Chapter 100 Love Born From Regret
Samar leans close and whispers, “What’s the matter… today that smile just doesn’t want to leave your face.”
I turn toward him, eyes shining. I kiss his cheek softly. “Thank you… you’ve filled my life with the happiness I always longed for.”
He looks into my eyes and says firmly yet lovingly,
“SR’s wife shouldn’t ever long for anything… that doesn’t suit her.”
I laugh, happiness overflowing.
He pulls me into his arms and whispers, “I love you, wifey…”
My eyes grow moist as I hug him tighter. From my lips escapes only one tender truth, “I love you too.”
Rimjhim sits quietly in the corner of her room. Her face carries a strange sadness, as if something very heavy is pressing inside her heart. She isn’t feeling well either a slight fever, a burning sensation spreading through her body, and along with it, an uneasy restlessness that refuses to leave her. The whole family is taking care of her, yet there is a loneliness inside her that refuses to fade.
Outside, the wind howls fiercely. Because the window is open, the sharp breeze rushes through the room. The curtains flutter wildly, and the cold air carries a faint rustling sound. Rimjhim wraps herself tighter in the blanket, yet she still shivers. Her eyes brim with tears, and one drop slowly slides down her cheek.
Just then, the door creaks open softly. She lifts her eyes Vihan stands there. His head is lowered, his eyes filled with guilt. Rimjhim instantly turns her face away. Her heart still aches; she still wants distance from him.
Without a word, Vihan closes the door and walks toward her in slow, hesitant steps. His voice comes out tender and soft, “Are you okay?”
He comes closer and gently touches her forehead. His face tightens with concern. “You have a fever… did you take your medicine?”
Rimjhim only nods lightly and whispers, “Yes.”
Vihan looks at her for a moment, then walks to the window and closes it. He pulls a shawl from the cupboard and carefully drapes it over her shoulders. Without saying anything else, he turns and walks out. For a brief second, Rimjhim’s eyes follow his retreating back. Deep within her gaze lies a mix of emotions hurt and a hidden longing.
Moments later, Vihan returns. This time, he holds a steaming mug of coffee. He closes the door firmly and comes to sit beside the bed. Extending the mug toward her, he says softly, “Have some coffee… you’ll feel a little better.”
Without looking at him, Rimjhim accepts it. Her eyes remain lowered.
Vihan is wearing simple lowers and a light t-shirt, yet at this moment, his presence carries a mature, steady charm. Sitting beside her, he gently takes her hand in his. His voice turns heavy, choked with pain, “Forgive me, Rimjhim. I know the mistake I made is so grave that even death would be less punishment. Any other girl in your place would never forgive me. Still… I beg for your forgiveness. I beg you to give me one chance. A chance to start over.”
Rimjhim’s heart pounds violently, but she says nothing. Vihan’s eyes grow wet. His words begin to break, “I know I don’t deserve it. But trust me… what I did, I did under the influence of intoxication. That wasn’t me, Rimjhim. You must think I’ve come only out of guilt… but behind this guilt, there is something more.”
He pauses, drawing a deep breath. Rimjhim lifts her head slightly, waiting.
Then Vihan whispers, “Love… I have fallen in love with you.”
Rimjhim freezes. Her heart skips violently. Vihan continues, his voice trembling, “I know… maybe you won’t believe me. When you were near, I couldn’t realize it. But when you stepped away, only then did I understand, I cannot live without you. Rimjhim, I promise I will never hurt you again. Please don’t stay away from me. I love you.”
Tears spill from his eyes.
Hearing him, Rimjhim can no longer hold herself together. She breaks down crying.
For Vihan, seeing her tears is unbearable. His heart shatters from within. She sits there, tears streaming down, lips trembling, her soul drowning in silent pain. He murmurs softly, “Alright… I won’t say another word. Please… just don’t cry.”
He opens his arms.
Rimjhim collapses against his chest, and his heart feels lighter the moment she holds him. Her tears soak his shoulder. In the middle of that moment, one desperate question slips from his lips, “Why did you come to that club that night?”
Vihan exhales deeply and slowly reveals everything hidden in his heart. His tone is gentle, every word laced with guilt and sorrow. In the end, he can only whisper, “He had called me… and it was my mistake that I went. Forgive me. I’m sorry.”
Rimjhim gives no reply. Neither yes nor no. She simply clings to him in silence, as if her silence itself is the answer. Between her tearful breaths, both of them hold their mugs of coffee. Rimjhim takes small sips, as though the warmth is soothing her wounded heart.
Vihan watches her closely, understanding every unspoken emotion. He draws her closer, almost cradling her in his arms. Lifting the blanket, he wraps it around both of them, adjusts her shawl, and steadies her gently. He leans back against the bedframe, his arms locked tightly around her, as if he never wants to let her go.
After a while, Rimjhim finishes her coffee. Vihan takes the mug from her hands and places it on the side table. Then he pulls her back into his embrace, holding her with a love too deep for words.
And then, in a faint, trembling voice, Rimjhim finally speaks, “I love you too.”
Tears fill Vihan’s eyes. Those words feel like a dream come true. The love he has longed for more beautiful than he ever imagined finally finds its way to him through Rimjhim.
Ruhi lies quietly in Mrs. Shobha’s lap, like a little child seeking comfort in her mother’s arms. Her small face is wrapped in bandages, and even in sleep she seems restless, as if her heart cannot find peace.
Mrs. Shobha gently caresses her head, but tears refuse to stop flowing from her eyes. Only one question echoes inside her heart, Why did this have to happen to my Ruhi? Her breaths grow heavier, and the worry on her face is impossible to hide.
Just then, Mr. Ajay slowly enters the room. He sees Ruhi resting in his wife’s lap and notices Shobha’s red, teary eyes. He looks at her for a moment, then speaks softly, “Don’t worry, Shobha… our daughter will be fine. It’s only a matter of time.”
Shobha lifts her tear-filled eyes and whispers, “I don’t know whose evil shadow has fallen upon her… Ruhi was the soul of this house. Without her, the whole mansion feels lifeless.”
Ajay’s heart grows heavy. He gently takes Shobha’s hand in his and says tenderly, “Shobha… thank you.”
She blinks in surprise. “Thank you? For what?”
Ajay’s eyes shine with love and gratitude.
“For never letting Samar or Neeti feel that they weren’t born from you. You accepted my mistake with love. You gave them your motherhood… never letting them feel incomplete.”
Shobha’s heart softens. She wipes her tears and replies gently, “Ajay, they are my children. The only difference is that I didn’t give birth to them. But I raised them, I accepted them with my whole heart. And what the heart accepts becomes its own.”
Pride fills Ajay’s eyes. With a warm smile, he whispers, “In every lifetime, I would choose you again as my wife. You are my greatest strength.”
A soft blush colors Shobha’s cheeks. She lowers her gaze shyly, a faint smile touching her lips.
Together, their eyes return to Ruhi, sleeping innocently in Shobha’s lap. Shobha continues stroking her hair with endless tenderness, while Ajay places his hand gently over hers. Together, they protect her in silence.
TO BE COUNTINUE...!!!