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So now… I'm free.
The case that once hovered over me has finally come to an end.
I've returned to the jobs I had to give up because of it.
I've started earning again. And with the compensation money I received — plus a bit from my savings — I've managed to rent an affordable little house.
It's time to leave now.
No matter how many times Akshat asks me to stay…
No matter how much Anshu loves this place…
We have to go.
I need to finish packing quickly.
"You're not going anywhere. Put that bag down!"
Akshat's voice is stern.
"Riya, if you think your staying here is troubling anyone — including me — it's not.
In times like these, if friends don't help, then who will?
And besides, you don't have enough money yet to manage a new place.
Why waste your savings when you can just stay here?
And why did you rent a place that's so far away?"
He sighs, his tone firm but caring.
"If you really want to leave, fine… but Anshu's not going anywhere."
He places a hand on Anshu's head.
She looks up at him and smiles softly —
Maybe she didn't want to leave this place either.
"Oh Akshat... why are you saying this?
We had to leave someday, right?
And don't worry about the money.
I got compensation, and I'll keep saving as I work.
You've already done so much for me —
I don't even know how to repay you."
"Stop it. Don't talk like that!"
Akshat snaps, frustration in his voice.
Just then, Papa walks into the room, gently thanking Akshat.
His presence calms Akshat a little.
He tells him there's no need for thanks.
"But son, we really must go now...
How much longer can we stay here?
You're a wonderful boy.
I don't think I can ever do anything for you…
But if you ever need anything, please come to me."
Akshat softens.
He agrees to let us go —
Even books a cab for us.
As we leave, I look out the window, wondering what our new home will be like.
Even Anshu looked a little down about leaving.
We stop by an ATM to withdraw cash.
As I step out, a woman suddenly falls at my feet.
Maybe the restaurant next to the ATM had thrown her out.
Before I can help her up, a girl rushes over to support her.
And as they both look up at me —
I freeze.
They aren't strangers.
They are…
My stepmother. And my stepsister, Suhana.
We all recognize each other instantly.
But what happened to them?
How did they end up like this?
Their belongings were scattered on the ground.
Were they thrown out of their house?
Couldn't pay rent, maybe?
Had no money for food?
Their eyes were filled with hopelessness.
Was this… karma?
But then —
Why do I feel sorry for them?
No.
I shouldn't.
They were the ones who kicked us out —
Me, Papa, and Anshu — in the middle of the night, into the cold.
They don't deserve help.
Their faces looked like withered leaves.
Maybe they wanted to speak… to ask for help.
But I said nothing.
I walked silently toward the cab.
They called out after me—
"Riya, wait! Please… hear us out…"
I climbed into the cab, pretending like I hadn't heard a thing.
"Let's go, driver."
But just as the car began to move —
I stopped it.
I don't know why I did it…
They were still sitting on the ground, broken.
And as I walked back toward them —
They burst into tears.
"Please help us… forgive us."
I remembered…
Not so long ago, I was the one crying like this.
They hadn't seen my tears then.
But now…
Why can I see theirs?
Maybe…
Maybe I don't want to help them.
But I will.
Because somehow, I just couldn't watch them like this.
We all sat in the car together.
Anshu wasn't too happy about it.
Papa stayed silent.
My stepmother and Suhana couldn't even lift their eyes —
They were drowning in shame.
We weren't going to the new house after all —
We were going back to our old one.
The house that was truly ours.
We had once handed it over to my late mother's old friend — Sunita Aunty —
because we couldn't afford to keep it.
Sunita Aunty was a kind woman,
a good friend to my mother,
and always looked out for us.
But she never got along with my stepmother.
Maybe when she learned that my stepmother couldn't pay rent,
she threw them out.
I went to speak with her…
begged her to let us stay again.
At first, she refused to allow my stepmother and Suhana back in —
but I convinced her.
"Di… we're not staying here, right?"
Anshu asked me, hesitantly.
"And if we don't stay here, then where will we go?"
I smiled.
"We've rented a new house.
The three of us will stay there."
I turned to my stepmother.
"You stay here. Just make sure the rent is paid on time.
We won't be staying — we're leaving now."
As the three of us walked back toward the car,
My stepmother grabbed my hand.
"Forgive me, Riya.
I've done horrible things to you.
And yet… you helped me.
Now I finally understand what pain feels like.
I made terrible choices, and I'm full of regret."
I slowly pulled my hand from hers and started to walk away.
But before I could take another step —
Suhana fell to her knees at my feet.
"Your mother must be cursing me from above...
Please… just give us one more chance.
Let us all stay together…
If not, we'll go away forever."
Then Suhana looked up, still crying —
"Riya, we realized what you meant to us… after losing you.
If you want, I'll even apologize to Papa… to Anshu.
Please forgive me."
They both held my feet, begging.
I saw a flicker of softness in Anshu's eyes.
I looked toward Papa —
He gave a small nod.
We forgave them…
And I told them they could stay in the house.
I don't know how…
But things… were slowly starting to heal.
There was peace in the house now. ,it turns into a home again
It's no more hell now
Even Suhana and Anshu had started forming a bond.
My stepmother — she began treating Anshu more lovingly too.
Seeing that made me genuinely happy.
She started caring for me a little, too.
She had stopped going out unnecessarily…
and had begun giving Papa his medicines again.
She even got a job.
Maybe… life really does teach us everything, when it turns a corner.
Yes.
Maybe… this is how it's meant to be.
But…
That one story…
still remains unfinished.
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