Ruhi stormed into the Birla mansion, her face flushed with anger, her hands trembling as she held Ruhanika close. The younger girl looked broken beyond words—her face pale, her eyes bloodshot, lips quivering as silent sobs wracked her fragile frame. Aarohi and Neil, who were seated in the living room, immediately sprang to their feet, their faces clouding with worry the moment they saw their daughters in such a devastated state.
"Ruhanika!" Aarohi gasped, rushing to her younger daughter, cupping her tear-streaked face. "Beta, what happened? Why are you crying like this?"
Neil's voice was sharp with concern. "Ruhi, what is going on? Why is Ruhanika in this condition? What happened to her?"
Ruhi knelt in front of Ruhanika, brushing a strand of hair away from her sister's face, her heart shattering as Ruhanika only sobbed harder, unable to speak.
"She can't even talk right now, Papa," Ruhi said, her voice trembling, though not from sadness—but from rage. "You want to know what happened? That Rohit Poddar broke her heart. He told her—he told her he doesn’t love her. After everything—after giving her hope, after promising her a future—he just crushed her like she was nothing. As if her feelings never mattered."
Aarohi's face went pale, her grip tightening around Ruhanika, who was barely able to stand. Neil’s expression darkened, his fists clenching as he stepped forward.
"What? He said that—now? When the wedding preparations are already underway?" Neil growled.
Ruhi nodded, the fire in her eyes intensifying. "Yes, Papa. Today. After leading her on for months! And I'm not going to stay quiet about it. He has no right to do this! I'll be back. I need to confront him for what he’s done."
Neil moved to stop her. "Ruhi, wait! Don’t go there alone—"
Ruhi shook her head fiercely. "No, Papa. This is between me and the Poddars. I'll handle this. I’ll make him regret every single tear Ruhanika shed."
Without waiting for their response, Ruhi stormed out, her blood boiling as she headed straight for the Poddar mansion.
---
Poddar Mansion
The grand doors of the Poddar mansion flew open with a loud BANG as Ruhi barged in, her voice echoing like thunder through the hall.
"ROHIT PODDAR!! COME OUT RIGHT NOW!!"
The entire household stirred in shock at the sudden intrusion. Servants backed away, sensing the storm that had just entered their home. Within moments, Dadisa, Rohit’s father, and mother appeared from different corners of the house, their faces filled with confusion and concern.
"Ruhi beta, what is this? Why are you shouting like this?" Dadisa spoke, her voice calm but firm.
Ruhi’s glare was sharp as a blade. "You want to know why, Dadisa? Your precious grandson just broke my sister’s heart! He shattered her, humiliated her! And you’re asking me why I’m here? Should I have sent an invitation for you to witness your son’s betrayal?!"
Before Dadisa could respond, Rohit finally emerged from his room, his face carefully blank, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of guilt. He looked at Ruhi, but said nothing.
Ruhi’s rage surged further at his silence. She took a threatening step forward, her voice shaking with fury. "Say something, Mr. Poddar! Go on! Tell them what you told Ruhanika! Tell them how you threw her feelings away like they were nothing!"
Rohit remained silent, his face still impassive, but guilt was evident in his eyes. He opened his mouth, but no words came.
Ruhi’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "Why so silent now? Oh, I get it. The same cowardice you showed when you broke her heart, right? Because that’s what you are, Rohit. A coward. A spineless, heartless coward who couldn't even respect a girl who loved you with her whole heart!"
His mother stepped forward, trying to calm her. "Ruhi beta, please. There must be some misunderstanding—"
Ruhi snapped, her voice rising. "MISUNDERSTANDING? Really? Do you think I’d barge into your house like this if it was just a misunderstanding? Your son told my sister—who you all agreed to accept as your daughter-in-law—that he doesn't love her! After months of leading her on! She’s broken because of him, and you're standing here defending him?!"
Dadisa’s face turned stern. "Ruhi, you are crossing your limits now. This is our family matter—"
Ruhi laughed bitterly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears of rage. "Family matter? Then what was Ruhanika? Was she not family to you? Or was she just a pretty doll for your son to play with? To use until he got bored and tossed her aside? Family doesn't break hearts. Family doesn't betray like this!"
Rohit finally spoke, his voice quiet, yet laced with guilt. "Ruhi... I didn’t mean to hurt her. I never promised—"
"STOP LYING!" Ruhi screamed, her voice echoing like a storm. She picked up a glass vase from the side table and smashed it against the floor, the sound ringing through the silent hall. "You did promise! Maybe not with words, but you made her believe you loved her! Every gesture, every stolen glance, every moment you spent with her—it was all a lie, wasn’t it? You made her trust you! And now you have the audacity to stand here, pretending to be the victim?!"
Rohit flinched at the sound, guilt finally reflecting clearly on his face, but Ruhi wasn’t done.
"You knew how much she loved you. You knew how fragile her heart was, yet you crushed it without a second thought. Why, Rohit? WHY? Was it all a joke to you? Was her pain entertaining? ANSWER ME!"
Rohit's Mother finally interrupted. "Ruhi, that's enough. You can't speak to our son like this—"
Ruhi turned on him, her face a mask of fury and heartbreak. "Oh, I can and I will! Because no one—no one—hurts my sister and gets away with it! Your son has no idea what he’s done. My sister is shattered. She's crying herself to sleep while you all stand here protecting him. If you had even an ounce of self-respect, you’d apologize to her right now! But no, you're all too busy protecting your precious heir."
Turning back to Rohit, her voice cracked with raw pain. "My sister deserves better than you. She loved you with everything she had, and you threw it away like it was nothing. You're not just a mistake, Rohit... You're a sin. A disgrace to love, to humanity. And one day, you will regret this... when you have no one left who loves you the way Ruhanika did."
With that final blow, Ruhi stormed out, leaving behind a deafening silence and a visibly shaken Rohit, whose guilt could no longer be hidden.
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