Echoes Of Silence - An Arshi FF

🔅Threads of Tension🔅

The Raizada Living Room

The living room is bathed in soft, early morning light, with Devyani, Shalini, and Anjali seated comfortably on the large, plush sofas. Their voices echo slightly in the vast room, filled with grandeur, but tainted by the undercurrents of tension. Ratna quietly dusts the glass shelves in one corner, her sari pleats perfectly in place, her hands moving rhythmically as she avoids eye contact with the women behind her. Khushi, seated on a small armchair near the window, watches the scene unfold, her heart growing heavier with every word. Arnav is at his work desk, a laptop open in front of him, but Khushi knows he's listening to every word.

Shalini leans back, sipping her tea leisurely, her eyes briefly glancing around the room. "You know," she begins in a casual tone, but the sharpness in her voice is undeniable, "this house used to sparkle once upon a time. Every corner was spotless, everything in its place." She glances pointedly at Ratna. "Now... well, you can see for yourself."

Devyani, seated beside Shalini, nods in agreement, her voice quieter but no less biting. "Ratna has certainly lost her touch. Things aren't as they used to be. I suppose that happens with age... or maybe it's just carelessness."

Anjali, who's sitting on the other end, chuckles softly, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Times change, Dadi. Maybe it's because Maa has stopped caring. After all, who can keep up with such responsibilities when they're so... distracted?" She smirks, exchanging a knowing glance with Shalini.

Khushi's grip on her cup tightens, her knuckles white. Every word feels like an assault not just on Ratna but on herself too. Her blood simmers, the heat rising to her face as she looks at her mother-in-law, who remains silent—dusting a vase, then adjusting a picture frame. Ratna's face is blank, devoid of any expression that might hint at her feelings. Why doesn't she say something? Khushi wonders, her heart aching.

Shalini's voice cuts through the silence again. "Ratna, do you even notice how things are falling apart around you?" Her tone is falsely sweet, laced with mock concern. "I suppose managing this household has become too much for you now. It's understandable, really. Maybe you should consider letting someone else take over. After all, you've done enough... for years."

Ratna doesn't respond, her hands moving steadily, almost as if she didn't hear the words. Khushi, however, feels the sting of them, sharp and cruel. She glances at Arnav, hoping he might say something, but he remains focused on his laptop, though she can see his fingers tapping nervously on the keyboard. The tension in his body is unmistakable, but he doesn't intervene.

Anjali takes this as her cue to join in, her voice dripping with feigned sweetness. "Khushi bhabhi, you're lucky. You'll have a lot to learn from Maa—well, whatever she can still teach, I suppose." She gives Khushi a pointed look. "Running this household isn't easy, you know. It requires... what did you say, Bua?" She turns to Shalini, her smile growing.

Shalini nods sagely, leaning forward. "Finesse, Anjali. It requires finesse. A skill that not everyone possesses." She pauses, looking directly at Khushi now. "But I'm sure you'll figure it out. Eventually."

Khushi feels the weight of the words pressing down on her. Her chest tightens, and she forces herself to smile, though her throat feels tight. "I'll do my best," she replies softly, trying to keep her voice steady. She glances at Ratna, who continues her work as if the conversation isn't happening. How does she endure this?

Devyani shifts in her seat, looking at Ratna with an almost disappointed expression. "Your best, Khushi, will have to be much better than this. You're young. You should take initiative, especially now that you're part of this family. Maybe you can help your mother-in-law out. It's about time someone did." She raises an eyebrow, her tone a blend of sarcasm and expectation.