Chapter 75: Sach Ka Saamna

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Authors note:

Hey everyone! 😊 This chapter turned out a little longer than usual, and I'm really sorry about that.

But there were a lot of important things that needed to be said, and I didn't want to rush through them. So, I hope you'll bear with me. 🙈

Thank you for your patience—it truly means a lot! ❤️

I promise it'll be worth it!

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(The atmosphere was tense but civil. The soft clinking of teacups filled the silence as everyone settled in.

Anuradha sat with her usual grace, her expression unreadable.

Naina kept her hands folded in her lap, her fingers subconsciously twisting the edge of her saree.

Vikram was seated beside her, his eyes darting between his mother and Purab's mother, already bracing himself for what was to come.)

(Purab's mother set her teacup down on the side table and turned to Anuradha.

Hesitant, she took a deep breath before speaking softly.)

Purab's Mother: (softly yet firmly) Anuradha ji... aapse ek zaroori baat karni thi... agar aap ijaazat dein?

Anuradha: (placing her cup down delicately, nodding) Haan... Haan.... please, kahiye!

(Purab's mother took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully.)

Purab's Mother: Dekhiye, hum yahan kisi jaghde ke iraade se.... ya ilzaam lagane ke liye nahi aaye hain.... Bas ek baat saaf karna chahte hain.... yeh shaadi sirf ek formal decision nahi hai, ek samjhauta nahi hai..... Yeh Naina ki khushi ka faisla hai.

(At the mention of her name, Naina looked up slightly.

Anuradha, however, remained still, her face giving nothing away.)

Purab's Mother: (continuing, her voice holding an edge of emotion) Agar dekha jaaye toh... bachpan se lekar aaj tak, Naina ki zindagi ka har bada faisla uska apna nahi raha. Uss se, uska ek badi racer banne ka sapna, cheen liya gaya.... Woh kisi aur se pyaar karti thi... uss se shaadi bhi karna chahati thi.... lekin bhagwaan ko kuch aur hi manzoor tha!!!

(Naina lowered her gaze, old memories surfacing, but she didn't interrupt.)

Purab's mother: Aur phir jab Vikram se, uski shaadi hui, toh usne har kadam par aapki baat maani, aapke sab faisle sweekar kiye.... Kabhi uska mann ka kuch nahi hua!!!! Magar ab... ab uski sirf ek chhoti si khwahish hai... ki Vikram ke saath, ab woh ek pyaar bhari zindagi jiye!!!

(A flicker of something—perhaps guilt, perhaps discomfort—crossed Anuradha's otherwise calm face.

She tightened her grip around her teacup but said nothing.)

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Purab's mother: (glancing briefly at Vikram, then back at Anuradha) Vikram ne waada kiya hai ki iss baar sab alag hoga. Woh Naina ka saath dega, usse waise hi pyaar karega, jaise woh deserve karti hai!!! Aur hum bhi yahi chahte hain, ki humari beti sukhi rahe, khush rahe!!!

(A brief silence followed. Anuradha's expression remained impassive, but the room's atmosphere grew heavier.

Purab's mother leaned forward slightly, her voice was firm but laced with emotion)

Purab's mother: Par Anuradha ji, ek baat hai jo mujhe andar se bechain kar rahi hai. Mere mann ko, abhi bhi vichlit kar rahi hai....  (she pauses and takes a deep breath) kya aapka sach mein hriday parivartan hua hai??? Kya sach mein, aapko apni kiye pe pachtaava ho raha hai??

(The room stilled. Naina stiffened slightly, already sensing the weight of what was coming.

Even Vikram shifted in his seat, his jaw tightening.)

Purab' mother: Main phir se apni bacchi ko, iss aag mein kood te huay, nahi dekh sakti!!!

(She locked her gaze on Anuradha)

Purab's mother: (her voice softer, almost reflective) Agar aap 18 saal ki Naina se milti... toh shayad aap samajh paati, ki aapne usse kitna badal diya tha....

(The words landed like a stone dropped into still water—silent yet deeply unsettling.

Naina's fingers clutched the fabric of her saree a little tighter.

The weight of those years pressed against her chest, but she didn't say a word.

Anuradha didn't react immediately. She blinked once, twice, her lips parting slightly before closing again. The silence stretched unbearably long.)

Purab's Mother: 18 years pehle, jab isne apna sab kuch Purab ke naam kar ke sabse rishta tod diya tha... tab se hum iske liye pareshaan rahe hain!!... Kitna dhoonda issay!!!! Lekin, iska kuch ata-pata nahi... koi khabar nahi!!! Purab toh maano pagal sa ho gaya tha!!

(Anuradha stiffens but remains silent. A shadow of guilt flickers across her face.)

Purab's Mother: (bitterly) Usko toh yeh yakeen ho gaya tha ki Naina kahin door hi chali gayi hogi... kyunki aisa ho hi nahi sakta ki woh Delhi mein ho... aur ek baar bhi isse na mile!

(She pauses to calm herself down a bit)

Purab's Mother: Aap sochiye toh sahi, Anuradha ji... Naina ne kis hadd tak aapki aagya ka paalan kiya hai... ki isne kabhi apne puraane doston se contact tak nahi kiya... sochiye, Delhi mein hone ke bawajood bhi, Purab ko pata hi nahi chala!!!

(There's a pin-drop silence in the room.

Naina notices Anuradha shifts uncomfortably in her chair.)

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Then,

(In a quiet yet decisive movement, Naina got up and walked over to Purab's mother, placing her hand gently over hers.)

Naina: (softly, pleading) Aunty... please. Chhodiye... Bas kar dijiiye.

(Her voice was calm, but there was an unspoken urgency in it.

She didn't want to dig up old wounds. She didn't want a confrontation.

Vikram clenched his jaw. His hands remained tightly balled into fists on his lap.

He knew Naina didn't want a scene. But he also knew the truth—his mother had changed her.

And some wounds didn't heal just because they were ignored.

Purab's mother looked at Naina, searching her face, before exhaling slowly.

She squeezed Naina's hand in reassurance and didn't continue.)

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(But before silence could settle in, Anuradha finally spoke.

Her voice was calm yet laced with something unfamiliar—perhaps guilt, perhaps acceptance.)

Anuradha: (softly) Naina.... inhe mat roko... sach hi toh keh rahi hain, yeh...

(Naina turned to look at her, surprised. Anuradha met her gaze, her expression unreadable.

Anuradha sighs, looking at Vikram briefly before turning to Naina)

Anuradha: Tum aur Vikram... tum dono ne... mere umar ka lihaaz karke, kabhi bhi mujhe zyada kuch nahi kaha... isiliye shaayd mujhe ehsaas hi nahi hua, ki maine kitni badi galti kar di hai.... Lekin aaj main sab sunne ke liye tayyar hoon.....

(A heavy silence fell in the room.)

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(Purab's mother took a deep breath, glancing at her husband before speaking again, this time with even more emotion.)

Purab's mother: (voice full of sorrow) Darr jaisa shabd toh Naina ki dictionary mein tha hi nahi, Anuradha ji!!!!

(She looked at Naina with a soft smile, but there was pain in her eyes as she continued.)

Purab's mother: roz motorcycle pe naye- naye stunts try karna... kitni toh chotein lagti thi Naina ko.... but isay kabhi farak nahi pada!!!!

Purab's father: (getting nostalgic) arrey.... Bhool gayi tum??? Ek baar, colony mein kuch autowaale, kisi ladki ko tangh kar rahe thay.... Naina ne kya maara tha unko!!! Ek ka toh muh hi tod diya tha!!!!

Purab: Aryan toh Naina ko apni sherni bulaata tha.... yeh, uss fuddu ki unofficial body guard thi.... aisi dabang personality thi uski!!!!

Purab's mother: (gets nostalgic) ussay events organize karne mein mazaa aata tha... hamaare colony ke festivals sabse best hote thay.... Naina, kuch na kuch program organize kar hi deti thi (looks fondly at Naina) Sabki chahiti thi, yeh!!! Har ek party, har event ki jaan hoti thi...

(Naina looked down, biting her lip. She didn't know how Anuradha would react to all of this.)

Purab's mother: (her voice breaking slightly) Aur phir... almost 18 saal baad jab Naina dobara mili, toh main toh isse pehchaan hi nahi paayi...

(She shook her head, her voice thick with emotion.)

Purab's mother: Dari hui, sehmi si khadi rehti thi bas... zinda laash ki tarah.

(Vikram clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. He knew this was true, and it killed him to hear it out loud.

Bhoomika had been quiet till now, but even she was full of emotions. She couldn't hold herself back)

Bhoomika: Ek baar khaane mein, isne namak thoda kam daal diya... Pata chalne par, yeh toh aise darr- darr ke maafi maang rahi thi, jaise koi paap kar diya ho!!

(Naina's hands trembled slightly, but she quickly folded them in her lap, trying to keep her composure.

Bhoomika reached out, gently squeezing her hand.

Naina offered a weak smile in return, but her eyes remained downcast.)

Purab's mother: (her voice turning bitter now) Woh na has rahi thi... na masti kar rahi thi.... hame jiss lively Naina ki aadat thi.... yeh toh woh thi hi nahi!!!!

(She takes a shaky breath, her voice quivering as tears pool in her eyes.

She wipes them away angrily, as if blaming herself for not seeing it sooner.)

Purab's mother: ek din therapist ko dikhaya tha isse... unhone bataya, ki iske saath ghar mein mental abuse hua hai...

(Anuradha flinches slightly, her fingers tightening around the edge of her saree.

Purab's mother notices but doesn't stop. She needs to say it. She needs Anuradha to hear it all.)

Purab's mother: Phir Naina ne hame khul ke saari baatein bataayi... usne bataya ki usay yahaan, iss ghar mein kabhi izzat nahi mili.... Pyaar nahi mila.... Issay toh sirf taane mile, apmaan mila!!!!

(She tightens her fist, as if trying to contain the storm brewing inside her.

Her eyes burn with an oath, a promise that cannot be broken.)

Purab's mother: Sach kahun, Anuradha ji.... hamse bilkul bhi bardaasht nahi hua!!!! Maine toh uss hi din soch liya tha, ki jisne bhi Naina ka yeh haal kiya hai... woh kabhi khush naa rahe!!!!

(A sharp silence followed. Anuradha's face remained impassive)

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Purab's Mother: (her voice trembling with emotion) Meri bhi saas aisi hi thi... Woh kehti thi ki bahu ko discipline mein rakhna zaroori hai. (She lets out a bitter laugh.) Par yeh discipline hota hai? Ki ek bahu apni saas ki har unreasonable expectation ko bina soche-samjhe maane? Apni khushi, apne sapne kurbaan kar de? Saas ke bojh tale daba kar rahe, apni pehchaan tak kho de?

(She shakes her head, her body trembling now.)

Purab's mother: Anuradha ji... ek villain bhi dikhai de jaata hai... kyunki woh saamne se vaar karta hai. Par aapne? Aapne toh Naina ko dheere-dheere andar se hi tod diya... Usse bhar diya, self-doubt se, guilt se, darr se!

(Purab, seeing his mother this distraught, steps forward and gently holds her shoulders.)

Purab: (softly, yet firmly, his voice laced with concern) Maa, bas... please. (takes a deep breath, his eyes pleading) Aap itna gussa mat kijiye... Aapne jo kehna tha, keh diya!

(Anuradha looks away, lips pressed into a thin line.

The air is thick with unspoken words.

A tense silence lingers before Purab's father finally speaks, his voice calm yet pointed.)

Purab's Father: (measured, yet firm) Sochiye, Anuradha ji... Aapki bhi ek beti hai... ek pothi hai!

(he leans a bit forward, but his gaze locking with hers)

Purab's Father: Koi agar aapki beti ya pothi ke saath aisa karta, toh? Kya karti aap?

(For the first time, a flicker of emotion crossed Anuradha's face.

She took a deep breath, finally looking up.

Naina grabbed a cushion as if she was trying to brace herself from the reaction that Anuradha would give next.)

Anuradha: (quietly but firmly) Main apni beti ko kabhi bhi uss ghar mein, uss parivaar ke saath rehne hi nahi deti... Hargiz nahi!!!! Aisa parivaar, meri beti ya meri pothi ko, deserve hi nahi karta!!!!

(A pin-drop silence followed her words. Naina looked up at her, shocked.

Bhoomika and Purab exchanged glances, while Purab's mother leaned back slightly, exhaling deeply.

The weight of Anuradha's admission lingered in the air.)

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Then,

(Vikram spoke, his voice unexpectedly soft yet firm.)

Vikram: Aap sahi keh rahe hain, Uncle!!!! Main bhi toh Kiara ko lekar protective hoon...

(Everyone turned to look at him. He looked directly at Purab's mother, his expression serious.)

Vikram: (continuing) Jab uska motorcycle accident hua tha... Main toh pagal hi ho gaya tha... bas yahi soch raha tha ki agar Kiara ko kuch ho jata toh?? aur phir mujhe jab information mili, Ki Paarth motorcycle chala raha tha, aur uski wajah se accident hua.

(He exhaled sharply, shaking his head as if recalling the moment.)

Vikram: (his voice lower, controlled) Main toh bechaare Paarth par chadh hi gaya tha... I was so angry that I told Kiara to break up with him!!!

(Anuradha turned her head slightly, her grip loosening on her saree. The weight of Vikram's words was not lost on her.)

(There was an understanding nod from Purab's father before he spoke, his voice calm but cutting.)

Purab's father: Tum apni beti ka ek chhota sa accident bardaasht nahi kar paaye...

(Vikram looked at him, his grip on the edge of the couch tightening.)

Purab's father: (firmly, with pain in his voice) Toh socho... hum pe kya beeti hogi jab iske therapist ne yeh diagnosis diya ki Naina was mentally abused!

(For a moment, no one spoke. Anuradha's lips parted as if to say something, but she closed them again.

Purab's mother wiped the corner of her eye, while Bhoomika gently patted Naina's hand.)

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(A tense silence filled the room. The weight of past mistakes, old wounds, and unspoken regrets lingered heavily.

Naina sucked in a breath. The words hit harder than she expected.

Anuradha closed her eyes for a brief moment, as if letting the truth settle in.)

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Then,

(Vikram turned to talk to Purab's father. His expression remained composed yet resolute.

When he spoke, his voice was calm but firm, carrying the weight of a promise.)

Vikram: (politely, but with quiet determination) Uncle, main maanta hoon ki meri maa ne Naina ko bahut tang kiya tha... usse torture bhi kiya tha. Jo kuch bhi iss ghar mein, Naina ke saath hua, woh galat tha!! Maa ne jo kiya... maine jo kiya... sab galat tha!

(paused, taking a deep breath)

Vikram: Lekin ab hum yeh galti sudhaarenge. (with unwavering confidence) I will make sure of it. Yeh ghar ka maahol badlega... yahaan ke log bhi badlenge.

(He then turned to Naina, his voice softening but still holding a steely resolve.)

Vikram: Maine Naina se kaha hai, ki iss baar main uske saath nahi... uske aage khada rahunga! And I mean it! I will not let anyone's bullshit reach her ever again!!

(Anuradha, who had been sitting silently, took a deep breath.

Her hands trembled slightly as she folded them in her lap.)

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Then,

(She looked up, her gaze meeting Purab's parents' with an honesty rarely seen before.)

Anuradha: (voice heavy with regret) Main maanti hoon... maine Naina ko kabhi apni beti nahi maana. Ek maa jaisa pyaar nahi diya. Bas apni soch, apni marzi uss par thopti rahi. Aur yeh bhi maanti hoon ki meri wajah se uski hansi, uski masti chali gayi...

(Naina swallowed hard, her throat tightening as she heard Anuradha's words.)

Anuradha: Bachpan se, ek ladki ko yeh hi sikhaaya jata hai.... ki pati ki marzi ke bina kuch nahi karna hai!!! Jo sasural waale kahe, wahi uska dharam hai!!!

(She paused, her voice thick with emotion.)

Anuradha:  Main bhi sochti thi ki main ek achhi saas hoon, kyunki maine usse ghar ke reeti-riwaaz sikhaaye, ek acchi patni banne ki salaah di. Par ab samajh aaya hai ki maine usse sirf ek bechaari bana ke rakh diya tha... ek aisi ladki jo hamesha darr- darr ke jeeti thi, jiska apna koi wajood hi nahi tha!

(She blinked rapidly, trying to hold back tears.

Kiara and Kiaan, who were sitting on the floor, with Prakhar, exchanged glances with each other.

They were unsure of what to say, unaccustomed to seeing their grandmother in this vulnerable state.)

Anuradha: (voice breaking slightly) Par jo sabse badi galti maine ki... woh yeh thi, ki maine Vikram ko patni ki izzat karna nahi sikhaya.

(A deep silence settled in the room. Vikram's fingers twitched slightly, but he didn't interrupt.)

Anuradha: Maine yeh nahi sikhaya ki ek pati ko apni patni ka saath hamesha dena chahiye. Ek rishtey mein izzat aur pyaar dono zaroori hote hain, par maine Vikram ko sirf control sikhaya.

(She sighed, her gaze dropping to her hands, as if she were seeing the years of her mistakes resting upon her palms.)

Anuradha: Patni ko dabaake rakhna sikhaya... samajhna aur nibhaana nahi sikhaya.

(Vikram looked down, guilt flickering across his face. He knew his mother's words were true.)

Anuradha: (earnestly) Mujhe pata hai, sirf kehne se kuch nahi badlega... sirf maafi maangne se kuch nahi sudhrega. Par main aap sabko yeh yakeen dilaana chahti hoon ki main badalne ki koshish kar rahi hoon.

(She paused for a while...)

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Then,

(She looked directly at Purab's mother, her eyes filled with sincerity.)

Anuradha: Naina ko ek naya jeevan shuru karne ka poora haq hai. Aur agar woh is ghar mein rehne ka faisla karti hai, toh is baar main usse ek bahu ki tarah nahi, ek beti ki tarah rakhungi. Main uska darr nahi, uska sahaara banoongi.

(A hushed silence fell over the room. Anuradha's words held an unexpected intensity, making Naina's heart race.)

Anuradha: Lekin main aapka darr samajhti hoon, behen ji.... aap nahi chaahengi ki Naina phir se dukhi ho.... isiliye main keh raahi hoon... ki agar Naina, iss ghar mein comfortable nahi hai... toh Vikram aur woh, kahin aur jaake reh sakte hain!!!

(Vikram was visibly taken aback. He had never expected these words from his mother.)

Anuradha: aur main yeh sab dil se keh rahi hoon!!!! Maine Naina ki bahut zaade zakham diye hain, bahut dukh diye hain.... aur main nahi chaahungi, ki Naina phir se, ek tension bhari zindagi mein phans ke reh jaaye....

(she sighs and takes a deep breath)

Anuradha: Agar iss ghar mein rehne mein.... mere saath rehne mein, usay zarra si bhi hichak ho rahi hai.... toh tum dono kahin aur shift ho jaao.... aur main, tum dono ko rokungi nahi.

(Purab's father exchanged a glance with his wife, who nodded subtly, absorbing Anuradha's transformation.

Naina, on the other hand, felt a strange feeling of shock.

She never thought that Anuradha would behave in such manner.)

Anuradha: (softly, but with conviction) Iss baar, Naina ki khushi mere liye sabse upar hogi.

(she turned towards Naina and spoke softly)

Anuradha: Naina, only you matter this time... only your feelings matter. Toh, jo bhi faisla tum logi... wohi final hoga.

(The room fell into a deep silence. Every eye was on Naina, waiting for her response.)

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Then,

(Naina lifted her gaze, meeting Vikram's. Unlike before, there was no pressure in his eyes, no expectations—only a quiet understanding, an openness that made her throat tighten with emotion.

She took a shaky breath, blinking back the tears threatening to spill.

Vikram: Naina.... kya soch rahi ho tum?

Naina spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper)

Naina: Jaan... can we talk alone?

(A collective hush fell over the room. Kiaan and Kiara exchanged glances with each other.

Purab's mother's eyes widened slightly. Anuradha stiffened for a moment, as if surprised, while Purab's father watched intently.

But it was Vikram's reaction that stood out.

His eyes widened in surprise. It wasn't just what she said—it was how she said it.

She had called him 'Jaan'... in front of everyone!

For a second, he just stared at her, processing the moment.

Then, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of his lips.)

Vikram: (softly) Sure... baahar garden mein chalna hai?

Naina nodded.

They turned to the elders, silently asking for permission.

Purab's parents exchanged glances before nodding in understanding.

Anuradha gave a small, weak smile and nodded.

Without another word, Vikram placed his hand on the small of Naina's back, guiding her toward the glass doors leading to the garden.

The room remained silent as they left, yet the air was heavy with emotions—hope, uncertainty, and the undeniable sense that change had finally begun.)

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Author's Note 💖

Phew! 🤯 That was intense, right?

The emotions, the confrontations, the weight of the past... 'Happily Unmarried' has reached a point where every unspoken word, every stolen glance, and every lingering pain carries a story of its own.

Writing this scene was not easy. The tension between Anuradha and Purab's mother, Naina's silent suffering, and Vikram's helpless anger—it all felt so raw. 💔

But that's the beauty of stories like these... they make us feel, they make us think, and sometimes, they make us cry. 😢

Purab's mother didn't hold back at all!

The way she reminded everyone (including Anuradha 😶) about the girl Naina used to be... and what she had become!!!!

And then that last part... Anuradha's realization! 🤯

Who would've thought we'd hear those words from her? 'Aisa parivaar meri beti ya pothi ko deserve nahi karta'... and 'Vikram aur woh, kahin aur jaake reh sakte hain'!!!!

Like, WOW. That's HUGE coming from her! 👏

Also... Vikram! 💥 The way he connected it to Kiara was just chef's kiss 👌. A father's love and protectiveness kicking in at the right moment! 😍

But what happens next?

What do you think Naina will decide??

Will she truly find happiness?

Will Vikram prove that this time, it's different? 🤯

Keep reading to find out!

And of course, drop your thoughts in the comments! ⬇️

Tell me—whose side are you on?

Team Naina?

Team Anuradha?

Or

Just Team "Give Naina A Break Already"?! 😂