Rishtey

Chapter - 15

The next morning, Anamika stood before the mirror, brushing her hair with slow, deliberate strokes. She wore a simple yet elegant kurta, her expression calm but distant. Deep inside, a storm raged, but she masked it well. Today marked the end of this chapter-a chapter she wished had never reopened.

She placed a hand on her belly, her lips pressing into a thin line. "It's time to go, little one. We have to move forward, no matter how hard it feels." With a final glance around the room, she picked up her suitcase and headed for the door.

In the hotel lobby, Vineet stood near the reception, talking to one of the staff members. He turned just in time to see Anamika wheeling her suitcase toward the exit. Their eyes met briefly-hers carrying a quiet finality, his unreadable, distant.

For a split second, Vineet felt an inexplicable urge to call out to her, to ask her to stay. But he didn't. Instead, he clenched his jaw and looked away. "It's better this way," he told himself, trying to suppress the gnawing ache inside. "She needs to leave, and I need to let her go."

Anamika didn't stop, didn't falter. She walked out of the hotel with her head held high, each step taking her further away from the man who had once meant everything to her. Vineet watched from the glass doors, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions-relief, guilt, and a strange emptiness.

As her cab disappeared into the morning traffic, Vineet exhaled slowly. "Finally," he muttered under his breath, hoping that her departure would bring him the peace he desperately sought.

But even as he turned away, he knew the truth-peace wasn't coming anytime soon. Anamika may have left the hotel, but the memories, the regrets, and the pain she had stirred would stay with him for a long time.

......

As the plane landed in Bangalore, Anamika stared out of the window, the sprawling city below slowly coming into view. Her heart was heavy, but there was a strange sense of calm-this was where she had chosen to rebuild her life.

When she stepped out of the airport, she was greeted by an unexpected sight. Standing near the arrival gate were Aarnav and Shakshi, her in-laws, who had once vehemently opposed her marriage to Vineet. They looked different now-there was no trace of cold disdain in their eyes. Instead, there was warmth, a silent apology, and something that looked a lot like admiration.

Shakshi stepped forward first, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Anamika, welcome back," she said gently, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We've been waiting for you."

Aarnav, who had always been stern and unyielding, nodded. "Haan beta, tumhare bina ghar suna suna sa lagta hai. Aab tum aa gayi ho toh fir sab thik lagega, akhir tumse hi toh khushiyan hai iss ghar mei."

Anamika's throat tightened, emotions welling up inside her. She didn't expect this-didn't expect them to reach out or acknowledge her worth. All she could do was manage a small nod and say, "Thank you... for being here."

Aarnav places his hand on her head as if saying he's always there for her no matter what.

As they guided her toward their car, Shakshi added, "This is your home too, Anamika. Tumhe humse thank you kehne ki koi jarurat nahi hai, akhir apne maa pita ko bhi koi thank you kehta hai bhala? Beti ho tum humari aur tumhare liye hum humesha rahenge!"

Anamika glanced at her belly, feeling a glimmer of hope despite the pain she carried. Perhaps this was a new beginning-not just for her, but for her child.

As the car drove through the streets of Bangalore, Anamika leaned back, letting herself feel the warmth of acceptance for the first time in what felt like forever. Yet, deep down, a part of her still ached for what was lost-for the love she once had, and for the man she still couldn't fully forget.

.....

Anamika stepped into her home, the atmosphere warm and welcoming. Her mother-in-law, Sakshi, who once had coldly turned her away, now seemed genuinely concerned. "Beta, you must be exhausted from the journey. Go and rest. You have to take care of yourself and the baby."

Anamika offered a faint smile, nodded, and made her way to the room that had once been hers and Vineet's. The familiar scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, but instead of bringing comfort, it only added to the ache in her heart. She sat down on the bed, placing her hand on her belly. The gentle touch of life growing within her gave her strength, but it wasn't enough to drown the turmoil in her mind.

The memories of last night haunted her. The warmth of Vineet's kiss in the elevator, the way he wiped away her tears, and most of all, the look in his eyes when he saw her leaving the hotel that morning-it was as though he wanted to say something but chose not to.

"Why does he always make it so hard for me?" she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. She wanted to forget, to move on for the sake of her unborn child, but Vineet's presence in her life was like a shadow that refused to fade. Every look, every word, every memory with him seemed to haunt her relentlessly.

She tried to distract herself, unpacking her bags and organizing her belongings, but nothing seemed to help. Her mind kept drifting back to him. How had things come to this? They had once been madly in love, inseparable despite the odds. Now, here she was-alone, pregnant, and struggling to find peace in a world where Vineet's presence loomed large in her heart.

Sighing, she lay down, hoping that sleep might offer her a temporary escape. But even as she closed her eyes, she could still feel the lingering weight of his gaze from that morning, a silent reminder of the love and pain that still bound them together.

Anamika tossed and turned on the bed, unable to find solace. Her mind replayed everything-the elevator incident, Vineet's gaze as she left the hotel, and the memories of their happier days. She clutched her pillow tightly, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. "Come in," she said, quickly composing herself.

Her mother-in-law entered, carrying a tray with a glass of milk and a bowl of fruits. "I thought you might need this, beta. You need strength, not just for yourself but for the little one too."

Anamika forced a smile. "Thank you, Ma. I'll have it in a bit."

Sakshi sat down beside her, gently placing a hand on hers. "You've been through a lot, Anamika. I know we weren't kind to you earlier, and I regret it every day. But I want you to know, you're not alone anymore. You have us."

Hearing those words touched Anamika deeply. She had longed for this acceptance once, and now that she had it, it felt bittersweet. "It means a lot, Maa," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Sakshi smiled warmly. "Take care of yourself, beta. And if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call us."

As her mother-in-law left, Anamika stared at the tray. Though she appreciated the gesture, her appetite was nowhere to be found. Her thoughts drifted back to Vineet, wondering if he was thinking about her too. Did he feel the same ache that she did? Did he miss her in any way?

"No, Anamika," she told herself firmly. "You have to focus on the future. You can't let the past keep dragging you down."

She took a deep breath, determined to be strong for her child. It didn't matter if Vineet thought of her or not. She had a new life to nurture, and she couldn't afford to break down now. With renewed resolve, she picked up the glass of milk, sipped it slowly, and began planning her next steps.

She was determined to build a future, even if it meant walking that road alone.

.......

To be continued....