In the quaint village of Ratanpur, a tale of love and opposites unfolds. At its heart is Vikram Pratap Singh, the formidable and unyielding head of the village. A rugged and less-educated man, Vikram is like a thorn, fiercely protective of his home...
I arrived at the haveli after performing the havan on behalf of Arjun and Mira. The ceremony had gone smoothly, but my heart still felt heavy with the absence of our parents. I checked every arrangement with Raghav before the engagement ceremony in the evening.
The haveli was bustling with activity, adorned with lights, diyas, and flowers, ready to celebrate the joyous occasion. As evening descended, I found myself getting ready in my room.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
As my gaze fell upon the framed photograph of our parents hanging on the wall, a rush of emotions washed over me. It was a familiar ritual, one I found myself repeating whenever I needed their guidance or felt their absence keenly.
My fingers traced the edges of the picture, as if seeking solace in the memories captured within its frame.
I couldn't help but feel a pang of longing as I looked at their smiling faces, frozen in time. How I wished they were here with us, witnessing this momentous day in Arjun's life.
"I hope you both were alive," I murmured softly to their photo, my voice barely above a whisper. "This is one of the biggest days in Arjun's life."
The ache in my heart intensified as I imagined how my parents would have rejoiced in Arjun's happiness. They were the epitome of love and devotion, always putting the needs of their children before their own.
If they were alive today, I knew without a doubt that they would leave no stone unturned to ensure Arjun's engagement was nothing short of perfect.
But reality intruded upon my reverie, reminding me of the stark truth. My parents were gone, taken from us too soon by fate's cruel hand. Left behind to navigate the complexities of life without their guiding light, I often found myself grappling with the weight of my responsibilities as the elder brother.
"I know, Mama," I whispered, my voice tinged with sorrow. "It's hard for me to watch Mira with Arjun."
My love for Mira was undeniable, a flame that burned bright within my heart. But it paled in comparison to the bond I shared with Arjun, a bond forged by blood and reinforced by the solemn promise I made to our parents.
On one side, I had my love for Mira, a love that filled me with warmth and longing. On the other, I had my duty as a brother, a duty that weighed heavily upon my shoulders. It was a delicate balance, one that often left me torn between conflicting emotions.
Taking a deep breath, I called to mind the solemn vow I had made to my parents on their deathbed. "I promised you that I would take care of Arjun like a parent takes care of their child," I whispered, the words echoing in the quiet of my room. "And now, he's become a successful doctor, marrying the girl he loves so much."
A bitter-sweet smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I thought of Arjun's journey. From the mischievous boy who used to steal my toys to the accomplished man he had become, I had watched him grow and flourish under my watchful eye. And now, as he stood on the brink of a new chapter in his life, I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride and affection.
