Ibaadat

He needs me

Advait's gaze met Kriti's perplexed face, her eyes a canvas of conflicting emotions.
He reached out with a gentle tone, "Sometimes, Kriti, we must trust without understanding the why. Faith can be a powerful solace."

Kriti's voice trembled, "But I did trust him, Advait. I gave him my heart, and he walked away."

Advait's eyes locked onto hers, his expression a mix of helplessness . "Maybe he was helpless too, Kriti. Bound by circumstances beyond his control."

Priya's presence was a silent comfort, her gaze shifting between the two.
Kriti's voice cracked, "he was my strength, Advait. My rock. But he abandoned me."

The air was heavy with unspoken words, the weight of their past hanging like a challenge.
Arjun's arrived with a wailing Aksh broke the spell. Priya swiftly tended to the child's needs, while Kriti's hands instinctively cradled Aksh, her touch soothing his cries.

Advait's voice was barely above a whisper, "You see, Kriti, a parent's love knows no bounds. We'd move mountains for our children."

Kriti's smile was a fragile thing, her eyes welling up. "Yes, Advait. He hote hi itne pyare hai. A reminder of unconditional love."

Advait's words hung in the air like a challenge: "Or if someone were to hurt them, Kriti..."

Kriti's gaze snapped to Advait, her eyes blazing with fury. "Why would anyone harm my baby?" she spat, her voice trembling with rage.

Advait's expression was somber. "What would you do to protect him, Kriti?"

Kriti's response was instinctive. "Anything. I'd do anything to save him."

Advait's eyes locked onto hers, his voice barely above a whisper. "That's what he did."

With that, Advait turned and left, leaving Kriti reeling. She thought back to his words, her mind racing with questions.
Rishabh's kids, Sam and Archit...who would want to hurt them? And at what cost? The memory of Rishabh's sacrifice hit her like a ton of bricks.
He had given up on his relationship to save them...oh God, the weight of it crushed her.

Kriti's thoughts were a jumbled mess as she tried to process her emotions.
She needed to talk to Rishabh, to understand what he had gone through.
But he was gone, and she was left with only her thoughts.

As she struggled to stand, Aksh's loud wails pierced the air, and Kriti realized she was still holding him. Her gaze fell upon his innocent face, and her heart swelled with a mix of love and fear. She knew she had to be strong, for Aksh's sake, and for the truth that was yet to be uncovered.

Kriti's fingers flew across her phone's keyboard as she texted Rishabh: "Come to me, I need you."

Just then, Priya entered with a milk bottle, which Kriti took and used to feed Aksh. After burping him, she gently rocked him to sleep.

With a sense of urgency, Kriti stood up and hurried out. Priya called after her, "Kriti, wait!" But Kriti was already gone, leaving Priya to watch over Aksh.

"Please take care of Aksh, Priya. I need to reach Rishabh," Kriti said, her voice firm and resolute.

Priya nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

Kriti rushed to her car, her driver asking, "Baby ji, should I drive you?"

But Kriti was determined to take control. "No, Kaka. Today, I need to drive myself."

With a deep breath, Kriti sped off, her heart racing with anticipation. She pushed through the gates of the Rathore premises, her presence commanding attention. Everyone knew her as Rishabh's girlfriend, and no one dared to stop her.

With a fierce determination, Kriti walked in, her stride confident and purposeful, like a boss lady on a mission.

Kriti's voice cut through the air as she called out to Reyan, who was standing outside Rishabh's cabin. "Reyan!"

Reyan turned around, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight of Kriti. "What a pleasant surprise, ma'am! What brings you here?"

Kriti's expression was stern, her eyes fixed on Reyan. "Where is Rishabh?"

Reyan hesitated for a moment before responding, "Ma'am, he's in a meeting with foreign delegates in the conference room."

Kriti's sigh was audible as she nodded, her mind racing with thoughts. "Which one?"

Reyan replied, "Room number 8, ma'am."

With a determined stride, Kriti made her way to the lift and pressed the button for the conference room floor.
As the doors slid open, she walked in, her eyes adjusting to the dimly lit room.
The presentation on the big screen was in full swing, with Rishabh and others seated around the table.

But when Rishabh caught sight of Kriti standing there, her expression grave and unwavering, he was taken aback.
He stood up, his eyes locked onto hers, his face a mix of surprise and concern.

The presenter faltered, sensing the sudden tension in the room. "Ah, excuse me, please..."

Rishabh's voice was firm, his eyes never leaving Kriti's face. "Continue. I'll send sam on my place'

With that, he strode towards Kriti, his movements fluid and purposeful, leaving the room wondering what was about to unfold.

As she stood outside his door, her heart raced with a mix of emotions. She had thought she was done with him, that she had closed the chapter on their relationship. But the truth he had kept hidden for so long changed everything.

She took a deep breath and opened the door. It opened, and he stood before her, his eyes filled with a mix of hope and trepidation.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He stepped aside, allowing her to enter. "I was ashamed," he said, his voice laced with regret. "I didn't want to burden you with my family's problems. I thought I was doing the right thing, but I realize now that I was wrong to leave without explaining."

She walked further into the room, her eyes locked on his. "You should have trusted me," she said, her voice firm but laced with hurt. "You should have told me the truth."

He nodded, his eyes cast downward. "I know. I was wrong, and I'm so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?"

She paused, her heart heavy with emotion. She had thought she couldn't forgive him, but now...now she wasn't so sure. She saw the sincerity in his eyes, the remorse in his posture.

"I don't know," she said finally. "I need time to process this. But I do know that I want to try to understand. Tell me everything."

And with that, he began to explain, to tell her the pain he held inside him.

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