Author's Note:3117
Dear Readers,
Thank you for joining me on this journey into the world of ambition, rivalry, and loyalty. This scene isn't just about standing up to gossip—it's about embodying strength and integrity in moments where negativity threatens to overshadow hard work and kindness.
In workplaces, schools, or any social setting, there will always be those who try to pull others down to elevate themselves. But this story reminds us that true strength lies in rising above the pettiness and standing up not just for ourselves, but for those who deserve better.
Janvi's courage and Pranali's wisdom highlight the importance of creating environments where people uplift one another rather than tear each other down. And at its heart, this chapter is a call to action: to speak up, even when it's difficult, and to remember that unity and kindness can outshine negativity every single time.
I hope this resonates with you and inspires you to be that voice of reason, encouragement, and strength in your own lives. As always, I'm grateful for your support and can't wait to hear your thoughts about Janvi, Anaya, and their journey.
Thank you for being part of this incredible journey with Anaya and Rudra! To keep the story flowing smoothly, here's the schedule for the upcoming chapter uploads:
📅 *Mondays*: 07:00 AM UTC
📅 *Thursdays*: 09:00 AM UTC
📅 *Saturdays*: 16:00 PM UTC
With love and gratitude,
~PENOLA.S
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The teasing subsided momentarily as Komal called everyone's attention back to the family gathering. Misha sat stiffly in her seat, still fuming at her grandmother's declaration about her marriage prospects. Aarav, on the other hand, tried his best to look nonchalant, though his ears remained pink from all the teasing.
Ria wasn't done yet, though. She leaned closer to Misha and whispered just loud enough for Aarav to hear, "You know, Aarav might be more hopeless than you when it comes to romance. At least Misha is practical enough to not fall for someone who doesn't even notice her."
Aarav shot her a sharp look. "I'm right here, Ria. You don't have to talk like I'm invisible."
Ravi returned, now holding a cup of coffee. He smirked slightly at the ongoing sibling banter. "She's got a point, Aarav. You should stop daydreaming and actually make a move. Or are you planning to wait until she gets married to someone else?"
"I don't even know what you're all talking about," Aarav said, feigning annoyance. "And Misha, why aren't they teasing you instead?"
"Because I'm smart enough not to get caught with a dreamy look on my face," Misha shot back.
Before Aarav could defend himself further, Komal spoke up again, directing her gaze toward Ria and Ravi. "You two should focus on something productive instead of teasing your poor brother. And Ria, put that phone away. You spend more time staring at it than interacting with your family."
Ria rolled her eyes but obediently placed her phone on the table. "Fine, Dadi. But you can't deny that our teasing spices things up. Otherwise, this house would just be work, rituals, and silence."
Komal sighed. "Spices are fine in moderation, Ria. Too much, and it becomes unbearable."
The room filled with light chuckles as Dev and Rakhi entered, their faces glowing from the joy of performing the ritual together. Rakhi sat beside Komal, her tone playful as she addressed her husband. "Dev, I think Komal Ma is right. It's about time we start planning for Misha's big day. What do you think?"
Dev smirked, looking at Misha with raised eyebrows. "I think our little girl isn't so little anymore. But Misha, don't worry. We'll find someone who can handle all your moods."
"Dad!" Misha exclaimed, her face turning red. "This is so unfair. Why is it always about me?"
"Because your siblings haven't reached your level yet," Dev teased, earning laughs from the entire family.
Aarav, eager to redirect the attention, muttered, "Why don't we talk about Ravi instead? He's older and definitely more boring. Shouldn't he go first?"
Ravi raised his coffee cup in mock salute. "Nice try, Aarav. But unlike you, I don't spend my time mooning over someone I can't talk to."
As the siblings broke into laughter and arguments, Rudra and Anaya quietly re-entered the hall, unnoticed by most. Rudra's eyes scanned the scene, his usual cold expression softening just slightly as he saw his family together. Anaya, standing beside him, couldn't help but smile at the warmth in the air.
But before she could say anything, Rudra's hand brushed against hers, pulling her slightly closer. He leaned in, his voice a low whisper. "Enjoying the show?"
Anaya glanced up at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "More than I expected. Your siblings are quite… lively."
"They're a nuisance," Rudra replied, though his tone lacked any real bite.
"And yet you love them," Anaya shot back softly, surprising herself with her boldness.
Rudra's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes unreadable. "Maybe. But that's not the point."
"Then what is?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"The point is," Rudra said, his tone dropping as he leaned even closer, "you spend too much time worrying about things that don't concern you. Like libraries and avoiding me."
Anaya blinked, her cheeks flushing. "I wasn't avoiding you."
"Weren't you?" Rudra challenged, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "You've been quieter than usual today. Makes me wonder what's going on in that head of yours."
Anaya, gathering her courage, narrowed her eyes at him. "Maybe I was thinking about how to escape to the library. My room feels like one anyway."
Rudra's smirk disappeared, replaced by a possessive glint in his eyes. "You're not going anywhere without me. And your room is ours, not just yours. Stop trying to run from me, Anaya."
"I'm not running," she said firmly, though her heart raced at his intensity. "I'm just—"
"Just what?" Rudra interrupted, his voice low and commanding. "Trying to put distance between us? Because I won't let that happen."
Before she could respond, Komal's voice rang out, breaking their moment. "Rudra, Anaya, join us! We were just talking about Misha's upcoming marriage."
Rudra sighed, his expression hardening as he turned to face the family. "Coming, Dadi."
Anaya followed him, her mind swirling with thoughts. Whatever walls Rudra had around his heart, she could sense them cracking—even if only slightly.
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As the teasing slowly transitioned into casual conversation, Ria couldn't resist directing her mischievous energy toward Ravi. She turned to him with a sly grin, her eyebrows raised.
"Ravi bhaiya," Ria started, emphasizing the affectionate term for her elder brother. "Tum kabhi shaadi nahi karoge kya? Or are you planning to stay single forever, like one of those mysterious loners in the books Misha reads?"
Ravi, who had been quietly sipping his coffee, paused. His sharp, composed demeanor never wavered, but there was a flicker of something—perhaps unease—that passed through his eyes. Setting the cup down, he gave Ria a calm look. "Shaadi karne ke liye waqt chahiye, Ria. Aur tum jaanti ho, mere paas us cheez ki kami hai."
"Yeh toh bahana hai!" Ria exclaimed, throwing her hands up. "Don't give me that 'I don't have time' excuse. Even Rudra bhaiya managed to get married!"
"Under questionable circumstances," Aarav quipped, earning a sharp glare from Rudra across the room.
"Ria, bas karo," Ravi said, his tone polite but firm. "Yeh topic chhodo."
But Ria wasn't one to let things slide so easily. "You're dodging the question, Ravi bhaiya. Don't you want a family of your own? Or do you think we're enough to deal with already?"
Misha, sensing the slight tension, chimed in with a playful smirk. "Ravi bhaiya is probably too perfect for marriage. Imagine his poor wife trying to live up to his standards. She'd have to be punctual, disciplined, and smarter than all of us combined."
Everyone laughed, including Ravi, though his smile was faint. He shook his head, his gaze softening as he looked at the siblings he had grown up with. "Tum sab hi meri family ho. Aur mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye."
There was a moment of silence after that, a subtle weight settling in the air. Everyone in the room knew Ravi's story—how he wasn't a Singhaniya by blood but had been raised by Dev and Rakhi as their own. Ravi always respected his place in the family, never overstepping, and yet he was treated no differently than the rest of the siblings.
Komal, who had been quietly observing, spoke up with her usual wisdom. "Ravi, tum toh mere Dev aur Rakhi ka beta ho. Aur hamesha rahoge. Blood relations se zyada zaruri hai dil ka rishta, aur woh tumhara har kisi ke saath hai."
Ravi nodded, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. "Main jaanta hoon, Dadi. Aap sab ne jo pyaar diya hai, uske liye main hamesha shukraguzaar rahunga."
Ria, not one to dwell on serious emotions for long, leaned forward and poked Ravi's arm. "Okay, fine. No wife for now. But at least promise me you'll invite me to your wedding if you ever decide to get married."
Ravi chuckled lightly. "Tumhe shaadi ki invitation ke bina rehne doongi toh tum poora ghar sar pe utha logi. Don't worry, you'll know."
Aarav, who had been lost in thought again, was suddenly pulled back to the present as Ria turned her focus to him. "And you! Stop zoning out. Who's the lucky girl that's occupying all your brain cells?"
Misha, catching on, smirked. "Yeah, Aarav, spill it. You've been acting like a lovesick puppy all day."
Aarav's ears turned red, and he tried to brush them off. "I don't know what you're talking about. There's no one."
"Right," Ria said, drawing out the word sarcastically. "Because we totally believe you. The way you've been staring into space is completely normal."
Ravi, his usual composed self, decided to join in the teasing for once. "Aarav, jo bhi hai, it's written all over your face. You might as well tell us before Ria starts digging through your phone."
Aarav groaned, running a hand through his hair. "There's no one, okay? Can we just drop it?"
Komal, sensing her grandson's discomfort, decided to intervene. "Ria, Misha, bas karo. Aarav ke baare mein chhod do abhi. Tum log ke liye aur bhi baatein hain karne ko."
But just as the attention shifted away from Aarav, Komal turned to Misha with a sly smile of her own. "Aur Misha, tum zyada mat muskurao. Tumhari baari agle mahine aane wali hai. Tayaar ho jao."
Misha's jaw dropped. "Dadi! Aap aise kaise keh sakti ho? Mujhe toh pata bhi nahi tha!"
Komal simply shrugged, her eyes twinkling. "Ab pata chal gaya na? So start preparing."
The room erupted in laughter again, with Misha protesting loudly while Ria and Aarav teased her mercilessly. Ravi, despite himself, found comfort in the chaos, reminded once again of the unshakable bonds that tied them all together.
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The family slowly gathered around as the ritual approached its final and most significant step: the shoe ceremony, a quirky and traditional Singhaniya custom meant to symbolize unity, humility, and the stepping forward together into a prosperous year.
The pandit, seated cross-legged on the ceremonial carpet, chanted the concluding mantras. The sacred fire crackled softly in the center, its glow illuminating the serene yet playful faces of the family members.
Komal explained the tradition to Anaya, who was new to this ritual. "Anaya, this is an old family tradition. Each married couple has to find and wear their spouse's shoe in a symbolic gesture. It represents walking in each other's path, understanding their journey, and supporting one another."
Anaya's eyes widened as she whispered to Rudra, "Wait, what? You're telling me I have to wear your shoe?"
Rudra smirked, leaning in just slightly to murmur back, "That's the tradition. And no complaints, Mrs. Singhaniya. Don't worry, my shoe will suit you perfectly."
Anaya rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her blush. "Fine, but don't you dare laugh when I trip because your shoe is the size of a boat."
The pandit instructed the couples to exchange shoes. One by one, the pairs complied. Dev and Rakhi gracefully participated, their exchange filled with soft, romantic glances and laughter.
Rakhi playfully slipped Dev's leather moccasin on and gave a mock grimace. "Dev, why are your shoes so stiff? Do you ever take care of them?"
Dev chuckled, helping her balance. "They're sturdy, just like me. Perfect to support you."
Meanwhile, Ria elbowed Aarav. "Thank God we're single. Imagine if we had to do this—awkward and hilarious!"
Aarav smirked but stayed quiet, still lost in fleeting thoughts of someone who wasn't in the room. Ria and Ravi exchanged knowing glances but chose not to press him further, deciding the teasing could wait for another day.
Then came Rudra and Anaya's turn. Rudra took one of Anaya's dainty sandals, holding it up with a raised brow. "How do you even balance in these? There's no logic to them."
Anaya huffed, slipping her foot into his large formal shoe. "They're not meant for logic; they're meant to look good. Unlike this," she said, gesturing at his stiff black leather shoe now awkwardly on her foot. "How do you even walk in something this rigid?"
"It's called discipline," Rudra shot back, his voice tinged with amusement. "But don't worry. You'll get used to it after a lifetime with me."
Anaya's cheeks turned a faint shade of pink, and she narrowed her eyes at him. "A lifetime might be too long if you keep teasing me like this."
Rudra bent slightly, his voice dropping low so only she could hear. "Good. Then don't even think about walking away."
The moment between them was interrupted by Ria's loud laughter. "Oh my God, Anaya bhabhi, you look hilarious in Rudra bhaiya's shoes! Please don't trip!"
Anaya shot her a mock glare but couldn't help laughing along.
The pandit concluded the ritual by asking the couples to take a few steps together in their exchanged shoes around the sacred fire, symbolizing stepping into each other's roles and walking forward together.
Despite the laughter and teasing, the moment carried an undeniable sense of tradition and meaning. Dev and Rakhi walked first, their steps perfectly in sync, followed by Rudra and Anaya, who managed to balance despite their banter.
As the family clapped and cheered, Komal stood and raised her hands in blessing. "This ritual isn't just about tradition; it's about understanding, compromise, and walking together through the journey of life. May all of you continue to support and love each other, no matter the challenges."
Her words hung in the air, grounding everyone in the depth of the moment, even amidst the lighthearted teasing.
Misha leaned toward Ria and whispered, "I hope my future husband doesn't have shoes the size of an elephant."
Ria giggled. "Let's just hope he doesn't trip over you trying to wear your shoes."
The family dissolved into laughter again as the pandit formally concluded the ceremony, declaring the rituals complete. The evening ended with smiles, teasing, and a newfound respect for the unique traditions that bound the Singhaniya family together.
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The buzz of the office cafeteria hummed with casual chatter and the clinking of cups. Janvi sat at a corner table, her laptop open as she worked quietly on her presentation. A steaming cup of coffee sat untouched beside her as she typed away, immersed in her task.
But faint whispers from a nearby group of colleagues caught her attention.
"Did you hear about Anaya? She's already got that new project, and it's only been a month since she joined," one of the girls sneered.
"Yeah, and look who she's working with—Kunal Rajwat. She's definitely using him for her benefit," another chimed in, her tone dripping with malice.
"I mean, come on, what else do you expect? Girls like her are only here to play their cards right. A total social climber... or worse," the third one added with a sly smirk.
Janvi's fingers froze mid-typing, her jaw tightening. She glanced toward the group of women, their heads leaned in close as they exchanged venomous whispers.
They're talking about Anaya, Janvi thought, her heart pounding. She clenched her fists, recalling Ria's advice from the family ritual. "Don't let anyone ruin your peace. Stand up when necessary."
Taking a deep breath, Janvi closed her laptop, stood up, and strode toward the group with measured steps. Her heels clicked sharply against the tiled floor, catching their attention before she even spoke.
"You three," Janvi said firmly, her voice calm but laced with authority. "Are you here to work or to spread baseless gossip about your colleagues?"
The women looked startled for a moment, but one of them quickly recovered, crossing her arms. "Oh, look who it is. Isn't this the same girl who works under Kunal Rajwat? You're no different, Janvi. Just another intern trying to climb the ladder," she said with a mocking tone.
Janvi's eyes didn't waver. She stood tall, her voice steady. "Yes, I'm an intern, and I'm proud to be working under someone as brilliant as Kunal Rajwat. Unlike some people, I focus on learning and growing rather than tearing others down with baseless accusations."
Another girl scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Oh, please. Don't act so high and mighty. You interns think you're better than everyone just because you get a little attention."
Before Janvi could respond, a voice cut through the tension.
"Enough."
Pranali, one of the senior team members, walked up to the group, her tone leaving no room for argument. She crossed her arms, her gaze stern. "I'm disappointed to hear this kind of behavior in a professional workspace. Instead of working, you're wasting time gossiping about someone who isn't even here to defend herself."
The girls exchanged uneasy glances, but Pranali wasn't finished.
"Anaya earned her project because of her skills and hard work. If any of you spent half as much energy on your actual tasks as you do on gossip, you might achieve something worthwhile. And if I hear this kind of talk again, it won't end with just a warning."
The group fell silent, their earlier confidence now replaced with embarrassment.
Pranali turned to Janvi, her expression softening. "Good job standing up for what's right. Don't let anyone make you doubt yourself or your colleagues."
Janvi nodded, a small smile of gratitude on her lips. "Thank you, Pranali. It's just... I couldn't sit there and listen to them tear Anaya down. She's been nothing but kind and hardworking."
"You did the right thing," Pranali said. "And remember, in this office, we rise by lifting others, not by dragging them down."
As the women dispersed, muttering under their breaths, Janvi returned to her seat, her heart lighter. She couldn't wait to tell Ria that her advice had been spot on. And maybe later, she'd let Anaya know she had someone firmly in her corner, even when she wasn't around to see it.