Rishtey

Chapter - 14

Back in his room, Vineet paced restlessly, running his hands through his hair in frustration. His mind was a tangled mess of emotions, each one contradicting the other. He threw his jacket on the chair and sat down heavily on the edge of the bed, his hands clasped tightly as if trying to hold himself together.

"Why did I kiss her?" he muttered under his breath, angered at himself. He wanted to end things, didn't he? He had told himself a thousand times that what they once had was over. There was no going back. And yet, in that fleeting moment of vulnerability, seeing her tears, feeling her pain-he lost control.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his head bowed. "I can't keep doing this. I can't keep hurting her... and myself." But the memory of the kiss lingered, haunting him with its warmth and intensity. It wasn't just a kiss-it was months of suppressed emotions bursting forth, emotions he thought he had buried.

A part of him still wanted to walk away, to end everything once and for all, but another part-the part that surfaced in the elevator-refused to let go. It whispered that maybe, just maybe, things didn't have to end like this. But how could they not? Too much had happened, too many wounds had been inflicted. He had a life to rebuild, and so did she.

His mind drifted to Vandita and the chaos surrounding her. He wanted Vandita once-or thought he did. Now, after everything, it felt hollow compared to what he had shared with Anamika. "Why am I thinking about her when I told myself I've moved on?" he asked himself bitterly.

The dilemma was suffocating him. Every step forward dragged him two steps back. He wanted to hate her, blame her for their separation, for refusing to merge their businesses when he was at his lowest, but the truth gnawed at him-he missed her, more than he was ready to admit.

With a sigh, Vineet stood up and poured himself a glass of water, trying to clear his head. He stared out of the window at the city lights, knowing sleep would elude him tonight. The kiss replayed in his mind, not just as a memory but as a feeling he couldn't shake off.

"I need to figure out what I really want," he whispered, his voice barely audible in the quiet of the room. But even as he said it, he knew it wouldn't be that simple. Not when it came to Anamika.

Vineet leaned against the window, the cool glass pressing against his forehead, offering little comfort to the storm raging within him. His thoughts dragged him back to a time he had long tried to forget-a memory etched deep in his mind.

It was a late evening, years ago, in his family's grand living room. His father, Aarnav Khanna, a stern and influential businessman, stood with an air of finality, while his mother, Shakshi, sat silently, her expression mirroring disappointment.

"We cannot accept her, Vineet," Aarnav had declared, his voice devoid of emotion but heavy with authority. "Anamika isn't from our world. She's not what we envisioned for you."

Shakshi added softly, "Think about the family, about our reputation. You're our son. You should marry someone who can strengthen our position, not weaken it."

Vineet had clenched his fists, barely able to contain his frustration. "I didn't choose Anamika because of her status or connections. I chose her because I love her."

"Love doesn't sustain marriages," Aarnav retorted coldly. "Compatibility, power, and status do."

Anamika, who had accompanied him that evening, looked shaken by the confrontation but still composed. She gently placed her hand on his arm and whispered, "Vineet, maybe we should listen to them. I don't want to come between you and your family."

But Vineet had pulled away slightly, turning to face his parents with unyielding determination. "No, Anamika. I don't care about power or status. I care about you. If standing by you means walking away from this family, so be it."