Meant to be yours

You're Limping

Third person's POV:

Payal managed to send Riya away from her to back home as she was about her shoot for the day. After ensuring that Riya had left, she went to Anamika's office and called Jazz and asked her to come.

Jazz came and knocked on her car window. Payal opened her car door and let her in.
" How are you, Payal? " Jazz asked her.
" I am fine. You look exhausted. What happened? " Payal asked her back.
" I had a one night stand, Payal. I was drunk , sad and angry at myself. I was feeling so much pain as I saw you getting cozy with your wife. " Riya said, causing Payal to look at her with pained expression.
" I was wrong. I did a big mistake by letting you go. Now I can't do anything. I lost you forever." Jazz said while trying to fight back her tears.
" Seeing you with Riya  causes me terrible pain. I am sorry. "I know I shouldn't be feeling like this,but I can't help it. It hurts,Payal. I am sorry for pushing you away. I feel empty within. I loved you. Maybe always will. I want you to know it. It's not one sided. " She continue as Payal looks at her. Payal cried her heart too, for her love all these years are reciprocated, though a bit late.
" Now I can't set it right. " Jazz sobbed as Payal console her.
" It's ok. Maybe we are never meant to be. " Payal said as she feels overwhelmed hearing her love which she always thought was one sided, being reciprocated and acknowledged though late.

Meanwhile, Riya decided to visit the office after the chaos Ishika created in the morning. Riya has been given her company back by Anamika .
She complete the formalities and assured that she will visit regularly until her prior commitments gets fulfilled. After that, she decided to focus on the business which she originally intended to. Riya came to the basement for her car ,but spotted Payal's car a few meters away.  Riya walked towards the car to surprise Payal but got shocked instead.
Payal leaned into Jazz and kissed her. Riya, heart broken walked back fastly. But Payal saw her.
Payal immediately came out and called Riya out. Riya didn't pay any heed and sped away in her car.
Riya was on her way to the bar and drink    until she forgot everything. But destiny has other plans.
Anamika's parents called her and asked her to join them in dinner at Anamika's house, the very place ahe and payal stays  with Anamika and Ishika. So, she turned her car towards the home. She wonder if she even call it as one.

" Ishu, I am home. " Riya chirped in as she saw Ishika arranging the dishes in the dining table.
" Maa called you.Didn't she? " Ishu asked her. Riya only nodded as she went on to get ready.
" Where is your wife? " Ishika asked her teasingly but seeing Riya's face fell  , she went near her. Riya hugged Ishika and let out choked tears.
" What happened? " Ishika asked worriedly. Riya wiped her eyes and gave a sad smile.
" I will tell you later. " Riya closed her eyes and laid down on the dining table. Ishika went to take care of handling other things.

The sound of a bedroom door creaking open broke through the humdrum of the evening.

Riya's eyes flicked lazily toward the hallway.

Anamika emerged slowly, wrapped in an oversized gray hoodie that looked like it had seen at least two laundry cycles too few, and a pair of loose pajama shorts that revealed more than she probably intended. Her bun was a battle zone of tangled curls, and she blinked at the light like a hungover raccoon.

But that wasn’t the only thing what caught Riya’s attention.

No, it was the walk.

Anamika was limping. Actually limping.

Slightly. Not dramatically. But there was a stiffness to her gait, a hesitation in each step, like her legs were quietly protesting against recent trauma. She tried to pass it off like nothing was wrong, shoulders relaxed, expression unreadable—but her body told a different story.

Riya blinked once. Twice. Then her lips curled into a slow, wicked grin.

“Ohhh no,” she said aloud, sitting up straighter, abandoning the serial instantly. “Is that a limp? The great Anamika Modi is limping. How the mighty Ana have fallen!”

Anamika didn’t answer. She kept her eyes forward like a soldier marching into battle, but her face had already begun to flush.

“Are you okay?” Riya continued dramatically. “Should I call a doctor? Or—wait. Should I call Ishika?”

Anamika groaned. “Riya, not now.”

“Why not now? You look like you’ve been in a wrestling match. On a bed. With your wife. I never thought you would be bottom.”

Anamika rolled her eyes as she crossed the room carefully and sank into one of the dining chairs, exhaling as though she’d just returned from war.

“You’re disgusting. ”

“I’m just observant,” Riya replied innocently, biting into another piece of papad with a crunch. “Also, you’re walking like you tried yoga for the first time and then skipped savasana.”

Anamika leaned forward and whispered with deadly calm, “One more word, and I will throw this roti at your forehead.”

Riya grinned. “Worth it. Wait, I will take a picture.”

Just then, a voice floated in from the kitchen.

“You two okay out there?” Ishika’s tone was cheerful, and entirely too knowing. Ishika dressed elegantly in a suit.

Riya leaned toward the hallway and shouted back, “Everything’s perfect! Your wife just forgot how knees work!”

There was a soft clatter in the living room, followed by a chuckle. “I told her to not come. But she didn't listen.”

Anamika let her forehead fall to the table with a muffled groan. “I should’ve just stayed in bed.”

“Yes,” Riya said gleefully, “and clearly you did. For hours. Right from morning. When did you guys even stop? Horny rabbits”
" Shut up! " Anamika groans as her legs are still sore.
Riya mocked her from living room along with Ishika who is flushed a little.
" You know what. Ishu, you and me are perfect for each other. Anu shouldn't have come in between us. If only we met first. My parents would have married you to me instead of Anu. " Riya sighed dramatically.
Anamika glared at her but then she saw Payal and her parents coming inside. So, she kept silent.
" Even now, if you're willing to divorce her, I will gladly marry you, Ishu baby. " Riya said, causing Anamika to stiffle a laugh.
" What about me? " Payal asked from behind.
" Who's that, Ishu? " Riya clings onto Ishika still her back facing Anamika's parents and Payal.
" Teri biwi" Ishika said as she played along.
" Oh. Now, Ishu what have you decided? " Riya asked again.
" About"
" our future together. "
" Ah. That's not " Before Ishika could finish, Namrata aunty came and twisted Riya's ear.
" What's going on here? She's your bhabhi. How can you ask her such a thing? "
" Bhabhi? Mom, she's twenty. " Riya replied back.
" You never learn huh? Call her bhabhi now, this second or else" Namrata aunty hold her ear a bit tightly causing her to wince.
Ishika smirks at Riya as she looks at her. Anamika too looks on from the same spot.
" You're a backstabber, Ishu. " Riya whined as aunty held her ear tightly.
" Ahh. Mom. Please. Is it necessary? She might be in pain. " Payal came to her rescue.
Riya ignored her.
" Wait, I will record it. " Anamika said as she took her mobile.
" You too"
" Haan me too. You teased me, remember " Anamika happily said, causing Ishika to look at her.
" Ok fine. Bhabhi. There I said it. Happy? " Riya asked Namrata aunty.
" Mom, ask her to seek her bhabhi's blessings. " Anamika playfully said while laughing loudly.
Namrata aunty let go of Riya's ear as she looks at her daughter's laughing face after five years. Riya too was happy whereas Ishika was lost in her wife. Payal smiles through tears. Even Chirag Modi was moved.
" Sorry" Anamika mumbled shyly as she realized that everyone was looking at her laugh.
" No, no need beta. Be happy like this, always. " Her mom said. Rest of the dinner went on with Riya royally ignoring Payal and teasing Anu. Her parents joined in the fun, causing Ishika and Anamika to blush .
However Ishika didn't forgot to notice that how Riya is avoiding Payal. Payal desperately trying to talk with Riya but couldn't do it.
After dinner, Ishika showed Anamika parents, the guest room they're staying while Anamika return to their room.
Payal followed Riya to their room.
" Riya, it's not what you think. " Payal nervously said as Riya looks for her night clothes. Before Payal could say any further, Riya went in to the bathroom , changed her clothes and came out.
" I take the couch. You take the bed. I am feeling sleepy. " Riya said and laid down without waiting for Payal's reply.