[35]

It was three in the morning when Vaani’s eyes fluttered open. The dim glow of the night seeped through the curtains, casting elongated shadows across the room. Blinking away the haze of sleep, she stirred slightly, only to realize that she was lying comfortably in bed.

Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Main bed par kaise aayi? Aur… Rishit kahaan hai?" she murmured to herself, scanning the room for any sign of him.

The eerie silence sent a shiver down her spine until her gaze landed on a faint shadow in the balcony. A lone figure stood against the moonlit sky, motionless.

"Rishit…" she whispered, pushing the covers aside as she got up. With measured steps, she walked towards him, her heart heavy with an unspoken worry.

As she stepped into the balcony, the crisp night air brushed against her skin, carrying with it a voice—low, distant, devoid of any emotion.

"Uth gayi aap," Rishit said, his gaze locked onto the stars, as if searching for something beyond them.

Vaani remained silent. She didn’t respond with words; instead, she simply stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his torso from behind, enveloping him in a warm embrace. Pressing her cheek against his back, she let the silence between them speak volumes.

The moment her arms encircled him, Rishit’s eyes fluttered shut. A deep, shaky breath escaped his lips as he surrendered to the warmth of her touch, the only solace in the storm raging within him.

For a long moment, they stayed like that—two souls bound by a pain too profound for words.

Then, slowly, Vaani pulled back and moved to stand beside him.

Without looking at her, Rishit reached out, his fingers seeking hers in the dim moonlight. He intertwined their hands and, without a word, led her towards the swing in the balcony.

As he settled onto the swing, he guided her onto his lap, holding her close. Vaani instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in the crook of it, as if shielding him from the ghosts of his past.

Rishit, too, held onto her, his arms tightening around her waist as if anchoring himself to reality.

And then, breaking the silence, his voice—low and soft—emerged from the depths of his heart.

"Do saal pehle, I lost my baby girl… along with Nandini. She was just two days old when she took her last breath."

He spoke as if narrating someone else’s tragedy, forcing his tone to remain neutral. But the pain was unmistakable, lurking in the spaces between his words.

"I still remember that day—when I held her lifeless body in my arms. In that moment, I lost everything I had… everything I ever wished to have. I lost Nandini, and I lost my baby girl," he continued, his expression unreadable, his eyes locked onto the endless night sky.

Vaani remained silent, absorbing every word, every emotion. She didn’t interrupt, didn’t try to offer empty words of comfort—she simply listened, allowing him to unburden himself.

Following his gaze, her eyes drifted to the stars above.

Rishit noticed the shift in her attention and spoke again.

"There was a time when I used to see her face in the moon… and now, I search for her in the stars."

He paused momentarily, turning to look at Vaani. She was still gazing at the night sky, lost in thought.

Then, shifting his eyes back to the stars, he continued, "Bachpan mein suna tha ki insaan marne ke baad taara ban jaata hai… Jaanta hoon yeh jhoot hai. Par dimaag chahe jitni bhi koshish kar le, dil se kabhi nahi jeet sakta."

"Un taaron mein main un dono ko dhoondta hoon…" His voice was softer now, tinged with longing. "Aur ab main us chaand ki taraf ek jhalak bhi nahi dekhna chahta. Jaanti ho kyun?"

His eyes met Vaani’s as he spoke the last line.

She blinked at him, her lips parting slightly. "Why?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rishit inhaled deeply, his gaze never leaving hers.

"Kyunki mera chaand toh mere saamne hai. Aur main us din ko nahi dekhna chahta jab mujhe tumhe bhi us chaand mein dhoondhna pade."

His words carried a depth Vaani wasn’t prepared for. Before she could react, he leaned in and pressed a lingering kiss on the top of her head. Her eyes fluttered shut, her heart swelling with emotions too profound to name.

A few moments of silence passed before Rishit spoke again.

"Kabhi yeh mat sochna ki tum meri zindagi mein kam maayne rakhti ho, Vaani. Tum nahi jaanti… ki tum mere liye kya ho."

There was an urgency in his tone, a desperation to make her understand just how much she meant to him. Without another word, he pulled her into a tight embrace, as if fearing she would slip away like the ones he had already lost.

Vaani, nestled in his arms, hesitated before finally speaking. "Rishit…"

He hummed in response, eyes still closed, holding her as if she were the only thing tethering him to reality.

She pulled back slightly, just enough to look into his face. "I promise…" she whispered, her voice unwavering, "I will give you a baby girl."

Rishit’s eyes snapped open, his breath catching in his throat. For a moment, he simply stared at her, disbelief and hope warring in his expression.

"Really?" he asked, his voice tinged with something fragile—something he had not allowed himself to feel in years.

Vaani nodded.

A smile broke across Rishit’s face—a smile that reached his eyes, filling them with a glimmer of something that resembled peace. He didn’t speak; he simply held her tighter, pressing his face against the crook of her neck, as if trying to absorb the warmth of her promise.

After a while, exhaustion weighed down on them, and together, they made their way back to the bed. Rishit pulled Vaani close, his arm draped protectively around her, and for the first time in a long time, he closed his eyes—not out of weariness, but with a newfound sense of hope.

And in each other’s embrace, they finally surrendered to sleep.

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

The morning sun bathed the Oberoi Mansion in a soft golden glow as the family gathered around the breakfast table. The clinking of cutlery against plates and the quiet murmur of casual conversation created a warm, homely atmosphere.

Amidst the usual morning routine, Rishit’s voice cut through the silence.

"Vidhi."

Hearing her name, Vidhi looked up from her plate, her brows knitting together in slight confusion.

"Haan, bhai?" she responded, her tone laced with curiosity.

Rishit held her gaze, his voice steady yet gentle.

"Are you ready to marry Vidhan?"

For a moment, a hush fell over the table. Every pair of eyes shifted to Vidhi, awaiting her response.

But there was no hesitation—no second-guessing. Vidhi’s lips curved into a soft smile as she replied, "Yes, I am."

The tension in the air dissolved, replaced by warmth and quiet happiness. Rishit’s gaze shifted towards Meera and Yash, silently asking for their approval. Meera, understanding the depth of his concern, exchanged a glance with Yash before nodding with a reassuring smile.

"Main engagement ka muhurat nikalvati hoon Pandit ji se," Meera announced, her excitement evident in her voice.

With that, the wheels were set in motion.

Preparations began in both households. Vidhan had already spoken to his family about his decision to marry Vidhi, and they had given their blessing without hesitation.

The guest list was being prepared, the venue was being finalized, and arrangements for catering and décor had begun. The air buzzed with anticipation and joy, marking the beginning of a new journey—one filled with love, hope, and the promise of a beautiful future.

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

Engagement Day

The grand entrance of the engagement hall was adorned with shimmering lights, the soft hum of conversations filling the air as guests arrived, exchanging pleasantries and warm wishes.

At the entrance, Rishit and Ved stood side by side, their expressions calm yet welcoming, as they greeted each guest with polite smiles.

Just then, Ved’s gaze froze.

Aarohi had just entered.

Draped in a lavender lehenga that complemented her glowing complexion, her natural makeup accentuated her soft features, and the nude lipstick enhanced the elegance of her look. Her long, open tresses cascaded down her back, making her look nothing short of ethereal.

Ved couldn’t look away. His world stilled in that moment, his mind captivated by the vision before him.

It was only when Rishit spoke that he snapped back to reality.

"Hello, Mr. Mehta," Rishit greeted Aarohi’s father, shaking his hand firmly.

Ved, realizing his lingering gaze, quickly looked away, trying to mask his emotions. However, Aarohi had noticed. A soft smile played on her lips as she caught his reaction.

As Aarohi and her father walked inside, her arm lightly brushed against Ved’s, sending an unexpected shiver down both their spines.

For Aarohi, the sensation was familiar. She knew what it was, Love.

But for Ved, it was something entirely new. The warmth, the rush, the flutter in his stomach—it confused him. What was this strange feeling? Why did it make his heart race?

Pushing his thoughts aside, Ved continued greeting guests until it was time to head inside, where the ceremony was about to begin.

As they stepped into the grand hall, a mesmerizing sight awaited them.

Descending the grand staircase were three women, each exuding grace and elegance. Vidhi, the bride-to-be, was flanked by Vaani and Aarohi as they escorted her down.

Vidhan, standing near the stage, couldn’t take his eyes off Vidhi. A soft, lovestruck smile appeared on his lips as he took in her presence. She was adorned in a peach shimmer lehenga, her jewelry carefully chosen to complement her attire. In that moment, she was nothing less than a dream.

On the other side, Rishit found himself lost in his own world, admiring his wife.

Vaani looked breathtaking in a pastel pink lehenga that suited her perfectly. Her choice of minimal jewelry only enhanced her natural beauty. Rishit, who rarely expressed emotions so openly, couldn’t help but stare.

And then there was Ved.

His eyes once again found their way to Aarohi. No matter how much he tried to divert his gaze, it always returned to her. His heart pounded, yet he didn’t understand why.

Once the trio reached the stage, Vaani and Aarohi stepped aside, allowing Vidhan to take over. He extended his hand towards Vidhi, helping her step onto the stage with a firm but gentle grip.

Vaani made her way beside Rishit, while Aarohi stood a few feet away from Ved. Though they maintained their distance, Aarohi continued to steal glances at him, her emotions clearly reflected in her eyes.

As the time came for the ring exchange, the atmosphere grew quiet.

Vidhi and Vidhan, standing face to face, held the rings in their hands. Their eyes met, conveying a thousand emotions in a single glance. As the priest signaled, they slipped the rings onto each other’s fingers.

A soft cheer erupted, followed by applause.

The moment felt surreal for the newly engaged couple. Vidhi and Vidhan intertwined their hands, their grip firm yet filled with warmth. Happiness radiated from their faces—the joy of beginning a new journey together.

Amidst the celebrations, Rishit felt an unexpected sensation.

A cold touch.

His fingers instinctively brushed over his chest, feeling the familiar coolness of the ring he always wore as a pendant.

But before he could dwell on the similar feeling, a warmth enveloped him.

Vaani’s hand intertwined with his, her delicate fingers lacing through his in a way that her engagement ring rested against his skin. The coldness of his pendant was soon replaced by the comforting warmth of her touch.

A soft smile crept onto Rishit’s lips.

His gaze shifted to Vaani, who was focused on the ongoing festivities. When she finally noticed his lingering stare, she raised an eyebrow, silently asking “What happened?”

Rishit shook his head lightly, his eyes still filled with unspoken emotions.

Vaani smiled in return before shifting her attention back to the party.

Unbeknownst to her, Rishit continued looking at her, his heart whispering what words could never express—she was his warmth, his home, his everything.

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