It's already been one week since the nightmare incident and I am still avoiding talking to Rudra. Maa, dad and he has gone back to Mumbai but I am staying in Delhi for some more days as I don't want to answer any of their questions.

I understand that I should tell them everything, especially Rudra. Yet, I am scared to recall the most horrible part of my life. So, I am going to wait for the correct time, and then I will reveal everything.

Everything aside, I have gotten a job offer and that also from Soniya. She needs an editor for her weekly magazine so she has asked if I want to do the job and of course I have told her yes.

I have asked Lakshya bhaiya to see if I can do online classes instead of going to college. He has told me that he will talk to the principal and arrange everything soon.

Everyone is pleased after hearing the news. But I want to know Rudra's response about me accepting the job offer as he was the first person to support my idea of doing a part-time job.

With that thought in mind, I dial his number. However, he doesn't receive my call which makes me a little sad.

Is he very angry with me for not talking to him? But he should understand that I was just not in my correct sense.

Again, I dial his number and this time too he doesn't pick up my call.

I throw my phone on the bed before sitting down on the floor with a huff. I hear the door being opened but don't look up to see who it is.

"What happened?" Roshni bhabhi asks sitting beside me on the floor.

"Nothing." I reply with a pout.

"Then why the long face my dear sister-in-law?" She asks.

"I don't want to talk about it." I reply.

"Okay, I will tell Rudra that you are upset with him." My head snaps towards her in an instant to see that she is smiling mischievously.

"Bhabhi! Why are you pulling my leg?" I let out with a fake cry.

"Oh, my drama queen. Stop throwing tantrums and call him asap. I don't get it, when you can't stay without talking to him then why try to pretend that? I understand that you are hesitant to tell him everything. But you need to remember that he is not an outsider, he is your husband." She explains while taking my hand in her.

"But what if he leaves me after learning everything?" I voice out my fear.

"Your brother asked him the same question and you know what he has replied?" She says in which I shake my head.

"He has replied that he is not someone who runs away from his promise. He has promised Papa to keep you safe and sound so no amount of nightmare can make him break his promise. He has also said that you are his wife and your well-being is utmost priority." I can feel my eyes moisten but I gulp before tears can make their way out of my eyes.

"You are very lucky to have him as your husband, Ishu. So, don't let your fear hold you back from living your life with him." By saying this she goes out of my room leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I get up from the floor before making my way towards the closest where the gift he has bought for me is situated. I haven't opened the gift yet so I don't know what's inside.

I take the wrapped-up box in my hand before peeling the wrapper off to find a jewelry box. At first, my mood dampen when I notice the logo of Tiffany & Co. But the moment I open the box an instant smile break out on my face seeing the beautiful pearl chain along with the butterfly pendant.

Although I know that it's very expensive but still I admire that he has gotten me a simple necklace. That means he remembers my choice of things.

I pick up my phone and dial a person's number which I know will help me without asking any question.

"I want to come back." I say over the phone.

"On my way." That person replies.

•••••••

"I don't care what you have to do Mr. Sahani. But I want the report ready by tomorrow morning. If not then you can say goodbye to your career." I yell while throwing the file on the floor.

"So-rr-y Sir. I wi-l-l get th-e-m done." Mr. Sahani, the head of the sales department of my company replies with a frightened voice before scurrying away from my cabin.

I slump down on the chair I am sitting while taking deep breaths to calm myself down. It's not the first time I have behaved this way with any of my employees. But this time my bad mood is responsible for everything that's going on.

It's been one week since Ishita has been avoiding me. I don't even know why because I don't remember telling her something that can make her sad. So, it's getting frustrating for me to concentrate on work.

I forgot to bring my phone with me yesterday and when I went home to get it back, I noticed that there were several missed call from Ishita. However, when I called her back she didn't receive my call.

I really want to hear her voice. But that girl is so stubborn so only god knows when she will start talking to me again.

I hear a knock on the door so I tell the person to come inside. Much to my surprise, Aarav walks inside before taking a seat across from me.

"What a pleasant surprise!" I exclaim because I thought he is out of town.

"How is everything going?" He asks.

"As hectic as always. What about you? I thought you are not coming back for another two weeks." I let out offering him a glass of water.

"I was so stressed lately because of Soniya's condition that I couldn't concentrate on my work and have to come back to be with her." He replies making me confuse.

"Condition? What condition are you talking about?" I ask.

"Don't get mad but I have been hiding something from you." He says with a sigh.

"Okay, I won't get mad." I assure him.

"Soniya is pregnan-" He doesn't get to complete his sentence because I am already up from my chair to give him a big hug.

"Wow man, congratulations. Wait let call my secretary and order some goodies for Soniya." I tell him and go to dial my secretary on the intercom. But he shakes his head with a sad look.

"The pregnancy is not normal. What I mean is that Soniya's womb is not strong enough to hold the baby for full term. So, there are high chances of something go wrong with both of them." My eyes widen hearing his words.

"Does she know it?" I ask.

"Hmm, she does and still she determines to not abort the baby. Currently, she is living with her parents as she thinks I will kill the baby." I feel bad for him because he is a very good guy who can't even hurt a fly. But I also understand Soniya's mental situation because it's not easy for a new mother to hear that her baby can die before birth.

"If you want I can talk to her or mom can talk to her." I answer trying to ease his tension.

"Let me try again and if still she doesn't listen to me then you can ask Archana aunty to talk to her." He replies.

We talk for half an hour before I have to attend a meeting. He takes his leave but promises to keep in touch. I also decide to go home after completing the meeting.

It's 4 PM when I reach home. I greet mom and ask her to send a coffee to my room. When I get inside the room I find female clothes on the bed but I don't think much about it because mom likes to arrange my closet sometimes.

I put my briefcase on the couch and take off my blazer. Then I walk towards the washroom but stop midway when I notice someone expected.

"What are you doing here?" I ask dumbfounded.

"If I remember correctly, I am your wife and that means this is my house too. So, can I not come back here?" Ishita asks standing in front of me.

"No, I didn't mean like that." I reply still not believing she is really here and talking to me.

"Then what did you mean?" She asks again.

"Nothing. But you told me that you want to stay some more days in Delhi." I reply.

"There are plenty of times to talk but right now I need to go to the kitchen to help maa." She goes out of the room without waiting for my reply.

I release a breath that I don't know I was holding and make my way into the washroom to get fresh.

However, when I come out I don't find the coffee I have asked mom to send. So, I go downstairs to see what taking so long to make a cup of coffee.

"It's good that you are here. Come sit and enjoy the snack made by our Ishita." Dad says before taking a bite of the sandwich.

"Are you sure these are made by Ishita?" I ask out of curiosity.

"Do you really think I don't even know how to make sandwiches?" Ishita asks from behind before putting a plate on the dining table. She gestures me to sit so which I do without further questions.

"I mean you don't know how to cook." I reply.

"I know how to cook snacks, alright?" She retorts which I nod in response.

She serves me grilled cheese sandwich along with tomato soup which is looking mouth-watering.

"Bhai yeh khane ke liye he. Taakte rehne ke liye nahi." Lakshya remarks sitting beside me.

("Brother this is to eat. Not to stare.")

"Mujhe bhi pata he. Tumhe mujhe gyaan dene ki zarurat nahi he." I reply with a scowl.

("I know that too. You don't need to enlighten me.")

"You two need to stop talking or I will take the plates away." Mom threatens making Ishita giggle.

"The soup is so yummy, bhabhi." Lakshya comments.

"Thank you bhaiya." Ishita replies with a smile.

"Really beta. We all have missed you so much when you were in Delhi. But now that you've come back this house is feeling like a home." Dad says.

"I have also missed you all and that's why I called Lakshya bhaiya and asked him to bring me here." Lakshya starts coughing hearing Ishita's words while I glare at him for lying to me about going to Chennai for a business meeting.

"Are you okay, Lakshya?" Mom asks giving him a glass of water.

"Of course he is alright. His meeting was a complete success after all." I retort through gritted teeth.

"Stop scolding him for something I have told him to do. I was the one who wanted to surprise you three so I asked him to help me." Ishita says looking at me with a stern expression.

"Jo bhi ho, main to bohut khush hu kyunki meri beti jo wapis aa gayi he. Ab mujhe yeh ghar khali khali nahi lagega." Mom says with a happy smile.

("Anyway, I am very happy because my daughter is back. Now I will not find this house empty.")

"I am also very happy to be back with you all. Because now you guys are my family and family always stick together with each other." Ishita replies making me smile.

This marriage may have started with a compromise but it has become more for both of us. I can imagine myself spending my whole life with her without even knowing anything about her past. Because for me, her present matters the most, and about the future, I am with her to make everything remarkable.

•••••••••••••••••••••••|||•••••••••••••••••••••

2042 words in total🤓

So, Ishita is back in Mumbai with her new family and she has a new job opportunity in her hands.

What do you think about this chapter?

I have been thinking about making a teaser for the story. Should I make it or let the idea go?

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