[14]

At the Airport

The airport buzzed with activity, but Vidhi and Vidhan stood apart from the commotion, lost in their own little world. Vidhi’s lips formed an adorable pout as she clung to Vidhan’s arm.

“How will I spend these two weeks without you?” she asked, her voice soft and tinged with sadness.

Vidhan smiled and, without a word, pulled her into a tight embrace. His arms wrapped around her protectively, as if shielding her from the time and distance that would soon separate them.

“I will miss you, Vidhan,” Vidhi murmured, her face buried in his chest, her voice barely audible over the sounds of the terminal.

“I will miss you too, Vidhi,” Vidhan replied, his voice steady yet filled with emotion. He rested his chin gently on her head, inhaling the comforting scent of her hair.

Vidhi pulled back slightly, just enough to look up at him. Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears, but her lips curved into a playful smile. “Now go fast, otherwise I won’t let you go,” she teased, though her voice carried a hint of seriousness.

Vidhan chuckled at her words, but instead of letting go, he tightened his grip on her waist. He leaned down, his face resting in the curve of her neck. “I will be back soon,” he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.

The sincerity in his voice melted her heart, and as he pulled back, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. The soft, lingering touch made a smile creep onto her face, and without hesitation, she reciprocated, rising on her toes to press a kiss to his forehead.

Vidhan’s eyes softened as he gazed at her. “I should leave now,” he said reluctantly, his fingers brushing against hers as he prepared to step away.

“Bye,” Vidhi said, her pout returning in full force.

Vidhan paused for a moment, unable to resist her adorable expression. A mischievous smile played on his lips as he leaned down and brushed his lips softly against hers—a fleeting touch that left her momentarily frozen in shock.

As he pulled back, his grin widened. “Bye, Vidhi. Take care,” he said, his tone laced with affection.

Vidhi stood rooted to the spot, watching as he walked away, his figure disappearing into the sea of travelers. A wave of sadness washed over her, but it was quickly replaced

by the lingering sensation of his lips on hers.

Her fingers instinctively rose to touch her lips, her cheeks flushing as a shy smile spread across her face.

“Two weeks,” she whispered to herself. “I’ll wait.”

********************

Two days had passed, yet Rishit neither visited Oberoi Mansion nor the office.

Ahuja Mansion

“Rishit kaha hai, Kartik?” Meera’s voice echoed through the grand living room, her tone sharp and unyielding.

( Where is Rishit )

Kartik stood silently before her, his gaze fixed on the marble floor, unable to muster a response.

Meera’s piercing eyes scanned him for answers. Beside her, Vaani and Yash waited in tense anticipation, their expressions reflecting a mix of worry and impatience.

“I am asking you something, Kartik! Where is Rishit?” Meera’s voice rose, carrying a blend of authority and deep concern.

“I... I don’t know, aunty,” Kartik finally admitted, his voice low.

“Usne tumse kuch bhi nahi kaha?” Meera pressed, her anger apparent, though it couldn’t mask the undercurrent of sadness in her voice.

( He didn't told you anything )

Kartik hesitated, then replied cautiously, " No aunty ".

“Kya woh wahan gaya tha?” Meera’s sudden question left Yash stunned and Vaani visibly perplexed. Her voice now carried a sorrowful tremor.

( Did he visited there )

“Haan... woh party wali raat wahan gaya tha,” Kartik confessed hesitantly. “Lekin ab woh wahan bhi nahi hai.” His gaze flickered toward Vaani, who appeared even more confused.

( Yes...he went their but now he is not there )

Meera nodded solemnly, her lips trembling as she said, “Pata lagao, Kartik. Rishit kaha hai... kaha hai mera bachcha.”

( Find out, Kartik. Where is Rishit...where is my child )

“Haan, aunty, I’m trying,” Kartik assured her, his determination firm. Then, turning to Vaani, he added, “Bhabhi, mujhe aapse kuch zaruri baat karni hai... akele mein.”

( I wanna have a conversation with you )

“Haan,” Vaani replied, nodding slightly as they made their way to the garden area.

( Okay )

As the cool night air surrounded them, Vaani asked, “Kya baat karni hai, Kartik?” Her tone was calm but laced with curiosity.

( What do want to ask Kartik )

“Us raat kya hua tha, bhabhi?” Kartik asked, his voice edged with urgency.

( What happened that night )

“Mujhe kuch yaad nahi hai, Kartik,” Vaani admitted, frustration apparent in her expression.

( I don't remember anything Kartik )

“Yaad karne ki koshish kariye, bhabhi,” Kartik urged, his tone intense. “Kyuki usi raat ke baad Rishit ghar nahi aaya hai.”

( Try to remember... because Rishit didn't came home from that night only )

Vaani closed her eyes, straining to recall the events of that night, but the memories eluded her.

“I can’t remember, Kartik,” she said helplessly, her voice faltering.

Kartik sighed heavily, his frustration giving way to resignation. “It’s okay, bhabhi. I should leave now... take care,” he said before walking away, leaving Vaani standing alone under the starlit sky.

Vaani gazed up, her glossy eyes reflecting the sadness she felt within. She clenched her phone, dialing a number with trembling fingers.

After a few rings, Rhea’s voice greeted her.

“Pata lagane ki koshish karo ki Rishit kaha hai. Fast,” Vaani commanded, her tone sharp with urgency.

( Try to find out that where is Rishit, fast )

“Okay, boss,” Rhea responded promptly before the call ended.

Vaani returned inside, settling on the couch beside Meera.

“Aap tension mat lijiye, Maa. Rishit aa jayega,” Vaani said softly, attempting to console her. But her words fell flat.

( Don't worry mom, Rishit will be back )

“Woh nahi aayega, Vaani,” Meera replied, her voice hollow with despair.

( He won't come Vaani )

“Kya Rishit pehle bhi aisa kar chuka hai?” Vaani inquired, her curiosity piqued.

( “Has Rishti done this before)

Meera simply hummed in response, her face clouded with unspoken emotions.

Vaani’s mind raced. “Rishit pehle bhi gayab ho chuka hai... but kyun?” Determined to find answers, she opened her mouth to ask Meera further, but Meera interrupted.

( Rishit has already disappeared before... but why )

“Tumhe so jana chahiye, beta,” Meera suggested gently.

( You should sleep now )

“But Maa—”

“No ifs and buts. Jao, so jao,” Meera insisted firmly, leaving no room for argument.

Reluctantly, Vaani rose and walked toward her room.

Meera watched her retreating figure with a melancholic gaze. A sigh escaped her lips as she whispered, “Socha tha tum mere bete ki zindagi badal dogi, par mere bete ne apne aap ko hi tumse door kar liya.”

( I thought you would change my son's life, but my son distanced himself from you )

Her voice grew softer, imbued with hope as she added, “Par mujhe poora vishwas hai ki tum mere bete ko phir se jeena sikhogi. Tumhara pyaar phir se uski zindagi mein khushiyan bharega. Mujhe vishwas hai... tum par bhi aur mere Kanha par bhi.”

( But I have full faith that you will teach my son to live again. Your love will fill his life with happiness again. I have faith... in you and in my Kanha too )

With that, Meera turned and walked to her room, her heart heavy yet brimming with quiet faith.

********************

The Next Morning

The Oberoi family sat tensely in the living room, their expressions a mixture of hope and desperation as they waited for Kartik to return with any news about Rishit.

The silence was palpable, broken only by the occasional sound of a ticking clock.

Finally, Kartik entered, his face downcast.

“Kuch pata chala? Kaha hai Rishit?” Meera asked, her voice betraying her diminishing patience.

( Did you found anything, where is he )

Kartik shook his head slowly. “Nahi, aunty. Maine usse dhoondhne ki kitni koshish ki, par woh nahi mila,” he said, the disappointment heavy in his tone.

A wave of dismay swept across the room, their hopes dimming further.

“Keep trying, Kartik,” Meera instructed, her resolve steady despite her sadness. Kartik nodded and left, his steps weighed down by the burden of his failure.

A Week Later

An entire week passed with no sign of Rishit. Neither Kartik nor Rhea had managed to uncover his whereabouts. The atmosphere in the mansion had grown somber, each passing day deepening the worry etched on everyone’s faces.

For Vaani, the agony was almost unbearable. She had no answers—only an unsettling void left by Rishit’s sudden disappearance.

That evening, the silence of the Oberoi Mansion was disrupted by the sound of Kartik’s hurried footsteps. He entered the living room with an energy that had been missing for days.

“Pata chal gaya ki Rishit kaha hai!” he announced, his voice brimming with excitement. His eyes sparkled with relief and triumph.

( I got an information about Rishit )

“Kahan hai?” Vaani asked immediately, her voice quivering with curiosity and hope.

( Where is he )

“Jaldi batao, Kartik! Kahan hai Rishit?” Meera echoed, her urgency matching Vaani’s.

( Tell us fast Kartik, where is he )

Kartik took a deep breath, his gaze moving between them before delivering the long-awaited answer. “Dehradun.”

The name hung in the air, reverberating in their minds.

For Vaani, the revelation brought a glimmer of joy—a step closer to reuniting with Rishit. For Meera and Yash, however, the word carried a deeper, more ominous weight.

“Rishit Dehradun mein hai?” Meera asked, as though needing confirmation of the unthinkable.

( Rishit is in Dehradun )

“Haan, aunty,” Kartik affirmed.

Yash and Meera exchanged a look, their expressions clouded with emotions too complex to name. Meanwhile, Vaani smiled—a radiant, unguarded smile that spoke of her eagerness to bring Rishit back.

“Vaani,” Meera began, her voice soft but deliberate.

Vaani turned to her, her face painted with confusion.

“Kya tum Dehradun jaogi?” Meera asked, her question more of a gentle nudge than a directive.

( Will you go to Dehradun )

A wide grin spread across Vaani’s face. “Haan,” she replied instantly, her eyes lighting up with determination.

( Yes )

“Toh jao, packing kar lo. Aaj raat ki flight se jaana,” Meera said, her tone encouraging yet firm.

( Then pack you bags, you leave by tonight )

Vaani nodded eagerly and disappeared to prepare for her journey.

As her figure vanished up the stairs, Meera’s expression shifted to one of quiet resolve. Her gaze lingered where Vaani had stood moments before.

“Mujhe poora vishwas hai ki Vaani mere bacche ko phir se pyaar karna sikhayegi,” Meera murmured, a small smile playing on her lips.

( I am sure that Vaani will teach mu son to love again )

Yash broke the moment of reflection. “Woh sab theek hai, Meera. Par Rishit Dehradun kyun gaya?”

( It's good Meera but why is Rishit in Dehradun )

Meera’s expression darkened slightly as memories she’d tried to bury resurfaced. “Do saal ho gaye, Yash. Lekin woh aaj tak Dehradun nahi gaya.”

( It's been two years Yash but Rishit never visited Dehradun )

Kartik chimed in, his brows furrowed with thought. “Pata nahi, aunty. Par ek baat toh pakki hai—kuch toh hua hai jo woh do saalon baad wahan gaya hai.”

( Don't know, aunty. But one thing is certain - something must have happened that he has gone there after two years )

Meera sighed, her voice heavy with bitterness. “Mujhe nafrat hai us sheher se, Kartik. Us sheher ne mere bacche ko toda hai.”

( I hate that city Kartik, that city had broke my son )

But then, her tone softened, carrying a note of cautious optimism. “Par mujhe yeh bhi vishwas hai ki wahi sheher mere bacche ko phir se jeena sikhayega....kyunki Vaani wahan ja rahi hai.”

( But I also believe that the same city will teach my child to live again, because Vani is going there )

Kartik hesitated before voicing his lingering concern. “Par kya woh Dehradun mein move on kar payega?”

( But he be able to move on in Dehradun )

Meera’s gaze turned steely, her words unwavering. “Problem sheher nahi hai, Kartik. Main maanti hoon ki us sheher se uski bahut si yaadein judi hain. Par dard se bhaga nahi jaa sakta. Kyunki chahe jitni bhi koshish kar lo, dard aapka peecha nahi chhodta. Usse apnaya jaata hai aur move on kiya jaata hai.”

( The problem is not the city, Kartik. I believe that many of his memories are connected to that city. You can't run away from pain. Because no matter how hard you try, the pain will find you. It is accepted and moved on )

Kartik nodded slowly, Meera’s words sinking in. “Main ticket book karta hoon,” he said, and left to make the arrangements.

( I will book the tickets )

As the house settled into a quiet determination, Meera looked out of the window. The night stretched ahead, but with it came a flicker of hope. She trusted Vaani, and her kahna.

______________________________________

SPOILER :

Rishit’s eyes fluttered open, and the moment his gaze landed on Vaani standing before him, he recoiled and jumped to the opposite side of the bed. His widened eyes and parted lips betrayed his disbelief.

“Tum...tum yaha kaise?” he stammered, his voice laced with astonishment.

“Subhprabhat patidev,” Vaani quipped with a playful grin, her hands folded gracefully in a mock namaste.

____________________________________________________________________________

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