Shattered Dignity

As always, Sarika didn't feel anything today either. Sometimes, she felt like she was just an object for Adrijay, something he could use whenever he pleased. Thinking about this, her eyes welled up with tears, but she held them back because she knew if she cried, Adrijay would get angry at her. So, she remained silent, lying there like a lifeless doll, letting Adrijay do as he pleased.

The Next Morning

Sarika hadn’t slept all night. Not even for a moment. But tears had certainly come, drying on her cheeks.

Summoning some strength, she got up, only to feel a sharp pain in her back. The constant work and last night’s closeness with Adrijay had left her back aching terribly. But she had to get up; otherwise, the children and everyone else would be late. Thinking this, she took out her clothes from the cupboard and went to the washroom.

A little while later, after bathing, Sarika first performed her morning prayers and then went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and lunch.

At six o'clock, as always, she woke up the children, got them ready, and served them breakfast. By then, Adrijay had also come downstairs, already dressed. Sitting in front of the children, he asked, "No mischief happening at school these days, right?"

Tanishk and Adhik, sipping their milk, shook their heads in denial. Adrijay smiled slightly and said, "Good. I shouldn't hear any complaints. And listen, your half-yearly exams are starting next week. Are you both prepared?"

Adhik looked at him and said, "Yes, Papa! Mumma has helped us prepare everything. Right, Tanu?"

Tanishk quickly nodded and, smiling brightly, said, "Yes! Because my mumma is the best!"

Hearing this, Adrijay's attention shifted to Sarika, who was silently packing the children's tiffins in their bags, checking their books, notebooks, and pencil boxes.

Adrijay let out a deep sigh and then said to the children, "Alright, let's go now. We’re getting late! If you’re late for school, your teachers will scold you, right?"

The children nodded, slung their school bags onto their shoulders with Sarika's help, kissed her on the cheek, and said in unison, "Bye, Mumma! Take care!"

Sarika smiled slightly, kissed their foreheads, and said, "You both take care too. And finish your lunch on time. I don’t want to see any leftovers. I’ve packed green vegetables today, so you must finish them. Otherwise, I’ll serve the same thing for lunch at home too!"

Hearing this, Adhik nodded in agreement and went to sit in the car. But Tanishk made a face and complained, "Mumma, why did you pack green veggies? I don’t like them!"

Sarika gave him a stern look and said, "Tanu, you will finish everything. No arguments. Now go, or you’ll be late for school. Bye!"

Tanishk reluctantly said bye and ran outside. By then, Adrijay had already left.

Sarika stepped outside and waved goodbye to the kids as they got into the car. Adrijay started the engine and drove off.

She stood there watching the car until it disappeared from sight. Taking a deep breath, she went inside and started tidying up the kitchen.

A while later, the entire family sat at the dining table for breakfast, eating in complete silence.

Breaking the quiet, Devansh looked at Yamini ji with hopeful eyes and asked, "Maa, a colleague of mine is getting married today, and he specifically invited both me and Vishakha. Can we go?"

Yamini ji smiled brightly and said, "Of course! You should go out and enjoy. These are the days to have fun and go places! Once you have kids, you won’t get such opportunities. Go, enjoy!"

Sarika looked at her in astonishment. She still remembered how, whenever she wanted to visit her maternal home, Yamini ji always stopped her. Not just that, but even recently, whenever she had gone out, Yamini ji had punished her. She never once considered that Sarika, too, might want to spend time with her husband. In this house, whenever someone went out, the entire family went together—except for Sarika. Yamini ji always found some excuse to keep her at home. And now, she was giving Devansh and Vishakha permission so easily?

Thinking about this, Sarika's heart filled with sorrow. She picked up her untouched plate and quietly went to the kitchen, covering the food before putting it away.

Meanwhile, Adrijay didn’t like how Sarika left the table like that. He felt a growing anger inside him but chose to remain calm. Finishing a light breakfast, he picked up his bag and left for the office—without taking his lunch box.

Hearing the sound of the car driving away, Sarika hurriedly grabbed the lunch box and ran outside. But the car was already gone. Seeing this, her eyes welled up, but she composed herself and went back inside to wash the dishes.

A little while later, Devansh also left for his law firm. Once he was gone, Yamini ji called out to Vishakha, asking her to bring the outfits they would wear to the wedding. Vishakha brought the clothes, and then Yamini ji called out for Sarika to come to the courtyard.

Sarika wiped her hands and walked out. "Yes, Maa? What happened?"

Pointing at the pile of clothes, Yamini ji said, "Wash all these clothes today itself. And be extra careful with Devansh and Vishakha’s clothes—they are expensive and need special care." Then, with a cunning smile, she added, "By the way, you’ve probably never even seen such expensive clothes before, have you? Well, what can be done? Your family wasn’t wealthy enough to buy you such things. And here, if you had given my Adrijay the love he deserved, maybe he would have fulfilled all your wishes. But you… you couldn’t even be a good wife, a good mother, or a good daughter-in-law. All you know is how to poison relationships. You don’t know how to maintain them. But oh well, what’s the point in saying all this now? The damage is already done. Anyway, go wash these clothes and then prepare lunch."

Saying this, she turned to leave with Vishakha.

But suddenly, Sarika, who had been standing there with teary eyes, spoke up. "I am not a servant in this house who will wash all these clothes. And besides, you just said I’ve never worn expensive clothes before, so let those who own them wash them. I won’t do it."

Yamini ji and Vishakha turned back in shock. It was the first time Sarika had ever talked back to them.

Yamini ji, enraged, stepped forward and grabbed Sarika’s wrist, twisting it tightly. Gritting her teeth, she hissed, "How dare you speak to me like this? Today, I will make such a complaint to Adri that he won’t spare you. You’ve grown too bold, haven’t you? Just wait and watch!"

Saying this, she stormed off to get her phone.

Realizing her mistake, Sarika panicked. If Adrijay threw her out of the house, what would happen to her children? Would they grow up without a mother? No! She couldn’t let that happen. Even if she had to fall at Yamini ji’s feet and beg, she would do it.

With this thought, she rushed forward, but Vishakha deliberately stuck out her foot, making Sarika trip and nearly fall. Managing to steady herself, she looked at Vishakha with tear-filled eyes.

Vishakha crouched beside her and mocked, "Oh dear, that was unfortunate, wasn’t it, bhabhi? But worse things are coming, so prepare yourself mentally. By the way, did you get hurt?"

Ignoring her, Sarika hurried inside. Vishakha smirked and followed her.

Sarika stepped inside and tried to enter Yamini Ji’s room, but Yamini Ji had locked it from the inside. Seeing this, Sarika knocked on the door and, crying, pleaded, "Please, Maa Ji, forgive me… I made a mistake, and I will never do it again. If you say so, I am even ready to fall at your feet, but please don’t call him, Maa Ji… Please, Maa Ji, don’t call him. Just listen to me once… I am even ready to apologize to Vishakha, but please don’t call him, Maa Ji… Please!"

Saying this, she slumped against the door and began sobbing uncontrollably.

Today, Sarika was furious with herself. Why had she answered back to Yamini Ji? Like always, she should have just listened quietly. Thinking about this, she cried even harder.

Just then, Yamini Ji opened the door and stepped out. Seeing her, Sarika immediately fell at her feet and pleaded, "Please, Maa Ji, forgive me… I promise I will never talk back to you again. I will also do all of Vishakha’s work from now on. If you want, I will even apologize to her. But please, don’t call him. Please, Maa Ji!"

Hearing her words, Yamini Ji jerked her foot away, sat down on the sofa, and said, "I have already called him, and he should be here any moment now. So get yourself ready, understand? You dared to argue with me? Today, my son will teach you a good lesson!"

Hearing this, Sarika trembled in fear. Without saying a word, she rushed to her room, shut the door, and slumped against it, crying.

A while later, there was a knock on the door. Sarika’s heart pounded with fear, a sense of impending doom settling over her. Sweat formed on her forehead, but she gathered her courage and opened the door. Seeing Adrijay standing there, his face burning with rage, she instinctively stepped back in fear.

Adrijay entered the room, shut the door behind him, and strode toward her. Grabbing her wrist tightly, he seethed, "How dare you speak to my maa like that, huh? Just because I’ve been talking to you nicely for a few days, you think you can climb over my head? Don't forget, you're in this house only because my mother wants you here! I married you only because she asked me to, and now you dare to talk back to her? You're only here as the mother of my children, so do your duty as this house’s daughter-in-law properly. By the way, why did you refuse to wash the clothes?"

Sarika, overwhelmed by his harsh words, lowered her gaze and silently cried. Seeing her unresponsive, Adrijay tightened his grip on her wrist and demanded, "I asked you something! Why did you refuse to wash the clothes? Answer me!"

Sarika, trembling and sobbing, whispered, "M-My back… it was hurting…"

Hearing this, Adrijay let out a cold, mocking chuckle. "Oh, your back was hurting? But last night, when I came close to you, you never mentioned anything about pain. You seemed to be enjoying yourself then, didn't you? What a convenient excuse, Sarika. But don't try to be clever with me—it won't work. The moment I show you a little kindness, you forget your place. Do you know how women like you should be treated? The way I used to treat you before. You don't deserve love or respect.

"A woman who enjoys being close to her husband at night but makes excuses when asked to do a little housework in the morning doesn’t deserve kindness. I’ve been watching you for days—throwing tantrums at me. What are you trying to prove? That I’m desperate for you? If that were the case, I wouldn’t have waited for your permission to get close to you. But has that ever happened? Never! Because I’m not the desperate one—you are. You’re an attention-seeker. If you don’t get attention, you’ll do anything to get it. But not anymore! I’m done running after you. From now on, things will go back to how they were.

"And one more thing—listen carefully. Today, you dared to answer my mother back. If it happens again, I won’t hesitate to throw you out of this house. Understood?" He glared at her, waiting for her response.

Sarika stared at the ground, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. By now, even the tears had stopped falling. There was only a painful dampness in her eyes.

Seeing her silent, Adrijay’s anger flared again. He shouted, "Did you understand or not? Speak up!"

Terrified, Sarika flinched and raised her hands to shield her face. Sobbing, she begged, "I understand… Please, don’t hit me. I will never answer back to anyone again. But please, don’t hit me… I’m sorry! I’m really, really sorry… Please, don’t hit me… Please, don’t…"

Saying this, she pulled her hand away from his grip and ran into the washroom, still crying.

Adrijay stood frozen, her words echoing in his mind. It suddenly hit him—just how cruelly he had spoken to her in his rage. A wave of guilt washed over him as he murmured to himself, What have I done…?

But the damage was already done because today he had not only shattered Sarika but also her dignity.

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Finally a long chapter 😮‍💨😮‍💨!!

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