Siya's Raghav

5 Years Later

A bus pulled up at the station, and Siya stepped off.Wearing a white top with wine-colored pants, her hair tied in a ponytail, she still looked just as beautiful as ever.With light makeup, soft pink lipstick accentuating her rosy hands, and kohl deepening her expressive eyes—she was radiant.A single strand of hair escaped her ponytail, gently brushing her face, adding to her charm.

She rushed into a company building, panting as she reached the entry gate, trying to catch her breath.

Looking at the time, she slapped her forehead and muttered,"Ten minutes late again! That fool is definitely going to cut my salary… Mom's meds are over… Dad's pension still hasn't arrived… Ugh, God, did you really have to dump all the problems of the world on me?"

Still cursing her luck and fate, she walked into the office. She hadn't even fully caught her breath when someone shoved a file into her hand.

"Take this to the boss's cabin."

She hurried into the cabin, dropped off the file, and was about to return when her senior, Vihaan, demanded coffee.Siya slammed her bag onto her desk and rushed to the cafeteria.

Carrying the coffee mug back, she approached Vihaan, who snapped—

"What is this, Siya? I told you to finish the Mishra file yesterday—why is it still pending?"

Siya, placing the coffee on the table, explained,"Sir, it got really late last night, and buses don't run that late. I thought I'd finish it today…"

Vihaan yelled—"You small-town girls are all the same—always making excuses. 'No bus,' 'Mom was sick,' bla bla bla…"

Siya, lowering her head, said quietly,"Sir, I'm not making any excuses…"

Vihaan glared at her—"Mind your tone! I'm your senior. I can fire you right now if I want to!"

Tears welled up in Siya's eyes as she quietly returned to her desk.This had been her reality for the past two years.She was constantly harassed by Vihaan and others in the office, all because she wasn't like them—she didn't wear fancy clothes or expensive makeup.She didn't arrive in a luxury car. She squeezed into overcrowded buses, haggled with vegetable vendors over five rupees, and endured daily torment at work.

She used to be proud of her beauty, once even bullied others.Now… she was the one being bullied.

Silently wiping her tears, Siya began working quickly.

Meanwhile, in Australia…

A bike race was underway in a city. Many young men were competing.As the green flag waved, the race began—bikes roared forward at full speed.

Among them, two bikes were leading. The crowd cheered wildly.

Suddenly, a young child ran onto the track.Everyone gasped in horror as the bikes sped closer.The child's mother screamed, "Help! Help!"

One bike whizzed past dangerously close to the child—Everyone feared the worst.The mother collapsed in sobs.

Then… they saw the child—safe, seated ahead on the bike.

Relief flooded the crowd.

The rider had pulled the child up mid-race and tied him securely with a cloth.He sped ahead again—the child now giggling with joy.

Despite falling behind briefly, the rider picked up pace…and won the race.

Cheers erupted as the crowd danced with excitement.

The bike stopped, and the child's mother ran over, hugged her son, and thanked the rider.

He nodded, then proceeded to receive his trophy.

He removed his helmet—revealing deep black eyes, shoulder-length hair, a fair sharp-featured face, and a warm smile.

Girls swooned—his charm was undeniable. His smile was intoxicating, and his eyes were deep enough to drown in.

He held up the trophy and waved to the crowd before heading toward his bike again.Many girls tried to talk to him—but he seemed to be searching for someone in the crowd.When he didn't find that someone, his eyes dimmed.With a hollow look, he wore his helmet and left.

His bike stopped in front of a two-story house.He looked at it silently, took a deep breath, and went inside.

He spotted a coughing man and rushed to him, rubbing his back—"Dad, are you okay?"

The man looked up—it was Aman ji.

He reached for a glass of water, which the young man quickly handed to him.

Aman ji pulled the young man's hair playfully and scolded—"How many times have I told you to cut this girl-like hair?!"

The young man, removing his shoes, said—"Dad! I look cool this way… why don't you understand?"

Aman ji playfully smacked his head,"Cool? You look like a monkey!"

The boy chuckled.

After a pause, Aman asked—"Any news from Raghav?"

The young man's smile faded."No, Dad… no news from bhai. He suddenly left Auli and made us all promise—me, you, and Aditya—not to look for him, swearing on Mom…"

By now, you must've guessed—this long-haired 'monkey' is Kabir. 😄

Aman ji walked away.Kabir opened his phone, stared at an old picture of him with Raghav and whispered—"Where are you, my magic stick…? It's been five years since I last saw you. Did you not miss me even once in all these years? Am I really that bad? First Mom left me, and now you too… I miss you so much, bhai… please come back…"

He began to sob.

Over the years, Kabir had changed completely.No one would believe he was the same old Kabir.

Bike racing, singing, and countless other things filled his life now.He only came home for three things—eating, sleeping, and watching over his father's health.

Everything else… was an attempt to escape the memories of his mother.Her love, her scoldings, her warm hugs—still alive in his mind.

That Night, at Siya's Home…

Siya reached home late.Seeing a car parked outside, her face fell—she already knew who it belonged to.

She entered. Her mother was on the sofa with Radha, elegantly dressed in a red saree, diamond necklace, high heels, golden bangles, and a grand mangalsutra. The sindoor on her forehead glowed with pride.

Siya ignored her and walked toward the kitchen.

Radha called out—"Oh Siya, come here, sit with us."

Siya forced a smile,"Wait, I'll make some tea."

Radha smiled smugly.

Siya washed her face, drank water from the earthen pot—because the fridge had long since been discarded.Who could afford the electricity bill anymore?

Placing a kettle on the stove, she muttered angrily—"Look at the queen, here again to flaunt her wealth…Acts like she owns the world.Sure, she married a rich guy—but that doesn't mean she gets to come and rub it in my face every other day.And don't even get me started on that marriage—she trapped that poor guy with her sugar-coated lies. Now he's stuck."

The tea boiled. She quickly poured it into cups and came out.

She handed one to her mom, one to Radha, and kept one for herself.

Radha smiled and asked,"So Siya, how's work?"

Siya replied flatly,"Hmm… it's going."

Radha smirked and fired her next arrow—"So… what about marriage? Among all of us girls, you were the first to be engaged. Everyone's married now… but you're still single."

She took a sip of tea—her sarcasm clear.

Siya understood the insult perfectly.

Suddenly, Radha frowned—"Oh my God, Siya… you put so much sugar in this! I never take that much—it's bad for health!"

Siya rolled her eyes, thinking,"This from the girl who used to steal jaggery from our kitchen—now suddenly health conscious?"

Then Radha dropped the real bomb—"By the way… any news of Raghav?"

Siya glanced at her mother, Yamuna ji, whose face darkened with concern.

Radha continued,"Or… is it possible he's fallen for someone else?"

Siya erupted—"That will never happen, got it? He's Raghav—my Raghav. Only and always mine!"

Yamuna ji gently tried to calm her,"Siya, child… please. Don't get so angry."

Radha stood up,"I should get going. Bye Siya, bye Aunty."

As she left, Siya muttered—"Yeah, come back again… to spread more fire."

Yamuna scolded,"Siya! That's no way to talk."

Siya retorted—"Mom, why don't you say something to her? She comes here, decked out like a bride, just to make me feel small.And where's Raghav, Mom? Why hasn't he come back?If he isn't coming… then why don't you just get me married off somewhere else?"

Yamuna ji replied,"Beta… Chandrika's last wish was to see you as her daughter-in-law.After she passed, how could I disrespect her final wish…?"

Siya broke down in tears,"But why just us, Mom? Doesn't Raghav care about his mother's wishes? Why did he leave us?"

Yamuna ji cradled her head in her lap, gently stroking her hair.

"He'll come back, beta…Very soon, he'll come back…"

Siya wept silently in her mother's lap.