In the heart of chaos

Chapter 32

The air was thick with excitement and anticipation as the Goenka household bustled with preparations for Akshara's godh bharai ceremony. Decorations adorned every corner, shimmering in hues of gold and red. Family and friends had gathered to celebrate this new chapter in Akshara and Abhimanyu's lives, the atmosphere electric with joy.

Aarohi entered the house, her heart heavy as she observed the laughter and chatter. Despite her own struggles, she was genuinely happy for Akshara, but the sight of Abhimanyu made her blood boil. The man had been a thorn in her side for too long, and today was no different.

As the guests mingled and the rituals began, Akshara was the center of attention, glowing with maternal bliss. Aarohi stood by the refreshment table, trying to maintain her composure as she poured herself a drink. But her moment of solace was short-lived.

"Hey, Aarohi," Abhimanyu called out, his tone dripping with condescension. "You should take notes today. You might want to learn how to get pregnant sometime soon. It seems like that's not on your agenda."

The laughter that followed his remark was like nails on a chalkboard. Aarohi felt a heat rising within her, but she tried to ignore him. This was Akshara's day, and she wouldn't let him ruin it.

But Abhimanyu wasn't done. "After all, you are getting older, and your clock is ticking. Or are you planning to remain single forever?"

The jab struck deep, igniting Aarohi's fury. She spun around to face him, her eyes blazing. "You have no idea what I'm going through, Abhimanyu. Just because you and Akshara have found happiness doesn't mean you can belittle me."

"Maybe if you had made better choices—" he started, but Aarohi cut him off.

"Better choices?" she spat, stepping closer. "Let's talk about choices, Abhimanyu. You left me at the altar for my sister, and now you think you can make me feel inferior because I'm single? Look at yourself. You're the one who's been married and divorced within a few years."

The room fell silent, the tension palpable. Akshara turned sharply toward them, her expression shifting from excitement to anger. "Aarohi, don't. This is not the time or place."

"Not the time?" Aarohi shot back, her voice rising. "Abhimanyu is the one who brought it up, and you're letting him insult me like this?"

Abhimanyu smirked, his arrogance unwavering. "Oh, come on, Aarohi. Just admit it—you're jealous. You see what Akshara and I have, and you can't handle that you're missing out."

Aarohi's patience shattered. "Jealous? Of what? A marriage built on lies and manipulation? At least I can stand on my own two feet. I don't need a man to define my worth."

Before Abhimanyu could respond, Aarohi slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed in the stunned silence, and all eyes turned toward them.

"You think you can walk around here acting superior?" she challenged, her chest heaving with anger. "You're nothing but a coward hiding behind your so-called 'happiness' with Akshara."

Akshara, who had been trying to maintain her composure, couldn't hold back any longer. "How dare you slap my husband, Aarohi? You've gone too far!"

"Far?" Aarohi laughed bitterly, stepping back to put some distance between them. "You want to talk about going too far? You've spent your entire life riding on the coattails of everyone else's achievements. You're about to have a baby, and you still can't find it in you to stand up for yourself or your sister!"

Akshara's face flushed with anger. "You think I don't stand up for myself? I'm doing this for my family!"

"Your family?" Aarohi echoed, disbelief etched on her face. "By allowing him to belittle me in front of everyone? This is a new low, Akshara."

The tension in the room reached a boiling point as Abhimanyu stepped forward, trying to assert his dominance. "You should learn your place, Aarohi. This isn't about you. It's about Akshara and our child."

Aarohi turned to face him, her voice cold and unforgiving. "And your place is where, exactly? Standing beside the woman who used to be your fiancée's sister? You're the one who should be ashamed."

Akshara's hands trembled as she fought back tears. "Aarohi, you're being completely unreasonable. This is a celebration, and you're ruining it!"

"Maybe you should've thought about that before letting your husband act like a petty child," Aarohi shot back, her tone biting. "I'm not going to sit here and let you both belittle me. I deserve respect just as much as you do."

With that, Aarohi turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, her heart racing. She could hear the hushed whispers of the guests behind her, but she didn't care. She needed to get away from the toxicity, away from the smirking faces that made her feel like an outsider in her own family.

Outside in the garden, the cool breeze calmed her racing thoughts. She took a deep breath, allowing herself to feel the weight of the moment. She wouldn't let Akshara and Abhimanyu control her emotions any longer. They could have their little world, but she would carve out her own path, no matter how hard it was.

"Hey, Aarohi!"

She turned to see Rishi approaching, concern etched on his face. "I saw what happened. Are you okay?"

"No," Aarohi replied, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. "I'm tired of their games. I'm tired of feeling less than because I'm not married or having a baby. It's like they think I'm incomplete."

Rishi stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You're not incomplete. You're strong, smart, and capable. Just because they can't see that doesn't mean it's not true."

Aarohi looked up at him, gratitude shining through her pain. "Thank you, Rishi. It just feels so overwhelming sometimes."

"Let them talk," Rishi said firmly. "You know your worth. Don't let anyone take that away from you. Besides, if they keep pushing, I'll be right there to back you up."

Aarohi smiled weakly, feeling a warmth spread through her. "You really mean that?"

"Of course. Just because we banter doesn't mean I won't stand by you when it counts," he replied, a hint of a smirk on his lips.

As they stood together in the garden, the tension from the godh bharai ceremony still lingering in the air, Aarohi felt a flicker of hope. She wouldn't back down. She wouldn't let anyone dictate her worth.

With Rishi by her side, she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.