Chapter 57

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“You are so bad at lying.”

I was laughing, still wiping my tears, when the car suddenly started.

“Yeh khel jawaani mein humne bhi bahut khele hain, beta,” papa said calmly.

(I played these kind of games in my youth too)

“Aap bhi… jawaan the?” Nav replied.
(You was young too?)

I laughed so hard my stomach started hurting.

The look papa gave him-
like he was about to perform surgery on him, without anesthesia.

“Sorry, sorry… mazaak tha,” Nav blabbered.
(Sorry, it was a joke.)

“Pagal kahin ka, I murmured under my breath.
Yeh pakka pitega aj papa ke hatho se…”
(He’s definitely getting beaten by papa tonight.)

“Andar aana hai,” papa said evenly,
“ya yahin se jaana hai?”
(Do you want to come inside, or leave from here?)

My smile slowly faded.

I waited.
Held my breath.

But I didn’t hear anything.

Not a word.

I looked down at my phone-

Disconnected.

Shock shot through me.

“Badtameez! Call kyun kaata, Navver ke bache!”
(Mannerless! Why did you cut the call?)

I glared at him through the window.

He looked up-just for a second.

Our eyes met.

Then he shifted his focus back to my father.

“Ghatiya insaan,esi kya baat krni thi jo mere samne ni kr skta tha yeh.”
” I muttered angrily.
(What kind of conversation was this that he couldn’t have in front of me?)

“Bilkul baat nahi karungi isse main ab.”
(I won’t talk to him at all now.)

My frustration kept rising, over disappointment.

Then

Nav got into his car.

And started driving

My heart sank.

I slid down against the wall , not wanting to watch him leave.

I hugged my knees to my chest.

My phone rested in my hands as I stared at it
waiting for something from him

A call.
A message.
Anything.

Nothing came.

I switched my phone off.

“Bhaad mein jaaye,” I whispered.
(Let it all go to hell.)

Anger burned in my chest

but beneath it, quietly,
disappointment settled in.

And that hurt more.

✧

5:30 a.m.

I was running-fast, breathless-no longer caring about the wind around me.

It was a daily ritual, one I never missed.
My nightmares always woke me up before the world did.
Four in the morning-every day.
An alarm had never been necessary.

Main kaafi tez bhaagne ki kosish krti hu, taaki mere bure khayal peeche chuth jaye, but they always find a way to crawl back to me

(I try running really fast, so that my bad thoughts leave behind but they always find a way to crawl back to me)

“Kitni tez bhaagi ho yaar tum.”
(You were running so fast.)

My body froze, but my feet kept moving on instinct.
I turned my head and saw him running right beside me.

“Tum! Tum yahaan kya kar rahe ho?”
(You? What are you doing here?)

I stopped completely and turned toward him.

“Wohi jo sabh karte hain,” he replied nonchalantly.
(That’s what people usually do.)

Shock mixed with irritation, my eyes widening.

“Mera matlb running se tha?”
(i mean running?)

He clarified further.

“Didn’t you went back?” I asked finally exhaling a breath.

Nav chuckled.

“Tumne mujhe bus car start krte huye dekha?”
( You just watched me starting my car?)

He stepped closer, almost brushing my arm, but I instinctively stepped back.

“Don’t touch me.”

“Gussa ho?” he asked gently, his tone calm, soothing.
(Are you angry?)

“Why did you hang up yesterday?”
“Esi kya baat thi jo tum nahi chahte thi ke main sunun?”

(What was that one thing you didn’t want me to hear?)

He slipped his hands into his pockets.

“Phone band ho gaya tha madam Mera. baarish mein mai aur mera saathi dono bheg gaye.”

(My phone died, madam. In rain me and my phone both got wet.)

Silence fell between us.

Not a single word came out of my mouth.

He didn’t look like he was lying.

“Maaf kardo, please,” he said, a soft smile forming.

(Please forgive me.)

“Tum ruke bhi nahi,” I said
meaning it as a sharp remark,
but it escaped as something far more fragile.

(You didn’t even stayed.)

He looked at me steadily.

“Did you want me to?”

I stayed quiet.
Didn’t rush.
Didn’t look away.

Seconds pass
then minutes

“Sayad,” I said finally, tears started forming in my eyes.

( Maybe)

“Vani-“
He stepped toward me again.

“Daffa ho jao” I said suddenly-and ran back toward my house without looking back.

(Go to hell.)

He could have stayed.
Maybe I didn’t even need this much space.
Vapis jane ki kya jarurat thi?

( What was the need for him to go back?)

No.
No.

I can’t let him feel restrainted.
I wouldn’t bind him.
He wasn’t entitled to me.

That thought hurt more than it should have.

✧

When I came out of the shower, steam still clinging to my skin, I froze.

On my bed lay a maroon Anarkali dress with matching maroon chudiyan
not mine, definitely.

I wiped the droplets from my forehead with my towel and stepped closer.

Just as I reached out to touch the bangles, a paper plane flew in through my window.

My brows knit together.

I picked it up and moved toward the window.

No one.

“Kamaal hai, yeh kahan se aya? ” I murmured, startled.

(This is strange, where from this came. )

I can see something written behind the foldings, so i started to open it carefully

THE LETTER

“Apni kareli se dur chla geya tha nam
Naraz hai meri kareli mujhse, but I’ll make her forgive me, chalein apka din special banate hai, jese aap hamari zindagi special banati hai woh bhi just by existing “

(I went away from my bitter gourd for a while.
My bitter gourd is upset with me, but I’ll make her forgive me.
Come, let’s make your day special-
just like you make our lives special simply by existing.)

“Nav??” I whispered, shock crawling up my spine.

” Yeh yahan kese aya!!!!!” The words almost came out as a yell.

( How did he come here?)

I rushed back to the window and leaned out, looking down.

How the hell did he get into my room from this height?

There wasn’t even a ladder nearby.

My heart was still racing when another paper plane landed on my bed-

Going straight past me like it had a mind of its own.

I looked around frantically, scanning the surroundings, trying to figure out where he was throwing them from.

Nothing.

No shadow.

No movement.

Frustrated, I went back to the bed and unfolded the second paper plane.

The letter

“Dont think much love, just get ready and go have breakfast. “

” chahta kya hai yeh??” my non romantic ass said.

Still, I picked up the dress and walked into the bathroom.

When I came back, my eyes fell on a sticky note placed neatly on my dressing table.

NOTE

Kash mai apne hathon se woh chudiya pehna patta …

Jalan ho rahi mujhe… Woh chudiya tumhare itna kareeb hongi, jitna mai nahi hu…

(I wish I could have put those bangles on you with my own hands…
I’m feeling jealous.
Those bangles will be closer to you than I am.)

I smiled softly at his dramatics.

I decided not to wear the bangles yet.

I’d let him put them on me himself.

I wear the jhumkas and went downstairs

✧

“Mummaa… itna sab kuch…” I asked in pure astonishment when I saw the dining table-loaded with food.

All my favourites. Every single one of them.

“Maine nahi banaya, bhai,” mom said casually, arranging a bowl.

“Jisne banaya, use bolo.”

(I didn’t make it. Tell the one who did.)

I frowned, confused.

“Apne nahi toh kisne? Papa?” I asked.

“Pata nahi,” mom shrugged, a smile tugging at her lips.

“Usne apna naam karela bataya tha shayad.”

(I don’t know… I think he said his name was ‘karela’.)

My eyes widened instantly.

Mom burst out laughing at my expression.

Without thinking, I rushed toward the kitchen
half-expecting to find him there,
half-ready to actually cook karele ki sabzi out of pure irritation.

But the kitchen was empty.

No Nav.
No karela.

I stepped back into the dining area and found mom and dad already seated at the table.

“Kahan hai woh?” I asked, unable to hide it.

(Where is he?)

“Pehle aa,” mom said softly.
“Khana kha le.”
(Come sit first. Eat.)

I sat down instinctively, my body moving before my mind could argue.

“Papa, aapki kal-” I started, about to bring up last night, Nav, the rain, everything.

“Gudiya,” papa interrupted gently but firmly,
“khate waqt baatein nahi karte.”
(We don’t talk while eating.)

Something about his tone unsettled me.

Still, I stayed quiet.

✧

After Vani went back to her room, Ranvijay was about to return to his study when Divya stopped him.

“Vijay ji… ruk jaiye na,” Divya said softly.

(Please stop, Vijay.)

Ranvijay paused, but didn’t turn around to face her.

Divya walked ahead and stood in front of him.

“Hum jaante hain…” her voice trembled,
“humse bahut badi galti ho gayi.”

(I know… we made a very big mistake.)

“Hum sharminda bhi hain us par.”
(I’m ashamed of it.)

She continued, her words breaking apart as tears spilled uncontrollably.

“Aap nahi jaante,” she said, staring at his chest, her own trembling hands anywhere but his eyes,

“jis din se humne woh sagaai todi hai, hum kitna ghut-ghut kar jee rahe hain.”

(You don’t know how suffocated I’ve felt since the day we broke that engagement.)

Her shoulders shook.

“Hum… hum kabhi apni bachi ko nuksaan nahi pahunchana chahte the.”

(I never wanted to hurt our daughter.)

“Hum bas use safe rakhna chahte the.”

(I only wanted to keep her safe.)

“Humse galti ho gayi.”

(I made a mistake.)

She swallowed hard, her sobs making it difficult to breathe.

“Par aap humse muh mat mode.”

(But please don’t turn away from me.)

“Aap chahe koi bhi saza de dijiye,”
(You can punish me however you want,)
“hum bina kuch bole seh lenge.”
(I’ll bear it silently.)

“Bas aap yun baat karna mat chhodiye humse.”

(Just don’t stop talking to me like this.)

Her voice cracked completely.

“Hum… hum yeh seh nahi payenge, Vijay ji.”

(I won’t be able to survive this.)

“Please…”

Divya broke down entirely.

Ranvijay pulled her into his arms.

She cried against his chest, all the pain she had been holding back finally spilling out.

She had only ever wanted the best for her daughter
yet unknowingly, she had been the one to hurt her the most.

Not a single day had passed without her blaming herself.

Ranvijay held her tighter.

” sh shh bacha… don’t cry… Humein maaf kar dijiye, Divya ji,” he said softly.
(Forgive me .)

“Hum apne dukh mein itna kho gaye,”
(I was so lost in my own pain,)
“ki aapki feelings ko samajh hi nahi paaye.”
(that I failed to understand your feelings.)

“I am so sorry.”

He kissed the top of her head, holding her there-
not as someone angry,
but as someone finally listening.

“I am sorry… I am so sorry,” Divya kept repeating, her voice breaking again and again.

Ranvijay gently calmed her down, helped her sit properly, and handed her a glass of water.

“Aap bhi pi lijiye,” she said, extending the glass toward him.
(You should drink too.)

Ranvijay smiled faintly and took a few sips.

Once her breathing steadied, Divya spoke again, hesitantly

“Waise, Navver itna bura nahi hai jitna humne samjha tha.”

(By the way, Nav isn’t as bad as we thought.)

“Kamina pyaar karta hai meri beti se,” Ranvijay muttered.

(The rascal loves my daughter.)

Divya chuckled softly.

“Yeh toh achhi baat hai na,” she said.
(Isn’t that a good thing?)

“Khush rakhega woh Vani ko.”
(He’ll keep Vani happy.)

“Dekho, saara khana usne banaya.”
(Look, he cooked all the food.)

“Ek-ek cheez…”
(Every single item.)

“Meetha bhi.”
(Even dessert.)

“Meri gudiya ko mujhse door le jaayega,” Ranvijay said quietly.

(A day will come when he takes my daughter away from me.)

His throat tightened.
He turned his face to the side, blinking slowly.

Divya hugged him immediately.

“Awww… aap kitne pyaare ho,” she said softly.
(You’re so sweet.)

He wrapped an arm around her and began caressing her hair absentmindedly.

“Us baat ka soch kar bhi mujhe rona aa jata hai,” she admitted.
(Just thinking about that day makes me want to cry.)

“Pata nahi jab woh din aayega tab-“
( I don’t know, when that day will come,-)

Before she could finish, he interrupted her.

“Mere paas ek idea hai,” he said suddenly.
(I have an idea.)

“Use ghar jamai bana lenge.” He continues
(We’ll make him a live-in son-in-law.)

“Haan… best hai yeh.” He said
(Yes, this is perfect.)

“Kya baatein kar rahi ho?” Divya scolded him mid-sentence, realising how absurd it sounded.

( What are you saying?)

“Arey, main sahi keh raha hoon,” Ranvijay defended himself seriously.

( I am saying correct)

Their bickering went on for a while-
Divya countering him with practical facts about marriage,
Ranvijay stubbornly laying down imaginary rules.

And somewhere between their arguments, laughter returned.

Because relationships were never really about maturity
they were about understanding,
standing beside each other,
and choosing to stay, even when it was hard.

✧

When I came back to my room, my mind was still tangled-half confused, half restless.

“Awwww…”

The sound slipped out on its own.

I stopped short when I looked at my bed.

It was covered in soft toys.
Not one or two-many. Different sizes, colours, faces. Like someone had carefully chosen each one.

On the floor, scattered neatly, were flowers.
Different kinds. Different colours. Fresh.

“Kitna cute hai yeh,” I whispered, picking up one of the soft toys.
(He’s so cute.)

I hugged it instinctively, then crouched down and picked up a few flowers, bringing them close to my face.

They smelled real. Fresh. Like effort.

I was genuinely stunned.

“Doraemon ka anywhere door hai kya iske paas?” I murmured to myself.

(Does he have Doraemon’s anywhere door or what?)

“Itni jaldi yahan se wahan kaise ho raha hai yeh?”

(How is he moving from one place to another so fast?)

As I was still processing everything, I noticed a slight movement behind the curtains-almost like a breeze that didn’t belong.

Try karne mein kya jaata hai?
(What’s the harm in trying?)

“Nav, I can see you. Come outside,” I said casually, testing my luck.

Nothing.

Vehem tha kya?
(Was I imagining things?)

“Nav?? Bahar aao,” I said again, a little firmer.

And then-

He stepped out from my balcony.

“I thought I was Mr. India,” he said smugly,
“Safeed chadar bhi leke aaya tha main.”

(I even brought a white sheet.)

I folded my arms across my chest, trying not to smile.

“Bhoot ho ya Mr. India?” I asked

(Are you a ghost or Mr. India?)

“Bhoot ke paas kaunsi chadar hoti hai yaar?” he replied instantly.

(What ghost carries a sheet like that?)

“Toh Mr. India ke paas chadar kahan se aayi?” I argued back.

(Then where did Mr. India get the sheet from?)

“Dukaan se,” he said simply.
“Ghar pe thodi banayega.”

(From a shop. He won’t make it at home.)

Then, softer, amused

“Vani, kya tum bhi.”

He stepped fully into the room.

“Bade efforts lagaye ja rahe hain, Mr. Brar, kisi ko impress krne ka irada hai kya?” I said, my tone teasing, eyes flicking from the toys to him.

(Knowingly putting in a lot of effort, Mr. Brar-trying to impress someone?)

He stepped closer.

“Maybe,” he said, bending a little so we were at the same eye level.
“Is she getting impressed?”

“Maybe.”
My face broke into a wide smile before I could stop it.

“itna khana tumne bnaya tha..” I said softly, still smiling.
(You cooked all that food…)

Then I paused.

“Oh wait, I remember something-“

My smile vanished instantly.

I placed the bouquet on the bed and grabbed a soft toy, hitting him with it.

“Arey, Vani-” he laughed, backing away,
“yeh kya tareeqa hai thank-you bolne ka?”
(Is this how you say thank you?)

I picked up a cushion and chased him around the room. My breath was already uneven from laughing.

“Batmeez insaan!” I yelled, throwing another cushion.

(Rude person!)

“Maa ko karele wali baat batane ki kya zarurat thi?!”

(Why did you have to tell my mom about the bitter gourd thing?)

“Tum ruko- aaj karele ki sabzi main banaungi!”

(Just wait-I’ll make bitter gourd curry today!)

He just chuckled and ran.

“Pehle pakad ke toh dikhao!”
(Catch me first!)

I hurled cushions at him-some he dodged, some he caught mid-air.

“Oh-perfect.”
One cushion finally hit his face.

“Kaisi jaanleva ho tum,” he laughed, still running.

(You’re dangerous.)

“Oyeeee- bed pe jootte nahi!” I warned, already breathless.

(Get off the bed with shoes!)

He retreated toward the balcony. I followed, lungs burning slightly from the chase, heart racing-not just from running.

I lifted the cushion again

Before I could strike, he caught both my wrists.

“Bas karo, meri maa,” he said, laughing softly.

(Enough, my mother.)

“Kitna maro gi?”

(How much will you hit me?)

Effortlessly, he gathered both my wrists into one of his hands, took the cushion from me with the other, and tossed it into the corner.

He shifted me gently toward the wall, my wrists still held above my head.

My words dissolved somewhere in my throat.

I could only stare at his face.

He looked… amused.
Like he knew exactly what he was doing to me.

He leaned in.

I closed my eyes instinctively.

“Karlu?” he asked quietly, his lips barely a breath away from mine.
(Should I?)

I smiled.

“Hayeee… aur yahan main pighal gaya,” he murmured dramatically.

(And here I’ve already melted.)

He released my wrists.

They fell back to my sides, tingling.

He cupped my face and started kissing me
my cheeks, my forehead, my eye-then my cheeks again.

“Areyyyy… kha hi jaoge kya?” I laughed between smiles.

(Are you going to eat me or what?)

“Chhodo…”

(Leave me.)

He paused and looked at me.

” chodne ke liye thodi aya hu.”

( I have not come to you for leaving.”

A pint tint covering my cheeks, even before i can stop it.

“Ek aur gift hai,” he said softly.
(There’s one more gift.)

He guided me toward the bed.

“Ek aur?” I asked, narrowing my eyes suspiciously.
(Another one?)

He made me sit down.

“Yahan baitho,” he said, calm but playful.

“Aur aankhein band karo.”

(Sit here and close your eyes.)
“No peeking.”

My chest was still rising and falling faster than usual-from running, from laughing, from him.

And suddenly,
I was curious.

“Haath aage karo…” he said after a few seconds.
(Extend your hands.)

I did.

Something soft brushed against my palms.

Warm.

Moving.

I opened my eyes.

“Oh my God, Nav.”

My face broke into the widest, most uncontrollable smile-ear to ear, cheeks hurting, eyes instantly glassy.

It was a dog.

A small puppy.

Tiny paws, soft fur, curious eyes looking straight at me like I was already its person.

For a second, my brain shut off.

My breath caught.

My hands trembled slightly as I instinctively cupped it, scared I’d hurt thr little one, scared it would disappear if I moved too fast, i remember my old dog after seeing him.

“Nav…” my voice cracked this time, not teasing, not playful.
Just… overwhelmed.

The puppy sniffed my fingers and licked them clumsily.

I laughed-and then I didn’t.
Nav smiled seeing me, hands in his pockets

I pulled the puppy closer to my chest without even thinking,

” yeh galat hai vani… Mai bhi ni gaya vahan pai to…” Nav whined and pointed towards something.. I looked at nav in confusion, then back at the puppy,

(This is wrong, Vani… I didn’t go there either, you know…)

I followed nav’s gaze

The puppy had placed his paw at my breast

” Sarm karo nav!!!!” i yelled, being embarrassed

( Have some shame)

” nanga peda hua tha mai… Mujhme hai nahi…” he said whining and i looked at the ceiling, maybe saying god please help me

(I was born naked… I don’t have it in me.)

” bhagwan bhi tumhe mujhe alag nahi krega miss solnyshka.. yeh khayal aap dimag se nikaal de.” He said while smiling sheeplessly

(Even God won’t separate you from me, Miss Solnyshka. Get this thought out of your head.)

I smiled at his dramatics… Pta nahi kabse mera dimag padhna chalu kr diya isne.. tantrik kahika…

(“I don’t know since when he’s started reading my mind… that Mystic)

I looked at the puppy again, and this time he removed his paw from my breast, maybe he get scared by nav’s glaring

I ignore nav’s glaring at the puppy and focus on the puppy again

There was just this tiny life in my arms.

Trusting me.

Choosing me.

I looked up at him,

“Yeh… yeh puppy mera hai?”
(Is this… mine?)

I pressed my forehead against the puppy’s head, breathing it in, smiling

For the first time in a long while

I didn’t feel broken.
I felt peace

” nahi.. uski maa ka hai…”
He replied casually,

I looked up at him, utterly done, narrowing my eyes.

(No… it belong to his mother)

” offcourse tumhara hi hai…” he added immediately, smiling.

( Offcourse it is yours)

” hamara?” I asked softly, the word slipping out before I could stop myself.

( Ours?)

” hamara.” he replied, smiling wider this time.

( Ours.)

My chest warmed at that single word.

” namkaran to krdo iska.” he said gently

( Name him)

” ummmmm.. tumhare dimag mai hai koi naam?”

( Do you have something in mind?)

He shake his head

” tuffy kesa hai??” I suggested hesitantly.I suggested hesitantly.

( How’s tuffy?)

” acha hai… ” he kneeled down, and started caressing him ” tuffy bachaa… Naam acha laga??”

( “That’s good…” he knelt down and started caressing him.
“Tuffy, my baby… did you like the name?”)

The puppy wiggled slightly, as if approving.

” vaani. ….” he called. I hummed

” chudiya nahi pehli apne.. pasand nahi ayi?” he asked softly.

I leaned toward him, lips forming a small pout.

” socha aap pehnayege…. Par apne to pehnai hi nahi….” I said quietly.

i made a pout, indicating it is not my fault, it is his fault if the bangles are not on my wrist…

He smiled-slow, fond, helpless.

” chlo.. pehle yehi kam krte hai….” he said and picked the bangles from the dressing table and sat beside me

I carefully placed Tuffy next to me, my hand lingering on his soft fur

He take my hand in his own

” aur suno.” i said

He froze and looked at me.

“chudiya se kareeb tum ho,” I continued softly, my voice dropping to a whisper,
“mere dil ka secret hai… kisi ko batana mat.”

(You’re closer to me than the bangles. It’s my heart’s secret-don’t tell anyone.)

A blush crept onto my face as I smiled.

For a second, he didn’t say anything.

Instead, he lifted my hand, still held in his, and placed it against his chest.

Right over his heart.

It was beating fast.

“ab yeh secret dono jagah safe hai,” he said quietly.

(Now this secret is safe in both places.)

Then, almost instinctively, he slid one bangle onto my wrist.

Careful.
Patient.
Like he was doing something sacred.

His thumb brushed over my skin for just a second longer than necessary.

He didn’t look at my wrist.

He looked at me.

“yahaan bhi,” he added, tapping my forehead lightly,
(Here too.)

Tuffy let out a tiny sound beside us, shifting closer.

Nav smiled faintly, leaned in, and pressed a gentle kiss to my temple

not claiming,
not rushing,

just… staying.

And in that moment, with bangles on my wrist, a puppy at my side, and his hand still holding mine,

I felt chosen.

Not loudly.
Not dramatically.

But completely.

this quiet happiness,

this us.
______________________________________

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