Whispers of the Past
The canteen buzzed with the usual chatter of students, but today, a particular conversation caught Chahat's attention. She sat quietly at her table, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her coffee cup as the girls at the next table whispered among themselves.
"My grandparents once told me about the day the will was opened at Pandare Villa," Girl 3 said, leaning in conspiratorially. "Everyone was present to witness it."
"Yes, I heard about that too," Girl 1 chimed in, her voice filled with intrigue. "The Pandare couple's will was clear—everything was to be handed over to their so-called 'friend.' But honestly, no one even knew if that person was really their friend. No one had ever heard of them before. It was suspicious."
"And their only daughter? She was barely given anything," Girl 3 added. "Just a fixed amount every month and support for her education. Nothing else."
"Imagine that! Their own child left with practically nothing," Girl 1 shook her head. "She studied among us like an ordinary student, just like one of us. And now, that little girl has grown into a stunning woman."
"It was such a scandal back then," Girl 3 sighed. "People gossiped about it openly, saying the Pandares had abandoned their only daughter."
Chahat's grip tightened around her cup. Their words echoed in her mind, but she kept her expression neutral, lowering her gaze as if unaffected. Inside, however, her heart pounded.
If only they knew.
An Invitation to the Party
That evening, as Chahat was lost in thought, her friend Tia approached her with an excited expression.
"Chahat! Do you have any plans this evening?" Tia asked, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
Chahat looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Plans? Why?"
"Nothing special, but there's a party tonight, and I want you to come with me," Tia said, clasping her hands together. "You know I'll be bored without you!"
Chahat chuckled, shaking her head. "Tia, I'm sure you'll survive without me."
"Come on! You're my best friend. If you don't come, who else will accompany me?" Tia pouted playfully.
Chahat hesitated before sighing. "The problem is…I wasn't invited."
Tia's expression fell for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "Oh… I understand." She gave a small, reassuring smile. "Maybe next time, then."
Singhania Mansion
"Beta, you will come with us to the Jaswal's party." His tone was firm yet kind.
Girl looked up in surprise. "No, no, uncle. I can't. I wasn't invited."
Mihir smiled warmly. "Beta, the Singhanias were invited. You are my sister's child, which makes you a part of this family. We will attend together, as one."
Girl hesitated. Even after all these years, she still felt like an outsider sometimes. But Mihir uncle had always treated her with kindness.
"Listen carefully, " Mihir continued, his voice gentler now. "I know your past wasn't easy. You lived an ordinary life before this, but look at what you have now. A home, an education, a future. Not everyone gets like this."
"Whatever happened in the past, we cannot change it," Mihir said firmly. "But we can choose to move forward. We can build something better."
Girl took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "Okay, uncle. I'll come."