There will never be Another you : Chapter 22

The grand reception hosted by the Rathore family in Mumbai was nothing short of spectacular.

The entrance of the luxurious hotel was decorated with thousands of white orchids, roses, and crystal chandeliers. 

Anjali stood in front of the mirror as the makeup artist completed the final touches.

Her maroon and gold designer lehenga complemented the diamond Royal jewelry gifted by her in-laws. 

A knock sounded on the door.

"Come in."

Shivaay entered and paused.

For a moment he simply stared.

"You look beautiful, Anjali."

A blush spread across her cheeks.

"And you look handsome too."

Shivaay smiled before offering his hand.

"Ready to meet half of Mumbai?"

Anjali laughed nervously.

"I'm trying not to be terrified."

"You have survived Manorama Mami and Arnav Singh Raizada. My relatives will be easy."

That made her laugh.

A little later, the Raizada family arrived at the venue.

Anjali's eyes immediately searched the crowd.

The moment she spotted them, her face lit up.

Nani, Mama-Mami, Akash, Payal and everyone else entered together.

And then came Arnav and Khushi.

Khushi looked around in awe.

"Arnavji, this place is huge!"

Arnav smirked.

"Try not to get lost."

Khushi rolled her eyes.

"I won't. I am not a kid."

"Good. Because I have no intention of spending my evening searching for you. Hold my hand always."

The fondness in his voice made Khushi smile.

Meanwhile Anjali rushed down from the stage and hugged her family one by one.

Nani cupped her face lovingly.

"You look so happy, bitiya."

Anjali's eyes softened.

"I am, Nani."

Soon Shivaay began introducing Anjali to the extended family.

She met uncles, aunts and cousins from different parts of India and abroad.

Everyone welcomed her warmly.

One elderly aunt remarked,

"Now we understand why Shivaay refused every proposal before. He was waiting for Anjali."

"And it was worth the wait isn't it Maasi?." Asked Anjali's mother in Law. 

The family laughed while Anjali turned crimson.

The live band had started playing soft romantic music.

Later in the evening, Shivaay and Anjali stood on the stage receiving blessings from hundreds of guests.

The Rathore family officially welcomed Anjali as their daughter.

And under the glittering chandeliers of Mumbai, surrounded by the people they loved, the evening became one of the most cherished memories of their lives. 

As the evening progressed and the ballroom filled with guests, another familiar face entered the venue.

Tripti stepped inside wearing an elegant emerald-green gown that immediately drew attention. Being a family friend of the Rathores and connected to several business circles in Mumbai, she had naturally been invited to the reception.

The moment she entered, her eyes searched the ballroom.

And unsurprisingly, they found Shivaay.

Guests moved around the lavish venue, congratulating Anjali and Shivaay while the newlyweds greeted everyone with warm smiles.

Anjali stood beside Shivaay on the stage, looking radiant.

From a distance, Tripti watched the scene unfold.

She had arrived at the reception hoping for an opportunity- perhaps a chance to speak to Shivaay alone, perhaps to find some sign that his marriage was merely a formality to shut down the scandal happened.

Instead, what she saw unsettled her.

Shivaay's eyes followed Anjali wherever she went.

Whenever a guest pulled Anjali into conversation, Shivaay instinctively moved closer. When she looked tired, he quietly handed her a glass of water. When her dupatta slipped from her shoulder, he adjusted it without a second thought.

It was effortless and natural.

The behavior of a man who genuinely cared for his wife.

Tripti's jaw tightened.

She felt anger bubbling inside her.

"She got everything so easily..." she thought bitterly.

At that moment, Shivaay bent slightly and murmured something into Anjali's ear. Anjali's cheeks turned pink and she playfully nudged his arm.

The intimate gesture was the final straw.

She turned around abruptly and walked out of the reception hall.

Outside, away from the music and laughter, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number.

The call connected after two rings.

"Tripti?" Sr. Jha's calm voice came from the other side.

"I've seen enough," she said coldly.

There was a brief silence.

"What happened?"

"They're closer than we anticipated. If we wait any longer, it will become impossible."

Sr. Jha's voice turned serious.

"So what do you want to do?"

Tripti looked back toward the brightly lit reception entrance.

Through the glass doors she could see Shivaay helping Anjali descend a small step, his hand firmly holding hers.

Her eyes hardened.

"Put our plan into action."

"Are you certain?"

"Absolutely."

A slow smile appeared on Sr. Jha's face.

"As you wish."

"Whatever happens," Tripti said, "I want Anjali out of the way."

The line went silent for a moment before Sr. Jha replied,

Tripti disconnected the call and slipped her phone back into her purse.

Inside the hall, the celebrations continued unaware.

Anjali laughed at something Khushi said while Shivaay stood beside her, smiling.

Neither of them knew that somewhere outside the reception venue, the first move had just been made against them.

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Once the reception was over Shivaay and Anjali went back to their suite in the hotel. 

Anjali was removing her makeup and accessories when he was lost in his thoughts. 

He was sure that he saw Tripti in the crowd but she didn't come to meet them on stage. Something was not right.

Mumbai was her city too. What bothered him was why she had chosen to attend.

The more he thought about it, the less it made sense.

Tripti was not someone who revisited the past out of sentimentality.

She was ambitious, calculating, and fiercely proud.

Most importantly, she had never truly accepted their breakup.

Shivaay remembered the bitterness in her eyes the last time they had spoken before their engagement had ended.

Something was not right he could feel that.

He quickly send a message to his manager to ask someone to keep tabs on Tripti's whereabouts. 

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Arnav and Khushi along with other Raizadas returned to Shantivan after reception. The house was slowly settling back into its usual rhythm. Everyone was tired from the travel, but happy after witnessing Anjali begin her new life.

What none of the Raizadas knew was that danger had already entered their home.

One and half month earlier, Sr. Jha had managed to place one of his trusted people inside Shantivan. Kamla, a newly hired househelp, appeared quiet and hardworking. She kept her head down, performed her duties diligently, and earned everyone's trust within a short time.

Late that evening, while the family was having dinner downstairs, Kamla quietly entered Arnav's study. She had been watching his routine for days and knew exactly where important files were kept.

Her trembling fingers searched through the drawers until she found what Sr. Jha had asked for a confidential tender document related to AR Group's upcoming project. Quickly taking photographs of every page, she slipped the original file back into its place.

Later, Akash had entered the study later that night to collect another file. As he opened the drawer, something felt odd. The documents were slightly out of place, it was not like he came in before 2-3 hours.

A feeling of unease settled in his mind.

Maybe it was nothing.

Or maybe someone had been inside the study.

Over the next few hours, Akash began his investigation. Instead of confronting anyone directly, he reviewed security footage from the cameras installed around the office and parts of Shantivan. Most areas inside the family residence respected privacy, but entrances, hallways, and the study corridor were monitored.

The footage revealed something unusual.

Today Kamla had entered the study corridor several times despite having no work there.

Akash's suspicion deepened.

Akash hired a private investigator to discreetly look into Kamla's background asking for the report at the earliest offering triple money.

The evidence he received next day was undeniable.

Pictures of Kamla meeting Madhumati. 

There were pictures of Kamala visiting a photocopy shop before meeting Madhumati. So she might have taken the print outs from there and handed ove rthe same set of prints to Madhumati.

He was expecting Kamala to meet Sr. Jha or any of his subordinates. Here the one betrayed them is family.

Kamala was no ordinary house help, she was clever not to send the pictures to anyone from her phone.  

Yet what troubled Akash the most was not the corporate espionage.

It was Payal.

Madhumati was Payal and his bhabi Khushi's Aunt.

The woman Akash had fallen deeply in love with had absolutely nothing to do with the conspiracy, but he knew the truth would hurt her terribly.

Later that evening, he found himself outside Payal's office cabin at AR Group.

She looked up from her work and smiled.

"Akash? Is everything okay?"

Payal immediately noticed the tension on his face.

"What happened?"

Akash closed the door behind him.

"There is something I need to ask you."

Her smile faded.

"You're scaring me."

He sat opposite her and chose his words carefully.

He had hoped he wouldn't have to tell her yet.

Unfortunately, the situation had become too serious.

"Payal, your aunt may be involved in something that could harm my family."

The color drained from her face.

"What?"

Akash explained everything he could without revealing confidential business details.

As he spoke, Payal's eyes widened in disbelief.

"No," she whispered. "Buaji can be angry, jealous and stubborn, but she would never---"

Her voice faltered.

Even she couldn't complete the sentence with certainty.

Memories began resurfacing.

Madhumati's bitterness whenever the Raizadas were mentioned. 

Her refusal to move on from the fact that Khushi got married to a wealthy family. 

She was very cruel to Khushi since her childhood. 

Payal suddenly realized that perhaps Akash wasn't wrong.

Tears filled her eyes.

"If this is true..." she whispered, "...then I don't know how to face her."

Akash immediately moved beside her.

"You don't have to face this alone."

Payal looked up at him.

"What if everyone thinks I'm involved because she's my aunt?"

"You are not responsible for another person's actions."

His voice was firm.

"I trust you, Payal."

The words brought tears to her eyes.

For several moments, neither spoke.

Then Payal made a decision.

"If Buaji is truly working with Sr. Jha, I want to help expose her."

Akash looked at her in surprise.

"Are you sure?"

Payal nodded.

"I love my family. But I won't support anyone who is trying to destroy innocent people."

 Payal had chosen honesty over blind loyalty, he knew the girl he loves is the right one.

"No Payal, we cannot expose your Aunt now, And as far as I know Sr. Jha, he is going to create trouble in Di's life also. we have to pretend like normal and let them carry out their plan as it is so that we can be prepared for their next move. Can you help me with that?"

"Of course Akash. I am with you.."

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After weeks of wedding celebrations, family gatherings, and Anjali's reception in Mumbai, Khushi was looking forward to seeing her friends again.

Arnav stood near the dressing table, adjusting his watch while watching Khushi rush around the room.

"You know, colleges don't disappear if you're five minutes late," he remarked.

Khushi glared at him.

"Easy for you to say, Mr. ASR. Students actually get attendance deducted."

Arnav smirked.

"Fine. Let's go before your precious attendance suffers."

A few minutes later, they left together, Arnav insisting on dropping her despite her protests that she could manage on her own.

---

The college campus buzzed with activity as students returned after the break.

A sleek black car pulled up near the faculty entrance.

Shivaay stepped out and walked around to open the passenger door.

Anjali emerged, smiling at him.

Several students exchanged curious glances.

"Who is that?" one whispered.

"Our collage trustee and now also Professor Anjali's husband."

"Wow."

Anjali rolled her eyes at the attention but couldn't hide her smile.

"Go," Shivaay said softly. "I'll pick you up in the evening."

"Okay."

As she turned to leave, Shivaay called out.

"Anjali."

She looked back.

"Have a wonderful first day, Mrs. Anjali Shivaay Rathore."

Her cheeks immediately turned pink.

Nearby students grinned while Anjali hurried inside, pretending not to hear the teasing.

Shivaay did not know why she teased her. It was not an act, with her it just comes naturally. 

He smiled to himself and drove away from the campus. 

Love,

ST