Chapter 65: Between Guilt and Forgiveness

(A heavy silence filled the room as Naina sat still, her gaze locked onto Anuradha.

The older woman, once unwavering and harsh, now seemed smaller, weighed down by the burden of her own words.

The air between them was thick, filled with unsaid emotions, years of resentment, and the sudden shift of realization.)

Naina: (after a pause, softly, yet firmly) Aunty, aapne jo bhi mujhe kaha... maine sab suna.... Mera bas ek hi sawaal hai... (raises her voice slightly) Ab kyun, aunty ji? Yeh guilt ab kyun ho raha hai? Itne saalon tak toh, aapko kabhi kuch feel nahi hua... aaj achanak? Ab aisa kya ho gaya jo aapko itna dukh, itna guilt ho raha hai?!

(Anuradha clenched her hands together, as if holding onto a fragile truth.

Her lips trembled before she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.)

Anuradha: Beta... kabhi-kabhi poori zindagi lag jaati hai, aur apni galti ka ehsaas hota hi nahi hai. Aur kabhi-kabhi koi ek shabd keh deta hai... aur achanak se, saari galtiyan saamne dikhai dene lagti hain.

(Anuradha exhaled shakily, her fingers twisting together as she struggled to maintain her composure.

She looked away for a brief moment, gathering the strength to continue.)

Anuradha: Kiara aur tumhari dono ki photo newspaper mein aayi thi, aaj!! Uske turant baad mohalle ki saari ladies ghar aa gayi. Mujhe laga ki sab mazaak udaane aayi hain... meri insult karne aayi hain... (she paused, swallowing hard) par sab ulta ho gaya.

(She let out a soft, almost incredulous chuckle, her misty eyes betraying her emotions.)

Anuradha: Woh sab itne excited thay... itne khush thay, ki Kiara ne kuch toh alag kiya. Warna toh hamaare ghar se sirf doctors aur engineers hi nikalte hain. Kiara ne at least kuch aur karne ki sochi! They were so proud of her. Keh rahe thay, 'Aaj kal ke bachhe, jab parents ki shadow se nikal ke kuch apna karte hain, toh kitna accha lagta hai.'

(She sighed, shaking her head slightly, as if the weight of her own ignorance had just crashed onto her.)

Anuradha: Woh tumhari photo dekhkar toh, shock mein hi chale gaye thay... woh toh soch bhi nahi paa rahe thay ki tum, jo itni chup-chap rehti thi... ek racer nikli! And they were all very proud of you!

Naina: (narrowing her eyes, her voice measured) Toh jab society ne Kiara ko, mujhe accept kiya... tab jaake aapko, apna guilt feel hua? Yehi baat hai naa?

(Anuradha met Naina's gaze, her expression torn between hesitation and an unspoken truth.)

Anuradha: Shaayad... pata nahi, beta.

(She smiled sadly, the weight of her emotions clear in her eyes.)

Anuradha: But aaj kuch toh alag hua.

(She hesitated, as if the next words were the hardest to admit.)

Anuradha: Jab bhi Vikram aur Tanvi padhaai mein achhe marks laate thay, un dono ki khoob tareef hoti thi. Vikram doctor bana, Tanvi engineer... dono ki sab ne prashansa ki. Vikram aaj itna bada cardiac surgeon hai... Tanvi apni company mein manager hai... mujhe lagta tha maine sab sahi kiya hai. Lekin aaj... aaj kuch alag mehsoos ho raha hai.

(Naina frowned slightly, confusion mingling with the bitterness she had long harbored.)

Naina: Kya?

(Anuradha took a shaky breath, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.)

Anuradha: Tumhari aur Kiara ki toh sab tareef kar rahe thay... par unhone meri bhi ki!

(Naina's eyes widened, disbelief flickering across her face.)

Naina: Aapko tareef?

Anuradha: Aaaj pehli baar kisi ne meri bhi taareef ki!!! (teary) Unhone kaha ki main bahut achhi saas hoon jo maine tumhe aur Kiara ko support kiya. (She let out a small, bitter laugh, shaking her head.) Woh sochte hain ki tumhare papaji aur Vikram ko, tumhare aur Kiara ke sapno se problem thi. They were the ones who were against your racing passion..... aur main kabhi kuch nahi kar payi, tum dono ke liye!!!!

(naina turned to her looking a little shocked)

Anuradha: they think.... Ki jab tumhare papaji chale gaye, tab maine yeh kadam uthaaya... tumhaara aur Vikram ka divorce karwaaya, taaki tum apne sapne jee sako, aur Kiara ki madad kar sako.

(Naina felt her chest tighten, her hands curling into fists by her sides.

Her breath hitched, conflicted between anger and disbelief.

The air between them turned unbearably heavy, suffocating with the weight of years lost, of misunderstandings, of pain that had festered too long.

Anuradha let out a sob, covering her mouth as she broke down, her body shaking with emotions she could no longer suppress.

Anuradha: Aaj sab meri taareef kar rahe thay... woh taareef... jiski main haqdaar bhi nahi hoon.

(Silence. A silence that screamed louder than words.

A silence that carried years of unspoken apologies, of hidden regrets, of a past that could never be rewritten.

Naina's throat burned. A storm brewed inside her-rage at the injustice, pain of the past, and something dangerously close to longing.

She wanted to lash out, to say something, anything!!! Because how could a few words erase years of suffering?

How could one moment of realization change the scars that had already formed?

Could wounds like these ever heal?

Could a mere apology undo years of agony?

The night remained still, waiting for her answer.)

(Anuradha turned towards Naina, whose face was unreadable, her arms were folded across her chest.

The air between them was thick with unspoken words and buried wounds.)

Anuradha: (her voice trembling) Naina... main bahut galat thi!!!! Hamesha society ke darr se, main tum par itne restrictions lagaati rahi. Par ab jo hua hai... usne meri aankhein khol di hain. I have realized my mistake, beta, isiliye tumse maafi maangne aayi hoon.

(She paused, waiting for Naina to speak. But Naina remained quiet, her expression still, her silence more powerful than any words.)

Anuradha: (softly, pleading) Naina, beta-

Naina: (interrupting gently, her voice steady) Please, aunty... aap mujhe beta mat bulaaiye!!!!

(Naina took a deep breath, steadying herself. Her voice remained firm, but emotions shimmered beneath the surface.)

Naina: Mere saath uss ghar mein bahut kuch hua!!!! And uska impact kaafi gehra tha.... 17 years, Aunty ji!!!! Har din ek naya struggle tha, mere liye!!!

(Anuradha swallowed hard, her hands trembling at Naina's words.)

Anuradha: (her voice breaking) Main-main samajh sakti hoon...

Naina: (her voice calm but firm) I don't know if you do... main samajh rahi hoon ki aap genuinely sorry hain... lekin... woh dard... jo mujhe itne saalon tak milta raha hai... ussay bhoolna aasaan nahi hai.... (calm but firm) Aunty, main samajh sakti hoon ki aapne wahi sab kiya jo Dadiji aapke saath karti rahi... And kahin hadd tak your actions were justified. They were not right though... but you had a reason... you were tuned that way!!!

(Anuradha's guilt intensified. Her shoulders slumped, the weight of her past actions pressing down on her.)

Anuradha: (guilt-ridden) Naina, main-

Naina: (cutting her off, voice heavy with emotions) Aaj bhi bahut gharon mein ladies ko western nahi pehen ne dete, bahar kaam nahi karne dete... and I don't hold a grudge against you for all of that. Society ka ek mindset hota hai, jo badalne mein waqt lagta hai.... But how do I forget the way you treated me???

(Anuradha flinched, ashamed.)

Naina: Mujhe ek baat bataaiye aunty... Kya aapki saas ne aapke saath bura bartaav kiya tha? Kya unhone kabhi bhi apne khud ke samdhi-samdhan ke baare mein kuch bhi bura kaha??? (voice rising with pent-up pain) Did she ever call you a gold digger?

Anuradha: (whispering, trembling) Nahi...

Naina: (eyes welling up, voice breaking) Par mujhe kaha gaya!!!! You called me a gold digger!!!! Aapne mere parivaar ko hamesha neecha dikhaaya!!! Mere maa-baap ke bare mein aise baatein ki, jo shayad koi dushman bhi na kare!!!! I was mentally tortured by you... every single day! I was disrespected in that house... every single day!

(Anuradha's eyes brimmed with tears. The weight of her past cruelty bore down on her.)

Anuradha: (crying now) Naina, beta-

Naina: (taking a deep breath, her voice lower but filled with pain) And the worst part? Mujhe kabhi realise hi nahi hua ki I was being abused!!

(There was a heavy silence. Anuradha looked down, her fingers twisting her saree pallu.

Guilt washed over her face, and she didn't attempt to interrupt. Naina wiped a tear but stayed firm.)

Naina: (her voice trembling with pent-up anger) Aap chahti thi ki mera, aur aapke bete ka divorce ho... chaliye, woh bhi ho gaya! But aap tab bhi baaz nahi aayi! (pauses, her eyes flashing with hurt) Aap, uske baad bhi mere baare mein anaap-shanaap baatein karti rahi!

(Her voice rises slightly, her emotions raw, unfiltered.)

Naina: Bacchon ne bataya, tab jaake mujhe pata chala! (pauses, eyes blazing) Aapne toh mere bacchon ko bhi mere khilaaf bhadkaane ki koshish ki!

(She shakes her head, disbelief and betrayal clouding her eyes.)

Naina: Kya mila aapko yeh sab karke? Aapko sukoon mila? Koi jeet mili aapko?

(Anuradha clutched her chest, feeling a deep sense of remorse. The realization of the pain she had inflicted on Naina hit her like a storm.

Her vision blurred with tears as the walls of pride and ego crumbled. She tried to steady herself, her hands trembling.)

Anuradha: (softly, voice breaking) Naina... mujhe apni galti ka ehsaas ho gaya hai...

(She swallows the lump in her throat, her voice laced with sincerity.)

Anuradha: Main accept karti hoon ki maine tumhare saath bohot bura kiya. Andhi ho gayi thi main... apni insecurities ko lekar. Apne gusse pe control nahi kar paayi. (pauses, inhaling sharply) Kabhi socha bhi nahi tha ki meri nafrat tumhe itna dukh de rahi hai... par ab samajh gayi hoon. Yeh guilt mujhe andar hi andar kha raha hai, Naina...

(Naina looks at her, her heart heavy. The woman who had once treated her like an outsider was now sitting before her, fragile, remorseful.)

Naina: Waise bhi, aunty ji... aapki soch tab badli jab colony ki ladies ne mujhe aur Kiara ko accept kar liya, hai na? Jab unhone humari tareef ki, tabhi toh aap yahaan aayi hain.... mujhse maafi maangne.

(She turns towards Anuradha and looked at her straight in her eyes)

Naina: (straightforward) Toh boliye aunty ji, agar kal ko wahi log hamaare baarein mein bura kehne lagein toh? Tab kya karengi aap?

(Anuradha looks up, her eyes filled with guilt but also a newfound determination.

She reaches for Naina's hands hesitantly, her grip weak but earnest.)

Anuradha: Naina, main pehle society ke acceptance ko sab kuch samajhti thi. Yeh meri sabse badi galti thi. Lekin ab mujhe samajh aa gaya hai ki zamaana badal gaya hai... log bhi badal gaye hain... aur sabse zaroori baat, main badal gayi hoon.

(She takes a deep breath, steeling herself.)

Anuradha: Ab mujhe koi farak nahi padta ki duniya kya sochegi. Bas apne bacchon ki khushi ki parwaah karungi. Tumhari aur Kiara ki. Main dobara kabhi nahi badlungi, Naina. Yeh sirf ek momentary acceptance nahi hai, yeh mera sach hai. (looking into Naina's eyes, softly but firmly) Maine Vikram ke sapno ko apne haatho se suffocate kiya hai.... ho sakta hai ki woh bhi aaj koi bada singer hota... stage shows karta... aaj jitna khush hai, uss se kai zyaada khush hota!!! But maine society ki darr ki wajah se nahi karne diya.... main samajh gayi hoon ki society badal gayi hai.... aur ab main bhi badal rahi hoon. Tum mujhpar vishwas kar sakti ho, Naina!!! I will support Kiara from now on.... I will try to be a positive influence in her life.

(Naina's breath catches. The sincerity in Anuradha's voice wavers her resolve.

The past couldn't be changed, but she no longer wanted to hold on to anger.

She takes a deep breath, her voice softer, but firm.)

Naina: Aunty ji... I don't know if I can forget everything...

(She watches Anuradha, so small, so broken, so lost in her own guilt.

Something inside her wavers. She exhales deeply.)

Naina: But, aaj aapse baat karke... meri nafrat thodi kam zaroor hui hai... and I do know, that I don't want to carry this pain forever... but I need some time to process everything. Main aapko itni jaldi shaayad maaf na kar paun...

(Anuradha looks up, her eyes filled with understanding. She nods, a small but genuine smile forming on her lips.)

Anuradha: (nods slowly) Mujhe pata hai, beta. Tumhaare liye yeh sab accept karna kitna mushkil hoga.... Main tumhaari jagah hoti, toh Anuradha Sabharwal ko kabhi apne ghar mein enter nahi karne deti.... (she gets teary) Mere liye toh itna hi kaafi hai, ki tumhaare dil mein, mere liye nafrat thodi kam ho gayi hai. Yeh mere liye sabse badi baat hai....

Naina: (feeling sad for her) Aunty ji...

Anuradha: Naina, mujhe tumhaare jazbaat samajh aate hain... tumhe jitna bhi time lena hai... le lo!!! Main tum pe kabhi koi pressure nahi daalungi...

(Naina looked at her, surprised by the sincerity in Anuradha's voice. She saw the older woman in a new light-flawed, broken, but trying.)

..

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..

After a while,

(Anuradha got up from the couch, adjusting her saree with practiced grace.

She grabbed her purse, preparing to leave, her fingers lingering on the strap for a moment as if hesitant.)

Anuradha: (softly) Main chalti hoon, beta... apna khayal rakhna.

Naina: (stepping forward) Aunty ji... chai toh pee ke jaiye... main abhi do minute mein bana deti hoon.

Anuradha: (shaking her head with a small smile) Nahi beta, rehne do. Aaj tum bhi kaafi busy thi... tum bhi toh thak gayi honi.... Waise toh main tumhe, aaj disturb nahi karna chahti.... but raha nahi gaya!!!! aur, waise bhi, bahut raat ho gayi hai.... mujhe chalna chahiye.

(Naina nods, stepping back slightly as Anuradha glances around the living room.

Her gaze lingers on the small details-a framed painting on the wall, a cozy throw on the couch, decorative knick-knacks placed thoughtfully.

There's a quiet warmth in the space, something personal yet welcoming.)

Anuradha: (smiling warmly) Tumne apne ghar ko bahut acche se sajaaya hai... kaafi accha taste hai tumhaara.

Naina: (taken aback, but smiles politely) Thank you, aunty ji. Main bas... Instagram se kuch na kuch dekhti rehti hoon... aur phir kuch naya try kar leti hoon.

Anuradha: (nods, her tone lighter) Accha hai... yahaan aate hi mujhe ek alag si hi feeling aayi... it was full of warmth. (pauses, then smiles) Tumhara ghar, bilkul tumhari tarah hi hai-grounded and beautiful.

(Naina looks at her, surprised by the unexpected compliment.

For a brief moment, the air between them softens, the edges of past wounds blurring.)

Naina: (softly) Aap ghar kaise ja rahi hain? Driver ke saath aayi thi kya?

Anuradha: Nahi... main cab se aayi thi. Abhi bas ghar ke liye book karne waali hoon.

(She takes out her phone, only to realize it's switched off. She sighs and looks at Naina.)

Anuradha: Tum meri liye cab book kar sakti ho? mera phone switch off ho gaya hai.

Naina: (waves off the idea) Arre, rehne dijiye, aunty. Mera driver yahin paas mein rehta hai, bula leti hoon.

Anuradha: nahi beta. tum cab hi book kar do!!! why do you want to trouble him?

Naina: abhi bahut der ho gayi hain, Aunty. Itni raat ko cab se mat jaaiye.... It's not safe. Aap 10 minutes wait kar lijiye, Rajesh aapko ghar tak drop kar dega.

(Anuradha nods, appreciating the concern.)

Anuradha: theek hai, beta!

..

..

..

Then,

(A brief silence settles between them. Anuradha adjusts the pallu of her saree, while Naina hesitates, as if weighing her next words carefully.)

Naina: (hesitant but firm) Aunty... ek baat aur kehni thi aapse.

Anuradha: (gently) Haan beta?

Naina: (taking a deep breath) Main shayad kuch dinon tak bachon se nahi mil paungi... kaafi kaam pending ho gaya hai. Aur aaj maine, Kiara ke jeet ke mauke pe uska favourite besan ka halwa banaya tha... maine bhagwaan ko bhog laga diya hai. Aap please... mere bachon ko kal woh halwa khila dengi?

(Anuradha's eyes well up again, but this time, the tears hold a different emotion-one she can't quite name.

She swallows, nodding as her throat tightens.)

Anuradha: (softly) Haan... zaroor.

(She watches as Naina quietly walks to the kitchen and returns with a small container.

In that moment, something unspoken passes between them-fragile yet real.

Anuradha clutches the container close to her chest, a small nod conveying her emotions better than words ever could.)

..

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Later,

At the basement parking area:

(The dimly lit basement parking lot hums with a low, distant echo of tires on concrete.

Naina and Anuradha stand near a pillar, the faint glow of overhead lights casting long shadows.

Anuradha glances at Naina before shifting her gaze toward the empty driveway.

A pair of headlights cuts through the dimness as a car turns into the driveway.

Rajesh pulls up smoothly, stepping out to open the door for Anuradha.

Anuradha: Chalti hoon, beta. Hamesha khush raho.

(Anuradha offers a small smile, her expression laced with something unspoken.

Naina nods, her face calm yet guarded. The air between them is thick with unfinished conversations, but neither pushes further.)

Naina: (politely) Goodnight, Aunty. Aap dhyaan se jaana.

(Anuradha pauses before stepping inside, hesitating for a fraction of a second.)

Anuradha: Goodnight, beta. Aur ek baar phir... I'm sorry.

(Naina doesn't respond, but her eyes soften just a little.

She watches as Anuradha settles into the backseat.

The door closes with a quiet thud, and the car rolls forward, disappearing into the night.

As the sound of the engine fades, Naina stands still for a moment, inhaling deeply.

The past still lingers, heavy and unresolved, yet there's a shift-subtle, but real. A hesitant step toward something lighter.

The basement remains silent, save for the occasional drip of water from the pipes above. The night stretches on-quiet, still, but not as heavy as before.

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..

Later at home:

(Vikram sat at the dining table, his fingers drumming impatiently against the wood. His eyes flickered to the clock-11:58 PM. His jaw tightened.

Where the hell was she?)

..

..

Just then,

(The sound of keys jingling echoed through the silence, followed by the slow creak of the main door.

Vikram's head snapped toward it as the door opened cautiously.

Anuradha slipped inside, shutting it carefully, making sure not to make any noise.

But the moment she turned around, she froze.

Vikram stood right there, arms crossed, his expression a mix of anger and relief. His voice was sharp, laced with frustration.)

Vikram: (gritting his teeth) Aapne time dekha hai??? Raat ke baarah baj rahe hain! Kahaan thi aap?! Phone bhi switched off aa raha hai!!!!

(Anuradha sighed, rubbing her forehead, already exhausted.)

Vikram: (his voice rising) Aap jaanti ho main kitna pareshaan ho gaya tha?! Maine Reeta aunty ko phone kiya. She said aap unke saath nahi thi. Phir literally maine sabko phone kiya, jo bhi  mujhe yaad aate gaye! No one knew where you were!

(His hands clenched into fists as he exhaled sharply, trying to control his temper.)

Vikram: (gritted) Agar aap abhi nahi aayi hoti, toh maine toh police mein complaint likhwaani thi!!!

(Anuradha, instead of reacting to his anger, gave him a weak, almost amused smile.

She wanted to tell Vikram where she was, but decided not to, atleast until Naina made her decision.

But she noticed Vikram getting restless and his frown deepened.)

Anuradha: (calmly) Mujhe kuch kaam tha, Vikram... zaroori kaam tha, toh jaana pada. But tension mat lo, tumhari maa bilkul sahi-salaamat hai.

(She patted his arm lightly, as if he was the one overreacting. Then, with the same eerie calmness, she walked toward the kitchen.)

Anuradha: (casually) Apna mood theek kar lo... chai banaun?

(Vikram's frustration only grew. Was she serious right now? He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. He didn't believe her, not entirely. But he was too tired to drag this conversation further.)

Vikram: (firmly) Koi zaroorat nahi hai, Maa!!! Main sone ja raha hoon... aap bhi so jaaiye.

(He turned to leave but paused for a second at the foot of the stairs.

His voice softened, but his tone still carried authority.)

Vikram: Aur please... kal, Kiara se dhang se baat karna. Agar ho sake, toh smile karke usse congratulations bol dena. Accha lagega usse.

(Anuradha didn't reply. She just stood there, her face unreadable.

Vikram lingered for a second, watching her, as if waiting for a response.

But when she didn't speak, he just shook his head and walked upstairs.

Anuradha stood in the empty living room, staring at nothing, her fingers tightening around the edge of the dining table, and she gave a weak smile)

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Author's Note 📢💖

Hey, lovely readers! ✨

Wow... this chapter was intense, wasn't it? 😭 The emotions, the confessions, the weight of the past—Naina and Anuradha's conversation was something I poured my heart into. 💔💬 Their pain, regrets, and that tiny flicker of hope... it all just felt so real.

What did you think? Were you as torn as Naina? Do you believe in redemption, or is some pain just too deep to forgive? Tell me EVERYTHING in the comments! 📝🔥

Your support means the world to me! If you enjoyed this, please VOTE ⭐, COMMENT 💬, and FOLLOW 📌 for more updates! Trust me, the story is only getting better from here. 😉

Can't wait to hear your thoughts! 💖💭