CHAPTER-8

CHAHAT’S POV:

Have you ever believed in coincidences and destiny? I never used to… but now, I feel like I have no choice but to believe. Who would’ve thought I’d meet Veena Aunty and Jay Uncle here—after all these years, my second family. I couldn’t stop myself from asking about him.

“H...How… is he?” I asked hesitantly.

Aunty smiled and replied, “He’s doing quite well.”
Uncle gently patted my head, as if to assure me that everything is alright.

Just then, Maya Aunty said, “Are we going to talk about everything standing here? Chahat and Bhabhi, why don’t you sit and talk comfortably? Also Bhabhi, you still haven’t told us how you and Chahat know each other.”

“Chahat is like a daughter to me,” Veena Aunty began as we took our seats on the couch. But suddenly, she noticed someone approaching. She excused herself for a moment, and when I turned around to see who had arrived... I froze.

Wait… seriously? Him?
"What if he followed me here?" I panicked internally.
But then my logical side kicked in: Come on, Chahat, you're not that special, my inner voice mocked.

Veena Aunty welcomed him in, and he took the seat directly opposite mine. The house help handed him a glass of water, which he accepted without looking at her. How do I know that? Because he’s been looking directly at me since he sat down. I mean, really? What am I, some kind of jewel to be stared at like this?

And most importantly—what is he doing here?

AUTHOR’S POV:

Vihaan nudged his mother, sitting beside him, silently asking with his eyes who she was. His mother smiled warmly and said, “Vihaan beta, meet Chahat—my daughter.”

Vihaan was shocked. How does Maa know Chahat? He was about to ask, but before he could say anything, Veena added, “And Chahat, meet my son—Vihaan Singh Rathore.”

Her smile was genuine, as if she was reuniting two long-lost souls. Chahat was stunned. Words failed her. That rude jerk was Vihaan?

When she first saw him, she had felt a strange familiarity. Now she knew why. She composed herself quickly and greeted him with a soft “Hi,” to which he only nodded, still speechless from the revelation.

Everyone in the room was equally confused. How did their family know Chahat? Why were they treating her like their own daughter?

Krish broke the silence. “Badi Maa, how do you know Chahat Di? I mean… did you meet her in the States?”

Seeing the confusion on everyone’s faces, Veena finally explained, “No, I’ve known Chahat since the day she was born. Maya, do you remember our old neighborhood—the Arora family? She’s their daughter.”

Maya’s eyes lit up with realization. “Oh yes, Didi! Now I remember! Is she our little Chahat—the one who used to act all innocent but was actually super naughty?”

Veena and Jay Uncle laughed. Chahat chuckled awkwardly.

“Mumma, you also knew her?” Krish asked. “Then how come I don’t remember?”

“Oye, duffer,” Maya replied, “remember that time you asked me about the pretty-pretty Didi who helped you with your nursery homework? That’s her.”

Upon hearing that, Krish jumped up and hugged Chahat tightly. “I’m so happy you’re my pretty-pretty Di! You have no idea how hard it was to manage homework after we got separated. This little soul went through so much!”

Everyone laughed—except one person, who didn’t quite enjoy seeing his younger brother hugging Chahat. And he didn’t even understand why he felt that way.

Suddenly, a voice echoed through the hall—

“Leave her!”

Everyone turned to look at the source—it was Vihaan.

Realizing he had said it out loud, he quickly tried to cover up.
“You’re hugging her so tightly you might break her neck.”

Krish looked down and saw his brother had a point, and instantly let go.
But what Vihaan said next left Chahat silently hurt.

VIHAAN’S POV:

I came and sat down—and I just couldn’t stop looking at her. Don’t ask me why, but I just couldn’t take my eyes off her.

When Mom introduced me to her, I was honestly shocked. How do they know her? Why are they treating her like family?

My mind kept racing until Mom finally said she’s the daughter of our old neighbors. How the hell do I not remember any of this?

And when Chachi told Krish about his “pretty Di,” he practically crushed her in a hug. I was furious. Krish can do whatever he wants, but hugging Chahat? Hell no.

I thought to myself, Leave her, but apparently, I said it aloud.

Damn it.

Trying to save face, I added, “You’re hugging her so tightly; it’s like you’re strangling her.”

Krish instantly let go.

I asked Mom, “How do I not remember any of them?”

I tried to recall, but nothing came. But then I saw it—the sadness in her eyes. She quickly masked it, but I saw it.

Dad chimed in, “Beta, you were a child back then. And honestly, you two didn’t get along very well.”

That sentence struck me. Something’s off.
It sounded like they were hiding something from me.

The harder I tried to remember, the worse my headache got. I held my head—ugh, this pain…

Seeing me in discomfort, my parents rushed over, panicked. I reassured them I was fine and requested a strong black coffee. I told them I’d rest in my room.

As I stood up, I glanced at her again. She looked worried. But why?

I didn’t dwell on it. I left and walked to my room.

All I knew was—I needed to know what happened in the past.

Whatever it takes… I will find out.

After finishing my coffee, I drifted into sleep…
but the only name and face in my mind was—
CHAHAT
…but why?

CHAHAT’S POV:

I can’t really blame him for what he said.
Maybe he truly doesn’t know anything…
But that doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt.

And when he said he had a headache, I just couldn’t help myself. I wanted to go to him, to comfort him, to take care of him… but I couldn’t. He told everyone he was fine, looked at me one last time—just for a few seconds—and then left for his room.

Aunty told me not to worry. “It must be due to work pressure,” she said. I just nodded quietly.

We sat and chatted—Veena Aunty, Maya Aunty, Krish and I. Uncle had left for some work. It was getting late when my phone rang. It was my mom.

(M: Mom, C: Chahat)
C: Hello, Mumma.
M: Where are you, beta?
C: I’m out, Maa. Do you need something?
M: No, but you usually return from school by now. It’s quite late, and I got worried.
C: Matashree, don’t worry! I’m leaving now. I’ll be home in half an hour.
M: Okay, come soon.

I ended the call and turned to the aunties. “I have to go. Everything is fine, but it’s getting late, and no one at home knows where I am.”

They insisted I stay for dinner, but I politely declined. “Next time, pakka.”
I hugged both the aunties and gave Krish a playful fist bump—our childhood tradition.

“Aunty, I’ll take your leave now. Please take care,” I said warmly.

“Is that a general message or for someone specific?” she teased.

“Nothing like that, Aunty,” I replied politely… but my mind again drifted to him.

And finally, I left…

Is he really okay?

Vihaan…