RESTART

chapter 10

As Jeevika lay in bed that night, the soft hum of the ceiling fan and the warmth of Abhiman beside her could do little to ease her troubled mind. The evening had been simple, full of street food and playful moments, but it also reminded her of how far she had come—and the dark path that had led her here.

In her past life, everything had seemed so clear at first. She had been set to marry Abhiman, the man everyone said was perfect for her, but Jiya—her so-called best friend—had poisoned her mind. Jiya had told her that Abhiman was a playboy, a man who would never care for her. And trusting Jiya, the one person she had always leaned on, Jeevika had run away from the wedding, leaving Abhiman and her family behind.

But five years later, the truth came crashing down on her. Jiya had never been her friend. She had manipulated her, planted seeds of doubt, and all for her own selfish gain. Jiya had wanted Abhiman for herself, and she had used every lie and trick to make sure Jeevika stayed away from him.

The day Jeevika had returned, determined to confront Jiya and reclaim her life, was the day everything changed. Jiya, along with Jeevika’s stepmother and stepsister, had cornered her. They feared Jeevika would expose their lies, unraveling their carefully constructed web of deceit. In their desperation, they had killed her—ended her life without a second thought.

But fate had given her another chance. She had been reborn, brought back to the very day of her wedding. This time, Jeevika was not the same naive girl who had trusted blindly. She had been given a second life to rewrite her story, to protect herself from those who had betrayed her, and to ensure that they did not win again.

Now, as she lay there in the dark, with Abhiman sleeping peacefully beside her, Jeevika felt the weight of her mission press down on her chest. She had started this new life determined to exact her revenge, to make Jiya, her stepmother, and her stepsister pay for their crimes. But now that she was here—married to Abhiman, seeing the kindness in his eyes, and the way he genuinely cared for her—her heart was conflicted.

Would she let her need for revenge consume her? Or could she forge a new path, one where she could find both justice and peace?

Jeevika turned to look at Abhiman, his face relaxed in sleep. He wasn’t the playboy Jiya had painted him to be. He was kind, patient, and understanding—so different from what she had been led to believe. A pang of guilt twisted in her chest as she thought of how easily she had been deceived.

She needed to stay focused. Her new life was a second chance, but she couldn’t let her guard down. Jiya, her stepmother, and her stepsister were still out there, unaware that she had been given another chance. They didn’t know she remembered everything. And now, she had the upper hand.

Jeevika silently slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Abhiman. She made her way to the small desk in the corner of the room and sat down, pulling out a notepad. She began writing—planning. She knew she couldn’t confront them all at once, not yet. She had to be strategic. She would gather evidence, watch their movements, and slowly build her case. When the time was right, she would strike. But for now, she had to play her role as the dutiful wife and loving daughter-in-law.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden, vivid flash of memory. It was from the night of her murder. She saw Jiya standing over her, her face twisted with rage and jealousy. Her stepmother had held her arms down while her stepsister looked on coldly. The pain of betrayal was almost unbearable, even now, in this second life. But instead of fear, it fueled her resolve.

This time, they wouldn’t win. This time, she would see to it that justice was served, no matter the cost.

Jeevika’s mind churned with possibilities as she wrote down each detail she remembered from her past life—their weaknesses, their habits, their secrets. She was determined to make sure none of them escaped the consequences of their actions.

As she scribbled her final note, a wave of exhaustion washed over her. She glanced at the clock—it was well past midnight. With a deep breath, she closed the notepad and returned to bed, sliding carefully under the covers next to Abhiman.

She wasn’t the same Jeevika who had been so easily manipulated. Now, she was stronger, smarter, and ready to take control of her fate.

As she drifted off to sleep, she whispered to herself, “I will make sure they pay for what they’ve done.”

Tomorrow was a new day, and with it, the next step in her plan for revenge.

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