Kumkum Bhagya: Rishton Ki Ankahi Kahani

Chapter 58

In Rhea's Room

Rhea lay on her bed, sobbing bitterly, haunted by Abhi's harsh words and his shocking announcement of Prachi and Ranbir's engagement. Meera entered, her face filled with concern.

"Baby, please don't cry like this," she pleaded gently. "You haven't eaten since you came back yesterday, and even today, you left the dining table without finishing your breakfast. If you go on like this, you'll fall terribly ill!"

Rhea sat up abruptly, wrapping her arms around Meera and burying her face in her shoulder. "Meera Auntie, nobody trusts me!" she cried. "Everyone thinks I was responsible for what happened yesterday, but I swear, it wasn't me!"

At that moment, Aliyah arrived at the doorway and saw them together. Meera, still trying to console Rhea, asked softly, "What about your mother, Rhea? Doesn't she trust you?"

Both Rhea and Aliyah stiffened in shock at the question. Rhea wiped her tears and said firmly, "She is not my mother, Meera Auntie!"

Meera tried to reason with her. "Of course, she is your mother, Rhea! And you had accepted her as your mother too. I'm sure she's the one who can help you the most right now."

Before Rhea could respond, Aliyah's sharp voice cut through the air. "We don't need your advice in our family matters, Meera!"

Meera turned toward her in surprise. Aliyah stepped forward, her gaze cold. "Rhea knows who she wants and doesn't want in her life. You don't need to advise her on that! And anyway, you're not part of this family—you're just an outsider. So behave like one!"

Rhea felt bad for Meera and was about to speak in her defense, "Booji..." but Aliyah raised a hand, signaling her to stop. "I want to talk to Rhea alone," she stated firmly.

Disheartened, Meera stood up and left the room. Once she was gone, Aliyah sat beside Rhea and spoke in a soft yet poisonous tone. "Sweetheart, don't listen to Meera. Your mother is not a good woman. She's just a middle-class woman, and all middle-class women are cheap. They only know how to play with people's emotions."

"Mom?"

A deep, accusing voice rang from behind them. Aliyah and Rhea turned, stunned to see Aryan standing at the door.

Aliyah's expression faltered. "Sweetheart, what are you doing here?" she asked hesitantly.

Aryan walked in, his eyes sharp. "I came to call Rhea downstairs—Ranbir sent word. But Mom... what are you doing?"

Aliyah frowned. "What do you mean, Aryan?"

His voice hardened. "You were manipulating Rhea against her own mother!"

Aliyah's expression darkened. "Aryan! I was just telling her the truth!"

Aryan clenched his jaw. "Truth? Mom, how would you feel if someone said such things about you to me?"

Aliyah snapped, "Aryan, how dare you talk to me like that?"

He took a deep breath, his voice softer but resolute. "I'm sorry, Mom. But all I'm saying is—let Rhea think for herself. Let her decide who is good and bad for her."

Aliyah was taken aback by his words, while Rhea found herself lost in thought.

Aryan turned to Rhea. "Come on, Rhea. Ranbir and Prachi are waiting for you downstairs."

Nodding, Rhea got up, tidied herself in front of the mirror, grabbed her bag, and left with Aryan.

As they disappeared, Aliyah sank onto the bed, troubled. "Aryan has never gone against me before. But today, he not only talked back but even opposed me." Her eyes darkened as realization struck. "It's her. That middle-class girl is doing to my son what Pragya did to my Bhai! Pragya entered his life and took him away from me. And now this girl... No! I won't let that happen!"