Rishtey

Chapter - 6

As Anamika entered her hotel room, the weight of the day pressing heavily on her, she turned to her assistant with a tired smile. "Please, don't disturb me for the rest of the evening. I just need some time to rest."

Her assistant nodded, concern flickering in their eyes. "Of course, ma'am. Let me know if you need anything."

With that, Anamika closed the door, shutting out the world. The silence of the room enveloped her as she sank onto the bed, her body weary, but her mind spinning with thoughts and emotions. She stared up at the ceiling, feeling the emptiness in her chest grow. The vast loneliness she had been avoiding all day now settled in around her, making her feel small and isolated.

I’m all alone now, she thought, her heart sinking further. The love she had once cherished now felt like a distant memory, replaced by uncertainty and pain.

She closed her eyes, thinking of what awaited her when she returned to Bangalore. Her in-laws, who once were hesitant about accepting her, now treated her with immense love and respect. They had become her family over time, and she knew they would be there for her. But even that didn’t soothe the ache in her heart. No matter how much they cared, the void left by Vineet was something no one could fill.

As her thoughts wandered to her in-laws, her mind pulled her back into another memory, one that filled her with both warmth and longing. She remembered the time she had gone away for a few days on a work trip, just like this one. When she returned home, tired and eager to rest, she had found Vineet waiting for her with a smile that melted all her fatigue away.

She could see it clearly now—the way he stood by the door, arms crossed, a playful grin on his face. "I missed you," he had said as soon as she stepped inside. Before she could even set her bags down, he had pulled her into his arms, holding her close as if he never wanted to let go.

"How was your trip?" he had asked, his voice soft against her ear.

"Exhausting," she had replied, her face pressed into his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "But this makes it worth it."

Vineet had laughed gently, kissing the top of her head. "Well, you're home now. And I’ve been waiting all day just to do this." He had cupped her face in his hands, his eyes filled with the love and tenderness that always made her feel like the most important person in the world. Then, without hesitation, he had kissed her deeply, filling the gap of the days they’d been apart with all the affection he could muster.

In that moment, she had felt complete. Loved. Secure. Like nothing could come between them.

But now, lying on the hotel bed, the memory felt bittersweet. She could still feel the ghost of his touch, the warmth of his embrace, but the reality was far different. The man who had once promised her forever seemed to have moved on, leaving her adrift in the storm of her emotions.

Her heart ached as she clutched the pillow beside her, trying to hold onto the memory even though it slipped through her fingers like sand. Why did it have to change? she thought, the tears brimming once again.

The hotel room felt colder, more distant, as if reflecting the emptiness in her life now. Anamika knew she had to be strong—she had her work, her responsibilities, and her family waiting for her. But for now, as the night descended, she allowed herself to fall apart in the quiet, holding onto memories of a time when Vineet’s love had been all she needed.

He had leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that had washed away all the fatigue, all the stress of her trip. That kiss had been filled with the same promise he had always given her—that no matter where life took them, she would always be his home.