Chapter 48: A Mother's Shield

Holi had turned the entire haveli into a celebration of colors and happiness.

Laughter echoed from every corner.

Ajay had arrived early in the morning and was helping Ritesh throw colors on everyone. Zara was running around with plates full of gulal while the village children happily played in the courtyard.

Poornima stood near the entrance when she saw Airav arriving.

For a moment, both mother and son simply looked at each other.

So much had happened between them.

So many harsh words.

So much distance.

Airav slowly walked towards her.

Before Poornima could say anything, he wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"Sorry, Mom."

His voice trembled.

Poornima froze.

Then slowly hugged him back.

Airav closed his eyes.

"I am sorry for everything. I was angry. I was selfish. I didn't think about your happiness."

Poornima's eyes filled with tears.

She kissed his forehead lovingly.

"It's okay, beta."

"No, Mom. It's not."

Airav looked at her.

"But thank you for forgiving me."

A soft smile appeared on Poornima's face.

"Happy Holi."

Airav smiled through his tears.

"Happy Holi, Mom."

Nearby, Zara secretly wiped her eyes.

Seeing her mother and brother together again made her heart happy.

The celebration continued.

Colors filled the air.

Music played loudly.

Ajay dragged Veeresh into the courtyard.

"Appa, enough standing like a village leader. Today you are playing Holi."

Veeresh rolled his eyes.

"I am your father."

"Exactly."

Everyone laughed.

Veeresh picked up some red gulal and walked towards Poornima.

She immediately knew what he was planning.

"Thakur ji..."

But before she could escape, he gently smeared red color across her cheeks.

His eyes softened.

"Happy Holi, Poons."

Poornima looked at him.

For a second the world seemed to disappear.

Only him.

Only her.

A smile appeared on her lips.

"Happy Holi, Thakur ji."

She stood on her toes and kissed his forehead.

The entire family immediately started shouting.

"Ohooo!"

"Appa!"

"Mom!"

Zara covered her face dramatically.

"I don't want to see this."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Even Veeresh laughed.

But amidst all this happiness, Poornima's eyes continuously searched for Rhea.

Every few minutes she checked on her.

"Did you eat?"

"Drink water."

"Sit for some time."

Rhea nodded every time.

The girl looked tired.

Very tired.

Poornima's heart remained restless.

Suddenly, while everyone was playing colors, she saw Rhea sway slightly.

Her face had turned pale.

"Rhea?"

Before anyone could react, Rhea collapsed.

"RHEA!"

Poornima ran towards her.

The color plates fell from her hands.

The music stopped.

Everyone rushed forward.

Veeresh reached his daughter first.

Fear instantly replaced every trace of happiness on his face.

He lifted her carefully.

"Rhea!"

His voice shook.

"Dad..."

Rhea whispered weakly before losing consciousness.

The doctor was immediately called.

The entire family gathered inside Rhea's room.

Nobody spoke.

Nobody moved.

Veeresh stood beside the bed.

His eyes never left his daughter.

The doctor checked her pulse.

Asked a few questions.

Then his face changed.

Poornima immediately knew.

The room suddenly felt smaller.

He looked at Veeresh nervously.

"Sarpanch ji..."

"What happened?"

Veeresh asked.

The doctor hesitated.

Then finally spoke.

"Your daughter is pregnant."

Silence.

Complete silence.

The words hit the room like thunder.

Ajay froze.

Ritesh couldn't believe what he had heard.

Zara looked towards Poornima.

Airav closed his eyes.

And Veeresh...

Veeresh stood completely still.

His face emptied of every emotion.

That frightened Poornima more than anger.

Slowly, Veeresh looked at Rhea.

The little girl he had raised after Janaki's death.

The daughter whose hand he had held on her first day of school.

The daughter he had protected from every pain.

His voice came out broken.

"Is it true?"

Rhea immediately started crying.

Her entire body trembled.

"Yes, Dad."

The answer shattered whatever control Veeresh had left.

"RHEA!"

The hurt in his voice made everyone flinch.

Tears poured from Rhea's eyes.

"Dad, I am sorry."

But Veeresh wasn't hearing anything.

His heart was bleeding.

His daughter.

His little girl.

His trust.

His protection.

Everything felt broken.

In a moment of anger and pain, he raised his hand.

But before it could reach Rhea—

Poornima stepped between them.

The slap landed across her face.

The sound echoed through the room.

Everyone froze.

Veeresh's eyes widened immediately.

Poornima's cheek turned red.

But she didn't care.

Not even for a second.

She immediately turned and wrapped her arms around Rhea.

Protecting her.

Shielding her.

Just like a mother.

Rhea cried uncontrollably against her shoulder.

Poornima gently held her head.

"It's okay."

The room watched silently.

Poornima finally looked at Veeresh.

Her eyes held no anger.

Only understanding.

"Thakur ji."

His chest rose and fell heavily.

"She needs us."

Her voice was soft.

Yet powerful.

"Not our anger."

"Not our slaps."

"Not our shouting."

"She needs her parents."

Veeresh looked away.

His eyes were red.

"How could she do this?"

His voice cracked.

For the first time everyone saw not a father who was angry.

But a father whose heart had broken.

Poornima's own eyes filled.

Because she understood his pain too.

"She fell in love."

Veeresh laughed bitterly.

"Love?"

"Yes."

Poornima nodded.

"She trusted someone."

"She loved him."

"She didn't know he was a monster."

Rhea started crying harder.

Poornima kissed her hair.

"She made a mistake."

"Not a crime."

The room fell silent.

Then Poornima looked directly at Veeresh.

"He is already behind bars."

Veeresh looked up.

"What?"

"I found out yesterday."

"I called Airav."

Airav stepped forward.

"Yes, Uncle."

Poornima continued.

"The boy is from Delhi."

"We found evidence."

"He has been arrested."

Veeresh stared at her.

"You knew?"

Poornima nodded.

"Yes."

"And you didn't tell me?"

The hurt in his voice was clear.

Not anger.

Hurt.

Poornima walked closer.

"I wanted to."

Her voice softened.

"But after Holi."

"I wanted family around her."

"Not villagers."

"Not outsiders."

She looked towards Rhea.

"Her dignity matters."

"Her future matters."

"She is already carrying enough pain."

The room became quiet again.

Because everyone knew Poornima was right.

But Veeresh was too hurt.

Too wounded.

He looked at Rhea.

She was crying helplessly.

Looking at him.

Begging him silently.

"Dad..."

Veeresh closed his eyes.

Then said something he would later regret.

"I will never forgive you."

Rhea's world shattered.

"Dad, please..."

"I am sorry."

"Please..."

But Veeresh couldn't stay.

He couldn't breathe in that room anymore.

Without another word, he turned and walked upstairs.

The door slammed shut.

Rhea broke down completely.

The girl who had been carrying fear for months finally collapsed emotionally.

Poornima sat beside her immediately.

Holding her close.

"Give him time, beta."

Rhea cried into her lap.

"He hates me."

"No."

Poornima immediately replied.

"He loves you too much."

"That's why he is hurt."

She wiped her tears.

"He will come back."

"I promise."

Then she looked at Ajay and Zara.

"Take her to the room."

"Make sure she eats."

"Don't leave her alone."

Both nodded.

Airav gently held his sister's shoulder.

Ajay helped her stand.

Zara hugged her tightly.

As they took Rhea away, Poornima looked towards the staircase.

Towards the room where Veeresh had locked himself away.

Her heart hurt for both of them.

A broken daughter.

A broken father.

And in between them, she stood trying to hold the family together.

Because today, on the festival of colors, the brightest colors had faded.

And only a mother's strength remained.