Eternal Souls

Chapter Twenty-Five: The Untold Story

Fifteen days had passed since Pallavi had returned to Kolhapur and resumed her medical studies. Life at the hospital had become a whirlwind of lectures, training sessions, and late-night study marathons. But amidst all the chaos, there was one constant in her life—Raghav. Despite her demanding schedule, Pallavi always found time for him, no matter how little.

Her friends at college had all gotten wind of her relationship with Raghav, thanks to his reputation and his occasional presence around the campus. It didn't take long for her friends to start teasing her about the 'handsome man' they had only heard of but rarely seen.

One afternoon, while sitting with her friends during a short break, Meera, one of her closest friends, nudged Pallavi. "So, Pallavi, when are we meeting this mysterious, handsome man of yours? You can't hide him forever!"

Pallavi blushed, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. "He's not mysterious, Meera. And he's been busy with work."

Another friend, Sneha, chimed in, "Yeah, yeah, that's what they all say. But girl, from the pictures we've seen online, Raghav Rao is *fine*!"

Pallavi bit her lip, trying to suppress her smile, but she couldn't help it. She had told Raghav not to visit her too often, partly because of her own insecurities and partly because her friends couldn't stop drooling over him. "Stop it, you guys. It's not like that," Pallavi tried to wave off their teasing, but inside, she was secretly delighted.

She had never felt this way before—giddy, happy, and cherished. Raghav's presence in her life had become more than just a casual relationship. In the short time they spent together, she felt like they were growing closer with each passing day.

---

That evening, as the sun began to set, Pallavi found herself sitting by the riverside with Raghav. It had become their little tradition—escaping from the busy streets of Kolhapur to enjoy the peaceful view of the river. The soft breeze ruffled Pallavi's hair as she glanced over at Raghav, who was staring out at the water, deep in thought.

"Raghav?" Pallavi's voice broke the comfortable silence between them.

"Hmm?" Raghav turned to her, his eyes locking with hers.

"I've been meaning to ask you something," Pallavi began cautiously. "I know a lot about who you are now, but... I don't really know much about your past. How did you... become Raghav Rao, the businessman?"

Raghav leaned back, exhaling slowly. He had always known this conversation would come, but it didn't make it any easier. "It's not a story I tell often, Pallavi," he said softly.

Pallavi reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. "I want to know, Raghav. No judgments, I promise."

He took a moment, then began, "It all started when I was in college. I was working for a diamond merchant at the time. It wasn't glamorous—it was just a way to make some money while studying. But I was young and ambitious... and desperate to get out of the financial struggles my family had been through."

Pallavi listened intently, her gaze fixed on Raghav.

"At first, I was just running errands. But then, I got pulled into the world of smuggling," Raghav confessed. "I started smuggling diamonds for this merchant, avoiding taxes, cutting corners... It was dangerous, but it paid well. And after two years, I had made some powerful contacts in the smuggling world."

Pallavi's eyes widened, but she didn't interrupt him.

"By the time I was in my third year of college, I had built up enough connections to start smuggling on my own. That's when Farhad came into the picture. He was my junior, my roommate, and soon became my right-hand man. Together, we smuggled diamonds and made a name for ourselves. It wasn't long before I had enough money to open my first jewelry store."

Raghav paused, a shadow passing over his face. "But it wasn't just about the money anymore. I had built a reputation. People respected me... or feared me. I became the 'Don' of Hyderabad. But with that title came enemies—people who wanted me gone."

Pallavi's heart ached for him. She could see the weight of his past in his eyes, the guilt he still carried. "And Amma?" she asked gently.

"Amma never approved of what I did," Raghav admitted, his voice heavy with regret. "She hated that I was involved in illegal activities. She moved out and distanced herself from me, even though I tried to explain that it was all for the family. But after Arjun's death... things between Amma and me were never the same."

Pallavi nodded slowly, understanding the pain that had driven him to his decisions. "But you stopped smuggling, right?"

"I did," Raghav confirmed. "After I established my empire, I found ways to go legitimate. But the damage was already done. I lost Amma and Kirti because of my choices, and it wasn't until you came into my life that things started to change. You made Amma see me differently."

Pallavi's heart swelled with emotion. She could see now how deeply Raghav had been hurt by his past, but she also saw how far he had come.

"Raghav," she whispered, her hand still in his. "You've been through so much... But you've built a life for yourself, and you're trying to make things right. That's what matters."

Raghav looked at her, his expression softening. "You're the reason I've started to see things differently, Pallavi. You make me want to be better."

Pallavi smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I'm glad you told me. I know now that I was right about you all along."

They sat there in comfortable silence, the river flowing peacefully beside them. Despite the heavy conversation, Pallavi felt lighter. Raghav had shared a piece of his soul with her, and in return, she felt her feelings for him deepen even more.

As the evening wore on and the stars began to twinkle in the sky, Pallavi couldn't help but think about how far they had come — and how much further they could go together.