" I want to feel loved without feeling like I was begging for it"..

Chandigarh, India...

Vidhant instantly left from there, unable to fully comprehend the woman who had left him and their newborn twins. His mind raced as memories of that day flooded back. The day when his entire world crumbled. Ruhi hadn't just left him-she had left their children, their family, without a second thought. In that moment, she had lost every right to call herself their mother.

The bitterness welled up inside him as he remembered the note she had left behind. Anmol had handed it to him, her face pale and worried, as if she couldn't believe what she was reading. Vidhant had read the words over and over, each sentence cutting deeper than the last:

"I never wanted kids. They're just a burden I can't carry with me. I want to build a life for myself, and with the twins, I can't do that. Put them up for adoption if you need to, but I don't want anything to do with them."

Those words had shattered him. He had felt like the air had been ripped from his lungs, the ground beneath him collapsing. How could this woman the mother of his children, be so selfish? How could she walk away from two innocent lives without a second thought?

But in the midst of the pain and betrayal, Vidhant had made a decision. He had stood in front of his twins, barely a day old, fragile and dependent on him, and he had vowed that he would never let them feel the absence of their mother. No matter how much it hurt, no matter how overwhelming the responsibility seemed, he would be there for them. Always and forever.

And he had. Through sleepless nights, the struggles of being both father and mother, through the challenges of raising two children on his own-he had done it. He had built a life for them, providing them with everything they needed. His twins were happy, confident, and Vidhant had made sure of that will always remain this cheerful.

Vidhant stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. His heart raced, and his mind was a chaotic storm of emotions he couldn't control. The anger, the betrayal, the deep-seated pain-it all threatened to consume him. He punched the wall, the sharp pain in his knuckles grounding him, pulling him back from the edge of the emotional cliff he was teetering on. He couldn't afford to lose control. Not here. Not now.

His breath came in ragged gasps as he leaned against the sink, gripping its edges so tightly his knuckles turned white. He stared at his reflection in the mirror-his face was flushed, his jaw clenched. The sight of Ruhi, the memories she had dragged back into his life, had shattered the calm facade he had built over the years. He had spent so long pushing those memories aside, burying them deep, convincing himself that he had moved on. But now, with her reappearance, everything felt raw again, as though the wounds had never fully healed.

He closed his eyes and forced himself to breathe deeply. This is not the time. Not the place. His sister's wedding was happening just outside this door, the music and laughter echoing faintly through the walls. This was her day, and he wouldn't let Ruhi's mere presence ruin it. He couldn't let his emotions spiral out of control and cause a scene. Pihu deserved a perfect wedding, free from the drama of his past.

He rubbed his face with his hands, trying to piece his emotions back together, to regain control of the fury swirling inside him. I can't let her win. I won't let her ruin this. He repeated this to himself like a mantra, pushing back the urge to confront her again, to throw every accusation in her face.

But it wasn't just about him anymore. It was about his children-Rishu and Reet, the ones he had fought so hard to protect. Their innocence, their happiness, mattered more than anything else. He had to focus on them, on their well-being. They didn't need to witness the turmoil between him and Ruhi. They didn't deserve to be caught in the crossfire of emotions they wouldn't even understand.

Vidhant took a few more deep breaths, feeling the rage slowly subside, though the ache in his chest remained. He couldn't let her destroy the peace he had built for himself and his kids. Not now, not ever.

After a few more moments of standing in silence, Vidhant finally straightened, splashing cold water on his face. He needed to pull himself together. For his kids. For Pihu. For the life he had fought to create without her.

With one last glance in the mirror, he steeled himself, vowing that no matter what happened, Ruhi's return would not derail everything he had worked for. He wouldn't let her presence affect him, or anyone else, any more than it already had. This was his family now, and she had no place in it.

Vidhant returned to the function, quickly adjusting his expression as the guests started asking for him. He joined his family, pushing the storm of emotions aside, and began applying haldi to his sister and brother-in-law. His heart swelled as he looked at Pihu, his baby sister, now all grown up and about to start a new chapter of her life. Tears welled up in his eyes, a mix of happiness and nostalgia washing over him. He remembered all their childhood squabbles, the times they used to bicker over the smallest things. And now, here she was, marrying the love of her life.

Just as he wiped away the tears, a little voice piped up behind him. "Bhua, my turn!" Rishu chirped, holding a small bowl of haldi. He eagerly applied some to Pihu's face, followed by Abhay, his tiny hands moving with enthusiasm.

"Rishu bhai, move aside. It's my turn," Reet pouted, pushing Rishu gently away, her face scrunched in determination. The twins' playful banter brought laughter to the group, their innocent nok-jhok melting everyone's hearts. They were the life of the event, making everyone smile with their energy and charm.

Vidhant couldn't help but smile at his children, despite the heaviness in his chest. But that fleeting moment of peace shattered the moment Ruhi arrived, her presence sending a jolt through him. He clenched his jaw, his fists tightening momentarily. But for the sake of his children and the family gathered, he composed himself, refusing to let his emotions take over.

On the dance floor, the Hitchhikers were already lifting everyone's spirits, the music and laughter filling the space, adding to the cheerful atmosphere. Everything seemed perfect. Yet the tension between him and Ruhi simmered just beneath the surface, like an unspoken storm waiting to break.

"Where were you, Ruhi?" Shruti asked with curiosity.

Ruhi gave a tired smile, her eyes betraying the inner turmoil. "Just a bit tired," she replied, forcing a brightness into her voice.

"Come on! You're the only one left to apply haldi to Abhay! He's been asking for you," Kajal beamed and dragged Ruhi towards the stage, not giving her time to protest.

As Ruhi approached the stage, her eyes drifted to her children, and a warm, genuine smile spread across her face. Despite everything, the sight of Rishu and Reet enjoying the celebration tugged at her heart. Their innocence, their laughter-it was a reminder of the life she had lost and the joy she had missed. Yet, seeing them so happy, so loved by everyone around, filled her with a bittersweet warmth.

They were her children-her reflection. Their naughtiness, their energy, it was all hers. But they were strangers to her in so many ways. And while she watched them from a distance, a part of her ached, knowing she was still an outsider in their lives.

Ruhi stepped forward, her heart pounding as she approached the stage. One by one, she applied haldi to Pihu and Abhay, her movements steady but her emotions bubbling beneath the surface. Anmol's worried eyes followed her every move, her anxiety mounting. She knew the storm brewing beneath the surface and could only hope it wouldn't escalate here, in front of everyone. Vidhant, sensing his mother's tension, leaned in and whispered, "Stay calm, Ma. For the sake of Pihu and everyone else." Anmol nodded, though her worry didn't fade.

Pihu's discomfort was evident as Ruhi moved closer to apply the haldi to her. The disgust was clear in her eyes, and though she didn't say a word, the tension between them was palpable. Ruhi could feel it too, the unspoken animosity that lingered between her and her former family. Her hands hesitated slightly, but she forced a smile, masking the bitterness inside her.

"Many congratulations to new beginnings," Ruhi chirped, her voice laced with enthusiasm but laced with venom, especially directed at Pihu. She couldn't stand the sight of her, nor the fact that Pihu was surrounded by love and family-something Ruhi had lost. But she wouldn't let that show. No, not today.

Pihu's jaw clenched, and for a brief moment, their eyes locked, a silent battle of emotions passing between them. Pihu couldn't believe that Ruhi, the woman who had caused so much pain to her family, would dare show up with such enthusiasm. But she bit her tongue, for the sake of the day, for the sake of Abhay and her own happiness.

Ruhi, on the other hand, was fuming inside. Anmol's presence ignited a deep-seated rage in her. She blamed her mother-in-law for so much of the misery that had befallen her. In Ruhi's eyes, Anmol had been one of the reasons her marriage had fallen apart, and seeing her now, still playing the part of the caring matriarch, only fueled her anger.

But as much as she wanted to lash out, Ruhi knew this wasn't the time or place. She had her own reasons for being here, and she couldn't let her past with Vidhant's family ruin Abhay's happiness. For now, she would play her part, smile through the pain, and keep her emotions in check. The venom she felt would remain hidden, at least for today.

The haldi ceremony turned into a playful chaos, with guests taking turns drenching Pihu and Abhay with buckets of haldi. Laughter echoed through the venue as the couple, now completely covered in the yellow paste, enjoyed the moment with beaming smiles. The air was filled with joy and celebration.

In the midst of all the fun, Ruhi quietly took out her iPhone, snapping pictures of the event. She captured the laughter, the fun, and-most importantly-her children, Rishu and Reet, as they giggled and played. Her movements were subtle, careful not to draw too much attention, especially from Vidhant. She took quick shots of the kids, her heart yearning to hold onto these memories, even from the distance she was forced to keep.

Rishu and Reet, oblivious to the undercurrents between their parents, posed playfully, enjoying the fun atmosphere. Their laughter was pure, and Ruhi, despite everything, felt a warmth in her heart seeing them so happy.

Vidhant, on the other hand, noticed every move Ruhi made. He saw how she was trying to capture moments with the kids, and it fueled the fire inside him. He knew exactly what she was doing-trying to create a bond, a connection with the children she had left behind. His jaw clenched as he fought to keep his anger under control. He had promised himself he wouldn't let her ruin this day, but watching her play this silent game was testing his patience.

Still, for the sake of the celebration and his family, Vidhant kept his silence. He wouldn't create a scene, not in front of his children or during his sister's wedding festivities. But inside, his fury raged like an uncontained storm. His eyes never left Ruhi, watching her every move as the celebration continued around them.

Ruhi, fully aware of Vidhant's silent fury, kept up her facade, focusing on capturing the moment, but her own emotions swirled beneath the surface. The tension between them grew thicker, but for now, the celebration carried on, filled with laughter, music, and the innocence of their children's joy.

Tillthengoodbye
moonwithflames_