ROOHI AAROHI BIRLA

CHAPTER 4

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Chapter 4: A Bridge Between the Past and Present

The sun had just begun to rise, casting a golden glow over the quiet streets of New Zealand. Inside the Sharma-Birla household, there was a buzz of subdued activity. The family was preparing for their journey back to India, their emotions a mix of anxiety, anticipation, and resolve.

As the final suitcases were packed and the children slept soundly in their rooms, Parth and Abhinav found themselves seated in the living room, their tea cups steaming between them. It was a rare quiet moment in a house that had been bustling with preparations for days.

"Are you ready for this?" Parth finally broke the silence, his voice low but carrying the weight of his question. He glanced at Abhinav, whose thoughtful gaze was fixed on the swirling steam of his tea.

Abhinav leaned back, letting out a heavy sigh. "I don’t know if ‘ready’ is the right word. There’s a part of me that’s nervous about what we’ll face. But there’s another part that feels... determined. This time, I’m not going back as the Abhinav who left."

Parth studied his brother, sensing the quiet strength in his words. "You’ve changed. We all have. It’s not just about going back to face the Goenkas and the Birlas. It’s about showing them the family we’ve built and the strength we carry now."

Abhinav nodded, his grip tightening on the tea cup. "I’m not the man who was left behind anymore, Parth. I’ve found my purpose, my family. Roohi... she’s like my own daughter. And the life we’ve built here—it’s given me the courage to face whatever comes our way."

Parth smiled faintly, his respect for Abhinav growing even more. "You’ve always had that courage. Even when everything seemed stacked against you, you found a way to rise above it. That’s what makes you the kind of father Roohi can rely on."

Abhinav looked at Parth, his gratitude evident in his eyes. "And you, Parth—you’ve been the backbone of this family. I’ve seen how much you’ve sacrificed for Roohi, Shivansh, and even for me. You’ve done everything Neil would have wanted and more."

Parth’s expression softened at the mention of Neil. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Neil gave me a gift when he trusted me with Roohi. He made me promise to protect her, and that’s what I’ve tried to do every single day. But going back... it feels like I’ll have to prove myself all over again, not just to them but to myself."

Abhinav reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Parth’s shoulder. "You don’t need to prove anything to anyone, Parth. You’ve been an incredible father, not just to Roohi but to Shivansh and the others. And Krishna... she’s been your anchor through all of this. Together, you’ve built a family that’s stronger than anything the Goenkas or Birlas can throw at you."

Parth smiled, a flicker of gratitude crossing his face. "And you, Abhinav—you’ve given Roohi something even I couldn’t. You’ve been her masaji, her friend, and now, someone she calls ‘Papa.’ That’s a bond no one can break."

The two men sat in companionable silence for a moment, the weight of their shared responsibilities grounding them. Finally, Parth spoke again, his voice laced with quiet determination.

"We’re not going back to relive the pain or let them dictate our lives. We’re going back to close the chapter that’s haunted us for so long. And we’ll do it together, as a family."

Abhinav nodded, his own resolve mirrored in Parth’s words. "Together. And whatever happens, we’ll face it head-on."

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The Women’s Conversation: Strength Behind the Scenes

Elsewhere in the house, Krishna and Kiara sat in the kitchen, sharing a moment of quiet solidarity. Their bond had grown stronger over the years, forged by the shared experiences of motherhood and the challenges of building a new life.

"Do you think we’re doing the right thing?" Krishna asked, her hands cradling a warm mug of coffee. Her usually composed demeanor showed hints of vulnerability.

Kiara tilted her head, considering the question. "Going back to India isn’t about what’s right or wrong, Krishna. It’s about closure. For the kids, for Parth, for all of us. We can’t move forward completely until we’ve faced the past."

Krishna sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "I just don’t want the children to get hurt. Roohi... she’s been through so much already. I’m afraid of what seeing those people again might do to her."

Kiara reached across the table, placing a comforting hand on Krishna’s. "Roohi is stronger than you think. She’s a reflection of the love and support you and Parth have given her. And we’ll all be there to protect her."

Krishna looked at Kiara, her gratitude evident. "You’ve been such a pillar for this family, Kiara. Your presence, your love for Abhinav—it’s brought a sense of balance to all of us."

Kiara smiled warmly. "And you’ve been the same for Parth. Together, we’ve created a family that’s built on trust and love. No matter what happens in India, that won’t change."

The two women shared a quiet moment of understanding, their bond growing even stronger in the face of the challenges ahead.

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A Family United

As the dawn light filled the house, the family gathered in the living room, the children slowly waking and joining their parents. Parth, Abhinav, Krishna, and Kiara looked at each other, a silent promise passing between them.

Whatever awaited them in India—pain, confrontation, or reconciliation—they would face it together, as a family. Their journey was not just about returning to a place; it was about proving that love, trust, and unity could overcome anything.

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To Be Continued…

In the next chapter, the family arrives in India, and old tensions begin to surface. As they navigate the complexities of their past, unexpected alliances form, and long-buried secrets come to light. Will the bonds they’ve built be enough to withstand the storm ahead?