Chapter 27: New Beginnings, Old Shadows

Key Emotion: Celebration, Excitement, Tension

The scent of marigolds filled the small but lively apartment in New York. The living room had turned into a mini-war zone of fabrics, sweets, music, laughter, and mild chaos. Wedding preparations were in full swing for Uttara, and if there was one thing certain, it was that Swara, Sanskar, and Uttara were determined to do it all their way — with love, simplicity, and soul.

Uttara twirled around in a green lehenga, half-pinned and still unfinished.
"Bhabhi, I don't think I like this color!" she whined, her earrings swinging.

Swara, sitting cross-legged on the floor and wrapping return gifts, looked up. "You've changed your mind five times, Utthu. You'll like it once the dupatta is on. Trust the process, dulhan!"

Sanskar, walking in with chai for everyone, chuckled. "Why are brides so confused all the time? When I married Swara, she didn't even let me see her lehenga till the pheras."

Swara smirked. "Because I didn't trust your taste, Mister Maheshwari."

They burst into laughter, the kind that lingered in the air, soaking into walls and hearts. It was moments like these that felt like a balm — a counter to every wound life had dealt them.

Flashback: A Secret Between Hearts

Two months ago...

Sanskar had entered the kitchen and found Swara sitting quietly, holding something in her hand — a small strip with two lines on it.
He froze. "Swara... is that what I think it is?"

Swara looked up, her eyes wide, unsure whether to cry or smile. "Yes," she whispered. "We're going to have a baby."

Sanskar had sat beside her in silence before pulling her into his arms, burying his face in her neck. "Thank you," he said, over and over.

But amidst that joy, there was fear too — a shared concern that had grown with time: the Maheshwaris. They couldn't bear to let that toxicity touch their joy.

"We can't tell them yet," Swara had said. "They'll taint it. They always do."

Sanskar had nodded. "Not until we're safe. Not until this child feels nothing but happiness."

That's how the decision was made. To keep the pregnancy secret until after Uttara's wedding. To build their little world first, far away from the eyes that had only ever known how to judge and ruin.

Present Day

Swara stood before the mirror now, her hand gently resting on her belly. There was a soft curve beginning to show. She smiled to herself. This child already meant the world. But the worry never completely left her — would they truly be able to give their baby the perfect life?

Sanskar wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Nervous?" he asked softly.

Swara nodded. "A little. Everything is changing so fast."

He kissed her temple. "Change can be beautiful too. Look at us. We fought everything — betrayal, loss, loneliness — and here we are. Planning a wedding. Expecting a child. Healing."

She turned to face him, her voice tender. "You're excited, aren't you?"

He grinned, placing a hand on her belly. "More than I've ever been about anything. Swara... I never thought I'd get this again. Family. Laughter. A future. You've given that to me."

Their foreheads touched in a silent promise.

Across the Oceans: In Kolkata

Annapurna sat in her room, watching the photos of Uttara's wedding preps on social media. Sujatha had shared a post with the caption: "My daughter's big day is here. Blessed to witness this new chapter ❤️"

A hollow echoed in Annapurna's chest. Her fingers clenched.

Ragini walked in, holding a tray of tea.

"Maa, tea," she said softly, but Annapurna barely looked up.

"They're celebrating," Annapurna muttered. "That woman... she stole everything from me. First Sanskar. Then Uttara. Now their joy."

Ragini remained silent.

Annapurna continued bitterly, "Even Swara — she's glowing. That's what motherhood does, I suppose."

The sting in the words wasn't missed.

Ragini's grip on the tray faltered. Her voice cracked. "Maa... please don't compare."

But Annapurna turned sharply. "Why shouldn't I? Have you given me a reason not to?"

Silence.

Back in New York

The house was decorated in hues of saffron and pink. Strings of fairy lights danced above windows. Friends had flown in, neighbors dropped by with sweets, and the apartment felt alive.

"Okay, final list check!" Swara called out, adjusting her clipboard.

"Venue — booked. Mehendi — tomorrow. Sangeet — on the rooftop!" Uttara clapped, excitement bubbling in her voice.

Swara handed her a small pendant box. "This was mine. For your something old."

Uttara opened it to find a delicate chain with a lotus charm.

"I love it, Bhabhi," she whispered, pulling Swara into a tight hug. "I love you."

From a distance, Sanskar watched them, eyes glistening.

Later that Night

Swara and Sanskar sat on the balcony, sipping warm milk.

"Should we... tell them?" Swara asked.

Sanskar looked at her.

"The Maheshwaris?" he said slowly.

She nodded. "I don't know. Maybe they should know about the wedding. Maybe not. They'll hear it from someone else anyway."

He was quiet for a long time. Then finally said, "We'll invite them. Not for them — for Uttara. She deserves closure. A chance to see who really shows up."

Swara smiled. "I trust you."

They decided to make the call.

Kolkata — Maheshwari House

The landline rang, a sound unfamiliar now.

Annapurna picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Ma," Sanskar's voice came through. Calm. Respectful. Distant.

Annapurna stiffened.

"Sanskar... you're calling?"

"Yes. I wanted to inform you that Uttara is getting married. The wedding's in two weeks. We'd like you to attend."

She blinked. "Where?"

"In New York. We'll send details. I know there's distance... but she still considers you all family."

"And Swara?" Annapurna asked, bitterly.

Swara's voice chimed in from the other side. "Namaste, Maa. We're calling to share happiness. Not dig up the past. We hope you'll come. For Uttara's sake."

Click.

Sanskar had already hung up.

Days Passed — Sangeet Night

The rooftop glittered under fairy lights and the stars above. Music thumped, feet danced, and hearts beat loud with joy. Swara sat near the DJ booth, hand protectively over her belly, smiling at Uttara who danced freely in the center with her fiancé.

Sanskar approached and offered his hand. "May I have this dance?"

Swara laughed. "Sanskar, I'm pregnant."

"So?" He twirled her gently.

"You're crazy."

"For you? Always."

They swayed under the stars, to a soft old Hindi song. The world, for a moment, was just theirs.

Cliffhanger

The next evening, Uttara's fiancé's family arrived — regal, traditional, observant. Swara welcomed them with warmth. Sanskar cracked jokes. The air was festive.

But the Maheshwaris walked in minutes later.

Annapurna. Durga Prasad. Adarsh. Ragini.

The room stilled.

Uttara froze in place, memories rushing back — the silence after Sanskar's shraddh, the rejection, the betrayal.

Swara stepped forward. Her eyes locked with Annapurna's. "Welcome."

Annapurna looked around, eyes falling on the happy faces, the lights, the smiles — and the glow on Swara's face. Something inside her twisted.

Ragini quietly stepped back, unsure of her place.

Sanskar approached "Thank you for coming."

Durga Prasad nodded curtly.

And just like that, the celebration continued — but now under the shadow of the past.