The Charade

37| 𝕯𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖑 𝖎𝖓 𝖉𝖎𝖘𝖌𝖚𝖎𝖘𝖊

Hey everyone!

Chapter 38, 39, 40 and 41 are available on Scrollstack!

AUTHOR'S POV

Kashi sat at the table, her eyes heavy with exhaustion, barely acknowledging the conversations around her. Her baby boy, Reyaan, clung tightly to her, making it impossible for her to eat. He whimpered, refusing to be put down, and Kashi's arms grew heavier by the minute, but she didn't complain. Her boy needed her, and she was his comfort. She managed a weak smile as she tried to calm him, occasionally glancing at the food on her plate.

"Mera bacha, Dadi ke paas aana hai?" Adhikrit's mother asked, only to see her grandson burst into loud cries.

(Come to your grandmother, pretty baby.)

"Dadu ke paas aayega bacha?" Reyaan's grandfather asked, but Reyaan showed no interest.

"It's okay, I'll manage," Kashi whispered, patting the back of a clingy Reyaan, who was trying to stand on his mother's lap and scream his heart out.

Across the table, Adhikrit sat stiffly, as usual, quiet. No one talked to him, and it wasn't as if he needed anyone, or maybe he just thought so.

But today, he needed to let his parents know that he was planning to take Kashi and Reyaan somewhere. It was awkward for him. He opened his mouth, hesitated, then tried to speak again.

"Mom, Dad, I wanted to let you know-"

"Later," his mother interrupted dismissively, not even bothering to look at him. His father, still ignoring him, continued eating in silence. Adhikrit clenched his jaw, clearly frustrated, his fist tightening under the table.

"Tomorrow. I need to talk to you after dinner."

It was an order, and this time, his parents glanced at each other but didn't reply.

Even though they weren't on speaking terms with their son, his business orders were something they couldn't ignore. And despite not talking to him, they never showed any indifference in loving their grandson.

Reyaan's birth had changed several relationships.

The high-moralled Agnihotri couple had stopped talking to their only son after their grandson's birth.

Why?

No one knew.

Except for the son and the parents.

The rift between them was something that could be felt in the air, and its only solution was for Kashi to forgive him-something Adhikrit knew she never would.

Kashi noticed but remained quiet, choosing not to intervene. She gently rocked Reyaan, whispering soothing words into his ear, though her heart ached for her husband. His relationship with his parents was something she knew too well, but her selfishness had consumed her.

She was selfish for choosing her baby over him.

She was selfish for not seeing his pain months ago.

After a few more minutes of Reyaan fussing, Kashi decided to leave the table. "I'll take him upstairs," she muttered, excusing herself as she cradled her baby. She left the dining room, retreating to their bedroom where she could calm Reyaan.

Her husband left the table and his food plate behind-a plate that looked mixed but was untouched.

It was late by the time Reyaan was finally asleep. Kashi made sure he was resting soundly in his crib, his peaceful breathing filling the room-a sound that brought her contentment.