Chapter - 5
It had been two weeks since Rajmata's heart attack, and for the first time, Aarav felt his own control slipping.
His grandmother was the only person who could soften his heart, and while he respected his elders, no one else in the family could make him do something against his will.
Over the years, he had skillfully avoided the topic of marriage, but this time was different.
Rajmata was more determined than he was stubborn.
Sitting alone in his office, Aarav's mind drifted back to their recent conversation.
Aarav had gone to check on her, wanting to make sure she was following the doctor's orders to rest and eat properly.
She was still weak, and he knew any stress could worsen her condition.
However, since returning from the hospital, she hadn't spoken a word to him, and her cold silence gnawed at him.
In all his life, Rajmata had been his rock, the one person who understood him without words.
Now, with her cold silence, Aarav felt a sharp ache in his chest, as if the one person who had always been there for him was slipping away—emotionally and physically.
This silent treatment was something he couldn't understand, let alone handle.
Finally, the weight of the silence was too much to bear.
He broke it, his voice firm, but beneath the sharpness, there was a tremor of something he wasn't ready to admit—vulnerability.
'Fine, Dadi Maa. If this is what you want, I'll marry whoever you choose.
But don't expect me to take part in all the rituals.
I'll go through with the marriage, but that's all. '
At that, Rajmata's face lit up, her eyes welling with happy tears.
She reached out and hugged him tightly, her voice brimming with joy.
"Aarav, you've given me so much happiness today.
I can't even tell you how grateful I am.
Don't worry, I'll take care of everything.
I won't trouble you with anything else. Just knowing you'll do this is enough for me. "
Aarav felt the weight of her relief, and despite his reluctance, a flicker of warmth stirred within him. Rajmata's happiness mattered more to him than his own resistance, and for her, he was willing to let down his walls—even if only a little.
A knock at the door pulled Aarav from his thoughts. "Come in," he called, and his personal assistant, Rohan, entered, looking visibly nervous.
"S-Sir," Rohan stammered, avoiding eye contact. Aarav glanced at him, waiting for an explanation, and Rohan quickly continued, "Some papers are missing from Kapoor's project. I couldn't find them, and I have no idea who took them."
Aarav listened calmly, and while Rohan feared his reaction, Aarav remained silent. After a moment, he spoke. "Alright, you can go. Don't mention this to anyone. No one should know we're aware of the missing documents."
Rohan, still puzzled by Aarav's calm reaction, nodded and left the room without questioning his boss's unusual silence.
Once Rohan was gone, Aarav picked up his phone and dialed a number. When the person answered, he spoke in a low, confident tone. "Everything is going according to plan," he said, giving further instructions with the precision he was known for.
Siya woke up early today, hoping that at least today, no one would scold her.
It was her birthday, the one day she wanted to feel happy.
Another reason for her excitement was that her Bhai,Dev Rajput and bhabhi,Tara Rajput were coming home.
They might miss any festival, but they never missed celebrating her birthday.
She dressed in a beautiful blue kurta with a mix of stripes and floral patterns and went to the kitchen.
She prepared tea for her uncle and aunt, along with a cup of coffee for Natasha.
She delivered the drinks to their rooms, then returned to the kitchen to start preparing breakfast, making all of her bhai and bhabhi's favorite dishes.
After two hours, she finished everything and set the dining table.
When everyone gathered for breakfast, they began eating without a word. Siya felt a tinge of sadness but convinced herself that maybe her bhai and bhabhi were simply running late. She quietly went back to the kitchen, not feeling much of an appetite but forcing herself to eat a little.
Once breakfast was over, everyone went about their day. Siya cleaned up the kitchen, then went to the living room where her taiji was watching TV. In a soft, nervous voice, Siya said, "Taiji, about bhai and bhabhi..." but before she could finish, her taiji cut her off angrily.
"They aren't coming. And I don't want to see your face, go away!" her taiji snapped.
"Siya tried to speak, but her voice was too fragile, shaking with fear. 'But bhai...' She was cut off by her taiji's sharp hand, which silenced her before she could even finish."
Her taiji grabbed Siya's arm tightly with one hand and pressed her neck with the other, sneering, "I told you, I don't want to see your face. Even my son has finally understood not to waste his time and money on someone as undeserving as you."
Siya struggled, feeling the pain and difficulty in breathing, unable to speak as her taiji held her neck firmly.
Then, with a rough shove, her taiji pushed her to the ground.
Siya's body hit the floor with a harsh thud, and a strangled sob escaped her lips.
She quickly wiped her eyes, refusing to let the tears fall, but the ache in her chest wouldn't go away.
She went to her room, washed her face, and covered the marks on her neck with her dupatta.
Refusing to let herself cry any further, she held back her emotions, gathered her belongings, and left for college.
After college, Siya decided to visit the temple. Standing in front of Shivji's idol,Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered to Shivji, her voice barely a breath, trembling with hurt.
Shivji, I just wanted one day of happiness. What have I done wrong to deserve all this pain? I thought you heard the prayers of those who believe in you. But not me, not even today. I guess I'm not your favorite.
Whenever Siya felt overwhelmed, she would confide in Shivji or remember her parents, finding comfort in expressing her feelings. After spending some quiet time in the temple, she felt a little lighter.
Returning home, she stepped into the living room—and to her surprise, saw her bhai and bhabhi sitting there, waiting for her. A smile spread across her face, her earlier sadness fading away.