CHAPTER 08 : "A FATHER'S BETRAYAL"

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The sun had just begun to set, casting a golden hue across the horizon. Kashi sat with her mother in their modest house living room, the air thick with a sense of unease. The silence was cut down by a soft knock on the door. They exchanged a glance, both wondering if it is Ravi.

Vishwanath ( Veer ) arrived at their doorstep, his heart heavy with the task ahead . As he knocked, the door opened to reveal Kashi's mother, she was sitting on a wheelchair, her face weary but relieved to see him.

" Aree Veer beta, andar aao na ," (Veer son, please come inside) she said softly, moving her wheelchair aside to let him in.

Kashi was sitting on a small sofa, her foot bandaged and her face still bearing the marks of Ravi's rage from the previous night. Seeing her like that made Vishwanath's heart clench with anger and sorrow.

He approached her with a look of concern. "Kashi, abb tum kaisi ho? Abhi bhi dard ho raha hai kya?" (Kashi how are you feeling now? Is it still paining ? )

Kashi looked up at him, her eyes tired but filled with a small measure of relief after seeing him. "Veer ji, main abb theek hoon. Thoda dard hai, lekin sambhal lungi."

("Veer ji, I'm fine now. There's a little pain, but I'll manage.")

As Veer gently examined her injuries, his gaze fell on her bruised and swollen foot.

He reached out to touch it, but Kashi instinctively pulled her foot back, her eyes widening in surprise and discomfort. "Veer ji, yeh aap kya kar rahe hain?

("Veer ji, what are you doing?")

"Men don't touch women's feet"

Veer paused, realizing her hesitation. "Kashi, main sirf tumhari chot dekhna chahta hu (kashi i just want to check on your injury). But still Kashi was reluctant to let Veer touch her feet.

"Veer ji, I... I don't mean to offend you. It's just, in our customs..."

Vishwanath placed a reassuring hand on hers. "I understand, Kashi. But I want you to know something important. In my view, men and women are equal in every respect. There should be no differentiation based on gender when it comes to care, respect, or responsibility."

And touching your foot doesn't make me small."Kashi looked at him, her eyes softening as she listened intently.

If i touch your foot," Vishwanath continued, "it will not be about any tradition or inequality. It would be about concern for your well-being, just as I would have for anyone in need. Equality means respecting each other's dignity and offering help without hesitation."

Kashi absorbed his words, feeling a mix of relief and admiration for his perspective. "Veer ji, I never thought about it like that."

Anjali, who had been silently observing from her seat nearby, smiled softly at Veer's explanation.Anjali's eyes shimmered with admiration as she looked at Veer.

"Veer beta," Anjali said gently, her voice filled with gratitude, "your words reflect true wisdom and kindness. You're not just a protector but also a teacher for us , guiding us with values that transcend mere customs."

Veer smiled and said "Aunty yours and Kashi's well-being are my utmost concern.

After that Veer gently and respectfully examined her foot. Kashi winced as he lightly pressed on a particularly bruised spot. Veer's heart ached seeing her in pain.

Veer ji, itna dard hai ki mein thik se chal bhi nahi pa rahi hu... main kaam par kaise jaungi abb? ("Veer ji, the pain is so much that I can't even walk properly... How will I go to work now?)" Kashi cried out, a cute pout forming on her face.

Kashi, tumhe apna khayal rakhna hoga. Aur tumhe filal kisi aur cheez ki chinta karne ki zarurat nahi hai. Main hamesha tumhare saath hoon.

("Kashi, you need to take care of yourself. And for now, you don't need to worry about anything else. I am always with you.")

Par Veer ji ek minute aap meri ba..at.....?

(But veer ji one minute at least list..en...?

Mein koi baat nahi sun raha tumhari Kashi..Iss time tumhe meri suni hogi Kashi. ("I'm not listening to anything you say, Kashi. This time, you have to listen to me.")Vishwanath voiced out.

Anjali, sensing the depth of his concern, added, "Veer, thik bol rahe hai Kashi tumhe abhi Aram ki zarurat hai. ( Veer is right Kashi, you are in need of rest.)

After much persuasion from Veer and her mother finally Kashi agreed to rest and heal first.

After a few minutes of light and hearty conversations, Vishwanath (Veer) finally prepared himself for the difficult task of telling Ravi's truth to Kashi and her mother. He knew that the truth would hurt them but it was necessary for their healing.

"Kashi, aunty, I need to talk to you both," he began, his voice steady but tinged with emotion.

Kashi's eyes met his, a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "Hanji kahiye na , Kya baat hai, Veer ji?"

("Yes, please tell , what is it, Veer ji?")

He took a deep breath"It's about Ravi. Kashi flinched hearing her father's name. Veer held her hand and asked her if she is Ok. Kashi nodded and asked him to continue....

I found out some things about him, and you both deserve to know the truth."

Kashi's mother exchanged a worried glance with her daughter. "Kaisa Sach Veer, kya kiya hai Ravi ne?"

("What truth Veer, what has Ravi done?")

Veer looked directly at Kashi, feeling the weight of his words. "Kashi your father has been involved in fraudulent activities, using your position at the textile factory to steal company information and profit from it. He's been arrested and will face the consequences of his actions."

Vishwanath told Kashi and her mother everything about Ravi's fraud and him confronting Ravi, Ravi threatening to withdraw from Anjali's treatment, everything excluding the part, where he took his vengeance.

Kashi's eyes widened in shock, her hand flying to her mouth. "Papa ne yeh sab kiya hai? (Papa is behind all this?)" she whispered, disbelief and betrayal evident in her voice.

Her mother's face crumpled with grief. "Main soch bhi nahi sakti thi ki Ravi itna gir sakta hai," ("I couldn't even imagine that Ravi could stoop so low.) "she said

Vishwanath reached out, placing a comforting hand on Kashi's shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Kashi and Aunty. I know this is hard to hear, but you deserve to know the truth."

Anjali's eyes filled with tears as she tried to process the news. "Hume toh kabhi shak bhi nahi hua ki Ravi aisa kuch kar raha hai. (I never even suspected that Ravi was doing something like that.)

Anjali reached out to her daughter, who was crying bitterly, pulling her into a comforting embrace.Kashi buried her face in her mother's shoulder, her body shaking with silent sobs.

Anjali stroked her daughter's hair gently. "Kashi, humein himmat rakhni hogi. Sach hamesha kadva hota hai, par hum dono mil kar iska samna karenge.

(Kashi, we must stay strong. The truth is always bitter, but together we will face it.)

Vishwanath ( Veer) watched them, his heart aching for the pain they were experiencing. He knew that revealing the truth was necessary, but it didn't make it any easier to witness their suffering.

Kashi pulled away from her mother and looked at Veer with tear-filled eyes. "Veer ji, main aapke samne apne papa ki taraf se maafi mangti hoon. Jo kuch bhi unhone kiya, uske liye main aap se shama chahti hoon."(Veer ji, I apologize on behalf of my father. I seek your forgiveness for whatever he has done.)

Vishwanath's heart softened at her words. He stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Kashi, tumhe maafi mangne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Tum aur Aunty is sab mein galat nahi ho. Yeh sab Ravi ka kiya hua hai, aur usse hi iski saza milegi."

(Kashi, you don't need to apologize. You and aunty are not at fault in this. This is all Ravi's doing, and he will face the consequences for it.)

Kashi nodded, wiping away her tears. "Lekin main nahi chahti thi ki aapko ya company ko is sab se takleef ya nuksan ho. (But I didn't want you or the company to be troubled or harmed by all this.) Veer was touched by Kashi's purity and innocence. Even in such a difficult time, instead of thinking for herself , she was thinking about him and his company. She was indeed a pure and Beautiful soul.

"Kashi, mene kaha na isme tumhari koi galti nahi hai , chalo abb Rona band karo, tum muskuraate hue hi acchi lagti ho, (Kashi, I told you it's not your fault. Come on, stop crying now. You look good when you smile.) veer said trying to cheer her up.

Meanwhile Kashi's mother, Anjali watched quietly as Veer, with his gentle touch and sincere words, cared for Kashi. In that moment, a flicker of hope ignited in her heart-a hope that perhaps, amidst the shadows of their past struggles, a future filled with genuine love and compassion awaited her daughter. She found solace in Veer's presence, seeing in him not just a protector but a beacon of light in their darkest hour.

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Author's note 🖋️

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, I know it was a little heartbreaking to see Kashi and Her mother in pain as they confront the truth about Ravi's actions, but it was necessary for their healing. Also I hope you enjoyed the sweet - cute moments between our lovely couple Kashi & Vishwanath❤️

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