Chapter 47: When Silence Speaks Louder
Happily Unmarried- Part 4 (Updating Daily) (Hinglish) (Final Part)
Few Days Later,
At night,
At Naina's Apartment:
(The warm aroma of spices filled the cozy kitchen as Naina gave the dish one final stir, tasting it to check the seasoning.
Satisfied, she quickly wiped her hands on a towel and turned toward the counter where Vikram was chopping cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions with practiced ease.
The rhythmic sound of the knife against the wooden board filled the silence between them.
Naina glanced at him from the corner of her eyeâhis sleeves rolled up, his face calm yet focused.)
.
Just then,
(Vikram picked up a cucumber slice and casually held it near her lips.)
Vikram: (smiling) Lo, taste karke batao, fresh hai ya nahin.
Naina: (raises an eyebrow) Jaan, I can see it's fresh.
Vikram: (insisting) Arrey, dekhne se thodi pata chalta hai. Khao aur batao,
(He moved the slice closer. Naina rolled her eyes but let out a small amused smile. She then leaned in and took a small bite.)
Naina: Haan, fresh hai. Ab bas, mujhe kaam karne do.
Vikram: (smirked, and picked up another slice) Ek aur?
Naina: (gives him a warning look) Jaan!!!
(Vikram simply popped the slice into his own mouth and chuckled.
Before she could retort, her eyes flickered toward the dining area. Kiara and Kiaan were quietly arranging the table, their faces blank, movements robotic.
Normally, they would be arguing over who got to sit where or, busy playing their video games. But today, they hadn't even spoken a word.
Naina frowned and leaned closer to Vikram, lowering her voice.)
Naina: Yeh dono itne chup kyun hain?
(Vikram sighed, his expression shifting from playful to serious. He glanced at the kids before speaking.)
Vikram: (sighs, runs a hand through his hair) Pata nahi, Naina... Jab se 12th grade start hua hai, they've been like this. Bahut zyada pressure aa gaya hai. Studies, future planning, sab kuch ek saath aa raha hai aur shayad yeh dono handle nahi kar paa rahe hain. Main koshish karta hoon baat karne ki, unka stress kam karne ki... par...
(Naina's heart clenched. She knew how tough high school could be, but seeing her once-lively kids so withdrawn hurt.)
Naina: (speaks softly) Mujhe bura lagta hai, Jaan.... Saari zimmedaari aap par aa gayi hain. Agar aap chaaho toh bachche kuch din yahaan reh sakte hain. Aap bhi thoda relax karoge.
(Vikram looked at her for a long moment, his usual guarded expression softening. A small, tired smile played on his lips.)
Vikram: (murmurs) Theek hai.... dekhte hain!!
.
.
.
Later:
(As they all sat down for dinner, the table was filled with an array of delicious dishesâkadhai chicken, laccha paratha, peas pulao, and creamy dal makhani.
Naina had made everything her kids loved, hoping to see their faces light up like they used to when they were younger.
She served their plates, watching them closely, expecting at least a small reaction.
But Kiaan and Kiara barely looked at the food. An unusual silence hung over the table. Even though they were all sitting together for a meal, but the warmth of the moment felt incomplete.
Naina watched as Kiaan and Kiara toiled with their food, pushing it around on their plates instead of eating.)
Naina: (softly) Kiaan, tumhaari favorite dal makhani banayi hai maine... aur Kiara, yeh kadhai chicken, tumhe kitna pasand hain naa??
(Kiaan forced a smile and took a small bite, but his heart wasn't in it.
Kiara barely looked up. Vikram took a bite of his roti, and glanced at the kids.)
Vikram: (worried) Tum dono itne chup kyun ho? Aaj dinner ke time itni shaanti ho gayi?
Kiara: (speaks softly) Kuch nahi, Papa. Just tired.
(Naina sighed, knowing they weren't telling the whole truth. She exchanged a glance with Vikram, the worry evident in both their eyes.
This wasn't just about school stressâthis was something deeper.)
Naina: Kiaan, itna kam-kam kyun khaa rahe ho??? acche se khaao!!!
Kiaan: Nahi mumma... bas, bhook nahi hai zyada.
(Naina's eyes softened. She could sense something was off. She put down her spoon and looked at both of them carefully.)
Naina: Bhook nahi hai? Matlab? Tabiyat toh theek hai na?
(Vikram also noticed the kids' behavior and set his plate aside.)
Vikram: Haan, mujhe bhi kuch ajeeb lag raha hai. Tum dono theek ho?
(Kiaan and Kiara exchanged glances. Naina and Vikram waiting for an answer only made it harder to put their thoughts into words. Finally, Kiaan exhaled and spoke up.)
Kiaan: Bas... ajeeb lag raha hai, Mumma.
Naina: (softly) Kya ajeeb lag raha hai, beta?
.
.
.
Then,
(Kiara finally looked up, her voice hesitant.)
Kiara: Yeh... sab kuch.
(Naina and Vikram exchanged a look.)
Kiara: Papa, aap bhi yahaan ho, Mumma bhi... lekin fir bhi sab kuch alag lagta hai. Jaise kuch off ho.
(Naina felt her heart clench. She had tried to keep things as normal as possible for them, but clearly, it wasn't working.)
Kiaan: (quietly) Jab aap dono alag reh rahe thay na, tab bhi problem thi... Aur ab jab aap ek saath ho, tab bhi... Feeling hi nahi aati... woh pehle jaise, ghar waali feel nahi aati hai.
Kiara: Jab aap dono alag- alag they... tb definitely things seemed off....but aap dono ke saath hone ke baad bhi lagta hai ki... kuch missing hai.
(Naina swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around her napkin.
Kiara noticed her mother and hesitated before speaking again.)
Kiara: Aap, Mumma. Aap hamaare saath hoke bhi, saath nahi ho.
(Naina's breath hitched. She looked at Vikram, whose jaw tightened slightly. He remained quiet, letting the kids speak their hearts out.
Kiaan avoided her gaze, while Kiara looked up, her lips trembling.)
.
.
And then,
(suddenly, the dam broke. Her eyes welled up, and she dropped her spoon onto the plate, covering her face with her hands.)
Kiara: Mumma... mujhe aapki bahut yaad aati hai! (her voice cracked as she looked at Naina) Aap ho... par phir bhi nahi ho!
(Naina's heart clenched. The weight of her daughter's words settled deep in her chest. She immediately moved closer, placing a gentle, reassuring hand on Kiara's arm.)
Naina: (whispering) Kiara... beta, main toh yahin hoon...
Kiara: Haan! Jab bhi Dadi busy hoti hain, tabhi hum chaaron mil paate hain! Jab unka koi aur plan hota hai, tabhi hum ek family dinner ke liye jaa sakte hain! Yeh normal hai kya, Mumma?
(Vikram inhaled sharply, his jaw tightening.
His fingers curled into a fist on the table, but he said nothing.
Naina felt like someone had ripped the floor from beneath her.)
Kiara: (sobbing) Aapke saath koi plan banaane ke liye bhi... hame pehle sochna padta hai, planning karni padti hai... kyun? Yeh normal hai kya?!
(Naina's throat tightened. She blinked rapidly, trying to fight the guilt gnawing at her chest.
She had always known things weren't the sameâbut hearing it, feeling it through her daughter's words, was unbearable.
Vikram closed his eyes briefly, as if he, too, hated hearing this truth out loud.
Kiaan, who had been pushing his food around his plate, spoke up... his voice softer but just as heavy.)
Kiaan: Haan Mumma, aap hamesha major events ke liye saath hote ho... but jo chhoti- chhoti baatein hoti hain na, woh toh miss ho jaati hain.
(Naina's fingers curled around her napkin as an uneasy feeling settled in her chest.)
Kiaan: Chhoti- chhoti baatein... unki sabse zyada yaad aati hai. Jaise... subah- subah aapka hame school ke liye uthaana...
Kiara: (sniffling) Doodh peene ke liye force karna!
Kiaan: Aur weekend par aapka humare saath aise hi baithna, bina kisi planning ke...
Kiara: And our birthdays!!! (voice breaking) Subah-subah sabse pehle aap wish karti thi⦠you would wake us up with so much love, hug karti thi, kiss karti thi⦠kitne mann se aap ghar sajaati thi!!! Not even a dinner at a five-star restaurant can beat all that!
(Kiaan looked away, swallowing hard, his emotions threatening to spill over.)
Kiaan: (quietly) Diwali also doesnât feel the same without you⦠Aap hamaari favourite mithaai pehle se hi alag rakh deti thi, taaki guests ko baatne ke chakkar mein kahin kam naa ho jaayeâ¦
(Kiara wiped her cheeks furiously, her voice trembling but firm.)
Kiara: And whenever we fell sick, aapko kya lagta hai? Hum Papa ki di hui dawai se theek hote thay??? Nahi! It was your motherâs touch, Mumma!!! Jab aap pyaar se hamaare sar pe haath pher leti thi na⦠tabhi sab theek ho jaata thaâ¦
Kiaan: (softly) And you are forgetting the nazar utaarnaâ¦
Kiara: (nodding) Haan⦠yeh chhoti-chhoti moments⦠we miss them the most!
(A beat of silence. The weight of their words hung in the air like a storm about to break.
Then, unexpectedly, Kiara let out a tearful laugh, shaking her head.)
Kiara: (sniffles) Sabse zyada toh mujhe aapki daant ki yaad aati hai!
Naina: (blinking) Daant?
Kiara: (nodding vigorously) Haan! Pehle jab hum kuch galti karte thay, toh bina soche samjhe daant padti thi. Ab aap hame daant ti bhi nahi ho⦠Aapko lagta hoga ki, waise hi aap hamaare saath kam time spend karte ho, toh why scold unnecessarily?
(Naina let out a short, tearful laugh. Her daughter had read her mind so well. Guilt swelled in her chest, raw and unrelenting.
Kiara wiped her nose with the back of her hand, her eyes searching Nainaâs face.)
Kiara: Mumma⦠I miss all of that!!! Pehle aap haq se mera phone confiscate kar liya karti thi⦠but now I feel like our relationship has become too formal⦠jaise hum sirf zaroorat ke waqt mil rahe ho!
Kiaan: (whispering) Mumma⦠kabhi-kabhi aap humare liye khana banati ho⦠but phir bhi⦠hum aapke haath ke khaane ka taste, dheere-dheere bhoolte ja rahe hainâ¦
(Nainaâs lips parted, but no words came out.)
Kiara: (teary-eyed) Can you imagine.... I even miss your haldi waala doodh, Mumma⦠(sniffles) Dadi deti hain, every night⦠but she does it out of duty. We miss your love!
(Naina swallowed hard, her throat burning. She looked at her kids, trying so hard to stay composed yet failing.
Her babies were hurting.
Because of her.
.
.
(A heavy silence settled between them. Naina's fingers trembled as she gripped the edge of the table.
Her heart pounded against her ribs, unsure if it was from shock, pain, or something else entirely.)
Vikram took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. His voice was raw, his eyes carrying emotions he had long buried.
Vikram: Naina⦠Pehle mujhe bhi lagta tha ki, bachon ke saath time spend karna kaafi hoga, lekin ab samajh aaya hai⦠that this is not enough.
(Naina sucked in a sharp breath, looking away. Vikram leaned forward slightly, his voice softer now, almost pleading.)
Vikram: Bachhon ko tumhaari zaroorat toh hai hi.... but I need you in my life too.... (teary) Har raat jab tumse phone pe baat hoti hai⦠it feels good. But itâs not enough. Phone pe baat karna, aur samne baith ke dil ki baat kehna, dono mein zameen-aasmaan ka farak hai, Naina!!! Tumse baat hoti hai, lekin tumhe mehsoos nahi kar sakta. Tumhare saath kabhi maine waqt nahi bitaaya... aur abhi bhi apni convinience ke hisaab se milte hain.... and this is my biggest mistake.
(Naina blinked rapidly, her throat tight. She wanted to say something, but no words came out.)
Vikram: Main nahi chahta ki hum ek dusre ke liye sirf zaroorat ke waqt ya responsibilities ke waqt milein! Yeh sirf bachon ki baat nahi hai, Naina. Yeh humari bhi baat hai.
(He exhaled, his gaze flickering to Kiara and Kiaan, then back to her.)
Vikram: Humne tumhe second priority banaya, par tumne hamesha humko apni pehli priority rakhaâ¦
(Nainaâs eyes snapped to his, shocked.)
Vikram: I got used to this system of living like boyfriend- girlfriend!!! Tum apne ghar, aur main apne ghar.... Lekin sach yeh hai ki main khush nahi hoon. Aise alag- alsg rehkar toh zindagi bas chal rahi hai.... but ab main apni zindagi jeena chahta hoon, Naina⦠tumhare saath!
(Vikramâs voice cracked slightly, and he shook his head as if frustrated with himself.)
Vikram: Main jaanta hoon, tumhe yahaan kitna akelapan mehsoos hota hoga⦠har din, har raat. Main nahi chahta ki tum akeli rahoâ¦
(Naina's breath hitched. She looked at him, really looked at himâbeyond the composed cardiac surgeon, beyond the father of her children. And for the first time in a long time, she saw a man who was not just regretful, but longing.)
.
.
.
Then,
(Taking a deep breath, she finally looked up, her voice barely above a whisper.)
Naina: Aap sab ne mujhe pehle kuch bataya kyun nahi? Itne time tak⦠why did you keep this in your heart?
(Kiara and Kiaan exchanged hesitant glances. It was Kiara who spoke first, her voice careful yet firm.)
Kiara: Because you were finally free, Mumma.
(Nainaâs brows furrowed in confusion, but Kiaan continued before she could ask anything.)
Kiaan: You were living the life you deserved. No schedules, no stress, no endless responsibilitiesâ¦
Kiara: Humne dekha tha aapko pehle⦠kaise aap humesha thak jaati thi, kaise aapke paas apne liye bhi time nahi hota tha. And after the divorce⦠for the first time, you seemed⦠lighter.
Kiaan: Happy.
(Naina inhaled sharply. She had thought she had hidden her exhaustion well. Clearly, she hadnât.)
Kiara: We didnât want you to get burdened with everything again.
(Naina blinked rapidly, her throat tightening. She then looked at Vikram.
Vikram exhaled, running a hand over his face before meeting her gaze.)
Vikram: Main tumhe force nahi karna chahta tha, Naina.
(Naina stiffened.)
Vikram: Agar main tumse kehta ki bachche tumhe miss kar rahe hain⦠Main tumhe miss laar raha hoon.... ki ghar waise nahi raha jaise pehle tha⦠toh tumhe lagta main tumpe pressure daal raha hoon.
(A silence stretched between them. A silence filled with things left unsaid for too long.)
Vikram: Main nahi chahta tha ki tum sirf guilt mein wapas aao.
Kiara: And we didnât want you to feel⦠obligated.
(Naina looked at their facesâher babies, who had been trying to protect her, when all along, she should have been the one protecting them.
Naina pulled both her kids into a hug, her hands cupping thwir faces. Her fingers trembled as she wiped their tears away, though her own wouldnât stop flowing. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before she spoke.)
Naina: Mujhe maaf kar do, mere bacchonâ¦
(Her voice cracked, and Kiara instantly shook her head, but Naina held up her hand.)
Naina: Nahi, listen to me⦠I never wanted to hurt you... Main sochti thi ki main tumhari life ka hissa ban rahi hoon⦠par shayad maine kabhi yeh mehsoos hi nahi kiya ki main actually door ja rahi hoon!
(Kiaan sniffled, holding onto her hand.)
Naina: I was missing all the small moments jo hum ek saath kiya karte thay! Tum dono ko yaad hai... yaad hai jab tumhara koi test ya competition hota tha... and when you did well... tab tum dono ki demand hoti thi.... Mumma, besan ka halwa chahiye!!!
(Kiara let out a watery laugh, nodding. Naina smiled through her tears.)
Kiaan: extra dry-fruits ke saath!!!
Naina: Yes!!! Aur main woh khushi- khushi banaati thi... aaj kal, your Dadi does that for you...
(Kiara bit her lip, looking down. Naina cupped her cheek, gently lifting her face.)
Naina: (gets teary) I mean I am happy that she is doing all of this for you.... but sad feel karti hoon that she spending the moments meant for me!!!!
Kiaan: I miss that too, Mumma!!! dadi kabhi bhi aapke jitna taste halwa nahi bana sakti!!!
Naina: (chuckles) tumhaari dadi ne hi, mujhe halwa banana sikhaaya hai!!!
Kiaan: so??? We like yours better!!!!
Naina: (smiles and ruffles his hair) I miss our Saturday game nights.... Yaad hai, tumhaare papa toh tab mujhe avoid hi karte thay.... Toh, tum, main aur Kiara koi bhi board le kar baith jaate thay.... Even I miss those moments (wipes her tears)
Kiaan: we miss those too, mumma!!!
Naina: Aur Vikram ji.... we never had any wonderful memories together... pehle, tou never let it happen.... now... i am not letting it happen!!!
Vikram: don't blame yourself, Naina. It's not your fault.... we just miss you!!!!
Naina: Aap ne toh mujhe propose bhi kiya tha... but maine hi aapko reject kar diya!!!!...... I was so nervous about your mother... about coming back into that house... that I let my fears get in the way!!! I didn't realize what it was doing to you all of you......
(Both kids stare at her, stunned.)
Kiara: (eyes wide) Propose??? Yeh kab hua?
Kiaan: (in disbelief) And you said no???
(Vikram smirked and spoke. His voice laced with playful sarcasm.)
Vikram: Nahi... she said yes, sirf meri dignity maintain karne ke liye, taaki mere doston ke saamne scene naa ban jaye. (pauses, smirking) Par phir jab akele mein mili... toh bahut pyaar se reject kar diya!
(Kiara gasps dramatically and turns to Vikram.)
Kiara: (mock-serious) Aapka toh dil hi tut gaya hoga???
(Vikram clutches his chest dramatically, pretending to be heartbroken.)
Vikram: Tukde-tukde ho gaye thay, baccha! (chuckles) Bahut dukh hua tha!
(Naina bursts into laughter, shaking her head.)
Naina: Vikram ji... bas, kuch bhi!
(The tension melts into warm laughter as the kids shake their heads at their parents' antics.
But then Vikram goes into serious mode)
Vikram: (firmly) Naina.... I like the new you.... in fact, I am in love with this version of you!!!!
(Naina blinked in surprise.)
Vikram: Pehle tum thodi confused rehti thi, darri- darri si rehti thi... lekin ab... ab tum strong ho, confident ho.... Sherni ho tum!!!!
(He paused, his expression turning serious.)
Vikram: Toh phir tum maa ka saamna kyun nahi kar pa rahi ho?
(Naina stiffened. The kids sat up straighter, watching their father intently.)
Kiara: Mumma, We're not small kids anymore!!!! Hame sab samajh aata hai.... this time, even we will take a stand for you!!!! Papa bhi ab aapke saath hain... toh aapko bas ek kadam aage badhaana hai.
Kiaan: (nodding fiercely) Haan.... Baaki... hum kar lenge!
(Vikram let out a soft, watery chuckle, looking at his children with pride. He turned to Naina, his eyes shining with unspoken emotions.)
Vikram: (seriously) Naina, mein toh bas tumhaari darr ki wajah se ruka hua tha... warna maine toh maa ko, sab kuch bata dena tha!!!! (noticing her reaction) and this time, main sirf tumhaare saath nahi, Naina... tumhaare aage khada rahunga.
(Naina's breath hitched. She turned to look at him, searching his face for any doubt, but there was none.)
Vikram: Maa ke maamle mein, main koi nonsense, tolerate nahi karunga. I will not let anything get to you!!! jo bhi hoga, I will tackle it myself.
(For the first time in a long time, Naina felt something shift inside her.
Maybe it was hope. Maybe it was courage.
Or maybe it was just the simple, profound realization that her children still needed herânot just as a mother, but as a part of their everyday lives.
And this time, she wouldn't let them down.)
Naina: Main aap sabke saath rehna chahti hoon.... not just around you. I don't want to just see your special moments in videosâI want to be there. I want to be a part of your routine, again!!!!
Vikram: Phir sab theek karte hain naa, Naina. We didn't come this far just to let things stay aadha- adhoora!!!!
Naina: Alright.... Let's work on it!!!! Mujhe koi farak nahi padta ki Aunty ji likes it or not...... I will do whatever I can to get back into your lives.
(Vikram smiled. He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table.)
Vikram: Seriously?
Kiaan: (looking at Naina with hopeful eyes) Mumma, do you mean it?
(Naina looked him in the eye, determination shining through her unshed tears.)
Naina: I do.
Kiara: (smirked, finally relaxing) Good. Because main aapke haath ke bane paraathe miss kar rahi thi, Mumma. Seriously, papa just cannot compete.
(Vikram rolled his eyes while Naina let out a laugh, reaching over to ruffle Kiara's hair.)
As laughter finally filled the room, something shifted between themâa silent promise that this time, they were going to make things right. Together.)
.
.
.
Then,
(Seeing this, a small smile crept onto Kiaan's lips.)
Kiaan: I'm happy you're taking this step, Mumma... but whatever you do, just wait until after Kiara's National Championship. Don't want her to take unnecessary stress.
(Vikram and Naina both turned to look at Kiaan, surprised by his maturity. Kiara looked at her brother, touched.)
Kiara: (looked up, surprised) Kiaan?? Tumhe itni fikar hai meri?
Kiaan: (grinning) Obviously! You know how Dadi is already against your racing. If Mumma and Papa make a move now and trigger her, you'll get even more stressed. (He looked at Naina.) I know you're ready to fight for us, and I respect that. But let Kiara focus abhi. She's been working so hard for this.
(Vikram and Naina exchanged a glance, both of them touched by Kiaan's thoughtfulness.)
Naina: (smiled, cups his face) Mera beta toh sabse samajhdaar nikla.
Vikram: (nodded) He's right, Naina. We'll take things one step at a time.
(As the family continued their meal, the weight in the room lifted. For the first time in a long while, they felt like a team again.
And this time, Vikram and Naina were ready to fight for her place in their home.)
________________________________________________________________________________
Author's Note ð¢ð
Hey, amazing readers! ð¤ð«
I hope this chapter made you feel all the emotionsâlove, nostalgia, family bonds, and of course, a little drama! ððð¥ Naina, Vikram, and their kids are on a journey filled with complicated emotions, heartfelt confessions, and tough choices. But what do you think? Will Naina finally take that bold step forward? Will Vikram stand strong by her side? And what about Dadi? ð¬ð
Drop your thoughts in the commentsâI love reading them! ðð Your feedback, theories, and reactions mean the world to me! Also, don't forget to VOTE â if you enjoyed the chapterâit really motivates me to keep writing! ð¥°â¨
Hit that FOLLOW button for regular updates so you don't miss what happens next! ðð More twists, emotions, and heartwarming moments coming your way! ðð
Stay awesome, and see you in the next update! ðð¥