There will never be Another you : Chapter 21
Anjali barely had time to smile before Khushi hugged her tightly.
“We missed you so much.”
Anjali laughed softly, caressing her hair. “Khushi… I went from here only yesterday.”
“Haan toh ek din bhi bahut hota hai,” Khushi replied dramatically, making everyone chuckle.
Nani walked forward with teary eyes and performed a small nazar utarna ritual for Anjali. “Shaadi ke baad aur bhi sundar lag rahi hai meri bacchi.”
Manorama instantly added, “Hello hi bye bye, sasural ka glow hai!”
Anjali blushed.
The house quickly filled with noise again. NK started his exaggerated stories about the wedding chaos.
“Nanav was looking so grumpy during pheras as if someone forced him to marry,” NK announced loudly.
“NK!” Arnav warned.
“But then he kept staring at Khushi ji every two minutes,” NK added mischievously.
Khushi nearly dropped the tray she was holding while everyone burst into laughter.
Anjali’s eyes instinctively shifted toward Arnav and Khushi.
And she noticed it immediately.
The comfort between them had deepened.
Khushi moved around the house naturally, serving everyone while Arnav’s gaze unconsciously followed her everywhere. Every time she struggled with something, he appeared beside her before she could even ask.
Like now.
Khushi was trying to reach a decorative box placed on the upper shelf.
“I can do it,” she insisted stubbornly.
“You’ll fall,” Arnav replied flatly, already standing behind her.
Before she could protest further, he simply reached above her shoulder and grabbed the box effortlessly.
Khushi turned around with an annoyed expression. “You think I can’t do anything myself?”
Arnav raised an eyebrow. “You climbed on a chair wearing heels. Obviously not.”
The family laughed again while Khushi glared at him.
But Anjali noticed something deeper beneath the banter.
Arnav’s protectiveness no longer came from obligation.
It came from love.
And Khushi… she no longer stepped away from him in hesitation. Instead, she stood there arguing with him openly, comfortably, like she belonged beside him.
Anjali smiled quietly.
For so long she had worried whether her brother would ever truly find peace after everything that happened between them.
But today, seeing the softness in his eyes whenever he looked at Khushi…
She finally felt relieved.
Later, everyone sat together for lunch. Khushi served Anjali personally despite Anjali protesting repeatedly.
“Khushi, sit down now.”
“No Di, today its different.”
"Why so?" Anjali questioned.
Khushi grinned instantly. “today you are Shivaay ji’s wife first.”
A faint blush spread across Anjali’s cheeks at the mention of Shivaay.
Arnav noticed immediately and smirked slightly. “Interesting.”
“Chote!” Anjali complained softly while the others teased her mercilessly. Everyone was glad that she is happy.
By evening, the sound of a car entering the driveway caught everyone’s attention when they were having tea outside.
Khushi looked the other side and smiled brightly. “Shivaay ji aa gaye.”
Anjali unconsciously adjusted her saree pallu while trying to appear calm.
A few moments later, Shivaay entered Shantivan wearing a charcoal grey kurta, carrying himself with effortless confidence and a warm smile. But the moment his eyes landed on Anjali sitting with her family, his expression softened completely.
Nani welcomed him warmly. “Aao beta.”
Shivaay took blessings from elders and greeted everyone else. They had tea discussing about the reception planned in Mumbai by his family. After about half an hour Anjali appeared from inside followed by Hari Prakash carrying few gifts and sweet boxes.
“Ready?” he asked softly seeing her ready to leave. She nodded in return.
As it grew time to leave, Anjali hugged everyone emotionally.
Finally Anjali stopped before Arnav.
For a moment neither spoke.
Then Arnav quietly said, “You are happy know Di?”
Anjali looked toward Shivaay standing a few feet away waiting patiently for her.
A soft smile appeared on her face.
“Very.”
Relief flickered across Arnav’s eyes before he nodded silently.
And then Anjali turned toward Khushi, gently squeezing his hand.
“Take care of her.”
Arnav smiled warmly. “Always.”
Anjali noticed the brief glance exchanged between Arnav and Khushi - silent, intimate, filled with emotions words no longer needed to explain.
As Shivaay held Anjali’s hand while leading her toward the car, she looked back once at her family standing together at the entrance of Shantivan waved one last time before they drove away.
After few hours, everyone had dinner and Nani had retired to her room while Akash sat downstairs with NK watching television.
Khushi slowly entered their bedroom after finishing the kitchen work, gently closing the door behind her.
The soft yellow lamp beside the bed illuminated the room faintly.
Arnav stood near the window in his white shirt, loosening the cuffs absentmindedly while looking outside into the dark night.
Khushi watched him quietly for a moment.
“You miss Di already?” she asked softly.
Arnav turned toward her.
A faint smile appeared on his lips. “The house feels empty without her.”
Khushi nodded slowly. “She looked happy today.”
“She did.”
There was relief in his voice.
Khushi walked closer to him, stopping only a few inches away. “You were so worried about her.”
Arnav looked down at her silently before answering. “She spent years pretending to be happy for everyone.” His gaze softened. “I just wanted her to finally get the happiness she deserved.”
Khushi smiled gently. “And she did.”
For a moment neither spoke.
The quiet between them no longer felt uncomfortable like before. It felt warm. Familiar.
Khushi turned slightly to place the jewelry box on the side table, but suddenly her saree pallu got caught in Arnav’s watch.
“Ouch..”
She stopped abruptly.
Arnav glanced down before holding the fabric carefully. “Stay still.”
Khushi looked up at him as he slowly untangled the delicate cloth from his watch without tearing it. His fingers brushed against her waist unintentionally, making her breath falter slightly.
Once he freed the fabric, he should have stepped back.
But he didn’t.
Neither did she.
Their eyes met quietly in the dim light.
Khushi’s heartbeat quickened seeing the softness in his expression , something only she got to see now.
Arnav gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“You were very emotional when Di left,” he murmured.
Khushi tried to look away. “Because this house feels incomplete when family leaves.”
Arnav’s gaze lingered on her face. “And when you’re not around… this room feels incomplete too.so am I”
Khushi looked at him in surprise.
Arnav rarely said things so openly.
A shy smile appeared on her lips before she whispered teasingly, “ASR becoming romantic?”
“Hm.” He moved slightly closer. “Maybe your influence is ruining me.”
Khushi laughed softly, the sound instantly easing something inside him.
Without thinking, Arnav wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her gently toward him.
Khushi’s hands rested against his chest automatically.
For a few seconds they simply stood there, close enough to hear each other breathe.
Then Khushi rested her head lightly against his shoulder.
“Tired?” he asked quietly.
“A little.”
Arnav looked down at her fondly before guiding her toward the bed. Khushi sat down while he removed her heavy bangles one by one carefully so they wouldn’t hurt her wrists.
Khushi watched him silently.
There had been a time she feared this man.
And now…
These small moments with him had become the safest part of her life.
After placing the bangles aside, Arnav looked up to find her staring at him.
“What?”
Khushi shook her head softly. “Nothing.”
“Khushi.”
A faint blush spread across her cheeks. “You take care of everyone quietly… without showing it.”
Arnav’s expression softened completely.
He reached forward and cupped her face gently.
“I only care this much about a few people.”
Khushi’s eyes lowered instinctively.
“And you,” he whispered, “are the most important among them.”
Emotion flickered across her face before she leaned closer.
Arnav brushed his nose lightly against hers before kissing her softly, and Khushi melted against him instantly.
Outside, the house had fallen silent.
But inside, Arnav and Khushi were quietly discovering the joy of loving each other completely- emotionally, physically, and in all the little moments in between.
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A sleek black car stopped outside an upscale lounge. From it stepped out Tripti elegant, poised, but her eyes carried something unresolved… unfinished.
Inside, in a secluded corner, Sr. Jha waited.
He didn’t stand when she approached.
“I don’t like being summoned,” Tripti said coolly, taking her seat without permission.
“Especially by strangers.”
Sr. Jha studied her carefully.
“You’re not here because I called you. You’re here because I mentioned him.”
Tripti’s fingers stilled on the table.
“…Be careful.”
“Shivaay,” Sr. Jha said deliberately.
The name hung between them like a spark near dry fuel.
Tripti leaned back, masking the flicker in her eyes.
“That chapter is closed.”
“Is it?” Sr. Jha asked calmly. “Or was it closed for you?”
A pause.
Tripti’s jaw tightened.
“You know nothing about me.”
“I know enough,” he replied.
“I know you didn’t leave him because you stopped loving him.”
That hit.
Her composure cracked—just slightly.
“And now,” Sr. Jha continued, “he’s moved on. Married. Building a perfect life.”
Tripti let out a bitter laugh.
“Perfect?” she whispered. “You think it’s perfect?”
“I think it’s fragile,” he corrected.
Tripti pushes back
“And what exactly do you want from me?” she asked sharply.
“To cry over spilled love? To beg him to come back?”
Sr. Jha leaned forward, voice lowering.
“I want you to take back what should have been yours.”
Silence.
Tripti’s eyes locked onto his.
“You’re playing a dangerous game.”
“So are you,” he replied smoothly. “Every time you pretend you’ve forgotten him.”
Sr. Jha placed a file on the table, sliding it toward her.
“Raizadas are not untouchable. They’ve made enemies.”
“I’m one of them.”
Tripti didn’t open the file.
“And you think I’ll just… join hands with you?”
“I think,” he said, “you have more to gain than I do.”
He let that sink in before delivering the final blow—
“Help me bring them down… and Shivaay walks away from them.”
A pause.
“Walks… to you.”
For the first time, Tripti looked away.
Memories flashed—Shivaay’s laughter, their arguments, the way he used to look at her before everything changed.
“…And what about his wife?” she asked quietly.
Sr. Jha’s tone turned cold.
“Oh you mean my Ex-daughter in Law? Collateral.”
Tripti’s expression hardened.
“Then you should have planned something before their marriage. You’re asking to destroy lives,” she said.
“No this is the perfect time, this will cause them more damage. Also I’m offering you a chance to rewrite your story.”
Another long silence and Tripti picked up the file.
Not opening it yet… but not pushing it away either.
“That doesn’t mean I trust you.”
Sr. Jha smiled faintly.
“Trust is irrelevant. Outcomes are not.”
Tripti finally met his gaze.
“If I do this… I do it my way.”
“Of course.”
“And if you double-cross me—”
“You won’t let me,” he finished calmly.
A beat.
Tripti extended her hand.
Sr. Jha shook it.
“Welcome to the beginning of their end.”
As Tripti walked out, the afternoon didn’t feel silent anymore.
It felt… like a calm before her life is going to be back on track. Just like she dreamt of..
The air outside the lounge was cool, but Sr. Jha’s mind was burning with satisfaction.
Tripti had agreed or at least, she hadn’t refused.
That was enough. for now.
As he stepped toward his car, adjusting his cufflinks, a familiar voice stopped him.
“So… you’ve started gathering allies.”
Sr. Jha turned.
Standing a few feet away, draped in her saree with quiet authority, was Madhumati.
He didn’t look surprised, Madhumati noted.
he said calmly, “I was half expecting you.”
Buaji raised an eyebrow.
“Then you’re more observant than I thought.”
“I don’t deal in revenge blindly,” he replied. “People like you don’t act without reason.”
She stepped closer, her expression sharp.
“And people like you don’t stop at one pawn.”
A faint smile appeared on Sr. Jha’s face.
“So you saw her,” Sr. Jha said, glancing toward the lounge.
“this isn’t a game one person can win alone.”
Sr. Jha studied her carefully.
“You already came to me once.”
“And here I am again,” she corrected.
“Because now I understand something.”
A pause.
“Raizadas don’t break easily.”
Her voice lowered, turning cold.
“They need to be surrounded.”
For the first time, Sr. Jha looked genuinely intrigued.
Sr. Jha let out a slow breath.
“This is becoming… interesting.”
Buaji’s lips curved faintly.
“You wanted revenge.”
She stepped closer, her eyes locking onto his.
“I want consequences.”
“And what do you expect in return?” Sr. Jha asked.
“Nothing from you,” she replied.
“I’ll take what I want… from them.”
Sr. Jha extended his hand again—this time not as an offer, but as recognition.
“We seem to be building quite the circle.”
Buaji looked at his hand for a moment… then placed hers in it.
Sr. Jha smiled—wider than before.
Tripti for Shivaay.
Buaji for Khushi.
And himself… for the Raizadas’ downfall.
As he got into his car, one thought echoed in his mind.
And for the first time he was double pleased.
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The glass doors of AR Designs slid shut behind Payal as she stepped into the now-quiet office floor. It was late, far later than she usually stayed—but deadlines had a way of stretching time without warning. Most of the staff had already left. Only a few cabin lights glowed faintly, including Akash’s.
Payal paused near her desk, gathering her files, but her eyes instinctively drifted toward his cabin. Through the transparent glass, she could see him, his tie loosened, sleeves rolled up, leaning over his laptop with that familiar look of quiet focus.
A small smile touched her lips.
One month of working here. One month of watching him not as Khushi’s jiju or Arnav’s brother—but as Akash. The man who stayed back to help interns, who never raised his voice, who always noticed when she skipped lunch… and silently made sure food reached her desk.
Her heart tightened.
Before she could stop herself, her feet carried her toward his cabin.
She knocked lightly.
Akash looked up, surprise flickering across his face. “Payal? You’re still here?”
She stepped in, clutching her file a little too tightly. “Woh… I was just finishing the client presentation draft. Thought I’d leave it on your desk.”
He stood up immediately, walking around to her side instead of letting her cross the room alone. “You could’ve emailed it. You didn’t have to stay this late.”
There was concern in his voice.
Payal looked down, her fingers nervously tracing the edge of the file. “I wanted it to be perfect.”
“For me?” he asked softly, half teasing, half… hopeful.
Her breath hitched.
The silence that followed felt heavier than anything she had ever experienced.
Akash’s tone changed, gentler now. “Payal… you don’t have to prove anything here. You’re already doing more than enough.”
She shook her head, finally looking up at him. “It’s not about proving anything.”
“Then?” he asked.
And that was it, the moment she had been running from for weeks.
Payal took a slow breath, her voice trembling but determined. “It’s about… you.”
Akash stilled.
“I didn’t realize when it started, I tried to hide it and escape from that feeling thinking about our difference in upbringing but then when I started working here..” she continued, words spilling out now that she had begun. “Maybe it was the first day when you made sure I wasn’t nervous in the meeting… or when you stayed back to help me fix that report… or the way you always notice things no one else does.”
Her eyes glistened, but she didn’t look away.
“I came here thinking this was just a job,” she whispered. “But somewhere in between… you stopped being just my boss.”
Akash’s heart pounded loudly in his ears.
“Payal…” he started, but she gently shook her head.
“Please… let me finish.”
She swallowed, gathering courage.
“I tried to ignore it. I told myself it’s too soon, too complicated… that maybe I’m just confused.” A small, shaky smile appeared. “But I’m not.”
And then, softly but clearly she said it.
“I love you, Akash.”
The words hung in the air, fragile yet powerful.
For a second, Akash didn’t react. Not because he didn’t feel, but because he felt too much.
He stepped closer, his voice low, almost disbelieving. “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to hear that?”
Payal blinked,
A faint laugh escaped him, filled with relief.
Her eyes widened.
“You think those late-night stays were just about work?” he added, a soft smile forming.
“I kept finding reasons to be around you even though you made it clear that we will be just employer and employee but I was hopeful.”
Payal’s cheeks flushed, her nervousness melting into something warm and overwhelming.
Akash took the file from her hands and placed it aside, as if clearing away the last barrier between them.
“Payal,” he said gently, “I love you too.”
Her breath caught.
For a moment, neither moved, just stood there, letting the truth settle between them.
Then, slowly, he reached for her hand.
This time, she didn’t hesitate.
Their fingers intertwined naturally, as if they had always belonged that way.
Love,
ST
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