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“Mom…”

That was the only word that escaped Ishaan’s mouth.

He rushed to Mrs. Mehra—he didn’t look left or right, didn’t notice anything else. He dropped to his knees beside her, gently lifting her head from Aanya’s lap and placing it on his own.

“Mom… mom please, wake up. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
His voice shook.
“Please wake up… I’ll listen to you… I’ll do whatever you say. Just—just open your eyes, mom. Please don’t do this to me.”

Jiya clung to her mother’s hand, crying uncontrollably. Jay stood behind her, tears forming in his eyes.
“Mumma…” Jiya sobbed.

Ishaan suddenly screamed, frantic and broken:
“Call the doctor!”

He scooped Mrs. Mehra into his arms and rushed her to her room. Aanya ran beside him, holding onto Mrs. Mehra’s hand, her own eyes filled with tears. The entire family gathered inside the room where Mrs. Mehra lay unconscious on the bed. Jiya was still crying nonstop—she had only gotten her mother back a few days ago, and now she was watching her fall weak again.

Everyone stood frozen with fear.
What if something happens? What if she doesn’t wake up?

Ishaan stood by the bedside, guilt crashing through him like waves.

Within minutes, the doctor arrived. He checked Mrs. Mehra, took her vitals, examined her pulse, blood pressure, and responsiveness.

He sighed softly.
“She’s okay, Ishaan. Don’t worry.”

The doctor continued in a calm professional tone:
“She experienced sudden emotional shock—acute psychological stress. Because she’s still mentally fragile, her body couldn’t handle it, which led to syncope… fainting. But there is nothing life-threatening. I’ve given her a stabilizing injection… a mild sedative. She needs rest. She’s sleeping now.”

He looked at Ishaan seriously.
“I told you before… physically she is recovering, but mentally she is still weak. You all need to handle her with emotional care.” please take care of her.

With that, the doctor left.

Ishaan’s guilt only grew heavier. He stared at his unconscious mother, eyes burning, jaw clenched. Aanya sat beside Mrs. Mehra, gently adjusting her blanket. She looked at Ishaan she could feel the storm inside him—the fear, regret, and helplessness.

A cold thought crept into her mind:
If aunty fainted just hearing about Bella… what will happen when Ishaan tells her about us? How will she react then?

Sikha took a deep breath and stepped forward, trying to stay strong for the family.

“Come on, babyies… let bhabhi rest. You all go to your rooms and rest down for a while hmm.”

She placed a comforting hand on Jay’s shoulder and gently stroked Jiya’s head.
“Don’t worry… she’s going to be fine.”

Both nodded with red, frightened eyes and quietly walked out. Ishaan stood still for a second, staring at his mother one last time before turning toward the door. Everyone slowly left the room.

Aanya stayed behind.

She looked at Mrs. Mehra, then at the empty doorway where Ishaan had walked out.
She stayed with Mrs. Mehra for a while longer—quiet, worried, and scared of what the future held.
___

Ishaan stumbled into his room and shut the door behind him with a dull thud.

His chest felt tight. His mind kept replaying the moment his mother collapsed.

“I should have been careful…”he whispered to himself, voice shaking.

“I know mom is still weak… and I still lost control in front of her. I said the things I shouldn’t have.”

He ran a hand through his hair, frustration burning inside him.

“How could I be so careless?”

He pressed his fist against the wall—then slammed it.

Pain shot up his knuckles, but he didn’t stop. He punched again.
And again.

Finally, he stepped back, breathing harshly. His anger drained into exhaustion.
He walked to the sofa and collapsed into it like a lifeless body, leaning back heavily and placing his hand over his forehead.

His eyes stayed open, staring at nothing. Guilt. Fear. Regret. It all crushed him at once.
___

Some time later, the door creaked open slowly.

Aanya stepped in.

Her brows knitted in worry immediately.
The room was dark; the curtains were drawn, letting in only a faint sliver of afternoon light.

She scanned the room and found him—motionless on the sofa, one arm over his forehead, his chest rising and falling unevenly.

She couldn’t see his expression clearly, but the darkness only made his pain feel heavier.

Aanya sighed softly and switched on the light.

Ishaan didn’t flinch.
He didn’t look at her.
But she knew he felt her presence.

And he knew it was her the moment the door opened—Aanya had a soft rose scent that no one else in the house carried. He recognized it instantly.

Still, he didn’t move. Didn’t speak.
He stayed in the same broken position.

Aanya walked slowly to him and lowered herself onto the sofa beside him—close enough to be supportive, but not close enough to overwhelm him.

For a moment, she didn’t say anything.
She just sat there, looking at him gently… quietly… letting him breathe.

Finally, she reached out and touched his hand—lightly, carefully, as if asking permission.

He didn’t pull away.

Aanya spoke in a soft, steady voice:

“Ishaan… it wasn’t your fault.”

He swallowed hard, eyes still fixed on the ceiling.

Aanya continued, her voice warm and reassuring:

“You’re hurting… that’s why you reacted. Anyone would.”
“Your mom loves you. She will understand.”

His jaw tightened, breath shaking.

“I almost lost her again…” he whispered brokenly.
“Because of me.”

Aanya moved a little closer, her tone firmer:

“No. Not because of you.”
“She fainted because she’s still recovering. Not because you.

For the first time, Ishaan’s fingers trembled under her touch.

Aanya gently placed her other hand on his shoulder.

You’ve been enduring too much on your own, Ishaan.”
“Anyone would break under this pressure. Anyone.”

He kept staring at the floor, breathing unevenly, guilt still twisting inside him.

Aanya gently moved her hand to his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“It’s not your fault.”
“You’re human. You reacted because you’re hurting.”

Ishaan closed his eyes, the pain still visible on his face.

Aanya continued, quietly but firmly:

“And besides… she’s okay now.”
“The doctor said it was just shock. She’s going to be fine.”

Her voice softened even more.

“So please… stop blaming yourself.”
That was all it took.

Ishaan exhaled deeply, rubbing his forehead.
“I know… but I should’ve been more careful.”
His voice was tired, frustrated with himself.
“I know I’ll have to tell her the truth someday… but not like this. What happen today shouldn’t have happened. She wasn’t supposed to find out this way. I should’ve controlled myself.”

Aanya shook her head gently.
“It’s okay, Ishaan. Everything will be fine.”
She spoke softly but firmly.
“And when aunty is completely stable… then you can sit with her calmly and tell her everything. I’m sure she’ll understand. She only wants your happiness.”

“I know,” he whispered.

Aanya placed her hand lightly on his arm.
“So you need to stay strong for her. She needs you more than anyone right now.”

Ishaan looked at her. For a moment, his expression softened—really softened.
Then a tiny smile appeared on his lips.

Aanya frowned playfully.
“What?”

Without saying a word, Ishaan reached out and took her hand in his—his long, warm, veiny fingers wrapping around her smaller hand.

Aanya’s breath hitched.

She froze completely, staring at their hands.
It was the first time Ishaan had ever touched her like this.
Yes, they had shaken hands before… but never like this.
Not gently.
Not intentionally.
Not meaningfully.

She looked at their hands again in disbelief.
My whole hand… disappeared inside his, she thought, almost smiling at how big his hands were compared to hers.

Then she slowly looked back up at him.
He was already watching her… quietly… intensely.

“What happened?” she whispered.

He shook his head with a small smile.
“You talk… very well.”

Aanya lifted her chin proudly.
“I know that.”

He laughed softly.

Then he leaned back again, letting his head fall against the sofa headrest, eyes closed—
but still holding her hand firmly.

Aanya kept looking at him… without blinking, without moving.
He could feel her eyes on him; it made him smirk.

“Do I look that handsome?” he teased, eyes still closed.

“Oh shut up. You look horrible.” she shot back instantly.

They both burst into laughter.

The tension in the room finally melted.
Their laughter slowly faded, but the warmth between them didn’t.

Aanya tried to pull her hand back—just a little—
but Ishaan’s fingers tightened instantly.

Her eyes widened.
“Ishaan… leave my hand.”

“No.”

He didn’t even open his eyes when he said it.
Just a calm, stubborn refusal.

Aanya’s heart skipped.
“Why ‘no’?”

He finally opened his eyes, looking straight at her.

“Because I don’t want to.”

Her pulse hammered in her ears.
She looked away quickly, trying to hide the blush crawling across her cheeks.

“You’re impossible.”

“I know,” he replied softly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Then, with the same gentle tone—
“But… thank you, Aanya.”

She turned her head toward him again.
“For what?”

He breathed slowly, as if choosing his words carefully.

“For staying.”
He paused.
“For calming me down. For… not judging me.”

Aanya studied him—his tired eyes, the guilt still lingering on his face.

“You don’t have to thank me. she whispered.

He blinked, surprised by the softness in her voice.

Aanya continued,
“You’re carrying too much alone, Ishaan. At least… let me share a little. I’m here too.”

His jaw tightened—not in anger, but emotion, guilty, for hurting this pure soul
For a moment, he looked like he might break again.

He breathed in deeply and whispered,
“You have no idea… how much that means to me.”

Aanya smiled—small, gentle, real.

Her thumb, almost unconsciously, brushed the back of his hand.

Ishaan’s breath caught.

He looked at her differently now—
not with frustration, not with confusion…
but something softer.
Warmer.
Dangerously close to affection.

“Aanya…” he murmured.

Her eyes lifted to his, and the air between them shifted again—
slow, intense, magnetic.

But before either of them could say anything more,
Ishaan slowly let go of her hand…
only to lace their fingers together more firmly.

Aanya’s entire body froze.

“This…” he whispered,
“feels right.”

Aanya’s heart thudded so loudly she was sure he heard it.
Something is changing between them, in a good way.
_____

Aanya cleared her throat softly.
“Ishaan… I want to ask you something.”

He turned to her immediately.
“Yes. What happened?”

She hesitated, swallowing hard.

“I… I want to go to Verma Mansion.”

The moment the words left her mouth, Ishaan froze.

His playful expression vanished instantly, replaced by stillness.
His body tensed. His eyes darkened—not in anger… but in fear.

For a second, he forgot how to breathe.

She wants to go home?
She wants to leave Mehra Mansion?
But she said she’d give me a chance… then why…?

His thoughts spiralled until Aanya’s soft voice pulled him back.

“Ishaan?”

He blinked, looking at her—
confused, afraid, guilty, everything at once.

Aanya continued carefully,
her voice steady but her fingers unconsciously fidgeting.

“I heard your side of the story.
Your point of view… everything you went through.”

She took a breath.

“But I also want to hear my brother’s side.
What happened to him?
How did he reach that room?
What exactly had happened that day?”

Ishaan said nothing, simply listening.

“Maybe he knows something.
Maybe we’ll find a clue that will help us understand who the real culprit is.”

She looked into his eyes.

“Will you… come with me to Verma Mansion?
Will you let me meet to bhai?”

Her fear was obvious—she was terrified what if he would yell… refuse… get angry.

But Ishaan only exhaled slowly.

Then, calmly—
“Okay.”

Aanya’s eyes widened.
“O-Okay? You mean… yes?”

“Yes,” he repeated firmly.
"Let's go to Verma Mansion.”

She blinked in disbelief.
“Right now?”

“Yes, right now,” he said, standing up.
“Mom is asleep, and I’m also free.
If we go now, we’ll be back before she wakes up.”

Aanya nodded.
“That… that’s a good idea. Okay, let’s go.”

She stood, ready.

But Ishaan didn’t move.

He kept looking at her… waiting.

Aanya frowned.
“…Why are you staring?” Let's go

He sighed.

“ Won’t you change?
And do mekup an all?”

She looked down at her outfit in confusion.
“Why? Is this dress bad?”

Ishaan rubbed his forehead.

“…No. It’s fine. Ye, ah let's go now.”
He shook his head with a helpless smile.
“You’re so simple, Aanya.” he thought

( Ohh poor Mr Mehra only if you know)

_____

She was meeting her family for the first time after her wedding. After so many months, just stepping toward her home made her throat tighten. When she pushed open the main door, Mr. and Mrs. Mehra froze in shock. They never expected their daughter to walk in on her own-this soon.

But the bigger shock hit them when they saw Ishaan quietly walking in behind her, his usual stoic expression on his face.

Her mother immediately broke down into tears and hugged her tightly. Her father joined, holding her as if she might disappear again. Ishaan just stood there silently, watching the emotional reunion from a distance.

Aanya softly said,
“I came here to talk to Aransh bhai.”

Once they calmed down, Ishaan exhaled and said quietly,
“Aanya, I’ll wait in the car. You go and talk to Aaransh and come back there.”

Mrs. Verma quickly walked up to him.

“Why would you wait in the car? Sit inside with us. Ishaan, I know our relationship is complicated right now, but you are the son-in-law of this house. I cannot let you sit outside. Please, stay.”

Ishaan looked at Mr. Verma, with stoick expression then back at her.

“No, it’s okay, aunty. I’m better outside.”

Aanya saw this. She knew Ishaan was uncomfortable in the Verma house. Deep down, he still believed that Aransh was the reason for everything that went wrong.

She stepped closer to him and said softly,
“It’s okay, Mom. Ishaan… come with me. Wait in my room till I talk to bhai, okay?”

Ishaan looked at Mr. Verma, who was staring at him with the same stern expression he had. He rolled his eyes slightly.

“Fine.”

Aanya led him towards her old room. She opened the door, and they stepped inside.
The room was soft, elegant—warm shades, fairy lights on the wall, neatly arranged books piled everywhere, her old memories untouched.

“Wait here. I’ll be back soon, okay?”

“Alright,” he replied simply, still observing the room.

Aanya took a long breath and stepped out.
She stopped outside Aransh’s room, her heart pounding. She finally opened the door.

The room was dark; all the lights were off.
When she switched them on, she saw Aransh sitting at the desk, eyes closed. Maybe he had fallen asleep while sitting.

The sudden light made him sigh.

“Mom, I’m not hungry. I’ll eat later…”
he mumbled, assuming Mrs. Verma had come again.

Aanya stood silently, staring at his back.

When he didn’t hear a response, he turned around—

—and froze.

His eyes went wide with disbelief. He stood up so fast it almost startled her.

“Aa—Aanya? Is that… is that really you, princess?”

The moment she heard him call her princess, she lost all control.
She ran straight into his arms.

At first, Aransh didn’t move. He thought he was hallucinating again—just another dream where Aanya came back. Where nisha come to him.
But when he felt her sobbing into his shoulder, reality hit him hard.

He wrapped his arms around her tightly.

“Oh my princess… it’s really you. You came back. Oh God… my baby…”

He gently pulled back and cupped her face in his shaking hands.
She was crying—tears streaming down nonstop.
And Aransh… he wasn’t doing any better. His eyes were already full.

He scanned her face in panic.

“How are you? Did he hurt you? Tell me—are you okay?”

He checked her hands, her cheeks, her arms, his breath uneven with fear.

She held his wrists and said,
“Bhai… I’m okay. Look at me. Nothing happened. Ishaan didn’t hurt me. I’m fine.”

Aransh finally breathed properly.
He kissed her forehead.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry, Aanya. Because of me you had to suffer all this.”

“No, bhai. Please don’t say that. None of this is your fault.”

There was a long silence.

Then, in a broken voice, Aransh asked,
“Aanya… do you also think I cheated on Nisha? That I did all that with ishaan and?”

She shook her head firmly.

“No. I trust you completely, bhai. You can never do something like that. And I will prove it.
But for that… I need your help.”

“My help?”

Thank you for reading my lovely readers
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Bye bye take care.🫀✨