Chapter 104 The Day I Walked Away from Home
Samar softens his tone, trying to calm me, “Why, my love? What happened?”
But my tears spill over. I cry out, “Let go of my hand! I want to leave right now.”
Samar’s temper flares again. He raises his voice, “Ishani, STOP IT!”
His harsh tone echoes through the room. Just then, Mrs. Shobha rushes inside. “What happened, Child? Why are you shouting?” she asks with concern.
I, sobbing, cling to my mother-in-law and say, “Mom please, I want to go home. I don’t want to stay here with him. Please don’t stop me.”
Mrs. Shobha gently caresses me, trying to comfort me, “What happened, my child? Did he say something? If he has, tell me. I’ll make him answer for it right now.”
I shake my head, “No, mom… I just want to go home. Please.”
Shobha’s heart melts. She says softly, “Alright, my child. If you want to go, then go. When your mind is calm, we’ll talk. Don’t take any stress, otherwise your health will suffer. And you’re not going alone you’ll go with Karan.”
Through my tears, I nod. I hold Ayansh close and, without saying another word, walk out. Samar turns to his mother, furious, “Mom?!”
But Shobha gives him a sharp look, “Samar, not a word from you tonight. That girl never says anything. If she’s reacted like this today, she must have a strong reason. Go to bed, we’ll talk in the morning.”
With that, she leaves. Samar’s eyes burn with anger, but deep inside he knows there is no point talking to me right now.
He steps out onto the balcony. From there, he sees me sitting in the car below, with Karan at the wheel. The car starts slowly and drives out of Rajput Mansion’s gates.
Samar stands frozen, his heart heavy with anger, confusion, and a strange, gnawing fear.
Meanwhile, within a few minutes, the car pulls up outside Shekhawat Villa. I get out without a word, holding Ayansh tightly, and walk swiftly inside.
The door creaks open slowly, and I walk in. My face is streaked with tears, my eyes swollen and red. Behind me comes Karan, carrying little Ayansh, who is fast asleep on his shoulder.
The moment I step inside the room, my tears won’t stop. My breathing is uneven, heavy, as if I can no longer hold back the storm inside me. Karan tries to steady me, but I am completely broken.
Karan raises his voice sharply,
“Uncle!! Neeti!!”
Hearing his voice, Mr. Shekhawat rushes out of his room, followed by Neeti and Shorya. The moment they see me crying, their hearts ache.
Mr. Shekhawat’s face turns pale with worry. He asks quickly “Ishani? My child, what happened to you suddenly? Why are you crying like this?”
Neeti hurries to my side, wiping my tears with trembling hands. She hugs me tightly and asks gently, “Sister-in-law, what happened? Did you have a fight with Bro..?”
I can’t speak. My lips quiver with sobs, and my tears fall endlessly. I rest my head on Neeti’s shoulder and cry bitterly.
Shorya looks at Karan in alarm and asks, “Bro, what happened all of a sudden? Why is sister-in-law crying like this?”
Karan exhales slowly and replies, “Bro.., it was just a small argument, nothing serious. Don’t worry.”
Neeti quickly goes to the kitchen and returns with a glass of water. She sits beside me, places her hand on my shoulder, and says softly, “Sister-in-law, calm down. Drink some water, stop crying. You’re strong, you can’t break down like this.”
But my tears won’t stop. Each drop carries a story of pain that words can’t explain.
Mr. Shekhawat sighs deeply and says, “It’s alright, beta. Don’t think too much. We’ll talk tomorrow morning. Right now, you need rest. Neeti, take Ishani to her room.”
Neeti nods and lovingly guides me to my room. Karan hands Ayansh to Shorya and turns to leave. Mr. Shekhawat stops him gently. “Karan child, it’s late at night. Stay here, leave in the morning.”
But Karan’s voice is firm and distant, “No, Uncle. I have to go. I need to prepare the presentation.”
With no choice, Mr. Shekhawat simply nods. Karan leaves, and once again the mansion sinks into silence.
Neeti brings me to my room and makes me sit on the bed. She carefully wipes my tears and whispers, “Everything will be clear in the morning, sister-in-law. For now, please rest. Don’t think too much.”
Shorya enters as well, gently laying Ayansh on the bed. He sits beside me, wipes away my tears, and says warmly, “My Ishani is strong. You can’t cry like this. Trust me, everything will be fine. You just have to stay strong, okay?”
I nod faintly, but my pain is something everyone can feel. Shorya tucks me into bed and pulls the blanket over me. I hug Ayansh tightly, as if seeking my only comfort in him.
Shorya and Neeti step out of the room. As they walk down the corridor, Shorya asks quietly, “What happened to Ishani all of a sudden? She looked completely shattered.”
Neeti remains silent. She doesn’t say a word, just walks straight into her own room. Shorya notices her silence but chooses not to press further. With slow, heavy steps, he too goes back to his room.
When Shorya enters his room, an unusual scene meets his eyes. He sees Neeti sitting on the sofa, adjusting the cushions. Then she gently lies down, her little son Vikram resting on her chest, and soon drifts off to sleep beside him. For a moment, Shorya stands stunned.
He quietly closes the door behind him and asks in a slightly confused tone, “Neeti, why are you sleeping here on the sofa?”
Without opening her eyes, Neeti replies in a faint, weary voice, “You must feel troubled because of me and my son… so I thought it’s better if I stay here.”
Her words hit Shorya hard. He freezes for a moment before speaking, frustration and disbelief mixing in his voice, “What’s wrong with you? When did I ever say that you’re a problem for me?”
At that instant, the memory of the afternoon flashes before his eyes the moment he loses his temper at Neeti. A heavy sense of guilt fills his heart.
Neeti, still keeping her eyes closed, says softly, “I can take care of my child myself. From now on, you won’t have to complain about anything.”
She curls into herself, as if her entire world is limited to Vikram alone. Suddenly, she feels her body lift off the ground. Shocked, she opens her eyes and sees Shorya carrying her in his arms.
Startled, she quickly says, “Put me down. I don’t want to sleep on the bed!”
TO BE COUNTINUE...!!!