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बाहों में पहली बार आया था तू
जिनसे अनजान था
वो सारे जज़्बात लाया था तू
मुस्कानों में तेरी लिपटी थी सौग़ातें
होंठों पे ख़ामोशी, आँखों में हज़ार बातें
वीराने में बहार लाया था तू
बाहों में पहली बार आया था तू
कल की ही बात है
____________________________________
VOTE: 360+
COMMENTS: 380+
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It was a bright Wednesday morning, the kind of winter morning in Delhi where sunlight feels soft but the air bites gently against the skin.
Shagun stood in front of her mirror, tying her hair for the third time, trying to make it look effortlessly neat.
She wore light-blue denim jeans, a warm yellow sweatshirt, and a white puffer jacket layered over it. Today wasn’t just any day. Ruhaan’s match was important… and somehow, it felt important to her too.
Once she was ready, she stepped out of her room quietly.
The house was far from warm.
Suresh sat on the sofa, tablet in his hand, reading something with focused seriousness. Shreya stood a little farther away, talking on a phone call.
Without saying anything, Shagun turned toward the door, intending to leave silently.
“Shagun… wait.” Her steps halted. She turned slowly, her expression neutral, guarded the habitual expression she wore around her father.
“Kahan ja rahi ho?” Suresh asked, his tone calm but questioning.
“Woh… papa… mere friend ka match hai aaj,” she replied softly. “Toh bas… wahi ja rahi hoon.”
He nodded slightly.
“Kahan pe hai match?” he inquired.
“Yahi… XYZ stadium mein.”she mentioned.
There was a brief silence. Suresh closed the tablet, stood up, and without another word walked toward his room.
“Let me drop you,” he said over his shoulder, not asking, simply deciding.
Shagun blinked stunned. This was… unexpected. Moments later, he returned with his car keys and a yellow muffler folded carefully in his hand.
Shagun’s breath hitched for a second. He had never… done something like this before.
Shreya glanced up sharply at the scarf. “Whose scarf is this Suresh? It looks… old-fashioned.” Suresh didn’t look at her.
“I’ll be back after dropping her,” he said plainly. “Make sure my things are kept on the bed. I’ll be leaving for Mumbai after that.”
He ignored her question completely. Shreya’s jaw tightened.
“Chalo, beta,” he said gently.
Shagun followed him quietly, still stunned unsure whether to feel confused, cautious, or… touched.
She sat in the passenger seat while Suresh settled into the driver’s seat. The car started, the gentle hum filling the silence between them. The ride was quiet not cold just uncertain. Shagun stared out of the window, her expression blank, her thoughts mixed. Meanwhile, Suresh kept glancing at her hesitant… guilty… longing to say something.
After a few minutes, he placed the yellow muffler softly on her lap.
“Issay pehen lo… achha lagega,” he said carefully.
Shagun didn’t react much. She wrapped it around her neck, more out of courtesy than interest. But then Suresh spoke again.
“Yeh… tumhari mom ka hai,” he said quietly. “Tum bhool gayi shayad.”
Shagun froze. Her fingers stilled against the fabric.
Her chest tightened instantly anger rushing before anything else. She removed the muffler almost instantly.
“That lady is not my mom,” she said sharply, tears threatening to spill… but held back with stubborn strength.
Suresh’s voice softened. “Yeh scarf maine Arpita ko diya tha… 25 saal pehle,” he said his eyes distant, lost in memory. “Hamari first date pe.”
Shagun’s breath faltered. Her anger slowly faded into shock. He let out a faint, bittersweet chuckle.
“Tumhara gussa poora ussi pe gaya hai… maa ki ladli,” he murmured.
Her eyes dropped to the scarf in her hand. It wasn’t just fabric anymore.
It was a piece of someone who was gone… someone she still longed for… someone she had guarded in her heart like a wound and a memory both.
Slowly almost reverently she wrapped the muffler back around her neck. This time carefully… tenderly… like she was touching her mother through it.
“Aapne toh… unka saara samaan donate kar diya tha…” she whispered. “Phir yeh…?”
Suresh smiled faintly a tired, aching smile.
“Kuch cheezein hoti hain… jo insaan donate nahi kar pata,” he replied softly.
The car rolled to a stop. They had reached the stadium. Shagun stepped out slowly. Suresh did too. She hesitated… then whispered, “Thank you.”
She turned to leave but his voice stopped her again. “Wait.”
She turned back. Suresh stepped closer and adjusted the scarf gently not like a father correcting his child…but like a man remembering a woman he once loved.
“Tumhari mom… ise aise pehenti thi,” he said his voice trembling faintly.
Shagun’s eyes grew glassy. Her throat tightened.
“Aapne yeh mujhe kyun diya?” she asked softly.
He looked at her years of regret sitting inside his gaze.
“Taki tumhe… apni mom ki yaad… thodi kam aaye,” he whispered.
“I know… I’m a bad father. But I still love you, beta. And I… miss your smile.”
Shagun couldn’t help it. A soft, broken chuckle escaped her.
He continued quietly. “And… I’m very jealous of your friends. They get to see you smile… laugh… Par main nahi.” This time she looked at him. The walls she kept for years… cracked just a little.
“Aap… sach bol rahe ho?” she asked gently. He nodded trying to hold back his own tears.
“Okay… bohot ho gaya,” he said, smiling faintly. “Now go. Enjoy karo.”
Shagun nodded this time with a small, real smile and turned to leave. She walked toward the entrance… but stopped again.
She turned back. Suresh was still standing there watching her, frozen… hopeful.
Her heart warmed in a way she hadn’t felt in years. She raised her hand… and waved excitedly.
“Bye… papa!” she called out voice bright, almost childlike.
For a moment time rewound. He didn’t see a 16-year-old teenager standing there.
He saw his little girl, the tiny Shagun who once waved happily on her first day of kindergarten… wearing two ponytails and the brightest smile.
He lifted his hand slowly… and waved back. His chest tightened. His eyes softened.
“He was right,” he murmured under his breath remembering Ruhaan’s words. And for the first time in a long time… He didn’t feel like a stranger in his daughter’s life.
________________
The winter sun hung low over the stadium, casting long shadows across the green field as the football match kicked off.
From the very first minute, Ruhaan was different focused, sharp, eyes fixed on the ball as though nothing else in the world existed.
Determination carved into his expression, he moved across the field with confidence, every pass clean, every dodge precise. It was clear he wasn’t just playing; he was owning the game. His teammates trusted him, feeding him the ball again and again because the winning spark was blazing in him today.
In the stands, the cheering section was a frenzy of excitement. Aditi, Shagun, Priya, Prateek, Ansh, Vivaan, Riva, and Riva’s new friend Shivank stood together, bundled in warm clothes, they shouted Ruhaan’s name at the top of their lungs.
They jumped in place, clapped wildly, and screamed with unfiltered joy whenever he took control of the ball.
Aditi cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, “Come on, bhaiya!” her voice bubbling with pride.
Priya shouted just as loudly, “Achhe se khelo yaar, bhaiya!”
while Shagun, not knowing much about the game but wanting to encourage him anyway, called out, “Right se maaro, Ruhaan!” just happy to be part of the moment.
Ansh, meanwhile, held his phone up, video calling Samaira so she wouldn’t miss any second of the match.
“Aeeee, thoda left mein le jaa na phone… dikh nahi raha,” Samaira complained from the other side.
“Karta hoon, didi,” Ansh replied, shifting the angle obediently while still trying to keep his eyes on the field.
But not everyone was equally happy. Vivaan’s eyes were barely on the match his attention was glued to Riva and Shivank.
Shivank stood a little too close to Riva, leaning toward her in excitement every few minutes. “Yaar, tumhare friends kaafi cool hain,” Shivank said to her with a grin.
“Haina? Maine bola tha,” Riva replied, laughing as she cheered.
When Shivank bent close to her ear again to whisper something, jealousy flared instantly across Vivaan’s face. His jaw tightened. His arms folded. His mood soured completely.
“Tu kyun muh sadake baitha hai?” Prateek asked, side-eyeing him curiously.
“Nahi bhaiya, kuch nahi,” Vivaan lied smoothly.
“Game intense hai, bas.” But under his breath, he muttered, “Abhi batata hoon ruk…” His eyes didn’t leave Shivank.
Suddenly, he burst into exaggerated enthusiasm. “OHH COME ON, MERI DARLING, YOU CAN DO IT!” he shouted dramatically, jumping so much that he “accidentally” bumped hard into Shivank.
Shivank lost his balance and stumbled forward, crashing straight into a girl standing ahead.
“Oh my God! Can’t you see, mister?” the girl snapped angrily.
“Sorry! Sorry!” Shivank apologized hurriedly, completely flustered. The girl shot him a disgusted look and muttered under her breath. Vivaan clicked his tongue loudly.
“Chi chi chi… bhai… aap itne gire hue ho? Ladki dekhi nahi ki tharakpan chalu,” he said in mock disappointment, enjoying every second of Shivank’s misery.
Shivank scratched his head, still confused. “Galti se ho gaya yaar… pata nahi kahaan se dhakka aaya,” he muttered.
“Are, leave it na… match pe focus karo,” Riva cut in quickly, shaking her head as the match neared its final moments.
The tension in the stadium tightened. Only one goal was needed now. On the field, Ruhaan looked like pure concentration in motion. He sprinted forward, the ball dancing confidently at his feet.
One defender came at him, he dodged. Another rushed in, he slipped past. Three players closed in together but Ruhaan twisted through them with breathtaking agility, the crowd roaring louder and louder with each second. Then, at the perfect moment, he pulled back his leg and struck.
The ball sliced through the cold air. The stadium held its breath. It hit the net cleanly. The whistle blew.
They had won. A tidal wave of cheers exploded through the stands.
Aditi screamed, “Hum jeet gaye!” without thinking and threw her arms around Shagun first, then turned and hugged Ansh in pure happiness.
Ansh froze on the spot, ears instantly turning red, heart slamming in his chest, while Prateek shot him a warning glare that made him immediately look straight ahead, pretending nothing had happened.
On the other side, Riva jumped in delight, ready to hug Shivank in excitement, but before she could, Vivaan swooped in and hugged her tightly. Shivank stopped awkwardly, arms hanging, unsure what just happened. Riva stiffened for a second, surprised, then slowly relaxed, feeling something unfamiliar stir in her chest.
“Khush toh ho jao… jeet gaye hum,” Vivaan said lightly, trying to hide the softness in his voice.
“H…haan, jeet gaye,” Riva replied, still smiling awkwardly but somewhere inside, a strange warmth lingered from that unexpected hug.
____________
After the prize distribution ceremony wrapped up, the stadium lights glowed softly against the winter evening sky. Applause still echoed faintly across the field as Ruhaan stepped down from the stage, the winning medal gleaming proudly against his jersey.
His face was flushed not just from the cold, but from the adrenaline and joy rushing through him. The moment his feet hit the ground, he didn’t slow down even for a second. He broke into a run straight toward the group waiting for him near the stands.
His friends spotted him at the same moment.
“RUHAAN!!!” Shagun was the first one to move. Without thinking, she sprinted forward across the pavement, her steps light and breathless. The moment she reached him, she threw her arms around him tightly, hugging him with all the excitement still bubbling inside her.
“You did it! I told you…you’d win,” she said breathlessly, her voice trembling with happiness. Before he could even respond, she cupped his face and planted a quick, joyous kiss on his cheek warm, impulsive, full of pride.
Ruhaan froze for half a second, stunned, eyes widening. Then he smiled. A soft, shy, boyish smile. The kind he never showed anyone else.
Shagun’s cheeks flushed, but she didn’t pull away immediately. She stayed there, forehead resting against his shoulder for a brief second, her arms still loosely wrapped around him as if afraid the moment would slip away.
“Congratulations,” she whispered softly.
Ruhaan gently placed his hand on her head and whispered back, “Thank you… agar aise congratulations mile to harr match jeetu main”
The rest of the group arrived right then, laughing, shouting, clapping filling the moment with life again.
Aditi was practically glowing with pride. “Bhaiyaaa! That was AMAZING!” she exclaimed.
Priya’s eyes sparkled as she lightly smacked his arm. “You scared us so much in the last minute,but kya shot mara, gajabbb!”
Prateek slung an arm over Ruhaan’s shoulder with a grin. “Champion ho pehle se hi hai tu”
Ansh nodded with a small, proud smile. “congratulations ruhaan,” he said quietly, but the warmth in his tone said much more.
Vivaan whistled loudly. “Bhaiya, aag laga di aapne to aaj! Hero ban gaye aap stadium ke!”
Riva smiled softly. “Seriously bhaiya… you played brilliantly.”
Even Shivank joined in politely. “Congrats, man. That was insane.”
Ruhaan looked at all of them his people his family in every sense but blood. His chest felt full, his heart strangely calm.
__________________
The cafe was warm and bright, fairy lights draped lazily across the ceiling, the soft murmur of other customers blending with bursts of laughter from their table. Plates of fries, pasta, noodles, and half-finished mocktails were scattered everywhere, proof of how wildly they had been celebrating Ruhaan’s victory.
Riva leaned back in her chair, still smiling. “Yaar bhaiya, it was so much fun today,” she said, excitement still clinging to her tone.
Aditi nodded eagerly, eyes sparkling. “haa….aur kya gajb ka match khela aapne!”
Shagun clapped once, laughing. “Aur vo Rohit…he was just standing there staring like a statue! Didn’t even understand what happened.”
Everyone burst into laughter again. In the middle of it, Ruhaan’s phone buzzed. His smile faded slightly as he answered and listened for a few seconds. When he cut the call, guilt was already sitting in his eyes.
“I have to leave, guys,” he said softly. “Mummy called… something important has come up.”
“It’s okay, tu ja,” Prateek replied immediately.
Ruhaan turned to Shagun. “Tum chalo, I’ll drop you.”
Aditi shook her head before Shagun could speak. “Rehne do na bhaiya, we will drop her. You go.”
“Haan!” Shagun added, pouting dramatically. “abhi to kuch theek se khaya bhi nhi hai maine”
Vivaan stared at her plate. “Haan, full plate chilli potato hazam kar gyi…kuch khaya bhi nhi hai?” he muttered under his breath.
Shagun smacked his arm instantly. “muh band rakh apna”
“I was just joking!” Vivaan winced, rubbing his arm while everyone laughed again.
Riva waved. “You go, bhaiya. We’ll manage.”
Ruhaan nodded, smiled at all of them one last time, and left the cafe.
The noise slowly softened into comfortable chatter. Someone argued about sauce, someone joked about the referee, someone took pictures. Amid it all, Ansh sat mostly quiet, his gaze drifting again and again toward Aditi.
She was laughing at something Priya said, nibbling on a fry, completely unaware of his eyes on her. A loose strand of hair had fallen near her cheek, and she kept tucking it behind her ear absentmindedly.
Under the table, he slowly moved his hand across the small space until his fingers brushed hers. Aditi froze.
Her eyes widened, and she turned sharply to look at him. His hand closed around hers gently but firmly enough that she couldn’t pull away. Her fingers were cold; his were warm, steady, grounding.
A faint smile curved at the corner of his lips. She swallowed, cheeks instantly flushing red. She gave her hand a tiny tug, trying to free it, but he tightened his hold slightly, eyes never leaving hers.
“Let me just warm your hand,” Ansh whispered, voice low and intimate, meant only for her.
He intertwined their fingers and lightly squeezed her hand, rubbing his thumb over her chilled skin. His warmth spread slowly into her palm, up her wrist, straight into her racing heartbeat. Outside, their friends were still laughing over some joke, oblivious. Inside, her world had gone very quiet.
Aditi looked away shyly, ears burning, heart fluttering uncontrollably. She didn’t try to pull away again. She simply let him hold her hand beneath the table, as if that small hidden space belonged only to the two of them.
__________________
The office canteen buzzed softly with conversation and the faint clatter of plates, but Aman sat alone at a corner table, dressed neatly in his intern attire, crisp shirt tucked perfectly into his pants, hair carefully set, ID card hanging from his pocket. His lunch tray lay untouched in front of him.
His phone buzzed.It was Samaira.
Without thinking twice, he grabbed it and answered the video call, quickly getting up from his seat. He walked out through the glass doors of the building and onto the main road, cold air brushing against his face as traffic hummed in the background. It was his lunch break the only quiet time he truly had.
The moment her face appeared on screen, Samaira’s expression was already annoyed.
“Tum itne busy ho gaye ho kya wahan pe ki mera call bhi nahi utha pa rahe? Poore panch rings hue tab uthaya tumne,” she complained, eyes narrowed.
Aman smiled softly, adjusting his phone. “Maaf kijiye priyetama ji… bas thoda private space dhoondh raha tha aapke liye.”
“Private space kyun?” she questioned, suspicious.
“Kahin aapko mera koi colleague nazar na laga de,” he teased.
“Very funny,” she muttered but the faint smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.
He stepped aside near a quiet pavement, leaning against a lamppost. “Classes kaise chal rahi hain tumhari?”
“Badhiya hi chal rahi hain… tum batao?” she asked.
“Yahan bhi sab theek hai,” he replied, though his voice softened. “But… tumhari yaad bahut aati hai.”
Samaira’s face fell a little. “Mujhe bhi,” she whispered. “Tumhe gaye huye bas ek hi mahina hua hai… aur lagta hai jaise pata nahi kitne saal ho gaye. pata nahi do saal kaise beetenge…”
He lowered his eyes, jaw tightening. “Mujhe bhi,” he said softly. “Yahan ka khana bhi samajh nahi aata… chachi ji ke haath ka khana yaad aata hai.”
Samaira chuckled weakly. “Ek kaam karo na apne apartment mein cooking karo.”
“Karni padegi lagta hai,” Aman sighed. “Par mujhe aati bhi toh nahi…”
“I’m here na, I’ll guide you,” she replied firmly. “Aur ek bhi abs idhar-udhar nahi hone chahiye, warna dekhna tum.”
He laughed. “Tumhe mujhse zyada mere abs ki padi hai?”
“Of course,” she shot back. “Pata hai abs kitne sexy lagte hain? Main bhi apni waist pe kaam kar rahi hoon… dekho.”
Before he could react, she tilted the camera down to show her toned waist.
Aman instantly looked away, flustered. “Bas bhi karo… tum sach mein kuch bhi karti ho.”
“Are, dekho na,” she insisted.
“Abhi nahi,” he murmured with a playful smirk. “Physically dekhunga tab feel kar paunga. Virtually maza nahi aata.”
Samaira narrowed her eyes. “Haan haan… wapas aana pehle, tab dikhaungi. Bade chale.”
He grinned. “Tum bhi dekh lena.”
“Kya?” she asked.
“Abs,” he replied, raising an eyebrow.
She leaned closer to the screen. “Main touch bhi karungi. Rokoge toh nahi tum.”
Aman’s ears turned red instantly. “Samaira”
Before he could recover, his eyes flicked toward the office gate.
“Oh shit… break over ho gaya. Mujhe jana hoga.” he told.
“Nahi. Pehle ‘haan’ bolo,” she demanded.
He sighed helplessly. “Achha, okay. Fine. Ab main jaun?”
“Hm. Byeee,” she said, softening. She moved closer to the camera and kissed the screen gently. “Love you sooo much… muahh.”
Aman’s expression melted.
“Love you too,” he whispered, sending a flying kiss back. “Bye.”
The call ended. He stared at the blank screen for a moment, exhaling slowly the noise of the city returning around him.
Then, with a small lingering smile, he slipped his phone back into his pocket and walked toward the office building again.
________________
Shagun walked along the quiet roadside, the evening breeze brushing against her cheeks as the faint city lights shimmered in the distance.
The world around her felt unusually calm after the loud cheers and laughter of the celebration. A soft smile stayed on her lips the entire way home the kind that came unconsciously, born out of lingering happiness.
Her fingers gently traced the muffler wrapped around her neck, the fabric still holding her father’s warmth. For the first time in a long while, she felt something she rarely allowed herself to feel protected… cherished… almost like how a father might wrap his daughter in comfort and love. The thought settled deep in her heart, fragile yet soothing, and her eyes softened with an emotion she couldn’t quite name.
Lost in those thoughts, she continued walking until a voice called out from behind.
“Shagun?”
She paused and turned, brows knitting in confusion for a brief second but recognition soon followed. Standing a few steps away was Rahul, Suhaani’s schoolfriend and the boy Shagun knew her sister had feelings for.
“Oh—Rahul,” she said, surprised but polite.
He approached with a gentle smile, slightly out of breath as if he’d hurried to catch up.
“Hii… aap ghar hi ja rahi ho na?” he asked.
Shagun nodded lightly. “Yeah.”
Rahul quickly pulled out a notebook from his bag and held it forward. “Ye Suhani ko de dena please. Actually mujhe urgently kahin jana tha… toh main usse nahi de paaya.”
Shagun took the notebook without hesitation, her smile warm and reassuring. “Yeah sure, I’ll give it to her.”
There was a brief pause before Rahul’s eyes scanned her outfit the cozy muffler, casual sweatshirt, and soft glow still lingering on her face from the day.
“By the way di… you look really cool in this outfit,” he said with a small grin, half playful, half sincere.
Shagun couldn’t help but laugh a light, cheerful sound that floated into the air.
“Thank you,” she replied, amusement twinkling in her eyes.
Rahul nodded and gave a small wave before turning to leave. Shagun mirrored the gesture and resumed walking, still smiling faintly to herself as she tucked the notebook carefully into her bag.
But neither of them realized someone else had been watching.
Across the road, standing beside a parked car, Suhani’s eyes followed the scene with growing tension. She had arrived just in time to see Rahul talking smiling laughing… with Shagun.
Her fingers tightened around her bag strap, jaw clenching as a storm of insecurity and jealousy washed over her. The warmth she had felt moments ago instantly turned cold. Without a word, she pulled the car door open, slid inside, and slammed it shut.
The engine started. The car sped away leaving behind the echo of emotions she didn’t quite understand… and a resentment that had silently begun to grow
______________
Shagun unlocked the door and stepped inside, the warmth of the house instantly feeling heavier than the evening air outside. The faint smile she carried from earlier slowly faded when her eyes fell on Suhani sitting stiffly in the hall, arms crossed, jaw clenched, gaze sharp and hostile. Without saying a word, Shagun quietly placed Rahul’s notebook on the coffee table and turned to leave for her room.
“Kar li aashiqi Rahul ke saath?” Suhani’s voice cut through the silence sharp, bitter, dripping venom. Shagun stopped mid-step, confusion flickering across her face as she turned back.
“What?” shagun frowned.
“Ohh… sorry,” Suhani scoffed, standing up and walking toward her. “Tumhari to aadat hai na… ladko se attention seek karna.”
Shagun’s brows furrowed, disbelief replacing confusion. “What nonsense?”
“Nonsense hi kahogi… kyunki sach hazam nahi hota,” Suhani snapped, taking another step closer.
“You’re crossing the line Suhani,” Shagun warned, her tone firm.
“Cross to tumne ki hai line,” Suhani shot back. “Tumhe pata tha I like Rahul phir bhi uske saath hangout kar rahi thi. Kitni giri hui ho tum… ye jaante hue bhi ke vo tumse chhota hai!”
That was enough.
“Bas!” Shagun’s voice finally broke through the tension. “Main uske saath hangout nahi kar rahi thi. Aur doosri baat… mujhe tumhare aur tumhare ‘antu-jhantu’ doston se koi farak nahi padta. Samjhi?”
Suhani’s eyes darkened. “Achha? Toh phir aaj kahan gayi thi? Itna bann-thann ke? Aur itni late kyun aayi ho?”
“That’s none of your business,” Shagun replied coldly and turned to walk away.
“Oh wow, main baat kar rahi hoon tumse, jawab do mujhe!” Suhani shouted.
“I don’t want to talk to you so please, just back off,” Shagun snapped, her patience breaking.
Suhani blocked her path, fury blazing in her eyes.
“Side hato,” Shagun said through clenched teeth.
“Nahi hatungi. Kya kar logi? Rone lagogi? Dad ko bulaogi?” Suhani mocked, leaning in. “Aww… vo to tumhari kabhi sunte bhi nahi.”
That pierced deeper than it should have.
“Suhani… shut up,” Shagun warned, her voice low… trembling… dangerous.
“Why? Bura lag raha hai?” Suhani smirked cruelly. “Aww… poor Shagun.”
Something snapped.
Shagun shoved her aside only meaning to push her away but Suhani lost balance and fell hard onto the floor with a sharp cry.
“Ahh!”
Shagun froze. At that exact moment, Shreya entered the house.
Her eyes widened when she saw Suhani on the floor. Panic flashed instantly across her face as she rushed forward.
“Suhani! Are you okay, betu?” she bent down, cradling her.
Suhani’s lips trembled as she burst into fake sobs, clutching her arm. “N-nahi, mamma… she pushed me…”
Shagun stared at her in disbelief stunned… betrayed.
Shreya’s expression twisted into rage as she stood up. Without a second’s hesitation, her hand struck across Shagun’s face hard the sound echoing through the hall.
“You bitch!” she roared. “How dare you even touch my daughter!”
Before Shagun could react, Shreya grabbed her by the hair, fingers digging painfully into her scalp as she forced her face up.
“Tujhe maine itni freedom nahi di hai,” she spat with disgust. “Ke tu meri beti ko haath bhi laga sake. Tu ne usse dhakka diya!”
The maids and servants had gathered in the corners frightened… silent… watching.
Shagun’s eyes hardened. With a sharp jerk, she pried Shreya’s hand away and stepped back.
“Don’t touch me,” she hissed.
Shreya paused taken aback then slowly smirked, cruelty glinting behind her eyes.
“Lagta hai bhool gayi tu…” her voice turned venomous, each word slicing through the air, “…kis tarah tu mujhse bheek maanga karti thi khane ke liye… uss kamre mein band rehkar.”
Shagun’s breath hitched.
“Mujhe tere upar rehem hi nahi karna chahiye tha,” Shreya continued, stepping closer, poison spilling from her tongue. “Tujhe bhi ussi din teri maa ke saath maar dena chahiye tha.”
The world stopped. The room fell dead silent. The maids gasped. A notebook slipped from one of their hands and hit the floor.
Suhani’s face went pale shock ripping through her eyes widening as the meaning of those words crashed into her.
Shagun stood frozen tears instantly filling her eyes chest tightening… breath shaking… as her mind reeled.
Her mother. Killed. By her. A sharp rage flooded her veins.
In one swift motion, Shagun caught Shreya’s raised arm mid-air and slapped her across the face with everything she had.
Shreya staggered back.
“What… did you just say?” Shagun’s voice trembled broken yet terrifyingly fierce.
Suhani stared stunned horrified the truth clawing at her.
“You, how dare you slap my mom!” she screamed, lunging forward but Shagun dodged and slapped her too.
“Tujhe bhi maarungi!” she cried, shaking, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Her grief erupted into fury as she turned back to Shreya.
“You murdered my mom?!” her voice shattered. “Seriously? How could you even do that!”
She surged forward again but Shreya grabbed her wrists and shouted. “Pakdo isse!”
The maids, terrified yet obedient, rushed in holding Shagun back as she thrashed violently, screaming, crying, fighting to break free.
“Leave me! I said leave me!” she sobbed, collapsing into rage and agony. “Mujhe chhodo! I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her!”
The house shook with chaos, cries, gasps, fear.
And then, A commanding voice thundered through the hall.
“What’s going on here?”
Everyone froze. Every sound died. Shagun stopped struggling. Shreya stiffened. Suhani’s heart dropped.
The moment Suresh’s voice filled the hall, Shreya’s eyes darted toward him in alarm and within seconds, fear turned into performance. She rushed toward him, tears spilling instantly, clinging to his arm as if she were the victim in the storm she herself had created. Suhani followed right after, sobbing dramatically.
“Dad… dad dekha aapne?” Suhani cried, pressing herself into his chest. “She hit me and my mom!”
“Dekha, Suresh?” Shreya added shakily, clutching her heart. “How she abused us… hamesha aisa hi hota hai…”
But Suresh did not respond. His eyes were fixed on only one person.
Shagun standing in the center of the hall, her face wet with tears, chest heaving, hands still trembling with rage and grief. There was no defiance in her eyes now only pain… betrayal… and a desperate plea to be believed.
“Papa they’re lying!” she cried, voice breaking as she tried to move toward Shreya again.
Suresh lifted his hand stopping her.
“Shagun… stop.” The way he said it firm… steady made her freeze instantly. She flinched, breath hitching, but she didn’t look away from him.
“Papa, you don’t know these people,” she choked out, tears flowing again. “In logo ne milke mamma ko maara hai they killed her!”
Shreya’s expression hardened beneath the tears but she masked it instantly.
“She’s lying, Suresh,” she said softly, voice trembling perfectly. “Jab se yahan aayi hai tab se kuch bhi bol rahi hai… please, aap chaahe toh inse pooch lijiye.”
All eyes turned toward the house staff. One by one heads bowed. And they nodded. Shagun’s heart shattered.
“T–tum sab jhoot kaise bol sakte ho?” she whispered, breath trembling as she stared at them.
“Papa, believe me! She herself said she killed mumma, I heard her!”
“Shagun… enough.” Suresh’s voice cut through the air controlled, cold, unreadable. “Quiet.”
The single word struck like a blow.
Shagun fell silent at once the trust of a daughter overshadowing the chaos inside her tears still rolling helplessly down her cheeks… lips trembling… chest tightening.
Across from her, Shreya smirked faintly through fake tears certain she had won. But Suresh slowly turned toward her. And his gaze was no longer blank. It was knowing.
“Thank you so much for believing me, Suresh,” Shreya breathed in relief, stepping closer to hold his arm.
He stepped back. Her smile vanished.
“Pack your bags,” Suresh said his tone flat… distant… like ice.
Shreya blinked. “What?”
“I said pack your bags. And leave.” This time his voice carried authority that left no space for protest. Shagun’s tearful eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him.
“Suresh, what are you saying?” Shreya stammered, panic beginning to seep into her tone.
“I said exactly what you heard.” His jaw tightened. “Pack your bags… and leave.”
“You’re trusting her?” Shreya demanded, losing composure. “She’s lying, believe me! Aap inse pooch lijiye!”
Before she could finish, Police sirens stopped outside. The doors opened officers stepped in. Shreya’s face drained of color.
“Mrs. Shreya Shrivastava,” the inspector announced firmly, “you are under arrest on the charges of murdering Arpita Shrivastav… and attempting to kill a minor child.”
The words echoed through the hall like thunder. Suhani stood frozen horror consuming her tears flooding again.
“Kya bakwaas kar rahe hain aap?!” Shreya shouted, panic breaking her poise. “It’s not true Suresh, bharosa kijiye mera! It was an accident!”
“Dad, please!” Suhani sobbed, clutching his arm. “Mom ko bachaiye she didn’t do anything!” Suresh gently moved her aside.
“Suhani… stay away from this mess,” he said softly, voice heavy yet firm. “Main tumhe is mein nahi ghaseetna chahta.”
Shreya’s desperation cracked into terror. “Suresh, just believe me once maine kuch nahi kiya!” she pleaded helplessly but the inspector stepped forward and cuffed her wrists.
Shagun watched numb silent tears flooding again as years of pain finally found truth.
“Thank you for your cooperation, sir,” the inspector said.
“Wait,” Suresh responded calmly.
He signaled the maid.She hurried forward placing a pen drive into his hand.
“Add charges of child abuse… and domestic violence,” Suresh said, eyes never leaving Shreya. “Here’s the proof.”
“Noted, sir,” the inspector replied.
Shreya shook her head frantically, voice cracking. “Nahi, it’s all a lie, Suresh please listen to me!”
Her cries faded as she was dragged away. The doors closed behind her. Silence settled cold… heavy… suffocating. Suresh turned toward Suhani.
“You’ll be going abroad,” he said quietly. “You have to leave now. Go… pack your bags.”
Her chest tightened in disbelief. “Dad “
“Go, Suhani.” His tone left no room for argument.
Tears streaming, she turned and hurried toward her room escorted by maids her world collapsing beneath her feet.
And then there was only Shagun. She stood motionless… lost… broken… staring at Suresh with hollow eyes as if her soul had just been torn open.
He walked toward her slowly grief finally surfacing in his gaze. Gently, he cupped her cheeks his voice trembling.
“I’m sorry, beta…” he whispered. “Main anjaane mein… tumhari maa ke qaatil ko hi iss ghar mein le aaya tha.”
His tears fell. Hers didn’t. Her eyes no longer held warmth… or pain… Only emptiness.
Memories crashed all at once her mother’s soft laughter… bangles clinking… festivals… warm hands plaiting her hair… then screeching tires… a huge truck… shattered glass… blood… the last trembling whisper… her own scream echoing into darkness.
Her mind could not hold it anymore. Her vision blurred. Her knees buckled. Everything went black.
“Shagun… Shagun!” Suresh panicked, catching her limp body before it hit the floor. His voice trembled frantic terrified.
“Call the doctor, immediately!” he shouted.
His PA rushed out of the hall, dialing urgently, while Suresh lifted Shagun into his arms holding her close his steps trembling as he carried her toward her room.
___________________
The house felt eerily silent when the doctor finally stepped out of Shagun’s room. The faint scent of antiseptic lingered in the hall, and the sound of the pulse-monitor inside her room echoed softly steady, but fragile. Suresh stood near the doorway, hands clasped tightly, eyes red and heavy with fear and guilt. Every second since she had fainted felt endless.
The doctor removed his stethoscope and let out a quiet sigh.
“She’s fine,” he said gently.
Suresh’s shoulders collapsed in relief, a breath he had been holding finally escaping. But the doctor’s expression remained serious.
“She isn’t physically hurt,” he continued, voice calm and measured, “but she is emotionally exhausted… and deeply traumatized.”
The words struck the air like weight.
He opened the file in his hand scanning the reports and old medical notes Suresh had provided. His brows furrowed.
“After going through her accident history,” the doctor said softly, “I can say that the emotional shock she experienced today… triggered old psychological trauma. Her nervous system reacted under extreme stress. That’s why she collapsed.”
Suresh closed his eyes for a brief moment guilt carving deeper into his chest. The past he had failed to protect her from… had returned to suffocate her again.
“Doctor… will she be okay?” he asked quietly.
“Yes,” the doctor reassured, his tone steady, “but she needs care… and distance from anything that triggers emotional distress.”
He placed the file down.
“For the next few days, she must remain on complete rest. Minimal conversation. No arguments. No stress of any kind.”
He paused, then added with care:
“She has been carrying suppressed trauma for years. Today shattered her emotional threshold. If she relives such incidents again… it could worsen her condition.”
Suresh nodded slowly, swallowing hard.
“I understand.”
The doctor softened. “Keep her room quiet. Avoid visitors. Ensure she eats properly and sleeps well. If she wakes up disoriented or withdrawn, don’t force her to talk. Let her mind stabilize first.”
He wrote a small prescription.
“I’ve given mild sedatives to help her sleep and anxiety medication to ease the shock. But the real healing… will take time.”
For a moment, Suresh looked through the half-open door.
Shagun lay on the bed, pale… fragile… her lashes resting softly against tear-stained cheeks. The room light fell gently across her face, making her seem even smaller like the little girl he once failed to protect.
His heart tightened.
“I’ll make sure she rests,” he said firmly.
The doctor gave a small nod.
“She will wake up soon,” he said. “Let someone she trusts be beside her when she does.”
With that, he gathered his things and left, footsteps fading into the corridor.
Suresh remained rooted at the doorway for a moment longer before walking quietly into the room.
__________________________
Suresh stood near the doorway of Shagun’s room, the faint glow of the bedside lamp casting soft shadows across her pale face. Her breaths were slow, uneven… as if even sleep carried traces of the storm inside her. The doctor’s words kept replaying in his mind “She’s fine physically… just emotionally exhausted and deeply shaken. Let her rest for a few days. Don’t let her stress.”
But reassurance did nothing to calm the ache in his chest. The silence in the house felt heavy… suffocating… almost as if the walls themselves whispered guilt.
His eyes drifted toward her phone lying beside the pillow. After a moment of hesitation, he picked it up. The screen lit and his breath stilled. Her wallpaper was a family photograph… Shagun in the middle, smiling the brightest… her small hands wrapped around both her parents like she never wanted to let go.
Suresh’s fingers trembled around the phone.
“I failed you…” he whispered, voice cracking as regret burned through him.
All those years… every unanswered cry… every ignored scar… every moment she stood alone. And still she had kept them close.
He swallowed painfully and searched for Ruhaan’s number, the only friend of hers he had ever spoken to. His hands shook as he pressed the call button.
The ringtone barely rang twice.
“Hello? Shagun?” Ruhaan sounded light then instantly tense when he realized.
Suresh drew in a shaky breath.
“Ruhaan… it’s me. Suresh.”
Ruhaan straightened, concern flooding his tone. “Uncle? Is everything okay? Achanak call kyun kiya?”
Suresh closed his eyes, guilt weighing every syllable. “Actually… I need Shagun’s friends here. She’s not well.”
A silence cold… sharp… fearful.
“What? What happened to her?” Ruhaan’s voice tightened, panic creeping in.
Suresh’s tone trembled.
“It all happened because of me, Ruhaan… I—” His voice broke as he explained everything… every truth… every wound… every moment Shagun shattered in front of him.
By the end, Ruhaan felt his chest hollow.
“I’m coming, Uncle. Please… don’t leave her alone,” he said urgently.
“I won’t,” Suresh whispered. “Bas… jaldi aa jana.”
The call ended.
Ruhaan didn’t even feel his legs as he moved, he just ran. His breath grew unsteady, his hands trembling as memories of Shagun flashed her stubborn smirks, her laughter she pretended was real, the way she always brushed off pain.
He dialed Prateek.
“Haan bol,” Prateek answered casually until he heard Ruhaan’s voice.
“Address bhej raha hoon jaldi se Aditi aur Priya ko le pohch. Chuhe aur Ansh ko bhi le aana,” Ruhaan said, urgency sharp in every word.
“Kyun… kya hua? Sab theek hai na?” Prateek’s tone shifted instantly.
“Nahi… Shagun’s not well. She needs us. Abhi.”
There was no hesitation.
“Theek hai, I’m on my way,” Prateek replied, already moving.
He rushed into Aditi’s room. “Adu, chal jaldi!”
“Kaha?” Aditi frowned then froze at his next words.
“Shagun ko kuch ho gaya hai. She needs you.”
Her heart dropped.
She didn’t ask another question she just ran.
Prateek informed Ansh and Ansh left immediately with Priya and Vivaan.
“Vivaan, tu Priya ke saath ja… main Riva ko le aata hoon,” Ansh said.
“Nahi bhaiya aap Priya ke saath jao. Main Riva ko le aaunga,” Vivaan insisted, voice firm for once.
Ansh paused then nodded. “Pakka?”
“Pakka.” vivaan reassured.
Ruhaan reached first. His heartbeat thundered as he rang the bell. The door opened Suresh stood there, eyes red… weighed with guilt and helplessness.
“Ruhaan…” he breathed.
“Uncle… Shagun kaha hai?” Ruhaan asked, breathless.
Suresh stepped aside softly. “Apne kamre mein… so rahi hai. But… she needs people who care about her.”
Ruhaan nodded and walked in quietly. The sight hit him like a punch.
Shagun lay curled on the bed… face pale… lashes still damp… as if even in sleep she hadn’t escaped crying.
She looked so heartbreakingly small.
Shagun stirred slowly, her lashes fluttering as consciousness returned. The room felt warm… soft light filtering through the curtains, the faint hum of voices outside. Her head felt heavy, and for a moment she didn’t know where she was until the memories hit like a wave.
Her chest tightened. Her fingers twitched against the bedsheet.
“Shagun…?” Aditi’s soft voice broke the silence.
Priya leaned forward instantly. “Shagun…are you ok?”
Riva’s eyes were already brimming as she whispered, “Di… aram se… don’t sit up suddenly.”
Shagun blinked, confused and then she saw them.
Aditi sitting closest, gently holding her arm.Priya and Riva on either side of the bed and vivaan on floor leaning over bed. Ruhaan, Ansh, and Prateek standing near the corner… silent… worried… tense.
Their faces said everything.She swallowed, breath shaky.
“tum sab” she whispered.
Aditi nodded gently. “baad main batayenge…tu relax kar.”
Shagun’s breathing turned uneven. Her heart raced, panic creeping back into her chest as flashes of everything replayed shouting, accusations, truth, blood, her mother’s voice—
Her body trembled.
“Hey… hey… shagun… shagun look at me,” Priya said softly, cupping her shoulder.
Riva instantly rubbed her back. “Deep breaths dii… okay?”
Her breath hitched tears pricked in her eyes. Ruhaan could no longer stand still. In two steps he was beside her.
Without hesitation he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a firm, trembling hug.
Shagun stiffened for a second… Then broke. Her fingers clutched his shirt, her face burying into his chest as sobs escaped raw… weak… exhausted.
Ruhaan shut his eyes tightly, his voice shaking. “shhh gungun… I’m right here…calm down…they’re gone don’t worry”
Aditi quietly shifted back, giving them space because she knew this was needed.
Prateek looked away, jaw tense. Ansh’s hands were clenched his expression unreadable, but his eyes soft with worry.
Priya whispered gently, “Shagun… sab theek hai… we’re here.”
Shagun’s sobs slowly turned softer… weaker… until her breathing steadied again.
Ruhaan loosened his hold, brushing her hair back from her face. She looked fragile. But calmer.
Her voice came out barely audible. “Pa… papa… kaha hai?”
Everyone went quiet. The question lingered in the air heavy… trembling.
“I’ll call him.”Ansh stepped forward, his tone steady and respectful. He walked to the door, tapped gently.
Outside, Suresh stood in the hallway speaking to lawyers, documents in his hand, his voice low but determined. Divorce papers. Custody. Case formalities. Ending everything that had broken her life.
Ansh spoke softly. “Uncle… she’s awake.”
Suresh froze. His breath faltered. Without a word, he stepped toward the room.
Ruhaan, Aditi, Priya, Riva, Prateek, and Ansh exchanged a silent look and one by one, they moved away. No one needed to say it. This moment belonged to father and daughter.
Suresh stepped quietly into the room, the faint sound of the door clicking shut echoing through the stillness. The soft night-light filtered through the curtains, washing the room in a muted glow that fell across Shagun’s pale face as she sat against the headboard eyes distant, guarded, hurting.
For a long moment, he simply stood there… afraid to move closer, afraid that every step might reopen the wounds he had already caused.
“Shagun…” His voice came out fragile, almost breaking.
Her eyes flickered toward him, then slipped away as if she no longer knew how to receive him. He swallowed hard. His hands trembled at his sides.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so… deeply sorry.” The words sounded too small for the kind of pain they were meant to heal.
“I was a bad father,” he continued, his voice shaking. “I ignored you when you needed me. I chose to stay blind when you were suffering right in front of me.”
Tears gathered in his eyes as memories flooded back all the moments he wasn’t there.
“I should have protected you… I should have stood beside you,” he said, guilt heavy in every syllable. “But instead… you fought alone.”
Shagun’s breath hitched. Her fingers curled tightly around the bedsheet, knuckles turning pale. He took a hesitant step forward then stopped again, as if unsure whether he even had the right.
“I trusted the wrong people,” he said softly. “And because of that… you were hurt, silenced… abandoned in your own home.”
His voice cracked.
“I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know that…”
His shoulders weakened. Slowly almost helplessly he knelt down in front of her, lowering his head.
“But today,” he whispered, “I am not speaking as your father. I am speaking as a man who failed his wife… and his daughter… at the same time. And I am begging you for one chance to make things right.”
Her chest tightened. Tears welled in her eyes not loud… not dramatic… just aching.
“I promise you,” he continued, voice trembling, “I will never leave you alone again. I will stand beside you. I will learn to be a better father the father you always deserved.”
Silence settled between them heavy, suffocating, honest. Shagun finally spoke, her voice shaking.
“Do you know, Papa…” she whispered, tears sliding down her cheeks, “when I cried at night… when I was scared… when I missed Mom so much that it hurt to breathe… where were you?”
Suresh closed his eyes in pain.
“I screamed for help,” she continued, her voice breaking, “but no one heard me. And the one person who should have… never came. Because he was busy with his so-called business.”
Her voice shattered on the last word.
“For a long time… I thought maybe… maybe I should have gone with Mom that day. In that accident.”
Suresh shook his head immediately, tears spilling freely.
“No, beta… please don’t say that,” he cried softly. “You were my daughter… my world… and I failed to see it. I was so busy distracting myself from your mother’s death… drowning myself in work… that I forgot to care for you.”
Her lips trembled.
“I hated you,” she whispered. “For not being there… for choosing everyone else over me. For choosing… that woman.”
He nodded weakly.
“You have every right to hate me,” he said, his voice low. “But even then… even if you can’t forgive me now… please don’t shut me out of your life forever.”
His jaw tightened with resolve.
“And I promise you… that woman will face the harshest punishment for what she did. I will make sure of it… beta.”
His voice softened turning into a plea.
“Give me one chance… just one chance… to earn back your trust.”
The room fell silent. Only their uneven breathing filled the space. Then slowly… Shagun leaned forward.
Her trembling hand lifted and rested gently on his shoulder. He froze as if that tiny touch was the most fragile gift he had ever received.
Her voice came out soft… vulnerable… honest.”Don’t leave me again, Papa.”
His breath shattered, tears streaming down his face as he stood and wrapped his arms around her gently, carefully like he was holding something precious he had almost lost forever.
“I won’t,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “I promise… I won’t ever leave you again.”
She closed her eyes and held onto him not as a broken girl…but as a daughter finally heard.
His voice softened against her hair.
“From today,” he said softly, “you will never face anything alone again.”
And for the first time in years…Shagun allowed herself to believe him.
________
The night had wrapped the house in a quiet hush, the chaos of earlier hours replaced by a fragile calm. Shagun’s room, once a scene of panic and confrontation, now held only warmth and a sense of fragile peace.
Aditi stayed behind, perching gently on the edge of Shagun’s bed. She watched her friend carefully, her eyes soft with concern, taking in the subtle rise and fall of Shagun’s chest as exhaustion claimed her. Shagun remained silent for a while, leaning against the headboard, her thoughts heavy but slowly succumbing to fatigue.
“Chal, soja,” Aditi said softly, her voice a comforting whisper in the quiet room.
Shagun let out a small sigh and eased herself onto the bed, moving with a natural, unguarded fluidity. Without hesitation, she slid her arms around Aditi, seeking the warmth and comfort of someone who had been by her side through the storm of the day.
Aditi adjusted herself carefully, holding Shagun close. She stroked her hair gently, murmuring soothing words and letting her presence be an anchor. “It’s okay… just rest, Shagun,” she whispered, feeling her friend’s tension gradually melt into the embrace. Slowly, Shagun’s breathing evened, and she drifted into a deep, well-deserved sleep, finally allowing herself to feel safe.
After a few minutes, Aditi’s phone vibrated. She picked it up quietly, seeing the group chat buzzing with messages. The concern of friends echoed through the screen, showing just how much they cared.
Samaira: “Is she fine now?”
Prateek: “Ha, better than before. Aditi’s with her tonight.”
Aman: “And uncle is there too, right? In case of any emergency…”
Ansh: “Ha bhaiya, vo bhi hai.”
Aditi: “Guys… relax. She’s fine now. Don’t worry.”
Ruhaan: “Uska dhyaan rakhio please, Aditi… kuch bhi, direct call kar dio mujhe.”
Aditi: “Ha bhaiya, kar dungi. Tension mat lo.”
Priya: “Tu apna bhi dhyaan rakhio sath main.”
Aditi: “Ha ha, theek hai.”
She continued typing, her fingers moving quickly over the screen, keeping everyone informed, when suddenly a personal notification appeared. Ansh had messaged her directly.
Ansh: “Are you fine?”
Aditi smiled and typed back, her fingers light. “Ha, main theek hu… aap tension mat lo.”
Ansh: “Khana khaya na tumne proper?”
Aditi: “Ha baba… shahi paneer khayi thi ham dono ne mil ke… kya hi tasty ho rhe the.”
Ansh: “Khyaal rakhna… apna bhi aur Shagun ka bhi.”
Aditi: “Aap bhi jyada tension mat lijiye… sab theek hai idhar. She’s sleeping now, mujhe bhi neend aa rhi hai ab.”
Ansh: “Achha, theek hai… so jao. Good night.”
Aditi: “Good night.”
A soft pause lingered, the screen dimly glowing. Then Ansh typed again, hesitantly, ears surely pink even without seeing her.
Ansh: “I love you.”
Aditi felt warmth flood her chest as a smile tugged at her lips. Her fingers hovered for a moment before replying, her heart mirroring the sentiment.
Aditi: “I love you too.”
_______________
The school canteen buzzed with its usual lunchtime noise plates clattering, students laughing, teachers passing by but for this group, the mood felt lighter than it had in days. They were all seated around their usual table, lunch trays half-eaten, shoulders finally relaxed. Shagun’s absence was noticeable, as she had taken abreak from evedrything to spend some time with her father alone but this time it didn’t bring worry, it brought relief.
“finally chalo sab theek ho gaya,” Priya said, exhaling softly as if she had been holding her breath for days. Everyone around her nodded in agreement.
“hmm aur kaafi enjoy kar rhii hai vo,” Vivaan added, leaning back on his chair.
“haa mast mast jagah ghoom rhi hai…tasty tasty khana kha rhi hai,” Aditi said with a small smile, remembering the pictures Shagun had sent.
“aur hame photoas bhej ke chidha bhi rhi hain,” Riva complained, folding her arms dramatically. Her sulk made the boys laugh instantly.
Amid the light banter, Prateek’s expression shifted thoughtful, serious. He tapped his fingers on the table once before speaking. “vaise ik cheez samajh nhi ayi.”
“Kya?” Ruhaan asked, turning toward him.
“ki if shagun ki jo stepmom hai she’s the killer of shagun’s real mom, to uncle ko ab tak pata kaise nhi chala, aur pta chala bhi to achanak se kaise?” Prateek asked, his tone calm but heavy.
The table fell quieter.
“are dekh na main batati hu,” Aditi said, instantly gaining everyone’s attention as she leaned forward.
“Hua kya tha ki jo vo aurat thi na….uski nazar pehle se hi uncle ke property pe thi, so she at first joined his company as his assistant then she got married to someone else jiise she got suhani right, then hua kya ki uske intentions boht bigad gaye she wanted to enter uncles personal life as well but uncle was already married to arpita aunty and shagun was born to them.”
Everyone listened closely, expressions tightening with each sentence.
“To hua kya one day mujhe nhi pta kya kab and kaise but arpita aunty heard shreya talking to someone about how to get the remaining shares of uncles company under her name and was planning to accuse him under false harrasment case,” Aditi continued.
“false harrasement to samajh aayi but shares kyu?” Ruhaan asked, frowning.
“jiske paas company ke shares jyada hote hai usi ke paas right hota hai new ceo chunne ka,” Ansh explained calmly.
“hmm also phir as an assistant shreya ke paas saari informations hoti about the deals and all to takeover karna company ko boht asaan ho jata,” Prateek added.
“achha achha…phir uske baad,” Priya leaned in.
“uske baad she got to know ki arpita aunty ne sab sunn liya and she would tell uncle so she planned a fake accident in which aunty died and shagun got injured, phir instead of doing what she planned she married uncle with her fake concern towards shagun and uncle also married her thinking shagun will get a mom and all but aisa hua hi nhi kabhi…..she was always playing trics around uncle and totally neglected shagun, and uncle being too busy with work didn’t focus on home,” Aditi finished, her voice heavy.
“poori tv serial level ki villian jaisa kaam kiya hai isne to,” Vivaan commented.
“chandalini kahi ki,” Riva muttered with disgust.
“aur expose kaise hui vo?” Ruhaan asked quietly.
“main batata hu,” Ansh said, straightening.
“To hua ye ki uncle ki ik deal thi purane cleint se to waha kuch to hua jisme he noticed ki company ke shares shreya ke naam pe jyada hai and even shagun ke jo shares the vo bhi shreya ke naam pe jyada hai so he doubted something, then unhone ik secret investigation bithayi jisme he got to know ki jo shares hai vo aunty ki death ke baad rapidly transfer ho rhe the from some suspicious source.”
The group exchanged stunned looks.
“uske baad uncle ke ghar mai se hi ek house helper ne uncle ko annonomusly complain ki about shreya and her double standards so he installed a secreat camera for supervission and got to know ki jo truck driver tha jisne hit kiya tha aunty ki car ko usko paise mile the aisa karne and it was given by shreya then waha se investigation hui and sach bahar aya,” Ansh concluded.
“baap re…itna bada khel,” priya exclaimed.
“manna padega dunia main kuch bhi ho skta haii,” prateek said softly.
“ab unko minimum 20 years ki to jail hogi hi,” Riva added.
“kya pta,” Aditi said quietly, her thoughts drifting back to Shagun hoping that wherever she was, healing was finally beginning.
Vivaan leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing with mock suspicion as he looked straight at Ansh.
“vaise bhiaya…apko kaise pta itna sab kuch,” Vivaan asked Ansh, clearly enjoying the chance to interrogate him.
Before Ansh could even open his mouth, Aditi jumped in casually, chin lifting with confidence. “vo maine bataya tha.”
There was a collective pause then outrage.
“dhokebaaz….hame to nhi bataya tune,” Priya exclaimed dramatically, pointing at Aditi as if she’d committed a crime.
“abhi bataya to,” Aditi defended herself instantly, shrugging.
“abhi bataya na….pehle nhi bataya didi,” Riva accused her too, crossing her arms with a pout.
Instead of explaining herself, Aditi simply let out a soft, mischievous “heheehheeeee” and flashed them a sheepish smile. It only made things worse.
Within seconds, Priya and Riva lunged toward her to hit her playfully, but Aditi reacted faster she stood up abruptly and darted behind Ansh, clutching his arm like her personal shield. That only fueled the accusations.
“aap kya usse bacha rhe hai….ham jab koi gossip dete the tab to ik nhi sunte the aditi se saari gossips sunte ho barabar,” Vivaan accused Ansh, shaking his head in disbelief.
“point to hai bhaii main inke sath hu,” Ruhaan said immediately, siding with Vivaan and enjoying Ansh’s discomfort.
“areeee,” Ansh blurted out, completely stunned by the sudden betrayal.
“ha bhaii ye to galt hai,” Prateek added, nodding seriously as if this were a court verdict.
Ansh didn’t argue. Instead, he glanced down at Aditi hiding behind him her sleepy smile still firmly in place and a small smile tugged at his own lips, completely giving him away.
“ab dekho kabootaro ki tarh sharmaye ja rhe hain dono ke dono,” Priya accused them both, smirking.
Aditi instantly straightened.
“ha to to kya hua tu bhi table ke neeche ashiqui lada rhi hai…hamne kuch bola?,” she shot back, pointing straight at Priya and Prateek’s intertwined fingers under the table.
Priya gasped and instantly tried to pulled back, her face heating up in embarrassment, while Prateek looked down at their hands in pure shock.
“aeeee…..hath chod uska,” Ansh said sharply, glaring at Prateek and pointing at their hands like an elder brother on duty.
“nahi chod raha kya kar lega,” Prateek teased shamelessly and before Ansh could react, he grabbed Priya’s hand properly and bolted away.
“aeee rukk,” Ansh shouted, immediately chasing after them through the canteen, chairs screeching as students turned to watch the drama unfold.
Aditi watched the chaos, shook her head, and slapped her forehead lightly.
“inka bhi kuch nhi hoga,” she muttered, half amused, half resigned while the rest of the group burst into laughter.
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that’s all for this chapter….hope you enjoyed it.💓
don’t forget to vote and leave comments.🫶
also agar aage ke chapters aane main delay ho to please maaf kar dena actually i’m not very well right now so i’m not be able to write chapter faster upar se i’ve to study as well verna ticket kat jayega mera so please maaf kar dena.🥹
milte hai next chapter main.🎀
lots of love♥️
~Prachi💌
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