In the heart of chaos

Chapter 12

The Birla House was beautifully decorated with balloons, streamers, and floral arrangements in every corner, all in celebration of Aarav's third birthday. The sprawling lawn was filled with laughter, children running around, and the sounds of music and conversation blending together.

Akshara was overseeing the arrangements with a wide smile on her face, making sure every detail was perfect for her son's special day. Aarav was the center of attention, running from guest to guest with his boundless energy, his laughter infectious as he celebrated with his family.

Aarohi stood quietly near the entrance, her face carefully composed. She had agreed to come to the party for Aarav's sake, but she couldn't shake the feeling that today was going to be difficult. The Goenka family had arrived in full force, and while she felt comforted by their presence, the tension in the air between her and the Birlas was hard to ignore.

Manish, Suwarna, Vansh, Kairav, Trisha, and Shalini had all accompanied her, and Aarohi could feel their protective gazes on her as they entered the Birla House. The strained relationship between the two families was still raw, and Aarohi knew that despite the festive atmosphere, things could go wrong at any moment.

As the party continued, snide remarks started flying in Aarohi's direction. First, it was subtle—passive-aggressive comments about her career choice, about her leaving Birla Hospital, about her new position at Sarvodaya Hospital. People who barely knew her whispered behind her back, the murmurs growing louder as the day went on.

"Guess some people couldn't handle the pressure at Birla," one guest muttered loud enough for Aarohi to hear as she passed by.

"She couldn't keep up with the standards, that's why she ran away," another voice added, barely hiding the disdain.

Aarohi clenched her fists, willing herself to stay composed. She wasn't here to engage in petty fights. This was Aarav's day, and she didn't want to cause a scene.

But it was hard. The constant judgment weighed on her, especially knowing that Abhimanyu was watching from a distance, his gaze sharp and filled with disapproval.

Finally, it happened.

As the guests gathered to hear Akshara and Abhimanyu's speeches, Aarohi tried to stand in the background, hoping to avoid attention. But Abhimanyu's words seemed directed at her, every sentence laced with a veiled attack.

"We're so proud of our family," Abhimanyu began, his voice loud and clear. "We've always believed in standing together through thick and thin, supporting each other no matter the circumstances. And when challenges arise, we don't run from them—we face them head-on, with strength and dignity."

Aarohi stiffened, knowing exactly who that comment was aimed at. The murmurs around her grew louder, people casting glances her way.

Abhimanyu wasn't done. "It's easy to walk away from problems, to move to a new city, and think it's a fresh start. But real strength comes from confronting your issues, not running from them."

Aarohi felt her heart pound in her chest. It was a direct attack, meant to humiliate her in front of everyone. She could feel the weight of the eyes on her, judging her for leaving Birla Hospital, for moving to Mumbai, for trying to rebuild her life away from this toxic environment.

Before she could respond, before she could even gather her thoughts, Manish stepped forward.

"I think that's enough," Manish's voice cut through the tension like a knife. His expression was calm, but there was an edge to his tone that silenced the crowd instantly.

Manish stood tall, his voice firm but steady as he addressed everyone in the room. "I understand that families can have disagreements. But today is supposed to be a day of celebration, not one of petty remarks and hurtful speeches."

He turned to face Abhimanyu directly, his eyes cold. "You talk about strength, Abhimanyu. But real strength isn't in holding grudges or embarrassing someone in front of others. Real strength is in forgiveness, in understanding, and in building people up instead of tearing them down."

The room was deathly silent.

Manish continued, "Aarohi has proven herself time and time again. She's built a life, a career, and a reputation on her own. She doesn't need anyone's validation, least of all from people who can't see beyond their own egos. And let me remind you, she didn't run away from anything—she simply chose her own path."

Aarohi's heart swelled with gratitude as Manish spoke, his words a shield against the judgment that had been suffocating her all evening.

Manish turned back to Aarohi, his face softening. "Aarohi, we're leaving. You don't need to be here."

Aarohi nodded, feeling tears prick her eyes. She didn't want to cry, especially not in front of these people, but the overwhelming support from her Bade Papa and the rest of her family was too much to hold back.

Without another word, Manish, Vansh, and Kairav gathered the Goenkas and led Aarohi out of the Birla House. As they walked away, Aarohi could still hear the whispers, could feel the eyes on her, but it didn't matter anymore.

She had her family. And in that moment, that was all she needed.