Shadows & Sunshine

Ch : 15

After entering the house, Priya was immediately surrounded by the bustle. The room was filled with relatives and friends, all gathered to celebrate Varsha's homecoming.

The young girl, excited and full of energy, rushed to her mother as soon as she saw her.

"Mom, where have you been? What took you so long?" Varsha asked, her eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of impatience.

Priya managed a weary smile. "It's just traffic, sweetheart. You know how it is in Mumbai." She gave Varsha a quick hug, trying to hide her fatigue.

From across the room, Mrs. Khanna watched the interaction intently. Her sharp eyes missed nothing, and she couldn't shake the feeling that Priya's explanation was a cover for something else. She observed the slight hesitation in Priya's voice, the way she seemed distracted. Her suspicions were aroused.

As Priya made her way to her room, seeking a moment to freshen up and gather herself, she felt the weight of Mrs. Khanna's gaze on her back. She pushed open the door to her bedroom, stepped inside, and let out a sigh of relief. The room, a temporary sanctuary from the day's demands, felt like the only place she could breathe.

Just as she was about to head to the bathroom, a soft knock echoed through the room. Priya turned to see Mrs. Khanna standing at the doorway, her expression a mix of concern and determination.

"May I come in, Priya?" Mrs. Khanna asked, her tone leaving little room for refusal.

"Of course, Ma," Priya replied, trying to keep her voice steady. She stepped aside, allowing her mother-in-law to enter.

Mrs. Khanna closed the door behind her and looked directly at Priya. "I need to talk to you."

Priya's heart sank. She knew this conversation was coming, but she wasn't prepared for it. She nodded slowly, gesturing for Mrs. Khanna to sit down. They both took a seat, the air thick with unspoken words.

Mrs. Khanna's tone was sharp and unyielding as she stared Priya down, her eyes glinting with a mix of disappointment and anger. Priya, feeling the weight of the accusation, struggled to maintain her composure.

"Have you really got late because of traffic, or is there something else going on in your life?" Mrs. Khanna asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

Priya felt off guard, her heart racing. "What are you talking about? I don't understand."

Mrs. Khanna's lips pressed into a thin line. "Do you want to see something?" She pulled out her phone and, with a few swift taps, displayed a photograph of Priya and Ram outside the airport earlier that day. The image was clear and damning.

Priya's eyes widened in shock, her mind racing for an explanation. "Are you spying on me now?" she asked, her voice shaking.

Mrs. Khanna's expression hardened. "You gave me enough reasons for that, didn't you? Now, I just want to know how far this has gone."

Priya felt a wave of panic. "I am not obliged to answer this," she said defensively.

Mrs. Khanna's eyes narrowed. "Don't try to spoil our company's reputation, Priya. You are Priya Khanna now, not Priya Sharma. So behave like it. If you want to harm our reputation, I am not going to let it slide. And think about Varsha. Will she be able to trust you if she finds out? So, behave."

The words stung, each one a barb digging deeper into Priya's conscience. She felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes but refused to let them fall. She straightened her spine, trying to find some semblance of strength in the face of her mother-in-law's wrath.

Priya's voice trembled as she posed the question that had been gnawing at her. "Then what if Varsha finds out about her dad's affair? Have you ever thought of that?"

Mrs. Khanna's eyes closed briefly, a deep sigh escaping her lips. When she opened them again, her gaze was tired but resolute. "So, now you're trying to play this mud game? Is this how a parent is supposed to behave? I'm hopeless. I thought you were the responsible one because  Ved is not."

Priya flinched at the disappointment in her mother-in-law's voice, feeling a fresh wave of guilt wash over her. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but Mrs. Khanna held up a hand, silencing her.

"Anyway, let's not talk about this anymore. Just let bygones be bygones, okay?" Mrs. Khanna continued, her tone softening. "Now, take a fresh start with your family and think like a mother to your daughter."

Priya nodded, the weight of the conversation settling heavily on her shoulders. She watched as Mrs. Khanna turned and left the room, leaving her alone with her tumultuous thoughts. The words echoed in her mind, each one a reminder of the responsibilities she bore not just as a wife, but as a mother.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. The confrontation had been painful, but it had also been a wake-up call. Priya knew she had to navigate this delicate situation with care, balancing her own needs and desires with the well-being of her family.

That same night, as the house settled into a quiet hush, Priya climbed into bed, her thoughts still swirling from the day's events. She lay on her side, staring at the wall, trying to find a sense of calm. The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of the bedside lamp, casting shadows that danced across the walls.

Ved entered the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click. He moved toward the bed, his eyes heavy with a longing that Priya recognized all too well. She felt a knot tighten in her stomach, but she forced a smile as he climbed in beside her.

"Hey," he whispered, leaning in to kiss her neck.

Priya suppressed a shiver, willing herself to remain still. "Hey," she replied softly, her voice barely more than a breath.

Ved's hands began to roam, his touch insistent. Priya closed her eyes, trying to focus on the family she was trying to protect. She wanted to give him what he wanted, to play her part, but the weight of her own emotions pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe.

As Ved's kisses became more urgent, Priya's resolve crumbled. She couldn't do this—not tonight. Not with everything that had happened. She pulled away, gently at first, then more firmly.

"Ved, stop," she said, her voice strained.

He froze, confusion and disappointment flashing across his face. "What's wrong?" he asked, his hand still on her shoulder.

Priya sat up, hugging her knees to her chest. "I'm really tired, Ved. I just can't do this right now. I'm sorry."

Ved's brow furrowed, a mixture of frustration and hurt in his eyes. "Priya, it's been so long. We need this. Our marriage needs this."

She shook her head, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "I know, but I just can't. Not tonight."

Ved sighed heavily, rolling onto his back and staring at the ceiling. "This is exactly the problem, Priya. You're always too tired or too busy. How are we supposed to fix anything if you keep pushing me away?"

Priya bit her lip, her heart aching with the weight of his words. She wanted to explain, to make him understand the turmoil inside her, but she knew it would only lead to more arguments, more pain.

"I'm sorry, Ved. I really am," she whispered.

Ved turned his head to look at her, his eyes hardening. "Sorry isn't enough, Priya. We can't keep going on like this."

Silence filled the room, thick and heavy. Priya lay back down, turning away from Ved, feeling the chasm between them widen even further. She heard him sigh again, then felt the bed shift as he turned away from her too.

As the night wore on, Priya lay awake, staring into the darkness, feeling more alone than ever. The words of Mrs. Khanna echoed in her mind, mingling with her own doubts and fears. She knew she had to find a way to navigate this fragile balance, to protect her daughter and her own heart, but tonight, all she could do was hold on and hope that tomorrow would bring some clarity.