Chapter 76: The Beginning Of Forever!!

At Vikram's house,

In the backyard garden area:

(The afternoon sun bathed the lush garden in a golden hue, casting long shadows over the trimmed grass.

A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, carrying the sweet scent of blooming jasmine.

Somewhere in the distance, a bird trilled softly, breaking the silence that hung between them.

Naina stood facing Vikram, her fingers trembling as they reached for his hand.

He let her, his gaze steady, searching hers for the emotions she struggled to voice.

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, reflecting the weight of everything left unsaid.)

Vikram: (gently, concern laced in his voice) Kya hua, Naina? Baat kya hai? Tumhaara dil kya keh raha hai? Shaadi ka iraada hai bhi ya nahi??

(Naina inhaled sharply, her grip tightening around his fingers as if grounding herself before taking the plunge.)

Naina: (softly, yet with quiet resolve) Jaan... I want to marry you. Main aapse shaadi karna chahti hoon!!! I want a happy married life now!!! I think I deserve that... and I think, you owe me that much, at least.

(A flicker of something unreadable passed through Vikram's eyes, but he remained silent, letting her speak.)

Naina: (voice thick with longing) And... it's not just about marriage, Vikram ji. I want us to be a team!! Agle saal... Kiaan aur Kiara college chale jaayenge... phir, sirf hum honge. Sirf aap aur main!!

Mujhe nahi chahiye ki hum sirf unke mummy-papa ban ke reh jaayein. I want more than that. I want to be your wife... not just in name, but in every way that matters.

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(She stepped closer, her fingers caressing his palm—her touch warm, hesitant yet certain.

Vikram swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. )

Naina: (tearfully, her voice barely above a whisper) I want to wake up next to you every morning... aur raat ko sone se pehle sirf aapko dekhna chahti hoon!!!

(Gets teary) Bas ek planned life nahi jeena chahati, Jaan!!! Jahaan ek ice cream khaane ke liye bhi, itni planning karni pade!!!! Jaan, mujhe sirf weekend ka intezaar nahi karna... ki kab weekend aayega, aur hum apni ek planned date-night pe jaa paayenge!

(Her voice cracked slightly, but she continued, her emotions pouring out. Vikram swallowed hard.

He had longed to hear these words from her, but not with so much uncertainty lingering between them.)

Naina: I want a life where every moment is ours. No waiting, no schedules... Just us!!

(Her voice was thick with emotion. Vikram exhaled deeply, his thumb absently stroking the back of her hand, as if to reassure her.

His eyes softened, but there was hesitation, a lingering doubt that made her pause.

Naina's expression shifted, her shoulders stiffening slightly as she broached the inevitable.

Naina: (carefully choosing her words) Ab rahi baat aapki mummy ki...

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(Before she could finish, Vikram cut in, his voice calm but unwavering.)

Vikram: You don't have to worry about her. Unhone khud kaha hai ki hum alag shift ho sakte hain... toh shaadi ke baad, we can stay at your place. Just you and I.

(Naina's breath hitched, her brows furrowing in disbelief. She took a step back, her grip on his hand loosening.)

Naina: (stunned, searching his face) You're serious? Aap apni maa ko chod doge?

(Vikram looked away for a brief second, his jaw clenching before he met her gaze again. The conflict in his eyes was unmistakable.)

Vikram: Haan... there is no issue in that!!! Ek full time care- taker arrange kaarna padega... woh ho jaayega!!!

Naina: (slightly taken aback) You've really thought this through!!!! Will you really mive in with me??

(Vikram ran a frustrated hand through his hair, his voice laced with an edge of helplessness.)

Vikram: Naina, agar hum har waqt kisi na kisi pressure mein jeete rahenge, toh hum kabhi bhi 'hum' nahi ban paayenge! Pehle sirf mummy-papa banke jee rahe thay... ab beta-bahu ban ke jeeyenge?! Hamari responsibilities kabhi khatam hi nahi hongi!

(Naina's eyes widened, her heart clenching at the weight of his words. But she refused to let them shake her resolve.)

Naina: (softly, yet firmly) Toh apni zimmedaariyon se bhaagna hi kyun chahate ho, Jaan?

(Vikram flinched slightly at her choice of words. Naina took a deep breath before continuing, her voice steady.)

Naina: Jaan, aapki maa ne chaahe jo bhi kiya ho... but she is still your mother!!! Unhone aapko janam diya hai.... iska karz, aap chaah kar bhi, kabhi nahi chuka paayenge. Toh unhe akele chhodne ka toh, sawaal hi nahi uthta.

(Vikram let out a slow exhale, a weak smile playing on his lips.

When he spoke again, his voice was softer—more vulnerable.)

Vikram: (whispering) Theek hai... maan leta hoon ki main, apni maa ka karz, marte dam tak nahi chuka sakta...

(His gaze lifted to hers, something unspoken lurking behind those deep eyes.)

Vikram: But tum? Tumhare saath jo hua hai... uski bhi toh bharpaayi, main marte dam tak nahi poori kar paaunga!!!! Ab bolo!!!

(Naina swallowed the lump in her throat, squeezing his hand reassuringly.

She knew this wasn't just about Anuradha.

This was about the past. About them. About the years lost in misunderstandings and pain.)

Naina: (softly) Jaan... chaahe jo bhi ho.... I don't like the idea of Anuradha aunty staying alone.

(Vikram studied her carefully, then sighed in resignation.)

Vikram: Okay then... forget about moving to your place!!!! woh toh bahut dur pad jaayega!!!

(He gets lost in his thoughts)

Vikram: Ek kaam karte hain.... Let's find a place nearby.... paas mein rahega, toh koi tension nahi rahegi.... Main dono ghar ke beech aata-jaata rahunga. Kisi ko akela mehsoos nahi hone dunga.... what say???

(Naina's breath hitched, her eyes closing for a moment before she shook her head.)

Naina: (gratefully, yet firmly) Thank you for even considering that... but Jaan, yeh practical nahi hai.

(Vikram hesitated, rubbing his temple. His voice was laced with concern now.)

Vikram: But babe... I don't want our relationship to suffocate again.

(This time, it was Naina who took his hands in hers, squeezing them gently, grounding him.)

Naina: (softly, with conviction) Hum figure out kar lenge, Jaan... It won't be easy, par saath milkar karenge.

(Vikram let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head.)

Vikram: And if we don't? Agar tumhe yahaan rehkar thoda bhi stress hua toh?

(Naina's lips curled into a teasing smile, her eyes glinting mischievously.)

Naina: (grinning) Naina Desai hoon main! I don't like taking the easy way out! Agar meri life mein thoda bahut challenge na ho, toh maza nahi aata!

(Vikram raised an eyebrow, momentarily caught off guard by her sudden enthusiasm.)

Vikram: (mocking disbelief) Accha?! Toh phir shaadi se pehle itni tension kyun le rahi thi? Yahan shift hone ka thought, itna overwhelming kyun lag raha tha?

(Naina crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at him.)

Naina: Oh hello! Maine 'thoda bahut' challenge kaha hai! Aapki maa ke 'hriday parivartan' se pehle... it was anything but 'thoda bahut'!

(Vikram blinked, momentarily speechless.

Then, despite himself, a smile tugged at his lips. He sighed, tilting his head at her in exasperation.)

Vikram: (softly, amused) You're crazy, you know that?

(Naina smirked, squeezing his hand once more, but this time, her eyes held something deeper.)

Naina: (softly, but intensely) That's why you love me.

A beat passed.

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Then,

(Naina's voice softened further, turning more pensive.)

Naina: Jaan... mujhe, hamesha se ek complete family chahiye thi!!... but kabhi dekhi nahi thi. meri mummy bahut jaldi chali gayi thi... uske baad sirf main aur papa thay!!!! Jab Purab ke ghar jaati thi na, toh mujhe lagta tha ki... yeh hoti hai ek complete family—Uncle, Aunty, Purab, Prem bhai saab... ek saath haste, rote, ladte, lekin saath rehte thay!!! Aur main bhi waisa hi parivaar chahti thi.... aur ab dekho... unki family kitni badi ho gayi hai!!!

(Her fingers brushed over his lightly, her touch lingering like the warmth of an old memory.)

Naina: Jab maine aapse shaadi ki... (she took a deep breath, her voice thick with emotion) Tab jaake mujhe bhi, ek bada parivaar mila... (she frowned) But there was no love and respect!!!!

(She takes a deep breath and looks into his eyes)

Naina: Phir kai saalon baad.... Mujhe mera pyaar mila, meri respect bhi mili... par iss baar.... meri family, mere saath saath nahi hai!!! Main, apne bacchon se dur... aapse dur, apne apartment mein hoon...

(She paused, her gaze locking with his, as if daring him to understand just how much this meant to her.)

Naina: Toh, ab jab mujhe, finally pura package... ek saath mil raha hai... toh main mana kyun karun?

(Vikram watched her for a long moment, his heart pounding.

Her words wrapped around him like a warm embrace, breaking down every doubt he had built.

She wasn't just saying this—she meant it.

For the first time in a long time, the weight on his chest seemed to lighten.

And in that moment, Vikram realized... maybe, just maybe, they could truly make this work.)

Naina: (softly, almost pleading) Jaan... just hear me out once. Okay??? .... Jaise aapki maa doesn't want any regrets... neither do I.

(She looked down for a second, gathering her thoughts, then met his gaze again, her eyes steady, her voice resolute.)

Naina: Bhagwaan ne hume ek stable mind diya hai... par mann chanchal bana diya hai. Kab kisi ka, change of heart ho jaaye, kab emotions badal jaayein, koi nahi jaan sakta. Shayad aunty ko sach mein guilt ho raha ho... shayad unki maafi mein thodi- bahut bhi sachchai ho.

(Vikram's face remained unreadable, but his fingers tightened around hers—a silent acknowledgment that he was listening.)

Naina: (firmly) Aur main yeh nahi chahti ki baad mein mujhe yeh regret ho, ki maine unhe ek bhi chance nahi diya!!!!

(She came forward, her voice was gentle, yet firm)

Naina: Bas ek chance, Vikram ji..... Main, Anuradha aunty ko, sirf ek mauka de rahi hoon.

(Her voice carried a quiet strength now, an assurance that made his heart ache. This wasn't weakness—this was her taking control, making a choice on her own terms.)

Naina: (seriously) Iss baar, main unn pe dependent nahi hoon. Na emotional support ke liye, na financial. Main apni life jee rahi hoon!!! Iss baar... my life doesn't revolve around her.

(She exhaled sharply, stepping back just a little, putting space between them. Her eyes held his, unwavering.)

Naina: thoda bahut stress toh main jhel loongi... woh toh ek normal insaan ke life mein bhi hota hai.... and life mein ups and downs hona toh normal hi hai.... (her voice gets stronger) Par rahi baat respect ki... agar woh mujhe itna bhi nahi de sakti... toh phir main yahaan rukne waali nahi hoon.

(Vikram stiffened, his pulse quickening as she continued.)

Naina: (quiet but unwavering) Agar unka badlaav sirf ek naatak hai... agar ek bhi baar unhone mujhe neecha dikhane ki koshish ki, meri insult karne ki koshish ki.... ya phir wohi dukh wapas dene ki koshish ki... then I will walk out of that door.... For good!!!!

(She pulled her hand away, her meaning unmistakable.)

Naina: (finality in her tone) Koi sawaal-jawaab nahi hoga. Koi explanation nahi doongi. Main bas chali jaaungi... aur is baar, hamesha ke liye.

(Vikram sucked in a breath, his gaze locked onto hers.

The raw honesty in her eyes left no room for doubt.

This wasn't just about forgiving his mother—it was about reclaiming her dignity, her life, her choices.

Without hesitation, he took her hand, his grip firm, unwavering.

Then, in a rush of emotions, he pulled her into a warm embrace.

She stiffened for a moment but then melted into him, letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding.)

(And, In that moment, Vikram knew, that he would do whatever it took to make sure she never had to walk out that door again.)

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Cut to:

In the living room:

(The atmosphere was thick with tension, the kind that pressed down on every heart in the room.

All eyes were locked onto the doorway, waiting, holding their breath.

The silence stretched unbearably, each second feeling longer than the last.)

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Then,

(Footsteps were heard.

Vikram and Naina stepped inside.

Every gaze turned to them, scanning their faces for an answer.

But they gave away nothing. Their expressions were unreadable, their composure betraying no secrets.

Kiaan and Kiara stood side by side, hands fidgeting, their hearts hammering in unison.

Anuradha, seated stiffly, her fingers gripping the arms of her chair, let out a barely perceptible breath—one laced with unspoken worry.

Purab shifted slightly, unable to sit still. His parents exchanged silent glances, their concern evident.

The weight of an entire future seemed to balance precariously on the next few words.

Vikram stopped in the center of the room, exhaled, and let his gaze sweep across the familiar faces.

His eyes lingered on his mother for a second before he turned to Naina, as if drawing strength from her presence.

And then—

With a slow, deliberate smile, he broke the stillness.)

Vikram: (grinning, with a dramatic flair) Baat hamaari pakki hai!!!

(He paused for some dramatic effect)

Vikram: Aur Naina wapas aa rahi hai... apne ghar!!! She is coming home!!!

(A stunned silence followed. Everyone froze.

Then, as if breaking the spell, then the room erupted in pure joy.)

Kiaan & Kiara: (shouting in unison, bursting with excitement) YESSSS!!!!

(Before anyone could react, the kids dashed forward, their joy uncontainable.

Kiaan practically tackled Vikram in a fierce hug, while Kiara threw her arms around Naina, her face lit with happiness.)

Kiara: (laughing, eyes sparkling) You guys took FOREVER! But mujhe pata tha... ki aap haan hi bologi!!!

Kiaan: (grinning triumphantly, squeezing Vikram) Dekha!!! Maine bola tha, ki mumma will agree!!!

(Naina chuckled, her eyes misting with unshed tears, as she wrapped her arms around both of her kids.

Vikram beamed at them, standing tall and proud, as if everything was finally falling into place.)

Then—

(Purab let out a loud whoop and strode forward, dragging Vikram into a tight, brotherly hug.

Bhoomika wiped at her misty eyes before stepping up to embrace Naina.

Purab's parents soon followed, their expressions softer now, filled with approval and warmth.)

Purab's Father: (with deep pride) Hamaara aashirwaad hamesha tumhaare saath rahega.

(Purab's mother stepped closer, a soft, knowing smile playing on her lips.

Gently, she cupped Naina's face, her touch warm and reassuring.)

Purab's Mother: (softly, full of emotion) Beta, khush raho...

(Then, leaning in slightly, she added in an even gentler whisper, meant only for Naina—)

Purab's Mother: Tumhaara parivaar tumhaare peeche khada hai... yeh kabhi mat bhoolna.

(Naina felt a lump form in her throat. She swallowed hard, pressing her hand over Purab's mother's in silent gratitude.

But amidst the celebration, Vikram's attention suddenly shifted.

His smile faltered as his gaze trailed to the side... That's when he saw her!!!

Anuradha!!!

She wasn't moving toward them.... She wasn't part of the celebration.... Instead—she was walking away, toward the staircase!!

Vikram's heart sank. His hands clenched involuntarily as the brief moment of joy dimmed.)

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AUTHOR’S NOTE ✨📖

Hey, guys!!! 👋

First of all, let me take a moment to appreciate you all for sticking around through this rollercoaster ride of Vikram and Naina’s story! I see your comments, your theories, and your frustration (😆), and trust me, I’m LOVING it!!! 💃🔥

Phew! That that chapter was intense, right? 🔥 The emotions, the tension, the longing—Naina and Vikram truly have come a long way!

Their relationship isn’t just about love; it’s about understanding, second chances, and fighting for what truly matters. ❤️

Naina’s confession wasn’t just about wanting Vikram back—it was about reclaiming the life she deserves.

And Vikram?

Well, our man is torn between duty and love, trying to find a middle ground that doesn’t suffocate their relationship. 😔

What did you guys think of this scene?

Did Naina’s words hit home?

👏 A huge round of applause for Purab's parents! ❤️ They've always loved Naina like their own daughter, and this time, they stood by her with all their heart! 💖✨

But wait… let’s not forget the wildcard in this whole situation—Anuradha. 🤨

What is she up to?

What do you think Anuradha is planning?

Will Vikram and Naina actually get their happily ever after,

or is there another storm brewing?

Drop your thoughts in the comments!!!

Stay tuned for more drama, love, and everything in between! ❤️🔥 #HappilyUnmarried