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This chap is affectionately dedicated to neethufanfic -
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"Sometimes, you get what you want. Other times, you get a lesson in patience, timing, alignment, empathy, compassion, faith, perseverance, resilience, humility, trust, meaning, awareness, resistance, purpose, clarity, grief, beauty and life.
Either way, you win...................."

The morning air was crisp and cool as Vatsal and Shubhita stood by the front door, their bags packed and ready to leave. The early dawn light cast a soft glow on the house, making it seem almost serene despite the tension that had gripped its inhabitants.

Vatsal's heart was heavy with a mix of apprehension and resolve. He glanced at Shubhita, who was making some last minute arrangements, her face set in determined lines. She had insisted on coming with him to Noida, and he had reluctantly agreed, unable to deny her strength and determination.

Their departure was a quiet affair, but not without its share of emotions. Vatsal's parents, Vishal, and Jeevika had all gathered in the living room, each reacting differently to the news of their imminent departure.

Vatsal's mother, though trying to maintain a neutral expression, couldn't entirely hide her annoyance. She had hoped, in fact was confident that Shubhita would conform to the household expectations, however this decision felt like a personal affront. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, and she barely acknowledged their departure.

His father, on the other hand, was visibly surprised but managed to maintain a composed demeanour. He watched silently as the couple prepared to leave. He was inherently satisfied now.

Jeevika tried to put on a supportive face. She hugged Shubhita tightly, though the gesture felt hollow to Shubhita. There was no warmth in the embrace, only an obligation to appear supportive. "Take care," Jeevika whispered, her voice soft and encouraging.

Vishal stood a little apart, his expression conflicted. He had always been somewhat indifferent to the family dynamics, but now, seeing his brother and sister-in-law leaving, he experienced mixed emotions. He felt a pang of unease as well as some relief that now Vatsal would at least have someone around him in that alienated city. He didn't say much, just a brief nod of acknowledgment to Vatsal when he helped him in carrying the bags outside.

Before leaving, Shubhita made her way to Vishal's room, where Kuhu and Krish were still asleep. The sight of the two children, peaceful and unaware of the household tensions, brought a lump to her throat. She knelt beside Kuhu, brushing a stray lock of hair from the little girl's face. Kuhu had been her source of joy in this house, her endless chatter and giggles a balm to Shubhita's soul. She placed a gentle kiss on Kuhu's forehead, her heart aching at the thought of leaving her behind.

Krish, though quieter, had also found a special place in her heart. She stroked his cheek softly, whispering a silent goodbye. These children had given her something to look forward to in this otherwise hostile environment, and she would miss them dearly.

As she rose to leave the room, her father-in-law appeared at the door. He gestured for her to follow him to a quieter corner of the house. Once there, he looked at her with a serious expression. "Shubhita," he began, his voice softer than she had ever heard it, "I want you to know that no matter what happens, the doors of this house are always open for you. Don't ever feel that you were deliberately pushed away. Take care of yourself and... Of him as well."

Shubhita was taken aback by his words. Despite the coldness she had often felt from him, this gesture touched her. She nodded, unable to find the right words to respond, "You too please take care of yourself. Have your meals and medicine on time."

Finally, it was time to go. As they made their way to the door, Vatsal felt a heavy weight on his shoulders. The responsibility of another soul weighed heavily on him. He had barely enough resources to sustain himself in Noida. Adding Shubhita to the mix meant more expenses, more obligations. He couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that accompanied these thoughts.

As they reached the main door, Vatsal's mother locked her arms around her son with teary eyes, her hurt evident. She obviously didn't appreciate the distance from her son. And in addition, she had hoped for a different outcome, and the young couple's decision to leave felt like a direct defiance of her wishes.

Jeevika, ever the peacemaker, handled her weeping mother-in-law before offering a final hug to Shubhita, while Vishal remained silent, his face a mask of indifference.

The couple stepped out into the early morning light, the door closing behind them with a finality that sent a shiver down Vatsal's spine. He glanced at Shubhita, her face determined yet soft, and felt a glimmer of hope. Despite the fears and uncertainties, they were stepping into this new chapter together, and that thought brought him a measure of comfort.

They walked away from the house, bags in hand, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The road to Noida was fraught with uncertainties, but for the first time in a long while, Vatsal felt a sense of purpose. They would face the future together, come what may.

Vishal had offered to drive them to the station, and they loaded their bags into the car in silence. The ride was quiet, each of them lost in their thoughts. Vishal occasionally glanced at Vatsal, his expression unreadable.

As they approached the station, Vatsal's mind again started racing with doubts and concerns. There was no going back after boarding the train. What if he proved to be the reason for Shubhita's regret?

When they reached the station, Vishal helped them with their bags. He gave Vatsal a meaningful look, as if trying to convey something he couldn't put into words. Vatsal nodded, understanding the unspoken message.

Shubhita turned to Vishal, her eyes soft with gratitude. "Thank you, Bhaiya," she said quietly.

Vishal nodded. "Take care of each other," he replied simply.

As the train pulled into the station, Shubhita felt a mix of anxiety and determination. This was it-the beginning of their new life together. They boarded the train, finding their seats amidst the bustling crowd. She settled in beside him.

The train began to move, slowly at first, then picking up speed. Shubhita looked out the window, watching as the familiar sights of her hometown faded into the distance. Her eyes were filled with a quiet strength, a determination that somewhere bolstered his resolve too.

The journey to Noida was long and taxing. Vatsal and Shubhita traveled in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. When they stepped off the train in Delhi, Shubhita took a moment to take it all in. The cacophony of sounds, the vibrant colours, and the rush of people overwhelmed her senses. She had visited Delhi before, but this time it felt different-more daunting, more significant.

From the bustling train station, they took a bus to Noida. The ride was bumpy, the bus crowded with people, and the air filled with a mix of dust and exhaust fumes. Vatsal sat beside her, staring out the window, his silence palpable. Shubhita's mind raced with a thousand thoughts and emotions, but she kept them to herself, focusing on the journey ahead.

After the bus, they hailed an auto rickshaw, squeezing their bags into the small space. The auto weaved through traffic, honking and swerving, the cityscape blurring past them. Vatsal gave directions to the driver, his voice low and steady. Shubhita clung to her bag, feeling the weight of the last two days pressing down on her.

Finally, they reached the place that was now supposed to be their home. Shubhita stepped out of the auto, taking in the surroundings. The neighbourhood was a stark contrast to the bustling city they had just passed through-quieter, more subdued, but still foreign and unfamiliar to her.

The building was old and a bit rundown, but it had a certain charm to it. Vatsal led her up a narrow staircase to a small flat on the third floor. He unlocked the door with his key and stepped inside, holding it open for her to follow.

The flat was a far cry from the spacious home she had left behind. It was small, with just one bedroom that had an attached bathroom, a living room that branched out into an open kitchen and dining area, and a big window that opened onto the street below. There was a small wall LCD TV, a small refrigerator, a music system, a small bed table, a mirror attached to the almirah door and two sofa-like chairs. A single floor mattress served as the bed.

Shubhita took it all in, feeling a mix of dismay and determination. The flat was a mess-dust covered every surface, and nothing was neatly placed. It was clear that this space had not been lived in for some time properly, and the signs of neglect were everywhere.

"So, this is it," Vatsal said quietly, breaking the silence. His voice was tinged with a kind of apology and exhaustion. He set his bag down and ran a hand through his hair, looking around the flat with a resigned expression.

Shubhita dropped her bag near the door and walked further into the flat, taking a closer look at her new surroundings. The air was stale, and she could see dust motes dancing in the shafts of light that streamed through the window. She felt a pang of longing for the familiarity and comfort of her previous two homes - one where she grew up and the other to where she was married, but she quickly pushed it aside.

She turned to Vatsal, who was watching her with a wary expression. "It's fine. But we'll need to clean this up," she said, her voice steady. "To make this place liveable."

Vatsal nodded, relief evident in his eyes. He had been worried about how she would react, but her determination reassured him. "Yeah," he agreed. "Let's get started then."

They spent the next few hours cleaning the flat, working side by side in silence. Shubhita wiped down surfaces, swept the floors, and organized what little furniture they had. Vatsal tackled the dust and grime, his movements methodical and efficient. He literally wasn't very good at it, but he was trying. Trying to mirror Shubhita's actions.

As they worked, a sense of camaraderie began to build between them. They were in this together, and the shared effort brought a small measure of comfort to both of them. By the time they finished, the flat was still small and modest, but it felt more like a home.

They took shower and then sat down on the floor mattress, their bodies aching from the exertion. Vatsal leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes for a moment. "It's not much I know," he said quietly.

Shubhita looked around the flat, feeling a sense of accomplishment despite the humble surroundings. "Don't worry. This is fine." She smiled at Vatsal, trying to reassure him despite the uncertainty of their situation. "It's true that it's not much but for me it's more than enough," she said firmly.

Vatsal opened his eyes and looked at her, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. She was actually is something else. What was she really made of?

"You okay?" he asked, looking into her eyes, searching for any sign of regret or discomfort.

"Yeah," she said softly, nodding.

Vatsal studied her face, finding it hard to believe she was truly okay. Just two days ago, she was not even willing to spare a glance at his face, and now, she had agreed to come with him to this tiny apartment that barely resembled a home.

He said, his voice tinged with determination. "Don't lie. I assure I will get another, a spacious flat on rent as soon as possible."

Shubhita shook her head at him. Then she gave him a small, encouraging smile. "It's alright, Vatsal. Don't overthink."

As they sat there, side by side in their shared space, a sense of hope began to bloom in Shubhita's heart. The road ahead would be challenging, but they were together, and that was all that mattered.

After a moment of silence, Vatsal broke the awkwardness. "So, what do you like to eat?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Shubhita looked at him, surprised and a bit clueless. "I... I don't know. I haven't really thought about it."

Vatsal sighed. "There's no proper ration in the kitchen," he admitted. "I barely buy groceries. I mostly eat outside or at my friends' places. So you see..."

"Oh," Shubhita replied, taken aback. "Then just order whatever you usually have. I'm okay with anything."

Vatsal nodded, pulling out his phone to place an order. "Alright, I'll get us something decent."

As he dialled the number, Shubhita spoke up again. "In the evening, we can go out to buy groceries if you don't mind," she suggested. "We need to stock up on essentials."

Vatsal glanced at her, appreciating her practicality and determination. "Yeah, fine."

After arranging for the food, Vatsal called Ojas to borrow an extra mattress. While they waited, they settled into the small living room, the silence between them comfortable but still laden with unspoken thoughts.

When the food arrived, they sat down to eat on the floor, sharing a quiet meal. Despite the modest setting, there was a sense of togetherness that gave Shubhita a small measure of comfort.

Later, as Vatsal arranged the extra mattress from Ojas' flat, he found himself feeling a strange mix of gratitude and guilt as he was driving back to her with it on his bike. He didn't have much to offer Shubhita, but her unwavering support gave him the strength to believe they could make it work. Together!

They worked side by side to set up the small flat, their actions creating a bond that began to replace the distance between them.

It wasn't perfect, but it was a start, and for now, that was enough.

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This is it for now. Hope you liked it. I am sorry for the mistakes.

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