His sukoon : His junoon

28

Enjoy :-)

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Isha awoke to find herself in Rudransh's room again. She didn't dwell on it much, knowing well that he must have brought her back. He didn't like the idea of her sleeping in a different room. The thought made her blush slightly as she freshened up and headed downstairs.

As she walked down, Ishaan approached her, trying his best to appear normal. But he couldn't hide the excitement bubbling inside him. He wanted to share what he saw last night. He had come to check on her but ended up seeing her and Rudransh sleeping close together, tangled in each other's warmth. Later, when he had come to fill his water bottle, he had nearly choked when he saw Rudransh carrying her upstairs with such care.

Isha noticed him lost in thought and gently nudged him, "Kya hua? What are you thinking?"

He quickly shook his head, "Kuch nahi. Just... it's nothing."

Before she could press further, a chorus of excited voices interrupted them.

"Bhabhi!!!"

Startled, Isha turned to see two young, beaming faces. Aarohi and Vihaan stood there, practically bouncing with excitement.

"Bhabhi, we're so excited for the wedding! We can't wait!" Aarohi exclaimed, giggling as Vihaan nodded eagerly beside her, his fluffy hair bouncing.

Isha looked down, a bit overwhelmed. How many times had she tried to tell them that she wasn't married yet? But they still insisted on calling her 'bhabhi.'

"My daughter!!!"

Isha froze. The voice sent a chill down her spine. Slowly, she turned toward the entrance of the palace. There she stood—her mother, the woman who had given her more scars than love, smiling as if nothing had happened.

"Kaise ho meri beti!" Her mother hurried toward her, wrapping Isha in an embrace. Isha flinched at the contact, the memories of pain and manipulation flooding back. Her mother kissed her forehead and stroked her hair as if she were a caring parent.

"Itne dino baad mil rahe hain!" Her mother's voice was sweet, but the greed in her eyes was unmistakable. Ishaan started to say something, but Badi Rani-sa appeared, her soft voice breaking the tension.

"Who is it, beta?" Badi Rani-sa asked.

Isha broke free from the hug, quickly moving to stand behind her, clutching the end of her pallu like a lifeline.

"My mother," Isha whispered, failing to hide her trembling voice.

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Maya observed Isha, who was sitting beside her, looking down and fiddling with her hands. Something was clearly wrong, and Maya had a strong feeling it was connected to the woman sitting across from them, eyes filled with greed and avarice.

They were at the dining table, waiting for Rudransh and his father to return from work. The atmosphere was tense, everyone silently watching Isha's mother, who seemed far more interested in the lavish spread of food and the shiny cutlery than in her daughter's well-being.

Footsteps echoed down the hall, and soon Rudransh and his father entered the room. It was 8 PM now, and Isha's mother had arrived at 11 AM, spending the day making herself comfortable in the guest room. Despite the warm hospitality extended to her, there was an unspoken tension surrounding her presence.

Rudransh took his place at the head of the table, while his father sat at the other end, near his wife, with Isha beside them. Rudransh's eyes immediately went to Isha, noticing her tense and worried demeanor, which she was trying unsuccessfully to mask.