05-04-2026, 10:30 PM
(CHAPTER CONTD)
The next day unfolded slower, quieter, as though Delhi itself had decided to give Sonarika a moment to breathe. At her maternal home in Janakpuri, she sat in the garden surrounded by bougainvillea and fading winter sunlight. The familiar space, once a refuge of childhood comfort, now felt distant—like something she could see but no longer fully belong to. Her thoughts drifted endlessly, circling back to the same questions. Hemant. Dan. The photograph. The truth waiting for her on Monday. She tried to ground herself in the present, but her mind refused to stay still.
Her phone rang, pulling her out of the haze.
It was a short call. Direct. Professional.
Mrs. Sreelekha Naik had arrived.
Sonarika changed quickly, forcing herself into composure, and left for the hotel. The drive felt shorter this time, though her thoughts were heavier. When she arrived, she paused briefly at the entrance, taking a breath before stepping inside, as if preparing to step into yet another version of her life.
Sreelekha greeted her with warmth that felt almost maternal.
"There you are" she said, her voice carrying both authority and affection.
"I was wondering when you’d come"
"I came as soon as I got your call, ma’am" Sonarika smiled faintly.
Sreelekha waved off the formality. Her eyes studied Sonarika for a moment.
"So… are you looking forward to your new life at VATIKA?"
There was a pause.
"I am, though… I think I’m more anxious than excited"
Sonarika replied, choosing her words carefully.
"That’s good, anxiety means you understand the weight of what you’re stepping into"
Sreelekha said with a small nod.
"Let me introduce you to someone important"
She then gestured toward someone standing slightly behind her.
Sonarika turned.
The woman before her stood tall, with sharp features that immediately marked her as someone of European descent. Her expression, however, was distant—almost withdrawn. There was a heaviness in her eyes, like she was carrying something invisible but immense.
"This is Katherine, she’ll be working with us on our new hybrid medicinal plant research project"
Sreelekha said.
"Nice to meet you" Katherine gave a brief nod.
Her voice was polite, but there was no warmth in it.
"Nice to meet you too" Sonarika smiled gently.
There was an awkward pause before Sreelekha stepped in again, her tone softening.
"Katherine’s been through a lot" she said quietly.
"I’ll tell you more another time. For now, I just want her to have a good time. A change of pace"
"I’m sure she’ll enjoy the music concert" Sonarika nodded with understanding.
"You didn’t think I liked music, did you?" Sreelekha chuckled lightly.
"I… didn’t know, honestly" Sonarika hesitated.
"Well, I can’t afford to mellow out in front of everyone. Running a massive industry doesn’t leave much room for that"
Sreelekha said with a hint of amusement, before Sonarika could respond, the sharp chime of the hotel doorbell cut through the room.
"That must be them" Sreelekha turned.
The door opened. And the moment froze. Vikram walked in. Behind him was his sister, Anjana. For a split second, Sonarika forgot how to breathe.
"What are you doing here?"
She asked, the shock evident in her voice before she could control it. Vikram met her gaze, his expression calm but unreadable.
"Sreelekha Mam and my mother, Neelam, are old friends" he explained.
"We’re here to set up a meeting between them"
Sonarika’s eyes flickered briefly toward Sreelekha, who simply nodded as confirmation.
Anjana stepped forward slightly. She looked different—frailer somehow. The grief of losing her husband, Ritesh, still lingered in her posture, in the way her shoulders carried an invisible weight.
"Sonarika, I need to speak with you. In private" Anjana said softly,
"About what?" The request caught her off guard.
"I’ll explain when we meet, when are you free?" Anjana replied.
Sonarika hesitated, glancing briefly at Vikram before answering.
"I’m free this evening"
Anjana nodded and handed her a small note.
"Come here. It’s a private restaurant. It’ll just be us. No Vikram"
There was something reassuring in that last sentence. Something that eased the tension coiling in Sonarika’s chest.
"Alright" she said quietly.
As Anjana stepped back, the room seemed to regain its motion, but Sonarika felt strangely detached from it all. Conversations resumed, voices blended, but none of it truly reached her. Because her mind had already begun to spiral again. Hemant’s hidden past. Dan’s unfinished story. Vikram’s presence. Anjana’s request.
And somewhere beyond all of that—a future she could no longer clearly see. As she stepped away from the group, her fingers tightening slightly around the note Anjana had given her, Sonarika realized something unsettling. Her life was no longer a straight path. It was a maze. And with every step she took, she was only going deeper into it.
That evening, the city seemed softer, wrapped in a quiet hum as Sonarika stepped into the restaurant Anjana had mentioned. It was discreet, almost hidden from the outside world, with dim lighting and private booths that felt designed for conversations people didn’t want overheard. A hostess guided her silently, and as the curtain to the booth parted, she saw Anjana already seated, waiting.
"You came" Anjana looked up and greeted her with a warm, almost familiar smile.
"Of course"
Sonarika replied, sliding into the seat across from her. For a moment, neither spoke, as if both were measuring the weight of what needed to be said.
"How are you doing?" Sonarika finally asked, her voice gentle.
Anjana exhaled softly, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. A faint smile appeared, touched with sadness.
"I’m… getting along..Ritesh always liked me strong. So I suppose I have to stay that way"
There was something quietly resolute in her tone that made Sonarika nod.
"He would be proud of you, even though I never met him" she said sincerely.
Anjana’s smile deepened slightly, her gaze sharpening just a little.
"He would’ve liked you too...Especially considering Vikram"
The words landed awkwardly. Sonarika shifted in her seat, discomfort creeping in. She didn’t respond, and the silence that followed made the tension obvious. Anjana noticed immediately.
"I’m sorry, That came out wrong" she said, her tone softening.
"No… it’s just—complicated" Sonarika shook her head lightly.
"I know" Anjana said quietly.
"And I understand your dilemma more than you think"
She leaned forward slightly, her voice calm but firm.
"But sooner or later, you’ll have to accept something, Sonarika"
Sonarika looked up.
"Hemant is not coming back"
The words were not harsh, but they were final. A flicker of pain crossed Sonarika’s face.
"I know that, I just… I’m still trying to process it"
She said, though her voice betrayed how difficult it was to say it aloud.
"I’m not here to justify what you did" Anjana continued gently.
"But you can’t keep holding on to something that’s already gone. The family you were fighting for—it doesn’t exist anymore"
Sonarika lowered her gaze, her hands tightening slightly in her lap. Anjana let the silence sit before speaking again.
"Hemant will be fine, he’s a different man now. He’ll move on. He’ll rebuild. Maybe even find someone new, someone who gives him what he needs"
There was no malice in her words—only a kind of practical certainty.
"But you…you’ll go back to Goa alone. And you’ll be left to figure out your life from whatever pieces remain"
Anjana continued, her voice softening further, Sonarika looked up again, something fragile in her expression.
"You don’t have to do that alone" Anjana added.
The implication was clear even before she said his name.
"Vikram plans to move to Goa" she explained.
"He’s not interested in the Bajaj family’s main business. He wants something quieter. That old hotel—it means something to him. He wants to build his life there"
Sonarika’s breath caught slightly.
"You could be a part of that" Anjana said.
"You could build something new… from what’s left"
The words lingered heavily between them.
"Doesn’t that make me the villain in his life?"
Sonarika asked suddenly, her voice steady but laced with conflict. Anjana held her gaze.
"Maybe. Right now, yes" She didn’t sugarcoat it.
"But time changes things. Pain fades. People move on. When someone else enters his life, he won’t need to hold on to what he had with you anymore"
Sonarika didn’t respond immediately. Her thoughts felt tangled, pulling her in opposite directions.
"I can’t decide something like this right now" she admitted.
"I’m not asking you to" Anjana said softly.
"I’m just asking you to see that your life isn’t over"
She paused, choosing her next words carefully.
"Maybe what happened between you and Vikram wasn’t just a mistake" she continued.
"Maybe it meant something deeper. The universe doesn’t bring people together without a reason"
Sonarika frowned slightly, unsure whether to believe that or reject it entirely.
"He cares about you" Anjana said simply.
"You matter to him. The only question is… do you want him to matter to you too?"
The simplicity of it made it harder, not easier. Anjana leaned back, her expression softening with something more personal now.
"I didn’t get a lifetime with Ritesh" she said quietly.
"Just a few years. But I lived those years fully. And now… those memories are what keep me standing"
Her eyes shimmered, but her voice didn’t break.
"Don’t waste what time gives you, Sonarika"
The conversation ended not with resolution, but with a quiet understanding that something had shifted. When they stepped out into the night, the air felt heavier, charged with everything left unsaid. They exchanged a brief goodnight, and then went their separate ways. But Sonarika didn’t feel like she was walking away. She felt like she was being pulled in multiple directions at once.
Hemant—his hidden past waiting to be revealed. Vikram—the possibility of a future built on something uncertain. And herself—caught somewhere in between, trying to understand what she truly wanted. As she walked under the dim streetlights, her thoughts spiraling into something deeper, more consuming, she realized the truth she had been avoiding. This was no longer about right or wrong. It was about choice. And whatever she chose next… would define the rest of her life.
The next day carried a different kind of energy—lighter on the surface, yet quietly heavy underneath. It was the penultimate night before the concert, and Ragini, with her usual enthusiasm, refused to let Sonarika stay wrapped in her thoughts.
"We are going shopping" she had declared, almost dragging her out of the house.
"And you are wearing something dazzling, no arguments"
The shopping center buzzed with life, filled with bright lights, chatter, and racks of shimmering fabric that seemed to promise escape, if only for a few hours. Ragini moved from one section to another with excitement, picking dresses, holding them against Sonarika, rejecting some instantly and admiring others with exaggerated expressions. Sonarika followed, smiling faintly, letting herself be carried by the moment even as her mind wandered elsewhere.
She found herself standing before a rack of dresses in muted silence, her fingers brushing lightly against different fabrics. That was when she paused at a blue dress. It was elegant, simple, yet striking in its own way. As she held it up, something stirred within her—a memory, soft but vivid.
Mumbai.
A few years ago.
She could almost see it clearly. Hemant standing beside her in a store, holding up a similar blue dress with a hopeful look in his eyes.
"This would look nice on you" he had said, his voice quiet but certain.
She had barely looked at it.
"It’s not really my style" she had replied casually, already turning away.
It hadn’t been harsh—just indifferent. But she remembered the way his expression had shifted ever so slightly, the flicker of disappointment he had tried to hide. And then, as always, he had adjusted.
"Okay… what do you like?" he had asked, genuinely wanting to see her happy.
She had shown him a rose-colored dress instead, brighter, more expressive. And Hemant had smiled instantly.
"You’ll look beautiful in that" he had said, without hesitation.
She had laughed, light and carefree, choosing that dress in the end.
Back in the present, Sonarika lowered the blue dress slightly, her fingers tightening around the fabric. The memory lingered longer than she expected.
She moved on, trying to shake it off, but her steps led her to another rack. This time, her hand stopped at a red dress. It was bold, striking, with a certain daring edge to it—something that demanded attention. And just like that, another memory surfaced. This one was louder. Brighter. Messier.
She was in a high-end store, Vikram beside her, his presence magnetic in a way that had once felt irresistible. He had picked up a red dress—something very much like the one in her hands now—and held it against her with a playful grin.
"This, would make you impossible to ignore" he had said, his voice low with mischief,
"You’re very confident" She had laughed, matching his energy.
"I have my reasons" he had replied, his eyes never leaving hers.
"And besides it will be too easy to remove!"
Sonarika giggled at his comment. But Vikram stayed true to his words because that night at Galaxy Apartments she did wore it. And Vikram did take it off. Another night that laid a secret on the foundation of the perfect cover provided by Meghna of another slumber night. But that night was no slumber , it was an inferno of desire. They are fucking-- fucking each other with the same lust and energy they had during their first encounter at Jabalpur. With each thrust, Sonarika is crying out; Vikram was grunting, as he was driving his cock so deeply inside the milfy woman's body. Sonarika raises her knees towards her chest, and wraps her legs around his waist, locking her ankles. Then she starts humping her ass up, meeting his every thrust with one of her own. They both grunt each time their pelvises collide.
The thrustings became heavy and they both were reaching their breaking point they so much craved. Vikram then rose up on his stiffened arms, and drives his cock so hard and so deep into Sonarika. She gripped his back, digging her fingernails in, and using her arms and her legs, she pulled him even deeper, then held him there. He roars, then grunts, again and again, sending his thick cum to Sonarika's waiting love tunnel.
When he finally finishes ejaculating, he makes two more quick thrusts before slowly collapsing onto her, his head beside hers. And then they kissed. But the night never ended that way , this wasn't like the sex Sonarika had with Hemant , there was no tender pleasure quest with everything calm , slow and intimate. With Vikram , the expectations were always more , as if there was a need to outdo their last. And the night would always be filled with passion and pleasure.
In the middle of the night they woke up and did it again. They are doing it moaning, grunting, and the sound of skin slapping skin. A small lamp always stays on in the bedroom, has just enough light for them to see each other. The blankets have been thrown off of the mattress. Sonarika's head and chest are on the bed, her ass up in the air, and Vikram is gripping her milfy hips, fucking her. The moaning and grunting grow louder. Every time Vikram thrusts his cock into her body, she squeezes his hand. Her squeezing of his hand is becoming firmer, more intense with each thrust of his cock into her. Then Sonarika squeezes hard, to almost hurting, and she screams out in extreme pleasure as her intense climax takes over her mind and body, her nerves shooting wonderful little needles down her legs and into her feet.
Her orgasm pushes her lover over the edge. He drives his cock deeper and roars out with his own orgasm, the muscles in his ass contracting, Vikram grunts as each ejaculation flows through his cock and into Sonarika's body. His whole body goes limp before they collapse together, their bodies uncouple as they fall back down to the bed.
They did it again in the morning , and this time too no tenderness involved. That was their relationship then. One that blurred lines, that made everything feel thrilling and justified in the moment. Back then, the memory had felt intoxicating. Now, it felt different. Heavy. Sharp. Like something beautiful that had turned into a sharp needle.
Sonarika stood still, the red dress in one hand, the blue in the other. For a moment, the noise of the store faded away, leaving only the weight of those two memories pressing against her. Two versions of herself. Two choices she had made. Two men who had shaped her life in completely different ways. Anjana’s words echoed faintly in her mind, urging her toward a future she wasn’t sure she wanted. Her thoughts wavered, just for a moment, daring her to lean toward the red—to accept what was being offered, to build something new from the ruins. But something within her resisted. Quietly. Stubbornly. With a slow breath, she placed the red dress back. And held on to the blue. It wasn’t a grand decision. It didn’t solve anything. But it felt… honest. When she stepped out of the trial room wearing it, Ragini’s reaction was immediate.
"Oh my God" she said, eyes widening.
"Sonarika… you look stunning"
There was no exaggeration in her voice—just pure admiration. Sonarika glanced at herself in the mirror. For a moment, she simply looked. Really looked. The dress fit her beautifully, but it wasn’t just that. There was something softer in her expression, something more grounded. She smiled. A small, quiet smile.
"I think I like this one" she said.
But deep down, she knew it was more than that. Somewhere in her heart, she could almost hear Hemant’s voice again—gentle, certain—telling her she looked good in it. And for the first time, she didn’t dismiss that feeling.
She held on to it.
Because despite everything—despite the betrayal, the distance, the inevitable end—he was still there, like an unshaken lamp within her. A wound, yes. But also something more. Once, he had been her anchor. Her lightning rod in a world that often felt uncertain. And even now, as everything seemed to be pulling them apart, she realized something she could no longer deny. She might lose him. She might never have him again. But she would never truly erase him from her heart.
The evening settled gently over Janakpuri, casting a warm glow through the windows of Sonarika’s maternal home. Inside her room, the air was alive with movement—makeup brushes, scattered jewelry, the soft rustle of fabric. Ragini stood by the mirror, adjusting her earrings, while Sonarika carefully pinned her hair into place, the blue dress falling elegantly around her. Ragini glanced at her reflection through the mirror and tilted her head.
"You know, that red dress would’ve suited you better. It had… more impact"
She said thoughtfully, Sonarika met her eyes in the mirror and gave a faint smile.
"Maybe it would have" she admitted. Then, after a brief pause, she added.
"But I wanted to wear this tonight"
"Why?" Ragini turned toward her, curious.
Sonarika looked down at the fabric for a moment, her fingers brushing against it gently.
"Blue was Hemant’s favorite color, and tonight… I want the world to see that despite an uncertain future , I will choose him , always him!"
She said quietly.
The words carried a quiet conviction that made Ragini’s expression soften. There was no drama in it, no desperation—just something honest and deeply rooted. Ragini smiled, a hint of pride in her eyes.
"I’m glad you said that, have you told him?" she replied.
Sonarika let out a small breath.
"It’s not that simple" She picked up her phone from the table.
"I did post a picture this morning… wearing this. He’s definitely seen it"
"And?" Ragini pressed gently.
"I tried calling him" Sonarika said, her voice lowering slightly.
"He didn’t answer"
Ragini stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Reconciliation isn’t easy, it never is" she said softly.
Sonarika nodded, but her expression grew distant again.
"I don’t even know if I should try" she admitted.
“Why would you say that?” Ragini frowned slightly.
After a brief hesitation, Sonarika spoke.
"I met Anjana yesterday"
She explained the conversation—the suggestions, the certainty in Anjana’s words, the future she had painted with Vikram.
"And… a part of me feels she’s right" she added quietly.
"I broke something that can’t be fixed"
The room felt heavier for a moment.
"Hemant has changed" Sonarika continued.
"Ever since we filed for divorce… he’s not the same person anymore. And even if I try—really try—I don’t think he’ll ever look at me the same way again. My betrayal… that’s all I’ll ever be to him"
Ragini crossed her arms, studying her.
"So you’re giving up?" she asked, not harshly, but directly.
Sonarika didn’t answer immediately. Her silence itself felt like an answer struggling to form. Before she could speak, the door burst open.
"Mumma!"
Karan ran in, his voice filled with pure excitement. The tension in the room dissolved instantly as Sonarika turned, her face lighting up in a way it hadn’t all evening.
"There’s my little hero"
She said warmly, bending down to scoop him into her arms. She hugged him tightly, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
"Are you ready for tonight?"
"Yes!" he said enthusiastically.
"I miss Papa"
The question landed softly but deeply. Sonarika’s smile flickered, just for a second, before she masked it gently.
"Let’s try calling him, hmm?"
At Karan’s eager nod, she picked up her phone again and dialed Hemant’s number. The call rang. And rang. Then switched to engaged. She stared at the screen for a moment before lowering it slowly.
"Papa might be busy right now" she said softly, brushing Karan’s hair back.
"We’ll talk to him later, okay?"
Karan nodded, though a hint of disappointment lingered in his eyes.
"It’s okay, tonight is still going to be special" Sonarika added gently.
She set him down and began helping him get ready, adjusting his outfit, fixing his collar, smoothing his hair. Her movements were careful, affectionate, filled with a kind of quiet devotion that Ragini couldn’t help but notice.
Standing to the side, Ragini watched silently.
Because in those small moments—in the way Sonarika smiled at Karan, in the way her voice softened—there was no confusion, no hesitation. Only love. And yet, just beneath that, there was still a storm waiting to unfold. As Sonarika finally stood up, dressed, composed, and ready to leave, she took one last look at herself in the mirror. The blue dress. The choice she had made. The man she still couldn’t let go of. And the uncertain road ahead. Taking a deep breath, she reached for Karan’s hand.
"Come on, let’s go" she said softly.
And with that, she stepped out into the night—carrying hope, guilt, and a mind that still hadn’t decided which way it truly wanted to go.
(TO BE CONTD)
Her phone rang, pulling her out of the haze.
It was a short call. Direct. Professional.
Mrs. Sreelekha Naik had arrived.
Sonarika changed quickly, forcing herself into composure, and left for the hotel. The drive felt shorter this time, though her thoughts were heavier. When she arrived, she paused briefly at the entrance, taking a breath before stepping inside, as if preparing to step into yet another version of her life.
Sreelekha greeted her with warmth that felt almost maternal.
"There you are" she said, her voice carrying both authority and affection.
"I was wondering when you’d come"
"I came as soon as I got your call, ma’am" Sonarika smiled faintly.
Sreelekha waved off the formality. Her eyes studied Sonarika for a moment.
"So… are you looking forward to your new life at VATIKA?"
There was a pause.
"I am, though… I think I’m more anxious than excited"
Sonarika replied, choosing her words carefully.
"That’s good, anxiety means you understand the weight of what you’re stepping into"
Sreelekha said with a small nod.
"Let me introduce you to someone important"
She then gestured toward someone standing slightly behind her.
Sonarika turned.
The woman before her stood tall, with sharp features that immediately marked her as someone of European descent. Her expression, however, was distant—almost withdrawn. There was a heaviness in her eyes, like she was carrying something invisible but immense.
"This is Katherine, she’ll be working with us on our new hybrid medicinal plant research project"
Sreelekha said.
"Nice to meet you" Katherine gave a brief nod.
Her voice was polite, but there was no warmth in it.
"Nice to meet you too" Sonarika smiled gently.
There was an awkward pause before Sreelekha stepped in again, her tone softening.
"Katherine’s been through a lot" she said quietly.
"I’ll tell you more another time. For now, I just want her to have a good time. A change of pace"
"I’m sure she’ll enjoy the music concert" Sonarika nodded with understanding.
"You didn’t think I liked music, did you?" Sreelekha chuckled lightly.
"I… didn’t know, honestly" Sonarika hesitated.
"Well, I can’t afford to mellow out in front of everyone. Running a massive industry doesn’t leave much room for that"
Sreelekha said with a hint of amusement, before Sonarika could respond, the sharp chime of the hotel doorbell cut through the room.
"That must be them" Sreelekha turned.
The door opened. And the moment froze. Vikram walked in. Behind him was his sister, Anjana. For a split second, Sonarika forgot how to breathe.
"What are you doing here?"
She asked, the shock evident in her voice before she could control it. Vikram met her gaze, his expression calm but unreadable.
"Sreelekha Mam and my mother, Neelam, are old friends" he explained.
"We’re here to set up a meeting between them"
Sonarika’s eyes flickered briefly toward Sreelekha, who simply nodded as confirmation.
Anjana stepped forward slightly. She looked different—frailer somehow. The grief of losing her husband, Ritesh, still lingered in her posture, in the way her shoulders carried an invisible weight.
"Sonarika, I need to speak with you. In private" Anjana said softly,
"About what?" The request caught her off guard.
"I’ll explain when we meet, when are you free?" Anjana replied.
Sonarika hesitated, glancing briefly at Vikram before answering.
"I’m free this evening"
Anjana nodded and handed her a small note.
"Come here. It’s a private restaurant. It’ll just be us. No Vikram"
There was something reassuring in that last sentence. Something that eased the tension coiling in Sonarika’s chest.
"Alright" she said quietly.
As Anjana stepped back, the room seemed to regain its motion, but Sonarika felt strangely detached from it all. Conversations resumed, voices blended, but none of it truly reached her. Because her mind had already begun to spiral again. Hemant’s hidden past. Dan’s unfinished story. Vikram’s presence. Anjana’s request.
And somewhere beyond all of that—a future she could no longer clearly see. As she stepped away from the group, her fingers tightening slightly around the note Anjana had given her, Sonarika realized something unsettling. Her life was no longer a straight path. It was a maze. And with every step she took, she was only going deeper into it.
That evening, the city seemed softer, wrapped in a quiet hum as Sonarika stepped into the restaurant Anjana had mentioned. It was discreet, almost hidden from the outside world, with dim lighting and private booths that felt designed for conversations people didn’t want overheard. A hostess guided her silently, and as the curtain to the booth parted, she saw Anjana already seated, waiting.
"You came" Anjana looked up and greeted her with a warm, almost familiar smile.
"Of course"
Sonarika replied, sliding into the seat across from her. For a moment, neither spoke, as if both were measuring the weight of what needed to be said.
"How are you doing?" Sonarika finally asked, her voice gentle.
Anjana exhaled softly, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. A faint smile appeared, touched with sadness.
"I’m… getting along..Ritesh always liked me strong. So I suppose I have to stay that way"
There was something quietly resolute in her tone that made Sonarika nod.
"He would be proud of you, even though I never met him" she said sincerely.
Anjana’s smile deepened slightly, her gaze sharpening just a little.
"He would’ve liked you too...Especially considering Vikram"
The words landed awkwardly. Sonarika shifted in her seat, discomfort creeping in. She didn’t respond, and the silence that followed made the tension obvious. Anjana noticed immediately.
"I’m sorry, That came out wrong" she said, her tone softening.
"No… it’s just—complicated" Sonarika shook her head lightly.
"I know" Anjana said quietly.
"And I understand your dilemma more than you think"
She leaned forward slightly, her voice calm but firm.
"But sooner or later, you’ll have to accept something, Sonarika"
Sonarika looked up.
"Hemant is not coming back"
The words were not harsh, but they were final. A flicker of pain crossed Sonarika’s face.
"I know that, I just… I’m still trying to process it"
She said, though her voice betrayed how difficult it was to say it aloud.
"I’m not here to justify what you did" Anjana continued gently.
"But you can’t keep holding on to something that’s already gone. The family you were fighting for—it doesn’t exist anymore"
Sonarika lowered her gaze, her hands tightening slightly in her lap. Anjana let the silence sit before speaking again.
"Hemant will be fine, he’s a different man now. He’ll move on. He’ll rebuild. Maybe even find someone new, someone who gives him what he needs"
There was no malice in her words—only a kind of practical certainty.
"But you…you’ll go back to Goa alone. And you’ll be left to figure out your life from whatever pieces remain"
Anjana continued, her voice softening further, Sonarika looked up again, something fragile in her expression.
"You don’t have to do that alone" Anjana added.
The implication was clear even before she said his name.
"Vikram plans to move to Goa" she explained.
"He’s not interested in the Bajaj family’s main business. He wants something quieter. That old hotel—it means something to him. He wants to build his life there"
Sonarika’s breath caught slightly.
"You could be a part of that" Anjana said.
"You could build something new… from what’s left"
The words lingered heavily between them.
"Doesn’t that make me the villain in his life?"
Sonarika asked suddenly, her voice steady but laced with conflict. Anjana held her gaze.
"Maybe. Right now, yes" She didn’t sugarcoat it.
"But time changes things. Pain fades. People move on. When someone else enters his life, he won’t need to hold on to what he had with you anymore"
Sonarika didn’t respond immediately. Her thoughts felt tangled, pulling her in opposite directions.
"I can’t decide something like this right now" she admitted.
"I’m not asking you to" Anjana said softly.
"I’m just asking you to see that your life isn’t over"
She paused, choosing her next words carefully.
"Maybe what happened between you and Vikram wasn’t just a mistake" she continued.
"Maybe it meant something deeper. The universe doesn’t bring people together without a reason"
Sonarika frowned slightly, unsure whether to believe that or reject it entirely.
"He cares about you" Anjana said simply.
"You matter to him. The only question is… do you want him to matter to you too?"
The simplicity of it made it harder, not easier. Anjana leaned back, her expression softening with something more personal now.
"I didn’t get a lifetime with Ritesh" she said quietly.
"Just a few years. But I lived those years fully. And now… those memories are what keep me standing"
Her eyes shimmered, but her voice didn’t break.
"Don’t waste what time gives you, Sonarika"
The conversation ended not with resolution, but with a quiet understanding that something had shifted. When they stepped out into the night, the air felt heavier, charged with everything left unsaid. They exchanged a brief goodnight, and then went their separate ways. But Sonarika didn’t feel like she was walking away. She felt like she was being pulled in multiple directions at once.
Hemant—his hidden past waiting to be revealed. Vikram—the possibility of a future built on something uncertain. And herself—caught somewhere in between, trying to understand what she truly wanted. As she walked under the dim streetlights, her thoughts spiraling into something deeper, more consuming, she realized the truth she had been avoiding. This was no longer about right or wrong. It was about choice. And whatever she chose next… would define the rest of her life.
The next day carried a different kind of energy—lighter on the surface, yet quietly heavy underneath. It was the penultimate night before the concert, and Ragini, with her usual enthusiasm, refused to let Sonarika stay wrapped in her thoughts.
"We are going shopping" she had declared, almost dragging her out of the house.
"And you are wearing something dazzling, no arguments"
The shopping center buzzed with life, filled with bright lights, chatter, and racks of shimmering fabric that seemed to promise escape, if only for a few hours. Ragini moved from one section to another with excitement, picking dresses, holding them against Sonarika, rejecting some instantly and admiring others with exaggerated expressions. Sonarika followed, smiling faintly, letting herself be carried by the moment even as her mind wandered elsewhere.
She found herself standing before a rack of dresses in muted silence, her fingers brushing lightly against different fabrics. That was when she paused at a blue dress. It was elegant, simple, yet striking in its own way. As she held it up, something stirred within her—a memory, soft but vivid.
Mumbai.
A few years ago.
She could almost see it clearly. Hemant standing beside her in a store, holding up a similar blue dress with a hopeful look in his eyes.
"This would look nice on you" he had said, his voice quiet but certain.
She had barely looked at it.
"It’s not really my style" she had replied casually, already turning away.
It hadn’t been harsh—just indifferent. But she remembered the way his expression had shifted ever so slightly, the flicker of disappointment he had tried to hide. And then, as always, he had adjusted.
"Okay… what do you like?" he had asked, genuinely wanting to see her happy.
She had shown him a rose-colored dress instead, brighter, more expressive. And Hemant had smiled instantly.
"You’ll look beautiful in that" he had said, without hesitation.
She had laughed, light and carefree, choosing that dress in the end.
Back in the present, Sonarika lowered the blue dress slightly, her fingers tightening around the fabric. The memory lingered longer than she expected.
She moved on, trying to shake it off, but her steps led her to another rack. This time, her hand stopped at a red dress. It was bold, striking, with a certain daring edge to it—something that demanded attention. And just like that, another memory surfaced. This one was louder. Brighter. Messier.
She was in a high-end store, Vikram beside her, his presence magnetic in a way that had once felt irresistible. He had picked up a red dress—something very much like the one in her hands now—and held it against her with a playful grin.
"This, would make you impossible to ignore" he had said, his voice low with mischief,
"You’re very confident" She had laughed, matching his energy.
"I have my reasons" he had replied, his eyes never leaving hers.
"And besides it will be too easy to remove!"
Sonarika giggled at his comment. But Vikram stayed true to his words because that night at Galaxy Apartments she did wore it. And Vikram did take it off. Another night that laid a secret on the foundation of the perfect cover provided by Meghna of another slumber night. But that night was no slumber , it was an inferno of desire. They are fucking-- fucking each other with the same lust and energy they had during their first encounter at Jabalpur. With each thrust, Sonarika is crying out; Vikram was grunting, as he was driving his cock so deeply inside the milfy woman's body. Sonarika raises her knees towards her chest, and wraps her legs around his waist, locking her ankles. Then she starts humping her ass up, meeting his every thrust with one of her own. They both grunt each time their pelvises collide.
The thrustings became heavy and they both were reaching their breaking point they so much craved. Vikram then rose up on his stiffened arms, and drives his cock so hard and so deep into Sonarika. She gripped his back, digging her fingernails in, and using her arms and her legs, she pulled him even deeper, then held him there. He roars, then grunts, again and again, sending his thick cum to Sonarika's waiting love tunnel.
When he finally finishes ejaculating, he makes two more quick thrusts before slowly collapsing onto her, his head beside hers. And then they kissed. But the night never ended that way , this wasn't like the sex Sonarika had with Hemant , there was no tender pleasure quest with everything calm , slow and intimate. With Vikram , the expectations were always more , as if there was a need to outdo their last. And the night would always be filled with passion and pleasure.
In the middle of the night they woke up and did it again. They are doing it moaning, grunting, and the sound of skin slapping skin. A small lamp always stays on in the bedroom, has just enough light for them to see each other. The blankets have been thrown off of the mattress. Sonarika's head and chest are on the bed, her ass up in the air, and Vikram is gripping her milfy hips, fucking her. The moaning and grunting grow louder. Every time Vikram thrusts his cock into her body, she squeezes his hand. Her squeezing of his hand is becoming firmer, more intense with each thrust of his cock into her. Then Sonarika squeezes hard, to almost hurting, and she screams out in extreme pleasure as her intense climax takes over her mind and body, her nerves shooting wonderful little needles down her legs and into her feet.
Her orgasm pushes her lover over the edge. He drives his cock deeper and roars out with his own orgasm, the muscles in his ass contracting, Vikram grunts as each ejaculation flows through his cock and into Sonarika's body. His whole body goes limp before they collapse together, their bodies uncouple as they fall back down to the bed.
They did it again in the morning , and this time too no tenderness involved. That was their relationship then. One that blurred lines, that made everything feel thrilling and justified in the moment. Back then, the memory had felt intoxicating. Now, it felt different. Heavy. Sharp. Like something beautiful that had turned into a sharp needle.
Sonarika stood still, the red dress in one hand, the blue in the other. For a moment, the noise of the store faded away, leaving only the weight of those two memories pressing against her. Two versions of herself. Two choices she had made. Two men who had shaped her life in completely different ways. Anjana’s words echoed faintly in her mind, urging her toward a future she wasn’t sure she wanted. Her thoughts wavered, just for a moment, daring her to lean toward the red—to accept what was being offered, to build something new from the ruins. But something within her resisted. Quietly. Stubbornly. With a slow breath, she placed the red dress back. And held on to the blue. It wasn’t a grand decision. It didn’t solve anything. But it felt… honest. When she stepped out of the trial room wearing it, Ragini’s reaction was immediate.
"Oh my God" she said, eyes widening.
"Sonarika… you look stunning"
There was no exaggeration in her voice—just pure admiration. Sonarika glanced at herself in the mirror. For a moment, she simply looked. Really looked. The dress fit her beautifully, but it wasn’t just that. There was something softer in her expression, something more grounded. She smiled. A small, quiet smile.
"I think I like this one" she said.
But deep down, she knew it was more than that. Somewhere in her heart, she could almost hear Hemant’s voice again—gentle, certain—telling her she looked good in it. And for the first time, she didn’t dismiss that feeling.
She held on to it.
Because despite everything—despite the betrayal, the distance, the inevitable end—he was still there, like an unshaken lamp within her. A wound, yes. But also something more. Once, he had been her anchor. Her lightning rod in a world that often felt uncertain. And even now, as everything seemed to be pulling them apart, she realized something she could no longer deny. She might lose him. She might never have him again. But she would never truly erase him from her heart.
The evening settled gently over Janakpuri, casting a warm glow through the windows of Sonarika’s maternal home. Inside her room, the air was alive with movement—makeup brushes, scattered jewelry, the soft rustle of fabric. Ragini stood by the mirror, adjusting her earrings, while Sonarika carefully pinned her hair into place, the blue dress falling elegantly around her. Ragini glanced at her reflection through the mirror and tilted her head.
"You know, that red dress would’ve suited you better. It had… more impact"
She said thoughtfully, Sonarika met her eyes in the mirror and gave a faint smile.
"Maybe it would have" she admitted. Then, after a brief pause, she added.
"But I wanted to wear this tonight"
"Why?" Ragini turned toward her, curious.
Sonarika looked down at the fabric for a moment, her fingers brushing against it gently.
"Blue was Hemant’s favorite color, and tonight… I want the world to see that despite an uncertain future , I will choose him , always him!"
She said quietly.
The words carried a quiet conviction that made Ragini’s expression soften. There was no drama in it, no desperation—just something honest and deeply rooted. Ragini smiled, a hint of pride in her eyes.
"I’m glad you said that, have you told him?" she replied.
Sonarika let out a small breath.
"It’s not that simple" She picked up her phone from the table.
"I did post a picture this morning… wearing this. He’s definitely seen it"
"And?" Ragini pressed gently.
"I tried calling him" Sonarika said, her voice lowering slightly.
"He didn’t answer"
Ragini stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Reconciliation isn’t easy, it never is" she said softly.
Sonarika nodded, but her expression grew distant again.
"I don’t even know if I should try" she admitted.
“Why would you say that?” Ragini frowned slightly.
After a brief hesitation, Sonarika spoke.
"I met Anjana yesterday"
She explained the conversation—the suggestions, the certainty in Anjana’s words, the future she had painted with Vikram.
"And… a part of me feels she’s right" she added quietly.
"I broke something that can’t be fixed"
The room felt heavier for a moment.
"Hemant has changed" Sonarika continued.
"Ever since we filed for divorce… he’s not the same person anymore. And even if I try—really try—I don’t think he’ll ever look at me the same way again. My betrayal… that’s all I’ll ever be to him"
Ragini crossed her arms, studying her.
"So you’re giving up?" she asked, not harshly, but directly.
Sonarika didn’t answer immediately. Her silence itself felt like an answer struggling to form. Before she could speak, the door burst open.
"Mumma!"
Karan ran in, his voice filled with pure excitement. The tension in the room dissolved instantly as Sonarika turned, her face lighting up in a way it hadn’t all evening.
"There’s my little hero"
She said warmly, bending down to scoop him into her arms. She hugged him tightly, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
"Are you ready for tonight?"
"Yes!" he said enthusiastically.
"I miss Papa"
The question landed softly but deeply. Sonarika’s smile flickered, just for a second, before she masked it gently.
"Let’s try calling him, hmm?"
At Karan’s eager nod, she picked up her phone again and dialed Hemant’s number. The call rang. And rang. Then switched to engaged. She stared at the screen for a moment before lowering it slowly.
"Papa might be busy right now" she said softly, brushing Karan’s hair back.
"We’ll talk to him later, okay?"
Karan nodded, though a hint of disappointment lingered in his eyes.
"It’s okay, tonight is still going to be special" Sonarika added gently.
She set him down and began helping him get ready, adjusting his outfit, fixing his collar, smoothing his hair. Her movements were careful, affectionate, filled with a kind of quiet devotion that Ragini couldn’t help but notice.
Standing to the side, Ragini watched silently.
Because in those small moments—in the way Sonarika smiled at Karan, in the way her voice softened—there was no confusion, no hesitation. Only love. And yet, just beneath that, there was still a storm waiting to unfold. As Sonarika finally stood up, dressed, composed, and ready to leave, she took one last look at herself in the mirror. The blue dress. The choice she had made. The man she still couldn’t let go of. And the uncertain road ahead. Taking a deep breath, she reached for Karan’s hand.
"Come on, let’s go" she said softly.
And with that, she stepped out into the night—carrying hope, guilt, and a mind that still hadn’t decided which way it truly wanted to go.
(TO BE CONTD)
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