Manu returned home with Arjun. Aunt Aadrika halted while coming out of the kitchen when she saw them. She composed herself and walked towards them.“Where have you been, sweetheart?” Aunt Aadrika queried, feigning concern as she held Manu’s hand. Manu exchanged puzzled glances with Arjun. “We have been looking out for you,” she continued.“She was with her mom, Aunt, I told you,” Arjun said.“Is that so?” Aunt Aadrika said. “You go on now, Arjun, I will bring her. I missed her a lot,” Aunt Aadrika expressed, leading Manu to go sit on a couch. Arjun headed upstairs. Manu hesitated taking a seat. She stood till Arjun was gone. She pulled her hand away from Aunt Aadrika.“What was that for?” Manu snapped, careful to lower her voice.Aunt Aadrika scowled at her. “You dare to come back?” she retorted. “You just got to know that this house wouldn’t contain the both of us. I will make you regret coming back.”“Really?” Manu chuckled. “If I were you, I will be scared of my words and act
At the Sharma’s mansion. Sunia returned home with Veejay. Aadi was in the parlor when they arrived. He sprang up upon seeing them.“What happened?” he was quick to ask, taking a careful step towards them. Veejay was holding Sunia, leading in.“Not much, just a breakdown,” Veejay replied. Sunia frowned at Aadi.“Hope you are okay now,” Aadi let out concerned as he touched Sunia on the shoulder. Veejay led Sunia upstairs when she didn’t respond to Aadi’s concern. When they reached the room, Veejay sat her down on the bed.“Should I get you tea or coffee?” he asked, standing in front of her. She held his hand and made him sit beside her.“Veejay?” she called, her voice soft and guilty. “I’m sorry. I hope you can find a place in your heart to forgive me,” she teared up, squeezing his hand. How does he tell her that he was more sorry? He just caused the death of his child. He felt more guilty than she felt. He wondered how she would react when she discovers she was no longer pregnant. How
“Hold on a minute,” Motibai said and stood up. Sunia relaxed while she went inside. She returned a few minutes later. “Here,” she presented a smartphone to Sunia.“This is a phone,” Sunia commented, taking the phone from her.Motibai sat down beside her. “It’s a phone, but the content can help you.” Motibai unlocked the phone and scrolled through to the media. She played a video. Sunia’s eyes went wide open as she watched the video. Motibai has been recording all her actions with Aadi. Right from the gift day when she suspected something must be wrong. She even got a video of how Aadi carried the sleeping Sunia to his room to make out with her. She had taken the shot before leaving the house based on Aadi’s order.“You have been doing this?” Sunia queried surprised.“Remember the day I saw you crying in your room? I saw the video on your phone. Aadi had stolen a kiss from you. You were recording yourself for Instagram, remember?”Sunia was mute. She never re
Sunia woke up. She went to meet Motibai in the parlor. Motibai was dressing Abhik for school.“Good morning, ma’am,” Motibai greeted, smiling.“Good morning, Aunt,” Abhik greeted. Sunia fondled his cheek and he smiled.“Good morning, guys,” Sunia smiled and sat down beside them.“How was your night, ma’am? Did the mosquitoes bother you much?”“Not at all. I slept peacefully,” Sunia said, leaning back against the couch, and yawning.Motibai looked at her. “Ma’am, I think you should go home today.”“Why?” Sunia sat up. “You don’t want me here?”“It’s not that,” Motibai said, now strapping Abhik’s backpack on his shoulders. “You didn’t come with your phone. Mr. Veejay must be worried about you.”“Do I have to care? He believed his brother over me and so, I am not going back to him.”“As you wish,” Motibai stood up. “I will just go drop Abhik at school. I will be back soon.”Sunia nodded and Motibai headed out with Abhik.“Bye,
Four years later. I was driving with Chandni beside me. I had gone to pick her up from school.“Baby?” I called and she smiled at me. “Hope your classmates aren’t bugging you,” I said. I looked at her and then back to the windscreen.“No, Mommy,” she smiled. “My classmates are good. I love my new class and our teacher is awesome.”“I’m glad you are happy,” I smiled.My baby has grown so beautiful and smart. Sometimes I wonder if she was my little twin. She took after me in virtually everything.“Daddy…!” Chandni called out cheerfully, pointing at my side window.I pulled over immediately, I looked to the side where she pointed and saw Sidd. He was opening his car door for a lady. I must say, she was beautiful. She had black hair that she left to cascade around her. She was wearing a short skirt littered with glitter, putting on a crop top, and chewing bubble gum. Was that Sidd’s taste now? A call girl? I smirked inwardly.“Daddy is busy, baby,” I smiled at Chandni and moved off
The following day, I went shopping for the birthday stuff. I needed to buy a gorgeous birthday dress for Chandni. She loves pink a lot. “Like mother like daughter,” Sidd used to say. I got her a sparkling pink gown with a lacy band around the tummy. It was a round neck dress, flared from the waist. It had pink flower-like beads littered on it. It was a perfect pink dress for my baby. Time to get a matching shoe. I walked through the sections choked with baby shoes. Couldn’t find a matching pink shoe for Chandni’s size. I walked down more. My eyes caught a special crystal shoe. It resembled Cinderella’s crystal shoe. I smiled to myself. I hurried to pick it up. As I had my hand on it, another hand came on mine. I looked at the person. It was the same lady I saw Sidd with. She was chewing bubble gum as before. Beside her was Sidd. Really? They are here to buy a kid’s wear. Does she have a child for Sidd? I carried the shoe box in my hand.“I want that shoe,” she said, more like a comma
Chandni’s birthday neared faster. Just in two days. I made sure to get everything ready. I wasn’t good with decorations, so I sought Manu’s help. The confections will be prepared by the mother-in-law herself. I got a clown to entertain the kids. Everything was in place, just the day remaining to come. After all the arrangements, I flopped on the bed. Sidd was freshening up. I wouldn’t say our relationship was back to normal, but a bit better. He came out. He moved to the bed and lay beside me. We were both facing the ceiling.“Chandni’s birthday is in two days,” I reminded them with a glance at him.“I remember,” he said simply without a glimpse at me.“Hmm!” I sighed. “Do you have a surprise for her?” I turned on my side, facing him.“Uh-huh!” he said.“Sidd?” I called. He glanced at me. Thank God I got attention. “Don’t you honestly love me anymore?” I queried.He looked at me. “Stop overthinking, Rani,” he stated. “I got to sleep now,” he faced the opposite side and closed hi
In the morning, Sidd went into Chandni’s room with a large box. She was seated up on the bed, staring into space. She glanced at Sidd and focused. Sidd sat beside her, placing the box beside them.“I got you this, baby,” he said.Chandni looked at the gift and then back to Sidd. “Today is not my birthday, Daddy,” she said, turning away from him.“I’m sorry, baby. I know I hurt you, and I’m deeply sorry for that, okay?” I entered Chandni’s room. I looked between the two of them.“Good morning, Mommy,” Chandni greeted, stepping down from the bed and directing me to her.“Good morning, sweetheart. How was your night?” I asked, carrying her up in my arms.“I slept tight, Mommy.”“Grandma prepared Jalebi, especially for you,” I announced.“Really? I love jalebis,” Chandni laughed.I turned to the door and we headed out, leaving Sidd and his late-coming gift.Later in the day, Chandni was playing in the gazebo with her rocking horse
Our journey might not be a perfect one, but it’s ours. My life with Sidd isn’t perfect, but it is the most beautiful experience. When you’re in love, there’s nothing worth not fighting to stay together. We discovered a treasure from our hatred. Now it doesn’t matter how we started, all that matters now is our future. I’m certain it’s going to be bright, more colorful. I pray not to encounter any challenge henceforth. Even if that happens, we will fight it together. I belong to Sidd. We belong to each other. He is mine, I won’t ever let anyone take him away from me.Author’s note 💖🌈🌅I am super excited to have completed this story. To all my readers who were able to read to the end, thank you so much. I hope to be able to bring out more imaginations like this to inspire your world. I’m honestly grateful for the time you spent reading this. I love you all.Woohoo… 💃💃💃 “Love Lights More Fires than Hate Extinguishes!”The End!
I was busy in my office, working on some files when Mr. Arijit entered.“Hey, beauty!” he greeted me with a broad smile while working with me.“Good day, boss,” I responded, lifting my gaze on him.“I have a surprise for you,” he said.I smiled. My boss was fond of surprises. All his surprises were always precious to me. He walked to my side and I stood up. “What is the surprise?” I asked eagerly.“Close your eyes,” he said. Without hesitation, I closed my eyes. “You can open your eyes now,” he commented.I opened my eyes. My surprise vanished into a look of shock. My boss was on one knee with a ring. A proposal? How?“Will you accept to deal with my flaws, share in my joy, and celebrate my success stories? Will you be the woman I wake up to see every morning? Will you be my woman, Rani?” Mr. Arijit proposed. I was dumbstruck. What should I say? Just then, the door creaked open. Sidd walked in, holding a bouquet of rose flowers. He stopped at the door, staring between me an
The next day when I returned from work, Chandni came along. She was holding her pink teddy bear. “Hey, baby,” I smiled, taking off my shoes. She came to sit beside me. “Mommy, are you still fighting with Daddy?” Chandni asked. I looked at her abruptly. “Why do you ask, baby?” “Because Daddy told me you two aren’t on good terms yet. He said you are mad at him.” I smiled. “Daddy is just assuming, baby, we are not fighting,” I lied. We are fighting. “If he wronged you, please, forgive him, Mommy. Daddy is a changed person now.” “It’s fine, baby, but we are not fighting,” I insisted. Sidd is crazy to tell my daughter such a thing. He wants to use her to get to me. “Then be happy with him, okay?” Chandni said. I smiled reassuringly. The following morning, I was rushing out when Mother stopped me. “Hold on, Rani,” she said. I stopped in my tracks and looked at her. She walked closer to me she placed her palm on my shoulder. “Is the ga
The following day, I walked into my boss’s office. He had summoned me. “Good day, sir,” I greeted. “Good day, dear, have a seat,” he said. I smiled and sat down on the opposite chair. “First and foremost, thank you for allowing your daughter to come along to the outing. I’m very much obliged,” Mr. Arijit appreciated. “I should be thanking you, boss. Chandni was happily going out with you. She enjoys your company and that was relieving.” “I’m glad she did,” he said, pulling out a locker. “Here, I got you a gift,” he presented a small wrapped box to me. “Wow, thank you,” I smiled, taking the box from him. “Can you open it now?” “Oh, yeah, sure,” I agreed and began unwrapping the box. I opened it. It had a beautiful gold necklace in it. Small and expensive. It was the latest necklace, coming new into the market and I have been wishing to get it. Now my boss got it for me. Awesome! “You like it?” “I love it. Thank you so much,” I smiled.
A few days later. I went to meet my boss in his office. He was standing close to the window, looking through it when I entered. I stopped at the entrance.“Boss?” I called. He looked at me. “Here, I brought the file from Karen’s Ink firm for you to sign. They were satisfied with our presentation,” I stated, walking to him.“Okay, put it on my desk,” he said. I put down the file on his desk and turned to go. “Wait, Rani,” he said. I halted and looked at him. He moved close to me. He stood in front of me, staring into my eyes. I felt itchy all over. Why was he staring at me? I looked down, feeling queasy. “Can I ask you a favor?” he asked. “Huh?” I looked at him surprised. What favor can I possibly offer my boss? “What is it, sir?” I asked.“It’s your child,” he said. What about my child? What did she do? Will I lose my job again? “I saw her picture on Facebook. She is adorable,” Mr. Arijit stated, walking away from me. “She looks like you, cheerful and vibrant. C
At the Sharma’s mansion. Sunia was seated in the living room, staring into space. She was gloomy. Veejay came along from outside. He just returned from the office.“Hey, sweetheart,” he greeted. She wouldn’t answer him. He understood. Sunia hasn’t been herself since their last visit to the hospital.“What does that mean?” she had asked the doctor. Her heart thumbs up to her throat. She was already sweating.“I’m afraid, Mrs. Sharma, you might not be able to have a child of your own anymore,” the doctor announced.“Ow…!” she exclaimed, with the way her heart flew out of her, she fainted. Due to the unnatural way, she lost her pregnancy, she lost her womb with it. Only a miracle can give her a child of her own now.“Sweetheart, why are you like this?” Veejay asked, moving close. She glared at him. Without a word, she stood up and headed upstairs.At night, Sunia lay down on the bed, facing the ceiling with her arms crossed on her b
My mother-in-law was in the living room. Sidd and the call girl walked down to her. She stood in surprise. I shuffled downstairs. Thank God Chandni was still sleeping. What would I have told her?“Greetings, Mother,” Sidd saluted.I reached to the living room. Mother-in-law just stood with a look of surprise still evident on her face. “Mother?” I called and she looked at me. “I will be outside if you need me,” I said and turned towards the door.“Hold on, Rani,” Priyanka said.I halted. That wasn’t Mother or Sidd’s voice. Does the call girl know my name? What more did Sidd tell her about me? I turned. Indeed, it was the call girl that stopped me. She walked to me.“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t know you are Sidd’s wife. He didn’t tell me and I scolded him for that,” Priyanka apologized.I was confused. I didn’t say anything. Why would Sidd’s mistress apologize to me? Sidd came along.“It’s true, Rani,” he stated. “Meet Priyanka Kapoor, my childho
I rode with my boss to Begusarai. We didn’t talk much in the car. He only showed me the presentation on his laptop. When we reached, we lodged in a hotel. Different rooms. After freshening up, I sat on the bed, going through my laptop. I got the presentation on my laptop as a backup. It was sunset then. I heard a knock on my room door. I looked at the door. The knock came up again. I stood up to go get the door. I opened up and saw Mr. Arijit looking down at the door.“Hey,” he smiled, looking up at me with a mesmerizing smile. My heart thumbs up to my throat. I forced a smile through my mouth. “Can I come in?” he said. Come in? By now? I swallowed hard and gave him a responsive nod. He entered, looking around the room.“You need anything, sir?” I asked, facing him.“How are you enjoying the room?” he asked, turning to look at me. “Are you comfortable? Or you need another room.”“No, sir, I am fine here,” I smiled again.“Glad to hear,” h
A few days later, I drove along from work. It wasn’t hectic at the office today. I finished what needed to be done early, so my boss permitted me to go home. Did I tell you guys his name? His name was Arijit Mohan. Mr. Arijit was so good. He was a responsible, concerned, selfless, and humble man. If I had met him before Sidd, I’m certain to have equally fallen in love with him. Crazy thought, I know. I got stuck in Mumbai's impromptu traffic.“Shit!” I hit my fist against the steering wheel.I relaxed back in my seat. I turned my head and saw Sidd coming out of a law firm with an attorney. I knew the attorney, he was a famous divorce handler of his time. I sat up quickly. He handed a paper to Sidd. I bet it was a divorce paper. Was Sidd planning to divorce me? Why? Because of the call girl? The honk of the car horn from my back pulled me back to the reality of the traffic lift. I moved off. I had a constant pang in my heart. Sidd wants to divorce me without thinking of our