After 3 weeks -



It had been three weeks since Naina moved into this new home, but she remained so quiet, as if her presence went unnoticed. Most of her time was spent in her room. One day, Shalini Malhotra, the lady who had brought her from the hospital and wanted to adopt her, asked, "What is it that you like the most, something we can give you?"

Naina softly replied, "Painting."

The very next day, Shalini, the woman who had been caring for Naina, created a special room just for her. It was filled with all the painting supplies she could need, and anything she wanted was now within reach. But despite this kindness, Naina couldn't escape the pain of losing her family. Every day, as she spent time in her painting room, the sorrow would wash over her again. The more she isolated herself, the deeper she fell into depression, as if the walls of her own world were closing in on her.

Seeing Naina in this state, Shalini and her husband, Rajveer Malhotra, became very concerned. They wanted her to sign the adoption papers, hoping that once she became a part of their family, the healing process would begin. They were ready to do everything they had always hoped to do for a child of their own. Over time, they had developed a deep affection for Naina, feeling a growing bond with her. They wanted to offer her the love and care she deserved, believing that it could help her move past her grief, but they were unsure how to reach her, given the emotional walls she had built around herself.

They were also afraid that Naina might refuse to sign the adoption papers. They worried that, due to the trauma of losing her family, she might never forgive them. The weight of her grief and the guilt they felt over the accident made them anxious. They didn't know if she would ever see them as her family, and the fear of rejection haunted them. Despite their desire to offer her a new life, they understood the depth of her pain and the emotional barrier that might prevent her from accepting their love and care. ______________________________________

Next day -

There was a grand wedding that Shalini and Karan Malhotra had been invited to. They hoped this event could be a chance for Naina to step out of her isolation, to experience something different, and perhaps open up a little. They decided to take Naina with them, hoping the change of environment would help her, even if just for a while, to escape the heavy sadness she had been carrying.

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Shalini's pov

I saw Naina quietly painting, her focus deep but her expression distant. It pained me to see her like this. I wanted her to meet new people, to get out of this room and maybe feel a little better, even if just for a moment. I had picked out some beautiful dresses for her, hoping they might lift her spirits. But I feared she might refuse.

I approached her gently and said, "Naina, we have a wedding to attend tomorrow. It might be nice for you to join us, get out a bit, meet people. It could be good for you."

Naina looked at me slowly and then, in a soft voice, said, "I don't know anyone... What will I do there ? "

Her words felt heavy, as if the world outside her room was a place she couldn't quite reach.

I sat beside her and gently said, "Beta, you don't have to do anything, just come with us. There will be many people your age there. Maybe you'll feel comfortable and start mingling with them. It might help you feel less isolated."

Naina remained quiet, her gaze lowered to the floor. For a moment, I thought she might refuse. But then she looked up at me, her eyes heavy with emotion, and softly said, "Okay."

Hearing her agree, even reluctantly, brought a small sense of relief to me. I hoped this step, however small, would be the beginning of something better for her.

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( At the venue )

The car stopped in front of a grand venue, its towering gates adorned with glittering lights. The sound of laughter and music floated in the air, a sharp contrast to the silence that had consumed me for weeks. As I stepped out of the car, the world around me felt overwhelming-the bright lights, the lavish decorations, and the endless sea of unfamiliar faces.

I followed quietly behind, my heart heavy and my steps hesitant. It felt like everyone's eyes were on me, though I knew it wasn't true. Shalini... no, aunty... walked beside me, smiling at people and exchanging greetings as we entered the grand hall.

The place was dazzling-chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, tables filled with exotic food, and people dressed in vibrant, elegant clothes. I felt out of place in this world, like a shadow that didn't belong. The sound of laughter and joy only deepened the void inside me.

I clutched the edges of my dress, trying to steady myself, and kept my gaze low. All I wanted was to blend into the background, to not be noticed. But no matter how hard I tried, the memories of everything I'd lost kept flashing in my mind.

I wanted nothing more than to leave this place, to escape into a quiet, dark room where no one could see me. The loud music, the chatter, and the laughter felt suffocating. I tried to stay unnoticed, but my eyes wandered, catching glimpses of a group of girls around my age.

They were dressed so stylishly, exuding confidence with their laughter and animated conversations. They looked like they belonged here, unlike me. I felt an invisible wall between us-a world they were a part of but one I could never fit into.

I couldn't understand why, but those girls kept staring at me, as if I were some kind of showpiece on display. Their gazes felt sharp, piercing right through me, making me even more uncomfortable. I looked away, trying to avoid their eyes, but the weight of their stares didn't leave me.

Leaning slightly towards aunty, I whispered hesitantly, "Can I please go back home?" My voice was shaky, almost pleading.

She gently took hold of my wrist and, without saying a word, began leading me toward a group of elegantly dressed women. My heart raced with anxiety as we approached them. I didn't want to be here, didn't want to face more eyes or questions.

As soon as we reached them, someone exclaimed, "Oh my God, who is this beautiful girl?"

Another chimed in, her voice just loud enough for me to hear, "Isn't she the one they adopted?"

Bits of other conversations floated to my ears-soft whispers, curious murmurs, and quiet judgments. I didn't know what to do, so I kept my eyes glued to the floor, wishing I could disappear. The bride and groom were dancing on the stage... I just wanted to quietly go and sit somewhere.

After some time, I quietly slipped away from the group and found an empty chair in a secluded corner. Sitting down, I tried to blend into the shadows, hoping no one would notice me. I didn't want any more conversations or attention; I just wanted to be invisible.

But I don't know why I felt like someone was staring at me. I didn't lift my head to look. Even without looking, I could feel someone's gaze on me-persistent, unwavering, and impossible to ignore. It wasn't the usual curious stares I had felt earlier; this was different. It wasn't judging or questioning. It felt...intense, as though whoever it was could see right through the walls I had built around myself.

I hesitated to look around, afraid of what I might find, but the sensation only grew stronger with every passing moment.

After some time, Shalini Aunty came and sat beside me. She gave me a warm smile, trying to comfort me, but before she could say anything, a few more ladies joined us.

One of them looked at me kindly and said, "Beta, you should go with my daughter. I'm sure you're feeling a bit lonely." Without waiting for my response, she called out, "Ananya!"

A stunning girl began walking towards us. She was graceful, confident. The lady gestured to me and said to her daughter, "Take her with you, beta. She seems a bit lost here."

I didn't want to go. I didn't want to be around anyone or leave the quiet corner I had found for myself. But I couldn't bring myself to say no. So, silently, I got up and followed her.

She led me to a separate table where a group of girls was sitting. As soon as I arrived, they stopped talking, their eyes fixed on me. It felt awkward, like I had suddenly become the center of attention.

I noticed a strange mix of emotions in their expressions-some curiosity, some judgment, and surprisingly, a hint of jealousy. But why? What was it about me that made them behave this way?

Breaking the silence, one of them asked, "Are you Naina?"

The question caught me off guard. How did she know my name? I nodded quietly, unsure how to respond.

After that, they began asking me casual questions-what I studied, what I liked doing in my free time. I answered each one softly, trying not to make much conversation. They seemed nice, but I didn't feel a genuine connection with any of them.

Among them, there was one girl who stood out. She was stunning but had a more modest demeanor compared to the others, almost as if she didn't belong entirely in their world. She looked at me and said, "Do you know, when you entered, everyone's eyes were on you? You're really beautiful... so different."

Her words caught me off guard. For a moment, I felt good, but I didn't know how to react, so I just smiled awkwardly.

Then another girl rolled her eyes and muttered, "Whatever..." before the group shifted their conversation to a boy. They were animatedly discussing someone, their excitement evident.

I stayed silent, listening but not feeling good around them.

As I sat there, trying to blend in, I suddenly heard a name-Ishan Mehra-spoken by one of the girls. The name echoed in my mind, and I couldn't ignore it. It felt like everyone had been talking about him as soon as I entered. Why was this name so significant? Who was he? And why was he getting so much attention from them?

I felt a strange mix of curiosity and discomfort. But at the same time, my mind kept telling me to just let it go. What did it matter to me? They were all the same....mean.

As Shalini aunty and Rajveer uncle walked towards me, I felt a sudden shift in the atmosphere. They were accompanied by another woman, elegantly dressed, and I couldn't quite understand what was happening. Had the wedding function ended? Was it time to leave already?

I quietly followed them, but with every step, I felt the weight of those eyes that had been fixed on me earlier. It felt like they were getting closer, their gaze never leaving me. I couldn't bring myself to look up, keeping my head lowered as I tried to avoid the discomfort growing inside me. It was as though I was being scrutinized from every angle, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

I stood quietly, looking around, not wanting to meet anyone's gaze. But then, I heard a voice - a very beautiful aunty spoke and said, "So, this is Naina?" I turned my head slowly to look at her. She continued, "I've been so eager to meet her."

Then, she turned to Shalini aunty and added, "Shalini, why didn't you tell us earlier that Naina is this beautiful... and so innocent?"

I remained silent, just listening to their conversation. I could feel the presence of someone else standing nearby, someone whose gaze seemed to be directed at me, without even looking at me directly. It was as if I could sense their eyes on me, watching me, and I felt that unease growing stronger.

I felt a sudden rush of confusion as she pointed towards the person standing next to her and said, "And this is my son." My gaze naturally shifted in his direction, and I could feel his eyes locked on mine. He didn't look away. He was a tall guy... his hair falling over his face, and his eyes were looking at me as if they were about to devour me.

He extended his hand and said, "Hello, I'm Ishan Mehra."

In that moment, everything seemed to freeze. I suddenly realized that he was the same person whose name had been floating around all evening. Everyone had been talking about him, but now that he was standing in front of me, I had no idea who he was or why he was so important.

I was trying to process everything, still unsure of why his name had mattered so much to everyone. Who was Ishan Mehra, and why did it feel like his presence had become so significant?

I hesitated for a moment, then slowly extended my hand towards him, "Naina." His grip was firm, like he didn't want to let go. When I tried to pull my hand back, it stayed in his for a moment longer, as if he was unwilling to release it. I glanced down at our hands, then back at him, unsure of what was happening.

He gently traced the tip of his thumb over the back of my hand, sending a shiver through me, and then finally let go, his fingers lingering just for a second longer than necessary. I couldn't understand why he was acting this way. My heart raced, and a mix of fear and confusion overwhelmed me.

For a few moments, I stood there, my heart racing, feeling his gaze on me. Then, his mother gently patted my head, a soft smile on her face. "We'll meet again soon," she said, her voice warm, but it didn't ease the knot of anxiety tightening in my chest.

I looked at her, still silent, unsure of what to say. But my gaze was unwillingly drawn to Ishan again. His eyes were still fixed on me, and he hadn't moved. His hands were in his pockets, his head tilted slightly, as if studying me. It felt like the world around us had paused, and I was caught in that single, lingering moment. I quickly lowered my gaze, hoping the weight of his stare would lessen.

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After some time, we returned home. As soon as we reached home, I went and sat on the couch. I was still wondering why he was staring at me so much... maybe he's some kind of playboy.... I started feeling really sleepy and ended up falling asleep right there.

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Next day -

Shalini and Karan both wanted Naina to sign the papers as soon as possible, so she could legally become their daughter. They were eager for her to be a part of their family. They left the legal documents in Naina's room while she was sleeping, hoping that when she woke up, she would read them first.

Will Naina sign the papers, or will she leave them and walk away? That remains uncertain. It's a decision filled with emotional weight for her, given her past and the trust she still struggles to build with those around her.



Hope you like it. 2635 words