When I stepped inside the house, my steps automatically led me to the angan where my chachi was resting on her charpai as usual. I hesitated for a moment, trying to gather the courage to speak, but eventually said, "Chachi ji, mai aagayi... ab kya kaam karoon?"
Her eyes flickered open, and without so much as a glance, she muttered with irritation, "Agayi tu? Itni der kyun kardi? Kahaan mar gayi thi?"
I swallowed nervously, looking down at my feet. "Ji... woh, mai mandir mein der ho gayi thi."
"Ja, pehle jaake yeh saree utaarde," she said, waving her hand dismissively, as though my presence annoyed her. "Kuch der ke liye diya tha maine tujhe, aur sun, jaa kitchen mein kaam dekh le. Amit bhi aane wala hai, aaj uska manpasand khana banega."
I nodded quickly, my voice barely above a whisper. "Ji, Chachi ji."
I made my way toward my room-or rather, the small storeroom that had become my living space over the years. It's hardly a room, but more of a cramped space where everything that's no longer of use in the house gets stored. There's no bed, no pillow, no blanket. The floor is dusty, with just a small area cleared for me to lie down at night. But I've never complained.
I used to think about it, though. How unfair it seemed at first. But now? Now I tell myself, at least I have a roof over my head, a place to sleep. I could be out on the streets, homeless, without food or shelter. So I consider myself lucky. Yes, lucky to have this little bit of luxury in my life, even if it's just a small corner in a dusty room.
I quickly undid the saree Chachi had lent me for the day. It wasn't mine, of course, none of my clothes are. I fold it carefully and place it aside, then slipped into the white frock that I usually wear. It's old and torn in places, but I manage. After all, this is the life I've known for years now. No point in feeling sorry for myself.
With the saree folded and tucked away neatly, I hurried to the kitchen. Amit would be home soon, and that meant the day's work had only just begun. Chachi would want his favorite meal ready, and I had to be sure nothing went wrong.
But that's okay, right? Cooking, cleaning-it keeps me busy. Keeps my mind off things I shouldn't be thinking about. Like what my life could have been... if only.
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Ranvijay was deep in his dream world, smiling like a fool, completely lost in a peaceful slumber, when all of a sudden-splash!
Ice-cold water poured down on him, shocking him awake. He jumped up, flailing in his soaked bed, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Tsunami aa gayi! Bhago! Bhago! Maa, tsunami!"
Anjali stood there with an empty bucket in hand, shaking her head at his theatrics. "Shut up, Ranvijay," she said, trying not to laugh.
Ranvijay wiped the water from his face, blinking rapidly as if trying to process what had just happened. "Yaar, biwi, aisa kaun apne pati-parmeshwar ko jagata hai?" he grumbled, giving her an exaggerated pout. "Pati aur Parmeshwar hoon main! Thoda izzat do, please."
Anjali raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Pati... Parmeshwar? Woh bhi tum?" She folded her arms across her chest and gave him a sarcastic smile. "Mujhe laga tha Parmeshwar toh samundar paar, Kailash par rehte hain.
Ranvijay glared at her, narrowing his eyes as if her sarcasm had wounded his pride. "Very funny," he muttered.
But Anjali wasn't done yet. "Ranvijay," she said, her voice a little sharper now, "didn't I tell you not to follow me? Then what exactly are you doing here, on my bed, the whole night?"
Ranvijay cleared his throat and let out a nervous laugh, running a hand through his wet hair. "W-well, technically..." he started, scratching his head, trying to find the right words. Then he gave her a sheepish smile, as though it would somehow soften the blow of his actions. "You did say the doors of the house were closed for me. But... you never mentioned the windows."
He pointed dramatically at the window behind him, grinning like a mischievous schoolboy. "So, I came through the window! I didn't break your rule, baby. See? I'm a loyal husband who respects your words. You said no doors, and I didn't use any door! I followed your instructions perfectly."
Anjali's eyes widened as she absorbed his ridiculous logic, her anger bubbling up even more. She pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to calm the frustration that was rising inside her. "Aur yeh wahiyat idea window se aane ka kiska tha, haan?"
Ranvijay puffed his chest out proudly, as if he'd accomplished something great. "Of course, baby, mera idea! Aur kis ka? You know your husband is smart. Genius level ka jugaad! Tumhe chhodd ke kaise ja sakta hoon, hmm?"
Anjali's mouth fell open in disbelief. She took a deep breath, mentally counting to ten to control her temper, but it was no use. "Smart? Genius?" She narrowed her eyes at him. "Jugaad?" She looked like she was ready to strangle him.
Meanwhile, Ranvijay's sheepish smile grew even wider. He inched closer to her, trying to act all innocent. "Come on, sweetheart," he said with a wink. "Admit it-you missed me, didn't you? Bas isiliye toh paani daala mujhpe. Apni frustration nikaal rahi thi because you couldn't sleep without me, right?"
Anjali stared at him, utterly exasperated. "Ranvijay, you're impossible," she muttered, turning her back on him and walking away. But even though she was trying to look angry, there was a faint smile tugging at her lips. Ranvijay always had a way of turning even the most annoying situations into something that made her laugh.
Ranvijay, sensing a small victory, stood up from the wet bed and followed her, still dripping water all over the floor. "Biwi, agar aaj tum ne mujhe punish karna hi hai, toh thoda romantic style mein karo na," he teased, winking again.
Anjali shot him a look over her shoulder. "Ranvijay, agar abhi ke abhi yeh paani saaf nahi kiya, toh romantic punishment toh door ki baat hai, tumhare sar pe aur ek bucket daalne ka mann kar raha hai."
Ranvijay raised his hands in surrender, laughing nervously. "Alright, alright! Cleaning up the water, ma'am! But remember, main sirf tumhari wajah se idhar hoon. Tumne keh diya hota, toh main toh Khidki ke through bhi aa jata!"
Anjali couldn't hold back her smile anymore. "Badtameez," she muttered, shaking her head, but her tone was softer now, filled with affection.
Amrita was busy in the kitchen, stirring a pot of something warm and fragrant when she heard footsteps behind her. Turning slightly, she saw Nandini entering, her usual bright energy filling the room. Nandini casually leaned against the counter, her eyes watching Amrita's careful movements.
"Jiji," Nandini began, her tone a mix of curiosity and thoughtfulness. "Aaj Baba sa ka janam din hai na? Par woh har saal apne janam din pe ghar par kyun nahi rehte?"
Amrita's hand stilled for a moment as she considered the question. It wasn't the first time someone had asked her that, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. She remained quiet, her mind turning over old memories, things left unsaid. Finally, she exhaled softly and responded, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty. "Nandini, main bhi nahi jaanti is raaz ko. Jab bhi maine unse ya Babasa se poocha hai, bas chup ho jaate hain dono. Woh kuch nahi kehte
Amrita paused, stirring the pot absentmindedly as though the repetitive motion might calm her troubled thoughts. "Pehle, kai saalon pehle, Baba sa apne janam din par yahan hi rehte the. Hum sab ke saath mil kar manate the," she said, her voice soft with nostalgia. "Lekin phir kuch hua... kuch toh zarur badla. Main nahi jaanti kya, lekin us din se pehle hi apna janam din mana lete hain, aur phir gaayab ho jaate hain. 5-6 din tak koi pata nahi hota woh kahaan gaye. Bhagwan jaane kahan jaate hain..."
Nandini's usual lively expression grew more thoughtful as she listened, the mystery of Baba sa's disappearance something that had long puzzled the entire family. But there was no answer, no explanation-only silence whenever they tried to uncover the truth.
"Hmm..." Nandini murmured, nodding slightly but not pushing further. There was no point. Even if they wanted to know, it wasn't as if they could get the answers they sought. Some things, especially in their family, were simply buried under layers of silence and respect for the elders' wishes.
Before either of them could say anything else, Chandra entered the kitchen, her presence sharp and brisk as always. Nandini, rolling her eyes dramatically, muttered under her breath, "Aaj konsa naya drama shuru hone wala hai?"
But to both their surprise, Chandra didn't say a word. She just walked through the kitchen, grabbed what she needed, and left without so much as a glance or a comment. Nandini raised her eyebrows, her expression a mix of amusement and confusion.
"Jiji," Nandini said, her voice laced with mock disbelief, "aaj suraj kahan se nikla hai? Chandra jiji ne kuch nahi kaha? Kya ho gaya unhe? Sanp toh nahi sunk gaya na?"
She let out a playful laugh, the kind of laugh that was infectious and filled with mischief. Amrita, though shaking her head at her choti devrani's antics, couldn't help but smile a little.
"Nandini, tum kabhi nahi sudhrogi," Amrita replied, a gentle reprimand in her tone. "Chhodiye uska peecha. Jab dekho tab ladti rehti ho."
Nandini chuckled, clearly unbothered by the scolding. "Arre, jiji, aap bhi na. Ladayi nahi, thoda mazaak toh karne do. Agar Maa sa ne dekh liya ki unki beti ka mazaak ho raha hai, toh ghar sir pe utha lengi!"
Amrita laughed softly at that, imagining the dramatic scene that would surely unfold if Maa sa found out her precious daughter was being mocked. "Wahi toh keh rahi hoon. Ab bas karo, warna sach mein ghar sir pe chadh jayega."
Nandini laughed even louder, but knowing when it was time to quit, she winked at Amrita and pushed off the counter. "Theek hai, jiji. Main chalti hoon. Aap apna kaam karo, main dekhti hoon Rohan kya kar raha hai. Bada aalsi ban gaya hai aajkal."
With a final grin, Nandini left the kitchen, her light footsteps echoing down the hall as she disappeared into another part of the house.
Amrita watched her go, the faint smile lingering on her lips for a few more moments. But soon, her mind wandered back to the question Nandini had asked earlier, the question that had no answer.
Baba sa's birthday was always a peculiar day in the Rathore household. The silence around it was deafening, the absence of celebration more conspicuous than anything else. Amrita continued her work in the kitchen, her hands busy, but her thoughts were far away.
What could have changed? she wondered. Why had he stopped celebrating with us? It had been years now since Baba sa had disappeared on his own birthday, choosing to celebrate quietly and then vanishing without a trace for days. And no matter how many times she tried to ask, the only response she ever received was the heavy, uncomfortable silence from both him and Babasa.
Yudhveer stormed into the Rathore mansion, his towering frame cutting an imposing figure as every servant in sight immediately bowed their heads in respect. But there was something different today. The intensity of his anger radiated off him like heat from a furnace. The air around him seemed to crackle with tension, and every servant could feel it-his rage was like a wildfire, threatening to burn anyone who dared get in his way. As he marched through the entrance hall, his eyes were blazing, and his jaw was clenched tight.
The servants gulped audibly, exchanging nervous glances, knowing full well that Yudhveer in a bad mood was like facing a storm. No one dared to breathe too loudly, and they quickly scattered, not wanting to catch his attention. His presence was intimidating on a normal day, but when he was angry? He was untouchable. Unstoppable.
Without wasting a second, Yudhveer bellowed, his deep voice echoing through the halls like thunder. "Rohan! ROHAN!"
The sheer volume of his voice shook the very walls, and in an instant, every member of the household hurried into the main hall, gathering out of fear and curiosity. Nandini, who had been in the kitchen with Amrita just moments before, froze in place, her heart skipping a beat. She had never seen Yudhveer this furious. Amrita's face tightened with concern as she watched her son's entrance, her hands coming to rest against the counter as if bracing for what was to come.
Aditi and Sahil arrived in the hall shortly after, the air thick with tension. Yudhveer's eyes, burning with fury, immediately locked onto Nandini. His expression was wild, and everyone could feel his frustration bubbling over.
In a tone that dripped with barely contained rage, Yudhveer growled, "Choti Maa, where is Rohan?"
Nandini swallowed hard, trying to maintain her composure in front of her visibly enraged nephew. "I... I don't know, Yudhveer. Did something happen? Is Rohan okay?"
"Nothing happened!" Yudhveer spat out, his voice laced with venom, but the tension in his voice made it clear that something very serious had indeed happened. His gaze was fiery as he snapped, "I want to see Rohan, right now! Sahil, I want him in front of my eyes in five minutes. Not a second longer."
Sahil's face paled, and he quickly nodded before rushing to find Rohan. The entire household could feel the pressure in the air as Yudhveer's anger simmered dangerously. His fists were clenched, and the veins on his neck were taut. Nandini's heart raced as she shared a worried glance with Amrita.
In Rohan's room, things were no better. Rohan, sitting on his bed, was trembling like a leaf, his face pale as he bit his nails nervously. His thoughts were racing as panic seized him. "Bhai sa is going to kill me," he muttered under his breath, pacing the room in agitation. "What should I do? What should I do? Dada sa isn't even here... how am I supposed to face him alone?"
Just then, Sahil burst into the room, his face grim. "Rohan, what have you done this time? Bhai sa is furious! He's calling for you."
Rohan's heart skipped a beat, his eyes wide with fear. "Sa-Sahil, please! Please tell him I'm not here! Please, I can't go! He'll kill me!"
Sahil shook his head, exasperated. "You know I can't do that, Rohan. He already knows you're here. There's no escape. You have to face him."
Rohan let out a pitiful whimper, knowing that Sahil was right. There was no running from Yudhveer. Slowly, with dread settling in his stomach, he followed Sahil down the hallway, each step feeling like he was walking toward his doom.
As they reached the hall, Rohan's legs felt weak. His heart pounded in his chest as he saw Yudhveer, his back turned, pacing furiously with his hand raking through his hair in frustration. Yudhveer's aura was suffocating, and the closer Rohan got, the more terrified he became. He swallowed nervously, but it didn't help the lump in his throat.
Yudhveer suddenly stopped, turning slowly to face Sahil and Rohan, his eyes burning with cold fury. His gaze flickered to Sahil first. "Sahil, I said five minutes. You took six." His voice was low, but the menace in it was unmistakable.
Sahil stumbled over his words. "I... I'm sorry, Bhai sa..."
Yudhveer didn't even spare him another glance before his eyes locked onto Rohan. His expression darkened, and in one swift, furious motion, he stepped forward and slapped Rohan hard across the face, the sound of it ringing through the hall. Rohan's head snapped to the side, his eyes immediately filling with tears as his cheek throbbed from the impact.
Nandini gasped, her motherly instincts kicking in as she hurriedly rushed forward. "Yudhveer! Please, tell us what happened! What did Rohan do?"
Yudhveer's chest heaved as he glared down at his Choti Maa, his voice low and dangerous. "Stay out of this, Choti Maa. Stay away before I say something you won't like." His warning was sharp, leaving no room for argument. "As for what Rohan did... that's something I'll answer later."
Without another word, Yudhveer roughly grabbed Rohan by the arm, his grip ironclad, and began dragging him toward the door. Rohan stumbled along behind him, still dazed from the slap, his legs weak beneath him.
"Yudhveer, please! Tell us!" Nandini cried, her voice cracking as she saw her son being taken away. But Yudhveer didn't stop. He marched out of the mansion with Rohan in tow, several cars and bodyguards waiting outside as they swiftly left.
Back in the mansion, Nandini crumbled, her emotions overwhelming her as she broke down in tears. "Jiji... jiji, ye kya hua? What has Rohan done? I'm so scared, jiji. Yudhveer itne gusse mein kyun tha?" Her words were barely coherent between her sobs, her face buried in her hands as the weight of the situation hit her full force.
Amrita placed a comforting hand on Nandini's shoulder, her own heart heavy with worry. "Nandini, don't worry. Yudhveer bina wajah ke kuch nahi karta. Zarur koi badi baat hai jo hume abhi nahi pata, lekin woh sach jaan kar hi react karega."
Nandini shook her head, her tears falling faster. "Haan jiji, main jaanti hoon ke Yudhveer aisa kuch nahi karega, but... but I just don't understand. What could Rohan have done that would make him this angry?"
Aditi knelt beside her mother, gently consoling her. "Maa, please don't cry. Bhai sa will handle everything."
Amrita gave Aditi a small nod, then looked back at Nandini. "Aditi, take your mother to her room. I'll try to find out what's going on."
Aditi helped her mother up, gently leading her toward her room while Nandini continued to cry softly. Amrita stood there, watching them go, her mind racing as she wondered what had unfolded between Yudhveer and Rohan. Whatever it was, it was serious-and she would have to find out soon.
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Are mere Piyare readers humko kabhi ache votes b diya karo acha lagega bas padhke chale hate ho
Or tumlog kitte boring ho yaar kuch nahi bolte author hame story achi nai lagri ya lagri kuch toh bolo Taki mai aap ke according next chapters dete jaon waise next chapters maine already complete kardiya bas upload karna still you can tell me if you guys doesn't like any particular scenes....
Love you
Author maya♡
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