Chapter 20 When Home Turns Into Circus
Neeti puts on an innocent face and replies sweetly, “Nothing, Mom. We were just trying to wake up the polar bear!”
Mrs. Shobha glances at Ruhi’s condition hair completely messy, pillow clutched in her hand, eyes red with rage. She rests a hand gently on Ruhi’s shoulder and says, “Ruhi child, what have you done to yourself? You look like you wrestled a hurricane in your sleep.”
Just then, Vihaan and Samar enter behind her both still groggy, dressed in gym wear, holding water bottles, sweat visible on them.
Vihaan grumbles, “Who the hell screamed so loud?!”
Samar says angrily, “What’s going on in here?”
Karan, now casually sitting on the couch, replies, “Just a tiny little morning.”
Ruhi stands silently with her arms folded, glaring at everyone. “Oh wow, everyone’s enjoying this, huh? Just wait if I don’t get back at both of you, my name isn’t Ruhi anymore.”
Karan and Neeti reply dramatically in unison, “Oh no we’re doomed! The Polar Bear is going to take revenge!”
From the kitchen doorway, I quietly enter, drawn by all the noise. I have been helping Mrs. Shobha earlier. I am dressed in a beautiful blue suit with white trousers and a soft white dupatta draped to one side. Tiny earrings adorn my ears. I pause, watching the scene unfold with surprise and a gentle smile.
My own home has never been this full of laughter and teasing. And honestly I love it.
Mrs. Shobha points a warning finger at the three of them and scolds playfully, “You three should seriously join some circus. You’ll be famous in no time!”
From the hallway, Mr. Ajay laughs and says, “Oh come on, after ages this house is echoing with laughter and noise and you’re scolding them?”
Mrs. Shobha crosses her arms. “You please stay quiet. You run off to the office all day, and I’m the one who has to listen to all their nonsense.”
Mr. Ajay makes a mock pout like a child and quietly walks away. Neeti, Ruhi, and Karan burst into laughter. A soft smile blooms on my lips. Karan notices me and grins. “Sister-in-law! Come join us too. Let’s do some full-on masti!”
He grabs my hand to pull me forward but I don’t move. Because my other hand is already held firmly by Samar. Mrs. Shobha chuckles and returns to the kitchen, shaking her head. Mr. Ajay also walks off, followed by Vihaan.
Karan gives Samar a knowing smirk and leaves the room with a bounce in his step. Ruhi goes to freshen up, still mumbling plans of sweet revenge.
Neeti follows behind her.
Now, it’s just Samar and me. I softly say, “Please let go of my hand.”
Samar looks at me. For a second, time slows. I feel flustered quiet, yet burning. He gently releases my hand without saying a word. I quickly turn and walk toward the kitchen, my heart racing just a little faster than before.
A little while later, the atmosphere in the house turns light and cheerful again. After all the fun and laughter, everyone gathers around the dining table.
The aroma of hot parathas, tea, upma, and rich desi ghee fills the room, wrapping it in the cozy warmth of a happy morning.
Samar and Vihaan, both particular about diet, quietly stick to fruits something the family is used to.
Mrs. Shobha sits down with a contented smile, takes a deep breath, and says warmly, “Now that Karan is finally back from abroad, I think it’s the right time to plan Samar and my wedding with full celebration and traditions!”
Silence sweeps over the table. Everyone looks at her. Samar parts his lips to speak, but Mrs. Shobha lifts her hand. “Samar, not now. Don’t say anything yet. A marriage isn’t just a court document. There are rituals, warmth, traditions the little things that unite two souls.”
Samar falls completely quiet. His gaze drops to the table, face stiff and unreadable. I suddenly feel uneasy. A strange weight settles on my chest something I understand, yet cannot explain.
Neeti and Ruhi exchange a look and clap excitedly. “Yayyy! Finally, we get to shop for Sister-in-law’s wedding! Lehengas, haldi, mehendi we’re not missing anything!”
Ruhi jumps up and places a hand on my shoulder. “Sister-in-law, you have to watch our dance at your mehendi and dance with us too!”
I try to smile politely, but my eyes betray the discomfort. I lower my gaze to my plate. Mr. Ajay nods with a chuckle. “Shobha is right. This house feels alive again. We can’t end this story in a courtroom. This wedding should be grand.”
Karan pipes in with a grin, “Absolutely! We’ll even send invites into the jungle for the wedding of the great businessman Mr. Samar Rajput!”
Everyone laughs. Mrs. Shobha gives him a warning look. “This time I mean it. I want everything perfect. She’s our daughter-in-law.”
Samar remains silent. No smile. No protest. Just distance. I glance at him, and his silence disturbs me more than words ever could. The table is filled with laughter, yet Samar and I sit in silence each lost in thoughts we cannot speak.
Across the table, Vihaan watches us. His posture is calm, face polite but beneath it, a storm rages. His fists clench under the table. His gaze burns into Samar.
Inside his mind, a voice roars: “Samar… you took everything from me. I’ll take everything back.”
I can’t take it anymore. I stand up quietly and walk to my room. Inside, I pace restlessly. From window to dresser. From dresser back to the window. Moments later, Samar enters silently. Something inside me snaps. “Our divorce is already done, right?”
I demand. “Then why all this wedding drama? Who’s deciding this?”
He doesn’t look at me. He calmly sorts files and replies coldly, “Don’t stress your tiny little brain. Let things go on.”
His words strike deep. I fall silent. He checks his watch, grabs his coat, and leaves. I remain alone standing still.
A little later, Karan arrives at the city’s biggest hospital. It’s his first day back. A renowned cardiologist, respected worldwide. As he steps inside, staff greet him eagerly. “Good morning, Dr. Karan Rajput!”
He smiles. “I hope I’m not too late to impress.”