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“I understand.” I hold her hand in mine. “Nothing is the same anymore at home. Aksh bhai is never there with us during dinners or morning breakfast. He comes home late and locks himself in his room, and leaves early morning for I don’t know what? There’s a strange, eerie silence in the house. Although Dad is trying to be strong and independent and handle everything without Aksh bhai’s support, I know that he misses him too. You know how inseparable Dad and Aksh bhai were all this time?” I ask.
Devika bhabhi nods with a weak smile as if recalling those moments.
“Today, seeing them behaving like they both don’t exist for each other, despite staying under the same roof, is tearing me apart,” I add, my voice trembling with emotion. “And your absence is making things all the more difficult for me. I miss you so much, bhabhi.”
Devika sighs, and with a tender smile, pulls me into a tight, comforting hug.
“I miss you too,” she replies and then pulls away. “I will come back, Meher, I really will,” she continues. “But I need some time to think things through. I need time to figure out how to move forward.”
I nod, my heart heavy with the impact this situation has had on everyone. Devika bhabhi’s decision is valid, and I respect her need for space and time. She’s carrying a precious life within her, and her well-being is essential.
“Take all the time you need, bhabhi,” I say lovingly. “Come back whenever you’re ready. We’ll be waiting for you.”
Devika smiles gratefully.
“So, Aksh bhai hasn’t come here to see you even once?” I ask.
She smiles. “I think he’s worried I might throw him out of the house. That’s why he’s never tried coming here. I haven’t shared the truth with my parents. They think I came here to share my pregnancy news and take a small break. They don’t know what happened between Uncle and Aksh. But you know what? I’ve spotted Aksh loitering around this bungalow many times. Once, when Mom and Dad were out, he had parked his car at the gates and was leaning against it, watching me on the balcony. We didn’t say a word. I didn’t have the strength to go down and invite him inside. We just gazed at each other from afar, and I realised that my resolve to stay away from him would melt if I saw him any longer. So, I came back inside. I don’t know when he left, though,” she replies with a sad smile.
I feel bad too. This conversation has brought back memories of Ayaan and my broken relationship. Ayaan and I couldn’t meet as freely back then, so we resorted to stolen glances from afar. I would stand on the balcony while he would stand against the beach pole lights at the backside of Walia House and gaze at me from a distance. It stirs up memories that I cherish but also reminds me of the complexities of our relationship. We loved each other deeply, but it wasn’t enough.
Bhabhi sees the sadness on my face and wipes the tears from my eyes, knowing the reason for my sudden mood shift.
“Did you speak to Ayaan?” she asks curiously.
“No. We broke up.”
Bhabhi is shocked to hear this.
“Oh my God, Meher. I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me?”
I simply shrug. “I didn’t want to add to your worries.”
“That’s not fair,” she scolds. “I had every right to know. In fact, I don’t think you have taken the right decision. None of this was your fault. Ayaan knows Aksh was behind it all. That he’s the one who created this misunderstanding between you two. Then how could he—”
I interrupt her, trying to calm her down.
“It’s not just about the misunderstandings,” I admit, my voice filled with sorrow. “Ayaan and I are different in how we view our families. The main issue was that Ayaan loved me but couldn’t fully trust me. Now, I understand what Ayaan was trying to tell me all along—that our love would be tested when it came to supporting our families during difficult times. Our family loyalty would always complicate our relationship, and that’s why I believe it’s better we broke up.”
Bhabhi wipes away my tears and gives me a comforting hug, understanding the pain I’m going through. I appreciate her empathy. But then she says something that fills my heart with both hope and apprehension.
“I don’t know why, Meher, but as far as I know Ayaan, I don’t think he will give up so easily on you,” she says with concern etched on her face. “He’s not that kind of a person.”
Her words tighten the knot in my heart. I know Ayaan well enough to understand that he won’t simply accept our breakup and walk away. But what will he do next? I wonder. I’ve already made it clear to him that I don’t want to continue our affair and need some time to sort things out.
“I hope he finds the strength to move on,” I say softly, trying to convince myself as much as bhabhi. “It’s for the best. We can’t let our love be overshadowed by the conflicts of our families.”
She nods, understanding the struggle I’m going through and promises to support me no matter what happens. Just like every other time, I’m grateful for her unwavering love and understanding.
After a few hours, I bid goodbye to bhabhi, and return home with my guards, wondering what the future holds for Ayaan and me. It’s painful to let go of someone you love, but sometimes, it’s the only way left. Even though I brace myself for the challenges that lie ahead, I am well aware that time won’t mend the wounds Ayaan and I inflicted upon each other. He hurt me by doubting my trustworthiness, and I hurt him by not giving him a second chance.
With all these thoughts playing havoc with my mind, I step inside the familiar surroundings of my home when I hear the sharp voice of the man whose mere thoughts are enough to quicken my heartbeats. Ayaan’s voice resonates from the living room. How is this possible? It must be my imagination playing tricks on me. Ayaan would never come to Walia House. My heart skips a beat as I cautiously move forward, and there he is, sitting on the couch like a king, looking absolutely breathtaking. What is he doing here?
The next instant, I freeze in shock, my steps faltering again as I see my father sitting across him on the couch. The tension between Ayaan and my father is well-known, and the thought of them sitting together like this, engaging in any sort of conversation, is unimaginable. But there they are, Ayaan’s piercing gaze locking with my father’s intense stare.
I quickly move closer, my mind racing with confusion and anxiety.
“What’s going on?” I manage to speak, trying to control the tremor in my voice. “What are you doing here, Ayaan?”
