Bound by Fate: A Journey of Hearts

CHAPTER 16

It was decided that Ananya would marry Ishaan the next day — the same day she had been supposed to marry Ritwik. The decision had been sudden, and while everyone was trying to cope with the shift, Ananya was still processing everything.

She sat quietly in the hotel’s café with her elder cousin brother, Shiva, his wife, Pragya, and their little son, Niam. The toddler’s innocent antics were a small comfort amidst the emotional chaos she was feeling, and Ananya found herself smiling softly as she played with him.

Niam, with his infectious laughter, crawled into her lap and reached for her face with his tiny hands. His giggles made her smile for the first time in what felt like ages. Pragya and Shiva, sitting nearby, exchanged relieved glances, happy to see her momentarily distracted from the heavy burden she was carrying.

What Ananya didn’t know, however, was that by this time, Ishaan and his parents were already aware of a secret she had deliberately kept hidden from her family. They knew that it was Ananya who had saved Ishaan’s life during the terror attack at the international conference where she had gone to present her paper.

While most of her family and relatives knew only the vague details about the attack, none of them, including Ananya herself, knew that the injured man she had saved was none other than Ishaan, who had been leading the NSG team during the assault.

That day, when the rocket propeller device had hit Ishaan, it had been Ananya’s quick thinking and courage that had kept him alive. She hadn’t told her family the details, choosing not to worry them about the danger she had faced. And Ishaan and his parents, though grateful beyond words, had also kept the information to themselves, not even revealing it to Ananya.

For Ishaan’s mother, this had only deepened her admiration for the brave young woman who was now going to become her daughter-in-law. She had felt an immediate bond with Ananya, knowing that this courageous girl had unknowingly saved her son’s life. Both she and Ishaan had quietly accepted the idea of Ananya marrying Ishaan with a sense of gratitude and respect that went far beyond what Ananya could understand.

Meanwhile, unknown to Ananya, something serious was unfolding in another part of the hotel. A staff member had seen a young woman trying to commit suicide after being dumped by her fiancé. Word spread quickly, and someone mistakenly told Ananya’s relatives that it was her.

Panic gripped the family.

“Ishaan! It’s Ananya! She’s trying to—” someone shouted, sending shockwaves through the gathering.

Ishaan, his parents, and Ananya’s family rushed frantically through the hotel, hearts pounding with fear and dread. They couldn’t afford to lose her now, not after everything that had happened. Ishaan’s mind raced, the thought of her in such a state unbearable.

When they reached the scene, they were relieved to find that it wasn’t Ananya, but the relief was fleeting. If it wasn’t her, then where was she? Worry turned to panic again as they scattered through the hotel, searching desperately for her. Ishaan’s fear mounted, thinking she might have isolated herself in her grief.

When they reached the café, they saw Shiva, Pragya, and little Niam sitting there. But there was no sign of Ananya. Panic surged through Ishaan again.

“Where’s Ananya? Have you seen her?” Ishaan asked urgently, his voice tight with anxiety.

Pragya looked up, a little confused. “She was just here moments ago, but she went to the washroom.”

The tension didn’t ease as everyone exchanged worried looks, their minds racing. They waited, with every second feeling like an eternity. Ishaan’s heart pounded, unable to shake the fear that something was wrong.

Finally, after what felt like an unbearable stretch of time, Ananya returned. She walked back to the café, a bit startled to see everyone looking so on edge. She frowned in confusion, still drying her hands with a tissue.

“Is everything okay?” she asked, her eyes scanning the worried faces of her family and Ishaan.

The collective sigh of relief was almost audible. Ishaan’s shoulders relaxed, though he still looked slightly shaken.

“We thought something had happened to you,” Ishaan admitted quietly, his gaze softening as he looked at her.

Ananya blinked, still holding the tissue. “No, I’ve just been here with Shiva bhaiya and Pragya bhabhi, trying to get some peace.”

As the tension in the air finally began to dissipate, Ishaan’s parents exchanged knowing glances. For them, the bond with Ananya grew even stronger. She had saved their son’s life once, and now, she was becoming part of their family. It felt like fate was weaving a connection beyond what anyone could have imagined.

Ananya’s mother rushed forward, pulling her into a tight, emotional hug. Her arms wrapped around her daughter as though she was afraid of letting go. Tears welled up in her eyes as she buried her face in Ananya’s shoulder.

“Beta, we were so scared,” her mother’s voice cracked, trembling with emotion. “Someone said that a girl... tried to take her life, and we thought it was you.”

Ananya’s eyes widened in shock, her heart sinking as she realized the gravity of the situation. She blinked, trying to process what her mother had just said. She pulled back slightly from the hug, looking into her mother’s tear-filled eyes.

“I’m so sorry I worried you, Ma,” Ananya said softly, her voice thick with guilt. “But I would never... I would never do something like that.”

Her mother’s grip tightened on her arms as if to steady herself. “Promise me, Ananya. Promise me you won’t even think of doing something like that. I can’t lose you, beta,” she pleaded, her voice breaking again. “I know everything that’s happened is overwhelming, and I know you’re hurting... but...”

Ananya shook her head quickly, cutting off her mother’s words. “Ma, I promise. I’d never do that. I accept that I’m upset... I’m not in the right frame of mind, but I would never take such a step.”

Her mother’s shoulders trembled, and a few tears slipped down her cheeks. Ananya could see how frightened her mother had been, and it hurt her deeply to know that she had caused this kind of worry, even if unintentionally.

“I love you too much to ever do that,” Ananya added softly, placing her hand over her mother’s. “I know things have been difficult, but I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be okay... eventually.”

Her mother nodded, still holding her tightly as if trying to absorb the reassurance Ananya was giving her. “I just... I don’t want to lose you, beta. You’ve always been so strong... but I know this isn’t easy.”

“I know, Ma,” Ananya said gently, brushing her mother’s tears away. “I’m trying to cope with everything... it’s hard, but I’ll get through this.”

The rest of the family, who had been standing nearby watching the emotional exchange, finally exhaled. Ishaan, who had been standing quietly, found a sense of relief wash over him. He had been afraid Ananya might have retreated too far into her pain, but hearing her speak so resolutely soothed his fears.

Ananya’s father walked over and placed a hand on her head, his expression softening. “We’re all here for you, beta,” he said quietly, his voice gruff but filled with warmth. “You’re not alone in this.”

Ananya looked at her family, the people who cared so deeply about her, and felt a strange sense of calm settle in her heart. Despite everything that had happened, she knew that she had a strong support system around her, and she wasn’t as alone as she had felt in the moments of pain and confusion.

She gave her mother a gentle squeeze. “I promise, I’m going to be okay,” she said again, her voice steady.

The air in the room lightened as her family, one by one, came forward to express their relief and love. Ishaan, watching from the side, couldn’t help but admire Ananya’s quiet strength, knowing the storm she was facing.