Because of the commotion during Dhanteras, everyone in the household was on edge. Dadi, as expected, was endlessly complaining and nagging, leaving an air of unease hanging over the house. I decided to keep a low profile during my stay, avoiding unnecessary attention or interaction, lest I inadvertently add fuel to the fire.
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On Diwali, while everyone was busy letting off firecrackers and celebrating with loud cheers, I decided to retreat to the terrace for a moment of peace. The view was breathtaking—rockets bursting into dazzling patterns against the dark sky, the city below illuminated with diyas and fairy lights. It was a feast for the eyes, and for a moment, I felt a serene sense of calm amidst all the chaos.
As I stood there, soaking in the beauty of the night, I felt a familiar warmth wrap around me. Ashwin had come up to the terrace and enveloped me in a gentle embrace. He leaned down, whispering softly into my ear, "Dalia Ferrira, I love you." My heart swelled at his words, and I turned to respond—but before I could say anything, a piercing scream shattered the tranquillity.
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Startled, Ashwin and I froze for a moment, disoriented by the sudden commotion. Within seconds, the entire family, along with some neighbours, had gathered on the terrace, their faces a mix of concern and confusion. The source of the scream was a teenage girl from the neighbourhood, clutching her chest dramatically and pointing toward us.
Radha Di, ever the no-nonsense figure, strode up to the girl and shook her by the shoulders. "Why the hell did you scream like that? What happened?" she demanded.
Dadi, never one to miss an opportunity to question Ashwin, interjected with her usual sharp tone, "Ashu, what were you doing up here?" Suresh Papa joined in, chiming, "These kids these days… no self-control at all!"
I was mortified. My face burned with embarrassment, and without thinking, I buried my face into Ashwin's chest, wishing the ground would swallow me whole.
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The girl stammered, pointing toward Ashwin, "Ashu Bhaiya is cheating on Dolly Di!"
Her words hit me like a slap. I immediately stepped out of Ashwin's embrace and marched toward her, my temper flaring. I was so fast in my reaction, it felt like I was channeling Flash from DC. Before anyone could intervene, I grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her firmly. "How dare you?" I shouted, my voice cutting through the noise of the terrace, leaving everyone momentarily stunned.
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The girl, visibly shaken, raised a trembling finger toward me. "But—but Bhaiya just said 'Dhali Ferry, I love you.' I heard it with my own ears!"
I froze for a moment, trying to process her words. Then, the realisation hit me, and anger surged through my veins. My voice rose even louder, "It's Dhalia Ferrira! If you can't pronounce my name properly, then stick to calling me Dolly Bhabhi! But don't you dare insult my name or slander my husband again!"
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The scene on the terrace was chaotic. Ashwin, who had been facepalming throughout the ordeal, finally stepped forward and tried to separate me from the girl. "Dhalia—I mean Dolly—calm down. She's just a kid."
I turned to him, incredulous. "A kid? She's sixteen years old, Ashwin! Sixteen! And she just accused you of cheating on me in front of the whole family and half the neighbourhood!"
Radha Di, sensing that things were spiralling out of control, stepped in. Placing a gentle hand on my shoulder, she said apologetically, "Dolly, my child, why don’t you and Ashwin head back to your room for now? We’ll handle this."
Ashwin seized the opportunity, quite literally dragging me away from the scene while murmurs echoed behind us.
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"This girl watches too many daily soaps," someone muttered.
"She’s obsessed with these drama shows, always imagining affairs and scandals!"
"You should keep a better eye on your daughter," Dadi scolded the girl's parents loudly. "She almost ruined my grandson's reputation tonight!"
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Once we were back in our room, Ashwin locked the door behind us and turned to me with a calming tone. "Dolly, my girl, please relax. Don’t let her words bother you."
Still seething, I sat on the bed and snapped, "That girl—!" But the anger made my voice tremble, and I couldn’t finish the sentence. My entire body was shaking with frustration. Ashwin sat down beside me and wrapped his arms around me in a comforting back hug. "Hey," he said softly, "don’t worry. Tomorrow, we’ll leave for Chikli, okay? Just you and me. A change of scenery will do us both good."
I turned to him, my expression softening slightly. "Really?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He nodded, giving me his signature reassuring smile. Then, leaning down, he kissed my forehead. "Now, let’s put this drama behind us and get some rest, okay?"
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As I lay down beside him, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of exhaustion and gratitude. Ashwin’s constant support was a balm to my frayed nerves. While the events of the night had left me shaken, I knew that with him by my side, I could handle whatever came next.
Tomorrow, a fresh start awaited us in Chikli, and for the first time that night, I allowed myself to hope for peace.