Chapter 33 — Understanding Her

The silence in the dining room continued.

Shabana looked at Arnav with disappointment in her eyes.

Shabana: I never raised you like this, beta.

Arnav lowered his gaze.

Shabana: I taught you to respect people, especially the woman who has entered your life trusting you.

Rehnaa nodded firmly.

Rehnaa: Go and apologise to her, Arnav.

Arnav remained quiet.

Rehnaa: Don't hurt her like this again.

She softened slightly.

Rehnaa: Every girl who enters her husband's home does not come there to separate him from his family.

Arnav looked at her.

Rehnaa: She needs time to know everyone, to understand the new family and to build her own bond with them.

She paused.

Rehnaa: And if she wants to stay separately for some time, that doesn't mean she is taking you away from your family.

Shabana: She is simply trying to adjust to a completely new life.

Rehnaa: Tomorrow, you three are going to Devraj ji's house for the Pag Phera rasam.

She looked directly at Arnav.

Rehnaa: If Ritika wishes to stay there for some time, you will not say anything to her.

Arnav nodded silently.

Rehnaa: Let her spend time with her parents.

Shabana: And when she is ready, she will come back.

Arnav: Alright.

He stood up and walked upstairs.

When he entered his room, Ritika wasn't there.

He already knew where she would be.

Rishi's room.

Arnav stood outside for a moment.

He didn't immediately go inside.

Instead, he walked back to his room, took out a cigarette and went toward the balcony.

He lit it and took a slow drag.

His mind was filled with the evening's events.

Ritika's face.

Her tears.

Her words.

I never wanted to separate you from your family.

Arnav closed his eyes.

He had accused her without asking what she actually meant.

He looked toward Rishi's room.

Perhaps she was sitting beside her son again.

The same way she had done when Safeena's words had hurt her.

Arnav took another drag.

For the first time, the cigarette didn't calm him.

It only gave him more time to think.

And tomorrow, he would have to face Ritika again.