Chapter 64: Breaking The Cycle

(It was late. The city outside had quieted down, the distant hum of traffic barely audible through the thick night air.

The dim corridor light flickered slightly, casting long shadows between them.

Naina stood frozen at her apartment's doorstep, her fingers tightening around the doorknob as she stared at the woman before her.

Anuradha—once a towering figure in her life, a force that had dictated her happiness, her struggles, her pain.)

Naina: (startled) Aunty ji? Aap yahaan? Itni raat ko?

Anuradha: (voice trembling) Naina... main... tumse kuch baat karne aayi hoon... Please mana mat karna....

(Naina's eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion creeping in.

The woman who had pushed her out of her own home, who had treated her as nothing more than a burden, was now standing at her doorstep, looking... vulnerable?)

Naina: (cautious) Kya baat karni hai aapko?

(Anuradha inhaled deeply, her chest rising and falling unevenly.)

(Her fingers twisted the edge of her saree pallu as she struggled to find words, her gaze darting away for a moment before locking onto Naina's.)

Anuradha: (softly, voice thick with emotion) Naina... Main tumse maafi maangne aayi hoon... (her voice wavers) I am so sorry!

(Naina stiffened. Her heartbeat drummed in her ears.)

Naina: (in disbelief) Maafi?

(Anuradha nodded, her chin quivering as tears pooled in her tired eyes.)

Anuradha: (hoarse whisper) Haan beta... Maine tumhaare saath bahut galat kiya hai... (she swallows hard) Nahi... jo maine kiya woh sirf galat nahi tha... ek paap tha...

(Naina's breath hitched. The weight of those words felt heavy, suffocating.

She had spent years suppressing the anguish, the nights of silent tears, the feeling of being treated like an outsider in her own home.

Anuradha's words poked at those wounds, reopening them like fresh cuts.)

Anuradha: (brokenly) Maine tumhaare saath jo kiya... uske liye main sharminda hoon... bahut sharminda...

(Her voice cracked, and she took a hesitant step forward, her hands trembling as she reached out slightly, as if seeking forgiveness with an invisible thread of desperation.

Naina instinctively stepped back, her body rigid. She didn't know if it was out of self-preservation or sheer disbelief.

The same woman who had treated her like an unpaid laborer, who had accused her, belittled her, and ultimately snatched away her right to be a mother—was now standing here, regret etched across her face.)

Anuradha: (voice trembling, desperate) Beta... main nahi chahti ki tum mujhe maaf karo... kyunki main jaanti hoon ki main uske laayak nahi hoon...

(She exhales shakily, her voice cracking.)

Anuradha: Bas... bas ek baar... mujhe maafi maangne ka ek mauka de do. Sirf ek baar apni baat kehne ka ek mauka de do!!

(To Naina's utter disbelief, Anuradha suddenly bends forward in an almost pleading stance.

Her hands shake as they remain folded, her face crumpling with guilt. The sight stuns Naina, makes her breath hitch painfully in her throat.)

(Never, not even in her wildest dreams, had she imagined this moment—Anuradha, the woman who had once controlled her, belittled her, shattered her confidence piece by piece—now standing in front of her, broken, vulnerable, pleading.

A lump forms in Naina's throat. The weight of the moment crushes her. It feels unnatural—seeing someone so much older, someone she once feared, stand before her like this.)

..

..

..

Then,

(On instinct, she quickly steps forward, gently taking Anuradha's trembling hands in her own and lowering them down.)

Naina: (softly, with quiet urgency) Aunty ji... yeh kya kar rahi hain aap? Please... aise mat kariye... aap mujhse badi hain!

(Anuradha lets out a sharp, broken sob. Her shoulders quake as the years of pent-up guilt spill out uncontrollably. Tears streak her face, unchecked, unhidden.)

Anuradha: (voice breaking, shaking her head) Nahi beta... badi toh tum ho, Naina! (She lets out a humorless, tearful chuckle.) Main toh bas naam ki badi rahi... lekin meri soch? Woh chhoti hai... bahut chhoti!

(She wipes her tears hastily, but they don't stop. Her voice wobbles with raw emotion.)

Anuradha: Maine hamesha tumhe neecha dikhaya... tumhaara apmaan kiya.... Tumhe taane maarti rahi.... Buri tarah se todti rahi... (sniffs) par tum kabhi nahi tooti!! Tum kabhi nahi ladi, kabhi kuch galat nahi kaha, mere baare mein... hamesha chup rahi! (She chokes out a bitter laugh through her tears.) Sach mein, tumhaare mummy-papa ne tumhe bahut acche sanskaar diye hain...

(Her voice drops to a whisper, heavy with regret.)

Anuradha: Aur shayad main... apne bachchon ko kuch sahi nahi sikha paayi. Shayad... main toh jeene laayak bhi nahi hoon!

(She looks up at Naina, eyes brimming with so much remorse, so much pain, that for a moment, Naina forgets every wound Anuradha ever gave her.

Forget the taunts. The humiliation. The suffocating years of feeling never good enough.

Because standing before her is not the same woman who once tore her down. This is a mother who has lost too much, a woman who finally understands the weight of her mistakes.

A deep, shuddering breath leaves Naina's lips.)

Naina: (hesitant, but firm) Aunty ji...

(She struggles for words. A part of her still aches, still remembers, still hurts. But another part of her—perhaps the stronger part—refuses to be cruel.)

..

..

..

Then,

(After a moment, she steps forward, placing a gentle but steady hand on Anuradha's shoulder.

She gives anuradha's shoulder a small squeeze before looking at the dimly lit corridor around them.)

Naina: (gentle but resolute) Bas... aise mat boliye, aunty ji. Chaliye, andar aaiye... raat bahut ho gayi hai. Aise corridor mein mat khade rahiye... andar baith kar baat karte hain.

(Without waiting for a response, she gently guides Anuradha inside, the door clicking shut behind them.)

.

.

.

In the Living Room

(Naina led Anuradha to the couch and gently helped her sit down.

Anuradha trembled with guilt, her fingers clutching the edge of her saree as she wiped away fresh tears.

Her once composed demeanor was now shattered, her remorse evident in every shaky breath.)

Naina: (calmly, yet concerned) Main abhi paani laati hoon, ek minute.

(Without waiting for a response, Naina quickly headed to the kitchen.

Her mind reeled from the unexpected encounter, but she forced herself to remain composed.

She reached for a glass, her hands steadying as she filled the glass with the water from the bottle.

The cool stream of water grounded her, reminding her to keep her emotions in check.

She returned to the living room, kneeling beside Anuradha, and gently handed her the glass.)

Naina: (softly, yet firm) Yeh lijiye, aunty ji... thoda paani pee lijiye. Please calm down.

(Anuradha took the glass with trembling hands, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

She took a small sip, as if the water could wash away the lump in her throat. She closed her eyes briefly before looking at Naina, her face etched with regret.)

Anuradha: (voice trembling, choked with emotion) Naina... main... main samajhti hoon ki main tumhare liye ek buri yaad hoon... par... par main tumse kuch baatein karna chahti hoon. (Her voice wavered as she swallowed the rising sobs.) Maine tumhare saath jo kiya... uska koi bhi justification nahi ho sakta. Maine tumse tumhare bachche cheen liye... tumhari duniya tod di. Main apni hi soch mein atki rahi, soch bhi nahi paayi ki maine tumse kya se kya bana diya...

(Naina exhaled slowly, a storm of emotions raging inside her, but she refused to let it show.

She sat down beside Anuradha, her presence steady and unyielding.)

Naina: (gently, yet firm) Theek hai... baatein kar lena... lekin pehle aap relax kijiye, aunty ji. Pehle apne aap ko sambhaaliye. Phir aaram se baat karenge.

(She reached out and placed a comforting hand on Anuradha's shoulder, offering her an anchor in the turbulent sea of emotions.

The room fell into a heavy silence, save for the soft hum of the night. Outside, the city remained indifferent to the confrontation unfolding within these walls.

Anuradha's ragged breathing began to even out, her body gradually losing its rigid tension.

The past was a heavy burden, but in this moment, Naina's quiet understanding carved a space for something deeper—a long-overdue conversation, a reckoning.)

Anuradha: (breaking the silence, her voice softer now) Pehle toh mujhe tumhe thank you kehna hai... ki tumne mujhe apne ghar mein aane diya. Mujhe toh darr tha ki tum mujhse baat tak nahi karna chahogi.

Naina: (nods, her expression unreadable) Main hairaan toh zaroor hoon... but aapke saath badtameezi toh kabhi nahi karti. Aap chinta mat kijiye, aunty ji. Aap jo kehna chahti hain, woh kahiye... main sun rahi hoon.

(Anuradha inhaled deeply, steadying herself. The weight of her past actions loomed over her, but for the first time in years, she had the chance to say what needed to be said.)

Anuradha: (sighs, her fingers twisting the edge of her saree) Tanvi ne mujhe hamesha samjhaane ki koshish ki thi... Kehti thi, 'Maa, aap wahi sab kar rahi ho jo dadi aapke saath karti thi... you need to break the cycle!!!!' Par maine uski kabhi nahi suni... main wahi karti gayi, jo meri saas ne mujhe karne pe majboor kiya tha.

(She shakes her head, her expression filled with regret.)

Anuradha: (with a bitter smile) Sab kuch, jo main tumhaare saath karti thi, wohi sab unhone mere time pe mujhe samjhaya tha. Woh kehti thi ki, 'Tum ek doctor ke parivaar ki bahu ho... ek doctor ki patni ho... Tumhaare haath mein ghar ki izzat hai. Tumhara kaam hai, pati ko izzat aur time dena... Aur ghar ko sambhaal ke rakhna!!!! Ghar hamesha perfect lagna chahiye. Khaana time pe ready ho, kapde dhang ke pehno... aur... baal hamesha theek se bandhe ho.' Sab systematic hona chahiye tha.

Naina: (shocked, leaning forward) Aapke saath bhi aisa? Aur aap bhi sab sehti chali gayi?

Anuradha: (nodding, her voice tinged with old pain) Seh leti thi... karna padta tha, Naina. Bahut rok-tok lagti thi mujh par. (gets nostalgic) Mera toh gaana bhi chooth gaya tha, unki wajah se!!!!

Naina: (eyes wide, surprised) Aap gaati thi?

Anuradha: (with a faint, wistful smile) Haan, tumhaare papaji ko meri awaaz bahut pasand aa gayi thi. Shaadi ke liye bhi isiliye haan ki thi unhone.

Naina: (connecting the dots) Toh... aapke bete ko jo singing ka talent hai, woh aap se aaya hai???

Anuradha: Haan... shaayad!!!!

Naina: (shocked) Phir aapne unhe kyun roka?? Unhe apna sapna poora kyun nahi karne diya??? Did it not hurt you???

Anuradha: (with a sigh) Mera bhi bahut mann karta tha ki main apne bete ko uski marzi ka karne doon... lekin apni saas ke khilaaf jaane ki himmat nahi thi mere paas!!!! Main agar Vikram ko nahi rokti, toh meri saas mujhe bahut khari-khoti sunaati!!!! Isliye, maine Vikram ko medical studies ki taraf concentrate karwaaya!!!!

(Naina lowered her gaze, her fingers tightening around the hem of her t- shirt)

Anuradha: Vikram ne, tab toh kabhi kuch nahi kaha... lekin inn dino, usne kai baar yeh jataya ki maine uske sapno ko kabhi samjha nahi... (sighs) Mujhe uske liye bura toh lagta tha, lekin kya karun??? Mera ego beech mein aa jata naa... aur main justification dene lag jaati ki maine jo kiya, woh sahi kiya...

(she sighs, looking away, lost in thought)

Anuradha: Aur dekha jaaye toh, tum bhi toh mere ishaaron par chal rahi thi... Kiaan ke art ko sirf hobby tak hi seemit rehne diya... Kiara ko bhi tumne bahut dabaa ke rakha tha... lekin main bhagwaan ka shukr manati hoon, ki tum phir se apni zindagi jee paayi... aur apne bacchon ko khoob support kiya!!!!

(Naina's heart clenched at those words. Tears blurred her vision as she saw Anuradha—a woman trapped in societal norms, just like she had once been.

She had resented this woman for so long, but now, all she saw was a mother who had made mistakes, who had lost, who had suffered, and who was now seeking redemption.)

Anuradha: Tumhaari pasand, tumhaare sapne, tumhaari choices... maine sab par sawaal uthaya. Woh bhi bina yeh soche ki tumhara bhi apna ek mann hai, apni icchaayein hain... mujhe toh phir yeh thoughts aane lage thay ki, yehi toh ek bahu ki zindagi hoti hai... jo kuch bhi mujhe sehna pada tha, wahi meri bahu ko bhi sehna chahiye.

(She turned towards Naina, her voice is soft and gentle.)

Anuradha: Par ab samajh aaya hai ki main bahut galat thi. Jo mere saath hua, uss cycle ko mujhe wahin tod dena chahiye tha. Tumhe ek nayi shuruaat deni chahiye thi. Tum meri bahu thi... lekin usse pehle tum ek insaan thi, aur tumhaare sapne bhi utne hi important thay, jitne kisi aur ke.

(Anuradha looks down at her hands, twisting her saree's edge nervously, her voice barely above a whisper.)

Anuradha: (continues, voice heavy) Tanvi ne kitni baar kaha, 'Maa, change yourself!!!!' Par maine uski baat kabhi nahi maani. Jo meri saas mere saath karti gayi, wohi cheez maine tumhaare saath ki.... (she wipes her tears) but, tumhaari aur meri situation mein, bas ek farq tha......

Naina: (frowns slightly) Kaisa farq?

(Anuradha looks directly at her, eyes brimming with unshed tears.)

Anuradha: Mere paas tumhaare papaji ka saath tha... Woh mujhe samajhte thay. Woh kabhi apni maa ya parents ke against bol nahi paaye... uss zamaane mein toh bolna possible bhi nahi tha... but phir bhi, unhone mujhe support kiya! Raat ko, woh hospital se thak ke aate, tab bhi meri har shikaayat patiently sunte. Kabhi meri favourite mithai lekar aajate, kabhi mere liye gajre le aate, kabhi mujhe baahar ghoomne le jaate... (she frowns) Par tumhare paas yeh sab kabhi nahi tha, Naina! Vikram toh kabhi tumhare saath khada hi nahi hua! Tumhara bhi mann karta hoga ki apni problems kisi ke saath share karo... par koi sunne waala hi nahi tha!

(A lump formed in Naina's throat. The pain in Anuradha's voice hit her hard, and she was unable to respond immediately. The air grew heavy with the weight of truths finally spoken.

Anuradha sat back on the couch, her hands still gripping her saree.

She watched Naina lean slightly forward, her gaze sharp, her emotions a mix of disbelief and curiosity.

Anuradha took a deep breath, preparing herself to hear what Naina had to say.)

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Author's Note 📖✨

Wow... what a chapter, right? 😮💔 Writing this was an emotional rollercoaster for me, and I hope it resonated with you too. This moment between Naina and Anuradha is something I've been building towards for a long time. A confrontation that isn't loud or explosive—but heavy, raw, and deeply personal.

Forgiveness is a tricky thing. It doesn't come easy, especially when the wounds run deep. But sometimes, the hardest thing isn't asking for forgiveness—it's accepting that the damage is done and still finding the courage to move forward. 🚶‍♀️💭

Anuradha's regret isn't just about Naina—it's about the generations of women who suffered under the weight of expectations and continued the cycle. It takes immense strength to break free from such patterns. And Naina? She's proof that you can rise from your past, heal, and still be kind without letting yourself be walked over. 🌿🔥

What did you feel while reading this chapter? Do you think Anuradha deserves forgiveness? Or is some damage beyond repair? Let's talk in the comments! 📝💬