Chapter 19: A Surprise Visit

The sun was beginning to set, casting an orange glow across the fields surrounding Siddapura. The village, as always, buzzed with the usual rhythms of rural life. But today, there was a new energy in the air—an energy that carried a surprise.

Ananya, Shiv's college sweetheart, had made her way to the village. She had traveled with some of Shiv's old friends, hoping to reconnect and see how life had turned out for them after graduation. Ananya had kept in touch with Shiv during the early years after college, but slowly, life had taken them in different directions. She had heard little about him in the past few years and had simply assumed that he had moved forward, as people tend to do after time.

But now, as she stood at the edge of the village, surrounded by the simplicity and quiet charm of the rural life, she had no idea what she was about to find out.

It was a reunion of sorts—her friends from college were eager to revisit the village where they had all once spent time together. They laughed and joked, reminiscing about old times, but Ananya felt a strange knot forming in her stomach. She was excited to see Shiv again, even if just for a brief moment. She had always thought of him fondly, and her heart still carried a special place for him.

They approached the village head’s house, where the familiar sight of Shiv’s family home came into view. Ananya’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t seen him in so long, and seeing his home after all these years brought back memories of their time together. She smiled to herself, remembering their college days, when they had been inseparable, sharing dreams and secrets.

As they neared the house, Ananya caught a glimpse of Shiv, standing outside, speaking with some of the villagers. She had never seen him looking so... different. He looked older, more mature, and yet the familiarity in his gaze was unmistakable.

“Shiv!” she called out, her voice carrying across the yard.

Shiv turned at the sound of her voice, his face lighting up with recognition as his eyes fell on her. For a moment, it felt as though time had stopped. He hadn’t expected to see Ananya here, of all places. His heart fluttered for a brief second as memories from the past flooded his mind.

"Ananya?" Shiv said, his voice a mixture of surprise and warmth. He quickly walked toward her, his expression softening as he took in the sight of the woman he had once been so close to.

“Shiv, it’s really you!” Ananya exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement and disbelief. She stepped closer, her heart racing as she looked at him. The years had not diminished the affection she still felt for him.

They stood there for a moment, staring at each other, the weight of their shared history lingering in the air. Ananya couldn’t help but notice how much Shiv had changed—he was no longer the carefree college student she had known. There was a seriousness about him now, an authority that seemed to come with the role he had taken on as the village head.

Shiv smiled softly, trying to mask the emotions that stirred within him. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Ananya. How long has it been?”

“Too long,” she replied with a bittersweet smile. “I heard you were living in Siddapura, so I thought I’d come by and visit the village. It’s been a while since we caught up.”

As they exchanged pleasantries, Ananya's friends joined them, laughing and chatting, clearly enjoying the familiar faces and the small-town atmosphere. But Ananya’s attention kept drifting back to Shiv, and the more she observed him, the more she realized that something had changed.

“So, how’s life treating you here?” she asked, trying to sound casual, though her curiosity was piqued. She had heard snippets of Shiv’s rise in the village, but she had no idea what his life looked like now.

Shiv hesitated for a moment, his eyes flicking to the side as if searching for the right words. “It’s different from college life,” he said. “But it’s good. I’ve taken on the responsibilities of the village, and it’s been fulfilling.”

Ananya nodded, impressed by how much Shiv had grown. She had always known that he was destined for something great, but this? Being the head of a village? It was more than she had imagined.

But then, as she glanced at the people gathered around, something caught her eye. A young woman, no older than 18, was standing in the background, watching them. There was a soft tension in the air, something subtle but undeniable. The woman was looking at Shiv with a quiet, almost reserved expression, her presence casting a shadow over the conversation.

Ananya’s brow furrowed slightly. She didn’t recognize the woman, but there was something about the way Shiv interacted with her—something intimate, something she couldn’t quite place.

Curious and a little uneasy, Ananya turned to one of Shiv’s friends. “Who is she?” she asked, her voice low enough not to disturb the group.

Her friend smiled knowingly. “Oh, that’s Arundhati. She’s Shiv’s wife.”

Ananya’s heart skipped a beat. "Wife?" she echoed, trying to mask her surprise.

"Yes, they married a little over a year ago," her friend continued. "It was a village arrangement. Shiv has really taken to the role of being a husband and village head. Things have changed."

Ananya felt a rush of emotions flood over her—confusion, shock, and a little heartache. Shiv was married? She had come here expecting a reunion, not to discover that he had already moved on, living a life that was far different from what she had imagined.

She watched as Arundhati smiled softly at Shiv, and the tension in her chest grew tighter.

Shiv, sensing Ananya’s discomfort, glanced at Arundhati, then back at Ananya. “I didn’t want you to find out like this,” he said quietly, his voice laced with regret.

Ananya managed a small smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "It’s alright, Shiv. I didn’t come here to disrupt anything. I just wanted to see you, to say hello." Her voice wavered slightly, and she quickly turned away, not wanting to show the depth of her feelings in front of the crowd.

Shiv watched her leave, a sense of guilt and sorrow settling over him. The past had come rushing back, but so had the reality of his present. Arundhati, his wife, his responsibilities—he had built a life here, and there was no going back to what he once had with Ananya.

But as he watched Ananya disappear into the distance, a part of him couldn’t help but wonder if he had made the right choice.

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