A younger Gaurav stood quietly at the edge of the playground, watching little Skand and Malvi walking together, laughing and talking.
Gaurav (thinking):"Malvi… she's so sweet. So kind.But why is Skand always with her?"
Since childhood, Gaurav had feelings for Malvi. He always dreamt of marrying her someday.But one day, he overheard something that shattered him.
Gaurav (thinking, devastated):"What...? Malvi and Skand are… engaged?"
It hurt deeply, but Gaurav tried to respect her choice.
Gaurav (thinking):"If that's who she's chosen, I'll accept it. That's what love means, right?"
But soon after, he heard the shocking news ,Skand had broken off the engagement.
At first, Gaurav was furious.
Gaurav (thinking):"How could Skand do this to her?"
But then, he discovered the truth.
Skand had ended the engagement not out of anger or betrayal,but because his father had passed away, their business collapsed,and he felt he could no longer provide a good life for Malvi.
Gaurav (softly to himself):"He gave up his love… to protect her future."
From that moment, Gaurav's anger turned into deep respect for Skand.
Days later, Gaurav happened to overhear a conversation between his father and Dheeraj.
Dheeraj:"Ever since Malvi's engagement broke, no one wants to marry her. They think she's at fault.But that's not true. I was wondering if… maybe your son Gaurav would marry her?"
Gaurav's father looked hesitant, but before he could refuse, Gaurav stepped in.
Gaurav:"I'll do it. I'll marry her."
At the time, he thought he was doing the right thing.After all, marrying the girl he loved felt like a blessing like life had given him another chance.
Flashback Ends
Gaurav (thinking, regretful):"I thought I was holding gold in my hands…but I was wrong.Skand saw through her first.Love really does blind us."
At Malvi's Home
Gaurav walked into Malvi's house. Dheeraj greeted him with a smile, unaware of what was coming.
Gaurav (serious tone):"I want to call off the wedding."
Dheeraj (shocked):"What? What are you saying, son?You love Malvi, don't you?"
Gaurav (coldly):"I did.But that was for the girl I thought she was someone who doesn't exist."
Dheeraj:"Please, don't do this. If you back out now, Malvi's future will be ruined"
Gaurav (firmly):"If I don't, my future will be."
He turned and walked away, his heart heavy, eyes filled with tears.
On the Road
As Gaurav walked, lost in thought, a voice called out to him.
Skand (softly):"I know that pain."
Gaurav looked up. Skand stood in front of him.
Skand:"Learning the truth about someone you cared for…hurts more than anything."
Gaurav (surprised):"You knew…? You knew who she really was?"
Skand (nodding):"Yes. Our engagement didn't just fall apartshe broke it off because after my father passed and our business collapsed,she said she couldn't live in poverty."
Gaurav (quietly):"So she left you when you needed her most…"
They sat together under a tree by the roadside.
They talked for hours — not as rivals, not as enemiesbut as two young men finally understanding each other.
Skand shared his struggles, his rebuilding journey, and how he fought to stand again.
Skand (smiling gently):"Look… we've both been through enough.But you? You're smart. Strong.You can build something real something bigger than all this."
Gaurav (inspired):"You really believe that?"
Skand:"Of course. Start over.And this time, choose yourself first."
As the sun set, their bond was no longer one of rivalry —but of mutual respect, and a new friendship forged from truth.
To be continued...