Rishtey

After having dinner, Anamika and Vineet stepped outside Ashok’s home, the cool evening breeze greeted them. Anamika stood at the edge of the driveway, glancing at her phone to check for updates on her car. The driver had messaged her about a delay, and a small sigh escaped her lips.

Vineet noticed her hesitation. "Looks like your car’s going to take some time," he said, his voice measured. “I can give you a lift.”

Anamika turned to him, her expression unreadable. “That’s not necessary, Vineet. I’ll wait.”

“It’s late,” Vineet said firmly, his tone leaving little room for argument. “And this isn’t the safest area at night. Let me help you with this.”

She hesitated, her pride battling with practicality. Eventually, she relented with a small nod. "Fine. Thank you."

Vineet opened the car door for her, a faint memory of doing the same in better times flickering through his mind. She stepped in silently, and he circled around to take his seat behind the wheel. The air inside the car was heavy with unspoken words as they began the short drive to her hotel.

The city lights blurred past them, their glow reflecting off the windshield. Neither of them spoke for a while, the hum of the engine filling the silence. Vineet’s grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles white, as he stole occasional glances at her. Anamika, on the other hand, kept her eyes fixed on the road ahead, her thoughts racing.

"Why did Ashok invite us both tonight?" she finally asked, breaking the silence.

Vineet exhaled a dry laugh. "To play mediator, I suppose. He’s always believed he can fix everything with a dinner table and a few laughs."

Anamika smirked faintly. "He means well."

“He does,” Vineet admitted. “But sometimes, things aren’t as simple as he thinks.”

The weight of his words hung between them, neither willing to unpack their deeper meaning. The car slowed as they approached the hotel. Vineet pulled into the driveway and parked, turning off the engine. He didn’t move to get out, instead sitting quietly for a moment.

"Thank you for the ride," Anamika said, her hand reaching for the door handle.

“Anamika,” Vineet said suddenly, his voice softer now. She paused, turning to face him.

“I know things… between us are complicated," he said, his gaze fixed on the steering wheel. "But I meant what I said earlier—I don’t want you to suffer. Whatever else happened, you didn’t deserve that."

Her expression faltered for a moment, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through. “I’ve learned how to survive, Vineet. And I’ll keep doing that.”

With that, she stepped out of the car, closing the door gently behind her. Vineet watched her walk away, his chest tightening as the automatic doors of the hotel slid shut, swallowing her figure.

He sat there for a long time, staring at the entrance, unable to process.

Vineet hesitated for a moment before stepping out of the car. Something about seeing Anamika retreat into the hotel felt unsettling, unfinished. He told himself it was just concern—nothing more—and decided to check on her.

He walked into the lobby, glancing around. Spotting her waiting for the elevator, he moved instinctively toward the same direction. The ding of the elevator echoed softly as the doors slid open, and she stepped inside. Just as she was about to press the button for her floor, she caught sight of Vineet entering at the last moment.

Her surprise was evident, but she said nothing, stepping slightly to the side as he joined her. The silence between them was a harsh slap, filled with the tension of unsaid words. The elevator doors closed, and the quiet hum of the lift filled the space.