Two weeks later,
Khushi relocated to Delhi a few days ago, a decision prompted by her exhausting divorce proceedings with Rohan and the challenging custody battle for their daughter, Riya. The court granted them co-parenting rights, and Khushi believed that being in the same city as Rohan would benefit Riya. She sold her Mumbai flat, severing ties with painful memories, and purchased a new flat in Delhi.
The bustling city of Delhi stirred up memories of Khushi's parents, sister, and Buaji. She couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt that she had left them behind on their own for her strong pursuit of independence and self-respect. Guilt and regret gnawed at her heart when she realized the impact of her sudden departure on her family, especially considering her father's paralysis. Not that she never realized it before. But standing in the same city as theirs, the impact on her was extreme.
The thought of her family struggling without her care weighed heavily on her. She knew they deserved her apologies, that they didn't deserve her abandonment. With each passing day, the need to visit them grew stronger, driven by her longing to make amends and seek forgiveness.
Khushi couldn't ignore the pull any longer. She knew she had to go and meet them, to face them with sincerity and humility. Her heart ached with the burden of guilt, but she was determined to set things right, to mend the broken bonds and heal the wounds she had caused.
She had to.
With Riya in her arms, she started for Gupta House.
Gupta House,
Laxmi Nagar,
Buaji and Garima were in the kitchen cooking when they heard the doorbell ring.
"Hai Re Nanda Kishore, kon hai iss wakt?" Madhumathi's voice trembled as she opened the door. But the sight that greeted her left her speechless.
(Who's here at this time?)
"Sanka Devi?" she whispered, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Who is it, Jiji?" Garima, following closely behind, gasped. "Khushi?" Her voice was barely audible, as if afraid the figure before her would vanish.
"Buaji. Amma," Khushi whispered, tears streaming down her face. The years of separation weighed heavily on her heart.
Both the women had faces etched with shock and had rushed to the door. women.
Garima's shock gave way to tears. She reached out, her trembling hands cupping Khushi's face. "Where had you gone, Bitiya? Do you know how worried we were for you after you disappeared?" Her voice cracked, and Khushi felt the guilt like a knife twisting in her chest.
Buaji, still rooted to the ground, stared at Khushi. "Sanka Devi, where have you gone? Do you know how much we have searched for you?" Her eyes held a mix of relief and hurt.
"I am sorry, Buaji, Amma," Khushi's voice wavered. "I left without a word. But I realize now I shouldn't have gone like that, without informing you."
The years melted away, and Khushi found herself in her home amidst the tears of two women.
Garima took her inside the home and Riya who was hiding behind her Mumma followed too. No one noticed the little toddler hiding behind Khushi and she was also silent, not making any noise.
"I am so sorry, Amma, Buaji, for disappearing but..I was just hurt and-" her trembling voice was cut off by Madhumathi.
"You could have come to us, Sanka Devi. Isn't this your home too?" she reprimanded.
"I just wanted to get out of this, Buaji. But I know now I shouldn't have gone like that, without informing you. I know," Khushi replied, her voice tinged with guilt. She had left without a word, seeking solace in a new city, but she had left behind a trail of worry and unanswered questions.
YOU ARE READING
Arshi TS - Queen
Fanfiction"You're the biggest mistake of my life, Khushi Kumari Gupta!" As soon as Khushi heard the words, her dream broke and she woke up to reality. She doesn't want to live anymore, with ...him. She doesn't want to! As tears rolled down her eyes, she hides...
