2500+ words

Jab bhi teri yaad aati hai, tab tab humari aankhon se aansu beh jaate hain, hum bhi kya zindagi jee rahe hain, ek tere bin adhure se rah jaate hain.

Author's pov:

Anshika couldn't help but crack a small smile at her brother and sister's playful banter, despite the heaviness weighing on her heart. Pushing aside her worries for a moment, she stepped into their room, where Ansh and Anaya were engrossed in their usual antics.

After Bua left, Anshika took a deep breath and decided to seek some comfort in her siblings. She made her way to her brother and sister's room, hoping to find a distraction from her troubled thoughts. As she approached their door, she could already hear the familiar sounds of their playful bickering and the clicking of video game controllers.

Pushing the door open, Anshika found Ansh and Anaya in their usual spots—Ansh sprawled on the floor with a gaming controller in his hand, and Anaya perched on the edge of the bed, eyes glued to the screen. They were in the middle of an intense match, their faces lit up with the glow of the TV. A half-eaten pizza box lay open between them, evidence of their ongoing sibling rivalry over food.

When they noticed Anshika standing in the doorway, both siblings paused the game and turned to her with matching grins.

"Well, well, well, look who's decided to grace us with her presence," Ansh teased, his voice dripping with mock formality. "Our very own jerk has arrived!"

Anshika rolled her eyes at their playful banter, but couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. Despite the heaviness in her heart, her siblings' antics were always a welcome distraction. "You two are impossible," she said, shaking her head as she stepped further into the room.

"Hey, look who decided to grace us with her presence," Ansh teased, flashing Anshika a mischievous grin. "Thought you were too good for us now, huh?"

Anaya chimed in, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yeah, we thought you'd forgotten about us after you got married to Mr. Serious," she teased, nudging Anshika playfully. "Guess we're not cool enough for you anymore."

Anshika rolled her eyes affectionately at their teasing, grateful for their lightheartedness in the midst of her turmoil. "Oh, please," she replied with a mock scoff. "As if I could ever forget about my favorite siblings."

Ansh and Anaya exchanged a knowing look before breaking out into identical grins. "That's more like it," Ansh said with a laugh, reaching over to pull Anshika into a playful headlock. "Now, come join us. We're about to annihilate each other in this game."

Laughing despite herself, Anshika allowed herself to be pulled into the chaos of her siblings' world, if only for a moment. For now, she could forget about her troubles and simply enjoy the company of the two people who knew her best, even if they were sometimes a little too much to handle.

As she settled in between her siblings on the floor, Ansh handed her a gaming controller. "Here you go, sis. Let's see if you've still got those mad skills."

Anaya snickered. "Yeah, last time we played, you got totally owned. Remember that?"

Anshika rolled her eyes at their playful banter, but couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. Despite the heaviness in her heart, her siblings' antics were always a welcome distraction. "You two are impossible," she said, shaking her head as she stepped further into the room.

"That's why you love us," Ansh quipped, handing her a controller. "Come on, join the game. Let's see if you've still got what it takes to beat us."

Anaya smirked, her competitive spirit shining through. "Yeah, Anshika, show us what you've got. Or are you too busy being all grown-up now?"

Laughing despite herself, Anshika took the controller and settled in beside them. "Alright, let's do this. But don't cry when I beat you both."

Anshika raised an eyebrow, her competitive spirit ignited despite her emotional state. "Oh, you guys are going down," she declared, her fingers already flying over the buttons.

They played several rounds, the room filled with laughter and friendly taunts. Anshika momentarily forgot the betrayal she felt, the pain in her heart overshadowed by the joy of being with her siblings. Ansh's triumphant shouts and Anaya's exaggerated groans of defeat brought a much-needed sense of normalcy back into her life, if only for a brief while.

Eventually, they took a break, sprawled out on the floor amidst a sea of snacks and game controllers. Ansh turned to Anshika, a more serious expression crossing his face. "Hey, Anshi, everything okay with you? You've been kinda quiet lately."

Anaya nodded, her teasing demeanor replaced with genuine concern. "Yeah, you know you can talk to us about anything, right?"

Anshika's heart warmed at their concern, but she couldn't bring herself to burden them with her troubles. "I'm fine," she said softly, offering them a reassuring smile. "Just... a lot on my mind. But being here with you two really helps."

Ansh wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a sideways hug. "We're always here for you, Anshi. Don't forget that."

Anaya reached over and squeezed her hand. "Yeah, anytime you need to escape from reality, you know where to find us."

Anshika nodded, feeling a swell of gratitude for her siblings' unwavering support. "Thanks, guys. I really needed this."

As the evening wore on, they continued to play games, talk, and reminisce about their childhood. Anshika felt a small sense of relief, knowing that she had her family's love and support, no matter what happened.

Later that night, as she made her way back to her room, the weight of the day's events settled back onto her shoulders. She couldn't ignore the images Vikram had shown her or the anger and betrayal she felt towards Ashwin. 

The next day, Anshika woke up with a heavy heart, the images of Ashwin with another woman still fresh in her mind. She couldn't shake off the feeling of betrayal, despite Ashwin's reassurances over the phone. The weight of the evidence seemed too convincing, and she felt an overwhelming sense of anger and sadness.

Determined to find some clarity, Anshika decided to meet Vikram. She dialed his number, her fingers trembling with a mix of hesitation and resolve. When Vikram answered, his voice was smooth and confident, almost as if he had been expecting her call.

"Hello, Anshika," he said, his tone laced with a hint of satisfaction.

"Vikram, I need to see you," Anshika said, her voice cold and firm. "We need to talk."

"Of course," Vikram replied, a smile evident in his voice. "Where shall we meet?"

Anshika chose a hotel in the city, a neutral ground where she hoped to gain some perspective. As she made her way there, her mind raced with conflicting emotions. She wanted answers, but she also felt a strange sense of foreboding about the meeting.

When she arrived at the hotel, Vikram was already there, waiting for her in the lobby. He greeted her with a warm smile, but Anshika couldn't muster the energy to reciprocate.

"Let's talk inside," Vikram suggested, gesturing towards a private dining area within the hotel. Anshika nodded, following him with a sense of dread.

They sat at a secluded table, and Vikram ordered drinks, maintaining an air of calm and control. Anshika, however, was on edge, her thoughts a tangled mess of confusion and anger.

"Anshika, I know this is hard for you," Vikram began, his voice gentle. "But you deserve to know the truth."

She looked at him, her eyes filled with pain. "Why are you doing this, Vikram? What do you gain from tearing us apart?"

Vikram leaned forward, his expression sincere. "I'm not trying to hurt you, Anshika. I care about you, and I can't stand to see you being lied to."

As they talked, Vikram discreetly took out his phone and snapped a few photos of Anshika, making sure to capture her distressed expression. He sent these pictures to Ashwin, intending to sow further discord.

Meanwhile, Ashwin was at the hotel, trying to focus on his work, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Anshika. His phone buzzed, and he saw the message from an unknown number. When he opened it, his heart sank. The photos showed Anshika sitting with Vikram, looking upset and vulnerable.

A surge of anger and jealousy washed over him. He couldn't believe that Anshika had gone to meet Vikram without telling him. His mind raced with questions and doubts. Was she starting to believe Vikram's lies? Was their relationship falling apart?

Back at the hotel, Anshika felt increasingly uncomfortable. She realized that she might have made a mistake coming here. She excused herself to the restroom, needing a moment to gather her thoughts. As she stood in front of the mirror, she felt a pang of regret. She didn't want to be here with Vikram; she wanted to be with Ashwin, sorting things out together.

When she returned to the table, Vikram could sense her hesitation. He tried to reassure her, but Anshika's mind was made up. "I need to go," she said abruptly, standing up.

Vikram's eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. "Of course. If you ever need to talk, I'm here."

Anshika quickly left the hotel, her heart pounding. She needed to confront Ashwin and find out the truth, once and for all. As she hailed a cab, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being watched. Little did she know that Vikram was already plotting his next move, determined to drive a permanent wedge between her and Ashwin.

When she arrived home, it was late, and everyone was already worried about her. They bombarded her with questions, but Anshika brushed them off, saying it had been a busy day. She avoided Ashwin's gaze, her mind still reeling from the encounter with Vikram.

Ashwin, sensing her turmoil, approached her later that evening. "Anshika, we need to talk. What's going on?"

She tried to ignore him, but her anger boiled over when he gently took her hands, trying to comfort her. "Don't touch me!" she snapped, pulling away. "You have no idea how I feel right now."

Ashwin looked hurt but determined. "Anshika, please. We need to talk about this. I need to know what's going on."

But Anshika couldn't bring herself to tell him about the photos. Instead, she went to her room, shutting the door behind her. She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. The images of Ashwin with another woman haunted her, and she felt a deep sense of betrayal and heartbreak.

Meanwhile, Ashwin sat in the living room, his mind racing. He knew that Vikram was behind this, but he needed to find a way to prove his innocence to Anshika. He couldn't lose her, not now, not ever. But then he left her house as he was not able to answer her family nor could he face them!

The next morning, Anshika woke up with a heavy heart, her mind still clouded by the images Vikram had shown her. She got ready for work, avoiding everyone at home. She couldn't bring herself to face Ashwin, not when the sight of him brought back the painful memories of the photos.

As she arrived at her office, she was surprised to see Vikram waiting for her. She tried to walk past him, but he intercepted her, his expression concerned.

"Anshika, can we talk?" Vikram asked, his tone gentle.

"There's nothing to talk about," Anshika replied coldly, trying to push past him.

"Please, just a few minutes," Vikram insisted, stepping in front of her. "I promise it will help."

Reluctantly, Anshika followed him to a nearby cafe. They sat at a secluded table, and Vikram ordered coffee for them. He reached into his bag and pulled out more photos, placing them on the table in front of her.

"Look at these," he said softly. "You need to see the truth."

Anshika hesitated but eventually glanced at the photos. They showed Ashwin with the same woman, looking intimate and close. Her heart sank further, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"I don't understand," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Why would he do this to me?"

Vikram reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "I don't have all the answers, Anshika. But you deserve to know what's happening behind your back."

The rest of the day passed in a blur for Anshika. She couldn't focus on her work, her mind constantly replaying the images Vikram had shown her. By the time she left the office, it was already late. She walked home slowly, dreading the confrontation that awaited her.

When she finally arrived home, it was almost 1 AM. The family was gathered in the living room, their faces filled with worry.

"Anshika, where have you been?" Dadu asked, her voice filled with concern.

"Just a busy day at work," Anshika replied curtly, trying to avoid their gazes.

Ashwin stood up, his eyes filled with concern. "Anshika, we need to talk."

"Not now," she said sharply, walking past him. She could feel his eyes on her, filled with confusion and hurt, but she couldn't bring herself to stop.

"I guess you should have some rest Ashwin. You had been here for whole day!" Dadu said to him looking worried.

Ashwin shook his head as No! with this dadu left him.

The rest of the night was tense. Anshika stayed in her room, avoiding everyone. She knew she had to confront Ashwin, but she wasn't ready. The images haunted her, and she felt a deep sense of betrayal.

Ashwin knocked on her door later that night, his voice gentle. "Anshika, please. We need to talk."

"Go away," she replied, her voice muffled by the pillow she was hugging.

"Anshika, please," Ashwin said, his voice breaking slightly. "I need to know what's wrong."

She couldn't hold back her anger any longer. She got up and opened the door, her eyes blazing with fury. "You want to know what's wrong? Look at these!" She threw the photos at him, tears streaming down her face.

Ashwin picked up the photos, his face paling as he saw them. "Anshika, I can explain," he began, but she cut him off.

"I don't want your explanations, Ashwin," she said, her voice shaking. "I want the truth."

"These are lies," Ashwin said desperately. "Someone is trying to tear us apart."

"How can I believe you?" Anshika cried. "How can I trust you after seeing these?"

Ashwin took a step forward, reaching out to her, but she stepped back, her hands shaking. "Don't touch me," she said, her voice breaking. "Just leave me alone."

Ashwin watched helplessly as she retreated to her room, closing the door behind her. He stood there for a moment, his heart breaking. He knew that he had to find a way to prove his innocence, but he didn't know how.

The next day, Anshika woke up feeling numb. She got ready for work mechanically, avoiding everyone at home. As she walked to the office, she felt a deep sense of dread. She knew that she had to confront Ashwin, but she wasn't ready to face him.

When she arrived at the office, she was surprised to see Vikram waiting for her. He smiled at her, his eyes filled with concern.

"How are you holding up?" he asked softly.

"I'm fine," Anshika replied, her voice cold.

Vikram reached out and took her hand, his touch gentle. "I know this is hard for you, but you need to stay strong."

Anshika pulled her hand away, her eyes filled with anger. "I don't need your sympathy, Vikram."

"I'm not offering sympathy," Vikram said softly. "I'm offering support."

Anshika stared at him for a moment, her heart filled with confusion. She didn't know who to trust anymore.