Read the important note at the end of the chapter
The morning sun cast a warm glow over the Oberoi household as the family gathered for breakfast, a heartwarming scene that excluded Akshita and Advik. Akshita, confined to bed rest, was joined by Advik for their meals in her room, cherishing these moments with their children.
"I'm done, Sitara, Ruhaan, I'm heading out for sightseeing. I'll meet you directly at the office," Kabir declared, rising from his seat.
"Yes, Dad," Ruhaan replied dutifully.
"Dad, I'll stay home to take care of bhabhi," Sitara interjected, her voice filled with sincerity.
"Okay," Kabir acknowledged, his gaze shifting to Nishtha.
"Kabir, do you have a moment? Can you wait for me and drop me to the NGO?" Nishtha asked, her eyes reflecting a mixture of hope and anticipation.
"Two minutes? I can wait for you for hours," Kabir replied, his tone laced with affection. His recent transformation was evident, a newfound happiness radiating from him, possibly stemming from the joy of being a grandfather.
Nishtha blushed at his words, Sitara looked at her dreamily, while Ruhaan stole glances from his soon-to-be ex-wife. "I can too wait for you, Sitara," he whispered under his breath, his heartache concealed behind a facade of indifference.
"Kya aap bhi?" Nishtha teased, her cheeks tinted with a rosy hue, before swiftly grabbing her handbag.
"Sitara, beta, I'm leaving. Let me know if you need anything. I'll be back after the distribution," Nishtha said, her voice carrying a motherly warmth.
"Yes, Maa," Sitara replied, offering a smile, her eyes reflecting gratitude and affection.
As Kabir and Nishtha departed, Sitara and Ruhaan found themselves alone, an uncomfortable silence settling between them. They avoided eye contact, the weight of their impending divorce hanging in the air. Ruhaan attempted to break the tension, silently consuming his breakfast. Sitara too settled on the chair and started eating her breakfast.
Suddenly, Ruhaan began to cough violently, his food caught in his throat. Concerned, Sitara rushed to his side, her hand gently rubbing his back
"Ruhaan, what's happening? Is something stuck?" Sitara's voice was laced with concern as she rushed to his side, her hand instinctively reaching out to rub his back, hoping to provide some relief.
Ruhaan, amidst his coughing fits, managed to glance at her with a hint of amusement and replied, "No," before succumbing to another bout of coughs.
Confusion etched on her face, Sitara questioned, "Then why are you coughing like this?"
With a sarcastic undertone, Ruhaan retorted, "Doing... acting..." his words interspersed with coughs
Puzzled, Sitara narrowed her eyes at him, not quite sure what to make of his strange antics. "Why?" she inquired, her bewilderment growing.
Ruhaan, now visibly irritated, quipped, "To... impress... you," his tone dripping with sarcasm, though his coughs only grew worse.
Unfazed, Sitara muttered under her breath, "You won't do anything to impress me," She swiftly grabbed a mug of water and poured it in a glass and offered it to him, urging him to drink.
He was too occupied with rubbing his chest in discomfort, but Sitara persisted, holding the glass to his lips. Their eyes met, and in that brief moment, amidst the coughs and discomfort, they shared a realization that transcended words. Pain and affection lingered in their gaze, speaking volumes without uttering a single sentence.
"Are you okay?" Sitara asked, her concern palpable, her eyes searching his for reassurance.
"Yes," Ruhaan managed to reply hoarsely, his voice strained. Sitara gently placed the glass back on the table, their eye contact lingering for a moment longer before they both looked away, the tension in the room slowly dissipating.
After the awkward breakfast, Sitara headed towards her room, needing to fetch her phone. Meanwhile, Ruhaan realized he had left his file in their shared space, and he followed her inside. As he opened the door, Sitara's foot twisted, and she teetered, nearly falling. In a swift motion, Ruhaan caught her in his arms, their eyes locking for the first time since signing the divorce papers.
Time seemed to stand still as they gazed into each other's eyes, a myriad of emotions swirling between them. They both yearned for the moment to stretch into eternity. However, their reverie was shattered by the cries of Advik and Akshita's babies emanating from their room. Reluctantly, they released each other, ran towards akshita room
Upon entering the room, Ruhaan's concern was evident in his voice as he questioned, "What happened, bhabhi?"
Akshita, her eyes brimming with tears, replied, "See, Ruhaan, this baby girl just won't stop crying. And now, seeing her, he started crying too." She gestured towards the baby boy in her arms.
"Where's bhai?" Sitara inquired, scanning the room and not finding Advik.
"He's outside; Dad called him to ask something," Akshita explained.
Amidst the continuous cries of the babies, Sitara gently took the baby girl into her arms. "Do you know how to calm them?" Akshita asked, attempting to soothe the baby boy.
"Yes, bhabhi, Sitara knows very well how to handle babies," Ruhaan teased, earning an eye roll from her.
"No, bhabhi, but I'll try," Sitara said, patting the baby's back with a tender touch.
Despite their efforts, both babies remained inconsolable. Ruhaan shook his head in frustration and approached Sitara. Making funny faces, he managed to bring a momentary halt to the baby girl's cries. Sitara watched in disbelief as the baby responded to her chachu's antics.
"That's how you calm babies," Ruhaan taunted, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Oh, yes, I forgot you have a master's degree in handling babies," Sitara retorted sarcastically.
"Give her to me," Ruhaan said, and Sitara handed the baby girl to him. However, within moments, the baby managed to wet Ruhaan's shirt, leading to laughter from Akshita and Sitara.
"Laugh, laugh," Ruhaan said, feigning annoyance and glaring playfully at the baby, who giggled in response. Unbeknownst to them, Advik silently captured the moment with his camera.
After returning the baby to Akshita, Ruhaan made his way to their room to change, with Sitara following him, teasing him. She playfully commented, "Wow, Ruhaan, babies really love you so much." In that moment, she forgot about their complicated reality and behaved like his best friend.
Ruhaan, seizing the opportunity, approached her and locked the door. As he unbuttoned his shirt, he cornered Sitara against the wall. The proximity between them made Sitara feel breathless, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Now, laugh," Ruhaan urged softly, his voice sending shivers down her spine.
"N-no, I was..." Sitara stammered, finding it hard to form coherent words under his intense gaze.
"Laugh, Sitara," he repeated in his husky voice, his eyes locked onto hers.
"Ruhaan, actually..." she began, her voice shaky. Her gaze inadvertently fell upon his chest, where she noticed fresh scratches. The reality came crashing back, and her eyes welled up with tears. Looking at him, he saw her eyes fill with sorrow. She pushed him away abruptly and left the room. Ruhaan stood there, utterly perplexed, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions that had just unfolded.
As the days slipped away, a obvtension hung in the air between Ruhaan and Sitara. They hadn't spoken since that intimate incident, their unspoken emotions lingering in the spaces between their words. The day of the naming ceremony arrived, a significant occasion for the family. Sitara, clad in a heavy lehenga, was getting ready in their room when she heard the door creak open. Glancing at the mirror, her heart raced as she saw Ruhaan entering, adorned in traditional Indian wear, a sight she rarely witnessed. He looked irresistibly handsome, sending her heart into a flutter.
Ruhaan, noticing her struggle with her waistband due to the weight of her lehenga and dupatta, didn't hesitate. Without a word, he knelt down and gently began hooking her waistband. Sitara felt a shiver run down her spine as Ruhaan's warm breath grazed her belly; the sensation sent electric shocks through her body. When he stood up, she murmured a quick thank you, unable to meet his gaze, her emotions in turmoil.
"Everyone is calling you downstairs," Ruhaan informed her, breaking the charged silence. They both left the room, the unspoken tension lingering between them like an invisible thread.
In the main hall, the family gathered for the pooja. Sitara settled next to Akshita, while Ruhaan took his place beside Advik. Mayra, their sister, was also present, adding to the familial atmosphere. The priest announced that the names should begin with the letters A, L, or E.
Mayra, with excitement in her eyes, suggested the name "Ekansh" for the baby boy, a choice that resonated with everyone. When it came to the baby girl, Mayra hesitated, unable to decide.
"I have a suggestion," Sitara spoke up. "What about 'Advika,' a blend of bhai and bhabhi's names?" Her idea was met with approval, and smiles lit up the room.
"Advika and Ekansh, such beautiful names," Akshita declared, her eyes shining with happiness.
After the naming ceremony, sweets were distributed, and guests mingled. Sitara engaged in conversations with the guests, but Akshita pulled her aside, a concerned look on her face.
"What happened, bhabhi?" Sitara inquired.
"Where is your sindoor?" Akshita asked, noticing its absence.
Sitara hesitated, unsure whether she should put it on, especially after Ruhaan's drunken act, but she decided against it.
"Oh, I'm sorry, bhabhi, I forgot," she replied, offering a weak excuse.
"How could you forget, Sitara? Come with me," Akshita said, gently guiding her towards the pooja room. On their way, she called Ruhaan over.
"What happened, bhabhi?" Ruhaan asked, his confusion evident.
Akshita wordlessly handed him the sindoor.
"Maang bharo apni patni ki," she ordered, her eyes unwavering.
(Fill her hair partition)
Ruhaan and Sitara exchanged a meaningful glance. Ruhaan recalled their wedding day, the first time he had performed this ritual. Sitara, too, remembered his signature on the divorce papers.
"Would you prefer some privacy for this too?" Akshita teased, breaking their eye contact.
"N-no, bhabhi," Ruhaan stammered.
"Put it on now," Akshita insisted.
Silently, Ruhaan took a pinch of sindoor. Glancing at Sitara, he delicately applied it to her forehead. A lone tear slipped from Sitara's left eye, her emotions overwhelming her.
"Now you're looking perfect," Akshita said cheerily, oblivious to the tension between Sitara and Ruhaan. Sitara forced a fake smile, masking her true feelings beneath a facade of composure.
"Can I go now?" Ruhaan inquired, seeking an escape from the uneasy atmosphere. After receiving a nod of assurance from Akshita, he made his exit.
The ceremony concluded, and the guests departed, leaving the family to their thoughts. Mayra and Akshita were engrossed in tending to the babies, while Kabir and Nishtha discussed the event. Sitara sat in silence, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. Advik approached, having bid farewell to the guests.
"Ruhaan, I need to talk to you about our client," Advik said, pulling Ruhaan aside.
"Coming," Ruhaan replied, following Advik to the study room. Once inside, Advik locked the door and turned to face his brother.
"I need to talk to you about your divorce with Sitara," he stated firmly, his eyes searching for the truth.
"Yes, bhai," Ruhaan responded calmly, meeting Advik's gaze.
"Do you really want a divorce? I know I asked you before, but I need assurance," Advik pressed, his concern evident.
Ruhaan, recalling his conversations with Sitara and his own conflicted emotions, nodded in affirmation. "Yes, bhai, I want it," he said, his voice not quite matching his gaze.
"Are you sure, Ruhaan? I'm asking you for the last time" Advik asked once more, his hope flickering in his eyes.
"Yes, bhai," Ruhaan asserted. "And I'm telling you for the last time, yes. I want the divorce," he added, his tone resolute, and he left the room, leaving Advik standing there, feeling helpless.
Returning to his room, Ruhaan found Sitara sitting on the bed in her nightwear, engrossed in her phone. He avoided her gaze, silently changing his clothes. When he finished, he grabbed a blanket and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Sitara asked, her voice laced with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"I believe ex-wives and husbands shouldn't share a room," he replied without looking back, the weight of his decision evident in his words. With that, he left the room, the door closing with a thud.
Sitara sat on the bed, her emotions overwhelming her. "I hate you, Ruhaan Oberoi. I hate you so much. You've messed up everything," she whispered, her face buried in her pillow, her heartache visible in the quiet of the room
Their look
Glimpse from further chapters ð¦ enjoyâ¥ï¸
Ruhaan leaned down place kiss on sitara's neck. She clutched his shirt tightly. Pressing a gentle kiss he pulled back himself. Ruhaan slipped her sleeve from her shoulder giving her butterflies. He leaned down and kissed her bare shoulder. After this his fingers reached to her zip
"Ruhaan" she said clutching his shirt tightly
"Hmm" he hummed still holding her and with closed eyes. He pulled down her zip little
"Ruhaan please stop it" she said loudly. He snapped back jerking
"I'm sorry sitara if I made you uncomfortable, I am so Sorry i" he was apolozing continually and sitara put her finger on his lips
"Stop ruhaan,I can never be uncomfortable around you. I'm safest with you" she said with trust in her eyes
"Then what happned " he asked confusingly
"We are not married anymore " she said in her breaking voice. And ruhaan came to harsh reality. He left her abruptly
Guys just because I update regularly it doesn't mean you won't vote. Next chapter after some good votes and comments ð