As the night's velvety darkness enveloped the city, stars twinkled like diamonds against the sky. The moon played a gentle game of hide-and-seek behind wispy clouds. The world was bathed in a soothing calm, with most beings lost in dreamland. Yet, one soul remained awake - Rudraksh.

Inside his room, a soothing night-blue glow emanated from a serene bulb, casting a calming ambiance. Leaning against the headboard, Rudraksh lay on his bed, his gaze wandering around the transformed space.

The once-ravaged room, scarred by shattered mirrors, broken ceramics, and torn pictures, had been restored to pristine condition. All remnants of the past, excluding the memories that lingered, had vanished without a trace.

Rudraksh's gaze shifted inward, focusing on his own body. He lifted his bandaged hand to eye level, examining it with a mixture of curiosity and detachment. His eyes traced the contours of the wrapping, turning his hand palm up, then palm down, studying it from every angle.

His other hand rose, fingers tenderly tracing the crisscrossed stitches above his left eyebrow. A faint hiss escaped his lips, cracking his tough facade. "Ahh...," he whispered, wincing at the lingering pain.

He closed his eyes, a fleeting attempt to shield himself. But the past pierced his defenses. His eyes snapped open, and a pained whisper broke free: "Tiara."

His eyes blazed with anger, his left fist clenched so tightly it shook. The bandaged right fist hung useless at his side, a constant reminder of his frustration. His jaw was set, his teeth gritted, as he struggled to contain his emotions. Sanam's name echoed in his mind, fueling his rage.

He gazed down at his bandaged feet, and his breathing quickened. The air caught in his throat. A faint tremor ran through his cheek, and his fingers flexed into tight fists.

Rudrakha's face twisted, lips curling back from clenched teeth. His left fist slammed into the bedframe, the sound cracking through the air.

His jaw locked, teeth grinding together with a faint scrape. His chest jerked upward, breaths tearing in and out. A raw, fractured sound ripped from his throat, splintering into a ragged gasp.

"Sanam..." The name barely escaped his lips, his voice cracking with the effort. He paused, his chest heaving as if the words had been ripped from his lungs. "Pray that you never cross paths with me again."

His eyes dropped, his gaze falling inward as if searching for something lost. His fists clenched, the bandages straining against his trembling hands. A low, rough whisper escaped his lips: "You've only seen the fool who loved you..." His voice trailed off, the silence hanging heavy with the weight of his shattered heart.

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The forenoon sunlight, with its gentle promise of a new day, illuminated the surroundings. But within one house, the post-morning hours had curdled into a toxic start, heavy with the pungent scent of resentment and frustration.

Ira lay motionless, like a dead frog with three limbs splayed awkwardly and one hand clutching the pillow as if it were an inseparable lover. The warmth of her bed and the tranquility of her dreams had numbed her to the world outside.

But the illusion was shattered by the heated argument between her parents, which served as an unwelcome alarm clock. As the shouting escalated, Ira's eyelids fluttered open, her gaze blurry and disoriented. She buried her face in the pillow, clinging to the fading memories of her dream, desperate to escape the painful reality.

Raghav's thunderous voice reverberated through the house, shaking the foundations of their relationship. "Twenty-six years of marriage, and still, not a single day passes without your tardiness! I'm constantly late for office because of you! When will you learn to cook on time!?" The sharp tone cut through the air like a knife.

Vaidehi's eyes blazed like embers, her teeth clenched in defiance. "I'm not your servant!" she spat, her voice trembling with pent-up resentment. "For twenty-six years, I've also toiled like a slave, serving you and your family. My life has been nothing but sacrifice and duty." The words hung in the air, heavy with the reflection of frustration and worn-out dreams.

"Duty? What duty do you do except cooking?" Raghav sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "All you do is nag and ramble. Have you ever earned a single penny on your own?" The venomous words stung Vaidehi's skin like a slap.

Vaidehi's eyes flashed with fury as she hurled the utensil aside, the clang echoing through the kitchen. "Have some shame." Her voice trembled. "When your business was on the brink of collapse, I was the one who sat as a scholar for other students in the exam to pay Nakul and Ira's school fees. I was your intellectual equal, maybe more. But after marrying you, my life became a sacrifice."

Ira silently screamed, her frustration boiling over. She buried her face in the pillow, muffling her desperate words. "Just get two knives and cut each other's throats already." Her voice was laced with annoyance, tiredness, and a hint of despair. "God, just kill me now. If I stay here any longer, I'll actually do it myself." Her words dripped with sarcasm and anger, a cry for escape from the toxic chaos.

Raghav cursed Vaidehi under his breath, the venomous words barely audible. As he turned to storm out, his gaze fell upon Ira's disheveled form, her eyes half-open. His expression twisted in disdain.

He gritted his teeth, the sound of his shoes scraping against the floor echoing through the tense silence. "Continue sleeping, beta!" he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "This sleep will surely drive you to success! Why bother working when others toil for you?" Each word cut through the air like a razor.

Ira's eyes snapped open, her face burning with embarrassment and anger. She felt the weight of her father's disdain, like a physical blow.

Raghav's rant continued, his voice rising. "Sleep, beta, sleep. Let others earn for you. You're privileged, after all." The sarcasm stung, leaving Ira feeling helpless.

Ira shut her eyes, her eyelids squeezing tight in frustration. She felt suffocated, trapped in the vortex of her parents' endless arguments. The weight of their expectations crushed her, like an invisible force pressing down on her shoulders.

"How do I always get caught in the crossfire?" she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the sound of her own heartbeat. "Why do I always have to be the buffer between their ego and anger?"

Her mind raced, replaying the countless times she'd been dragged into their conflicts. The memories stung, like open wounds that refused to heal.

Ira's fingers clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms. She longed to break free from this toxic cycle to escape the role of referee and peacekeeper.

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Ira sat intently, fingers flying across the keyboard as she typed away her assignment. Her lips moved silently, reading the words on the paper instead of the screen. The soft hum of the computer and gentle creaks of the classroom chairs created a soothing background melody. Periodically, her gaze drifted from her own work, sneaking peeks at her classmates' screens.

As the timer expired, the results flashed on the screen. Ira's lips curved into a subtle smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners. She let out a gentle sigh, feeling the tension release from her shoulders. "Five out of eight," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the soft rustle of pages turning nearby.

The cool breeze from the window carried the faint sound of chirping birds, underscoring her sense of accomplishment. She leaned back, her chair creaking softly, and allowed herself a fleeting moment of pride.

As the class dismissed, the room erupted into a gentle hum of conversation. Students' murmurs filled the air, mingling with the scraping sounds of chairs pushed back and shoes shuffling against the floor. As students poured out of the room, the sound of laughter, backpacks zipping, and drawers, slamming, created a joyful cacophony.

Ira joined the stream of students flowing out of the classroom, the warm orange glow of the evening sunlight spilling in through the streets.

"Ira!" Navya called out, her voice carrying across the narrow road as she rushed to catch up. Her footsteps echoed off the surroundings, accompanied by the panting of another girl struggling to keep pace.

Ira turned, her expression unwavering, and waited for her classmates to reach her side.

Navya arrived, slightly winded, her cheeks flushed. "Heading home?" she asked, her smile bright despite her heavy breathing. She clasped her stomach, collecting herself as she regained her composure.

Ira nodded curtly, her straight face a stark contrast to Navya's radiant grin.

Navya's eyes sparkled as she asked, "We're heading to the newly opened mall. Wanna join?" Her fingers danced in invitation.

Ira's brow furrowed, her gaze shifting between Navya and the other girl, who lagged behind, panting audibly. Her footsteps echoed down the hallway, pace torturously slow.

"We?" Ira asked, her tone neutral.

Navya chuckled, sensing Ira's confusion. "I and Nidhi," she clarified, nodding toward her friend.

"Nidhi, hurry up!" Navya called out, turning her to Nidhi's approaching figure, her voice mingling with the passerby's chatter.

Nidhi quickened her pace, her breathing still labored.

She finally caught up, a warm smile spreading across her flushed face. She grasped Ira's hand in both of hers, shaking it firmly. "Hello, Ira... I-I'm Nidhi. We-we are classmates," she said, her voice tinged with exhaustion.

Ira's expression softened slightly as she returned the handshake, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

Nidhi's hands felt warm and slightly clammy, a testament to her earlier sprint. Her breath still came in shallow gasps, but her eyes sparkled with friendliness.

The sounds of the bustling street swirled around them - honking horns, chattering vendors, and the wail of distant sirens. "Come with us," Nidhi invited warmly, her eyes shining with enthusiasm as she stood on the sidewalk.

Ira rubbed her notebook awkwardly, her one leg slightly leaning at the kneecap while the other stood straight. The aroma of sizzling Samosas and fresh fruit wafted through the air, enticing passersby. "I don't have money on me right now, and it's already evening. My mother might get angry."

Navya chimed in, her voice laced with reassurance as she leaned against a nearby wall. "Don't worry, we'll be back in just half an hour. I have enough money for us. We're not going shopping anyway, just trying some street food." She laughed lightly, her smile infectious, as people flowed around them.

Nidhi nodded in agreement, her short ponytail bouncing up and down as she gestured. "Yeah, it'll be fun! We can see what's new in there?"

Ira hesitated, her gaze drifting between Navya and Nidhi, as the sounds and smells of the street continued to envelop them.

"Sorry. Maybe another time, huh? Please don't mind. I'm getting late for home. Sorry again, " she finally spoke, turned her heels towards her house, sighing a breath of relief.

A/N: Hello, everyone!

I hope you're all doing well! Now that you've read the this part, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Share your feedback and reactions in the comments below!