*𝙳𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚕𝚊𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚛: 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜 𝚍𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚍𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚌 𝚊𝚋𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚟𝚒𝚘𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎. 𝙸𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔 𝚘𝚏 𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚘𝚝𝚎 𝚘𝚛 𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚒𝚣𝚎 𝚜𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚘𝚛. 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚍𝚟𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚍.*

Mami = Mother's brother's wife.

-*-*-

As the bus wound its way along the road, surrounded by forests and fields, Ira gazed out the window. Her mind drifted away from the mundane journey to the ancient city they were approaching.

Rajgir - once the abode of kings and sages, its very name means "the royal house".

And Ira imagined those ancient figures walking these same paths - the Buddh meditating beneath the trees, Mahavir guiding his disciples, kings holding counsel amid the hills.

Cradled within five majestic hills - Ratnagiri, Vipulachal, Vaibharagiri, Songiri, and Udaygiri - the city rests like a secret in their embrace. These silent sentinels have watched civilizations rise and fall, guarding the echoes of chants, debates, and philosophies that once shaped an age.

Long before it became a place of pilgrimage, it was the proud capital of the Magadh Empire - a seat of power under kings like Bimbisar and Ajatashatru. The ruins scattered across the land still tell the stories of that golden era when art, wisdom, and justice flourished together.

Vaidehi, sitting beside her, nudged her gently. "We're almost there," she said with a smile.

Ira nodded, her mind reluctantly pulling away from thoughts of the ancient city and returning to the present moment. She looked out the window once more, where the dusty roads and modern buildings stood in stark contrast to the timeless beauty of Rajgir's storied past.

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Sanam pulled the key to her apartment from her handbag. The dim corridor light cast long shadows across her face, revealing her puffy eyes and red nose. She twisted the key in the lock, and the door creaked open. Stepping inside, she slipped off her heels and placed them neatly on the shoe rack.

She turned to lock the door when a sudden burst of light made her squint, her hand instinctively rising to shield her eyes.

"Where were you?"

The raspy voice made her eyes widen. Her fingers clenched around the key, the metal biting into her palm.

Gulping, she turned and forced a gentle smile, her lips trembling slightly as she tried to compose herself. "Y-You came early today, Kabir."

Kabir's eyes roamed over her, lingering on her face before moving down to her toes. "Where were you?" he growled in a whisper.

Sanam's hands trembled as she turned back to the door, fumbling with the key as she tried to twist it inside the lock. "T-To a f-friend."

"Which friend?"

"An old friend... from school," Sanam murmured, slowly turning around. Her eyes met his as she walked towards the black sofa with heavy steps.

Kabir's gaze traced the curve of her body and the slope of her shoulders. "He or she?"

Sanam ran her dry tongue over her lips, her eyes darting wildly. "She."

Kabir reached for his laptop and turned it toward her. "Then how does your friend look like your ex-boyfriend?" His jaw tightened, his fingers tapping furiously against the glass table between them.

Sanam's eyes widened as she took in the picture. Her throat constricted; her chest heaved. Her fingers curled around the edge of her shawl, eyes glued to the screen.

In the photo, she stood in a restaurant, leaning toward Rudraksh, her hand extended near his forehead.

Kabir's eyes never left hers as he picked up a knife from the fruit basket, his fingers closing around the handle with quiet precision. He traced the blades edge with his thumb, the metal catching the light. "Any comments, sweetheart?"

Sanam froze, her lips trembling. The sofa's fabric bunched beneath her fingers, her knuckles turning white. "K-Kabir, I went to meet a friend, but he was also there. So I talked to him as well."

She lifted her eyes to his, forcing a wide smile. "Anyway, we're leaving tomorrow, so I didn't think it was wrong to say goodbye to my friends."

Kabir's eyes narrowed as he leaned closer to her. "Why do you think you can fool everyone with your nonsense stories, darling?" He brushed the knife's tip against her chin.

Sanam's eyes welled up. She squeezed them shut. "I'm not lying. Why would I?" Her voice cracked. "I-I love you. You don't believe me, baby?" Her lips quivered as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Kabir's lips curled into a mocking smile, his eyes glinting with amusement as he mimicked her trembling tone. "Oh, baby. Of course I believe you," he said sweetly, wiping her tears with the knife's edge.

Sanam's eyes darted to the blade, her gaze fixating on its gleam, sharp as a shard of ice catching the light. Her pupils constricted; her breath hitched.

Kabir's voice dripped with skepticism. "You wanted to bid your friend goodbye, didn't you?"

Sanam nodded hesitantly, her chin trembling as she tried to meet his gaze.

Kabir lightly tapped the metal against her lips, making her flinch. Then, with a soft clatter, he set the knife down on the glass table and wrapped his fingers around her arm, pulling her to her feet.

As she stood, her eyes flickered toward the table - the faint gleam of the metal reflecting back at her.

Kabir's smile spread as he drew her closer, his arms sliding around her waist possessively. "See how much I love you? I understood your emotions without you saying a word." His warm breath brushed her face, making her tremble.

Sanam's eyes narrowed. Tilting her head back to meet his gaze, she asked, "What do you mean?" Her voice was low, her eyes searching his smirking face.

Kabir's fingers caressed her lower lip as he leaned in, his eyes locked on hers. "I bid him a permanent goodbye."

"What did you do?!" Sanam's palms pressed against his chest, her fingers curling into his hoodie as she tried to push him away. "What the fu*k did you do, Kabir?!" she screamed.

Kabir's eyebrows furrowed as he leaned in, his face inches from hers. Baring his teeth, he slid his hands up her cheeks, his fingers wrapping tightly around her jaw.

"Why are you getting angry at me, baby?" he whispered, breathing heavily like an animal. "He deserved that. Didn't you see how he disrespected you and made you cry?"

Sanam's eyebrows drew together, her lips parting, eyes pooling with tears ready to spill over. She pushed against his chest, but he didn't budge. Her gaze darted wildly across his familiar face - one that suddenly seemed impossibly strange.

"What's happened to you, Kabir?!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling. "You're behaving like a psycho!" Tears streamed down her cheeks, her shoulders shaking as she jerked her head free, stepping back instinctively. "You're frightening me with this behavior of yours!" she cried, furiously pointing a trembling finger at him.

"Psycho?" Kabir whispered, his voice low and menacing as he stalked toward her, each measured step forcing Sanam to retreat. The soft glow of the bulb above cast an eerie white hue across his twisted expression.

Sanam's shoulders hit the wall, and Kabir's arms caged her in, palms flat against the paint. His eyes widened, the whites glaringly visible, as he tilted his head. "You're calling me a psycho for him?" He nodded slowly, deliberately, his eyes never leaving hers. "You want to go back to him, don't you?"

Sanam's lips parted, her breath escaping in a soft gasp as she shook her head.

"You don't love me..." Kabir whispered menacing.

Sanam's face contorted, her tear-streaked cheeks glistening in the dim light. Her fingers clutched at her dress as she struggled to steady herself. "I-I love you," she said weakly. Strands of hair had come loose from her styling, framing her face wildly as they fell onto her shoulders.

"Please, don't say that. W-why would I go back to h-him?" Her words broke, her chest heaving with each one. She placed a trembling hand on her stomach, her palm flattening over her belly. "I'm pregnant with your child."

Kabir's hand hovered over hers, his fingers tracing the delicate veins on the back of her palm before squeezing... hard.

The sudden pressure made Sanam's eyes flash with pain, but Kabir's gaze held hers, unrelenting. He leaned forward, their foreheads almost touching, heat radiating off his skin. His eyes blazed, his jaw tightening. "Why can't it be one of theirs?"

Sanam's mouth fell open, her eyes narrowing slightly as she stared at him, unblinking. "What?" Her lips barely moved; her other hand fell limply by her side like a puppet with its strings cut.

"What did you say?" The words tumbled out of her constricted throat.

Kabir's fingers curled around her wrists, lifting her hands to either side of her body. Gritting his teeth, he hissed, "I said, why should I believe this is my blood and not one of your bloody lovers!"

A dry chuckle escaped her lips as tears rolled down her cheeks, tracing wet paths on her pale skin. "Karan was right," she said coldly, her glassy eyes narrowing in detached disbelief. "The consequences of one's deeds in this birth must be borne in this birth itself."

Kabir's face twisted into a snarl, his lips curling back to reveal pale-yellow teeth clenched behind them. "Don't talk philosophy to me!" he roared. "Words like that don't suit the mouth of a woman like you!" His grip tightened around her wrists, making her wince in pain.

"Women like me?" Sanam's lips curved into a bitter smile. Her fists clenched, fingers trembling as she tried to free herself. "All of a sudden, I've become 'a woman like you'?"

Kabir's face darkened as he leaned in closer. "You're a sl*t - someone who can never belong to just one man." He yanked her hands harshly, the sudden movement jerking them back and forth like pendulums.

Sanam's eyes widened, a painful moan escaping her lips as she rubbed her wrists, trying to soothe the ache. She stepped toward him, fury burning in her eyes. Her palms struck his chest. "Whom are you calli-"

Kabir's hand lashed out, his palm cracking against her cheek. Her face snapped to the side, her hair flying and scattering wildly around her.

The room fell silent, the only sound their ragged breathing.

Sanam's head slowly turned back, her palm pressing against her stinging cheek as if to hold it together. Tears flooded her eyes, streaming endlessly down her swollen face. Her gaze met Kabir's in a mixture of pain, disbelief, and defiance.

In a swift motion, Kabir's hand shot out again, gripping the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her hair and yanking it backward. His other hand clamped around her chin, forcing her lips into a pout.

"I'm not Rudraksh!" he barked. "Don't even think of pulling your stunts on me! You won't see the sun tomorrow if you try!"

He shoved her backward, sending her crashing to the floor beside the black sofa with a dull thud, then stormed out of the apartment.

The door slammed behind him, and his voice thundered through it. "You have two hours. Get ready if you don't want to face the consequences of being an unmarried mother."

The room filled with the sound of Sanam's loud, broken sobs. She sat on the cold floor, head hung low. The chill seeped into her bones, her chest heaving as she choked between gasps:

"Y-you... you can never be Rudraksh!" she cried, squeezing her eyes shut as warm tears streamed down her rosy, swollen cheeks.

As she whispered his name, her body trembled with the effort of holding herself together. "You can never be Rudraksh..." Her words dissolved into a faint, trembling whisper. "Never be Rudra..."

FLASHBACKS

𝚃𝚆𝙾 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙷𝙰𝙻𝙵 𝚈𝙴𝙰𝚁𝚂 𝙰𝙶𝙾, 𝙳𝙴𝙻𝙷𝙸

A girl around twenty-two years old stood at the bank of the Yamuna River, her slender figure bathed in the warm, golden glow of the evening sun. The half-sleeved maroon velvet frock fell to her calves, its soft folds rustling gently in the breeze. The sunlight, diffused by the pollutants in the air, cast a long shadow of her figure across the that's stone steps.

Her hands were folded firmly against her chest, lips pressed together in a pout. Her eyes, fixed intently on the water below, seemed to bore into its depths. Strands of her armpit-length hair whipped across her cheeks and lips, but she stood still, lost in her thoughts.

A soft golden-toned hand extended before her face, the wrist adorned with a sleek black smartwatch that caught the light. The hand held out a bouquet of red roses. The green leaves, fresh and vibrant, added a faint sweetness to the otherwise polluted air. The white shirt sleeve was rolled up near the elbow, revealing a hint of a toned forearm.

The girl's pouted lips twisted to one side, her eyes rolling as she turned her face away.

The hand appeared again, this time holding an assortment of chocolates.

Her lips parted, and she clicked her tongue against her teeth. With a sudden jerk of her head, she stepped forward, descending the stairs-

-only to stop short when a pink teddy bear with a red heart on its belly suddenly appeared in front of her, startling her for a moment.

The teddy bear's soft, plush fur seemed to glow in the fading light, and its adorable face tilted up at her, its button eyes sparkling with innocent charm.

The boy's face was hidden behind the teddy bear, but his black hair swayed gently in the breeze, and his fit frame was visible beneath the untucked white shirt paired with blue jeans. His fingers grasped the teddy bear's sides lightly, a silver ring with a white pearl glinting on the little finger of his right hand.

As she gazed at the teddy bear, her expression softened, her eyes melting into a warm, tender look. The chocolates tucked among the flowers in the bouquet seemed forgotten, overshadowed by the teddy bear's winsome presence.

The teddy bear tilted slightly to the side, revealing a charming smile stretching across his smooth cheeks.

"Hi," the boy whispered, flashing his aligned white teeth.

The girl's softened expression instantly hardened into a stern mask. With a swift motion, she stomped the heel of her sandal onto the boy's shoe.

The boy's eyes widened in pain as he let out a pained, "Ouch!" hopping on one leg.

As the girl turned to walk away, her hair bounced against her back. Her fists were clenched by her sides, arms stiff and tense.

The boy quickly followed, his face contorted in pain, hands outstretched in a pleading gesture. The gifts he held bobbled up and down as he moved.

"Hey! Sanam! Listen to me. I'm sorry. Sanam!" he called out desperately.

Sanam's high-pitched voice cut through the air over her shoulder. "Don't talk to me! Go give those gifts to your books and projects! And make your laptop your girlfriend!"

The boy's face twisted as he caught up from behind. He slid his hands gently over her shoulders, the gifts fluttering before her like a colorful tapestry, the scent of roses and chocolate wafting up to tease her senses.

"Sanam, it was my final exam. Please, understand," he whispered, his breath brushing against her ear, sending a faint tingle down her spine.

Sanam's shoulders tensed further, her body rigid beneath his touch. But she didn't shake him off. Her pout softened ever so slightly as his warmth and words reached her. She turned around under his gentle grip, tilting her head back. Her lips still pouted, eyebrows furrowed.

"You're meeting me after a whole month, Rudraksh."

She leaned into him, her head resting on his chest, her arms wrapping around his waist, fingers interlocking behind his back.

Rudraksh's face relaxed, a gentle smile spreading across his lips as he embraced her, his chin resting atop her head. "For the next two weeks, I'll spend every day with you. Promise," he whispered softly.

Sanam's voice was muffled against his chest. "And then...?" She looked up at him, blinking.

Rudraksh's gaze drifted downward. After a brief silence, he gently pulled away and handed her the gifts, his fingers brushing against hers. His eyes flicked between her face and the river as he bit his lower lip.
"I'm... I'm going to Gujarat after that. And then, to another state for two years."

Sanam's eyes widened, her face paling. "Excuse me?! You're saying I'll meet you after two years?!"

Rudraksh shook his head quickly, reaching for her shoulders. "No, I'll be gone for two years, but shall call you every Sunday. And I'll visit whenever I get a leave. Promise."

His eyes locked with hers - intense, sincere.
"And you know, Rudraksh Maurya never breaks his promise."

He gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze.

FLASHBACKS END

"But I broke my promise, Rudraksh. I broke my promise."

The sound of her sobs filled the air once again, her body shaking with each convulsive breath. Tears streamed down her cheeks from her red, puffy eyes. She hiccuped, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath.

"Forgive me, my love. Forgive me, Rudr-"

Her voice trailed off, and her eyebrows shot up. She scrambled to her feet, her hands grasping the edge of the glass table and the sofa to steady herself. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the furniture.

As she stood, her legs wobbled beneath her, and she swayed precariously. Her gaze darted around the room - unfocused, wild. Her fingers fumbled desperately among the sofa cushions, patting down the fabric as if searching for a lifeline.

"Where's my phone?! Rudraksh! Nothing will happen to you, love! Nothing will happen to you. Your Sanam will save you!"

Her face twisted with rage and desperation. She grabbed a nearby vase and hurled it against the wall. The crash of shattering ceramic was followed by her furious cry, "Where is my damn phone?!"

Her gaze landed on the shiny black device lying beneath the glass table, and a spark of hope ignited in her eyes. She lunged for it, her trembling fingers closing around it as if her life depended on it. Her nails clicked frantically against the screen as she fumbled to dial, her face contorted, lips quivering with a broken sob.

She pressed the phone to her ear, her other fist clenching against her chest. Tears still streaked her cheeks, glistening in the light.

The number you have dialed is out of the network area. Please try again later.

She jerked the phone in front of her, eyes scanning the screen as if searching for a way to fix it. She redialed - again and again - with growing desperation, only to hear the same lifeless voice repeat the message.

Her face crumpled, and with a sudden, violent motion, she threw the phone onto the sofa. It landed with a soft thud. Her eyes snapped toward the door. She sprinted toward it, her urgent footsteps echoing through the room.

Her hand seized the doorknob, twisting it desperately, but it wouldn't budge. Her fist pounded against the wooden frame.
"Open the door!" she shouted, her voice cracking. "Open the door, you bas*ard!"

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Ira stretched her arms wide, arching her back with a yawn. The cool night air filled her lungs with the sweet scent of vegetation from the downlands of Rajgir. She covered her mouth with the back of her hand, her eyes squinting slightly.

"I'm drowsy." Her voice was husky from the nap.

Vaidehi, standing nearby with bags in each hand, smiled softly.

"Let me carry one," Ira offered, extending a hand toward her mother.

Vaidehi shook her head, her braided hair swaying gently in the moonlight. "No, no, it's fine. Come, let's go."

Ira shrugged and fell into step beside her mother on the dusty road.

As they walked, the soft rustle of leaves and the chirping of crickets created a soothing background hum.

Ira's fingers absently caressed the straps of her backpack, her eyes tracing the winding road ahead. "Mummy, how many people will be there?"

Vaidehi cocked her head slightly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Ira, it's a function. So of course, there will be quite a lot of people - family, relatives, distant relatives, friends, and more."

Ira's lips curled into a faint snarl, her nose wrinkling as she shot her mother a side-eyed glance. "Why don't these distant relatives stay at a distance?"

Vaidehi's expression turned stern. "Ira, don't be rude, beta. And talk to them properly." Her voice was firm but gentle.

Ira's expression flattened. "I don't indulge in stupid conversations."

Vaidehi pressed her lips into a thin line. "At least smile when they address you. Don't wear that frustrated, angry expression."

Ira's face twisted, her lips stretching awkwardly to one side. "I can't help it if people think I'm angry when it's just my resting face."

Vaidehi sighed, nodding with pressed lips. "Whatever. Just be respectful and polite."

Rolling her eyes, Ira said, "Oh, don't worry. I'll be the epitome of politeness. As for respect-well, that's something to give and take."

As they entered the village, Vaidehi's lips curled into a warm smile. She greeted the villagers, her voice ringing out with a series of "Pranam, Chachi" and "Pranam, Kaka."

Ira trailed behind her, her gaze sweeping across the sea of strangers' yet familiar faces. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she took in the assortment of curious glances and welcoming smiles.

Vaidehi paused to chat with an elderly woman while Ira brought a hand to her chest, nodding curtly in greeting, her eyes darting from one face to another.

Vaidehi's hands moved expressively as she spoke, her bangles jingling softly against her wrists.

Ira's eyes followed the movement, her face unreadable.

Vaidehi turned to her and smiled. "Let's get inside, beta." She gestured toward the three-tiered house, a name engraved on a black stone plaque: Devki Kunj.

💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫

"Panchhi, please," a high-pitched voice pleaded.

"No," Panchhi's voice came firm.

"Panchhi... my phone has zero balance. Please, give me your phone."

"This is my mother's phone, Jheel didi, not mine. So get lost. And why are you so desperate to talk to that old man, anyway?"

"Aey Panchhi, be respectful towards him. He is your brother-in-law."

"There's still one month left until your marriage. So don't talk nonsense."

"Who's talking nonsense, girls?" Vaidehi's cheerful voice echoed through the room, her footsteps light on the floor. A warm smile spread across her face.

Both girls turned their heads toward her, their faces lighting up with bright smiles.

"Bua!" Jheel exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement.

"Mausi!" Panchhi chimed in, her eyes sparkling with affection.

Both girls approached Vaidehi, kneeling down to touch her feet before bringing their hands to their foreheads and chests in a gesture of respect.

Vaidehi set the bags down on the floor, her hands gently running over her nieces' heads.

"Pranam, Jheel di," Ira greeted in a neutral tone, standing at the doorstep, her eyes observing the scene, hands folded across her chest.

"Ira di!" Panchhi ran toward her and engulfed her in a tight hug.

Ira smiled faintly, her arms wrapping around Panchhi in a gentle squeeze.

"Bua, let's go upstairs. Everyone's there." Jheel smiled brightly, lifting both bags in her hands. As she walked out of the room, the sound of her anklets echoed softly behind her.

Vaidehi followed closely behind Jheel, her eyes scanning the space with quiet familiarity.

The two cousin sisters remained in the room, their silence broken only by the distant chirping of crickets from the nearby fields.

Ira cocked her head toward Panchhi, her eyebrows lifting. "What happened to her?"

Panchhi rolled her eyes, her face scrunching as her lips curled up. "She's gone insane."

A/N: How's it?

1. A very serious question: Are the words like slut, whore, character-less only belong to women, or men too can be tribute with these words?

2. Did you like the glimpse of Rudraksh-Sanam soft moments?

3. What is your opinion about Kabir-Sanam interactions?