Khwahish

Prologue

In the heart of the bustling city, where the noise never seemed to stop, there stood a mansion that looked like it was frozen in time. The MK Mansion, with its towering walls and grand architecture, was a symbol of both pride and pain. Inside, the echoes of the past whispered secrets only the shadows dared to hear.

Riya Mehra, one of the heiress to this legacy, was standing on the terrace, her figure almost blending to the night. The night was her only solace, the only time when the mask of the indifferent socialite could be cast aside, revealing the turmoil that raged within her soul. She was trapped by the expectations of a society that saw her as nothing more than her last name.

She gripped the railing tightly, her knuckles turning white as she tried to steady herself. The cool air brushed against her skin, offering a fleeting comfort, but it was not enough to calm the storm of emotions threatening to consume her.

She sank against the railing, her back supported by the cool metal. The moon's silver glow caressed Riya's face, showing her mix of resolve and vulnerability. Riya's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, each more painful than the last. She gazed up at the stars, as if they held the answers to the questions that plagued her heart.

She thought about all the things she never said, the tears she never shed, and the loud cry that nobody heard. Tears welled up in her eyes, but Riya blinked them back fiercely. She had long learned that tears were a luxury she could not afford, a sign of weakness that had no place in her world.

Feeling trapped, she longed for freedom from her legacy. Her heart ached for a life beyond expectations. As she pondered her fate, a sudden buzz from her phone snapped her back to reality. She glanced at the screen through tear-blurred eyes and saw the name "Angel" flashing. Her heart skipped a beat. Angel always seemed to know when she needed her the most. With trembling hands, she picked up the phone and answered.

For a moment, there was only silence. Neither Riya nor the person on the other end spoke. The silence stretched, filled with unspoken words and shared pain. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a soft voice broke through the stillness.

"How are you baccha? Sab theek haina wahan ?" (how are you kiddo? Is everything okay there?) Angel asked gently. It was more than just a question, it was a lifeline thrown across the darkness that enveloped Riya.

Riya took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her emotions starting to lift, if only slightly. Angel's voice had always had that effect on her, like a balm to her wounded soul. She leaned back against the railing, closing her eyes for a moment, allowing herself to find solace in the connection they shared.

Riya tried to compose herself, but her voice came out in broken whisper, " Angel mai... mai thak gayi hoon" (Angel I... I'm tired)

Angel's voice was filled with concern, "kya huya riyu ? tum ro rhi ho ? (What happened Riyu? Are you crying?) her concerned words wrapped around Riya like a warm embrace.

"Sab kuch itna mushkil kyun hai angel?" (Why is everything so difficult Angel?) Riya whispered, her voice trembling with the burden of her unshed tears. "Kuch bhi samajh nahi aa raha ki kya karun" (I don't understand what to do about anything)

Angel listened, her voice was filled with love as she spoke "Riyu life na ek courtroom jaisi hoti hai, We face trials, kuch jeet te hain toh kuch harte hain. Each one teaches us something vital about ourselves. Jis tarah se raat ke baad subah aati hai vaise hi mushkilon ke baad bahut saari happiness bhi aati hai. Kabhi kabhi kuch situations aaisi hoti hain yahan victims bhi guilty dikhayi padhte hain but hum iss baat se haar ke hamara case ladhna toh nahi chodte na ? Hum aur determination se evidence ikatthe karte hain aur aapna case jeet te hai" (Riyu, life is like a courtroom. We face trials, some we win and some we lose but each one teaches us something vital about ourselves. Just as the morning comes after the night, happiness follows difficulties. Sometimes situations make even the victims look guilty, but we don't give up fighting our case because of that, do we? We gather more evidence with determination and win our case)

Riya swallowed hard, the lump in her throat making it difficult to speak. "Par kab tak? Kab tak yeh sab aaise hi chalta rahega angel? Thak gayi hun yrr ladhte ladhte aur nahi ho raha. I can't take it anymore, I just can't angel" (But until when? How long will this go on like this, Angel? I'm tired of fighting and I can't do it anymore.)

"Riya," Angel's voice was gentle yet firm, "aise nahi bolte baccha tum toh itni strong ho. Har mushkil ko itne strongly face kiya hai tumne toh ab aaise give kyun? I know kiddo sab kuch bahut jyada ho raha but you are my kiddo and my kiddo can handle anything and everything that world throws towards her. You are not alone in this mai hoon tumhare saath . I am sure we'll find a way through this together. I promise baccha yeh sab jyada dair aur nahi chalega." (Don't talk like that, kiddo, you're so strong. You've faced every difficulty so strongly, so why give up now? I know, kiddo, everything is overwhelming but you are my kiddo and my kiddo can handle anything and everything the world throws at her. you're not alone in this, I'm here with you. I'm sure we'll find a solution together. I promise, kiddo, this won't last much longer.)

Riya opened her eyes, staring up at the stars once more. The tears she had been holding back began to fall, but this time she did not stop them. She allowed herself to cry, to release the pain she had kept bottled up for so long. It was as if Angel's words had given her permission to be vulnerable, to be human.

"Thank you, Angel," Riya murmured through her tears. "Aapke bina main kya karti?"(What would I have done without you?)

"Well, Yahi toh dil ke rishtey hote hain," (Well, that's what heart connections are) Angel replied softly. "Ek dusre ke paas na hoke bhi ek dusre ke saath rehte hain unhe support karte huye. Ab chalo get up and go inside, bahar thand hogayi hogi ab subah ko achu achu karte ghumogi" (We stay with each other and support each other even when we aren't physically together. Now get up and go inside, it's cold outside, and tomorrow you'll be sneezing all over the place.)

Riya managed a weak chuckle, her lips curving into a brief smile. "Aapko kaise pta mai terrace pe hun? Aapne mere peeche koi jasoos laga rakha hai kya?" (How do you know I'm on the terrace? Have you planted a spy behind me?)

Angel's laughter was warm and comforting, a sound that always made Riya feel lighter. "Haha, jasoos seriously Riyu? Beta ji, hum aapko aapse bhi jyada acche se jante hain. And chalo ab bhago udhar se aur jake rest karo, subah tumhari important meeting hai na?" (Haha, a spy, seriously Riyu? My dear, I know you better than you know yourself. Now get out of there and go rest, you have an important meeting in the morning, right?)

Riya's eyes widened with realisation, and she slapped her forehead gently, a small smile playing on her lips. "Oh shoot Angel, thank God aapne yaad dila diya, mai toh bhul hi gayi. Chalo ab bhagti hun." (Oh shoot, Angel, thank God you reminded me, I had completely forgotten. Okay, I'm running now.)

Angel's tone turned mock-serious, a teasing edge to her voice. "Kya hoga tumhara. Bye and agar kuch bhi ho toh remember I am just a call away." (What will become of you. Bye and remember if anything happens, I'm just a call away.)

Riya giggled, feeling a bit more at ease. "Ji ji, bye tata namak." (Yes, yes, bye TATA Salt.)

Angel's voice softened with affection. "Goodnight baccha time se soo jana." (Goodnight kiddo, sleep on time.)

Riya ended the call, a sense of warmth spreading through her chest. Angel's words had wrapped around her like a comforting blanket, providing solace in her moment of need. She stood there for a while longer, feeling the night air cool against her tear-streaked face. The stars seemed a little brighter now, the darkness a little less suffocating.

With a final deep breath, she turned away from the railing and walked back inside, ready to face whatever came next. Riya closed the door behind her, the quiet click echoing in the stillness of the house. She wiped the last of her tears away and took a moment to compose herself. The familiar surroundings seemed a bit less oppressive now, and she felt a renewed sense of resolve.

She made her way to her room, her steps slow and deliberate. The house was silent, save for the faint ticking of a clock somewhere in the distance. Each tick felt like a reminder of the time passing, the moments she had to endure, but also the moments she could use to heal.

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Thank you for reading ❤️