Faded Ties, Rekindled Hearts

Chapter 6

Aarti stood at a distance, watching the tender reunion between Ishita and Tanya. Her eyes narrowed, and a flicker of frustration crossed her face as she saw Tanya finally smiling in her mother's arms. Anger surged through her, and she clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms. Inwardly, she seethed.

Koi baat nahi, she thought bitterly, her eyes burning with resentment. Agar inka reunion ho bhi gaya hai toh kya? Maine jo spark lagayi thi, wo toh lag chuki hai. Ab ise dheere dheere badaana hai... Tanya ke man mein nafrat paida karni hai.

She took a deep breath, calming herself, her mind already plotting the next move. Ishita bhabhi ko lagta hai sab theek ho gaya... lekin yeh toh bas shuruaat hai. Ab bas waqt ka intezaar hai, jab Tanya ke dil mein meri boayi hui nafrat phool banegi. Aur tab, Ishita apni hi bacchi ko kho degi.

Aarti smirked as she turned away, her mind swirling with devious thoughts, ready to plant more seeds of doubt and confusion in Tanya's heart. Ab dekhte hain, bhabhi... tum apni beti ko kaise apne haathon se door hota dekhti ho....

Aarti, with her carefully crafted smile, entered the room, her voice dripping with fake concern. "Arre, toh yeh hai hamari pyari Tanya!" she said with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Tanya bacche, mai hoon aapke papa ki behen, Aarti bua. Aapne dekha hoga na meri ek bacchi bhi hai... Avni naam hai. Ab aap usko apni best friend banana, aur uske saath khub khelna."

Aarti pulled Tanya into a tight hug, acting as though they were already close. Tanya, however, barely moved and rolled her eyes, her thoughts racing. Dramatic much... Mai banu uss ladki ki best friend? Huh, in your dreams, Bua.

As Aarti released her from the hug, she added sweetly, "Mujhe pata hai, Tanya, tum kitni samajhdaar ho. Avni ko thoda support karogi toh wo khush rahegi. Tum dono kitna accha bond bana sakti ho."

Tanya, feeling the pressure, forced a small smile but couldn't help thinking, Support? Mujhe toh apne support ki zarurat hai, aur yeh mujhe babysitter bana rahi hai... best friend? Yeh to bilkul bhi possible nahi hai.

Aarti continued her charade, "Tum toh bilkul apni mumma jaisi ho, caring aur loving. Tum Avni ko bahut pasand aane wali ho, aur tumhe bhi wo pyari lagegi."

Tanya, suppressing a sigh, thought, Mumma jaisi? Haan, bilkul. Lekin Bua, yeh bond waala scene aapke sapne mein hi possible hai. Abhi toh Avni se door rehna meri priority hai.

But out loud, she only nodded slightly, her mind already making plans to avoid any forced friendship. "Haan Bua, dekhte hain," she said in a soft, non-committal voice.

As the door creaked open, Avni entered the room with an air of curiosity. Aarti immediately turned her attention to her daughter. "Avni, beta, yeh hai Tanya. Tumhari choti behen," Aarti said, her voice oozing with forced sweetness. "Hello bolo aur dosti karlo."

Avni, with her own practiced smile, approached Tanya. "Hello, Tanya. You can call me Didi," she said, her tone just as artificial.

Tanya, rolling her eyes slightly, replied with a strained smile, "Arre, Avni, mai tumse sirf chhoti hu chhah mahine se. Isme kya didi bolna?"

Before Avni could respond, Ishita said"Are baccho, ye sab baate hoti rahengi. Tanya, chalo, tum change kar lo fir khana khalo."

Tanya shook her head, "Nahi, Mumma, Yuvi ne khana khiladiya tha."

Ishita's eyes widened in surprise. "Yuvi ne? Tum log ladhe nahi?"

Tanya shook her head, smiling slightly. "Nahi, Mumma. Aapko pata hai, Yuvi aur mera kya chalta hai. Wo mujhse jitna bhi ladle, meri kafi care karta hai."