The evening was a mix of relief and unresolved tensions after the fire incident that had rocked the Luthra household. The family had gathered in the living room, trying to return to some semblance of normalcy. Laughter echoed through the room, though it masked the underlying strains of the day's Chaos.
Anika, with a mischievous grin, couldn’t resist teasing Palki. “Why did you make everyone cry earlier, and now you’re laughing yourself?”
Karan, always the peacemaker, smiled warmly at Palki. “Keep smiling always, Palki. It’s good for you.”
Palki, with a soft chuckle, replied, “Even Shaurya says that.” There was a hint of affection in her tone, a subtle indication of how much Shaurya’s opinion mattered to her.
Raajveer, protective of his *bhabhi*, interjected. “Anika, don’t tease her too much. She’s been through a lot.”
Anika, with a teasing tone, shot back, “She’s my sister, I can say anything I want.”
Palki, playfully but with a hint of seriousness, added, “You’ve troubled me a lot today. But now, Raajveer is with me.”
Kavya, joining in the light-hearted banter, reminisced. “You used to say that Palki wouldn’t be worried as long as Raajveer was around, even if he is a bit ‘jhalla’—but he has a good heart.”
Raajveer, a bit taken aback, protested, “You called me ‘jhalla’?”
Anika, taking charge, announced, “We should head home now.”
Karan, a bit firm, insisted that Raajveer drop them off. “I’ll get angry if you insist on going by yourself. Ask Palki if you don’t believe me.”
Palki intervened, reassuring them, “He’s not angry. He just wants to make sure we’re safe.”
Anika, with a smirk, added, “Shaurya must have gone soft on you. That’s why you’re so sweet now.”
Raajveer laughed and chimed in, “Shaurya Bhai is just like me.”
Karan, with a hint of pride, countered, “No, he’s like me.”
As the conversation died down, Shaurya entered the room. His gaze fixed on Palki, his mood visibly shifting
Karan, noticing Shaurya’s entrance, suggested, “Let’s leave them alone. Shaurya’s here.”
The family members quietly exited the room, leaving Palki and Shaurya alone. Palki, despite the tension, managed a smile as she greeted Shaurya.
Shaurya’s expression, however, was far from warm. “Thank you for saving me from the fire,” Palki said softly.
Shaurya’s voice was cold as he responded, “You need to take care of yourself. I can’t always be there to save you. Don’t expect me to.”
Palki, taken aback by his harshness, tried to understand his frustration. “Shaurya…”
Shaurya, frustrated, continued, “You’re laughing like it was some adventure. I have to suffer because of you. You need to take care of yourself. I have my own life too.”
Palki’s heart sank as she processed his words. Shaurya, now more agitated, left the room.
Raajveer, having dropped Anika off, was back at the mansion. Anika thanked him but was met with an unexpected request.
Raajveer, a bit offended, demanded, “I want respect, not insult. Do you really like me or not?”
Anika, caught off guard, offered him money instead of respect. “Here, take this. It’s from Chacha for the taxi driver.”
YOU ARE READING
The Second Chance
FanfictionThis touching story follows Shaurya, a single father who struggles to fully love his daughter, Roohi, because she reminds him of his late wife. Roohi becomes attached to Palki, a kind woman who brings warmth and love into their lives.As Shaurya face...
