chapter 39

Riya adjusted the end of her sari as she entered the kitchen of the small but cozy flat she shared with her seven-year-old daughter, Milli. The morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains, bathing the room in a soft glow. Despite the warmth in the air, Riya felt a chill in her heart—a heaviness that had lingered ever since her life had changed forever eight years ago.At 22, Riya had been a wide-eyed girl, stepping into marriage with Niraj, a man chosen by her parents. Niraj wasn’t the romantic hero she had dreamed of in her teenage years, but he had proven to be a steady and kind partner. Their relationship was built on mutual respect and quiet understanding, though love—the kind that makes hearts flutter and time pause—seemed like a distant dream.Living in a conservative household with Niraj's family, privacy was a luxury they could rarely afford. Their lives revolved around fulfilling familial duties, and the space for intimacy between them was limited to stolen glances and brief conversations at the end of a long day. Yet, when Riya discovered she was pregnant within a year of their marriage, a new bond began to grow between them.The news of the baby brought a quiet joy to their lives. Niraj began coming home early, offering her a glass of warm milk before bed, and listening attentively as she spoke about the baby’s tiny kicks and cravings. For the first time, Riya felt the beginnings of love—a tender connection that promised something beautiful.But fate was cruel.Six months into her pregnancy, a phone call shattered Riya’s fragile happiness. Niraj had been in a road accident. By the time she reached the hospital, he was gone. Standing alone in the sterile white corridor, cradling her growing belly, Riya felt her world crumble. The man she had slowly begun to love, the father of her unborn child, was no more.In the days that followed, Niraj’s family supported her through the rituals, but the warmth faded quickly. Their disappointment was evident when Niraj’s will revealed that he had left his small café to his unborn child. Greed turned their kindness into cruelty. Accusations were hurled, and it wasn’t long before they forced Riya out of their home.Homeless, pregnant, and heartbroken, Riya found solace in an unexpected place—her mother-in-law, Nirmala. Though frail, Nirmala took Riya into her small house and cared for her as if she were her own daughter. When Riya cried at night, Nirmala would sit beside her, stroking her hair, whispering words of strength and love.“Beta,” she said one evening, “life doesn’t end here. You have a baby coming. That’s your strength, your reason to move forward. And you’re not alone. I’ll always be here.”Riya held on to those words, drawing strength from Nirmala’s unwavering support. When Milli was born, it was Nirmala who placed the tiny bundle in her arms, her eyes glistening with tears. “She’s your new beginning, Riya,” Nirmala whispered.For the next few years, Riya poured herself into raising Milli. The little café Niraj had left behind became her source of income. She learned to manage its finances, baked cakes in the evenings, and greeted customers with a smile, even when her heart felt heavy. It was hard work, but Milli’s laughter made every struggle worthwhile.Now, standing in the kitchen, Riya watched Milli as she sat cross-legged on the floor, coloring a picture of a sunny field. Despite the challenges, Riya felt a glimmer of hope. Life had been unfair, but it had also given her a reason to keep fighting—a reason to believe in the possibility of brighter days ahead.Little did she know, her life was about to take an unexpected turn—one that would bring new challenges, new friendships, and perhaps, a chance at love she never thought she’d find again.