PAST
SMRITI'S POV
Chachi handed me the vegetable list like I was her servant.
“Don’t waste money,” she warned. “And come back quickly.”
I nodded silently.
The sun was harsh that Sunday afternoon, but I didn’t mind walking.
Walking gave me time to think.
One day… one day I’ll leave this house.
When I save enough money.
When I become independent.
When I don’t have to hear my parents being insulted every day.
I bought the vegetables, checked the prices carefully, even picked up the snacks Shweta liked so Chachi wouldn’t shout again.
While walking back, my mind drifted to the day my life changed.
My twentieth birthday.
It was supposed to be special.
Papa had promised to come home early.
But when he entered the house that evening… something was wrong.
His face was pale.
His shoulders looked heavy.
"Sita…” I remember him saying softly, “Smriti ko room mein bhej do.”
I went inside.
But I didn’t close the door fully.
I peeked.
Papa was crying.
My strong, confident father was crying in my mother’s arms.
“They destroyed everything,” he said in a broken voice. “Our business… our accounts… someone framed me in financial fraud. Police may come anytime.”
Mumma held his face. “Yeh sab jhoot hai. You’re innocent.”
He shook his head. “If something happens… you and Smriti must leave. Immediately.”
Mumma cried. “We are not leaving you. We stay together.”
My heart was racing. I couldn’t understand anything.
Then—
The doorbell rang.
A loud, harsh ring.
My mother froze.
She opened the door.
Police officers stepped inside.
“Shrivastava Arora?” one of them asked coldly.
“Yes,” Papa replied, standing straight despite everything.
“You are under investigation for financial fraud and assault charges.”
“Assault?” my mother gasped. “This is false!”
The officer smirked.
“We have a complaint from a woman.”
I couldn’t stay hidden anymore.
I ran toward Papa and hugged him tightly.
“Papa, what’s happening?” I cried. “Please don’t take him!”
Papa tried to calm me. “Smriti, beta… go inside.”
“No!” I refused, holding him tighter.
One officer stepped closer, his tone turning disturbingly casual.
“You have a beautiful daughter,” he said in a low voice. “If you cooperate… maybe we can make this case disappear.”
Before he could finish—
Slap.
My father’s hand struck his face hard.
“How dare you speak about my daughter like that?” Papa roared.
The room erupted into chaos.
The officer shouted back. “You’re already in trouble! Don’t make it worse.”
My mother quickly picked up the phone with shaking hands.
She dialed one number.
“Dhruv ji… please come quickly…”
Dhruv Raichand.
Papa’s closest friend.
Within minutes — though it felt like hours — Dhruv uncle arrived.
He walked in with authority.
“What is going on?” his voice was calm but commanding.
The officers straightened slightly.
“There are serious allegations,” one officer said defensively.
Dhruv uncle looked at the documents in their hands.
“These papers are incomplete,” he stated firmly. “Where is the official arrest warrant?”
The officers hesitated.
“And assault charges?” he continued sharply. “I know Shrivastava personally. Show me the complainant’s verified statement.”
They couldn’t.
Dhruv uncle took out his phone.
“I am calling the Commissioner right now,” he said. “Let’s clarify how my friend is being threatened in his own house.”
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The arrogant officer stepped back.
“Then clear it legally,” Dhruv replied coldly. “Not by intimidation.”
After a tense few minutes and a few phone calls, the officers were ordered to step back from immediate arrest due to insufficient documentation.
They left with a warning that investigation would continue.
The door closed.
Silence filled the house.
Papa sat down heavily on the sofa.
I had never seen him look so defeated.
Dhruv uncle placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Someone powerful is behind this,” papa said quietly to mom . “But don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you or Smriti.”
I remember Papa looking at me that night.
He smiled weakly.
“Stay strong, princess.”
I didn’t know then…
That strength would soon become my only companion.
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