An Arranged Journey To Forever

Part 98

"Cabir, Navya! Come downstairs this instant!" Raj's voice thundered through the house as he stormed in, gripping a file tightly in his hand.

His sudden outburst sent a wave of unease rippling through the household. Nyonika and Nandini, who had been busy in the kitchen, immediately emerged, alarm etched across their faces. From the study, Manik stepped out, concern shadowing his features.

"Dad? What happened?" Nandini's voice carried a mix of confusion and trepidation.

Raj exhaled sharply, his expression dark with fury. "Just wait a moment, Nandini. You'll all soon learn what our so-called 'beloved' daughter-in-law has been scheming behind our backs," he spat, venom dripping from every syllable.

Cabir and Navya descended the staircase, their steps hesitant as they registered the hostility in Raj's tone.

"Ah, look who finally decided to grace us with their presence. Please, do come," Raj mocked, his tone laced with bitter sarcasm.

"Dad, what's wrong? Why are you speaking like this?" Cabir's brow furrowed, confusion evident in his eyes. Navya, on the other hand, remained silent, her gaze flitting to the file in Raj's hands. A flicker of recognition flashed in her eyes, a silent acknowledgment of the storm brewing before her.

Raj's glare sharpened as he turned to Cabir. "Why don't you ask your dear wife, Cabir? Perhaps she'd like to explain it herself." His voice was steel, his patience fraying.

"Navya?" Cabir's voice held an unspoken plea, searching her face for answers. But she refused to meet his gaze, her silence louder than any confession.

Nyonika, her face clouded with worry, stepped forward. "Raj, please, tell us what's going on."

With a swift, angry motion, Raj threw the file onto the couch. "Navya wants a partition. She wants to split everything—including this house!" His voice reverberated through the walls, the weight of his words sending a shockwave through the room.

A stunned silence fell over the family. Nandini, though aware of Navya's intentions, had no idea that the house was part of her demands. Nyonika, blindsided by the revelation, struggled to process what she had just heard. Cabir stood frozen, his mind grappling with disbelief, while Navya lowered her gaze, bracing herself for the judgment that was bound to follow.

"Navya," Cabir's voice was barely above a whisper, heavy with a mixture of shock and hurt. "What is Dad saying? Is it true?"

Navya remained mute, her lips pressed together in a thin line.

Nyonika's hands trembled as she took a step closer, her voice rising with emotion. "When Cabir introduced you to us, people warned us. My family, my bua—they all told us to think twice. But we were blinded by Cabir's love for you. We accepted you with open arms, and this—this is how you repay us? Is this the gratitude you show to the family that welcomed you?" Her voice cracked with anger and heartbreak.

Navya lifted her gaze, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I already know what you all think of me," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Raj let out a bitter chuckle. "No, Navya, you don't. We never saw you the way you assume we did. But now? Now, I regret not seeing your true face sooner. How could you turn so heartless? You humiliated Nandini at every turn, taunted her every chance you got, and she—she never retaliated. Not because she couldn't, but because she cared for this family! And yet, here you are, ungrateful as ever." His voice grew harsher with each word, his frustration boiling over.

Navya's composure cracked, her own anger spilling forth. "Oh, here we go again! The ever-so-saintly Nandini! We all know she's perfect, don't we? But I am NOT her, and I will never be!" she shot back, her voice shaking.

"You could never be like her," Nyonika declared, taking Nandini's hands in hers. "Cabir, I'm sorry, but enough is enough. Navya needs to be taught a lesson. You know, Navya, Nandini defended you when bua ji doubted you. She stood up for you, fought for you, because she believed in you. And this is how you repay her?"

Navya let out a sharp, humorless laugh. "That's exactly the point! Nandini never lets me forget it! Every time, every moment, she reminds me of the favors she's done for me! But no one sees what I go through! I am pregnant, but instead of understanding, everyone just finds new ways to humiliate me! No one cares about my health, my emotions, my struggles! And yet, you all claim I am treated equally? Lies! Nandini, you have stolen everything from me—my family, my happiness, even my own daughter's future!" Her voice trembled with a storm of emotions as she hurled her grievances at Nandini.

She was about to continue her tirade when Manik's voice cut through the air like a blade.

"ENOUGH!"

Manik stepped forward, placing himself protectively in front of Nandini, his eyes blazing with fury. "Not another word, Navya. Not one. I have held my tongue long enough, but you have crossed every limit. What gives you the right to raise your voice at my wife? Who do you think you are? STAY IN YOUR LIMITS!" His voice echoed through the walls, each word like a lash.

Nandini gently held onto his arm. "Manik, please. She's pregnant," she whispered, her concern for Navya overriding her own hurt.

Navya let out a bitter scoff. "Stop pretending, Nandini!"

"Oh, shut up, Navya!" Manik snapped. "You are too cruel to understand Nandini's kindness. But let's set that aside. Tell me, on what grounds do you think you can claim everything that Dad has built?"

Cabir stiffened at the revelation, his mind reeling. "What?" he whispered, his voice barely audible, as he turned toward Navya, hoping—praying—this was some kind of misunderstanding.

"Oh, so that's what this is about? You're afraid that everything will go to Cabir, aren't you?" Navya sneered.

Nandini's patience snapped. "Navya, do you even comprehend how hard Manik has worked to build what you so shamelessly want to take?"

"First, you shattered Cabir's world by revealing his adoption. And now, you've torn apart the peace of this family," Nyonika said, grabbing Navya's arm. "You have failed, Navya. In every way possible."

Navya felt the walls closing in, the weight of their accusations crushing her. Desperation clawed at her throat as she staggered back, her hands shaking. Her gaze darted to the dining table, where a fruit basket sat. Without thinking, she reached out, grabbed a knife, and held it to her wrist.

"NAVYA, STOP!" Cabir screamed, lunging forward, but she held up a trembling hand.

"No one comes near me!" she warned, gripping the knife tightly.

"Navya, put it down!" Nandini pleaded, fear gripping her heart.

"Either this house is divided," Navya declared, her voice eerily calm, "or Manik and Nandini leave—with their shares. That's my condition. Choose."