Arvind stood frozen, staring at his wife's lifeless body lying on the cold marble floor of Sheesh Mahal. The grandeur of the hall, which just a few hours ago had been adorned with flowers and filled with the joyous sounds of wedding celebrations, now echoed with the silence of death. The vibrant decorations seemed to mock the somber reality that had unfolded.

Rohit and his family had long departed, breaking off the marriage and leaving the hall in haste. They wanted no association with a family whose reputation was now tarnished beyond repair. The whispers of scandal and disgrace had spread like wildfire, and the once-celebrated union had turned into a scene of tragedy.

Arvind had never faced such humiliation.

The doctor's words echoed in his mind, "I'm sorry, we couldn't save her."

People were coming to console him and his family. Anjali had fainted, and Garima was with her, while Khushi clung to Arnav, both crying. Khushi is consoling him trying to control her own tears. Tears streamed down Arnav's face as he held Khushi tightly. Arvind saw his children in a devastated state and felt a pang of guilt. He never thought Ratna could do this.

"Heard she caught him cheating on her," one of the men whispered in the hall.

Arvind's heart sank in shame. It was true. He had been cheating on Ratna, living a double life. Ratna was not supposed to find out, nor was she supposed to die, leaving him to face humiliation and disrespect. How would he face people now? He had always been a proud, respectful, and loyal man to the world. But now, Ratna's death had shattered his facade. His reputation was always his priority.

He looked at his mother, Subadhra Mallik, who sat expressionless beside Ratna's body as people consoled her for the loss. She must be furious as she now knew about his affair. To her, reputation was as important as it was to him.

Arvind was waiting for Samaya to create a scene, but nothing happened as he expected. He remembered Ratna's words from the previous day, "Ji, the DNA tests came out negative. I'm so relieved, you know. Samaya would have taken drastic steps if it came out positive."

Arvind had smiled at Ratna, "That's good, Ratna. What about that woman?"

"Samaya said she's going to file a case against her and ask why she did this drama," Ratna had sighed, recounting her conversation with Samaya.

The next day, Arvind confronted Vaidehi. He slapped her hard, "Are you cheating on me?"

Vaidehi looked at him with wide eyes and gritted her teeth, "How dare you?"

"How dare I? How dare you?" Arvind fumed, pointing at her stomach. "Isn't that my child?"

"Of course it is," Vaidehi glared at him for doubting her.

"Then why the hell did the report come out negative?" he gritted his teeth in anger. The child Vaidehi was carrying was his. Since he and Avinash shared the same father, the DNA should have come out positive. He and Vaidehi had been confident that once the result came out positive, Samaya would leave Avinash, and Avinash would be left in shame. Subadhra and he would have had a valid reason to kick him out of the house and property papers. Their respect and kindness would remain intact. That was his plan. That was what his mother wanted. To kick Avinash out of the will and still be seen as a great mother and a kind human who took an orphan into their family. But now, the DNA came out negative, and he didn't know what to do.

"I don't know why it came out negative. Why don't you ask the doctor who did the test?" Vaidehi fumed.

"I'll do it. You don't need to tell me. For now, Samaya and Avinash are going to file a case against you," he informed her.

"What? You'll let it happen?" Vaidehi asked, shocked.

"No. Of course not. But you'll have to gain sympathy now. Get rid of this baby somehow and get admitted to the hospital for a miscarriage," he said, emotionlessly.

Vaidehi nodded. She didn't want this baby either. She would have done something to get rid of it as soon as she got pregnant, but Arvind had stopped her, saying he could use the situation to his advantage. At one of the company parties, Arvind had drugged Avinash's drink, and Vaidehi had taken advantage of it to take him to a hotel room. She had taken photos of them in intimate positions.

Arvind had done everything to keep his reputation intact. From keeping his relationship with Vaidehi in the dark to plotting to throw Avinash out of the Mallik property. Everything was hidden. But now, with Ratna's single act, every secret of his was exposed to the world.

_________________________

Arnav stood by the funeral pyre, his heart a storm of grief, his face streaked with tears. It felt as if a thousand knives were twisting in his chest. How could he possibly live without his mother? More tears streamed down his face. The flames danced and crackled, consuming the wood and everything it touched. He watched as the fire engulfed his mother's body, the heat searing and the smoke rising into the sky. Why? Why had his mother taken her own life? Couldn't she have lived for him and his sister? Couldn't she have just divorced that man and stayed for her children? He swallowed his sobs as he saw his mother burning in the pyre. Manohar was beside him, offering consolation while he himself wept for his sister's loss.

"Ma..." he whispered, his voice trembling. The sight of his mother's body being reduced to ashes was almost too much to bear. Is there a way he could bring her back to life? He wanted her alive. He wanted to go back in time and never leave his mother's side. He'd have saved her if he was beside her. Could he go back in time? Could he get her alive? Never. And the finality of it all hit him like a tidal wave, crashing over him and leaving him breathless.

"Maa...I...Maaa...come back....please...Maa..." he whispered through the sobs and tried to get into the pyre.

But Manohar stopped him in time, "Chotte..."

"Maa..."

In that moment, everything else seemed insignificant. The anger he had harbored towards his mother for the wrongs she had done to his sister, for always putting his father above everything— all of it faded away in the face of his immense loss. His mother, the woman who had carried him for nine months, the woman who had brought him to the world, the woman who had loved him unconditionally and had been his everything was gone.

And nothing would ever be the same again.

_________________________

Anjali sat in her room, staring blankly at the wall. She wasn't allowed to go to the graveyard, and it had only been a few hours since her mother passed away and her marriage fell apart. The weight of grief and loss was almost unbearable.

Her Nani and Mama were preparing to leave for Rameshwaram for the Ashti Visharjan, the ritual of immersing the ashes in a sacred river. The house was bustling with activity as family members cleaned every corner with haldi (turmeric) and water, a traditional practice to purify the home after a death.

Nani entered Anjali's room, her face etched with sorrow. "Bitiya, we are leaving for Rameshwaram. We'll be back soon. Stay strong..for yourself and Chotte, Bitiya."

She caressed her face as Anjali burst into tears, crying in her Nani's arms.

Arnav felt a heavy weight settle in his chest as his heart pounded against his ribcage. His vision blurred with tears, looking at his grandmother and sister in tears. And the one responsible for it has gone for a long drive, not caring about anyone.

Can they ever recover from this trauma?

_________________________

A day later, somewhere in the Ashram, Subadhra sat on the floor, her eyes closed in a futile attempt to block out the world. She couldn't believe her son had run away like a coward, leaving behind a trail of scandal and shame. The whispers of Lucknow's residents echoed in her mind, each word a dagger to her heart.

"Did you hear? Arvind ran away with his mistress, leaving his kids alone," a man whispered to another.

"Yes, poor kids. But if they were born to vile people like Arvind, what else can they expect? They have to bear the brunt of their parents' actions," the other replied heartlessly, not caring if the children could hear him.

People were still coming to Sheesh Mahal to offer their condolences, and they were among them.

"I just hope Anjali and Arnav don't turn out like their cheating father," a woman whispered to another.

"Hopes are slim though. After all, the kids are Arvind's blood, and Subadhra-ji wasn't successful in raising her son right. How can she raise her grandchildren right?" she spat, her words dripping with venom.

Subadhra couldn't remain in the house and hear such words every now and then. She walked away, ran away to the ashram, where she wouldn't have to hear the words, where she could save her face from the shame. Where she could save her respect. Not caring about how her grandchildren felt.

Back at the Sheesh Mahal, Arnav and Anjali sat in a corner, their faces pale and eyes red from crying. The weight of their grandmother's abandonment crushed their young hearts. Arnav's fists clenched in silent rage, his eyes burning with unshed tears. Anjali, her face streaked with tears, clung to her brother, her small frame shaking with sobs.

The Guptas tried to comfort them, but the trauma was too deep. Arnav's mind was a whirlwind of emotions — anger, betrayal, and a profound sense of loss. He couldn't understand how his grandmother, who should have been their pillar of strength, could leave them like this. The world seemed darker and more unforgiving than ever.

Anjali's heart ached with a pain she couldn't describe. She felt abandoned and unloved, questioning what they had done to deserve such cruelty. Her eyes, once filled with innocence, now reflected a deep sorrow and mistrust.

As they sat there, the reality of their situation sank in. They were alone, truly alone.

Can their situation be worse than this?

_________________________

And fate showed it could. Whatever little strength they were trying to gather was shattered.

"Tum aur tumhari behen ke liye iss ghar me koi jagah nahi hai," Avinash spat, his words laced with venom as he threw them out.

(There is no place for you and your sister in this house.)

Anjali and Arnav stood frozen, beyond shocked at their uncle's actions. The once warm and loving home now felt like a cold, hostile place.

"Chacha?" Anjali whispered in disbelief, her voice trembling.

(Uncle?)

"Koi Chacha nahi tumhara yaha, tumhara baap ghar ke saare paise aur gehene leke bhag gaya hai aur tumhari dadi chali gayi Aashram. Hum bhi kyu rakhe tum dono ko? Ye mera ghar hai." Avinash's words were like poison, seeping into the hearts of his brother's children.

(No one is your uncle here, your father ran away with all the money and jewelry from the house, and your grandmother has gone to the ashram. Why should we keep you both? This is my house.)

"Chacha, hum kaha jayenge, Chacha...aap-" Anjali's plea was cut off by Samaya's voice, who came running out upon hearing the commotion.

(Uncle, where will we go, Uncle...you-)

"What are you doing, Avinaash-ji?" Samaya questioned, understanding his intentions. Her eyes were wide with shock and concern.

"Stay away from this, Samaya," Avinash warned, his tone menacing.

"No, you can't do this with kids. They are innocent. What did they even do to you?" Samaya screamed at him in anger, her voice shaking with emotion.

"I said, STAY AWAY," Avinash roared, pushing his wife away with such force that she fell to the floor. Anjali's eyes widened at the cruelty Avinash was inflicting upon his own wife.

Just then, Khushi and Payal, who were about to enter Sheesh Mahal to support their friends, witnessed the entire scene. Their hearts pounded with a mix of fear and anger.

"Uncle, aap aise kaise kar sakte ho?" Khushi's voice rang out, her eyes killing him already as she walked towards her friends.

(Uncle, how can you do this?)

Avinash rolled his eyes, dismissing her.

"Arnav aur Di ne aapka kya bigada hai? Aapko bura nahi lagta inhe inhi ke ghar se bahar nikalne ke liye?" Khushi beat him on the stomach. She could only reach till his waist.

(What have they done to you? Aren't you feeling bad to kick them out of their own house?)

Avinash's face contorted with rage. "Ye mera ghar hai. I have full rights to kick them out of MY house," he warned and pushed her away, causing her to stumble and fall. "Tumhe inke liye itna bura lag raha hai toh inhe apna ghar le chalo. But they have no place in my house."

(If you feel so bad for them, take them to your house. But they have no place in my house.)

"Khushi!" Payal screamed, rushing to her sister's side. Tears streamed down her face as she helped Khushi up.

Arnav, who had been silent, now clenched his fists.

"Aaap bahut bure ho. Bahut bure," Khushi screamed at him, dusting her dress.

(You're so bad. So bad.)

"Chacha-"

"There's no use talking to him, Di." Arnav gritted his teeth, glaring at his uncle who didn't care much about them. Taking Anjali's hand, they walked out of the Sheesh Mahal, their hearts heavy with betrayal and loss.

He stopped on the road, feeling utterly lost. At just 14 years old, he was supposed to be worrying about school and friends, not where he and his sister would sleep tonight. His Mama and Nani were yet to return from Rameshwaram, leaving them with no immediate family to turn to. What was he supposed to do now? Where would they sleep? Where would they eat? How? They had no money.

He felt truly helpless, homeless, like a beggar for the first time in his life. The weight of responsibility pressed down on his young shoulders, making it hard to breathe.

Khushi, sensing no movement, turned around to look at the lost and broken Arnav. Without saying anything, she took his hand and led him forward, while Payal did the same with Anjali. The Gupta House welcomed them into its embrace, offering a temporary refuge from their turmoil.

As they stepped inside, Arnav's mind raced. He felt a deep, aching hate and heartbreak that seemed to swallow him whole. The world had shown its true colors, and it was no glittering paradise. It was a harsh and unforgiving place, where people like his Chacha were waiting to devour their lives like vultures. Where neighbors were eager to mock and laugh at their situation. Where his father and grandmother had chosen to run away rather than face their mistakes. He had seen the pity on people's faces and heard their mocking laughter behind his back. Funerals had shown him the true nature of humans—vultures ready to crush them further and leave them with deeper scars.

Trust seemed like a distant, naive concept now. Trust in his family was long broken. Trust in people who laughed at their miseries? Impossible. He never expected his loving Chacha to throw them out. But then, he also never expected his father to cheat on his mother. He never expected his mother to kill herself. Exceptions hurt. He shouldn't expect anything from now on. He shouldn't trust anyone. The world was not good. It had shown him its darkest side. No one was good, except a few. Like the Guptas. But how long would they remain good?

At that thought, he felt a pang of guilt. Why was he thinking like that? The Guptas were the only ones who never judged him and his Di. But...he cut his thoughts off. He wasn't in a place where he could trust anyone.

In that moment, Arnav understood one thing: everyone else would only bring more pain and suffering. He vowed to protect his sister and himself, building walls around his heart to shield them from further hurt. The innocence of his childhood was shattered, replaced by a steely resolve to survive in a world that had turned its back on them.

Even as the Guptas offered them food and comfort, Arnav couldn't shake off the wariness. He watched every gesture, every word, with suspicion. What if they too decided to abandon them one day?

"No..Arnav..don't..don't think like that.." he whispered to himself as the tears rolled down his eyes. A sob was about to escape from his throat but he controlled, holding it in its place. Why? What happened to him? Where are his thoughts going? The trauma had etched deep lines of mistrust in his young heart. He felt guilty for doubting the only people who had shown them kindness, but he couldn't help it. The fear of being hurt again was too strong.

As he lay in bed that night, listening to the soft breathing of his sister beside him, Arnav made a silent vow. He would never let anyone hurt them again.

"Never again!" he gulped. It would be the last time he cried. He would never cry again.

He would be strong, for both of them. The world had shown its true face, and he would be ready for it. No more trust, no more expectations. Just survival.

Let me know how the update was! 

Author's Note:

I know a few people must be upset with Arnav's thoughts about Guptas. But that's what trauma does to you. 

P.S. I don't know how funerals take place in Hindu Culture and what are the other customs and traditions before/after the funeral. Let me know if there was anything that needed to be corrected. I will. And please don't be offended if I went wrong somewhere. 

Regards,

Poly,

04/08/2024