PRANATI MISHRA

As I stood outside my door, my mind racing with thoughts of tomorrow's confrontation, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. Reyansh's face haunted me - his smile, his eyes, his touch.

I took a deep breath and stepped inside, closing the door behind me. The silence of my apartment enveloped me, a stark contrast to the turmoil within.

How could he keep Jugnu from me? My daughter, my flesh and blood.

Memories flooded my mind - our laughter, our tears, our dreams. Reyansh and I, we were invincible once.

But life had other plans.

I walked to the window, gazing out into the night. The city lights twinkled like stars, a cruel reminder of the happiness I once knew.

Tomorrow, I'll face him. Tomorrow, I'll demand answers.

What would Jugnu be like? Would she resemble me? Would she have Reyansh's charming smile?

My heart swelled with emotions - love, anger, longing.

As I turned to head to bed, my eyes fell upon a photo album hidden away in a corner. Dusty and forgotten, it held memories of our past.

I hesitated, then opened it.

Reyansh and I, hand in hand, smiling at the camera.

Tears streamed down my face as I turned the pages.

Our love story.

Our heartbreak.

Our daughter.

The album slipped from my hands, pages scattering everywhere.

I collapsed to the floor, surrounded by memories.

"Jugnu," I whispered, my voice cracking. "My baby."

Tomorrow, I'll find out what could have been.
Tomorrow, I'll reclaim my daughter.

I don't know when I slept on the floor and then my eyes opened in middle of night
As I lay on the floor, surrounded by memories, I couldn't shake off the feeling of nostalgia. Our love story, once full of promise, now seemed like a distant dream.

I slowly got up, gathered the scattered photos, and placed the album back on the shelf.

Today, I'll face the truth.

I walked to the bedroom, my eyes fixed on the clock.

Just a few more hours.

I changed into comfortable clothes and lay down, but sleep evaded me.

My mind raced with possibilities:

What if Reyansh refuses to apologize?
What if Jugnu doesn't want to know me?
What if I lose her again?

The darkness seemed to close in around me.

I tossed and turned, my heart heavy with anxiety.

Suddenly, the room brightened as the first light of dawn crept in.

Tomorrow was here.

With newfound determination, I rose from bed.

Time to face Reyansh.
Time to uncover the truth.

I prepared myself for the confrontation, dressing carefully.

As I looked in the mirror, a strong, resilient woman stared back.

"Today," I whispered, "I take back control."

As I stood before the mirror, adjusting my scarf, my thoughts drifted to the impending confrontation. Reyansh's face flashed before me - those piercing eyes, that charming smile. My heart still skipped a beat, but I steeled myself, remembering the pain he had inflicted. The memories of our love, now tainted by his betrayal, threatened to overwhelm me. I recalled the laughter, the whispers, the promises. But most of all, I remembered the agony of losing Jugnu, of being denied motherhood. My eyes narrowed, determination burning within. Today, I would reclaim my daughter. I waited for 5 pm with a lot of fears in my heart