Chapter 13
1146 Words
Neha's POV
The Kapoor Mansion had transformed into a hive of activity.
With Diwali only a few days away, servants hurried from one corner of the house to another carrying flower garlands, colorful lanterns, clay lamps, and decorative lights.
Standing on the balcony overlooking the living room, Neha watched everything in silence.
At the center of it all was Preeta.
She moved gracefully from one servant to another, checking every decoration herself. Whenever a garland hung unevenly, she quietly adjusted it. Whenever a servant looked confused, she patiently explained what needed to be done.
For some reason...
Everything seemed to come naturally to her.
The servants smiled while working around her.
Even Dadi occasionally nodded in approval.
Neha frowned.
Why did I even put her in charge of the Diwali preparations?
Every day she wins someone's heart.
Her thoughts were interrupted by another familiar voice.
"You're thinking about her again, aren't you?"
Neha turned.
It was her sister-in-law, Meera, Rhea's mother.
She walked over with a knowing smile before standing beside Neha.
"I heard what happened yesterday."
Neha sighed deeply.
"I've never been so embarrassed."
Meera folded her arms.
"Don't you find it strange?"
"What?"
"Ranbir."
Neha looked toward the staircase.
"My son?"
Meera nodded.
"Has he ever spoken against you before?"
Neha slowly shook her head.
"Never."
"Not once in all these years."
"He has always respected my decisions."
"Exactly."
"But yesterday..."
"He not only defended that girl..."
"He spoke back to you."
"And in front of your friends."
Neha lowered her eyes.
"I was so shocked..."
"I couldn't even respond."
"I simply walked away."
Meera smiled knowingly.
"That's how it begins."
Neha frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Today he defended her."
"Tomorrow he'll begin choosing her over you."
"And before you realize it..."
"You won't be able to speak to your own son without going through his wife."
Those words struck Neha's heart.
She watched Preeta laughing softly with one of the servants as she arranged fresh marigold flowers around the prayer hall.
From a distance...
She looked innocent.
Kind.
Gentle.
But suddenly, Neha wasn't sure anymore.
No...
Behind that calm face must be a clever woman.
Perhaps all this kindness is just an act.
She has already begun changing my son.
A few more months... and I'll lose him completely.
Her expression hardened.
No.
I won't let that happen.
If she wants to stay in this house...
I'll make every single day difficult for her.
Just then, Preeta approached with a notebook in her hands.
She smiled politely.
"Mrs. Kapoor..."
"I wanted to ask something."
Neha looked at her without expression.
"What is it?"
"I was wondering whether you'd prefer fresh flowers on the staircase..."
"...or artificial ones."
Neha let out a sarcastic laugh.
"Oh?"
"You've already taken complete control of this house."
"And now you're asking for my opinion?"
Preeta looked confused.
"I didn't mean"
"Anything will do."
Neha interrupted coldly.
"My son already seems ready to obey whatever you say."
"So why ask me?"
Without waiting for a reply, she brushed past Preeta and walked away.
Preeta stood frozen.
The notebook in her hands suddenly felt much heavier.
She lowered her eyes and whispered to herself,
"I only wanted everything to be perfect..."
Then she quietly returned to supervising the decorations.
---
Ishita's POV
The taxi finally stopped in front of the familiar iron gates.
Ishita stepped out slowly and inhaled deeply.
The cool breeze carried the scent of blooming jasmine from the garden.
A small smile spread across her face.
"Home..."
"I've missed this place."
She paid the driver before lifting her small travel bag.
Most of her belongings and the stolen money were safely elsewhere. Earlier that morning, she had deposited the cash into a new bank account under her name.
No one would suspect a thing.
Everything was falling perfectly into place.
She walked confidently toward the mansion.
The moment the maid opened the door, her eyes widened.
"Madam!"
"Madam!"
"Miss Ishita is back!"
Footsteps echoed throughout the mansion.
Sunita rushed downstairs.
The moment she saw her daughter, tears filled her eyes.
"Ishita!"
She wrapped her tightly in a warm embrace.
"My child..."
"You're finally home."
"I missed you so much."
"I missed you too, Mum."
Sunita turned toward the maid.
"Take her bag upstairs."
"Prepare her room."
The maid nodded.
Before she could touch the suitcase
A cold voice stopped everyone.
"Leave it."
Rajesh Malhotra slowly descended the staircase.
His face was unreadable.
"Take that bag outside."
The maid froze.
Sunita frowned.
"Rajesh..."
"What are you doing?"
He ignored her.
His eyes remained fixed on Ishita.
"The only daughter I have..."
"...is married into the Kapoor family."
"I have no other daughter."
The words pierced Ishita's heart.
Her smile disappeared instantly.
"So..."
"You've already replaced me?"
"You've accepted that girl as your daughter?"
Rajesh walked toward her.
His anger finally erupted.
Slap!
The sound echoed through the entire hall.
Ishita stumbled backward, clutching her burning cheek.
"Dad..."
Tears rolled down her face.
Without another word, she fell to her knees.
"I'm sorry..."
"I'm so sorry."
"I know I hurt you."
"I know I disgraced this family."
She cried uncontrollably.
Rajesh remained silent.
Finally he spoke.
"If you didn't love Ranbir..."
"Why didn't you tell me properly?"
"I did!"
She quickly looked toward Sunita.
"Mum knew."
"I told her many times."
Sunita lowered her head.
"It's true."
"She never wanted the marriage."
Rajesh's expression softened slightly.
"But then..."
"Why did you take a huge loan in my name?"
Ishita had prepared for this question.
She immediately answered,
"I wanted to start my own business."
"I wanted to become independent before getting married."
"I was afraid you'd never agree."
Rajesh stared at her carefully.
"If that's true..."
"Then where is the money?"
"Why are you back?"
Without hesitation, Ishita unlocked her phone and opened her banking application.
She handed it to him.
Rajesh's eyes widened as he saw the balance.
"I invested wisely."
"I earned a profit."
"I've repaid everything."
"I came home because..."
"...I've realized my mistake."
"I'm ready to settle down now."
"I only wanted your forgiveness."
Rajesh looked from the phone...
...to the tears streaming down her face.
Despite everything...
She was still his favorite daughter.
His heart began to weaken.
He sighed heavily before holding out his hand.
"Stand up."
Ishita slowly looked up.
He gently pulled her to her feet.
"I forgive you."
"But you should never have chosen this path."
She immediately hugged him.
"I'm sorry, Dad."
"I promise..."
"I'll never hurt you again."
Rajesh rested a hand on her head.
"I hope so."
Behind his shoulder...
A slow smile spread across Ishita's face.
The first step had worked perfectly.
She was back inside the Malhotra Mansion.
Now...
It was time for the second step of her plan.
And this time...
She wouldn't stop until she reclaimed everything she believed belonged to her.
- Writer
