FORBIDDEN FLAMES ✅

Farewell

Author's POV

As everyone left, the room grew quiet, leaving just Anita, Shreya, and Vihaan. Shreya, understanding the weight of Vihaan's emotions, followed him into the bedroom. Vihaan's shoulders sagged with the burden of his mother's betrayal, his heart heavy with a mixture of sadness and resolve.


In the living room, Anita sat on the sofa, lost in deep thought. Vihaan's words echoed in her mind, each syllable a painful reminder of the chasm she had created between them. "You are my responsibility, nothing more," he had said, his voice devoid of the warmth and love she once took for granted.

Anita's eyes grew misty as she reminisced about Vihaan's childhood. She remembered his laughter, his small hands reaching out for hers, and the way he used to look at her with unwavering trust. But those memories were now tainted by her actions, her attempts to control and manipulate the very person she claimed to love.

Shreya entered the bedroom quietly, finding Vihaan sitting on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. She approached him gently, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Vihaan looked up at her, his eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and pain. "I just can't believe she did all of that and doesn't regret her actions Shreya. I feel so....so....betrayed."

Shreya nodded, understanding the depth of his anguish, and said "I accept that whatever she has done to you or us is wrong, and I don't support her actions, Vihaan. But at the end of the day, she is your mother. You shouldn't have said that she is only your responsibility and nothing more."

Vihaan looked at Shreya, his eyes filled with frustration. "She has done many things, Shreya. She still tried to insult you today, and you're still supporting her?"

Shreya shook her head gently. "I'm not supporting her actions. I'm acknowledging her as a mother, that's all. Nothing more than that."

Vihaan sighed deeply, his shoulders tense. "I can't forget easily when the people closest to me manipulate and try to control me, even if it's my mother. I can't forgive easily. It's as simple as that."

Shreya placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "I understand, Vihaan. It's not about forgetting or forgiving easily. It's about finding a way to move forward, because she is your mother and she is also a part of our family even you agree or not , Vihaan."

Vihaan's expression hardened. "I don't want any more discussion on it, Sheru."

Shreya sighed, not knowing how to say what she felt. This was the reason she never shared what his mother said to her or did to her—she didn't want to separate a son from his mother.

Meanwhile, Anita, who had been approaching Vihaan's room, overheard the conversation between Vihaan and Shreya. She retreated back to the sofa, deep in thought. The conversation she overheard made her realize the extent of the damage she had caused.

Just then, the door opened and Aarna came running in, calling, "Papa, Papa!" She stopped when she saw Anita in the living room with tears in her eyes. Aarna approached her with hesitation and asked, "Why are you crying?" She asked innocently.

Anita saw Vihaan's replica in Aarna. She looked exactly like Vihaan. Aarna said, "Tell me, I will tell my Papa to beat them," looking determined to defend Anita.

Shreya came out of the bedroom and saw Aarna standing in front of Anita. For a moment, she was scared, but seeing something shifting in Anita's eyes, she stopped herself from intervening.

Shreya called, "Aaru baby."

Aarna turned back and said, "Ma, where is Papa? I need to talk to him."

Shreya asked, "He's in the room. What's that you need to talk about?"

Aarna said, "This aunty here is crying. I will tell Papa to beat them who made aunty cry."Shreya looked at Anita and Aarna, and Anita said, "It's your papa who scolded me. That's why I'm crying."

Hearing this, Shreya thought to intervene, she felt Anita was using Aarna and filling her ears against Vihaan. Before she could say anything, Aarna asked, "My papa will never scold anyone. I don't believe you."

Shreya smiled proudly at her daughter's innocence. Anita smiled half-heartedly and said, "I did something really bad, and that made your papa angry. That's why he scolded me."

Shreya was shocked listening to Anita's words she didn't expect Anita would say in this way.

 Aarna said, "Hmm, even mama scolds me when I do something very bad. Even I cry at that time. And you know what I do, aunty? If my mama scolds me, I go to papa. Seeing me in tears, he shouts at mama for making me cry," she answered with giggles.

Anita looked at Aarna with so much love. She remembered what Vihaan had said: "She is your blood, Ma. She has your son's blood in that baby. That unborn baby doesn't only belong to Shreya—that baby is mine too, didn't you think once that your how will i feel with your action."

 Thinking this, more tears rolled down her cheeks.

Aarna said, "Don't cry. I will scold papa for making you cry."

Anita said, "No, Beti. I deserve your papa anger towards me." Aarna, not understanding, just nodded.

Aarna said, "Ma, I'm hungry."

Shreya replied, "Come eat some cookies, meanwhile, I'll prepare lunch." She handed Aarna a plate of cookies and said, "Give these cookies to Dad." She paused, unsure how Anita would react if Aarna called her "Dadi." Lost in thought, Shreya almost missed Aarna's next words.

"Ma, are these cookies for that aunty?" Aarna asked.

Shreya nodded, "Yes."

Aarna went over to Anita and said, "Aunty, here, take these cookies until Mama prepares lunch." Anita looked at Shreya and Aarna, then took the cookies with a small, grateful smile.

Aarna then went into the bedroom and called, "Papa!"

Vihaan, who was deep in thought, looked up and saw his daughter. He hugged her tightly, finding peace in her small embrace. When he broke the hug, Aarna brought a cookie to Vihaan's mouth and said, "Eat, Papa. Mama is making lunch. I gave these to the aunty too."

Vihaan looked puzzled and asked, "Which aunty?"

Aarna said, "That old aunty."

Vihaan was at a loss for words. He realized that Aarna didn't know Anita was her grandmother, but he didn't want to give her false hopes. What if his mother decided to leave everything behind and go back to Delhi, staying alone? What if she didn't want to meet Shreya or Aarna in the future? He decided to keep quiet.

"Alright," Vihaan said. "Let's go help your mama with lunch."

Aarna cheered, "Yay! Cooking time!"

Vihaan lifted Aarna in his arms, and they came out of the bedroom. Vihaan was smiling, listening to Aarna's stories. As soon as he came out, his glance was on Anita for a split second, but he ignored her and went to the kitchen.

As they entered the kitchen, Shreya glanced at Vihaan, who gave her a small smile which Shreya returned. They all worked together to prepare lunch, with Aarna and Vihaan helping out. Shreya sighed in frustration, "Why did you both come inside? To help me or to make more mess? See, the aata (flour) is everywhere!"

Vihaan and Aarna laughed, seeing Shreya irritated. Anita watched from the living room, observing the scene. She understood the reason behind Vihaan's anger and how she had made him stay away from the love of his life and his daughter, whom he hadn't even seen once, infact he didn't know that his baby existed. Anita felt guilty looking at her son who was very happy and smiling around Shreya and Aarna it was years she has seen him so carefree.

She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to mend the broken bonds with her son. She was ready to apologize, hoping that her sincere apology might bring her son back to her.

Lunch was prepared, and Aarna settled at the dining table. Shreya nudged Vihaan and whispered, "Jao, Vihaan aunty ko bulao. Vah subah se aise hee baithee hai, mujhe unke liye bahut bura lag raha hey. (Go, Vihaan call aunty. She has been sitting like that since morning Iam feeling bad for her.")

Vihaan ignored Shreya and continued arranging the table. He knew that if he called his mother now, she might think his anger had melted away, and he didn't want her to think that. Shreya sighed and went near Anita, saying, "Aunty, lunch is prepared. Have some food. If I remember correctly, you need to take your tablets." Anita was silent but looked at her son, her heart heavy but hopeful she was looking at her son, hoping for a gesture from him atleast. Shreya stood there, uncertain about what to do next.