47. Shivaay about that explosion incident

Flashback

Jhumki’s story began long before she stepped foot into the Ranawat household, long before her smirk became a mask for her pain. She had always been an unwanted child—a girl born into a family that never wanted her. Her parents despised her, treating her with disdain, neglecting her needs, and often resorting to physical abuse. She spent her childhood yearning for even the smallest shred of love, something she was never given.

One fateful day, her life took a turn when she was rescued by an NGO run by Shweta Singh Ranawat. Jhumki, malnourished and scarred by her past, found a glimmer of hope. Shivaay was there too—kind, confident, and protective. He offered her reassurance and made her feel, perhaps for the first time in her life, that she mattered. Over time, her gratitude toward him blossomed into something deeper—a quiet, unspoken crush.

When Shweta arranged for Jhumki to work as a cook in the Ranawat household, she considered it a blessing. Though she was an employee, it allowed her to be close to the man who had unknowingly become her savior and the object of her affection. She poured her heart into her cooking, savoring every moment Shivaay would compliment her dishes. The warmth of his words made her feel special, even if only for fleeting moments.

But then, everything changed when Niharika entered their lives. From the moment Shivaay married her, Jhumki’s small world began to crumble. She watched as Shivaay’s attention shifted entirely to his wife. And not just him—the family showered Niharika with affection and praise. Her cooking, her poise, her kindness—everything about Niharika overshadowed Jhumki’s presence. The praise that was once hers for the meals she prepared now belonged to Niharika. It stung more than she cared to admit.

Jhumki accepted her position in silence until the day her bitterness was manipulated. Returning from the market one evening, she was cornered by Ragini Sahani's men. At first, she resisted, but Ragini herself appeared, spinning a web of lies and promises. Ragini painted herself as an ally, claiming she could help Jhumki win back Shivaay’s attention and even his love. Jhumki, desperate and blind to Ragini’s true motives, believed her.

“You were the one who cared for him before her,” Ragini had said, her voice dripping with venom. “Do you really think she’s better than you? I can help you take your rightful place by his side.”

The words rang in Jhumki’s ears. She hated the idea of betraying Shivaay, the man she admired, but the thought of being seen, of being cherished, was too intoxicating to ignore. Ragini used Jhumki’s vulnerabilities, feeding her insecurities until she agreed to work against Niharika.

From that day, Jhumki’s actions were no longer her own. She became a pawn in Ragini’s game, unaware of the true depths of the woman’s malice. All she knew was that Ragini promised her what she had always longed for—a chance to matter to Shivaay.

Now, standing in the Ranawat kitchen, smirking at the chaos she had caused, Jhumki’s mind was a storm of emotions. Deep down, a part of her felt guilty, but the bitterness and longing silenced her conscience. She convinced herself that what she was doing was justified—that Shivaay would see her worth one day.

Little did she know that the strings she had tied herself to would soon unravel, pulling her into a web of consequences far beyond what she had ever imagined.

End of Flashback

Jhumki entered her modest apartment, a small yet comfortable space provided by the Ranawats. It was clean and tidy, with minimal furniture. She placed her bag on the table and sighed, thinking about the day that had just passed. After having a quick lunch, she decided to unwind.

The bathroom was dimly lit, with a faint glow coming from the bulb above. She filled the bathtub with warm water and added some bath salts she had saved for a moment like this. Slowly, she sank into the tub, letting the warm water envelop her tired body. The tension began to ease, and for a brief moment, she felt at peace.

As she tilted her head back, her gaze fell upon the mirror hanging above the sink. Her reflection stared back at her. For a fleeting second, she smiled, thinking about how far she'd come in life. But her smile faded as quickly as it had appeared.

Niharika's image flashed in her mind. Her perfect complexion, her radiant smile, her sparkling eyes—it was as if Niharika embodied everything Jhumki had ever wanted to be. A sense of inadequacy washed over her.

Jhumki sat up slightly, staring harder at herself in the mirror. She saw her tanned skin, her uneven teeth, the pimples and acne scars dotting her face. The comparison between her and Niharika was almost unbearable.

"She’s so innocent… so sweet," Jhumki muttered to herself, her voice barely audible over the sound of the water. "She never deserved that. She’s perfect, and everything about her is just so… right. She even has Shivaay sir. How could someone like me ever compete with her?"

Her hands gripped the edge of the tub as her thoughts grew darker. For a moment, guilt pricked at her conscience. Was she doing the right thing by siding with Ragini? Was her desperation for Shivaay's love and attention clouding her judgment?

She let out a shaky breath, her reflection in the mirror looking just as unsure as she felt. "Am I doing the right thing? Or am I just ruining an innocent woman’s life because of my own insecurities?"

The water rippled gently around her as she sank deeper into her thoughts. The answer, however, seemed as murky as the feelings swirling inside her.

Sorry for disturbance

Author's Note:

Hey lovely readers!

Please don't hate me for how Jhumki perceives her appearance. The way she views herself is a reflection of her insecurities, not the truth. Everyone is beautiful in their own unique way, and beauty is so much more than what we see in the mirror. It's about kindness, compassion, and the way we carry ourselves.

Jhumki’s thoughts are shaped by her struggles and experiences, and they don't define her worth. Remember, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, and every single one of us shines in our own light.

With love,

[Naabhya]

Jhumki leaned back in the bathtub, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. The thought of Niharika lingered in her mind, making her feel even more unsettled. She bit her lip and whispered to herself, "But I’m doing this to get Shivaay Sir's love. He was the only one who cared for me when no one else did. He gave me a chance when the whole world turned its back on me. Don’t I deserve a little happiness too?"

Her fists clenched under the water as conflicting emotions swirled within her. "She already has everything—beauty, a loving family, and now him. And what do I have? Nothing."

Her voice cracked as she tried to justify her actions. "I know it’s wrong. She’s innocent, sweet, and doesn’t deserve harm. But...but maybe if I follow Ragini's plan, Shivaay Sir will notice me. He’ll realize I’ve been here for him all along, not her."

Jhumki glanced at the mirror again, her reflection staring back with a mix of guilt and longing. "It’s not fair...but I can’t stop now. I’ve come too far to turn back."

With that, she stepped out of the bathtub, wrapping herself in a towel as if trying to shield herself from her own thoughts. Little did she know, her decisions were about to set off a chain of events that would change everything—not just for her, but for everyone around her.

In California, Shivaay sat in his sleek office, the panoramic view of the city barely holding his attention. His piercing gaze was locked on Prashant, who stood before him with a file in hand. The tension in the room was palpable as Prashant began speaking.

“Sir,” Prashant started, clearing his throat. “Here’s all the information about Kanishk Verma. He was, in fact, Niharika’s cousin—actually, her step-cousin. From their school days, they were in the same class, and he developed a liking for her.”

Shivaay’s jaw tightened, and he leaned forward slightly, his fingers interlocked on the desk. “He liked her? And he didn’t care that they were cousins?”

Prashant nodded. “Yes, sir. Kanishk didn’t see her as a cousin because he believed she was the illegitimate daughter of his mausaji, Vishal Verma, and his girlfriend, Shikha. It was a baseless assumption he clung to, and it only fueled his obsession with her.”

Shivaay’s brows furrowed, his mind racing. “Obsession?”

“Yes, sir. His so-called ‘love’ for her wasn’t genuine. It was more of a twisted fixation. He confessed his feelings to her, but when she rejected him, he...he forced himself on her once.”

Shivaay’s fists slammed the desk, his anger flaring. “He dared to force her?” His voice was dangerously low, his eyes burning with fury.

Prashant flinched but continued. “After that incident, his father, who was a businessman, tried to cover up the matter. But Kanishk was sent away to avoid further trouble. That’s all we have for now.”

Shivaay leaned back in his chair, his mind churning. The thought of anyone harming Niharika, especially someone from her own family, made his blood boil. His voice was calm, yet cold as ice.

“Keep digging. I want every detail about this man’s life, every person he’s connected to. And find out how he’s been getting information about Niharika and me. Someone is helping him, and I need to know who.”

Prashant nodded firmly. “Yes, sir. I’ll start immediately.”

As Prashant left, Shivaay stared out the window, his thoughts dark and heavy. “Someone in my home played this game. Someone close. And they’re working with Kanishk. But who?”

The weight of betrayal gnawed at him, and a dangerous glint appeared in his eyes. “Whoever it is, they won’t get away with it. Niharika is mine, and I’ll protect her at any cost.”

Shivaay's his brow furrowed as he reviewed the reports on his desk. His phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen to see Riya’s name flashing. He quickly answered.

“Riya?” he said, his tone calm but curious.

“Bhaiya,” Riya began, her voice filled with a mixture of relief and concern, “I need to tell you something that happened at home today.”

Shivaay sat up straighter. “What happened? Is everyone okay?”

“Yes, everyone’s fine now,” Riya assured him, “but there was an incident in the kitchen. Bhabhi asked Jhumki to place the pot for the daal. While she was doing that, Bhabhi’s phone buzzed, and she stepped out to answer it. Right after she left, the pressure cooker exploded.”

Shivaay’s grip on the phone tightened, his voice dropping a notch. “The pressure cooker exploded? Was anyone hurt?”

“Thankfully, no,” Riya said quickly. “Bhabhi was out of the kitchen, and Jhumki was standing a little away from it. But it was chaotic. Chachi Sa scolded Jhumki, saying she must have been careless while closing the lid. And you know Bhabhi—she said it’s okay and told everyone to calm down.”

Shivaay exhaled, his mind immediately going into overdrive. “Why wasn’t the lid secured properly? Jhumki’s been working in the kitchen for years. She should know better.”

“I don’t know,” Riya admitted. “Jhumki looked terrified and kept apologizing. She said she thought the lid was closed properly, but

Shivaay sat in his office, his mind still racing with the terrifying thought of what could have happened to Niharika. After hearing that she was fine, a sense of relief washed over him. However, his frustration quickly took over when he remembered the pressure cooker incident. He immediately called Jhumki, his anger barely contained.

When Jhumki picked up the phone, she could feel the tension in his voice. She was thrilled that he called her, but now, as the moment arrived, she could feel her pulse racing.

"What I heard is right, Jhumki?" Shivaay's voice was cold and authoritative. "You were careless with the pressure cooker?"

Jhumki’s heart skipped a beat. The excitement she had felt just moments before now turned into nervousness. She tried to steady her shaking hands before replying.

"Y-Yes, Sir... I... I didn’t close the lid properly..." Jhumki’s voice faltered, her guilt evident.

Shivaay’s anger was evident, but his concern for Niharika overshadowed it. "You know better, Jhumki. How could you be so careless? Do you understand the danger you put her in?"

Jhumki’s throat tightened as she began to feel the full weight of the situation. "I’m really sorry, Sir. It was an accident, I swear. I didn’t mean for it to happen."

Shivaay took a deep breath, trying to calm down. He didn't want to scare her more than necessary, but the anger was hard to shake. "It’s not just about the accident. It’s about the fact that you didn't ensure the safety of the household. Do you realize how close it was to a disaster?"

Jhumki’s voice cracked as she replied, "I... I know, Sir. I was careless, and I’ll never let it happen again. I’m truly sorry."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line. Shivaay closed his eyes for a moment, taking in the weight of the situation.

"Don’t let it happen again, Jhumki. You can’t afford to make mistakes like this. Not with Niharika. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir. I understand," Jhumki whispered, her voice barely audible.

Shivaay's tone softened just a little. "I’m glad Niharika is okay. That’s all that matters."

Jhumki’s breath released in relief, but she knew the consequences of this mistake would linger. "I’m sorry, Sir. I won’t disappoint you again."

The conversation ended, leaving Jhumki standing in her kitchen, heart still racing as she thought about the near-miss and the weight of Shivaay's words.