In the heart of chaos

Chapter 34

The night was quiet, but Aarohi's mind refused to rest. After her talk with Suwarna and the conversation with her parents' photos, sleep came to her slowly. She drifted into a restless slumber, her heart still heavy with the weight of everything that had happened. But soon, her dream shifted, and she found herself standing in an unfamiliar yet comforting place—a garden filled with vibrant flowers and soft sunlight, the air warm and peaceful.

As Aarohi looked around, she saw a figure approaching her. At first, it was just a silhouette, but as it came closer, Aarohi's heart skipped a beat. It was Naira—her Naira Maa. She was dressed in a beautiful white saree, glowing with a soft warmth that radiated comfort. Her smile was serene, and her eyes sparkled with love.

Aarohi blinked, feeling both confused and overwhelmed. "Naira Maa?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Is this real?"

Naira nodded, her expression full of tenderness. "It doesn't matter if it's real or not, Aarohi. What matters is what you need right now."

Aarohi's heart pounded as she stood in front of the woman she had heard so much about but had never met. "I... I don't know what to say," she stammered, feeling a lump form in her throat. "Everyone says I'm like you, but I'm not. I feel lost, Naira Maa. I've hurt people, and I've been hurt... and sometimes, it feels like I'll never be enough."

Naira gently cupped Aarohi's face in her hands, her touch warm and soothing. "You don't have to be me, Aarohi. You are perfect as you are. Strong and capable in your own way."

Tears welled up in Aarohi's eyes as she finally let out all the pain she had been carrying. "But I've made so many mistakes," she said, her voice cracking. "Akshara cursed me today, and I slapped Abhimanyu. I don't know who I am anymore. I'm constantly fighting, and it feels like I'm fighting everyone."

Naira's smile remained gentle as she pulled Aarohi into a hug, holding her tightly. "You're not alone in this fight, Aaru. You've carried so much on your own, but you have a family that loves you, even when things are difficult. You don't have to bear the weight of everything by yourself."

Aarohi clung to Naira, her emotions finally spilling over. "But it feels like I'm always being compared to you," she admitted, her tears falling freely. "Like I'll never be good enough... like I'll always be in your shadow."

Naira pulled back slightly, looking into Aarohi's eyes with a deep understanding. "You are not in my shadow, Aarohi. You are a light of your own. And just because you're Sirat's daughter doesn't mean you're not my daughter too. In fact, you will always be a part of me."

With those words, Naira reached into the folds of her saree and pulled out a delicate necklace. It shimmered in the sunlight—a simple silver chain with a small pendant shaped like a heart. She carefully placed it around Aarohi's neck, her touch lingering as if passing on a part of herself.

"This necklace is for you," Naira said softly. "It's a reminder that even though Sirat gave birth to you, you are still my daughter too. You carry both of us within you, and that makes you stronger than you realize."

Aarohi touched the pendant, feeling its warmth against her skin. It was small, but it felt heavy with meaning. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I don't know if I deserve this, but... thank you."

Naira smiled, her eyes shining with love and pride. "You deserve everything good, Aarohi. Never doubt that. And remember, no matter where life takes you, you have the strength of two mothers guiding you."

Aarohi felt a sense of peace wash over her, like a heavy burden had been lifted from her heart. She looked at Naira, her heart full of gratitude and love. "I'll try to be strong, Naira Maa," she promised. "I'll do my best."

Naira kissed her forehead softly. "I know you will, Aaru. You're stronger than you think."

As the dream began to fade, Aarohi felt Naira's presence lingering, even as the garden around them started to blur. Her last words echoed in Aarohi's ears: "You are not alone, my daughter. You never will be."

Aarohi woke up with tears in her eyes, her hand instinctively reaching for her neck. The necklace wasn't there, but the feeling of Naira's love remained strong. She sat up in bed, her heart full of both sadness and hope.

Though it had only been a dream, Aarohi felt lighter, like she had received the guidance and strength she so desperately needed. She looked at the photos on her dresser again, her hand touching the place on her neck where the necklace had been in the dream.

"Naira Maa," she whispered softly, "thank you."

And as the morning light began to filter into her room, Aarohi felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.