The Second Chance

Conflicted Emotions

Kriti called Shaurya and the others to come with her, but Palki was focused on helping an old man to the side. Shaurya stood still, lost in his thoughts.

"Why do you stop me, Mata Rani?" he murmured under his breath. "Every time I try to tell the truth, something stops me. Why did you make her so good? If she wasn’t like this, I could have been bad without hesitation."

His eyes softened as he looked at Palki. "I can’t hurt her… even the thought of it scares me."

Viraj honked the car horn, snapping Shaurya out of his thoughts. Palki turned toward him and smiled.

"Shaurya got upset because I did the stunt," she thought. "He was just worried for me."

Kriti stepped out of the car, looking irritated. She walked straight to Shaurya.

"You left my hand because of Palki," she accused. "You were about to tell the truth to Viraj, weren’t you?"

Shaurya didn’t respond. Instead, he got into the car with Kriti.

Viraj smiled at Palki. "That was brave, what you did back there," he said. "I think I’m luckier than you."

Palki laughed lightly, not sure what he meant. Viraj drove Kriti home first. Kriti, still upset, didn’t even say goodbye before walking inside.

Viraj sighed. "Is she even the right girl for me?" he wondered aloud.

Shaurya, sensing Viraj’s confusion, tried to reassure him. "She’s just like this. I don’t even know how she agreed to marry you. But trust me, you’re lucky to have her. She’s elegant, modern, classy…"

Palki cut in, shaking her head. "More than class, what really matters is a true life partner."

Shaurya glanced at her as she continued. "When she speaks, you’ll listen to her every word. When she smiles, you’ll smile too, without even realizing it. When she’s near you, your mind will be at peace. And when she’s far, you’ll find yourself missing her. And when she’s with you… you’ll forget everything else."

Shaurya’s heart skipped a beat. He thought about Palki—how her presence always affected him in ways he couldn’t explain.

Viraj grinned. "If Kriti is really like that, then my dream will be fulfilled."

Palki smiled and looked at Shaurya, her eyes soft.

Viraj honked the horn again, signaling them to get in.

Kriti’s Anger and Shaurya’s Dilemma

Shaurya called Kriti, and when the phone started ringing, he was surprised.

"She unblocked my number?" he thought.

Kriti saw his name on the screen and smirked. "Does he think I’m like Palki? That he can convince me with sweet words?"

She ignored the call, expecting Shaurya to come and meet her in person.

Meanwhile, Palki walked up to Shaurya. "Are you okay?" she asked.

Shaurya nodded. "Just some office work. I’ll see you later." Without another word, he walked away.

Raajveer was in his room when he heard a knock.

"You don’t need permission to enter my room," he said, assuming it was Palki.

She stepped inside and held up a holy thread. "I need your help," she said. "This thread is for the bride-to-be. Can you take me to her?"

Raajveer frowned. "You don’t need to give it to her."

Palki shook her head. "Pandit Ji specifically asked me to tie it on her hand. It’s for her protection."

Raajveer sighed. "Fine, no choice then."

As she picked out a dress for him, he chuckled. "You’re too good."

Palki smiled. "So are you."

Raajveer smirked. "Tell that to Anika."

Later that night, Kriti was in her room when she noticed a small chit land on her floor. Curious, she picked it up. It was a message from Shaurya.

She read it and smiled. "I knew you would come."

She stepped onto her balcony and saw him climbing up the stairs toward her. Quickly, she wiped the smile off her face. "I can’t let him see I’m happy," she thought.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

"Mom will see him!" she panicked.

Shaurya reached her. "Why didn’t you answer my call?" he asked.

Kriti folded her arms. "I didn’t expect this. Why are you here like this? And where is Palki?"

Shaurya frowned. "Can you just talk normally?"

Kriti scoffed. "Is there anything normal left between us?"

Shaurya sighed. "I know you’re upset about what happened at the temple. But you only think about yourself. Try to see things from my side. We’ve been in a relationship for a long time. We understand each other. We can work this out. I promise to marry you after a year. Just don’t marry Viraj."

Before Kriti could respond, they heard someone at the door.

Outside, Palki and Raajveer stood waiting.

"Someone’s coming," Palki whispered.

Shaurya, still near the balcony, froze when he heard their voices.

The door opened, revealing Kriti.

Palki looked surprised. "You?"

Kriti raised an eyebrow. "This is my house. Why are you here so late?"

Raajveer explained, "We called your mom beforehand. She knew we were coming."

Kriti smirked. "Why are you so shocked, Palki? Did you think I was sleeping?"

Palki hesitated. "I… I just didn’t expect you to be awake."

Just then, Kiran walked up. "Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot about this completely."

Raajveer smiled. "Shall we come in?"

Kriti stepped aside. "Come in."

Shaurya, hiding behind the pillar, clenched his jaw. "Why are they here?"

Palki’s Gift

Palki walked up to Kriti, holding the sacred thread.

"This is for you," she said warmly. "To protect you from evil eyes. I won’t let anything go wrong with your marriage. It will happen smoothly."

She held up the red thread. "It’s blessed by Mata Rani. Your prayers will be fulfilled."

Kiran nodded approvingly. "Go ahead, tie it on her hand."

Meanwhile, Raajveer called out to Shaurya. "Come, I need to talk to you about Mehta’s quotation."

Shaurya, still hiding, shifted slightly. His phone suddenly slipped from his pocket and fell to the floor with a loud thud.

Hearing the noise, Palki turned her head. She saw a shadow moving behind the pillar.

Her eyes widened. "Shaurya?" she whispered, her heart skipping a beat.

That' s it for today's update
Signing off
Diksha

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