Chapter 31 — Words That Hurt

Arnav returned home later that evening.

As he entered the Qureshi mansion, he noticed everyone gathered in the living room.

Arnav: I'll freshen up.

Abhram: Alright, beta.

Arnav went upstairs to his room.

When he entered, he noticed that Ritika and Rishi were not there.

He changed and freshened up before walking toward Rishi's room.

He found Ritika sitting beside Rishi.

The little boy was already asleep.

Ritika gently adjusted his blanket before standing up.

Arnav looked at Rishi for a moment.

Arnav: He's asleep?

Ritika nodded.

Ritika: Yes.

They both went downstairs together.

Dinner was already being served.

Ritika and Arnav quietly served themselves and sat with the family.

Abhram looked toward Ritika.

Abhram: Beta, Rishi slept?

Ritika: Yes, Papa.

Shabana smiled.

Shabana: Beta, tomorrow you, Arnav and Rishi have to go to the Singh mansion.

Ritika looked up.

Shabana: Devraj ji called all three of you for the Pag Phera rasam.

Ritika smiled softly.

Ritika: Okay, Maa.

Rehnaa then looked toward Arnav.

Rehnaa: And after that, for some time, both of you can stay at the penthouse.

Arnav immediately looked at her.

Arnav: Why?

Abhram answered calmly.

Abhram: To understand each other.

Arnav's expression hardened.

Arnav: It's not required.

Abhram: Arnav—

Arnav: Please stop talking about this topic.

The dining table became quiet.

Shabana gently intervened.

Shabana: Okay, beta. We won't talk about it now.

Abhram nodded and changed the subject.

Abhram: Tomorrow, just go to the Singh mansion and spend some time with them.

Ritika hesitated.

She looked toward Shabana.

Ritika: Maa...

Shabana: Yes, beta?

Ritika: Can Rishi and I stay there for some time?

Rehnaa immediately smiled.

Rehnaa: Of course, beta.

Ritika looked relieved.

Rehnaa: You don't have to ask permission to stay at your own parents' home.

Ritika: Thank you, Phupi.

Arnav remained silent.

But something about the conversation had begun troubling him.

He looked at Ritika.

Arnav: You want to separate me from my family?

Ritika looked at him in surprise.

Ritika: What?

Arnav's voice became sharper.

Arnav: Is that why you asked to stay at your family's house?

Ritika: Arnav, that's not what I meant—

Arnav: First the penthouse.

He looked at her angrily.

Arnav: That plan didn't work, so now you want to stay with your family?

Ritika's eyes filled with hurt.

Arnav: If that's what you wanted, then why did you marry me?

The entire dining table fell silent.

Ritika stared at him, unable to believe what she had just heard.

Her eyes filled with tears.

Ritika: How could you...

Arnav: Ritika—

Before he could finish, Ritika raised her hand and slapped him.

The sound echoed through the room.

Everyone froze.

Ritika immediately covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

She looked at Arnav with heartbreak rather than anger.

Ritika: I never wanted to separate you from your family.

Her voice trembled.

Ritika: I only asked because I thought I could spend some time with my parents and let Rishi be with them.

She shook her head.

Ritika: I didn't marry you to take you away from anyone.

Arnav stood completely still.

Ritika couldn't bear to stay there any longer.

She turned around and ran upstairs.

Ritika entered the room, closed the door and broke down in tears.

Downstairs, nobody spoke.

Arnav remained standing beside the table, staring at the staircase.

For the first time, the anger in his face disappeared.

He began to realize that his words had wounded her far more deeply than he had intended.