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Chapter:4 Beneath The Cold Surface

Lata led them through the grand hallway, her steps sure and brisk. Aanya's eyes widened as she took in the towering ceilings, sparkling chandeliers and intricately carved wooden doors. She tugged on Ayaan's hand, whispering excitedly, "Bhaiya, it's like a

Ayaan gave a soft chuckle, leaning down slightly to her level. "It is, isn't it?" he replied, his tone light, though his mind was elsewhere, overwhelmed by the weight of their new reality.

Lata stopped in front of a polished wooden door and opened it, revealing a modest but comfortable room. The sunlight streamed in through the large window, bathing the space in a warm glow. Two single beds with fresh linens stood on either side, a small study desk nestled in the corner and a closet against one wall.

"This will be your room," Lata said kindly. "If you need anything, just let me know." She glanced at Aanya, her eyes softening. "I think you'll like it here."

Aanya let go of Ayaan's hand and rushed inside, her little feet pattering against the polished floor. She jumped onto one of the beds, her giggles filling the room. "Bhaiya, it's so soft!" she exclaimed, bouncing slightly.

Ayaan managed a smile at her enthusiasm, his heart lifting with a rare moment of lightness. "I'm glad you like it," he said, walking in and placing their modest luggage near the closet.

Lata gave a small nod, her expression turning professional once more. "Listen carefully," she said, addressing Ayaan. "Ma'am doesn't have a fixed schedule. Food should always be ready within an hour of her returning from the company. And one more thing, her morning coffee is a must. It has to be on time, no exceptions."

Ayaan nodded quickly, absorbing her words. "I understand," he said respectfully.

Lata hesitated for a moment, then left, closing the door behind her.

Aanya climbed off the bed and ran to Ayaan, tugging on his sleeve. "Bhaiya, are we going to stay here forever?"

Ayaan crouched down, placing his hands on her tiny shoulders. "I don't know, Aanya. But for now, we have a safe place to stay, and that's what matters, okay?"

Aanya nodded solemnly before her face broke into a grin. "Can I pick my bed?"

He laughed softly. "You already did, didn't you?"

She giggled and ran back to the bed she'd claimed earlier. Ayaan stood, his smile fading as he glanced around the room. This was a new beginning, but he couldn't shake the unease settling in his chest.

With a deep breath,"Alright, Aanya, you stay here and settle in. I'll go start on breakfast, okay?"

"Okay, Bhaiya!" she chirped, already arranging her little belongings on the bedside table.

Ayaan turned and left the room, his steps careful but steady. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on his shoulders, but he knew he had to keep moving forward.

Ayaan stepped into the kitchen, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. The space was vast and pristine, with every appliance gleaming as if rarely used. He quickly surveyed the ingredients and utensils, grateful that everything was neatly organized.

"Alright," he murmured to himself, rolling up his sleeves. "Let's get to work."

He moved swiftly, preparing a simple yet hearty breakfast, stuffed parathas with a side of fresh yogurt and a small fruit salad. As he worked, he recalled how his mother had taught him to cook when he was younger. The memory brought a brief, bittersweet smile to his face.

Within forty-five minutes, everything was ready and plated. He wiped his hands nervously on a towel as he set the table, waiting for Ishita to arrive.

A few minutes later, Ishita entered the dining room, her presence commanding and sharp. Her gaze flicked to the neatly arranged table and without a word she sat down.

Ayaan stood at a respectful distance, his hands clasped in front of him. He watched as Ishita picked up a paratha, tore a piece and dipped it in the yogurt. Her movements were deliberate, her expression unreadable.

She took a bite, chewing slowly, her gaze fixed somewhere beyond the table. After a moment, she looked up, her eyes briefly meeting Ayaan's.

"Not bad," she said simply, her tone neutral.

Ayaan let out a small breath of relief, nodding politely. "Thank you, ma'am."

Ishita didn't respond, continuing to eat in silence. She finished her meal quickly, stood up and without another word walked out of the dining room heading toward her study.

He watched her leave, the faint echo of her heels fading down the hallway. For a brief moment he allowed himself to feel a small sense of accomplishment. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

💖✨️

Ayaan prepared lunch meticulously, taking extra care to ensure everything was perfect. By now he understood that Ishita valued precision and didn't tolerate mistakes. He set the dining table with the freshly prepared dishes,a simple but flavorful daal, rice, mixed vegetable curry and rotis.

When Ishita entered the dining room, she was already engrossed in her laptop. Her sharp features illuminated by the screen's glow. Without looking up she took her seat at the head of the table, placing the laptop in front of her as she began typing rapidly.

Ayaan stood near the corner watching quietly, trying to gauge if everything was as she would want it. He was about to step back to give her space when he noticed Aanya, her tiny frame moving towards Ishita.

Ayaan's breath caught in his throat as he watched her. "Aanya," he whispered urgently, but she didn't stop.

Ishita paused her typing as she felt a small tug at her sleeve. Her brows furrowed slightly as she looked down finding Aanya's bright, innocent face looking up at her with a shy but eager smile.

"Did you have lunch?" Ishita asked, her voice steady but softer than usual, her sharp gaze now fixed on the little girl.

Aanya shook her head, "I'm waiting for Bhaiya," she said softly, her voice barely audible but filled with trust.

Ishita's gaze shifted to Ayaan, who was standing frozen near the door. She met his eyes for the and spoke, her voice clear yet neutral. "Ayaan, sit and eat."

Hearing his name from her for the first time, Ayaan blinked in surprise. Quickly, he stepped forward, his voice slightly nervous. "It's okay, ma'am, we-

"Sit," Ishita repeated firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Ayaan nodded and took a seat hesitantly, his movements careful and deliberate.

Meanwhile, Ishita looked back at Aanya, who was still gazing at her with those wide, innocent eyes. Ishita hesitated for a moment, clearly unused to such situations. But something about the little girl made it impossible for her to refuse. Without a word she gently picked Aanya up and placed her on her lap.

Ayaan's eyes widened in disbelief, but he stayed silent.

Seated comfortably, Aanya looked at the plate in front of them. "Can you feed me angel?" she asked softly, her small hands resting against Ishita's arm.

For a second, Ishita's composure faltered, a trace of something unidentifiable flickering in her eyes.Slowly, she picked up a piece of roti, dipped it in curry and brought it to Aanya's mouth.

Aanya took the bite eagerly, her face lighting up with joy. "It's yummy!"she giggled.

Ishita could not help but smile at her cuteness as she continued feeding, her movements calm and unhurried. Though her usual stoicism remained there was a newfound gentleness in the way she handled the little girl, as if she was discovering something unfamiliar yet strangely comforting.

Ayaan ate quietly, his gaze flicking between Ishita and Aanya. The soft, almost maternal way Ishita was feeding his sister felt surreal, a stark contrast to the cold, distant woman he had expected. It wasn't a complete change,her aura of control and restraint was still there but for a moment, it was softened by something warmer.

As Aanya rested her tiny head against Ishita's chest, playing absently with the edge of her sleeve, Ayaan felt a strange sense of gratitude. He didn't know what to make of this side of Ishita, but for now, he let the moment settle, appreciating it for what it was.

It was a small but significant shift, one that hinted at layers of Ishita he hadn't yet seen.

"Trigger Warning: This scene contains themes of violence, trauma, and loss. Please proceed with caution."

🖤✨️👑

Ishita lay in bed, her body still but her mind a whirlwind of torment. The silence around her felt suffocating, too quiet to drown out the chaos within her. Her eyes remained wide open staring at the ceiling as memories she could never escape began to claw at her. The images were too real, too vivid. Her parents lifeless on the ground, their blood staining the floor. The fire that had consumed everything she loved, the flames eating away at their house, their home.As she stood there just five years old watching helplessly. The screams, the heat, the smoke and she too small, too powerless to save them.

The weight of those memories, the pain of being unable to do anything, choked her. The more she tried to push it away the stronger the flashbacks became. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't stay in that room any longer.

In desperation she threw the covers aside and stormed onto the rooftop, hoping the cool night air would give her some relief. But all she found was the cold, empty silence of the world mirroring the emptiness in her chest.

Staring into the abyss of the dark sky, Ishita's heart thundered in her chest. Her hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms as she finally let the rage spill out.

"Jisne bhi mere parivaar ko cheena hai, usse main sirf maut nahi, zindagi ka har ek dard dikhane wali hoon. Uski saari khushiyan, uska sukoon, uski saari saans, main usse cheen lungi... aur wo apne khwabon mein bhi sukoon nahi paega."

("Whoever has taken away my family, I will not just bring them death, I will show them every pain of life. I will snatch all their happiness, their peace, their every breath... and they won't find peace even in their own dreams.")

Ishita whispered through gritted teeth, her voice trembling with fury and heartbreak.

The words were a promise ,raw and unyielding burning in her veins. A vow to herself that no one who dared to hurt her would ever be allowed to live freely. No one would escape her wrath not now, not ever.

She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling the night standing still around her, bearing witness to the birth of an unbreakable resolve.

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