Chapter - 60
Hello, beautiful people! ??
I stepped inside the room quietly. The lights were dim, and the room smelled like her—soft, comforting, just like my Siya.
She was still sleeping, wrapped in the blanket like a little baby. Her face was calm, peaceful.
Maa was sitting beside her, slowly running her fingers through Siya's hair. When she saw me, she gave me a small smile.
I didn't say anything. I just walked straight to her and without a word, rested my head in her lap.
She didn't ask much at first. Just softly placed her hand on my head, like she used to do when I was a kid. That one gesture was enough to break down all the walls I keep around me.
"What happened, Aarav?" Maa whispered, brushing my hair gently.
I closed my eyes. Took a deep breath.
"Nothing... just wanted to lie on your lap for a while."
She didn't speak for a moment. Just continued to run her fingers through my hair.
"Don't worry. Our Siya will smile like before. We'll make sure she forgets all the pain, all the bad memories."
I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding.
"I know, Maa... but it feels like I failed again. Every time I promise her I'll protect her, something worse happens. Every single time."
My voice cracked a little, and I hated it. I hated showing this side of me—even to Maa. But right now... I was tired. Tired of pretending to be strong all the time.
Maa gently tapped my head.
"Don't think like that, Aarav. You didn't fail. None of this is your fault. What matters is—Siya is safe now. That's what counts."
I didn't say anything. Just listened to her voice, the only voice that could still calm me other than Siya's.
"Now all your focus should be on taking care of her, not blaming yourself. You are her strength, Aarav. If you break down, who will she lean on?"
I nodded slightly.
"Hmm..."
The weight of the day, the pain in my chest, the fear for Siya—all of it slowly faded with her hand in my hair. My eyes felt heavy, my body tired.
I didn't even realize when I fell asleep... still lying in Maa's lap.
It was dark. Dust and silence everywhere. The building looked like it hadn't been touched in years—broken windows, cracked walls, and that horrible smell of oldness... of fear.
I didn't know how I ended up here. My head felt heavy. My heart was beating so fast, like it wanted to jump out of my chest.
I looked around, trying to understand where I was... why I was here. But I didn't have answers. All I knew was—I had to leave. I had to go back to my Avi. I wanted to see his face, feel his arms around me. I wanted to feel safe again.
I slowly started walking, my steps soft and scared. Every small sound made me jump. My hands were shaking. I just wanted to find a way out. Please... just one way out.
And then—I saw it. The door. The exit.
Tears filled my eyes. Finally... finally I could run out of this nightmare. I took a step forward.
But before I could take another, a hand grabbed my arm. Tight. So tight it hurt.
I turned around quickly.
Veer.
No... no... no! My legs felt like they would give up. My chest started to feel heavy. Why was he here? Why again?
I started panicking. My breathing got fast. My lips were trembling.
What if he tries to touch me again? No! No!
I screamed.
"Aarav! Aarav!"
He laughed. That disgusting, cruel laugh.
"Your Aarav will not come," he said, his eyes full of hate.
"I killed him. Now no one can save you from me."
No. No! He's lying! He's lying!
I screamed again,
"You're lying! My Avi... he can't leave me. He'll come. He promised. He said he'll protect me always!"
But he laughed louder.
"Do you think he can come back after death?"
And then... he tried to touch my cheek. I moved my face away but he was so close—his hand near my neck—his breath on my skin. I felt disgusted. Dirty. I wanted to disappear.
I cried.
"No! Don't touch me! Please!"
I tried pulling my hands away, but he was too strong. I kept screaming,
"Avi! Avi!"
And then—suddenly a voice broke through.
"Siya baby, wake up! It's just a dream! I'm here. I'm right here."
I opened my eyes with a loud gasp.
My body was shaking. My face and neck were wet with sweat. My clothes were sticking to me. My heart was beating like it would burst out of my chest.
And there he was.
My Avi.
He was sitting right beside me on the bed, leaning over me, gently brushing my hair back from my forehead with his hand. His eyes were full of worry.
"Avi..." I cried and Without thinking, I sat up quickly and threw myself into his arms and hugged him tightly—so tightly like I'd never let go.
"He... he came again... Veer... he tried to..."
Before I could finish, everything went blank again. My world spun around me, and everything faded.
But I knew one thing—
I was safe.
Because my Avi was holding me.
I had only closed my eyes for a moment when the sound of my name, laced with fear, tore through the quiet.
"Aarav! Aarav!"
Her voice.
Panicked. Shaking. Full of fear.
I opened my eyes in a second and rushed to the bed.
Siya was covered in sweat. Her body was trembling. Her lips were moving, but the words were broken—painful.
I knew... she was having another nightmare.
I sat beside her and held her face gently.
"Siya... wake up, baby. It's just a dream. I'm here. I'm right here."
I kept repeating, softly but firmly, hoping she would come back to me.
And then, her eyes opened.
She looked at me—and within a second, she sat up and hugged me tight.
So tight. Like if she loosened her grip, I would vanish.
My heart broke.
Her voice shook as she whispered, "He... he came again... Veer... he tried to..."
That name.
That bastard.
I closed my eyes. Dr. Mehra had already warned me that this might happen.
That her mind might replay those moments in her dreams.
And before I could say anything...
She fainted in my arms.
"Siya!" I called her name but she didn't respond.
I gently made her lie back on the bed and covered her with a blanket. Then I called Dr. Mehra immediately.
He picked up on the first ring.
"Dr. Mehra, Siya had another nightmare. She fainted. Come right now."
He didn't waste a second. Within twenty minutes, he was in the room, checking her.
He looked up at me after the check-up.
"Rana sa, she's okay. Physically. But mentally... she's under too much stress. Her trauma is deep, and if she's left alone, she starts overthinking and her fear takes control. You can't leave her alone—not even for a little while."
I nodded without saying anything.
He left after a few more instructions.
I sat back beside her.
She was sleeping again, her brows still a little tense, her hand resting near where I sat.
I didn't move. I didn't blink.
I just watched her.
My angel.
How can someone so pure... go through so much?
"Don't worry, Angel," I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. "Even if sleep brings you darkness, I'll be the light that guards you. Always."
When I slowly opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was him...
Aarav... lying beside me. Peaceful. Calm. Watching me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.
The moment our eyes met, he smiled gently and leaned forward to kiss my forehead.
His voice was soft—like a whisper only meant for me.
"Good morning, Angel."
I smiled, still half sleepy.
"Good morning."
Then he sat up a little and said with a small grin,
"Now go and freshen up. I have a surprise for you."
Surprise?
That one word was enough to make my sleepy mood disappear! I got so excited that I literally ran to the bathroom like a little kid.
I took a nice bath and got ready in pastel blue Anarkali suit. It had soft floral embroidery on the dupatta, and I paired it with straight pants and my matching juttis. Simple and comfortable—just how I like it.
When I came out, he was already in the room, waiting.
His eyes met mine and he gave me a little nod—his way of saying you look beautiful without using words.
We both walked downstairs.
As we reached the dining area, I saw everyone already waiting at the table. Just as I was about to sit—
"Bhabhi!"
I froze.
That voice...
No, it can't be...
I turned slowly and saw her.
Anaya.
She was standing there with the biggest smile on her face—and before I could even react, she came running and hugged me tightly.
"I missed you so much, Bhabhi!" she said, her voice full of happiness.
I hugged her back, my eyes slightly teary.
"I missed you too... so much."
She pulled back and said excitedly,
"Now that I'm back, we'll enjoy a lot. I have so much to tell you!"
Anaya kept chatting as we all started eating.
She was talking about her recent travels, laughing as she shared how she forgot her luggage at her apartment and had to rush back before the flight.
"I was literally halfway to the airport when I realised!" she said, laughing.
"You know what I did? I begged the driver to take a U-turn."
Everyone burst out laughing. Even Chachu chuckled, and Maa shook her head smiling.
And that's when I realised something...
The dining table, which was always silent when Aarav sat there... was filled with laughter today.
No one ever spoke at the table when he was there. His silence used to keep everyone quiet. Even spoons would make more sound than the people.
But today?
Everyone was laughing.
Everyone was talking.
And he... he didn't stop them.
He didn't speak much—just kept eating quietly.
But I could feel his eyes on me.
Every now and then, when I glanced at him... he was just staring at me. Softly. Calmly. Almost like I was the peace he had been looking for.
I felt shy. My cheeks turned warm, and I looked away quickly.
But inside?
Inside, I was glowing.
I never thought I'd ever feel this kind of happiness. Sitting with a family that feels like mine.
Laughing. Eating. Living.
For once, I didn't overthink.
For once, I just felt.
And it felt beautiful.
After breakfast, things became calm again.
Chachu and Arjun bhaiya left for the office. Papa had some important work outside. Aarav went to his study room, but before leaving, he gently said,
"I'm not going to office today. I'll be here if you need anything."
Just those words gave me a strange peace.
Then Anaya came to me, excitement glowing on her face.
"Bhabhi, come to my room! I have something for you," she said, pulling my hand gently.
I smiled and followed her upstairs.
The moment we entered her room, she closed the door and opened her suitcase like a little kid opening a treasure box.
"I brought gifts for everyone... but I want you to see yours first."
She handed me a beautiful wrapped gift. I opened it carefully—and inside were two stunning long western dresses. Soft, stylish, and nothing like what I ever wore before.
I was about to say something, maybe hesitate a little, but she quickly added,
"Don't even think of refusing! You're wearing this when we go out together. I got the same one for me. We're going to twin, Bhabhi!"
I blinked at her, surprised.
No one ever wanted to twin with me before.
I always wished for that kind of bond with Natasha... but she never cared. She never even looked at me properly.
But now, Anaya—Aarav's little sister—was treating me like her own.
She hugged me, and I hugged her back tightly.
"Thank you," I whispered. My voice cracked a little, but it was full of gratitude.
She smiled and said,
"You're my bhabhi and my best friend now, okay?"
I nodded.
We picked up the rest of the gifts together. She had so many—perfumes, bags, little trinkets, things she specially bought from London for everyone.
We walked downstairs, arms full of gift boxes. One by one, Anaya gave them out with so much love.
"Maa, this is for you! It's a scented candle set—you'll love it!"
"Chachi, I got this from a boutique near Central Park!"
"Dadi Maa, yours is something really special. Just wait till you open it!"
Watching them smile, laugh, and hug her made me feel warm. And for once, I was in the moment, not just watching from the outside.
When Anaya looked at me, I smiled—truly smiled. I felt like I belonged.
But then...
A servant came into the hall and softly said,
"Mr. Rajput and Mrs. Rajput have arrived."