Everyone was super angry at Sharad while I thought of making things clear again. So, I left him a text message asking him to meet at our usual cafeteria and went to sleep.

NEXT MORNING

I waited nervously at the cafeteria, my heart pounding in anticipation. When Sharad finally approached my table, his expression was a mixture of regret and uncertainty.

"Shivina, I'm so sorry for what I did yesterday," Sharad apologized sincerely, his voice tinged with remorse.

I took a deep breath, preparing myself to address the situation head-on. "I appreciate your apology, Sharad. But there are some things I need to clarify."

Sharad nodded, his eyes filled with a mix of apprehension and hope. "Of course, Shivina. Please, go ahead."

"I just want to make it clear that while I appreciate your feelings, my heart belongs to someone else," I began gently, hoping to convey my message without causing further pain.

Sharad's expression faltered, his heart sinking with each word. "But, Shivina, I still love you..."

"I know, Sharad. And I'm grateful for your love. But it's important to acknowledge that sometimes love isn't enough," I explained softly, reaching out to touch his hand briefly.

Sharad struggled to find the right words, his emotions swirling inside him like a storm. "Sh-Shivina, I..."

Taking a deep breath, I continued, "I think both of us should move on. It would be the kindest thing we could do for each other."

Sharad's eyes glistened with unshed tears, his heart heavy with sorrow. "I understand, Shivina. I truly do."

"I was drunk yesterday, and I'm truly sorry for everything," Sharad apologized once more, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I appreciate your apology, Sharad. And I forgive you," I replied, offering him a small, understanding smile.

"I only invited you here to say my piece and whatever was running through my mind, to clear things up and end things smoothly," I explained firmly, my tone resolute. "I've said my piece, and I hope we can maintain some distance after this. I'm leaving now!"

As I hurriedly made my way out of the cafeteria, I could sense Sharad's lingering gaze on my back, his thoughts swirling with a mix of emotions.

Meanwhile, as I navigated through my own personal turmoil, news reached me that the man who had caused my childhood trauma had been released from jail. His sudden freedom sent a shiver down my spine, stirring up old fears and anxieties.

Amidst the chaos of my thoughts, my phone rang, the caller ID displaying the name of my best friend, Aisyah. With a sense of relief, I answered the call, grateful for the distraction and the opportunity to confide in someone I trusted.

"Hey Shivina, how are you? When are you coming back here?" Aisha chirped, her voice carrying a mix of excitement and curiosity.

"I'll be back soon! How's life treating you and the family? Everyone doing well?" I replied, my smile audible in my voice.

"Life's been quite the rollercoaster, you know! Dad's been on this match-making spree, and guess what? I'm next in line for the wedding bells! You better mark your calendar; I need my partner in crime as my bridesmaid!" Aisha teased, her words laced with playful anticipation.

"You're getting married?! Wow! I'm so happy for you! Don't worry, I'll be at your wedding and introduce you to someone that you would like to meet in the future," I assured her, a hint of mischief in my tone.

"Eh, your army guy?! Yeah, bring him too!" Aisha teased, her laughter ringing through the phone.

"Ah, you remembered! Well, we'll see about that!" I chuckled, imagining Rohan's reaction to being invited to another wedding.

"Okay, Okay you're the one who wouldn't call me without any purpose. What is it this time?" Aisha probed, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Let's just say our dear old family saga continues," I sighed, preparing to share the latest installment of my family's drama.

"You always sniff it out like a dog so accurately. It's about your father and your brother!" Aisha observed, her concern evident in her voice.

I recounted the recent events, my words painting a picture of the tension and turmoil within my family.

"At first, she's the one who wanted to kill Dhivya! They both didn't even bother her for ages and now they're showing like they care about her. Even if they find her, I'll never let them bring her; over my dead body! Thanks for letting me know about this!" I declared fiercely, my protective instincts flaring up at the thought of Dhivya's safety.

Suddenly, I saw my brother and father waiting at the cafeteria which shocked me. I quickly called Rohan and told him what was going on. He quickly rushed to the cafeteria. He was raging mad when he saw their lousy faces.

"What are you doing here? If you're here to bring her, I'll kill you both right away!" The man's voice boomed, echoing through the narrow hallway of the old building.

"Sir, I'm not going to bring your wife. Trust me! We're here to see my daughter whom your wife has been raising all this time," I replied, trying to keep my tone calm despite the tension in the air.

"Can we talk about this somewhere else?" I suggested, gesturing towards his cabin. Reluctantly, he nodded, leading the way as we walked in silence, the weight of the situation heavy on our shoulders.

Once inside, I mustered the courage to speak again. "Sir, we just want to see my daughter. Please, sir!"

"No way! I'll never let you both treat her like how you guys did to me! I don't want to see your lousy face; just get lost to hell," he spat out, his anger palpable.

"Shivina, we both know we've wronged you in many worst possible ways. We're sorry!" I interjected, desperation creeping into my voice.

"Only wronged me?! This so-called father of yours murdered my mother and other young women forcibly, separated me from my mother, abused me in every possible way—mentally, and physically, and snatched my childhood. And you were there to do nothing even though I would shout for your help," My voice trembled with emotion as I poured out years of pain and resentment.

"Please don't take her away from her mother; let her suffer everything you did without a mother!" the man pleaded, his eyes pleading with me to understand.

"Are you trying to tell me that I'm separating her from her mother? Well, it was your wife who abandoned your child. I saved her from you all. Don't try to make me the bad guy. What makes you think you deserve to be a father and a grandfather? You all don't even know the meaning of it!" I retorted, my frustration boiling over.

I glanced at Rohan, who stood beside me, his expression a mix of concern and determination. I wasn't ready for this moment; Dhivya had no idea about any of this. I didn't want her to go away from me. She was the only blood relative I had after all this while. Rohan convinced me to let them meet with Dhivya.

Rohan gently placed a hand on my shoulder, his voice soft but resolute. "We owe Dhivya the truth, and she deserves to know. Let's give them a chance to talk."

I observed the scene unfolding before me, my heart heavy with a mixture of emotions. Dhivya's innocent eyes darted between us, her confusion palpable as she tried to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions swirling around her.

"Dhi, listen to me," I said, my voice trembling as I reached out to her, desperate to ease her fears.

"Yeah, I hope you can maintain distance," Dhivya replied, her tone guarded yet vulnerable, her trust wavering amidst the chaos.

"I was thinking about bringing your bhabhi (sister-in-law) here as she was so desperate to see her child, and every time she calls me, she's only asking about the child," my brother explained, his words laced with a hint of desperation as he tried to bridge the gap between us.

"So, you want her to see her daughter and stay here for a few days?" I questioned, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside me.

Their hesitant nods only served to deepen the sense of unease that hung in the air, my mind racing with unanswered questions and unresolved tensions.

Before anyone could respond, my estranged bhabhi burst into the room, her presence casting a shadow over the fragile peace we had managed to maintain.

"Why can't I bring my child to be with me? What makes you think you have more right than me?" she demanded, her voice echoing with a mixture of anger and desperation.

"Says the mother who back then abandoned the very same child," I shot back, my words tinged with bitterness as I confronted her head-on.

Dhivya's eyes widened in shock, her confusion escalating as she struggled to comprehend the truth behind the tangled web of lies and deceit that had shaped her life.

"Dhi, what's going on? I'm so scared!" she whimpered, her voice trembling as she clung to me for comfort, seeking refuge from the storm that threatened to engulf us all.

"Dhivya, can you stay with Bheem Chacha (uncle) for a while?" I pleaded, my heart breaking at the thought of letting her go, but knowing that it was the only way to keep her safe from the chaos that threatened to consume us.

As tears streamed down my face, I held Dhivya close, silently praying for the strength to weather the storm and emerge unscathed on the other side.

"Shivina, let me handle this!" Rohan intervened, his voice firm as he tried to calm the escalating situation.

But I couldn't bear to see Dhivya leave, couldn't bear the thought of being separated from her once again. "I can't let her go!" I cried, clinging to her desperately as if my life depended on it.

Rohan glanced at me, concern etched on his face, before reaching for his phone. " I'll handle this, let me call Abhi first," he said, his voice determined as he dialed the number.

As Abhi arrived, confusion written all over his face, I could only pray that somehow, someway, we would find a way to keep our family together amidst the chaos that threatened to tear us apart.