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“Finally!” I exclaim. “This is great news, Krish. I’m genuinely happy for you.”
He smiles back, but that’s when I decide to playfully mess with him.
“Actually, Krish, I was just thinking that when you express your feelings to Trisha, make sure you tell her everything—school crushes, college flings, the whole package, okay? Don’t hide anything from her. It’s good for you in the long run.”
Krish’s expression shifts from confusion to curiosity.
“Why would you say that?” he asks.
“You forgot what Trisha said the other day when I asked her how she would react if she were in Meher’s place?” I remind him about our recent conversation with Trisha. “Remember I had asked her what would she do if she had been in Meher’s shoes and known that I was hiding the fact that Vishnu is her half-brother?”
Krish goes into thinking mode, and I can see the realisation dawning on him. He probably recalls Trisha’s exact reply to that question —‘I would have delivered one swift kick between his legs for hurting me by not sharing such crucial information about my family.’
His reaction is priceless. Krish freezes in his spot, and I can’t help but burst into laughter.
“Shut up, don’t scare me off, Ayaan,” he protests, playfully punching my chest. “This is not helping me. I never scared you like this when you proposed to Meher. Or rather, when she proposed and you rejected her before accepting her later… or whatever.”
I manage to compose myself, realising I am needlessly adding to his already nervous state.
“Relax, Krish. I was just pulling your leg. I’m really happy that you’ve found a soulmate in Trisha. She’s a good woman, and she definitely likes you more than she shows.”
“You think so, too, right?” Krish blushes. “She’s given me many subtle hints, and I don’t want to overlook them anymore. She likes me, and I like her. We like each other. So yeah, it’s high time I confess my feelings to her.” He takes a deep breath, prepping himself to take this step.
“All the best,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder. “She won’t reject you. I guarantee that.”
“Do you?” Krish’s eyes light up with hope. I playfully punch his chest again.
“Yes, now go. Don’t make Trisha wait. I see she’s looking at us.”
Krish again starts adjusting his hair.
“Stop being so self-conscious, Krish. Your hair is just fine. Now go,” I urge him, turning him towards Trisha.
Their eyes meet, and I notice a confused smile on Trisha’s face, probably wondering about Krish’s odd behaviour. As Krish walks towards her, keeping his fingers crossed, I turn around to check on Meher again.
She’s in the middle of an animated conversation with the ladies of her family, but her eyes find mine as though she knows I am looking at her. She winks at me mischievously, making me exhale loudly at her cute antics. I long to be with her.Alone. However, Aksh diverts her with some last-minute tasks, and she rushes back to Devika again. I sigh, knowing she is too busy now and having her all to myself will have to wait.
Gone are the days when I had her all for myself on our honeymoon in Austria four months ago. That chapter has been etched in my heart forever. Those two weeks were the best of our lives, filled with joyful mischief, shared laughter and lots of love. One particularly memorable moment was our whimsical game of strip chess, a playful throwback to an earlier time, and just like before, it ended up half-played. The allure of each other’s presence proved too distracting, making it impossible to focus on the game. We struggled to concentrate on the game as we couldn’t resist the temptation of watching each other shed layers, piece by piece. Stripped down to nothing, we couldn’t resist the magnetic pull between us and ended up making passionate love right there on the floor before the cosy bonfire, with the snow falling outside the chalet, celebrating our love.
Meher fell in love with the chalet that held a treasure trove of memories from my childhood, a place where Geeta Aunty, Dad and I had once created precious moments together. I shared pictures of my childhood with her, introduced her to my friends, strolled through the enchanting streets and visited the charming pubs. However, most of our time, we were locked up in the warmth of the chalet’s bedroom, making love…lots of love…but nonetheless, it was never enough. Each stolen moment of passion left us craving more, a hunger that was never fully satiated.
As I was reminiscing about the details of our honeymoon, I sensed a shift in the air, courtesy, my intuition. I turn to look at the door, and Raghav’s entry into the bustling room catches my attention. He seems somewhat nervous, glancing around as if he’s unsure about his place in this festive atmosphere. Raghav had just finished his therapy and had returned from rehab a week ago. Dad and I had invited him to stay at Shergill Mansion until he figured out his next steps, but he declined, opting to stay in his preferred accommodation away from the chaos of Mumbai city. We were sceptical about whether he would even accept the invitation to be a part of this event today, but seeing him here makes me happy. I go to him, weaving through the crowd until I reach his side.
He appears different, a bit more composed, yet still retaining that air of mystery I’ve always associated with him. Throughout Raghav’s rehabilitation process, I kept in regular touch with his counsellors to stay informed about his progress and to monitor his mental health. The counsellors provided me with thorough updates on every aspect of his journey, and I understood the challenges he had to face to overcome them. However, what stands out is Raghav’s admirable determination to travel on a path of self-discovery, willingly shedding the layers of his past life and wholeheartedly welcoming the prospect of a new beginning. His strength in the face of challenges is truly impressive. However, I know that transitioning won’t be easy for him, given the uncertainty of where and how to start afresh. Raghav carries an overwhelming burden of repression and anger when realising he has been supporting the wrong side all along, unaware of his father’s true nature. He is angry at himself for letting someone else dictate his life so far. The counsellors have mentioned that, with time, he will adapt and be able to lead a normal life free from the shadows of his past.
His diamond business in South Africa, the only legal venture owned by the Khuranas, is now managed by a close team, and Raghav has expressed his wish to sell the company. He is determined to sever all ties that connect him to the Khurana tag. After selling the business, Raghav plans to donate the entire proceeds to various charitable organisations, orphanages and elderly care homes. He is determined not to keep a single penny from his past ventures, even if they were legal.
“Hey,” I greet him with a friendly smile. “You made it.”
He nods, a mix of gratitude and uncertainty in his eyes. “Yeah, I thought I should be here. I don’t know why, though. I’m not someone who fits into all of this,” he says, glancing around. “I’ve never attended these kinds of events in my life ever.”
“I understand,” I say. “However, these changes will soon become your new normal. Embracing a new life is a significant step, and what better way to begin it than by attending the naming ceremony of a newborn, embarking on her own journey?” I suggest, sensing that he understands the underlying sentiment. “Come on in,” I invite, guiding him indoors directly to Dad, who was equally eager to meet him, or maybe more than I was.
I am still coming to terms with the fact that I have a brother who was previously absent from my life, lost in the horrors of the past, but is now on a journey of redemption.
I can’t help but notice Meher glancing our way from time to time. Her eyes seem to convey a mix of curiosity and concern, but she remains engaged in the ongoing conversations around her. She’s aware of my concern for Raghav, although I know that he can handle things independently and doesn’t require any additional help from me.
“Raghav,” Dad smiles happily upon seeing him as we approach. “It’s great to see you. How were your counselling sessions? You look well, which indicates they’ve made a positive impact.”
