Word Count: 1000

Contd.

SAMARTH entered his room, the soft creaking of the door barely audible, with his mother trailing behind him. The events of the previous day, particularly his encounter with Niti, had etched an indelible mark on his thoughts. After careful consideration, he had opted to spend the night with his family. Their vacation had been abruptly curtailed due to Nani's condition, and Samarth regarded this as an opportune moment to engage in a candid conversation with his parents.

"Why did you allow Nani to see Niti in such a distressing state yesterday?" his mother inquired, her concern palpable.

Samarth responded with a tinge of helplessness, "What choice did I have? I was on a date with her when it all happened!"

His mother exhaled deeply, her eyes conveying a mixture of sorrow and sympathy. "I am sorry, I know it's not your fault."

"Nor was it hers," Sam interjected. "Besides, Ma, I'm genuinely serious about her."

His mother regarded him with keen interest, awaiting his forthcoming words. Samarth deliberated whether now was the right time to disclose what Niti had been yearning for, for so long.

Moreover, Niti's unexpected revelation had taken him by surprise. She believed that Kavya played a pivotal role in their coming together, a notion that left him thoroughly perplexed. He had been unaware of any prior connection between Niti and Kavya, and the fact that Niti also knew about his acquaintance with Kavya added another layer of astonishment.

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted when Niti had to return to work. However, this brief exchange had ignited a newfound determination within him to unravel the mysteries surrounding their situation. Remaining with his family had proven to be a wise decision, as he unintentionally overheard a conversation between Tara and Nani – at least, a portion of it. From their discussion, he gleaned that Nani's aversion to Niti stemmed from reasons he had not previously considered. It extended beyond simple disparities in beliefs; beneath the surface, there existed a profound emotional undercurrent fueling Nani's intense feelings. It was crucial for him to confront these hidden matters and bring an end to the growing hostility.

"I— we want to get married, ma. I have been deflecting her questions because of nani for too long. And she is now upset about more than just that. I want to give her my answer, ma," he rushed out without a moment's pause to catch his breath. "But everything has fallen apart now. She appears to be growing distant, and it's my fault. I'm aware of that. That's why I can no longer wait for Nani's approval. And why has no one ever informed me about why Nani despised Niti? How did all of you even become acquainted with Niti?"

There, I finally said it.

He watched as his mother's eyes widened, followed by a perplexed expression that settled upon her face. It seemed clear to him that she was contemplating how to react.

Sam stood there for a while, waiting for her to say something. He was about to leave when his mom finally answered.

"When you initially brought Niti home, I immediately recognized her, but then I realized that you had no clue," she began.

"What do you mean?" Samarth asked.

Her gaze softened, and she reached out to hold his hand. "The three of you used to play together sometimes. Kavya was always with her, although she used a different name back then."

Samarth's mind came to a halt. "You mean Niti? Niti had another name?"

Sam's mother's expression softened, and she gently pressed her lips together before speaking, "Samarth, I believe both of you have a lot to share before considering marriage."

Samarth's mind was a pool of emotions as he absorbed the shocking revelation from his mother. Niti had used a different name in the past, a name that was somehow connected to Kavya. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly falling into place, yet the full picture remained elusive.

"What name did Niti use before, Ma?" Samarth asked, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and confusion.

His mother sighed, as if bracing herself for a difficult conversation. "She used to go by the name Nitisha, does that ring a bell? Kavya and Nitisha were inseparable during their childhood. They were the best of friends."

Samarth's mind raced to process this newfound information. Kavya and Niti, or rather Nitisha, had a deep history together that he had never known about. The implications of this revelation were enormous, and he couldn't help but wonder why Niti had kept this hidden from him.

"I've seen her official driving license, and it doesn't say Nitisha... And why did Nani react so strongly against her?" Samarth's questions burst forth like a torrent, charged with frustration and confusion.

"She probably changed her name officially, Sam. You need to talk to her about it, not me," his mother replied, her voice tinged with a mixture of sympathy and resignation.

"And what about Nani? What did Niti do to make Nani detest her?" Samarth demanded, his tone laced with an anxious urgency.

"That... She believes Niti was responsible for Kavya's death," his mother revealed, her voice trembling as she broached the subject.

"Bullshit!" Samarth exclaimed, his anger surging to the surface like a tidal wave.

"Sam! Watch your language!" his mother admonished, her tone stern but betrayed by her own distress.

Anger, disbelief, and frustration swirled in Samarth's mind. How could Nani even entertain the idea that an eleven-year-old girl could be responsible for her friend's death?

In a whirlwind of emotions, Samarth stormed out of the room, leaving his mother standing alone amidst the now desolate space that had once brimmed with happiness. He felt an overpowering, burning need to unearth the root of this turmoil and dispel Nani's misconceptions. There was only one clear path he could envision, and it demanded that he confront his past.

Once more, he found himself driven to make a visit to the hospital, his heart heavy with unresolved questions and a determination to set things right.

═══ ⋆★⋆ ═══

A/N

Hello fellow kawaiis! 

Would love to know what your thoughts are about this messed up past.

What or who is this past he needs to confront? Comment below!

Do leave a vote if you enjoyed! A share would be much appreciated !