Shadowed Desires

Chapter-3

Scene continued.....

Atharv said, " Check the cctv cameras around your place ". Soon, other people also emerged out of rooms which included Dev's wife and their son and his mother.

A man entered the hall and said to Dev, " Sir we are grounded from all the sides ". He showed it with a tablet in his hand how Atharv's people had surrounded Chauhan villa with guns in their hands.

Dev yelled at the high tone at Atharv and said, " What the hell is Atharv Shekhawat? ". Atharv let out a chuckle first and said , " It doesn't matter if challenges come in my life I am invited or uninvited I am ready to face all of them ".

Dev looked towards Kritika and said, " You have already brought so much shame to our name after marrying him. Now for what you are here. Is something left to ruin now. If you would have not been my daughter I would have killed you with my own hands today for what you had committed. Out of all the men in the world , you choose him. Who is nothing but an enemy to our family ".

Kalyani ( Kritika's grandmother) said, " I have already told you. No matter how much freedom you provide her or how well you educate her. One day, she will show the real colour of blood she had in her veins ".

Shikha spoke, " After all we know whose daughter she is and ... ". Before she could complete, Atharv spoke, " One more allegation on her and see what I can do to everyone present here ".

He looked towards Kritika with no expression in his eyes , " Just collect the stuff you want to pick ". He took a place on the sofa there and placed himself in the signature king style.

Aayush ( Kritika's younger brother ) was about to hold the collar of Atharv. But Dev gestured to him to stop and maintain the peace there knowing the intensity of the situation.

While Kritika made her way to her room, the dev followed her there leaving Atharv along with other family members. She started packing her clothes and documents.

She was about to put down a photo frame from the wall. But her father's voice stopped her. She looked into his direction. Dev said, " You can't take her picture along with you. You have betrayed our family by marrying him ".

Kritika replied, " If I am not worthy of it. Then even you are not worthy of it ". Dev asked , " And who are you to say it ? ".
Kritika said, " The same five year old girl who was asked to accept a stranger lady as her mother after a few months when my real one left" .

Dev fisted his hand and said, " You know really well what she was doing back then? I loved her that's why I don't let the world know her real truth otherwise you know the people who take the name as an idol will shame her name in the worst way ".

Kritika spoke with bitterness in her  tone, " If you would have loved her even for a second then you would be the first one who would deal with the people who tried to ruin the reputation of my mother and miserably it is your own family .But you still doubt her. I felt so sorry that she chose you as her husband. You are not letting people know what was in that letter because you don't want to taint your own reputation otherwise love is not a thing for you at all".

Dev replied, " Mind your tone, you are speaking to your father ". Kritika replied, " Speak to me about it when you have fulfilled a single responsibility of being a father ". Dev spoke, " It was you who pushed me away. I was always ready to be with you every time. It was you who chose to stay at hostels even when you have family to stay ".

Kritika felt a pang in her heart. But she didn't let herself break. She recollected herself and said , " So what did you expect me to do ? Be a people pleaser and see how my father is more happy with his second wife and see my step siblings take my place when I was the one craving to be there. I knew my worth at this place when my mother died here ".