Today was a new dawn for Dhwani and Veer.
For Dhwani, this was the beginning of her life without Veer.
For Veer it was time for him to win back his wife's trust and bring her back home.
Dhwani couldn't sleep the entire night. Her mind was always filled with questions and what ifs and confusion. And when sleep did find her , it was already a new day. She showered quickly and rushed to the kitchen to make chai only to remember that she didn't have to anymore.
" It will take time to adjust and go back to the way it was. " She whispered, trying to make herself believe in it.
As any sane person, she made herself a cup of tea and started scrolling through social media. Her for you page was filled with newlyweds , lovesick couples and happy families.
For the first time in her life she hated love and happiness and everything positive. She didn't want to. She knew it was not fair but still in that tiny part of her heart she envied it all.
She was a practical minded person but sometimes when you are in too much pain you just want to blame someone because you don't know what else to do. So Dhwani chose to blame herself.
Her hand traveled down to her flat belly.
"I'm so sorry baby." She said , a lone tear slipping down her eye.
She wished she could just sit in the safety of these walls and just cry but she had much more important things to do.
***
Veer Singhania have failed before. But not like this. Never did he ever think that his life will be so desperate because of the loss of a woman other than his mother.
But Dhwani wasn't any other woman. She was the one who painted his bleak life in vibrant colours.
Singhania's were pretty possessive. Be it their company, money or women.
They were also known for never giving up. Well the Singhania empire didn't build itself in a day. It was hardwork and determination.
Dhwani was his everything and he was not going to lose her.
He was ready to bring the love of his life back.
He got ready and went down to have breakfast. Dadi and dad were already seated and Chachi was serving them.
"Good morning dad"
" Good morning Dadi" i said going behind her and kissing her cheeks.
"Aaj badi happy lag rahi ho"
(You are looking really happy today. )
" Happy nahi Chachi positive lag raha hai"
(Not happy, Chachi , but positive)
I replied with a smile, sitting down beside them.
"I used to tell all of you. The sadness in our Veeru's face was because of that girl. See how happy he looks. "
His face changed at that statement and he controlled his anger by crushing the material of the table cloth with his hands not looking at anyone.
"I knew she was a bad omen when I first saw her. Then I got to know that she was an orphan.
"Ma, that's enough I won't hear another word about Dhwani at this table. "
Dad said in his stoic voice.
Veer's hold loosened with a sigh.
"Veer I want you to arrange a board meeting today with all the heads. "
"Ok dad"Â by now Veer had learned not to ask his father any questions back in the matters of the company.
As Veer was eating he noticed the absence of his brother.
"Dhruv aur mahi kaha hai."
(Where is Dhruv and Mahi?)
"We don't know. Both of them haven't reached home. "
Veer had an uneasy feeling about this but they were adults and he loved them both the same.
"I am leaving. "
"Veer beta. Actually I made some kheer and you know na , Dhwani love kheer. Can you please give this to her?"
He replied by taking the small container from Chachi 's hands unsure about what to do with it.
***
Dhwani reached the office on time. She was very particular on being punctual and perfect on everything she did.
Her assistant rushed to her side with her coffee.
"Good morning mam. " She chirped.
"Good morning Natasha , anything important on today's schedule?"
"There's a board meeting at noon arranged by Mr Singhania with the heads of all departments. "
"Didn't he specify the reason?"
"No mam. "
"Okay. Are the files I asked for ready yet?"
In response Natasha handed her a stack of files that was in her hands.
"Thank you Natasha. You may go now."
As Dhwani was going through the papers she could sense herself getting highly irritated.
"Natasha.."
"Yes mam"
"What the hell is this? The number of mistakes in this is appalling. Where they looking at the sky while doing this? I want all of them redone and I need all of the people who checked this in front of me right now. "
"Yes mam " she squeaked and rushed out then coming back inside after sometime, now with the employees.
"I am not going to single out a person for this. I don't want anyone pointing fingers. I can fire all of you right now and I will have better equipped people for this job in the next minute. But I am not going to do that because I don't want to ruin all of your lives just because of the mistake by a few people. But consider this my last warning and I expect the complete error free file in front of my table first thing in the morning. You may all go now. "
Dhwani shooed them of with her hands and went back to working on her system.
But Nidhi one of her employees stayed back
"Mam, May I? "
"Yes. " She replied nonchalantly , not taking her eyes of her computer.
"I am expecting mam and the risk factors are really high and the doctor has recommended a strict bed rest. So I want to resign from the company. I have emailed you the same but..."
"Why didn't you say this earlier? "
Silence was her answer.
"You are not resigning. You will take paid leave for however long you want and this is an order. "
"But mam.."
"No buts. If you want you can then you are free to work from home for a few months but I am not willing to grant you resignation.
You may go. " Her voice was emotionless but her eyes conveyed empathy and an unknown emotion only another woman can understand.
"Thank you. "
"Mam , the meeting is about to start. " Natasha said worriedly.
"Okay. "
***
As usual, Dhwani took her seat to the left of Raghav Singhania and Veer to his right.
"I plan to retire within the next 1 year,"
A wave of shock passed through the entire room and Veer and Dhwani were trying hard to hide their shock at the sudden information.
"and my eldest son , Veer Singhania will inherit the Singhania empire. Like me and my father before me , Veer has worked hard , day and night for this company and I know that he will take it to new heights even in my absence. "
The board members gave a nod if approval looking at Veer.
But his eyes were stuck on his love who was smiling proudly and was trying to hide it.
" I am not finished yet. My daughter, Dhwani Singhania will have equal rights to this company as my son. "
Dhwani looked at dad in shock.
"What!!"
"That is preposterous"
"How is that possible"
"She doesn't deserve it"
"Seriously?"
"Quiet. "
Raghav took a downcast Dhwani's hand in his.
"I am Raghav Singhania and if I say that my Son and Daughter will inherit my empire, then they will cause let me remind you one last time , this empire was built by the Singhanias and I will do whatever I want with it."
***
After the whole meeting fiasco , Dhwani got into the elevator followed by Veer.
They both went to touch the floor together and removed their hands together making it more awkward.
" I didn't know about dad's decision. I am also equally shocked. " Veer said trying to start a conversation.
"I am not glad about the decision. I don't know for how long I will be in this company or city. "
He gave her a parcel that she didn't notice was in his hands till then.
"Woh ... Kheer"
"What are you trying to prove Veer. Who are you trying to prove things to?" She asked exasperated.
"I already made my decision clear and I want you to respect that. So let's be mature adults and...."
She was cut short as the lift stopped abruptly with a sound.
Veer noticed Dhwani shifting in her feet and starting to sweat profusely.
"Hey , you okay? "
He asked gently tapping her.
Dhwani took a step back at his touch and hugged herself.
She was claustrophobic from her childhood and her phobia only increased after becoming an orphan.
Her eyes were full of fear and anxiety that Veer didn't think twice to pull herself to him.
"Shhh it's ok. Everythings okay. " He whispered in her ears as he caressed her hair.
She loosened under his hug and snuggled in closer. His arms were always the only thing that made her feel safe and protected. Another reason she felt betrayed. Who gave him the right to be away from her in her most vulnerable moment? When she wanted him the most?
Veer felt at peace and it didn't feel alien at all. It felt so mundane that he didn't even care about the things going on between them.
Dhwani pulled away from him after a minute and once the lift opened she rushed outside.
"Dhwani " he called out.
She stopped as if tethered to his voice.
"Chachi wanted you to have it. I swear I didn't have anything to do with it. All of us miss you. Tumhare bina woh ghar adhoora lagta hai. Aur ha, I know you miss it too. You can lie to me but please don't do that to yourself. "
"And about respecting your choice. I have always respected every choice you have made but this , this is my choice too. I am not ready to let you go yet. "
She took the parcel from his hands without giving another word and left.
***
Dhwani reached home exhausted by all that happened today. Family was a really weird concept, wasn't it? She had the most beautiful family in the world when she was young and in a flash it was taken away from her. Then she got married to Veer and it became her new home , they became her new family. Now she was taking it away from herself.
She took out the kheer chachi had sent her and started savouring it. She was searching for a mother's warmth inside it's sweetness without even realising it.
She changed into her most comfiest pajamas and went to the balcony to complete the book she was currently reading.
Little did she know that as she was lost in her own world, a pair of eyes were watching her every movement.
" You are mine babydoll. Let's see how that Singhania will stop me this time from making you mine. "
_____________
Sneak peak:
"What the hell do you think you are doing?"
"Can't you see? Drinking "
" Do you just assume that no one would care if you neglect you family and office and waste your life being an alcoholic? "
"Well no one complained when you were doing it."
"Dhruv I'm saying because I care. Go. Apologize to Mahika. This is not how you solve a problem"
"Look who is advising me. The person who couldn't even save his own child let alone his marriage wants me to save my relationship. The irony. "
Dhruv was silence by a sudden slap
____________
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My grandmother passed away last week because of which I couldn't update. One thing I always learn from death is always cherish the people who are present in you life because life will be meaningless without those people.
P. S. Sorry if there is any mistakes
Love ya
Aswa_maya
âWhen everything goes to hell, te people standing beside you without flinching , they are your family â