Chapter 7

As soon as Vihaan left with Raghav, Rita ji silently guided Shehnaaz towards the nearby sitting arrangement in the garden. Once they sat, she rubbed her knees to relieve some pain, which didn’t go unnoticed by Shehnaaz. “Aap ko aksar dard hota hai ghutano me?”

Her question and observation took Rita ji by surprise, and she nodded her head a little with a hmmm. Sighing, she finally spoke, “Raghav ne mujhe sab kuch bataya hai… Sab kuch…”

Colors drained from Shehnaaz’s face as she looked down instantly. Her fingers clasped together in fear and restlessness. “Main jaanti hoon main aap sab ki gunehgar hoon…” She had no idea how to explain herself but only feared they would separate her and Vihaan. “But please mujhe Vihaan se alag mat kijiye.. main sirf uska khayal rakhna chahti hoon… Please maa…”

The moment Shehnaaz uttered the word “maa,” she herself was surprised, and so was Rita ji, who sighed and spoke, “Sach kahun… mujhe nahi pata mujhe is waqt kaise react karna chahiye.” Rita ji spoke honestly and continued, “Tumhari galti nahi thi… par us hadse ne humara parivar toot sa gaya… Main toh budhi hoon… par mera Sidharth aur Vihaan zindagi bhar ke liye akele ho gaye… Unki zindagi kaise bitegi… is ek sawal ne mujhe tod sa diya hai andar se…”

Tears formed in Shehnaaz’s eyes, and her mouth was zipped with guilt. She had no idea how to react. They did understand it wasn’t entirely her fault, but that doesn’t lessen the consequences. They are suffering, and it’s unending.

“Main chahe jo karoon… Payal ko Sidharth ji aur Vihaan ki zindagi mein vapas nahi la sakti… Yaqeen maniye… us hadse ne mujhe bhi tod diya… Main khud ko innocent sabit karne ki koshish nahi kar rahi… yaqin maniye… par main bhi kabhi shaadi nahi karungi kisise… bas itna hi hai mere haath mein…” Shehnaaz spoke her heart out.

Rita ji sighed as she heard Shehnaaz and couldn’t help but pat the head of this innocent girl in front of her. “Par isse kya hoga…? Kuch hasil nahi hoga… Tum shaadi kar lo…” she gave Shehnaaz an out from this mess.

Shehnaaz looked down in shame and shook her head in denial. “Ab woh mere liye mumkin nahi hai maa… Mera sab kuch ab sirf Vihaan se hai… aur zindagi bhar ussi se rahega…”

Rita ji shook her head as a soft smile formed on her face amidst tears. She turned to face Shehnaaz completely. “Ho sakta hai ke main is waqt selfish ho rahi hoon… Par maa hoon na… mujhe fikr hai mere Sid aur Vihaan ki…”

Shehnaaz failed to understand her, but tears formed in her eyes again, thinking she might forbid her from meeting Vihaan. “Please, mujhe Vihaan se door mat kijiye maa… Please main nahi ji sakti uske bina… Please maa…”

Wiping away her tears, Rita ji cupped Shehnaaz’s face with her wrinkled palm to stop her blabbering. “Mere Vihaan ka zindagi bhar khayal rakhogi?”

“Ji…?” Shehnaaz was shocked with those words. “I don’t understand… Aap…” Shehnaaz didn’t understand what Rita ji wanted to say.

Rita ji smiled softly amidst tears as she wiped away another layer of tears that had rolled down from Shehnaaz’s eyes. “Shaadi karogi Sidharth se?”

A moment passed, but it felt like it never did.

Rita ji smiled sadly once again. “Shehnaaz, kya tum Sidharth se shaadi karogi? Vihaan ki maa banogi?” Rita ji prayed to God Shehnaaz doesn’t deny, for all her hopes of happiness in Sidharth and Vihaan’s life would go down the drain.

Shehnaaz felt like someone had pulled the earth out from under her feet. Her movements froze, and she stared at Rita ji motionlessly, thinking she must have misheard.

She felt clueless. She felt numb. Shaadi…? Sidharth ji se…? But what, how, why… The memories of the accident flashed in front of her eyes: the blood, the messed-up cake, the teddy, Payal’s lifeless body, Sidharth’s cries in the hospital corridor, the hateful words of Sidharth’s sister Anu, her leaving home, Vihaan and her first meeting in the garden, the bond forming, those tears and smiles, laughs and cries…

Rita ji sighed, knowing there was a storm running within Shehnaaz. “Main tumse kuch nahi chhupaungi… Sidharth 40 saal ka hai. Uske papa ke jane ke baad, company ki saari zimmedari uske kandho par aa gayi… usne kaafi late shaadi ki… Main ye bhi jaanti hoon ki tumhari umar kaafi kam hai… shayad 25-26… haan tum dono ki umar mein bahut farak hoga… but pata nahi kyu… mera mann kehta hai ke tum hi ho jo un dono ki zindagi sawar sakti ho…”

Rita ji let Shehnaaz have her moment as she needed it.

She knew she was being selfish, doing something for the betterment of her Sidharth and Vihaan. But at the same time, she wasn’t being completely selfish. This girl… she felt a weird warmth towards her, just the way she used to feel for Payal, except that Payal was incapable of taking her own decisions. She was never strong enough to speak for herself.

But this girl… Rita ji didn’t fail to notice the conviction in Shehnaaz’s eyes when she said she would never marry and would always take care of Vihaan.

This girl didn’t deserve to live a lonely life just like her Sidharth and Vihaan didn’t deserve it. This girl will get love and happiness, and so will her Sidharth and Vihaan.

Rita ji knew that Sidharth may never agree to this, but she had to do something.

Shehnaaz got down to sit on the ground and rested her head in Rita ji’s lap, taking her by complete surprise. “Mujhe nahi pata maa, mujhe kya karna chahiye… par mujhe Vihaan ke kareeb rehna hai maa… uska khayal rakhna hai… main kya karoon maa… sab kuch tham sa gaya hai… kuch samajh nahi aata… jaise saare raaste kho gaye hain… main Vihaan ke bina nahi reh sakti maa…”

Rita ji placed her palm on Shehnaaz’s head. “Main samajhti hoon beta. But sab theek ho jayega… haan ya na… is sawal ka jawab tumhe dena hai… tumhe tay karna hai…”

Shehnaaz raised her face to look up. “Sidharth ji…? Woh kabhi nahi…”

Rita ji interrupted, knowing what Shehnaaz wanted to say. “Sidharth ko main mana loongi…”

Shehnaaz honestly doubted that. He would rather kill her the very moment he knew she was responsible for Payal’s death. “Woh nahi manenge… woh nafrat karenge… chheen lenge Vihaan ko mujhse…” Shehnaaz broke into tears.

“Usse pata chalega tab na…” Rita ji stated, making Shehnaaz look at her with wide eyes.

Rita ji sighed. “Is waqt usse batana sahi nahi hoga… jab waqt aayega… main khud usse bataungi…”

“Yeh sahi nahi hai na maa… yeh toh dhokha hoga… waise bhi Sidharth ji ke alawa… baaki sab jaante hain jo us din court mein…” Shehnaaz trailed off with shameful eyes. “Sab nafrat karte hain mujhse…”

“Woh sab main sambhal loongi… mujhe bas tum chahiye… mere ghar mein… mere Vihaan ke paas…” Rita ji trailed off with a smile as she thought, aur mere Sidharth ke paas bhi…

Shehnaaz rested her head back on Rita ji’s lap, making Rita ji smile. “Main yeh nahi keh rahi hoon ke mujhe abhi ke abhi jawab do… apna waqt lo… jo tumhe sahi lage woh decision lena…”

Shehnaaz nodded, lost in the mess of questions and answers. Shaadi…? Sidharth ji se…?

Later, Vihaan and Raghav returned with ice creams, and the smile was back on Shehnaaz’s face.

She chuckled, watching the adorable face of Vihaan smeared in chocolate. She cleaned his face properly and took updates on what he learned in school today. She took a promise from him that he would complete his homework and not create any problems for his daddy and the rest.

Rita ji and Raghav watched the duo with knowing smiles.

___________________

Sanju turned to the opposite side and tried to pull a duvet over herself when she felt herself being pulled back in the arms of Arjun.

A soft blush formed on her lips as she felt herself surrounded by his warmth.

He was still asleep, but he couldn’t bear the little distance between them. Sanju thought with a stupid smile.

Two days ago, when she had confessed her love to him, he had gone crazy. He had kissed her hungrily until she started responding back. He had been so urgent and messy with his desperation and need for her. He had left marks all over her, and she loved them all. After their first time, he had packed a couple of her clothes randomly without asking her and had dragged her to his farmhouse near Mumbai.

They hadn’t talked yet because he hadn’t stopped driving her crazy. Every second of every minute of every hour had been beautiful.

She relaxed when she felt his hold loosen on her and realized he was asleep again. She picked herself out of bed, which felt like ages, and the first thing she did was switch her phone on by putting it on charge. Arjun hadn’t allowed her to even touch her phone.

The smile faded away as she noticed numerous missed calls and messages from Shehnaaz. The last one sounded broken. Shehnaaz needed her badly. She felt utterly guilty for having ignored Shehnaaz like this.

She was about to call Shehnaaz when Arjun hugged her from behind, “You left me alone there…”

Turning around, she chuckled when he searched her mouth for another kiss, “For like a few seconds…”

“Still…” he mumbled but then frowned at her pale face, “What’s wrong…?”

“We need to talk, Arjun…” Sanju said with a sigh.

“About…?” Arjun questioned back with a frown and instantly froze as he realized what she was talking about. A sudden panic rose through him at the thought of Shehnaaz, “shitt, Shehnaaz… she will hate me… she won’t take me back… no no nooo what the hell…”

All the colors drained from Sanju’s face at his words. Tears formed in her eyes as she pulled herself away from him like he was dirt, “You are a coward… you are a bloody coward, Arjun…”

As soon as she pulled herself away from him, Arjun realized what the fuck he had mumbled and her reaction panicked him. He hadn’t meant those words. Of course, he accepted her. It was just a moment of weakness at the remembrance of Shehnaaz.

“No… shit, I didn’t mean that…” He fumbled with words as he ran behind her but was met with the bathroom door. He knocked against the door hopelessly, “Sanju please, open the door. I didn’t mean to say that… Please listen to me. I agree that I am a jerk. Please open the door, baby…”

His cracked voice almost melted Sanju, but she didn’t buy his words anymore. He never loved her; it was just physical for him. How stupid of her to believe him… How could she… Shehnaaz needed her, and here she was with this bastard…

Sanju quickly took a bath and changed into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt before making her way out.

Arjun was slumped against the door, “You can’t act like this, please. I didn’t mean it, for God’s sake, Sanju…” He panicked when she refused to listen and started packing her clothes, “Why aren’t you listening…? Baby please… it was a mistake… please Sanju…”

She picked her bag before looking at him with a sad smile and tear-stricken face, “First, sort out your mind, Arjun… decide what you want in life, and until then, we are not talking…”

With that, she walked off, leaving a frustrated Arjun behind who kept shouting, “Sanju please… come back… Sanjuuuuu…. Sanjuuuuuuu….”

_______________

Shehnaaz felt a thud in her heart when she stepped into her house almost after a year.

She needed her mother today. She needed to sleep in her mother’s lap and forget the entire world. She wanted to forget the pain.

“Sana…” The voice made her turn towards the source instantly, and a cry broke within her as she looked at her mother.

She quickly dashed towards her mother, who engulfed her in her embrace as she broke into tears, “My baby… my baby… my baby… God, you are never doing that again…”

“Mummaa…” That’s all she could mumble as she continued to cry in her mother’s embrace.

“Shhh… mumma is right here, baby…” Her mother tried to relax her by rubbing her back, “Itna gussa karta hai koi Sana… Mera ek phone nahi uthaya tune… baat karne se har problem solve hoti hai… tu hi kaha karti thi na… fir…”

“Sorry mumma… I’m so sorry… I missed you so much…” Shehnaaz’s unending tears worried her mother all the more…

“What are you doing here…?” Shehnaaz’s father’s sharp voice cut through, breaking the hug between the mother and the daughter.

“Dad…” Shehnaaz turned around to face her father and was about to run towards him when he showed her his palm as if to stop her.

“How dare you come here after putting me into embarrassment…” He glared at Shehnaaz venomously, making her stare at him in shock.

“Raj, what are you…” Shehnaaz’s mother started angrily only to be cut off by Rajendar ji, “Don’t get into this, Madhu. This is between me and Shehnaaz.”

“Dad, I just came to meet…” Shehnaaz trailed off, unable to complete the sentence. Her father questioning her coming to her own house left her dumbfounded. It was her house, right? What happened…

“Why… to see whether we are dead or alive after putting up with your drama? Because of you, Arjun is suffering… because of you, Madan stopped talking to me… he broke our deal… all because of your nonsense behavior…”

Tears formed in Shehnaaz’s eyes, and she almost hissed in pain when her younger sister came to count to her, “Di, God, where did you go… I missed you, Di… you are never leaving me again…”

Shehnaaz hugged Maahi tightly before asking her to leave for her room. She refused to leave initially but did as told finally.

Madhu glared at her husband, “Can we cut this for now, Raj… she isn’t okay… can’t you see it?”

Raj groaned in almost annoyance. He couldn’t forget the insult done by Madan in front of everyone when Shehnaaz broke up with Arjun. Why did Shehnaaz have to be so unpredictable? He knew she wasn’t in a good state of mind… but that doesn’t justify what she did…

Shehnaaz wiped her tears away and stood rooted in her place. She realized it was a bad idea coming here. She just wanted to hug her parents, thinking they are there for her no matter what. But she was wrong.

“Shehnaaz, I love you, but you have hurt me a lot. Your thoughtless act has cost me my best friend, my brother. He broke our deal, and…”

“Deal… deal… deal… am I your daughter or part of some deal? You don’t love me, dad. You just used me for your business…”

“Shehnaaz…” Rajendar ji almost raised his hand to slap Shehnaaz but stopped himself when Madhu came forward to stop him…

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself down, “You still have the chance to sort it out with Arjun, and everything will be back to how it was. Sana baby…” His fatherly heart almost cracked, but he looked away to control himself, “If not, I don’t think you have anything left here anymore…”

“Rajjjjj…..” Madhu screamed at the obnoxious behavior of her husband.

Shehnaaz broke into tears once again when her father used the adorable name he used to call her. Everything has changed. She realized she no longer belonged here.

Shehnaaz palmed her face and wiped all her tears away. Smiling sadly to herself, she looked at her mother, “So it’s goodbye, I guess…”

“Sana please, baby…” Madhu looked at her broken daughter in pain.

Shehnaaz shook her head at her mother, requesting her not to cry. Her heart broke today once again. Today she got one more learning, as a mother, what she should and shouldn’t do for her Vihaan. She would never force her choices or opinions on him. She would understand him and help him to find his own path to life.

“Thank you for giving me this life, and I’m sorry I couldn’t be the perfect daughter you guys wanted…” Shehnaaz felt as if someone was keeping tons of weight on her heart, “I love you both… just take care…” She somehow managed to finish the last part and turned around quickly to make her way towards the exit before she broke down completely…

Tears flowed freely from her eyes as she heard her mother’s request for her to stop. She also heard her father’s angry voice…

“You step out of the house this time, Shehnaaz, and the doors are forever closed for you. We don’t know you anymore…”

“Rajjjjjjj… How can you… She is our daughter..”

“I know and she has disappointed me..”

“You will regret this.. you have disappointed me today Raj..”

“Madhuuu…”

Amidst the heated argument, Shehnaaz walked out of the door gracefully with tears in her eyes and a conviction in her heart..

Shehnaaz closed her eyes, letting the tears fall, but she didn’t stop. She kept walking, realizing she was not wanted here. Her own parents didn’t need her. She was going to be her own support from now on. She was going to be strong for her son. Vihaan was the only family she had now…

__________________

“Understand what, Raghav?” Anu asked, frustrated. She was sure something was happening between her mother and Raghav, but he wouldn’t tell her. “I can’t believe you don’t trust me.”

“What…” Raghav groaned at her assumption. “Shut up. Of course I trust you, baby.”

“Then why won’t you tell me?” she snapped.

Raghav rubbed his forehead with irritation. All he requested was time, but she wouldn’t give it. “Because you won’t understand, Anu. That’s the problem.”

Tears formed in her eyes at his harsh words. “Fine,” she turned to leave, but he pulled her into his arms.

Sighing, Raghav cupped her face, “Do you trust me?”

“No,” Anu replied quickly.

He chuckled at her angry face. “Good girl.” He leaned in to kiss her, but she stopped him. “Are you seeing someone else?”

“What?” He was getting angry now. “Here I am trying my best to make Sidharth and Vihaan’s life better, and you…” He trailed off, disappointed.

Guilt ran through Anu quickly. She bit her lower lip. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it, I swear. It just came out of anger.”

“And that’s because you don’t trust me. You think I’m seeing someone else?” he asked, hurt. “Here I am trying to find a way to make Sidharth agree to marry Shehnaaz. Do you even know how upset Vihaan is?” he blurted out in anger.

“Shehnaaz who?” The color drained from Anu’s face. How could she forget the name that ruined her brother’s life?

Raghav paled as he realized what he had said. “Anu, listen baby…” he tried to hold her, but she snapped away.

“Is it who I think it is?” Anu spoke through gritted teeth. “And I want a yes or no only.”

“I can’t just give you a yes or no because it’s beyond that,” Raghav brushed his head in frustration. “You have to let me explain.”

“So I was right. Are you out of your mind, Raghav?” Anu shouted, glaring at him. “Why would we get Sidharth Bhai to marry that murderer?”

“Anu, watch your language. It was an accident, and you know it,” he shouted back in disbelief.

“Whatever. I will never let this happen,” she said with finality. “There are millions of women in the world. Why on earth would we look for that girl?”

“There are millions of women, but no woman can love Vihaan like Payal. Only Shehnaaz can do that. That’s why her. And this is the reason I wasn’t telling you because I knew you would jump to conclusions without knowing the entire truth.”

Anu snapped out of his hold and glared at him. “I don’t need any explanation. Why would she take care of our Vihaan? She better stay away from him. No matter what, I will never let this happen, Raghav. I’ll speak with Bhai right away.”

Raghav groaned in anger and punched the wall beside him, making Anu flinch. “You stupid woman, will you please listen before coming to a conclusion?”

She nodded her head in fear, freaked out by his action. Raghav sighed and pulled her into his embrace before taking her lips in his for a kiss.

“Sorry, baby. I shouldn’t have. Please forgive me.”

Anu sighed with a nod and hugged Raghav closer. “Will you please listen to me now?”

Anu hated the idea but agreed to listen for the sake of Raghav.

Raghav smiled and gave her a small peck on the forehead. He started telling her the reason behind the accident, just as he had told Rita maa. He also explained how Shehnaaz broke her marriage out of guilt and had been taking care of Vihaan for the past year.

Anu was shocked out of her wits. Shehnaaz had been taking care of Vihaan for the past year. Where was she? How did she never know? Indeed, she knew nothing.

Raghav further explained how he had misjudged Shehnaaz initially and how his actions had affected Vihaan. He informed her of Rita maa’s wish to get them married for Vihaan’s sake. He described how Shehnaaz took care of every small detail of Vihaan and how Vihaan was attached to her.

Anu went silent, processing the newfound information. This was weird, unbelievable, and something she had never heard before. Her perspective towards Shehnaaz changed a bit but not enough to agree to the marriage. She still believed no one could replace Payal Bhabhi, but she couldn’t return, no matter what.

“I don’t know, Raghav, but this is a very bad idea. We can find someone better for Vihaan and Bhai. How can maa even think of trapping him in this marriage with a lie?” Anu spoke bitterly.

Raghav cupped Anu’s face with a sigh. “Did you not hear me properly? Her place in Vihaan’s life is irreplaceable. Yes, we can bring another woman into the picture, but we can’t guarantee she would love Vihaan like Payal Bhabhi. But Shehnaaz… me and Badi have been witnessing that love for the past year, and that too, selflessly, without any expectations. Do you understand the difference?”

Anu rubbed her forehead as it ached. “What about Bhai, Arjun? Hiding the truth and getting him married? What will happen when he finds out the truth? Do you even realize how messy it will be? Bhai’s anger is uncontrollable. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m almost scared for Shehnaaz too. Bhai might kill her…”

“He won’t. I know he won’t. Trust me on this,” Raghav reassured her. “Right now, Vihaan is my priority. He needs a mother’s love, Anu. He needs his Sanu maa in his life, at his home.”

“Sanu maa?” Anu asked, surprised.

Raghav chuckled and nodded. “He calls her Sanu maa.”

Anu covered her mouth to stop the cry and tears formed in her eyes. “Raghav, this is… oh my God… do you remember how he used to call Bhabhi sometimes? He used to call her Payu maa.” With that, Anu broke into tears.

Raghav pulled her closer and rubbed her back to calm her down. “Let’s put our opinions and choices aside and do this for Vihaan. I need your help with this, baby. Please.”

Anu nodded her head softly. “I’m always there, Raghav. I just need a little time. This is a bit too unacceptable. Please understand.”

Raghav nodded with a deep sigh. He knew this wouldn’t be easy with this brother-sister duo.

__________________

Shehnaaz threw a stone in the water to disturb its calm surface. Her mind was hurting with overthinking.

Her parents had refused to understand her and abandoned her when she needed them the most.

Rita maa’s words continued to ring in her mind: *Sidharth ji se shaadi*. She hadn’t accepted it to herself, but deep down, she was thrilled. Living with Vihaan as his mother meant she could take care of him completely. There wouldn’t be a need to hide anymore. A life with Vihaan—something she would die for.

But Sidharth ji… the mere thought scared her. He would never accept her. He would hate her. Rita maa said he was turning 40 while she was 25. They had a 13-14 year age gap. It didn’t disturb her, though.

But his personality scared her. She never admitted to herself how she had been observing him. Sometimes, she would find herself lost in him when she watched him play with Vihaan.

She wanted to be part of their life. She wanted to smile and laugh with them. She wanted to be the one to take care of them. When did her thoughts change? When did her goal shift from Vihaan to Sidharth and Vihaan? She never realized.

A soft blush appeared on her cheeks.

But did she deserve it? They weren’t hers. They belonged to Payal, the woman who had to bear the consequences of her carelessness.

What right did she have to claim Payal’s life? Would this hurt Payal’s soul? Would she ever forgive her?

“I will forgive you when you forgive yourself,” a soft voice startled Shehnaaz. She looked beside her to find Payal sitting there.

Shocked, Shehnaaz looked around, but everything seemed blurred. “I killed you. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I swear it was an accident.”

Payal shook her head with a smile before turning to look at the beautiful water in front of her. “You didn’t kill me, Shehnaaz. My time had come, and my destiny had it written that way. I never held it against you.”

Shehnaaz shook her head in denial. Of course, she was to blame. “They need you, Payal. Sidharth ji and Vihaan need you. Please come back.”

Payal smiled sadly. “My journey with them is complete. They don’t need me. They need you, Shehnaaz. Sidharth and Vihaan need you. Please complete them with your love. They are meant to be yours. Forgive yourself, Shehnaaz.”

“Sana… what the hell… get up…” Shehnaaz shrieked with a gasp as she was shaken vigorously.

Her eyes snapped open to find Sanju, who was all pale. “Thank God… you scared me, Sana. What is wrong with you? You were sweating profusely.”

Shehnaaz looked around, realizing it was a dream. The conversation between her and Payal flashed in her mind. Payal wasn’t here. What was that? Was that a sign?

Panicked, Shehnaaz looked around again and broke into hysterical cries, only to be engulfed in Sanju’s arms.

“Hey baby, I’m here… relax,” Sanju continued to rub her back, hoping Shehnaaz would stop crying. “Tell me what is disturbing you.”

Shehnaaz took a few deep breaths to stop her tears and stared at Sanju. She told her about the conversation with Rita maa, what happened at her home, and the dream of Payal.

Sanju was completely shocked by the marriage proposal. She looked at Shehnaaz intently. “Tu kya chahti hai, Sana? Tera kya faisla hai?”

“They need me, Sanju. My Vihaan needs me. I can’t live without him,” Shehnaaz mumbled amidst tears, and a smile formed on Sanju’s face. “So you already know the answer.”

Shehnaaz looked at Sanju speechless. She remembered the conversation between her and Payal. Payal had forgiven her. She had taken away the load of guilt from her shoulders. She had chosen Shehnaaz to take care of her Vihaan and Sidharth.

They are meant to be hers.

She is meant to be theirs.

_________________

Sidharth continued to pat Vihaan’s head until he fell asleep. Vihaan was clinging to his chest as he slept.

Sidharth was worried sick. He had been observing Vihaan’s unusual behavior. Vihaan had become too silent for his age. He had stopped asking for new toys. He had stopped playing all over the house. He only insisted on going to the garden or somewhere with Raghav that he had no idea about.

Sidharth tried speaking with Raghav, who didn’t seem to share their goddamn secret.

“Sanu maa…” Vihaan’s mumble in sleep grabbed Sidharth’s attention. Again, the name. Who is this Sanu maa? Sidharth hadn’t managed to speak about it with his mother or Raghav due to overloaded work.

“Vihaan Sanu maa miss,” Vihaan’s soft mumbles continued to worry Sidharth even more.

He rubbed Vihaan’s back softly to calm him down and kissed his forehead.

Enough of this now, Sidharth thought with a sigh. He would speak to his mother first thing in the morning and find out what was happening. Who is this Sanu maa?

Author’s Note

Hello, dear readers!

Thank you for reading this chapter! I hope you enjoyed the emotional journey and the intense moments between the characters. As you can see, things are getting complicated for Anu, Raghav, Sidharth and Shehnaaz. Each of them is dealing with their own inner turmoil and trying to navigate through difficult choices. I wanted to explore the depth of their emotions and the complexities of their relationships in this chapter.

Your support and feedback mean the world to me. Please let me know your thoughts on the chapter. Did any particular scene resonate with you? Do you have any predictions for what might happen next?

Don’t forget to vote if you liked the chapter and leave a comment. Your encouragement keeps me motivated to write more.

Thank you for being on this journey with me. 

Also, stay tuned for Baarish,  Bhula Dunga, Mora Piya, Beintehaa and Thodasa pyar which will be starting soon along with the rest of the stories. There’s so much more in store, and I can’t wait for you to dive into these new adventures.

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With love and gratitude,

Shalaka