulsi remained seated before the deity long after everyone else had left.

Mihir watched her quietly.

"What are you praying for?"

Tulsi smiled.

"I'm not praying."

"I'm listening."

"Listening?"

She nodded.

"When life becomes too noisy..."

"God speaks through silence."

Just then...

The temple priest approached.

He smiled warmly.

"Mataji..."

"I found this near the donation box."

He handed Tulsi a tiny silver keychain shaped like a little house.

Tulsi looked at it curiously.

It was almost identical...

To the one Parth had once gifted Vaishnavi.

She smiled.

"What a beautiful coincidence."

The priest replied,

"Perhaps..."

"Not every meeting is a coincidence."

Tulsi held the little house in her palm.

Something stirred within her heart.

A strange certainty.

She looked towards Mihir.

Without knowing why...

She whispered,

"Mihir..."

"I think..."

"Our Parth is waiting for us."

Mihir looked at her in silence.

He didn't know whether it was hope...

Or a grandmother's intuition.

But for the first time in ten years...

He chose not to question it.

Far away...

In the abandoned estate...

Parth slowly looked up at the evening sky beyond the bars.

At that very same moment...

He whispered,

"Baa..."

As though some invisible thread...

Still connected them across time and distance.

Neither of them knew...

That destiny had already begun leading them back to each other.

The Journey Begins

The next morning...

Tulsi woke before dawn.

The little silver house-shaped keychain the temple priest had given her still rested in her palm.

She couldn't explain why...

But it refused to leave her thoughts.

She carefully placed it beside the small idol of Lord Krishna.

Then folded her hands.

"If this is Your sign..."

"Show me the way."

Mihir entered quietly.

"You didn't sleep again."

Tulsi smiled.

"My heart wouldn't let me."

She turned towards him.

"Mihir..."

"I want to go somewhere."

"Where?"

"I don't know."

He looked puzzled.

"I only know..."

"...that my heart keeps pulling me in one direction."

Mihir gently held her hand.

"Then we'll go."

"Together."

Meanwhile...

At the abandoned estate...

Noina stood outside Parth's room.

For ten years...

She had locked that iron door every morning.

Today...

Her hands trembled.

She slowly unlocked it.

The rusty hinges creaked open.

Parth looked at her in surprise.

"You've never left it open before."

Noina managed a faint smile.

"Perhaps..."

"It's time I stopped treating you like a prisoner."

Parth walked to the doorway.

For the first time in ten years...

He stood outside the room where he had been confined.

He looked down the long corridor.

It felt unreal.

"So this..."

"...is what freedom looks like."

Noina lowered her eyes.

"No."

"Freedom begins..."

"...when you walk back into Shanti Niketan."

Parth looked at her.

"When?"

Noina answered honestly.

"I don't know."

"But very soon."

"I've spent ten years hiding from my mistakes."

"I can't do it anymore."

Parth nodded silently.

For the first time...

He saw genuine remorse in her eyes.

Elsewhere...

Karan concluded an important board meeting.

As he walked towards his cabin...

His secretary hurried after him.

"Sir..."

"Mrs. Tulsi Virani came to the office."

Karan stopped.

His expression hardened instantly.

"What?"

"She didn't ask to meet you."

"She only donated her prison earnings to the Virani Charitable Trust."

Karan frowned.

"My mother's prison earnings?"

The secretary nodded.

"She said..."

"'Parth always believed every rupee should help someone in need.'"

Karan stood speechless.

Tulsi had spent ten years in prison.

Yet...

The little money she had earned there...

She had donated in Parth's name.

For a brief moment...

His anger wavered.

Then grief hardened his heart once again.

He quietly walked into his office.

At Shanti Niketan...

Vaishnavi sat beside Nandini.

She gently combed her hair.

Nandini smiled innocently.

"When Parth comes home..."

"Tell him I've made his favourite kheer."

Vaishnavi forced a smile.

"I will, Maa."

Nandini looked at her carefully.

"You've been crying."

Vaishnavi quickly wiped her eyes.

"No..."

"I'm alright."

Nandini lovingly touched her face.

"My Parth never liked your tears."

Those simple words broke Vaishnavi's heart.

She rested her head on Nandini's lap.

For the first time in years...

She cried openly.

Later that afternoon...

Tulsi and Mihir drove through the outskirts of Mumbai.

They had no destination.

Only faith.

Every few kilometres...

Tulsi would quietly look out of the window.

Then shake her head.

"No..."

"Not here."

Mihir never questioned her.

He simply kept driving.

Far away...

Inside the abandoned estate...

Parth suddenly stopped reading.

He looked towards the window.

His heartbeat quickened.

He couldn't explain it.

He simply felt...

Someone was coming.

Noina noticed.

"What happened?"

Parth slowly smiled.

For the first time in years.

"I don't know..."

"But today..."

"It feels as though Baa is looking for me."

The sun slowly began to set.

Mihir's car reached a lonely stretch of road on the outskirts of the city.

Dark clouds gathered overhead.

Rain began falling once again.

Visibility became poor.

Mihir slowed the car.

Just then...

Tulsi looked out of the window.

Something caught her eye.

An old milestone.

A narrow mud road disappearing into a dense grove of trees.

Her heart suddenly began pounding.

"Stop the car."

Mihir immediately applied the brakes.

"What happened?"

Tulsi continued staring at the lonely road.

"I don't know..."

"But..."

"My heart says..."

"We have to go this way."

Mihir looked at the deserted path.

"There is nothing here."

Tulsi slowly opened the car door.

Without another word...

She stepped out into the rain.

Then...

She began walking towards the old road.

Somewhere beyond those trees...

Destiny was waiting.

A Grandmother Never Gives Up

The rain grew heavier.

Thunder echoed across the lonely countryside.

Tulsi continued walking along the narrow mud road.

Her saree was drenched.

Her footsteps slowed.

Yet...

She never stopped.

Behind her...

Mihir hurried with an umbrella.

"Tulsi!"

"Please..."

"We don't even know where this road leads."

Tulsi looked ahead.

"I don't either."

"But my heart refuses to turn back."

Mihir had seen that determination before.

Whenever Tulsi followed her heart...

She was rarely wrong.

Without another word...

He walked beside her.

A few hundred metres ahead...

An old abandoned estate emerged through the rain.

Its rusted iron gates hung loosely from broken pillars.

The once-grand bungalow had long been forgotten.

Wild creepers covered its walls.

Broken windows stared into the storm like empty eyes.

Tulsi stopped.

Her breathing became uneven.

Mihir looked at the building.

"This place has been abandoned for years."

Tulsi whispered,

"No..."

"Someone is here."

Inside the bungalow...

Parth suddenly stood up.

He looked towards the entrance.

His heartbeat raced.

Noina frowned.

"What happened?"

He slowly walked towards the window.

"I don't know."

"But..."

"I can feel her."

Noina looked at him in confusion.

"Who?"

Parth smiled faintly.

"My Baa."

Outside...

Tulsi slowly pushed open the rusted gate.

Its loud creaking echoed through the silent estate.

Noina froze.

Someone had entered the compound.

She quickly looked through the cracked window.

Two figures.

An elderly couple.

Umbrella.

White saree.

Her face drained of colour.

"Tulsi..."

She whispered.

"No..."

"It can't be."

Parth looked at her.

"What is it?"

Noina stepped backwards.

"They're here."

Parth's eyes widened.

"Who?"

"Tulsi..."

"And Mihir."

For a moment...

Time itself stopped.

Parth rushed towards the window.

His trembling hands gripped the rusted bars.

Through the curtain of rain...

He saw them.

Tulsi.

Walking slowly towards the bungalow.

His eyes filled with tears.

"Baa..."

His voice cracked.

"Baa..."

Noina panicked.

"If she sees you..."

"Everything is over."

Parth turned towards her.

"No."

"Everything begins."

He hurried towards the locked door.

"Open it."

Noina stood frozen.

"Please..."

"Open it."

She looked at him.

Then towards the approaching Tulsi.

Then back at Parth.

For ten years...

She had been terrified of this moment.

Now...

It had arrived.

With trembling hands...

She reached into her pocket.

She pulled out the key.

Her fingers shook uncontrollably.

She unlocked the iron door.

The heavy lock fell to the floor with a loud clang.

For the first time in ten years...

The door stood open.

Parth slowly stepped out.

He looked at the corridor.

Freedom.

Real freedom.

He took one hesitant step.

Then another.

Tears streamed down his face.

Outside...

Tulsi reached the veranda.

She looked around.

The house was eerily silent.

Yet...

She felt an overwhelming presence.

Almost as if someone she loved...

Was only a few steps away.

She quietly folded her hands.

"Parth..."

"If you're here..."

"Give your Baa one sign."

At that exact moment...

A gust of wind blew through the broken corridor.

The old wooden door inside the bungalow swung open.

Bang!

Tulsi and Mihir looked towards the sound.

Tulsi's heart began pounding.

Without fear...

She stepped inside the dark bungalow.

Mihir followed closely behind.

Inside the corridor...

Parth stopped walking.

He heard footsteps.

Slow.

Familiar.

Every step echoed inside his heart.

He closed his eyes.

After ten years...

He recognised them instantly.

"Baa..."

He whispered.

Noina stood silently behind him.

She knew...

There was no turning back anymore.

One doorway.

One corridor.

Only a few feet separated them.

Ten years of separation...

Were about to end.

Reunion

The old bungalow was silent.

Only the rain could be heard.

Drip...

Drip...

Drip...

Tulsi slowly walked down the dimly lit corridor.

Every step made her heart beat faster.

Mihir followed closely behind.

"Tulsi..."

"We should be careful."

But Tulsi didn't stop.

Something...

Someone...

Was calling her.

At the other end of the corridor...

Parth stood frozen.

Ten years.

Ten long years.

He had imagined this moment countless times.

He had dreamed of running into Tulsi's arms.

But now...

His feet refused to move.

His throat tightened.

Tears blurred his vision.

Noina quietly stepped aside.

She knew...

This reunion belonged to them.

Not to her.

She silently disappeared into another room.

Tulsi reached the end of the corridor.

A shaft of sunlight filtered through a broken window.

Standing beneath it...

Was a man.

His beard had grown long.

His face bore the marks of suffering.

His clothes were old and worn.

Yet...

There was something painfully familiar about him.

Tulsi stared at him.

Unable to breathe.

The man slowly raised his tear-filled eyes.

Their gazes met.

Time stopped.

Parth's lips trembled.

"Baa..."

The single word echoed through the silent bungalow.

Tulsi's hands began shaking.

Her eyes widened.

She took one hesitant step forward.

"No..."

"It can't be..."

Parth smiled through his tears.

"It's me..."

"Baa..."

"I'm your Parth."

Tulsi covered her mouth.

For ten years...

She had prayed for this miracle.

Never truly believing she would live to see it.

Now...

Her grandson stood before her.

Alive.

She slowly reached out.

Her trembling fingers touched his cheek.

Warm.

Real.

Not a dream.

Not an illusion.

"My Parth..."

She whispered.

"My child..."

The next moment...

She pulled him into her arms.

Parth collapsed against her shoulder.

Like a little boy.

His composure finally shattered.

He wept uncontrollably.

"Baa..."

"I tried to come home."

"I tried..."

"They wouldn't let me."

"I'm sorry..."

"I'm so sorry..."

Tulsi held him tighter.

"No..."

"No, my child."

"You have nothing to apologise for."

"You've suffered enough."

She kissed his forehead repeatedly.

"My grandson..."

"My Parth..."

"You're alive."

Mihir stood a few feet away.

Completely stunned.

He stared at Parth.

Unable to believe what he was seeing.

His eyes slowly filled with tears.

"Parth..."

Parth looked up.

"Dadu..."

Mihir rushed forward.

He embraced him tightly.

For several moments...

None of them spoke.

Only tears flowed.

Ten years of grief...

Ten years of longing...

Ten years of unanswered prayers...

Finally found release.

After a long while...

Tulsi gently cupped Parth's face.

"Let me look at you."

She wiped away his tears.

"You've become so thin."

"You haven't been eating properly."

Parth laughed through his tears.

"You sound exactly the same."

Tulsi smiled.

"And you..."

"You still smile like the little boy who used to steal laddoos from the temple."

For the first time in ten years...

Parth laughed.

A real laugh.

The sound echoed through the abandoned bungalow.

It was the first sound of happiness those walls had ever heard.

Just then...

Noina slowly emerged from the adjoining room.

She walked towards Tulsi.

Before anyone could say a word...

She fell at Tulsi's feet.

Sobbing uncontrollably.

"Forgive me..."

"I have committed an unforgivable sin."

Tulsi looked at her silently.

Noina continued crying.

"I wanted revenge."

"But I destroyed innocent lives."

"I stole your grandson."

"I destroyed Vaishnavi's marriage."

"I let you spend ten years in prison."

"I watched Nandini lose her mind."

"There is no punishment great enough for what I've done."

Tulsi looked at the broken woman before her.

Then quietly said,

"Stand up."

Noina shook her head.

"I don't deserve your forgiveness."

Tulsi replied gently,

"Forgiveness..."

"...is not mine to give."

"The truth is."

"And now..."

"It is time the truth returns home."

Parth looked at Tulsi.

His eyes filled with hope.

"Baa..."

"Will they believe me?"

Tulsi took his hand firmly into hers.

"If they don't..."

"I will make them."

She looked towards the distant road leading to Mumbai.

"For ten years..."

"My family has lived behind a lie."

She smiled with quiet determination.

"Now..."

"It's time to bring down the façade."

Far away...

In Shanti Niketan...

Vaishnavi stood before Parth's photograph.

She gently touched the frame.

A tear rolled down her cheek.

"I don't know why..."

"But today..."

"It feels like you're coming home."

She closed her eyes.

Completely unaware...

That at that very moment...

The real Parth Virani...

Was finally on his way back to her.

Reunion

The abandoned bungalow stood in complete silence.

Only the rain could be heard.

Drip...

Drip...

Drip...

Tulsi slowly walked down the dimly lit corridor.

Every step made her heart beat faster.

Mihir followed close behind.

"Tulsi..."

"We should be careful."

But Tulsi didn't stop.

Something...

Someone...

Was calling her.

At the other end of the corridor...

Parth stood motionless.

Ten long years...

He had dreamed of this moment.

He had imagined running into Tulsi's embrace.

Yet now...

His feet refused to move.

His throat tightened.

Tears blurred his vision.

Noina quietly stepped aside.

She disappeared into the shadows of another room.

She knew...

This moment belonged to them alone.

Tulsi reached the end of the corridor.

A ray of fading sunlight streamed through a broken window.

Standing beneath it...

Was a man.

His beard had grown long.

His face bore the scars of suffering.

His clothes were worn.

His eyes...

Were filled with unbearable pain.

Tulsi looked at him.

Something about those eyes...

Made her heart stop.

The man slowly raised his trembling hand.

His lips quivered.

"Baa..."

The single word echoed through the silent bungalow.

Tulsi froze.

Her breathing became uneven.

"No..."

"It can't be..."

The man smiled through tears.

"It's me..."

"Baa..."

"I'm your Parth."

The world around Tulsi disappeared.

With trembling hands...

She slowly reached out.

Her fingers touched his cheek.

Warm.

Alive.

Real.

Her eyes overflowed.

"My Parth..."

"My child..."

She pulled him into a tight embrace.

Parth collapsed into her arms.

Like the little boy who had once hidden behind her whenever he was frightened.

For ten years...

He had held back his tears.

Now...

He cried like a child.

"Baa..."

"I wanted to come home."

"I tried..."

"So many times..."

His voice broke.

"I'm sorry..."

"I'm so sorry..."

Tulsi held him even tighter.

"No..."

"No, my child."

"You have nothing to apologise for."

"You've already suffered more than anyone should."

She kissed his forehead again and again.

"My grandson..."

"My Parth..."

"You're alive."

Mihir stood a few feet away.

Unable to believe his eyes.

His lips trembled.

"Parth..."

Parth slowly turned.

His eyes met Mihir's.

"Dadu..."

Mihir rushed forward.

He embraced his grandson tightly.

For several long moments...

None of them spoke.

Only tears flowed.

Ten years of unanswered prayers...

Found their answer.

After a long silence...

Tulsi gently cupped Parth's face.

She looked at him carefully.

"Who did this to you?"

Parth lowered his eyes.

He remained silent.

Tulsi asked again...

"Who kept you here for ten years?"

Parth slowly looked towards the dark corridor where Noina stood hidden.

Then he looked back at Tulsi.

"Baa..."

"Please..."

"Don't ask me."

Tulsi noticed the pain in his eyes.

She realised...

There was a reason he didn't want to answer.

She gently nodded.

"When you're ready..."

"You'll tell me."

Parth smiled gratefully.

"Thank you."

Mihir looked around the old bungalow.

"This place..."

"Someone kept you imprisoned here."

Parth quietly nodded.

"Yes."

Mihir's voice filled with anger.

"Who?"

Parth looked at him.

"The truth..."

"Will come out one day."

"But not today."

Mihir wanted to ask more.

Tulsi gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

"No."

"Not now."

"Today..."

"We have our grandson back."

"That is enough."

Hidden behind the doorway...

Noina silently wiped away her tears.

She had expected Parth to expose her.

He hadn't.

For the first time in ten years...

She truly understood the man whose life she had stolen.

Tulsi gently held Parth's hand.

"Come."

"Let's go home."

Parth's smile slowly faded.

"Home..."

He whispered.

"What if they don't believe me?"

Tulsi answered without hesitation.

"They may not."

"But I do."

"And that is enough for today."

As they slowly walked towards the entrance...

Parth stopped.

He turned around one last time.

He looked at the room that had stolen ten years of his life.

Then quietly walked away.

Without looking back.

After they disappeared from sight...

Noina stepped out into the empty corridor.

She looked towards the open doorway.

Tears rolled down her face.

"Why?"

She whispered.

"Why didn't you tell them?"

Outside...

Parth paused.

He turned back briefly.

Their eyes met.

He spoke softly.

"Because..."

"...hatred has already destroyed enough lives."

"I don't want revenge."

"I only want my family back."

For the first time...

Noina broke down completely.

She sank to the floor.

Not because she feared punishment.

But because the man whose life she had destroyed...

Had shown her mercy.

In that moment...

She made a silent promise.

One day...

She would tell the whole truth.

As Mihir drove towards Mumbai...

Tulsi sat beside Parth, unable to stop looking at him.

Every few minutes...

She gently touched his hand.

As if reassuring herself...

That this wasn't another dream.

Parth looked out of the window.

In the distance...

The lights of Mumbai slowly appeared.

His heart began to race.

After ten years...

He was finally going home.

He had no idea...

That the greatest battle of his life...

Was only about to begin.

------

To be continued.

Chapter 6 (Homecoming)

The Return

The sun had just begun to rise.

For the first time in ten years...

Parth Virani entered Mumbai.

He sat quietly beside Tulsi in Mihir's car.

The city looked familiar.

Yet...

Everything had changed.

New buildings stood where old ones once had.

Roads had widened.

The skyline had grown taller.

Only one thing remained the same.

His memories.

Tulsi couldn't take her eyes off him.

Every now and then...

She gently touched his hand.

As if reassuring herself...

That he was truly beside her.

Not another dream.

Not another prayer.

Her grandson...

Had finally come home.

Mihir broke the silence.

"Are you hungry?"

Parth smiled faintly.

"A little."

Mihir immediately turned the car towards a small roadside restaurant.

"It was your favourite."

"You always insisted on stopping here whenever we travelled."

Parth looked outside.

A smile slowly spread across his face.

"They still haven't changed the signboard."

Mihir chuckled.

"The owner refused."

"He says if he changes anything..."

"His lucky customers might stop coming."

A few minutes later...

The three of them entered the tiny restaurant.

The elderly owner looked up.

"Welcome—"

He stopped mid-sentence.

His eyes widened.

The steel tumbler slipped from his hand.

"N...No..."

He slowly walked closer.

His hands trembled.

"Parth Baba...?"

Parth smiled.

"Hello, Uncle."

The old man's eyes filled with tears.

"But..."

"They said..."

"You..."

Parth gently interrupted.

"I know."

The old man folded his hands before Tulsi.

"Maaji..."

"This is a miracle."

Tulsi smiled through tears.

"No..."

"This is God's justice."

The owner personally prepared Parth's favourite breakfast.

Hot poha.

Jalebi.

Masala chai.

As he placed the plate before Parth...

He smiled.

"You always ordered this."

Parth looked at the food.

For ten years...

He had eaten whatever was given to him.

Simple rice.

Dry bread.

Plain dal.

Today...

For the first time...

He was eating food that reminded him of home.

His hands trembled.

He took the first bite.

Then quietly closed his eyes.

A tear escaped.

"I forgot..."

"...what home tasted like."

Tulsi looked away.

Unable to hide her tears.

After breakfast...

They resumed their journey.

Soon...

The familiar roads leading to Shanti Niketan appeared.

Parth's heartbeat quickened.

Every turn brought back another memory.

The café where he and Reyansh would stop whenever they returned to Mumbai during their college vacations.

The park where he had taught Vaishnavi to ride a bicycle after she insisted she wanted to learn.

The temple where he and Vaishnavi had prayed together before their wedding.

Everything felt both familiar...

And painfully distant.

Finally...

The grand gates of Shanti Niketan came into view.

The car slowed.

Parth stared silently.

His childhood home.

The place where he had laughed.

Dreamed.

Fallen in love.

And from which...

His life had been stolen.

He slowly stepped out of the car.

His legs felt heavy.

He looked up at the familiar nameplate.

SHANTI NIKETAN

He smiled through tears.

"I'm home..."

Before he could take another step...

Tulsi gently held his arm.

"Wait."

Parth looked at her.

Tulsi's smile faded.

"What is about to happen..."

"...will not be easy."

Parth nodded.

"I know."

"They believe I died ten years ago."

"And the man they buried..."

"They believe was me."

Tulsi lovingly placed her hand on his cheek.

"Remember one thing."

"No matter what anyone says..."

"You are not alone."

Parth smiled faintly.

"As long as you're with me..."

"I can face anything."

Mihir took a deep breath.

Then slowly pressed the doorbell.

The sound echoed through the mansion.

Inside...

A servant hurried towards the entrance.

He opened the main door.

The moment his eyes fell on Parth...

The tray in his hands crashed to the floor.

His face turned pale.

"P...Parth Baba...?"

He staggered backwards.

"This..."

"This can't be..."

His terrified scream echoed through the mansion.

"Sir!"

"Madam!"

"Parth Baba has come back!"

Within seconds...

Footsteps echoed from every direction.

The Virani family rushed towards the entrance.

And standing at the threshold...

After ten long years...

Was the man they believed had died.

A Dead Man Returns

The servant's terrified scream echoed through Shanti Niketan.

"Sir!"

"Madam!"

"Parth Baba has come back!"

Within moments...

Footsteps filled the mansion.

Karan was the first to emerge from his study.

Mihir stood silently beside Tulsi.

Parth remained at the threshold.

His heart pounded inside his chest.

Karan looked towards the entrance.

The colour drained from his face.

His briefcase slipped from his hand.

"No..."

He whispered.

His eyes remained fixed on Parth.

"No..."

"This isn't possible."

Parth smiled faintly.

"Papa..."

The word pierced Karan's heart.

For one brief moment...

His fatherly instincts almost took over.

He took an involuntary step forward.

Then...

His expression changed.

He remembered.

Ten years ago...

He had lit his son's funeral pyre.

He had watched Tulsi arrested.

He had mourned Parth.

This man...

Could not be his son.

Karan slowly stepped back.

"Who are you?"

Parth's smile faded.

"Papa..."

"It's me."

"I'm Parth."

Karan shook his head violently.

"No."

"My son died ten years ago."

"I cremated him with my own hands."

"You..."

"You are not Parth."

Tulsi immediately stepped forward.

"Karan."

"He is."

Karan turned towards her.

His eyes burned with anger.

"Maa..."

"Enough."

"For ten years..."

"I accepted your silence."

"I accepted your crime."

"But today..."

"You expect me to believe this?"

Tulsi remained calm.

"I expect you to believe your mother."

Karan laughed bitterly.

"My mother?"

"My mother murdered my son."

"Maa..."

"Please don't make this even more cruel."

Those words cut deeper than any knife.

Tulsi lowered her eyes.

But she didn't move.

Just then...

A familiar voice echoed from upstairs.

"Karan..."

"Who has come?"

Nandini slowly descended the staircase.

She smiled absentmindedly.

"Has Parth returned?"

Everyone fell silent.

Vaishnavi hurried towards her.

"Maa..."

"Please..."

"Come back upstairs."

But Nandini had already looked towards the entrance.

She saw Parth.

She froze.

The smile disappeared from her face.

For several long moments...

She simply stared at him.

Parth looked at her.

His eyes filled with tears.

"Maa..."

Nandini slowly walked towards him.

Everyone watched in silence.

She stopped only a step away.

Her trembling hand slowly rose.

She gently touched his cheek.

Warm.

Real.

Her eyes searched his face.

His forehead.

His eyes.

His smile.

She whispered softly,

"My Parth..."

Parth could no longer hold back.

"Maa..."

Tears rolled down his face.

For one beautiful moment...

It seemed as though a mother had recognised her son.

Then...

Nandini's expression suddenly changed.

Fragments of the past flashed before her eyes.

A bedroom.

A gunshot.

Blood.

A terrified Vaishnavi.

Parth.

She stumbled backwards.

"No..."

"No..."

Her breathing became frantic.

She looked at Parth in horror.

"You..."

"You came back..."

She screamed.

"Stay away from me!"

Everyone rushed towards her.

"Nandini!"

"Maa!"

She clung desperately to Karan.

"He came back..."

"He came back..."

"He'll hurt her again..."

Parth stood frozen.

His heart shattered.

She wasn't recognising him.

She was remembering...

The man she believed he had become.

The commotion drew Vaishnavi to the entrance.

She had remained upstairs...

Unable to face the stranger the servant had spoken about.

But as she reached the staircase...

Her eyes fell upon him.

Everything stopped.

The world disappeared.

She saw only one face.

Parth.

The same face.

The same eyes.

The same voice.

The same man...

Who had destroyed every dream she had ever cherished.

The colour drained from her face.

Her breathing became uneven.

The silver house-shaped keychain slipped from her hand.

It hit the floor with a soft metallic sound.

Parth slowly looked up.

Their eyes met.

He smiled through tears.

"Vaishu..."

She took one frightened step backwards.

Then another.

"No..."

Her voice trembled.

"No..."

Parth slowly walked towards her.

"Vaishu..."

"It's me."

"I've come home."

She screamed.

"DON'T COME NEAR ME!"

The scream echoed through the mansion.

Parth stopped immediately.

Tears streamed down his face.

"It's alright..."

"I won't come closer."

Vaishnavi shook uncontrollably.

Her eyes were filled with terror.

"You lied to me."

"You changed."

"You..."

"You tried to..."

She couldn't finish the sentence.

She covered her ears.

"Please..."

"Go away."

"I don't want to see your face."

"I don't want to hear your voice."

"I don't want you in this house."

Parth stood rooted to the spot.

Every word broke him.

Yet...

He understood.

She wasn't rejecting him.

She was rejecting the monster she believed him to be.

Karan stepped in front of Vaishnavi.

Protectively.

"If you have even an ounce of humanity..."

"Leave."

"You've already destroyed enough lives."

Parth looked helplessly towards Tulsi.

She gently nodded.

As if telling him...

Not today.

Parth lowered his head.

He quietly turned around.

Without another word...

He walked away from the house he had waited ten years to return to.

Tulsi immediately followed him.

Leaving behind...

A family that had just rejected the son they had spent ten years mourning.

Five Minutes

Three days had passed.

Three long days...

Since Parth had returned.

Yet...

Nothing had changed.

He stayed with Tulsi and Mihir in their modest apartment.

Every morning...

He would stand on the balcony...

Looking towards the distant skyline.

Beyond it...

Stood Shanti Niketan.

The home he could no longer enter.

Parth had tried everything.

He had written letters.

None were read.

He had sent flowers.

They were quietly returned.

He had waited outside the gates...

Hoping to see his family.

The security guards politely asked him to leave.

Only Tulsi and Mihir continued to stand beside him.

That afternoon...

Tulsi visited Shanti Niketan.

She found Vaishnavi sitting alone in the garden.

She was watering the white jasmine plants.

The same flowers Parth had planted for her years ago.

Tulsi quietly sat beside her.

Neither spoke for several moments.

Finally...

Tulsi broke the silence.

"Beta..."

Vaishnavi smiled faintly.

"Baa."

Tulsi gently held her hand.

"I want to ask you for something."

Vaishnavi looked at her.

"If I can..."

"I will."

Tulsi hesitated.

Then softly said,

"Meet Parth."

The smile disappeared from Vaishnavi's face.

She slowly withdrew her hand.

"Baa..."

"I can't."

Tulsi nodded.

"I know."

"But listen to me."

"I'm not asking you to forgive him."

"I'm not asking you to trust him."

"I'm only asking you..."

"...to listen."

Vaishnavi lowered her eyes.

"I've listened enough."

"My heart can't bear any more."

Tulsi gently cupped her face.

"Five minutes."

"That's all."

"If after five minutes..."

"You still want him to leave your life..."

"I'll never ask you again."

Vaishnavi remained silent.

The breeze carried the fragrance of jasmine between them.

Finally...

She whispered,

"Five minutes."

"No more."

Tulsi smiled through tears.

"Thank you, beta."

That evening...

Parth nervously adjusted his shirt.

He had changed three times.

Mihir smiled.

"You've changed your clothes more than you did on your wedding day."

Parth laughed softly.

"I don't know why I'm nervous."

Tulsi smiled.

"Because your heart still belongs to her."

She handed him the tiny silver house-shaped keychain.

"I found this at the temple."

"It reminded me of the one you gave Vaishnavi."

Parth smiled.

"Our dreams always looked like this little house."

He slipped it into his pocket.

Then took a deep breath.

"I'm ready."

Tulsi accompanied Parth to Shanti Niketan.

Karan had already left for an important business meeting.

Nandini was asleep after her medication.

Only Vaishnavi remained upstairs.

Tulsi stopped outside her bedroom.

She looked at Parth.

"Remember."

"Only five minutes."

Parth nodded.

"I promise."

Tulsi gently knocked.

"Come in, Baa."

Tulsi entered first.

Parth remained outside.

She looked at Vaishnavi.

"He's here."

Vaishnavi slowly stood.

For a brief moment...

She almost changed her mind.

Then she remembered her promise.

She quietly nodded.

"I'll speak to him."

Tulsi smiled gently.

"I'll wait downstairs."

She walked out.

As she passed Parth...

She whispered,

"Speak from your heart."

Then she quietly descended the staircase.

Parth stood before the half-open door.

His heart raced.

He gently knocked.

"May I come in?"

Vaishnavi looked towards the door.

After a long pause...

She answered quietly.

"Yes."

Parth entered.

He stopped a respectful distance away.

Neither spoke.

The silence between them carried ten years of grief.

Parth finally smiled.

"You've changed the curtains."

Vaishnavi looked towards the window.

"I needed something different."

He nodded.

"They're beautiful."

Silence returned.

Parth looked around the room.

Almost everything remained the same.

Except...

The photographs.

Their wedding picture was gone.

His smile faded.

He looked back at Vaishnavi.

"How have you been?"

She smiled sadly.

"You already know."

He lowered his eyes.

"I wanted to hear you say it."

She looked at him for a long moment.

Then quietly replied,

"I stopped living ten years ago."

Those words shattered him.

"I'm sorry."

She shook her head.

"Don't apologise."

"It changes nothing."

Parth slowly reached into his pocket.

He removed the tiny silver house-shaped keychain.

"I found this."

"It reminded me of us."

Vaishnavi stared at it.

Her eyes softened.

She slowly reached out.

Their fingers brushed.

Neither pulled away.

For one brief moment...

Neither saw ten years of pain.

They saw only the two young people who had once dreamed of building a home together.

Parth smiled gently.

"I never stopped loving you."

Vaishnavi's eyes filled with tears.

"I know."

He looked at her in surprise.

She continued,

"I never doubted your love."

"I only stopped recognising the man who loved me."

Parth's heart began to race.

Very slowly...

He stepped closer.

"Vaishu..."

She didn't move.

He gently raised his hand.

Brushing away a strand of hair that had fallen across her face.

She closed her eyes.

His touch...

Was impossibly gentle.

Nothing like the nightmare she remembered.

For one fragile moment...

The years seemed to disappear.

They stood only inches apart.

Their foreheads almost touched.

Parth whispered,

"I've missed you..."

"So much."

Vaishnavi's lips trembled.

"So have I..."

The distance between them slowly disappeared.

They leaned closer.

Almost...

Close enough to kiss.

Then...

Without warning...

The memories returned.

A shattered bedroom door.

A terrified scream.

Hands gripping her wrist.

A cold voice saying,

"You are my wife."

The crash of broken glass.

The gunshot.

Vaishnavi's eyes flew open.

She gasped.

"No!"

She stumbled backwards violently.

The keychain fell from her hand.

It struck the floor.

She looked at Parth's face...

But she no longer saw the gentle man before her.

She saw the face that had haunted her nightmares for ten years.

She wrapped her arms around herself.

Trembling uncontrollably.

"No..."

"No..."

"Please don't..."

Parth immediately stepped back.

"It's alright."

"I won't come any closer."

But she couldn't hear him.

She was reliving the nightmare.

"You tried to destroy me..."

Her voice broke.

"You held my wrist..."

"You wouldn't let me leave..."

"You..."

She covered her face and burst into tears.

"I begged you to stop..."

"I begged you..."

Parth's own tears flowed freely.

He realised...

No explanation could erase what she believed had happened.

Very softly...

He said,

"I wish I could take your pain away."

She looked at him through her tears.

"I wish..."

"...I could remember you before that night."

Parth closed his eyes.

His five minutes were over.

He bent down.

Picked up the little silver keychain.

Placed it gently on the table.

Then quietly walked towards the door.

Before leaving...

He turned back one last time.

"I'll wait."

"No matter how long it takes."

He walked out.

The door closed softly behind him.

Vaishnavi sank onto the floor.

Sobbing uncontrollably.

Downstairs...

Tulsi looked up as Parth descended the staircase.

One look at his face...

And she knew.

The battle had only just begun.

Not for miracles.

But for patience.

Because she knew...

Some hearts...

Could only be healed one memory at a time.

New Memories

The first rays of the morning sun spread across Mumbai.

Parth stood outside the gates of Shanti Niketan.

In his hands...

He carried a small toolbox.

A packet of jasmine saplings.

And an old watering can.

The security guard immediately recognised him.

"Sir..."

"You've come again."

Parth smiled politely.

"I won't trouble anyone."

"I'll stay outside."

The guard hesitated.

Then quietly opened the smaller side gate.

"You planted this garden years ago."

"I don't think anyone would object if you took care of it."

Parth smiled gratefully.

"Thank you."

The small jasmine garden beside the entrance had withered over the years.

Several plants had dried.

The wooden fence had broken.

Dry leaves covered the pathway.

Parth quietly knelt on the ground.

He gently began removing the weeds.

One by one.

Patiently.

Just as he once had...

Ten years ago.

Hours passed.

Without once looking towards the mansion...

He repaired the fence.

Watered the plants.

Added fresh soil.

Planted new saplings.

His hands became covered with mud.

But for the first time since returning...

His heart felt peaceful.

From an upstairs window...

Vaishnavi quietly watched him.

She hadn't intended to.

But when she drew back the curtains...

She saw him kneeling in the garden.

She frowned.

"What is he doing?"

One of the household maids smiled.

"Madam..."

"He's been there since sunrise."

"He hasn't asked to come inside."

"He's only working in the garden."

Vaishnavi looked again.

Parth gently touched one of the jasmine plants.

Almost as though it were something precious.

A forgotten memory surfaced.

"Promise me one thing, Parth."

"When these flowers bloom..."

"You'll pluck the first one only for me."

She immediately shut the window.

"No..."

She whispered.

"I'm not doing this again."

Outside...

Parth finished watering the last plant.

He looked up.

For a brief second...

He thought he saw the curtain move.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Good morning, Vaishu."

He whispered.

Though she could no longer hear him.

Later that afternoon...

Tulsi arrived carrying a small tiffin box.

"I knew you would forget to eat."

Parth laughed softly.

"You still know me too well."

Tulsi sat beside him on the garden bench.

She looked around.

The neglected garden had already begun looking alive again.

"You've worked hard."

Parth nodded.

"This place was our first dream together."

"I couldn't let it die."

Tulsi looked at him thoughtfully.

"You didn't come here to repair the garden."

Parth smiled.

"No."

"I came to repair myself."

Just then...

The main door opened.

Karan stepped outside.

He stopped the moment he saw Parth.

His expression hardened.

"What are you doing here?"

Parth immediately stood up.

"I wasn't trying to enter the house."

"I was only..."

Karan looked towards the restored garden.

"I didn't ask you to do this."

Parth quietly nodded.

"I know."

"I did it because it needed to be done."

Karan's voice became firm.

"I don't want charity."

Parth looked at him.

"This isn't charity."

"It's home."

Karan's eyes flashed with anger.

"You lost the right to call this your home ten years ago."

Silence followed.

Parth lowered his eyes.

"I'm sorry you feel that way."

He picked up his toolbox.

Without another word...

He began walking away.

Tulsi watched him leave.

Her heart ached.

Karan looked towards the jasmine plants.

For a brief moment...

He remembered another morning.

A much younger Parth.

Covered in mud.

Excitedly calling out,

"Papa!"

"Look!"

"Our first flower!"

Karan immediately pushed the memory away.

He turned and walked back inside.

But something had changed.

For the first time...

His anger had been interrupted by remembrance.

That evening...

Vaishnavi quietly stepped into the garden.

The fragrance of fresh jasmine filled the air.

She noticed the repaired fence.

The freshly planted saplings.

The cleaned pathway.

Everything had been restored exactly the way it used to be.

She knelt beside one of the plants.

A small handwritten note rested beneath it.

She unfolded it.

It read:

"Some flowers bloom again after the harshest winters.

Perhaps hearts can too.

— Parth."

Vaishnavi stared at the note for a long time.

Without realising it...

A single tear fell onto the paper.

She quickly wiped it away.

Then whispered to herself,

"Why are you making this so difficult...?"

She folded the note carefully.

Instead of throwing it away...

She slipped it into her dupatta.

Hidden close to her heart.

Unseen from the veranda...

Parth had already left.

He never knew...

That for the first time in ten years...

Vaishnavi had kept something he had given her.

It wasn't forgiveness.

It wasn't acceptance.

But somewhere beneath years of fear and pain...

The first crack had appeared in the wall around her heart.

The Music They Once Shared

Three days passed.

Every morning...

Parth arrived before sunrise.

Every evening...

He quietly left before dinner.

He never once asked to enter Shanti Niketan.

He never demanded forgiveness.

He simply restored everything that had once made the house beautiful.

The dried rose bushes.

The broken swing.

The neglected fountain.

One memory at a time.

Inside the mansion...

Vaishnavi noticed every change.

She never acknowledged it.

Yet...

She couldn't ignore it either.

The garden looked alive again.

The fountain flowed once more.

Even the old wind chimes outside her window had been repaired.

Every morning...

Their soft melody woke her.

Just as it once had.

One evening...

Vaishnavi walked into the music room.

She hadn't entered it in years.

Dust covered the piano.

A white cloth rested over it.

She slowly removed the cloth.

Her fingers gently brushed across the keys.

A single note echoed through the silent room.

Instantly...

A memory returned.

"You're playing too fast."

"Then teach me properly, Mrs. Virani."

"Only if you stop calling me Mrs. Virani."

"What should I call you?"

"Vaishu."

"Only if you call me Parth."

She smiled unconsciously.

Then...

The smile disappeared.

She quickly stepped away.

"No..."

She whispered.

"I can't."

Outside...

Parth had finished watering the plants.

As he prepared to leave...

A faint melody reached his ears.

He froze.

The piano.

Someone was playing the very song he and Vaishnavi had learnt together after their engagement.

He slowly looked towards the mansion.

The music stopped abruptly.

He smiled sadly.

"You still remember."

The next afternoon...

Tulsi arrived carrying lunch.

She found Parth sitting beneath the old banyan tree.

He was sketching something.

"What are you drawing?"

Parth smiled.

He turned the notebook around.

It was the blueprint of the little farmhouse.

Their dream home.

Tulsi looked at it quietly.

"You still have it."

"I memorised every line."

He smiled.

"I used to redraw it whenever I missed her."

Tulsi gently touched the sketch.

"Dreams don't disappear so easily."

Just then...

A gardener approached.

"Madam..."

"The old swing has been repaired."

Tulsi looked towards it.

Parth had restored it exactly as it had been.

Fresh white paint.

New ropes.

Even the tiny wooden carving of a jasmine flower remained untouched.

Tulsi smiled.

"You remembered every detail."

Parth laughed softly.

"Vaishnavi designed it."

"How could I forget?"

From the upstairs balcony...

Vaishnavi watched everything.

She saw Parth carefully testing the swing to ensure it was safe.

She remembered another afternoon.

Years ago...

She had been afraid to sit on it.

Parth had laughed.

"If you fall..."

"I'll fall first."

She had replied,

"Promise?"

"Promise."

A tear rolled down her cheek.

She immediately wiped it away.

"No."

"This changes nothing."

She turned to leave.

Just then...

The swing moved gently in the breeze.

Its familiar creaking sound echoed through the garden.

Her footsteps stopped.

She closed her eyes.

For one fleeting moment...

She felt twenty-two again.

A carefree girl.

Hopelessly in love.

Then...

The memories of that terrible night returned.

Her breathing became uneven.

She hurried back inside.

Parth saw the curtain close.

He lowered his eyes.

"I was too late."

He whispered.

Tulsi heard him.

"No."

"You were delayed."

"There is a difference."

Parth looked at her.

Tulsi smiled.

"Today..."

"She remembered your love before she remembered her fear."

"It lasted only a few seconds."

"But it happened."

Parth thought about it.

Hope slowly returned to his eyes.

"You really think so?"

Tulsi nodded.

"A heart doesn't heal in a day."

"But today..."

"It took one step towards you."

As evening approached...

Parth packed his tools.

Before leaving...

He looked towards Vaishnavi's balcony.

No one was there.

He smiled anyway.

"Goodnight, Vaishu."

Then quietly walked away.

Hidden behind the curtains...

Vaishnavi had been watching him all along.

She waited until he disappeared beyond the gates.

Only then...

She stepped onto the balcony.

Looking at the now-empty garden...

She whispered so softly...

That even she barely heard it.

"Goodnight..."

"...Parth."

For the first time in ten years...

She had answered him.

Even though he hadn't been there to hear it.

The First Smile

A week passed.

Every day followed the same rhythm.

Before sunrise...

Parth arrived at Shanti Niketan.

By sunset...

He quietly left.

He never crossed the threshold.

He never demanded acceptance.

He simply became a silent presence.

One that slowly restored the home he still called his own.

The servants had begun looking forward to his arrival.

He greeted every one of them by name.

He helped the elderly gardener trim the hedges.

He repaired a broken tap in the backyard.

One afternoon...

He even fixed the old grandfather clock that had remained silent for years.

The servants smiled.

"It finally works again."

Parth simply replied,

"Some things only need a little patience."

Inside the mansion...

Karan pretended not to notice.

Yet...

Every morning...

His eyes instinctively searched the garden.

And every evening...

He noticed something else had been repaired.

He never thanked Parth.

But neither did he stop him.

One afternoon...

The house suddenly went dark.

The electricity had failed.

The servants rushed about anxiously.

"The generator isn't starting."

"The electrician won't arrive for another two hours."

Nandini became frightened.

"I don't like the dark."

Vaishnavi tried comforting her.

"It's alright, Maa."

"It'll come back."

Just then...

One of the servants hesitated.

"Madam..."

"Parth Baba knows how to repair the generator."

The room fell silent.

Karan looked sharply at the servant.

Before he could speak...

Nandini suddenly said,

"Call my son."

The words surprised everyone.

Vaishnavi looked towards Karan.

Karan clenched his jaw.

After a long silence...

He spoke without looking at anyone.

"If he repairs it..."

"He leaves immediately afterwards."

The servant hurried outside.

Parth was cleaning the old fountain.

"Parth Baba..."

"The generator has failed."

"Please..."

"Madam Nandini is frightened."

Parth didn't hesitate.

He immediately picked up his toolbox.

"I'm coming."

For the first time in days...

He stepped inside Shanti Niketan.

Every familiar wall...

Every photograph...

Every corner...

Reminded him of another life.

He quietly walked towards the generator room.

Without saying a word...

He knelt beside the machine.

Within minutes...

His hands were covered in grease.

The servants watched silently.

After almost half an hour...

Parth tightened the final bolt.

He switched on the generator.

The lights flickered.

Then...

The entire mansion lit up once again.

A wave of relief spread through the house.

The servants applauded softly.

Parth smiled.

"It was only a loose connection."

He wiped his hands.

Picked up his toolbox.

And quietly turned to leave.

He had kept his promise.

As he crossed the hall...

A small voice called out behind him.

"Thank you."

Parth stopped.

He turned.

It was Nandini.

She stood at the top of the staircase.

Looking directly at him.

For the first time since his return...

There was no fear in her eyes.

Only gratitude.

Parth smiled gently.

"You're welcome..."

"Maa."

Nandini smiled.

A genuine smile.

Then...

As quickly as it had appeared...

Confusion returned to her face.

She looked around.

"Where's Parth?"

"I wanted to thank him."

The smile disappeared.

Parth quietly lowered his eyes.

"It's alright."

He whispered.

Vaishnavi had witnessed everything from the corridor.

She had expected him to argue.

To demand appreciation.

Instead...

He simply accepted Nandini's fading memory without complaint.

She found herself wondering...

Why?

As Parth stepped outside...

He noticed something lying on the garden path.

A small clay bird.

Its wing had broken.

He recognised it immediately.

Years ago...

Vaishnavi had made it during a pottery workshop.

She had laughed when it came out crooked.

"It's ugly."

Parth had replied,

"It's perfect because you made it."

He carefully picked it up.

Instead of throwing it away...

He carried it to the garden bench.

Taking a little adhesive from his toolbox...

He patiently repaired the broken wing.

When he finished...

He gently placed the bird back beneath the jasmine plant where it had always stood.

Later that evening...

Vaishnavi wandered into the garden.

Her eyes immediately fell upon the little clay bird.

She bent down.

Picked it up.

The broken wing...

Had been repaired so carefully...

That the crack was barely visible.

She slowly turned it over.

A tiny note had been tucked beneath it.

It read:

"Some things break.

That doesn't mean they can't be made whole again."

— Parth

Vaishnavi read the note again.

And again.

A tear slipped down her cheek.

Without realising it...

The corners of her lips curved ever so slightly.

A smile.

Small.

Fragile.

Gone almost as soon as it appeared.

But it had appeared.

From the upstairs balcony...

Tulsi had seen everything.

She quietly folded her hands before the evening sky.

"Thank You."

She whispered.

"The first smile."

Far away...

Parth was already walking back towards the apartment.

He had no idea...

That the first crack in Vaishnavi's grief...

Had just widened a little more.

------

To be continued.

Chapter 7 (The Return)

A Visitor from the Past

Two weeks passed.

Life at Shanti Niketan slowly settled into a new routine.

Every morning...

Parth arrived before sunrise.

Every evening...

He quietly left.

He no longer expected anyone to welcome him.

He only hoped...

That one day...

Someone would stop asking him to leave.

Vaishnavi still refused to speak to him.

But...

She no longer shut the curtains when he worked in the garden.

Sometimes...

She watched him for several minutes.

Then quietly walked away before he could notice.

Karan remained distant.

Cold.

Every conversation with Parth lasted only a few seconds.

If they happened at all.

Yet...

He no longer ordered the security guards to send Parth away.

Even that...

Was progress.

One afternoon...

The mansion was unusually lively.

Servants hurried through the corridors.

Fresh flowers decorated the entrance.

Mihir looked around in confusion.

"What's happening?"

A servant smiled excitedly.

"Sir..."

"We've received a phone call."

"Someone very special is coming today."

"Who?"

Before the servant could answer...

Karan descended the staircase.

For the first time in years...

There was excitement in his eyes.

"The hospital called."

"They've confirmed it."

Mihir frowned.

"Confirmed what?"

Karan looked towards everyone gathered in the hall.

His voice trembled.

"They've found Reyansh."

Silence.

The words echoed through the mansion.

Vaishnavi's eyes widened.

"What...?"

Karan smiled through tears.

"He's alive."

"They've identified him."

"He'll be here this evening."

Mihir stood speechless.

After ten years...

Another miracle.

At the apartment...

Parth was repairing an old wooden chair.

Tulsi's phone rang.

She answered.

As she listened...

Her expression changed completely.

"What happened?"

Parth asked.

Tulsi slowly lowered the phone.

"Reyansh..."

Parth immediately stood up.

"What about him?"

"He's alive."

The screwdriver slipped from Parth's hand.

For several seconds...

He couldn't breathe.

"Reyansh..."

He whispered.

"He survived?"

Tulsi nodded.

"They're bringing him to Shanti Niketan."

A smile spread across Parth's face.

His eyes filled with tears.

"Thank God..."

"He survived."

Mihir looked at him.

"Aren't you afraid?"

Parth frowned.

"Afraid?"

"He remembers that night."

"He may believe..."

"...that you shot him."

Parth slowly lowered his head.

His smile faded.

"I know."

That evening...

A white SUV slowly entered the gates of Shanti Niketan.

The entire Virani family stood outside.

Karan couldn't remain still.

His hands trembled.

The vehicle stopped.

The door opened.

A tall young man stepped out.

Older.

More mature.

A faint scar ran across his shoulder.

But his smile...

Hadn't changed.

"Karan Papa..."

Before he could say another word...

Karan pulled him into a tight embrace.

"My son..."

"My Reyansh..."

"I thought I'd lost you forever."

Reyansh hugged him back.

"So did I."

Tears rolled down both their faces.

Nandini slowly walked towards him.

She touched his face gently.

"Reyansh..."

He smiled warmly.

"Maa..."

She embraced him tightly.

"My child..."

"You came back."

For the first time in years...

She cried tears of happiness.

Mihir hugged him next.

"My brave boy."

Reyansh smiled.

"I missed you, Dadu."

Then...

His eyes searched the crowd.

Until they stopped on Vaishnavi.

She smiled through tears.

"Welcome home, Reyansh."

Reyansh smiled warmly.

"It's good to see you again, Vaishnavi."

For a brief moment...

Neither of them spoke.

Ten years of grief...

Ten years of unanswered questions...

Seemed to disappear.

Vaishnavi's eyes became moist.

"We never stopped praying for you."

Reyansh smiled gently.

"Maybe those prayers are the reason I found my way back."

From outside the gates...

Parth quietly watched.

He had not entered.

He didn't want to spoil the family's happiness.

A faint smile spread across his face.

"My brother..."

He whispered.

"You're alive."

Tulsi looked at him.

"Don't you want to meet him?"

Parth shook his head.

"This day belongs to him."

"I've already taken enough from everyone."

"I won't take this too."

Tulsi gently held his hand.

"My child..."

"You've taken nothing."

Parth smiled sadly.

"Not today, Baa."

"Let them celebrate."

"I'll meet him another day."

He quietly turned to leave.

Unaware...

That fate had very different plans.

The Accusation

The atmosphere inside Shanti Niketan was one of celebration.

After ten years...

Another son had returned home.

The servants moved about happily.

The dining table was filled with Reyansh's favourite dishes.

Laughter...

Something the mansion had almost forgotten...

Echoed once more.

Reyansh looked around the familiar house.

"So much has changed."

Mihir smiled.

"And yet..."

"Nothing has."

Reyansh laughed softly.

"I've missed this place."

His eyes wandered across the family photographs lining the wall.

Then...

He stopped.

His smile disappeared.

He looked at Parth's garlanded portrait.

His expression became solemn.

"I couldn't even say goodbye."

Silence filled the room.

Karan placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You've come home."

"That's enough."

Reyansh slowly nodded.

But something inside him remained unsettled.

A little later...

Everyone gathered in the living room.

Stories flowed freely.

Reyansh spoke about the years he had spent recovering.

He remembered almost nothing immediately after the shooting.

A fisherman had rescued him from the river.

Months passed before he regained consciousness.

Years passed before fragments of his memory slowly returned.

His identity...

His family...

His past.

Everything had returned piece by piece.

Vaishnavi listened silently.

Every word brought tears to her eyes.

Finally...

Karan asked the question everyone had been avoiding.

"Beta..."

"Do you remember..."

"...what happened that night?"

The room fell silent.

Reyansh slowly lowered his eyes.

"I remember enough."

His voice became heavy.

"I remember following Parth."

"I remember confronting him."

"I remember asking him why he had changed."

His breathing slowed.

"I remember a gun."

"And then..."

"The gunshot."

Vaishnavi instinctively gripped the armrest.

Her fingers trembled.

Mihir spoke gently.

"Did you see who fired?"

Reyansh closed his eyes.

The memory returned vividly.

Rain.

Darkness.

A familiar face.

A gun pointed at him.

He slowly opened his eyes.

"I saw him."

Everyone waited.

Reyansh spoke quietly.

"It was..."

"Parth."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

At that very moment...

The main door opened.

Tulsi entered.

Parth walked quietly behind her.

He had come only because Tulsi insisted.

Neither knew what had just been said.

The room turned towards the entrance.

Reyansh froze.

His eyes widened.

The colour drained from his face.

He stared at the man standing beside Tulsi.

"No..."

He whispered.

"No..."

Parth smiled with tears in his eyes.

"Reyansh..."

"It's me."

Reyansh slowly stood.

Every forgotten memory came rushing back.

His fists clenched.

"You..."

Parth took a hesitant step forward.

"I'm so happy you're alive."

Reyansh's voice thundered across the room.

"STAY AWAY FROM ME!"

Everyone froze.

Parth stopped immediately.

Reyansh pointed a trembling finger at him.

"You shot me."

"You left me to die."

"You destroyed this family."

Parth lowered his head.

He had expected this.

He simply nodded.

"I know why you believe that."

Reyansh laughed bitterly.

"Believe?"

"I remember it!"

"I looked into your eyes."

"You pulled the trigger."

Vaishnavi slowly closed her eyes.

The last hope she had been holding onto...

Collapsed.

Karan turned towards Parth.

His face burned with anger.

"So it was true."

"You tried to kill your own brother."

Parth remained silent.

"I asked you something!"

Still...

No answer.

Mihir looked at him desperately.

"Parth..."

"Say something."

Parth slowly looked at Reyansh.

Then at Karan.

Finally...

He spoke.

"I'm sorry."

Karan stared in disbelief.

"Sorry?"

"That's all you have to say?"

"You almost murdered your brother!"

Parth quietly lowered his eyes once more.

He could have shouted the truth.

He could have named Noina.

He could have defended himself.

Instead...

He remembered the promise he had silently made.

Hatred had already destroyed enough lives.

He would not destroy another.

Vaishnavi looked at him through tear-filled eyes.

"So..."

"It wasn't just me."

"You hurt everyone."

Parth's heart shattered.

He wanted to tell her.

To explain everything.

But he couldn't.

Not yet.

Karan walked towards the entrance.

He pointed towards the gate.

"Leave."

Parth didn't move.

Karan's voice became louder.

"I said..."

"LEAVE!"

Tulsi immediately stepped between them.

"Karan!"

"He isn't lying."

Karan looked at his mother.

"Then let him defend himself."

Tulsi turned towards Parth.

"Tell them."

Parth looked into her eyes.

Very gently...

He shook his head.

"No, Baa."

Tulsi understood.

He still wasn't going to reveal the truth.

Reyansh looked at him with disappointment.

"I used to call you my brother."

"I would've given my life for you."

Parth smiled sadly.

"I know."

"And I would've done the same."

Reyansh laughed bitterly.

"Don't insult that relationship."

"It died the night you shot me."

Those words struck Parth harder than anything else.

He quietly folded his hands before the family.

"I'm sorry..."

"For all the pain you've suffered."

Then...

Without another word...

He turned around.

And walked out of Shanti Niketan.

Once again...

Rejected by the family he loved.

Only Tulsi followed him.

Standing at the doorway...

She watched her grandson walk away alone.

Her heart whispered the words she couldn't say aloud.

"Hold on a little longer, Parth..."

"The truth always finds its way home."

A Mother's Promise

The journey back to the apartment was painfully silent.

No one spoke.

Parth walked ahead...

His hands buried deep inside his pockets.

His shoulders slumped.

For the third time since returning...

He had been rejected.

Only this time...

The rejection came from someone he had loved like a brother.

As soon as they reached the apartment...

Parth quietly entered his room.

He closed the door.

Not in anger.

Not in frustration.

Simply...

In defeat.

Tulsi stood outside for a few moments.

Then gently knocked.

"Parth..."

There was no reply.

She slowly opened the door.

Parth stood near the window.

Looking out at the distant city lights.

His eyes were fixed somewhere beyond them.

Towards Shanti Niketan.

Towards the home he still couldn't call his own.

Tulsi quietly walked beside him.

"You haven't cried."

Parth smiled faintly.

"I don't think I have any tears left."

Silence lingered.

Then he spoke.

"Baa..."

"I could bear Papa's hatred."

"I could bear Vaishnavi's fear."

"I could even bear everyone believing I was dead."

His voice trembled.

"But today..."

"My own brother looked at me..."

"...as though I were a murderer."

He closed his eyes.

"I never imagined that."

Tulsi gently held his hand.

"Reyansh is hurt."

"So are you."

Parth nodded.

"I know."

"He remembers what he saw."

"If I were in his place..."

"I would've believed the same thing."

He smiled sadly.

"I don't blame him."

Tulsi watched him quietly.

She realised something.

Not once...

Had Parth complained about himself.

He was only thinking about everyone else's pain.

After a long silence...

Parth spoke again.

"Maa..."

Tulsi looked up.

"When she saw me..."

"She was terrified."

"I've never seen her like that."

He swallowed hard.

"Is she always like this?"

Tulsi's eyes became moist.

"Some days are better."

"Some days..."

"She forgets everyone."

"Some days she waits at the window..."

"...believing you'll return from work."

Parth slowly lowered his head.

"I couldn't even touch her."

"I wanted to tell her..."

"I'm here."

"But she looked at me..."

"...as though I was the reason her world ended."

Tulsi gently cupped his face.

"No."

"She wasn't looking at her son."

"She was looking at a memory."

Parth looked into her eyes.

"What do you mean?"

Tulsi answered softly,

"She remembers the face."

"Not the person."

"The wounds in her heart haven't healed."

"So every time she sees you..."

"She remembers that terrible night."

Parth remained silent.

His heart broke all over again.

After a while...

He whispered,

"Baa..."

"I don't care whether anyone forgives me."

"But I want Maa back."

"I want to hear her scold me for skipping breakfast."

"I want her to complain that I work too much."

"I want..."

His voice broke.

"...my mother."

Tulsi could no longer hold back her tears.

She embraced him tightly.

"You will."

She whispered.

"You will get her back."

The next afternoon...

Karan left early for Virani Industries.

Reyansh had gone to meet an old family friend.

Vaishnavi had accompanied Timsy to a charity event.

Shanti Niketan grew unusually quiet.

Tulsi looked at Parth.

"Come."

He looked confused.

"Where?"

"Home."

Parth's expression changed.

"Baa..."

"After yesterday..."

"They don't want me there."

Tulsi smiled gently.

"I'm not taking you to the front door."

"I'm taking you to your mother."

He stared at her.

"What if she gets frightened again?"

Tulsi lovingly placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Trust a mother's heart."

Parth hesitated.

Then quietly nodded.

Without another word...

He followed Tulsi.

Completely unaware...

That the next few moments would become the beginning of Nandini's journey back to herself.

Secret Visits

The drive to Shanti Niketan was quiet.

Parth sat beside Tulsi in silence.

Every turn of the road brought back another memory.

The gate.

The garden.

The old banyan tree.

Everything still looked the same.

Yet...

Nothing felt like home anymore.

Mihir parked the car a short distance away.

He looked at Parth.

"Go."

"I'll wait here."

Parth looked surprised.

"Dadu..."

"Aren't you coming?"

Mihir smiled gently.

"This is between a son..."

"...and his mother."

Parth nodded.

Tulsi led him towards the rear entrance of Shanti Niketan.

It was the same entrance the children had used years ago whenever they sneaked into the kitchen after playing in the rain.

Parth smiled faintly.

"I never thought..."

"I'd enter my own house like a stranger."

Tulsi stopped walking.

She looked into his eyes.

"You are not a stranger."

"This house simply hasn't recognised you yet."

Inside...

Everything was peaceful.

The servants greeted Tulsi respectfully.

"Welcome home, Ma'am."

Tulsi smiled.

"Where is Nandini?"

"In the temple room."

"As always."

Tulsi nodded.

"I'll spend some time with her."

The servants returned to their work.

None of them noticed Parth quietly following Tulsi through the corridor.

Outside the temple room...

Parth suddenly stopped.

His breathing became uneven.

"Baa..."

"What if..."

"What if she gets frightened again?"

Tulsi gently took his hand.

"Look at me."

He did.

"Don't think."

"Don't speak."

"Just be her son."

Parth slowly nodded.

Tulsi pushed open the temple room door.

Soft bhajans filled the air.

The fragrance of sandalwood lingered in the room.

Nandini sat before the beautifully decorated idols.

She was carefully placing fresh flowers around Lord Krishna.

Without turning around...

She smiled.

"Tulsi..."

"You're late today."

Tulsi smiled.

"I had to bring someone."

Nandini laughed softly.

"Our Parth?"

Parth's heart stopped.

His eyes immediately filled with tears.

Tulsi looked towards him.

She gently nodded.

Parth slowly stepped inside.

His footsteps were almost inaudible.

He knelt beside his mother.

Very softly...

He whispered,

"Maa..."

Nandini turned.

For several long moments...

She simply looked at him.

There was no fear.

No panic.

No confusion.

Only warmth.

A beautiful smile spread across her face.

"There you are."

"I've been waiting."

Parth could no longer hold back.

Tears rolled freely down his cheeks.

"I'm sorry..."

"I'm late."

Nandini lovingly touched his face.

"You haven't eaten."

"You never eat on time."

She reached towards the plate of prasad.

Picked up a laddoo.

And held it before his lips.

"Open your mouth."

Parth laughed through his tears.

Just as he had done since childhood...

He obeyed.

Nandini smiled with satisfaction.

"See?"

"Now you look better."

Tulsi quietly turned away.

Unable to stop crying.

For these few precious moments...

Nandini wasn't ill.

She was simply...

A mother.

Parth sat beside her on the floor.

Neither hurried the moment.

Nandini adjusted the collar of his shirt.

"You've become so careless."

"You don't even iron your clothes properly."

Parth smiled.

"You used to say the same thing before I left for America."

She lightly tapped his forehead.

"And you never listened."

For the first time in ten years...

The room echoed with gentle laughter.

Nandini handed him a basket of flowers.

"Help me."

"You always arrange the marigolds better than I do."

Parth silently helped her decorate the temple.

Every movement...

Every gesture...

Felt like returning to another life.

Then...

Without warning...

Nandini stopped.

Her smile slowly faded.

She looked around the room.

Confused.

"Tulsi..."

Tulsi immediately knelt beside her.

"Yes?"

"Where's my Parth?"

Parth froze.

He was sitting right beside her.

Nandini looked at the doorway.

"He promised he'd come home."

"He'll be hungry."

"I should make kheer."

She slowly began getting up.

"I mustn't keep him waiting."

Parth gently held her hand.

"Maa..."

She looked at him.

For a brief moment...

Her eyes searched his face.

Then she smiled politely.

"You look just like my son."

Parth's heart shattered.

He smiled anyway.

"I know."

She patted his cheek affectionately.

"My Parth is a very good boy."

"He'll come back."

Parth's eyes overflowed.

He whispered,

"I know..."

"I'll wait with you."

Nandini smiled happily.

"As soon as he comes..."

"I'll make his favourite kheer."

Parth nodded.

"I'll help you."

She laughed softly.

"No..."

"You'll only steal the cashews."

Tulsi looked from mother to son.

Even through the fog of her illness...

Nandini's heart still recognised the gentleness within him.

Perhaps...

Long before her mind did.

As they quietly left the temple room...

Parth wiped away his tears.

"I almost had her back."

Tulsi lovingly held his hand.

"You did."

"For fifteen beautiful minutes..."

"You gave your mother peace."

Parth looked back towards the temple.

"Can we come again tomorrow?"

Tulsi smiled.

"Every day."

"Until your mother remembers..."

"...that the son she's waiting for..."

"...never truly left."

A Love Worth Fighting For

The days slowly settled into a quiet rhythm.

Every morning...

Parth came to Shanti Niketan.

Not to ask for forgiveness.

Not to plead his innocence.

Simply...

To care.

As the first rays of sunlight touched the jasmine garden...

Parth knelt beside the flowerbeds.

He carefully loosened the soil.

Watered each plant.

Removed the dried leaves.

One by one.

Patiently.

The same way he hoped broken hearts could one day heal.

From the upstairs balcony...

Vaishnavi watched him.

She had stopped closing the curtains.

She told herself it was because the flowers looked beautiful.

Not because she wanted to see him.

She watched him gently tie a broken branch to a wooden stake.

"So it can grow straight again..."

He whispered to the plant.

Vaishnavi looked away.

Why did every word he spoke seem meant for someone else?

Before leaving...

Parth handed a small paper bag to the security guard.

"Would you please give this to Vaishnavi?"

The guard smiled.

"Of course, sir."

Parth simply nodded.

Then quietly walked away.

A little later...

The maid entered Vaishnavi's room.

"Madam..."

"This was left for you."

Inside the paper bag...

Was a small steel tiffin box.

She slowly opened it.

Fresh homemade laddoos.

The aroma immediately brought back memories.

A young Parth...

Standing in Tulsi's kitchen.

Completely covered in flour.

Tulsi laughing helplessly.

"Don't tell Baa..."

"We'll surprise everyone."

Without realizing it...

Vaishnavi smiled.

She unfolded the small note tucked beneath the lid.

"Baa taught me this recipe when we were children.

You once said no sweet shop could ever make them better.

I don't know if you'll eat them...

But I remembered.

— Parth"

Her fingers trembled.

She looked at the laddoos.

Then slowly broke off a tiny piece.

She tasted it.

Exactly the same.

Her eyes filled with tears.

"It still tastes like home..."

She whispered.

Just then...

She heard footsteps outside.

"Vaishnavi?"

It was Reyansh.

Quickly...

She closed the tiffin.

Folded the note.

And quietly placed both inside her cupboard.

"Coming!"

That afternoon...

As promised...

Tulsi brought Parth through the rear entrance of Shanti Niketan.

The servants assumed Tulsi had come to spend time with Nandini.

None of them questioned it.

Inside the courtyard...

Nandini sat beneath the neem tree.

She was looking at the tulsi plant.

The watering can rested beside her.

But she seemed unsure what to do.

Parth quietly walked over.

Without speaking...

He picked up the watering can.

He gently placed it in her hands.

Then held it with her.

Together...

They watered the plant.

Nandini smiled.

"I knew you'd come."

Parth smiled back.

"I told you I would."

Afterwards...

She looked closely at him.

"You haven't eaten."

Parth chuckled.

"I have."

She folded her arms.

"You're lying."

He laughed softly.

"You always caught me."

"I still do."

She took his hand.

"Come."

She led him into the kitchen.

Tulsi smiled silently and followed.

Nandini opened a small steel container.

Inside...

Fresh kheer.

"I made this for my son."

Parth looked at Tulsi.

She quietly nodded.

He sat down.

Nandini filled a bowl.

Blew gently on the hot kheer.

Just as she had done when he was a child.

Then held the spoon before him.

"Open your mouth."

Parth's eyes brimmed with tears.

He obeyed.

Nandini smiled proudly.

"See?"

"You never feed yourself properly."

Parth laughed through his tears.

"I suppose I don't."

For nearly an hour...

They simply lived.

No discussions about the past.

No explanations.

No accusations.

Only ordinary moments.

Nandini asked whether he was sleeping enough.

Scolded him for forgetting his vitamins.

Complained that Karan worked too much.

And insisted Tulsi wasn't resting enough.

For that one precious hour...

She was simply...

A mother.

Then...

As suddenly as it had begun...

The moment faded.

Nandini looked around in confusion.

"Tulsi..."

"Has Parth come home yet?"

Parth quietly lowered his eyes.

"No, Maa."

"But he'll come."

She smiled hopefully.

"I've made kheer."

"He loves kheer."

Parth gently replied,

"I know."

"He'll be very happy."

She looked towards the front gate.

"I'll wait."

Parth stood beside her.

"So will I."

As Tulsi and Parth quietly left through the rear entrance...