Chapter 46: Unspoken Longing

A Few Days Later,

Late at Night,

In Kiara's Room

(The silence of the house was starkly different from the lively wedding function that had just ended a few hours ago.

Kiara stood in front of her dresser, her reflection in the mirror showing a girl who was tired—tired not just physically, but emotionally.

She reached up to remove one of her earrings, wincing as the clasp tugged at her skin.)

Kiara: (muttering) Aagh! Ouch...

(She touched her earlobe, feeling a sharp sting. A lone tear escaped her eye, surprising her. She hastily wiped it away.)

.

.

.

Just then,

(her bedroom door creaked open.)

Kiaan: (entering, grinning) Yaar, shaadi ka khaana was so basic. I toh didn't eat much. Abhi I feel like eating someth....

(His voice trailed off as his gaze landed on Kiara's reflection. Her expression was different—subdued, distant.)

Kiaan: (frowning) Ki, tum theek ho?

(Kiara quickly straightened up, forcing a smile as she held up the heavy earring.)

Kiara: Haan, bas yeh earring nikalte waqt thoda sa dard ho raha tha.

(Kiaan walked towards her, skepticism written all over his face.)

Kiaan: Ek earring ke liye,tum ro rahi thi? You expect me to believe that?

Kiara: (turning away) Main nahi ro rahi.

Kiaan: (crossing his arms) Kiara, don't lie to me. You know it doesn't work.

(Kiara exhaled, closing her eyes for a moment. She knew Kiaan wouldn't drop it. Finally, she spoke, her voice softer.)

Kiara: Mumma ki yaad aa rahi hai...

Kiaan: (surprised but covering up with humor) Tum toh roz milti ho, unse.... yeh dialogue toh mujhe kehna chahiye!!!!

Kiara: (shaking her head, voice heavy) It's not the same, Kiaan. Bas... ajeeb lag raha hai.

Kiaan: (sitting on the bed) Ajeeb? Kya?

(She turned to him, her eyes glistening.)

Kiara: Jab mujhe pata chala ki Mumma aur Papa are together as a couple, I thought sab theek ho jaayega. But it doesn't feel like that. Woh hamaare saath hoke bhi... door hain.

(Kiaan's playful demeanor faded as he listened.)

Kiara: (voice breaking slightly) she has missed so many moments with us!!!! (Teary) Remember when I went on my first date with Paarth? Tanvi bhua ne mujhe tayaar kiya tha... Mumma ne nahi.

(She blinked away the tears threatening to spill.)

Kiara: Aaj bhi, shaadi function mein sab excited thay. Jab main neeche aayi, sabne tareef ki... but Mumma wasn't even there to see me. She was at her apartment, waiting for Papa to send her pictures instead.

(Her voice cracked at the last words. Kiaan exhaled, rubbing his hands over his face.)

Kiaan: I get it.... I think ki i was also feellibg the same thing.... but explain nahi kar paa raha tha. You know.... last week, jab mujhe fever hua tha na, Papa ne sab kuch kiya. Medicines di, temperature check kiya. But phir bhi... I missed Mumma. Woh maathe pe, sirf haath bhi rakh deti thi naa, toh bhi Main theek ho jaata tha.

(Kiara nodded.)

Kiara: Mujhe sabse zyada tab feel hua jab maine tumhari scooty ki pooja ka video unhe bheja. She was smiling... but I could tell, she was sad. Hum toh yahan family ke beech hain... but she is alone, Kiaan.

(Kiaan leaned back, staring at the ceiling.)

Kiaan: Toh hum kya karein?

Kiara: (whispering) I don't know... but it hurts!!! Even though, we meet her more often now.... But Kahi na kahi, I feel like we're still missing our Mumma.

(Kiaan felt a lump form in his throat. He had sensed this before, but hearing Kiara say it out loud made it all the more real.

He reached out and squeezed her hand.)

Kiaan: we'll talk to them!!!! Hum dono, mumma aur papa se baat karte hain.

Kiara: (looked up at him, unsure) and you think ki Kuch farak padega?

Kiaan: (gave her a small, reassuring smile) I hope so!!!! (smiles) but abhi woh sab mat socho.... Abhi tell kya khaana hai???.... I am super hungry!!!!

Kiara: (smiles) me too!!! Shaadi ka khaana was not interesting at all!!!!

Kiaan: Par, what do we eat? Fridge mein kuch hai kya?

Kiara: (thinks) Fridge mein leftovers toh hain, but... uske saath khaane ke liye roti ya rice nahi hai.

Kiaan: (nods) Toh Kya karein? Maggie banayein?

Kiara: (scrunches her nose) Nahi, Maggie ka mood nahi hai.... Pizza order karein?

(Kiaan immediately perked up at the idea, and grabbed his phone.)

Kiaan: bolo kaunsa order karun??

Kiara: apne regular waala hi karo.... spiced chicken pizza.

Kiaan: normal crust? ya Cheese burst?

Kiara: (smirks) Obviously cheese burst!!! Aur garlic bread bhi add karo!!!!! order fast... main kapde change karke aati hoon!!!!

Kiaan: Haan. okay.

(Kiaan tooh his phone to place the order, while Kiara went into the bathroom to change into her night dress.)

Then,

(About twenty minutes later, When the delivery guy called, they stepped out to collect the pizza.)

.

.

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In the corridor:

(As they passed through the dimly lit corridor towards the bedroom, Kiara noticed a faint light spilling out from the bottom of Vikram's bedroom door.)

Kiara: (points) Papa ke room ki lights, abhi tak on hain? lagta hai, kuch kaam kar rahe honge

Kiaan: (raises an eyebrow) Itni raat ko? Chal, unko bhi pizza offer karte hain

Kiara: (hesitant) chalo, pooch lete hain.

(Balancing the pizza box and garlic bread in their hands, they approached Vikram's room.

Kiara knocked softly, but there was no answer.)

Kiara: Papa?

Kiaan: (nudging her) Knock louder. Shayad sunai nahi diya.

(Kiara knocked again, this time a bit harder, but still no response. She exchanged a glance with Kiaan.)

Kiara: (whispering) Lagta hai so gaye. Check kar loon?

(Before Kiaan could answer, she twisted the doorknob slowly and pushed the door open.)

.

.

Vikram's bedroom:

(The room was dimly lit by Vikram's bedside lamp. He was slumped against the headboard, eyes closed, his phone loosely held in his hand.)

Kiaan: (softly) I think he is asleep

(Kiara stepped closer, her eyes drawn to the phone screen. The video call was still on. She froze when she saw who was on the other end.)

Kiara: (whispering, voice breaking) Mumma...

(Naina's face appeared on the phone screen. She, too, had fallen asleep, her features soft and serene.

Kiara's throat tightened as she looked at her parents, one in the room and the other away in her own apartment, yet somehow together.)

Kiaan: (walking closer) Yeh dono... baat karte- karte so gaye?

(Kiara nodded, unable to tear her gaze away.)

Kiara: (whispering) Kitni ajeeb baat hai na? Jab woh saath rehna nahi chahate thay, tab unko force kiya gaya tha. Aur ab, jab woh ek doosre ke saath rehna chahate hain, toh... they can't be together.

(Kiaan sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Vikram's peaceful face.)

Kiaan: (sighs) Aur hum dono ke liye, tab bhi unhone pretend kiya ki sab theek hai. Aur abhi bhi wahi kar rahe hain. Bas situation badli hai, unke sacrifices nahi.

(Kiara swallowed the lump in her throat, stepping forward. She gently took the phone from Vikram's hand and carefully ended the call.)

Kiara: (softly) Goodnight, Mumma!

(She pulled the blanket over Vikram, her heart aching for the two people she loved most.)

Kiara: good night, Papa!

Kiaan: (watching her) Chal, pizza kha lete hain. Warna yeh bhi cold ho jaayega.

(Kiara nodded but paused by the door, glancing back at Vikram one last time.)

Kiara: (murmuring) yeh dono apne hi issues mein doobe huay hain... when will they have the time to realise about what we are going through?? (sighs) Kaash... sab kuch different hota.

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Cut to:

In Kiara's room:

(The pizza box lay open between them, the warmth of the food contrasting with the heaviness in the air.

Kiara absentmindedly picked at the cheese on her slice, staring at the floor as if lost in thought. Kiaan noticed her.)

Kiaan: (trying to lighten the mood) Cheese burst ka ek bite le, I am telling you, tumhaara mood, better ho jaayega.

Kiara: (forcing a smile) Better toh tab hoga, jab sab kuch better ho jaye!!! (pauses) Kabhi kabhi lagta hai ki jo hum chahte hain, woh kabhi pura hoga hi nahi.

Kiaan: (offering her a piece of garlic bread) Is waqt ke liye toh bas yeh accept karna hoga ki, jo ho raha hai, uska koi reason hoga. Shayad aage chalke sab kuch theek ho jaaye.

(Kiara sighed but took the garlic bread from his hand.)

Kiara: Bas, I just wish...

Kiaan: (softly) Kya wish karti ho, Ki?

Kiara: (hesitating, then in a whisper) Ki ek din, hum sab ek saath ho sakein... bina kisi tension ke.

(Kiaan didn't say anything for a moment, just squeezed her hand reassuringly.)

Kiaan: Shayad ek din ho jaaye.

(A comfortable silence settled between them as they continued eating. The emotions lingered, but for now, at least, they had each other. And a pizza.

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Author's Note ✨

Hey, lovely readers! 💖

This chapter was an emotional rollercoaster, wasn't it? 😢 From Kiara and Kiaan’s unspoken pain to that heart-wrenching moment between Vikram and Naina… ugh, my heart! 💔 Families can be complicated, and sometimes, love isn’t enough to fix everything. But do you think there’s still hope for them? 🤔

I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts! Drop a comment 💬 and tell me—

💭 Do you think Vikram and Naina will ever reunite?

💭 How did you feel about Kiara and Kiaan’s bond in this chapter?

And hey, don’t forget to VOTE ⭐ if you enjoyed this chapter—it really motivates me to keep writing! Also, hit that FOLLOW button 🛎️ so you don’t miss the next update. Exciting things are coming! 👀🔥

Until next time, keep reading, keep feeling, and keep believing in love! 💕✨