Chapter - 84
"Avi... I... I remember." My voice trembled, cracking with every word. "I remember my parents' faces... their voices... their love... everything."
I felt a tear slide down my cheek. "I... I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, but I couldn't... I just couldn't."
He held my hand gently, waiting for me to say more, and his touch made me feel safe, like I could finally let everything out.
"I... that night, after the party, when I heard you and Karan... I had a dream," I whispered. "I saw my parents, Avi. We were a happy family... just the three of us. But Mom... she was pregnant with my baby brother. We... we were enough for each other."
I choked on my words. "One day, after an ice cream date, some people... they followed our car. And when we reached a forested area... a car came from the front. Maybe Dad knew what was going to happen, so he told Mom to take me away... to keep his family safe."
My hands shook as I squeezed his. "Mom ran with me... but she couldn't run much. She sent me away... told me to keep running. I was so small, Avi. If I had known... if I had known that running would make me lose them forever... I... I would have stayed."
He held me tighter. "Siya... Mumma and Papa wouldn't have wanted that. Papa... he sacrificed his life for his wife and children. Mumma did the same. Their sacrifices... they saved you. Do you want to let that sacrifice be in vain?"
I shook my head, tears streaming down. "I... I know... but I feel... I feel selfish. I ran... just to save myself."
He cupped my face, his voice firm yet gentle. "You were just a child, Siya. You did exactly what your mom told you to do. Just like your mom did what your dad told her. Did that make your mom selfish?"
I shook my head again. "No..."
"Then neither are you, baby," he whispered. "Never think like that. Your parents... they would never want you to blame yourself."
I swallowed hard, trying to steady my voice.
"I... I just remember running the way Mom told me.
.. but I could hear their voices... the men who wanted to kill me.
It was so dark... but then I heard vehicles.
I ran toward the sounds... but before I could cross the road, a car came.
.. and then... nothing. I woke up in the hospital.
I... I don't even know how many days I was there. "
"They killed my parents, Avi. They destroyed my happy family. They... they killed my childhood. I want to get justice... I want..." My voice broke, a sob catching in my throat.
He rubbed my back slowly. "Breathe slowly, baby. In... out... slowly."
I did as he said, letting his calmness settle my racing heart. He hugged me then, holding me close. "I'm proud of you, baby. My little Siya... you saved your life. And... you overcame your thoughts and shared this with me."
I rested my head on his chest, feeling the warmth of his arms around me.
He pulled back slightly to look at me, his eyes soft but serious. "I want to tell you something too... but promise me, Siya, you'll listen. Promise me you'll stay calm."
I nodded quickly, my voice a small whisper. "I promise, Avi."
He cupped my face, eyes serious yet soft. "You don't remember your parents fully, so I didn't tell you everything before. I thought... first I'd solve the mystery, then share it. But every piece of information only makes the puzzle more confusing."
My fingers trembled in his hold. My heart started beating too fast, like it wanted to escape from my chest.
"When you went to the Rajput house for pag phera... I only went to check on you because something felt off. When I saw you in that state... I couldn't leave you there. So I brought you to Rathore Palace."
I remembered that day. How broken I had felt. I thought no one noticed... but he did. My throat burned.
"You didn't tell me the truth when I asked," Avi's voice softened. "You said you missed your parents... but I knew something else was wrong. So I told my PA to check on your tauji-taiji."
My breath hitched. He was checking on them?
"And while checking," Avi continued, "my PA found out your parents didn't die in a car accident. That accident... it was planned."
My heart skipped a beat. Even though I already remembered... hearing it from his mouth made me feel the same pain all over again.
"But there's more," he added. "A child was mentioned with them... age four or five. At first I thought maybe a twin. Later I found out... you're an only child."
I closed my eyes, breath coming in shallow bursts. One truth after another... I felt like I was falling into a storm.
"And now I know..." Avi's thumb brushed my cheek gently, steadying me.
"You were there, Siya. You were present that day with your parents.
But it's still confusing... we are missing something important.
In the report, it mentions they died in a car accident.
But what you told me... both were killed, in a completely different place. "
My breath grew uneven. The memories were sharp, the sounds still echoing in my ears—tires screeching, my mom's trembling voice, men shouting. I tried to inhale, but my chest felt too tight.
Avi rubbed my back slowly, calming me. "Baby... can you listen further?"
I nodded faintly, even though my heart was pounding and my mind was spinning. My voice was almost a whisper, "Yes... Avi. I want to listen."
He took a deep breath and told me more. "When you told me about the FD money meant for the orphanage, I checked.
Papa was very clever. He made a will so the FD money will go only to orphanages — no one can use it for personal needs.
Not even the owner." His voice was quiet, but every word hit me hard.
"You mean... they can't touch it?" I asked, my voice breaking.
"No," he said. "Your father protected it.
He also left conditions about the house and the company.
The house can't be sold until you marry.
The company — your tauji manages it now — says you can only sell or transfer 50% after marriage and the other 50% only after you turn thirty.
" He looked at me with worried eyes. "That's why they aren't in a hurry to marry you off.
They keep you here because legally they can't take the full control right away. "
The words blurred as I tried to take it all in.
Tears fell without warning. "How... how can people be so cruel?
" I choked. "Did they bring me to the Rajput house just to steal?
From the day I arrived there, I hear whispers — they make me feel like a burden.
But it's their greed that uses my parents' hard work.
They make me small. They treat me like nothing, while they live on what my parents built. "
Anger rose hot and sharp, but mostly there was a hollow ache. I felt used — like a name on paper to unlock things for them.
Avi's hands were gentle but firm around me. He let me cry until my breaths slowed. When I looked up through wet lashes, I whispered, "I want to meet them. I want to ask them why. I want to hear them say why they treated me like that."
He cupped my face and his thumb wiped my tears away. "You will meet them," he said, his voice low and certain. "But not now. Trust me. I will make sure they feel the pain they've caused — in a way they'll understand. Then you can meet them, and you can do whatever you want. I promise."
He hugged me tight. I buried my face in his chest, shaking from anger, relief, and hope. For the first time since the memories returned, I felt less alone — because he was with me, and he wouldn't let anyone hurt me again.
I froze as he said, "There's one more thing, Siya. You need to know about your mother's family."
I pulled back slightly, blinking up at him. "My... mother's family?" I whispered. My heart was already racing. "But... she was alone. There was no one." Taiji always said I was unlucky like my mom, that we were both orphans.
Avi cupped my face gently, his thumb brushing my cheek. "They lied to you, baby."
I blinked, confused. "Lied...?"
"Do you remember Mr. and Mrs. Rajvansh?" he asked.
I nodded slowly. "Your... business partners?"
"Yes," he said, looking at me seriously. "They are your mama and mami."
My mind went completely blank. I didn't know how to feel.
My mother... she had a family? Why didn't they come for her?
Why didn't anyone come when my parents..
. when everything happened? Why didn't they come for me?
My chest felt tight, my throat dry. All those years I thought I was alone. .. and now...
Avi's hand brushed my cheek, breaking my spiraling thoughts. "Do you want to meet them?" he asked softly.
I shook my head slightly, my voice trembling. "I... I don't know... I..."
He nodded, understanding. "Okay. Relax. If you don't want to meet them, that's okay. And if you need some time, that's also okay."
I leaned back into him, letting his warmth calm me a little. My heart was full of questions, hurt, confusion... and even a little hope that maybe one day, I'd understand everything. But for now... I just needed to breathe.
I sighed and closed the book, feeling bored.
Nothing in the world seemed interesting today.
Every page I turned, my mind kept wandering.
.. to Avi. How he stayed by my side these past two days, never leaving me alone.
.. how he made sure I was safe and followed my exercises and diet properly. I can't stop thinking about him.
Bhaiya called me, saying sorry that he couldn't come to meet me. I didn't tell him anything about what happened. Maybe he already knows, that's why he didn't talk to me like before. I understand... it must be hard for him too. I didn't say a word.
Even Avi told me about the drug—the reason I lost my memory.
I need to be strong. Granny said that if I want to face anything, no one and nothing can break me—not the past, not anyone.
So, for the past two days, Avi has been by my side, making sure I follow everything Granny said: yoga, exercises, and the diet chart.
He's strict, never letting me miss a single step or a second, and I know it's because he wants me ready. .. to face everything, whatever comes.
I haven't even brought up Mr. and Mrs. Rajvansh yet; I'm not ready to open that part of the past.
I glance at the clock. Avi said his meeting would be over in thirty minutes, but it's already been an hour.
He mostly works from home, only went to the office once in these two days.
I told him I was okay, but he insisted on staying close to me.
And now... I'm getting bored. The book in my hand feels heavy, meaningless.
Nothing seems interesting when all I can think about is him.
The book in my hand feels so heavy; I can't concentrate. Everything seems dull because all I can think about is Avi. I can't help it... I just want to see him.
I put the book down and stand, brushing my hands over my bright yellow saree with subtle golden details, adjusting the dark green blouse. My jhumkas sway softly as I move, and I can't help smiling to myself. I love wearing sarees—especially when I'm at home or on a day off.
My feet carry me almost automatically toward his study room. I don't know why I feel this pull... maybe I just want to see him, maybe I just need to be near him again. My heart beats a little faster with every step, and I try to calm it down, telling myself: Siya, it's okay. He's just working.
But the truth is... I miss him. I always miss him. And I can't stop thinking about how safe, how... at peace I feel when he's near.
I reach the study door and pause, taking a deep breath. Should I just peek inside? Or... should I call him? My hand hovers over the doorknob, my mind spinning in a million little thoughts.
I quietly open the door and see him sitting there, doing his work. He looks so focused... but seriously, he could have called me. I could've sat here too and not felt so bored while he worked.
I close the door gently and giggle to myself, thinking only silly things. I move closer and, without thinking, I just... sit on his lap. His work pauses immediately. He wraps his arms around me and looks at me with that soft, loving gaze that always makes my heart melt.
"What do you want?" he asks.
I smile and whisper, "Your attention."
His lips curve into that teasing smile. "That's available 24/7, just for you."
I pout a little and remind him, "You said you'd come after your meeting in 30 minutes, and I waited... one hour! Do you know how much I waited? 3600 seconds!"
"Ohh," he says, feigning shock. "I made my Rani sa wait that long? That's a sin... a sin to make my beautiful wife wait."
I nod seriously. "That part I agree with."
He tilts his head, playful. "So... what should I do now?"
I lean closer, my cheeks heating, and whisper, "I will do it myself."
Before he can react, I give him a little love bite on his neck. I giggle softly, looking at the mark I left.
He starts moving closer, probably to retaliate, but I put my hands up. "No, no... this one's because you made me wait. I didn't do anything else wrong."
He just smiles and leans down, placing a soft kiss on my forehead. "I know, baby... I was only going to kiss you."
Suddenly, someone knocks at the door. I jumped up a little, adjusting my saree. A servant stepped in.
"Dinner is ready, Rani Sa, Rana Sa," the servant said politely.
I glance at Avi and then at the mark on his neck... my cheeks heat up. For a moment, I completely forget about dinner.
But then I remember—I told Maa I want to eat with everyone tonight. And Chachi made my favorite food... so I can't say no.
After the servant left, I whispered quickly, "Hide it properly and come downstairs. I'm going." I didn't even give him a chance to say anything.
We all sit at the dining table, waiting for him. When Maa asks me where he is, I quickly lie, "He was talking on the phone."
A few moments later, Avi comes down, wearing his shirt carefully to hide the mark. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart, and start eating.
The dining table feels... normal, not too loud, not completely silent. Everyone chats softly while we eat. But Avi... he doesn't talk at all. He just quietly eats his food.
After a while, Dadi Maa, Chachi, and Papa leave for their rooms. Arjun Bhaiya didn't come, and Avi is patiently waiting for me to finish my food.
When I finally finish, Avi stands up, and just as he's about to leave, Maa notices.
"What happened to your neck, Aarav? Do you have some allergy?" she asks.
Before she could continue, Chachi adds, teasing "Maybe a mosquito bite?"
I glance at the mark, it's barely visible now... just a little red. My eyes widen at Chachi's words.
"Mosquito? That too... in our Palace?" Maa says, a little suspicious.
Chachi smiles sweetly. "Didi, we can't say anything about mosquitoes—they can come I look at her, wide-eyed, and nod slowly. I can't say anything. She already knows... she understands.
Avi, who normally doesn't reply to anyone if he doesn't want to, surprises me. He calmly says, "Chachi is right. Maa... a big mosquito bit me," and then walks away.
My mouth falls open.
Maa and Chachi are staring at me with teasing smiles. I look down, completely embarrassed.
I feel so embarrassed—he actually left me here like this, Maa, Chachi knowing.
.. even if they don't, I'm sure they can see it written all over my face!
My fingers twist nervously in the edge of my dupatta, and I can't bring myself to look up.
My face is burning, my heart pounding so loud it feels like the whole palace can hear it.
I can't think straight. Before anyone says anything more, I push my chair back and stand quickly, rushing toward my room.
Behind me, I can already hear Maa and Chachi's soft laughter, making my cheeks burn hotter.
And to make things even worse, it's the first day of my periods—my body feels heavier, my emotions raw, and I'm more exposed, more vulnerable than ever.
How can he do this... with me... with his angel? My cheeks are burning, and I don't even know what to do... Tonight, I'll make him pay for leaving me like this.