After all the guests had finally left, Vani slowly made her way toward Alka’s room.
Inside, Alka was sitting on the bed, a book resting in her hands… but she wasn’t reading it. Her eyes were fixed on the pages, lost in some distant thought.
A soft knock broke the silence.
“Aunty…”
Alka looked up at the familiar voice. Her gaze settled on Vani, gentle yet attentive.
“Yes, beta. Come in.”
Vani stepped inside, taking a couple of steps forward before stopping midway. She hesitated, as if searching for the right words.
“I’m sorry, aunty… because of me, your special day could’ve been ruined…”
Her voice softened toward the end, almost fading.
Alka watched her quietly for a few seconds. Then, a warm smile appeared on her lips.
“It’s okay, beta. By God’s grace, everything went well. Don’t worry.”
Vani just stood there, looking at her. Her eyes slowly filled with unshed tears.
The next moment, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Alka.
Without hesitation, Alka held her close, her hand gently resting on Vani’s head—just the way she did with Mahi.
“Thank you… mom…”
Vani’s grip tightened slightly as she whispered the word.
Alka softly stroked her hair. “You must be tired. Go and get some rest.”
Vani nodded silently and stepped back before leaving the room.
---
As soon as Vani reached downstairs, Mahi suddenly walked up to her, grabbed her hand without a word, and pulled her toward the side corridor.
Vani was surprised, but she didn’t resist.
The moment they stopped, Mahi let go of her hand.
“What was all that, Vani…?”
The hurt in her voice was unmistakable.
“I didn’t expect this from you. I asked you so many times… and every single time, you lied to me.”
Vani looked at her but couldn’t meet her eyes.
She parted her lips to speak—
“Mahi, I—”
“Mahi beta, come here for a second.”
Alka’s voice interrupted them.
Mahi closed her eyes briefly, as if holding back something. Then she looked at Vani one last time.
“Just go home. It’s already late.”
Vani nodded quietly. “Okay…”
Her voice was barely audible.
Mahi turned and walked away.
Vani stood there for a few moments… then slowly moved toward the exit.
As she walked out, she turned back once… but Mahi was already gone.
Outside, the night had deepened.
The parking area was lit with soft yellow lights. A few cars were still leaving, but the place was almost empty now.
Vani walked toward the gate.
“Vani.”
She stopped instantly.
Turning around, she saw Aryan standing there—his tie slightly loose, coat in his hand, expression serious.
He had clearly been watching her for a while.
He walked up to her.
“Going home?”
“Yes…”
“Come on, I’ll drop you.”
For a moment, she looked at him.
“I’ll manage, jana…”
He stepped closer.
“How can you? I’m here. Let’s go.”
Without waiting for an answer, he gently held her hand.
Vani paused for a second… then quietly went along with him.
---
The parking lot was nearly empty.
Aryan opened the front passenger door for her and stepped aside.
Vani sat inside silently.
He took the driver’s seat, started the engine, and the car rolled out onto the road.
For a few moments, there was complete silence.
Just the soft hum of the engine… and the passing streetlights outside.
Vani stared out of the window—but her eyes weren’t really seeing anything.
Mahi’s words echoed in her mind—
“What was all that, Vani…”
“I didn’t expect this from you…”
Her expression turned still… almost numb.
Aryan glanced at her from the side, observing her quietly.
Then he spoke softly—
“What happened? Why is my Vani so quiet?”
She hesitated. “Nothing…”
He gave a faint smile.
“I thought you’d be happy after our relationship became public… but you look sad.”
She quickly responded, “It’s not like that, jaan… I’m happy.”
Keeping his eyes on the road, Aryan said gently, “Then that’s all that matters. My Vani should always be happy.”
Vani turned her face toward him.
Her eyes held softness… gratitude… and a hidden fear she wasn’t ready to share.
Outside, the city lights blurred past as the car moved forward into the night.
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