Vansh’s POV
“Meet Mrs Vansh RaiSinghania”, I spoke showing Ahana in front of the reporters.
While from the corner of my eyes I saw Riddhima in shocked. Though I always wanted to break her, but seeing her in this condition broke me.. I can’t see her in pain.. I love her so much, still she did all this. How could I forgive her? I could have forgiven her, if she killed me, but she tried to kill my sister! How could I?
But she left..without saying a single word, I wanted to hear her sound, but she didn’t utter a single word. Ishani grabbed her hand and pushed her outside. I folded my fists in anger, but I can’t do anything..
Just then Angre came running.
“Boss! see this..”, he showed me the CCTV footage which I had told him to repair.
I refused to see anything, but he kept on forcing me. I saw the footage and my eyes widened.
What have I done? I have thrown the most purest soul out of my life? I have thrown the person, who had always protected me, my family!
Just then I heard Siya shouting..
“Bhabhi!”.
I was terrified. We all ran towards her room.
“Siya, you are fine..thank god!”, Ishani spoke.
“Bhabhi!”, Siya kept on muttering Riddhima’s name.
“Why are you keen on calling that piece of mud again and again.. don’t you remember, she was the one who had tried to kill you?”, Ishani shouted.
“No.. Anupriya and Kabir were the one who tried to kill me, not bhabhi!”, she screamed.
I closed my eyes. I know I had to tell them everything now. Angre showed them the footage and now everyone looked at me. Kabir and Anupriya were arrested but everyone were looking at me.
“How could you?”, Siya shouted.
“I.. I didn’t know anything back then..”, I spoke.
But then Siya slapped me. I could see the disgusted look on her face. She was the same Siya who was proud of me, she was the same who had full faith on me.. and today she slapped me..
Well I know, mistake is mine.. And I want to rectify it.. Thus I ordered Angre to search for her. While others still kept on staring me.
Why are they staring me like that? I am not a criminal. I know, I had done a grave mistake, yet they were the one who helped me.. Ishani who is weeping right now on her deeds, always hated Riddhima. Aaryan who is shocked, always planned to killed her. Chachi and chachu who are consoling Dadi, were the one who were after her life. And Dadi who immensely loved her, still helped me.
I know they all helped me, for my sake. For they believed me..but did they once know, how I felt when I saw Riddhima’s pictures with Kabir?.. How I felt, when I was believed that Riddhima didn’t loved me? How I felt, when I got to know she is here as a spy? How I felt, when I believed that she killed Siya? How I felt that, she is after my property?
I know I was wrong.. but she was also not fully right..she had hid everything from me.. I know I can’t explain my deeds by blaming others, but why do everyone feels that I am the devil! I loved her wholeheartedly.. But I was unable to trust her.
I know, I had committed biggest sin. I had snatched Riddhima’s identity, which she was proud of.. I had snatched my rights on her.. I had snatched…everything from her..I know I can never mend this.. But still was I the only one responsible? Can’t she slap me, when I introduced Ahana as my wife? Can’t she shout at me? Am I not her husband? Can’t she… Why? Why always me? I had lost everything from beginning.. I had lost my father, who was my idol. I lost my mother, whom I loved the most. I got betrayed by my love, Ragini. I got betrayed by my step mom, whom I respected the most. I got betrayed by my half bro, whom I have given all rights.. And today I lost my life.. I lost everything.. I know, if Angre would find her, then also she will never forgive me..
“Bhai! Bhabhi is nowhere to be found..she disappeared.”, Angre spoke.
And another slap embraced me, this time from dadi.
“She loved you, she protected you, she loved your whole family, while they all mistreat her, she protected them, while you did drama of Vihan.. she saved everyone from Anupriya and Kabir, yet you snatched everything from her! I can’t believe, I raised you! I can’t believe I helped you! I can’t believe..”, she started taking heavy breathes.
I rushed towards her but she showed her hand, forbading me from pacifying her. She was taken to hospital where doctor told us about her heart problem.
She refused to talk to me. She imprisoned herself in her room, and never came out.
Like this was not enough.. I got one more punishment for my deed.. Ishani got a parcel from the hospital claiming it to be of Mrs RaiSinghania. We all thought of it to be of Dadi’s so we headed towards her room. But when Siya read it in front of all, I got biggest shock of my life.
The parcel was of Riddhima. It contained a document, confirming her pregnancy! Now I was fallen in my own eyes. I threw my child out! I threw my wife out of my house in this condition! I am world’s worst and cruelest father! How could I?
I felt my cheeks wet. I touched them and found out I was crying.. Woah! The great Mr Vansh RaiSinghania was crying of his deeds now! I stormed inside my room and slapped myself hard. I punched my hand on the wall, letting blood coming out of my hand. I bumped my head in wall, due to which blood oozed out from my forehead as well.. I injured myself. But still I can’t pain 1% of the pain my wife would be facing now.. where would she be? What would she do? Where would she live?
7 years later.
I returned to mansion after completing my work. Yes, mansion! It was home, when Riddhima was there, but now for me, it is just a piece of property. Seven years are gone and still there is no clue of Riddhima. This mansion forgot to laugh after her. When she left me, everything shattered. Chachi met with an accident and died. Chachu can’t take her death, and died of heart attack. Ishani had miscarriage. Aaryan, in the grief of his parents demise, burried himself in work. He had become a workaholic just like me. While Siya, forgave me after some years, but Dadi didn’t talked to anyone except Siya. Angre was with Ishani but he also separated himself from me, as he found her long lost sister in Riddhima. It’s like happiness had forgotten the path to this place.. only sorrow, grief and sadness prevails here.
When I entered the hall, I found everyone gathered in living room. All had smile over their faces. It was first time, when I found them smiling. I was very much happy for them.
” Bhai! I am one month pregnant!”, Ishani shouted when she found me standing at the door.
“What!”, I was shocked and happy at the same time..
I hugged her and congratulated her. Everyone hugged her.
“Congrats Angre,”, I spoke hesitantly.
“Thank you bhai!”, he spoke smiling.
Bhai! How I missed him calling me bhai! I was happy for them.
“Bhai, Ishani wants to go on live concert..”, Siya spoke.
“Live concert?”, I asked.
“Bhai, you remember, we all are fond of Raima Band.. they are going to perform live concert in Mumbai today!”, Aaryan spoke in excitement.
“When you all got interested in music?”, I asked.
“Bhai.. Raima Band is the best band all over world.. we heard it and we listened their songs..we were speechless.. It’s actually a band of three musicians.. R, Aisha and Manish.”, Ishani spoke.
I was confused. I remembered the fondness of this band..even interns in my office always speak about their songs..
“Bhai, Raima stands for their names.. R, the main singer; Aisha, her daughter who plays piano; and Manish, R’s brother, who plays other instruments.”, Siya spoke.
“R? Is this her full name?”, I spoke out of curiosity.
“Yes..actually no one knows about her much.. even on the covers her face is not visible.”, Aaryan spoke.
“Yes, the cover only contains Manish’s photo, thus Siya always keeps on glaring the cover of their song album!”, Ishani spoke.
I was startled..What was going on?
“Bhai, Siya had a crush on Manish!”, Angre spoke while laughing. While Siya blushed.
I laughed too.
“So, what he is so handsome, every girl drools over him.. even Aaryan bhai had crush on R!”, Siya pouted.
Now I gazed at Aayan who was smiling sheepishly.
“But no body had seen her face!”, Ishani spoke shockingly.
“So what? I am in love with her voice!”, Aaryan spoke.
“But she is married?”, I asked
Everyone stared me, while I mouthed ‘what?’
“Who told you?”, Aaryan asked.
“You all told me, she had a daughter!”, I stated facts.
“Oh bhai.. she must be a divorcee, or probably his husband would have died, or cheated or anything could be there..”, Aaryan shooed away my question.
“So we all are going there!”, Ishani commanded.
“Wait! I am not going.”, I told.
“Bhai, please..we all will go.. even Dadi agreed.”, Siya spoke.
“Dadi agreed?”, I astonished.
Everyone nodded.
“Actually bhai, Aisha is blind so that’s why her mother, R oraganises concert all over the world so that she could collect money to treat her.. And we wanted to help them..as many audience..as many tickets..as much money they will get!”, Angre spoke.
My heart ached when I heard about Aisha. Poor girl..she was blind but still she played piano.. amazing! Now even I wanted to meet them..
We all reached the concert place. But I was attracted to a room where I heard a piano tune.. I reached the room only to find a girl playing piano.
“Who’s here?”, she asked.
“Umm…I am..”, I spoke but was cut by her.
“Okay.. you my fan? Want my autograph?”, she spoke.
I was puzzled then I understood..Oh she is Aisha..
“Yeah!”, I spoke.
She smiled and held a pen in her little hands, while I gave her a paper. She signed the paper. And I was amazed..though blind, she knew how to write.. As far as I know.. blind people read and write through braille..
“Mom, taught me everything that ordinary people can do!”, She spoke clarifying my doubts.
“Your mom must be angel”, I spoke.
“She is god!”, she spoke as she smiled.
I caressed her hair and went outside. As I sat on my seat, with my family, smoke appeared on the stage.. and three figures appeared.. A woman, who was having mic in her hand was wearing jeans and off shoulder top, she must be R! I thought.
Then I saw Aisha sitting near piano, holding the keys. And then I saw Manish sitting near drums. As my eyes met Manish’s face..I heard hootings of girls all over.. Surely every girl drools over him.
Just then R hit her heels twice, indicating something and Aisha started playing piano. I adored their understandings toward each other. I was overwhelmed by their story.. A mom doing everything to help her child.. and her child saying her mom as god.. literally she must be god!
(Listen to Vishal Mishra’s music album ‘Aaj Bhi’ This song actually is on male voice, but please imagine it in female version.)
Na dard hai, na gam tere..
Na ishq hai, na teri vo chahate,
Ha khush hoon main, tere bina..
Na mujhme bachi kahi teri aadatein..
As I heard her voice I stared her figure.. smoke was still there on the stage, making it impossible to see her face. But her voice.. her voice had a spark.. a spark that my Riddhima had.. for once I thought she was Riddhima. But.. could she be HER? How? And Aisha? My thoughts were broken when smoke disappeared and I saw her face. I blinked my eyes to check if I was dreaming..but no..she was real..she was there for real..she was HER.. she is My Riddhima!
Hai fir kyu aankho me nami, kyu mai roti hu aaj bhi
Kya khalti teri hai kami, kyu mai roti hu aaj bhi
Hai fir kyu aankho me nami, kyu mai roti hu aaj bhi
Kya khalti teri hai kami….
She closed her eyes as she sang these lines.. I could feel the pain she wanted to hide from the audience while singing this.. Her tears which she carefully hid from everyone were easily noticeable to me.. I don’t know what should I do? Should I be happy? Or Should I hate myself to see her in this condition? She had deliberately chosen this song to emit her pain.. How much I had hurted her! And Aisha! Is she my daughter? But how come she is blind?
Just then I recalled.. Ishani grabbing Riddhima’s hand throwing her out and then a car rushed to hit her.. Was she hit by a car? and thus Aisha is blind? Is all this my fault? I cried and closed my eyes to feel the pain she was singing.
Tumne kaha tha, saath jiyenge, honge juda na hum kabhi
Haath ye thaame chalte rahenge, vaqt ye le jaye kahi
I cried a lot hearing these lines.. I recalled how we promised each other to tell truth to each other..how we promised to be together for life time.. how we spend our nights in each other’s embrace..
Jhoothi hai ye saari kasme, saare vaade pyaar ke
Dafan me unko hu kar aayi, jashn me apni haar ke
I opened my eyes to see her face as she sang these lines.. Her pain was clearly visible now in her eyes.. She had meant these lines.. and I could swear on it.. She had lost faith in love.. Just because of me!
To fir kyu aankhon me nami, kyu mai roti hu aaj bhi
Kya khalti teri hai kami, jo mai roti hu aaj bhi
To fir kyu aankhon me nami, kyu main roti hu aaj bhi
Ha, khalti teri hai kami..jo main roti hu aaj bhi!!
Her song was finished and the crowd was hooting, shouting her name, everyone was clapping, whistles were blown, sounds of camera flashes were heard..
“Once more!”
“Riama!”
“R!”
Hootings could be heard.. but I was rooted to my place.. I looked towards my family, who were staring me in shock. We all got the shock of our life.. While everyone was happy to know Riddhima was safe.. but I was curious to know, how my daughter end up being blind?
I stood in my place to follow them , but before me Siya ran. I rushed towards her only to see a shocking sight.
Siya was lying on the road, while a man was over her, and their lips were touching. I caught the man and started beating him.. Siya was constantly stopping me, but I was beating him absentmindedly. I didn’t even bother to see his face.
Just then, suddenly a hand jerked me. I looked towards the direction.. and I saw Riddhima standing in front of me. She was in anger. Extreme rage could be seen from her face.
“Ridd..”, before I could cupped her face, she moved back.
“Mr RaiSinghania, how dare you touch my brother?”, she shouted.
And then I saw the man, whom I was beating.. it was Manish.
“He..he ..kissed Siya.”, I spoke.
“Bhai.. I was going towards bhabhi, but then a truck came, it was about to hit me, but Manish helped me and I ended up falling with him.. It was nothing like that..”, Siya explained.
And I was ashamed. Not because I hit Manish..but after seven years, my first impression in front of my wife was like this..
“Ridd..”
“R!”, Manish spoke while cleaning blood from his mouth.
And they left.. just like that. I regret hitting Manish.. but now nothing could happen. But I was sure of one thing.. I wanted to help Aisha.. atleast I can be in peace then.
With determination I contacted Raima Band. It was answered by a male’s voice. And I was sure whose voice it was.
“Manish.. I want to talk.. Man to man.. can you come at my house?”, I spoke with determination.
He hummed .
“Please have a seat!”, I spoke to Manish.
He sat in front of me.
“Look..if it’s about your sister..I am sorry…I didn’t mean to do that..I was just helping.”, He spoke.
“Yes I know.. I am sorry for my beahviour, but it’s not about Siya.”, I spoke.
And then I saw him smirking, “Oh so it’s about my sister!”.
Well, I was so happy to hear word ‘sister’ from his mouth for Riddhima. Though I already knew about them, but hearing this from his mouth relaxed me.
“Yes. I want to know, how my daughter..I meant.. how Aisha end up being blind? And you.. how come you are her brother? She was orphan, no?”, I spoke.
“Yes she was orphan.. born as orphan and died as orphan! Now she is not your Riddhima..she is R!! my sister.. and Aisha is nobody to you.. remember that.”, He spoke in anger.
I could understand his rage, but now he is testing my patience.
“Please tell me about her.. otherwise I knew more ways to extract out truth!”, I smirked.
“Oh! How could I forget Mr Vansh RaiSinghania.. the man who threw his ‘so called wife’ out of his house when she was pregnant.. actually who even refused to recognize her..”, He spoke in anger.
Now I was done.. I can’t control much. I grabbed his collar..
“Shut up! Speak up damn it!”, I shouted.
And everyone gathered there.
“Riddhima treated my father once.. we were indebted to her.. but she disappeared and then we got to know that she got married.. one day my father and I were going in a car when suddenly she came in front of us.. She was hit by our car. We panicked. My father hit his head and died on the spot. I was also injured, but I helped her and took her to hospital, where I got to know she is pregnant, but her child had lost eyesight.. due to accident..and thus to repent I asked her to stay with me.. She forgave me so easily.. accepting her fate.. and she rose from ashes and now she is R..”, he spoke.
I grabbed his neck.
“So due to you..because of you, my daughter is blind..I will sue you.”, i shouted.
“Not due to me.. due to you all!”, He shouted.
My family and I stared him.
“Did you all forgot how you treated her? Didn’t your remember Mr RaiSinghania, how you ordered your sister to threw her out.. It was due to her.”, he pointed towards Ishani.
He went towards Ishani.
“You were the one no? You threw her out, no? “, He shouted at Ishani.
“Yes… and god has already gave me punishment for this.. I lost my first baby.”, Ishani cried.
“First? Means you are pregnant?”, He asked.
Ishani nodded.
“Now you will lose this one too..”, he shouted and pushed Ishani. I was dumbstruck.. but before she could hit the floor, she was saved. Aisha saved her.
The next thing I knew was, Manish was slapped..by Riddhima.. Aisha and Riddhima reached the mansion after following Manish and heard our conversation.
“Is this what I taught you? Haven’t I told you that revenge only ruins? Manish, are you in your senses? What do you want to prove? Why are you becoming second Vansh RaiSinghania? He blinded my child..and now you are killing other’s child!”, Riddhima shouted at Manish. But her words kept on shouting in my mind.
“Why are you becoming second Vansh RaiSinghania?”
“He blinded my child..”
“Vansh RaiSinghania blinded my child”
“blinded my child”
“my child.”
Her words kept on repeating and I fell.. I heard ‘Vansh’ from Riddhima’s mouth before I felt unconscious.
When I woke I found myself lying on a hospital bed. And beside me was other bed, on which Aisha was sitting.
“Aisha.. what happened to her?”, I asked the nurse.
“Oh..you are awake..nothing..your RBC count was lowered.. so immediate transfer of RBC was required..but none of your family member’s RBC matched. Then R arrived and told us that your daughter is willing to give RBC to you. And obviously daughter’s RBC would match.”, she told and left.
“Riddhima told ‘my daughter'”, I whispered in joy and stared Aisha, who was eating fruits.
“So..you are my dad?”, she spoke.
“Dad!”, I whispered in joy.. Tears of happiness rolled down from my eyes.
“Interesting, very interesting”, she spoke in my tone..
Surely..she is my daughter.. I laughed.
“What are you laughing at?”, She spoke.
“Can you call me dad again?”, I requested.
“Dad..Dad,,Dadda,,Daddy..Dad….fine?”, she shouted.
I chuckled, and she giggled. I kept on adoring her, when I saw Ishani coming inside.
“Aisha..your mom is calling you.”, she spoke wiping her tears.
Aisha stood and went outside, touching the surroundings to lead her path.
“Bhai.. bhabhi is leaving.”, Ishani spoke.
I stood and rushed out, though my body was not supporting me but I can do anything to hold my wife.. I will not leave her now..
“Riddhima”, I shouted. She looked at me and smiled weakly.. I smiled at her. She came towards me , holding Aisha’s hand. She gave Aisha’s hand to me.
And to my utter surprise..she hugged me.. And I could feel her tears dropping over my shoulders. I wiped her tears and kissed her forehead. She leaned and kissed me. I was at ninth cloud.. Riddhima forgave me!
But then she kissed Aisha and hugged her and then giving me a letter left from there.
I kept on shouting her name, but she didn’t turned around.
I opened the letter..
“Mr RaiSinghania..
I loved you immensely..but what you did? I know I was also mistaken.. I was also at fault..but is this the way to punish your wife? Can’t you just trust me for once? Well I don’t want to talk about our pasts..it’s all over for me..
I had just been living for my child, Aisha. She is blind but I never cursed anyone of you for this.. And I have saved money for her treatment.. I am giving all my savings to you, in hope that you will treat my daughter. And also give half of that to Manish.. He helped in that time when I required YOU the most..
Never mind..It’s time to say bye.. I am suffering from leukaemia , last stage.. and I just had a week..which is completing by today.. I don’t want Aisha to see or hear me in this condition.. Please raise her nicely..and give him good knowledge.. don’t spoil her, the way you spoiled Ishani and Aaryan.
At last.. I regret to admit it.but I still love you!”
Tears were not stopping today.
“She got to know about this a month ago, so she wanted to do a concert here in Mumbai. She was sure of his stubborn husband to follow her, thus she came here.. you better take care of Aisha otherwise her soul would scare you..” Manish spoke.
I chuckled at his lame joke while still crying. I hugged Aisha and she too hugged me..
Three years later…
“Dad.. look Vani again puked on me..why you feed her with milk yaar?”, Aisha shouted.
“First of all I am not your Yaar.. and secondly, she is a three year old kid Aisha, what you expect from her?”, I scolded.
“Fine..you always takes her side..sometimes I feel if I am your daughter or she! Ishu Bhua see na..”, she pouted.
“Yes bhai..you always scolds Aisha..while the trouble maker is this little girl Vani.”, Ishani spoke.
“Did you forget that Vani is your daughter?”, I laughed at her.
“If you forget that Aisha is also, then definitely..”, Ishani spoke while hugging Aisha.
See Riddhima..I kept your promise of not spoiling Aisha but your sister in law always takes her side..But she is just like you..calm and composed..
“Who wants chocolates?”, Manish shouted.
“Me!”, Aisha shouted and hugged Manish.
“No Aisha.. you are not eating more chocolates now..”, Siya scolded.
“Why.. my lovely mami please…”, Aisha flatters Siya.
Siya glared.
“Mamu, please tell mami..I will only eat one.”, Aisha pouted.
“Siya, let her have one..”, Manish told Siya.
Siya and Manish are married.. it has been two years now.. and Siya is..
“No.. I want..”, Siya shouted and grabbed chocolate from Manish’s hand.
Manish was puzzled while Aisha ran behind Siya. We all laughed.
Yeah..Siya is pregnant..and her cravings are like little kids..sometimes she wants chocolates. sometimes pizza..uff! her tantrums..but Aisha loves to help her. And yes , she can see now!
Aisha is still running behind Siya.. while we heard, “Aisha!”, from Vani’s mouth..
Her first word..
Aisha was shocked and she ran to me..“Dad, it was Vani no?”, she asked and I nodded.
She hugged Vani.. “Aww my cute baby.you spoke my name first..but let me tell you I am your big didi.. so call me Aisha Didi!”, she spoke with attitude.
While Vani again pukes the milk which I fed her recently, over Aisha.
“Vani!”, Aisha shouted. And we all laughed.
THE END!!
I know it is sad ending..but it came to my mind..I never liked sad endings..but I feel this one can do, right?
Please tell me your views..
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