For the first time after so many weeks, I had a great sleep and an even greater dream. I was laughing at something Keerti said while Upasana was rolling on the floor. Arman and Neeya were married and had a small baby girl. Everyone looked so happy and merry... but it was all just a dream.

I heard an angelic voice in the distance; it was calling my name. I thought it must be my mother, but she would never call me that lovingly. Did she ever? Maybe she did, but I couldn't remember it.

My dream broke as the honey like voice got louder, and I opened my eyes slowly. My mother-in-law's face came into view and it was glowing like sunshine. It took me some time to register what was happening and where I was, and when I did, I snapped up into the sitting position with a jolt.

"Shruti Aunty?" I asked.

She was sitting beside me on the bed and her smile turned into a frown when I called her Aunty. I quickly rectified my mistake and remembered that I fell asleep in Yuvaan's room yesterday.

"Had a good sleep?" she questioned and caressed my hair.

"Yes," I replied.

"Good, but you must be hungry since you skipped breakfast. I brought lunch for you," she said.

Skipped breakfast? How long was I sleeping?

"Is the sleeping beauty finally up?" Yuvaan's mocking voice came from the bathroom.

"Shut up!" his mom yelled and smiled at me.

She took a food plate from the side table and moved it in front of me. My mouth watered as soon as the delicious aroma of Methi Parathas invaded my senses.

"Open your mouth," Shruti Aunty said as she took a morsel of a Paratha and brought it near my mouth.

I stared at her in confusion. She brought her hand close, and instinctively, I opened my mouth and closed my eyes in delight. I asked her if she cooked it as I noticed the difference in taste from Grace's cooking.

"Did you like it?" she asked with a sweet smile.

"It is delicious," I complimented.

"Aren't you going to feed your only son, Ma?" Yuvaan acted hurt.

He exited the washroom and plopped down beside me. His mother grabbed his right ear and twisted it playfully.

"Don't act childish. I will first feed Reyna and then you," she informed and continued making me eat like a bird's chick.

It was kind of awkward, but I didn't complain.

"So, you forgot your son now that your daughter-in-law is here?" Yuvaan complained.

Why was he not in his office and letting me be in peace?

"I have given myself a leave from work as long as Mom is here," he said and winked at me.

Don't tell me he suspected that I was going to consult his mom regarding our divorce.

After I was done, Shruti Aunty fed Yuvaan like a kid and then left us alone. My husband turned to me as soon as she left, and I backed away.

"You slept for too long," he informed.

I glanced at the wall clock and widened my eyes a little when I saw the time: 1:45 pm. I really slept for a long time. I moved my feet to go to my room but stopped when I realised that my luggage was in his room.

I rolled my eyes when Yuvaan made a teasing face as I made my way towards his wardrobe. I saw my clothes neatly arranged in a corner. I took out a red peach coloured georgette saree and its blouse. After getting other toiletries, I entered the washroom.

(Reyna's outfit👆)

But before closing the door, I glimpsed at Yuvaan who was staring at me with an arrogant grin on his face. I needed to find a perfect opportunity to talk to his mom and be very careful as he was going to be in the house all day.

"Can you leave?" I asked.

"Who me? This is my room," he answered.

"I know, but I need to wear my clothes in the room or they will get wet in the bathroom," I explained.

"So.....? What am I supposed to do about that?"

"I need some privacy."

"I am your husband~ Why so shy in front of me?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Are you leaving, or should I call your Mom?"

"Taking advantage of the situation, aren't you?" he taunted and got up from his bed.

"Learned from you only," I retorted.

He shot me a glare before leaving while mumbling under his breath. He locked the door really slowly, and I also went to take a bath. In the shower, I tried to find some ways to get my mother-in-law alone and talk with her.

But all of my plans failed. Whenever I spotted her alone, Yuvaan would arrive within seconds and keep her busy. A lot of times I saw him distracting her on purpose and then give me a mischievous smile.

He was taling behind her like a puppy and never lost her sight. I was getting frustrated but decided to have patience. I had only one chance, and I had confirmed that his mother wasn't aware of the whole situation, or else Yuvaan wouldn't be trying so hard to keep her away from me.

In the night, Yuvaan's mom asked me to prepare dinner for everyone to which her son expressed great displeasure. He told her to cook herself or let Grace do it, but his mom shut him up with a glare.

She even invited his friends to have brunch and made me sit beside Yuvaan on the dining table. It was the first time I was eating with him and his small gang; it was really weird.

After a lot of contemplation, everyone started eating, and only Shruti Aunty, and surprisingly Shaurya complimented my food while the other guys kept quiet. Yuvaan was shooting daggers at me whenever his mom would praise me and give me a warm smile.

It looked like he was jealous that I was getting all the attention.

"Ma, Renuka Aunty was asking about you. Why don't you go and meet her tomorrow?" Yuvaan suggested.

"Oh, thank you for the reminder, beta. I almost forgot about her. That woman will kill me if I didn't meet her," my mother-in-law said.

"Do you want to come too, Reyna?" she asked me.

"She won't, Mom. She has a lot of work here," Yuvaan answered before me.

"What kind of work? Are you trying to keep your wife all to yourself?" his mom teased, and I almost rolled my eyes.

"It is okay, Mom. You go and enjoy. It looks like Yuvaan can't leave me for even a second," I taunted.

Advait choked on his food while Shaurya shot a curious glance at Yuvaan. Shruti Aunty giggled and started teasing her son. Yuvaan narrowed his eyes at me but didn't comment back.

"It is okay. I won't act as a third wheel," Shruti Aunty said.

"Mom..." Yuvaan whined.

Shruti Aunty laughed at him and I took that as a chance to make the announcement for which I was waiting for so long. I realised that worrying about Yuvaan being around his mom should not matter to me.

"Mom, Yuvaan and I are divorcing," I announced.

His Mom froze in her seat and widened her eyes. She asked me if I was joking, and I shook my head. Shaurya pursed his lips when I told him to confirm what I said.

"But... W-why, beta?" she asked.

"I am not sure if you know the whole story, but your son was scammed by my dad to marry me. He said it was about a deal which was really important to him. So, Yuvaan agreed to marry me as he had no other choice; I don't blame him for it.

"But I won't apologize on my father's behalf because I wasn't aware of it though no one believes me. I hope you do, and even if you don't, it is okay. I accept that whatever happened was unfortunate, so I believe ending this marriage is the best option.

"I already asked Shaurya, sorry, I mean Mr. Shaurya Razi if he can help me. He informed me he can fasten the process of divorce, but I don't have that much patience. I can't live with the person who doesn't love me," I stated.

Shruti Aunty glared at her son who was in turn glaring at me and Shaurya. Advait was busy playing with his fork, avoiding everyone's gaze.

"Yuvaan, will you please explain what is going on?" His mom questioned in an angry tone.

"Don't stress, Ma. I will deal with her," he replied.

"No, you won't. And Reyna, beta, before taking such a major decision, I would like to talk with you. It is really late right now and you must be feeling sleepy, why don't we continue this conversation tomorrow?" she suggested while looking at me with expectation.

I sighed. Well, one more day won't hurt me.

"Okay, Mom. Sorry to give you the news like this, but..."

"Don't worry, Reyna. Go and sleep," she assured.

I got up from my chair and after glancing at my soon to be ex-husband, I went to his room. I packed my bags and shook my head since that's what I had been doing ever since I came to this house.

Pack, unpack, pack, unpack...

I exited Yuvaan's room and walked downstairs. I glanced at the dining room, and only Advait and Shaurya were there. Advait was asking him something with exaggerated hand movements while Shaurya looked lost in his thoughts.

Once I reached my room, I laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling fan. One more night in this house, and then, I would be somewhere far away. I wouldn't have to suffer any longer and get mistreated for someone else's sins.

I closed my eyes but sleep wasn't coming to me. I kept tossing and turning, but I just couldn't sleep. I even went into the garden and laid down on the cold bench; still no use.

Thus, I decided to go to the kitchen and eat some snacks. I walked slowly, observing my boring surroundings when I heard loud voices coming from upstairs. It seemed like a heated argument was going on.

I tried to ignore it, but curiosity got the best of me, and my feet took me outside Yuvaan's study room. The door was not completely closed, so I peeked a little through the open space.

"... you are not like him!" Shruti Aunty yelled at Yuvaan who was standing in front of her with his head down.

"But I am his blood-"

Slap!

I widened my eyes when his mom slapped him hard, cutting off whatever he was saying. He curled his hands into fists as his shoulders shook a bit. He moved his head to the front welcoming another slap on his right cheek.

"You have my blood running in your veins too! How could you disrespect your mother like that?!" My mother-in-law shouted.

Well, Yuvaan was the one getting beaten up but instead of him, his mom was crying. I was confused about what was going on and why was Yuvaan taking all the beating without any protest.

Shruti Aunty took out her sandal and waved it in front of Yuvaan's face. "What is your name?" she asked him.

"Why are you asking your own son his name?" Yuvaan tried to joke, but his mom hit him on the head with her sandal.

"I asked you what your name is," she seethed.

"Yuvaan Shruti Raichand," he answered.

"Glad you still remember it," she said and beat him up before getting tired herself.

"Don't forget that I am your mother and father both. You better not take that scum's name from your mouth ever again," she warned.

He nodded and hugged her. "Sorry, Ma."

Shruti Aunty hugged him back. She patted his head and told him that she loved him.

"I love you too," Yuvaan replied.

"And Reyna?" she asked.

"I don't love her."

"Are you still under that witch's spell?" She gave him a murderous look.

"Mom! Please don't call Tamannah that," Yuvaan complained.

Tamannah? Who was she?

"Then what I am supposed to call her? Bitch?" his mom taunted.

Yuvaan looked at his mom angrily but didn't argue. He scratched his neck and sat on his study table. Shruti Aunty caressed his left cheek and looked at him with warm eyes.

"You know I will never approve of her, right? She is not the one for you, beta. She left you when you needed her the most and didn't contact you after that. And you are still in the illusion that she loves you?"

Oh, so he already had someone in his life? I should have suspected it, but what was the use of fussing over it now?

"I don't care, Ma. She is the only one who understands me."

"No, she doesn't. If she did, then she would be here, right by your side."

"Whatever. I don't want to talk about it right now. And as for Reyna, what she said was right. I was going to divorce her but I think it will be better to do it as soon as possible. You seem to be getting close to her," Yuvaan complained.

"You shouldn't blame someone for their parents' deeds, Yuvi. I believe you know it better than anyone else."

Yuvaan rolled his eyes and crossed his arms across his chest. "What will I do by keeping her with me? She is of no use."

"Aren't you being judgemental? Do you know why I agreed to your marriage with her even when I met her only one time?"

Yuvaan shook his head. "I don't."

"I don't judge someone in the first meeting, but when I saw Reyna, I didn't know why, but I felt that this arrangement would turn out good. You can call it a mother's instinct, I guess."

"Your instinct could be wrong too," he argued.

"It could but my decision about Reyna will never be wrong. You still have time, Yuvaan. Better get your act straight or I will never talk to you again."

"Why are you emotionally blackmailing me?"

"You are making me do it."

Yuvaan put his palms on his face in frustration. His mom stared at him with a worried expression, and I furrowed my eyebrows.

I had doubts, but now I was curious about what his mom was talking about earlier and why did she call Tamannah a witch.

Moreover, why was Yuvaan looking like a lost person? He didn't look like the heartless beast I was used to seeing every day. Instead, he looked broken-I couldn't believe my eyes.

And Shruti Aunty... she said that her son still had time. But for what? Working on his marriage? I don't think so.

I decided to leave after watching them frozen in their spots for what seemed like an eternity. I went to my room and sat down on the bed. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep after hearing all those things, so I switched on the TV and got under the covers.

I tried to concentrate on the food show, but my mind kept drifting off to the earlier conversation.

"... you are not like him."

"But I am his blood-"

"What is your name?"

"Yuvaan Shruti Raichand."

Yuvaan Shruti Raichand? Don't we usually use our father's name? Come to think of it, who was Yuvaan's father and where was he?

Thank you for reading 💜

My current updating schedule for this book is twice a week:-

Monday or Tuesday & Thursday or Friday.

For now, I am sticking to the above schedule, but I might change it later which I will inform you beforehand. Thank you for your time and patience :)