Note: Radhika looks like Bani and is Bani and Veer looks like Krishna and was Krishna in his past life.

*****

Veer gripped the edge of the windowsill, as the memories washed over him .He remembered his past life where his name was Krishna and of course his lover Radhika.He could almost hear her voice, feel the warmth of her hand in his Radhika His heart clenched. She had been everything to him—the light in his otherwise dark world. They had fought against everything—her family, society, caste—but nothing had stopped their love. She was pure, fierce, and full of life. They had dreamed of a future together.

“I will never leave you, Radhika,” Krishna had whispered, kissing her forehead. “In this life and the next, we will always be together.”

But the cruel twist of fate had other plans. Radhika had been murdered—brutally taken from him by the man who couldn’t stand to see them together. The one who had felt entitled to her love and couldn’t bear that someone like Krishna—poor, humble, and unworthy in the eyes of society—had won her heart. Jayesh.

Jayesh had not only killed Radhika; he had framed Krishna for her murder. Jayesh had used his wealth, his power, to twist the truth, to turn everyone against Krishna. He had Lied, manipulated, and convinced the world that Krishna had killed her out of jealousy.

Veer could still hear the shouting crowds, as  Krishna’s life was snatched away. “You killed her! You will pay for this, Krishna!” Jayesh’s voice echoed in Veer’s mind, mocking him.

Veer squeezed his eyes shut, the tears he had fought for so long threatening to fall. "I will make him pay, Jayesh. I will make you suffer for what you did.You killed us both in our past life.But look we are back now."

“Radhika, I couldn’t protect you then. But I won’t let Jayesh get away with this again.” The pain of loss twisted deep inside him, but this time, it was different. The weight of the past no longer felt like a burden. It fueled him. He had come back for a reason, and that reason was not just to seek vengeance but to fulfill a promise—the promise he had made to Radhika.

It was clear to him now—he wasn’t just back to settle unfinished business. He was back to be with Bani—his Radhika. The same soul. The same strength.

His fingers brushed against the rough walls, and he let out a long, shaky breath. “Bani…”

Her name slipped from his lips like a prayer. He had loved her then. He loved her now. And in this life, he would not lose her again.

“In this life, we will be together, Bani. I won’t let them tear us apart. Not again. Not while I breathe.”

But Jayesh… Jayesh had to be stopped. It wasn’t just about revenge. It was about justice—justice for Radhika.Justice for Bani. He would make sure Jayesh paid for every drop of blood, for every tear, for the love he had stolen from him.

“I will make you suffer for everything you’ve done,” Veer whispered through gritted teeth.

He had failed Radhika once, but not again. Not in this life. The love they had shared—the love that transcended time—would not be erased. Not by Jayesh, and certainly not by anyone else.
He wasn’t just fighting for his love. He was fighting to rewrite the past, to destroy the man who had taken away everything from him. He would stop at nothing to ensure that in this life, Bani would be his—forever.

Veer reached for his phone, scrolling through his contacts, pausing on Tapish’s number. Tapish could help dig into Jayesh’s identity, track his movements, and uncover his intentions. He dialed, the low ring humming in his ear.

“Veer?” Tapish’s groggy voice answered, and Veer quickly explained what he needed, his tone steady but filled with a determination that his brother rarely heard.

“Understood, Veer. I’ll look into it first thing in the morning,” Tapish responded, his voice now fully alert, sensing the seriousness of Veer’s request.

Veer  glanced at the photograph he had of Bani, a different warmth flooded his chest. Bani, his Radhika, was here, in this life.

Veer walked over to the window, looking out into the dark night as he whispered to himself, “Bani…you have no idea how far I’d go to protect you this time.” A smile tugged at his lips.

He could still recall the way she looked at him, her eyes flashing with strength and defiance, just like Rashika's had. Bani might not remember, but he could see glimpses of Radhika’s spirit within her. He now realised why he felt so close to Bani in such a short period and also started having feelings for her.

And he didn’t want to win her love through force or manipulation. No, this time he wanted Bani’s love to be freely given, like the promises they had made to each other in that past life, standing by the river under the moonlight.

“I won’t fail you again, Bani,” he murmured. “No matter what it takes.”

****

With the first light of morning , Veer was ready. Dressed in his trademark black, his eyes held an intensity as he gathered the information Tapish had sent him overnight. The threads of Jayesh’s identity were beginning to surface—he had different allies now, a network of people whose power rivaled Veer’s own family.

As he prepared to leave, he caught one last look at Bani’s photo. His heart thudded with determination, a blend of old and new emotions washing over him. The stakes were higher now, but his resolve was unwavering.

“Jayesh, this time you’ll answer for everything,” he thought, slipping his phone into his pocket and heading out the door.But he had to meet her and tell his emotions. His heart won't allow him to not confess at least his emotions to her.Their past life revelation can wait but not his emotions.

**************

Veer and Bani stood in th garden of her chachu's house.Veer couldn't take his eyes off her .Of course he lost his words but gathered his strength to speak.

“Bani,I know this might feel sudden, maybe even rushed for you…but I need to tell you how I feel.” He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. “Bani, I love you. I don’t know if it makes sense to you or if you even feel the same…but I can’t keep it to myself anymore.”

Bani blinked, taken aback by his confession. Her heart beat faster, and she could feel her cheeks warming under his gaze. “Veer…isn’t this a bit too fast?” she asked, trying to process his words, though her voice was softer than usual.

He nodded, a small, understanding smile touching his lips. “Of course, it’s fast. I know that. I just…wanted to be honest with you.” He took a step back, hands shoved into his pockets as he continued, “It’s okay, though. We can just be friends, right? You don’t have to feel pressured because of what I said.”

Bani studied him, noting the sadness in his eyes that he was trying so hard to hide. She softened, her own voice gentler now. “Maybe…we should give each other some time,” she said, trying to offer a middle ground.

Veer’s expression shifted to one of relief, and he nodded eagerly. “Of course, Bani. Take all the time you need. I’m sorry if my feelings came on too strong. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He paused, his voice growing softer. “And if you ever…decide you don’t want me in your life, you can tell me. I’ll understand.”

He turned to leave, a sad smile on his face as he began to walk away. But before he could get too far, Bani reached out, catching his arm gently.

“Veer, wait.” She looked into his eyes, her own expression a mixture of uncertainty and hope. “Maybe…maybe we can be more than friends, too. I just need time to get to know you better. Rushing things isn’t really my style.”

Veer’s face lit up, his smile growing as he nodded. “Definitely, Bani. I’ll wait as long as you need.” He gave her one last look, a warmth in his gaze that seemed to melt away her lingering hesitation.

**************
Later,

As Bani sat in her room, lost in thought, Gauri burst in, her face full of excitement. “Di! I saw you talking to Veer outside! What did he say? Tell me everything!”

Bani rolled her eyes, trying to hide her smile. “Gauri, you’re too dramatic. It’s nothing, really.”

Gauri flopped onto the bed beside her, giving her a playful nudge. “Come on, Di! I can tell from your face it’s something. Spill it!”

Sighing, Bani let herself relax a bit, thinking over Veer’s confession. “He…he told me he loves me, Gauri.”

Her sister’s eyes widened in exaggerated excitement. “Are you serious? Di, that’s fast! What did you say?!”

Bani bit her lip, a soft smile breaking through. “I told him I needed time. I mean, it’s just so sudden, you know? But part of me…” She paused, feeling a flutter in her chest. “Part of me can’t stop thinking about it. About him.”

Gauri grabbed her hands, squeezing them tightly. “Di, that’s so romantic! Maybe he’s the one! Just imagine, Veer and Bani…” She winked, nudging Bani again. “I say you give him a chance. A guy who’s so honest about his feelings? That’s rare.”

Bani laughed softly, shaking her head. “Gauri, you really are too much. But…I’ll think about it.”

She sat there, her thoughts drifting back to Veer’s confession and the warmth in his eyes, wondering if maybe, just maybe, her heart was opening to the idea of something more than friendship with him.