The moonlight bathed the balcony of the Thakkar house in a soft, silvery glow. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the nearby trees, carrying with it the faint scent of jasmine from the garden below. Savi stood still, her hand gripping the cold iron railing as she stared at Rajat, trying to process the words that had just come out of his mouth.
"Marry me," he had said, his voice steady yet carrying an undercurrent of vulnerability that she had never heard before.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Savi's mind was a whirlpool of emotions-confusion, shock, disbelief. She and Rajat had never seen eye to eye on anything. Their interactions had always been marked by tension and disagreements, never once hinting at the possibility of something as profound as marriage. What had she done to make him think that this was even an option?
Her eyes searched his face, looking for any signs that this might be a cruel joke, some twisted form of payback for all the times they had clashed. But Rajat's expression was sincere, his dark eyes holding hers with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat.
"Savi," Rajat spoke again, breaking the silence that had stretched between them. His voice was soft, almost pleading. "I know this is sudden. I know we don't have that kind of understanding between us... at least, not yet."
Savi's breath hitched as she watched his face, the usually composed and confident CEO now looking almost... unsure. He swallowed hard, glancing away for a moment as if gathering his thoughts.
"When Sai was in the hospital," Rajat continued, his voice quieter now, "she said something that I didn't think much of at the time. She said she wanted her 'Pari Aunty' as her mother."
Savi's heart constricted at the mention of Sai. She remembered the night all too well-the fear, the helplessness, the overwhelming need to do anything to help that little girl who had captured her heart in ways she hadn't even realized until that moment.
Rajat turned back to her, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "I dismissed it as just a child's wish, you know? But then I started thinking... Savi, you've done so much for Sai. You were the one who donated blood when she needed it. You were the one who walked 15 kilometers to fulfill a mannat for her recovery."
Savi's eyes widened as the memories flooded back. She had done those things out of love, a deep, maternal instinct she hadn't known she possessed until Sai came into her life. But hearing Rajat acknowledge it-seeing the emotion in his eyes as he spoke-made her chest tighten with something she couldn't quite name.
"These aren't just gestures, Savi," Rajat said, his voice cracking slightly. "These are the actions of someone who loves like a mother. And more than that, you've been the parent to Sai that I... I failed to be."
Rajat's admission hung in the air between them, raw and painful. Savi felt a tear slip down her cheek as she watched him struggle to maintain his composure. This was a side of Rajat she had never seen before-a man who was deeply, profoundly aware of his shortcomings, and who was willing to do whatever it took to make things right.
"I was so caught up in my past," Rajat continued, his voice barely above a whisper now. "I was so focused on work, on staying away from home... I didn't even look at my daughter's face. I didn't talk to her, didn't spend time with her. I failed her, Savi. And yet... she doesn't hate me for it. She still loves me."
Savi's heart ached as she watched Rajat's shoulders shake with suppressed emotion. She wanted to reach out, to comfort him, but she was rooted to the spot, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment.
"I don't deserve her love," Rajat said, his voice breaking. "I don't deserve someone as pure and forgiving as Sai by my side. But I'm selfish, Savi. I'm so selfish, and I want that love. I want to earn it. And asking you to marry me... it's one of the steps I need to take to do that."
Savi felt her breath catch in her throat. The sincerity in Rajat's words, the raw emotion he was laying bare before her-it was almost too much to bear.
"I know I'm not a deserving father," Rajat said, wiping a tear from his cheek. "But you... you're already her mother in every way that matters. Except one."
He took a step closer to her, his eyes never leaving hers. "If you say yes, Savi, I promise you-I'll do everything in my power to be a good husband to you. And I'll be a good father to Sai. I'll earn her love, and I'll earn yours too, if you'll let me."
Savi's heart was pounding in her chest, her mind racing as she tried to process everything. This wasn't the Rajat she thought she knew. This was a man who was baring his soul, laying out his vulnerabilities, and asking her to take a chance on him-a chance that could change everything for both of them.
But could she do it? Could she take that leap of faith and believe that they could make this work? Her eyes, still misty with tears, met his, and for the first time, she saw the man behind the mask-the man who was just as lost and broken as she was, but who was willing to try and make things right.
As the silence stretched between them once more, Savi knew that whatever decision she made would shape their futures in ways she couldn't yet comprehend. But standing there, under the moonlight, with Rajat's raw confession hanging in the air, she knew one thing for certain-this was a moment she would never forget.
The night air was cool, carrying with it the soft rustling of leaves as Savi reached out to touch Rajat's hands. Her fingers trembled as they made contact with his warm skin, a simple gesture that somehow felt monumental. The weight of the moment pressed down on her, making it difficult to find the right words.
"I understand what you're going through, Rajat," she began, her voice soft and measured. "The trauma of seeing someone you love in an accident like that... it's something that can consume you entirely. It's like the world stops, and all you can think about is that single, horrifying moment. Nothing else seems to matter."
Rajat's gaze remained fixed on her, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity. The intensity of her words struck a chord within him, but there was also something deeper, something she hadn't yet revealed.
Savi drew in a shaky breath, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Sai... she's the brightest star in my life. I love her more than I can ever put into words. The connection I share with her... it's unlike anything I've ever experienced before. It reminds me of the bond I shared with the first and most important relationship in my life-my mother."
Rajat's brow furrowed in confusion. He tilted his head slightly, trying to piece together what she was saying. "But... I thought Isha Bhosle was your mother," he said, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
A sad smile tugged at the corners of Savi's lips as she looked out into the night, her mind drifting back to memories she hadn't revisited in a long time.
Rajat's confusion deepened, but he didn't interrupt. He could see the pain in her eyes, the way she was lost in her memories, and he knew this was something she needed to share.
"My mother was a doctor," Savi continued, her voice distant as she recalled the past. "She always took care of me, made me feel safe, loved... like nothing in the world could ever harm me as long as she was around. That bond, that sense of security... it was everything to me."
She paused, her eyes brimming with tears. "And now, when I'm with little Sai, I feel that same connection. When I look into her eyes, I see my mother. It's like... it's like she's come back to me, through Sai. Being with her makes me feel safe, makes me feel like I'm not alone anymore."
Savi's voice cracked as the tears finally spilled over, sliding down her cheeks. She couldn't stop them, couldn't hold back the flood of emotions that had been building up inside her for so long. But even as she cried, she felt a deep, inexplicable warmth in her heart-a connection that transcended time and space.
Rajat's expression softened as he listened, the depth of Savi's pain and love striking him in ways he hadn't expected. He reached out, gently brushing away her tears with his fingertips, his touch tender and comforting. They stare at each other, seeing the depth of pain in each other's eyes.
"Savi..." he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. "I had no idea..."
She smiled through her tears, a small, sad smile that spoke of the countless memories and emotions she carried with her. "It's okay," she said, her voice steadying. "It's not something I talk about often. But Sai... she brings those memories back, and I want to give her the same love my mother gave me. Sometimes, I really do feel like my mother's spirit lives on in her."
Rajat's heart ached as he looked at her, realizing just how much she had been through, how much she had endured and still managed to find love in the midst of her pain. Without thinking, he cupped her cheek in his hand, his thumb gently caressing her skin.
"Your mother must have been an incredible woman," he said softly, his eyes filled with admiration.
Savi's breath hitched at his words, the sincerity in his voice piercing through her defenses. She hadn't expected this-hadn't expected him to understand, to see her in a way no one else had before. The connection between them, once tenuous and strained, now felt unbreakable, forged in the fires of shared pain and mutual respect.
Rajat hesitated for a moment, then asked the question that had been weighing on his mind. "Savi... what happened to your mother?"
Savi's gaze dropped to the ground as she swallowed the lump in her throat. "My parents were Sai Joshi Chavan and Virat Chavan," she said, her voice trembling with the effort to keep her emotions in check.
Rajat's eyes widened in shock as recognition dawned. "Sai Joshi Chavan... and Virat Chavan?" he repeated, his voice filled with awe. "They were... they were heroes. The brave IPS officer who foiled so many terrorist attacks, and the doctor who..."
"Yes," Savi confirmed, her voice barely above a whisper. "They were martyred together during a plane hijacking. They sacrificed their lives to save others... and I was left behind, too young to understand, but old enough to feel the loss."
The weight of her words hung heavily in the air, and Rajat felt a deep sense of regret wash over him. He remembered the harsh words he had spoken to her in the hospital, the way he had assumed she couldn't possibly understand the pain of losing a loved one. How wrong he had been.
Without thinking, Rajat pulled Savi into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest as she finally let go, her sobs shaking her small frame. "I'm so sorry, Savi," he whispered, his voice thick with guilt. "For everything I said... I had no idea. I've always been reckless with my words, but I never meant to hurt you like that."
Savi buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking into his shirt as she clung to him. The warmth of his embrace, the sincerity in his voice-it was everything she hadn't realized she needed in that moment. She hadn't expected to find comfort in him, but here she was, feeling more understood and cared for than she had in a long time.
Rajat held her for a long moment, his heart heavy with the weight of his own regrets. When her sobs finally subsided, he gently pulled back, just enough to look into her tear-streaked face. "You know," he began softly, "Sai was named after your mother."
Savi blinked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "What?"
"When I was seven," Rajat explained, his voice filled with reverence, "the news of your parents' bravery was everywhere. I remember hearing about how they sacrificed everything to save those people. I promised myself that if I ever had children, I would name them after your parents-to honor them and keep their memory alive."
Savi's breath caught in her throat as she stared at him, unable to believe what she was hearing. "You... you named her after my mother?" she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Rajat nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I did. Sai is a reminder of the bravery, love, and sacrifice your parents embodied. And now, knowing you... it feels even more meaningful."
Savi's heart swelled with a mix of emotions-grief for the loss of her parents, gratitude for Rajat's gesture, and a deep, unexpected connection to the man standing before her. She reached up, her hand trembling as she touched his cheek, brushing away a tear that had escaped his eye.
They stood there in silence, their eyes locked, as the weight of the moment settled over them. There was a bond between them now, something deeper than either of them had anticipated. A bond forged not just in shared pain, but in a mutual understanding that transcended words.
Finally, Savi stepped back, breaking the silence. She looked up at Rajat, her expression thoughtful as she considered his proposal. "I'll think about it," she said softly. "I want to be Sai's mother more than anything... but I don't know if I can be a good wife to you."
Rajat smiled gently, the tension between them easing into something lighter, more hopeful. "Take all the time you need, Savi. I'm not a demanding husband. All I'd ask is that you don't kick me in my sleep."
Savi's lips curved into a small, genuine smile, the weight of the night lifting just a little. "I can't make any promises," she teased, a hint of her usual humor returning.
Rajat chuckled, his laughter light and warm, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the air between them was filled with something other than tension. It was filled with possibility, with hope.
As Savi turned to leave, she felt a new sense of peace settling over her-a peace that came from knowing that, whatever happened next, they were no longer just two people trying to navigate the challenges of their lives. They were something more. They were a team, bound by their love for Sai and the unexpected bond that had formed between them.
-----
**Savi's Room**
Savi sat alone in her room, the dim light of the bedside lamp casting long shadows on the walls. In her hands, she held a picture of her late husband, Ishaan. The photo was a cherished memory from their wedding day-her smile radiant, his eyes filled with love and promise. It was a snapshot of the happiest moment of her life, a moment that had been cruelly snatched away just hours later. As she gazed at the picture, her heart ached with the memories of a love that had been tragically cut short.
She closed her eyes, letting the memories wash over her like a tidal wave. The joy of their wedding day, the feeling that everything was finally perfect-that she had married the man she loved more than anything in the world. She remembered the way Ishaan had looked at her during the ceremony, his eyes filled with a quiet devotion that had made her believe in forever. But forever had lasted only a few hours. The gunshot that took him away from her was a cruel twist of fate, leaving her with nothing but the echoes of their vows and the shattered pieces of a future that would never be.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she relived the pain of losing him, of being left alone in a world that suddenly felt too vast and empty. The weight of Rajat's proposal pressed heavily on her heart, making her feel as though she was betraying Ishaan by even considering it. How could she move on? How could she entertain the idea of loving another man when the wound of losing her first love was still so raw?
As her tears began to fall, she heard a soft knock on the door. She quickly wiped her eyes, but the sorrow was still evident on her face when Isha entered the room. The older woman took one look at Savi and immediately knew what was troubling her.
"Savi," Isha said gently, her voice filled with the wisdom of shared pain. She crossed the room and sat down beside her daughter-in-law, her eyes softening as she looked at the picture of Ishaan. "I know this isn't easy for you."
Savi bit her lip, trying to hold back the sob that threatened to escape. She turned the picture slightly so that Isha could see it better. "Isha Ma," she began, her voice trembling, "I feel like I'm cheating on him. Rajat... he proposed to me, and all I can think about is how much I'm betraying Ishaan by even considering it."
Isha's eyes widened in surprise, the news of Rajat's proposal sinking in. She reached out and gently placed a hand on Savi's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Oh, Savi," she said softly, her voice thick with emotion, "Ishaan's last wish was to see you happy. He loved you so much, and all he ever wanted was for you to be happy."
Tears brimmed in Savi's eyes as she looked up at Isha, the pain of their shared loss reflected in both their gazes. "But how can I be happy without him?" she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her grief. "How can I move on when he's gone?"
Isha sighed, her heart breaking for the young woman who had become like a daughter to her. "Ishaan will always be a part of our lives," she said gently. "But you can't live in the past, Savi. You have to try to find happiness again. It's what Ishaan would have wanted. He wouldn't want you to be alone and unhappy."
Savi shook her head, the tears streaming down her face. "I can't," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "It feels like I'm betraying him."
Isha wrapped her arm around Savi, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "You're not betraying him," she whispered, her voice firm yet kind. "You're holding onto the love he had for you, and you're honoring his memory by trying to live your life to the fullest. Ishaan wanted you to be happy, Savi. Don't deny yourself that chance."
Savi leaned into Isha's embrace, the older woman's words slowly breaking down the walls she had built around her heart. She knew that Isha was right, but the thought of moving on was still terrifying. How could she ever love someone else as much as she had loved Ishaan?
Just then, the door creaked open again, and Savi looked up to see Shantanu standing in the doorway, his expression pained yet resolute. He had been listening to their conversation, the memories of his late son weighing heavily on his heart.
Silently, he walked over to them and sat down on the other side of Savi. He placed a gentle hand on her back, his touch warm and comforting. "Savi," he began, his voice deep and soothing, "Isha and I will always support you in whatever decision you make. But you must think about Sai too. The bond you share with her... it's special. It's the kind of bond that can't be replaced."
Savi looked up at him, her eyes red and swollen from crying. "But how can I make a decision like this, Baba? How can I choose between my past and my future?"
Shantanu smiled gently, his eyes filled with understanding. "You don't have to choose," he said softly. "Your past will always be a part of you, and so will Ishaan. But your future... it's still unwritten. And it's okay to want happiness in your future, Savi. It's okay to embrace the love that's being offered to you."
Isha nodded in agreement, her hand still resting on Savi's shoulder. "Sai deserves the love of a mother," she added quietly. "And you're the only one who can give her that love. You've already become her mother in so many ways, Savi. Don't be afraid to take that next step."
Savi's mind raced with the weight of their words, the images of Sai's smiling face flashing before her eyes. She thought about all the moments they had shared-the laughter, the tears, the simple joys of everyday life. In those moments, she had felt a kind of peace and happiness that she hadn't experienced in a long time.
As she sat there, between the two people who had become her family, Savi realized that she couldn't say no to being Sai's mother. The love she felt for that little girl was too strong, too deep to be denied. And maybe, just maybe, accepting Rajat's proposal wasn't a betrayal of Ishaan, but a way to honor the love they had shared by allowing herself to find happiness again.
Savi took a deep breath, her heart heavy yet lighter than it had been in a long time. She looked at Isha, then at Shantanu, and finally at the picture of Ishaan in her hands. "I don't know if I'm ready," she said softly, her voice trembling. "But I'll try. I'll try to find happiness again, for Sai... and for myself."
Isha smiled through her tears, pulling Savi into another embrace. "That's all anyone can ask of you, Savi. Just try. And remember, we're all here for you, every step of the way."
Shantanu nodded, his hand still resting on Savi's back. "You're not alone in this, Savi. We're a family, and we'll get through this together."
Savi felt a warmth spreading through her chest, a sense of belonging that she hadn't felt in a long time. She knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but with the love and support of the people around her, she felt a glimmer of hope that she could find happiness again.
As she hugged Isha and Shantanu tightly, Savi whispered a silent prayer to Ishaan, asking for his blessing and guidance as she prepared to take this next step in her life. She knew he would always be with her, in her heart and in the memories they had shared. And maybe, just maybe, he would understand her decision and want her to find the happiness that he had always wished for her.