The Saxena Complexity

Screaming, Crying

~|| CHAPTER 21||~

The atmosphere in the youngest couples' room was heartbreaking and saddening. Anaisha sat on the bed with her head trapped between her knees. If one had a closer look, they would seen her eyes welled up with tears. She couldn't hold back the floodgates any longer, and the sobs and tears poured forth, leaving her sobbing loudly.

Her sobbing intensified, her emotions reaching a peak. Every tear that streamed down her face was a reminder of the betrayal and hurt she had endured at the hands of her best friend. The pain of her realization sent her into a spiral of tears, her body shaking with each sob. It was as if the weight of her naiveté and hurt pressed down on her, threatening to crush her under its weight.

The sound of her wailing cries were caught by her sister who was on the way to her room only.  Aahana's ears piqued by the sound of her sister's wailing cries. Concern filled her as she recognized the sound of Anaisha's sobs. She hastily pushed the door open, her gaze immediately falling on her distraught sister.

Aahana's eyes widened in shock and concern as she took in the sight of her sister. Her crying figure was a picture of anguish and despair, her body wracked with each ragged breath. 

Aahana's usual tough demeanor crumbled in the face of her sister's grief. She held Anaisha simply, her arms offering a silent yet comforting presence. The sight of her sister's tears and the sound of her sobs affected her greatly. Aahana's own eyes became misty.

They lay entwined for what seemed like an eternity. Time dilated around them, each second feeling like an hour as they held each other in silence. The only sound was that of Anaisha's soft sobs and Aahana's occasional reassuring whispers.

A sudden knock at the door interrupted the silence, and Aahnah looked up, her eyes puffy from suppressed tears. The door slowly swung open to reveal Rudra, who stood in the doorway, his face filled with concern.

As Aahana turned her attention to Rudra, her emotions flared up. She was furious at him for allowing his own brother to hurt her sister. Her eyes locked onto his, full of anger. Without a word, she left Anaisha, gently laying her down before making her way towards Rudra, her entire demeanour radiating with rage.

Rudra remained unfazed by Aahana's anger, his gaze locked firmly on Anaisha. He brushed past her and walked over to his sister-in-law, disregarding Aahana's heated glare and ignoring her words completely.

Rudra knelt down on the ground before Anaisha, assuming an apologetic stance. His head dipped low in a gesture of remorse, and his eyes met her tear-filled ones as he sought her forgiveness.

Rudra's voice was gentle and supportive as he spoke, his gaze steady and sincere. "If you want to kill Rey, I don't mind. What he did with you was unforgivable. Any decision that you want to take, I'll support you. And I literally mean each word that I say."

Anaisha's eyes met Rudra's, her expression a mix of weary trust and confusion. She couldn't quite understand why he would help her against his own brother, yet his genuine offer touched her. Perhaps there was more to Rudra Bhai than she had assumed.

Yet it didn't stop her from letting out a bitter chuckle. "Bhai, you're his brother. Why the hell are you here? Aren't you supposed to go and support him? Isn't that what you'll do?"

Rudra's expression turned even more serious, and his voice held a firm determination. "I won't. I don't care about blood relations now. The truth only matters. Whatever you say, it will happen. And I'll see who dares to go against you."

Anaisha's voice was firm as she repeated her intentions. "What if I want to leave this house forever and never return. I want to divorce him."

Not even a millisecond passed, Rudra agreed. He bobbed his head up-and-down to show it.

Just as Rudra was about to say something, Anaisha cut him off, not done with her demands just yet.

"And I want to take my Di away from all of you, especially you."

Rudra's eyes widened in surprise as Anaisha spoke, his composure faltering a little. He took a moment to regain his bearings before managing to ask, "Why?"

Anaisha raised an eyebrow as Rudra questioned her decision. She calmly explained her reasoning, her voice laced with a hint of frustration. "Why not? What will she get from this house? I never expected love, I expected respect for her because I've seen the way you all respect and care for me. But Di doesn't even get that privilege by you guys. It seems like no respects her in this house except Abheer Bhai. Not even the man I'm supposed to call husband."

Rudra muttered under his breath, his tone bitter. "She's my wife, after all. When has an illegitimate child's wife ever received respect?"

It was so quiet that Aahana couldn't hear it and Anaisha could barely make the words out. But, she did. Anaisha's voice rose in anger as she questioned, "Then, why the façade? Why portray yourselves as a happy, loving, tight-knit family if that's not true? Why go through all this act of pretending?"

"Because, that's what works in the world."

Anaisha firmly disagreed with Rudra's perspective, her voice tinted with a hint of frustration and disappointment. "But I don't agree," she said. "What did I get? What did my Di get? Nothing." She continued. "I'm making it simple for everyone here. So let us go our separate ways, and let that be the end of it. No more problems in your life, and none in ours."

What the three in the room didn't know was there was someone's eavesdropping on their conversation. Reshma Ma quietly stood by the door, her ears laid flat against the door.

As Anaisha spoke her last sentence, she couldn't contain herself any longer and interjected with a firm, "No."

The three got shocked at seeing Reshma Ma near the door.

"You are Rey's wife. Punish him any way you wish, but you're not leaving this house."

Aahnah chimed in beside Reshma Ma, her voice laced with amusement. "Well, does that mean I'm free to go then?"

Reshma Ma gave Aahana a sidelong glance and responded coolly, "Who am I to even stop you?"

Aahnah retorted, her tone laced with skepticism. "But why would I leave my sister here with all of you, you group of chameleons?"

Reshma Ma replied unfazingly, "Because we love her." Her tone was firm, as if imparting a fact rather than just another opinion.

"Oh, absolutely! Look at the love we've shown her. She's crying today because of you people ."

Reshma Ma's patience wore thin, and her tone became harsher. "Just go! We didn't need you then, and we don't need you now," she said, dismissing Aahana with a wave of her hand.

Rudra's attention was drawn to this statement, and his eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and concern. Recognising that it was time for him to step in, he spoke. "Reshma Ma, I understand where you are coming from. But please, not now."

Reshma Ma retorted, her voice holding a hint of sarcasm. "Alright, then. Give me the time and date. I'll do it then."

Aahana joined back in, her voice full of determination. "No need to bother. I'm leaving with my sister."

"Like hell you will," Reshma's eyes meeting Aahana's defiantly.

Rudra observed the sharp intake of breath from Aahana as R.M. swore, recognising her discomfort. Seeing that this was enough, he stepped in firmly.

"Enough. No more opinions by anyone. Anaisha, you want to go. Go. No problem. It is your right. Take aahana with you as well. But, send her back in a few weeks or days. It is your choice to leave but Aahana won't."

Anaisha snapped her gaze back  to her brother-in-law, "Why? To get mentally tortured again in the name of daughter in law."

Rudra retaliated. "I'm undergoing the torment as the son. Am i not?"

Anaisha interjected, her voice filled with bitterness. "That's because you were born into this family, but Di was forced into it. And no one asked you to stay and suffer through the torment."

~|| CHAPTER DUSTED||~

And I'm back. Since I have holidays for two weeks now, I'll give 5 more updates minimum in these weeks.