CAGED IN LOVE

•Chapter-3•

•Jaane kya baat hain...
Jaane kya baat hai... •

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Vansh's POV :-

I can't believe I'm Back to India. I have always loved this country. Even after living in London for 15 years, I couldn't forget the scorching heat of summers in Delhi, the taste of "Agre ka Petha", the crowd in pandals during Navratri, whistling in cinema halls and the rikshawala's who still fight for change of 5 rupees.

God knows how much I missed all this. I cried myself to sleep whenever i use to feel homesick. There were moments when i wanted to go back to my family leaving everything in London. But I kept reminding myself the reason why i was sent to London....

"Enough Vansh. I have had Enough. Rudra Bhaiyaa, Make arrangements of sending Vansh to abroad. Vansh is leaving from here as soon as possible and This is final. "

Mom's voice still echoes in my ear whenever i think about that night. She punished me by sending me to London for studies. She pushed me away when I needed her most. I can't ever forget this.

Life was so perfect when Dad was with us. We were so happy in our small nest. He left us when i was 14. After Dad's death, I didn't allowed myself to mourn on his death. Instead I decided to make him proud of me by taking all his responsibilties .

As an elder brother, I tried to fulfill Dad's void in Ishani and Sia's life. I took care of them as my own children. Even at the age of 15 I tried fulfilling Aaryan's baseless demands like an expensive remote control car with the little money that I'd win in basketball compititions. I was always there to wipe Dadi's tears whenever she use to cry remembering her son. But what about me.

I had no one, Except my Maa. Siya, Ishani and Aaryan were too small to understand my emotional turmoil. Rudra Chachu was too busy in his Business meetings and Dadi was still grieving at her son's loss.

Maa took care of me. She made sure I eat properly, sleep on time and concentrate in studies. She loved Siya and Ishani equally but i knew i was her favourite. I was so used to her presence around me that it started bothering me when she brought Riddhima in this house.

That 8 Year old girl was an attention seeker. She would keep doing something or the other for gaining Maa's attention. And most of the time she succeeded in it. I didn't like it when Maa started spending more time with Riddhima. I knew Riddhima lost her family but I that doesn't mean I'll give her my family. She soon became everyone's favourite. When their life started revolving around Riddhima, my insecurities grew. I felt neglected. I felt as if aint needed anymore.

To remove all this feelings from my head, I tried to befriend Riddhima. I tried talking with her. But who knew my Simple "Hii" would scare the shit out of her. She had a very bad habit of lying and she lied about me Maa that i scared her.

I hated her for feeding lies about me to my own mother. I hated her for making my mom raise her hands on me for the first time. She was an orphan but she made me feel like an orphan in my own family. And i hated her for that.

I hated her back then. But what do i feel for her right now? Do i still hate her? I may dislike her, but "Hate" I don't know... I'm not sure. It is a strong word, I don't feel like using it for her anymore..

Today When my car stopped in front of VR mansion, I saw a girl in white salwaar and orange duppata decorating the rangoli near the entrance door with marigold flowers. She smiled looking at the rangoli after finishing her artwork. And i instantly knew it was "Her".