Next Morning - Siya's POV

"Diii... uth jao! Dii, utho yaar!"

Vanya's voice kept echoing in the room, but Siya lay wrapped in her blanket like the world didn't exist. Morning was her enemy, and sleep-her only peace.

Vanya kept shouting, shaking her shoulder, but Siya didn't bother. Finally, she opened one eye halfway, clearly irritated.

"Arre... kya hai subah-subah?" Siya groaned.

"Koi kaam-vaam nahi hai kya? Time dekha hai? Sirf chhe baje hue hain. Aisa kaunsa pahaad gir gaya jo mujhe itni jaldi utha diya? Aur tujhe college nahi jaana kya?"

Vanya crossed her arms dramatically.

"Nahi. Maine chhutti le li hai. Aur aap bhi aaj office nahi jaogi. That's clear."

Siya sat up in shock, staring at her like she'd lost her mind.

"Kyu, behen? Kis khushi mein office na jaun? Kisi ki shaadi hai kya?" she said sharply.

"Main apne kaam ko bahut seriously leti hoon. Ek din bhi miss nahi kar sakti."

Her face turned serious-cold.

Vanya softened immediately.

"Jaanti hoon, di. Par aaj mat jao. Aaj hamari dono didi aane wali hain. Please yaar... aaj sab saath milke sister time spend karte hain. Please, di... maan jao."

Siya's jaw clenched. Anger flashed in her eyes.

"No," she said flatly.

"Tu jaanti hai na, ek din bhi iss ghar mein rehna mujhe pasand nahi. Main bardasht nahi kar sakti unhe dekhna. Isiliye main roz office jaati hoon-taaki mujhe unka chehra na dekhna pade."

Vanya's eyes filled with tears.

"Samajhti hoon," she said softly, "aap unse nafrat karti ho. Par ham beheno ki kya galti hai, di? Humse kyu doori bana li? Aap kisi se baat nahi karti... kuch bhi nahi batati. Kya aap itni pathar ban gayi ho ki kisi cheez ka farq hi nahi padta?"

Siya's face went expressionless. Her voice turned icy.

"Haan. Nahi padta," she said.

"Tujhe kya lagta hai, tere maa-baap ne mere saath sahi kiya? Jo mujhe kabhi nahi diya, ab mujhse expect karte hain ki main unhe apna loon?"

She took a sharp breath.

"Meri galti kya thi, bata? Mera paida hona? Teri maa meri stepmother hai-usne kabhi pyaar diya? Aur tera baap? Mujhe mat sikha kaise rehna chahiye."

Her voice trembled, but she didn't cry.

"Tum beheno se main isliye door hoon kyunki mujhe pata hai... main easily attach ho jaungi. Aur mujhe kisi se attach nahi hona. Tumhare maa-baap ne mujhe itna kuch kaha jab meri koi galti bhi nahi thi."

She turned her face away.

"Khair... itni subah yeh sab baat karne ki zarurat nahi."

Outside the door, Manoj stood frozen.

Every word pierced his heart.

Fourteen years ago, his doubt had broken his daughter. Since that day, she had turned cold, ruthless... distant. Tears rolled silently down his cheeks as he listened-helpless, guilty.

Vanya wiped her tears.

"Main jaanti hoon, di... par woh aapke papa hain," she pleaded.

"Ek baar unhe chance de do. Papa aap par bharosa karte hain."

Siya snapped back.

"Bharosa?"

"Woh bharosa 14 saal pehle karna chahiye tha-jab main ro-ro ke keh rahi thi ki maine kuch nahi kiya."

Vanya whispered, crying,

"Please di... ek baar unki bhi sun lo."

Siya laughed bitterly.

"Maa-baap apne bachchon ki sunte hain. Meri kyun nahi suni? Maine kaunsa paap kar diya tha?"

Vanya folded her hands.

"Please..."

Siya exhaled sharply.

"Pehle rona band kar," she said softly.

"Sorry... chillane ke liye."

Vanya shook her head.

"Nahi."

"Achha," Siya sighed, "kya chahiye ki tu rona band kare?"

"Aaj chhutti le lo," Vanya said quickly. "Phir main nahi roo aungi."

Siya paused... then nodded.

"Fine. Chhutti le li. Par kaam online karungi."

Vanya's face lit up.

"Thank you, di!"

She ran out excitedly.

Siya muttered to herself,

"Apni zid poori kara ke hi maani... bhagwan kasam, ladki nahi, aafat hai."

Vanya held her phone close, her voice low but bubbling with excitement as the conference call connected.

"Hello dii... suno, ek good news hai," she said, barely able to contain herself.

"Good news?" the voice on the other side asked in disbelief. "Kya?"

"Yehi ki Siya dii maan gayi," Vanya said proudly. "Hamare saath time spent karne ke liye."

There was a stunned pause.

"Kya? Sach mein?" the sisters gasped together. "Par woh toh itne saalon mein kabhi nahi maani. Phir aaj kaise?"

Vanya smiled to herself, her eyes shining.

"Woh sab mera kamaal hai, dii," she said playfully. "Ab yeh sab chhodo, aap dono jaldi aao. Aaj dher saari baatein karenge."

"Achha," they laughed softly. "Hum do ghante mein pahunch jaayenge. Phir Siya se bhi baat karenge-waise bhi woh kisi se baat hi nahi karti."

Vanya's tone turned serious.

"Arre call pe hi baatein kam karo aur jaldi aao. Itni mushkil se maani hai. Mood kharab ho gaya na, toh bawal mach jaayega."

The sisters chuckled.

"Thik hai, aa rahe hain. Phir batana use kaise manaya."

"Chalo, bye!" Vanya said quickly.

"Bye."

The call ended.

Vanya placed the phone down and let out a satisfied sigh. She walked to the dining table and sat there, swinging her legs slightly, waiting-hoping-her heart full of anticipation.

Thirty minutes later, soft footsteps echoed on the stairs.

Siya emerged from her room, calm and composed, her face unreadable as ever. She walked downstairs with quiet confidence and took her seat at the dining table.

Vanya looked at her and smiled at herself.

She came, she thought.

For the first time... she really came.

---

Breakfast Scene

For the first time, Siya sat at the dining table with the entire family.

Shock froze everyone.

Her stepmother couldn't believe her eyes.

Manoj's eyes filled with tears-meri beti mere saath baithi hai...

Vishwas whispered to Vanya mischievously,

"Yeh kaise hua? Kala jaadu lagta hai."

Vanya smirked.

"Emotional blackmail."

Siya spoke coldly without looking up.

"Zyada shock hone ki zarurat nahi. Main sirf aaj yahan hoon-Vanya ke liye."

Manoj finally spoke, his voice trembling.

"Beta... aaj tum sabke saath baithi ho... accha lag raha hai."

Siya smiled-a fake, painful smile.

"Accha hi lagega. Meri zindagi barbaad karke bura thodi lagega."

Silence.

"Beta... meri galti thi," Manoj whispered.

"Stop calling me beta," Siya said sharply.

"I am nothing to you."

The room froze.

"Ek baar maaf karde," Manoj begged.

"Jaise aapne mujhe kiya tha?" Siya replied coldly.

"Mera bachpan, mere aansu... sab aapki wajah se khatam ho gaya."

Tears streamed down Manoj's face.

Neeta snapped angrily,

"Kyu ro rahe ho? Yeh toh pathar ban chuki hai."

Manoj roared,

"Chup reh! Sab teri wajah se hua!"

Neeta fell silent in fear.

Siya's voice was steady, but every word carried the weight of years she had swallowed in silence.

"Aapne bhi wahi kiya tha," she said, her eyes fixed on her father.

"Jab main aapse maafi maang rahi thi... tab aap apni biwi ki baat sun rahe the. Usne jo kaha, aapne use sach maan liya. Aur main? Main bhi toh aapke saamne ro rahi thi. Uska kya?"

Her throat tightened, yet no tear fell.

"Aaj agar mere aansu dikhte nahi hain na," she continued quietly, "toh woh sab aapki den hai. Main jo aaj cold-hearted bani hoon, woh bhi aapki wajah se hai. Aapne mera poora bachpan barbaad kar diya... jabki meri koi galti thi hi nahi."

Mr. Manoj's eyes filled instantly. His lips trembled, but no words came out.

The room fell into a heavy silence.

No one dared to interrupt her-not even breathe loudly.

Only Vanya stood frozen, knowing she was the only one who could stop Siya, yet choosing not to. This truth needed to be spoken.

Mrs. Neeta broke the silence, her voice sharp and mocking.

"Iski baaton pe aap ro rahe ho?" she scoffed. "Waise bhi yeh hamari kuch lagti hi nahi. Maaf karna hota toh kabka kar deti. Ab toh pathar ban chuki hai. Apne baap se bhi matlab ke bina baat nahi karegi."

Siya didn't even look at her.

Without a word, she calmly picked up her spoon and began eating her breakfast-unaffected, unmoved. Neeta's words meant nothing to her anymore.

That's when Manoj snapped.

"Apna muh band rakh, Neeta!" he roared, anger shaking his voice.

"Yeh sab jo bhi hua hai, sab teri wajah se hua hai. Maine apni beti ko kho diya... teri wajah se. Aur aaj ke baad agar tune iske baare mein ek shabd bhi bola na, toh yaad rakh-tu is ghar ke bahar hogi."

Neeta fell silent instantly. Fear replaced arrogance. She lowered her eyes and said nothing.

Siya stood up, her chair scraping softly against the floor.

"Chalo, mera ho gaya," she said flatly. "Main chalti hoon."

Vanya looked at her in surprise.

"Di... kaha? Aapne kaha tha aaj chhutti lengi."

"Haan," Siya replied calmly. "Kamre mein ja rahi hoon. Wahan bhi na jaaun kya? Maine bola tha online kaam karungi. Wahi karne ja rahi hoon. Jab woh log aa jaayein, tab mujhe room mein le aana."

"Thik hai," Vanya nodded softly.

Siya turned and walked upstairs without looking back.

The sound of her footsteps faded as she entered her room-and closed the door behind her.

At the dining table, the silence returned, heavier than before.

Bhaiya sighed in frustration.

"Kya zarurat thi itna sab bolne ki? Har baar aap log hi use gussa dila dete ho."

Bhaiya shook his head.

"Itni mushkil se pehli baar saath baithe the khaane... aur aap dono se control nahi hua."

Badi Maa spoke thoughtfully.

"Manoj ne jo kaha, galat nahi tha. Woh bas apni beti se maafi maangna chahta tha."

Badi Maa eyes filled with regret.

"Haan, par humne jo kiya tha uske liye usne kabhi kisi ko maaf nahi kiya. Humein kaise maaf karegi? Us waqt us par kya beeti thi, jab koi bhi uski baat sunne wala nahi tha... hum sab bhi toh usi ko doshi thehra rahe the."

Badi Maa 1 sighed deeply.

"Par use ek baar toh sochna chahiye na... uska baap maafi maang raha hai."

Manoj finally stood up, his shoulders heavy with guilt.

"Nahi, bhabhi," he said, his voice breaking.

"Woh bilkul sahi keh rahi thi. Maine us par shak kiya, us par ilzaam lagaya... aur sabse badi baat, maine use sauteli kaha-jab ki woh mera apna khoon hai."

Tears slipped down his cheeks.

"Woh mujhe kabhi maaf nahi kar sakti is baat ke liye," he whispered.

"Lekin... main koshish karta rahunga."

With teary eyes and a shattered heart, Manoj slowly walked away-towards his room-leaving behind a dining table full of people and a silence full of regret.

In Afternoon

Two hours later, a black car stopped at the grand gates of the mansion. Meena and Sakshi stepped out, their faces glowing with warmth and familiarity. As soon as they entered, they bent down respectfully, touching the elders' feet and taking their blessings. Smiles, gentle words, and affectionate pats followed-but one presence was missing.

Meena looked around the hall, her eyes searching instinctively.

"Siya kahan hai? Woh dikh nahi rahi."

Badi Maa sighed softly. "Haan... woh apne kamre mein hai."

Sakshi's smile faded a little.

"Achha... humein laga tha woh neeche intezaar kar rahi hogi," she said, disappointment clearly written on her face.

Vanya quickly stepped in, trying to soften the moment.

"Nahi didi, aisi koi baat nahi hai. Woh neeche hi thi. Bas thoda papa ki wajah se gussa ho gayi... phir upar apna kaam karne chali gayi."

Meena frowned. "Papa ki wajah se? Kya hua?"

Vanya shrugged helplessly.

"Bas wahi... di ka gussa. Kab shant hota hai aur kab garam-kisi ko samajh nahi aata."

Sakshi exchanged a glance with Meena, then smiled gently.

"Woh neeche nahi aayi toh kya hua? Hum uske paas ja sakte hain na."

And just like that, the three sisters-Vanya, Meena, and Sakshi-walked upstairs together, their faces cheerful yet hopeful. They stopped in front of Siya's room and knocked softly.

Inside, Siya was busy on a call, her voice firm and professional. She glanced up, saw them at the door, and gave a small nod, gesturing them to come in. They entered quietly and took their seats. Five minutes later, Siya ended the call and placed her phone aside.

Sakshi smiled teasingly.

"CEO Siya ji... kaise hain aap?"

"Fine," Siya replied flatly. "As always."

Her face revealed nothing.

Meena leaned forward, concern in her eyes.

"Haan Siya, kaisi hai? Kaam kaisa chal raha hai? Suna hai kal phir maar-pit ho gayi thi... aisa kya ho gaya tha?"

Siya's jaw tightened slightly.

"Chhod do ye sab," she said coldly. "Bohot lambi kahani hai, aur mujhe sunane ka koi interest nahi. Kaam theek chal raha hai."

Then she shifted the topic sharply.

"Aap log batao. Sasural ka kya haal hai? Apne bachchon ko chhodkar yahan aa gayi?"

Sakshi smiled tiredly.

"Woh sab jija sambhal lenge. Aur sasural ka haal?" she sighed.

"Wahi roz ke taane-kabhi kisi baat ko leke, kabhi kisi aur baat ko."

Siya scoffed lightly.

"Shaadi-shuda logon ki baatein hain yeh. Mujhe kya lena-dena."

Meena looked at her seriously.

"CEO ji, aisa nahi hota. Sabko shaadi karni padti hai. Chahe kuch bhi ho, har ladki ko apna ghar chhodna hi padta hai... dusre ghar jaana hi hota hai."

Siya's eyes darkened.

"Toh batao," she said quietly but sharply,

"yeh mera ghar kab tha? Na bachpan mein... na ab. Dusre ghar se main koi umeed bhi kaise rakh sakti hoon?"

A sudden silence filled the room.

Vanya immediately broke it, forcing a smile but her voice trembled.

"Nahi di... tu shaadi mat karna. Main akeli reh jaungi is ghar mein phir."

She pouted playfully, trying to hide her fear.

"Phir mujhe har baat pe chilayega kaun?"

For the first time, a faint softness flickered across Siya's eyes-brief, fragile, but real.Siya folded her arms, her voice calm but edged with finality.

"Vanu, maine kab kaha ki main shaadi karungi? Mujhse toh waise bhi har ladka darta hai," she said coolly.

"Aur yaad rakh-Siya na kisi se pyaar karegi, na shaadi. Yeh sab faltu baatein hain. Mere paas itna paisa hai, mujhe kisi ki zarurat nahi."

Meena smiled sadly and shook her head.

"Paisa sab kuch nahi hota, Siya. Kabhi-kabhi pyaar ki bhi zarurat hoti hai."

Siya's eyes hardened, her tone turning icy.

"Haan... zarurat thi. Bachpan mein. Tab toh koi tha hi nahi pyaar dene ke liye."

Her words fell heavy in the air. Meena and Sakshi fell silent, unsure of what to say. Siya turned away from them, picked up her laptop, and moved to the balcony. The evening breeze brushed past her face as she immersed herself in work, building walls once again-brick by brick.

An hour passed.

Work ended, exhaustion settled in. Meena and Vanya, after chatting and laughing softly, eventually fell asleep on Siya's bed. Sakshi watched them for a moment, then quietly walked to the balcony where Siya stood, staring into the distance.

"Siya," Sakshi said gently, "kya soch rahi hai? Kis ke khayalon mein khoi hai?"

"Kuch nahi," Siya replied without looking back.

"Bas... aise hi dekh rahi hoon."

Sakshi smiled knowingly.

"Janti hoon main. Tu kisi ke baare mein soch rahi hai. Bata, kaun hai woh?"

Siya stiffened.

"K... kya bol rahi ho aap? Aisa kuch nahi hai."

"Toh phir itni ghabrahat kyun?" Sakshi pressed softly.

"Agar kuch nahi hai toh?"

Siya looked away, struggling for words.

"Main kyun ghabraungi... woh bas..."

Sakshi placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Main janti hoon tu apne mann ki baat kisi ko nahi batati. Par ab bata, Siya. Main sunungi."

After a long pause, Siya finally spoke, her voice unusually low.

"Woh didi... mujhe kaafi mahino se ek sapna aa raha hai. Samajh hi nahi pa rahi hoon. Ek ladka hota hai-uski aankhen... green. Jab uthti hoon na, bas wahi aankhen yaad rehti hain."

She swallowed.

"Kabhi-kabhi ghabrahat hone lagti hai, jaise koi paas ho. Par jab dekhti hoon... koi nahi hota. Ek aise ladke ka sapna... jo shayad exist hi nahi karta."

Sakshi's eyes lit up with mischief.

"Achha... toh behen pyaar mein pad rahi hai."

Siya snapped back instantly.

"Maine kaha na, apne dimag ka ilaaj karwao. Jija ji ne aapke dimag mein pyaar bhar diya hai."

Sakshi laughed softly.

"Achha hai na? Main keh rahi hoon-yeh tere sapnon ka rajkumar hai."

"Koi rajkumar nahi hai," Siya said firmly.

"Na mujhe pyaar mein interest hai, na yeh bakwaas mujhse hoti hai."

Sakshi tilted her head.

"Toh phir bata-tu Gauri Mata ki pooja kyun karti hai? Unpar itna vishwas kyun?"

Siya's voice softened for the first time.

"Kyunki woh meri maa hain. Woh mujhe samajhti hain."

Her eyes darkened.

"Teri chachi jaise nahi, jo mujhe akela chhod de. Main unhe hi apni maa maanti hoon... aur kisi ko nahi."

She straightened.

"Rahi baat pyaar ki-toh mujhe uski koi zarurat nahi. Nafrat hai mujhe in sab cheezon se. Mere liye paisa hi sab kuch hai."

Sakshi smiled knowingly.

"Dekhte hain, Siya. Jab tu pyaar mein hogi na... tujhe khud bhi pata nahi chalega."

"Aisa kuch nahi hoga," Siya replied coldly.

Just then, Vanya suddenly woke up and rushed to the balcony, eyes wide.

"Kyaaa? Didi, tu kisi se pyaar karti hai?"

She looked utterly shocked.

"Kab? Kaise? Kahan? Aur kaun hai woh? Mujhe nahi bataya-yeh cheating hai!"

Siya flicked her forehead lightly. Sakshi watched them, smiling warmly.

"Pagal hai tu," Siya snapped.

"Neend mein tera dimag gir gaya tha kya? Ya seedhiyon se tu hi gir gayi thi? Tere dimag mein bhi pyaar ka bhoot chadh jaata hai, bilkul didi ki tarah."

Vanya pouted.

"Nahi, par yeh sunke shock laga mujhe."

"Mujhe kisi se pyaar nahi hua hai," Siya said firmly.

"Adhi baat sun ke conclusions mat nikala kar."

Sakshi teased,

"Pyaar nahi toh sapnon ka rajkumar toh milne wala hai."

Vanya gasped.

"Didi ke sapne mein ladka? Yeh toh impossible hai!"

"Green eyes wale," Sakshi added.

Vanya shook her head dramatically.

"Aisa koi ladka toh poori locality mein bhi exist nahi karta!"

Sakshi laughed.

"Haan, par kya pata... kahin se aa jaaye."

Siya turned sharply, her voice calm yet dangerously cold.

"Bas karo tum dono," she warned.

"Ya phir main is kamre se tum dono ko bahar nikaal dungi. Pyaar ka bhoot sawar rehta hai har waqt."

Siya ended the conversation in a calm tone, but the coldness in her voice was enough to silence everyone. The topic of the "dream man" was dropped immediately. Soon, all three sisters went to their rooms to freshen up and then came downstairs together for dinner.

---

At the Dinner Table

Meena glanced toward the kitchen and asked casually,

"Mom, is the food ready?"

Bhaiya smirked and teased,

"Yes, yes-serve the queen first. She's come all the way from her in-laws' house."

Meena rolled her eyes.

"Enough, bhaiya. Just mind your own work."

Badi Maa spoke gently,

"The food is ready. I'll bring it. Until then, call Siya and ask her to come down."

Sakshi nodded.

"Yes, Maa. I'll call her."

She raised her voice toward the stairs,

"Siya! Come downstairs for dinner!"

Meena whispered knowingly,

"She won't come down. You know she always eats alone."

Sakshi smiled with quiet confidence.

"Today she'll eat with us."

From upstairs, Siya's sharp voice echoed,

"I'm coming! Stop shouting. You could've come and said it calmly-why scream like that?"

Meena stared in disbelief.

"What am I seeing? How can someone change this much in one day?"

Sakshi frowned thoughtfully.

"I'm suspicious too. This kind of change overnight?"

As Siya walked down the stairs, Meena and Sakshi continued whispering about her sudden transformation. Siya pulled out a chair and sat down. Instantly, the entire family froze, staring at her as if they had seen a ghost. It was the first time she had joined everyone for dinner; usually, she preferred eating alone in her room.

Siya raised an eyebrow.

"What happened? Why is everyone staring at me like this?"

Vanya replied quickly,

"Nothing... it's just that you're here with everyone for the first time."

Siya tilted her head slightly.

"Oh? So you want me to leave?"

Vanya panicked.

"No, di! That's not what I meant!"

A faint hint of amusement crossed Siya's face.

"Relax. I'm just joking."

Meena shook her head dramatically.

"You... joking? I'm telling you, something has happened to her. Someone must've done black magic."

Vishwas nodded in agreement.

"I was thinking the same."

Bhaiya added theatrically,

"Exactly! Such a big change-maybe she's been listening to some saint's sermon."

Vanya blurted out without thinking,

"No... it's the effect of the dream man."

Siya was drinking water. Hearing that, she choked badly, coughing as the glass slipped slightly. Her sharp gaze locked onto Vanya.

Bhaiya leaned forward.

"What did you say?"

Meena demanded,

"Say that again."

Siya spoke coldly,

"What? She didn't say anything. Got it? Ignore her."

Then she turned to Vanya.

"You're talking too much."

Vanya immediately shook her head nervously.

"No... no, I didn't say anything."

Just then, Manoj spoke softly,

"Siya, eat properly. Why have you left half your food? Eat a little more."

Siya replied calmly, without looking at him,

"There's no need. I eat only this much. You don't need to worry."

Everyone froze again.

She had spoken calmly to her father-without anger, without bitterness. The elders exchanged shocked glances. Manoj himself was stunned; this calmness from his daughter felt unreal.

After finishing her dinner, Siya quietly stood up and went back to her room, picking up a novel and settling into silence once again.

Manoj turned to Badi Maa, his eyes filled with tears-this time of happiness.

"She spoke to me so gently..."

Badi Maa smiled softly.

"Manoj, it's not too late. She may forgive you someday."

Manoj nodded, emotional.

"Yes, bhabhi. I'll keep trying. Just once-if she forgives me-I'll do everything she asks."

Neeta scoffed bitterly,

"What's the need to apologize to a girl?"

Manoj snapped, anger flashing in his eyes.

"Why don't you keep quiet? Everything that happened is because of you. That day, if you hadn't spoken poison, neither would she have been hurt nor would I have said those words. Stop speaking against my daughter."

Neeta fell silent instantly, fear replacing her arrogance. She had never seen Manoj take such a firm stand-for Siya.

One by one, the family retired to their rooms. The house finally fell quiet, but in many hearts, sleep came slowly-carrying guilt, hope, and the fragile possibility of healing.