PATHS OF HEART

4

Niharika sat in the plush living room of the luxurious apartment she shared with Vanraj, her current partner. The sun was setting outside, casting long shadows across the room, but neither Niharika nor Vanraj paid attention to the picturesque view. They were engrossed in their own lives, enjoying the comfort of their secrecy, away from the prying eyes of the world. Vanraj, lounging on the sofa, was scrolling through his phone, casually flipping through news articles and social media posts.

Niharika, who had been sipping her wine, noticed Vanraj's eyes widen slightly as he came across something on his screen. He muttered something under his breath, drawing her attention.

"What is it?" Niharika asked, her curiosity piqued. She set her glass down on the table and leaned closer to him.

Vanraj hesitated for a moment, then turned the phone screen toward her. "You might want to see this."

Niharika took the phone from his hand, her eyes quickly scanning the headline on the entertainment news site: "Business Tycoon Anuj Kapadia Proposes to Anupama Joshi—A New Beginning for the Single Father!"

Her breath caught in her throat as she read the article, which was accompanied by pictures of Anuj down on one knee, holding out a ring to a tearful Anupama. There were photos of the couple embracing, their faces glowing with happiness, and even a shot of little Aanika, clapping her hands joyfully.

Niharika felt a wave of shock and disbelief wash over her. She had known that Anuj and Anupama were close, but she hadn't realized just how serious they had become. The fact that their engagement was now public knowledge, splashed across every major news outlet, made her feel a sudden and intense surge of emotions—anger, jealousy, and something deeper, a gnawing sense of regret.

"Anuj proposed to her?" she murmured, more to herself than to Vanraj. Her voice was laced with disbelief.

Vanraj watched her carefully, noting the change in her demeanor. "It looks like they're making it official. And not just that, they're making sure everyone knows about it."

Niharika's hands tightened around the phone, her knuckles turning white. She could feel a knot forming in her stomach as she stared at the images on the screen. Anuj looked so happy, so at peace, in a way she had never seen him when they were together. It was as if he had finally found the life he had always wanted, one that didn't include her.

Vanraj, sensing her growing agitation, placed a hand on her shoulder. "It was bound to happen sooner or later, Niharika. Anuj's moved on. And frankly, it seems like he's found something real with her."

Niharika bristled at his words, the bitterness in her heart flaring up. "So, what? He just forgets everything that happened between us? Moves on as if it never mattered?"

Vanraj sighed, leaning back on the sofa. "It's not about forgetting, Niharika. It's about moving forward. You and Anuj were never really in love. We both know that. You had your reasons for marrying him, and he had his reasons for staying. But whatever that was, it's over now."

She shook her head, her mind racing. "But what about Aanika? She's still our daughter. How could he just start a new life like this?"

Vanraj looked at her with a mixture of understanding and resignation. "He's not starting a new life, Niharika. He's continuing the one he began with Aanika. Anupama's a part of that now. And honestly, it's not like you've been a mother to her. You've been more focused on... other things."

Niharika's heart pounded in her chest. She had always known, deep down, that her relationship with Anuj had been more of a convenience than a real marriage. They had gone through the motions, raised their daughter, but there had never been any real love between them. Anuj's heart had always belonged to someone else, even when he hadn't admitted it.