Chapter 41 — What Rishi Had Heard

Everyone gathered around the dining table for breakfast.

Ritika sat quietly beside Rishi, while Arnav sat across from them.

But something was different about Arnav.

His expression was unusually tense.

He barely spoke.

Rehnaa noticed it immediately.

She looked at him carefully.

Something is bothering him.

She decided not to ask in front of everyone.

The family continued with breakfast.

Rishi remained quiet, occasionally glancing at Arnav.

Once everyone had finished, Arnav stood up.

Arnav: Ritu, get ready.

Ritika looked at him.

Arnav: You too, champ.

Rishi's face immediately brightened.

Rishi: Okay, Baba.

Arnav nodded.

Arnav: Come.

Ritika and Rishi followed him upstairs.

Once they left, Rehnaa looked toward Shabana and Abhram.

Rehnaa: Something is definitely wrong with Arnav.

Shabana: I noticed it too.

A few minutes later, Arnav came back downstairs alone.

His expression was still serious.

Abhram: What happened, beta?

Arnav sat down.

Arnav: I need to tell you something.

Rehnaa immediately looked concerned.

Arnav: Rishi told me what happened yesterday.

Shabana's expression changed.

Arnav: He told me that an aunty told him he shouldn't call me Baba.

Rehnaa's eyes widened.

Arnav: She told him I'm not his father.

Abhram became visibly shocked.

Arnav: She told him his real father died and that he shouldn't call me Baba.

Shabana covered her mouth in disbelief.

Arnav: She also told him that he and Ritika are a burden.

Rehnaa: What?

Arnav's voice became colder.

Arnav: And she said things about Ritika that made her cry.

He paused.

Arnav: Rishi told me that Ritika said they might go back to the Singh mansion and not come here.

The three elders were stunned.

Rehnaa's eyes became moist.

Rehnaa: So that's why he was so sad yesterday.

She lowered her gaze.

Rehnaa: I did ask him.

Her voice became soft.

Rehnaa: I asked him what happened, but he said nothing, Phupi.

Shabana looked heartbroken.

Shabana: Poor child.

Abhram clenched his jaw.

Abhram: Who would say something like that to an eight-year-old?

Arnav: I don't know yet.

Rehnaa looked at him.

Rehnaa: But whoever it was, they made Rishi feel like he doesn't belong here.

Arnav nodded.

Arnav: And that's what I won't allow.

Shabana: Rishi belongs here.

Abhram: Both Ritika and Rishi belong here.

Rehnaa looked toward the staircase.

Rehnaa: We need to be careful with him. He is already carrying enough.

Arnav remained silent.

His anger hadn't disappeared.

But beneath it was something stronger.

A determination that no one would make his son question his place in the Qureshi family again.