After a few months

Aarav got ready to leave for the office. He picked up his wallet and watch from the dressing table, his eyes catching a glimpse of a picture reflected in the mirror. He turned around and saw the photograph of his late parents, now together in heaven. The sight of their smiling faces brought a familiar ache to his heart. The pain of their loss remained, a constant undercurrent in his life, but he had learned to live with it. With time and the unwavering support of his wife, Maya, he had managed to bring his life back on track.

Maya had been his pillar of strength. She stood beside him during the darkest days, providing solace and healing his shattered spirit. Her gentle words and unwavering love had mended the emotional wounds that seemed irreparable.

As he gazed at the photo, lost in memories, Maya entered the room with a bright smile, holding out his tiffin box. "Aarav, yeh lo tumhara tiffin," she said warmly.

Aarav's face softened, and he smiled back at her. "Maya, pichle kuch mahino tumne mujhe sambhala, yeh ghar sambhala... thank you," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.

"Kaisi baat kar rahe ho Aarav? Patni hun tumhari, hamesha tumhe sambhalungi," she replied, her eyes shining with affection.

Aarav leaned in and kissed her forehead lightly, feeling the warmth of her love. Maya then mentioned, "Acha Aarav, wo lawyer aaya tha kuch papers leke, tum ek baar dekh lo."

"Maya, tum dekh lena, mujhe abhi late ho raha hai," he said, placing his trust in her without hesitation.

"Aarav, lekin..." she started, a hint of concern in her voice.

Aarav interrupted gently, "Itna vishwas hai tum par mujhe, Maya. Tum Sumitra nahi ho."

Maya nodded, reassured by his trust. As he left for the office, she smiled softly to herself and whispered, "Sahi kaha, main Sumitra nahi hun, Aarav. Kabhi tumhe chot nahi dungi."

With a heart full of love and trust, Aarav stepped out, ready to face the day, knowing he had Maya by his side, his steadfast partner in every sense.

Sumitra's frustration reached its peak as she frantically searched for the divorce papers Karan had prepared. She tore through the bedroom, her eyes darting around for any sign of the incriminating documents. Drawers were yanked open, clothes tossed aside, and shelves emptied in her desperate search. Finally, her eyes landed on the papers, tucked away inside her wardrobe, hidden beneath a stack of old clothes.

Just as she was about to hide them again, Maya walked in. Sumitra quickly tried to conceal the papers, but Maya's sharp eyes caught sight of them.

"Maa, yeh kya hai?" Maya asked, her curiosity piqued as she stepped closer.

Sumitra's heart raced. She had to think fast. "Kuch nahi, Maya. Bas kuch purane documents hain," she said, trying to sound casual, though her voice betrayed a hint of panic.

Maya's suspicion grew. "Mujhe dikhayiye, maa. Shayad main madad kar sakun."

Realizing she couldn't hide the papers any longer, Sumitra reluctantly handed them over. Maya's eyes widened as she read through the documents, understanding their significance immediately.

"Yeh toh divorce papers hain," Maya said, her voice filled with surprise and concern. "Aarav ko yeh sab pata hai?"

Sumitra's mind raced. She couldn't afford to let Maya turn these papers over to Aarav. But before she could say anything, Maya's expression hardened, and a sinister smile spread across her face.

"Maa, aapne socha bhi nahi hoga na, ki main aapka asli rang pehchan gayi hoon," Maya said, her voice cold and threatening.

Sumitra's eyes widened in shock. "Maya, tum yeh kya keh rahi ho?"

Maya stepped closer, her eyes blazing with anger and cunning. "Aapne Aarav aur Karan papa ke saath kitna bura kiya hai. Aapka asli rang samajhne mein der lag gayi mujhe, lekin ab nahi."

Sumitra tried to regain control. "Maya, yeh tum kya kar rahi ho? Tum Aarav ki bhalai ke liye yeh sab chupana chah rahi ho na?"

Maya laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. "Nahi, maa. Main Aarav ko sach bataungi." She turned to exit. She stopped when she glanced at Sumitra's frightened face, realizing that Sumitra thought she might reveal that she murdered Karan.

Maya laughed again, seeing the fear in Sumitra's eyes. Sumitra looked at her in confusion. "Aapko kya laga? Maya haath mein aaye hukum ke ikke ko itni aasani se jaane degi," she said, her eyes glinting with malice.

She sat down on the couch, crossing her legs, and flipped through the file. Sumitra sighed in relief, seeing Maya's true intentions.

"Mujhe toh laga tum Aarav se itna pyaar karne lagi ho ki mera saath dogi nahi... jiske liye maine tumhari shaadi usse karwayi thi," Sumitra said.

Maya smiled. "Aarav se pyaar toh main bahut karti hun, Maa, itna ki use apni mutthi mein rakhna chahti hun. Uske liye aapka saath toh chahiye hoga kyuki aap uski har ek kamzori janti hai. Aakhir uske itne qareeb jo rah chuki hai."

Sumitra smiled wickedly. "Maya, tum sach mein bohot chalak ho. To ab tum mere saath ho?"

Maya nodded, her smile matching Sumitra's. "Haan, maa. Hum milke Aarav ko control karenge. Aapke paas wo sab raaz hain jo use pareshan kar sakte hain, aur mere paas uska vishwas."

Sumitra extended her hand, a sinister alliance forming. "Toh ab hum dono milke Aarav ko torenge. Pehle uska vishwas todna hoga."

Maya shook her hand firmly. "Bilkul. Uska vishwas iss tarah tootega ki wo kisipe bharosa nahi kar payega. Sirf Maya ki baat sunega. Maya ki ijazat ke bina wo so bhi nahi paayega."

As they stood together, a dark alliance was formed. Maya and Sumitra, each driven by their own twisted motives, prepared to make Aarav's life a living nightmare. The stage was set for a treacherous and sinister journey ahead, with Aarav caught in the middle of their diabolical game. The two women exchanged a look of mutual understanding, their pact sealed with a handshake that would usher in an era of deceit and manipulation.

Aarav had been working in the office, and he had placed his father and mother's picture on his desk. These two figures motivated him and reminded him of his commitment to fulfilling his father's dream. Every time he glanced at the photo, he felt a surge of determination.

"Aaru beta, zindagi mein kuch bhi ho, tum apni achhai mat chodna, kyunki achhai ke aage ek din burayi ko jhukna hi padta hai. Apni mumma ki yeh baat yaad rakhna hamesha," he remembered his mother's words. Her voice echoed in his mind, soothing and guiding him through his challenges.

Just then, Tanya walked into the cabin, her heels clicking softly on the floor, and placed a file on his desk. "Sir, yeh new project ki details hain. Aap inhe study kar lijiye, phir meeting mein budget bhi paas karwana hai," she said, her tone professional yet friendly.

Aarav nodded, looking up at her with a small smile. "Thik hai, Tanya. Main dekh leta hoon." He agreed. As Tanya left, he opened the file, immersing himself in the project's intricacies. The day was filled with meetings, each one demanding his full attention and expertise.

Later, the finance executive, Tyagi, arrived late. He looked flustered as he entered the room and immediately apologized, "Sorry Sir, wo meri maa ko achanak hospital leke jaana pada isliye late hua."

Aarav smiled reassuringly, understanding the urgency of such situations. "Koi baat nahi, Tyagi ji. Family comes first. Abhi thik hain wo?" he asked, his concern genuine.

"Ji Sir," Tyagi nodded, visibly relieved, and took his seat for the meeting.

It was a hectic day for Aarav, filled with back-to-back discussions, reviews, and decisions. Each task seemed to demand more from him, and he couldn't help but miss his father's presence. His father had always been his guide, a beacon of wisdom and support. Aarav hoped that one day he could make him proud by handling everything without any stress. After a long day, he finally headed back home, feeling a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction.

Once home, he checked his phone and saw a message from Ria, his one and only best friend from college. Seeing her name brought a smile to his face. They started chatting, their conversation lighthearted and filled with humor. Ria had a way of making him laugh and forget the day's stress, even if just for a moment.

Their exchange was just what he needed, a reminder of the simple joys and the importance of good friends. As they talked, Aarav felt his spirits lift, ready to face another day with renewed energy.

Maya noticed a smile on Aarav's face and grew suspicious. His phone rang again, and it was a call from Tanya. Aarav answered it.

"Haan, Tanya, mujhe yaad hai kal bahut important meeting hai. Main aaj hi sab review kar lunga," he said.

"Thik hai, Sir," she replied before ending the call. He looked at Maya and smiled.

"How was your day?" she asked.

"Thik tha, Maya. Ek cup coffee bana dogi?" he requested.

"Sure," she agreed.

Aarav changed into a trouser and t-shirt and headed to the living room. He stood in front of a photo of his father and mother, lighting the diya and closing his eyes. He prayed that they were together in heaven, peacefully watching over him. The soft glow of the diya flickered, casting a warm light on their faces in the photograph, and Aarav felt a sense of calm wash over him.

He then sat at the dining table with his laptop, doing some final reviews for the important meeting. Meanwhile, Maya, unable to shake her suspicion, checked his phone. Seeing the messages, she fumed with anger and rushed downstairs to him, holding his phone with a tense face.

She glanced at him and smiled "ab waqt aa gaya hai Maya tumhe apna asli roop dikhaye!" 

"Aarav, yeh kya hai?" she demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and confusion.

Aarav looked up, startled. "Kya hua, Maya?"

Maya said calmly but with an undercurrent of anger, "Aarav, maine abhi Ria ki taraf se message dekha. Wo tumhe kyun text kar rahi hai?"

Aarav was confused at her question. "Maya, hum pehle bhi baat kar chuke hai na, wo meri achi dost hai."

Maya coldly replied, "Sirf ek dost? Aur kitni aisi dost hain tumhari haan? Jinke baare mein mujhe nahi pata?" she asked, her voice dripping with doubt.

Aarav was just shocked at her sudden change in behavior. "Maya, tumhe mere har doston ke baare mein pata hai. Mere paas chupane jaisa kuch hai hi nahi."

Maya leaned in and whispered harshly, "Kuch nahi chupane ko? Toh phir mujhe hamesha kyun lagta hai main andhere mein hun? Aur jab main tumhare saath hun toh tumhe kisi aur se baat karne ki zaroorat hi kyun hai?"

Aarav said, "Maya, tumhe maine kabhi andhere mein nahi rakha. Main sirf apne do teen doston se baat karta hun... bas."

Maya smirked, "Purane dost? How funny it is, Aarav. Jab main tumhare aas paas nahi hun tabhi yeh tumhare purane dost aa jaate hain! Tumhe kya main bewakoof nazar aati hun?"

Aarav said in a defensive tone, "Nahi... tumhe mujhpe bharosa karna hoga."

Maya said mockingly, "Tumpar bharosa? Kaise kar lun jise maza hai mujhe pareshan karne mein. Tum kehte ho mujhse pyaar karte ho, par main tumhe sirf mujhe dhoka dete hue dekhti hun uss har ek message ke saath jo tum Ria ko bhejte ho aur jaane kis ladki ko."

Aarav was shocked hearing her words, he denied, "Yeh sach nahi hai... main sirf tumse pyaar karta hun. Wo tumhe nazar nahi aata? Are, papa ke jaane ke baad tum hi toh meri takat bani ho itne mahino se..."

Maya's voice was ice-cold, "Pyaar? Iska matlab bhi pata hai tumhe? Main khud pe har din shaq karun, khud ko tumhare layak na samjhun kyunki tum dusron aurton se baat kiye bina rah nahi sakte. Yeh hai tumhara pyaar?"

Aarav replied, "Maya, please, tum kya keh rahi ho? Mere liye toh tum hi sab kuch ho. Mujhe kisi aur ki zaroorat nahi hai."

Maya smirked, "Toh sabit karo! Abhi ke abhi uss Ria ka number delete karo. Block karo aur dikhao mujhe ki tumhe sirf meri zaroorat hai," she demanded.

Aarav hesitated, knowing it wasn't right. "Maya, yeh galat hai. Wo meri sabse achi dost hai. Main aise hi usse cut off nahi kar sakta."

Maya raised her voice for the first time, sending a shockwave through him. "Kar nahi sakte ya karna nahi chahte? Shayad tum mujhse utna pyaar nahi karte jitna main tumse karti hun. Shayad mujhe bhi ab kisiko dhoond lena chahiye jise meri feelings ki kadar ho."

Aarav, feeling cornered, denied, "Nahi, Maya... main karta hun delete uska number."

Maya forwarded the phone to him. He took it and deleted Ria's number. He even blocked her and glanced at Maya.

Maya smiled triumphantly, "Good. Aur yaad rahe Aarav, sirf main hi hun jo sach mein tumhari parwah karti hai. Baaki sab sirf tumhe chot denge. Yeh baat tumhe yaad rahe agli baar apni kisi bhi so-called 'dost' se baat karne se pehle."

Aarav looked at her in confusion. Maya kissed his cheek and said, "Tumhara bhala chahti hun main."

The tension in the room hung heavily, and Aarav was left feeling isolated, questioning his actions and the nature of his relationships.

Aarav looked around and noticed a few of the house servants had witnessed the scene. He felt humiliated by his wife in front of everyone but remained quiet for the sake of their marriage. Just then, Sumitra entered the room, having overheard the last part of their conversation.

"What nonsense? Tum ab bhi apni unn college doston ke saath time paas kar rahe ho apni zimmedariyan uthane ki bajaye?" she said, her words cutting deep into Aarav.

Aarav startled, "Nahi maa, aisa nahi hai, main toh bas"

Sumitra interrupted, grabbing a nearby whip, "Bas kya? Maya se phirse jhooth bol rahe ho? Apni zimmedariyan nazar andaz kar rahe ho? Tumhe main bewakuf nazar aati hun?"

Aarav, terrified and deeply hurt, tried to defend himself, "Nahi maa, main apni zimmedariyan"

Sumitra raised the whip, her eyes blazing with anger, "Bas! Tumne aaj tak kuch nahi kiya hai, Aarav. Sirf mujhe sharminda kiya hai. Iss tarah tum apne papa ke business ko aage leke jaoge? Shayad yeh tumhe zimmedar bana de."

Aarav looked at Maya, hoping she would stand up for him. But his heart shattered seeing the smirk on her face. She smiled and said, "Haan, Aarav, sahi keh rahi hai maa. Yeh tumhe ehsaas karayega ki tum humein kitni takleef de rahe ho. Papa ke jaane ke baad tumhari zimmedari hai hamara khayal rakhne ki."

Sumitra raised the whip and struck him. He winced in pain as she shouted, "Yeh Maya ko takleef dene ke liye aur yeh apni zimmedariyan na nibhane ke liye."

Aarav cried out in pain, "Rukiye please... main sab karunga."

Sumitra replied coldly, "Tum ab wahi karoge jo hum kahenge! Koi bahana nahi, samjhe?"

A tear escaped down his face. Maya leaned forward and grabbed his face between her palms. "Tum sirf mere ho, Aarav, sirf mere. Yeh baat bhoolna mat. Ainda tumhari uss secretary ka phone bhi nahi aana chahiye warna Maya apna wo roop dikhayegi jo tum soch bhi nahi sakte," she warned him.

Aarav, his spirit crushed and his heart aching, nodded silently. He felt trapped and betrayed, surrounded by the people he once trusted the most. The flickering light of the diya in the background seemed to mock his earlier prayers for peace, casting long shadows in the room that matched the darkness closing in around him.

After Sumitra left, Maya approached him with a first aid kit, her expression a mix of feigned concern and cold satisfaction. She began to tend to the wound caused by the whip.

"Yeh dard sehne ki aadat daal lo, Aarav," she said, her voice icy as she dabbed antiseptic on the cut. "Jab tak tum apni zimmedari nahi samjhoge, yeh dard tumhe yaad dilata rahega ki tumhare saath kya ho sakta hai."

Aarav winced as the antiseptic stung his skin, but the pain of her words cut even deeper. "Maya, main sach kah raha hun wo sirf meri achi dost thi mera tumhe takleef dene ka koi irada nahi tha," he said weakly.

Maya scoffed, "Lekin anjaane mein tumne galti toh kar di mujhe takleef deke. Tum samajhte kyun nahi ki tumhari har galti mujhe aur tumhare parivaar ko kitni takleef deti hai?"

She applied a bandage, her touch firm and unyielding. "Jab tum apni maa aur meri baaton ka mazak banate ho, toh tumhe lagta hai ki sirf tumhe hi dard hota hai? Humein bhi hota hai, Aarav. Tumhari har galti mujhe yeh sochne pe majboor karti hai ki maine tumse shaadi karke galti ki."

Aarav looked down, tears welling up in his eyes. "Main... main apni galtiyon ko sudharne ki koshish karunga, Maya. Please, mujhe ek mauka do."

Maya's eyes narrowed. "Ek mauka? Tumhe kitne mauke chahiye, Aarav? Har baar tum wahi galtiyan dohrate ho. Shayad tum kabhi nahi sudhroge."

She finished tending to his wound and stood up, looking down at him with disdain. "Main sirf tumhare bhale ki sochti hun. Tumhari maa aur maine tumhare liye sab kuch kiya, aur tumne kya kiya? Sirf humein dard aur sharmindagi di."

Aarav, feeling utterly defeated, whispered, "Main tumhe takleef nahi dena chahta aur Maa.. tum janti nahi unhone mere saath kya kya kiya tha.." he said to warn her about Sumitra.

Maya's expression softened just a fraction, but her voice remained harsh. "Tumhe sabit karna hoga, Aarav ki tum mujhe takleef nahi dena chahte.. aur main sab janti hun Maa ne kya kiya tumhare saath yeh main achi tarah se janti hun child abuse isn't something new!"

She leaned closer, her voice low and menacing. "Yaad rahe, tum sirf mere ho. Agar tumne phir se kabhi mujhe dhoka diya, toh yeh sirf shuruaat hogi."

Maya's eyes glinted with a cold satisfaction. "Aur yeh jo tumhari sauteli maa hai, Sumitra... itne saal tumhe paala hai unhone bada kiya iss layak banaya ki tum mere pati ban sako.. unka dhyan rakhne ki zimmedari bhi ab tumhari hai.."

Aarav's voice trembled, "Maya, main janta hun uss aurat ne sirf mera istemal kiya hai apne fayde ke liye.. tab bhi maine unhe Maa ka darja diya"

Maya's smirk returned, but her eyes remained cold. "toh ab tum sirf apni maa aur meri baaton ko maanoge. Aur agar tumne phir se koi galti ki, toh uska anjaam tum soch bhi nahi sakte."

She finished bandaging his wound, her touch still firm and unyielding. "Yaad rahe, Aarav. Sirf main tumhe tumhari maa se bachake rakh sakti hun"

Aarav, his spirit broken and his heart heavy, nodded silently. He felt the weight of his family's expectations and the crushing realization that the love he once cherished had turned into a prison of control and pain. Maya kissed his cheek again, a gesture that felt more like a mark of ownership than affection, before walking away, leaving him alone with his thoughts and the lingering ache of her words.