Chapter Eight.

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Tum mile toh jeene ka,
Iraada hua hai..
Tum mile toh jeene ka,
Iraada hua hai..
Tum mile toh meri har khushi,
Tumse judi hai daastan meri,
Tumse judi hai daastan meri...

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Author's POV

....

Nayanthara stood anxiously outside the operation theater, her heart racing with every passing moment. Lakshya's reassuring words offered some comfort, but the uncertainty lingered.

The door swung open, and Dr. Akash Yadav emerged, his expression solemn. "How's she?" Nayanthara asked, her voice cracking with each word.

Dr. Yadav's eyes locked onto hers. "We're still unsure, Nayan. Aaradhana's condition is critical." His voice was laced with empathy.

Nayanthara's eyes welled up, but Dr. Yadav's next words offered a glimmer of hope. "Trust me, beta. Aradhana is like family. I'll do everything possible to ensure she pulls through."

As Nayanthara's eyes met Dr. Yadav's, she knew he spoke from the heart. He had loved her mother, Aaradhana, since their college days, but fate had taken them down different paths. Despite never remarrying, Akash's devotion to Aaradhana never wavered. He remained a constant presence in their lives, showering Nayanthara with love and support.

Nayanthara often wondered what could have been if her mother had accepted Akash's proposal. Would their lives have been different? Would her mother's happiness have been fulfilled? The what-ifs swirled in her mind, but one thing was certain – Akash's love and loyalty for her mother and her were unwavering.

"I trust you, Chachu," Nayanthara said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Dr. Yadav's eyes softened, his expression a mix of determination and affection. "I won't let her go, Nayan. I promise."

Hours ticked by, each passing moment weighing heavily on Nayanthara's heart. Lakshya's grip on her hand remained firm, a silent source of comfort.

Finally, Dr. Yadav emerged, his eyes red-rimmed, his face etched with sorrow.

"Nayan..." His voice cracked.

Nayanthara's heart sank. "No, Chachu... please," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Dr. Yadav's eyes locked onto hers, filled with regret. "I'm so sorry, beta. We did everything we could, but... Aaradhana didn't make it."

The words hung in the air like a cruel reality. Nayanthara felt her world crumbling. Lakshya's arms enveloped her, holding her upright as her legs gave way.

"No... Maa..." Nayanthara's anguished cry echoed through the hospital corridors.

Dr. Yadav's face contorted in grief. He had lost the love of his life, the woman he had never stopped loving. Decades of unrequited love, of watching from afar, had come to this heartbreaking end.

Lakshya's voice was a gentle whisper in Nayanthara's ear. "I'm here, Nayan. I won't leave you."

As the hospital staff offered condolences, Nayanthara's mind reeled. Her mother, her rock, was gone. The thought of living without her was unbearable.

Dr. Yadav's eyes met Nayanthara's, filled with a deep sadness. "I should have been there for her, Nayan. I should have..."

Nayanthara's tears streaming down her face, she reached out and wrapped her arms around Dr. Yadav. "You were always there for us, Chachu. You loved her, and she knew."

In that moment, the weight of their unspoken words, the what-ifs, and the could-haves hung in the air, a bittersweet reminder of love, loss, and longing.

"We need to inform Nikhil Chauhan," Akash said, wiping away tears. Nayanthara, still crying in Lakshya's arms, suddenly looked up and shook her head vehemently. "Never, Chachu." Lakshya's confusion deepened. "Who is Nikhil Chauhan?"

Akash's expression turned somber. "Aaradhana's ex-husband, Nayanthara's biological father. His wife, Ketaki Chauhan, and their children: Avinash, the eldest, Namish, the youngest, and Kaviya, their middle child." Lakshya's eyes widened in understanding. "I see."

Just then, Chirag stood up, his eyes apologetic. "I have to go, guys. My match is in a few days, and I need to practice." He glanced at Nayanthara, his concern evident. "Take care, Nayu. I'll be back soon."

As Chirag left, Lakshya turned to Akash. "I don't think inviting Nikhil Chauhan is a good idea, Dr. Yadav. I have a feeling..." Nayanthara's distant gaze hinted at a deeper pain.

Akash sighed. "I understand your concerns, Lakshya, but it was Aaradhana's last wish. I've maintained contact with Nikhil over the years. For Aaradhana's sake, I'll extend the invitation."

He smiled faintly at Lakshya. "And please, call me Chachu, just like Nayan does."

..

Akash made the difficult call to Nikhil Chauhan. "Nikhil, it's Akash. I'm afraid I have some devastating news. Aaradhana passed away yesterday."

"I don't care Akash.. I have my family to look after" He heard the other side say. "It was her last wish Nikhil.. Please"

"Fine I will come" That were the words he heard before the phone call ended.

...

The day of the funeral arrived. Nayanthara stood beside Akash. "Chachu, I don't want to see them," Nayanthara said, her voice trembling.

Akash's expression softened. "I know, beta, but it was your mother's last wish." As the Chauhan family arrived, Nikhil's eyes scanned the crowd, finally settling on Nayanthara. No recognition flickered.

Akash stepped forward. "Nikhil, this is Nayanthara, Aaradhana's daughter... your daughter." Nikhil's expression twisted in disdain. "You expect me to acknowledge her?"

Manisha Chauhan, Nikhil's mother, stepped forward, her voice dripping venom. "So, this is the illegitimate child Aaradhana was hiding. I knew she'd have the audacity to bring her here."

Nayanthara's eyes narrowed. "You know exactly who I am, Manisha Aunty." Manisha's eyes flashed with anger. "Don't call me Aunty. You're no family of mine." Lakshya's grip on Nayanthara's shoulder tightened.

The funeral procession began, and Akash led the rituals. Nayanthara's eyes welled up as she poured ashes into the river.

Manisha taunted, "Crocodile tears, just like her mother." Nikhil's family exchanged uneasy glances. After the funeral, Akash invited the Chauhans to his home.

As they sat, Manisha continued her verbal assault. "You're not welcome in our family, Nayanthara." Nikhil added, "You're a reminder of Aaradhana's betrayal."

Nayanthara's composure cracked. "I'm sorry I exist." Lakshya stood, his eyes blazing. "That's enough." Akash intervened. "Please, let's maintain respect."

Lakshya's eyes blazed as he stepped forward. "That's enough, Mr.Nikhil. You have no right to speak to her like that." Nikhil sneered. "And who are you to interfere?"

Lakshya's voice remained calm but firm. "I'm someone who cares about Nayanthara, and I won't let anyone hurt her. I am her Family Mr.Nikhil"

Manisha snorted. "Cares about her? You're just a badminton player, what do you know about family dynamics?"

Lakshya's gaze locked onto Manisha. "I know that family doesn't treat each other with cruelty and disrespect. And for your kindest information,MY Nayanthara deserves better."

Nayanthara's eyes welled up, touched by Lakshya's defense. Akash intervened, his voice calm. "Let's not escalate this. We're grieving Aaradhana's loss."

Nikhil's expression darkened. "You're taking her side, Akash? You're the reason Aaradhana kept this... secret."

Lakshya's stance remained unwavering. "Nayanthara's not a secret, Mr.Nikhil. She's your daughter, and it's time you acknowledged her." The room fell silent, the tension palpable.

Nikhil's face reddened. "How dare you! You know nothing about our family!" Lakshya stood firm. "I know enough to see how you're hurting my girlfriend, Nayanthara."

Manisha snapped. "You're just a foolish boy, defending this illegitimate child."

Avinash, Nikhil's eldest son, intervened. "Dadi, papa, please. This isn't the time." Nikhil glared. "Stay out of this, Avinash."

Avinash's voice remained calm. "I won't. We're behaving shamefully. Nayanthara's our family, too."

Lakshya's eyes met Avinash's, a nod of appreciation. Nikhil's anger boiled over. "She was never a family Avi and, You'll regret defending her, Lakshya!"

Lakshya's smile was icy. "I'll make sure to invite you all for our grand wedding, Mr. Chauhan. You can regret it then."

Nayanthara's eyes widened, surprised. Lakshya turned to her. "Let's go, Tara. We're done here." Nayanthara nodded, tears streaming. As they left, Lakshya wrapped his arm around Nayanthara's shoulders.

Manisha shrieked. "You'll pay for this, Lakshya! You'll never be able to show your face again!" Lakshya whispered to Nayanthara, "Don't worry, Tara. You'll never see them again. I promise."

Avinash watched them leave, a mix of emotions. Nikhil seethed. "Avinash, you'll never interact with that girl or Lakshya again."

Avinash's eyes locked onto his father's. "I'll make my own decisions, Father. I am the next King and mature enough to know what's good and what's bad." The scene ended with a divided family and a determined Lakshya.

...

And they knew now,
It's time to start a new chapter.

It's time to start a new story..

...

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Hey! Hope you all loved this chapter!

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Words count - 1442