Beneath The Storm (Completed)

Chapter-76:The Night She Let Him Cry

The air inside the Rajvansh Mansion was filled with a quiet sense of festivity.

In the living room, Sangeeta, Avni, Arjun, Atharv, and Inaara were gathered—each with a different expression.

Sangeeta looked at Inaara with warmth radiating from her face.

“Inaara beta,” she began, her voice gentle yet excited, “this will be your first Karwachauth. Every year, we celebrate it with great enthusiasm. But this year... this year, it will be even grander. After all, it’s your pehli karwachauth.”

Before Inaara could respond, Atharv, clearly agitated, cut in.

“Maa, what is all this? Inaara doesn’t need to do these rituals. I don’t even believe in all this. And you called us here for this?”

Sangeeta’s gaze hardened slightly, but her tone remained calm and composed.

“Atharv, it’s Inaara’s fast, not yours. No one’s asking for your belief here. Nor is your opinion the one that matters. The only person whose decision counts today is Inaara’s.”

Her eyes shifted to Inaara, her expression softening once again.

“Tell me, beta, what do you want? Don’t feel pressured. Not by me, not by Atharv. Just speak your heart.”

Inaara’s eyes fluttered between Sangeeta and Atharv—his jaw tight with resistance, her mother-in-law’s eyes full of anticipation.

She inhaled slowly and said softly, yet with clarity, “Maa... I will keep the fast.”

A huge smile bloomed across Sangeeta’s face, glowing with pride and affection.

“Thank you, beta,” she said, her voice trembling with joy.

“There’s so much to prepare. Avni, come—we have lots to do!”

One by one, the others dispersed to their rooms.

Atharv turned without a word and walked away.

Inaara hesitated for a moment, then followed him quietly, the soft sound of her anklets echoing through the hallway.

---

Inaara stepped into the bedroom, the soft rustle of her dupatta barely audible as she entered.

Atharv was already there, seated on the edge of the bed, his elbows resting on his thighs, fingers loosely interlocked.

His expression was unreadable—neither upset nor calm.

Inaara walked closer and sat beside him, maintaining a gentle space.

“Atharv,” she asked softly, tilting her head slightly, “are you angry?”

He turned to look at her. A faint smile touched the corner of his lips.

“Why would I be angry, Aara?” he said, voice calm but with a trace of fatigue.

“Maa is right—it should be your decision. And you made it.”