The night sky was calm, and the stars twinkled above as Shaurya and Palki stood on the balcony, sipping their coffee. The cold breeze caressed their faces as they shared a quiet moment. Shaurya broke the silence first, looking at her with a smirk.
“Stop praising me so much,” he said with a playful tone.
Palki smiled back. “But it's true. You’ve supported me since day one.” She paused, reminiscing, “Do you remember when you first came to my house? Anika saw you and immediately said, ‘He’s so handsome.’”
Shaurya raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And what did you think?”
Palki, looking away shyly, replied, “Nothing much. But... there was this feeling—like a connection between us. Not from this life, but from many past lives. That’s why we met, and that's why we are together now.”
She turned to leave, but Shaurya wasn’t done with their conversation. He grabbed her pallu gently, stopping her in her tracks. he stared into her eyes.
“Wait,” he whispered. “You can’t leave just yet. You have to tell me everything.”
Palki gave him a puzzled look. “What do you mean by ‘everything’?”
“Anything,” Shaurya replied, his voice soft and sincere. “I just like hearing you talk. It brings me peace.”
Palki chuckled. “Most people get compliments on their looks, but you’re complimenting me on how I talk.”
Shaurya grinned. “So? Keep talking. I’m listening.”
She looked into his eyes. “Don’t stare at me like that. It makes me feel… strange.”
He leaned in closer. “Do you feel peace when I talk to you?”
Palki blushed. “Should I copy you or say something original?”
“Original,” he said with a smile.
Palki’s gaze softened as she replied, “When you talk, I feel your presence, your existence in my life.”
Shaurya seemed pleased with her words. “Now that’s a compliment.”
“Isn’t it?” Palki teased.
Shaurya wasn’t finished. “Come on, keep going. Tell me something else. Let’s play a game. Who do you like the most?”
Palki grinned. “Bau ji.”
Shaurya pouted playfully. “No, no, no. Someone else.”
“My sisters.”
“Not your blood relatives,” Shaurya pressed. “Who do you like the most in our house?”
“Mummy ji,” Palki answered promptly.
Shaurya, getting slightly frustrated, pushed further. “Leaving everyone else aside, who do you like more: Raajveer or me?”
Without missing a beat, Palki replied, “I like Raajveer more than you.”
Shaurya looked shocked. “What? You’re so strange! You like everyone except me?”
Raajveer, who had quietly walked in, stood nearby, overhearing their playful banter. He smiled but remained unnoticed.
Palki smirked and looked Shaurya in the eyes. “I don’t like you.”
Shaurya looked confused. “You don’t?”
“No,” she said softly. “You are in me—my identity, my soul. That’s why I don’t just like you. I love you.”
With that, she wrapped her arms around Shaurya and hugged him tightly. Shaurya hesitated, not expecting the sudden confession, but then slowly placed his hands on her back, holding her close.
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...
