Shadows of Same Face

Chapter Two: The Kapoor Family

The Kapoor residence, a sprawling villa set amidst the vibrant heart of the city, was a place of understated luxury. The wide, open spaces and meticulously curated interiors reflected the refined tastes of its inhabitants. Unlike the opulence of the Bansal mansion, the Kapoor home exuded a warmth—a lived-in feeling that spoke of love, laughter, and an unbreakable bond.

Dhruv Kapoor, the eldest son of Anand and Anumita Kapoor, was sitting in the spacious living room, sipping on a glass of juice as he scrolled through his phone. His tall, athletic frame was relaxed, but his brow was furrowed in concentration. He had been engrossed in wedding preparations for weeks, and the constant barrage of calls and emails had taken its toll. Yet, despite the pressure, Dhruv’s thoughts often drifted to Nandini—the woman he was soon to marry, the one who made all the chaos worthwhile.

"Big brother, you’re going to wear yourself out before the wedding even starts,” came a teasing voice from the doorway.

Dhruv looked up to see his younger sister,Sneha, standing there with a mischievous grin. Sneha was the light of the Kapoor family, a bright, spirited 19-year-old whose energy filled every room she entered. Her long, dark hair fell over her shoulders in loose waves, and her eyes sparkled with mischief as she bounded into the room, dressed in a casual sundress that complimented her playful demeanor.

"Nehu" Dhruv groaned, rolling his eyes but smiling all the same. "Aren’t you supposed to be helping with something? Instead of just making fun of your poor brother?"

Sneha plopped down beside him on the couch, grabbing a pillow and hugging it to her chest. "I’m helping in my own way, by making sure you don’t turn into a boring old man before the big day."

Dhruv chuckled, shaking his head. "I’m hardly an old man. But I appreciate the effort."

"Good," Sneha said, nudging him with her elbow. "Because trust me, Nandini doesn’t want to marry a zombie. You need to relax and enjoy this time. It's your wedding!"

Dhruv’s smile softened at the mention of Nandini. "I know, I know. I just want everything to be perfect for her."

Sneha’s playful grin faltered for a moment as she studied her brother’s face. "You really love her, don’t you?"

Dhruv nodded, his gaze distant. "More than anything."

Sneha smiled, though a flicker of concern passed through her eyes. She knew her brother well—he was always so composed, always so sure of himself. But ever since the engagement, she had noticed a slight tension in him, a weariness that went beyond the usual stress of planning a wedding. Something about Nandini’s family, particularly her twin sister Tarini, seemed to weigh on him.

"Dhruv Bhaiya," Sneha began cautiously, "is everything okay? I mean, with Nandini and… Tarini? I’ve seen you get quiet whenever someone mentions her."

Dhruv hesitated for a moment before sighing. "It’s nothing, Nehu. Tarini is… complicated. She hasn’t exactly been supportive of the engagement, and it’s causing some strain between her and Nandini."

Sneha frowned. "Why? What’s her problem? Nandini’s great, and you two are perfect together. Tarini should be happy for her sister."

"It’s not that simple," Dhruv replied, leaning back into the couch. "I think Tarini feels like she’s being left behind, or overshadowed. Nandini’s always been the quiet one, the one who never sought the spotlight. But now, with the wedding, all the attention is on her. And Tarini... she thrives on attention."

Sneha shook her head, baffled. "That’s so selfish. Nandini deserves her moment. Tarini needs to get over herself."

"Maybe," Dhruv said, though his expression remained troubled. "But it’s more than that. I can’t explain it, but there’s something about Tarini... I can’t shake the feeling that she’s hiding something, something darker."

Before Sneha could respond, the sound of footsteps approaching signaled the arrival of their parents.

Anand Kapoor, a well-respected businessman with a calm, authoritative presence, entered the room first. His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed back, and his sharp, intelligent eyes scanned the room before settling on his children with a proud smile. He was a man who valued family above all else, and nothing made him prouder than seeing Dhruv and Sneha together.

"Dhruv, Sneha," Anand greeted warmly, taking a seat in the armchair across from them. "I hope you’re not overworking yourself, son. You’ll need all your energy for the big day."

Dhruv grinned. "Don’t worry, Dad. Nehu’s been making sure I don’t collapse from exhaustion."

Anumita Kapoor followed her husband into the room, her elegance radiating in every step. With her graceful movements and warm smile, she was the heart of the Kapoor family. Her kind eyes twinkled as she took in the sight of her children.

"Sneha, are you teasing your brother again?" Anumita asked, her tone light but affectionate.

"Always,my favourite job" Sneha replied with a cheeky grin. "Someone has to keep him grounded."

Anumita laughed softly, sitting down beside Anand. "I suppose that’s true. But Dhruv, your father is right. You need to take care of yourself. Everything will fall into place. You’ve done enough."

Dhruv nodded, though the worry in his eyes remained. "Thanks, Mom. I just want everything to be perfect for Nandini."

"It will be," Anand said, his voice steady and reassuring. "We’ve met her family, and they’re good people. The Bansals are as invested in this wedding as we are."

Anumita’s smile softened. "Speaking of the Bansals, I was thinking we could invite them over for dinner sometime before the wedding. It might help ease any tension with Tarini, if we can all spend more time together."

Sneha’s eyebrows shot up. "Dinner with Tarini? That should be fun," she muttered under her breath.

Anumita shot her daughter a warning look. "Sneha, behave."

Sneha shrugged. "I’m just saying, Tarini’s not exactly the warm-and-fuzzy type."

Dhruv exchanged a glance with his father, who nodded slightly, acknowledging the subtle tension that had begun to simmer around the wedding preparations. Anand cleared his throat and turned his attention back to Dhruv.

"Dhruv, if you’re worried about anything—anything at all—you know you can talk to us," Anand said, his tone firm but filled with care. "Marriage is a big step, and we want you to go into it with a clear mind and heart."

Dhruv smiled, grateful for his father’s support. "I know, Dad. And I will. It’s just... things with Tarini are a bit more complicated than I expected. But I’ll figure it out."

Anumita reached over and gently placed her hand on her son’s. "You’ve always been good at handling difficult situations, Dhruv. And with Nandini by your side, I have no doubt you’ll be just fine."

Sneha leaned back against the couch, her arms crossed. "Just make sure Tarini doesn’t turn up to the wedding with any drama. I’ll keep an eye on her," she said with a wink.

Everyone laughed, the tension momentarily broken by Sneha’s playful remark. But as Dhruv sat there, surrounded by his family’s love and support, the weight of the unspoken concerns about Tarini lingered. No matter how hard he tried to push the thoughts aside, something about Tarini’s distant gaze, her cryptic smiles, and her sudden coldness toward Nandini gnawed at him.

And as the wedding day grew closer, so did the shadow that Tarini cast over his future with Nandini—a shadow that Dhruv couldn’t ignore...