Rishtey

Chapter - 7

Anamika stood by the doorway, her thoughts swirling with every word Ashok spoke. The more he revealed about Vandita, the deeper her confusion grew. She could hardly believe what she was hearing—Vandita was married, and yet Vineet was entangled in this one-sided affection. It pained Anamika, but she felt a flicker of sympathy for him, caught in the web of an impossible love that only seemed to bring him humiliation. But a part of her heart also screams that it is all his choice, that she shouldn't feel anything for him who left her behind but her heart is not ready to accept it. Her heart, that still loves him only pained to hear Ashok and she can't hold control on it.

Ashok's words came faster now, almost as if he could sense her hesitation. He recounted how Vandita had insulted Vineet openly, sometimes even in front of her husband, who was equally dismissive. According to Ashok, it was as if Vandita enjoyed toying with Vineet’s emotions, knowing he was entrapped by his feelings.

Anamika’s heart felt heavy with each revelation. Part of her ached to confront Vineet, to shake him awake from this obsession, but another part of her wasn’t sure she could manage it. What if she saw the pain in his eyes? What if, despite it all, she lost her own strength and gave in to the remnants of her feelings for him?

Ashok pressed on, his tone firm yet pleading. “He’s destroying himself, Anamika. If anyone can talk sense into him, it’s you. Please, you have to at least try,” he urged.

She bit her lip, torn between loyalty to her own heart and compassion for Vineet’s plight.

Anamika remained silent, her mind struggling to balance the storm of emotions swirling within her. She wanted to help Vineet, to pull him back from the edge of his self-destructive obsession. Yet, the betrayal she had endured, the pain he had caused, kept her rooted in hesitation.

Ashok noticed her silence and softened his tone. “I know it’s not fair to ask this of you,” he admitted, his eyes sincere. “But you know him better than anyone. He trusts you, maybe more than he realizes. If you could just talk to him, make him see reason…”

Anamika looked away, trying to steady her thoughts. “You’re asking a lot, Ashok. After everything that’s happened… It’s not easy for me.”

“I understand, truly. But he’s my brother, and I can’t watch him go down this path alone,” Ashok replied, desperation slipping into his voice.

Anamika sighed, the weight of responsibility settling onto her shoulders. She remembered the happier times, the man Vineet used to be before this obsession took hold of him. Part of her still cared, despite everything. But another part was terrified—if she went to him, if she tried to save him, would she lose herself in the process?

After a long silence, she looked back at Ashok. “I’ll… I’ll think about it,” she said quietly, more to herself than to him. Her mind wasn’t ready, her heart even less so, but she knew she couldn’t ignore this forever.

Ashok nodded, sensing a glimmer of hope. “Thank you, Anamika. Even if you don’t decide to talk to him, just… thank you for listening.”

He turned to leave but stop at his track, realizing he has one more secret to reveal to her. He turns to her again, his gaze hesitant.

Anamika's eyes widened as Ashok mentioned it, his words hanging heavy in the air.

"He's here?" she asked, barely above a whisper.

Her pulse quickened, her fingers curl up in fist, tightening around the fabric of her dress. The idea that Vineet was in the same building, possibly only a few floors away, hit her like a tidal wave. She hadn't even fully processed her dilemma, and now, he was practically within reach.