Author POV:

In Rishikesh, a serene morning was broken by the loud beeping of an alarm clock. A young woman stirred in her bed, her hand fumbling to silence the noise. As her eyes adjusted to the light and landed on the clock, her eyes widened in panic.

"Oh teri! Late ho gayi, late ho gayi!" she exclaimed, jolting upright. She scrambled out of bed and rushed into the washroom.

After some time, she emerged, now dressed in a crisp white kurti paired with a denim jacket and jeans. Her wet hair clung to her back as she walked to the mirror, grabbing a towel to dry it. Her movements were quick, almost frantic, but there was a spark of liveliness in her eyes.

As she finished drying her hair, she turned to look at her reflection in the mirror and grinned widely.

"Uff, kya pataka hoon main!" she said, striking a playful pose. With a satisfied nod, she picked up a small red bindi and carefully placed it on her forehead.

Just as she was admiring herself, a loud voice interrupted her.

"JHANVII!"

It was her mother's voice, calling out from the kitchen downstairs. The woman—Jhanvi—paused to glance at herself one last time in the mirror. Blowing a kiss to her reflection, she laughed softly.

Downstairs, her mother was busy preparing breakfast.

"Jhanvi, kitni der lagati ho tum?" her mother scolded, shaking her head as Jhanvi appeared, tying her hair into a loose braid.

"Aish, Maa! Itni bhi der nahi hui. Tum khali fokat sochti ho itna... aur waise bhi itni jaldi tourist thodi aayenge," Jhanvi said with a cheeky smile, earning an exasperated look from her mother.

Her mother, Suman, sighed but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. Jhanvi had always been like this—full of life, a chatterbox who could brighten any room.

 But beneath her cheerful demeanor, Suman often caught glimpses of something else—something unspoken, as though a part of her daughter was searching for something she didn't even realize was missing.

What Jhanvi didn't know, what no one in Rishikesh knew, was that she wasn't truly Jhanvi. She was Anjali, a woman who had lost her memory in a tragic accident years ago.

As Jhanvi sat down to quickly munch on some paratha her mother had made, Suman gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Acha, aaj shaam ko ladke wale dekhne aa rahe hain, toh—"

Before Suman could finish, Jhanvi interrupted, her face contorting in frustration.

"Maa, yaar! Mujhe nahi karni shaadi. Kyu nahi samajh aata aapko?" she said angrily, pushing her chair back and standing up abruptly.

Suman sighed, but before she could respond, a cheerful voice interrupted the tension." kaun meri beti ko subah-subah gussa dila raha hai?"

Jhanvi's father entered, carrying a bag of fresh vegetables. His warm smile and calm demeanor immediately softened the atmosphere. Jhanvi rushed toward him and hugged him tightly.

"Dekhiye na, Papa! Maa phir shuru ho gayi. Is baar toh ladka dekhne bhi aa raha hai aur hume pata hi nahi!" she complained, pouting like a child.

Her father chuckled, ruffling her hair affectionately.

"Suman, tum bhi na! Hamari Jhanvi abhi chhoti si hai. Shaadi ki baat karne mein abhi der hai."

"Chhoti si? Yeh 25 ki ho chuki hai, aur tum abhi bhi isko bacha samajhte ho!" Suman shot back, exasperated.

(This reflects the age their real daughter would have been if she were alive.)

Jhanvi stuck her tongue out at her mother, earning a glare from her.

"Jhanvi, ladki ho, shaadi toh karni hi padegi. Kitni der tak humare saath rahogi?" Suman said, her tone softening.

But Jhanvi just rolled her eyes, ignoring her mother's words.

"Mujhe late ho raha hai, Maa. Main ja rahi hoon."

She grabbed her bag and walked out, leaving her parents behind to exchange worried glances.

Meanwhile, in the Taneja house...

Preparations were underway for the family's trip to Rishikesh for Anjali's shrad. The atmosphere was heavy with grief, even after all these years. Aryan's mental health had only worsened, and his childlike behavior weighed heavily on everyone.

Aahan, now the pillar of the family, was busy ensuring everything was packed and ready. Advika and Veer ran around the house, their giggles a rare source of light in the somber home.

As Advika and Veer played, Mrs. Verma watched Aryan, who sat quietly in a corner, staring at a photograph of Anjali. Her heart ached as she walked over to him, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

Little did the family know, the woman they believed to have been lost forever was closer than they could imagine, living a new life as Jhanvi in the same sacred city.

Author POV:

Jhanvi stepped outside, and the cool breeze gently brushed against her face. She inhaled deeply, a soft smile spreading across her lips. "Get ready to work," she muttered to herself with determination.

She walked toward the café owned by her family, a favorite spot for tourists. Unlocking the door, she stepped inside and began arranging the tables. Just as she was adjusting a chair, the door creaked open behind her. Without looking, she smirked and said, "Kya yaar, Reva! Kabhi toh naye techniques laao mujhe darane ke liye."

Turning around, she saw Reva standing there, trying to look intimidating but failing miserably.

Reva blinked and whined dramatically. "Gosh, tujhe kaise pata chal jaata hai? But khair, gooood morniiiing ma'ammm!" she sang, throwing her arms around Jhanvi in an exaggerated hug.

Jhanvi stumbled slightly but hugged her back, laughing. "Uff—you're so heavy," she teased, earning a playful pout from Reva.

Before Reva could retort, a sweet little voice chimed in. Both women turned to see a tiny toddler toddling in, her chubby cheeks glowing and her mischievous eyes sparkling.

Jhanvi immediately bent down, her face lighting up with a warm smile. "Aww, yeh toh meri Falak hai! Good morning, baby!" she cooed, her voice full of affection.

The little girl giggled, holding out her tiny arms for Jhanvi. Without a second thought, Jhanvi scooped her up and spun her around, filling the café with the sound of Falak's delighted laughter.

Reva crossed her arms, pretending to be offended. "Haan haan, mujhe toh ignore kar do. Bas meri beti se dosti karo!"

Jhanvi grinned cheekily. "Kya karein, Falak meri favorite hai! Tum toh badi boring ho, Reva."Reva rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched into a smile. "Achha, ma'am, ab kaam pe dhyan do. Tourists aate hi honge."

Jhanvi nodded, setting Falak down gently. "Haan, haan, boss. Waise bhi, mujhe kaam karne se zyada maza unse baatein karne mein aata hai."

The café, a charming little place with rustic wooden furniture and colorful decor, was a hotspot for tourists visiting Rishikesh. It was Jhanvi's pride and joy, a project she had poured her heart into after her recovery. The cozy atmosphere and delicious food made it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

As Jhanvi and Reva busied themselves arranging tables and prepping for the day, the bell above the door jingled, signaling a new arrival.

"Good morning, ladies and the cutest baby in town!" A man entered with an energetic smile, his voice cheerful.

"Good morning, Jay. Kafi jaldi aa gaye?" Jhanvi teased, her tone playful.

Jay chuckled, brushing off her remark. "Oh, come on, bestie! Tum toh jaanti ho na, jab main ghar se bahar nikalta hoon, ladkiyan mujhe gher leti hain—"

Before he could finish, Reva interrupted, her voice sharp and cold. "Baatin kar li ho toh kaam kar lo," she said, maintaining her distance as she continued setting up the tables.

Jay had proposed to Reva during a vulnerable time in her life—when she was pregnant with her ex's child. While his intentions might have been genuine, Reva likely felt overwhelmed or even judged by his offer, as though it stemmed from pity rather than love. This has caused her to build emotional walls, making it difficult for her to trust Jay's feelings.

Jay's smile faltered for a moment as he glanced at Reva, the tension between them palpable. He quickly looked back at Jhanvi, forcing a soft smile, and got to work.

Jhanvi observed the two, She sighed internally, shaking her head before focusing on her tasks.