Siya's Raghav

Dawn had broken.The first ray of the morning was spreading its glow. Birds had begun to chirp, and the sky was painted in soft hues of red.But Nakul still sat on the roadside, indifferent...His hair was disheveled, and his eyes, swollen from crying, were red. Yet there was a certain expression in them—like he had made a decision.

Passersby were giving him strange looks, but Nakul didn't care. He kept his eyes fixed on the ground, lost in thought.

Suddenly, his trance was broken by the ringtone of his phone.He wiped his eyes and saw it was Nishtha calling. Nakul didn't have the courage to pick up the call. He texted instead—"I'll call you in a while..."

As soon as he received a simple "OK" reply, he got up.His legs ached from sitting in the same position all night, but he ignored the pain and walked towards a nearby tea stall.

He grabbed a bottle of water and a cup of tea and started washing his face. That's when he noticed a woman and her child nearby—They looked like daily wage workers. The child was playing with a doll while the mother lovingly fed him.Just then, the child's father arrived, lifted the boy onto his shoulders, and said something to his wife with a smile.

Watching them stirred deep memories of his own parents in Nakul.He had spent the whole night outside, but no one came to look for him—not even a single message to check on him.A sharp ache rose in his chest, and an invisible dam of tears swelled in his heart.Trying in vain to hide his emotions, he started splashing cold water on his face vigorously.

After a while, he calmed down and began sipping his now-cold tea.A waiter brought him some biscuits.While munching on them, Nakul wondered how he should tell Nishtha what was on his mind.

Oli, Uttarakhand

To support herself, Janhvi had started working at Mary Aunty's bakery.Adit, who had no real interest in studies, had taken up a job as a delivery boy at the same bakery—Not because he needed the money (his father sent him more pocket money than he could ever spend, even partying every night)—But because where the heart is involved, money holds no value.

Adit was ready to go to any lengths to win Janhvi's heart.

One evening, Adit was standing in front of the mirror, whistling while fixing his hair.Raghav, sitting nearby, was deeply engrossed in something on his laptop.Joy, their dog, was hopping around Raghav's feet, trying to get his attention.But Raghav was too absorbed in the screen. A strand of hair kept falling in front of his eyes, which he kept brushing back impatiently.

Adit had been observing him for a while.He pulled out a cat-shaped hairpin from the drawer, tucked Raghav's hair back, and asked,"What are you working on so intently?"He tried to peek at the laptop, but Raghav quickly shut it and said,"Some things are personal... not meant to be shared with everyone."

Adit, a bit sarcastically, replied,"Yeah, yeah… Now I'm an outsider, right? Fine, keep your secrets. I'm off to the bakery. Make sure dinner is ready when I'm back."Saying that, he walked out.

Raghav didn't say anything—just nodded silently.As soon as Adit left, Raghav reopened his laptop and resumed his work.Joy, now tired, lay down near his feet.

Rishikesh Chauhan House

Everyone was busy with their daily routines.Soundarya and Aastha were preparing breakfast in the kitchen.Anant was sitting just outside the kitchen, studying. He couldn't sit in the living room because if Anurag saw him lounging on the sofa, he would be scolded.

But something was unsettling in the house—Some photographs, where Nakul and Kashyap Yaduvanshi were seen talking.Jagjit Raj Chauhan was fuming, like a wounded snake.Mahendra and Pratap sat silently, staring at the photos.

Finally, breaking the silence, Pratap said,"See, Father? This is what happens when you trust outsiders. This boy, raised by our favors, is now rebelling against us for a girl. We must handle this before it turns into a bigger problem."

Jagjit Raj nodded and said,"Find that girl as soon as possible. She's his weakness. Once we have her, he'll stop fluttering."

Pratap:"But Father, where will we find her? Our men have searched all over India—even all the places Nakul might have taken her—but nothing."

Jagjit slammed his hand on the table and growled,"Elections are coming up—we can't act openly. But we've already fed the media the story about Nakul marrying the servant's daughter. Everyone is praising our progressive image. If we backtrack now, it'll be a disgrace."

Pratap, with honeyed words, suggested,"Then why not distract the media with another wedding?"

Jagjit and Mahendra looked at him and said in unison:"Another wedding? Whose?"

Pratap smiled and said,"Our Apurva's. She's of marriageable age now, after all."

Mahendra snapped:"Are you out of your mind? She hasn't even completed her studies! She's only 22. And Anurag will never agree. She's his whole world, and you know his mental state."

Pratap retorted:"So you'll keep her at home her whole life for your son's sake? What if she falls in love tomorrow and ruins your name?"

Mahendra roared,"That's enough, Pratap! She's my daughter—my blood. She would never betray me. Don't you dare say such filthy things again!"

Jagjit Raj interrupted:"Enough, both of you. Don't forget I'm still here."The room fell silent.

He continued:"This is not the right time for Apurva's wedding. Anurag's temper might ruin everything. Just find the girl and a young servant boy to marry her. Political opportunities like this don't come often."

Pratap nodded and walked out. Mahendra followed, only to see Apurva talking on the phone in the living room with Anant studying beside her.

Mahendra looked at her for a moment, then turned away, wiping his eyes.Just then, Soundarya placed her hand on his shoulder. Her eyes were full of questions.Mahendra said,"Look at her... our little girl has grown up so fast. Time flew by. Once, Anurag and Apurva used to walk to school holding Andita's hand. And now, they're managing their own company together."

Soundarya also looked at Apurva, remembering the first day she came into this house after marriage—Wearing a white check shirt with a denim pencil skirt, her hair in a ponytail, holding her brother's hand tightly.Her eyes were full of rage, her face frowning with resistance.She had refused to even look back when Mahendra had called her.

Today, the same girl was shouldering her brother's responsibilities like a mother.At 22, while other girls were busy with trivial pursuits, she stood firm beside her brother like a protective shield.

Nikunj Residence

One side of the bed was piled high with clothes, and on the other side, Sia was creating a storm because it was Radha's birthday today—And according to her, she had nothing good to wear.

Despite the mountain of clothes hoping to catch her attention, she shouted to Yamuna ji from the room:"Maa, what should I wear to Radha's party? I have nothing to wear!"

Yamuna ji, kneading dough in the kitchen, replied:"Didn't we buy you three new outfits just last month? What happened to those?"

Sia stormed into the kitchen:"Those are formal clothes, Maa! Not party wear!"

Yamuna ji said,**"And what about the dress I got you for your birthday? You wore Chandrika's outfit that day instead."

Sia pouted:"But Maa, that gown is too heavy! And I don't have matching sandals!"

Yamuna ji:"Then wear a different pair. The gown is floor-length—no one will even see your shoes!"

Sia, irritated:"Maa, you're sounding so middle-class again. Just give me ₹2000. I'll buy a new dress."

Yamuna ji:"That's because we are middle-class. And we must stretch our feet only as far as the blanket allows. Your father's salary won't come for another 15 days, and there are bills, groceries, and expenses to manage. ₹2000 isn't possible right now."

Sia, frustrated:"Maa, you're so stingy! Radha's mom always gets her new clothes and sandals!"

Yamuna ji raised the ladle:"Remember your manners. A mother is like a friend—not your friend. And Radha's mom shops at Sarojini Nagar. Your clothes are from branded malls, bought with your father's hard-earned money. Be grateful for what you have—food, clothes, and a roof over your head—because many sleep hungry and half-naked on the streets."

Realizing there was no point in arguing further, Sia stormed back into her room.

A while later, Kabir arrived dressed up and asked Yamuna ji,"Maa, where's Sia?"

Yamuna ji, stirring vegetables, replied,"In her room."

Kabir sniffed the air and asked,"Did you make jalebi, Maa?"

Yamuna ji smiled,"Yes, sit. I'll bring some."

Kabir sat at the dining table. Yamuna ji brought jalebi and water and sat beside him.She asked,"Tell me how it tastes."

Taking a bite, Kabir exclaimed,"Mmmmmm… So tasty, Maa! No one in this universe can make better jalebi than you!"

Yamuna ji smiled slightly and asked hesitantly:"Son, how is Raghav?"

Kabir replied while chewing:"He's fine. I just talked to him yesterday."

Yamuna ji, with some hesitation, asked:"I heard Janhvi is also staying with him..."

Kabir paused and looked at her seriously:"Are you doubting Bhai?"

To be continued...