Love Story

Chapter 2

Their trance broke after a while. Pallavi stood tall, her body trembling with suppressed anger. Slap! Raghav stood stunned, his cheek stinging from the unexpected blow. "I saved your life. How dare you?" he exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief. "Saved my life? Your actions put my life in danger," Pallavi shot back. "I should have let him kill you. You are so ungrateful," Raghav seethed with anger. Pallavi's face flushed with a mix of fury and hurt. "Go away!" she spat, her voice quivering, and turned towards the emporium. "Huh! As if I am dying to be near you," Raghav retorted, his words laced with bitterness. With that, he turned his back and departed.

Unbeknownst to them, a keen observer had been silently watching their heated exchange. A person in the shadows, concealed from their awareness, held a phone to their ear, listening intently. "Yes, everything is fine here".

Pallavi sought solace within herself, consoling her wounded spirit. Glancing at the clock—6:15 pm—it marked the end of an exhausting day. She briefed the attendants about unfinished tasks, ensuring everything was addressed before heading home.

Pallavi swiftly entered her room, evading her vahini's notice. She couldn't bring herself to lie, knowing it would only deepen her sister-in-law's concern. She decided to freshen up, allowing the cool water to cleanse her both physically and emotionally. In that moment, she momentarily shed the weight of her worries. Drying herself off, Pallavi wore a new set of clothes, glancing at her reflection with a mix of determination and vulnerability. With a deep breath, she emerged from her room.

Pallavi... your bhau will be arriving in a few minutes. Could you please help him with the goods?" requested Disha. "Ha vahini," Pallavi responded, acknowledging the task at hand.

Stepping out of her house, Pallavi's gaze fell upon a group of people carrying furniture into the neighboring home. Assuming them to be new tenants, she made a mental note to approach them the following day. However, as she observed the scene, her eyes were inexplicably drawn to a figure that stood out from the rest.

Approaching him with a mix of surprise and anger, Pallavi couldn't contain her outburst. "You? What are you doing here? Did you follow me? How dare you?" Her voice echoed with a blend of disbelief and indignation. Raghav, standing his ground, responded in a sarcastic tone, "Oy hello. Do you think of yourself as some kind of heroine to have stalkers? I am shifting here, that's why I'm here."

Pallavi was taken aback, struggling to process the reality of Raghav's presence in this place. Her mind raced, contemplating the potential consequences of his arrival. She couldn't fathom the magnitude of chaos he might create. "No! You can't stay here. God knows what new trouble you will create for me!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with anxiety and frustration.

Defiantly, Raghav fired back, asserting his right to be wherever he pleased. "For your information, India is a free country. I can stay wherever I please. You're not the owner, nor my mother, to dictate where I can or cannot stay."

Pallavi remained speechless as Raghav spoke, "Our paths are different . I won't cross yours nor will I acknowledge your existence. So, leave me alone. Goodbye!" With a mix of anger and disbelief, she watched him walk away.

Pallavi stood there in her thoughts. The blaring of a car horn broke her trance, signalling her brother's arrival. Assisting him with the luggage, Pallavi managed to compose herself. After sharing a tense dinner, she retreated to her room, her thoughts still in turmoil. Raghav's audacity lingered, fueling her determination to guard her peace.