Chapter 1: A New Beginning
The grand mansion of the Brar family glistened in the morning sun, casting a golden hue over the meticulously maintained gardens. Inside, the atmosphere was a mix of uneasy silence and hushed conversations. Angad Brar, the family's eldest son, stood by the window of his lavish bedroom, staring out at the world beyond. His thoughts were a whirlwind, a storm of emotions that had yet to settle since the fateful night when everything changed.
It had been a few months since Seerat had eloped with Garry, leaving the family in turmoil and Angad in a forced marriage with Sahiba. What was meant to be a joyous union had begun under the cloud of scandal and heartbreak. But Angad was determined to make the best of the situation. He glanced back at the room, now filled with subtle changes—small touches of Sahiba’s presence.
Sahiba entered the room, her long hair tied back in a simple braid, her eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and trepidation. She carried a tray with two cups of chai, their aroma filling the air.
"Good morning, Angad," she said, her voice steady but soft.
"Good morning, Sahiba," Angad replied, taking a cup from the tray. He gave her a small, appreciative smile. "Thank you for the tea."
"It's nothing," Sahiba replied, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "I thought we could use a moment to ourselves before the day starts."
Angad nodded, taking a sip of the chai. "It's good," he said. "You make it just like my mother does."
Sahiba smiled, a hint of relief in her eyes. "I'm glad you like it. I was worried I might not get it right."
They had settled into a routine, a fragile peace that masked the underlying tension. But with each passing day, they found small ways to connect, to understand each other better. It wasn't love—not yet—but there was a growing respect and companionship that neither had expected.
Over the next few months, the distance between them began to shrink. Angad admired Sahiba's strength and resilience. She had handled the Brar family’s scrutiny with grace and had even started to win over the more skeptical family members. Sahiba, in turn, saw a side of Angad that was hidden from most—a man burdened by duty but also capable of deep compassion.
One evening, as they sat on the terrace, watching the sunset, Angad reached out and took Sahiba’s hand in his. It was a simple gesture, but it spoke volumes.
"I know this isn't what either of us planned," Angad said quietly. "But I'm glad you're here, Sahiba. I feel like we're finally finding our way."
Sahiba smiled, her heart warming at his words. "I feel the same, Angad. Maybe we were meant to be together after all, even if it wasn’t how we imagined."
Angad chuckled softly. "Life is strange like that, isn't it? Sometimes it takes the unexpected to show us what we truly need."
Sahiba nodded. "Yes, and I'm learning to appreciate the journey, even with its twists and turns."
As weeks turned into months, their bond grew stronger. They began to share more of themselves, opening up about their fears, dreams, and pasts. Late-night conversations stretched into the early hours of the morning, and their interactions were filled with laughter, teasing, and an ease that felt almost magical.
One night, as they sat together in the study, Angad looked up from his work and found Sahiba sketching quietly.
"What are you drawing?" he asked, curiosity piqued.
Sahiba looked up, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Just a memory from my childhood. It's nothing special."
"Can I see?" Angad asked, moving closer.
Sahiba hesitated, then handed him the sketch. It was a simple drawing of a village scene, filled with warmth and life.
"This is beautiful," Angad said sincerely. "You have a real talent."
Sahiba blushed. "Thank you, Angad. It means a lot coming from you."
It wasn’t long before these feelings blossomed into love. On a particularly beautiful evening, under a sky painted with stars, Angad finally confessed his feelings.
"Sahiba," he said, his voice trembling slightly, "I need to tell you something."
Sahiba turned to him, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What is it, Angad?"
"I've been thinking about us, and I realized something important," he said, taking a deep breath. "I love you, Sahiba."
Tears glistened in Sahiba's eyes as she smiled and replied, "I love you too, Angad."
They embraced, their hearts beating in unison, knowing that they had found something truly special.
Life seemed perfect. Their love had brought a new light into the Brar household, and for the first time in months, happiness reigned. But fate had other plans.
One afternoon, Sahiba decided to visit her parents. Angad had a meeting at the office and couldn’t accompany her, but he promised to join her later. As Sahiba sat in the car, she waved goodbye to Angad, who stood at the doorway, watching her leave with a fond smile.
"Drive safely," Angad called out to the driver.
Sahiba turned back and smiled. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. See you soon, Angad."
The journey started off smoothly, but as they navigated through the bustling streets of the city, the driver’s attention wavered. A momentary distraction—a text message on his phone—led to a fatal mistake. He didn’t notice the speeding truck coming from the opposite direction.
"Sahiba, watch out!" he shouted, but it was too late.
The sound of screeching tires, the deafening crash, and the sudden jolt threw everything into chaos. Sahiba’s world spun out of control as the car collided violently, glass shattering, and metal crunching. Her last conscious thought was of Angad, his face the anchor she clung to in the midst of the pain and darkness that engulfed her.
Back at the Brar mansion, Angad was in a meeting when his phone rang. Seeing the driver’s name on the screen, he excused himself and answered, expecting a routine update. The frantic voice on the other end sent a chill down his spine.
"Sir, there’s been an accident. Sahiba…she’s badly hurt."
Angad’s heart stopped. The phone slipped from his grasp as he bolted from the room, a sense of dread overwhelming him. His mind raced, filled with images of Sahiba, their moments together, and the terrifying uncertainty of what awaited him at the hospital.
As he sped towards the hospital, Angad could only pray that the love they had found wouldn’t be shattered by this cruel twist of fate.
To be continued
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