The Silent Betrayal

2. Taani' Crossroads

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This Chapter contains 2000+ Words...

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One day, as the gang rehearsed their routine for an upcoming competition, Simmi glanced over at Rey and sighed.
"I guess it’s a relief that Taani isn’t interfering in our dance routines anymore. It was getting kinda annoying."

Vicky overheard her and grinned, chiming in. And mocked  "Haan, waise bhi ab toh Rey ne usse side mein kar diya hai. She’s more like a background prop now."

[ Yes, anyway Rey has sidelined her now.]

The gang chuckled at Vicky’s words, and Taani overheard the snickering. Her heart clenched, but she kept her head down, pretending to be unaffected. Inside, she was crumbling, but no one seemed to care.

One day, Taani sat alone in the canteen, absentmindedly stirring her coffee when her phone rang. She saw the caller ID: Taauji—her uncle, and Swayam’s father. Her heart skipped a beat.

She answered  the call and said  "Hello, Taauji?"

"Taani beta, kaise ho? Mujhe tumse kuch zaroori baat karni hai. Tum thoda time nikal kar mil sakti ho?"

[ Tani beta, how are you? I need to talk to you about something important. Can you spare some time and meet me?"]

Taani was surprised. Her Taauji never called unless it was something important. He was a strict man, and she had always respected him immensely. She agreed without hesitation.

"Haan Taauji, main aa jaungi. Kya baat hai?"
[Yes uncle, I will come. What is the matter?]

"Jab tum aaogi, tab baat karenge. Tumhara wait kar raha hoon."
[ We will talk when you come. I am waiting for you.]

Taani hung up, feeling a strange sense of foreboding. What could be so important that her Taauji wanted to meet her alone? Her mind raced with possibilities.

Meanwhile, in the rehearsal hall, The gang, consisting of Bharat, Vicky, Nilesh (Nil) , simmi, and Rinni  became more comfortable around Taani because she wasn’t involved in their matters anymore. In fact, they were relieved.

"Taani se chutkara mil gaya hai na, ab rehearsals smooth ho rahe hain. Pehle toh woh hamesha tang karti thi Rey ke saath." Nil joked

[We have got rid of the tension, now the rehearsals are getting smoother. Earlier she always stick to  Ray.]

Simimi laughed with him "Haan yaar, ab toh team mein koi distraction nahi hai. Rey bhi focused lagta hai.

[ Yes man, now there is no distraction in the team. "Rey also seems focused.]

While the gang laughed and bantered, Taani felt more isolated. It wasn’t just Rey who ignored her, but everyone around her seemed to be more than happy that she was out of the picture. She had never felt so unwanted in her entire life.

Taani sat in the living room of her house, nervously waiting for her Taauji to arrive. It had been a while since she had seen him, and she could feel a mix of love and respect for him bubbling up, along with a slight sense of dread. She knew the conversation they were about to have wouldn’t be easy. Her Taauji was not the type to beat around the bush, and she had a feeling that today, he had something important to discuss.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and in walked her Taauji, his usual authoritative but warm presence filling the room. He had always been a man of few words but carried a weight of love and responsibility toward Taani and Swayam. Seeing Taani sitting there with a faint smile on her face, he smiled back and opened his arms.