Chapter 54: Chapter 54

Author's pov

" I want to meet Orchi," Niyati told Faiza buaa who was looking at her suspiciously because she is confused about Niyati's intention to meet Orni.

(A/N- In chapter 26, Shivansh changed Orni's name. So, here in some places she will be called Orchi. So, don't get confused.)

Faiza replied staring at Niyati from head to toe," I have order from Shivansh that except him and his family members no one is allowed to meet her."

Saying that she called Shivansh but his phone was switched off. She tried multiple times but every time the call was unreachable.

" Neela wanted to. I don't think Shivansh will be mad if he comes to know that it was Neela who came to meet her friends," Niyati said understanding Faiza's turmoil.

Well, it's been two days since Neela is with Niyati. Niyati thought that Shivansh will again come to take Neela away from her but it didn't happen. She was a little bit surprised noticing that he didn't even come to meet Neela nor he demand to talk to her. Though it is totally out of Shivansh's character, she is glad that he didn't try to snatch her daughter.

So, it was Neela who was making Niyati mad to meet Orni and her kids. In front of, Neela's tantrums, Niyati couldn't disagree and thought to meet Orni & her kids.

Niyati went to meet Satya regarding Orni's whereabouts when he told her that Shivansh is missing. He told her that it's been two days since Shivansh hasn't returned home.

In response, Niyati simply said," He must have gone to search for another body."

After thinking for some time, Faiza agreed and answered looking at Neela," Ok,"

Niyati smiled hearing her and asked curiously," By the way, where is she?"

Taking a deep breath, Faiza said looking at the corridor," Follow me."

After that, Faiza started walking through the corridor and Niyati followed her holding Neela's hand tightly. Niyati was a little bit confused about Faiza's behaviour but remained silent. After walking for some time, Faiza stopped in front of a locked door and knocked there softly.

" Orchi dear, look who is here to meet you," Faiza said affectionately knocking at the door.

Orni replied with a frightened voice," I don't want to meet anyone. Go away from here."

Niyati asked Faiza noticing that the door is locked from inside," Why she has locked herself in the room? The last time when I met her, she was fine."

" I don't know. She was fine completely. Maybe she has seen something horrible or remembered something horrible that's why she is behaving like that. It's been days since she has locked herself in this room along with her kids," Faiza informed Niyati and she became worried for this poor soul.

Faiza banged the door again and requested," Orchi, please open the door. They won't hurt you."

" Who? Is it him?" Orni asked nervously when her kids hugged her waist tightly.

Faiza answered with a soft voice," No, it's your friend Neela."

Hearing Neela's name Orni huffed and walked towards the door with slow steps. Gulping down her saliva she opened the door with trembling hands and peeped outside. She noticed that there is a young lady who is standing outside holding Neela's hands. The lady smiled at her and she remembered that she has met her before.

" Hi, Orchi," Niyati greeted smilingly and Orni smiled back nervously.

Roman & Rion ran towards Neela and shook their hands with her. They all greeted each other and ran outside to play. Niyati and Orni followed the kids.

Right now, Niyati and Orni are sitting on a bench in the playground where the kids are busy playing. Orni is looking at the kids and sitting beside Niyati keeping a distance. On the other hand, Niyati is looking at Orni with side-eyes and understood that Orni is uncomfortable with her. So, she thought to make Orni a little bit comfortable around her.

" You have such beautiful hair," Niyati complimented catching Orni's attention.

Orni responded having a nervous smile," Oh, thank you,"

" You need to trim them and get a cut. Bangs will look good on you," Niyati suggested and Orni blinked her eyes a few times.

She said having a sad smile," I used to have bangs but he forced me to change my hairstyle."

" Who forced you?" Niyati asked curiously but Orni couldn't answer. She just stared at Niyati's face blankly.

Niyati didn't force her to tell and diverted the topic. She knows about Orni's mental state and doesn't want to bother her.

Niyati proposed to her excitedly," Would you like to go to the saloon with me? It will be fine. There we will do facial together and manicure as well as pedicure."

Orni doesn't know what to answer right now. She can't trust people so easily when Shivansh isn't around. But, seeing Niyati's true excitement she thought to agree.

" Ok," Orni replied meekly nodding her head in the positive.

Then, Niyati again proposed," Why don't we just go shopping today? It will be fun. After shopping, we will eat street food. What do you think?"

Orni again continued looking at Niyati and remembered her school days. She recalled those old days when she used to be a free bird. She remembered a little about her friends with whom she used to have street foods and had a lot of fun together. Right now, Niyati's gestures made her remember about those old days.

" I want to go but bhaiya won't let me," Orni answered looking down.

Niyati assured holding her hands," I will handle your brother. Don't worry."

" You are a very nice person," Orni complimented shyly and Niyati chuckled.

Suddenly, Niyati asked Orni," By the way, why don't you join college? You are only Nineteen & half. You can still continue your study. You know what It's really fun in college. Umm...of course, there is study pressure as well but still, college life is the best."

Orni's whole face clouded with sadness after hearing Niyati and she looked down. A voice echoed inside her whole head and she became nervous.

" He told me that only bad and characterless girls read in college. I am not a characterless girl. I am a good girl," Orni answered and Niyati's blood boiled.

She became angry at that person who told such horrible things to an innocent soul like Orni. Niyati almost asked about that lowlife who told something like that to Orni but somehow she controlled herself considering Orni's mental condition.

Niyati held Orni's hands and asked softly," Am I a bad girl?"

Orni nodded her head in the negative when Niyati said," It's a lie that bad girls read in the college. Those who think like that are the worst people and we shouldn't listen to them. So, you should join the college. I have also read in the college and I am not a bad girl."

" And, don't again say that your brother won't allow. He will be happy if you tell him that you want to study again," Niyati motivated Orni and she agreed with Niyati.

After that, they continued chatting with each other and Orni liked Niyati a lot. She felt Niyati's concern genuine and became happy that she got a new friend who is caring towards her.

The same goes for Niyati. She also liked Orni but felt pity for her. Just looking at Orni's demeanour, Niyati understood that there is a deep scar left inside Orni's mind and only love & care can heal her. And, she is determined that she will help this innocent soul as much as she can.

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After one week

Niyati is standing in front of the mirror and combing her hair. She is looking at her reflection but her mind is somewhere else. She is just thinking about Shivansh.

It's been one week since she met him last. She remembered that day in the temple when he was begging her to forgive him. The determination she has seen in his eyes were telling her that he won't leave this matter so easily. And, now his sudden disappearance has made her confused yet sad.

Yes, sad. It sounds weird but deep down inside her heart, she wants him to beg for forgiveness. She wants to see him going through the same heartache which she has gone through. It's not like she will forgive him but still, she wanted him to ask forgiveness. Moreover, she can't believe he didn't come to meet Neela for once. It's like he has forgotten that he has a daughter.

" How can he move on so easily even after knowing the truth?" She asked her subconscious but got no answer.

Then, she said to herself jerking away all her thoughts about Shivansh," I need to move on. For real."

Without thinking anything further she went towards Ranvijay's room and found the door open. She peeped inside the room and found that Ranvijay is teaching Neela drawings.

" Look you have to draw the line first and then the balls," Ranvijay instructed Neela showing a paper.

Neela threw away the paper and complained angrily," I can't. It's too hard. Why can't I draw like you?"

" Because you need to practice a lot to reach Daddy's level," Niyati said loudly catching their attention.

Neela just ran towards Niyati and jumped on her. She clung to Niyati like a baby monkey and Ranvijay chuckled seeing her cute actions.

" Baby, I just saw that SpongeBob..........." Niyati couldn't finish her sentence when Neela ran towards the TV room.

While running there she said excitedly," Thanks mommy for reminding me about Spongebob."

" Silly girl," Niyati mumbled chuckling and looked at Ranvijay who was already looking at her.

Ranvijay asked her," Why did you remind her about Spongebob? She was learning drawings."

" Because I wanted to talk to you about an important matter," Niyati said sitting in front of Ranvijay.

He frowned his brows a little and asked curiously," About what?"

" About us?" Niyati replied in one go and Ranvijay can feel the seriousness in her voice.

He raised his brows when Niyati said seriously," I think it's high time we should talk about our future. We should move on and come out from our past."

" I didn't get you," Ranvijay said confusingly.

Taking a deep breath Niyati started saying," Ok. I won't beat around the bushes and come to the point directly. I think it's high time we should consider our future. We are mature enough and we have great understanding too. We respect each other which is the most basic thing for any relationship. Till now we were married just in names but now I want both of us to consummate this marriage. It's been years since we are together and I know that you are a gentleman any woman would wish for. Moreover, my daughter considers you as her father and now I want to accept you as my real husband. I hope you are understanding what I am telling you."

It would be a lie if we say that Ranvijay wasn't shocked after hearing her. Yes, he was shocked beyond level but he didn't show it on his face. He just chuckled a little and looked at her with void eyes.

" Do you love me?" He asked her directly and she remained silent.

She was startled by his sudden question and couldn't answer back because she doesn't know any answer to this question.

He again asked having a smile," It's not that hard to answer. Tell me that you love me or not? Do you have feelings for me?"

" Ummm......Maybe we will fall in love by staying together for a few more days," Niyati answered hesitating and he again chuckled.

He asked her," Don't you think 4 years is enough time for falling in love?"

Niyati remained silent when Ranvijay said sighing," We were never meant to be together Niyati. It's Neela who has bound us together."

" We can try," Niyati told nervously and Ranvijay just exhaled some air.

Then, he said holding her shoulder," That's what I thought earlier, Niyati. You know what at one point I also felt like maybe we can start afresh. Even I also felt like I have feelings for you. But, truth to be told it was just infatuation. I can never love anyone except Orni."

" Ranvijay, I want Nee.......... " Niyati couldn't finish her sentence when Ranvjjay interrupted.

He said nodding his head," Neela has her father and mother. What more she can ask for? She will be fine. But, it's not right for both of us to be together in the actual meaning because we don't love each other. You were wrong about one thing that respect is the most basic thing for a relationship. It's love which is the most basic thing for a relationship. That's what we lack in our relationship."

Saying all these he didn't wait anymore. He didn't let her say anything further and left the room leaving behind an emotionless Niyati.

" He just rejected me. Then, why I am not sad?" Niyati asked herself and rubbed her chest to soothe her racing heart.