A LOVE UNBOUND

Chapter 16: Embracing Family.

Author pov:

In the evening, Rajveer and Siya arrived to pick up Raha from school. But to their surprise, Raha looked sad. Instead of running to Siya like she usually did, Raha walked over to Rajveer and quietly took his hand. Concerned, Siya tried to talk to her, but Raha stayed silent.

Rajveer approached Raha’s teacher to find out what had happened. The teacher explained how Advik had loudly claimed Siya as his mother when Raha presented her family tree, and that he’d said something that upset Raha afterward. Neither the teacher nor Advik would reveal exactly what he’d said, but it had clearly made Raha withdrawn and upset.

Hearing this, both Rajveer and Siya felt a surge of anger. They calmly asked the teacher to arrange a meeting with Advik’s parents tomorrow. After gathering Raha, they headed to the car, unaware that Advik had overheard them. Seeing Raha distance herself from Siya seemed to make him pleased.

Once home, Siya tried to speak to Raha again, but she remained quiet and withdrawn. Rajveer noticed the sadness in Siya’s eyes, almost as if she was on the verge of tears. Rajveer’s frustration deepened, and he thought, *Whatever Advik said, he’ll have to apologize to Raha.* He attempted to ask her directly what had upset her, but Raha kept her silence.

Just then, Siya’s voice cracked as she said softly, “Maybe Raha doesn’t want me anymore… maybe I should leave.”

At these words, Raha’s resolve broke. She ran into Siya’s arms, clinging to her tightly and sobbing. “Don’t leave me, Mommy! I’ll be a good girl, I promise. I’ll talk to you!”

Rajveer leaned down gently. “Sweetheart, can you tell us what Advik said to make you feel so sad?”

Through sniffles, Raha finally spoke. “He said… he said that his mommy would leave me once he forgave her.”

Siya’s frustration flared, realizing the weight of Aryan’s influence on his son. *Both father and son,* she thought bitterly, *carrying around that same stubborn pride.*

She looked down at Raha and brushed her cheek softly. “Do you trust your mommy, Raha? I promised I would never leave you, no matter what anyone says. I love my Raha very much.”

Rajveer added firmly, “If someone says anything like that again, you should ask us directly, okay? You don’t have to believe everything others say.”

Raha nodded, wiping her tears, and murmured, “I’m sorry, Mommy and Daddy.”

To lighten the mood, Rajveer grinned. “Well, tomorrow is Saturday. What would you like to do?”

Raha thought for a moment, her face brightening. “Can we go on a picnic?”

Rajveer nodded, an idea forming. “How about we go to our farmhouse? You can show Mommy your horse.”

Raha’s face lit up with excitement, and she nodded eagerly.

Later, after leaving Raha to play in her room, Siya received a call from Aryan. She hesitated but answered, knowing she couldn’t avoid it forever. Aryan’s voice came over the line, asking if she could pick up Advik from school now. “I’m out of town and won’t be back for a couple of hours, and Jennifer’s not well…” he started to explain, but Siya cut him off.

“I don’t have time for that, Aryan. I’m busy,” she replied bluntly before ending the call.

Turning to Rajveer, she told him what Aryan had asked, and he shook his head. “Let’s take Raha out for dinner. It’ll help lift her spirits.”

After Rajveer wrapped up a few things in his home office, and Siya helped Raha get ready, the three of them set out for dinner. On the way, Rajveer asked Raha, “What would you like to eat tonight?”

Raha thought for a moment. “Can we go to the mall? I want to eat at the food court!”

Rajveer agreed, and when they reached the mall, Raha’s excitement was contagious. She first wanted to ride the toy train, so they went along with her, enjoying her infectious laughter. Then, she pulled them into a toy store and asked her daddy for a big pink teddy bear, her favorite color. Rajveer happily agreed, making her day.

At the food court, Raha decided on pizza. Rajveer turned to Siya and asked what she’d like. “Momos, definitely,” she replied with a smile. Rajveer went off to order, returning with a large pizza for Raha and a plate of momos for Siya. They sat together, enjoying their meal. After a slice and a half, Raha was full, but curious about her mommy’s momos. Noticing the spicy sauce, Rajveer and Siya gently discouraged her, but promised she could have some ice cream once they finished.

While eating, Rajveer found himself watching Siya, her laughter and ease putting him in a quiet reverie. “I’ll always make you smile,” he murmured, almost without realizing it.

Caught by his soft gaze, Siya blushed and coughed, breaking his trance. Raha, noticing, looked between them, slightly confused but unbothered.

After ice cream, they returned home, each carrying a sense of calm and happiness.

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Meanwhile

As Advik came home around 9 PM, he noticed the dinner had already been ordered. Jennifer, who had been claiming she wasn’t feeling well to gain Aryan’s attention, hadn’t bothered to ask what Advik wanted. Instead, she had ordered her and Cody’s favorite dishes. Seeing no consideration for his own preferences, Advik felt left out and disappointed he felt very angry as no one came to pick him up he had to wait at school till late and when his father arrived he didn't say anything and told him ““see Jennifer is sick do not trouble her ok.” He felt sad that his daddy didn't even say sorry for coming late.

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Back at Rajveer’s, as Raha settled into bed, Rajveer turned to Siya. “Would you be okay if I invited Raha’s grandparents tomorrow? I think they’d love to join us.”

Siya’s face softened, genuinely pleased. “I’d be happy for Raha to spend time with them.”

Rajveer sent the invitation, making arrangements for his parents to join them the next morning. He wanted them to meet Siya in person, hoping they’d feel the same warmth and connection he did. Later, as Rajveer lay in bed, he found himself unable to sleep, thoughts of Siya filling his mind. *I can’t wait any longer. I want her in my life… to build something real with her.* He knew he’d have to be cautious, as Siya had recently been through a heartbreak, but he was determined to show her how cherished she was.

In her own room, Siya’s thoughts drifted to Rajveer. She remembered the small ways he supported her, compared to how Aryan had always left her to handle everything alone. *I was so blind in that marriage,* she thought, realizing she’d fought so hard for it that she’d lost herself in the process. Reflecting on how she felt with Rajveer and Raha, a newfound peace settled over her. *This is what was missing,* she realized. *This is what family should feel like.*

With a gentle smile, Siya drifted to sleep, feeling that, for the first time, things were finally falling into place.

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