There will never be Another You : Chapter 23
The balcony overlooked the glittering lights of Mumbai, but Tripti barely noticed them.
She stood motionless, her fingers wrapped tightly around the cold railing, her mind drifting thousands of miles away to Singapore.
That was where she had been.
Living comfortably.
Taking care of their family business.
Convincing herself that she had moved on.
She had spent years telling herself that ambition came first, that relationships could always wait. Shivaay had wanted commitment- a future. She had wanted freedom, success, excitement.
So she had walked away.
No...
She hadn't merely walked away.
She had broken him.
At the time, his pain hadn't mattered to her.
She had believed he would recover.
She had believed people like Shivaay always forgave.
She had believed she would always have the option of returning if she ever changed her mind.
How arrogant she had been.
Then, weeks ago, an unexpected phone call had arrived.
Senior Jha.
An old acquaintance of her father from years ago.
He had spoken casually at first before mentioning Shivaay's name.
"He's getting married."
Those three words had unsettled something deep inside her.
Then Jha had fed her wounded pride.
"Don't you think he still loves you?"
"You're his first love."
"That marriage won't last. I know why they are getting married."
"You deserve another chance."
She hadn't questioned him.
Instead...
Her ego had spoken.
"Of course he still remembers me."
"If I explain myself, he'll understand."
"If I return, he'll choose me."
How foolish.
Now, after seeing Shivaay with Anjali...
After watching the way he looked at his wife...
After seeing the quiet happiness in his eyes...
Reality had finally struck.
There had been no longing.
No hidden regret.
The man she had once known was gone.
Or perhaps...
He wasn't gone.
He had simply healed.
Tripti closed her eyes.
"When did I become this person?"
She whispered the question into the night.
She had always known she was ambitious.
She was competitive.
She was selfish.
She liked winning.
She hated losing.
But...
She had never thought of herself as someone who ruined lives.
Yet wasn't that exactly what she was doing now?
She had returned not because Shivaay needed her...
...but because she couldn't bear the thought that he no longer did.
It wasn't love.
It was wounded pride.
The realization hit harder than she expected.
"I left him when he needed me."
"I broke his trust."
"I shattered his heart."
"And now..."
"...I'm trying to destroy the happiness he finally found."
A bitter laugh escaped her lips.
"So this is who I've become."
For the first time in years, she wasn't angry with Shivaay.
She was angry with herself.
She remembered the young man who had once looked at her as though she were his entire world.
He had loved her without conditions.
And what had she given him in return?
Broken promises.
Harsh words.
She had dismissed his dreams because they didn't fit hers.
She had expected him to wait while she chased her own ambitions.
When he finally stopped waiting...
...her ego couldn't accept it.
She had mistaken possession for love.
She thought of Anjali.
Tripti barely knew her, yet one thing was undeniable.
Anjali wasn't trying to change Shivaay.
She wasn't making him prove himself.
She simply... accepted him.
Perhaps that was what love had always been.
Not control.
Not possession.
Not winning.
Acceptance.
A tear rolled down Tripti's cheek.
"I was too late."
The words were barely audible.
"Years too late."
She had lost Shivaay long before she ever boarded that flight from Singapore.
The wedding hadn't taken him away.
Anjali hadn't taken him away.
Her own choices had.
Senior Jha's phone call hadn't created her obsession.
It had merely awakened the part of her that refused to accept the consequences of her own actions.
Now she could finally see it.
The tragedy wasn't that Shivaay had fallen out of love.
The tragedy was that she had realized what she had lost only after he had found the happiness she had once thrown away.
For the first time since returning to India, Tripti stopped thinking about how to win Shivaay back.
Instead, she wondered whether she had become someone she no longer recognized.
But Sr. Jha is a crooked man.
Out of desperation she shared something personal between her and Shivaay which she was sure Sr. Jha will be using against him.
Now she is regretting it.
She has no idea what she wants now.
Tell Shivaay everything or be with Jha and continue with their plan..
If she backs out Jha was going to turn against her.
Oh God what a mess...
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The evening had settled quietly over the Raizada mansion.
Arnav and Khushi had barely returned to their room after dinner when there was a soft knock on the door.
"Come in," Arnav called.
The door opened, and Akash stepped inside. His usually cheerful face was unusually serious.
"Sorry to disturb you both."
Khushi smiled warmly. "You're never disturbing us. Sit."
Akash took the armchair opposite them while Arnav leaned against the study table, sensing that this wasn't a casual visit.
Akash shared his findings with them.
Akash noticed both were shocked hearing buaji teaming with Sr. Jha but not as shocked as he expected.
"I was half expecting something like this for sometime Akash"
It was Akash's turn to be shocked.
Arnav and Khushi explained everything in detail to him from beginning.
"Why you did not share all this with me before bhai? I should have kept an eye on her. You are not the only one who is responsible for taking care of everything. I am also there."
Akash sounded more disappointed than angry.
"Its not like that Akash, I knew she was a cruel and manipulative lady but she will go and team up with someone like Jha who tried to harm our sister was unexpected. Even if she hates me, She loves Payal and she herself is a woman. How could she do that?" It was Khushi who answered him.
"I am so sorry bhabi, I know how painful it is for you.. I didn't mean to hurt you guys. I want you to know that I am also there with you. We are together in this. Don't worry please. "
Akash's assurance made Khushi relaxed and happy. She was lucky to have these loving people around her.
"Bhai we have to be careful and we need to inform Di and Shivaay.I don't know what Jha's plan s are for Di."
"Yes, we can go and meet him today in his office. Then lets see. So the tender ?"
" I have asked the new company we are acquire to submit the best bid. As it is not public yet, they won't suspect the tender being still awarded to us. "
"Good work Akash and Thank you.." Arnav looked at his brother with pride.
"Bhai please don't embaress me by saying thank you.. I am your brother and this is about our family.. "
The brothers hugged as Khushi watched them with a smile.
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Payal had never imagined that one day she would have to spy on someone who is her family. Yet every passing day convinced her that something was terribly wrong.
The first evening, she casually followed Buaji when the older woman stepped out, claiming she was going to the nearby temple. Instead of heading toward the temple, Buaji took a narrow lane behind the Gupta house and stopped near an old tea stall.
A few minutes later, Kamala arrived.
Payal hid behind a parked scooter, her dupatta covering part of her face.
"Any new updates from Shantivan?"
Kamala sighed dramatically.
"Nothing major today. Arnav saab left early for office. Khushi went to college. Nani and Manorama were busy discussing preparations for Anjali bitiya's next visit."
Buaji nodded.
"Any discussion about Anjali's honeymoon plan?Any discussion going on for their travelling?"
"No didn't hear anything so far.."
"Ok.. keep your eyes and ears open.. Here take this phone, if you find anything call me from this phone. We cannot meet like this often."
Payal quietly left from there and went back home.
On the way she called Akash and updated on the things she heard and saw.
She kept the call and then went back to her house.
Her father was sitting outside reading some book with his evening tea.
Shashi smiled warmly when he noticed her standing near him.
"Sit with me for a while."
Payal pulled a chair close to him.
Shashi looked toward Khushi's empty room before speaking.
"Payal... these last few months have changed Khushi's life completely."
Payal nodded.
"They have, Babuji."
"I've never seen her this happy. Arnavji may not express himself with many words, but every action of his tells me how deeply he loves her."
A smile spread across Payal's face.
"He really does. Khushi never has to wonder whether she's important to him."
Shashi sighed in relief.
"For years I worried whether our Khushi would ever find someone who understood her. She gives everything to the people she loves. I was not able to protect her from the discrimination she faced here since the time I brought her here."
"But Arnavji treasures her, He protects her in ways even Khushi doesn't notice."
Shashi smiled.
"Exactly. A father couldn't ask for more."
For a few moments, both remained silent.
Then Shashi's expression turned thoughtful.
"Now... there is another matter."
Payal looked at him curiously.
"What is it, Babuji?"
"I received a phone call this morning."
"A phone call?"
"A marriage proposal."
Payal blinked in surprise.
"For... me?"
Shashi nodded.
"Yes."
She lowered her eyes, suddenly uncomfortable.
He paused before continuing.
"The family is respectable. They heard about you through one of my friend. The boy works in a multinational company in Delhi."
Payal listened quietly.
"They haven't seen you yet," Shashi continued. "Only your photograph and what they've heard about your nature."
"And... what did you tell them?"
"I told them I would think about it."
Payal looked at him in surprise.
"You didn't say yes?"
Shashi smiled gently.
"Marriage is not something a father should decide without his daughter's wishes."
He placed his hand over hers.
"Tell me honestly, Payal."
She immediately understood what he was asking.
"There is someone in your heart... isn't there?"
Payal's cheeks turned pink.
She remained silent.
Shashi chuckled softly.
"I may not speak much these days, but I can still read my daughters."
Payal looked down, smiling shyly.
"Babuji..."
"Is it Akash?"
Her silence was answer enough.
After a long moment, she nodded almost imperceptibly.
"Yes."
Shashi's smile widened.
"I thought so."
"You... you're not upset?"
"Why would I be?"
Payal looked at him uncertainly.
"We don't even know whether his family would accept me."
"That is for later," Shashi replied calmly. "What matters first is whether he is a good man."
"He is, Babuji."
"Does he respect you?"
"Yes."
"Does he make you feel safe?"
Payal smiled softly.
"Always."
"Then I have no reason to object."
Tears welled in her eyes.
"Babuji..."
"I have watched the way he looks at you whenever he comes here. There is sincerity in his eyes."
Payal smiled through her tears.
"But until something is spoken formally," Shashi added, "we cannot keep another family waiting forever. So I'll politely reject their proposal."
Payal nodded gratefully.
"Thank you."
Shashi smiled toward the doorway, silently thanking God that both his daughters were slowly finding the happiness they deserved, unaware that outside, Buaji had just returned and overheard the last few lines of their conversation. A calculating look crossed her face before she quietly slipped away.
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Next day, Senior Jha sat in his dimly lit study.
Chetan entered cautiously.
"Everything is ready, sir."
Jha looked up from the newspaper.
"Our men have taken position on the Delhi-Jaipur highway. They have the car number. Once it reaches the flyover, they'll ram it from the side. It will look like the truck driver lost control."
Jha's lips curved into a sinister smile.
"No mistakes this time."
"There won't be."
"This accident should end everything. Once he is gone, the Raizadas will crumble."
Back at Shantivan, Manorama entered the living room dressed elegantly.
"Oh hello hi bye bye! My kitty party is at the Imperial Club. Driver, where are you?"
The regular driver approached.
"Madam, sir had instructed that his SUV remain ready for him."
Manorama waved dismissively.
"Arnav bitwa is still at office. I am getting late. I'll use his car and send it back before evening."
The driver hesitated.
"But madam..."
"No arguments. Chalo."
Within minutes, Arnav's black SUV rolled out of Shantivan.
The assassins stationed several kilometres away received the update.
"The target vehicle has left."
"Proceed."
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At AR office, Arnav had just finished a meeting when his phone buzzed. It was Khushi.
"Arnav ji, did you leave for your meeting?"
He glanced at the files spread across his desk. "No. Aman just informed me the meeting has been shifted online. I don't think I will be able to come for lunch. Why you asked you needed something?"
Khushi smiled through the phone. "Nothing... I just thought I'd remind you to eat lunch if you are not coming home to eat."
"I will.... I Love you Khushi..."
She blushed and smiled.
Arnav could sense her cheeks turning pink even if he couldn't see her.
"Come back to me soon Arnavji.. I will be waiting.."
She almost whispered.
After hanging up, he called his secretary to order his lunch. Earlier his plan was to drive to the outskirts where the meeting had originally been scheduled and shaantivan was on the way so he thought of stopping by home for lunch and then leave from there.
Now he decided to stay back in office to finish all work as early as possible so that he can go back to his wife.
----------------------------------------------------
Inside the SUV, Manorama chatted endlessly on the phone.
"Yes darling! I'm bringing the designer sarees also. Everyone will be jealous today."
The driver focused on the road.
Suddenly...
A massive container truck accelerated from a side road.
The driver frowned.
"Madam..."
"What happened?"
"The truck..."
The truck swerved violently.
"Brake!"
Tyres screeched against the asphalt.
The SUV tried to evade the impact.
Too late.
The truck slammed into the driver's side with tremendous force.
The SUV spun across the highway, smashed through the divider, rolled twice, and came to rest against the concrete barrier.
Airbags exploded.
Glass shattered in every direction.
Silence followed.
Then came the terrified screams of bystanders.
"My God!"
"Call an ambulance!"
"Someone is trapped inside!"
The truck driver abandoned the vehicle and fled before anyone could stop him.
Within minutes, the news reached Senior Jha.
Chetan rushed into the room, grinning.
"It is done, sir."
Jha slowly stood.
"So... Arnav Singh Raizada is finally dead."
"We'll receive confirmation soon."
For the first time in years, Senior Jha allowed himself to smile.
"The Raizadas' downfall begins today."
Half an hour later, Chetan's phone rang again.
His expression changed instantly.
"What?"
Jha narrowed his eyes.
"What happened?"
Chetan swallowed nervously.
"Sir..."
"Speak!"
"It... it wasn't Arnav."
Jha's face hardened.
"The SUV belonged to Arnav Singh Raizada... but his aunt, Manorama Raizada, was travelling in it."
The room fell silent.
Jha's smile disappeared.
"What did you say?"
"Arnav never left the office. His aunt used his car for a kitty party. But we got the information from Kamala that his plan was to go from home for that meeting in outskirts"
Jha slammed his fist onto the table so hard that the glass cracked.
"Idiots!"
"They acted only after confirming the number plate, sir."
"I wanted Arnav dead not anyone else!"
He stopped himself, realizing what he had admitted.
"No... this changes nothing."
Chetan asked hesitantly, "Should we eliminate the truck driver?"
Jha's expression turned cold again.
"Immediately."
"And the witnesses?"
"They saw an accident."
He walked toward the window, rage burning in his eyes.
"Fate has protected Arnav Singh Raizada today."
His voice dropped into an ominous whisper.
"But fate cannot protect him forever."
Arnav's phone rang, it was from the landline of Shantivan.
"Mamiji has met with a terrible accident."
It was the trembling voice of Hariprakash.
Arnav looked up sharply.
"What did you say?"
For a brief moment, Arnav felt the blood leave his body.
Love,
ST
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