Chapter 72 The Moment He Realized
Vihan, trying to keep a small smile, replies, "Nothing, Mom... just a minor injury... please, sit here." But Mrs. Shobha's expression grows more serious. "You've all grown up so much you don't think it's necessary to tell me anything? So smart, so capable I have no value in any of your lives then I might as well."
Before she can finish, Samar quickly steps forward and gently covers her mouth with his hand. "It's nothing like that, Mom. We just didn't want to tell you because you'd get worried." His voice is soft, but there is firmness in his assurance.
Before Mrs. Shobha can speak again, Vihan adds gently, "It's fine, Mom... you're here now." She looks at each of them for a moment, sighs, and says, "Play later... for now, come inside." Her tone leaves no room for argument. Everyone, like obedient schoolchildren, heads back into the house in a neat line.
Once inside the living room, Mrs. Shobha casually asks, "Tomorrow's Holi... are you going to celebrate here, or will you come home?"
Vihan quickly replies, "Of course, we'll come home." Samar says calmly, "Mom, you know I don't play Holi."
Curious, I ask, "Why don't you play?" Samar doesn't answer. An awkward silence fills the room.
Mrs. Shobha's eyes then land on Riya. "Dear, you're here?" Karan instantly grows awkward. Mrs. Shobha gives him a sharp look, and Karan can only flash an awkward grin.
Then Mrs. Shobha drops a bombshell. "After Holi, the three of you will have proper weddings."
Samar's eyes widen. "Mine? Why?" Mrs. Shobha replies calmly, "Because you never actually had a proper wedding... only a court marriage. And everyone knows about it."
Samar stays silent. Neeti, bouncing with excitement, exclaims, "Wow! Their wedding is going to be so much fun!" Ruhi joins in, "Yes! We'll have so much fun!" Both of them hug Mrs. Shobha tightly.
Then Mrs. Shobha calls Riya over, holds her hand lovingly, and asks, "Do you love my donkey of a son?" Riya shyly nods. "Alright then," Mrs. Shobha smiles, "you'll marry my Karan."
The room fills with chatter, some busy with playful teasing, others already planning. Meanwhile, Samar and Vihan exchange a quiet signal and slip away to their rooms.
The night is quiet, the only sounds are the faint rustle of the breeze and the distant glow of city lights spilling softly into the room. Mrs. Shobha has already left, and the others have gone back to their respective mansions. Neeti and Shorya have returned to Shekhawat Villa, but Shorya's demeanor is strangely distant. He hasn't said a single affectionate word, nor has he looked at Neeti even once.
I can't understand what has gotten into him. Inside, anger simmers, but I stay silent. In our room, Shorya sits down on the sofa, busy finishing some office work on his laptop. I sit quietly for a moment, but soon decide that I can't let this go without talking.
I get up and sit beside him on the sofa. "What happened?" Shorya asks with an innocent expression.
"That's exactly what I'm asking you. Why do you look so grim?" My tone is a bit sharp.
"It's nothing," Shorya replies briefly. Looking straight into his eyes, I ask bluntly, "What about the divorce?"
The moment those words leave my mouth, a visible tension appears on Shorya's face. His fingers stiffen slightly. "Let it go, Neeti..." he says softly.
"I won't let it go. I want an answer," I press on.
"Neeti..." Shorya tries to explain again.
"I'm asking you about the divorce." Before I can finish my sentence, Shorya sets his laptop aside in a swift movement, grabs my arm, and pulls me closer.
Neeti's lips part to speak, but before any words can escape, Shorya presses his lips firmly against hers. For a moment, everything stops, no words, no sounds, just an intense pause in which Shorya silences her stubbornness completely. Her breathing grows uneven, but Shorya doesn't let go. His lips move against hers slowly, as if telling her to calm down.
Shorya steadies his breathing and takes a slow step toward Neeti. There is a deep, unshakable glimmer in his eyes, as if he has been guarding all his feelings and words for this one exact moment.
Not in his mind, not under his breath, he looks straight into her eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips, and says softly, "I love you, Neeti..."
In that instant, Neeti's heart begins to pound violently. All she can hear is the echo of his voice, over and over again, as if the world has gone silent around them.
Shorya pulls her into his arms, holding her as though he is afraid this moment might slip away. With her pressed firmly against his chest, he whispers, slow and deliberate, "I know you've been wanting to hear this for so long, know how much you've endured for me. And I... I gave you nothing but pain, trouble, and misunderstandings in those first three months of our marriage. But Neeti, now, I want a new life with you. A life where there's only a smile on your face, only happiness in your eyes, and only me in your heart."
Neeti's tears don't stop. Every word seems to sink deep into her soul, breaking apart every old thought, every wrong assumption she has held about him. Her heart knows Shorya isn't the same man he once was.
Without saying a word, she clings to him tightly, her arms wrapped around him as sobs shake her body. And Shorya holds her just as tightly.
Shorya sees the tears streaming down Neeti's cheeks and immediately cups her face in his hands. Leaning in slightly, his voice soft but carrying a hint of authority, he says, "No... don't cry, Neeti."
But Neeti doesn't stop. Her breathing is uneven, her voice trembling. "I don't know... I don't know why I have this attachment to you... I don't understand why I couldn't tolerate anyone being close to you... I just want you to be happy... but..."
Before she can finish, Shorya places a finger gently near her lips, silencing her mid-sentence. His voice is tender, but his words carry unshakable certainty. "Because you love me. That's it. And I don't want to hear anything beyond that."
TO BE COUNTINUE...!!!