As Mahi and Atharv arrived at the gates of the prestigious university, her breath caught in her throat. Her wide eyes scanned the sprawling campus, where towering academic buildings loomed like ancient monuments of intellect. Immaculately manicured lawns stretched in every direction, and sleek luxury cars lined the stone-paved driveways—a world far removed from anything she had ever imagined.

“Atharv… why are we here? This... this isn’t what I expected,” Mahi murmured, her voice laced with disbelief and a trace of unease.

Atharv turned toward her with a gentle smile, squeezing her hand with quiet assurance.

“I know it’s different from what we’re used to, Mahi. But trust me—you belong here,” he said, his voice steady with conviction.

Gratitude bloomed in Mahi’s chest at his unwavering faith in her. But her gaze remained fixed on the opulence around them.

“But Atharv… this place feels excessive. I can’t let you shoulder the cost of a college like this. I don’t want to become a burden,” she said softly, her brows knitting with concern.

Atharv’s expression melted into one of tender resolve. He cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing against her cheeks as his eyes locked with hers.

“You could never be a burden,” he whispered. “You’re my wife, my partner—my reason. I want to invest in your future, not because I have to, but because you deserve it.”

Tears shimmered in Mahi’s eyes, catching the golden sunlight as if the sky itself wept with her. The depth of his love disarmed her, and in that moment, she realized that dreams weren’t only meant for the privileged—they were meant for the brave.

“Thank you, Atharv. For believing in me, even when I struggle to believe in myself.”

He smiled, brushing away her tears with a thumb, his voice playful now.

“Stop crying, love... Sometimes I wonder if you’re more childlike than Adu. Come on—your future awaits.”

Hand in hand, they stepped forward, each footfall carrying them toward a destiny crafted from resilience and love.

After the admission process was complete, Mahi and Atharv found a quiet spot beneath an old banyan tree at the edge of the campus—a rare haven of stillness amidst the lively chatter of students. The golden light filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the grass.

“Atharv… why did you ask me not to tell anyone here about our marriage? It feels strange, almost dishonest, to hide something so important,” Mahi asked, her tone tinged with unease.

Atharv took her hands in his, his gaze solemn but tender.

“I understand how you feel. But this college—it’s not like the world we came from. Many of the students here come from privilege. They may not understand us, or worse, they may judge you unfairly.”

Mahi tilted her head, her brows furrowed in confusion.

“But why would that matter? Isn’t our love something to be proud of?”

Atharv sighed, the weight of the world heavy in his breath.

“It is, Mahi. But people can be cruel when they see something they don’t understand. I want to protect you—from whispers, from pity, from ridicule. You’re too pure-hearted for that kind of scorn.”

Her heart sank at his words, not because they shocked her, but because they rang true. In their private world, love was enough. But out here, love was vulnerable.

“I see…” she whispered. “I’ll keep our marriage a secret, if that’s what you think is best.”

Atharv wrapped her in his arms, holding her like a shield against a harsh world.

“Thank you. I promise I’ll always be by your side. This is only the beginning.”

And so, with hearts entwined and secrets tucked away, they began this new chapter, walking together through unknown terrain, bonded by truth and sacrifice.

The day waned into a dusky glow, casting golden hues across the cozy interior of their modest home. Atharv sat at the dining table, fingers dancing across his laptop keys. The hum of concentration was broken by the sound of the front door creaking open.

A small whirlwind burst into the room—Advait, their son, his schoolbag bouncing at his side.

“Papa! You’re home!” he exclaimed, his face lit with innocent glee.

Atharv looked up, his fatigue dissipating as he met his son's shining eyes.

“Hey there, champ,” he said with a chuckle. “You missed me already?”

“I missed you so much!” Advait declared, throwing his arms around his father’s neck.

Mahi, busy in the kitchen, overheard their laughter and called out with a touch of concern. “Adu baby, don’t bother Papa. He’s working.”

But Atharv waved off her worry with a reassuring smile.

“It’s alright, Mahi. For him, I’ll always have time.”

Advait’s eyes sparkled. “Then can we make your special chocolate cake tonight? Please?”

Atharv grinned. “Only if you promise to help me with the secret ingredient.”

“Yay! I’ll finish my homework super fast!”

As Advait scampered away, Mahi looked on with a smile that held both gratitude and awe. The warmth of their little world—their love, their laughter—made even the simplest moments feel sacred.

Later, as the aroma of baking filled the air, the kitchen became a temple of shared joy. In flour-dusted laughter and frosting-covered fingers, they found the quiet kind of happiness that no riches could buy.

Outside, the stars began their quiet vigil. Inside, the soft light of the living room caressed the corners of their world. Mahi sat curled on the couch, folding a blanket with mechanical precision. Atharv approached, a sigh escaping his lips as he joined her.

For a while, neither spoke. The silence was not empty—but full, steeped in memory.

Mahi looked at him, her voice barely a whisper. “Do you ever think about those days… when it was just the two of us? Alone in the world?”

Atharv’s gaze met hers, his expression pensive.

“How could I forget? It feels like those days lasted a lifetime. But we survived, Mahi. We found each other in the chaos.”

Mahi lowered her gaze. “I remember... before you, I had no one to call family. But then, you found me. You saved me.”

Atharv’s grip tightened gently around her fingers. “You saved me too. After the accident, I was just... drifting. But you became my anchor. You reminded me I was still human, still capable of love.”

They paused, hearts remembering the ache of yesterday.

“The orphanage feels like another lifetime,” Mahi whispered. “I never dreamed we’d have this. A home. A child. A life carved out of nothing but hope.”

Atharv nodded, his voice low. “We built everything from scratch, from pain, from courage. We chose love when it was the hardest thing to choose.”

Mahi rested her head on his shoulder. “There were so many nights I thought I’d never feel whole again. But you… you were my beginning.”

Atharv gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her face.

“You were always meant to have this happiness, Mahi. And I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you never forget that.”

She smiled, through tears that glistened like stardust.

“Look at us now,” she whispered. “We’re no longer those lost children.”

“No,” Atharv agreed, pulling her closer. “We’re home. Not because of where we live—but because of what we’ve created. A family. A forever.”

Her voice, soft as breath, closed the moment.

“Always.”

And in the silence that followed, there was no need for more words. Two hands entwined, two hearts aligned.

No longer orphans. No longer broken.

Just two souls—found in each other.

Sneak peek- Chapter 4

Mahi looked around in astonishment. “Why is this part empty? Did you... reserve the whole section?”

Atharv chuckled softly. “Yes. I wanted it to be special—for you and Advait. A little surprise.”