Maitree had tears in her eyes as she listened to Manasi's words.
She kept replaying the moments with Khushi. I can't believe it. How could she? Maitree thought.
"No, no, please don't misunderstand her," Manasi said, shaking her head, tears falling. "She really loved you. She didn't do it on purpose," Manasi added, her voice cracking. "The police found her unconscious. We asked about you, but they said they only found Khushi. When she woke up, she was crying."
Manasi placed her hand over Maitree's as she saw her weeping, while Rudra could only watch, helpless.
"Then she went silent," Maitree whispered.
"When the police were about to give up on the case, we tried everything," Manasi continued through her sobs. "We even put Khushi in therapy and tried hypnotherapy, but she always ended up crying. I couldn't put her through it again," she finished, tears streaming down her face.
Maitree broke down, and Rudra pulled her into a side hug.
"Please take me home, Rudra," Maitree sobbed. "Please," she repeated, her voice breaking.
Manasi slowly stood up, walked around the table, and gently touched Maitree's hair. In a whisper, she said, "Please forgive us."
Maitree, with tear-filled eyes, looked up at Manasi. After a brief moment, she leaned forward and hugged Manasi's waist, sobbing into her. Manasi's own tears silently fell as she held her.
Rudra stood up, quietly gathering the coffee cups to throw them away, giving Maitree and Manasi some privacy.
___________
Maitree closed the bathroom door, drying her hair. She wore a loose blue kurta and white palazzo pants as she looked around the room, trying to make sense of her surroundings. Am I in Khushi's home? Manasi aunty's home? My home? she wondered, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"My home," she mumbled slowly, the words feeling both familiar and strange. She'd only ever called her apartment in Mumbai home, but this felt like "HOME," she thought, sitting on the bed and neatly placing the towel on the chair.
She walked to the mirror and looked at herself. Her eyes were red from crying, and she could feel a headache coming—probably from dehydration, she thought as she brushed her hair.
She had cried a lot that day, hugging Manasi aunty—no, Mom. Mom? I have a mother? she thought. All she remembered was Manasi aunty whispering, "Let's go home," and she nodded, too tired to argue.
Rudra had dropped her and Manasi aunty home. Khushi and Shourya stayed at Rudra's that night to give her space.
She heard a knock at the door. Knowing who it was, she whispered, "Come in."
Manasi walked in with a water bottle and a gentle smile. "I thought you might need this," she said, placing the bottle on the side table. "Do you like the room?" she asked, looking at her.
"Yes," Maitree replied, glancing around. The walls were light blue, with a king-sized bed and a couch beside the door. Behind the couch were windows, their view blocked by heavy curtains. There was a study table with a chair and another window behind it, also with curtains. A mirror hung beside the table. The elaborate drapes made Maitree feel like she was in a Hindi soap opera, and she cringed slightly.
"Sorry," Manasi murmured, sensing what Maitree was thinking. "Khushi once thought she'd have a future in interior design. Unfortunately, this room was her experiment," she said, gesturing to the curtains and bed. Maitree smiled a little.
"Yea. Everyone is thankful that she went to food business" Maitree saiding adding to the banter.
Manasi chuckled softly, sitting on the edge of the bed. "You're not wrong. Her cooking saved us all from living in a house full of... interesting design choices," she said, glancing around the room with a fond smile.
Maitree felt a bit lighter, even though the weight of the day still pressed down on her. She took a sip of water, the coldness soothing her dry throat.
"Are you okay?" Manasi asked gently, her voice full of concern "if at any point of night you feel uncomfortable staying here, I can drive you to Rudra's place"
Maitree nodded as Manasi reached out, placing her hand over Maitree's.
Maitree looked down at their hands, feeling the warmth and comfort. "Thank you... Aunty," she said softly. She winced inwardly at the word—Aunty felt wrong, out of place, but she wasn't ready to say Mom just yet. she told herself, I want to be sure.
Manasi, sensing her hesitation, simply squeezed Maitree's hand gently, offering reassurance without pressing further.
The room settled into a comfortable silence, the tension of the day easing, if only for a little while. Both of them sat quietly, finding solace in each other's presence.
_____________
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Threads of Destiny
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