The Mehta Mansion was beautifully lit, candles flickering along the tables, setting the stage for a dinner gathering that should've been a celebration. It was Shreya's birthday, and she had invited Sia, Arjun, Aarav, and Neha to join in the family celebration. Yet, no matter how grand the setting was, Sia couldn't shake the weight of the tension in the air.
Sia sat at the dinner table, glancing at her mother, Shreya, who wore a faint smile. But Sia knew better; her mother's eyes were sad, as if she, too, was trying to hide the hurt that was always present whenever her husband, Harish, was around.
Arjun, on the other hand, kept his hands tightly fisted under the table, his eyes shifting from Sia's father to Sia. He could sense the discomfort in the air, the unspoken words, and the way Harish's sharp tongue always seemed to find its mark.
"Riya was always so much more graceful and composed," Harish was saying, his words sharp like daggers, aimed directly at Sia. "She's successful and beautiful, everything a man could want in a wife."
Sia felt her stomach churn. Her father's words were a constant reminder of the lack of recognition she received from him. She had long since stopped fighting to earn his approval, but hearing him belittle her in front of everyone was too much.
Aarav, who was sitting beside Sia, clenched his jaw in frustration. He didn't like how Harish kept cutting down Sia, and he couldn't just sit there any longer.
"Sia's got strength that you don't even begin to understand, Uncle," Aarav finally snapped, his tone sharp. "Her quiet strength is more valuable than all the superficial things you praise in Riya."
Harish's eyes flicked to Aarav, his expression icy. "Strength? What kind of strength is that, Aarav? Is that the kind of strength that's supposed to make up for her lack of anything useful in this family?"
Sia's face flushed with humiliation. She opened her mouth to say something, but Neha, who was sitting beside Aarav, tried to interrupt. "Let's not talk about this at the dinner table," she said gently, hoping to change the subject. "It's aunty's birthday. Let's celebrate her."
But Harish wasn't done. "Celebrate?" he scoffed. "Why should I celebrate when I have to look at this disappointment sitting at my table?" He motioned dismissively toward Sia, his voice cutting deep. "Riya's out there making something of herself, while my this daughter..." He trailed off, not needing to finish the sentence for everyone to understand the insult.
Sia's heart shattered in that moment. She had never expected her father to praise her, but the cruel, dismissive words he aimed at her now were too much to bear. The pain in her chest began to suffocate her, and a single sob escaped her lips before she could stop it.
It was the breaking point.
Arjun's eyes flared with fury. He stood up abruptly, his chair scraping across the floor. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Without a moment's hesitation, he turned to face Harish, his voice low but laced with controlled rage.
"Enough," Arjun said, his voice trembling with the force of his anger. "I won't let you talk to my wife like that, Mr. Mehta."
Harish smirked, his lips curling with disdain. "Your wife?" He scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "As if you've accepted this... shame as your wife. I'm sure she's nothing like Riya, but I suppose you're used to disappointment by now."
The room fell silent. Every word Harish uttered hit like a hammer, the weight of his cruelty hanging in the air. Sia looked down at her lap, her hands trembling, unable to meet anyone's gaze. She had never felt so small, so invisible in front of the people who should've loved her the most.
But Arjun, his anger burning hotter than ever, didn't let the insult slide. His voice was fierce as he turned toward his father-in-law. "You don't get to speak to her like that, not ever. If you can't show her the respect she deserves, then I'll make sure you never get the chance to belittle her again."
Harish's gaze hardened, but he didn't speak further. The tension in the room was suffocating, and after a moment, Arjun turned on his heel, grabbing Sia's hand and leading her out of the dining room. Aarav, Neha, and even Shreya followed to bid them goodbyes, unsure of what had just transpired but grateful to see the tension break.
The Ice Cream Treat
To clear the heavy air, Arjun took Sia, Aarav, and Neha to Sia's childhood favorite ice cream parlor. The familiar place, with its colorful walls and the sweet smell of fresh waffle cones, brought a small smile to Sia's face despite the events of the evening. It was a quiet moment, a sanctuary where Sia could breathe again.
"Thanks for doing that," Sia whispered to Arjun as they sat down with their ice cream. Her voice was soft, grateful but still holding a sadness that she couldn't shake.
Arjun gave her a small, reassuring smile. "You don't have to thank me. I couldn't just sit there and let him tear you down."
Sia's eyes softened, her heart swelling with appreciation for him. But then, as they sat there, Arjun couldn't help but glance over at Aarav and Neha. Aarav was laughing, his eyes twinkling as he teased Neha about somethingâclearly enjoying himself, much to Arjun's annoyance.
Arjun felt a pang of embarrassment as he realized how foolish he'd been to think there was something between Aarav and Sia. The way Aarav was flirting with Neha, so carefree and happy, made Arjun feel stupid for ever doubting them.
"Did you ever think about how ridiculous we all look?" Arjun muttered under his breath, more to himself than to anyone else.
Sia raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Arjun glanced at Aarav, who was now making Neha laugh with an exaggerated story. "I thought... I thought there was something going on between you and Aarav." He chuckled awkwardly, feeling foolish.
Sia blinked in surprise, then laughed softly. "Arjun, you're way overthinking this."
Arjun sighed, relief flooding through him, though he couldn't completely shake off the guilt. "I'm sorry for doubting you. I've got a lot of things to sort out in my head."
Sia's smile softened. "We both do."
And for the first time in a long while, they both found a sense of peace amidst the chaosâtogether, even if it was just for a moment.