Paakhi made Siya sit on the bed. Siya lowered herself slowly, her body heavy with exhaustion.

Kavita entered the room and looked at her quietly.

Turning to Paakhi, Kavita said, “Bring some clothes for Siya.”

Paakhi nodded and left.

Kavita sat beside Siya and held her hand.

“They left me alone,” Siya whispered, her voice trembling. “I don’t want to live anymore.”

Kavita immediately pulled her into a tight embrace. Siya broke down completely.

“No, my child,” kavita said softly but firmly. “Don’t say that.”

Siya shook her head, crying uncontrollably.

Kavita gently caressed her back. “Daughter, such days come in everyone’s life. But people don’t end their lives—they fight. This is a very difficult time for you, but it will pass. Things will get better.”

Siya cried harder. “Nothing will be better, aunty. They are gone. They left me.”

Kavita cupped her face tenderly. “No, daughter. Everything will be fine. You are not alone.”

She held her closer and said with warmth,

“Look—I am your mother now. And Paakhi… she is your sister.”

Paakhi entered the room with fresh clothes. Kavita handed them to Siya and said gently, “Change and rest, daughter.”

Siya took the clothes without a word. Paakhi helped her change, her movements careful and quiet. Afterward, Paakhi sat beside her while Siya remained seated at the edge of the bed, staring blankly ahead—lost somewhere far away.

Aarav entered the room.

The moment his eyes fell on Siya, his heart clenched.

She looked pale… lifeless.

Her once sparkling eyes were empty now.

She was no longer the cheerful girl who argued with him, who made everyone laugh.

He took his clothes, changed, and sat silently on the couch, his gaze fixed on her.

kavita came in with a tray of food. She placed it in front of Siya and said softly, “Daughter, eat now.”

Siya looked at the food for a moment—then turned her face away.

“Siya,” kavita said gently, “you haven’t eaten anything since yesterday.”

Siya shook her head weakly.

Kavita took a small bite in her hand and brought it toward Siya’s lips.

“Eat, daughter,” she said lovingly.

Siya looked at her.

“Eat,” she repeated, her voice full of warmth.

Slowly, Siya opened her mouth. She took the bite.

And suddenly—

Memories flooded her mind.

Flashback_

Siya sat on the couch, arms crossed, sulking. Rajveer came and stood in front of her.

“Siya,” he called softly.

She ignored him.

“Daughter, you haven’t eaten anything since morning,” he said.

“I won’t eat,” she replied stubbornly.

Her father smiled gently. “If you don’t eat, how will you be strong?”

She looked at him.

“You want to be strong, right?” he asked. “Then you have to eat.”

The maid brought food. Her father sat beside her and lifted a bite toward her mouth.

She pouted and refused to open her lips.

“Siya, eat,” he said patiently.

Finally, she opened her mouth and took the bite.

He smiled. “If you finish everything, I’ll give you chocolates.”

“Really?” she asked.

He nodded.

He fed her lovingly, and when she finished, he gave her chocolates—just like he promised.

Flashback End_

Tears slipped from Siya’s eyes.

Kavita immediately wiped them away and said softly,

“Don’t cry, daughter.”

Siya nodded faintly, tears still flowing endlessly from her eyes.

Paakhi wiped them gently while Kavita continued feeding her, but Siya managed only a few bites.

“Eat a little more,” Kavita said softly.

Siya shook her head weakly.

Kavita understood. She nodded and placed the tray aside.

Aarav watched everything in silence—her trembling hands, her quiet sobs, the tears she couldn’t stop.

Siya drank a little water.

“Now sleep,” Kavita said gently.

Siya nodded and slowly lay down.

Kavita covered her with a blanket, tucking it carefully around her.

“Just sleep, daughter,” she whispered—knowing that sleep was the only escape from the weight of what had happened.

Slowly, Siya closed her eyes.

Kavita turned to Aarav. “Come and eat.”

“You all eat,” he replied quietly. “I’ll come after some time.”

Kavita nodded and left the room with Paakhi.

Aarav remained seated on the couch, his eyes fixed on Siya.

Even in sleep, tears slipped from her eyes.

He stood and stepped closer, lifting his hand to wipe them away—but stopped.

Her words echoed in his mind.

"Don’t touch me. Stay away from me."

He pulled his hand back.

After some time, her tears finally stopped. She had fallen into a restless sleep—tear stains still on her cheeks, her lashes wet.

Paakhi entered the room quietly.

“Bhai,” she whispered, “go and eat. I’m here.”

Aarav looked at Siya once more.

“Don’t worry,” Paakhi said softly.

He nodded and walked out.

Paakhi sat beside Siya, watching over her in silence.

After some time, Aarav returned to the room.

“You go,” he said quietly to Paakhi. “I’m here.”

Paakhi nodded and left.

Aarav stood there for a while, watching Siya sleep—her face pale, her breathing uneven. Then he lay down on the couch. Within minutes, exhaustion overtook him, and he fell asleep.

In her dreams, Siya found herself sitting in front of a mirror.

Suddenly, she saw her father’s lifeless body behind her reflection.

And beside him… Veer.

She gasped and woke up with a sharp breath, her chest heaving.

Her eyes darted around the room until they landed on Aarav, sleeping on the couch.

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

She cried silently, pressing her lips together so no sound escaped.

After some time, she lay back down. Her chest and throat felt painfully tight, but her body gave up again.

She fell asleep once more.

Morning came.

Aarav woke up first. He looked toward the bed and saw Siya sleeping. Her face was calm now, though traces of pain still lingered.

He quietly got fresh and returned to the room, sitting silently, making sure not to disturb her sleep.

His phone buzzed.

Careful not to make noise, he stepped outside and answered the call.

“Sir, your—” his assistant began.

“Schedule everything for next week,” Aarav said firmly.

“Okay, sir,” the assistant replied before disconnecting.

Kavita saw outside and approached him.

“Where is Siya?” she asked softly.

“She’s sleeping,” he replied.

Kavita nodded. “Good. Let her sleep.”