Everything feels silent, even the air  from another side, leaving no sign of its presence in the house. Everyone’s face shows the flood of emotions they are going through. 

It was a small village. Away from the long and large building. Their life is still simple and natural. 

The whole house felt silent, everyone sat on the charpai in the house. Some guests were sitting on the floor.

All the silence was broken by the voice. “Siya kaha h tu. Chai le a sabke liye” A female voice came. Hearing his voice a girl along with her brother came outside from the kitchen.Her body was too thin and weak. Tears printed on her cheeks. The whole face has become pale.

( Siya where are you.Bring tea for everyone)

Wearing a simple suit, eyes stuck on the floor she was coming towards them. 

Holding a tray in her hands ,tea cups were placed over it. Only her body was walking and her soul already died with her father.

Aankit’s heart shrinked, seeing her condition. Siya, the girl who was ruling over cuteness and innocence now became a symbol of silence and sadness. 

Tears gathered in his eyes. He already lost his best friend a month ago. Now only his children left there with their step mother and the whole village knew very well how she treated them.  

He wanted to do something, he wanted to save them, he wanted to take them with him but all is that impossible. 

Siya came near him but unfortunately she slipped and the cup of tea fell on the floor and then she received a loud and painful slap on her cheek. She fell on the floor and broke into tears. 

Aankit stood in hurry, his face went red due to anger and the pain raised in his chest. He went near Siya and held her shoulder, politely,softly with care. He made her stand up , hands still around her shoulders,like they were protecting her from the world. 

5 fingers printed on the right cheeks, clearly showed her mother's hate towards her.

“What are you doing bhabhi. How could you slap her in front of everyone? Even looking at her condition, I don't think she eats anything in the morning, right? I think now you began to love her but no. You are still the same. For God sake please love her. She lost everything except you and Rohit” he was not saying , he was shouting, yelling on her

For some minute she stood silently, just hearing him. And then again she was back in her role.

“Then take her with you. I don't want her and her brother in my house. She is useless, wasting my money and time. First because of her,she lost her real mother and then my husband also. I don't want to see her face” she yelled back, her words acted like a knife to Siya, her eyes stuck over the floor, tears covered her eyes totally, some drops of tears rolling on her cheeks. 

“I’ll. If I find any way to take her with me I'll. Do you understand that?. Look at her condition bhabhi. I know she is not your real daughter but please she is your husband's real daughter. He loved her so much you know very well. Still you behave like this with her” he said, now his words become thick due to his voice. 

Mamta stood there without saying a word. She just looked at Aankit's eyes, hate towards her, love towards Siya only. 

“Aankit” A voice came from the door, everyone gazed at the figure and she was Swati, Aankit’s wife.

Her figure was straight, eyes fixed on Mamta. Anger filled in her eyes.she came near Aankit. Facing him she said “I said you don't interfere in their matter still you are” she said, looking at Aankit

Without wasting a second Aankit replied “looked at her Swati. Don't you show her condition. How can I leave her ?. She is my best friend’s daughter. The daughter he used to love. He lived for her only, Swati. How can I leave her?” he said tears rolled from his eyes saying those words. Swati did not say anything, she simply held his hand and moved towards the outside. Siya stood there eyes stuck over the floor, blurry vision due to tears meanwhile Mamata went to her room.

She scattered the day her father left her alone in this cruel world.She probably ate something after that day. Her smile left her face totally, there was a glow over her face, only a print of tears left, a pale face with a weak body. Now this is her condition.

 ❥⁠❥

“Jay, Aditya, bhabhi" Swati shouted, coming inside their house. She stood in the middle of the hall,Aankit stood behind her, tears still on his cheeks. 

Within a while, everyone came out, with confused faces.

Aditya was wearing white shirt with grey lower and same as Jay wore a simple blue shirt with trousers. 

Their eyes met with Swati. Simran came out and put a dupatta around her neck.

“Bhabhi kya hua. Aap aise kyu chila rahi h sab kuch thik to h na "Simran asked in concern. Her eyes fixed over sawti

( Bhabhi what happened? Why are you shouting like this?. Is every okay)

“ Yet everything is fine didi but I can feel in future something will happen if we stay here anymore” she said turning to Anakit , facing him, his eyes lowered.

Everyone's gaze shifts over Anakit, asking questions about this.

But before he said something, a loud cry came into their ears.Aankit understood who she was. He ran outside without thinking twice. Everyone followed that voice and came outside.

Outside everyone gathered around Siya house, her crying could be heard by everyone. Aankit found the way to reach her and what did he saw 

Mamta was slapping Siya continuously. Anger ran over her face, Siya crying hard. His chest tightened seeing the view. Without thinking twice he ran to her and she held Siya arms, stood in front of her to protect her. 

His eyes met with manta's angry eyes. “What  are you doing bhabhi? Why are you slapping her so badly? What did she?” He was not asking , he was shouting at the top of his lungs, even Aditya and Jay were also shocked by his anger, they had never seen him like that before. 

They faced Siya back, her clothes were torn because Mamta was dragging her.Siya’s brother Rohit stood in the corner, crying badly. 

“She stole my necklace from my room, she is a thief. I can’t let her stay in my house anymore. I am throwing her out of my house. There is no place for her in my house” Mamta shouted back.

Aankit's eyes widened in shock, how could she throw Siya out the house , where would she go?. 

“Where will she go? Bhabhi tries to understand. It is just a misunderstanding . She can’t do this. I know her. Please don't throw her like garbage. She is your daughter please” Aankit requested, he can hear Siya sobbed behind him, his shirt becoming wet due to her tears.

“She is not my daughter. She was staying here because of her father .But now he left us so there is no place for her  and for her brother too now. I don't know where they will go.but they can’t stay in my house anymore. Take them with you.They are your best friend’s children, right ”Mamata taunting him and now Anakit lost his patience.softness had converted into anger towards her. His jaw clenched.

“Then Okay. I will take her with me to Delhi tomorrow and yes don’t show your bastard face to me again” He said, chest raised and falling in flow. Everyone's eyes widened in shock. Swati froze at her place. She was trying to understand everything. What did he just say?. In reality he will take her with them to Delhi. But why?

“Okay you will . But first tell me what will you do after taking her to Delhi, sell her right” as mamta said this, Aankit’s hand raised to slap her but he stopped in middle, thought about his friend, she is still his wife.

Mamta was shocked after saw his hand. She gulped and turned and locked the door from inside.

Aankit turned to Siya , who was still crying, her hair became messy, her face was red. Eyes became red , her body was shivering. Aankit hugged her and patted her back, tears escaped from his eyes too.

And then he broke the hug, held her hand and Rohit’s hands and walked towards his house.

Everyone stood there. Looking at him, at his courage.  

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Bye bye .......