Three Months Later
After his exams, Anurag escaped to the Maldives for a vacation to run away from thoughts of Siya. Today, he's returning home.
Jagjeet Raj Chauhan arranged for Anurag's admission to a college in Uttarakhand's Auli, hoping to keep him far away—and, by extension, his daughter Apoorva had to go too.
By fate or coincidence, Anurag ended up in the same college as Raghav.
Meanwhile, Jagjeet Raj Chauhan was agitated at his political defeat and was scheming to ruin Nishtha quietly—but Kashyap wouldn't give him the opportunity.
Today was the day Kashyap would be sworn in as Chief Minister—he'd already won the election. As he prepared for the ceremony, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and smiled. Just then, Nishtha knocked:Nishtha: "Listen, Maaji wants you…"Kashyap didn't even look her way—he simply walked out.
In the past three months, their relationship had become distant. Kashyap wouldn't speak to her, barely glanced her way. He stayed late, immersed in work, coming home only after dark—ignoring her completely.
Nishtha was frustrated. What crime did I commit? Am I just furniture in this home? Why this coldness—why does a living person feel invisible?
Auli, Uttarakhand
A year had passed since Raghav started college—and he topped the entire university. Today was the prize distribution ceremony, and he'd invited his entire family.
Aman ji, Chandrika ji, Raj ji, Yamuna ji, Kabir, and Siya all flew in to Auli and stood at the airport waiting, as Raghav had promised to pick them up himself.
Kabir and Siya were arguing about something; Chandrika ji watched worriedly. Aman ji repeatedly tried calling Raghav. Still, no reply.
Moments later, they saw him running—out of breath and drenched in sweat despite the frigid cold. As soon as he saw them, his face lit up and he sprinted toward them.
He first touched Aman ji's feet. Aman ji: "Be happy, son. Why were you running like that?"Raghav, wiping his sweat: "Dad, the road I took had a landslide. The car couldn't come, so I had to walk…"
Chandrika ji, concerned: "Why didn't you call? What if something had happened?"
Raghav hugged her: "Don't worry, Mom. I won't die so soon…"
She played him off with a gentle slap: "Don't say that again, or else…"
He smiled and then sought blessings from Raj ji and Yamuna ji. Kabir rushed over, hugging Raghav:Kabir: "Bro, you didn't forget me, did you?"
Raghav stroked his head: "No way, my little demon. How could I forget you?"Kabir remembered how their grandfather used to call him "Chote Shaitaan" and how Raghav always defended him.
He then greeted Siya with a "Hello"—and she smiled back.
Raghav to Aman ji: "Dad, it's impossible to reach the house. You all will have to stay at a hotel here…"
Aman ji ran a hand through his hair: "No problem, I'll find one."
Raghav excused himself to call Adit:Raghav: "Adit, did you book as I asked?"Adit (smiling): "Yes, Boss. Near the airport, I've booked your stays at the Sunrise Hotel. Anything else?"Raghav: "I'll let you know. Bye."
Adit, to himself: "He didn't even say thanks… fine, friends don't do thanks or sorrys."
Then Raghav rejoined his family: "Dad, I've booked the hotel via Adit. You all go relax. I'll fetch the luggage."
Kabir dropped his playful banter and helped his brother load the bags. Chandrika ji teased with amusement: "He didn't even carry one bag the whole flight, now look at him—trying to act hardworking in front of his big brother. I say keep him with Raghav!"Aman ji chuckled: "What a pair, like Ram and Lakshman. May no evil eye touch them."Raj ji added: "He's only Lakshman in front of his brother—otherwise, he's Krishna causing mischief."Yamuna ji said: "Don't say that—our Kabir isn't that spoiled yet."Chandrika ji replied: "Ah, that's why the women of the whole colony complain about him."
They loaded everything into two taxis—Aman ji, Chandrika ji, and Yamuna ji in one; Raj ji, Raghav, Kabir, and Siya in the other.
In the cab, Kabir couldn't stop chattering about school, old neighborhoods, and more—while Raghav quietly listened. Siya put on headphones and gazed out the window.
Despite the chatter, Raghav couldn't stop admiring Siya. She wore a pale pink frock with a white scarf—the gentle breeze played with her hair, her light kohl-lined eyes and rosy cheeks complementing the snowy backdrop. To Raghav, she looked like the sunrise painting snow in gold.
At the Hotel
When they reached, Raghav found his room, handed over the luggage to the service staff, and went inside. Kabir followed in earnest, hoping to be like his brother.
The others followed them up. Siya, however, felt no joy. He's not the bold, vibrant prince I imagined. He's just a dutiful son.
Reflecting on this moment:
Everyone worships Lord Ram for his virtue, but few want such "pure" men in their lives—men who obediently follow their parents even when they stand to lose. A true Sita—devoted to such men—is hard to find, because people secretly prefer the magical allure of Ravana.
Siya, influenced by modern Western culture, proudly embraced wearing short clothes and viewed parental concern as interference with her freedom. To her, Anurag, with his carefree charm, represented a more fitting hero.
"In Ram's mask hides a thousand Ravana faces."
Later, Raghav returned to check on Kabir and his room—they hadn't booked separate spaces for boys and girls, so Siya ended up in Raghav's balcony-facing room. She sought privacy, not thinking, "He doesn't like me—why am I even here?"
Raghav, reorganizing after a long day, went to sleep in Kabir's room—he didn't want to disturb Siya.
Yamuna ji came upstairs to call them for dinner. Seeing both brothers asleep, she smiled and left.
Suddenly, Raghav's phone rang. Yamuna ji answered—it was Adit's name flashing:Yamuna ji (surprised): "Adit…?"Adit (on the phone): "Ma'am, its Adit."Yamuna ji (playfully stern): "I asked the questions—I get the answers."Adit: "Ma'am, Joy dropped my phone in water—so I'm calling from Janvi's phone… Where's Raghav?"Yamuna ji (softly): "He's asleep. What is it?"Adit: "Tell him they've cleared the rocks—he can come up now."Yamuna ji: "Okay dear, I'll tell him."
Adit, to himself: "These people are so strange. One minute angry, the next minute sweet. I don't get them."
Suddenly, Janvi appeared behind him.Janvi: "Finished the job? Hand me the phone."She took it and said: "There are three deliveries to complete—deliver all within 30 minutes. You really waste time."Adit stuffed the packets in his bag: "That's because I've got a bike, not a plane, Lady."He turned to go, then asked shyly: "Hey Janvi, would you like to have Da Good Luck Chinese with me tonight? Please… don't refuse."Janvi, remembering her mother's reprimand but still tempted by the offer—and touched by his innocent request—smiled: "Okay."
Adit grinned and walked out.
Dinner Time
In the hall, Siya spoke up: "Mom, since Raghav is in Kabir's room, can I stay in his room tonight?"Yamuna ji was about to reply, but Raj ji cut in: "Why would there be a problem with you staying with us?"Siya (angry): "I'm not a child, Dad—I'm grown and I need privacy."Raj ji (furious): "What do you mean 'privacy'? We've given you freedom—and now this word 'privacy' pops up? We are family, and families stay together."Siya got up to leave—until Chandrika ji gently grabbed her hand: "Bettering daughter, you shouldn't leave food—it's disrespectful to grain. And you want Raghav's room? Fine; give it to her. He sleeps in Kabir's room anyway."Raj ji tried to protest.She smiled and said: "Come on, brother. They're still kids—let them do what they want sometimes."Raj ji said nothing—but he'd seen the change. Last birthday night, he glimpsed Siya on the balcony while she was speaking to Anurag. Distance prevented him from seeing him or hearing him—it was half a glimpse. He'd trusted his daughter—but her demand to stay alone had planted a seed of doubt.
To the readers:You all read my stories, but don't rate or review them... after so much effort, no rating hurts. Please—whether one star or five, leave a rating and review to lift the writer's spirits. I hope you understand. 🙏🏻