Not knowing was killing him. He knew that he had unsettled Divya with his brooding. Well, she wouldn't have the slightest idea as to what was eating him up, and he couldn't just blurt it out. If she realised what he was thinking, and if he was wrong, she would think he had lost his marbles, imagining himself to be her one great love. He didn't want to confuse her feelings for him. But... he had to know!He paced the living room, impatient to get a little time to himself so that he could make the much-needed phone call. If anyone would know the critical details of what had happened to him that Diwali season thirteen years ago, Omkara and Aditya had the inside track. They'd been with him from the start to the end of the vacation, and they had told him nothing worth mentioning had happened during the trip. Is there any point in asking them again? What is he going to lose anyway?The sculptures set along the corner Divya had set up to do the pooja caught his eyes, and he stopped, struck b
"This is the final round, Drishti," Vihaan warned as he set up the game board again."You're just jealous that I've been winning all the games so far," Drishti crowed proudly."Yeah, by cheating," Vihaan said, and Drishti rolled her eyes as if it wasn't a big deal.They had played three rounds of Snake and Ladder and two rounds of Ludo at Drishti's insistence. Drishti had won all the games, using her sneaky tricks to avoid the snakes and win at Ludo.He looked tired. He had been rather quiet, almost distant, all evening, only responding to Drishti's demands.Divya hoped he wasn't too tired to stay up with her after Drishti went to bed. It had been an active day filled with swimming, windsurfing, drawing rangolis, decorating the house, and setting up the pooja room. Besides, he couldn't have had much sleep last night as he had been up early with Drishti this morning. What would she do if he suggested they retire early?"It's Diwali tomorrow, Vihaan Uncle. I'm too excited to go to bed,"
Tears streamed down Drishti's cheeks, but she seemed unaware of them. She was still staring at Vihaan, her desperate plea for him to make things right for her evident in her gaze. Twisting the hem of her nightshirt, her open hair hung around her face, giving her a bedraggled appearance. She looked like a lost little waif, and Divyanshi wanted to gather her child in her arms and hug her insecurities away. However, it was to Vihaan that her daughter looked for what she needed now, and Divya held herself back. It was up to him to answer his daughter, to answer all the questions now.Yet, Vihaan looked as lost as Drishti, struck by the realisation of all she might have overheard - the role her adoptive parents had played in taking her from Divyanshi, in preventing Vihaan from knowing about his fatherhood, ensuring he didn't reunite with her mother, and keeping the knowledge of her real parentage from her. The world they had known had been torn up, and the pieces couldn't be put togethe
Drishti walked to the front door, pausing before making her exit, sweeping them both with another grin, her eyes twinkling like stars. "Happy Diwali," she called out. Then off she went down the hallway singing.As Drishti went out of sight, Vihaan's hands slid around Divyaa, turning her around to face him, making her heart flutter wildly. "Thank you. Thank you for being you, for having my child and giving her to me. But above everything else, thank you for waiting for me, Diya.""Oh Vihaan," Relief gushed through her. The love in his voice was unmistakable. "I'm sorry I gave up on you. I...""No..." He placed a finger on her lips, hushing the stream of regret. "I was wrong. You don't have anything to answer for. God knows I've seen enough, been with you enough to appreciate, in some small measure, how it's been for you. I'm sorry I got so screwed up about being left out.""Well, at least I'm not too young for you anymore."He frowned, pained by the reminder."I don't know that you eve
5 years later.Diya draped her saree and was about to wear the sindoor when a hand caught hers, stopping her. Vihaan took the box of vermilion from her with a charming smile."Do I have to remind you every day that this is my haqq biwi?" Vihaan asked as he took the vermilion between his thumb and forefinger and applied it on her partition."I thought you would be busy downstairs with preparations," Diya said, smiling contentedly."I'm never too busy for you, love," Vihaan said as he snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her against his chest."Vihaan, what are you doing?? Someone will come. We have lots of work to do," Diya said, trying to wriggle out of his hold."No one will come, and all works are done. The house is all set for Diwali," Vihaan said before bending down and pecking her on her lips.Vihaan caressed her exposed waist with his fingers, earning a light moan from Diya."Vihaan. It's morning.""So?? Do I have to wait till night to love my wife??"Diya wound her arms ar
Shravan Maheswari was having breakfast with his family in their ancestral haveli in Jodhpur. To say that he is here under sufferance will be an understatement. His mother had literally dragged him here, kicking and screaming, when he is supposed to be in Bangalore working on an important business deal.Why Bangalore?? Is that what you people are wondering??From Jodhpur to Bangalore, it has been really a long journey. Not just literally!!His grandfather Tej Maheswari is the wealthiest landowner in Jodhpur and belongs to one of the oldest royal families here.His father Pratap Maheswari wanted to make a name of his own and so after his studies he had started a business of his own and shifted to Mumbai.Mumbai is where his mother is from.Dad met mom, sparks flew, they got married and it resulted in him and his two siblings.And as he grew up his father became his inspiration and he decided to follow his footsteps.So instead of taking over Maheshwari Textiles, he made his own empi
Drishti Singhania was pacing the room like a caged tiger.Damn!! she muttered under her breath.She just hopes everything will be alright and she could escape from here without any harm.Her phone rang at that exact moment and when she saw the caller ID she sighed in relief.About time he called, she thought.She picked up the call on the second ring."I have been waiting and waiting for God knows how long," she said to the person on the other end of the phone aka her best friend Siddharth Agnihotri. In short Siddhu."Don't exaggerate. It has been only ten minutes since my last call," he said and she can literally see him rolling his eyes at her. He always does that."Whatever, Siddharth Agnihotri. What's the status now?? Is everything set there?" She asked straight to the point."Yeah almost. Kiara bhabhi went ballistic when she realised she was being kidnapped. Now she is getting calm and listening to bhai. We are on the way to the airport. D?? I think it's better we come and pick y
"What???" Shravan gaped at his grandfather in horror Had he lost it finallyIs old age catching up with him at this most unfortunate time"You heard me""You must be crazy if you think I'm going to go through with this" Shravan muttered in disbelief "Bauji. You are not thinking this through clearly. Marriage is not a decision to be taken hastily. It's their life" Pratap Maheswari said trying to appeal to his fatherBut Tej Maheswari was having none of it"Kiara is a very nice girl" Tej said"Who is Kiara??" Shravan asked "The girl you are going to marry" Tej said confidently "The girl you want me to marry?? I'm not marrying anyone dadu" Shravan said in exasperation"So you will stand by and watch your dadu bow down his head in shame?? You wouldn't do anything to safeguard his honor??" Tej asked looking straight into his eyes"That's emotional blackmailing dadu. You know it very well""Are you willing to protect and safeguard the Maheswari honor Shravan??" Tej asked and Shravan kn