CHAPTER 3 [SILENCE AND STRENGTH]
Vihaan stepped further inside as his mother held him, her emotions finally breaking through.
Tears filled her eyes.
He gently pulled back, his expression softening just a little.
“Don’t cry… my lady.”
His voice was calm, steady — yet it carried a warmth only she could bring out in him.
She smiled through her tears, holding his face for a moment as if making sure he was really there.
Soon, the rest of the family gathered around.
His sister rushed forward first, wrapping her arms tightly around him.
“I missed you so much!”
Vihaan placed a hand on her head, a faint smile appearing.
His elder brother stepped closer, more composed but equally emotional.
“Finally decided to show up?”
Vihaan gave a slight nod.
A few light conversations followed. Nothing too deep, nothing too long.
Just enough to fill the silence of four years.
And then, one by one, everyone retired to their rooms.
The mansion, once lively, slowly grew quiet again.
---
On the other side…
Aarohi stepped inside the Mehra Mansion.
The moment her footsteps echoed in the hall, two pairs of eyes turned toward her.
Her mother and stepfather were seated on the sofa.
Silence.
Cold. Heavy. Unwelcoming.
The moment her stepfather saw her, his expression hardened.
“I told you not to show your face here again,” he said sharply. “Why are you here?”
Aarohi stood still, holding her ground.
“I’m not here for you,” she replied calmly. “I came to meet my mother.”
Before her words could settle, her mother spoke.
“Did I call you?” her voice was cold. “No, right? Then why are you here? I don’t even want to see your face.”
For a second… everything inside Aarohi stilled.
Her eyes filled with tears.
But she didn’t let them fall.
Not here.
Not in front of them.
She held herself together, her expression controlled.
Her mother looked away and said indifferently,
“Fine. Since you’re here, stay the night. Leave in the morning.”
That was enough.
Aarohi took a step back.
“When you don’t even want to see my face…” she said quietly, “then I won’t show it to you again.”
Her voice didn’t shake.
But her eyes said everything she refused to.
“I’m leaving.”
Without waiting for a response, she picked up her bag.
Turned around.
And walked out.
This time…
Without looking back.
That night…
Aarohi checked into a hotel.
The room was quiet. Too quiet.
The moment the door closed behind her, everything she had been holding back finally broke.
Tears streamed down her face as she sank onto the floor.
“No one understands me…” she whispered to herself.
Her voice trembled.
“It wasn’t my fault… I didn’t do anything…”
Yet somehow, she was the one paying the price.
Again.
And again.
She cried until her chest hurt, until her eyes burned, until exhaustion took over.
And somewhere between tears and silence…
She fell asleep.
---
The next morning…
Singhania Mansion.
Sunlight filtered through the massive glass windows, casting a golden glow inside.
Inside his room, Vihaan woke up.
His hair slightly messy, his presence as commanding as ever.
Without wasting a moment, he got out of bed.
Strong. Well-built. Disciplined.
His routine never changed.
Within minutes, he was in his private gym.
Weights. Intensity. Focus.
Every movement precise. Every muscle defined.
A perfectly sculpted physique — six-pack abs, broad shoulders, and a sharp butterfly back.
Strength wasn’t just his appearance.
It was his identity.
---
After his workout, he took a shower and got ready.
Dressed in crisp formals, he walked out of his room and headed toward the dining hall.
The aroma reached him before he even entered.
Warm. Familiar.
His favorite dishes.
Prepared specially.
Inside, his mother stood near the table, overseeing everything.
The moment he walked in, her face lit up.
Vihaan stepped forward and, without a word, pulled her into a brief embrace.
She smiled softly.
Soon, the rest of the family joined.
One by one, they took their seats.
And just like that…
The dining hall filled with quiet conversations and the warmth of togetherness.