Category: Kajal Lata

Kajal’s eyes fluttered open. The world around her felt hazy, distant, like a dream she couldn’t quite wake up from. Her head throbbed, a dull ache echoing with voices she couldn’t place. There was a weight in her chest, heavy and suffocating, like she was struggling to surface from deep, dark waters.

Beside her, Mamoni sat silently, a bowl of food in her hands. Her face was calm, but her eyes held something unreadable, sternness, pain… and somewhere beneath it all, a love she had tried too hard to bury.

Kajal’s fingers trembled as she reached out, clutching Mamoni’s hand, her grip tight, desperate. Fear flickered in her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. “That night… what really happened?”

Mamoni inhaled sharply, her gaze clouded with a thousand untold stories. When she finally spoke, her voice carried the weight of years, of regret, of choices made in the name of love and protection.

“No one died that night.”

Kajal’s breath caught in her throat.

“It was all a lie, a story we created… to keep you and Lata apart.”

The room felt like it was closing in. Kajal couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.

Mamoni’s voice softened, but the words cut just as deep. “I wanted you to stay away from her. I wanted Lata to be free of the past. And when she lost her memories, I thought… maybe it was for the best. Maybe this was the clean break she needed.”

Kajal’s hands went limp.

“Was it so easy to let go of love?” Mamoni’s voice wavered now, something breaking within her. “Did you really think you could forget that you loved Ankur too?”

A shiver ran through Kajal’s body. All this time, she had carried a weight so unbearable, a guilt so consuming—only to find out it had all been a lie. The nightmares, the sleepless nights, the crippling fear of having blood on her hands… none of it was real.

And yet, something inside her still cracked, something raw and aching.

Mamoni hadn’t hated her. She had feared for her. She hadn’t punished her. She had tried to protect Lata. And in doing so, she had pushed Kajal away, convincing herself that she was doing the right thing.

Kajal felt the truth settle into her bones. They had both made mistakes. They had both lost something.

Tears welled in her eyes.

Mamoni looked away, blinking back her own. The steel walls she had built over the years—the ones that had kept her from breaking, were beginning to crumble.

They sat there, frozen in the moment—one, a daughter who had lost her way, and the other, a mother drowning in the weight of her choices.

But they weren’t alone.

A shadow lurked beyond the doorway. Someone who had heard it all. Someone whose world had just come crashing down.

The golden saree, the red dupatta, bathed in moonlight, there was no mistaking her.

Lata.…

She stepped forward, her face pale, her hands trembling. Her lips parted, but for a moment, no words came out. Then, in a voice so quiet, yet so sharp, she asked—

“What… Did I just hear?”

Kajal felt her whole body go cold.

Lata’s eyes darkened, her breath uneven. “You… you loved Ankur?”

Kajal opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

Lata took another step closer, her voice breaking. “You never told me? Why?”

Kajal barely managed to whisper, “I was scared…”

Lata let out a hollow laugh, one that didn’t reach her eyes. “Scared? Of what? That I would hate you? That I’d throw you out of my life?”

Kajal’s voice cracked, “I was scared of losing you… scared you’d never forgive me.”

Lata’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, but her face hardened. “And yet, you thought it was okay to love him behind my back? To sit beside me every day, smile, laugh, share everything… while hiding this?”

Kajal dropped her gaze. “I never acted on it… I never told him… I buried it. I let it go.”

Lata shook her head, her voice laced with hurt. “That’s not the point, Kajal! You should have told me! I was your best friend! You were supposed to trust me, the way I trusted you!”

Kajal’s heart pounded. “I wanted you both to be happy. That’s all I ever wanted…”

Lata’s laugh was bitter now. “And yet, look where we are.”

She took another step back, her voice barely above a whisper. “Do you have any idea how much I’ve lost? My memories… my past… the person I used to be. And now I find out that the one person I trusted the most… was hiding the biggest truth of all?”

Kajal reached for her, but Lata recoiled.

“You ruined everything, Kajal. You won’t be at my wedding! If you’re there, everything will be ruined!“

Her voice trembled, thick with heartbreak, before she turned on her heels and walked away.

Kajal stared at the door as it slammed shut behind her. The silence that followed was deafening.

She turned to Mamoni, her voice barely a breath.

“I lost her, didn’t I?”

To be continued…

Crying…

Whose crying?

Her eyelids tremble as she slowly opens them. A blinding white light stings her eyes. Faint shadows move in front of her.

Where is she?

Everything is hazy, her head throbs. Then, suddenly, the surroundings start to clear.

A hospital?

A white sheet covers her, a needle pricks her hand, and machines beep softly beside her.

But that sound of crying…

Yes, Manoni.

Outside, a few voices whisper. Turning her head slightly, she sees two policemen standing by the door!

Police? Why are they here?

Her breath catches in her throat. A chill spreads through her spine. A strange fear creeps into her body.

Something terrible has happened.

For a moment, there is silence. And then…

“Baba!!”

Kajal screams.

In an instant, her father rushes to her. His eyes are weary, red, filled with sorrow. He places a hand on her forehead but says nothing.

Kajal tries to make sense of everything. Suddenly, Manoni pushes the door open and steps inside.

Her eyes are red, her face cold and unyielding, as if she has finally lost all patience. She comes forward, without hesitation, without restraint—

“Lata is in a coma. Ankur is no more. This all happened because of you, Kajal! Because of your one-sided love!”

Something inside her collapses.

She can’t breathe. A ringing sound fills her ears.

Ankur… is no more?

No! This isn’t possible!

This must be a nightmare.

Her throat is dry. Not a single word escapes her lips.

Her hands and feet turn cold, as if her blood has frozen.

Everything tilts around her… and one thought echoes in her mind—

“Ankur… is no more…!”

Kajal presses her hands over her mouth and starts sobbing.

What has she done?

How could she cause such a disaster?

Lata, who had always been like a sister to her, is now standing at the edge of life and death.

And Ankur?

He will never return.

No one will believe her. No one will forgive her.

Her entire existence feels cursed now.

Even she cannot forgive herself.

She will have to carry this punishment for the rest of her life. This guilt will burn her every day, every moment.

She does not belong here.

With empty eyes, Kajal glances around one last time.

And then, one day, without telling anyone, without caring about anything, she leaves for Delhi.

Leaving behind a terrifying past. A dreadful truth.

But can the truth ever truly be left behind?

Two years have passed. Time has changed many things, but some wounds still remain unhealed.

Kajal is now established in Bengaluru. She is walking the path of her dreams, working at a top IT company. From the outside, everything seems normal, but inside, a quiet pain lingers. She has deliberately kept her distance from Lata, believing that she has lost the right to stand before her.

On the other hand, Lata is now truly happy. Though she has lost the memories of the past six years, she has rebuilt her life. She is now a successful fashion designer. There is an air of joy around her, yet deep within, she always feels an inexplicable emptiness, as if something is missing, something important that she has forgotten.

Mamoni is still angry, but she never expresses it. She only watches Kajal from a distance, silently regretting everything. Maybe one day, things will be okay again.

Finally, after two years, Kajal and Lata meet. On an unexpected evening.

Lata had been trying repeatedly to contact Kajal, but Kajal had been avoiding her on purpose. Yet, Lata was not someone who would give up easily.

The two friends stood before each other…

The distance of time, old memories, guilt, everything created an overwhelming silence between them.

To be continued…

Kajal stood frozen. The cold wind blew through her hair, but she couldn’t feel it.

Below, Lata’s lifeless body lay, with a dark pool of blood forming beside her head. The blood slowly seeped through the cracks in the floor, like the last drops of life draining away.

Mamoni was kneeling, cradling Lata’s head in her lap. Her body shook as she sobbed, her lips moving, but no words came..only gasps of pain.

The rest of the house was in chaos, some screaming for help, others running for a doctor.

But Kajal?

Her world blurred. A loud, deafening sound kept echoing in her head- Thud!

The sound of a falling body.

Her hands still trembled. The same hands… that had pushed her.

No…!

She struggled to breathe, her chest felt like it was caving in.

And then, the worst thing happened,

Mamoni slowly raised her head and looked at her.

That gaze…that gaze burned like fire.

The same eyes that had once showered her with love, affection, and protection… now held only disbelief. Only hatred.

No words, no accusations, just a hollow emptiness, as if Mamoni could no longer recognize her.

The commotion around her became muffled. Someone was probably calling her name.

But Kajal couldn’t hear anything.

Only one thing echoed in her mind
“What have I done?”

A strange numbness took over her. Everything felt like a fog, the world around her slowly drifting away.

Yet she stood still, staring at Lata’s blood-soaked body…

And watching her life change in an instant.

The room was silent, time stood still. Her father hurriedly placed the car keys in Kajal’s hands and said, “Take Lata to the hospital!” But just then, Mamoni stopped him. Her eyes were filled with rage, her face twisted with anger. She looked at Kajal as if she were a complete stranger.

Her father stood in shock, unable to comprehend what was happening. But Mamoni knew. She knew everything!

Lata was rushed to the hospital. Her body was lifeless, her clothes soaked in blood. The doctors didn’t give any hope. The air was heavy with fear and tension. Would Lata survive? No one knew.

Meanwhile, Kajal stood alone. Her fingers intertwined, then loosened. Everything felt like a nightmare. A horrifying nightmare. The only thing that kept repeating in her mind
“It’s my fault… It’s my fault…”

Suddenly, she thought, Ankur! He had no idea!

The person Lata loved the most didn’t even know she was fighting for her life. Kajal frantically pulled out her phone and dialed Ankur’s number. The phone rang… but no one answered.

She tried again. No response.

Kajal clenched her teeth. What kind of love is this? The one who doesn’t even know?

Suddenly, she made a decision, she would go to him herself. She would tell him everything.

And with that thought, she ran.

Crossing the street, Kajal hurries forward. She calls again, but nothing changes this time either. Running, she reaches Ankur’s house and bangs on the door. No response from inside. She knocks again, harder this time.

After a moment, the door opens.

Ankur stands in front of her, his eyes red with sleep, hair disheveled, an unusual exhaustion hanging around his neck.

But Kajal freezes.

Something feels… off.

Is Ankur really sleeping? Or… is it something else?

The room behind him is dark, but a faint scent drifts out, familiar… painfully familiar…

Kajal feels an uneasy weight settle in her chest. She doesn’t take another step forward.

But what is the truth?

The sky is shrouded in thick, dark clouds. Dust from the streets swirls in the light breeze, stinging her eyes. Everything around her feels hazy, but Kajal doesn’t stop.

She doesn’t waste a single second. Without giving Ankur a chance to speak, she grabs his hand tightly. Cold, lifeless fingers. She clutches them and pulls him outside.

Ankur still can’t comprehend what is happening. He is confused, dazed. But the moment Lata’s name flashes in his mind, something twists inside him. A fire rages in his chest. Darkness clouds his vision. In panic, he looks around, searching for a ray of hope somewhere.

As soon as the car door opens, they both slip inside. Kajal takes the wheel, while Ankur collapses into the seat beside her. His hands tremble, his mind goes blank. Kajal knows that right now, he can’t drive.

The car speeds through the silent night.

Kajal thinks, this moment… how beautiful it is. If only it could last forever! Ankur beside her, their hands clasped together, eyes locked… every second feels like a dream.

Suddenly, the road ahead blurs. A deafening sound echoes from the distance.

A horn!

A heavy vehicle rushes forward.

Inside the car, an eerie silence hangs. And then, suddenly, everything freezes.

A violent crash!

The car jolts, the metallic screech shatters the air, and in an instant, everything turns upside down.

Ankur’s body is flung to one side. Kajal’s head slams against the steering wheel. The sound of shattering glass, screeching tires, and thick smoke fills the air.

The car lies motionless. No one is around.

Only blood splattered on the road… two motionless bodies…

And an unfinished story.

Darkness engulfs everything. It feels like someone has thrown her into an endless void. She has no strength in her body, yet a distant sound of crying reaches her ears.

To be continued…

Kajal started withdrawing into herself day by day. Seeing the relationship between Ankur and Lata increased the turmoil inside her. She did not want revenge, but the pain of losing was unbearable.

To keep herself busy, she immersed herself more and more in her studies. But she couldn’t maintain her focus. Every day, she kept thinking—if she were more beautiful, if she were more attractive, would Ankur have liked her? These thoughts made her even more depressed.

One day, she made a decision, she had to leave this place. If she stayed in this environment, she would lose herself. So, she went to her father and told him that she wanted to go to Delhi for higher studies. But her father did not agree. He always wanted Kajal to become a great lawyer-strong and talented, just like him.

Kajal was completely shattered by her father’s decision. On one side, the pain of losing her first love, and on the other, the frustration of not being able to chase her dreams. Still, she tried to convince herself that everything would be okay. With time, all the pain would fade away.

But one night… everything changed.

All dreams, all plans were destroyed in an instant.

That night, Lata found out that Kajal wanted to go to Delhi. At first, she was surprised, then she became angry.

“You’re going to Delhi? And you weren’t even going to tell me?”

Kajal replied in an indifferent tone—“Yes, I’m going.”

Lata was shocked.

“But why? What for? Haven’t I done enough for you?”

Kajal didn’t respond, she just kept packing her bag.

Lata, mixing anger with hurt, said—“Are you running away? What are you running from? Why are you leaving me behind?”

Kajal turned her face away as if she didn’t want to hear anything.

Lata stepped in front of her and said—“Look, Kajal, you are my closest friend. Tell me, why are you doing this?”

Kajal said nothing. She walked towards the balcony. There were tears in her eyes, but her face showed no emotion.

Lata couldn’t take it anymore; she grabbed Kajal from behind—

“You can’t leave me like this!”

Kajal didn’t speak. She seemed lost in some strange void.

Lata, unable to hold back her emotions, said—“Fine! Don’t say anything! At least hug me! Just one tight hug, then do whatever you want!”

Kajal slowly turned around. Seeing the tears in Lata’s eyes, she also broke down.

They hugged each other tightly.

But… something happened.

The scent!

A familiar fragrance reached Kajal’s nose.

She had smelled this before… this was Ankur’s scent!

How did this scent get onto Lata?

How close had they gotten?

Did they… kiss?

As these thoughts flooded her mind, Kajal’s body went numb.

Her brain stopped working.

Her hands clenched, her breathing became heavy.

Without realizing it, she pushed.

Thud!

Lata couldn’t understand what just happened.

She only saw that Kajal had pushed her.

Her hands tried to grab Kajal’s arms.

“Kajal!” Lata screamed.

But she couldn’t hold on.

She fell…

From the second floor.

Into the deep darkness…

When Kajal realized what she had done, her heart shattered.

“Lata!!”

Her scream shook the entire house.

But… It was too late.

Lata lay motionless below.

Blood… blood was oozing from her head.

“No, no, no! How did this happen?” Kajal stepped back, trembling.

Mamoni rushed over and threw herself onto Lata—

“My daughter!! My Lata!!”

Her father quickly pulled out his phone to call the doctor.

Everyone in the house ran towards them, there was chaos all around, but Kajal stood frozen.

Her hands were shaking, her eyes were filled with tears, and her brain had stopped functioning.

“How… How did this happen?”

Her mind whispered—

“I didn’t do it… I didn’t mean to… but… I did.”

She couldn’t hear anything anymore. Everything around her seemed blurry. Lata’s breathing grew heavier.

Mamoni, crying uncontrollably, said—

“Why are you just standing there, Kajal? Do something!! Where’s the doctor?!”

Kajal was mute.

Had she really…?

No, it couldn’t be…

But she had seen it herself…

She herself…

Her hands still carried the scent.

“Did I really do this…?”

Amidst the noise around her, Kajal could only repeat one thing in her mind—

“What have I done…”

To be continued…

After Ankur’s confession, the entire world seemed to pause for a second. Lata stared at him, shocked, overwhelmed, a storm of emotions swirling inside her. Did she hear it right? Was this real?

Ankur took a step closer.

His eyes held a deep, soft expression, as if he could read every emotion in her heart. He had waited for this moment for so long, imagined it a thousand times, but today, today, Lata was finally standing right in front of him, closer to his heart than ever before.

Hesitant at first, he slowly took both of Lata’s hands in his.

“You never realized, did you?”

Lata didn’t say a word. Her breath had grown heavier.

“You’ve always been my best friend, my closest one. But you know what? I never saw you only as a friend.”

Lata lowered her gaze.

All these years, she had assumed she wasn’t Ankur’s type. That he only saw her as a friend. But how wrong she had been!

“Remember our school days?” Ankur chuckled. “You always picked fights, got into trouble, and instead of saving me, you used to drag me into your mess! But you know what? I was always right there by your side.”

Lata tried to recall those moments. Every little memory flashed before her eyes, she had never realized it before, but all this time, this boy had been protecting her in his own way.

“You may not have noticed, but I was always looking out for you. If anyone ever tried to hurt you, I stepped in before you even knew. Because…”

Ankur took a deep breath.

“Because I love you, Lata. I always have.”

Lata felt a lump in her throat. Those simple words shattered all the walls she had built inside her heart.

And then, suddenly, Ankur placed his hands gently on her shoulders and slowly pulled her closer.

Lata was stunned for a moment. But in the next second, it felt… right. This was meant to happen.

She closed her eyes and allowed herself to feel the warmth of his embrace, as if, after waiting for so long, she had finally found her safest place.

With her face buried in Ankur’s chest, all the storms, all the doubts, all the heartache melted away into that one deep, warm hug.

Outside, a soft wind was blowing, and the colors of the sky were shifting slowly.

But for them, time had stopped.

They both knew, after today, nothing would ever change again. Because they had found their forever in each other’s hearts.

To be continued…

The sunlight was fading, casting a golden glow all around. Lata stood in a corner, twisting her fingers nervously. She had made up her mind, no matter what, today she would say it! But how? Where should she start? Her heart was pounding in her chest.

Suddenly, a familiar voice from behind—

“Hey, Lata! What are you thinking about all alone?”

Lata jolted and turned around. Ankur was standing there with a wide grin, completely unaware of what was going on in her mind.

“Nothing!” Lata tried to keep her voice steady, but it sounded too normal.

Ankur frowned. “I can tell just by looking at your face that something’s up! Are you going to tell me, or should I just guess?”

Lata thought to herself, “Ugh! If only this idiot understood on his own, I wouldn’t have to worry so much!” But she said nothing.

Ankur kept looking at her, waiting. Lata’s mind screamed, “Just say it! Say it! What are you so afraid of? It’s not like he’s going to eat you alive!”

Finally, she took a deep breath and made a silent decision.

And without any warning, she looked straight at Ankur and blurted out—

“I’m in love with you!”

One second… two seconds… three seconds…

Ankur froze! He stood completely still, not uttering a single word. Even his eyelids didn’t blink.

Lata’s heart pounded wildly. “Oh no! Did he just go into shock and turn into a statue?”

Ankur opened his mouth as if to say something but stopped. Then, he scratched his head lightly, looking like he had no idea how to react.

Lata, now getting annoyed, snapped—

“What’s taking you so long? If you want to say no, just say it! Why all the drama?”

Ankur finally smiled. He was clearly enjoying the whole situation. Then, he took slow steps toward Lata, gazed deeply into her eyes, and…

He didn’t say a word. Instead, he gently… very slowly… tucked a loose strand of hair away from her forehead.

Lata’s heartbeat doubled.

Ankur was still looking at her, smiling softly. For a moment, time seemed to freeze. The air felt both warm and cool, Lata couldn’t tell the difference.

Then, in the softest, most tender voice, Ankur said—

“I’ve loved you from the very first day, you silly girl!”

There was nothing more to say.

For a moment, Lata forgot everything. There was no noise, no crowd, just two people and their silent confessions.

A gentle breeze passed by, ruffling their hair. Time didn’t stop, but the moment stayed with them forever.

To be continued…

Wearing a blue saree, Kajal stood in front of the mirror and smiled softly. Today was going to be the most beautiful day of her life. The feelings she had hidden since childhood,today, she would finally express them.

“Enough hiding! I have to say it today!”

Holding a white rose in her hand, Kajal sat in a corner of the college canteen, waiting…

Suddenly, Ankur appeared in front of her.

“Hey Kajju! All dressed up today? Is someone special coming?”

Kajal smiled but said nothing.

Ankur sat beside her, chatting about random things. Kajal was looking for the right moment to say what had been bottled up inside her for so long.

Just then, Ankur turned to her and said,

“You know, I’ve been meaning to tell you something for days… Should I?”

Kajal’s heart skipped a beat. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“Yes! Tell me!”

Ankur scratched his head shyly and said,

“I don’t know when or how it happened, but…”

Kajal held her breath, listening intently.

“I… have fallen in love with Lata!”

For a moment, everything around her fell silent.

The rose slipped from Kajal’s fingers and dropped to the ground. It felt like someone had stabbed her right in the chest.

But she quickly composed herself and smiled.

“You and Lata are just perfect for each other!”

Ankur’s face lit up with joy.

“So, should I tell her?”

Kajal nodded.

“Yes, of course! But be careful… be prepared for a battle!”

She forced a laugh.

Ankur chuckled,

“Haha, Lata isn’t an ordinary girl. Proposing to her feels like preparing for war!”

Kajal stared at him blankly.

As Ankur walked away, Kajal quietly made her way home.

That entire night, she cried.

“You were never beautiful, Kajal… He was never going to love you…”

She tore pages from her diary and scattered them across the floor.

Mamoni silently entered Kajal’s room, picking up the torn pages one by one. Kajal was lying on the bed, crying. Without a word, Mamoni wrapped her in a warm embrace.

Kajal couldn’t hold back anymore—her sobs grew louder.

She was truly happy for Lata, but for herself? Everyone around her was surrounded by love, yet she? Completely alone…

Mamoni looked at her face and understood, the pain was still buried deep inside her heart. Slowly, she ran her fingers through Kajal’s hair, trying to comfort her without words.

“Love can never be demanded, nor can it be taken by force. Some people enter our lives only to teach us lessons, not to stay.“

Mamoni knew that no matter how much Kajal suppressed her pain, her heart was still trapped in those fragmented memories of the past.

She held Kajal’s hand, trying to make her understand—”life doesn’t always give us what we want. But that doesn’t mean we are unworthy of love.“

Maybe someone’s love was never meant for us because something deeper, something purer, is waiting ahead.

Kajal realized that she had lost something… but that didn’t mean she would remain alone forever.

Sometimes, love arrives silently, at the right time, through the right person. Somewhere, someone is waiting just for her…

To be continued…

Kajal and Kushagra arrived at the wedding hall, where everything sparkled with lights, music, and happiness. It felt like a dream.

Lata, draped in a stunning golden saree with a deep red churni covering her head, looked like a goddess descended to earth. Her face glowed with bridal charm, every jewel shimmering under the chandeliers. All eyes admired the radiant bride… yet, oddly, whispers began to rise—

“Where is the groom?“

The seat beside her was empty. The groom hadn’t arrived yet.

But the moment Kajal’s eyes moved across the hall, her breath hitched—her heart almost stopped.

There he was. Standing near the altar.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

“What?! How is this possible?!”

Her face went pale, her heartbeat quickened.
“This… this can’t be real! This man…“

Her throat went dry, and she struggled to speak.

But one name kept echoing in her mind.

“Ankur…“

Yes! It was her childhood love, Ankur!

But no… that was impossible. Ankur was dead!

A hazy memory flashed before her eyes—a phone call, news of a tragic death, uncontrollable sobbing…

Kajal screamed in her mind, “Then how is he standing here?!”

Suddenly, the room blurred, her surroundings spun around her.

“No! This is a mistake! This is a dream… this is…“

Before she could comprehend anything, her legs wobbled, the dazzling lights dimmed, and in the next moment, she collapsed to the floor.

Gasps and cries filled the hall—

“Kajal!“

Kushagra rushed toward her, Lata stood frozen in shock, her bridal veil trembling.
And from afar, Mamoni watched—her face devoid of any emotion.

Perhaps she was the only one who knew the truth behind this darkness…

To be continued…

That evening, the house buzzed with laughter and chatter, everyone gathered downstairs, dressed in their finest. Yet, one room upstairs still held a quiet…
Kajal sat before the mirror, her fingers moving with a quiet grace. She placed a small bindi on her forehead, its deep red dot glowing against her fair skin. She carefully lined her dark eyes with kajal, making them look even more intense and expressive.

A soft shade of lipstick followed, bringing a gentle glow to her lips. She slipped on her bangles one by one, their soft jingling filling the room. Finally, she draped herself in a green saree that seemed as if it were made only for her—it clung to her form with elegance, the color highlighting every bit of her charm.

She looked perfect, yet she sighed in frustration. Something was missing. Her heels. Without them, the look felt incomplete.

“Uh! Where did it go? This outfit won’t work without those heels!” Kajal muttered, searching every corner of the room.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.
“Knock, knock!”

Annoyed, Kajal said, “No need to knock! I’m coming!“

“May I come in?“

The voice made Kajal freeze.
“Kush?“

She opened the door, and there stood Kushagra, his eyes instantly widening. For a moment, he forgot why he was there. He was utterly mesmerized. Kajal, draped in her green saree with her dark eyes shining, looked like a vision. The bangles on her wrist, the glow on her lips, the soft strands of her hair falling over her face, everything about her was poetry.

Kush slowly raised his hand, revealing the missing heel.
“Here’s your heels.”

Kajal was stunned. “Where did you find it?”

Kush chuckled, still not taking his eyes off her. “It was in the garage. Lata was yelling—’Find Kajal’s heel!’ I was parking the car and overheard it. So I looked for it.”

Kajal laughed. “Lata is such a lunatic! But how did you know this was mine?“

Kush furrowed his brows. “Do you want the truth?“
Kajal nodded.

“Because this is the only heel, I thought you would wear—black, soft, stylish. Just like you.“

Kajal fell silent, slightly embarrassed.

Kush then grinned. “Now don’t be late. Hurry up and come down.”

Kajal held her heel and said, “Thank you, Kush!“

Kush looked at her and softly said, “Kajal, you look the most beautiful when you smile.”

Then he walked away.

Kajal stood there, staring at the door.
Why was this man so effortlessly understanding her?
What she didn’t know was that Kushagra was also lost in thought…

To be continued…

Baba introduced Kushagra to everyone.

“Listen, everyone! This is Kushagra, our very own Kush! He’s like an elder brother to you all. A wonderful young man from a very respectable family.”

Kushagra smiled warmly. “You can all just call me Kush.”

Just then, Kajal arrived with a tray of hot pakoras.

“Here, Kush.” she said softly.

Kushagra looked at Kajal in surprise. “Do you already know me?”

Kajal hesitated a little. “No… I mean… actually…”

Kush chuckled. “I was your senior in school. Perhaps you’ve seen me there.”

Lata silently observed their conversation.

Kushagra took a bite and exclaimed, “Wow! This is amazing! Kajal, your cooking is incredible!”

Kajal lowered her gaze and smiled.

Kush added, “Are you still as shy as before? Were you like this as a child too?”

Kajal looked at him in astonishment.

Lata, intrigued, kept listening. Suddenly, she heard—

“You still look as beautiful as ever, Kajal.”

Before Kajal could respond, Kushagra smiled mischievously and said, “And you still blush the same way!”

Lata’s eyes widened as she watched them.

That night, when Kajal entered her room, Lata rushed in and shut the door behind her!

“Kajal! Tell me the truth, was your childhood crush Kush?”

Kajal gasped. “What? Are you crazy?”

Lata grabbed a pillow and playfully threw it at her! “Hahaha! I heard your flirting! You gave him pakoras, and he took your heart!”

Kajal covered her face. “Uh, Lata! Stop talking nonsense!”

Lata crossed her arms and smirked. “Then tell me, who was your childhood crush?”

Kajal stayed silent.

Lata studied her face for a moment and then suddenly screamed, “Oh my God! It’s true! Your crush WAS Kush! That’s why your grades dropped once!”

Kajal quickly covered Lata’s mouth. “Shhh! Someone will hear!”

Lata, still laughing, asked, “So tell me, will you confess to Kush?”

Kajal said nothing, only stared out the window.

Outside, Kushagra was talking on the phone. In the darkness, his face seemed unreadable.

But why?

The day of Lata’s wedding arrived. The entire house was bustling with joy, laughter, and endless preparations. But one face lacked any happiness—Mamoni’s.

Kajal noticed how Mamoni avoided looking at her. Every time she tried to help, something went wrong.

She accidentally knocked over jewellery, tore a flower garland while arranging it—everything seemed to go against her. It was as if Mamoni was deliberately keeping her away.

Kajal felt hurt but said nothing. She just wanted Lata’s special day to go smoothly.

To be continued…