Eternal Souls

Chapter Fifteen: A New Beginning

The morning sunlight streamed through the mansion's large windows, casting a golden glow across the living room. Pallavi stood by the kitchen island, sipping her cup of tea, her mind drifting back to last night's conversation with Raghav. The vulnerability he had shown had touched her deeply. Beneath all the bravado and arrogance, Raghav Rao was a man carrying the weight of a painful past—a past he had kept locked away from everyone else.

As she gazed out at the peaceful garden, the sound of footsteps approaching pulled her from her thoughts. Raghav walked into the room, his usual swagger slightly more subdued. He looked well-rested, but there was a softness in his eyes that hadn't been there before.

"Good morning," Pallavi greeted with a smile.

"Good morning," Raghav replied, taking a seat at the counter. "How are you?"

"Fine," she replied, raising her cup. "Tea?"

Raghav shook his head, waving off the offer. "No, thanks. I'm more of a coffee guy."

The atmosphere between them felt lighter, more comfortable than ever before. Raghav, who usually guarded his emotions with an iron will, seemed to have let down some of his defenses.

"So," Pallavi said, leaning against the counter, "how do you feel after last night?"

Raghav's eyes met hers, and for a moment, he considered her question. "Honestly? I feel... lighter. Like I finally let go of something I've been carrying for too long."

Pallavi smiled warmly. "I'm glad. Sometimes, all it takes is talking to someone who's willing to listen."

Raghav's lips curled into a small smile. "You're not like anyone I've met before, Pallavi."

She shrugged, still smiling. "Well, I'm glad I could help. Everyone deserves to feel understood."

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of Farhad's arrival. He walked in with his usual energy, holding a stack of files in his hands.

"Anna, I've got the documents for the meeting today—" Farhad began, but then noticed the atmosphere in the room. He raised an eyebrow, sensing something had changed between the two.

Raghav cleared his throat, standing up. "Yeah, about that. I need to head out for a meeting soon. Farhad, stay with Pallavi until I get back."

Farhad's grin widened, as he caught the protective tone in Raghav's voice. "Oh? So much care for Pallavi, Anna? Should I be taking notes for future reference?"

Raghav shot him a glare, picking up a pen from the counter and throwing it playfully in Farhad's direction. "Shut up, idiot. And don't use that 'one-night stand' line around her."

Farhad dodged the pen, laughing. "Oh, I see! Protective, aren't we?"

Raghav stood up, looking embarrassed as Pallavi entered the room. "I have some work to do. I'll be back in a while," he muttered quickly, before escaping out the door.

Pallavi watched him leave, her brow raised in confusion. She turned to Farhad, who was still chuckling. "What was that all about?" she asked.

Farhad, in his usual light-hearted manner, waved his hand. "Nothing important. Just your dear Mr. Rao being his overprotective self."

Pallavi smiled, shaking her head. "He's an interesting man, your Anna."

Farhad grinned. "Oh, you don't know the half of it. But if you want to know his past... well, you'll have to ask him yourself. It's 'bro code,' you know."

Pallavi looked at him, amused. "Bro code? Really?"

Farhad nodded seriously, but with a teasing glint in his eye. "Absolutely. I can't share his secrets. But if you ask him, I'm sure he'll tell you. He's been more open with you than anyone else."

Pallavi's expression softened. She understood what Farhad meant. Raghav had already shared part of his past with her, and she could sense that there was still more beneath the surface.

As the afternoon wore on, Farhad returned to his work, and Pallavi found herself wandering around the mansion. She couldn't shake the feeling that Raghav's story was far from over, and she wanted to know more—not out of curiosity, but because she genuinely cared. His pain had become hers, and she wanted to help him heal.

Hours later, Raghav returned home. He looked around, slightly anxious, and found Pallavi sitting in the living room with a book in her hand. Farhad, who had been waiting for his cue to leave, approached Raghav with a mischievous smile.

"Did Pallavi eat?" Raghav asked casually, trying to keep his voice neutral.

Farhad, sensing another opportunity to tease his boss, smirked. "Yes, Anna. She did. You're really keeping an eye on her, huh? So much care..."

Before Farhad could finish, Raghav gave him a small push, chuckling. "Are you leaving now, or should I throw you out?"

Farhad grinned and started to walk out, laughing. "Ladki ke aane se dost ko bhool gaye. Fine, I'll leave. You two enjoy your evening!"

Raghav rolled his eyes, watching his friend run off. He shook his head before walking over to join Pallavi by the poolside.

"You're back," Pallavi said, smiling up at him.

"Yeah, just got back from the meeting," Raghav replied, sitting down beside her. He took a deep breath, letting the cool evening air calm his nerves.

They sat in silence for a moment before Pallavi spoke. "How was the meeting?"

"Same old," Raghav shrugged. "Business deals, negotiations... nothing too exciting."

Pallavi laughed lightly. "You really make your job sound so boring."

Raghav smiled, but his mind was elsewhere. After a pause, he looked at Pallavi, his expression serious. "You asked me last night about my past... there's more I want to tell you."

Pallavi turned to face him, her eyes filled with concern and curiosity. "You don't have to, Raghav. But if you want to, I'm here to listen."

Raghav exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I don't want to run anymore, Pallavi. I've been carrying this for so long... I'm afraid you'll hate me, like Amma and Kirti do. They think I'm responsible for everything that happened."

Pallavi reached out, placing her hand on his. "I won't judge you, Raghav. Not until I know the full story."

Raghav stared at her for a long moment before nodding. He took a deep breath and began to speak, his voice steady but filled with emotion. As he told her about the guilt that had haunted him for years, Pallavi listened intently, never once interrupting him.

When he finally finished, Raghav looked at her, his eyes brimming with vulnerability. "I didn't mean for any of it to happen. I just wanted to help..."

Pallavi's heart ached for him. She squeezed his hand gently, her voice soft but firm. "You were a kid, Raghav. You couldn't have known. You were just trying to do the right thing."

Raghav looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and disbelief. "You're the first person who's ever said that."

Pallavi smiled, her hand still on his. "Then maybe it's time someone did."

For the first time in years, Raghav felt a sense of peace wash over him. He wasn't alone anymore. Pallavi understood him in a way no one else ever had. And that was enough.

"Thank you, Pallavi," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

"Good night, Raghav," she said softly, standing up.

Raghav watched her walk away, his heart lighter than it had been in a long time. For the first time in years, he felt like he wasn't alone. And that was enough for now.