The anonymous messages had become a torment for Sia. Each one brought a fresh wave of pain, revealing photos of Riya and Arjun in moments that seemed too close for comfort. Though Sia tried to convince herself they were manipulated, doubt crept into her heart. She felt trapped in an emotional whirlwind, unsure of what was real and what wasn't.
Arjun, on the other hand, was dealing with a different storm. Riya had cornered him in his office, her voice dripping with mock concern.
"Arjun, I didn't want to say anything, but I think you deserve to know," she said, sliding a sleek envelope onto his desk.
"What now, Riya?" Arjun's tone was curt, his patience wearing thin.
"These," Riya began, pointing to the envelope, "are pictures of Sia and Mayank Ahuja. I didn't believe it myself, but the evidence is clear. Don't you think?"
Arjun hesitated before opening the envelope. Inside were pictures of Sia and Mayank in seemingly intimate momentsâMayank holding Sia as she stumbled, the two laughing in a café, their heads slightly too close.
"What is this?" Arjun's voice was low, laced with anger and disbelief.
"I wish I didn't have to show you this," Riya said, feigning sorrow. "But don't you think it's suspicious how much time she spends with him? You're her husband, Arjun. You have the right to know."
Arjun clenched his fists, the images burning into his mind. "You're saying Sia...?"
"I'm not saying anything," Riya interrupted, raising her hands as if in innocence. "I'm just worried about you. And I know how manipulative Mayank Ahuja can be. Maybe it's not Sia's fault. But you should talk to her before it's too late."
Her words lingered as she leaned in slightly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, baby. I'll always have your back. I'll help you through this. We don't need to let her games stress you out."
Arjun stepped back, her touch making his skin crawl. "Enough, Riya." His voice was firm, cold.
Riya's face twisted for a moment, but she quickly masked her anger with a smirk. "Fine. But remember, Arjun, I'm only trying to help." She walked out, her smile hiding the rage bubbling underneath.
Later that evening, Sia sat in her room, staring at her phone. Anonymous messages had been flooding in for days. Each one contained pictures of Riya and Arjun, laughing in his office, leaning in close, and one where Riya's hand rested on his shoulder.
Her chest tightened with every image. Why hasn't he told me about this? she thought. The trust she'd worked so hard to build felt like it was crumbling beneath her.
Before she could process her feelings, Arjun entered the room, his face dark with confusion and frustration.
"Sia," he began, his voice strained.
She turned to him, her eyes red from suppressed tears. "What is it, Arjun?"
He hesitated for a moment before pulling out his phone and showing her the pictures Riya had given him. "What's this?"
Sia's heart sank as she looked at the images of her and Mayank. She instantly understood what had happened. "Where did you get these?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Riya showed them to me," Arjun replied, his tone edged with anger. "And I need to knowâare they real? Are you meeting him behind my back?"
Her eyes filled with disbelief. "You think I'm involved with Mayank?"
"Just answer me, Sia!" he snapped, his voice rising.
Tears streamed down her face. "How could you even ask me that? After everything we've been through, you don't trust me?"
"It's not just the pictures," Arjun said, pacing the room. "It's the way you've been distant lately, the way you don't tell me things. And then these photos... What am I supposed to think?"
Sia's voice broke as she shouted back, "You're supposed to think that I'm your wife and that you trust me!"
The weight of her words hung in the air. Arjun stopped pacing, guilt flickering across his face, but the seed of doubt had already taken root.
Sia took a step back, her voice quieter now. "You believed her over me. It was that easy for you to think the worst of me. Do you even know how much that hurts?"
Her words sliced through him, but before he could respond, Sia turned and left the room, slamming the door behind her.
In the silence of their home, Sia retreated to the balcony, clutching her phone as she scrolled through the images of Riya and Arjun. Each picture felt like a dagger to her heart.
"Am I so replaceable?" she whispered to herself, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Inside, Arjun sat on the edge of the bed, his mind racing. The look in Sia's eyes haunted him, a mixture of pain and betrayal that he couldn't shake. For the first time, he questioned everything Riya had told himâand his own actions.
Sia sat on the balcony, her knees pulled to her chest as she stared into the dark night. The city lights twinkled below, but they couldn't pierce the heaviness in her heart. Tears streaked her cheeks as she replayed Arjun's accusations in her mind.
How could he think I'd betray him?
The soft creak of the balcony door broke her thoughts. Sia quickly wiped her face, trying to compose herself as Ishika stepped outside, holding two mugs of steaming hot chocolate.
"Hey," Ishika said with a bright smile, extending one of the mugs to Sia. "Thought you could use some company."
Sia tried to force a smile but failed. "Thanks, Ishika."
Ishika plopped down beside her, resting her chin on her knees. "You know, it's pretty rare for me to see you out here. Usually, you're busy running around, making everyone happy."
Sia chuckled weakly. "I guess I just needed some air tonight."
Ishika tilted her head, observing her sister-in-law closely. "Something's up, isn't it?"
Sia hesitated, her fingers tightening around the mug. "No, I'm fine. Just... a lot on my mind."
"Hmm." Ishika didn't press further. Instead, she looked up at the stars. "You know, when I was younger, I used to think the stars were tiny holes in the sky where the light of heaven peeked through."
Sia glanced at her, surprised. "That's... a beautiful thought."
"Isn't it?" Ishika grinned. "I used to tell Arjun bhaiya that all the time when he was scolding me for something. It was my way of distracting him. And trust me, he used to fall for it every time."
Sia smiled faintly, the memory of Arjun's softer side tugging at her heart.
Ishika shifted closer, lowering her voice. "Bhabhi, I know you don't like to talk about your feelings much, but... you're like my sister, you know? And I care about you. A lot."
Sia's throat tightened, and she looked away to hide the tears welling up again.
"I've always been scared," Ishika continued, her tone serious now, "that one day you'd leave us. That you'd get tired of all the drama in this house and walk away."
Sia turned to her, startled. "Ishikaâ"
"Promise me you won't," Ishika interrupted, her eyes wide and earnest. "Promise me you'll never leave me. Or Dadu, Dadi, Bade papa, Badi mumma. Or Mom and Dad. Or Aarav bhai. Or even Snowy and Candy." She hesitated before adding softly, "Or Bhaiya."
Sia's heart ached at the plea in Ishika's voice. She reached out, taking Ishika's hand. "Ishika, Iâ"
"I know I sound silly," Ishika said quickly, her cheeks flushing. "But you've made this family feel so alive again. It's like you're the glue holding all of us together. Without you, everything would just... fall apart."
Sia bit her lip, her tears spilling over. She pulled Ishika into a hug, holding her tightly. "I promise, Ishika. I won't leave. I'll always be here for you."
Ishika hugged her back, her voice muffled. "Good. Because I don't think I could survive without you."
They sat there for a while, the silence between them filled with unspoken emotions. For the first time that night, Sia felt a flicker of warmth in her heart.
As Ishika leaned back and took a sip of her hot chocolate, she grinned mischievously. "By the way, don't tell Bhai I said all this. He'll never let me live it down."
Sia laughed softly, wiping her tears. "Your secret's safe with me."
Little did Ishika know, her simple words had reminded Sia of her place in the familyâand how much she was loved, even when it felt like the world was against her.