Happy reading lilies 💗

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Abhyash stepped out from the airport, adjusting his shirt nervously as he approached the airport gate. His eyes searched the surroundings until he finally spotted Keshav, standing tall with a calm yet curious expression. With a polite smile, Abhyash greeted, “Hello uncle… how are you?”

Keshav’s face softened, though his tone carried the weight of unasked questions. “I’m good, beta… how are you? I hope there was no problem in coming here.”

Abhyash chuckled lightly, scratching the back of his neck. “No uncle… but honestly, I was surprised when you didn’t come to pick me up. I thought you always did that whenever I came here.”

“Haan, beta,” Keshav nodded, his brows knitting slightly. “We thought the same. But this time, Shanaya aunty insisted I stay back, so she herself sent someone else to bring you. I came to know just now.”

Abhyash’s lips curved in half a smile, though a hint of hesitation crossed his face. “Ji, uncle… actually…” He trailed off nervously.

“What happened?” Keshav asked, sensing something unsaid.

Taking a deep breath, Abhyash admitted, “The one who came with me… she booked the hotel and said it was better if I stayed there. So she came along with me.”

Keshav frowned, puzzled. “Who?”

Just then, Abhyash gestured ahead. “Come here…”

From the shadows of the road, a young woman stepped forward, holding a small child in her arms. The sight made Keshav’s eyes widen.

Keshav blinked rapidly. “Who’s she?”

Abhyash swallowed hard. “Actually…” Before he could explain, the little child suddenly burst into tears, stretching tiny hands toward Abhyash and calling out in a trembling voice, “Papa!”

The word struck Keshav like thunder. His lips parted in disbelief. “Papa?!”

Abhyash quickly stepped forward and took the crying child into his arms, whispering softly, “Give her to me…”

But Keshav’s confusion deepened. “Abhyash… whose child is this? And why is she calling you papa?”

Holding the little girl protectively against his chest, Abhyash’s expression turned serious. “Uncle… it’s a long story. I’ll explain everything once we reach home.”

Keshav, though unsatisfied, gave a firm nod. “Alright. But I want to know everything, beta. Don’t hide it from me.”

Moments later, they reached the house. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation. As soon as the car stopped, Shavni rushed out, her face glowing with excitement. “Mumma, Abhyash has arrived! Jaldi chaliye!”

Shanaya chuckled, shaking her head. “Arrey baba, calm down. You’re the most excited one to meet him, I think.”

Shavni grinned. “Of course! After all, it’s been twenty years since we’ll finally meet!” Without another word, she sprinted toward the gate, her heart pounding with happiness.

But the moment her eyes fell on Abhyash, her steps faltered. Her smile froze. Because alongside him stood a woman she had never seen before—holding a child who clung to him and refused to let go.

Her breath caught in her throat. Shock replaced the joy she had carried in her heart.

---

Author’s POV

They had never met again in real life since their separation. She had only seen him on video calls when Keshav and Shanaya spoke to him. But she never dared to appear in front of him directly. Yet even then, she had always been secretly searching for him—her heart beating wildly whenever she caught the slightest glimpse of his face. And now, after so many years, both of them stood face-to-face for the very first time. It was in this stolen, fragile moment that their eyes locked, and unknowingly, they both fell in love with each other all over again.

Scene shift — Tanvi Ahuja

In another corner of the story, Tanvi Ahuja sat curled up in her bed, the soft lamp light glowing against her face as she read a scene from her favorite novel. Her eyes moved rapidly across the page, completely immersed in the world created by the author.

“The rain poured as she stood beneath the flickering streetlamp, soaked and breathless. He ran to her, chest heaving, eyes searching. ‘I thought you were gone,’ he whispered, cupping her face. She trembled under his touch, her heart pounding louder than the thunder. ‘I couldn’t leave without saying it,’ she confessed, tears mingling with the rain. ‘I love you.’ He kissed her then, desperate, as if the promise was sealed in that very storm. The world faded—just her, him, and the eternity written between their lips. For the first time, the storm didn’t scare her. It brought her home.”

Tanvi gasped, clutching the book to her chest. “Oh God, oh God… they kissed! My God, they kissed for the first time! My heart—hmm hmm hmm—I love him… love him so much…” She squealed, falling back onto her bed and kicking her feet in the air like a teenager. Butterflies swirled wildly in her stomach as she hugged the novel close.

Her friend Anu, who was lying beside her scrolling on her phone, gave her a teasing look. “Kya pata, maybe it’s his girlfriend he’s writing about.”

Tanvi shot up in protest. “No way! He ruined my entire mood. How can he love someone else? He writes like this because of how deeply he feels… I won’t allow Vihaan Kohli to be with anyone else. He’s only mine… only mine forever!” She pouted dramatically, though her eyes sparkled.

Anu shook her head with a laugh. “Arrey oye, wait! Don’t faint yet. Did you know? Vihaan Kohli has been nominated for Best Author of the Year! And the award ceremony is happening in just two days in Mumbai.”

Tanvi’s mouth fell open in shock. “WHAT? Show me!” She grabbed Anu’s phone, scrolling through the article. “Oh my God… if he’s coming here, then I must go. I can’t miss seeing him. Even if I can’t talk to him, at least I can see him once…” Her heart was racing just at the thought.

Anu smirked. “Then pack your bags, babe. We’re going to Mumbai.”

Tanvi’s lips curved into the widest smile. “Yes, we’re reporters after all. Just chill, Anu… we’ll meet him. Vihaan Kohli… just wait. Your Tanvi is ready. I’m coming to Mumbai, ready to meet you!”

Her words lingered in the air, filled with both excitement and unspoken emotions, as destiny quietly prepared to weave their lives together.

****************

The car rolled to a stop on the quiet roads of Mussoorie. Aryan cursed under his breath when he realized the front tire had gone flat. He stepped out, his brows furrowed, running his hand through his hair in frustration.

“God dammit,” he muttered, glancing at the lonely road stretching ahead. “Out of all times, the car had to get a puncture now? At this hour? How the hell am I supposed to reach the hotel?”

The night was cold, the mist weaving through the tall pines, and the silence of the hills made the moment heavier. Aryan leaned against the car, clearly irritated, when faint laughter echoed down the road.

Aashvi and her two friends appeared, walking toward him, unaware at first of his struggle. But when their eyes landed on Aryan, tall and broad-shouldered under the dim streetlights, all three of them paused.

One friend nudged the other with wide eyes. “Oye… look how hot this guy is.”

The second giggled, covering her mouth. “Yeah yaar… he’s insanely handsome. But why’s he standing here alone at this hour? And why did we stop? My heart is racing.”

Before they could stare any longer, Aashvi rolled her eyes at both of them. “Uff, tum dono ki aankhen abhi khol do! Stop drooling over him like fools and let’s keep walking.”

Her friends, however, weren’t ready to let the opportunity slip. One whispered excitedly, “Arrey, at least ask him what happened. Maybe he needs help.”

But Aashvi frowned. “And what do you expect me to say? ‘Hello ji, random guy, what’s wrong with your car?’ Don’t be ridiculous.”

The other friend smirked mischievously. “Aashvi baby, remember the dare? You have to do it. The rest of us are backing off, but if you don’t, you’ll lose.”

Aashvi turned sharply. “No way. I’m not going up to some stranger in the middle of the night just to win your silly dare.”

“Come on, babe,” her friend teased, “it’s not that deep. Just say something crazy, fulfill the dare, and we’ll all laugh about it later. Don’t chicken out now.”

Aashvi groaned, glaring at them. “Have you both lost your minds? What if he thinks I’m crazy? What if he’s dangerous?”

But her friend only smirked wider. “And what are the chances of meeting someone like him again? Once in a lifetime! Go before we push you.”

Sighing deeply, Aashvi muttered under her breath, “Fine… okay.” She smoothed her kurti nervously and walked toward Aryan, her friends stifling giggles behind her.

Aryan noticed her approach, his sharp gaze lingering on her hesitant steps. He smirked faintly.

When she finally stood before him, he asked bluntly, “Who are you?”

Aashvi blinked, slightly offended. Seriously? No hello, no smile, just straight ‘who are you’? she thought. Out loud, she said, “Wow, what an introduction. No hi, no hello, straight to interrogation. Weird. Anyway… forget it. I just thought since you look stranded and helpless, I should at least ask if you need help.”

Aryan’s lips twitched in amusement. “Lachaar? Me?” He chuckled, lowering his voice teasingly.

Aashvi folded her arms. “Yes. Don’t you think it looks a little strange, standing here in the cold for so long, doing nothing? Helpless is the right word.”

Aryan tilted his head, stepping a little closer. “Right. But by the way, what’s a girl like you doing out here on an empty road at this hour, talking to a stranger?”

Aashvi raised her chin, not backing down. “Don’t even think like that. If you imagine for one second that I’m scared of you, you’re wrong. If you try anything, I’ll break your hand right here.”

That only made Aryan smirk wider, the glint in his eyes both dangerous and amused. “Oh really?” He stepped closer, closing the gap between them just enough to make her shift uncomfortably.

Aashvi pushed against his chest. “Oye, chipka mat! Don’t be such a jerk. I only came here to offer help. Don’t get ideas.”

Aryan raised a brow, his voice suddenly serious. “What happened that you’re offering help so confidently? Things must be really bad for you to pity me.”

Aashvi sighed, her irritation slipping through. “Listen, bachchu. Stay in your limits. You may look smart, but you’re not the only one who knows Mussoorie. And for your kind information, the girl standing in front of you is none other than Aashvi Sharma.”

Aryan’s eyes narrowed, his smirk fading. “What? What’s your name again?”

“Aashvi. Aashvi Sharma,” she repeated, her tone sharp.

He whispered her name under his breath. “Aashvi…” The way he said it made her pause for a heartbeat.

But then she shook it off and waved her hand. “Anyway, Mr. Helpless, I’m not here to babysit you. Fix your own car. I don’t have time. Bye.”

Before Aryan could respond, she spun around and walked away, her friends giggling in the background. Aryan remained rooted to the spot, his eyes following her retreating figure.

Quietly, almost to himself, he murmured, “Aashvi… uska naam bhi yehi tha…” His words trailed off, leaving only the silence of the hills around him.

***************

Shavni froze in her place, her steps halted as though the ground itself had turned into stone beneath her feet. Her wide eyes refused to blink, and her breath caught in her throat as she looked ahead, completely shocked by the sight that had just unfolded before her. It felt like time had slowed down, and for a moment, her heart forgot how to beat. She stood there, trembling ever so slightly, her hands clutching at the edge of her dupatta as if holding onto it would somehow steady the storm swirling inside her chest. The soft jingle of her bangles was the only sound that broke the suffocating silence surrounding her.

From inside, Shanaya’s calm and affectionate voice floated out, her tone carrying warmth and motherly care. “Aao beta, andar aao,” she said gently, inviting the guest with a smile that reached her eyes. The simple words felt like an embrace, the kind that always made the house glow with a sense of belonging and love.

And then came a familiar voice, polite yet casual, echoing in the room like a wave crashing against the walls of Shavni’s carefully built emotions. “Hello aunty,” Abhayash greeted, his words laced with respect but enough to make Shavni’s world spin. The sound of his voice pierced through her ears, straight into her heart, stirring a thousand unsaid feelings she had buried deep within herself. His presence was enough to shatter the fragile calm she had been holding onto.

But Shavni… she still couldn’t bring herself to speak. Her lips quivered, yet no words escaped. Her silence screamed louder than any words could. Without saying anything, without meeting his eyes, she turned away. Her dupatta brushed lightly against the doorway as she walked, her footsteps quick but heavy with unspoken pain. She left from there quietly, carrying with her the storm of emotions she wasn’t ready to face, leaving behind a silence that spoke of the turmoil raging inside her.

Shanaya’s soft voice broke the silence of the house. “Shavni beta…” she called gently, looking toward her daughter’s room.

Abhyash, who was standing nearby, hesitated for a second before speaking. “Aunty… may I… may I meet her once?”

Shanaya studied him for a moment, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Of course, beta. Why not?”

Relief washed over Abhyash, and he gave her a grateful nod. “Thank you, aunty.”

He slowly walked toward Shavni’s room, his heart beating faster with every step. He pushed the door slightly and found her lying on her bed, her face half-buried in the pillow. She looked so delicate, so lost in thought, that he stood still for a moment just watching her breathe. Gathering courage, he stepped inside and quietly sat down beside her.

“Hey…” he said softly.

The moment his voice reached her ears, Shavni’s whole body jolted like she had touched an electric wire. A shiver ran down her spine. She shot up instantly and sat upright, eyes wide.

“You… why are you here?” she asked quickly, trying to steady her racing heart.

Abhyash chuckled lightly, leaning a little closer. “To meet you… I guess.”

Shavni’s lips curved into a small pout as she asked, “Why?”

He looked straight into her eyes. “Why shouldn’t I meet you? Don’t I have that right?”

Her throat tightened, and she looked away. “You know… you should actually be downstairs. Your family must be waiting for you.”

He frowned slightly. “My family?”

She gave a sharp nod. “Of course. The people you came here with… aren’t they your family?”

Abhyash leaned back, a flicker of mischief in his eyes. “Oh, that. Yes… they are my family. But you know, I never got the chance to tell you everything.”

“Then don’t tell me anything,” Shavni snapped, standing up abruptly. “I don’t want to know.”

But before she could leave, Abhyash caught her hand and gently pulled her closer to him.

“Madam,” he said in a low teasing voice, “why so much anger?”

Her breath quickened. “Let go of my hand.”

He shook his head, tightening his hold just slightly. “I won’t.”

Her eyes shot up to his, a mixture of frustration and something she couldn’t name. “When will you let go?”

A small smile played on his lips. “Maybe… never. Maybe for my whole life.”

Her heart thudded painfully in her chest, tears gathering in her eyes against her will. She tried to blink them away, but he noticed.

“Why?” Abhyash asked softly. “Did I say something wrong? Why are you crying?”

She shook her head quickly, trying to mask her emotions. “I… I don’t know. I just… I want to go.”

He reached for her hand again, his voice more serious now. “Alright. But before you leave… answer me. If I say that the woman sitting downstairs, the one with the little girl, has no relation to me… would you believe me?”

Shavni froze, her lips trembling. “What do you mean…?”

Abhyash gently guided her back to the couch, both of them sitting side by side, the silence heavy between them. His tone dropped to a whisper. “I mean… you’ve misunderstood. You let me explain. And… I want to clear everything.”

Her chest rose and fell unevenly, her eyes searching his face. “Then… tell me.”

He smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “That’s all I wanted. For you to finally ask me. Now, listen…”

And in that charged, fragile moment, their distance dissolved—not just the inches between them, but also the unspoken wall that had stood in their hearts for so long.

Abhayash finally opened up to her, his voice heavy with guilt and exhaustion, as he began narrating what had happened in the USA with Rituraj. His words were laced with regret as he confessed, “I had promised Rituraj that I would take care of his family, that I would protect them no matter what. But because of me… he lost his life.” His voice broke slightly at the end, as though the weight of that promise still chained him down.

Shavni’s heart clenched at his pain. She stepped closer, her eyes softening as she whispered, “It wasn’t your fault. Don’t blame yourself for something that was never in your control.” Her voice carried a warmth that felt like a balm on his wounds, but the guilt in his eyes refused to fade.

“I don’t know…” Abhayash admitted, rubbing the back of his neck uneasily. “Maybe that’s why I brought his family here with me, to India. I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving them alone, so I arranged a flat for them to stay in, so they wouldn’t have to suffer because of me.” His sincerity was raw, his words trembling with vulnerability.

Shavni nodded slowly, her heart aching for him. “That’s good. They can live there peacefully,” she said gently, trying to reassure him.

But Abhayash shook his head, his tone firm yet laced with concern. “No… I don’t want you to feel the same emptiness, the same pain that his mother feels. I can’t let that happen to you.” His eyes locked onto hers, the intensity making her chest tighten.

She opened her mouth, her words faltering. “You… for me, you—” The sentence hung unfinished, her emotions spilling into silence.

Abhayash tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as he asked, “Wait a second. Why does it bother you so much, huh? Why does it matter to you?” His teasing tone only made her stumble more.

“I-I mean… it’s just… it’s nothing like that,” Shavni stammered, her cheeks warming, her dupatta slipping slightly from her shoulder as she fidgeted nervously.

“Exactly,” he said smoothly, almost as though he had caught onto something hidden in her heart. “Just like that.”

“Y-yeah… just like that,” she replied quickly, trying to mask her nervousness, before glancing toward the stairs. “Now come, let’s go down. Everyone must be waiting for us.”

But before she could step away, Abhayash reached forward and caught her hand gently yet firmly, stopping her in her tracks. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through her veins, freezing her in place. Her breath hitched as she turned toward him, only to see his eyes burning with an intensity that made her heart race.

“Do you like me?” he asked suddenly, his words sharp and direct, leaving no space for escape.

Shavni’s eyes widened, her lips parting in shock. For a few seconds, she was frozen, unable to breathe, unable to think. Her heart thudded so loudly inside her chest that she feared he might hear it.

“What???” she finally managed to whisper, her voice breaking as her mind scrambled to process what he had just said.

“Do you like me?” Abhayash repeated, this time softer, but his grip on her hand was firm, refusing to let her run away from the question. His gaze held hers, searching for the truth in her eyes.

Shavni, overwhelmed, quickly pulled her hand back and turned her face away to hide the storm of emotions. “Stop… just stop, Abhayash. And come downstairs,” she muttered hurriedly, trying to escape the vulnerability his words had stirred within her. Her steps quickened as she began to walk away, but her mind was still spinning, his question echoing over and over like an unshakable truth.

To be continued…