kaho Na Pyaar Hai

Navya Maa's Breakdown

Ariyana's POV

The day felt heavy as I walked through the college gates, the weight of everything lingering in my chest. First, there was the mess with Vivek, then the tension at home with Mia and Maahir, and now... now I couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't quite right with Ruhaan's family.

I didn't tell him how I was feeling because I knew he had enough to deal with. But still, my mind kept racing.

As I walked towards the college canteen, I saw Pooja chatting with some friends, and I joined her, trying to distract myself from the constant churn in my mind.

"Pooja, kuch ajeeb sa lag raha hai. Ruhaan bhi kuch thoda... different lag raha hai, yaar."

Pooja gave me a concerned look, noticing the edge in my voice. "Kya hua? Tum dono mein kuch toh ho raha hai na?"

I forced a smile. "Kuch nahi. Bas, everything feels off lately."

Before Pooja could say anything more, my phone buzzed. It was Ruhaan.

Ruhaan: "Maa ko thode se chakkar aa rahe hai. Main doctor ke paas leke jaa raha hoon. Tum ghar jaa kar apna dhyaan rakhna."

My stomach dropped. Navya Maa? She was always so strong, so full of energy. The thought of her being unwell made me anxious.

Me: "What happened? Should I come?"

Ruhaan: "Nahi, tumhe college chhodna hoga na. Main hoon Maa ke saath. Tum bas ghar jao, thoda rest lo."

I didn't reply. I just grabbed my bag and headed straight for the college gate, my mind racing.

Ruhaan's POV

I knew something was off the moment I saw Maa wobble out of her room. She had always been the pillar of the house, the one who kept everything together. But today, she looked different. Her face was pale, her movements slow, like she was fighting to keep herself upright.

"Maa, kya ho raha hai? Tum thik ho?" I asked, rushing to her side.

She waved me off, but there was a tremor in her voice. "Beta, bas chakkar aa raha hai. Thoda rest kar leti hoon. Tum fikar mat karo."

But I wasn't about to let that slide. "Maa, kal raat ko tumne dinner bhi nahi kiya tha, aur aaj subah bhi lag raha hai tumhe kuch serious ho gaya ho. Main doctor ko bulata hoon."

She shook her head, though it looked like the effort drained her. "Nahi, Ruhaan. Yeh sab stress hai. Sab kuch theek ho jayega."

I didn't argue. Instead, I quickly called the doctor and got an appointment to get her checked, but before I could act, Misha bhabhi walked in, looking at me with a frown.

"Ruhaan, kuch hua?" she asked, her voice concerned. "Tum dono ki chhoti chhoti baatein mujhe pata chalti hain. Tumhari maa theek hai?"

"Bhabhi, Maa ko chakkar aa raha hai. Main doctor ko bula raha hoon." I could feel my voice wavering as I turned to grab my phone again.

But before I could call again, Maa grabbed my hand. "Beta, tu kabhi relax bhi karta hai? Tum bhi toh thoda zyada sochne lage ho."

I looked at her, heart heavy with worry. I had to stay strong for her, but inside, I was falling apart.

Ariyana's POV

The drive back home felt endless. My mind kept replaying Ruhaan's message about Navya Maa's condition, and the further I drove, the more anxious I became. I wasn't used to seeing the strong, ever-smiling woman like this. It unsettled me deeply.

I parked outside the house, hurriedly getting out and walking to the door. Mia and Maahir were, of course, nowhere to be seen.

I stepped into the house and found Misha bhabhi sitting with Maa, who was lying down with her eyes closed.

"Ruhaan kaha hai?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Misha looked up, her face grim. "Ruhaan doctor ko lene gaya hai. Tum jao, Maa ke paas raho."

I walked in, and for a moment, I just stared at Navya Maa's pale face, her breathing shallow. She was such a vibrant woman, always surrounded by love and energy. Seeing her like this made my chest tighten.

"Maa..." I whispered, sitting down next to her. She opened her eyes slowly, and a weak smile appeared on her face.

"Tum dono kitni tension karte ho. Sab thik ho jayega, beta," she said softly.

I took her hand in mine, trying to give her some comfort. "Aapko bilkul thik hona hoga. Ruhaan bohot chinta kar raha hai."

She chuckled softly, her voice faint. "Mujhe pata hai. Par yeh sab stress hoga. Tum dono ki dosti itni gehri hai ki usse lagta hai ki agar main thik nahi hoongi toh tum dono ki jaan nikal jaayegi."

I smiled, tears welling in my eyes. Maa had always been a comfort to me, a second mother. It hurt to see her in pain.

Ruhaan's POV

By the time I returned with the doctor, I could already tell Maa was feeling a little better. The doctor had prescribed some rest and hydration.

I walked into the living room, my gaze immediately finding Ariyana sitting beside Maa, holding her hand.

"Ari..." I said, my voice thick with emotion.

Ariyana looked up at me, her eyes filled with concern. She could see the strain on my face, but she didn't say anything. She just gave me a small nod, letting me know that everything was under control.

I walked over and kneeled next to Maa. "Maa, doctor ne kya kaha?"

"Ruhaan, beta," she began, her voice tired but full of love, "sab theek hai. Bas thoda rest chahiye. Tumhare saath chhoti chhoti baatein karte ho, toh mere health pe impact padta hai. Tum thoda apne stress ko control karna seekho."

I smiled, relieved. "Haan Maa, sab kuch thik ho jayega."

I glanced at Ariyana again, her soft gaze giving me more strength than anything else.

Ariyana's POV

The evening passed quietly. The doctor left, leaving instructions for Maa to take care of herself. I stayed with Ruhaan, helping him make sure Maa got enough rest.

Eventually, it was time for me to leave. As I stood at the door, ready to head home, Ruhaan stopped me.

"Thanks," he said softly, his eyes intense. "For being here today. It means a lot."

I nodded. "You don't need to thank me. I'm always here, Ruhaan."

He smiled, a small but genuine smile, and I knew in that moment that this was why I'd been so drawn to him. Because he had this immense capacity to care, not just for me, but for his family. And it made my heart ache to know how much pressure he put on himself.

But for tonight, I didn't say anything. I just walked away, knowing that tomorrow, we'd both be a little stronger.