Aashvika sat in her room, lost in thought, replaying her conversation with Ekansh from the previous night. His words still stung, echoing in her mind like a cruel mantra. "I'll never be in love with you, Aashvika. I don't believe in love." The memory of his detached tone and unyielding expression haunted her, refusing to let her shake off the feeling of rejection.

She felt a hollow ache in her chest, struggling to come to terms with the harsh reality. Their marriage, once filled with promise and possibility, now seemed like a mere arrangement - a business deal devoid of passion or romance. Aashvika wondered if she'd ever find true love or if she was doomed to live a life without it, constantly searching for a connection that seemed forever out of reach.

As she gazed out the window, watching the sun rise over the city, Aashvika's thoughts drifted to the what-ifs. What if Ekansh had never revealed his true feelings? What if she'd never fallen in love with him? The questions swirled in her mind, taunting her with the fragility of her heart and the uncertainty of her future.

Just then, her phone buzzed, shattering the silence and pulling her back to reality. Ekansh's name flashed on the screen, and Aashvika hesitated, unsure if she was ready to talk to him. Her fingers trembled as she answered, bracing herself for another blow, another reminder of his indifference.

"Aashvika?" Ekansh's voice was detached, lacking warmth. "I'm heading to the office. Don't bother waiting up for me tonight." His words cut deep, reinforcing the emotional distance between them. Aashvika's heart sank, her soul craving connection and love, but receiving only coldness and indifference.

"Okay," she replied, trying to sound indifferent, but the word caught in her throat. The line went dead, and Aashvika sat in silence, her thoughts swirling like a vortex. She couldn't shake off the feeling that she was living a lie, trapped in a loveless marriage that seemed to suffocate her.

As she rose from her bed, her eyes fell upon a family photo. Ekansh and she - all smiling, all happy. But the facade was crumbling, revealing the cracks beneath. Aashvika's thoughts consumed her, and she remained lost, trapped in a sea of despair, unsure how to escape the prison of her own heart, or if she'd ever find the courage to break free.

The minutes ticked by, each one weighing heavier than the last. Aashvika's world had shrunk to the confines of her room, her mind wrestling with the ghosts of her past and the uncertainty of her future. Would she find a way to break free, or would the shackles of her loveless marriage hold her captive forever, a prisoner of her own broken dreams?

Aashvika decided to calm her mind down and stepped out of her room, seeking a change of scenery. The weight of her conversation with Ekansh still lingered, and she needed a distraction. She walked into the living room, expecting silence and solitude, a space to gather her thoughts.

Instead, she found Parth and Abhimanyu fast asleep on the couch, their bodies contorted in uncomfortable positions. Parth's arm dangled off the side, while Abhimanyu's legs stretched out awkwardly. The unlikely duo looked peaceful, despite their awkward poses.

Aashvika's gaze fell upon them, a mix of concern and amusement crossing her face. She approached them quietly, not wanting to startle them. The soft morning light streaming through the windows highlighted the fatigue etched on their faces.

Flashback seized her attention, and she wondered what had led them to this point. After the doctor's visit, Parth and Abhimanyu couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling. The tension lingered, and they decided to take a walk to clear their minds. But exhaustion caught up with them, and they ended up back in the living room, succumbing to sleep.

Presently, Aashvika whispered, gently shaking them awake. "Parth, Abhi bhai." Her voice was soft, but it broke the silence.

Parth stirred first, rubbing his eyes. " bhabhi? What time is it?" His voice was laced with disorientation.

Abhimanyu yawned, stretching his arms. "What happened? How did we end up here?" His confusion mirrored Parth's.

Aashvika smiled wryly. "You two decided to take a nap, apparently." Her tone conveyed amusement.

Parth sat up, running a hand through his hair. "Oh, yeah. We were talking and... I guess we dozed off." His explanation trailed off.

Abhimanyu stood up, arching his back. "This couch is not made for sleeping." He winced, shaking off the stiffness.

Aashvika chuckled. "Maybe you should take a proper nap in your rooms." Her concern was genuine.

Parth exchanged a look with Abhimanyu. "Yeah, we should." Unspoken understanding passed between them.

As they rose from the couch, Aashvika noticed the fatigue etched on their faces. Something was bothering them, but she didn't press the issue.

"Get some rest," she advised. "We can talk later." Her words conveyed empathy.

Parth nodded, and Abhimanyu followed him out of the room, leaving Aashvika wondering what had transpired earlier. The silence that followed was palpable, heavy with unspoken concerns.

Aashvika entered the kitchen, searching for a distraction from her thoughts. The aroma of cooking spices and vegetables enveloped her, momentarily lifting her spirits. However, her gaze fell upon Aarushi busily preparing khichdi, a traditional Indian dish often served during illness or recovery. Aashvika's curiosity piqued, and she wondered what prompted this sudden culinary endeavor.

"What's going on, dii?" Aashvika asked, confusion etched on her face. "Are you feeling unwell?" Her tone conveyed concern, mixed with a hint of surprise. Aarushi's cooking skills were renowned, but khichdi was typically reserved for special occasions or times of need.

Aarushi turned, a mixture of concern and evasiveness on her face. "No, it's not for me," she replied, her voice measured. "It's for Krishnaa." The name hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications. Aashvika's eyes widened, her mind racing with questions.

"What happened?" Aashvika pressed, her anxiety growing. "Is she feeling better now?" Her thoughts drifted to Krishnaa's health, worries resurfacing. Aarushi's hesitation only fueled her unease.

Aarushi hesitated, her expression cryptic. "Well, I think you should see that yourself," she said, her voice low and enigmatic. She nodded toward Krishnaa's room, her eyes locked on Aashvika's. The ambiguity in her words deepened Aashvika's confusion.

Without another word, Aashvika followed Aarushi toward Krishnaa's room. The silence between them was heavy with unspoken concerns. Aashvika's heart beat faster, anticipation building. What would she find inside? Was Krishnaa's condition worse than she thought?

As they approached the door, Aashvika's anxiety grew. She felt a sense of trepidation, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Aarushi pushed open the door, and Aashvika stepped inside, bracing herself for the unknown. The scene before her made her heart skip a beat, and her worries seemed to crystallize into reality.