Rishtey

Chapter - 11

As Anamika made her way to meet Vineet, Raman's words echoed in her mind, each syllable tugging painfully at her heart. The thought of Vineet being with Shikha brought an ache she hadn’t anticipated. She tried to steel herself, reminding herself of her own strength, but her mind betrayed her, slipping into memories of happier times with him.

One evening from their past surfaced vividly. They were lounging together, the warmth of their laughter filling the room as she had teasingly asked him if he’d ever had a girl before her. He had looked at her with a mixture of amusement and sincerity, pulling her close as he said, “Shona, I only love you. I’m not some womanizer to chase after every beautiful face. You’re the only one I want. You're my forever.”

Remembering that moment, a mix of nostalgia and bitterness settled within her.

In the quiet warmth of that memory, Anamika had felt incredibly blessed to have found someone like Vineet. As he held her close, she looked into his eyes and whispered, “I love you, Vineet. I don’t think I could ever feel this way about anyone else.” Her words were filled with genuine affection, and a sense of security wrapped around her.

Vineet responded with a deep, passionate kiss, pulling her closer as they melted into each other. Their touches grew bolder, their connection intense, and they surrendered to the moment fully. She felt cherished in his embrace, as though nothing in the world could come between them. They moved together with a rhythm that felt timeless, every touch a declaration of love. Wrapped in each other’s warmth, they stayed connected, feeling the depth of their bond.

That night was one of those perfect moments—pure and unbreakable.

Anamika’s thoughts lingered on that beautiful memory as she walked toward Vineet’s suite, heart heavy yet resolute. The contrast between the man he was in her memories and the reality of who he had become felt painful. Each step brought more fragments of that past, reminders of promises and laughter they once shared, only to see them now cracked and scattered.

As she reached his door, she took a deep breath, fighting the urge to turn back. She knew she couldn’t keep living in the shadows of what once was. She needed clarity, to close this chapter if nothing else. Steeling herself, she knocked, ready to confront whatever lay beyond.

Vineet opened the door, his expression unreadable but his eyes betraying a hint of guilt as he took in Anamika's composed, yet weary demeanor. She gave him a small nod, silently accepting his invitation as he gestured her inside. The room was dimly lit, and an air of discomfort hung heavy between them as they settled on opposite sides of the room.

Vineet cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Ashok said he offered you a place to stay."

Anamika’s gaze sharpened. "Ashok might have, but I didn’t come here to rely on anyone. Kissi ke ehsaan ki jarurat nahi hai mujhe."

Vineet’s brow furrowed slightly, sensing the distance in her words, but her quiet strength also stirred something deep within him. "So you chose a hotel instead of staying with family?" he asked.

Her eyes held his with unwavering clarity. "Family... Vineet, things aren’t the same," she replied, a touch of sadness in her voice. "After everything, I came for work, not for support."

Vineet looked down, wrestling with a sense of guilt that tightened around him. "Anamika," he started, hesitating before continuing, "I know things between us... they broke in ways neither of us imagined."

She didn’t respond, only watching him as if searching for the truth buried beneath his words.

Vineet shifted slightly, leaning forward as if trying to bridge the distance between them. "Anamika," he began softly, "I don’t understand why you wouldn’t just stay with Ashok. He’s family...he could be there for you, help you if you need anything."