Chapter 114 Trap Of Friendship
It is a very soft slap, but for Shivi, it feels like her whole world shakes. A faint red mark appears on her cheek. Tears fill her big eyes, and in the very next moment, she bursts into loud sobs.
Her mother’s heart breaks too, but instead of pulling her close, she lays Shivi down on the bed and places a milk bottle in her tiny hands. Shivi cries for a while, but soon, sipping from the bottle, her sobs soften. Gradually, she drifts into the gentle arms of sleep.
The room falls quiet. Only the faint clink of the milk bottle and the distant tap-tap of raindrops against the window remain.
Her mother sits silently, watching her innocent little daughter sleep. Her eyes soften when she sees the faint red mark on Shivi’s chubby cheek. Leaning down, she presses a long kiss right on that spot. Tears well up in her own eyes as she whispers, “I’m sorry, my love… but you must listen to me. Everything I say is for your own good. You are my life… without you, I have no one in this world.”
Saying this, she wraps her little daughter tightly in her arms. In that embrace, all the anger melts away, leaving behind nothing but pure love and a mother’s endless affection.
Rimjhim enters the room and immediately notices that the house is completely empty. There is no one in the living room not Pihu, not Viransh. A small knot of worry rises in her chest: “Where could they have gone?” She begins searching, peering into every corner, looking into every room, but they are nowhere to be found.
Suddenly, she hears a soft “splash, splash” sound. Her heart skips a beat. Rimjhim runs straight to the balcony, and the sight that meets her eyes makes her jaw drop.
There, in a baby inflatable bathtub, are Pihu and Viransh. The tub is filled with water, and raindrops fall on them from above. Both of them splash the water with their tiny little fingers, laughing and playing, as if the worries of the world vanish from their little lives.
Rimjhim’s anger immediately surges. She shouts sharply, “Viransh!!”
Viransh freezes the moment he hears Rimjhim’s voice. He quickly gets out of the tub and looks up at her with wide, innocent eyes.
There is such purity in his gaze, as if he has no idea what anger means. Rimjhim’s eyes soften a bit, but the worry in her heart remains. She quickly understands Viransh’s innocence and then turns her gaze toward Pihu.
Pihu, still sitting gleefully in the tub, looks at Rimjhim and calls out, “Hii!”
Rimjhim’s voice carries a firm edge as she says, “Pihu, get out of there!”
Pihu shakes her little head and says in her tottering voice, “No…”
Just then, Vihan arrives behind Rimjhim. He gives a small, understanding smile and says, “Speak to her gently.”
Rimjhim takes a deep breath and reaches toward Pihu. With a mixture of love and gentle firmness, she manages to pull Pihu out of the tub. Pihu begins to cry, but Vihan quickly scoops her into his arms and whispers softly, “No baby, listen to Mumma or you’ll catch a cold.”
He carries her inside and begins changing her clothes, making sure she is warm and dry. Rimjhim stands on the balcony, watching the rain, a strange flutter in her heart. She feels a subtle heaviness, a mix of concern and relief.
After a little while, Vihan changes both children into dry clothes, lays them on the bed, and tucks a blanket over them. Rimjhim suddenly feels a warm hand on her stomach.
She turns sharply and sees Vihan standing there, smiling gently, saying, “Even after scolding the kids, why are you standing out in the cold?”
Rimjhim steps inside, and Vihan, with a mix of affection and mild reproach, asks, “How long are you going to stay upset like this?”
Without answering, Rimjhim quietly settles near the children and falls asleep beside them. Vihan sits on the sofa for a while, watching her with a tinge of melancholy, but there is a faint smile on his face because the children’s laughter and innocence have washed away the fatigue and anger from their day.
The room fills only with the gentle “tip-tip” of raindrops, a sense of peace settling quietly over everyone.
Meanwhile, Rohit comes into the room after a brief pause, holding a cup of coffee. As he places it on the table, he notices Ruhi talking on the phone with her friend Disha.
From the other side of the line, Disha gives Ruhi various ideas on how to annoy Rohit. Ruhi’s attitude has changed quite a bit lately; her company has become questionable, and she has started mingling with the wrong crowd. Because of this, her style and demeanor have taken on a slightly “spoiled” edge.
Rohit places the coffee on the table and says, “Ruhi, have some coffee.”
Ruhi glances at him briefly while still talking on the phone, wearing a thin dress. Rohit quickly takes some clothes from the cupboard and lays them on the bed. Ruhi, finishing the call, asks angrily, “What’s this?”
Rohit suppresses a small laugh and says, “It’s cold outside, and you’re wandering around in such thin clothes. Change quickly, or you’ll catch a chill.”
Ruhi shouts in irritation, “Am I your servant to just follow your orders?”
Rohit steps closer gently and says, “Ruhi, I’m just saying this for your own good.”
Ruhi, her anger rising, replies sharply, “Know your place! You know I’m from a Rajput family. Marrying someone like you is an insult to me.”
Rohit comes closer, emphasizing each word, “I knew this day would come when you’d try to bring me down. I’m not your family’s equal in status. But maybe you’re forgetting you once loved me too. Back then, I didn’t realize you weren’t worthy of me; we weren’t a match.”
Ruhi hisses in frustration, but Rohit’s expression remains calm. He continues, “I know we’re not a match, but can’t we still live a good life? You don’t have to accept this relationship, but can’t we at least be friends?”
Ruhi smirks slightly and says, “Friendship is for equals. Not with someone like you.”
Rohit says nothing, knowing arguing would only make things worse. He picks up a shawl, drapes it over Ruhi, and says, “Alright, forget it. I may be harsh, but take care of yourself.”
With that, Rohit leaves the room.
Just then, Ruhi’s phone vibrates. She answers quickly, saying, “Disha, I’m insulting him so much, but he still won’t leave me alone.”
Disha’s voice comes from the phone, “No, Ruhi, he’s just distracting you. Don’t fall into his trap. Come to the club tomorrow, I’ll tell you the plan. Let’s see how he manages giving you a divorce.”
Ruhi, impatient, replies, “Yes, I want the divorce as soon as possible.”
Disha says, “You’ll get it. Just come to the club at 5 PM tomorrow.”
Ruhi says, “Okay,” and hangs up.
TO BE COUNTINUE...!!!