Author's Pov

Henry followed her quietly, leaving Mihika with the helpless Geetanjali and hurting Nani.

Thank God Manvi isn't home. She has gone to James’s and didn't witness all of this or what would have left an impression on that little soul’s mind.

Samriddhi’s cries can be heard in the whole mansion, piercing her mother's and Nani’s hearts and drowning Mihika in more guilt.

Savitri might scold her and call her arrogant in anger, but she loves her the most among her grandchildren, and Samriddhi knows that too, but sometimes things get out of hand in anger.

Mihika is cursing herself for her sister's condition.

“Nani, I am sorry, please. Badi mumma, I didn't mean to.” Mihika sobbed.

“You should have thought about it before doing that.” Savitri just said that in a broken voice, and Mihika cascaded down her gaze in shame.

“Mihika, it's ok.” Geetanjali put her hand over her head.

“I swear badi mumma….”

“I know. Now stop crying. I can't see any of my daughters in tears.” Geetanjali cut her off and embraced her. Mihika sobbed in her motherly embrace but kept apologizing.

Her intentions weren't to hurt anyone. She can't even imagine hurting her sister like that, but unintentionally she did, and now she is cursing herself.

Mrs. Jones' heart is sinking with Samriddhi's every cry. She had never seen the lady of the house this vulnerable. Not even when there were rumors spreading about her and Henry, but today she seems broken.

Mrs. Jones gulped nervously and cleared her throat before calling them “Madam!” Savitri looked up at her. “Umm sorry. I know it's a family matter, but Mrs. Brown never treated me like an outsider, and I can't see her like this. Please try to talk to her, or it will not be good for the babies and her health.”

Geetanjali and Savitri just nodded helplessly.

“Is lunch ready? She hadn't eaten properly.” Geetanjali said.

“Yes, madam.” Mrs. Jones nodded instantly. “I'll get it in a second.” and she ran to the kitchen.

When she came back with the lunch, Savitri took it from her hands and called to her daughter, "Geetanjali, get up.”

Geetanjali and Mihika followed her.

“Simmi!” Savitri called her, standing in the doorway. Henry and Samriddhi both turned to look at her.

“Please come in, Nani.” Henry instantly stood up on his feet and called Savitri inside, while Samriddhi sat straight on the bed.

“I brought lunch for you. You haven't even had a proper breakfast.” Savitri said while coming towards her and sitting in front of her. Geetanjali followed after her, but Mihika didn't come in.

She didn't have the courage to face her sister. So she is standing outside, near the wall of their room.

None of them said anything.

Henry broke the silence. “I had to attend an important call. You guys carry on.” He said that while trying to go out to give them some space, Samriddhi held his hand and stopped him.

“No, you don't. Just stay here.” She understood what his intentions were.

Savitri started speaking. “Mainu pata tera bachpan baki bachya warga nahi c. Beshak asi sabne puri koshish kiti per baap di jgha koi ni le skda……(I know your childhood was not like other children's. Of course we all tried our best, but still, no one can take the place of father….)”

“I don't need any father.” Samriddhi cut her off instantly and spit the word father in disgust.

“Simmi, mere bache (my child), leave this rage.” Geetanjali pleaded while sitting on her left side.

“HOW CAN I? I SUFFERED MY WHOLE LIFE BECAUSE OF HIM. WHAT WAS MY FAULT?” She screamed out in anger the words she hadn't even said to anyone in her entire life, kept them in her heart, and kept hurting because of them. Tears started streaming down her cheeks again.

Mihika shivered at the sudden roar of her sister, and more tears formed in her eyes.

“Henry.” Geetanjali pleaded with him because now only he has the power to calm her.

“Sorry mom. I can't help you with this.” He apologized. “She has been keeping all of this to herself, knowing that if she doesn't take it out, it will hurt her more. You know it's that oldest canker she has been keeping.”

“You know. You both know. I never had the love and pampering in my life that girls used to get from their families. I didn't even get proper motherly love from you, mumma in my childhood. First, you were sick because of that man, and I am not blaming you for that, but after that, since I gained consciousness, you never treated me like a child; you just imposed responsibilities on me. I was never treated like a kid; you always just taught me to act more mature than my age, so you don't have to hear any complaints from anyone because we were living on the support of your parents, and as a sincere child, I always did. I never let anybody point a finger at you because of me. I took your parents' anger quietly. Even when I was never at fault, they scolded me for anything. I took it quietly because I loved them, but I know somewhere they always compared me with your husband. Still, I always did everything for them because you are all my only family. All I ever had, but still, in anger, they always said just one thing: that I am like him. The person I despise my whole life, you'll never waste a second comparing me with him. Even you, too mumma. Nani You did it God knows how many times, but I always brushed it off that you said it in anger, but we always say that in anger is what is always in our hearts. I know you love me the most, and I am alive today because of you alone, but just one word always breaks me apart. Again, I always try to forget it, but for how long? I have always lived my life according to you. Simmi You can't go out. Okay, I made my heart understand that. I never asked to go out, even if I wanted to go out and enjoy my life. I never asked. Simmi You can't stay out of the house after this time in the evening. I never argued and came home straight after my classes. I never lied or bunked my classes ever. Simmi You can't sleep over with your friends. I never did. Simmi You can't wear such clothes; your Nanaji won't like it. Okay, I always wear what you want me to wear. Simmi, don't talk too much; girls shouldn't talk that much. Simmi, don't laugh too much; girls shouldn't laugh aloud. Simmi You can't go out even with Abhinav. I always made excuses to him. Simmi, do not talk to Abhinav too much. I stopped picking up his calls. You know how much I loved dancing, but you said now stop all of this; good girls don't dance. I stopped dancing. I was all alone, but I never complained, and I wasn't even able to make you all happy. Maybe it was me; I am the problem, whose father left his wife after I came into their life, and you always keep reminding me of that unintentionally. I was a child, and you all were mentally pressuring me for just one thing: Simmi. Look at your mother; she suffered a lot. Now it's your duty to not do anything to hurt her. You always said, Don't be like your father; don't be like him. I did everything, but still, I will never be able to make you all happy. THERE IS ALWAYS JUST ONE THING: ‘DON'T BE LIKE HIM’. JUST TELL ME WHAT I EVER DID THAT YOU NEVER WASTE A SECOND TO COMPARE WITH HIM? I WAS SUFFERING TOO, BUT NONE OF YOU PAID ANY ATTENTION TO ME.” She broke down and started crying even louder. Each word is like a stab in Henry’s heart, and his eyes were red in anger. Fists were clenched to hold down his anger. He never knew she had endured all of this because she never told him, and he never asked only to not try to hurt or try to scratch her old wounds.

But now he is cussing himself about why he didn't find her before and made her suffering stop.

Everyone is hearing her quietly. Tears are flowing from Geetanjali and Savitri’s eyes as well. They know she suffered a lot, and unknowingly, they hurt her as well.

Mihika is suppressing her sobs with her palm over her mouth. She had always seen her sister strong and smiling, but today she gets to know the truth behind that toughness and smile that were hiding her pain.

“I tried everything that I could, but still, I wasn't able to be part of your family….”

“Simmi, don't say that.” Savitri cut her off. “You are….”

“Am I Nani?” She cut her off. “Am I? Because you never hesitate to remind me of my place.”

“I am sorry. I never meant to.” Savitri apologized. “I love you so much….”

“I know, Nani; that's why it hurts so much.” She cut her off again while sniffing.

“I am really sorry. I know sorry can't take back the hurt I caused you unknowingly, but I swear I never meant to hurt you, but in my grief, I forgot your pain. I am so sorry.” Savitri kept apologizing while wiping off Samriddhi’s tears, but her tears are not ready to stop. “I am so sorry. I am the mother of daughters, and society's bitter words made me bitter. I just want my daughter to be happy and not suffer the way I did. You can't understand how it feels to see your one daughter living in your home divorced and another one widowed and living alone. We didn't know that your fa… I mean, Geetanjali’s husband will turn out like that. Parents always do everything for the betterment of their kids, but we can't hold their fate. It was meant to happen, and we couldn't change it. It wasn't in our hands if it was then which parent wanted bad for their children. We are getting old, and it hurts us to see our daughters like this….”

“Then who is responsible for their condition?” Samriddhi questioned her while cutting her off. “Answer Nani? You married them to the men you chose for them. They didn't find them. Did they? You married Mumma to the first man whose proposal came for her. You didn't even bother to find out about him, and as for Massi, with God's grace, Mosa ji (uncle) was a good man, but not his family. You know how much Massi suffered. Marriage is not the ultimate goal of a girl's life. I grew up watching both of them, so how could you expect me to not have trust issues? You know what? More than myself, I was scared for my future. What if I married a man like him (Geetanjali’s husband) and came back to your home? Then Mumma would die in pain. More than myself, I was worried for you all and my would-be child. What if I had a child and a broken marriage? Then my children would also have the same life as I did. A dependent one. I would never want my child to have a childhood like I had. I never wanted my kid to not have a normal life. But you also found my fault in that. I still can't believe how you all agreed to marry me to Hann, but that's the third favor you did to me in my life, and I will always be in your debt for that...”

Geetanjali pleaded with her while crying. “Simmi enough...”

“No, Geeta. Let her. Don't suppress her voice today.” Savitri cut her daughter off.

“Simmi I am sorry that, because of me, you never had a childhood. I asked you to never ask for or demand anything. I asked you to always be quiet, but please now leave it. Just think about your kids. Please.” Geetanjali begged.

“No, none of you are responsible for anything; in fact, all of you teach me the best lessons of my life.” Samriddhi sniffed. “You are the best mother, momma, and so are you, Nani, but I will never be like you. I will never treat my children as a burden and marry them off. I will let them do whatever they want to.” She said this while looking toward Savitri. “And I will never burden them with responsibilities and kill their childhood.” She said that while looking at her mother. “I am not angry. I just said what was in my heart, and please forgive me if I said anything that hurt you both.” She apologized and joined hands. “But I won't let any of you decide my sister's fate against their wishes. Mumma, you might not have anyone to speak for you, but my sister's had me if they needed me to protect them, even from our family. I won't let anyone force Mihii; it doesn't matter how nice a guy Prikshit is.”

“Ok.” Nani agreed. “But let me clarify one thing, Simmi. I was mad at Mihika because of her behavior. She wouldn't have gone to their house like that.”

Hearing this, Mihika started loathing herself more. 

“I know.” Samriddhi agreed. “I will talk to her.”

“Hmmm.” Savitri hummed and caressed her head lovingly while saying, “I know I used harsh words many times, but I love you most, even more than your mother.”

“I know Nani.” She broke down again in her embrace.

“Now, it's enough.” Savitri said that while blinking her tears away. “No more crying. It's enough. Think about them. It will affect your kids. Stop crying and be happy. I will never say anything to Mihika about that. I promise, but please, I am begging you to stop crying. I know kids suffer more in broken marriages, but Henry loves you more than his life. For him and your children, please stop crying.”

Geetanjali forwarded her lunch, and her Nani and mother, for the first time in her life, fed her with their own hands.

Henry left the room in anger, and Mihika saw his retreating figure. She ran back to her room and broke down.

“I shouldn't have done that. It's all my fault. Because of me, Dii and Nani argued. If anything happened to Dii, then I would never be able to forgive myself. It's me; it's always me. I always cause problems in everyone's life.” Mihika keeps accusing her while crying her heart out.

God knows for how long she has been crying, when the door of the room opened.

Seeing her laying on her stomach and her shivering body, Samriddhi understood that she had been crying. It clenched her heart. She sat beside her on the bed.

Mihika felt her bed sinking, but she could turn, and she felt a hand caressing her head.

“Mihii!” She called her softly, and Mihika instantly turned, hugged her sister, and started crying even more.

“I am sorry, Dii. I am so sorry. Please forgive me. I will never do that again. Please.” She started apologizing while hiccuping badly.

“Shush! Calm down, my child. It's okay….”

“No, because of me, you and Nani had a fight.” She cut her off.

“No, it wasn't because of you.” Samriddhi replied while caressing her head lovingly. “It was just, ummm..I was looking for a moment to burst out.” She chuckled sadly.

“No, I know you are saying all of this to just make me not blame myself.” Mihika hiccuped.

“No, Mihii. First of all, stop crying.” Samriddhi broke their hug and wiped her tears off, then made her drink some water. She kept stroking her back to calm her down, and she kept saying soothing words. “It is your right to speak against anything that you don't like or don't want to do. You are my sister, and I won't let anyone tie you around with anyone. Calm down, please.”

After a long series of these assuring words, she started trying to make her understand, "Look, Mihii, no matter what, I am always here for you, and trust me, I wasn't going to marry you to Prikshit without even asking you or against your wishes. I was about to deny Arunima Aunty the instant she proposed this match, but Hann didn't let me because he knew that Prikshit has been in love with you for the last three years…”

“Jeej knew?” Mihika cut her off in surprise.

“He did, and he didn't even tell me, and Prikshit never confessed or confronted you because he cares for you and your feelings matter to him. I know career is important over everything, but he is ready to wait for you, Mihii. I am not taking his side but telling the facts.” Samriddhi held her hand into hers and asked, “Or if you like someone else, just tell me……..”

“There is no one, Dii.” Mihika cut her off instantly. “It's just a simple thing that I don't want to marry, and there is no one in my life either. I will apologize to them. I realized my mistake. I shouldn't have gone to their house like that, but I don't want to marry.”

“Okay. If you don't want to marry, then it's okay. It's your life and your choice, and no one will ever force you. You have my word, but tell me the reason, bache (child). What is bothering you? Tell me. I am here for you. Does anything happen that you are denying marriage…”

“No.” Mihika cut her off instantly.

“Mihii I can believe in anything, but not this. There is always a reason behind every denial. I had mine, and I know you have too. Just tell me, what is it? What happened?” She asked, palming her cheeks.

“There is no reason dii trust me….”

“I am not a child, Mihii.” Samriddhi cut her off.

“Dii, I have responsibilities. How can I marry and abandon my responsibilities?” Mihika asked. “You know this better than anyone else.”

“You don't want to get married because of Massi and Manvi?” Samriddhi asked, and Mihika nodded. “Okay. I believe you if you say so, but I know this is not the reason.”

Mihika got shocked after hearing her words because it's not the complete truth, but what she said is not even a lie.

“But before taking any step, think about him. He is genuinely in love with you. I would have never seen that in his eyes if I hadn't experienced it myself. I saw the love in his eyes that Hann has for me.” She stood up on her feet and said, "If you don't want to, then try to make him understand not to waste his life for you." Saying this, she left her room, and Mihika drowned in more guilt.

On the other hand, Prikshit is locked in his room, and everyone is worried for him.

Arunima tried to talk to him, but he didn't come out.

“Prikshit!” Veer knocked on his door, but no response came back. “Mere bhai abhi se devdas bn jaega to aage kya hoga? Abhi ye jang bahut lambi hai. Bahr aaja sath mein solution nikal le gaye. Mein hun tere sath or Nani bhi to hai na. Wo teri shadi teri Mihika se hi kerwaegi chinta mat ker. Mai uski Nani ko bhi pta lun ga, I know she likes me. Haa Yamraaj shayad na mane but Aaj to wo bhi kuch nhi bol ke gai na. Mihika, Yamraaj ki behan hai wo. Choti Yamraaj h……(What will happen next if, my brother, you become Devdas from now on? This war is still very long. Come out, and together we will find the solution. I am with you, and grandmother is also there. Don't worry, she will get you married to your Mihika only.I will also woo her grandmother; I know she likes me. Yes, Yamraj might not agree, but today she too did not say anything and went. Mihika is Yamraj's sister. Younger version of Yamraj……)”

The door opened in a swift motion, and the next moment, a handkerchief was stuffed in his mouth by Prikshit.

“NOOR!!!!” Prikshit screamed in anger, and Veer’s eyes popped out of his sockets in surprise.

Noor and the rest of the family members ran to them and saw Prikshit still pushing that piece of cloth into Veer's mouth.

“Noor apne jalkukde ko yaha se le jao warna Aaj mai ise jinda bhun dun ga. (Noor, take your Jalkukda away, or I will roast him alive today.)” Prikshit said and stormed out of the house, leaving everyone in shock.

Veer was about to pull that handkerchief out of his mouth, but Noor pushed it again in his mouth and scolded him, “Apna muh bnd ni rkh skte the kya? (Can't you keep your mouth shut?)” and she left from there, leaving a surprised Veer behind. That poor soul just wanted to cheer up his brother.

Prikshit came out of the house and drove away. He is driving aimlessly, and his phone keeps ringing. He didn't pick up anyone's calls.

Then again, his phone rang, and seeing the caller ID, he stopped the car abruptly with a screech.