Chapter 95: chapter 95

The Mehta mansion is unusually peaceful. Kajal walks in, wearing a pale blue kurti, her hair neatly tied. She’s holding her phone close, as if still replaying something.She looks… different.Composed. Light. Like someone who finally took a deep breath.Rhea is already at the table, feeding herself bits of upma while scrolling through her phone. She looks up and pauses mid-bite. Rhea tilting her head and with eyes blinking greets “Good morning, Kajal didi.”  Kajal smiles softly  and greets back “Good morning, sleepyhead.” Rhea raises a brow, pretending to be offended. Rhea admiring Kajal smiles “You’re smiling. Like... real smiling. Not ‘I-have-to-hold-it-together’ smiling.” Kajal lets out a small laugh and picks up a bowl of fruit. Kajal “That's obvious?” Rhea slowly places her phone down and watches her carefully.Rhea “It’s good that  you entered this room like you belong here... not like you’re surviving it.” Kajal looks down, touched by the observation. Kajal quietly says  “I got a call. From a patient. Or… maybe not just a patient anymore. Someone who understood.” Rhea smiles as if she knew Ajinkya????  Kajal looks up, surprised. Kajal“So everyone knows?".  Kajal chuckles. For a beat, silence.Rhea playfully says  “I know I talk too much. And I joke too much. But… I’ve watched you, didi. Every day. Kajal slowly places a hand over hers. Rhea “Maybe now… you’ll get yours back.” Kajal’s eyes mist slightly, but this time, it’s from gratitude, not grief. Amar walks in just then, hair messy, yawning.Amar  “Why does the breakfast table look like a healing retreat for women?". Rhea throws a spoonful of upma at him. Kajal laughs- unfiltered and free. Amar eyes Rhea to come to their room, and Rhea retrieves getting his signal. As she enters in the aroma of sandalwood from a nearby incense stick lingers faintly. The room feels lived in one side of the bed slightly messy, a kurta hanging off a chair, and Rhea’s bangles scattered on the dressing table.Amar enters, drying his hands with a towel, smirking. Rhea " Amar ji why did you ask to come to our room". Amar flirts did I? Rhea glares at him.  Amar “So, Mrs. Rhea Amar Mehta - you fed your husband exactly four spoons of upma and vanished. Is this how marriage works?” Rhea, in a soft peach cotton dress, is seated at the edge of the bed applying moisturizer, pretending to be serious.Rhea “I’m preserving you, Amar ji. I want you around for long. Less upma, more flirting. Healthy balance.” Amar tosses the towel onto a chair and walks behind her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders from the back. Amar murmuring into her ear “Then let’s skip straight to the flirting part.” Rhea grins, tilts her head slightly, her eyes catching his in the mirror. Rhea “Did I say flirting? I meant teasing.” She pulls away just as he leans in -a practiced dodge. She slips around to the other side of the bed, giggling. Amar  “You’re such a brat.” Rhea teases his back “And yet… here you are. Completely smitten.” He catches her wrist gently, pulling her closer. Their laughter fades into soft smiles.Amar sincerely thanks Rhea “You make it easy… to forget how heavy life can be.” Rhea gently brushing his hair back “Then let’s promise to always find a way to laugh. Even if it’s in the middle of madness.”They sit down together on the bed, fingers laced, leaning into each other. Amar plants a soft kiss on her forehead, and Rhea rests her head against his chest-  the world slowing down for just a few heartbeats. Rhea mumbles playfully  “Okay, now you’ve earned six more spoons of upma for  tomorrow." Amar “Six? I deserve a whole buffet.” They laugh quietly as the screen fades to soft instrumental music- a melody of peace, love, and new beginnings.Amar and Rhea are still on the bed, arms wrapped, whispering, giggling softly. Rhea reaches out and playfully messes up Amar’s hair.  RHEA laughs mocking at him “You look like a lost squirrel!” Amar  “Well, this squirrel is very much in love”CREAK.....The door opens slightly. A shadow falls across the floor. Kajal stands at the door, arms folded, eyebrow raised.Kajal mutters to herself “Should I come back later… or are we ready to emerge from the honeymoon bubble?” Rhea lets out a soft gasp, quickly straightening up. Rhea  “Didi! You could at least knock!” Kajal walks in slowly, her smile unmistakably mischievous.Kajal“This is my house, sweetheart. Also- if someone’s giggles can be heard down the corridor, they sort of give up their right to privacy." Amar groans and covers his face with a pillow. Amar “She’s never going to let this go, is she?” Kajal “Nope. Not today, not ever. I’ve waited years to catch you red-handed with love instead of lies or excuses.” Rhea bursts into laughter, and Amar playfully throws the pillow at Kajal, which she dramatically dodges.Rhea “You’re blushing! Aww, he’s actually blushing!”.  Amar “Okay that’s it. War declared. I’m telling Adi uncle you guys are bullying his innocent son-in-law.” Kajal“Oh please. Your father-in-law sent me.” The three share a hearty laugh. The laughter blends with the morning sunlight, and for a moment, the whole room feels like it’s breathing easier. Kajal looks at both of them, her voice now soft. “You two… take care of this. What you have. It’s rare..."Rhea warmly says “We will, didi.” Kajal nods once, then turns to leave. She glanc back with a smirk “And maybe next time, lock the door.".She disappears down the hallway with a chuckle.A Revenge....