Shadows & Sunshine

Ch : 16

The next few days drifted by like a blur for Priya.At the office, she found it increasingly difficult to focus. Her desk was piled with reports and projects demanding her attention, but her thoughts kept wandering to Ram. She longed for the quiet moments they had shared, the ease with which they had connected. Yet, every time she indulged in these memories, guilt gnawed at her. She was bound by her responsibilities, by the promises she had made to her family.

One afternoon, Priya sat at her desk, staring blankly at her computer screen. Her colleague Neha noticed her distraction and came over. "Priya, are you okay? You seem really out of it lately."

Priya forced a smile. "I'm fine, Neha. Just a lot on my mind."

Neha nodded, not entirely convinced. "If you need to talk or take a break, you know where to find me."

"Thanks," Priya said softly, appreciating the concern but knowing that no amount of talking would resolve the storm inside her.

That evening, back at home, Priya found herself in the kitchen, mindlessly chopping vegetables for dinner. Ved walked in, carrying a stack of papers. "Priya, I need you to look over these for varsha's birthday," he said, placing them on the counter.

Priya nodded, barely glancing at the papers. "Sure, I'll get to it after dinner."

Ved sighed, noticing her distracted demeanor. "Is everything okay with you? You seem... distant."

"I'm just tired, Ved. A lot on my plate," she replied, not meeting his eyes.

As the days passed, the distance between them grew. Priya found solace in the brief moments she could steal away to think about Ram. She would often find herself replaying their conversations, the warmth of his smile, the way he made her feel seen and understood. But each time, the reality of her situation would crash down on her, reminding her of the responsibilities she couldn't escape.

One night, as she lay in bed next to Ved, unable to sleep, she reached for her phone and opened the messages from Ram. She hadn't replied to his last text, where he had asked if she was doing okay. Her fingers hovered over the screen, wanting to reach out but fearing the consequences. With a heavy heart, she put the phone down, turning away from Ved and curling up into herself.

The next morning, Priya woke up with a sense of determination. She knew she couldn't keep living in this limbo, torn between her heart and her duties. She had to make a choice, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness for the sake of her family. But deep down, she also knew that ignoring her true feelings was slowly tearing her apart.

The day of Varsha's birthday finally arrived, bringing a whirlwind of activity to the Khanna household. The house was decked out in vibrant decorations, with colorful streamers and balloons adorning every corner. The aroma of delicious food wafted through the air, and laughter echoed as family and friends gathered to celebrate. Amidst the commotion, Priya sat in front of her vanity mirror, brushing her hair with slow, deliberate strokes. Her reflection stared back at her, a mix of anticipation and apprehension in her eyes.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice Ved entering the room until he was standing right behind her. "You are looking pretty," he exclaimed, breaking her reverie. Priya jolted slightly at his voice, her heart skipping a beat. She forced a smile and turned to face him.

Ved, sensing her distraction but choosing to ignore it, produced a small velvet box from behind his back. "See, I bought this for you," he said, opening the box to reveal a stunning diamond necklace nestled inside.

Priya's breath caught in her throat as she gazed at the necklace. It was beautiful, the diamonds catching the light and sparkling brilliantly. She looked up at Ved, who was watching her expectantly, a hopeful glint in his eyes.

"Ved, it's beautiful," she said softly, her voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and guilt. She reached out and gently touched the necklace, feeling the cool metal under her fingers.

Ved smiled, his expression softening. "I thought it would look perfect on you," he said, lifting the necklace out of the box. "Let me put it on you."

Priya turned back to the mirror, lifting her hair as Ved fastened the necklace around her neck. She felt the weight of it settle against her skin, a tangible reminder of the life she was trying to hold together. Ved's hands lingered on her shoulders for a moment, and she caught his reflection in the mirror, his eyes filled with an earnest desire for things to be right between them.

As Priya stared at herself in the mirror, the beautiful necklace sparkling around her neck, she felt a flood of emotions welling up inside her. The weight of the diamonds felt like a heavy chain, a reminder of the facade she was maintaining. Unable to hold back any longer, tears began to stream down her face.

"Priya, what happened?" he asked, concern etched on his face. Priya stood up, trying to compose herself, but the tears wouldn't stop. She turned away from him, unable to find the words to explain the turmoil inside her.

Ved stepped closer, gently taking her by the shoulders and turning her around to face him. "Priya, look at me," he said softly. "Don't you love me anymore?"

Priya kept her eyes downcast, unable to meet his gaze. Her silence spoke volumes, and Ved's expression grew more desperate. "Is it because you found someone else?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly with a mix of fear and anger.

At these words, Priya's head snapped up, her eyes wide with shock. She hadn't expected him to voice his suspicions so bluntly. For a moment, she was stunned into silence, the raw honesty of his question hanging heavily in the air between them.

Ved's eyes searched hers, looking for answers. "Priya, please," he implored. "I need to know. Is there someone else?"

Priya opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She was torn between her duty to her family and the overwhelming emotions she felt for Ram. The silence stretched on, and Ved's expression shifted from desperation to resignation.

"I see," he said quietly, letting go of her shoulders. He took a step back, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "You don't have to say anything. Your silence says it all."

Priya looked up at him again, her eyes pleading for understanding. "Ved, I..." she began, but he shook his head, stopping her.

"Don't," he said softly. "Not now. We have a party to attend, and our daughter is waiting. We'll talk about this later."

With that, he turned and left the room, leaving Priya standing there, feeling more lost and conflicted than ever. She wiped her tears and took a deep breath, trying to pull herself together. The necklace around her neck seemed to grow heavier with every passing second, a symbol of the burden she carried. She knew she had to face the evening with a brave face, but the future seemed more uncertain than ever.