Chapter 51 — A New Beginning

At Qureshi Industries, Arnav had just finished his meetings.

He sat in his office, going through the final project documents when his assistant, Kritika, entered with a file in her hand.

Kritika: Sir, the meetings are completed. But there is one more thing.

Arnav looked up.

Arnav: What?

Kritika: The media is making too many rumours.

Arnav's expression remained cold.

Arnav: About?

Kritika: About your marriage, sir. There are already several stories circulating, and some media houses are trying to get details about Mrs. Qureshi and the family.

Arnav leaned back in his chair.

Arnav: Don't give them anything.

Kritika: Yes, sir.

Arnav: No statement. No unnecessary details. If they need something officially, they can contact our legal and PR team.

Kritika: Understood, sir.

She nodded and left.

Meanwhile, at the Qureshi mansion, Ritika was helping Rishi arrange everything for his school.

Ritika: Books?

Rishi: Ready, Mumma.

Ritika: Pencil box?

Rishi: Ready.

Ritika: Water bottle?

Rishi: Ready!

Ritika smiled.

Ritika: Then tomorrow morning, no complaining.

Rishi: I won't!

Rehnaa entered the room and watched them for a moment.

Rehnaa: Beta.

Ritika turned around.

Ritika: Yes, Phupi?

Rehnaa sat beside her.

Rehnaa: Can I ask you something?

Ritika: Of course.

Rehnaa: Why don't you continue teaching?

Ritika became quiet.

Ritika: Teaching?

Rehnaa: Yes, beta. You were teaching before, weren't you?

Ritika nodded.

Ritika: I left after Rishi was born.

She looked at the books in front of her.

Ritika: It's been a long time, Phupi.

Rehnaa: So?

Ritika: I don't think I'm confident enough to go back.

Rehnaa looked at her warmly.

Ritika: I've been away from teaching for so long. The syllabus has changed, the methods have changed... and I don't know if I can stand in front of a classroom again.

Rehnaa smiled.

Rehnaa: Beta, confidence doesn't come before you start.

Ritika looked at her.

Rehnaa: It comes after you take the first step.

Ritika remained thoughtful.

Rehnaa: You haven't forgotten how to teach just because you became a mother.

She gently held Ritika's hand.

Rehnaa: You raised Rishi. You taught him discipline, kindness and responsibility.

Rishi looked up from his books.

Rishi: Mumma is the best teacher.

Ritika smiled at him.

Rehnaa laughed softly.

Rehnaa: See?

Ritika's eyes became slightly emotional.

Rehnaa: If teaching still makes you happy, don't let the years away convince you that you can't do it anymore.

Ritika nodded slowly.

Ritika: I'll think about it, Phupi.

Rehnaa: That's all I want.

She smiled.

Rehnaa: Think about yourself too, beta. You are Ritika—not only someone's wife or someone's mother.

Ritika looked at her quietly.

For the first time in years, the thought of standing in a classroom again didn't feel completely impossible.