HUMSAFAR [Completed✅]

19. Battling With Emotions

Late at night, Ahaan, heavily intoxicated, staggered into his car and made his way toward Malhotra Mansion . Savitri was just about to lock the door when Ahaan stumbled in, his clothes disheveled and the scent of alcohol clinging to him.

Savitri looked at him with concern. "Ahaan, you came home drunk?"

In a slurred voice, Ahaan simply replied, "Maa, I just want to sleep in your lap tonight."

Without hesitation, Savitri gently took his arm and led him to her room. She sat on the bed, guiding him to lay his head on her lap, her hand moving gently through his hair, trying to soothe him like she did when he was a child.

"Ahaan, why did you drink so much, Beta?", she asked softly, worry etched in her voice.

Ahaan, eyes half-closed, muttered bitterly," Meri zindagi hi ek khel banke reh chuki hai, Maa. Toh yeh sharaab kya cheez hai?"

[My life has become nothing but a game, Maa. Compared to that, what is alcohol?]

Savitri sighed deeply, her hand not stopping its gentle strokes. "Don’t talk like that, Beta."

"Why shouldn’t I?", Ahaan snapped, his voice rough with frustration. "My life has become a joke. Am I so terrible that no matter how hard I try, I can never be happy?"

"You’re my best son," Savitri whispered, her heart aching to see her child in so much pain.

"Then why does this keep happening to me?", Ahaan’s voice cracked with emotion. "Main kaise Ishqi aur Vidhi mein se kisi ek ko chunkar, dusri ki zindagi barbaad kar sakta hu?"

[How am I supposed to choose either Ishqi or Vidhi without destroying other’s life?]

Savitri, her own emotions swirling, gently said, "Who told you that you are ruining anyone’s life?Just follow your heart, Beta."

"My heart isn’t saying anything, Maa.",Ahaan groaned."Sometimes I see Ishqi’s face, and other times I see Vidhi’s. How can I take away one person’s happiness? And what about mine?"

Savitri sighed, continuing to stroke his hair. "Don’t worry, son. Everything will be fine with time. For now, just sleep."

She continued to stroke his hair until he fell asleep. Savitri thought to herself, What is happening to my children? Why can’t they find happiness? I told Ahaan that everything will be okay, but how? Oh God, please guide my children’s lives.

The next morning, Ahaan woke early, still sleepy from the previous night’s drinking. The moment he opened his eyes, guilt washed over him as he realized how he had worried his mother. He got up quietly, kissed her forehead, and left the house, determined to face the day ahead.

When he arrived at his apartment, he paused in the living room, spotting Vidhi fast asleep on the couch. She looked peaceful, and for a moment, Ahaan stood frozen, memories flooding back. He quickly turned away and walked to his bedroom. Inside, he saw Ishqi and Vihaan still asleep. Ahaan's heart felt heavy as he glanced at Ishqi. He could barely face the emotional mess his life had become. Without making a sound, he headed to the bathroom for a cold shower, hoping it would clear his head.

By the time he emerged, Ishqi was awake. Ahaan avoided her gaze, grabbing his shirt from the chair.

"I have some urgent work at the office. I need to leave early,"Ahaan said, his tone clipped.

"I’ll get breakfast ready for you," Ishqi offered, already getting up.

"No need. I’ll eat at the office,"Ahaan said hastily, pulling on his jacket.