Lost but Not Forgotten

PART 29

As the entire group hurriedly reached Ajinkya's place, the air was thick with tension and confusion. The once cozy and warm house now felt like a gathering place for uneasy souls. The wives and other kids had been called there for safety, and the sight that greeted them shocked everyone to their core.

Rohit and Ritika, after vanishing without a trace for 20 long years, stood before them. Moksh and Sammy clung to their parents, their small hands gripping tightly as if afraid they'd disappear again. The other kids huddled close to their own parents, their wide eyes reflecting the tension and uncertainty swirling around them.

The room was filled with stunned silence. Eyes darted between Rohit and Ritika, searching for answers, but neither of them acknowledged the looks. Rohit's face remained cold, hardened by years of distance and pain, while Ritika's gaze stayed fixed on the floor, refusing to meet anyone's eyes. They both seemed lost in a world only they understood.

Moksh, still clinging to his father's side, glanced up at Rohit with questioning eyes. It wasn't just Moksh, though; the same question lingered in the eyes of everyone in the room: Why did they disappear? Why now? What had happened to them all these years?

Rohit kept comforting Moksh, his hand gently running through his son's hair, but his expression was distant, as though he was shutting out the world. Jassi and Harry exchanged worried glances before tentatively approaching their "bhaiya."

"Bhaiya..." Jassi's voice cracked as he spoke, trying to reach out to Rohit. Harry, standing beside him, added, "We missed you, Rohit Bhaiya. You never gave us a chance to know why."

But Rohit didn't respond. His eyes, once filled with warmth and love for his 'kiddos,' now held an icy detachment. He couldn't afford to let those old emotions rise again, not after everything that had happened. His silence was a wall, and no one could break through it.

Even Anushka and Sakshi, who had always been close to Ritika, approached her carefully. Anushka's eyes were filled with concern. "Ritika, what happened? Please talk to us," she asked softly. Sakshi, standing next to her, added, "We thought we'd lost you both forever."

But like Rohit, Ritika remained silent. She kept her arms wrapped protectively around Sammy, her focus solely on her daughter. Her expression was unreadable, and it was clear that whatever they had been through, it had left deep scars.

Virat, standing in the corner, clenched his fists. He couldn't take it anymore. Seeing his best friend—no, his brother—like this tore him apart. He knew something terrible must have happened to drive Rohit and Ritika away, but the coldness in Rohit's demeanor was too much to bear.

Summoning the courage, Virat took a step forward, his heart pounding. He had to try. "Rohit..." his voice was soft but pleading. "Please, just talk to me. Tell us what happened."

But just as Virat took another step, Rohit abruptly stood up. Everyone's attention turned toward him, expecting him to finally speak, but instead, he made a move toward the door. The room held its breath.

Moksh, sensing his father's intention to leave, grabbed Rohit's hand. His small, innocent eyes looked up at him, filled with confusion and hurt. "Papa... why? Why are you leaving again? What happened to us?"

Rohit froze at that moment. Moksh's words cut deep, and the helplessness in his son's voice broke something inside him. His gaze shifted from Moksh to Ritika, silently pleading with her to answer the question he couldn't bring himself to address.

Ritika gave him a brief, understanding nod. She knew it was time to reveal the truth, no matter how painful it would be. Rohit's shoulders sagged in defeat, and without saying another word, he left the room, the weight of everything crushing him. He couldn't face them all, not yet. Not after everything they had been through.