Chapter 8 (Love Against Memories)
A Home Without Him
The next morning...
For the first time in ten years...
Tulsi woke up in Shanti Niketan.
The morning sunlight filtered through the familiar curtains.
The temple bells echoed softly through the mansion.
She folded her hands before Lord Krishna.
"Thank You Thakur ji..."
She whispered.
"I've come home."
Yet...
Her prayer was incomplete.
Because one member of her family...
Was still missing.
Meanwhile...
Across the city...
Parth woke up alone in the apartment.
The silence felt heavier than ever.
For weeks...
Tulsi's voice had been the first thing he heard every morning.
Now...
The apartment felt empty.
He walked into the kitchen.
Only one cup rested on the counter.
He smiled sadly.
"So this is what loneliness sounds like..."
Back at Shanti Niketan...
Tulsi was preparing breakfast with Maharaj ji.
Nandini quietly entered the kitchen.
She looked around.
Then frowned.
"Where is he?"
Tulsi looked at her.
"Who?"
"The young man."
"The one who comes every afternoon."
"He helps me water the tulsi plant."
"He eats too little."
Tulsi smiled gently.
"He'll come."
Nandini nodded happily.
"Good."
"I made kheer yesterday."
"I forgot to give him some."
Tulsi's eyes became moist.
Even when her memories faded...
Her heart still remembered him.
At the breakfast table...
Karan noticed Tulsi smiling.
It had been years since he had seen that expression.
"I'm glad you're home, Maa."
Tulsi smiled.
"So am I."
Before she could say anything else...
Vaishnavi quietly entered.
She greeted everyone.
Then sat beside Nandini.
As she poured tea...
She noticed something unusual.
Nandini kept looking towards the main door.
Every few minutes.
As though waiting for someone.
"Maa..."
Vaishnavi asked softly.
"Are you expecting someone?"
Nandini nodded innocently.
"Yes."
"Who?"
"The nice young man."
"He promised he'd come today."
Vaishnavi exchanged a confused glance with Tulsi.
"Which young man?"
Nandini frowned.
"I don't know his name."
"But he reminds me of my Parth."
The spoon slipped from Vaishnavi's hand.
She slowly looked at Tulsi.
Tulsi remained perfectly calm.
"She must be talking about one of the temple volunteers."
She replied casually.
Nandini smiled.
"Maybe."
But Tulsi's heart knew the truth.
Later that afternoon...
Tulsi quietly walked towards the rear entrance.
She carried a small tiffin.
Inside...
Fresh kheer.
Exactly the way Nandini had prepared it.
The security guard smiled knowingly.
"He's waiting."
Tulsi smiled back.
Outside the gate...
Parth stood exactly where he always did.
He immediately noticed the tiffin.
"Maa made it?"
Tulsi nodded.
"Yesterday."
"She kept asking where you were."
Parth's eyes filled with tears.
"Did she..."
"...remember me?"
Tulsi smiled.
"Not your name."
"But her heart did."
Parth quietly accepted the tiffin.
Then followed Tulsi inside.
Meanwhile...
Upstairs...
Vaishnavi stepped onto her balcony.
She happened to glance towards the backyard.
For a brief second...
She thought she saw someone walking with Tulsi.
She frowned.
Before she could look properly...
They disappeared behind the trees leading to the temple courtyard.
"Strange..."
She whispered.
In the temple courtyard...
Nandini was arranging flowers before Krishna's idol.
She looked up.
A bright smile lit up her face.
"There you are!"
Parth smiled.
"I promised I'd come."
Nandini immediately held up the tiffin.
"I made kheer."
"You left without eating yesterday."
Parth laughed softly.
"I'm sorry."
She gently served him herself.
Then sat beside him.
Watching him eat with quiet satisfaction.
"Better."
"You look healthier already."
Tulsi watched them from a distance.
Every day...
The conversations became a little longer.
The smiles lasted a little more.
The fear...
A little less.
As Parth prepared to leave...
Nandini suddenly stopped him.
She gently straightened the collar of his shirt.
Then brushed an imaginary speck of dust from his shoulder.
"You always leave looking untidy."
Parth smiled.
"I'll try to do better."
She lovingly tapped his cheek.
"See that you do."
For one fleeting second...
Her eyes met his.
And she whispered almost instinctively,
"My son..."
Parth froze.
Before he could respond...
The moment passed.
Nandini looked around in confusion.
"Have you seen my Parth?"
Parth swallowed the lump in his throat.
Then smiled.
"Not yet, Maa."
"But we'll find him."
She nodded happily.
"Yes."
"We'll find him together."
As Parth quietly left through the rear gate...
He looked back one last time.
Nandini was smiling again.
That was enough.
For today.
Far above...
Standing unnoticed behind the curtains of her room...
Vaishnavi watched Tulsi return alone.
A question continued to trouble her.
Why did Tulsi disappear into the backyard every afternoon?
And who...
Was she meeting?
The Woman in the Mirror
The days quietly passed.
Every afternoon...
Tulsi found a reason to disappear into the backyard.
Sometimes she said she was going to the temple.
Sometimes she said she wanted to water the tulsi plant.
No one questioned her.
Except...
Vaishnavi.
She had begun noticing a pattern.
Every afternoon...
Tulsi disappeared for exactly an hour.
And every afternoon...
Nandini seemed happier.
Calmer.
More peaceful.
Something was happening.
But what?
That afternoon...
Vaishnavi quietly followed Tulsi.
Careful not to make a sound.
She watched Tulsi disappear through the rear courtyard.
Just as she was about to follow...
Garima called from behind.
"Vaishnavi Bhabhi!"
She immediately turned.
"Yes?"
"The tailor has arrived."
By the time Vaishnavi looked back...
Tulsi had disappeared.
She sighed.
"I'll find out one day."
Meanwhile...
Inside the temple courtyard...
Parth sat beside Nandini.
Together...
They were making fresh flower garlands for Krishna.
Nandini smiled.
"You've become much better."
Parth laughed.
"You've been teaching me since I was ten."
She nodded proudly.
"And you still make them too loose."
He smiled.
"I always will."
She lightly tapped his shoulder.
"You never listen."
Tulsi quietly watched them.
Sometimes...
She wondered if love alone could heal memories.
Looking at them...
She began believing it could.
After finishing the garlands...
Nandini suddenly stood up.
"Come."
Parth looked puzzled.
"Where?"
"My room."
He hesitated.
"Maa..."
"What if someone sees?"
Nandini laughed softly.
"You're afraid?"
Parth smiled.
"Only a little."
She held his wrist.
"Come."
Inside her room...
Nandini stood before the dressing table.
She picked up an old photo frame.
It was a picture of a young Parth graduating from university.
She lovingly wiped away the dust.
"My handsome boy."
Parth stood silently behind her.
Unable to speak.
She placed the photograph back.
Then looked into the mirror.
Slowly...
Her eyes shifted.
From the photograph...
To Parth's reflection standing behind her.
She frowned.
Something...
Didn't feel right.
She turned around.
Walked closer.
Very slowly...
She lifted her hand.
Her fingers touched his cheek.
Her eyes searched his face.
"I know these eyes..."
Parth didn't move.
He simply let her look.
"You..."
She whispered.
"You smile exactly like..."
Her voice trailed off.
"My son."
A tear escaped Parth's eye.
"I'm glad you think so."
For one breathtaking moment...
It seemed as though recognition was returning.
Then...
Someone knocked on the bedroom door.
"Nandini Madam?"
It was one of the maids.
"Your medicines."
Nandini blinked.
The spell was broken.
She stepped back.
"Oh..."
She smiled politely.
"I thought you were someone else."
Parth smiled gently.
"I know."
"It's alright."
After taking her medicines...
Nandini suddenly frowned.
"Tulsi..."
"Why does that young man make me feel..."
"...safe?"
Tulsi's heart skipped a beat.
She answered carefully.
"Maybe..."
"Because he reminds you of someone you love."
Nandini thought for a long moment.
Then nodded.
"Perhaps."
As Parth prepared to leave...
Nandini called after him.
"Wait."
He turned.
She walked over.
Carefully straightened the collar of his shirt.
Then smiled.
"My son always leaves the house looking untidy."
Parth chuckled.
"I'll remember that."
She gently blessed him.
"Be happy."
He bowed and touched her feet.
"Always, Maa."
Outside...
Parth and Tulsi slowly walked towards the rear gate.
Parth smiled.
"Today..."
"She looked into my eyes."
Tulsi nodded.
"I saw."
"For a moment..."
"I thought she had recognised you."
Parth looked back towards the mansion.
"So did I."
Then he smiled.
"But there's no hurry."
"If she's waited ten years..."
"I can wait a little longer."
Tulsi looked at him with pride.
"You've changed."
Parth laughed softly.
"No."
"I've just learnt that love..."
"...cannot be rushed."
From the upstairs balcony...
Reyansh happened to glance towards the backyard.
He saw Tulsi returning alone.
Again.
His curiosity deepened...
Just like Vaishnavi's.
For several days now...
Tulsi had quietly disappeared every afternoon.
And every afternoon...
Nandini seemed happier than before.
She smiled more.
She laughed more.
Some of the emptiness in her eyes had begun to disappear.
Reyansh frowned.
"What is Dadi hiding?"
Unaware...
That the answer...
Would change everything he believed about Parth.
The Garden of Memories
The following morning...
The jasmine garden was in full bloom.
White blossoms swayed gently in the cool breeze.
Their fragrance filled every corner of Shanti Niketan.
Parth stood quietly beside them.
A watering can rested in his hand.
He smiled softly.
"They're finally blooming, Vaishu."
Upstairs...
Vaishnavi stepped onto her balcony.
The fragrance immediately caught her attention.
She looked down.
The garden looked exactly as it had years ago.
Every flowerbed.
Every pathway.
Even the little stone bench...
Had been restored.
Her heart tightened.
This was the garden they had once dreamed of growing together.
A memory surfaced.
Years ago...
Parth had dug a small pit in the ground.
He had handed her a tiny jasmine sapling.
"Plant it."
She had laughed.
"It'll die."
He had shaken his head.
"Not if we look after it together."
She had smiled.
"And if one of us forgets?"
Parth had gently held her hand.
"The other one will remember."
The memory faded.
Vaishnavi slowly opened her eyes.
Without realizing it...
A tear had escaped.
Below...
Parth carefully removed a dried leaf from one of the plants.
He didn't know...
Someone was watching him.
Reyansh stepped onto the balcony beside Vaishnavi.
He looked towards the garden.
"He still comes every day."
Vaishnavi nodded silently.
"He never misses a day."
Reyansh folded his arms.
"I don't understand him."
She looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
"He isn't trying to force anyone to forgive him."
"He never argues."
"He never gets angry."
"He simply..."
He searched for the right word.
"...waits."
Vaishnavi lowered her eyes.
"So have I."
Reyansh looked at her.
She smiled sadly.
"I waited for ten years..."
"...hoping the man I married would come back."
Silence settled between them.
A gardener suddenly approached Parth.
"Sir..."
"This old swing still creaks."
Parth walked over.
He examined the wooden frame.
Then smiled.
"It doesn't need replacing."
"It only needs care."
He carefully tightened the bolts.
Applied fresh oil to the hinges.
Within minutes...
The swing moved silently.
The gardener smiled.
"You always repair things."
Parth laughed softly.
"My Baa says..."
"...throwing things away is easy."
"Repairing them takes love."
Those words drifted upwards.
Vaishnavi heard every one of them.
Her eyes slowly moved towards the repaired swing.
Once again...
She remembered.
"If it ever breaks..."
"We'll repair it together."
Later that afternoon...
Vaishnavi quietly walked into the garden.
Parth had already left.
The swing moved gently in the breeze.
She slowly sat down.
For several moments...
She simply looked at the jasmine flowers.
Then...
She noticed something tied to one of the branches.
A tiny wooden wind chime.
She smiled faintly.
Parth had carved it himself years ago.
She remembered teasing him.
"It's crooked."
*"It's handmade."
"That's why it's beautiful."
Her fingers gently touched the wood.
She closed her eyes.
For one fleeting moment...
She smiled.
Not because the pain had disappeared.
But because the memory no longer frightened her.
From the veranda...
Reyansh quietly watched.
He noticed the smile.
It lasted only a second.
But he saw it.
His heart felt unexpectedly heavy.
He didn't understand why.
He had been happy to see Vaishnavi smile again.
So why...
Did it hurt knowing that smile belonged to a memory of Parth?
At that very moment...
Tulsi walked into the garden carrying a basket of fresh flowers.
She smiled upon seeing Vaishnavi on the swing.
"The jasmine has bloomed beautifully."
Vaishnavi nodded.
"He always knew how to look after them."
Tulsi looked at her carefully.
"You remembered."
Vaishnavi's smile faded.
"I remembered..."
"The good days."
Tulsi gently sat beside her.
"My child..."
"The heart never forgets love."
"It only hides it when it's hurt."
Vaishnavi remained silent.
She looked towards the gate where Parth had left only minutes earlier.
A question formed in her heart.
One she was still too afraid to ask.
"Who are you now, Parth?"
And somewhere beyond the gates of Shanti Niketan...
Walking back towards his lonely apartment...
Parth smiled to himself.
Unaware...
That for the first time...
Vaishnavi had remembered him...
Without remembering the nightmare.
The First Question
The next afternoon...
Shanti Niketan was unusually quiet.
Karan had left for Virani Industries.
Reyansh had gone to meet one of the company's senior managers.
Most of the servants were busy in the backyard.
Vaishnavi wandered aimlessly through the corridors.
Her mind wasn't at peace.
The question Tulsi had unknowingly planted in her heart refused to leave.
"Who are you now, Parth?"
She walked into the library.
Rows of books lined the walls.
Nothing had changed.
Not even the old reading chair in the corner.
She slowly ran her fingers across the shelves.
Then...
Her eyes fell upon an old photo album.
Curious...
She picked it up.
Inside were photographs from happier days.
Parth and Reyansh playing basketball during their university days in America.
Parth asleep on the sofa while Tulsi covered him with a blanket.
Parth helping Mihir decorate the house during Diwali.
Parth laughing with Nandini in the kitchen after burning a batch of sweets.
Vaishnavi smiled despite herself.
"He was impossible..."
She whispered.
Another photograph slipped out of the album.
It landed gently at her feet.
Vaishnavi bent down and picked it up.
It was their wedding photograph.
Parth wasn't looking at the camera.
He was looking only at her.
His eyes were filled with quiet happiness.
The memory returned instantly.
Just before the photographer had clicked the picture...
Parth had leaned slightly towards her and whispered,
"You're not looking at the camera."
She had smiled without turning her head.
"Neither are you."
He had chuckled softly.
"I don't think I can."
She had looked at him in surprise.
"Why?"
He had smiled.
"Because every time I look at you..."
"...I forget there's anyone else around."
She had lowered her eyes shyly.
The photographer had laughed.
"Perfect!"
"Now hold that smile."
The flash had gone off.
Capturing the happiest moment of their lives.
A tear rolled down Vaishnavi's cheek.
That had been the last photograph they had ever taken together.
Before the night ended...
The man she had married...
Had vanished.
And her world had fallen apart.
She stared at the photograph for a long time.
Then...
Very carefully...
She slipped it back into the album.
At that very moment...
Tulsi entered the library.
She noticed the album in Vaishnavi's lap.
"You found it."
Vaishnavi nodded.
"I haven't looked at these in years."
Tulsi smiled softly.
"Some memories hurt."
"Some heal."
"It takes time to know the difference."
Vaishnavi closed the album.
"Baa..."
Tulsi looked at her.
"I want to ask you something."
"Go ahead."
Vaishnavi hesitated.
Then finally spoke.
"Why do you disappear every afternoon?"
Tulsi's smile faded almost imperceptibly.
"What makes you ask that?"
"I've noticed."
"So has Reyansh."
"You leave every afternoon."
"And every afternoon..."
"Maa seems happier."
Tulsi remained silent.
Vaishnavi continued,
"I've never seen her improve like this before."
"What are you doing?"
Tulsi looked towards the temple through the library window.
She knew this question would come one day.
But...
Not yet.
Not before Parth was ready.
She gently held Vaishnavi's hand.
"Sometimes..."
"Healing needs silence."
Vaishnavi frowned.
"I don't understand."
"You don't have to."
"Not yet."
Those words only deepened Vaishnavi's curiosity.
That afternoon...
As usual...
Tulsi quietly walked towards the rear entrance.
Parth was already waiting outside.
He smiled.
"How's Maa today?"
Tulsi smiled back.
"She asked for you."
Parth's face immediately brightened.
"Really?"
"She said..."
'The young man hasn't come today.'
Parth laughed softly.
"I'll have to apologise."
Inside the temple courtyard...
Nandini sat stringing fresh jasmine flowers into a garland.
The moment she saw Parth...
Her face lit up.
"There you are!"
"I've been waiting."
Parth knelt beside her.
"I'm sorry I'm late."
Nandini smiled.
"I haven't started without you."
She handed him half the flowers.
"Help me."
Together...
They began threading the blossoms.
Neither hurried.
Neither spoke much.
The silence between them was comforting.
Like a mother and son who had never been separated.
After finishing the garland...
Nandini carefully placed it around Krishna's idol.
She folded her hands.
Then looked at Parth.
"Will you sing?"
Parth looked surprised.
"What?"
"The bhajan."
"You always sang with me."
His eyes softened.
Very gently...
He began singing the evening bhajan she had taught him as a child.
His voice was calm.
Steady.
Warm.
After a few lines...
Nandini joined him.
Their voices blended effortlessly.
Tulsi stood quietly at the doorway.
Watching.
Praying.
For a few beautiful minutes...
The temple held not three broken souls...
But a mother.
A son.
And the woman who had never stopped believing in them.
Unbeknownst to them...
A figure had paused outside the corridor leading to the temple.
Reyansh.
He had returned home earlier than expected.
As he walked through the backyard...
He heard the familiar sound of a bhajan.
He frowned.
That voice...
It sounded remarkably like...
Parth's.
He slowly took a step towards the corridor.
Then another.
His heart began to race.
Just before he reached the temple doorway...
A servant called out from behind.
"Sir!"
"The office has sent some important documents."
Reyansh turned instinctively.
"What is it?"
By the time he finished speaking with the servant...
The singing had stopped.
When he looked back...
The corridor was empty.
He frowned.
"Strange..."
For a brief moment...
He could have sworn...
He had heard Parth inside Shanti Niketan.
Between Two Hearts
The following evening...
A gentle drizzle fell over Mumbai.
The gardens of Shanti Niketan glistened beneath the rain.
The fragrance of wet jasmine filled the air.
Vaishnavi stood by her bedroom window.
Her eyes instinctively searched the garden.
He was there.
As always.
Parth quietly covered the newly planted jasmine saplings with a sheet so the heavy rain wouldn't damage them.
Even in the rain...
He thought of the flowers first.
Downstairs...
Reyansh walked into the living room carrying two cups of coffee.
He noticed Vaishnavi standing by the window.
"You'll catch a cold."
She smiled faintly.
"I'll be fine."
He handed her a cup.
"I thought you could use this."
"Thank you."
For a few moments...
They simply stood together.
Watching the rain.
Reyansh looked towards the garden.
"He really hasn't missed a single day."
Vaishnavi nodded.
"No."
"He hasn't."
Reyansh sighed.
"I still don't understand him."
Vaishnavi looked at him.
"Neither do I."
Outside...
Parth finished covering the last sapling.
As he straightened up...
He noticed one of the old wind chimes had broken loose.
He climbed onto the small wooden stool beneath it.
Carefully...
He tied it back into place.
The gentle sound of the chimes filled the air once more.
Vaishnavi unconsciously smiled.
"It still sounds the same..."
She whispered.
Just then...
A sudden gust of wind swept across the garden.
The wooden stool shifted.
Parth lost his balance.
He fell heavily onto the stone pathway.
The flower pots beside him shattered.
The sound echoed through the mansion.
"Parth!"
The name escaped Vaishnavi's lips before she even realized it.
She hurried towards the staircase.
Reyansh followed immediately.
Both rushed into the garden.
Parth was already trying to stand.
His right hand had been cut by the broken clay pot.
Blood slowly trickled down his fingers.
Vaishnavi instinctively knelt beside him.
"You're hurt."
Parth smiled gently.
"It's only a scratch."
She took out her handkerchief.
Then stopped.
The moment her fingers touched his hand...
A memory flashed before her.
That terrible night.
She immediately withdrew.
Her breathing became uneven.
She stepped back.
Parth noticed instantly.
Without a word...
He moved his injured hand away.
"It's alright."
"I'll manage."
He didn't want her to feel frightened.
Not again.
Reyansh quietly picked up the fallen first-aid box from the gardener's shed.
He opened it.
"Sit down."
Parth looked surprised.
"You don't have to."
"I know."
Reyansh calmly replied.
"But you're bleeding."
Parth slowly sat down.
Reyansh cleaned the wound.
Wrapped the bandage around Parth's hand.
Neither spoke.
The silence between them felt unfamiliar.
Not hostile.
Simply...
Uncertain.
When Reyansh finished...
Parth looked at him.
"Thank you."
Reyansh nodded.
"It would've been wrong not to help."
Parth smiled faintly.
"I know."
Nearby...
Vaishnavi quietly watched.
The sight before her felt strange.
Ten years ago...
These two men had been inseparable.
Today...
One was bandaging the other.
Without realizing it...
She smiled.
Perhaps...
Some relationships could still be repaired.
Just then...
Karan stepped into the garden.
He looked from Reyansh...
To Parth.
His expression immediately hardened.
"What happened?"
"The stool slipped."
One of the gardeners answered.
Karan looked at Parth's bandaged hand.
Then at Reyansh.
"Come inside."
Reyansh stood.
Before leaving...
He looked back at Parth.
"You should get a tetanus shot."
Parth smiled.
"I will."
It was the longest conversation they had shared since Reyansh's return.
As everyone walked back towards the mansion...
Vaishnavi remained standing in the garden.
She looked at the broken flower pots.
Then at the jasmine saplings Parth had protected before falling.
Even while he was hurt...
Not a single plant had been damaged.
She quietly bent down.
Picked up one of the shattered clay pieces.
And whispered to herself,
"You still put everyone else before yourself..."
She closed her eyes.
For the first time...
The image of the loving husband she had once known...
Began to compete with the terrifying memories that had haunted her for ten years.
Far away...
Walking back towards the apartment with his bandaged hand...
Parth smiled to himself.
Not because his wound didn't hurt.
But because...
For the first time since Reyansh's return...
His brother had looked at him...
Not with hatred.
But with humanity.
Neither of them knew it yet.
But that small act of kindness...
Had become the first step towards rebuilding a brotherhood that fate had stolen.
The Unseen Truth
The next afternoon...
Parth arrived at the rear gate of Shanti Niketan as usual.
His right hand was still bandaged.
The cut had begun healing.
But Tulsi immediately noticed it.
"You should be resting."
Parth smiled.
"I promised Maa I'd come."
Tulsi shook her head affectionately.
"You've always been stubborn."
He laughed.
"I learnt from you."
Together...
They quietly entered through the rear entrance.
Nandini was sitting in the temple courtyard.
The moment she saw Parth...
Her face brightened.
"There you are!"
Then...
She noticed the bandage.
Her smile vanished.
She immediately stood up.
"What happened?"
Parth instinctively hid his hand behind his back.
"It's nothing."
She frowned.
"Show me."
He obeyed.
Nandini gently took his hand into hers.
Her eyes filled with concern.
"You've hurt yourself."
"It was only a small fall."
She lightly scolded him.
"You never look where you're walking."
Parth smiled.
"I know."
"You've been telling me that since I was little."
Without another word...
Nandini led him into the kitchen.
Tulsi quietly followed.
She opened the medicine cabinet.
Carefully removed the old bandage.
The wound looked much better.
Still...
She frowned.
"It isn't clean enough."
She dipped a piece of cotton into antiseptic.
Very gently...
She cleaned the wound herself.
Parth winced slightly.
Nandini looked up immediately.
"Does it hurt?"
He smiled.
"Not when you're doing it."
She smiled back.
"There."
"My son always becomes brave after I scold him."
Parth's eyes became moist.
He didn't correct her.
He simply let the moment remain.
After dressing the wound...
Nandini lovingly stroked his hair.
"You work too much."
"You don't eat enough."
"And now..."
"You've started getting hurt."
Parth laughed softly.
"I'll be more careful."
"You'd better."
From the half-open kitchen door...
Someone had quietly stopped.
Vaishnavi.
She had come looking for Tulsi.
Instead...
She froze.
She could only see part of the kitchen.
She couldn't see Parth's face clearly.
But she saw Nandini.
Holding someone's hand.
Changing a bandage.
Smiling.
Scolding.
Exactly the way a mother cared for her child.
Vaishnavi frowned.
"Who is with Maa?"
Before she could step closer...
The cook called out behind her.
"Madam..."
"The florist has arrived."
Startled...
Vaishnavi turned.
By the time she looked back...
The kitchen door had been closed.
She slowly walked away.
The mystery remained.
After lunch...
Parth and Nandini sat in the courtyard.
She was peeling peas for dinner.
He quietly helped her.
Neither spoke much.
Comfortable silence filled the space.
Finally...
Nandini smiled.
"You know..."
"My Parth hated peeling peas."
Parth laughed.
"I still do."
She chuckled.
"I knew it."
Then...
For a brief second...
She looked directly into his eyes.
"You laugh..."
"...just like him."
Parth's smile softened.
"So I've been told."
Meanwhile...
In another part of the house...
Reyansh was searching for an old set of company files.
As he passed the rear corridor...
He noticed something unusual.
Fresh footprints.
One pair belonged to Tulsi.
The other...
To a man.
He frowned.
Those footprints hadn't been there earlier.
He looked towards the temple courtyard.
No one was visible.
His curiosity deepened.
"Who keeps coming here every afternoon?"
A little later...
Parth quietly prepared to leave.
Before stepping out...
He turned back towards Nandini.
She was arranging flowers before Krishna.
He folded his hands silently.
Then whispered,
"See you tomorrow, Maa."
Nandini looked over her shoulder.
A warm smile spread across her face.
"Don't be late."
"I won't."
He smiled.
Then quietly disappeared through the rear gate.
Standing at the upstairs window...
Vaishnavi watched Tulsi return from the backyard once again.
Moments later...
She saw Tulsi wipe away a tear before entering the house.
Vaishnavi's heart tightened.
Something important was happening.
Something Tulsi was protecting.
And for reasons she couldn't explain...
She had begun to feel...
That whatever the secret was...
It had something to do with Parth.
Far away...
Parth walked back towards his apartment.
The fresh bandage around his hand had been tied by his mother.
Perhaps she hadn't remembered his name.
Perhaps she hadn't recognized him completely.
But today...
For a few precious moments...
She had cared for him...
Exactly as she always had.
And for Parth...
That was enough to keep hope alive.
A Place in Her Heart
The next evening...
Shanti Niketan was alive with preparations.
Tulsi had decided to organize a small satsang at home.
The temple was decorated with fresh marigolds.
Oil lamps illuminated every corner.
The fragrance of incense lingered through the mansion.
Vaishnavi stood in the temple arranging flowers.
As she reached for the basket...
She frowned.
"The jasmine garlands..."
"They're missing."
A servant immediately replied,
"Madam..."
"They've already been placed around the temple."
Vaishnavi looked surprised.
"I didn't do that."
The servant smiled.
"Tulsi Ma'am asked someone to help."
Vaishnavi quietly looked at the beautifully arranged flowers.
Every garland had been woven exactly the way she used to make them.
The knots.
The spacing.
Even the alternating pattern of jasmine and tulsi leaves.
She whispered,
"Only one person knew I liked them arranged this way..."
Meanwhile...
Outside the mansion...
Parth had already finished helping Tulsi decorate the temple before everyone else had gathered.
As always...
He quietly slipped away through the rear gate.
He never stayed long enough for anyone to know he had been there.
The satsang began.
Family members and close friends gathered together.
Bhajans echoed through the house.
Nandini sat beside Tulsi.
For the entire evening...
She remained unusually peaceful.
She sang every hymn without forgetting a single word.
Karan looked at Mihir.
"I haven't seen her like this in years."
Mihir smiled gently.
"Neither have I."
After the prayers...
Everyone gathered in the garden for dinner.
The atmosphere felt warm.
Almost normal.
Reyansh noticed Vaishnavi standing alone near the jasmine plants.
He walked towards her.
"May I join you?"
She smiled.
"Of course."
For a while...
Neither spoke.
They simply admired the flowers.
Finally...
Reyansh broke the silence.
"You've changed."
Vaishnavi looked at him.
"Have I?"
He nodded.
"When I came back..."
"I never saw you smile."
"But now..."
"You smile sometimes."
She lowered her eyes.
"It surprises me too."
Reyansh gently plucked a fallen jasmine flower from the pathway.
He looked at it thoughtfully.
"You know..."
"I've realised something."
Vaishnavi smiled.
"What?"
"When I first came home..."
"I thought I was returning to the family I'd lost."
He looked at her.
"But somewhere along the way..."
"I realised..."
"...I was also looking forward to seeing you."
Vaishnavi looked at him in surprise.
He immediately smiled.
"I'm not asking for anything."
"I'm only telling you the truth."
"You've become..."
"...someone very important to me."
Silence settled between them.
Vaishnavi didn't know how to respond.
She had always cared deeply for Reyansh.
He was family.
A dear friend.
Someone she trusted completely.
But...
She had never looked at him the way he was beginning to look at her.
She answered honestly.
"Reyansh..."
"You've brought laughter back into this house."
"You've been a wonderful friend."
"I'm grateful for that."
Reyansh understood.
She hadn't accepted his feelings.
But...
She hadn't rejected them either.
He smiled gently.
"That's enough."
"For now."
From outside the gates...
Parth had returned to collect the toolbox he had forgotten near the garden shed.
As he approached...
He saw Reyansh and Vaishnavi standing together beneath the jasmine arch.
They were talking softly.
Vaishnavi smiled at something Reyansh said.
Parth stopped walking.
For several moments...
He simply watched.
Then...
A peaceful smile appeared on his face.
He quietly turned away.
Without collecting the toolbox.
The elderly gardener noticed him.
"Sir..."
"You forgot your tools."
Parth looked back towards the garden.
"No."
"I'll collect them tomorrow."
The gardener followed his gaze.
He understood.
"You look sad."
Parth gently shook his head.
"No."
"I was thinking."
"What about?"
Parth smiled faintly.
"If she can smile again..."
"Perhaps that's enough."
The gardener looked at him.
"And what about your happiness?"
Parth remained silent for a long moment.
Finally...
He answered,
"If my happiness ever asks me to choose..."
"...between myself..."
"...and her peace..."
"I'll choose her peace."
He quietly walked away into the night.
Hidden behind one of the stone pillars...
Tulsi had witnessed everything.
She had seen Parth leave without disturbing them.
She had heard every word he had spoken to the gardener.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
"My child..."
She whispered.
"You love her enough..."
"...to lose her."
Far above...
The moon shone over Shanti Niketan.
Unaware...
That three hearts were now walking towards the same destiny.
One heart...
Learning to love again.
One heart...
Falling in love.
And one heart...
Preparing to let go.
A Promise to Let Go
The following morning...
Parth arrived at Shanti Niketan as usual.
The gardener smiled warmly.
"You forgot your toolbox yesterday."
Parth chuckled.
"I suppose I did."
The old gardener handed it back.
Then looked at him carefully.
"You didn't really forget it."
Parth smiled without answering.
The gardener sighed.
"I've seen many seasons."
"And I've learnt one thing."
"The hardest battles..."
"...are fought in silence."
Parth simply nodded.
As he began watering the jasmine plants...
He noticed movement on the upstairs balcony.
Vaishnavi.
She stood there quietly.
Watching the garden.
Their eyes met.
For a brief second...
Neither looked away.
Then...
Vaishnavi gave him the slightest nod.
It wasn't forgiveness.
It wasn't acceptance.
But it wasn't rejection either.
Parth smiled softly.
Then returned to his work.
He didn't want to ask for more than she was ready to give.
Later that afternoon...
As usual...
Tulsi brought Parth through the rear entrance.
Nandini was waiting in the temple courtyard.
The moment she saw him...
She smiled.
"I was wondering why you were late."
"I had to finish some work in the garden."
She shook her head.
"You always work too much."
Parth laughed.
"I've heard that somewhere before."
Nandini smiled knowingly.
"You probably have."
Together...
They prepared the afternoon bhog for Krishna.
Nandini carefully stirred the sweet rice.
Parth roasted the cashews.
For a while...
The kitchen echoed with gentle conversation.
"So..."
Nandini asked.
"Are you married?"
Parth froze.
He looked at Tulsi.
Tulsi quietly lowered her eyes.
He turned back to Nandini.
"Yes."
She smiled happily.
"Then your wife must worry about you."
Parth's smile became bittersweet.
"I think..."
"She has every reason to."
Nandini looked at him with motherly affection.
"Don't make her cry."
"If a woman loves you..."
"Never let her feel alone."
Parth's eyes filled.
"I never wanted her to."
Meanwhile...
In the garden...
Reyansh found Vaishnavi watering the roses.
"I've been looking for you."
She smiled.
"You've found me."
He stood beside her.
For a while...
Neither spoke.
Finally...
Reyansh broke the silence.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
He looked at the blooming jasmine.
"If..."
He hesitated.
"If Parth had never come back..."
"Would you have remained alone forever?"
Vaishnavi stopped watering the plants.
She looked down.
"I don't know."
Reyansh nodded.
"I thought so."
He smiled gently.
"I'm not asking you to answer today."
"I only wanted to know..."
"If you'd ever allow yourself to be happy again."
Vaishnavi looked at him.
"I haven't thought that far."
Reyansh smiled.
"Then don't."
"We have time."
From the rear veranda...
Parth happened to step outside after helping Nandini.
Their voices drifted towards him.
He couldn't hear every word.
Only the last sentence.
"We have time."
He looked towards them.
Reyansh wasn't forcing her.
He wasn't demanding anything.
He was simply...
Waiting.
Just as Parth had been.
A faint smile crossed Parth's face.
"He'll take care of her."
He whispered.
That evening...
Parth returned to his apartment.
The silence welcomed him once again.
He opened the old wooden box that contained the few belongings he had carried through the past ten years.
Inside...
Lay his wedding ring.
He picked it up.
Held it in his palm.
His eyes slowly filled.
He remembered their wedding vows.
"In happiness and sorrow..."
"In every season of life..."
"I will stand beside you."
He closed his fingers around the ring.
Then whispered softly,
"If standing beside you..."
"...means standing far away..."
"...I'll do that too."
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
It was Mihir.
He entered quietly.
"I thought you might be alone."
Parth smiled.
"I usually am."
Mihir sat beside him.
After a long silence...
He asked,
"What are you thinking about?"
Parth looked at the ring in his hand.
"Dadu..."
"If one day..."
"Vaishnavi finds happiness with someone else..."
"I won't stand in her way."
Mihir looked at him in disbelief.
"You still love her."
"I always will."
"Then why?"
Parth smiled sadly.
"Because love isn't about being chosen."
"It's about wanting the person you love..."
"...to smile again."
Even if...
That smile belonged to someone else.
Mihir's eyes became moist.
He had never seen love expressed so selflessly.
He gently placed a hand on Parth's shoulder.
"My child..."
"I pray that day never comes."
Parth looked out of the window towards the distant lights of Shanti Niketan.
"So do I."
"But if it does..."
"I'll bless them."
Unaware...
That fate had one more cruel twist waiting.
A truth...
That would soon shake the entire Virani family.
------
To be continued.
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
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