Chapter 50 Distance Just Few Days
I watch Samar, still typing away on his laptop, chuckle and mutter, “Wifey, I can hear everything.”
I quickly scurry over to Neeti, my heart aching at the sight of her. Ruhi, always teasing, nudges, “So… you’re having an affair, huh?”
I bite back a laugh as Karan groans, “No! That gift is for a senior female doctor it’s her birthday, that’s all.”
Neeti smirks, and I feel her amusement ripple across the room. “Sure… I totally believe that, bro.”
Karan tugs her cheek playfully. “Don’t overthink. Weren’t you going to meet Shorya today? Get ready.”
“I’m not going,” Neeti huffs, her voice soft but resolute.
Mrs. Shobha intervenes with gentle authority, “Alright, enough now. Let poor Karan leave, or he’ll be late.”
Everyone laughs, lightening the atmosphere, but I can see the weight lingering on Neeti. She stands silently, her face lowered, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. My heart aches.
Mrs. Shobha walks over to her, placing a firm, loving hand on her shoulder. Her voice is calm yet carries undeniable weight. “Neeti child, go pack your things. It’s time to return to Shorya.”
I can see Neeti trembling slightly, and her whisper barely reaches us: “No mom… I don’t want to go back.”
Her calm words hide a storm of emotion. Mrs. Shobha steps closer, concern etched deeply across her face. “What happened, beta? Is there something you’re not telling me?"
Neeti wipes her tears but gives no answer. She repeats, softer this time, “I’m not going, mom, please… not anymore.”
I feel the tension in the room tighten. Mrs. Shobha’s voice grows firmer, but the love in it is undeniable, “Neeti… I can’t let your marriage fall apart because of stubbornness. Shorya is your husband. You have to face it. Breaking a relationship is easy, living it takes courage, and you must live it.”
Tears stream down Neeti’s face again, and I step forward, gently taking her hand. “Come on, Neeti… I’ll go with you. I’ll meet dad too you won’t be alone. We’ll go together."
Neeti looks at me, her eyes filled with tearful resistance. “No, Bhabhi… I truly can’t go. Not now.”
I feel her heartbreak radiate like fire. The storm inside her is fierce, yet silent. I squeeze her hand gently. “I know it’s hard, beta, but I’ll be there. You won’t face it alone.”
Samar steps forward, the concern in his eyes piercing my heart as I watch him extend his arms. Slowly, Neeti moves to him, collapsing into his embrace, sobbing bitterly. “I can’t go, bro… I can’t see all of that again… I won’t be able to handle it…”
Her voice trembles, and my chest tightens at her pain.
Samar strokes her hair gently, whispering with understanding, “I know… you don’t want to go because of Sunaina… I understand, Neeti.”
Neeti looks up, stunned. “How do you know?”
“You trust your brother, right? Then you’ll go. Okay?” His hand rests on her shoulder, filled with resolve. “If you feel uncomfortable, if you fight with Shorya, or feel unhappy… just call me. I’ll come immediately. But don’t run away… fight for yourself. Understand?”
Neeti nods slowly, the trust in his eyes giving her strength. “Yes, Bro… I’ll go.”
I quietly walk into her room as she begins packing, her hands meticulous, careful, folding each piece of clothing into her small trolley. Her composure masks the sorrow she carries inside.
As she picks up her dupatta, a voice stops her in her tracks. “Sweetheart, don’t pack your bags. I’ll come to take you home this evening. Understood?”
I freeze, glancing over my shoulder. Samar stands in the doorway, his eyes fixed on me, unwavering.
I smile faintly, my heart heavy but firm. “No, I’m going for a few days. I just want to spend some time… with my family.”
Samar’s face hardens. His steps are firm as he approaches. “A few days? How am I supposed to live without you for even a single day, Ishani? I can’t! And here you are, saying you’ll be gone for a few days?”
Tears threaten my eyes at the depth of his frustration, but I hold my ground. “I want to go, Samar. I need to spend some time with them, just a little while.”
He cups my face gently, his voice soft but intense. “I won’t let you go. That’s it.”
I slowly remove his hands, giving him a small, playful smile. “Grumpy man… huh!”
The mango orchard beside the haveli is lush, alive with the fragrance of ripe mangoes swaying gently in the cool breeze. This very orchard, right next to the grand mansion, becomes a playful ground for Rimjhim as she tries to pluck mangoes by tossing stones at the branches, just like she does in her carefree childhood.
Dressed simply in a white suit, her long hair flying wildly with every jump, Rimjhim immerses herself completely in her little adventure. Her eyes sparkle with mischief, her smile innocent, free of any concern for the world around her. Each time a stone misses its mark, she huffs in mild frustration, only to pick up another one with fresh determination.
Meanwhile, Vihan strolls through the village lanes nearby, a few of his bodyguards trailing at a respectful distance. His pace is unhurried, but his eyes are sharp, absorbing every little detail around him. As he nears the orchard, his steps suddenly halt. His gaze locks onto Rimjhim, who energetically tries to knock mangoes down.
For a moment, Vihan stands rooted to the spot, watching her.
There’s something captivating about her something pure, unfiltered, and unpretentious. He quietly walks closer, his eyes following her every move as she now moves toward the tree trunk and begins climbing with agile, practiced steps.
Vihan watches in astonishment as Rimjhim balances herself expertly, making her way up the tree. Just as she reaches a branch, Vihan steps closer and says in his deep, commanding voice, “Be careful don’t fall.”
Startled by the unexpected voice so close behind her, Rimjhim loses her balance. Her foot slips, and in a moment of panic, she tightly shuts her eyes, bracing herself for a painful fall.