After 10 Years

Shraddha is now 15 years old. She is chubby and dusky but has a cute-looking face. Her father, grandmother, and siblings still hate her, even after so many years. Only her mother loves her—and for Shraddha, that's enough. She knows the reason behind their hatred, and she also knows there's nothing she can do to change it.

But now, she carries a secret in her heart—she has started liking Arjun a lot. Arjun, who used to be rude to her, now treats her kindly. He has come to understand that it's not her fault that unfortunate things happened around her.

On the other hand, Arjun Singhaniya has grown into a tall and handsome young man with striking features. He is respectful and well-mannered. He remains best friends with Vivaan and Ayaan, and he treats Riya like a little sister. He is currently in a relationship with his girlfriend, Divya, who is a bit rude to others but deeply in love with him and extremely possessive. His mother likes Divya and often warns her to stay away from Shraddha, believing Shraddha is a bad omen who might ruin her son's relationship. Divya, already possessive, takes this seriously and often bullies Shraddha—with Riya's help.

One day, Shraddha was sitting in the garden sketching. Suddenly, Arjun came by and saw her. He decided to say hello. As he walked over and sat beside her, Shraddha, sensing someone’s presence, quickly closed her sketchbook. Arjun, unaware of her nervousness, said, “Hi, what are you doing? And why did you close it so suddenly? I want to see what you were working on.”

Shraddha, shy at first, became nervous when he asked to see her sketch. She replied, “Hi Arjun… how are you? What brings you here?”

“I’m good,” he said. “Just came to visit Vivaan and Ayaan and thought I’d say hi to you. Divya is also coming—I’m waiting for her.” When Arjun mentioned Divya’s name, he blushed slightly. Shraddha noticed this, and her heart sank.

Moments later, Divya arrived and saw Shraddha talking to Arjun. Furious, she shouted, “Arjun, let’s go meet them! Otherwise, we’ll be late for our date!” She said it loudly, making sure Shraddha heard. Arjun left with Divya, leaving Shraddha alone. She felt hurt but knew there was nothing she could do—Arjun loved Divya, and she felt like nothing in comparison.

A little while later, just as Shraddha was about to return to her room, Divya suddenly appeared with Riya. Without warning, Divya slapped Shraddha and screamed, “Stay away from my boyfriend! Have you ever looked at yourself? You look like an animal—no face, big body, no class! You’re such a desperate slut!”

She then snatched Shraddha’s sketchbook and saw a portrait of Arjun with the word "love" written on it. Enraged, she shouted, “You bitch! How dare you try to steal my boyfriend? You’re a pathetic, desperate girl! I wish you’d die! Even your mother will leave you one day—you’re a bad omen!”

Riya began laughing at Divya’s cruel words. Deeply hurt and enraged, Shraddha—for the first time—slapped Divya.

Hearing the commotion, Arjun, Vivaan, and Ayaan rushed out. They saw Shraddha slapping Divya and were furious. Before Shraddha could explain, Divya launched into her performance: “See, Arjun! This girl is obsessed with you! She has your drawing, and when I confronted her, she slapped me, saying you’d leave me. Please don’t leave me!”

Before Shraddha could defend herself, Vivaan slapped her hard. “You can never see anyone happy, can you? First, because of you, grandfather died. Then father’s business collapsed. Riya always gets scolded because of you. And now you’re acting like a slut to get Arjun! Have you ever looked at yourself? No guy in his right mind would love you! How can you even think of comparing yourself to Divya?”

Still reeling from the slap, Shraddha finally said, “I didn’t slap Divya because I love Arjun—I slapped her because she was abusing and bullying me with Riya.”

Riya, standing beside Divya, said, “She’s lying. She just wants to seduce Arjun.”

Divya, pleased that her plan was working, added, “See, Arjun? She slapped me for no reason.”

Shraddha reached out and held Arjun’s hand, hoping he would understand her—but he jerked his hand away. She lost her balance and fell to the ground.

Arjun, furious, shouted, “How can you think a guy like me—who has everything—would like a girl like you? You're overweight, dark-skinned, have no looks, you’re a bad omen, and you hurt others! I was only being nice to you because no one else talked to you. Everyone hates you—except your mother. I, Arjun, can never like a girl like you! Get that into your head! And never—I repeat, NEVER—come in front of me again. I swear I’ll kill you if you do!”

Saying this, he pushed her again and walked away with Divya. Everyone else left too, leaving Shraddha alone.