𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐲 𝐈𝐬𝐡𝐪

Chapter 32

Saachi hesitated at the threshold of the study, her fingers curling into fists as she gathered the courage to step inside. The heavy wooden doors had been left slightly ajar, the warm glow of the chandelier spilling into the dim hallway. She took a deep breath and walked in, her heart pounding as she found Adrakansh seated at his desk, his presence as formidable as ever. 

On either side Avyaan and Advitya, both men silent, were silently doing something in the papers, their expressions unreadable. The air in the room was thick with tension, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on her. 

Adrakansh looked up, his sharp gaze locking onto hers. “Saachi, come beta. Sit.” He said calmly but his expressions were blank.

She also went nervously while playing with her fingers and sat in front of him. Without preamble, he slid a thick envelope across the polished mahogany table. The crisp divorce papers sat at the edge, waiting for her to take them. 

“We know, Saachi,” his voice was calm but firm, the kind of voice that allowed no room for deception.

“We know you acted about your memory loss, and we know what you did with Adhyant in Kashmir.” He looked at her. Her breath hitched. She had anticipated this confrontation, but hearing it aloud made it all the more real. 

He exhaled heavily, crossing his arms. His tone was gentler but no less serious.

“If you want to be free of this marriage, we won’t stop you. I know that whatever Adhyant did was very wrong and he is regretting it. But beta you tell me if you were at his place what would have you done? Anyways, let bygones be bygones. I am not saying to you to forgive him. And that's why I have come to the decision of this divorce. I think that you should now move on and start your life again. I know it's difficult but we all are with you.”

Her fingers trembled as she reached for the papers but stopped short of touching them. Her mind spun with a thousand emotions, none of which she could properly name. 

Adrakansh continued, his voice laced with something dangerously close to care.

“No matter what happens, Saachi, you will always have a place in this house. Your father was a loyal man, and you—” he paused, softening just a little— “are still our daughter, whether you remain Adhyant’s wife or not. We will also always support you like we do to Siddhi. Whether you want to start your publishing house or anything you want to do. Now, I leave this decision to you beta. And don't tell this to Siya, Aayti, Dhani and Siddhi. I will tell them myself.”

Saachi swallowed hard, her throat burning. It would have been easier if they had been cruel if they had demanded she leave. But instead, they offered her warmth, and a chance to let her take the decision.

“That means Maa, Badi maa, choti maa and Siddhi don't know anything?” She looked up at him.

“No, they don't know anything and I don't want to tell them. Even after your divorce I won't tell them the whole truth.” He announced while she nodded her head.

Advitya's jaw was clenched, his fingers digging into the armrest of his chair. His disappointment was visible on his face. He doesn't want to see his son suffer. But he knew that he could not do anything.

“You know what Adhyant has been through, don’t you?” Advitya’s voice cracked, though he masked it quickly. “How much more do you want him to suffer?” 

She looked down at the papers, her vision was blurred. And then, in a whisper, she asked the only question that truly mattered to her the only answer she feared.

“Does Adhyant know about it?” She asked very slowly. A heavy silence fell over the room. 

“Does not matter. After all, everything that matters to everyone is you, your decision and only your pain. I know that you suffered but never forget you have cheated my son. You have played with his feelings for 6 months. And Isha has played with his feelings for 3 years. You know what today I genuinely feel that you and Isha have no differences. Still it's all about you then go ahead and sign these papers. Then you can stay here and I will send Adhyant far away from here so you don't need to face him.” Advitya bitterly said and again drowned himself in some papers.