His second wife (#SaRaj)

70) Manipulation started here

Bhagyashree's voice cut through the awkward silence, her tone firm but polite. "You came here, okay, but we don't have a room available for you."

Aashika's eyes widened, and she looked around the room, her gaze lingering on the furniture and the family photos on the walls. She had expected to stay with them, at least for a little while.

"I...I can sleep on the couch," Aashika suggested, trying to sound accommodating.

But Bhagyashree's expression remained firm. "I'm sorry, Aashika. We'll help you find a place to stay, but you can't stay here."

The air was thick with tension, and Aashika felt a sting of rejection. She realized that she was no longer welcome in this house, and that thought hurt more than she expected.

Kiaan's voice piped up, his eyes shining with excitement. "Mumma can sleep with me and Sai in our room!" he exclaimed, as if it was the most obvious solution.

Aashika's face lit up with a warm smile, and she looked at Kiaan with gratitude. "Thank you, beta," she said, her voice soft.

Bhagyashree's expression turned skeptical, and she opened her mouth to protest, but Savi intervened, her voice calm and measured. "It's okay, Mummy. Kiaan's right. We can make arrangements for Aashika to stay with us, at least for now."

Savi's eyes met Aashika's, her gaze firm but polite. "And Aashika, you can sleep with Kiaan, but from now on, my daughter will sleep with me until you leave."

Aashika's smile faltered, and she looked taken aback by Savi's condition. She seemed to understand that Savi was setting boundaries to protect Sai.

"Okay," Aashika said finally, her voice soft. "I understand."

The atmosphere in the room was tense, with an undercurrent of unspoken emotions. Aashika knew she had to tread carefully, earning back the trust of her daughter and the people who had taken care of Sai for so long.

Savi's eyes locked onto Aashika's, her gaze firm but polite. "And Aashika, before you go to sai room, remember... you are a guest."

The words hung in the air, a clear reminder of Aashika's position in the household. Aashika's face fell, and she looked away, her eyes welling up with tears.

"I understand," Aashika whispered, her voice barely audible.

The tension in the room was palpable, with an undercurrent of unspoken emotions. Aashika knew she had to be careful, to respect the boundaries and rules of the household, if she wanted to stay.

As soon as Aashika entered Sai's room, she sank onto the bed, letting out a deep sigh. She felt a surge of frustration and anger towards Savi, Rajat's wife.

"This Rajat's wife is so cunning," Aashika muttered to herself, her voice laced with bitterness. "Not leaving any chance to humiliate me."

Aashika's eyes wandered around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings. She had once been a part of this family, but now she felt like an outsider, a guest in her own daughter's room.

Aashika's thoughts swirled with emotions, regret, and longing. She knew she had made mistakes in the past, but she was determined to make things right, to reconnect with her daughter and prove herself as a worthy mother.

As Aashika lay on the bed, her mind began to spin with strategies and manipulations. She knew she had to play the victim, to pretend to be vulnerable, helpless, and good. It was the only way to gain the trust of her son, Kiaan, and eventually, her daughter, Sai, and even Rajat.

Aashika's eyes narrowed as she thought about Savi. She felt a surge of resentment towards the woman who had taken her place in Rajat's life. But Aashika was determined to outsmart Savi.