Uljhe Rishtey (Book-1 Khanna Sibling' Saga)

Chapter- 27 A Helpless Father or A Helpless Son?

In a dimly lit room, Prem sat on his chair, lost in his own thoughts. As Priya entered, she immediately rushed towards her husband. The sight of the broken stick of his father in his hand made her gasp, and she immediately engulfed him in a hug.

The pain in his eyes reflected the countless painful wounds on his heart. Each one was deeper than the other, and the harsh truth was that each one of them was inflicted by his own loved ones! If a stranger stabs you from behind, you somehow forget it, move on, and heal from it. But how can someone move on if the person whom you love stabs you? How will you forget and heal... Your wounds don't heal when they are inflicted by our own people!

As he closed his eyes, his vision played the moments in front of him like a rewinder...

11 years ago...

One year had passed since Yash Khanna died. It had been a day since the family prayed and conducted the barsi. After the rituals, everyone went back to their rooms, and no one stepped out as they were still grieving their loss. Even after one year, they moved on with their lives, but they still missed someone who was special to them and played an integral role in each of their lives.

Yash Khanna was not just a father or grandfather to his family. He was the head of the family, a man who had tons of love to give, an anchor for his family members, a man who balanced his relationships with grace. "Family is the anchor that holds us steady in the storms," that's what Yash Khanna believed in and taught his son and grandchildren!

Prem was in his room, lost in his thoughts, missing his father. However, as he heard a crashing sound coming from outside his room, he immediately rushed out of the room.

"Dekh kar nahi chal sakti ho tum? Ek kaam dhang se nahi hota tumse?" Rupali scolded Ruhi harshly.

Prem immediately pushed Ruhi behind his back, "Kya hua hai Maa? Kyun chilla rahi hain aap?"

"Dekho iss ladki ne kya kiya? Yash ki frame tod di isne," Rupali said angrily.

Ruhi clutched onto her father's shirt from behind. She was just making her way towards her Dada's room when she accidentally collided with her grandmother, causing the frame to drop from the lady's hand.

Prem felt a tug and immediately turned, crouching in front of Ruhi. He lifted her face and gently wiped her tears, "Go to your brothers... I will come later. Hmm?"

Ruhi nodded and left without a word.

Prem stood up and faced his mother, "Bachi hai woh maa, itni si baat ke liye itna gussa hone ki kya zaroorat hai... Frame mein theek karwa dunga. Aap araam se bhi baat kar sakti hain aur usne jaan boojh kar toh aapko dakha nahi diya hoga na..."

"Aur kab tak rakhne ka irada hai tumhara uss manhoos ko humare ghar mein?" Rupali asked, cutting him off harshly.

Prem stiffened and immediately looked around, sighing in relief as he didn't find anyone, "Aapne jo aaj kaha, woh aap phir se nahi..." He trailed off as Rupali held his arm and shoved him inside his room, closing the door behind.

"Hum tumhe sirf doo option de rahe hain - ya toh Ruhi ko is ghar se nikalo ya hum jo uss ladki ke sath karna chahte hain, hum vo kar ke rahenge aur tum hume rok bhi nahi...

"Aap kya kehna chahti hain mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha hai. Maa aur na hi main samajhna chahta hoon. Rahi baat Ruhi ki toh vo is ghar se nahi jayegi aur na hi aap usse yaha se nikal sakte hain."

"Hum kya kar sakte hain aur kya nahi... hume batane par majboor mat karo. Aur waise bhi hum tumse baat karne hi aane wale the. Yeh dekh lo ek baar aur phir humse baat karna..." Rupali said, forwarding a pen drive towards him.