Forever 💘(completed)

Chapter 19

Later that evening, the peaceful atmosphere in the house had dissipated, giving way to an uncomfortable tension that settled like a thick cloud over Virat. Ambalika and Anila had returned from the function, and the moment they walked in, their eyes immediately found Virat, sitting quietly in the living room. Rohit was upstairs, working on something, oblivious to the brewing storm below.

Virat's stomach churned as Ambalika's sharp gaze cut through him. He braced himself for whatever was coming, but no amount of preparation ever made it easier. He didn't even understand how suddenly he was the target for the ladies.

"So, you're just lounging around, huh?" Ambalika's voice rang out, dripping with disdain. She walked towards him with slow, deliberate steps, Anila following close behind. "I see you've gotten quite comfortable since you moved in here. No respect, no sense of responsibility."

Virat stiffened, his eyes downcast. He knew better than to argue or defend himself. It never worked.

Anila smirked, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. "He's probably too busy feeling sorry for himself, Mom. I mean, look at him—such a pitiful sight. He's always playing the victim. I don't know what Rohit bhai even sees in him."

The words cut through Virat like knives, but he remained silent, his fingers curling into fists in his lap. He felt the familiar sting of humiliation burning in his chest, but he swallowed it down, just as he always had.

Ambalika sneered, her voice lowering as she circled him like a predator sizing up its prey. "You think just because Rohit married you, you can relax? That you're safe? You're nothing, Virat. You've always been nothing. And now you're dragging Rohit down with you. Remember your days with Manika? That was your real place, your real identity!"

Virat's heart pounded in his chest, the weight of their words pressing down on him. He wanted to fight back, to tell them they were wrong, that he wasn't worthless, but the years of conditioning had taught him otherwise. He had always been taught that he didn't matter, that his pain wasn't valid, and now, sitting here, with Ambalika and Anila towering over him, those old wounds reopened.

"You're lucky Rohit even tolerates you," Anila added, her voice filled with malice. "Another man would have left you by now. But maybe he hasn't figured it out yet—how weak you are. How pathetic."

Virat's throat tightened, but he remained silent. He didn't flinch, didn't respond. He couldn't. What could he possibly say that they hadn't already beaten down? The past few days had been emotionally exhausting, and now, here he was again, back in the same old nightmare, surrounded by people who wanted to crush whatever hope he had left.

Ambalika leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "You think you've escaped your past, Virat? You think Rohit can save you from what you are? You'll always be a burden. And soon, Rohit will see it too."

His breath hitched, but he clenched his jaw, refusing to let them see how deeply their words were affecting him. Inside, he felt like he was crumbling, piece by piece, but on the outside, he forced himself to remain still. He couldn't break—not in front of them. Not again.

"Say something!" Anila snapped, her patience wearing thin. "Don't just sit there like a mute. Have some dignity!"

Virat swallowed hard, his lips parting slightly, but no words came out. His throat felt like it was closing up, and the room seemed to be getting smaller, suffocating him. He could feel the pressure mounting, the tears threatening to spill, but he bit them back. He had to stay strong. He had to keep it together.

Ambalika scoffed, shaking her head in disgust. "Pathetic," she spat, turning to walk away. "You're not worth the air you breathe."

Anila followed suit, her cruel laughter echoing through the room as they disappeared into the hallway, leaving Virat alone.