Page 88 of Mrs. Rathore

AVNI

I didn’t have my crutches with me as I took a hesitant step forward. For the first time in what felt like forever, I tried walking on my own and to my surprise, I managed to walk pretty well without them. I stood still for a moment, stunned, before a giddy smile spread across my face. My heart raced not with fear this time, but with joy. My legs were holding me up.

Without a second thought, I grabbed my phone and texted Rhea. She had to be the first one to hear this.

“Finally, finally I can walk without crutches.” I typed, my fingers shaking with excitement.

Her response came a few seconds later. “Wow, Bhabhi!” I could almost hear the enthusiasm in her voice. “How long can you stand without crutches?”

“Not for too long, but long enough to not depend on anyone anymore,” I replied, grinning. I stood a little taller then, as if my words gave me more balance.

It had been five days since Rhea and Dadi left for Bangalore, but it felt like they had gone to another planet. The house had turned cold and quiet without their laughter echoing through the hallways. Everything around me felt dull, like someone had turned down the brightness of my world. I had never been this close to anyone, not even my parents. But Rhea and Dadi… they had filled a space in my heart that I didn’t even know existed.

“That’s such great news. I can’t wait to dance with you. You will teach me Kathak, won’t you, Bhabhi?”

“Yes, I will,” I texted with a soft smile, remembering our little conversations about dancing in the garden once I was healed.

“When will you return?” I asked, hoping it would be soon.

“Just a couple of days, and then we’ll be with you again. By the way, Dadi sends you lots of love.”

“Give her kisses in my place,” I replied.

“Sure.” She added a wink emoji that made me chuckle.

In the middle of our texts, I realized something I had been standing on this whole time. Without support and pain. Just standing and smiling. There was so much excitement coursing through me, I felt like I could explode.

I imagined the ghungroos wrapped around my ankles, the rhythm of the music filling the room, my body moving freely and confidently. I couldn’t wait to dance again to feel the floor beneath my feet, to lose myself in the beat. I hugged the phone to my chest and laughed softly. I must have looked like a maniac, grinning alone in my room, but I didn’t care.

Then her voice shattered my moment.

“Avni.”

I jumped slightly at the sound of Mrs. Rathore calling me. Placing my phone on the nightstand, I picked up my crutches and limped toward the door.

She stood at the end of the hallway, arms crossed, her face stiff with disapproval. Her eyes scanned me from head to toe, and I saw the familiar flicker of disdain across her face.

“Yes, Mrs. Rathore?” I asked, keeping my voice calm and polite.

“There’s a small gathering at our house today,” she said, already looking away from me. “I’d appreciate it if you stayed in your room. I don’t want guests asking unnecessary questions or making awkward assumptions when they see your…” Her eyes briefly dropped to my legs. “…your condition. You understand what I mean, don’t you?”

I nodded slightly, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“And if you need anything, just call Harish. He’s available for you. Please don’t come into the living room.”

Her words stung. To her, I was still the outsider. The girl who didn’t fit and never would.

I gave her a tight, practiced smile. “Okay. I’ll stay in my room if it makes you more comfortable.”

Without waiting for her response, I turned and headed back. Her judgmental gaze still lingered in my mind, but I brushed it off. I was used to this.

She had always found subtle ways to remind me I was beneath her standards, too average-looking, too clumsy, too uneducated. She never missed a chance to remind me I didn’t belong in this house, let alone with her perfect son. And she adored Ira as much as she disliked me.

Still, I didn’t hate her.

Because despite everything, she had given me Rhea. And Rhea made it all worth enduring.

It was just a couple more days until Aryan would be called away for his next posting. That would give me the space as I needed to breathe, to think, and to finally take the next step. I needed to talk to a lawyer, get the divorce papers drafted, and begin the painful but necessary process of ending this hollow marriage. I couldn’t involve my family in this yet, especially Papa. He would never understand.