Hey hii Mayawiyans!!

Sorry to disappear from last few days
And here your update enjoy the chapter!!
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After cutting the call with Devansh ji, I slumped back on the bed, hugging my phone to my chest, my heart thudding like a wild drum.

“Oh my god... this daughter and father... they’ll make my heart burst one day!” I whispered to myself, trying to calm down. A small smile still lingered on my lips.

The blush hadn’t even faded yet—and I didn’t even get the time to recover—when my phone buzzed again.

I smiled wide thinking, Mishka again?
But then I froze.

It wasn’t Mishka.

It was Vikram.

The name alone pulled me down like a rock thrown into a calm lake. The happiness drained from my face. My fingers turned cold. My smile dropped.
I stared at the screen.

Vikram.

My throat dried up. I inhaled deeply, preparing myself. “God knows what he’ll say now... maybe another taunt? Or maybe he’ll yell about something random"

With trembling fingers, I received the call.

“Hey baby,” came the voice from the other side—sweet, soft, and... completely out of place.

My eyes blinked rapidly.

Wait. What?

“Is he drunk...? Or am I drunk?”

“Did he really just call me... baby?”

I cleared my throat. “H...hi... Vikram.” My voice was so unsure, it sounded like I was answering a job interview.

“I’ve called you to inform you that the tickets are booked,” he said casually, like this was normal. “Pack all the accessories you need. Don’t overpack. We’ll be back in just a few days.”
Accessories?

Back in a few days?

Where are we going?!

“And our flight is tomorrow morning. 5 a.m. sharp. I’ll come pick you up. Don’t worry, I already informed Maa about our trip. She won’t say anything.”
My brain was loading like a slow computer.

He continued, “So don’t be scared, okay? I’m here, right?”

He gave a soft chuckle. “Okay baby, that’s all. I have some work now, I’ll see you in the morning.”

And just like that... he cut the call.
I was still holding the phone to my ear, frozen.

Did that just happen?

I stared blankly at the wall.

My mind wasn’t processing.

What the hell is going on?!

After the call ended, I just sat there.
Still. Quiet. Blinking.

One hand still holding the phone, the other pressed against my forehead like I had a fever.

“Kya ho raha hai mere saath?”

“Vikram... called me baby?”

“Vikram... was sweet? Didn’t yell? Didn’t ask me to iron his clothes in the middle of the night? Didn’t throw a sarcastic jab? Didn’t even ask if I’m ‘capable’ of packing without ruining something?”

I got up and started pacing around the room like a woman possessed.

“What the hell is going on?!” I muttered under my breath.

This is the same man who once burnt my hand with tea because I added two spoons of sugar instead of one. The same man who didn’t speak to me for a week just because I refused to wear a blouse with a deep neckline.

And now? “Hey baby”?

“Don’t worry, I’m here”?

“Don’t pack too much, I’ve already spoken to Maa”?

WHO IS THIS MAN? AND WHAT HAS HE DONE TO VIKRAM RAJPUT?!

I ran my hand through my hair and sat on the bed, staring at the suitcase lying beside me.

Was he trying to be a good husband all of a sudden? But why?

What’s this new shade of concern?
Why didn’t he raise his voice when I stammered on the call?

Why did he sound like… like he cared?
A chill ran down my spine.

“No Ishani… don’t get emotional. He’s still Vikram. There must be something. He never does anything without a reason.”

I got up and opened my closet, pulling out a few clothes half-heartedly. My hands trembled slightly as I folded a kurti and placed it inside the bag.
My thoughts were racing faster than I could catch up.

Was he trying to make me feel comfortable so he could ruin me again later?

I bit my lip, tears threatening to blur my vision.

And then another thought hit me like a punch.

“Why now?”

Why did he suddenly feel the need to behave like a caring husband

My heart stopped for a second.
Did he… see something? Hear something?

No. Impossible.

No one knew. No one saw. It was just one kiss. A mistake. Just a—

I dropped on the bed, my heart thudding.

My mind spinning in all directions.
“Ishani, you’re going crazy. You’re overthinking.”

“Just pack and go. Come back.
Survive. Like you always do.”

But deep down, I knew something had changed.

In him.

In me.

And I wasn’t sure if that scared me more…

Or if it scared him.

My phone rang again.

I looked at the screen.

Devansh ji.

For a second, I stared at the screen like it would explode in my hands. My heart was already racing from Vikram’s unexpected call and now this? Why now, Devansh ji? My mind was already in knots.

But my thumb… well, it had a mind of its own.

I picked up.

“H-Hello… Devansh ji?”

My voice came out small, unsure.
His tone was gentle. Calm. But something in it always reached deeper than it should.

“Hi Ishani,” he said softly.

“I… just wanted to ask—on the video call earlier, you looked a little off. Tense. I mean, I don’t want to interfere or anything, but… is everything alright?”

There was something about the way he asked.
Not nosy.

Not demanding.

Just… concern.

And that alone—was enough to make my throat tighten.

For a few seconds, I couldn’t say anything.

Not because I didn’t want to.
But because if I said even a word, my voice might crack.

Did I want to tell him? Yes.

Did I need to tell him? That… I wasn’t sure.

I took a deep breath. And said what I had to.

“Umm… nothing, Devansh ji. Everything is fine.”

My voice wasn’t convincing even to myself.

But I forced a small laugh.

There was a brief pause on the other end. He didn’t say anything for a second. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. But then—

“Okay…” he said slowly.

“If you say so.”

Then added quietly,

“Just… take care of yourself"
That single word.

Take care
It broke something in me.

Because only few person in this entire world made that word sound like a warm hug instead of a taunt.

Only he could say it without making me feel small.

“Hmm…” I hummed faintly, biting my lower lip.

“And if something feels wrong,” he added gently, “even a little—don’t stay quiet. Not with me, okay?”

I wanted to say okay.

I wanted to say Devansh ji, please don’t hang up.

But all I managed to whisper was:
“Hmm… I’ll keep that in mind.”
He didn’t press further.

He respected the silence I wasn’t ready to fill.

And just like that, the call ended.
Leaving behind an ache.

A question.

And a warmth I didn’t ask for… but so badly needed.

After ending the call, I couldn't breathe inside that room anymore.

The walls suddenly felt too tight… the air too heavy…

I needed to get out. Needed to feel something that wasn’t confusion or fear or guilt.

So, I stepped out.

As I walked through the corridor, my eyes fell on the garden outside. There, under the soft evening sun, I saw Badi Maa sitting with Nandini maa. Both seemed engrossed in a peaceful discussion over tea.

I didn’t mean to walk toward them.
But my feet… they just took me there.
I stood a little away, unsure if I should interrupt. But Amrita maa looked up the moment she sensed my presence.

“Ishani? You’re here, beta. Come, sit with us,” she said warmly.

But I didn’t move. Just stood there silently. My hands were clenched, heart still pounding from everything.

Devansh’s ji words. Vikram’s sudden sweetness. This trip. Everything.

Amrita's maa eyes narrowed. She noticed the tension in me instantly.

She gently touched Nandini's maa hand, smiled, and said,
“Nandini, … go check on Maa sa.I think she needed help today.”

Nandini maa nodded, understanding the subtle signal, and left quietly.
Once we were alone, Amrita maa softly patted the seat beside her.

“Come now, Ishani. Sit here,” she said again, her voice low and full of care.

“I know when something is eating you inside. Tell me, beta… do you want to share something with me?”
Her words… her tone… it cracked something in me.

I sat down beside her, still quiet for a moment. Then I spoke.

“Badi Maa… actually… Vikram and I are going for a trip.”

Amrita’s maa eyes lit up.

“Wow! Ishani, that’s wonderful!” she said with a smile.

“A trip, finally! You both really needed this. It will be so good for you. And… without Chandra around—at least you can relax a little,” she added with a teasing wink.

I gave a tight, unsure smile.

“You both going together—why didn’t you tell me earlier?” she asked, genuinely happy.

“So now, tell me—do you want to go shopping? Hmm?”

“Want to buy a few pretty sarees for the trip?” she said playfully, nudging my arm.

I looked at her—her eyes shining with so much hope.

I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I wasn’t looking forward to it at all.
That this trip felt like walking into a storm I wasn’t ready for.

But still… I nodded.

Just a small, hesitant nod.

Because sometimes… it’s easier to fake a smile than explain the storm in your chest.

I hesitated for a moment… biting the inside of my cheek.

But somewhere inside, I didn’t want to keep this all bottled up anymore.

Even if I couldn’t say the whole truth—maybe I could say a little.

“Badi Maa…” I finally said, slowly.
“I… I don’t know, but… I’m not feeling ready for this trip. It’s just…”
I fumbled with my fingers, struggling to explain the discomfort sitting heavy in my chest.

“It’s not giving me a good vibe.”

Amrita maa blinked and then gave a soft, understanding smile.

“Ishani, stop overthinking, beta. You always do this,” she said gently, wrapping her arm around my shoulder.

“And when your husband is with you—when Vikram is right there—then what is there to worry about?”

I looked down, lips pressed tightly together.

“I know you, Ishani,” she continued, her tone filled with affection.

“You’re too emotional. You overthink, stress yourself, and then in the end realize it was all for nothing.”

She chuckled lightly, brushing my hair from my forehead like a mother would.
“You should be happy, really happy,” she said warmly.

“Spend some good time with him, okay? You know how much Vikram loves you.”

I froze. My fingers tightened in my lap.
“He’s always on business trips, busy building your future. He might not show it the way other men do, but he really does care for you, Ishani.”

I wanted to say something. To tell her he’s not what she thinks. But I couldn’t.
Her voice was filled with so much hope and pride for him—how could I shatter it?

“And one thing I love about him the most?” she added with a small laugh.
“He doesn’t listen to Chandra. That itself makes him special in this family!”

I tried to smile. A weak, broken smile.
“He’s not like those typical Indian husbands who need control. He’s like one of those fictional husbands every girl dreams of. Loving, caring… mature.”

“So please, Ishani. Stop overthinking and just enjoy your trip, beta. It might be the beginning of a new journey—something beautiful, something good. Just be positive, okay?”

I nodded slowly, trying to hide the tears threatening to form.

If only she knew the truth…

If only this trip didn’t feel like I was being dragged into a storm disguised as a vacation.

But for now… I said nothing.

Because silence was easier than breaking her faith.

I walked back to my room, my mind still swirling with everything Badi Maa said.

Her words echoed in my heart like a soft chant — “He’s not like other men… maybe something beautiful will happen… just be positive.”

I closed the door behind me and looked at the suitcase lying open on the bed.
For a moment, I just stood there, staring at the empty space inside it. And then, slowly… I sat down.

Maybe she’s right.

Maybe this is a chance… to see Vikram in a new light, to maybe understand him better.

Maybe he’s trying… maybe he’s changed.

“Stop overthinking, Ishani,” I whispered to myself, a small smile appearing on my lips.

Just go with a clean heart.

And for the first time in a long while, I packed not out of fear… but with a strange, quiet hope.

I carefully folded my light pastel sarees, added a few suits and kurtis, and even picked my favorite anklets. Something inside me wanted to look good… feel good… not for him, but for myself.
I picked out the small travel pouch where I kept my kajal, my lip balm, and my comb.

And as I placed it gently inside the bag, I whispered to myself…

“Maybe this trip won’t be so bad after all.”

I zipped the bag shut.

“Maybe something will really change.”

As Ishani sat by the window, watching the moonlight filter through the curtains, her heart felt a little lighter—almost calm, for the first time in days.
She had no idea what tomorrow would bring.

She thought it would just be a trip.
A small getaway. A chance to breathe, maybe even heal.

Little did she know…

This wasn’t just a trip.

It was a path.

A turning point.

A storm hidden behind a calm sea.
This journey…

Might gift her something she never expected — freedom, truth, or maybe even love.

Or… it might snatch away everything she was holding onto.

As she finally drifted off to sleep, unaware of the weight tomorrow held,
The winds outside grew just a little colder.

The stars above seemed to blink a little dimmer.

Because sometimes, what looks like a vacation…

is actually the beginning of a war.

Next Morning — 4:30 AM

The world was still wrapped in sleep when Ishani opened her eyes.

Everything was quiet—too quiet.
She could feel the weight of the day the moment she sat up in bed.

The suitcase was packed. Her clothes folded neatly. Her simple pink kurti hugged her frame softly. She tied her hair in a loose braid and applied a tiny bindi, just like always. But nothing about today felt normal.

Not in her heartbeat.

Not in the air.

She took a deep breath and stood by the window. The black SUV was already waiting outside the gate, headlights glowing like watching eyes in the dark.
She slowly walked down the stairs, holding her dupatta tightly.

Amrita Maa was already awake, waiting in the living room.

"Beta," Amrita said softly, cupping her cheek. "Take care of yourself. And enjoy the trip. Remember, sometimes life surprises us when we least expect it."

Ishani nodded, trying to smile. "Ji, Badi Maa."

Then she stepped outside.

The driver took her luggage, and she opened the backseat door. There he was.

Vikram.

In a black shirt, one hand resting on the steering wheel, the other holding his phone.

He looked up and smiled. "Good morning, baby. Come, we’re running late."

She silently slid into the seat beside him, buckled up, and stared out the window as the mansion slowly disappeared behind her.

Her hands trembled slightly. Was it excitement? Was it fear? She didn’t know.

The ride to the airport was quiet. Not a single word was exchanged.

Only the sound of the tires on the road.
Only the feeling of being driven into the unknown.

When they reached the airport, Vikram took her hand and helped her out, like the perfect gentleman.
Too perfect.

And as they walked into the terminal, Ishani’s heart whispered one last time—

“Something’s not right.”

But she shook the thought away.
After all, it was just a trip.
Right?

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