𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞: 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝

𝟕. 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭

Author's POV:-

"DON'T YOU HAVE ANY COMMON SENSE, TITLI??"

Mahesh's loud voice flinches Titli, making her step back in shock.

Shreya immediately holds her husband's hand, trying to calm him down. "Mahesh, what are you saying?"

"I'm absolutely right, Shreya. I think this girl intentionally added it to the kheer," he glares at Titli, his anger palpable.

"Dad??" Nikhil gasps, shocked by his father's harsh accusation.

"No, I didn’t know he was allergic to it," Titli says, shaking her head repeatedly, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Hey, just stop lying in front of me. I know very well what you gir—" Mahesh's words are abruptly cut off.

"STOP IT, DAD! JUST STOP IT!!" Nikhil angrily rises from his seat, his eyes blazing with fury.

"What has happened to you, Dad? She just came to our house yesterday. How could she know that I have an allergy to almonds? Don’t blame her unnecessarily. Calm down, Dad. It’s just an accident. I’m perfectly fine," Nikhil asserts, his voice steady and firm.

Titli's heart sinks further, feeling an overwhelming guilt about the whole situation and her actions from the previous day. She is deeply touched by how selflessly Nikhil supports her, despite the circumstances.

"Yes, Mahesh, if it's anyone's fault, it's mine. I forgot to tell her about this. Don’t blame her, please," Shreya says, squeezing her husband's hand, trying to make him see reason.

Mahesh's stern expression softens slightly, but he still looks displeased.

"You should have asked if anyone had allergies before preparing the meal," he says, his voice calmer but still firm.

Without listening anything,he turns and immediately leaves the room without another word.

Nikhil sighs, closing his eyes briefly to regain his composure. He doesn't understand why his father harbors such animosity towards Titli. Ever since he confessed to his family that he was in love with her, his father had not been happy. Mahesh had insisted that she wasn’t a suitable match for him.

When Nikhil decided to marry her, everyone in the family had been happy except his father. Nikhil had worked tirelessly to pacify him and eventually got his reluctant approval for the marriage.

Yet, deep down, he knows that his father still hasn't fully accepted her.

He looks over at Titli, who is standing there quietly, struggling with her tears. The hurt in her eyes is unmistakable.

"Come here and complete your breakfast," Nikhil says softly, patting the seat beside him.

"Yes, dear, complete your breakfast. I am sorry for his behavior," Shreya adds, her voice tinged with sadness and regret.

Titli finally sits beside Nikhil, but her eyes remain fixed on the empty chair where her father-in-law had been sitting just a few minutes earlier. The sense of rejection from Mahesh weighs heavily on her heart.

Nikhil softly held her palm under the table cloth rubbing it gently making her startle..

"Dad's anger doesn't last for a long time. He will come around once he calms down. Don't worry," Nikhil assures her, his voice gentle and comforting.

She nods her head slowly, still feeling the sting of Mahesh's harsh words. She picks up her spoon and takes a small bite of her food, but her appetite has waned.

Shreya reaches out and gently pats her back.

"Titli, you’re a part of this family now. We all have our moments of misunderstanding, but it will pass. Try to eat something, okay?"

Titli gives a small, appreciative smile and takes another bite, though her mind is elsewhere.

The warmth and support from Nikhil and Shreya help, but the incident has left a mark.

Naksh, noticing the tension, tries to lighten the mood. "Bhabhi, I think you should cook for us more often. Despite everything, the palak paneer is amazing!" He grins, hoping to bring some levity to the situation.

Titli chuckles softly, appreciating his attempt to cheer her up.

Nikhil was searching for his blue file, unable to remember where he had left it the previous night. It was an important document needed for today's meeting. Entering his room, he began checking the sofa area, his frustration growing with each passing second.

Suddenly, a hand appeared in front of him, holding the blue file. His eyes immediately relaxed at the sight of it.

"Thanks, I was searching for this," he said with a small smile, taking the file gratefully.

As he turned to leave, a hand gripped his arm. "Nikhil, I want to say something," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

He looked at her, noticing the guilt in her eyes. She took a step back, her expression pained. "Last night..." she began, but he cut her off gently.

"It's okay, you don't have to explain," he said, reaching for his bag.

"Please, let me say it, or else my guilt will kill me," she insisted, holding his hand more firmly.

He looked down at her fingers on his arm and nodded for her to continue.

"I am extremely sorry for my behavior last night. Sorry for accusing you of something you didn't do," she said, looking down at her palm.

He remained silent, allowing her to speak.

"I... I don't know what came over me. I know a mere sorry can't take back my harsh words. If I were in your place, I might have even slapped you," she said, closing her eyes as tears filled them. "It's just that something happened to me in my past, and that's why I reacted that way."

She opened her tear-filled eyes and looked at him. "Please forgive me. I promise it won't happen again," she pleaded, biting her lip to stop her sobs.

Nikhil gently held her shoulder and guided her to sit down on the sofa. He handed her a glass of water, which she sipped gratefully.

"It's okay. I understand that something in your past triggered your reaction," he said, holding her hand in his. "I can see the guilt in your eyes. I forgive you."

"Really?" she asked, her voice filled with hope.

"But I have one condition," he said, his tone firm. Her smile faded.

"You have to make my favorite kheer tomorrow," he said with a chuckle, seeing her scared kitten look.

"Oh, you scared me," she giggled, a sound that brought a smile to his face.

Nikhil laughed along with her. Throughout their conversation, he had unconsciously kept holding her hand.

As they both stood up, he spoke again. "I know, Titli, our marriage happened quickly. We didn't get much time to know each other properly."

She nodded in agreement.

"So, before we become husband and wife, let's be friends first," he suggested.

She was startled by his words.

"We can take one step at a time. Let's start with friendship," he said. "So, Titli, will you be my friend?" He offered his hand, bowing his head slightly.

She smiled and placed her hand in his. "Sure"

He grinned, and they exchanged phone numbers before he left for his office.

The room felt lighter as if a burden had been lifted from both their hearts. Titli watched Nikhil leave, feeling hopeful about their future and the friendship they had just begun.

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