➳ C H A P T E R  T W E N T Y - F I V E 

the new beginnings. 

― ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ―

"You won't believe what happened! Wake up, Karan!" Preeta cried, shaking Karan vigorously.

Poor Karan, with drowsy eyes and dreams – woke up startled. Of course, he's too damn irritated, but he wanted to know why she was too excited; that too in the early hours of the morning. It was still not that early he thought, peeking through the curtains. He groaned inwardly, rubbing the sleep of his eyes and looked at his girl.

"What do you want, Preeta?" he asked, looking at her too excited face. Without beating around bush, she held the newspaper in front of his face. His withered expressions changed; preferably bloomed. The news, now, the headlines caught him off-guard and he felt . . . relieved. It's been a while since he felt relieved. And alas, how much he wants to thank her, his girl, Preeta Arora.

"Manjdeer is arrested?" the question itself came out like a whisper – a whisper, which held many emotions; rage, vengeance, grieve and peace. He felt something beyond happiness. He felt his family's safe. Till now, being in clutches of other's held him to be at peace, but now; everything's gone – no clutches, no possessions and nothing. He was free; from his own toxic brain.

"I'm happy, Preeta," he started, moving closer to her; like he was afraid he's going to die, staying away from her, "I don't know how, but I feel so good right now—like, something different feelings and emotions. Never have I felt like this and I'm glad. I feel sukoon. It's something I've been craving for years. Can you imagine—being felt like empty inside and out? It was hell these seven years, without you, Preeta. I'm never going to leave you again, even if the situations are demanding. I was a coward, back then. A really petrified coward." He chuckled. All this time, she has been observing his face muscles and eyes – something she had never seen before. Something she had never noticed. His eyes are lively, his dimples showed up again – making her heart swell. She wanted him to be like this; happy. And that's all mattered to her. And in the hindsight, Karan was observing her; and he was exactly thinking the same – happiness, sukoon and a peaceful hurricane.

And . . . in the last, that's what mattered. They were each other's redemption.

 ▬▬▬▬▬

"Should I start calling you dad, now?"

Out of nowhere, Amyra popped up the question and the awkwardness corrupted the room. Everyone were present here; Rakhi and Mahesh, Rishab and Shreya Luthra, Sameer and Karan Luthra – along with Ayaan Luthra, Sarla and Raghuveer Arora, Shristi and Preeta Arora, with Amyra and Rishika Maradapa, Preeta's best friend.

Preeta coughed awkwardly and Karan who was still dazed by his daughter's questioned; smiled.

"Yeah, you should start, but let me tell you one thing, kiddo," he told her, scooping his chair towards her, "it's fine if you're not ready calling me your dad—take your time."

At this moment; everyone smiled. Even, Amyra did.

"I don't need time, Papa."

Karan's happiness had no bounds. For the first time in his life, he smiled like this – with so much tenderness and peace. His daughter, only daughter, had called him Papa. On the other side, Preeta Arora was gushing. She was happy. And nothing can beat this moment – she wanted to forever live like this – with her family right beside her.

"When is the wedding then?" Sameer Luthra questioned and Shristi nudged him hardly on his ribs and he groaned. "What? I was just wondering."

"There's nothing wrong with him for asking, Shristi. We've to plan the wedding, don't we?" Rakhi Luthra said, lacing her fingers together.

The Arora elders nodded and looked at the duo; Karan and Preeta. They both were trying too hard to avoid blush on their cheeks. Wedding; wow, they didn't think about that. In the swift seconds – where the parents were talking to each other – their eyes met. And they knew; it was high time already.

"I'm damn sure, Preeta and Karan are very eager—so, why not next month?" Rishab said, surprisingly and everyone nodded. And, can't being hold for a long time, they both blushed – turning into a crimson shade and sly smiles around the breakfast hall. 

"Cheers for your new life, guys!" Sameer Luthra told and everyone lifted their juice glass as a toast. And indeed, they are going to have a new beginning and a life too. 

― ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ―

➳ a u t h o r s  n o t e 

kalachasmas. 

hey, my people! this is the final chapter of this book and followed by an epilogue. it's been an amazing journey throughout! and thank you for sticking with me throughout all! :') if you like the chapter, don't forget to vote, comment and share! xx