4

"Tooti hui dil ke saath bhi, vo hamesha muskurati rahi, jaise dard uske liye sirf ek kahani ho."

"Even with a broken heart, she kept smiling, as if the pain was just a story for her."

After one year

Kahani and Dhir celebrated their one-year anniversary with much joy, surrounded by family and friends. The first few months of their marriage had been nothing short of a dream. Kahani enjoyed her role as wife, and she and Dhir shared a comfortable bond filled with love and laughter. However, as time passed, subtle hints began to emerge from Dhir's parents, particularly his mother, regarding starting a family. At first, Kahani took these comments lightly, smiling and brushing them off, but over the months, the remarks became more frequent and pressing.

The pressure mounted quickly. It wasn't just about casual conversations anymore; Dhir's parents began openly asking Kahani about when they could expect grandchildren. Kahani, who wasn't mentally or emotionally ready to become a mother, started feeling suffocated under the weight of their expectations.

Feeling overwhelmed, Kahani turned to Dhir, hoping he would understand her concerns and support her decision to wait. She explained to him that she wasn't prepared for motherhood and that she needed time to adjust to the idea. But to her shock and disappointment, Dhir wasn't as supportive as she had hoped. Instead, he gently yet firmly echoed his family's sentiments, telling Kahani that having a child was simply part of marriage, that couldn't be delayed forever.

Despite her repeated attempts to explain her emotional turmoil, Dhir dismissed her concerns, reassuring her that she would adjust once they had a baby.

As the days passed, Kahani found herself torn between fulfilling the wishes of her in-laws and husband or standing firm on her own needs and desires. She felt trapped in a cycle of guilt, where not only her in-laws but also Dhir began subtly pressuring her, making her feel like she was failing in her duties as a wife.

The emotional burden became heavier when her mother-in-law started involving herself more actively, trying to convince Kahani that motherhood would complete her life and marriage. Every family gathering, every conversation began revolving around the topic of having a child, leaving Kahani with no space to breathe.

Kahani soon realized she was being forced into a corner, and the pressure was beginning to affect her mental health. She started feeling anxious and emotionally drained, knowing that no one in her household understood her reluctance to rush into motherhood. Even Dhir, who she once considered her greatest support, seemed to be slipping away, unable to see her perspective.

■

It's past midnight, Kahani sat on edge of the bed, lost in her thoughts. The glow of the bedside lamp casted a soft light across the room, but its warmth does nothing to ease the chill settling over her heart. Dhir hasn't returned from office yet, and worse, he hasn't answered any of her calls or replied to her messages.

Kahani tried to focus on something else, she picked up a book, scrolled through her phone but nothing distracted her from the growing sense of unease. She felt the weight of their recent conversations, the distance that's slowly been creeping into their marriage. It's not just about the baby anymore. There's something deeper, something she can't quite put into words, but it lingered like a shadow between them.

Her mind raced with questions: Why hasn't he called? Is he avoiding me?

She sent him another message, a simple, "Where are you?" but it, too, went unanswered. The silence on the other end felt heavy than ever before.

The clock ticked loudly in the quiet room, each second amplifying her worry. She tried calling him again, but he didn't answer again. Frustration welled up inside her, but behind it is a g

fear. Is this how things will be from now on? Him disappearing into work and her, leaving alone, waiting?

Finally, at around one in the morning, the room door creaked open. Dhir entered looking tired but not surprised to find Kahani waiting for him. She watched him walk in, her eyes searching his face for any sign of an explanation or apology. But he offered neither. He simply kicked off his shoes, loosened his tie, and headed toward the bed as if nothing happened.

Dhir voice was flat, almost dismissive. "You're still awake?"

Kahani stayed quiet, holding back the frustration and sadness. "I called you many times."

Dhir without making eye contact, as he undoes his shirt buttons. "Yeah, I was busy."

Kahani's voice shaking slightly, a mix of concern and hurt. "Too busy to even send a message? I was worried, Dhir. It's been hours."

Dhir left a tired sigh, rubbing his eyes as if the conversation is more exhausting than the long day he's had. "You don't have to worry. I'm fine. Work's just been... a lot lately."

Kahani stood up from the bed, feeling a knot form in her chest. This isn't just about tonight; it's about everything that's been building up over the last few months. The silence between them, the way they've been drifting apart since the conversations about the baby, and how Dhir seems to be retreating further into his work.

Dhir turned around, clearly frustrated, but tried to keep his cool. "I'm just stressed, Kahani. There's a lot on my plate. You know how much pressure I'm under at work right now."

Kahani talked softly, her voice filled with sadness. "Is it really just work? Because it feels like... you're avoiding me."

Dhir finally met her eyes, but his gaze is tired, conflicted. He didn't deny it, but he didn't say anything either. For a moment, they just stood there, the tension between them thick and unresolved.

Her voice breaking slightly as she stepped closer. "I don't know how to reach you anymore. You don't talk to me. You don't listen when I try to explain how I feel. It's like... we're living in the same house, but you're miles away."

Dhir looked away, his silence speaking louder than words. "I'm trying, Kahani. I'm doing the best I can."

Kahani took a deep breath, trying to hold back tears. "But I need you to try with me, not just in your work. I'm here, Dhir. We're supposed to be partners, but it feels like I'm carrying this relationship alone. Every time I try to talk to you, you shut me out."

Dhir ran his hand through his hair, visibly stressed but unsure of how to bridge the gap between them.

His frustration reached a breaking point. His face tightened, and he turned to Kahani with a look she had never seen before.

Dhir yelled. "You want to know the truth, Kahani? Fine! I don't care about your feelings right now! I want a baby, and not just any baby, I want a son! That's all that matters to me! That's all my family wants!".

Kahani froze, her mind reeling from his words. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. It felt like the floor had dropped out from under her, leaving her breathless. This wasn't the man she had married. The man she had built dreams with. The words cut deep, and the pain in her chest tightened.

Kahani whispered, her voice trembling in disbelief. "You... only want a baby boy? I think we talked about this before."

Dhir didn't soften his stance. His expression remained hard, driven by his own frustrations and the mounting pressure from his family. "Yes! A son! Do you know how important that is to my parents, to me? I don't have time for your emotional drama about not being ready or wanting to wait. This is about family. I need an heir."

Kahani's heart shattered at the way he spoke, reducing their future child to nothing more than a tool for his family's expectations. The weight of his words pressed down on her chest. She had always known there was societal pressure for them to have a child, but this? This obsession with having a boy? She never expected that from Dhir.

Her voice cracking, her tears now flowing freely. "Dhir, how can you say that? A child isn't something you can order up! Whether it's a boy or a girl, it's our child, our future. And what about me? Don't I matter in any of this? You're forcing this decision on me, and now you're telling me that the only child you want is a boy? What if we don't have a son? What then?"

But Dhir didn't respond with compassion or understanding. His face remained hardened, his frustration overshadowing any empathy. "Then we'll keep trying until we do. I don't expect you to understand, Kahani. It's how things are. You're making this more difficult than it needs to be."

Kahani stepped back, horrified by the man in front of her. The love and trust they had built felt like it was crumbling away, replaced by cold expectations and harsh demands. Her mind flashed back to all the times she had tried to talk to him, all the moments where she thought they were a team, partners in life. But now it felt like she was being reduced to nothing more than a vessel for his and his family's desires.

Kahani chocked on her tears. "This isn't a marriage, Dhir. This isn't love. You're treating me like I'm nothing more than a means to an end. You don't care about what I want, what I feel. You only care about this... heir."

Dhir, still unwilling to relent, turned away from her, his voice flat and dismissive. "Then maybe you should think about what it means to be part of this family. Because right now, it seems like you don't understand what's expected of you."

Kahani felt her world collapse around her. The man she thought would stand by her was now a stranger, driven by archaic ideals she couldn't believe she was hearing. The love they once shared felt miles away, lost in the demands of tradition and family expectations.

Dhir turned to walk out of the bedroom angrily after the argument. She sat on the edge of the bed, tears streaming down her face, her hands gripping the bedsheet tightly. Just as he reached the door, Dhir turned back, his voice cold. "You know what? Maybe my mom's right about everything. You're not trying hard enough, Kahani." He said firmly.

Her voice cracking. "Not trying hard enough? Dhir... do you even hear yourself?". She stood up, walked closer to him. "I had a miscarriage dhir, few months after our marriage. Do you understand what that feels like?"

Dhir turned his to face her, with his arms crossed. "And what about me? You act like I'm not hurting too. But you... you're stuck in this... this sadness. You've completely changed, Kahani."

Kahani cried her hands shaking as she wipes away her tears. "Of course, I've changed! How could I not? I lost a part of myself when we lost that baby. Do you even realize how much it's broken me inside?"

Dhir was angry, pacing back and forth. "You're not the only one who lost something. I wanted that baby too, but you don't see that."

Kahani voice raising. "Is that what you think I'm doing?". She clutched her chest, her breath shallow. "I'm trying to survive, Dhir! Every day, I'm trying to breathe through the pain, but you just keep pushing me away like I'm some burden. I'm your wife, not some stranger!"

Dhir softened for a moment, then hardend again. "And my mom is worried about us. She thinks you're not moving on. She thinks you're using this to."

Kahani cutting him off, stepping closer. "Your mom? She doesn't know what I'm going through. She hasn't even asked how I'm feeling. How can you let her think I'm just using this pain? I'm breaking every single day, Dhir!"

Dhir angrily grabbed his jacket from the chair. His movements are harsh, filled with frustration.

Kahani pleading, her voice barely a whisper. "Dhir... please, don't leave. We can talk through this. Don't walk away from me, not again."

Dhir turned sharply, his eyes full of frustration. "What's the point, Kahani? Every time we talk, it's the same thing. You're stuck in the past, and I'm just trying to move forward!". He moved towards the door, his back turned to her.

Her voice cracking, stepping forward, reaching out. "Please, Dhir, don't do this. I need you. I.."

Dhir clenched fists, looking hardening again. "I can't do this right now. I just... can't." He yanked open the door, stepping into the hallway.

Kahani desperately, stepped towards the door. "Dhir, stop! Please!". Her legs buckled as she stumbled after him. "Don't leave me alone like this!"

He walked out, without turning back slamming the door behind him.

The echo of the door slamming reverberated through the room, and Kahani stood there frozen, her outstretched hand trembling in the air. She collapsed onto the floor, sobbing uncontrollably, the sound of her cries filling the empty apartment.

Kahani whispered through her sobs. "Why can't you just understand? Why can't you stay? I need you... I need you so much..."

She curled up on the floor, hugging herself tightly as her body shook with grief. Every sob felt like it's tearing her apart, and the emptiness left by Dhir's settled heavily in the room.

Kahani crying out in pain, her voice breaking. "I'm so alone... I'm so tired of being alone..."

The room is silent now, except for the sound of her cries echoing in the darkness. She stays on the floor, unable to move, consumed by the weight of her sorrow. Time passes slowly, and the pain lingers, growing heavier with every second.

After an hour

(⚠️Slightly matured content ahead)

It's been an hour since Dhir left, and Kahani is now lying on the bed, still sobbing. Suddenly, the door opened, and she saw Dhir standing there. He's visibly drunk, and Kahani immediately noticed it.

Kahani sitting up on the bed, talked with weak voice. "Dhir... you've been drinking? Why did you drink?"

Dhir remained silent, with an intense look, he closed the door behind him.

Nervousness and confusion grew in kahani. "I'm asking you something, Dhir. Why did you drink?"

Dhir sighed, walking slowly towards her, eyes filled with desire. "Enough, Kahani. I've had enough... I don't want to talk anymore."

Kahani voice trembled, backing away slightly. "Dhir... why are you looking at me like that?"

Dhir reached her, and leaned closer.

"You ask too many questions, Kahani."

Kahani's heart raced, her voice soft but scared. "This isn't you... please, Dhir, talk to me. What's happening?"

Dhir brushed his hand on her cheek, his voice low and husky. "Talking won't fix anything."

He leaned even closer, eyes filled with desire. "I want you... right now."

Kahani tried to pull away and got scared. "No, Dhir. Not like this. You're not in your senses."

Dhir gently but firmly held her shoulders. "I've missed you so much, Kahani. You're mine. That's the only thing that matters tonight))"

Kahani tears filled her eyes, her voice shaking. "No, Dhir. Not like this. Not when you're like this. Please, listen to me."

Dhir got frustrated. "I don't want to listen to you, I just want to feel something... something other than this emptiness."

Dhir's aggression escalated as he pushed Kahani onto the bed. She tried to defend herself, but he kept forcing her down. Her heart raced with fear as she struggled to break free.

Kahani struggled, her voice shaking.

"No, Dhir! Don't do this, please! I love you, but this is wrong."

Dhir forced her down, his eyes filled with frustration. "Love? Your love is just words, Kahani. I want to feel your love."

She tried to push him off, panicking. "Let me go, Dhir! You're not in your senses right now. This isn't you!"

Dhir grabbed a tie from the chair, ignoring her pleas. "You're always trying to run away. Not today, Kahani."

Dhir tied her hands to the bed, his voice dark and determined. "You're going to listen to me, and this is just about tonight."

Kahani sobbed, struggling against the ties. "Please, Dhir! This is wrong, you can't do this."

Dhir leaned closer, his voice low. "I can do whatever I want. You're mine, forever."

Dhir, now completely overwhelmed by his emotions and intoxicated state, forced himself on Kahani. He pulled off his clothes and moved to do the same with hers as Kahani struggled beneath him.

Dhir pulled off his shirt, his voice rough. "You don't understand, Kahani. You're mine, only mine."

Kahani's tears streaming down her face, as she is trying to push him away. "Dhir, this is wrong! I'm your wife, but not like this."

His voice filled with frustration, pulling at her clothes. "Kahani, enough. I love you, and now I just want to feel that love.:

Dhir pulled off her clothes, ignoring her protests. "Kahani, you're always running. Now you'll spend this night with me."

Dhir's tone hardened. "You're my wife. You will have to obey me."

Without telling her he pushed himself inside her and she moaned in pain. He didn't stop but kept going not listening Kahani's pleadings. Kahani's eyes were filled with tears seeing him turn into a monster. But he still didn't listen and kept going until she fell unconscious.

■

The next morning, Kahani woke up, her hands still tied to the bed. She tried to move but is in pain and remembered the events from last night. She sobbed uncontrollably, feeling the weight of what happened.

She struggled to move, she looked around, realized Dhir is not there. "Where is Dhir? I can't see him anywhere."

Dhir entered the room, looking frustrated. "You still don't understand, Kahani? You're just making excuses for everything."

Kahani pleaded as he approached, tears streaming down her face. "Dhir, untie please. My body aches and it hurts."

Dhir ignored her plea. "You need to understand my feelings. You need to realize your own mistakes."

Kahani as her hands are freed, rubbed her wrists, trying to sit up. "It feels like my whole body is filled with pain. How will I get up?"

Dhir grabbed her arm roughly. "I don't want to hear your excuses. I'm angry about what you did."

Kahani tried to move, her voice weak and pained. "Dhir, you're not in your senses. You need to control your emotions."

Dhir looked at her with a mix of frustration and stubbornness. "You need to understand that your behavior is making me angry. I'm doing everything I can from my side."

■

After few months

All the family werd having breakfast. The situation in the house for kahani is even worsened. Nobody is talking to her properly even dhir.

Dhir stood up after finishing his breakfast, his tone firm. "Kahani, let's go. We need to take you to the hospital and consult a doctor about your pregnancy."

Kahani tried to speak, her voice anxious.

"Dhir, let me say something. I don't understand any of this. I just..."

Dhir interrupted her.

"Kahani, hurry up and finish your food. You need to get ready for the doctor's appointment."

She nodded taking big morsels.

Dhir headed towards the door, showing no further interest. "I'll wait in the car. You need to hurry up."

At the hospital

Kahani and Dhir are sitting in the doctor's office, waiting for the report. The atmosphere is tense.

Doctor entered the room and sat in her chair. "Mr. Dhir, Mrs. Kahani, I've reviewed the reports. Due to Kahani's health issues, she is unable to conceive now."

Dhir fumed with anger, slammed his hand on the table.

Kahani got scared, her eyes widened as she flinched.

Doctor tried to de-escalate the situation.

"Mr. Dhir, please try to understand. These are long-term health issues and can be treated. It's important to take care of Kahani's mental and physical health."

Dhir anger not subsiding, he glared at Kahani. "Why didn't you tell me all this? Why did you make everything so complicated?"

Kahani trembling, her voice barely audible. "I'm in so much pain, Dhir. You need to understand everything and give me some time."

Dhir angrily, stood up from his chair. "Let's go home. I'll deal with you there."

Kahani tears streamed down her face, she tried to control her emotions. "Dhir, please... I understand too. You shouldn't be doing this to me."

Dhir with a stern tone, didn't look back.

"You just need to come with me. No more talking."

Kahani wiped her tears, taking a deep breath, and followed him. "Yes, I'm coming. I'll go with you."

Dhir walked out of the doctor's office.

"Let's go, don't be late."

Kahani followed him, her shoulders slumped, trying to hold back her sobs. "I'll try to fix everything, Dhir."

At Dhir's home

Dhir and Kahani entered the house, and the family is gathered, eagerly waiting for news. The atmosphere is filled with anticipation.

Dhir's Mother approached them with a hopeful expression "So, what happened? Is there any good news."

Dhir yelled in frustration, his voice sharp. "There is no good news! Only bad news. Kahani cannot conceive now."

Dhir's Mother shocked, her expression turned to anger. "Yeh kya keh rahe ho? Tum dono ne isse pehle socha nahi? Kahani tumhare liye kuch kaam ki nahi hai!"

(What are you saying? Didn't you both think about this beforehand? Kahani is of no use to you)

Kahani's face is pale, trembling as she heard the harsh words. "Mom, please forgive me... I'll try to fix everything..."

Dhir's Mother raised her voice, clearly frustrated. "There's no use, Kahani. You've shattered this house and our dreams. There's no place for you here."

Dhir looked at Kahani with frustration. "You need to understand this, Kahani. You've made a huge mistake."

Kahani struggled to hold back tears, her voice breaking. "I didn't want this to happen. I just want to understand how we'll get through this."

Dhir's Mother coldly, turning away.

"Nothing can be done now. This house is closed to you."

Kahani pleaded with tears streaming down her face, her voice shaking.

"Mom, please don't send me away. I'll try to fix everything. Please don't abandon me."

Dhir's Mother talked firmly, her expression cold. "You'll have to answer for what you've done. This house is no place for you now."

Kahani turned to Dhir, her eyes full of desperation. "Dhir, please do something. I don't want any of this."

Dhir remained silent, looking away

Kahani's eyes became blur and she can barely even stand, her strength failing, legs giving way as she collapsed to the floor.

To be continued