Kavita sighed, worry clouding her face.

Rahul placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry. Aarav will find her.”

Without wasting another second, Aarav dialed a number and strode straight toward his car.

“Bhai, I’ll come with you,” Paakhi said, hurrying after him.

Aarav looked at her for a moment, then nodded. Paakhi quickly took the seat beside him.

On the call, Aarav said sharply, “Check every camera. Track my black car.”

He ended the call and started driving.

Paakhi sat silently, hands clasped together. Didi… please be okay, she prayed.

Suddenly, Aarav’s phone buzzed. He answered instantly.

“Sir, ma’am is heading toward the bridge,” his man said.

“The bridge?” Aarav repeated, gripping the steering wheel tighter.

Paakhi turned to him, alarmed. “Bridge?”

“I just spotted her,” Aarav's man said

Aarav said "I am coming"

Siya had reached the bridge. The river flowed beneath it, dark and restless. She walked slowly toward the railing, her steps heavy, her eyes blurred with tears. Memories flooded her mind.

Flashback_

It was night. Siya sat in her room while Veer lay beside her, scrolling through his phone.

“Veer,” she called.

“Yes,” he replied, eyes still on the screen.

“Listen to me.”

“I am listening,” he said absentmindedly.

Annoyed, she snatched his phone. He looked at her, startled.

“Okay, tell me,” he said.

“I want to eat ice cream,” she said softly.

He sighed. “Be ready. We’re going.”

Her eyes lit up. “Really?”

She jumped up excitedly. “Let’s go!”

He smiled, shaking his head.

They drove together, and soon reached an ice-cream parlour. Siya stepped out, but Veer stopped her.

“Wait,” Veer said.

“No,” she protested.

“We’re going somewhere else,” Veer replied.

She narrowed her eyes playfully. “Okay… but don’t deceive me.”

He laughed, bought ice cream for both of them, and started driving again.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“To the bridge,” he said. “You’ll love it.”

They reached the bridge and stood side by side, gazing at the river below.

“It’s beautiful and peaceful,” Siya whispered.

Veer smiled. “It’s peaceful. I often come here.”

She smiled back.

Flashback End_

Siya opened her eyes, tears spilling freely now.

The same place.

That day, she had smiled.

Today, she was breaking.

She stepped closer to the railing and looked down at the river. Closing her eyes, she whispered,

“I don’t want to live anymore, bhai… papa…”

Just then, a car screeched to a halt beside her.

“Siya!”

Paakhi and Aarav jumped out and ran toward her. Paakhi grabbed her arm tightly.

“Didi! What were you going to do?” Paakhi cried.

Siya looked at her, her lips trembling. Then her gaze shifted to Aarav.

Siya broke down completely.

“I don’t want to live anymore, Paakhi,” siya sobbed.

Aarav stood frozen, his chest tight.

“Didi, don’t say that,” Paakhi begged, pulling her into a tight hug.

Siya collapsed into Paakhi’s arms, crying uncontrollably.

Paakhi held Siya tightly and said softly, “You are strong, didi. Please don’t say things like that.”

Siya shook her head, her voice trembling.

“I am not strong…” Her voice broke completely. “I’ve become an orphan.”

Aarav’s jaw clenched hard. He turned his face away, unable to let her see the pain in his eyes.

Paakhi cupped Siya’s face gently. “Don’t say this. Don’t even think like that. At least think about me. I’m your little sister, right?”

Siya didn’t reply.

Paakhi slowly pulled back from the hug and said firmly, “Promise me you won’t do this again.”

Siya looked at her, eyes swollen with tears.

“Promise me,” Paakhi repeated, her voice breaking.

After a moment, Siya finally nodded.

Paakhi hugged her again. “Now let’s go.”

They sat in the car and soon reached the Goenka mansion.

As soon as Siya stepped into the living room, Kavita stood up and wrapped her in a tight embrace.

“Daughter,” Kavita said, her voice heavy, “you didn’t even think about us once.”

Kavita paused, then said with conviction, “You are not an orphan… you are our daughter.”

Siya lowered her eyes, tears silently falling.

Kavita held her face gently. “This is a tough time, daughter. But it will pass. Don’t let it break you.”

Siya looked at her.

“Now go and rest,” Kavita said softly.

Paakhi nodded and took Siya with her, leading her toward Aarav’s room.

Siya lay down on the bed as Paakhi gently caressed her hair.

“I’m always with you, di,” Paakhi whispered.

Siya looked at her. Paakhi smiled softly and then left the room.

Siya closed her eyes, her mind replaying Kavita’s words… Paakhi’s voice… the worry she had seen in their eyes.

It felt real. Genuine.

She remembered the day of her marriage—how they were the only ones who saved her, who brought her into their home.

But he married me.

Aarav.

The man she hated the most.

Yet, even now, she couldn’t forget the worry she had seen in his eyes.

Her thoughts tangled into a mess of pain, confusion, and exhaustion.

Finally, her body gave up, and she drifted into a restless sleep.