The Hidden Light of Vaanika

Chapter 7 – “Whispers of the Heart” Romantic • Emotional • Turning Point The wedding was fixed. Raghav's family had visited. Gifts were exchanged. Her stepmother was glowing with pride, speaking about money, status, and gold bangles. But Vaanika’s heart was silent. She sat alone in the courtyard, staring at the fading evening sky, feeling lost. A gentle breeze played with her dupatta, but her soul felt heavy. From the edge of the village, Veer Baba arrived, his eyes full of knowing. He didn’t speak to Vaanika—but to her father. “You think you chose a husband,” he said softly. “But all you did was invite a storm.” Her father frowned. “What do you mean?” “Raghav has a dark path behind him,” Veer Baba replied. “He doesn’t see women as hearts… only as trophies. If you love your daughter, stop this now.” That night, Vaanika’s father quietly visited the town. He returned pale, broken. Everything Veer Baba said was true. The next morning, in front of everyone, he announced: “This marriage...

 Chapter 6: The Whispering Shadows It was a quiet evening in Shivdara, but something in the air had changed. A new guest had arrived—Raghav, well-dressed, well-spoken, and chosen by Vaanika’s stepmother as the “perfect match.” He brought sweets and smiles… but something about him made Vaanika’s heart feel cold. She nodded politely, but her eyes wandered—searching the fields, the trees, the wind—searching for someone else. Far away, near the temple, Arin heard the whispers. He stood still, the words sinking deep: Vaanika's marriage had been fixed. His heart thudded. Not now. Not so soon. He wasn’t ready to lose her… even if he hadn’t told her how he felt. That night, Arin saw her again—alone, by the lake, feeding birds. He stayed hidden, like always, just watching. One bird with an injured wing fluttered near her feet. Vaanika bent slowly, touched it softly—just once. And as if touched by light, the bird flew again. Arin’s eyes widened. That wasn't normal. That… was magic. But s...

 

  Chapter 4: Whispers Beneath the Peepal Tree Sometimes, fate doesn’t knock. It gently nudges. Again and again. Since that day at the temple, Vaanika and Arin had run into each other almost too often. Near the riverbank. Outside the library. At the sweet shop. Always unplanned. Always unexpected. As if the whole village was quietly pushing them closer. Their conversations grew longer. Softer. Sweeter. Arin would tease her about her quiet nature. “You always run like the wind. Are you scared of me?” Vaanika smiled shyly. “Maybe… I just don’t trust strangers with fast bikes.” He laughed. “Then let me earn that trust. Slowly.” And slowly, he did. He started walking her part of the way home. She began waiting a little longer at the temple, hoping he’d pass by. Their words danced between laughter and silence. Their eyes spoke more than they realized. But something else danced around them too. One morning, at the weekly village bazaar, a little girl tripped and scraped her knee. Before a...

  Chapter 3: Whispers Between Hearts The village of Shivdara woke up slowly with the first golden rays of sunlight. Birds sang, temple bells rang softly, and somewhere—hearts were beginning to beat a little differently. Arin sat by the window of his guest room, sketchbook in hand. He had drawn her again—Vaanika. That moment in the temple courtyard stayed in his mind like an unfinished song. “Why does she feel… familiar?” he whispered to himself. Down the street, Vaanika walked to the temple, holding a basket of flowers. Her mind should’ve been full of daily chores—but it wasn’t. His voice… his eyes… something about him stayed with her. “It’s nothing,” she told herself. “I don’t even know him.” But the universe had its own plans. That afternoon, near the village school, Vaanika was helping little kids with their poems when she noticed someone quietly watching from behind the old neem tree. Arin. He quickly looked away when their eyes met. Embarrassed. Later, she caught him again—nea...

Chapter 2: When Winds Remember The winds in Shivdara had changed since that moment. The moment she fell. The moment he caught her. Vaanika didn’t see his face—just heard his voice and felt his hand. But Arin… he saw something. Not her full face—just a glimpse beneath her fluttering dupatta, like moonlight through clouds. But in that split second, time had slowed, and something stirred inside him. A spark. Unexplainable. Unfamiliar. Yet hauntingly known. Before he could make sense of it, Vaanika had stood up, her cheeks flushed, and rode away without a word, her anklets chiming like a forgotten melody fading into the distance. At the edge of the village, near the banyan grove, an old man smiled. Veer Baba, sitting on his meditation mat, opened his eyes slowly as if awakened by something only he could feel. The wind whispered secrets to him through the rustling leaves. He picked up a crystal from his side and held it against the golden sunlight. “Samay aa gaya hai,” he murmured to himsel...