Lost but Not Forgotten

PART 20

Sakshi immediately recognized her. Her eyes welled up with tears as she softly whispered, "Sammy..." Her voice was filled with emotion, and she took a small step forward, wanting to close the distance between them.

Mahi, too, stood there, his eyes misting over as he saw the girl he had once doted on like his own daughter. His Sammy, the one who used to call him "Bade Papa" with so much affection, was now standing in front of him, but she seemed like a stranger.

Ziva, who had always been like an older sister to Sammy, looked between her and Vami, remembering the phone call she had received from Vami, telling her that "Samaira" was here. But now, seeing Sammy in front of her, it hit differently. This wasn't just a name; this was her baby sister.

For a split second, Sammy felt the overwhelming urge to rush into their arms, to feel the warmth of the people who had once been her second family. But then the memories of what had happened flooded her mind. She remembered how her father had been insulted. The pain of those memories anchored her in place, keeping her from reacting.

So, instead of embracing them, she composed herself, her face neutral. "Namaste," she greeted them politely, as if they were meeting for the first time.

Sakshi blinked, her tears falling now, unable to comprehend what was happening. She took another step forward, but Sammy didn't move. "Sammy... beta..." Sakshi's voice cracked, but Sammy remained unmoved.

Mahi, too, was taken aback. His emotions stirred, but he couldn't understand why Sammy was behaving like this. The warmth, the familiarity, the connection—they were all gone, replaced by cold formality.

Sammy's voice remained steady as she stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter. "Please, come in," she said politely, her tone distant.

Then, without another glance, she turned and walked away, leaving them standing at the door, shocked and hurt. Mahi and Sakshi stood frozen, their minds trying to catch up with the reality that Sammy was treating them like strangers.

Ziva's eyes followed her sister as she walked away, a mixture of hurt and confusion etched on her face. She couldn't believe that the girl who had once been her best friend, her little Sammy, could be so distant now.

Inside the room, Sammy clenched her fists, her heart heavy. She had to remind herself—this was the right thing to do. She couldn't let herself fall back into the past. Not when she had promised herself and her father that she would protect them both, no matter the cost.

As she walked away from the doorway, she whispered softly to herself, "I can't go back... I can't..."

As Sammy walked back into the room, her mind still spinning from the encounter at the door, Mahi, Sakshi, and Ziva followed closely behind, still in shock. Their faces were pale, their emotions raw and exposed. It wasn't long before the juniors in the group—Jassi, Harry, Rahul, Rishu, Shubman, Shreyas, and Ishan—noticed the tension and approached them, sensing something was off.

Before anyone could respond, Jassi, trying to help, immediately jumped in. "They're just Samaira Sharma and Moksh's family, not who you think they are. They're not connected to Rohit Bhaiya in any way."

Rahul nodded in agreement. "As far as we know, Rohit and Ritika never had a second child. Moksh and Samaira are just siblings, nothing more."

But Sakshi, her emotions boiling over, couldn't stay silent anymore. "No, no, no, that's not true!" she said, her voice shaky but determined. "That's our Sammy! The one I lifted in my arms when she was born, the one we all took care of. She's Rohit's daughter, our little girl."

Her words rang in the room like a sudden jolt, leaving everyone speechless. The juniors exchanged nervous glances, uncertain of what to believe anymore.

Hearing Sakshi's declaration, Sammy's resolve wavered, her heart aching as memories of her childhood flooded her mind. Her Bade Papa, her Badi Mumma, Ziva Di—all of them were standing right in front of her, aching to reconnect. For a brief moment, the walls she had built around herself began to crack.

But then she remembered. She couldn't let her emotions dictate her actions. She couldn't fall weak—not now. The pain of her father's struggles, the insults they had faced, and the reasons for their distance all kept her grounded in reality. She had made a promise to herself and her father to protect them, no matter the cost.

Sammy took a deep breath, her face hardening once again. She walked over to where Sakshi and Mahi stood, their eyes pleading with her to remember. Her voice was firm, though her heart ached. "I'm here for Moksh, and that's all. I don't know anyone here personally, and I don't want to be called Sammy. My name is Samaira Sharma, and I'm just his sister."

Sakshi's face fell, her tears returning as she shook her head in disbelief. "But... but Sammy..." she tried to speak, but her voice faltered.

Mahi, still processing everything, could only watch in silence, his own emotions threatening to break free. Ziva stood frozen, her hands trembling slightly as she looked at the girl she had once loved like a little sister.

Without waiting for anyone to say anything further, Sammy turned away, her emotions hidden behind a cold exterior. She couldn't let herself get pulled back into the past, not when it would only open old wounds.

As she walked away, the room was left in silence, everyone too stunned to respond. The weight of what had just happened settled in, and even the juniors, who had earlier tried to rationalize things, couldn't help but feel that something much deeper was at play. Sammy wasn't just Moksh's sister—there was a history there, a history that none of them fully understood.

But for now, Sammy had drawn her line. She was Samaira Sharma, and that was all she would allow them to see.

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