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" रंग थे , नूर था  जब करीब तू था ,

एक जन्नत सा था , ये जहां ,

वक़्त की रेत पे कुछ मेरे नाम सा ,

लिख के छोड़ गया तू कहाँ ,

हमारी अधूरी कहानी  हमारी अधूरी कहानी.. "

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Bangalore...

Vidhi took him to a café on the outskirts of Bangalore, nestled amidst the lush greenery. The café, surrounded by the natural embrace of the woods and mountains, felt like a tranquil escape from the city’s chaos. The air was crisp and fresh, carrying with it the soft melodies of birdsong, while the gentle rustling of leaves accompanied their every breath.

They chose a wooden table, its rustic charm blending perfectly with the environment. Vidhi couldn’t help but glance at Vidhan, trying to gauge his reaction. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she finally asked, “Kaisa laga?” Her voice was soft, but there was a hint of excitement and curiosity underlying it.

( How is it )

Vidhan looked around, taking in the panoramic view of the hills and the sun-dappled surroundings. A smile formed on his lips as he replied, “Beautiful.” He then shifted his gaze back to her and, with a warm intensity in his voice, added, “And you know what? With you, this place feels like heaven.”

Vidhi’s heart skipped a beat as she heard those words. Her smile widened, and a soft blush tinted her cheeks. Without saying a word, she gently wrapped her hands around his arm, her touch light yet reassuring. They sat there, gazing at each other, their eyes reflecting the unspoken emotions that words couldn’t capture.

“Mujhe hamesha se tumhare saath yaha aana tha,” Vidhi whispered softly, her voice filled with the weight of a long-held dream.

( I always wanted to be come here with you )

Vidhan leaned closer, his voice equally tender, “Aur mujhe hamesha se tumhare saath kahin jaana tha.” He paused, his eyes never leaving hers, as if to make sure she felt every word he was about to say. “It’s like our dream came true.”

( And I always wanted to go somewhere with you )

The words hung in the air between them, full of sincerity and the promise of countless more shared dreams. Vidhi looked deeply into his eyes, feeling a sense of fulfillment she had never experienced before. Their world seemed to shrink until it was just the two of them, wrapped in a cocoon of love and tranquility.

The café, the view, the serenity of nature—all of it became a mere backdrop to the overwhelming sense of connection they felt in that moment. With every glance, every touch, they spoke of a love that needed no grand gestures, only the quiet certainty of two souls who had finally found their way to each other.

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

Ahuja Mansion...

The soft chime of the doorbell echoed through the Ahuja mansion, and Vaidehi Ahuja, Vaani’s mother, moved gracefully to open the door. As she pulled it open, she was met with the warm smile of Meera Oberoi.

“Mrs. Oberoi, aaiye na,” Vaidehi welcomed, her smile mirroring the visitor’s as she gestured her inside. They made their way to the elegant living room, settling on the plush couch.

( Mrs Oberoi, come in )

“Kaise aana huaa?” Vaidehi inquired, curiosity apparent in her voice.

( what brings you here )

Meera adjusted herself comfortably before replying, “Woh, actually mein Vaani se milne aayi hoon.”

( Actually I came to meet Vaani )

Vaidehi’s eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise, but she nodded with a welcoming smile. “Ji, woh apne room mein hai. Main abhi bula deti hoon.”

( She is in his room. I will call her right away )

Meera shook her head gently. “Nahi, rehne dijiye. Main usse uske room mein hi mil leti hoon.”

( No, let it be. I will meet her in her room )

With Vaidehi’s nod of approval, Meera rose from the couch and made her way up the grand staircase. Reaching Vaani’s room, she knocked softly.

“Come in,” Vaani called out, her attention still focused on her laptop.

The door creaked open, and as Vaani turned to see who had entered, she froze in surprise. Standing before her was none other than Meera Oberoi.

“Namaste aunty, aap yaha kaise?” Vaani stood up instantly, joining her hands in a polite greeting.

( Hello Aunty, how are you here? )

Meera returned the gesture with a soft smile. “Tumse kuch baat karni thi, Vaani.”

( I wanted to talk to you about something, Vaani )

“Haan aunty, kahiye,” Vaani responded, her tone polite and welcoming as they both sat on the edge of the bed.

( Yes aunty )

Meera took a deep breath, her gaze steady on Vaani’s face. “Tumse ek sawaal puchne aayi hoon, beta.”

( I came here to ask you a question )

“Kya?” Vaani asked softly, sensing the seriousness of the moment.

( What )

“Tum mere bete se shaadi kyun karna chahti ho?” Meera asked, her voice calm but firm.

( Why do you want to marry my son? )

The question lingered in the air, and for a brief second, Vaani seemed taken aback. But then she straightened up, looking Meera directly in the eyes as she spoke with a clear and unwavering voice.

“Kyuki mujhe aapke bete se mohabbat hai, aunty,” she began softly. “Rishit anjaane mein meri zindagi ka woh hissa ban gaya hai jiske bina main apni zindagi imagine bhi nahi kar sakti. Mujhe aaj bhi yaad hai woh din jab maine pehli baar Rishit ko dekha tha. Us party ki bheed mein sirf ek wahi chehra tha jise main ek baar phir dekhna chahti thi.”

( Because I love your son, aunty. “Rishit has unknowingly become that part of my life without which I cannot even imagine my life. I still remember the first time I saw Rishit. In that party crowd, there was only one face that I wanted to see again. )

She paused, her gaze growing distant as if replaying the memory in her mind. “Pehle mujhe lagta tha ki he’s just an attraction of mine, but jaise jaise waqt beetta gaya, woh meri mohabbat banne laga. Aur aaj, woh mere liye mera sab kuch hai.”

( Earlier I thought he was just an attraction for me, but as time passed, he started becoming my love. And today, he is everything for me )

Meera listened intently, absorbing each word that flowed from Vaani’s heart. There was no hesitation, no facade—only pure, raw honesty and the weight of emotions she carried for Rishit. Her eyes, shimmering with sincerity, spoke volumes beyond what words could convey.

In that very moment, Meera made up her mind. She could see it—the love, the devotion, and the genuine admiration Vaani held for her son. It was the kind of love that couldn’t be forced or fabricated.

“Thik hai, beta,” Meera finally said, her voice softer, almost affectionate. She stood up, placing a gentle hand on Vaani’s shoulder before quietly leaving the room.

( Okay )

Descending the staircase, she rejoined Vaidehi in the living room, her expression serene yet resolute.

“Vaani Ahuja will become Rishit Oberoi’s wife,” Meera announced with finality, a smile touching her lips as Vaidehi’s eyes widened in joy.

As soon as Meera left, Vaidehi hurried upstairs to share the good news with her daughter.

When Vaani stepped downstairs, her mother’s beaming face told her everything. “Beta, she said that she want you as her daughter-in-law. Tum Rishit se shaadi kar rahi ho!”

( You are going to marry Rishit )

Vaani’s eyes widened in disbelief before her entire face lit up with joy. She let out a small squeal of excitement, rushing forward to hug her mother tightly.

“Wow, Mamma! I will marry Rishit! I’m so happy!” Vaani’s voice rang out, filled with sheer happiness.

“Yes, beta,” Vaidehi replied, holding her daughter close, her own heart swelling with pride and joy.

The entire Ahuja household erupted in celebration, laughter, and cheer filling every corner. Family members congratulated each other, sweets were passed around, and the air buzzed with the joyful anticipation of the future.

Vaani, her heart full and her dreams coming true, couldn’t stop smiling. Soon, she would be married to the love of her life. It felt surreal, magical—like a chapter from a fairy tale unfolding right before her eyes.

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Oberoi Mansion...

Meera entered the grand Oberoi mansion, her face glowing with happiness and excitement. There was a distinct energy in her step, as if she was carrying the most wonderful news. Without wasting a second, she called out in a loud, enthusiastic voice.

“Yash, Rishit, Kartik! Niche aao jaldi!”

( Come downstairs )

Her call echoed through the halls, and within a few minutes, the entire family had gathered in the spacious living room. Yash Oberoi, her husband, looked up from his newspaper curiously, while Rishit and Kartik exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of the sudden urgency.

“What happened, Maa?” Rishit asked, his brow furrowed.

Meera’s eyes shone with a mixture of joy and excitement. “I have some good news to share!”

“What good news, aunty?” Kartik chimed in, his wide grin stretching across his face as he leaned forward eagerly.

Meera took a deep breath, a triumphant smile gracing her lips. “Mene Rishit ke liye ladki dhoond li hai, aur main abhi usse mil kar aa rahi hoon.”

( I have found a girl for the wedding and I am just coming back after meeting her

“What?! Itni jaldi?” Rishit asked, his voice laced with shock as he tried to process the sudden announcement.

( What, so soon )

“Haan beta ji,” Meera replied calmly, a teasing smile dancing on her lips. “Shubh kaam mein deri kaisi?”

( Yes )

( Why delay a good work )

Kartik, still grinning ear-to-ear, couldn’t contain his excitement. “Meri bhabhi ka naam kya hai, aunty?” he asked cheekily, earning a sharp glare from Rishit, which he promptly ignored.

( What is the name of my sister-in-law )

“Vaani Ahuja,” Meera declared with pride.

“What?!” Both Rishit and Kartik exclaimed in unison, their voices overlapping in sheer disbelief. The shock was evident on their faces as they stared at Meera, trying to comprehend what they had just heard.

But Meera paid no heed to their reactions and turned her attention to Yash, who was watching everything unfold silently.

“Yash, bahut saari tayari karni padegi,” Meera said quickly, her mind already racing through a mental checklist. “Pandit ji ko bulana hai, muhurat nikalwana hai, aur phir engagement, then wedding!” Her voice was a blend of determination and joy, leaving the two boys completely stunned.

( Yash, a lot of preparations will have to be done )

( We have to call the Pandit, get the Muhurat fixed, and then the engagement, then the wedding )

“Maa, itni jaldi kyun karna hai?” Rishit asked, trying to reel in his thoughts. It felt like the ground beneath him was shifting too fast.

( Mom, why are you in such a hurry )

“Kyunki main chahti hoon ki Vaani jald se jald meri bahu bankar mere ghar aa jaye,” Meera replied with a finality that brooked no argument.

( Because I want Vaani to come to my house as my daughter-in-law as soon as possible )

“But Maa—” Rishit began, trying to express his hesitations, but Meera cut him off swiftly.

“Beta, kabhi na kabhi toh karni hi hai na, toh abhi sahi!” she stated firmly, her gaze soft but resolute.

( Beta, you have to do it someday, so right now )

Rishit just sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing further. “Theek hai, Maa,” he murmured quietly, before turning on his heel and heading straight to his room, leaving everyone else in the living room.

( Okay )

Kartik watched his friend disappear upstairs, then looked back at Meera, still processing the whirlwind of information that had just hit them.

“Kartik beta,” Meera said warmly, her tone switching back to motherly affection, “tum bhi so jao. Kal se bahut kaam hai.”

( You too go to sleep. There is a lot of work from tomorrow )

“Ji, aunty,” Kartik replied obediently, nodding before making his way upstairs as well, his mind still buzzing.

( Okay aunty )

Once the boys had left, Meera turned to Yash, a satisfied smile tugging at her lips.

“Dekha Yash, sab kitna achha ho raha hai,” she said softly, her voice filled with contentment.Yash just chuckled, shaking his head.

( See Yash, everything is going so well )

The excitement and joy in the Oberoi mansion lingered well into the night, as Meera’s thoughts shifted towards the upcoming celebrations. The engagement, the wedding—everything was finally falling into place. And soon, Vaani Ahuja would become a part of their family, just as Meera had always hoped.

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As Rishit stepped into his room, his thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief. Without a second thought, he made his way to the cupboard and opened its door. His hands moved with a sense of purpose as he reached into the farthest corner and carefully pulled out a box—one that seemed to hold more than just physical items.

Placing it gently on the bed, Rishit hesitated for a moment, his fingers lingering over the lid. Taking a deep breath, he finally lifted the cover, revealing its contents. The box was filled with neatly stacked envelopes, each one labeled with careful handwriting that seemed to radiate warmth and nostalgia. They were the remnants of a past he had kept tucked away—letters from someone who once meant the world to him.

He picked up one of the envelopes, his eyes narrowing as he read the words written on it aloud: “Open it when you start a new life.”

Rishit’s heart tightened at the sight of the familiar scrawl. It was as if time had folded back, transporting him to a chapter that he thought was closed. Slowly, he opened the envelope, unfolding the letter with a mix of apprehension and reverence. The words on the paper felt like a gentle caress, a whisper from a time long gone.

[ All the best for the new beginning of your life… Rish…"

With love

- Nandini ]

For a moment, Rishit just stared at the letter, his mind replaying countless memories associated with that name—Nandini. A woman who had once been his confidante, his partner, and his strength. Though life had taken she away from him, she had somehow managed to leave a piece of herself behind with him, preserved in these letters.

“Thank you, Nandini,” he whispered softly, his voice almost lost in the silence of the room. His grip tightened around the letter as he pulled it closer, holding it as if it were something far more fragile than just paper. A small smile tugged at his lips, bittersweet and laden with emotions he couldn’t quite put into words.

He stayed like that for a few moments, the letter held against his chest, feeling the weight of the past mingling with the uncertainties of his present.

With a sigh, Rishit carefully folded the letter back and placed it gently into the envelope. Closing the box, he put it back in its place inside the cupboard, his movements slow and deliberate, as if sealing away not just a memory, but a part of himself.

Finally, he turned away, closing the cupboard door with a soft click. As he made his way to the bed, his steps were heavier, burdened by thoughts that seemed to pull him in different directions.

Slipping under the covers, Rishit closed his eyes, willing himself to shut out the whirlwind of emotions churning inside him. Sleep, he hoped, would bring him the escape he needed. But deep down, he knew it wouldn’t be that simple. His mind was too restless, caught between the tender echoes of Nandini’s letter and the overwhelming reality of his impending future with Vaani.

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Thanks for reading

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Roohi

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