𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍

𝟗. 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

Ankita's POV:-

I step down through the stairs carefully. All eyes were looking at me in shocking manner except the two person who were genuinely happy with my attire.

My baby is just staring at me while palming his both cheek with chubby palm..

I smiled looking at both of them.

But before I could say anything, Shalini aunty's voice sliced through the moment. "Ankita, what are you wearing?" Her eyes trailed over me from head to toe, disapproval dripping from every word.

I had expected this. I braced myself to respond, but before I could say a word, Aryan jumped in, still holding Ansh in his arms.

"Why, what's wrong with her saree, aunty?" His tone was sharp, protective, as he glared at her.

Shalini aunty seemed taken aback by his response, fumbling for her words. "No... I mean, she is a widow, right?"

Aryan's face hardened. "So what? Does being a widow mean she can't choose what she wears? Just because my bhaiya isn't here anymore doesn't mean she has to sacrifice her entire identity. Even my brother wouldn't have wanted that. So who are you to judge her, aunty?"

The tension in the room thickened.

Shalini aunty's mouth hung open in shock, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. I could see she wasn't used to being spoken to like that, especially by someone younger.

"Aryan, stop," I murmured softly, gripping his hand to calm him down.

"She's an elder. You can't talk to her like this."He glanced at me, his expression softening as he bounced Ansh gently in his arms, though the anger still simmered beneath the surface.

Aunty didn't say anything else, but her pursed lips and narrowed eyes told me she was angry at Aryan's outburst.

Later we get towards the centre of the table to cut the cake..its a mickey mouse shape cake..

I took him into my arms and helps him cutting the cake as all childern present there sing happy birthday song with it .

I took a small piece of cake and push it into his mouth. He too feed me and Aryan some cream.

After cake cutting session Aryan took him to the where all children where playing musical chair and many other games. It was all organized by Aryan.

Me and maa were then serving cakes and some chips to the guests.

As I made my way through the room, I couldn't help but overhear a group of women whispering. Something in their tone made me pause.

At first, I didn't want to listen, but their voices grew louder, and curiosity got the better of me.

As I moved closer, their words hit me like a punch to the gut.

"It hasn't even been a year since her husband died, and look at her. She's already showing her true colors," one woman sneered.

"Did you see how she's dressed today? Who would believe she's a widow?"

"And did you notice how Aryan was defending her? There's definitely something going on between them," another one added with a smirk.

"They're even wearing matching colors today! It's obvious," a third woman chimed in.

"I'm sure Ankita was having an affair with Aryan, and that's why Aditya couldn't handle it. Poor man must've committed suicide because of her betrayal."

I froze, my blood turning cold as their disgusting words sank in. Affair? Cheating? How could they say such vile things? My hands began to tremble as I struggled to process their twisted accusations.

I stepped back, shaken to my core. These women weren't just judging me for my saree-they had concocted an entire narrative about me and Aryan, turning our bond into something filthy, something it had never been.

How could they be so cruel? So heartless?

As I served the guests, my mind whirled with their accusations.

Affair? Cheating? They had no idea what Aryan and I had been through since Aditya's death.

If only they knew the sacrifices, the tears, and the endless nights of guilt that haunted me.

How could they reduce everything to such baseless gossip?

Aryan had been nothing but supportive, like a rock that held me together when my world collapsed. He was my husband's brother, yes, but he was also a dear friend.

Aditya's loss had left a void in both of our lives that we were still learning to navigate.

"Ankita?" Maa's soft voice pulled me out of my thoughts. She looked at me with concern, her brow furrowed as she handed me a plate.

"Are you okay?"I forced a smile, nodding. "Yes, Maa. I'm fine."

But I wasn't. The weight of those whispered accusations sat heavily on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

No, Ankita, this isn't right. My mind screamed in protest. My life is over... I'll always be a widow. But for Aryan... it's just the beginning. He deserves so much more than this.The thought of Aryan's life being tainted by these false accusations made me sick to my core.

He had his whole future ahead of him-full of possibilities, of love, of a family that wasn't shadowed by the grief and loss I carried with me every day.

I couldn't let him ruin that future just because of the whispers of people who didn't understand.

He was only trying to help, to protect me and Ansh, but at what cost? No, Ankita. You can't depend on him every time. You can't let his life be destroyed because of you.

From now on, you need to keep your distance.For his sake, I had to push him away. Even if he tried to help me with Ansh, even if his heart was in the right place, I couldn't accept it anymore.

I couldn't let him sacrifice his life for me-someone who was trapped in the past, haunted by loss.

It was better for both of us if I created space between us. He would be hurt, but he would understand eventually. He had to. It was for his own good, after all.

Aryan deserved better. I deserved better. And Aditya's memory deserved respect, not their poisonous gossip.

I stared at Aryan who is laughing with the children.

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