Chapter 57 — The Silence

The next morning, Ritika woke up with swollen eyes.

She quietly got ready and prepared everything for the family.

She had also kept Arnav's suit ready for him, as she usually did.

When Arnav came out of the room, he didn't look at her.

He saw the suit she had kept out but deliberately chose another one.

Ritika noticed.

She said nothing.

Everyone gathered for breakfast.

Ritika had prepared the food, but Arnav didn't touch what she had made.

He silently served himself something else.

Ritika kept her eyes lowered.

Shabana noticed the tension between them but didn't say anything.

After a few moments, Arnav stood up.

Arnav: Ammi, can you prepare something for me?

Shabana looked at him.

Shabana: Beta, have this first.

Arnav didn't answer.

He pushed his chair back and stood up.

Then he looked toward Rishi.

Arnav: Champ, I'll drop you at school.

Rishi immediately smiled.

Rishi: Yes, Baba!

Rishi got up and followed him.

Arnav walked away without looking at Ritika.

The door closed behind them.

Ritika sat silently.

She wiped her tears before anyone could notice.

Then she slowly got up and went upstairs.

Rehnaa watched her leave.

A few moments later, she looked at Shabana.

Rehnaa: What happened?

Shabana sighed.

Shabana: Didi... let them solve it.

Rehnaa looked toward the staircase.

Rehnaa: What did Arnav do?

Shabana remained quiet for a moment.

Shabana: He crossed his limit.

Rehnaa understood immediately.

Her expression became serious.

Rehnaa: You're right.

Shabana: I don't want either of them to say something in anger that they will regret later.

Rehnaa nodded.

Rehnaa: They need to speak to each other.

Shabana: Yes.

Rehnaa looked upstairs again.

Rehnaa: Ritika is hurt.

Shabana: And Arnav is angry because he is afraid.

Rehnaa sighed.

Rehnaa: But fear doesn't give him the right to hurt her.

Shabana nodded.

Downstairs, the house became quiet again.

And upstairs, Ritika sat alone, trying to hold herself together while wondering how quickly everything between them had changed.