RED

Chapter 28

Author's pov.

Aadya (Abhimaan's aunt) walked down the dimly lit corridor, her delicate fingers gripping the tray of steaming coffee with practiced ease. The soft clink of the porcelain cups was the only sound breaking the quiet of the late hour.
As she neared the door to their room, she paused, her hand hovering just inches from the polished wood.

The voices drifting from within caused her to freeze, her brows knitting in a perplexed frown. At first, the murmur was indistinguishable, but as she strained to listen, the distinct tones of two voices became clear. One belonged unmistakably to her husband, Vihaan (Abhimaan's uncle), while the other was that of his elder brothe, Vishesh (Abhimaan's father).

Aadya's confusion deepened. The conversation was punctuated by an urgency that suggested it was of significant importance, and the fact that it was happening so late in the night only added to her concern.
She stood there for a few moments, contemplating whether to knock or to wait for them to finish, her mind racing with questions about the nature of the discussion taking place behind that closed door.

Aadya remained rooted to the spot, though she hadn’t intended to eavesdrop; she simply found herself unable to move. The conversation within the room unfolded with an intensity that held her captive.

“And?...What do you want me to do, elder brother?”

Vihaan's voice, usually warm and assured, now carried an edge of coldness.

“What do you mean, ‘what do I want’? It’s her death anniversary... it’s your duty. Stop running away from it.”

The response from Vihaan’s elder brother came with a sharpness that cut through the air, resonating with a palpable irritation, edged with

a simmering anger that betrayed his frustration with Vihaan's apparent nonchalance.

His tone was sharp and insistent, as though he could scarcely believe his younger sibling's nonchalant response to such a delicate matter.

Aadya's heart pounded as she struggled to process the gravity of the exchange, each word resonating with an unsettling clarity.

Vihaan’s voice, though firm, was laden with anguish.

“I’m not running away, brother. It’s just that I can’t risk Aadya’s health with that...again
You know how fragile her condition was the last time, at her death anniversary.

My wife was at the doorstep of death, and I’m sorry, bhai sa, but I can’t afford to lose another life precious to me. I failed to protect what I had in the past, but now...at least let me protect what I have been left with.”

The raw pain in his voice struck Aadya deeply, her heart aching with empathy. Each word seemed to echo her husband’s inner turmoil, revealing a vulnerability that only intensified her concern and sadness. The weight of his struggle and the depth of his love for her were evident, leaving her emotionally shattered and deeply moved.

Vishesh exhaled deeply, clearly at a loss for words.

“Alright then,”

he said, his voice softening slightly,

“we’ll do it outside the mansion. Or you could just take Aadya somewhere away for a day or two.”