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IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 41
A peaceful silence had descended upon them. Avi, her face a delightful canvas of pink ice cream residue, was now blissfully occupied building a tower out of fallen leaves. Saarayu, a gentle smile gracing her lips, watched her with amusement. Reyansh, his gaze fixed on the vibrant foliage overhead, finally spoke."I think I've made a decision," he said, his voice thoughtful. "Like I mentioned earlier, I need a break. A break from trying to unravel the past, a break from everything for a while."Saarayu nodded, her expression understanding. "So, what does that look like?""Focus," Reyansh replied, his eyes hardening with newfound determination. "Focus on Avi, on my studies. You know my dream of becoming a cardiologist? I want to chase that with everything I have."He turned to Saarayu, his gaze sincere. "And I want to be there for Avi. Today... today was exactly what I needed. A reminder of what matters. I don't want to miss these moments, these simple joys."Saarayu's smile widened. "T
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 42
Saarayu, noticing Reyansh's lingering gaze, followed his line of sight and saw Ken and Sarah. Recognition dawned on her face."Shila Saarah?" she questioned, her voice barely a whisper.Reyansh nodded curtly. "Yeah."Saarayu's smile faltered slightly, a flicker of apology crossing her eyes. "Oh, Reyansh, I'm so sorry. I had no idea..."Reyansh raised a hand, dismissing her concern. "It's okay, Saarayu. Really. She's not important anymore."He forced a smile, but Saarayu could see the faint flicker of hurt lingering in his eyes. She understood. Betrayal by a loved one left scars, and the sight of Shila Saarah, a living reminder of that pain, must have been a punch to the gut.Reyansh, his face crinkled in concentration, carefully spooned a bite of mashed potato onto Avi's tiny airplane tray. The little one, perched precariously in her highchair, regarded the offering with a critical eye. After a moment's deliberation, she opened her mouth wide, and Reyansh expertly deposited the mash,
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 43
Saarayu gazed out at the star-dusted canvas from her balcony perch. A gentle breeze ruffled her hair as she drifted in thought, searching for Reyansh. Suddenly, the back door creaked open, and Reyansh entered the room. He froze in his tracks, his gaze snagged on a photo frame nestled on the side table. It depicted a beaming Saarayu flanked by the famous cricketer Vidhur and his wife, Haneesha. A whirlwind of emotions swirled within Reyansh. "My god!" he breathed, bewildered. "Saarayu... she's Vidhur's daughter?" The revelation shattered his perception of the simple, unassuming woman he'd come to know. How could someone with such a prestigious background choose such a seemingly ordinary. life?The photo frame practically burned a hole in Reyansh's hand. He crossed the room, each step echoing the sudden shift in his perception of Saarayu. Hesitantly, he approached the balcony where she sat bathed in moonlight, its glow emphasizing the gentle serenity he always found so captivating. "Saa
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 44
A surprised laugh escaped Reyansh's lips. "Wait, a pediatrician? That's a sharp turn from the world of colors!"She shrugged, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Maybe. But art isn't the only thing that brings life to color. Healing a child, watching them grow healthy and strong – that's a canvas of its own, wouldn't you say?" The way she spoke, with such genuine care and passion, made perfect sense. Reyansh could see the connection – the desire to nurture and create, to leave a positive mark on the world. "That's a beautiful way to look at it," he admitted, a newfound respect blooming in his chest. "So, what made you choose pediatrics?"Her smile softened. "Maybe it has something to do with witnessing the incredible strength of little ones. When I was younger, I saw a close friend battle a childhood illness. The resilience they showed, the unwavering support of their family – it inspired me. It made me want to be a part of that fight, to use my skills to bring a little more color bac
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 45
The early morning sun peeked through the branches of a flowering Gulmohar tree, casting a dappled pattern of light and shadow on Haneesha's study desk. Petals, brushed loose by the cool breeze, drifted down like confetti, settling gently on her open notebook. Lost in the rhythm of her studies, she barely registered the distant crack of a cricket bat.Suddenly, a loud crash shattered the tranquil silence. A stray cricket ball, propelled by a powerful swing, had somehow managed to thread its way through the branches, sending a shower of startled blossoms flying. It smashed into the windowpane, shattering the glass with a resounding clang.Haneesha jumped, startled out of her concentration. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she whipped her head towards the window. A wave of anger washed over her, quickly followed by a surge of protectiveness. This wasn't the first time a rogue cricket ball had invaded her quiet haven.Taking a deep breath, she tucked a stray strand of hair behind he
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 46
Haneesha tiptoed into the house, hoping to avoid her parents' scrutiny. But her younger brother, Vineel, spotted her instantly. He was ten, a whirlwind of energy and boundless curiosity."Di!" he whispered, his eyes widening at the sight of her mud-stained dress. "What happened? Why are you all muddy?"Haneesha quickly shushed him, her finger pressed firmly against his lips. "Later," she mouthed silently, a mischievous glint in her eyes.Vineel, despite his usual impulsiveness, understood her unspoken plea. He nodded eagerly, his lips pursed in a conspiratorial smile.Just then, their father, Keshav, entered the house, briefcase in hand and tie askew. Haneesha's heart skipped a beat. Keshav, a man of routine and discipline, had high expectations, particularly for his daughter, the one destined to become an IAS officer."Haneesha!" Keshav boomed, his voice filled with disapproval. "Still loitering about? Shouldn't you be preparing for your exams? Time management is crucial for success,
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 47
Vineel, basking in the afterglow of his successful prank, puffed out his chest with newfound confidence. "Of course you're my hero, always!" he declared, his voice laced with mock seriousness.Vidhur, who had just rounded the corner and stumbled upon this scene, stopped dead in his tracks. "Vineel!" he exclaimed, a mixture of surprise and amusement in his voice.Vineel, caught off guard, faltered for a moment. "Hmm, okay, fine," he conceded with a sheepish grin. "Vidhu..." he began, then stopped again, unable to resist adding a playful, "Hero!"Vidhur rolled his eyes, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Alright, alright, hero," he said, indulging Vineel's theatrics. "Tell me, what do you want?"Vineel's eyes lit up. "One ice cream!" he declared, his voice brimming with childish enthusiasm.Vidhur chuckled, the tension from their earlier encounter dissolving. He disappeared into a nearby shop and returned a moment later with a giant scoop of ice cream perched on a cone. Placing
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 48
The sound of their father's approaching footsteps sent Haneesha and Vineel scrambling. In a well-practiced maneuver, they dove for their books, burying their noses in the pages just as their father entered the room.Their mother, exchanging a knowing look with her husband, simply shook her head and retreated back to the kitchen."Good, very good," their father boomed, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Keep it up!"Haneesha and Vineel exchanged relieved smiles as soon as the door clicked shut behind him. A collective sigh escaped their lips, the tension dissipating as quickly as it had risen.Vineel, unable to contain his excitement, scurried to the window. "Di!" he exclaimed, "Look! It's Vidhur! I'm going to meet my hero!"Haneesha, ever the voice of reason, tried to curb his enthusiasm. "Vineel, no you're not going anywhere," she said with mock sternness.Vineel, however, was already halfway out the door. "Just ten minutes, Di, please! I promise!" he called back, his voice filled wi