The Rathores in Therapy: A BCHD Epilogue

Chapter 40: Resentment, Revelations, and Regrets

Last Time: Kabir sat in silence, absorbing their words. He didn't respond immediately, instead allowing himself to feel the weight of their reassurances. For the first time in a long time, he felt seen. He felt understood. And it gave him relief that he hadn't known he needed.

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March 2nd, 2023, 9:30 pm, Rathore Bhavan, Jodhpur

As Kabir finished recounting the day's therapy session, the kitchen fell into a profound silence. Banni stood quietly, her eyes wide and filled with mixed emotions - guilt, sympathy, and deep-seated sorrow. The weight of the revelations made her heart heavy. She had known about Tulika's lie, but she had been so wrapped up in her troubles that she hadn't thought about how it might affect Kabir.

"I'm...I'm sorry, Kabir," she finally managed to say, her voice choked with emotion. "I should have done something when I found out about Tulika's lie. It was wrong of me to just...do nothing."

Kabir looked at her, his gaze softened by understanding. "Banni Chow," he began gently, "I don't blame you. You were dealing with your own issues, and...and I know that a lot of them were caused by me."

"No, Kabir," Banni interrupted, shaking her head fervently, "that doesn't excuse my inaction. I should have stood up for you. I should have exposed Tulika's lie."

Kabir opened his mouth to protest, but Banni held up a hand to stop him. "No, Kabir," she said firmly. "Don't defend my actions. I chose to ignore Tulika's lie. I never once questioned her or asked her why she lied. I didn't even confront her about it."

She looked down at her hands, her voice quiet. "And the worst part is," she continued, "despite knowing that she had lied about you, about the man she claimed to love, I still trusted her. I trusted her with Yuvaan's well-being. I clung to the belief that she loved you dearly."

Her words hung heavy in the silence that followed, a painful admission of her failures and regrets.

"I failed you, Kabir," Banni said, trembling. "I failed you, and I failed Yuvaan. But not anymore." She took a deep breath, determination hardening her expression. "I will clear your name. I will tell everyone that Tulika lied."

Her voice gained momentum, her words echoing in the room. "I will tell everyone that you didn't drug Tulika. That she married you out of her own volition."

Just as Kabir was about to respond, a loud voice interrupted them. "What?" rang out through the room, causing Kabir and Banni to jump.

Kabir and Banni quickly turned their heads towards the kitchen entrance, their eyes widening in surprise as they saw Alpana Jiji standing there. Her face was a mask of shock, her eyes wide in disbelief as she stormed into the room.

Stalking over to Banni with a thunderous expression, Alpana demanded, "Do you realize what you are saying, Banni Chow? Do you realize what you are accusing Tulika of?"

Kabir opened his mouth to intervene, but Alpana turned on him fiercely. "Don't defend her, Kabir!" she barked, cutting him off. She then continued her rant against Banni. "Just because you cannot measure up to Tulika, you decided to blacken her name, is that it?"

Banni's face crumpled at Alpana's words, and tears began to fill her eyes. She opened her mouth to protest, to defend herself, but an angry shout cut her off.

"Enough!" Kabir's voice echoed through the room, his anger palpable. His gaze was fixed on Alpana, his expression hard.

"Don't you dare talk to Banni like that," Kabir said, his voice cold and stern. "She isn't lying. She is telling the truth. It's Tulika who lied to all of you — including Banni."