Chapter 122 His Confession, His Regret
As soon as Karan hears those words, he freezes as if a fragment of time has suddenly stopped before his eyes. The corners of his eyes turn wet; a strange heaviness spreads across his face. Something inside him is breaking or maybe it is the realization that all the harsh things he has said before, all the cruel words he has thrown at Riya, have caused her to endure unimaginable pain. He has insulted her countless times, rejected her dignity over and over again, yet now, what stands before him shakes him to his very core.
His gaze falls on the little keepsake in Riya's hand a worn thread, a small locket, or perhaps some tiny token he had once given her. If she wanted, she could have thrown it away, erased it from her life completely, but instead, she has preserved it with care, keeping it close to her heart.
That small act holding on to a memory of him hits Karan like an explosion. He realizes that the same woman he has pushed down time and again, the one he judged so harshly, is still the one carrying fragments of his love in her heart.
Karan slowly lifts his eyes and looks at Riya standing a little distance away. Vihan is talking to her while Karan is happily playing with little Shivi. The sight is tender, almost surreal. Karan, who had been burning with anger earlier, now runs joyfully toward the child.
The moment Shivi spots him, her tiny feet carry her in his direction, her laughter bubbling out. Karan bends down on his knees and scoops her into his arms, holding her tightly. Watching this, Riya's eyes fill with surprise, and a faint glimmer of hope softens her expression.
Samar, Vihan, and Shorya faces slowly breaking into smiles the tension, the storm that clouded the air only moments ago, begins to lift. Karan cannot hold himself back any longer. His trembling voice breaks the silence, "I'm sorry, baby… I'm really, really sorry."
Those words are not just regret anymore. They carry weight, sincerity, and a strength he has lost somewhere in the dark days of anger and bitterness.
Little Shivi, too innocent to understand the gravity of what is happening, clings to her father's chest. She doesn’t grasp apologies or heartbreak, but in her sweet, broken toddler voice, she whispers, "Ote…" (Okay).
That one tiny word, spoken with such purity, melts everything. Everyone bursts into laughter. But the laughter is different for each for some, it lifts the heaviness from their hearts; for others, it brings a fragile sense of peace.
Karan lifts little Shivi into his arms. Her tiny hands clutch at his shirt as she plays with an innocent smile. Then Samar steps forward, gently taking Shivi from Karan and seating her in his lap.
Laughing, he pulls at her chubby cheeks.
At first, Shivi just looks at him quietly. But then, with her small hand, she gives Samar a sharp slap across his cheek.
Everyone freezes for a moment in surprise. Then Shorya bursts out laughing, “See? Kids always hit him! Looks like Shivi has chosen her target.”
Samar frowns, glaring at the little girl in mock anger. But Shivi is no less stubborn. She fixes her sharp little eyes on Samar as if to say, “I’m not afraid of you either.”
And then, quite suddenly, she wraps her tiny arms around his neck and plants a kiss on his cheek.
All of Samar’s anger dissolves in an instant. His face softens into a smile. Vihan laughs and says, “Wow… this one is really intelligent. She knows love, and a kiss can melt even the strongest anger.”
The room fills with smiles. Even Riya, who has been buried under silence and sorrow, can’t stop a soft, hidden laugh from escaping her lips. It is the first time in so long that a smile touches her face.
But the moment her eyes fall on Karan, that smile vanishes. He is watching her intently, with a mixture of regret, pain, and deep love in his gaze. Riya’s heart trembles.
Then Vihan looks at Riya and asks gently, “Riya, can I… take her home? To introduce her to everyone?”
Riya hesitates, nervous about what Karan might say. But Karan breaks the silence with a low voice: “Take her.”
So Vihan, Samar, and Shorya leave with Shivi, leaving only Karan and Riya behind.
Riya turns to leave as well… but just as she takes a step, Karan reaches forward and catches her hand. The sudden pull sends a jolt through her. She struggles lightly and whispers, “Let go…"
But Karan drops to his knees before her. Holding his ears in remorse, his voice trembles with tears as he says, “I’m sorry I spoke such cruel words to you, words I should never have said. Please forgive me, Riya.”
Riya’s heart fills with emotion. She sees the truth of his regret in his eyes. After a moment of silence, she speaks with a choked voice, “It’s okay…”
She turns to leave again, but Karan catches her hand once more. This time, he stands up in front of her.
“Can we… start a new life?” His voice carries hope, fear, and a hidden plea.
Riya stares at him in shock. Her eyes ask silently, “Is it really possible? After all the pain, after such a broken bond?”
Karan holds her gaze and says, “Don’t do it for me… do it for our daughter.”
Tears spill from Riya’s eyes again. Softly, she replies, “No… it doesn’t matter. No one will accept me now.”
Karan immediately holds her shoulders, looking deep into her eyes. “Everyone will accept you, Riya. Just say yes once. I promise you I will never let you be hurt again. Never.”
Her heart, though broken, begins to heal. She sobs, whispering, “Will you… truly forgive me for my mistakes?”
Karan brushes her tears away and says firmly, “Forgive you? Why would I? There was no mistake. You were forced, pressured into everything. Whatever happened, it was circumstance. You are still my Riya, my innocent Riya… and you always will be.”
Riya wipes her tears, and after a moment’s hesitation, throws her arms around him. She clings tightly to Karan as though all her fears have finally melted away.
Karan holds her just as firmly, drawing her into his embrace. Their tears mingle as one. In that moment, words are no longer needed, no explanations are necessary just the power of love, binding two broken hearts back together.
Meanwhile, Ruhi stands in the middle of the room, her face flushed red with anger. Her lips tremble as words escape in a shaky tone, while opposite her, Rohit watches silently.
Her eyes blaze like fire. She points her finger straight at Rohit and shouts, “You stole my jewelry, Rohit! You’re the thief no one else!”
For a moment, the room sinks into silence. Rohit feels her words pierce through his heart. His face shifts slightly, as if something inside him has broken. Yet, hiding his pain, he speaks in a calm voice, “Ruhi… you’re doing all this just so that I’ll give you a divorce, aren’t you?”
TO BE COUNTINUE...!!!