Chapter 48: The Cost Of Silence

The next weekend,

Saturday morning:

(The warm glow of the morning sun seeped through the sheer curtains, casting a golden hue over the spacious bedrooms.

The muffled sounds of birds chirping mixed with the occasional rustle of bags being zipped up and shuffled across the floor.)

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Outside Kiara's room:

(Vikram leaned against the doorframe of Kiara's room, arms crossed, watching his daughter struggle to shove her sneakers into an already overstuffed duffel bag.)

Vikram: (chuckled) Packing karne ka yahi tareeka hai kya?

(Kiara glanced up, grinning.)

Kiara: Sab fit ho gaya na, bas!

(She pushed down hard on the bag and managed to pull the zipper shut.)

Kiara: See? I am also following science and logic.

(Vikram sighed, stepping inside.)

Vikram: Science aur logic ki baat kar rahi ho... toh suno, agar wahaan jaake shoes ya extra tops nikalne pad gaye, toh ye bag, phir se band nahi hoga.

Kiaan: (groans) Fine, fine....

(She unzipped the bag again, pulling things out and folding them properly this time.)

Kiara: Happy?

Vikram: (smirked) Haan, thoda sa.

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Just then,

(from across the hallway, Kiaan's voice rang out, filled with frustration.)

Kiaan: Papa! Kiara ne phir se mera charger le liya!

(Vikram rubbed his temples, already expecting this.

He walked over to Kiaan's room, where he stood with his hands crossed infront if him.

He was glaring at Kiara, who had casually walked in behind Vikram.)

Kiara: Mere paas apna charger hai, Kiaan! Tumhara charger toh main touch bhi nahi karti!!! .

Kiaan: (scoffed) Oh really? Mera charger bed ke paas hota hai, aur ab wo ghaayab hai. Toh magic se uda kya?

(Vikram shook his head, stepping between them.)

Vikram: Dono ke paas chargers hain, na?

Kiaan: (huffed) Haan, par mujhe apna wala chahiye.

(Vikram gave him a knowing look.)

Vikram: Toh jaane se pehle check kar lo. Warna wahaan jaake dono bhi ek hi charger ke liye lad baithenge!!!

(Kiaan mumbled something under his breath but started rummaging through her bag again.

Vikram turned to Kiara.)

Vikram: Aur tum. Pura weekend phone pe nahi bitana. Homework aur project bhi complete karna hai.

(Kiara slung her arm around Vikram's shoulder, grinning.)

Kiara: Papa, aapko humpe bilkul bhi bharosa nahi hai, na?

(Vikram smirked, patting Kiara's back before stepping away.)

Vikram: Tum dono pe mujhe bharosa hai.... Tumhare laziness pe nahi.

(Kiara chuckled, zipping up her backpack.)

Kiara: Fair enough.

Vikram: (glanced at his watch.) Chalo, late ho raha hai. Jaldi neeche aao, Ravi (driver) wait kar raha hoga.

(Both teens nodded and continued packing their bags.

Vikram smiled at them and made his way downstairs.

As he reached the staircase, he stopped and turned towards the kids.)

Vikram: and I am repeating this again.... wahaan sirf masti nahi karna hai. Jo bhi pending work hai, complete karna. Monday ko test bhi hai aur practical files bhi submit honi hain.... do finish that. Okay?

Kiara: (groaned) Papa! Aap yeh wala lecture dena, kabhi bhi nahi bhoolte, na?

Vikram: (smirked) Nahi. Kyunki tum dono bhi nahi sudharte.

(Kiaan and Kiara exchanged a look and burst into laughter.)

Kiaan: Fine, we'll be responsible. Happy?

(Vikram nodded and made his way downstairs. A small smile played on his lips.

Despite all the teasing, the banter, and the constant need to remind them of things, he wouldn't trade these moments for anything.)

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In the living room:

(Vikram walked downstairs after making sure Kiaan and Kiara had packed everything for the weekend.

But as soon as he reached the living room, he immediately sensed something brewing.

His mother, was sitting on the couch, watching television, but the moment she saw him enter, she picked up the remote and turned it off.

That was the first sign—she never turned off her shows unless she had something serious to discuss.

Vikram frowned slightly, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt as he made his way to the living room.)

Anuradha: (patting the space next to her.) Aao, Vikram. Yahaan baitho

(He hesitated for a second before sitting down, already wary of what was coming.

His mother was smiling—an all-too-sweet smile that usually meant she was about to say something he wouldn't like.)

Vikram: (crossing his arms.) Kya hua, Maa? Aaj itne achhe mood mein ho.

(Anuradha took his hand in hers, patting it gently, a rare softness in her touch.)

Anuradha: Beta, mujhe tumhe kuch kehna hai.... (her voice was warm yet serious.) I don't like seeing you this way.... so lonely!!!

(Vikram sighed internally. He had a feeling where this was going.)

Vikram: Maa...

(But she cut him off, her eyes twinkling with determination.)

Anuradha: Isiliye maine socha ki main tumhare liye ek achhi ladki dhoondhun.... (smiles) Main already kaafi logon se baat kar chuki hoon.... main chahati hoon ki tum phir se shaadi kar lo.

(Vikram froze.

For a moment, he just stared at her, his mind struggling to process what she had just said.)

Vikram: (his brows furrowing deeply ) Kya?

(Anuradha smiled even wider, as if she had just told him some great news.)

Anuradha: Haan! Main tumhare liye ek perfect match dhoondh rahi hoon. Ek acchi, sanskaari ladki, jo tumhare saath settle hone ke liye tayyar ho.

Vikram: (exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples) Maa, yeh aap kya kar rahi hain? Mujhe koi shaadi waadi nahi karni.

(His mother's expression softened, but there was a stubbornness in her eyes that he recognized all too well.)

Anuradha: Beta, tum din bhar kaam mein lage rehte ho. Bacche bhi aaj kal weekend pe busy rehte hain. Yeh ghar kitna suna- suna lagta hai, socha hai kabhi?

(Vikram pressed his lips together.)

Vikram: Mujhe akele rehne mein koi problem nahi hai.

Anuradha: (argued, her voice thick with emotion) Tumhe nahi hai, lekin mujhe hai,. Main tumhe aise nahi dekh sakti, Vikram. Tum zindagi bhar aise nahi reh sakte. Tumhe kisi ki zaroorat hai.

(Vikram clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling up.)

Vikram: Maa, please... mujhe kisi ki zaroorat nahi hai. Bacche mere saath khush hain. Main unka poora dhyan rakhta hoon. Main bhi theek hoon.

(Anuradha studied him closely, searching his face for any cracks in his firm resolve.)

Anuradha: (gently) Aur tum? Tum khush ho?

(Vikram opened his mouth to respond but stopped. For a brief second, his face faltered—an unreadable expression flickered in his eyes.

He was quiet for a little too long before he finally spoke.)

Vikram: (voice was quieter, but firm) Maa, main jaisa hoon, theek hoon.

Anuradha: (shook her head.) Beta, tum aise akelekyun rehna chahte ho? (her voice filled with concern.) Koi toh ho jo tumhara dhyaan rakhe, jo tumse baatein kare, jo tumhari zindagi ka hissa bane.

(Vikram exhaled heavily.

How was he supposed to tell her that things were not like how she imagined them to be?

That he wasn't as alone as she thought?

That Naina was back in his life, but they had decided to take things slow?

That they had both agreed to wait until after Kiara's national championship race before telling anyone.

He couldn't.

Not yet.

So instead, he stood up, stuffing his hands into his pockets.)

Vikram: (finality in his voice) Maa, yeh sab abhi mat kijiye.... Mujhe shaadi waadi nahi karni. Please, aap kisi se baat mat kijiye.

(Anuradha sighed, disappointment flashing across her face. But she didn't argue.)

Anuradha: Theek hai.... Abhi ke liye chhodti hoon. Par main chahti hoon ki tum ispar socho, Vikram.

(He didn't reply. Instead, he just stood up to walk out of the living room)

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Just then,

(Kiaan and Kiara walked it with their small duffel bags.)

Kiara: Papa.... I have a small question... kal hum lunch pe bahaar jaa rahe hain... toh tell me kaunsa dress accha lagega??? (holding up two options) please batao!!!

Kiaan: (grinning) Mumma toh keh rahi hai dono bhi acche hain!!! koi bhi rakh lo, itna kya sochna!!!

(Kiara rolled her eyes at Kiaan. Vikram smiled and came forward and helped Kiara pick out a dress for their Sunday lunch.)

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.

Then,

(Across the room, Anuradha watched them, her expression growing darker by the second. She finally let out an exaggerated sigh, loud enough for everyone to hear.)

Anuradha: (shaking her head) Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha... ki tum dono apne coaching classes ko chodkar, apni maa ke ghar kyun jaa rahe ho??? Jitna excitement tum log dikhate ho, aise lagta hai jaise koi raja-maharaja ke mahal ja rahe ho!

(The kids exchanged a confused glance but kept quiet.)

Anuradha: (huffing) Naina koi mahaan maa nahi hai, jo bina uske tum log jee nahi sakte.

(Her voice, though controlled, dripped with irritation.

The kids paused momentarily, looking at their grandmother in confusion.

But, that was it for Vikram!! He simply walked over towards his mother.

His voice was calm, but there was no mistaking the authority in his tone.)

Vikram: (firmly) Bas, Maa.

(Anuradha turned to him, her eyebrows raising at his tone.)

Anuradha: Kya bas? Maine jo sach hai wahi bola hai!

(Vikram exhaled sharply, his eyes darkening. He took a slow step forward, his voice measured but unshakable.)

Vikram: (coldly) Naina. Inki. Maa. Hai.

Anuradha: (scoffed) Toh? Maa hai toh, koi devi thodi ban gayi!

Vikram: (low but firm) Maa!!!! Woh apne bacchon se, hamaari wajah se door hui hai!!! aapko zaraa sa bhi bura nahi laga ki aap ek maa ko uske bacchon se door kar rahi hain!!!

(Anuradha rolled her eyes.)

Anuradha: (sarcastically) Haan, ab mujhe lecture doge ki woh kitni bechari thi!!! hain naa??? Mujhe jo theek laga tha, maine kiya!!!

(Vikram's expression hardened. His voice dropped to a lethal whisper.)

Vikram: (low and sharp) Bechari nahi thi woh, Maa!! Hum ne ussay banaya. Aur phir aapne ensure kiya ki, woh iss ghar mein kabhi naa rahe!!! Aapne ensure kiya ki, ek maa apne bacchon se door ho jaye.

(The room fell silent. Kiara swallowed hard, while Kiaan's grip on his backpack tightened.

Anuradha's mouth opened, but no words came out. She stared at her son in shock.)

Vikram: (voice tightening) Maine zaroor ussay divroce diya tha.... but phir maine case waapas lene ki bhi koshish ki..... Main toh bas sirf ek cheez chahta tha, Maa. Apni family ko saath rakhna.

(He takes a step forward, his eyes searching hers, but all he sees is the same cold resistance.)

Vikram:  Mujhe, meri khushi kabhi important thi hi nahi.... main ek Neeras zindagi jee leta... itne saalon se l, i have been living a loveless life... aage bhi reh leta!!! but alteast Naina apne bacchon ke saath toh hoti!!!!

(His voice cracks slightly, and he exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair in frustration. His mother doesn’t flinch, her expression carved from stone.)

Vikram: But aapko sirf ek hi cheez chahiye thi—ki main aur Naina kabhi ek na ho sakein.

(Anuradha shook her head, dismissing his words.)

Anuradha: (bluntly) Bahut ho gaya yeh drama, Vikram!!! Bacchon ke saamne mujhe villain mat banao!!!! (sternly) Maine jo bhi kiya, tumhare aur bacchon ke bhale ke liye kiya!

Vikram: (angrily) Seriously?! Aapne ek maa ko uske hi bacchon se door kar diya! Aur ab keh rahi hain ki yeh unke bhale ke liye tha?? Bacchon ka bhala kaun decide karega? Aap?

Anuradha: (her face turned red) Toh? Bacche usse mil to rahe hain naa! Phone pe baat bhi hoti hai! Kya problem hai?

(Vikram let out a dry chuckle, his patience completely gone.)

Vikram: (jaw clenched, mockingly) Haan, sahi toh hai. Phone pe baat hoti hai, na? Toh theek hai, Maa.... Main Naina se keh dunga, ki wooh bacchin ke custody ke liye case file kar de!!! Now that she is literally richer than me, she can appoint the best lawyer.... and no doubt, woh toh case jeet hi jaayegi!!!

(A heavy silence filled the room. Kiaan and Kiara's excited chatter had completely died down. Even Anuradha looked stunned.)

Anuradha: (visibly alarmed) Vikram! Yeh kya bol rahe ho tum?

Vikram: (dead serious) Main, bacchon ko wahaan bhej deta hoon. Phir hum bhi kabhi- kabhi mil lenge. Aur, roz phone pe baat bhi kar lenge. Theek hai na, Maa?

(Anuradha's hands trembled slightly as she looked at her son.)

Anuradha: (almost pleading) Vikram, tum aisa nahi kar sakte!

Vikram: (sarcastic but sharp) Kyun nahi. Maa? Aapke according, agar ek maa ka role, sirf kabhi-kabhi milne ya phone pe baat karne tak theek hai, toh phir ek baap ka bhi yahi hona chahiye, na?

(Anuradha's eyes filled with panic. She shook her head, unable to argue.

Vikram took a step closer to his mother, his eyes blazing with restrained anger.)

Vikram: (firmly) Agar aap chaahate ho ki Kiaan aur Kiara yahaan khushi- khushi rahein.... toh unki maa se baare mein uth- pataang baatein karna bandh karo!!!!

(Anuradha stiffened at his tone, but Vikram wasn’t finished.)

Vikram: (voice rising slightly) Naina ke baare mein, aage se koi bhi gandi baat main bardaasht nahi karunga. Koi bhi!!!!

(He took a deep breath, trying to control the storm raging inside him. But the next words came out without hesitation, raw and unfiltered.)

Vikram: (voice laced with frustration, guilt) Hame toh usay kahin ka nahi choda tha, Maa!!! Usne apni izzat khud kamayi hai.... apne dum pe!!!

(His fists clenched at his sides as his next words came out slow, deliberate, filled with a promise.)

Vikram: (tone gets intense) Aur jab tak main zinda hoon, main usay kisi ke bhi saamne girne nahi dunga!!!!

(Anuradha stared at him, her lips slightly parted, her usual sharp comebacks failing her for the first time.

Then, after a beat, she let out a mocking chuckle, shaking her head.)

Anuradha: (mockingly) Mujhe ek baat samajh nahi aa rahi hai.... tumhe Naina ki itni fikar kyun ho rahi hai, haan? Itni tarafdaari kyun kar rahe ho, uski? Tum dono toh —

(Vikram clenched his jaw, his entire body going rigid.

He had had enough.

Things had changed between them… and he wanted to say it badly.

In fact, he was going to say it.

He inhaled sharply, his lips parting as he looked her dead in the eye.)

Vikram: (almost confessing) Naina and I…

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Just then,

(Kiaan, who had been silent until now, stepped forward and placed a hand on Vikram’s shoulder.

The firm but silent gesture made Vikram pause.

Their eyes met, and in that brief moment, Vikram understood what Kiaan was trying to say— 'not now, not like this'.

Vikram inhaled deeply, composing himself.

Then, smoothly, he changed his words.)

Vikram: (calmly) Naina and I… have decided to at least be friendly for the sake of the kids. We wanted to co-parent properly, without unnecessary fights and negativity.

(Anuradha looked skeptical, but before she could say anything, Kiara, in her usual mischievous way, piped up.)

Kiara: (grinning cheekily) ek saal aaram se co- parenting kar lo!!! Waise bhi agle saal toh hum khud adults ho jaayenge… toh parenting toh gayi tel lene!

(Kiaan, standing beside her, snickered at her words.)

Kiaan: (muttering) Fair point.

(Vikram rolled his eyes at his children but couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him.

He shook his head slightly, a small smile playing on his lips.)

Vikram: (mock-sternly) Haan, haan, bahut bade ho gaye tum dono.

(Kiara winked at Kiaan, proud of her well-timed comment.)

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But then,

(Vikram’s expression turned serious again as he faced Anuradha. The humor vanished from his face, replaced by determination.)

Vikram: (firmly) Bacche apni maa ke ghar ja rahe hain!!! Aur ab yeh baat, kisi discussion ka topic nahi honi chahiye!!!Aur ek baat sun lijiye, Maa.... ab se bacchon ke saamne Naina ke against, aap ek shabd nahi kahengi!!! Agar aapko koi problem hai, toh apne paas rakhiye!!!

(Vikram turned to Kiaan and Kiara, his expression softening.)

Vikram: (gently) Chalo, bachchon. Tumhari mamma wait kar rahi hai.

(Kiaan hesitated before walking toward her father, clutching his bag. Kiara followed, glancing nervously at her grandmother.

Vikram didn't wait for another argument. Without another word, he took his children's hands and walked out of the house, leaving Anuradha sitting in stunned silence.)

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Author’s Note ✨📖

Hey, amazing readers! ❤️

Phew! That was intense, right? 😮🔥 Vikram finally standing up to his mother, the tension, the emotions—uff! What do you think? Did Vikram handle it well? Or should he have just told the truth? 👀 Let me know in the comments!

Your feedback means everything to me! 🥰 So don’t forget to vote ⭐, comment 💬, and follow 🔔 for more drama, emotions, and of course—Vikram & Naina’s journey!

And a big shoutout to all my readers who have been supporting this story from the start—you guys are the real MVPs! 🫶💖

Now, tell me—whose side are you on? Team Vikram or Team Anuradha? Or just Team Let Vikram & Naina Be Happy Already? 😆 Drop your thoughts below! ⬇️💥