A promise in the shadows
It was almost midnight when Radhika stepped onto the rooftop of her building.
The city below flickered with life, but up here, it was quiet. Safe.
She wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders and stared at the moon — full and haunting, just like that night.
She closed her eyes.
And the memory came.
---
A Different Time. A Different Life.
The temple courtyard was soaked in golden light — dusk filtering through marigold garlands and the chant of mantras echoing in the wind.
Radhika, dressed in red, stood barefoot by the temple steps, clutching a small pendant.
And then she heard his voice.
unknown
“Still forgetting your shoes when you're lost in thought?”
RADHIKA MEHRA / in past
She turned.
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
....
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
His smile was that same gentle chaos — wild hair, gold-lined eyes, mischief dancing in every breath.
RADHIKA MEHRA / in past
“You're early,” she said without looking.
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
“You're worried,” came the reply.
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
Shivansh. Dressed in black robes with gold trimming, his presence was calm but powerful — like a storm that had learned to breathe in silence.
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
“You always wait for me like the world might end without a word between us.”
RADHIKA MEHRA / in past
She gave a sad smile. “Isn’t it?”
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
He paused. “It might.”
She rushed toward him, forgetting everything but his touch — his warmth grounding her to this world, even when the universe threatened to tear it apart.
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
He stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
They embraced like stars meeting before sunrise — beautiful, brief, and fated to vanish.
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
“Omkar is growing weaker,” Shivansh said, pulling back. “The curse is breaking. She’s near.”
RADHIKA MEHRA / in past
Radhika’s smile faded.
RADHIKA MEHRA / in past
“And He?”
RADHIKA MEHRA / in past
“If he finds her first—”
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
“He won’t.” Shivansh’s voice was steel.
RADHIKA MEHRA / in past
“He will try. He always does.”
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
Shivansh's jaw tightened. “He’s watching. Waiting. He’ll try again.”
RADHIKA MEHRA / in past
“Then we stop him.”
A long silence stretched between them.
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
“You and I both know what stopping him will cost us.”
RADHIKA MEHRA / in past
She turned to face him fully, her voice softer now. “If protecting her means we’re cursed to lose each other again…”
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
“Don’t,” Shivansh murmured. “Don’t say it.”
RADHIKA MEHRA / in past
“Then I’ll do it. In every life. Again and again. If this is what it takes to protect her.”
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
“Even if it breaks you?”
RADHIKA MEHRA / in past
“Even if it kills me.”
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
Shivansh looked away, jaw clenched, eyes stormy. “Why are you always willing to bleed for her?”
RADHIKA MEHRA / in past
Radhika hesitated… and said only:
RADHIKA MEHRA / in past
“Some bonds are older than memory. I don’t question them. I just honor them.”
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
......
RADHIKA MEHRA / in past
Radhika reached up and touched his face, her fingers trembling. “We already lost one lifetime. I don’t want to lose this one too.”
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
Shivansh looked into her eyes. “I would burn the heavens to stay with you. But if protecting Gaurangi means walking away from you again… I’ll do it.”
RADHIKA MEHRA / in past
Tears welled up in her eyes. “Then promise me something.”
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
“Anything.”
RADHIKA MEHRA / in past
“Even if this life separates us… find me in the next.
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ In past
Shivansh nodded, voice thick. “Always.”
They pressed their foreheads together. The sun dipped low. And somewhere, far away, time began to fold.
Present Day – Back on the Rooftop
A tear slipped down Radhika’s cheek.
She opened her locket — a small, ancient charm. Inside it, a sketch. His sketch.
Shivansh — the one her soul ached for.
RADHIKA MEHRA / FL'S BESTIEE
“I know you’re near,” she whispered to the stars. “Just… let me see you. Just once.”
Behind her, in the shadows, a figure stood watching — eyes soft, full of unsaid words.
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ ML'S BROTHER
....
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ ML'S BROTHER
He wanted to step forward. To speak. To hold her.
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ ML'S BROTHER
But not yet.
But before she turned, he vanished.
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ ML'S BROTHER
His oath bound him too — the same cruel thread that tied them to Omkar… and to her.
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ ML'S BROTHER
He whispered into the darkness:
SHIVANSH AGNIHOTRI/ ML'S BROTHER
“I’ll find you in the next life too.”
lazy author
that's it for the chapter
lazy author
Don't forget to tell how much you enjoyed it
lazy author
see you in the next chapter
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