Till Death Do Us Apart [✓]

||Episode 23: Her Side||

the chapter starts with Naira gripping the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white as she drives through the darkened streets of Udaipur. Her vision blurred with unshed tears, and her heart ached with every beat. The silence inside the car was deafening, broken only by the occasional sniffle as she struggled to contain her emotions.

"How could you, Kartik?" she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. "I know you're hurt, but I never expected you to blame me for this mess. How could you think so little of me?"

The words felt hollow in the empty car, but she couldn't stop herself. Talking aloud was her only solace as the weight of Kartik's accusations bore down on her. His anger, his mistrust—it was too much. The very person she had always leaned on, the one she believed would stand by her no matter what, had turned his back on her when she needed him the most.

She blinked rapidly, trying to clear her vision. The last thing she needed was to lose control of the car. Yet, her mind kept replaying the confrontation. Kartik's voice, sharp and accusing, echoed in her ears. She had explained, she had tried, but nothing had mattered. He had chosen to believe the worst.

"This isn't fair," she murmured. "You don't even know the whole truth. How could you not trust me, Kartik?"

Her thoughts drifted to Aditya, the man responsible for all the chaos. His cruel smirk, his manipulative games—he was the root of everything. But now, the one person who could help her fight him wasn't with her. Kartik's absence left a gaping void, and she felt utterly alone.

As the gates of Singhania Sadan came into view, a fresh wave of despair washed over her. She stopped the car, resting her forehead against the steering wheel. Her chest heaved with silent sobs, and for a moment, she didn't have the strength to move. But she knew she couldn't sit there forever. Taking a deep breath, she wiped her tears and picked up her phone.

She dialed Swarna's number, her fingers trembling slightly. The phone rang only once before Swarna's warm voice came through.

"Naira? Beta, did you reach safely?"

"Yes, Maa," Naira replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just got here."

Swarna's concern was evident. "Are you okay, Naira? "

Naira swallowed hard, forcing herself to sound steadier. "I'm fine, Maa. Just a little tired."

There was a pause on the other end as if Swarna wanted to say more but was holding back. Finally, she spoke, her tone gentle yet firm. "Take care of yourself, Naira. Whatever happens, remember that you're strong. And you're not alone, no matter how it feels."

Naira's throat tightened, and she fought back another wave of tears. "Thank you, Maa. I'll try. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, beta," Swarna said softly before the call ended.

Clutching her phone, Naira leaned back against the seat, drawing in a shaky breath. Swarna's words provided a small comfort, but they weren't enough to chase away the pain that consumed her. She stepped out of the car, her movements mechanical, and made her way to the front door.

The house was quiet as she entered, everyone likely asleep. She slipped off her shoes, her footsteps silent as she climbed the stairs to her room. Once inside, she locked the door behind her, the sound of the bolt clicking into place echoing in the stillness. She let out a long, shuddering sigh, her exhaustion catching up to her.

Naira walked to her bed and sat down heavily, her gaze falling on the blanket. It looked inviting, a small refuge from the storm raging inside her. She slid under it, pulling it up to her chin, and curled into herself. The warmth of the blanket did little to soothe her; her mind was a whirlwind of emotions and memories.

As she lay there, the events of the day played out in her mind like a cruel film she couldn't turn off. The video she had seen, the one that had set everything in motion, flashed before her eyes. It was undeniable proof of Aditya's malice, a weapon she had hoped would finally bring him to justice. But instead of bringing her closer to a resolution, it had driven a wedge between her and Kartik.

"Why didn't you believe me?" she whispered into the darkness, her voice cracking. "I'm fighting this for us, Kartik. For our family. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

Her tears soaked into the pillow as the weight of the day's events crushed her. She wanted to sleep, to escape the pain, but her mind wouldn't let her rest. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Kartik's face, his eyes filled with tears. She heard his voice, accusing and cold. And then there was Aditya, his sinister smile a constant reminder of the battle ahead.

"I can't do this alone," she admitted to herself, her voice barely audible. "I need you, Kartik. But you're not here."

The loneliness was unbearable, and for a moment, she wished she could simply disappear. But deep down, she knew she couldn't give up. She had to keep fighting, even if it meant standing alone.

Eventually, the exhaustion began to take its toll. Her thoughts grew more disjointed, and her tears slowed. She clung to the faint hope that tomorrow might bring some clarity, some relief. With a final, shaky breath, she closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep despite the turmoil within.

But even in sleep, peace eluded her. Her dreams were filled with shadows, with the echoes of Kartik's accusations and Aditya's laughter. And when she finally stirred in the early hours of the morning, she felt as though she hadn't rested at all. The battle was far from over, and Naira knew she had a long road ahead.

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Hey guys!! If you guys liked the chapter give it a vote and leave your feedback in the comments, i am planning to update the one-shots books as well, it would be glad if you guys give some ideas.

Will post the next chapters soonish!

Bye!