Manvi stood outside the ICU, her gaze fixed on Aarav lying on the hospital bed through the small glass window. The tension in the air was palpable as she watched over him, her heart heavy with worry and concern.

Sharda, standing beside her, shared in Manvi's apprehension, her own worry etched deep into the lines of her face. "Wo thik hoga na?," she murmured, her voice trembling with concern.

Manvi nodded silently, her thoughts consumed by the weight of Aarav's suffering. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his pain than met the eye, that he carried burdens hidden deep within him, burdens that threatened to break him from the inside out.

Memories flashed through her mind - the discovery of sleeping pills in his drawer, the restless nights filled with anxiety. She couldn't ignore the signs any longer, couldn't ignore the truth that Aarav was struggling, silently battling demons that threatened to consume him.

Turning her eyes back to Aarav, Manvi felt a surge of determination wash over her. She couldn't stand idly by and watch him suffer. She had to find a way to help him, to ease the burdens he carried and bring light back into his life.

She tilted her face towards Sharda and demanded answers. "Kaki, aap saalo se unke ghar mein kaam kar rahi hai.. Zaahir si baat hai kuch aisi baatein hai jisse Khushi bhi anjaan hai. Apne baap ke liye uske dil mein itne saalon se nafrat kaise thi? Kya sach mein unhone Khushi ki maa ke saath bura kiya tha? Kyun wo har roj sleeping pills lete hai? Wo sapne unhe iss tarah dara dete hai jaise wo unki zindagi ka hissa hai. Aakhir kya wajah hai jo sauteli maa sunke hi unhone mujhe thappad maar diya? Batayie.." She sought clarity, her voice tinged with urgency and determination.

Sharda's eyes welled up with tears as she recalled the painful past. "Kyun janna chahti ho tum? Uski zindagi ke wo panne jinmein sirf takleef hai!" she replied, her voice heavy with sorrow.

"Main unhe usi dard aur takleef se door karna chahti hun kaki.. Please batayie aakhir aisa kya hai?" Manvi pleaded, her heart aching for answers.

Sharda looked at Aarav through the window, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips. "Duniya ke liye katoor dil, aurton se nafrat karne waala Aarav hai yeh par andar se hai toh seedha saadha jisne sabse bahut pyaar kiya aur badle mein usey sirf dhoke mile, dard mile chup chap sabkuch saha," she revealed, her voice trembling with emotion.

Manvi listened intently as Sharda shared the painful truth about Aarav's past. "Karan Malhotra, Aarav ke papa jinhone business ki shuruwat ki thi.. Aarav sirf 8 saal ka tha jab uski maa Nandini guzar gayi bahut pyaar karte they Karan sahab apne bete se, itna ki usey maa ki kami na mehsus ho unhone dusri shaadi ki sumitra se bahut khush tha uss din yeh aur wo aakhiri baar tha jab Aarav khilkhilake hasa tha," Sharda recounted, her voice filled with sorrow as she shared the painful childhood memories.

Flashback

Karan Malhotra had come to Mumbai from a small city with big dreams, accompanied by his wife and their 4-year-old son, Aarav.



Within a few years, he had established his business and built a bungalow named Malhotra Mansion. However, every success comes with a loss, and that was when tragedy struck - his wife lost her life in a tragic car accident. The sudden loss left a void in their lives, especially for the traumatized 8-year-old Aarav.

"Khana khalo Aaru," Karan tried to coax his son, offering him food amidst their grief.

But the little Aarav, still reeling from the shock of losing his mother, refused with tears in his eyes. "Mumma chahiye," he whimpered, his voice filled with longing and sorrow.

Karan, feeling the weight of his son's pain, gently lifted Aarav onto his lap and kissed his forehead tenderly. "Beta, mumma humhe chodke chali gayi hai, ab nahi aayegi," he explained softly, trying to console the grieving child.

However, Aarav's heartache persisted, and he grew increasingly upset at the thought of his mother's absence. Karan, feeling helpless in the face of his son's grief, hired Sharda as their nanny, hoping she could provide some comfort and support to Aarav. But despite her efforts, Sharda knew that no one could replace a mother's endless love and nurturing presence.

As Karan returned from the office, Sharda came to him and handed him a glass of water. Concern etched on his face, he asked, "Khana khaya isne?"

"Bahut thoda sa..." Sharda replied softly, her eyes reflecting the shared sorrow.

"Mujhse nahi dekhi jaati mere bache ke chahre pe udaasi... Kahan se laau main iski maa?" Karan's voice trembled with pain and helplessness.

"Uparwale pe bharosa rakhiye sahab, wahi rasta dikhayenge," Sharda said gently, offering solace, before leaving to check on little Aarav.

Inside Aarav's room, he had been engrossed in making a drawing of his mother. With a hopeful gleam in his eyes, he showed it to Sharda, saying, "Kaki jab mumma aayegi toh unhe dikhaunga."

Sharda smiled warmly and caressed his head lovingly. "Bahut achi hai beta, chalo aapke sone ka waqt ho gaya hai, subah school jaana hai."

Aarav closed his sketchbook and laid down on the bed. Sharda tucked him in, kissing his forehead before leaving the room.

Feeling a heavy weight upon his heart, Karan entered the room, unable to face his son for not being able to fill the void left by his mother's absence. He picked up Aarav's sketchbook and saw the numerous drawings of his mother plastered across the pages. Tears welled up in his eyes, silently streaming down his cheeks as he lightly caressed his son's head, aching with the pain of shared loss..

Suddenly, Aarav stirred from his sleep, his eyes fluttering open to gaze upon his father. A glimmer of a smile danced on the child's lips, the first in what seemed like an eternity. "Papa, Aaru ne sapne mein mumma ko dekha," he whispered softly.

Karan's heart skipped a beat at his son's words, a flicker of hope igniting within him. "Acha, kya kaha unhone?" Karan's voice trembled with anticipation.

"Unhone kaha wo Aaru ke paas ayengi jaldi se wapas," Aarav replied with a sense of innocent conviction.

Karan felt a warmth spreading through his soul at his son's words. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he pulled Aarav into a loving embrace. With his son nestled in his arms, he felt a glimmer of reassurance amidst the darkness of their loss. Together, father and son found solace in each other's embrace, finding a ray of hope in the promise of Aarav's dream.

As months passed by, Karan threw himself into his business, seeking solace in the busyness of his days to escape the lingering pain of his wife's absence. Yet, amidst his efforts to move forward, he couldn't ignore the deep sorrow that continued to weigh heavily upon his young son, Aarav. Every day, the little boy waited with aching hope for his mother's return, his longing echoing through the silent halls of their home.

One evening, Sharda approached Karan with a troubled expression, her concern palpable. "Sahab, Aarav ko ab tak unki maa ki yaad se bahar nahi aaya. Lagta hai unka dil toot gaya hai," she shared gently, her voice heavy with worry.

Karan's heart sank at Sharda's words, the weight of his son's grief pressing upon him with renewed intensity. He knew he couldn't stand idly by while Aarav spiraled further into despair. Determination flickered in his eyes as he resolved to find a solution for his son's pain.

"Main Aarav ke liye kuch karna chahta hoon," Karan declared, his voice resolute with determination.

Over the following days, Karan delved into research, seeking out ways to help his son cope with the overwhelming grief that threatened to consume him. Consulting with experts and drawing upon his own intuition as a father, he formulated a plan to provide Aarav with the support he so desperately needed.

One evening, Karan sat down with Aarav, his expression gentle yet firm. "Beta, main jaanta hoon ki tumhein bahut yaad aa rahi hai tumhari maa. Par ab humein saath milkar uss yaadon se aage badhna hoga," he began, his voice tender yet resolute.

Aarav looked up at his father, his eyes brimming with unshed tears, but also a flicker of hope. "Kya hum kuch kar sakte hain, Papa?" he asked, his voice quivering with emotion.

Karan nodded, a small smile gracing his lips. "Haan beta, hum kuch kar sakte hain. Tumhein ek nayi dost milne wali hai, jo tumhari maa ki jagah lekar tumhare saath rahegi," he revealed, his words carrying a sense of quiet reassurance.

Aarav's eyes widened in surprise and curiosity, a glimmer of excitement lighting up his face. "Sach, Papa?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with hope.

Karan nodded, his heart swelling with love for his son. "Sach, beta. Aur main jaanta hoon ki tum dono ek doosre se bahut pyaar karoge," he replied, his voice filled with conviction.

With his son's trust and hope renewed, Karan knew that together, they would find a way to navigate the challenges that lay ahead. And amidst the darkness of their loss, a new light of hope began to dawn, promising a future filled with love, resilience, and the enduring bond between father and son.

True to his promise, Karan decided to remarry, finding solace and companionship in the daughter of his manager, Sumitra Jaiswal. Sumitra had grown fond of Aarav and was wholeheartedly ready to step into the role of his stepmother and friend.



One day, Sumitra approached Aarav with a warm smile, extending a chocolate towards him. Aarav glanced up at his father, seeking reassurance.

"Papa, kya yeh meri nayi dost hai?" he asked innocently, his eyes reflecting a mixture of curiosity and hope.

Karan nodded with a gentle smile. "Haan beta, aur yeh tumhari mumma bhi hai," he replied, his voice filled with warmth and love.

Aarav's face lit up with delight, a chuckle escaping his lips at the realization. He eyed Sumitra again before reaching out to accept the chocolate from her, a sense of trust and acceptance blossoming within him. Sumitra leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead, her affectionate gesture filling the room with warmth.

"Bahut hi pyaare ho tum," Sumitra whispered fondly, her heart swelling with love for the young boy.

"Aap bhi achi ho apne Aaru ko chocolate di jaise mumma mujhe deti thi," Aarav replied, his words tinged with a hint of nostalgia and longing.

"Main aapki mumma hi toh hun," Sumitra responded gently, her voice carrying a sense of reassurance and love. Aarav's face lit up with joy, and he dashed off, his laughter echoing through the house.

Karan watched with a sense of contentment as his son's smile returned, knowing that Sumitra had taken on the responsibility with grace and love. In that moment, he felt a deep sense of gratitude for the newfound happiness and sense of family that they had found together.

Aarav, a gentle and talented child, proudly displayed his paintings to Sumitra, who was captivated by his skill. As she admired each piece on the wall, she praised, "Bahut hi khubsurat hai beta."

Feeling the warmth of her admiration, Aarav embraced Sumitra as his mother wholeheartedly.

Meanwhile, Karan, busy with packing, noticed Sumitra's concern. With a comforting touch, she reassured him, "Aap pareshan mat hoyie, Aaru aur main bahut ache dost ban gaye hai. Wo toh mujhe mumma bulata bhi hai. Main sambhal lungi usey."

Grateful for her support, Karan smiled, "Tum ho toh mujhe mere bete ki fikar karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai Sumitra. Main ab santusti se business trips pe jaa sakta hun."

Casting a glance at their son absorbed in studying, Sumitra hugged him, bidding farewell as Karan left.

"Bye papa, mere liye gifts laana mat bhulna," Aarav reminded him.

Karan kissed his forehead, promising, "Nahi bhoolunga," before departing.

With a gentle smile, Sumitra made her way to the kitchen and instructed Sharda, "Aaj Aarav mere saath mere kamre mein soyega."

"Thik hai memsaab.. Yeh raha Aarav baba ka khana," Sharda replied dutifully, handing her the food plate. Sumitra took it to the bedroom and securely locked the door.

Sitting beside Aarav, she affectionately called him, "Aaru."

He obediently got up and settled on her lap as she lovingly fed him with her own hands.

"Aaj aap mumma ke saath soyoge na?" she asked, her touch beginning to cross boundaries.

"Haan," Aarav innocently agreed, unaware of the impending danger.

After finishing his meal and organizing his books, he lay down to sleep, while Sumitra gently patted his head, her intentions concealed behind a facade of care.

"Aaru, hum ek game khele?" she proposed, her voice laced with deceit.

"Kaunsa game?" he asked, his innocence shining through.

"Main aapko bahut saara pyaar karungi aur phir chocolates bhi dungi, lekin aap mujhe promise karoge ki aap kisiko hamare secret game ke baare mein nahi bataoge," Sumirta cunningly stated, setting the stage for her sinister plan.

Aarav, trusting her implicitly, agreed innocently, his smile reflecting his pure heart. With a twisted grin, Sumitra proceeded to physically assault him, causing the unsuspecting boy to cry out in pain, his trust shattered by the betrayal of the one he thought to be his caregiver.

In the aftermath, Aarav lay on the bed, tears streaming down his face, his small frame trembling with pain and confusion. Sumitra, her facade of care now stripped away, stood over him with a cold expression, her eyes devoid of any remorse.

As Aarav's cries filled the room, the weight of his betrayal settled heavily upon him. The once-trusted figure of Sumitra now loomed over him like a dark shadow, casting doubt on everything he had believed to be true.

Outside the closed door, the house remained eerily silent, oblivious to the turmoil unfolding within. In that moment, Aarav felt utterly alone, betrayed not only by Sumitra but by the very notion of trust itself.

Meanwhile, Sumitra's twisted grin remained plastered on her face, a chilling testament to her deceitful nature. With a sense of satisfaction, she turned away from Aarav's suffering, her mind already calculating her next move in this wicked game of manipulation and control.

Karan returned from his trip and called out to his son, "Aaru."

Aarav emerged from his room, tears still staining his cheeks, and rushed into his father's embrace. The pain from Sumitra's assault still lingered, evident in his trembling form. Karan gently caressed his son's head, concern etched into his features. "Beta, kya hua?" he inquired, noticing Aarav's distress.

Pointing towards Sumitra, Aarav whimpered, "Mumma ne... ."

Sumitra, with a feigned smile, interjected, "Maine zara sa daant diya usey padhai kare jaa raha hai kabse thoda khel khud bhi karle."

Karan, unaware of Sumitra's true intentions, nodded in agreement. "Yeh toh acha kia chalo khelo," he encouraged, oblivious to the pain hidden behind Aarav's tears.

However, Aarav refused to leave his father's lap, his trust in Sumitra shattered by her earlier betrayal. Sensing his son's unease, Karan took him to their room, hoping to calm his troubled mind.

As Karan tried to soothe Aarav to sleep, the young boy spoke up, his voice trembling with fear. "Papa, nayi mumma ne na..."

Just then, Sumitra entered the room, her presence casting a shadow over the already tense atmosphere. "Karanji, main sulati hun. Aap jaake rest kijiye," she suggested, her tone masking her true intentions.

Karan complied, nodding silently before leaving the room. Left alone with Sumitra, Aarav's fear escalated as she glared at him, her voice sharp with reprimand. "Maine mana kia tha na kisiko game ke baare mein nahi batana... Punishment milegi ab aapko," she threatened, sending a shiver down Aarav's spine.

Terrified, Aarav watched helplessly as Sumitra tore down the paintings of his mother, cherished memories that held a piece of his heart. With each rip, his sense of security crumbled, leaving him feeling more vulnerable and alone than ever before.

The flashback will last up to 10 to 15 chapters. ❤️❤️❣️ Thank you for 30k reads and 1k votes.

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