Rajiv's POV

Life has been very easy since Ms. Ahuja's arrest and conviction for murder, except in the business.

It's been months now.

I was about to head downstairs when I heard my brother Rajesh's laughter, followed by Divya's giggles.

I peeked over the bannister and saw them together, their faces radiant with happiness.

Lately, I've observed that both of them have been inseparable, their bond growing stronger by the day.

I returned to my room, where I found my mother already waiting for me, her eyes carrying a warm, gentle light.

"Come, my son," she said, her voice soft, as she stretched out her hand and beckoned me to sit beside her on the bed.

I did, and she took my hands in hers.

"It's been months since that girl walked out of your life," she began, her voice rising with disgust. "Her loss, I say. I hope she suffers a miserable fate for choosing a path our ancestors disapproved of instead of building a family and a life with you." She muttered the curse under her breath, her eyes flashing with anger.

I remained silent.

"Your grandmother sent me a couple of photos," she said, her eyes gesturing towards the dressing table. "She wants you to choose one, so she can inform their family to start making arrangements. She's planning for you and Rajesh to get married on the same day. You might not know this, but we'll be meeting his bride's family soon. I want to have both weddings on the same day, so I'll leave the photos with you. Decide by tonight which one you like best. Your grandmother couldn't choose between them, as both girls are from respectable families."

"I'll think about it, but I'm not considering marriage right now. So I ask both of you: please don't pressure me. I already went along with your plans once, and we all know how that turned out. She left. So, this time, let me make my own decisions." I said it firmly.

"Just take a look at the pictures; that's all I ask. I'll leave now," she replied, getting up and exiting the room, leaving the photos behind.

I need to warn Rajesh as soon as possible because he seems to be developing feelings for Divya.

My gaze drifted to the photos on the dressing table, and I let out an exhausted sigh.

The company is going through a tough time, facing so many losses, and love is the last thing on my mind right now.

My priority is to focus on saving the business, not getting entangled in romantic affairs.

I wanted to throw the pictures, but my hand accidentally nudged the diary belonging to my ex-wife instead.

I've never opened it since she left, and I don't plan to.

I believe in respecting people's privacy.

Initially, I wanted to return it to her family after I informed them of her decision to pursue her dreams, but they disowned her, rejecting anything to do with her since she was no longer a part of their family.

I've kept it with me all this time, in case fate brings us together again, so that I can return it to her.

I bent to pick it up when my eyes fell on the piece of text on the page.

The book had opened itself.

It was never my intention, but the first sentence drew my attention to it, which was, "I wanted to die today, but Mum stopped me, and when she did, Father beat the hell out of her before me."

I picked up the book with so much enthusiasm and continued to read. "It is neither her fault that she gave birth to me nor mine that I am dark. I wish my father would just understand this. Again, he has locked me outside because I tried to defend her when he was beating her. What can I do? I only have myself and then my hopes. One day, I wish to escape this hell, which I am certain I will, and I will definitely create a happy life for myself. Because after every darkness, there is light. I strongly believe in it."

"After every darkness, there is indeed light." I smiled, finding the motivation I could grip onto.

I, too, hope I can overcome all the obstacles the company is facing right now.

My smile grew wider as I thought about her resilience. "And I hope she creates the happy life she wishes for herself."

I closed the diary and carefully placed it back where it was.

Life may not have been a bed of roses for her, but I genuinely wish her all the success and happiness she deserves. I hate to admit it, but I respect her strength and resilience, and I hope she finds the light she's been searching for.

"Brother," Rajesh's voice chimed in as he entered the room, his expression lacking the enthusiasm I had seen in him earlier.

"What's wrong? Why the long face?"

He approached me, trouble carved on his features.

"Please talk to Mother. We're past the period of arranged marriages. I don't want Grandmother's choice. I want to choose my own life partner, since I'm the one who'll be living with her, not them. I refuse to marry someone chosen by them. I want to make my own decisions, not be tied down by those family traditions," he complained.

"Is that choice Divya?" I asked directly, catching him off guard.

He froze, taken aback by my bluntness. But after a moment of careful consideration, his expression changed, and he replied, "How did you know?"

I raised an eyebrow, and he admitted,

"Yes, it's Divya. I confessed my feelings to her, and she's ready to be in a relationship with me. She said we could give it a try."

"Oh," I hummed.

At least he was honest about his feelings from the start.

"So, will you talk to her? Help me change her mind," he asked.

I shook my head, my expression sympathetic but firm. "Grandmother's words are final; you know that. I can't go against her wishes. I had to compromise my own happiness for her promise because it can't be broken."

"But I am not you," he replied, his voice filled with confidence.

"They can't force me into a marriage I don't want. I'd rather take a stand, even if it means running away, than spend my life with someone I don't love." He spoke with determination and exited the room.

I watched him go.

I wish I had the same courage as him, but I've always been more cautious and more willing to compromise.