Love, Obsession & The Darkness In Between

Healing Hands

“Vani aunty, please mujhe bhi help karni hai apki. Mujhe bhi khana banana sikhna hai,”
( Vani Aunty, Please I want to help you. I want to learn cooking. )
Eshaani pleaded, her eyes sparkling with eagerness as she stood in the doorway of the bustling kitchen.

Vani, busy chopping vegetables, turned to her with a gentle smile. “Nahi, Eshu beta, aapko khana banana nahi aata. Aapko chot lag jayegi,”
( No, Eshu my child you don't know how to cook. You'll hurt yourself. )
she said sweetly, her tone laced with concern.

But Eshaani, with her big, pleading puppy eyes, insisted, “Please, aunty, please!”

Seeing the determination in her gaze, Vani chuckled, a soft laugh that filled the kitchen. “Okay, I will let you, but first, you have to start calling me ‘Mom.’ Eshu, you and Viraj are married now. You are my daughter-in-law, and my own daughter. Please call me Mummy.”

Eshaani’s smile faltered, her eyes dimming as sadness washed over her. “I know, aunty, but meri mummy abhi zinda hai, and mujhe accha nahi lagega agar mai unke alawa kisi ko bhi mummy bulaun. But for my sweet Vani, I’ll try…”
( I know Aunty, but my mother is alive and I do not like calling anyone else mother. But for my sweer vani I'll try. )

Vani’s laughter bubbled up again. “Oh, Vani! That’s good. You can call me Vani from now on.”

With newfound excitement, the two began preparing the meal together.

Vani patiently taught Eshaani how to chop vegetables properly, her hands guiding Eshaani’s as they shared tips and laughter.

The kitchen was filled with the warmth of their bond, the rhythmic sound of knives on cutting boards creating a comforting melody.

But just as the atmosphere lightened, a sudden accident shattered the moment.

Eshaani, lost in concentration, accidentally cut her wrist. The sharp sting took her by surprise, and she screamed, “Ahhhhhh… mummy!”

Vani’s heart raced as she turned to her, panic etching her features. “How did you get such a deep cut?” she cried, her own eyes welling with tears.

Eshaani winced but tried to reassure her, “Aunty, it’s okay. Mujhse galti se cut ho gaya, it’s okay.”
( I accidentally cut my hand with knife, it's okk )

Before Vani could respond, a deep voice cut through the air. “What happened?”

Both women turned to see Viraj standing at the doorway, his face a mask of frustration. But as his gaze fell on Eshaani’s injured hand, concern immediately replaced the anger.

He hurried towards her, his steps heavy with urgency, and gently grabbed her wrist, examining the cut with a furrowed brow.

“What were you doing here, princess? How did you cut yourself?” His voice was stern, laced with an underlying worry that made Eshaani’s heart race.

Words caught in her throat as she struggled to respond. Vani, sensing the tension, spoke up. “She was here to help me, actually—”

But Viraj interrupted, his tone sharp. “And why did you need her help, Mom? When we have so many servants here. You know she doesn’t know how to cook, and still you asked her to help you. Look how deep the cut is. I’m very disappointed with you, Mom.”

With that, he scooped Eshaani into his arms, cradling her as he turned on his heel, leaving Vani standing in the kitchen, her heart heavy with a mix of worry and confusion.