Silent Suffering

As soon as Sarika saw him getting irritated, she fearfully took the ice cream from his hand, lowered her gaze, and started eating it slowly. Seeing her scared of him, an unspoken guilt surfaced in Adrijay's eyes, and his face filled with an expression of regret.

Adrijay finished his ice cream without interest and then went to the car, started it, and waited. A while later, he stopped the car in front of the house. Sarika got out, holding Tanishk in her arms, and walked to the door to ring the bell. By the time Adrijay parked the car and came over with Adhik in his arms, Sarika was already standing near the door.

After some time, Vishakha opened the door. Sarika, seeing her, quickly asked, "Where is Maa ji (Mother-in-law)?"

Vishakha replied with a scornful tone, "You're not some celebrity that she would stay up waiting for you till eleven at night. She's gone to bed."

Her rude tone didn't sit well with Adrijay, but before he could say anything, Sarika said, "Alright, you too can go to sleep, Devrani ji (Sister-in-law)."

Vishakha walked away without another word, and Sarika, still holding Tanishk, quietly went to her room.

Adrijay locked the door, brought Adhik to the bed, and pulled out Adhik's clothes from the cupboard to change him. Sarika also began changing Tanishk's clothes. Once the children were changed, both of them changed their own clothes and lay down next to their children. Adrijay fell asleep immediately, but Sarika lay awake, her thoughts consumed by Yamini Ji. Sleep eluded her as worry clouded her mind.

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The Next Morning

Sarika woke up early, as usual, prepared everyone's breakfast and tiffins, and sent the children off to school. She set the breakfast table and waited for Yamini Ji to come out, as she hadn't stepped out of her room since morning.

After some time, Yamini Ji came out and sat in her usual spot. Sarika quickly served her a plate of breakfast without saying anything.

Yamini Ji ate her breakfast in silence, which only increased Sarika's fear, as her mother-in-law's silence was often more terrifying than words.

Just then, Adrijay came and sat at the table. Sarika immediately served him breakfast and stood to the side, watching. Noticing this, Adrijay said firmly, "How many times do I have to tell you to sit and have breakfast with us? Now, come and sit."

Before Sarika could respond, Yamini Ji shot her a sharp glare and said to Adrijay, "Son, she can't have breakfast with us today because she's observing a waterless fast for Tanishk and Adhik."

Hearing this, Sarika looked at her mother-in-law in shock. But seeing the anger in her eyes, Sarika realized this was a punishment for her. She quietly remained standing, avoiding further conflict.

Adrijay, confused, looked at Sarika and asked, "Is that true, Sarika? Are you really fasting today?"

Sarika lowered her gaze and nodded in agreement. Adrijay stared at her for a few moments before lowering his eyes to his plate, lost in thought.

Yamini Ji interrupted his thoughts. "What are you thinking, son? Eat your breakfast before it gets cold."

Adrijay nodded and resumed eating, his mind elsewhere. After breakfast, both Devansh and Adrijay left for their offices.

As soon as they left, Yamini Ji summoned Sarika to her side and scolded her, "I told you not to go out yesterday, but you never listen. You're always busy enjoying yourself, aren't you? Today's punishment is that you'll work the entire day without food or water. And if I find out you've secretly eaten or drunk something, you won't like what happens next. Understood?"

Sarika nodded silently, her fear evident. Watching her subdued reaction, Yamini Ji and Vishakha exchanged a wicked smile. Yamini Ji then turned to Vishakha and said, "Give her all the laundry you have; she's free today and can take care of it all, isn't that right, Sarika?"

Sarika's eyes filled with tears, but she kept her head lowered and nodded. Vishakha went to her room and returned with a pile of clothes, dumping them in front of Sarika.

Sarika let out a deep sigh, picked up the clothes, and went to the backyard. She fetched a tub, filled it with water, and sat on a stool to start washing.

An hour and a half later, she finished washing and drying the clothes on the terrace. Looking at the time, she rushed to the kitchen to prepare lunch. The lack of water and food was beginning to take a toll on her, but she ignored the dizziness and focused on her work.

When the children returned from school at 1:30 PM, Sarika fed them lunch and put them to sleep. After that, she served lunch to Yamini Ji and Vishakha. Once they were done, she washed the dishes, hoping to finally rest. But before she could sit, Yamini Ji walked into the kitchen.

"I want curry, spinach paneer, roti, and biryani for dinner. And don't forget to make potato patties for the evening snack. Dev's been craving them," Yamini Ji ordered before leaving.

Exhausted, Sarika began preparing for the evening snacks to save time later. She finally went to her room to rest, but Vishakha appeared in the hall. "Bhabhi, Mummy ji (Mother-in-law) has called you," she said before sprawling on the sofa to watch TV.

Sarika sighed deeply and went to Yamini Ji's room. Yamini Ji, lying on the bed, stretched her leg and said, "Come here and massage my legs. They're hurting a lot today."

Sarika sat by her side and began massaging her legs. Yamini Ji kept her occupied until 5 PM, then instructed her to make snacks.

By now, Sarika was feeling faint from dehydration and exhaustion but continued her work.

A little while later, Tanishk rubbed his eyes and walked into the kitchen. "Mumma, I'm hungry!" he said.

Sarika managed a weak smile and handed him a glass of milk with Bournvita. He stood there, sipping and chatting with her, but she felt her head spinning. She ignored it, focusing on his words, until the dizziness became overwhelming, and she collapsed on the floor.

Tanishk, frightened, ran to her side. "Mumma, wake up! What happened, Mumma?" He started crying and called out, "Dadi! Come quickly! Something's wrong with Mumma!"

Yamini Ji, annoyed by his shouting, entered the kitchen. "What's all this noise about? Why are you yelling so much?" But when her eyes fell on Sarika, unconscious on the floor, she froze, panic flashing across her face. For a moment, she feared the worst.

Hurriedly, she called Adrijay and informed him about Sarika's condition. Adrijay, shocked, asked her to stay calm. "Don't worry, Maa. I'm on my way and bringing a doctor with me. Lay her on the sofa in the living room."

Yamini Ji hung up, rushed back to the kitchen, and with some effort, managed to move Sarika to the sofa. She waited anxiously for Adrijay.

Meanwhile, in the car, Adrijay's heart raced. The thought of Sarika unconscious had left him shaken. For a moment, he had been paralyzed by fear, but he quickly regained his composure. Driving at high speed, he muttered to himself, "No, no. Nothing can happen to Sarika. Not now. Not when I've just started realizing my mistakes. She can't leave me. I won't let anything happen to her."

With that, he pressed the accelerator, determined to reach home as quickly as possible.

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