Evening had fallen when a girl returned home from college. As she stepped inside, she saw a birthday celebration going on in the hall. She looked at the family before her — a family that was hers, and yet, not really hers. Yes, it was her own family — her mother Kavita Ji, father Mahendra Ji, and younger sister Vartika.
There were four members in this family: Kavita Ji, Mahendra Ji, their elder daughter Chahat, and younger daughter Vartika.
And the eldest daughter of this house, Chahat, was now standing in the doorway, watching her parents celebrate Vartika's birthday, with sadness in her eyes. The hall was beautifully decorated. Without saying a word, she dropped her bag there and quietly went to her room.
Her parents noticed her walking away but said nothing, remaining busy with the birthday celebration.
Chahat reached her room and stood near the window, from where the sky was clearly visible. She opened it and looked up — only to find no moon, no stars. It was a new moon night. A pitch-dark sky. Just like her life — dark and lonely.
A couple of tears rolled down her cheeks. Still looking up, she whispered,
"Why, God? Why don't my parents love me? What did I do wrong? Or am I not even their daughter? Why is it like this? They love Vartika so much, but me? What about me? Don't they love me at all?"
She kept questioning herself, sobbing softly… and somewhere between those thoughts, she drifted off to sleep on the couch in her room, unknowingly.
---
A few days later, Chahat had just come back home in the evening when her eyes fell on the hall. Sitting there was the love of her life, Anshuman, alongside her parents and sister.
Chahat and Anshuman had been in a relationship for four years. She often talked about marriage, but he'd always say he needed to settle down first.
That very day, Chahat had learned that Anshuman had landed a great job. She tried calling him to congratulate him, but he didn't answer. Thinking he might be busy, she didn't push.
Now she understood why he didn't pick up — he was coming to her house with a marriage proposal. But strangely, he hadn't told her anything in advance.
With a shy smile on her face, Chahat slowly walked toward the hall. Anshuman smiled at her when he saw her, and her eyes dropped bashfully. But before anything could be said, Kavita Ji remarked,
"Oh, you're home now? Go get tea from the kitchen. Anshuman has brought a proposal!"
Chahat nodded and walked to the kitchen. Her heart was racing, her face glowing red with happiness. She prepared the tea with trembling hands and came out with the tray.
But as soon as she stepped out and looked toward the hall, the smile vanished from her face.
Vartika was sitting beside Anshuman.
Chahat couldn't understand why her sister was sitting so closely with her boyfriend. She approached, her steps hesitant. She served tea to everyone. Just as she moved to serve Anshuman, she overheard his mother, Anita Ji, say,
"Sister, we really like Vartika. Honestly, we couldn't have found a better daughter-in-law or wife for Anshuman. For us, this match is final. Right, Anshuman, dear?"
Chahat's eyes turned toward Anshuman in shock. He looked at Vartika… and nodded with a smile.
Her heart shattered. The man who claimed to love her till yesterday was now saying yes to marry her younger sister?
She turned to Vartika — who was also smiling at Anshuman. Her heart broke completely.
The tea cup in her hand slipped and spilled on her feet. She cried out softly in pain — but no one cared. Everyone rushed to Vartika, who had only gotten a few drops on her feet.
But Chahat? She was completely ignored. Her own parents didn't even look at her.
"What's wrong with you, Chahat? Can't you even serve properly? Look, you've burned my baby!" Kavita Ji shouted.
Nobody noticed her pain — not her parents, not Anshuman, her so-called love.
Yes, her feet were burnt, turning red, but that pain was nothing compared to the ache in her heart.
Anshuman brought ointment for Vartika and began applying it to her feet, while Chahat stood frozen.
And then… something inside her snapped.
She picked up a vase and threw it to the ground — the loud crash finally got everyone's attention.
"What are you doing?!" Mahendra Ji yelled.
"Why can't you see what I'm going through? You only care about Vartika's pain — but mine? What about mine? You never even spoke to me lovingly once!"
"When did you become so selfish, Chahat? Jealous of your own sister?" Anshuman scolded.
That was the final blow.
"I'm not jealous. I'm asking for what's mine. And what's selfish in asking for my right? We loved each other, Anshuman. You said we'd marry once you get a job. And now that you're settled, you show up to marry my sister?"
Everyone was stunned. Anshuman avoided her gaze.
But then, in the most cowardly move ever, he said,
"What are you saying, Chahat? I always saw you as a friend. I never loved you. I've always loved Vartika."
Her world collapsed.
Now even her love was denying her.
Then, Vartika came forward with fake tears and said,
"Di, why are you doing this? Anshuman has always liked me. But if it hurts you, I'll leave him. You marry him. I can't hurt my sister."
Chahat saw right through her act. But her family couldn't.
Anshuman held Vartika close and snapped,
"Why are you making a scene? Look at your sister — she's willing to sacrifice everything for you, and you keep lying!"
Chahat tried to speak but her voice wouldn't come out.
Tears flowed endlessly from her eyes, while Vartika smirked behind her fake sobs.
"Sorry, my dear sister," Vartika thought. "But I won't let Anshuman be yours. I've always gotten what I wanted. I won't let this be an exception — no matter what it takes."
Before anyone could react, Mahendra Ji walked up to Chahat and slapped her across the face.
She turned away, stunned, tears streaming down.
"So this is what it's come to? Lying to destroy your sister's happiness? What's wrong with you, Chahat? Why so much hatred for her? Just because we gave a little love to Vartika? You should be ashamed! Sometimes I wonder why you were even born!"
That last sentence… crushed her soul.
She looked at the people standing before her — her family. But none of them were truly hers.
She quietly turned away and walked back to her room.
---
To know what happens next, keep reading —
Rebirth in Novel