No proofread.

Ten years had passed since the whirlwind of resolved misunderstandings,  exposed hidden secrets, reconciliations, and deepened bonds had brought Khushi and Arnav together.

What once began as a story of clashing worlds had blossomed into a life so full of laughter, love, wealth and family that even the quiet moments were wrapped in warmth.

Shantivan, once a regal symbol of power and solitude, now echoed with the innocent giggles of children and the chatter of a bustling household.

Arnav and Akash had expanded the house building multiple chateaus for the whole family to live on the same land.

The marble floors bore tiny footprints, and the once formal drawing room had become a fortress of cushions, toys, and sticky fingerprints.

Arnav, who once couldn’t stand a crease out of place, now stepped over building blocks like a practiced soldier on the training field, only to be ambushed with hugs from his twin daughters the moment he walked through the door after a busy day.

Aarohi and Arush both curious, clever, and occasionally devious were the apple of their father’s eye and the absolute center of Khushi’s world.

They inherited Arnav’s eyes and his undefeated temper and Khushi’s mischief, creating a blend that kept everyone on their toes.

They were six now, full of questions and sass, often seen trotting behind their grandmother Garima in the kitchen, begging for sweets or trying to "help" by mixing flour and making a happy mess.

Garima and Shashi divorced eight years ago but now have a better relationship filled with understanding and respect.

Payal and Khushi always pray for them to get back together but both are contented with this kind of normality between them.

Khushi had bloomed in motherhood and as a business woman.

Her energy, once scattered in dramatic exclamations and impulsive decisions, had become a force of nature full of love, creativity, and patience.

She still drove Arnav crazy, which makes him fall in love with her more.

He found peace in her chaos, over the top dramatics and meaning in her madness.

Watching her with their children, her hands busy plaiting hair or tying shoelaces, her voice humming lullabies or telling stories, Arnav often felt a silent thank you rise from his heart ,thankful for the day she stumbled into his world, with all her stubbornness,craziness , jalebi cravings and all.

Khushi ok the other hand was extremely protective of him and smiles each time she sees him with the kids.

When she got pregnant with Aarohi and Arush, she was scared but Arnav never left her side, from his love and attentiveness even in a tantrums and postpartum depression, Arnav was there to comfort and made her feel at ease.

To her Arnav was the only man for her and so was the same for Arnav proving they were soulmates meant to be together and forever.

Across the courtyard of the mansion lived Akash and Payal.

Their house just a short walk away through a garden that bloomed brighter each year, thanks to Khushi and Payal’s new found and shared love for gardening.

The cousins, Payal’s son Aarav nine years old and his little sister Meera seven years of age were inseparable from the twins.

Together, the four were a whirlwind of mischief and laughter, occasionally escaping into storerooms, hiding under tables, or holding secret meetings in the treehouse their grandfather Arvind had designed and personally overseen the construction of.

Akash and Payal remained the steady and gentle pair.

Where Arnav and Khushi were fire and wind, Akash and Payal were earth and water.

Calm, nurturing, and deeply in sync with each other.

Payal, ever the quiet strength, had turned her hobby for knitting into the textiles business.

She and Khushi now ran a boutique exclusively with Lucknow designs, with Arnav’s company occasionally showcasing their designs under a special women-led initiative.

Even though she still helps Shashi run the sweetshop, her main job was in the boutiques.

Shashi and Mami were now partners in his sweet shops and both work together with the help of Garima.

He now spent his golden years with a smile permanently etched on his face.

His off days were filled with storytelling, feeding sweets to his grandchildren, and occasionally pulling Khushi’s leg the way he did when she was a girl. He was a proud father and an even prouder grandfather.

Manohar, semi-retired, had taken up gardening as his new obsession, often showing off his hybrid roses to anyone who visited.

He and Shashi could often be found sitting under the large mango tree, cups of tea in hand, discussing politics, parenting, and the old days.

Mami had mellowed, though her love for flashy sarees and gold jewelry hadn’t waned.

She was now a proud business woman and didn't leave any chance to show her achievements.

She adored her grandchildren with a fiery protectiveness, pampering them beyond measure and constantly defending their every antic. "They’re just like our Akash bitwa, full of style and smartness." she would say proudly, even as Meera scribbled on the walls or Aarav ran off with her phone.

And then there was Arvind, Arnav's father who had became a huge part of ARD helping Arnav run the companies under the Raizada and Malik names.

Having missed much of  Arnav's childhood, he threw himself into grandparenting with an energy that rivaled the kids themselves.

He built model planes with Aarav and Arush, read bedtime stories with dramatic flair to the girls, and found in the chaos of the children a redemption he hadn’t realized he needed.

Unfortunately for the family, Nani passed away peacefully in her sleep a few months before Aarav was born and Buaji followed due to a sudden brain aneurysm no one knew she had when a few days after Meera was born.

The family would often gather on weekends,barbecues in the backyard, games of antakshari and carrom, shared meals that stretched into midnight hours.

Khushi’s jalebis were legendary now, and Arnav, despite his sugar protests would always eat the first one she offered, grumbling about calories while his eyes softened with every bite.

It was in those moments, surrounded by laughter, with children climbing over laps, old songs playing in the background, and stars glittering above, that Arnav and Khushi would occasionally find themselves sitting together in the quiet, just watching it all.

He would reach for her hand, she would smile up at him, and no words were needed.

Their journey had been filled with storms, but they had weathered them all together.

And now, they stood in the calm after, their love stronger, their hearts fuller, and their home echoing with the sweetest music of all their loved ones.

The End.

I know it's short but I hope you all like it.

I will be traveling with my colleagues and manager to a trade fair on Tuesday and will be back home on Thursday.

I will try to start the new story either on Friday or Saturday and post it on Sunday.

So stay tuned.

Don't forget to hit the ⭐⭐⭐⭐ button, comment and follow for more.

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Xoxo xoxo.