The truth

Author’s POV

Advika ran to the balcony, her heart racing as memories she had buried deep resurfaced with a vengeance. The cool breeze did little to calm her trembling frame as she gripped the railing tightly, her knuckles turning white. The evening that had started so beautifully was now tainted by a face she never wanted to see again—Raghav Ahuja.

The man who had turned her life into a living nightmare, who had smiled in the courtroom as the justice system bent to his wealth and power. The man who had walked free while her parents lay in their graves. And now, he stood in her husband’s house, smiling casually as if he wasn’t the devil she remembered.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind her. Turning slightly, she saw Vivan, his expression laced with concern. He stopped a few feet away, studying her carefully.

“Advika,” he said softly, his voice steady yet full of worry. “What happened? Why did you run off like that? Are you okay?”

She didn’t answer immediately, unable to find the words. Her mind was a whirlwind of anger, pain, and confusion. How could she explain the storm raging inside her?

“I…” she started, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry, Vivan. I didn’t mean to run off like that. It’s just… seeing him… it brought back things I’ve been trying to forget.”

Vivan stepped closer, his concern deepening. “Who are you talking about? Raghav?”

At the mention of his name, her fists clenched instinctively. She nodded, staring into the darkness. “You don’t know what kind of man he is, Vivan. He’s not who you think he is. He’s a monster.”

Vivan’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean? How do you know him?”

Advika turned to face him, tears threatening to spill but her resolve holding them back. She took a deep breath, knowing there was no going back now.

“Two years ago, Raghav Ahuja wasn’t just a name to me,” she began, her voice steady despite the emotions threatening to overwhelm her. “He was one of the three men responsible for my parents’ murder. He used his power and money to walk free, leaving me with nothing but ashes and shattered dreams. And now, he’s here, acting like nothing ever happened.”

Vivan’s expression darkened, his jaw clenching as the weight of her words settled in. The man he had casually greeted moments ago wasn’t just another business acquaintance. He was the shadow haunting his wife’s past, the reason behind her pain.

“I’m sorry you had to face him tonight,” Vivan said, his tone resolute. “But you’re not alone in this anymore, Advika. Whatever this is, we’ll face it together. I promise you.”

His words were a balm to her raw emotions, a flicker of hope in the chaos. But even as she felt a sliver of comfort, Advika knew one thing for certain—Raghav Ahuja would not escape justice this time.

She would make sure of it.

The atmosphere in the reception hall turned tense as the loud sound of Vivan’s punch echoed. Raghav stumbled backward, falling to the ground, his hand flying to his jaw where Vivan had hit him. Gasps of shock filled the air as the guests froze in their spots, their eyes darting between Vivan and Raghav.

“Get out of my house!” Vivan roared, his voice filled with unfiltered rage. His normally composed demeanor was replaced with a storm of fury, his chest heaving as he glared down at Raghav.

Raghav, however, wasn’t fazed. Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, he got up, brushing off his suit like nothing had happened. The smirk on his face only infuriated Vivan further.

Walking closer, Raghav stood inches from Vivan, his tone laced with venom. “You need me, remember that,” he said, his voice low but cutting. “If I leave now, how will you get your revenge on my father?”

Vivan’s lips curled into a mocking smile, his laughter cold and menacing. “You think I need you?” he sneered, stepping closer so their faces were barely apart. “You’re nothing but a pawn in my game, Raghav. A disposable piece. You have no idea what I’m capable of. If you think your presence holds any value in this, you’re gravely mistaken.”

Raghav’s smirk faltered for a brief moment as Vivan’s words sank in, but he quickly composed himself.

“I have a hundred different ways, a hundred different options to bring your father down,” Vivan continued, his voice like steel. “So instead of worrying about my revenge, maybe you should start thinking about your own life. Because if you cross me or my family again, there will be no place for you to run.”

The threat in his tone was undeniable, sending shivers through anyone close enough to hear.

The tension in the reception hall was far from over. Just as Raghav turned to leave after Vivan's menacing words, he stopped abruptly and turned back with a sly smirk. He straightened his suit jacket, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

“Not so fast,” Raghav said loudly, making sure everyone in the room could hear. “Before I leave, let me share a little secret with all of you.”

The guests murmured in confusion, their gazes shifting between Raghav and Vivan. Advika’s heart sank, dread pooling in her chest as she instinctively clutched the railing of the staircase.

“What are you playing at, Raghav?” Vivan growled, his fists tightening.

Raghav took a step forward, looking around the room dramatically. “You all see this man, Vivan Raichand, standing tall and proud?” He paused, letting the suspense build. “Well, he’s not Raichand.”

The room collectively gasped, shock rippling through the crowd. Whispers erupted among the guests, and Vivan’s parents stiffened, their expressions unreadable.

“Raghav, get out now!” Vivan barked, his voice booming.

But Raghav wasn’t done. “Oh, come on, Vivan,” he said mockingly. “Why hide it now? Shouldn’t your lovely wife and all these people know the truth about who you really are?”

Vivan took a threatening step toward him, but Raghav raised a hand. “Relax, man. I’m leaving,” he said, smirking. “But remember, the truth always comes out eventually.”

He turned on his heel and began walking toward the door, his parting words leaving a heavy weight in the air. “Good luck, Mr. Raichand.”

The door closed behind him, and the room was engulfed in a stunned silence.

Advika slowly descended the stairs, her gaze fixed on Vivan. She didn’t know what to believe. Vivan’s face was a mask of rage, but beneath it, she caught a flicker of something else—fear.

“Vivan,” she whispered when she reached him, her voice trembling. “What did he mean by that?”

Vivan looked at her, his jaw clenched. “Not here,” he said curtly and directly went towards the room.

Advika tried to follow him, but the anger radiating from him made her hesitate. She wanted answers, but now wasn’t the right time.

Standing still for a moment, she glanced at the guests, who were slowly leaving, casting confused looks around the room. The air was thick with unanswered questions. As the last of the guests trickled out, leaving only family behind, Advika’s mind raced with doubts. What did Raghav’s words mean? Was it possible that Vivan wasn’t a Raichand after all? She couldn’t make sense of it.

The tension in the room was palpable. Advika could feel it weighing on her, and she looked at Sarah, who seemed confused, her eyes darting between her parents and the rest of the family. The words Raghav had dropped earlier still echoed in her mind, but now, it was Sarah’s question that sliced through the silence.

"Dad, what does this mean?" Sarah asked, her voice trembling as she turned to her parents, the worry in her eyes growing. "He’s my brother, right? Why did you all hear those words?"

Vivan’s dad was about to respond, to calm her down with a lie, but before he could, Vivan’s dadi interrupted, her voice sharp and cold.

"At least now tell the truth," she said, her words biting. "Vivan is not your son. He is not a raichand.You brought him here after his parents died.

The room went deathly silent. Advika felt her breath catch in her throat. The words hit her like a punch, and she froze, staring at the woman who had just spoken the harsh truth or was it?

Everyone in the room turned to look at Vivan’s dadi, and her words hung in the air like an accusation. Vivan’s dad seemed to flinch, his face showing a flicker of distress. Advika’s heart raced—had Raghav’s claim been true? Had they all been living a lie?

Vivan’s mother quickly stepped in to shield the family, trying to reassure everyone. "Don't listen to her, Sarah. What your grandmother is saying doesn’t hold any truth."

But Sarah was frozen, her eyes wide, as if trying to piece together what was happening. Advika could feel the weight of uncertainty filling the room, and she couldn’t help but wonder if there was any truth to Raghav’s words.

Vivan had stayed quiet this entire time, and Advika found herself looking at the door, wondering if he had overheard. Was he really not Raichand? Was everything they had believed about him—about their family—false?

Before anyone could speak further, Sarah turned to Advika, her voice trembling. "He is not my bhai bhabhi"

Advika stepped closer to Sarah, wrapping her arm around her to offer comfort. "Don’t worry, Sarah. We will figure this out. I promise you, Vivan is your brother, no matter what anyone says."

She knew she had to talk to Vivan, find out the truth, and make sense of all this. But for now, all she could do was keep the family together, protect Sarah, and hope that the truth would eventually reveal itself.

~Khushi ka chand lamhe,

Ek jhatka main bikhar gaya!!

Sab log khade khade,

Bss bikharna ka nazara dekhte reh gaya!!

Chapter updated

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