Ummeed (Raichand Siblings Saga-Book 1)

28- Guilt & Family

Okayyy! I kept my promise🥺 Updated on Saturday yayyy!!
I am so happy today as the competition I had been preparing for since past few weeks was a blast! Yup! I secured the first position along with my team!!! Though the chapter might not be so happy😅

The story's MATURE tag has been turned on for more than a week now. The chapter contains some mature scenes. Reader's discretion is advised. Feel free to skip the underlined part if it triggers you.

Otherwise enjoy!

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When Meher woke up again, she found herself lying alone on the bed covered in blanket. She groggily opened her eyes and internally sighed in relief. She didn't want to be around anyone at that moment. She was not ready to face them. She tried to get up but was startled by Rishi's voice.

Rishi concerned- "Mehu! Uth kyun Rahi hai baccha? Leti reh."

Meher shook her head and got up. Rishi walked towards her and positioned the pillow behind her. Arjun had got an important work call. He was quite hesitant to leave her side but Rishi had assured him that he was there,all of them were there. Arjun apprehensively agreed and asked Rishi to inform him as soon as Meher gets up. 

Rishi didn't leave Meher's side even once. He had seen her struggling and muttering incoherent sentences in sleep. He knew he could not do anything for her. He wondered if her sleep has always been so restless.

Rishi- "Abhi tabiyat kaisi hai? Sir dukh Raha hai kya?"

Meher shook her head. She was feeling quite okay now except the fact that she knew the situation wasn't okay. She was getting irritated now. If only she was able to control herself yesterday, all this would never have been a problem. Lately, she had gotten so comfortable around them that she no longer worries about keeping her guard up all the time. Perhaps that's why all that happened. If they somehow got to know about that night, they would hate her just like she did. They will be disgusted and at last they'll abandon her. The thought which seemed like a reality few months back was enough to send shivers down her spine. She didn't want to lose this family,her family. She'll make sure that they never get to know about that night. Even if that meant, closing off completely.

Rishi was observing Meher. She was sitting so still that for a moment he felt like this was not the Meher they have been living with rather she was the Meher that came to live with them. The Meher they all adored didn't sit idle even for a moment, never thought twice before speaking out her mind, didn't hesitate to eat their brains with all the nonsense talks. This was the other Meher and now that he got to see her other side, he didn't like this side even one bit!

Sakshi came in the bedroom. She visibly relaxed when she saw her sitting. She walked towards her and gently kissed her forehead. Meher gave her a small forced smile in return. 

Sakshi- "Jaa apne Bhaiya ko call kar le, Rishu."

Rishi nodded and left. Sakshi looked at Meher. She looked so uncomfortable that Sakshi decided that the talk could wait.

"Chal jaldi se freshen up ho jaa aur breakfast kar le. Bhook lagi hogi na." 

Meher nodded and got down from the bed. Sakshi held her hand for support but Meher politely denied the support. "I am fine, bhabhi. I can manage."

Sakshi frowned but nodded. The girl looked so pale that one could say that was suffering from some abnormally high temperature. She let her go as she insisted. Meher went to her room and immediately entered the lavatory. She locked it and sat down.It felt like she was back in the past muffling her cries in the bathroom while everyone outside was asleep. She cried on and on until her tears dried. All the horrible memories of that night came rushing to her mind. Those judging looks, accusations and harsh words were the reality of her life. A few months of sweet nothings won't ever deviate her focus from the years of harsh realisations. She'll make sure of it!