Chapter—The Woman Behind the Smile

Chapter—The Woman Behind the Smile

Ishita sat motionless on the bed, her knees drawn close to her chest and her chin resting against them. A half part of her had died that night: the wedding night of Siddharth and Vedhika. Ishita locked herself in her room away from the world but how could she close the memories? She didn't talk to anyone at her house, nor did she have any meal .

Her eyes stung beneath salty water, tears tracks dried across her cheeks, while her chest aching so painfully she thought it had been sliced by a knife . Letters lay scattered across the bed, she couldn't bear looking at them yet they were the only silent witness of her pain . She thought of burning them or tearing them apart , yet she couldn't bring herself to do that . Because some part of her still lived in those memories . Each letter carried the version she had lived in, cried in , laughed and then waited for the arrival of the next one. Witness of four years — their silly arguments, an apology, a promise which she believed once as a symbol of forever.

The same memories which used to bring sun- drenched warmth to her soul now served only to crush her wounded heart.

She was angry with Siddharth. How could he simply say that he couldn't try hard anymore? Angry with his family for making her love so insignificant in front of their expectations.

Then angry with herself for not being strong enough to fight harder. And eventually, her anger spiked, against the one thing that neither could have changed the fact— their different castes. What if they had belonged to the same caste? Would that could bring them together? Would she be his wife instead of hearing he would become someone else's from tonight?

Then another voice rose quietly inside her, mocking her for being so selfish. How could she choose someone else over the family's honour? She had been taught all her life that family came first.

She shut her eyes squeezed tight; one single tear slid down, then another. Ishita felt pressed down under the weight of another logic , as the voice whispered just as painfully — but how could anyone make love understand the taboo of caste? It didn't understand family pride. Neither did it ask for permission before sowing its seed in someone's heart or ask to let it die easily.

No night had ever felt so cruel than this . It dragged on slowly. While she remained surrounded by letters she could neither destroy nor bear to read again.

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Siddharth tried to take hold of family responsibilities and domestic chores , desperately trying to fill the emptiness inside . Meanwhile, Ishita immersed herself in studies,hiding her heartbreak behind a veil of calm exterior.

Days moved slowly, her eyes stayed locked onto the horizon as if in search of a version of herself that she both missed and hated. We often live more in the hope of what we cannot have in reality than of what remains within us . Ishita was no different ; she frequently caught herself daydreaming: what if they were still together ? What if they were married? . Whenever her reverie shattered , a hollow ache settled in her chest, and a shadow of embarrassment lingered on her cheeks.She scolded herself for fantasizing about a man who was now someone else's husband, yet her heart rebelled—perhaps Siddharth was no longer hers, but “Sid” would always be her . She convinced herself the moment they shared together no one could snatch that away from her .

She diverted her focus into work. Being the only woman amidst three male CO-PGTs in her department ; she often felt emotionally distant. She felt resentment towards the patients who barely regarded her as a doctor, most of the people were still clung to the outdated stereotypes—women can be a nurse, professor but couldn't be a good doctor. On days like these, she missed Siddharth more, the way he understood her , the way he listened to her , soothing her troubles just by his voice. Yet, when any small family crossed paths coincidentally, her mind wandered vividly : How were Siddharth and Vedhika living now ? Did they have any kids? If so, was it a girl or a boy? Did he have Siddharth's stubbornness? Did he smile the same way?

She noticed her colleague often talked and laughed together away from her side. It wasn't that they ignored her presence but they hid their weekend plans , because Ishita preferred the quiet away from the noise . Yet, she had met other colleagues who were very frank and invited her warmly but she pushed them away not just because she disliked loud music, but because social noise made the silence of her own life more painful.. Instead of the loud hustle and bustle of the city she found solace in reading and cooking , though her heavy workload seldom left time for her hobbies . On a rare occasion in a friend's birthday party she once tasted beer but immediately regretted it and refused whenever it was offered.

One night at dinner time, her mother brought up a topic regarding a relative's son who was an engineer with a stable government job. Ishita caught the hint where the discussion was meant to land. Without a word, she finished her meal and retreated to her room. It wasn't the first time their parents brought marriage proposals; rather it had seemed to be a constant serious matter since her undergraduate days . She couldn't understand why her parents didn't simply drop her matter ? She didn't want to get involved in matrimony. Even though she gave excuses about studies, her mother gently reassured her she could continue after marriage.

During a heated argument , Ishita erupted. She retorted defiantly, “ Aai! Were you ever able to continue your studies after marriage?"

Rukmini froze momentarily, her eyes cast down with an unspoken emotion. When her father heard the conversation but didn't speak yet his silence spoke volumes.

Ishita's cheeks burned with embarrassment as her frustration slipped out in a tinge of mockery . She was fed up with arguing multiple times on the same matter.

The topic remained dormant for a few months but eventually the same argument resurfaced in the house.

Seven years slipped by. During those years , she hadn't spoken a word with Siddharth , except wishing him on his wedding night. However, Siddharth tried to reach out as a friend but Ishita refused, fearing it would be disloyalty to his wife, Vedhika.

Despite her restraint, her emotions betrayed at the thought of him . Every night, while the world slept, she unfolded their old letters and as her finger caressed those old photographs affectionately . She relieved each single memory that she and Siddharth had spent together as those days flash back. She argued with herself for all those arguments, their small fights , their long distance relationship, his smile, her happiness ; tears pricked her eyes until they streamed down her cheeks, and fell on her lap.

By thirty-two, Ishita had just completed her specialization in medical oncology. It wasn't more than two years since her father's death ; the grief weighed heavily on her family . She took care of both her mother and her brother,Rahul . When Ishita's father had passed away, Rahul was only twenty three, still studying for his MBA. Ishita saw her brother always immersed in grief, losing a father at such a very young age was heart wrenching. Her heart swelled watching her mother sobbing silently in an empty room . She masked her pain silently , and stayed strong to bring happiness to the last two precious people left in her life.

Her mother, Rukmini,urged her for marriage, mentioning she was getting older and her father was already gone , so worry and concern haunted her day and night . Relatives gossip and taunts sometimes reached an extent ; they often came with marriage proposals, and sarcastically taunted those who barely any woman in her early thirties got a suitable match . Ishita smelled the cue of jealousy wrapped in their concern; as if marriage was the tag line of her life . However, Ishita's response remained always the same , she was capable enough to take care of her and her mother and Rahul . But mother's worry didn't go away easily; Rukmini’s heart sank each moment the thought of misfortune — if tomorrow anything happened to her, who would take care of her daughter? A lone woman is always perceived as a vulnerable prey , the world has both evil and good people, that's why her maternal heart prayed very soon to betrothe her with a good man.

In the morning when they were having breakfast, as she settled on the chair her gaze flew over others — Rukmini and Vivek exchanged a glance.

“ Ishu,” Rukmini said “ Come early from hospital today.”

Ishita took a sip of tea “Aai, Hospital doesn't run through my will . If work has finished I'll come back soon .”

“ Di,” Rahul said “ you are now a consultant not like JR . You can easily return early .”

“ Yes , Bhau, “ Ishita said with a mouth full of puha.“But I have to handle approx hundred patients single handledly , obviously time will be needed .”

“Ishu !”Rukmini grimaced, “ Don't bring your hospital in the home beta .”

Ishita rolled her eyes “ Okay , fine . “

Rahul grinned at his mother's reaction.

“But why are you asking me to come back early?” Ishita asked

Rahul's eyes lit immediately as he said “ My Boss is coming for tonight's dinner and he needs to meet our family.”

“Your Boss is coming, so how is it connected with my early return from work?”Ishite laughed in disbelief

“My campaign idea hit and the company got a huge profit from it and the cherry on the top, it had impressed my Boss and that's why he wanted to give our teammates a treat but I insisted on him for dinner at home .”

Rahul was a Junior brand Marketing Executive in an advertising and brand agency where he joined the company two years ago. Ishita's heart swells watching her younger brother's excitement, to her Rahul was always a kid who encouragedly valued her opinions and asked for her support . She knew the kind of storm he suffered deeply after their father's sudden death . He struggled mentally during the family crisis while completing his MBA.

Ishita looked surprised. “ Your work has been elected and you are telling me now .” She pretended to be hurt yet hint of pride flush in her eyes “ Okay fine I'll “

“ Yes” Rahul's teeth flash out with excitement “ I knew it . Di please cook as Boss love Indian food over chinese and he as foodie afterall ”

Ishita's rolled her eyes dramatically “ So , all these buttering to praise your Boss “ she teased

Rukmini laughed, enjoying the banter between her children.Rahul felt a prickle of blood

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The arrangements were made. Rahul stood in the main entrance gate of the house like a jacobin cuckoo in long waiting for the rain .

Ishita nodded her head in disbelief watching her younger brother's impatience. She had returned before the setting sun dipped into the horizon and helped her mother in cooking. It was more the faith of him in his elder sister's cooking skills that could impress his boss that made her chest swell with happiness. The aroma of the freshly prepared food filled the air inside the house . Car buzzing echoed outside the small yard.

Ishita and Rukmini welcome Rahul Boss earnestly. A tall man stepped inside. He had a healthy bulk matched with his posture, his soft gaze was hidden behind rim narrow rectangular specs. The man returned the courtesy of a formal meeting.

Rahul introduced his Boss with the family. Rukmini showed her gratitude for coming into their house and also asked politely about Rahul's work and his perceptiveness.

Rahul Boss cut Rukmini off and said he could address him “ Mr Saransh “ as he was still younger than her age .

Ishita and Rukmini exchange a wandering glance. While Rukmini was talking to Saransh Ishita came from the kitchen and handed the Fresh Kokum Sharbat in Rahul's Boss hand.

As Saransh stepped into the house the first thing he noticed was the living room, despite not being a huge space things were arranged seamlessly. But the things that grab his attention are the large bookshelves on the wall .The various sizes of books were aligned neatly.

“ You have a kind of good fondness for literature, Rahul !”

Rahul flashed “ Yes , Sir . But I got my reading passion from my Di only . Most of the books are of Di’s, as she is a perfect example of a bookholics .”

Saransh smiled lightly in response.

The dining table was arranged with lots of items of Maharashtrian dishes—Kothimbir Vadi and Batata Vada with green chutney ,Puran Poli, Bharli Vangi

Batata Bhaji, Rajma rice , Maharashtrian dal ,Thecha

Peanut Chutney, Lemon Pickle, Papad , Koshimbir , yogurt, and Shrikhand in the desert.

As Saransh dipped his finger in the food , he couldn't stop from controlling his stomach . “ Mrs Deshmukh , the food is excellent. Rahul is definitely an outstanding cooking mother.”

Rukmini smiled and replied “ The credit goes to my daughter, Ishita. She came straight from the hospital and still insisted on cooking.”

Saransh’s soft gaze regarded Ishita for a moment. “ After such a long day …you still found the energy, Miss Ishita ?”

Ishita smiled lightly , trying not to feel proud. “ cooking always feels like a stress buster for me . This way can keep hospitals at bay for a while .”

Saransh nodded and offered thanks with a decent smile.

Rahul excitedly blurted out "Di makes the best Kothimbir Vadi in the world.”

Dinner was blurred into polite conversation and the aroma of the tasty foods .Later, as the meal wound down, Rahul took Saransh for a small stroll in the terrace which was neatly decorated with plenty of flowers. Rahul said his father loved harvesting gardening and after he was gone his mother took care of the gardening on weekdays and he took care of them on weekends. Sarasnh simply observed the surroundings.

Dinner was a blur of polite conversation. Saransh was charming, but not in a way that felt performed. He listened to her mother, Rukmini, with an attentive nod. He praised the food without overdoing it. He treated Rahul with the respect of a colleague, not a subordinate.

The aroma of coffee filled the air as Ishita arrived with a tray arranged with coffee mugs and biscuits.

Saransh joked, pleased with the hospitality” Miss Ishita if you keep providing food every hour, I'll become oversized within a night ; because my tongue wouldn't refuse those tasty foods.”

Ishita's cheeks warmed instantly . Rukmani's eyes shone at her son's love and respect towards his sister.

Rahul laughed, “ My Sister is an excellent doctor, she can handle that very efficiently.”

Rahul got a call from work , he thought to drop it but Saransh allowed him to receive it . As Rahul stepped back immediately to talk in the mobile, Ishita and Saransh were surrounded by an awkward moment until Sarasnh broke the silence by asking

“ I'm very glad to see Rahul has an amazing family.”

A faint scent of jasmine filled the atmosphere surrounding the small garden of the terrace . Ishita's small nose ring sparkled as the yellow lamp fell on it. City lights flickered in the distance as if a stark contrast to the quietness of the space. Rahul's voice had faded in the dark as he retreated to take a work call leaving Ishita and Saaransh.

Ishita's awkwardness stirred in absence of her brother, oblivious of what to say to her brother Boss. She told by the railing, looking at the night, while Saransh leaned relaxingly against the low wall .

"It’s a peaceful spot," Saransh said, his voice measured. "Rahul tells me your father built this garden."

Ishita looked at him and nodded, a faint smile lit her lips. "Yes, he did. He used to say that nature is the only giver that never makes a transaction like humans."

Saransh looked at her for a while. His expression turned thoughtful behind his rectangular frames. “ He sounds like a wise man. “ He paused , while sipping the coffee she had given a moment ago. " Thank you for the meal , Miss Ishita. I know you had a long shift . Most people would have just ordered in.”

Ishita shrugged modestly, feeling the warmth of the coffee she held. “ Cooking is..” she chose her word heartily “ it's my disconnect button. The hospital demands so much logical precision that , by the time I get home, I need something to ground me. After what's life without a hobby.”

Saransh nodded calmly, seeming to absorb her reverence for her work. "That makes sense and indeed an experienced doctor needs precision, but a human needs rhythm." He turned to face the railing, looking at the same horizon she was watching. " Being an oncologist; a heavy weight to carry every day."

"Yes it is," she admitted and said "But there’s a quiet resilience in my patients that I find... comforting."

"I admire that," he said, sounding sincere."I know many people in our circle often worry about the sacrifices required for such a career, especially for a woman. But I’ve always believed that if someone is truly called to heal, asking them to stop is a loss for everyone."

Ishita glanced at him surprisingly. It was the first time someone in this context hadn't immediately followed up a ….comment. “I appreciate you for saying that, Mr Saransh," she replied politely. “ Most assume I'm just waiting to quit.”

“ Well,I suspect you're too stubborn for that.” Saransh offered a small courteous smile as he added, “ And I mean that as a compliment.”

He checked his watch briefly, then looked back at her. "Tell me, Miss Ishita... with such a demanding schedule, how do you manage to balance? Most of your colleagues, I really wonder, find it quite challenging to juggle the hospital and home life."

Ishita blinked once pondering through the question catching her off guard. It felt like a reasonable professional inquiry. “Indeed, it's a challenge,”she conceded.” But I think with the right partnership it can be manageable. Though honestly I haven't had to test that theory yet.”

Saransh laughed slightly, for a brief moment his gaze lingering on a cluster of white flowers in the garden . "A partnership," he repeated quietly. "That’s the goal, isn't it? To find someone who doesn't pull you in two directions, but rather understands that your work is part of who you are."

"Yes," Ishita's cheeks flushed . She looked down at her cup, tugging her hair strands behind her ears .

For a white moment, neither of them speak. His eyes drifted to the street lamp brimming lightly on the road .

"I didn't realize you were a collector," he said, his eyes gleaming with genuine curiosity. "It takes a very specific kind of discipline to balance the technical demands of that field with the emotional toll of the patients. Most people just see the stethoscope; they rarely think about the weight of the work behind it.”

Ishita felt a jolt of surprise. Usually people either talk about her salary , the prestige or make a joke about being too busy and shaping her life within culinary skills. Here, Saransh didn't joke nor did he brought down her hobbies instead expressed words, as though he saw the joy she found in those hobbies.

She shook her head instinctively. “ Yes it does take but it's the only thing that makes sense to me."

"I respect that," he said, turning back to her. His gaze was steady, thoughtful. "I’ve always believed that a person’s work is the truest reflection of their character. If you’re willing to put this much effort into your patients, it tells me a lot about your loyalty."

“ Thank you so much, Mr Sawant,” Ishita's cheeks flushed red delighted at his words” for your compliments.”

Saransh nodded and added more "I imagine the hospital hours are grueling," he said casually, leaning against the railing. "Do you have many colleagues who manage to balance that kind of schedule with a personal life? It seems like it would be a challenge to find the right environment to raise a family with those kinds of emergency night shifts."

Ishita smiled, genuinely touched by the concern. "Yes, it is a challenge. But I think it’s manageable with the right understanding. My priority is my family, after all."

"That’s good to hear," he replied, his tone smooth and reassuring. "It’s rare to find someone who hasn't lost their sense of duty to their roots."

He turned back to her, and for a second, his gaze was intense, though still hidden behind the glare of his glasses. "I’ve enjoyed meeting your family tonight. There’s a kindness here that I don’t find very often."

"Thanks Mr Sawant. I'm glad you liked tonight's arrangements,”Ishita said softly, trying to break the sudden intensity.

Saransh laughed slightly. "I think .. he was going to say something then, Rahul returned. They had shared a very brief moment of talk. He gave a respectful nod and a gesture of courtesy that felt more like a professional agreement than a goodbye. As he walked away towards the terrace door, Ishita followed him behind as formal generosity to guests.

Two days later, Ishita learned from her mother that Saransh was interested in her. The news came as a surprising blow. She turned to brush it off, but found it difficult as Saransh was Rahul's Boss, and any abrupt refusal could jeopardise his professional life, which preoccupied her worries more. Yet, she agreed to meet him outside at a restaurant.

The restaurant was a place of serene, a deliberate choice by Ishita, hoping this neutral ground would help her to have professional boundaries intact. Suddenly, she felt the weight of Rahul's career on her shoulders. Saransh arrived in the evening , and picked her up from her house, and as he reached the restaurant, he performed all the modest gentleman duties very neatly when meeting a girl outside. His smile was composed, and lacking the predatory hunger she had witnessed in other suitors.

He didn't make a comment on her appearance that night, yet he couldn't tear his eyes away. His gaze softened as he saw for the first time in a saree.

"I appreciate you making the time, Ishita," he said, signaling the waiter for water. "I know how heavy the on-call burden can be."

Ishita noticed the word “Miss” was missing tonight. She responded ,“Yes, it's been a busy week . I hope Rahul's project hasn't been too demanding,”

Saransh chuckled heartily at her remark. “Rahul is brilliant, and has such creative intuition, that's rare. He speaks very highly of you , by the way.” His voice turned teasing. “Though, he never mentioned you were the one holding the fort at home."

Ishita stiffened slightly, bracing for the inevitable judgment. "After my father passed away two years ago; Rahul and my mother..we are a unit. They aren't just my responsibility but also an irreplaceable part of my life.”

Saransh's face remained calm, as if he understood her daily struggle to be both as a doctor and as a devoted daughter. "That’s not a hurdle, Ishita. It’s a testament to your character," he said quietly. "Most people look for someone who cuts ties easily. I value someone who understands what 'family' really means. Your commitment to your mother and brother shows that if you choose to build a life with someone, your loyalty runs deep."

She expected a lecture on duty from a majority of Indian family men or a subtle scoff at her 'independent woman' stance. Instead, Saransh looked at her with genuine curiosity.

It was the first time a man had framed her responsibilities as a strength rather than an inconvenience.

Saransh added farther, his voice remained calm, "I’ve spent a lot of time focusing on my career. I’ve learned that life often surprises us with perfect timing. I’m not looking for someone to change her life for me, just someone whose life I can be a part of."

"You speak like someone” she chuckled, a hint of teasing in her words, “who has done good thinking regarding finding a life partner”.

"I've had to," he replied softly. "Life is complicated enough, Ishita . And we all deserve a genuine partner,I believe.”

A feeling of strange calm washed over her .He didn't sound demanding. He seemed like a man tired of games, having seen enough of the world.

Their order came , Saransh when offered her drinks Ishita refused .When he was ready to cancel the order she stopped him by saying he didn't have to just because she wasn't comfortable with it . Saransh was highly impressed by her valuing everyone's choice .They were sitting in a place that gave them little privacy. For a brief moment they started enjoying their meal. Cool sea breeze brushes their face, providing calmness in their nerves. Their conversation flowed naturally. Saransh was impressed by her reason for delaying her marriage out of family responsibilities.

She asked him , appearing slightly hesitant. “May I ask you something?”

Saransh nodded gently.”Of course . But don't ask me anything relevant to Medicine. “ He laughed.

Her lips curled instinctively, “You're only thirty six…and very successful, well educated…why didn't you marry earlier?”

The smile on his face slowly faded. His eyes dropped on the plate. The weight of the situation made him a little uncomfortable. Ishita felt embarrassment, nevertheless her curiosity remained unwaver.

“I was betrothed before. “ He said , his tone was low.“ Our families had already fixed engagement but one week before the ceremony..she left.”

Ishita's brows were knitted together.

Saransh's cheeks flush with a faint humourless smile. “She eloped with the man she was actually in love with.”

“Oh my God!” Ishita thought. The weight of relevance of his past was unbearable. She sat quietly, unable to process anything else. She felt bad , imagining the amount of humiliation, gossip, and pain he and his family had gone through under such situations. She found something fragile beneath his composed exterior.

Then she asked softly, “ Did you love her?”

Saransh didn't answer immediately. He rolled the spoon into his meal, then said “I still don't know.”

Ishita looked at him in surprise.

He let out a quiet breath. “Sometimes we accept people's words over their actions as love. I still don't know whether I love her…or I just accepted it as a good sign of the universe. When she left , it wasn't only a person I lost . It was the future I had already begun living in my mind.”

Ishita lowered her gaze. She understood that feeling more than she wished to admit. Neither of them spoke again. For a brief moment, they were simply two people carrying different versions of the same loneliness.

“ I'm sorry, Mr Sawant!” Ishita despondent, her eyes clouded somberly.

“ It's fine.“ He shrugged as he added more, “ I didn't invite you to mourn in my grief. It was the past and I'm willing to think about the present.”

Ishita looked at him carefully, as if watching a book which looked so much simpler from a distance, but to know it ; only by delving deep into it .The meeting had ended very beautifully. Ishita didn't hesitate to say yes when Saransh expresses desire for another meeting. She tried to think of thousands of reasons to cancel or end the communication after tonight but Saransh was completely differ from other men she’d met before; most of whom were more interested in her past rather than her present. Even they hesitated upon mentioning that she would continue sharing her salary with her family after marriage. Ishita couldn't understand society's double standards: men could spend their earnings, supporting their family after marriage, and still be praised as the ideal son. But flip the matter in case a woman accused her of being too attached to her maika, as though marriage transferred not only her surname, but also her right to remain responsible for the family that had raised her. As if that her husband's family was now the only family she was allowed to call her own.

She wondered the way Saransh understood her emotions and responsibilities without issue. His questions didn't feel like a man looking for a trophy; rather they were the questions of a man looking for a foundation.

As he dropped her that night at her home; Ishita stood in the doorway, watching his car pull away. She replayed the conversation they had in the restaurant — his curiosity about her work , her balance, her priority towards her family, her loyalty. A quiet strange hope grabbed her for the first time in eight years, the future once looked like a dark lonely tunnel now it looked like a new hope . It looked like she could walk safely , with someone she could restart again, live again, laugh again, create a new memory again. As she went back inside her room which felt suddenly different that night. The ghost of her past suddenly felt distant.

Three months had flown smoothly and throughout the passing days Saransh had proven himself to be responsible and genuinely committed to gender equality. His mother invited her their house, where his mother's warmth and hospitality overwhelmed Ishita. During that time , the memory of Siddharth didn't entirely fade yet it no longer tormented her because somewhere someone part of her wanted to look forward to a new life , for now.

Ishita was welcomed in Saransh's house heartily. His mother, brother and sister were overjoyed during the whirlwind of rituals , functions of the wedding. Days moved slowly yet beautifully. Ishita visited to meet her mother after work and Saransh had no issues about it . With Saransh she flew away for the honeymoon, away from the hustle bustle of the city and pressure of work was kept at bay for a week. Ishita felt a nascent, flickering warmth in his presence , each day felt like her heart swells at the tiny action he took that only deepened their connection. He was attentive and careful during their outing. She didn't bring Siddharth's letter, as she promised she'd promise herself before wedding day — Siddharth was her past , memories of him felt less like a jagged wound and more like a faded scar. Saransh was her presence and she was willing to form a future through — good and bad, happy and ugly, sad and sorrowful. He was all she had now.

As they were heading towards a restaurant after a whole day outing in the tourist spots: Ishita felt slightly dashed by a man who was distracted by his phone. For a brief pregnant second, she gazed at the passer by . Before she could even confront the person the man murmured quickly, apologising politely as he moved passed. She stepped back and began walking until she felt Saransh's hand gripped her arm too tightly. Saransh had lunged after the man, his voice laced with a cold and jagged edge . He threatened him with a rage that seemed completely untethered from the triviality of the situation. Ishita became immobile , trapped by her own thoughts. For a heartbeat, a small , treacherous part of her felt “ protected” but that relief was quickly shadowed by a chilling confusion. She had never seen him that outrage before.

That night over dinner the atmosphere felt frigid. Ishita tried to smooth over the awkwardness , by simply initiating healthy conversation. But Saransh stared at his plate like a silent wall .

His words hurled loudly at her ."I don't understand how you could be so calm," he finally said, his voice terrifying . "A stranger assaults you in public, and you just stand there? You should have made a scene. You should have had him arrested."

Ishita's hand paused mid-air as her head blew with the word “assault”. She sat flabbergasted, forgot to eat her meal at first, then she said , calmly “Saransh, it was an accident," Ishita reasoned, her pulse quickening. "He apologized. It’s not an issue."

He didn't speak to her for the rest of the night. It was the first time she felt the weight of his silence like a weapon he wielded with frightening precision.

The cracks widened a few days later. They were enjoying the view of the tourist spot when a photographer on the street approached them and asked them to take their portrait. Ishita finding it harmless she agreed with a smile. The moment the photographer turned away something shifted in a blink Ishita wasn't prepared for it at all.

“ How could you become so pleased with each man you meet!" he hissed, his face twisted in a mockery of disgust.

Ishita's cheeks flushed , burnt with embarrassment. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but the words died in her throat. She couldn't understand what had gone wrong . She felt people's curious glance sink into her skin.

As the night darkens, they lay in bed in silence . However, sleep was nowhere to be found for Ishita. Suddenly, Saransh rolled over , pulling her into a tight possessive hug from behind. His lips dipped on her neck as he trailed slow kisses on her skin, eventually his touch turned insistent and demanding. Ishita's body pulled away instinctively, feeling suffocating in his affection because she was hoping for an apology instead of desire.

Saransh drew back , his expression crumpled into a look of genuine wounded pride. “ I love you, Ishita. “ He muttered in the dark, softly. “ I only do that because I care for you. There are evil people everywhere, so I try to protect you . Why is it so hard for you to see that? I love you so much…I just need you to love me with that same intensity.”

Ishita didn't respond , then suddenly felt breathing crushed against her neck, then she felt him crying . As she turned to look at him , her breathing caught as he hugged her tightly.

“ Don't pull away from me . I love you Ishita.”

Ishita's heart melted after a while, her hands flew on his back instinctively. As the night dissolved farther, his lips sunk into her skin, turning into a heat so unbearable fusing them together.

He slept tightly holding her as if she would very soon disappear into thin air : her eyes remained glued to the ceiling . Although the evening incident remains suppressed but not forgotten. They had conversation but neither of the words had any apology from his side…onl justification and explanation of his actions not acknowledgement of her hurt .

They return to Mumbai finally, however this time the house, which once felt like a sanctuary, now began to feel like a cage.

One afternoon, as Ishita returned from her mother's house, Kalyani watched her enter the kitchen.“You went to your mother's again?”

There was no anger in her voice but something in her eyes that made Ishita puzzle. Ishita shared , her mother wasn't feeling well and she became anxious about that.

“You're a married woman now,” Kalyani said , while chopping the vegetables. ““I know, beta.” Kalyani sighed softly. “And I will never tell you not to care for your mother. But you are married now. You have another family too. Sometimes you have to learn where your responsibilities lie.”

Ishita lowered her eyes, she said, keeping her composure intact. “I know, Aai, as you are all my family but how can a daughter suddenly forget her maika .”

“Who is asking you to forget them?” Kalyani smiled faintly. “I understand. I too had a mother once.” Her face softened, almost wistfully.

“But girls nowadays remain so attached to their maika. At your age , I have already become a mother of three children . I barely had time to sit down, yet I slowly learned how to make this house my world.”

Ishita's cheeks warmed, her finger curled slightly. “Aai, I didn't mean that I don't care about this family.”

“I know you don't mean it that way.” Kalyani reached for a container from the shelf. “You are a good girl, Ishita. That's why I expect you to understand these little things without me having to explain them.”

Ishita stood frozen, her gaze dropped, she felt as though she was irresponsible. However, she tried to break the awkwardness , before she could , Kalyani continued, “Sameer's friends are coming this evening. We have quite a few arrangements to make.”

“ Aai…”Ishita hesitated .” I have chemotherapy patients scheduled throughout the day . Some of them have travelled since yesterday just for their review.”

For a brief second Kalyani's regarded her firmly . “I know your patients are important.”

Ishita exhaled a sigh of relief as soon as her thought process hung momentarily as Kalayani said softly “Ishita, do you have only duty for your patients, don't you have any responsibilities towards our house?”

Ishita stood bewildered, she couldn't understand where she went wrong. Was she wrong to prioritise her duty as a doctor over a daughter-in-law? Then her voice slipped low ,"Aai, that's not what I meant.”

“I know you have your patients, Ishita. I would never ask you to neglect them. I'm asking you because Sameer's friends specifically wanted to eat home-cooked food. They have been looking forward to it.”

“I understand, Aai.“ Ishita said softly. " But if Sameer could take them out just this once…”

For a while Kalyani's face hardened, she turned towards the oven . “ It's okay, Bahu. I'll manage.

“Aai…”

“Don't worry about it.” Kalyani gave a weak smile. “ I thought I'll handle it together, but my back and neck have been hurting for days anyway, but don't worry, I've managed everything in this house over thirty-seven years till now. One more day won't make much difference.”

Ishita stared at her, as if someone had punched a slap on her . She was in this less than one month m didn't that mean she was unable to handle a house which her mother-in-law could manage single handedly alone .

Kalyani sighed, almost ignoring her presence, she wiped her face on saree’s pallu, while busy stirring the spatula on the pan. “Bahu, you don't have to cook if you are so busy, beta. I'll do it myself. I suppose I shouldn't expect you to take care of me the way a daughter would.”

“She rubbed her aching waist and smiled faintly. “Maybe I'm expecting too much. At my age, my mother-in-law was always told to do this , don't do that and I have done this . Not because I was scared of her , but because I adore her a lot.”

There weren't any single accusations in her words yet Ishita felt she had hurt her mother-in-law unknowingly. “Aai, please don't say that. I didn't want to upset you.”

“I'm not saying anything, beta, ” Kalyani smiled again. “You go and do your work. Today the maid will not come, it will take time but I will manage.”

Ishita remained silent for several seconds , one side of her patients and another side was her family. She remembered whenever her mother fell sick she took a leave and helped her but she had always scolded her for neglecting her duties over family duties as Rahul also assisted her mother in the kitchen when she had an emergency breakthrough. But in her in-laws none , Saransh and Sameer neither of any barely made tea for themselves. Perhaps, every family was different, perhaps Kalyani was truly dedicated herself into the domestic chores she didn't allow her children to do anything other than occupied with their work. And was it too much to ask to cook for one evening? Ishita thought.

Ishita's felt flush crept her neck, while her legs were rooted on the spot. “ Aai, I'm sorry. I'll do it, tell me what I need to do!”

Kalyani shifted her face slowly to look at Ishita. “ Are you sure? I want you to end up being guilty for not being able to attend your patient.”

Ishita's heart melted, hearing her mother-in-law showing concern for her work being a doctor. “ Don't worry, Aai. It's a matter of one evening. I can manage “

Kalyani put her hand over Ishita's cheek, “ It's my brave girl.”

Ishita planned to visit the hospital in the morning and return by late afternoon so she could help with the preparations. Kalyani made her for another arrangement. Her Guru ji , one a devotee, would soon arrive from Ashram to bless the newly wedding daughter-in-law. Ishita washed Guruji's feet with Ganga jal, participated in the prayers and helped prepare food for the guests. Kalyani kept insisting that she sit down whenever she noticed her looking tired. But every time Ishita tried to sit, another small task appeared.

“Could you bring that bowl?”

“Beta, check whether the tea is ready.”

“Just arrange these plates.”

“Guruji will leave soon; let's finish this first.”

By the time Guruji finally left, already the evening had descended . Ishita hardly sat down the entire day. And another work has appeared: she again had to prepare dinner for Sameer’s friends.

Ishita returned to her room finally at night, her whole body was aching because of lack of rest throughout the day. It wasn't the cooking that bothered her . Cooking had always been something she enjoyed. What troubled her was the thought of her patients whose many of them had travelled for hours from distant districts, some of them were from out of Maharashtra, carrying whatever money they had managed to arrange for consultation and treatment only to find that the doctor they had been seeking for hadn't arrived yet they were informed of the due date.

The following day as she visited the hospital , the long queue of chemotherapy patients were standing outside of her clinic . When she had first joined there, many patients had been hesitant about consulting a female medical oncologist until positive responses came from the patient's side . Eventually her old patients had begun to often visit for general illness, hence she had an experience as a general medicine practicing.

Soon, Saransh took the decision out of her hands, casually mentioning that a driver would pick her up from the hospital to bring her directly home, citing his "concern" for her safety. When she brought up the clinic ; insisting she work from their home rather than the hospital Saransh remained pointedly mute or sided with his mother’s "traditional" logic.

Two months had flown by. She was a doctor who understood the mechanics of the human body, but she was rapidly losing her grip on the mechanics of her own reality. Each time she raised a doubt, Saransh would turn it around, making her feel small, ungrateful, and deeply, fundamentally flawed.

Ishita found herself staring into the bathroom mirror, an ache blooming in her chest. “Am I the problem? she wondered, her breath hitching. Was I too calm? Am I being too stubborn? Is he just… protecting me?

Puja, Saransh's younger sister, had come to stay with them for a few days with her husband and children. Ishita had been told to wake up early in the morning . Normally, Kalyani would have helped her with the breakfast preparations, but her persistent leg cramps and waist pain had worsened , leaving her barely to remain standing for long . Ishita didn't complain, if anything she felt sorry for her mother-in-law. What she had quietly hoped for was that Puja might help her for a little while. After all, she wasn't a guest but the daughter of the house. Finally the breakfast was ready after two hours . Just when Ishita thought she could finally change and leave for the hospital, Kalyani called from the dining room. She told her to make three different items for her grandson and granddaughter, Puja and her son-in-law. And as she was patient of gout she needed a light meal and for Saransh's she had to cook his favourite meal so he wouldn't feel left out watching her sister and brother-in-law receiving special treatment.

During the late morning, Ishita found Puja comfortably seated in the living room , watching the television while her children played around her. Ishita spoke with a muted, careful tone, to assist in the kitchen to prepare the lunch , but within a blink , her jaw slacked , searching for her mother's face to answer.

“ Let her rest , Ishita. She came home after so long, and no daughter worked on her maika.”

Ishita nodded her head and turned back towards the oven . “ Home” the word painfully and steadfastly lingered in her head; pondering, eventually — Puja could apparently stay at her mother's house for one week and sometimes even for months. She could arrive with her children, sleep late, sit in the living room and be served teasing and breakfasts. She didn't have any bitterness towards her sister-in-law. But nowadays she really wonders, why she was attributed as irresponsible, neglecting this house for visiting at barely being able to spend a day with her own mother. She swallowed her thoughts. Perhaps she was overthinking, perhaps daughter-in-law and daughter both weren't the same thing. She dropped her pissing her sanity over the unfairness of the family rule.

Ishita opened her mouth to express “ Aai, today maid will not come. How would everyone's meal be ready within twelve in the afternoon? I have to reach the hospital then and I need to go to the clinic too.”

Kalyani said firmly. “ My son-in-law has come after a long time ; they would be hurt if we were unable to take care of them while staying here.”

Ishita's throat filled with heavy lump as she dropped her gaze on the floor to hide her watery eyes. For a fleeting heartbeat , her eyes drifted towards the living room where she saw her sister-in-law was watching TV lying on the sofa.

She returned from hospital , exhausted , legs aching , her back felt stuff and she had barely eaten anything since lunch in the afternoon . The moment she entered the house, Kalyani's voice stopped her at the doorway . She complained about returning late at home. Kalyani said in a kind way for her children who were dying out of hunger. She told Ishita to change quickly and went into the kitchen to prepare the dinner within forty minutes.

She entered her house, found Saransh was sitting on the bed. She came fresh immediately from the bathroom and within a gentle voice she asked him, hoping he could help her a little.

I've just returned from the office, Ishita and you are asking me to cook?”

“ So have I.” She replied, wiping her damp hair in a dry towel.

His eyebrows lifted instantly. “I come home after spending the entire day at the office and the first thing you do is ask me to work in the kitchen?” he said coldly

Her mouth opened, then closed and she opened again “I've also been working all day, Saransh's. I'm very tired right now. Unless I won't ask you ! “

She said “ I won't ask you “ — not that sharing household chores in the house were basic duties of both partners .

“You knew Puja was coming. You knew Ma wasn't well. You could have taken a day off.”

He cut her off as his temper boiled up “ but who asked you to go to work today? You know I have come home and Aai isn't well . Couldn't you have taken a few days off ?”

“Saransh's,” Ishita claimed her breath and said in a steady voice “ I understand your workload but I also have over hundreds of cancer patients to treat. Why didn't you take a leave instead?”

“ So , you're trying to emphasize, my work is insignificant?” His jaw clenched “ tell me, Ishita — I earn for the entire family alone, yet I never put my nose into domestic chores business, believing you'll be capable of handling it. And honestly, Ishita, where is the need to work anymore?

Ishita's heart sank while absorbing the words that how easily her work was diminished. Her choice was laminated with money . It wasn't just a work, it's her identity, her achievement. It was the part of her life that existed beyond being someone's daughter, someone's wife , someone's daughter-in-law. Working outside gave her the kind of ecstasy of freedom to feel to be an independent woman that every girl dreams for . She had never felt guilty for being a doctor. Her parents had never treated her career as an indulgence she could abandon once she married. They were always careful enough about her comfort zone . They had never demanded that she needed to prove her love for them by sacrificing her job.

Ishita turned around looking out of the window. “I understand that you're tired. I really do. But I don't work because I need the money. I work because I love what I do. It's my identity . And you once who choose by seeing my devotion towards my duty.”

While Saransh's eyes regarded her momentarily, his hand dropped on his waist , then put his hand on her shoulder . “ Ishita…I understand your frustration. I know how important your work is to you. But trying to understand Puja too. She has come after so long. And Aai is happy today. And look at her condition, after losing father she has completely lost her smile. And who can understand it more than you, Ishita?”

Time stretched, Ishita stood bewildered. Something within her shifted, perhaps that familiar grief, piercing her chest , making hers dropped on the floor.

“ If possible told the maid next day to come early, “ he said calmly

Ishita looked at him startled, “ Why don't you help me tonight instead?”

He took a sigh, “ I'm very tired. The office is really hectic nowadays. And home is the only place where I can find little solace . “ Suddenly, disappointment clouded in her eyes. “ I returned home only to see your smiling face. Am I asking you so much, Ishita?”

She stood numb . Her brain suddenly stopped processing for a heartbeat. Because suddenly the argument was no longer centred around dinner. It was pointed at her request which twisted into a demand. Was she really a self centred woman who only thought about herself? Whether a wife's exhaustion only meant she was failing her husband. Her mind began circling the same question again and again.

That night, after dinner when she lay on the bed, she felt Saransh's body against her trying to initiate intimacy. But she barely had the strength to speak , after working without a break from morning till the night . She felt her life had stuck in a mechanic schedule, she barely had time to rest on her own. Cooking, cleaning dishes and kitchen dirt , buying groceries, then going to the hospital . Often at night she was called off by her mother-in-law only to massage her acting legs . Ishita's eyes flutter in the darkness, once and twice, then close.

For a few days, her day's life was bound within daily chores . Puja’s husband had already left , but she and her two children stayed after Kalyani started crying upon pain of being apart from her daughter and grandson. Ishita came out with tea for the elders and horlicks for the kid who were nowhere to be found. She handed the horlicks to Puja and left for her room to get fresh as she didn't have time to take a shower after coming from the hospital. Puja refused to take the tea saying “ How could you serve me tea just returning from the hospital?”

“ I told you Tai, I'll already tell you to give me at least 15 minutes to take a shower but you want your evening tea immediately.”

Puja taunted “ Why didn't you return earlier then !”

“Tai, I was busy with patients , not that I was parting with them !”

Ishita replied back.

Puja's eyes widened, “ What did you say?”

Ishita shrugged, she was tired off , she needed rest before another work came . As she started heading towards the staircase , suddenly Piyush came running down the stairs “ Aai, look at me ? I'm a doctor!”

Puja's voice emerged but Ishita felt it as a taunt , “ Yes , beta , I know you will be the kindest doctor of our family .”

Ishita's cheeks burned , moreover she blinked, startled when she found . Her Litman stethoscope rested around the small neck of Piyush, a stubborn kid of nine years: frequently broke and tore things. Ishita gave him a doctor set but he was always behind Litman which her father had gifted her after she graduated from her MBBS. To any medical student Littman was a Dr am of pride, however Ishita was more attached to it because of her father's memories around it .

“ Piyush, return the stethoscope beta” Ishita said calmly , “ I have already bought you doctor kids , play with that .” Stretching her hands, she tried to remove the stethoscope from small neck .

“ No” Piyush protested , stepping back “ I do not.”

Ishita looked at him bewildered. She said , keeping tone steady “ Beta, it's not a toy to be okay with !”

Ishita held the tube of the stethoscope but Piyush pulled it back tightly. “ Piyush, no beta , don't do this , I'll buy you more toys.”

“ Noo” Piyush shouted “ I want this . Aai, I want this .This is mine .” He couldn't pronounce the instrument properly.

“ What's wrong with it if my son played with it for a couple of hours?” Puja's words tinge of sarcasm” It's just a simple stethoscope . Not a diamond necklace that you're worried about!”

Ishita was already exhausted after entire days of work , her lips curled into a restrained smile, “ Tai, if it's really just a simple stethoscope, then you can buy him another one .

Puja's face hardened."Why should I? He likes this one."

Ishita looked at the stethoscope. "Because this one isn't a toy, Tai. A diamond necklace can be bought with money . But a stethoscope doesn't make someone a doctor. You have to earn it .”

Ishita said indifferently devoid of any mocking intention nevertheless, Puja took it as an insult. Her cheeks burned hotly . “ So now you're insulting my education?”

Ishita immediately shook her head “ No, Tai. I didn't say anything about your education. “

Ishita turned around to pulled the stethoscope back gently from Piyush and her hand dropped on the head, caressing his hair in disbelief “ Naughty boy”

Piyush reddened like a beetroot with anger , and he dropped on the floor and started crying loudly.

Saransh stepped out of their bedroom hearing the whimpering of the child . As he saw his nephew crying he asked “ what happened ?”

Kalyani and Puja's elder daughter had also returned amidst the emotional outburst. He looked at Ishita before she could speak and Puja burst out crying to her mother's shoulders , framing Ishita rudely scolding her son and also taunting her for asking for tea in the evening.

Saransh's eyes turned red , he stepped to Ishita and retorted in a clenched jaw “ How could you be so self centred , even make a kid cry . I gave it to Piyush as he insisted on playing with it for a period. “

Ishita protested, yet controllingly held on to her words, “ Saransh, how could you give anything of mine without letting me know?”

His brow puckered , eyes burning deadly , “ So would you think I need your permission for each tiny decision I take !?”

“ I didn't mean that. Anyway, I'm very tired, I'm not in the mood for an argument!" She unfolded her hand and began to head toward the stairs.

But he interpreted her words as defiance.He stood before by blocking her path, demanding to apologise to his sister. Ishita stared at him blankly, genuinely unable to understand what she was supposed to apologise to her. She had not insulted Puja.

She had not shouted at little Piyush.

Yet the more she tried to explain herself, the more Saransh seemed convinced that she was proving his point.

"You always have an answer." Saransh's voice no longer felt like a complaint rather as though unanimous judgement. " You've so proud of your specialisation , that you have started behaving as though nobody in this house is educated enough to speak to you.”

Everything, he said, seemed to revolve around her profession. Then his eyes fell on the stethoscope in her hand. Ishita looked at him startled, in a span of breath she couldn't understand what had just passed, nothing was oblivious to her. He snatched the stethoscope from her hand .

Ishita's expression changed immediately.."That's not true.” she said defiantly. “ This isn't about my degree.”

His lips curled into a mockery laugh. "Everything with you is about your degree. Your hospital, your patients, your work, your things.” He rushed into the kitchen. Ishita followed him instinctively.

"Saransh... what are you doing?" Horror clung to her eyes as watching him lighting the oven.

"If this is so important to you, perhaps you should learn not to make everything in this house a battlefield."

Ishita's voice trembling with terror. “ Saaransh, please stop. Please don't do this ."

As he looked at her once , his face was full of disgust and eyes loathing with grimace "You want to prove that it's not just a toy?"

He holds it up in the air for a fraction."Then let it go."

Ishita's eyes softened, her voice finally breaking “Saransh , " She implored, tears streaming down her eyes, “ pls don't do this .. it's ..it's my father's gift “. Her words were strangled within her throat.

Saransh's jaw tightened for a brief second. His hand paused but the pipe had already begun melting under the heat of the fire .

Ishita held his hand from putting her stethoscope from burning, albeit her efforts fall short against his strength. He pushed her away .

Something inside her went dry. For several seconds, Ishita couldn't move . The smell of burning rubber filled the kitchen. For everyone it was just a mere stethoscope . Perhaps it was an object to them . But it had been the first thing her father had placed around her neck when she became a doctor. She remained the way her father's chest swelled with pride during the graduation ceremony.

Then she saw the melted tubing, for a heartbeat she felt as though someone had burned a piece of her father's memory in front of her. Her body screamed silently , she wanted to say something. Anything but what could she speak? She didn't want to create so instead of fighting she swallowed, her cognitive mine hung between perhaps she handled the situation badly ; perhaps it was her fault unless her sister-in-law, nor did her mother-in-law not even Puja's twelve years old daughter stood as it was .

As the rubber tube melted completely, Ishita fell on the floor , her eyes stung beneath the tears . She didn't remember when Saransh was gone .

Puja and Kalyani both fell silent, their expressions briefly betraying discomfort. Puja's eyes darted towards the melted stethoscope before she quickly averted her gaze away, as though acknowledging its significance would mean admitting that the situation had gone too far.

While Kalyani's face went pale , a shadow of unseen passing through her eyes, yet deliberate justification to convince — if Ishita didn't misbehave rudely or apologised to her daughter, perhaps the situation could be handled easily.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

That night, everyone had a meal in their living room. Except Ishita.

Puja's daughter didn't look at anyone while her mother was feeding her son . Sameer looked at his elder once then at his mother but he didn't comment. It wasn't that they felt uncomfortable, instead they didn't understand why a woman has more attachment for an object over the happiness of a family member . But neither of them ask themself once: wasn't it our elders duty to make instead of teaching children the value of precious things over a childish stubborn demand?

For a few seconds Saransh's eyes drifted towards the empty chair near the dining table, as soon as his gaze returned as, his temple throbbed with the same tempered : why couldn't she be a good daughter-in-law like his mother.

Ishita laid on the bed , however she felt as her body pressed under pain , which felt so unbearable and torturing. Her lips became dry as she hadn't taken a sip of water since the evening. But her heart bled more than her eyes that night.

The next day Saransh left for office. He didn't talk to Ishita, and nor did he care to ask for her breakfast as she hadn't had a meal since last night ; he didn't bother to check as he was still angry with her for the previous day's incident. He appeared lost during a meeting at work . As the hours tickled his thoughts revolved around the same track—why she couldn't see him working hard at the office to give a healthy, comfortable life to her . Everyday , her ego grew steadfastly which only welcomed unnecessary squabbles at home.

By the evening , when he returned home ; the house was empty . Saransh brow puckered with concern as he found his mother sitting alone on the sofa. His heart sank seeing tears in his mother's eyes. Kalyani said Ishita left the house without telling anyone anything. She was resting in her room for a moment…” I'm scared , I don't know where she has gone .”

Saransh hugged his mother and tried to calm his mother . As he took steps towards n his bedroom , his irritation only preoccupied. The shrill of the telephone grabbed his attention. He received the call

“ Hello, is Doctor Ishita there?” the speaker said

Saransh said “ No, I'm her husband. Is there anything important, can share with me? I'll pass it to her.”

“ Oh Mr Sawant, how are you? It's very nice to talk to you . Ishita often talks about you .”

Saransh didn't comment instead he inquired “ I'm sorry, I didn't recognise you ?”

“ I'm Ishita's friend, Dr. Sakshi. I also work in ten hospitals. I called her as she didn't arrive to take her report.”

“ Which report?” A line of worry etched in his face .

“ Ishita did some tests yesterday as she is not feeling well after a few weeks, and she is expecting. Congratulations Mr Sawant. You are going to be a father .”

Saransh held the telephone for a while , his breath caught in her throat.

“ Mr. Sawant, are you there ?”

“ Yes , yes .. Thank you Dr. Sakshi”

“ It's alright, As Ishita didn't arrive to take her report, I thought to congratulate her.”

Saransh expressed his gratitude out of formality before disconnecting the call. As he kept the phone ; waves of joy tickled his nerves . He stepped out immediately and without sharing a word to his mother he headed towards her hospital. Sakshi was overwhelmed to meet him .

Suddenly one of the senior nurses said, “ My daughter is also studying for Mbbs in a govt college. Ishita helped them a lot when I was posted in another hospital, and Dr,Ishita was pursuing her Postgraduate degree. I told my daughter to be like her , she has so much resilience and sincerity. She is single and not only meets over hundred patients each day , but even teaches their juniors clinically. Definitely you are proud to have a life partner like her .”

Saransh's jaw tightened; he didn't order . Sakshi ordered for coffee or tea but Saransh refused as he was in a hurry and came out immediately.

Ishita locked herself in her old room since she came to her mother. Rukmini tried to talk to her but she responded only in monosyllabic; either yes or no , sometimes she just simply nodded her head . Rukmini knew her daughter had matured beyond her age . Rukmini stood in the doorway watching her daughter curled on the bed like a tiny snail . Her tea and favourite cookies remained untouched on the table.

Rukmini sat on the bed and creased her hand on her head, “ Ishita ? Her voice laced with maternal affection , calming Ishita's wounded heart like a balm . “ What happened beta ? Have you had any difficulty in the workplace? “

No response came, only silence sighs back.

Rukmini said softly once again, “ Have you had a fight with Javai?”

Still Ishita didn't respond, yet her eyes stung with warm tears which rolled down her and dampened the pillow beneath.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Ishita stood near the parapet of the terrace, her arms loosely folded across her chest as she gazed at the city below. The fading sunlight had disappeared behind the buildings, leaving only scattered lights in the distance. She had been standing there for almost half an hour; it was usually one of the places in the house that brought her calmness. But that evening, even the heady scent of jasmine brought in with the air failed to soothe her burning heart.

Inside the house, Rukmini was brewing the curry for dinner while Rahul worked on his laptop. The sound of the doorbell interrupted the stillness. Rahul looked up , leaving the laptop on the couch , and stood upright. His habitual expression of irritation vanished immediately as he opened the door .

"Arey , Jiva? You?"

Saransh managed a faint, tired smile. "Good evening, Rahul."

"GOOD Evening, Jiva. Come , come inside."

Rukmini hurried out of the kitchen to the sound of a familiar voice. An awkward silence filled into the room.

Saransh's gaze lowered , his posture revealing apprehension. "Aai... I'm sorry for coming without informing you."

Rukmini's face softened in disbelief. "Why would you need permission to come to your wife's paternal house?"

Something in her words relieved him then, he looked around, his eyes scanning for someone . "Where is Ishita?" He whispered quietly.

Rukmini and Rahul exchanged a glance.

"She's on the terrace,"Rahul replied.

Saransh nodded. Since the time he stepped into the house his demeanor relaxed . He made his way towards the staircase, his steps slow and deliberate.

The terrace door creaked open. Ishita didn't turn around. She knew who it was. She knew the rhythm of his footsteps all too well. For several seconds, neither spoke.

Saransh stopped a few feet behind her. He looked around the terrace, the site brought back memories before their marriage. He remembered how calm , confident and mature Ishita appeared that evening — how she had spoken about her patients. They way she laughed when he teased her about working ethic. Now, she wouldn't even look at him.

"Ishita..." he whispered.

Saransh asked her about her health, chiding her for hiding the incidence of fainting at the hospital. However, she stood silently; her mind was truly jammed, wondering why he was carrying when he barely cared about her emotions.

Suddenly she felt his presence look closer, “ I was angry yesterday..” he said , a note of hesitation in his voice. "I shouldn't have...burned your stethoscope. Piyush was crying , Puja was upset…and everything happened so abruptly ." he paused, then added “ I'm sorry, Ishita."

Ishita's eyes fluttered. Nevertheless, her hurt hadn't disappeared, but his direct apology for the very first time, without adding something to justify it , only took her by surprise.

She turned to face him ." You could have just given it back to me .” she said, her chest squeezing. “ It was a gift from my father , Saransh..and you !’ she turned away again, her eyes filled with tears.

His shoulders dropped . His gaze drifted towards the garden, his expression shifting from apprehension to a strange , distant melancholy.

Before she could react, he pulled her into his arms. Ishita's shoulders went tensed , her hands rested still on either of her waist, unable to decipher what to do.

Then his voice came near her ear."You scared me. I came home and you weren't there." He held her tighter. "I thought something had happened to you."

Ishita's fingers slowly curled into the fabric of his shirt. She hated how easily his tenderness disarmed her. The same man who could make her feel insignificant one evening could hold her as though she were the most precious person in his world the next.

Saransh pulled back slightly, and gazed into her eyes, revealing her report came positive.

She stared confused, it took her several seconds to catch his words' meaning.

"You're pregnant."Her lips parted. "The doctor confirmed it."His eyes glistened. "We're going to have a baby."

Ishita's hand instinctively moved toward her abdomen. For a heartbeat , a strange mixture of fear and tenderness crossed her face.

Saransh placed his hand over hers. "I wish you had told me." He smiled, "I've already started thinking about everything."

Her eyes turned watery , overwhelmed by the ecstasy of news.

As he asked her to return home , his expression turned sombre."I know things haven't been easy." His thumb brushed gently over her hand. "But you're my wife and I can think of a home without you. You don't have to solve everything tonight. And not even have to forgive me " He paused. "But just come home. Pls..”

Then, almost defensively, he added: "I know I worry too much. Sometimes I don't know where concern ends and fear begins.I just... I don't know how to stop worrying about you.”

Her breathing caught up with the intensity of his words. For a fraction of a second, the man who burned her belongings the previous evening seemed to disappear. In his place was the Saransh she had known before. The man who had once made her feel as though she were the most cherished person in his world.

That sentence stayed with her. Not that he was wrong, not that he shouldn't control her Just..." I worry too much.”

Her thoughts strangled around old memories — was he really scared of abandonment. As he still hadn't had complete trust in her she was different from his former finance.

And somehow, Ishita found that easier to accept. Perhaps because she was still searching for a reason to believe that her marriage could be repaired.

She finally nodded. "Okay."

Relief washed over him immediately, and hugged her tightly . Saransh pulled back slightly, his expression transforming from somber to something boyishly bright she hadn't had ever seen before.

Rukmini's face lit up instantly as she heard the news. Her eyes instinctively filled with tears of joy . She pulled her daughter into a tight embrace , smiling softly through her teary eyes . Her hands blessed her. Her chest swelled, happiness bubbling beneath while imagining how fast her child had grown up and very soon she would have her own child. The long urge to have her daughter close, spending time with her tonight , talking to her , feeding her on her own hand faded as she caught the discomfort in Saransh's appearance

Rahul hugged his sister next, and simultaneously grinning broadly at the sight of imagination of soon having a nephew or niece to spoil.

“Congratulations,” he said warmly.

Moreover, he wanted to say something more. Perhaps to ask her whether everything was really all right. Perhaps to remind her that she could stay as many days as she was willing. But when his eyes met Ishita's, he stopped . There was something in her expression that quietly responded to him not to.

When they finally reached home, Ishita expected the same silence that had greeted her the night before. But surprise dawned over when she saw the dinner was served neatly on the table, as if food on exhibition. However, she washed over her when she heard Puja and her children had already reached their home by the evening.

Kalyani came forward, her voice was warm and inviting. "Come, Ishita beta. Eat something."

Ishita's body taut, her finger clutched her fabric on her lap — a momentary habit during confusion.

Kalyani placed a bowl in front of her. "How worried I was about you, beta. How could you do something so foolish? Leaving the house alone at night..."

Ishita stared at her blankly .There was something strangely familiar in her tone. The same voice , affectionate scolding as though yesterday hadn't happened at all.

Across the table , Saransh watched her intently."You see?" he said gently. "Everyone cares and worries about you."

Ishita didn't answer .

He continued, “ Maybe you sometimes misunderstand them."

Her eyes drifted for a fleeting moment towards the food, contemplating whether he was right. Maybe she had expected too much, maybe she needed to learn to adjust more. And grew strong her belief that marriage required patience, sacrifice, resilience.

At night she laid comfortably on the bed , resting her hand on her belly..a beautifully strange maze rising through her. Maybe the arrival of the baby would bring a new turn into their marriage. With the hope she shut her eyes hoping, things might truly improve.