Chapter 26 : "The Photograph That Changed Everything"
Rohan’s words fell like a thunderbolt.
An uneasy silence spread across the room, and Mohan and Poorvi exchanged a quick glance. Beneath their composed expressions, anxiety was already taking root.
Mohan stepped forward, trying to control the situation before it slipped away.
“Rohan, what is this? Just when all our plans are about to succeed… listen to me, son.”
But Rohan did not even allow his father to finish.
“Enough, Dad. I don’t want to hear anything more. Your plans and I have nothing to do with each other. Please… both of you just leave me alone.”
His voice was sharp. Final. Impatient.
Poorvi’s heart skipped a beat.
“Rohan, please… don’t spoil my plan,” she pleaded softly.
But patience was the last thing Rohan possessed at that moment. Without another word, he stormed downstairs into the hall. Mohan and Poorvi hurried after him.
He dropped onto the sofa heavily. Anger and worry were clearly visible on his face—his jaw tight, his brows drawn together, fingers clenching and unclenching restlessly.
Just then, his mother Pavithra walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her saree.
“Rohan, why is your face like this, my son? Did your father scold you?”
Before Rohan could respond, Mohan quickly intervened.
“It’s nothing like that. Apparently, he doesn’t like this marriage. After we’ve spoken to Shashidhar’s family and come back, he says he doesn’t want it. Now you tell me—what answer should we give them?”
Poorvi’s uneasiness deepened.
Mohan continued, playing his part carefully. “Rohan, families like Shashidhar’s are rare. You won’t find such a household anywhere else. Their children are well-mannered and cultured. We’ve already spoken about your marriage there… and now you’re saying you don’t want it?”
Rohan looked at his father—long and knowing.
He understood the hidden motive behind those words. With Pavithra and Sarala present, Mohan’s dramatic tone was easy to read.
Sarala joined in gently. “Rohan, your father is right. The girl is very graceful. A perfect match for you. Didn’t Mohan say he would send the girl’s photo? Show it to our Rohan.”
Mohan nodded eagerly. “Yes! It’s here. Look, Rohan.” He placed the mobile phone on the table near him.
But Rohan was in no mood to listen.
“Enough! Why are all of you torturing me like this? If I say once that I’m not interested, can’t you understand? I have no interest in this marriage. Let me live my life peacefully. I fold my hands before you.”
Poorvi felt panic rising inside her.
'Oh no… everything will collapse because of him.'
“Rohan, please… just look at the girl’s photo once. If you don’t like her after that, no one will talk about this marriage again. Okay?”
Mohan frowned slightly. “Poorvi, what are you saying?”
She shot him a silent glance, signaling him to stay quiet.
Pavithra smiled warmly. “My son, truly… she looks like an angel. Just see once.”
Rohan exhaled impatiently.
“Fine. If I don’t like her after seeing the photo, you won’t force me. Right?”
Poorvi nodded immediately.
“Alright then. Let this be done once and for all.”
Reluctantly, almost irritably, he stretched his hand toward the phone.
And then—
Everything changed.
The moment his eyes fell on her photograph, he froze.
It was not just surprise.
It was impact.
His pupils widened slowly, as if trying to absorb every detail at once. His lips parted slightly. The irritation that had been burning on his face only seconds ago dissolved into stunned silence.
His breathing grew uneven.
His fingers tightened around the phone—not in anger now, but in awe.
Her eyes in the photograph held an unusual depth… soft yet powerful. There was a quiet intelligence in them, a grace that did not try too hard. Her smile was not loud, not dramatic—but it curved gently, like it knew its own magic. The kind of smile that didn’t demand attention… yet commanded it effortlessly.
A strand of hair rested near her cheek, as if even the wind had paused to admire her. Her skin glowed naturally—not the glow of makeup, but the glow of someone untouched by pretence. There was elegance in the way she carried herself even inside a still frame.
She didn’t look artificial.
She didn’t look exaggerated.
She looked rare.
And in that rare beauty, there was something dangerously captivating.
His gaze refused to move away.
Across the room, tension thickened. Everyone watched him anxiously. Poorvi’s heart felt like it had climbed to her throat.
“Rohan… Rohan…” she called softly.
He didn’t even hear her.
His entire world had narrowed down to that single image.
Pavithra touched his shoulder gently. “My son…”
Only then did he return to reality.
“Oh… Mom…”
Mohan leaned forward. “We’ve been calling you for so long. Where were you lost? Did you like the girl?”
Rohan suddenly stood up.
Poorvi’s anxiety surged again.
Did he not like her?
“Like her?” Rohan’s lips curved slowly. “Like her? It’s not just like… I… I… I like her so much!”
He stepped closer to his father, excitement flooding his face.
“Dad… what’s her name?”
“Jahnavi,” Mohan replied.
“Jahnavi… Jahnavi… my Jaanu!” he shouted loudly, his voice echoing through the house.
Then he turned to everyone, his expression glowing with something entirely new.
“Mom, do you know how many girls I’ve been friends with? I’ve even gone on dates. But it was all just enjoyment. For me, life meant chilling, having fun, living carefree. I never believed in anything serious.
But the moment I saw her photo… she changed everything. Truly, Grandma, if a girl exists, she should be like this! I never had a dream girl. But now—she is my dream girl. She is everything. That face… that smile… Oh my God… she’s driving me crazy! If she looks this beautiful in a photo, how beautiful will she be in real life?
Dad… please. I won’t ask you for anything else in life. But I want my Jaanu. I don’t know what you’ll do—but I want to marry her as soon as possible.”
Poorvi’s heart burst with relief and secret joy.
“See, Uncle? The boy saw the photo and he’s completely smitten!”
Mohan smiled in satisfaction. “Finally… he agreed. Everything has gone well.”
“Dad! I want to see her right now. Let’s go!” Rohan said, pulling his father’s hand.
Pavithra stopped him gently. “Calm down, my son. She isn’t here.”
“What do you mean she isn’t here?” he asked anxiously.
Mohan chuckled. “Relax. She’s in Germany. Her education isn’t complete yet. Once she returns to India, we’ll fix your marriage.”
Disappointment crossed Rohan’s face.
“I have to wait to meet this beauty? It’s going to be so difficult, Dad…”
Poorvi teased lightly. “Until now you didn’t even want the marriage. Now you’re impatient for it to happen?”
“Show me too,” she added playfully, taking the phone from him.
But the moment she saw the photograph, her expression changed subtly.
“Oh my God… I’ve never seen such a beautiful girl before. Rohan, she truly is an angel. Honestly, I feel jealous looking at her.”
Before she could stare longer, Rohan snatched the phone back.
“I won’t let anyone’s evil eye fall on my girl,” he said possessively, kissing the image on the screen.
“At first I agreed because of Dad’s pressure. But now—even if you tell me to leave her, I won’t.”
Mohan smiled knowingly. “We would never say that, son. I’ll call Shashidhar and Shekhar right now and tell them you’ve agreed. Give me your phone.”
“No, Dad,” Rohan said instinctively.
Mohan laughed. “I’ll share the photo to your phone. I need this one to call.”
Reluctantly, Rohan handed it over and walked to his room, still staring at the image on his own screen.
Mohan turned to Poorvi. “Come with me. I need to speak to you.”
They entered the room.
After informing Shashidhar’s family about Rohan’s consent, Mohan noticed Poorvi lost in thought.
Jahnavi’s beauty still lingered vividly in Poorvi’s mind.
"No wonder Rohan reacted like that… she is breathtaking. Even I, as a girl, am completely stunned by her beauty. How is someone so beautiful possible?"
Then another thought crept in.
"Thank God I tied her fate with Rohan’s. If my JK ever saw her… no… she might have trapped him instead."
Mohan interrupted her thoughts. “Poorvi, what are you thinking?”
“Oh… nothing, Uncle. Our line is clear now. I just need one more plan to succeed—to get my JK.”
Mohan smiled confidently. “That will happen soon too.”
Their eyes met.
A loud, satisfied laugh escaped them.
“Alright, Uncle. It’s late. I’ll leave now,” Poorvi said before walking away.
---
What will be Poorvi’s next move?
What changes await in Jahnavi’s life?
The photograph has already begun rewriting destinie
To be continued…
🌸Auother note🌸
There are moments in life when a single glance rewrites destiny. A face in a photograph, a sudden shift of heart, a hidden intention behind a smile—these are the silent turning points that shape the future. In this chapter, emotions rise like storms beneath calm expressions. Love appears. Obsession awakens. And somewhere in the shadows, a plan begins to tighten its grip.
