Chapter Eleven
Ria's POV
The car slowed to a stop in front of the gate I'd dreamed about every single night.
My home.
The same rusted hinges. The familiar brown paint that had begun to peel. The plants Ma watered every morning, still standing strong by the porch.
I stared at the house with a hundred emotions crawling up my throat. Fear. Love. Pain. Longing.
Would they even recognize me? Would they forgive me?
Would they believe my lies?
I opened the car door with trembling hands and stepped out. My slippers brushed the dusty path as I slowly walked to the gate.
I pressed the bell once.
Nothing.
I knocked softly.
Still nothing.
I knocked harder.
The wooden door creaked open.
"Who-"
Siya.
Her eyes widened like she had seen a ghost. Her mouth hung open in disbelief, lips trembling, eyes glassing over.
"Di?" she breathed.
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I nodded.
Without another word, she flung the door open and ran into my arms, holding me like she never wanted to let go. I clutched her back tightly, burying my face in her shoulder.
"I thought you were dead! I thought-" she sobbed.
"I'm here now," I whispered.
"Siya, who is it?" came Maasi's voice from inside.
Then footsteps. The familiar shuffle of a thali being carried.
Ma.
She walked into the corridor, saw me, and froze.
The thali slipped from her hands. Bangles clinked as steel met the floor. The turmeric scattered across the tiles like spilled memories.
"Ria...!"
Her scream shook the house.
Papa and Arjun Bhaiya rushed in from the hallway. They stopped dead in their tracks.
Ma fell to her knees in front of me, grabbing my hands and pulling me into a crushing hug. "Where were you? What happened? Why did you leave us like this?"
I sobbed, unable to answer.
Papa staggered forward and rested his hand on my head, kissing it with trembling lips. "My little girl... our Ria..."
Arjun didn't speak. He just walked toward me, slow and quiet, and pulled me into his arms.
"I searched everywhere for you," he whispered, voice cracking. "Every police station. Every corner of Delhi. And you were gone."
I could barely speak. "I'm sorry... I didn't want to go. I missed all of you every second."
They led me inside, back into my warm, familiar home. Ma brought me water. Papa didn't stop holding my hand. Arjun and Siya sat beside me like shadows.
And then came the question.
"Tell us what happened, Ria," Arjun said gently. "All of it."
I stared down at my hands. I couldn't say the truth. I couldn't tell them how I'd been kidnapped, forced to marry a man who hated me, and threatened with their deaths if I ever disobeyed.
I had to lie.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I... I got married. To Aansh Rathore."
Ma gasped. "What?"
"To the Rathore heir?" Papa whispered, horrified.
"It... it happened suddenly. His grandfather wanted it. I didn't have time to tell you. I'm sorry."
Arjun looked like he'd explode. "You married that monster? Without us? Ria, do you even know who he is?!"
"I know," I said quickly. "I didn't want to... but I didn't have a choice."
"What do you mean?" Ma asked.
"There were... pressures," I whispered. "Things were complicated. But his grandfather is kind. Some of the family too. And Aansh..." I forced a smile, "He's just... reserved. But not cruel."
Every word felt like a knife in my mouth.
"I'm fine. Really. I just didn't want to get married yet. That's why I disappeared. But I'm okay now."
Silence.
Papa exhaled. "You're saying you're happy?"
"Yes."
Arjun stood up and walked away, rubbing his face. "I don't believe this..."
"I had to do it for all of you," I whispered, and looked at each of them. "I want to protect this family. Please... don't ask me any more."
Ma finally nodded, her eyes red. "If you say you're happy... then we'll trust you. But promise me, Ria... if anything feels wrong-you'll come home."
"I promise."
That was the biggest lie I had ever told, heck it was the only lie i told.
---
The rest of the day passed like a warm breeze. Ma fed me with her own hands, Arjun teased me gently, Papa held my hand during lunch, and Siya wouldn't stop hugging me. Maasi read me my favourite novel. We laughed, we cried, and we sat in silence, just happy to be breathing the same air.
I didn't care if the world fell apart.
I had my family.
Just for a day.
---
By evening, a black car waited outside.
I hugged them all one last time, tears in everyone's eyes.
"Don't forget us," Arjun said, hugging me tightly.
"Never," I whispered.
And just like that, I returned to the darkness.
---
Back at the Rathore Mansion, the silence was eerie.
I stepped inside and saw no one. "Where is everyone?" I asked a passing servant.
He bowed. "In the garden, madam."
"Thank you. Can you show me the way?"
He nodded and led me through a side hallway. The garden door creaked open, revealing golden lights, low chatter, and soft laughter.
I stepped outside.
Dadaji, Rahul, Kiaan, Ishita, and Kritika were seated under a large gazebo, sipping tea and laughing.
"Ria!" Kritika smiled, waving me over.
"You came just in time!" Ishita added.
I walked over and took a seat next to Kiaan.
"Where's the rest of the family?" I asked.
"Business dinner," Kiaan replied, casually. "They'll be back by nine."
Rahul leaned forward, his signature grin in place. "Our bhabhi looks absolutely stunning today."
"She really does," Kiaan agreed. "Bhaiya is damn lucky."
I smiled politely, the praise warming my heart slightly. They were kind to me... and maybe, just maybe, that meant something.
We spent the evening chatting about harmless things-movies, college life, food. I laughed softly at Kritika's jokes, listened to Ishita's stories, and felt... for a fleeting moment... like I had friends.
Dadaji didn't speak, he only laughed at our stories and jokes. I could tell he was a good person.
---
Later that night, I returned to my room.
I showered, changed into a soft beige cotton night suit with tiny floral prints, and stood at the dresser. I removed my silver jhumkas, gently placing them in the jewelry box. My shoulders ached. My heart was full... and broken.
I lay down, pulling the soft blanket over me.
Sleep came easily.
---
Until it didn't.
Click.
The door opened.
Then shut.
I froze.
My body stiffened. My heart pounded against my ribs like a trapped bird.
Footsteps.
Heavy. Controlled. Slow.
Who... who was it?
I sat up slightly, peeking into the darkness of the room.
A tall silhouette stood by the door.
And then I knew.
Aansh Rathore had returned.
---
Aansh finally returned home, find more out and leave ur comments and votes????